XII

Covenant

『S-Day +66』

『Colosseum – Spoliarium』

The six bodies of the fallen adventurers were taken to the room where weapons, armor, body parts and other items are removed from the dead. Slave workers placed each body on a stone surface and stripped each adventurer naked. Usable materials will be repurposed.

Bile was removed as well as any remaining blood to be sold to the 「Alchemist's Guild」. Undamaged organs are quickly and carefully removed and placed in ice boxes for preservation and sold to the 「Healer's Guild」.

Lastly, holes are drilled into each head to allow the workers access to the brain. Between each hemisphere lies a crystal of 「Mana Stone」 which can be harvested. The size of each crystals differs from person to person, creature to creature. This is either repurposed or sold off.

Once the spoils have been plundered, each body is sent to the crematorium for disposal.

☘ ☘ ☘

『S-Day +69』

『Colosseum』

“For the crimes of subversion and treason against the empire, for offenses against the summoned and defeat within the trial-by-combat, for violation committed during the trial-by-combat, for cowardice and bribery. Former Propraetor Lucius Carbo Umbrius of the house of Umbrii has been sentenced to death by crucifixion.”

No cheers nor jeers were heard. Quiet gasps of shock murmured through the spectators as the accusations had been made.

“To expedite the execution, his accomplice, a pleb whose name has been stripped, shall set aflame a pyre beneath the cross. The man will then be further stripped of his citizenship and will be sent to the urban sewers.” the announcer concluded.

The urban sewers located beneath the southern cities conglomerated all sewage channels from all the Epistylian cities and drained further south. Thousands of slaves work within this grand construction to maintain its functions. Slimes are bred and tasked to consume and convert waste material into usable fertilizer. Excess slimes are transferred to dungeons to function as cleaners.

Slaves are also responsible for maintaining the flow of waste water and to remove any clogs that may appear. It is estimated that tens of slaves perish within the sewers each day.

Guards entered the arena dragging along the chained accomplice of Umbrius. The man was then brought before Umbrius and had materials dropped in front of him to start a fire. As the fire spread, the man's chains were then staked to the ground forcing him to watch as Umbrius slowly burned.

Umbrius burned slowly, painfully, before succumbing to the fire.

☘ ☘ ☘

『S-Day + 70』

『High Servant's Quarters』

It was still dark when I was awoken to the feeling of someone atop my body. On my right, I could feel Saya sleeping sounding while on my left was someone that was not Alicia drooling on me. Above me was Alicia whose face was illuminated by a dim light.

“Ah, you're awake. Good morning, onii-chan.” she whispered.

“What time is it?” I replied groggily.

“Almost four. I couldn't get much sleep knowing you were finally sleeping with Saya. Look,” she showed me her camera's LCD screen, “You were a lot more gentle with her than you were with me. I had wanted you to practice with them first so you wouldn't just jam it inside me.”

“Who was recording that?”

“Illyria. You didn't notice?”

I was too focused on Saya that I had no idea what Illyria had been doing.

After finishing with Alicia, we resumed our typical morning routine. Saya was made to rest with Illyria handling her duties. As Alicia and I luxuriated in the bath, I started to think of some issues that became problematic. Body wash, shampoo, cotton swabs, toothpaste and other items were already depleted. It can simply be replaced thanks to the Grimoire, but it would cost quite a bit of stored mana.

Not to mention my medication, of which I only had less than a month left and five months for my painkillers. I need to figure out a way to mass produce stored mana to keep a constant supply of meds.

Another issue is stocking up on supplies we would need to travel to the western mountains. Thanks to the magic chest, we would be able to carry a larger amount of items with greater ease, but we would still require a large caravan to mask its existence. A large amount of food to feed a large amount of workers who would work a large amount of tools and wear a large amount of clothing. Much of my money would disappear in the blink of an eye.

Wood can be harvested in the forest and used as temporary shelter along with earth magic. However, once we reach the mountain we would need something that would allow for quick mining. Black powder. It was thanks to my friend Rich and his obsession with learning how everything is made that I learned how to make black powder.

A simple thing which can be made with ease. Plentiful wood for charcoal and plentiful sulfur from Healingspring, all that was needed was potassium nitrate. Even though the others will figure it out eventually, it would be best to not give them a head start with such a thing. Thus, harvesting from animal waste would cause too much suspicion and an alternative would be needed.

Urine soaked straw left to ferment for a year would do the trick. Placing it in the time machine would hasten the process. Since urine is used on a massive scale by the locals, it would not lead any suspicion.

Umu, let's go with that.

I turned my attention to Alicia.

“Alicia, I need your pee.”

She was sitting on my lap resting her head on my shoulder and at my words I felt her tremble. As she faced me, Alicia gave me a look of quiet acceptance.

“O-okay.”

With careful movements, she stood above me standing on the stone rim of the bath. Her thin legs spread allowing me a glimpse in-between. Her fingers moved to spread her lips and with a strained face…

“Wait wait wait, what the fuck are you doing?” I said, trying to stop her.

“You told me to pee on you.”

“I did not!”

“You just said 'I need your pee'. What the hell am I supposed to think?!”

“Pee in a bucket, not on my face. What the shit?”

“We' have weird fetishes,” she said as she stepped off the bath and walking towards the toilet. “You have to tell me specifically what you want otherwise I will just take it as you trying to get off. Idiot onii-chan.”

“Hey, pee in a bucket.”

“Fuck off!” she slammed the door.

Alicia returned a few minutes later and rejoined me in the bath. Although, she still held an annoyed look on her face.

“And, why do you need urine?” she asked while eying me suspiciously.

“Gunpowder.”

“Whoa wait, you're not thinking of giving these people explosives are you?”

“Nope, once we leave the empire I want to head to the western mountains. If we can find 「Altar Stones」 there then we can have a chance at returning home. That's where the black powder comes in. There should also be a fortress there that was abandoned that we can use as a base.”

“We'll need lots of food and tools, skilled workers and maybe even an army. We have a lot of work to do and a million gold isn't going to be enough.”

“A lot of work.”

“Then let's get started, onii-chan.”

☘ ☘ ☘

We got to work. Alicia took some servants living below us to Veronica so she can mass produce potions. When she finished that, she went to prepare for the upcoming feast she had planned. I, on the other hand, went next door to check on the not-soy sauce. My Grimoire was left with Veronica to synthesize a hand-operated rolling mill which would take two hours and twenty thousand mana.

The pot was filled with brown liquid which had the familiar scent and taste. Next step was to boil it to cease the fermentation process. The leftover mash was to be used as miso. Once the boiling was done and stored away, I took the three servants who were idle while waiting for my commands.

On my word, the three servants followed me to the carruca. Saya had insisted on accompanying me despite her fatigue, though I did notice an obvious limp to her. She clung to my arm as we walked, hearts floating above her.

As we boarded the noise-machine-of-deaf-making I explained my plans for the three servants. Saya was busily tapping away at my phone as if she could read the kanji and english letters. She held a smile as she found a song she liked.

They would collect the items I had listed in large quantities and pile it onto the carriage. Oats, wheat, honey, various nuts, various fruit, milk and straw. While they worked on this task, Saya and I would head to the 「Merchant's Guild」 to sell what soap they had made and place orders on the same items, but in even larger quantities.

We arrived at the merchant district and split up.

As I waited in line for the counter, I could hear a few customers making requests for information about the crossbow I had used. Each one was turned away as the guild had no knowledge of the weapon. A few asked about the armor and even whose family the emblem belonged to. When it came to my turn at the counter, I was met by the same person I had worked with before.

“You've returned. Salve.”

“Salve, I’ve come to sell some wares and place some orders.”

“Of course, sir.”

Despite the soap being lower quality than the ones I make, it was still higher quality than that of the locals. A large amount was sold off for nearly four hundred gold. Then orders were placed for large amounts of the same items I had sent the servants out for and other items. Linen sacks were ordered to contain the dry items instead of the large clay pots called dolium. The different linen sacks held ten to fifty libras of grain.

Again, I had no idea how much that was in real measurements. If it is less than an imperial pound, then maybe around three kilograms or so.

Chickpeas, salt, barrels, chests, raw cotton, charcoal and dry wood were also ordered in large quantities. Covered wagons and other types of transports were order as well for when we were set to leave. Asses were chosen as the animal of choice rather than horses as it was much easier to take care of asses. The massive amounts of orders were to be delivered to the High Servant's Quarters.

We left a hundred thousand gold aureus lighter. As left the building, I took notice of different animals just staring at me. Ever since that wolf from the Colosseum gave me that odd stare, I started seeing other animals doing it. The birds would cock their head to me, the dogs would stare, the cats would stare, the porcupine-looking thing that had feathers instead of quills would stare at me, another porcupine-looking thing that had feathers instead of quills, but this one had red feathers so I am guessing it was a level eighty palette swap would also stare.

Whatever.

My next stop was to the newly reopened magic item shop.

The shop itself catered to the patricians and held large appliances. It was mostly ice boxes, ovens and hot tubs. The few small items that they did carry were fire-starter wands, ass-washing wands and cool-your-face wands. We left empty-handed.

Next stop was at the 「Alchemist's Guild」 for the explosives I wanted to make. To obfuscate the necessary materials required, I simply bought whatever was available. Sulfuric acid and nitric acid were used for gun cotton which was scary easy to make thanks to the same person that taught me and Rich how to make black powder. Graphite was used in gunpowder to prevent static discharge causing an unintended ignition.

We left once more a hundred thousand gold aureus lighter. I was now depleted of what money I had on me. There was still magic stones and tools we would need so I could no longer make other purchases.

When we returned to the carriage, we saw it was filled completely with what the servants were sent to purchase. It was not much of an issue as Saya could simple sit on my lap as always.

☘ ☘ ☘

The high servant's quarters were a simple design of six apartment styled insulae connected to each other sitting atop a lower servant's quarters. Twelve servants assisted the six high servants whilst they were living within the quarters until the high servants were needed. Once five of the high servants had left, the remaining lower servants idled whilst waiting for new duties. As Saya had become the last remaining high servant residing here, the servants tended to her every command.

When I had tried asking Saya why she was left behind while the other five went to the others, she would simply ignore me or change the subject. She did tell me that when it was discovered that there were ten otherworlders rather than their intended six, the emperor had to acquire more servants from the Servilia House.

I figured that Alicia most likely had already screened them so they would probably be safe to use. Each of the servants would be needed for my current task.

Once we arrived at the apartment, I had the servants start unloading everything into my workshop apartment. While they busied themselves, I went into my residing apartment and into the office.

“Sup dude, your thing's just finished synthesizing.” Veronica said without taking her eyes off the retort she was working on, “What did you make?”

“A rolling mill for the oats I got.”

“Oh cool, I could totally go for some muesli.”

“I have no idea what that is.”

“I'll show you how to make some later. Just need fresh fruits, milk, nuts and honey for the rolled oats.”

“Sure okay, by the way, I got you some food from the merchant district.”

“Oh hell yeah, I'm starving. Thanks~.” she jumped out of her chair and practically lunged at the food I brought her.

“Aren't I such a great boyfriend.”

“Not even close, buddy.”

“Tch. Ah right, do you know how to make gun cotton?”

“Kinda, my teacher last year showed us how nitration works so I could probably figure it out.”

“Great, I'll help you out with making some.”

I took the hand-operated rolling mill to the work apartment and showed the servants how to use it. They were instructed to take shifts using this on all the oat grains. I also instructed them on toasting half of it with the oven as well as how to dry some of the fruits that were purchased. Once they understood how to do this, they were to teach it to the other servants using the other ovens in the other apartments.

The day was nearly done and I wanted to prep one more task. With the help of the other servants, I had piles of straw laid out a bit away from the building and had Saya instruct all the servants to collect urine and pour it over the straw bed.

☘ ☘ ☘

『S-Day +71』

『High Servant's Quarters』

The ration bars, formerly camping bars, were simple to make and the servants were able to bake them in large batches. The muesli that Veronica talked about was also easy to make as it was just putting everything into a bowl, mixing it then chilling it in the ice box. As I thought about all the food that needed to be prepared for our travels, an idea came to mind. I could have some bento boxes crafted. The bento boxes can just be filled and stacked in the magic chest.

With all the servants hard at work, there was little for me to do at the moment. I took a look at the tattered remnants of my armor and decided to have it repaired at the smithy. While I was at it, I drew up some plans for the boxes.

☘ ☘ ☘

While there was still turtle shell material leftover, there was not enough usable pieces to fix the damaged areas of my armor. I had the armorsmiths use steel to fill in the gaps. The redsmiths were commissioned to craft more identical copper stills. As much as they could make with the copper they had on hand.

Since I was nearby, I went to visit the library to drop off the tomes I had borrowed from Minervina and to grab that book about the six fortresses. Thankfully, there was also a map of the empire that I could steal and use to plot out our travel route.

☘ ☘ ☘

『S-Day +72』

『Patrician's District』

Alicia had taken me to meet with some nobles early in the morning. She convinced me that I could make a bit of money by selling off some ideas to the patricians. Three nobles I would spend the day meeting and three things I could sell to each one. Soap, paper and printing.

I met with the first one.

He was holding an orange bar of soap that I had not given him, surprised that I was the one responsible for it. He went on to tell me about how his daughter was the one who had bought it from a merchant.

Soap might be problematic as the 「Merchant's Guild」 associate had warned me that numerous inquiries were made by the 「Alchemist's Guild」 as to ascertain the source of the soap I had made. I relayed this to the man whose name I did not care to remember.

“It's fine, I have dealt with that guild for many years. It will not be a problem.” claimed the patrician, “But how do you know its process? It is a guarded secret amongst the alchemists and the never of this quality.”

“I have approximate knowledge of many things.”

While I was busy drawing up the contract relinquishing my rights to the soap recipe, Alicia took the man aside and spoke to him quietly. A hundred thousand gold aureus in bronze sesterces and silver denarii were paid out to me. We left for the next noble to sell the paper.

It was a simple thing, how to make paper. Wood is broken down into small pieces then soaked in water and beaten to fuck-all until it becomes pulp. Many other types of materials could be turned into usable pulp such as cotton, linen, hemp, papyrus and various vine plants. Lye is used to remove the starches.

The pulp is then suspended in a vat of water where a screen is used to scoop out some pulp. Once the excess water is drained off, the raw paper is then sandwiched between a layer of cloths and stacked upon each other. This is then pressed to remove as much of the remaining water then removed and laid out to dry.

“It's that easy?” questioned the man, incredulously.

“It's that easy.” I simply parroted, “Ah, but while it is superior to that papyrus crap you people still insist on using, parchment is still better to use for important things and long term records.”

“I would need proof of your words.”

At his words, I ripped out a page from one of my composition books and handed the page to him.

“This was mechanically pressed using multi-ton steel rollers. The one I described to you will be thicker.”

“I see, with this it could change the very-”

“Yeah, I know. My world has had this for, like, two thousand years. You people seriously need to catch up. By the way, here's a freebie since I am just so gosh darn generous. Use 「Dye Stones」 mixed with oil or water or something as a writing medium. If you mix it with clay and bake it then stick in between some pieces of wood you get a pencil. Amazing~.”

“Where did you learn such things?”

“I have approximate knowledge of many things.”

The contract was signed, he was given the plans and instructions and I got a fat check of one hundred thousand gold aureus worth of bronze fucking sesterces because of course it is something easy to carry and not at all a hindrance. Once more Alicia took the man aside and spoke to him privately. I am not bothered by it. Nope.

The third and last person I met today 'oohed' and 'aahed' at the very concept of the printing press. The idea of movable type to make reproductions of prearranged letters to make mass amounts of copies was simply beyond these people's comprehension.

“Where did you learn of such a thing?”

“I have approximate… whatever, just sign here.”

I did not even have to try to sell it to him before he took my offer of two hundred thousand gold aureus. Again, it was in sesterces and denarii and Alicia spoke to this one privately. I am not jealous.

We bid farewell and made our way back to our apartment.

“Don't be jealous.”

“I'm not jealous.”

“Ever since you started taking fewer of those painkillers you have been a lot easier to read,” she stepped in front of me holding her arms behind her in an attempt to look cute. Her ponytail whipped around as she turned to face me, “Everything I do I do to benefit you. The deal I made with those men ensure that your deals will be upheld. You have nothing to worry about, onii-chan~.”

☘ ☘ ☘

『S-Day +73』

『Imperial Palace – Office』

During our morning meal we received a messenger with a request from the emperor for an audience. It seems their caravan had returned to the capital sometime last night. This was good as I would be able to see Minervina again. Before we left the apartment, Alicia, Veronica and I took all our prepared blueprints, schematics and contracts. The crossbow and trebuchet plans were already negotiated, but I still had my little packet of industry to garner more leverage.

The three of us were sat before the emperor in his small office with Alicia to my left and Veronica to my right. Our servants were not present, but the emperor's own were and were busily providing us with chilled water and a light meal.

“Lucius Umbrius is dead,” the emperor began, “His agent has been enslaved and sent to the urban sewers. He will not live long.”

“Is that so?”

“He was crucified and set aflame. The house of Umbrii is now in disarray, though they are merely a small family. I have held up my end of the agreement.”

I handed over the crossbow, crossbow blueprints, trebuchet blueprints and tactical information of its usage.

“And, as per the agreement, we will head to Umbria to oversee the initial production of these weapons. We will be using the Umbrius Estate as our temporary residence. What will become of the family?”

“They remain in the Senator's villa. No decision has been made as to what will become of them.”

“As long as they do not decide to retaliate against us, we will not move against them. Now that this has been settled, there is another issue that needs to be resolved.” I looked over to Alicia.

“Next,” Alicia began, “let's discuss reparations for crimes committed against us 'summoned'.”

“No such thing has been-”

“Kidnapping, impressment, attempted enslavement and allowing an enemy agent access to the palatial grounds in an attempted assassination.”

“I have lost my son summoning you, I have sacrificed too much. I do not acknowledge such 'crimes', there will be no recompense.” the emperor gave us a sour look.

“Veronica and I watched your son violate a goddess's commands and was killed for it. However, that still leaves the fact that we were kidnapped against our will. What we are asking for is a miniscule amount.”

“So my priests spoke true, it was Angerona who they had heard.” the emperor finally realized what had happened. With great reluctance, he looked at us, “What do you want?”

The emperor looked at me with suspicion, cautious of what I would be suggesting to him. I took out the map of the empire and placed it on the table.

“I want this.” My hand was placed over the mountain region of the map.

“The Silent Mountains? For what reason?”

“To find a means back to our world and to not be under the thumb of your empire.”

“Many within the senate wish to reclaim this area, it will be difficult to persuade them.” He continued staring at the map, seeing his territory in its entirety.

“Simple, have the others retake… what's this place called, Valemarch, and this southern area of the mountains will remain in your jurisdiction.” I pointed at the area where it showed a clear border of the forest, “This area will act as the defining border. Everything inward will be ours.”

“And you think I would just give it to you?” he asked, incredulously.

“Obviously, but I suppose I can sweeten the deal. How about this, what I will offer you will change your society and it will be a simple pittance of what I am asking for. I offer the power of steam technology.” I did not say this grandly like an imbecile would, but I did expect a better reception other than silence.

“That's it? We use steam toys in the four wind temples to fascinate the plebs. There is no such thing as 'power of steam' other than keeping the temples visited.” the emperor said with an unimpressed voice.

The northern city of Tiberialis held the Temple of Aquilo, god of the north wind. The southern city of Esquiline held the Temple of Auster, god of the south wind. The eastern city of Oppian held the Temple of Vulturnus, god of the east wind. The western city of Pincian held the Temple of Favonius, god of the west wind.

“I'm not offering a toy, I’m offering technology. For example, how long would it take for an entire legion to travel from the capital to the outer wall?”

“One month at full gear and supply, three weeks at a forced march,” the emperor looked at me questioningly. “Why?”

“Once the railway tracks become established and a steam engine utilized, transporting large numbers of troops and supplies will take less than a week. It would require new metallurgical practices and a universal standardization of measurements.”

“And what is to stop me from simply requesting this information from the other summoned?” the emperor did his best to hide his smirk.

“Feel free to do so and you can spend the next fifty years trying to figure out what they are telling you. Then you will be arguing with your craftsmen when they tell you the others are full of shit because your workers are too primitive to understand. But you see this?” I waved a bundle of papers in his view, “This is everything written down in your own language, written with new standards of measure, written so that those very craftsmen can understand just by following simple steps.

“How long until the ossians invade enmasse?”

We continued our attempts at convincing him that this would be a good idea. Since they had spent twenty years sitting on their asses doing nothing while the empire was being invaded then they should have no problem spending the years needed to make railways happen.

It did not take long to convince him that this was a good idea. I now had complete control of most of the mountain range to the west on the condition that I did not intrude on the gallian mountains to the north and the southern area of the silent mountains. An agreement was made so that no entity from the empire or allied to the empire would trespass onto our territory.

We spent an annoying amount of hours writing, rewriting and signing contracts before we were finally done with negotiations. Though I had wanted to leave immediately, we were famished and needed food and drink.

One of the servants caught my eye. I had noticed her earlier, but had not paid much attention to her as the contracts were more important. She looked to be around thirty years of age, pale skin, blue eyes and blue hair.

“In case you are wondering, yes, she is Saya's mother.” noticing my gaze, the emperor said so. “As I already had two sons and a daughter with the late empress, I saw no need to adopt Saya as my daughter.”

“Then how did it come that I had gained her ownership?” I was curious about how the emperor had distributed the servants as the apartment I resided in had belonged to Saya from the beginning.

“She is a special case, that girl. The colors blue and white are the most prized colors within the empire. It signifies strength and power as it was the color of mithril. Blue when mixed with iron and white when made pure. Her divinity allowed her to learn any skill just from a simply glance. Add to it that she is descended from the ancient summoned, her value was extremely high.

“Because of this, she ended up becoming spoiled. She was difficult to control and often showed disrespect. She had much avarice for things she was not supposed to have. The girl was punished for pilfering numerous things from the palace. When the summoning was complete we were prepared for six summoned, but received ten.”

The emperor went on to tell us that when the six summoned were to arrive, a new set of high servants would take residence and they would have just switched out Saya with another. When ten arrived, they gave them a servant each as well as Minervina receiving a new one, Saya was left out due to her punishment. Six otherworlders were expected as that was the supposed number of the previous summoned.

“What was her punishment?”

“The girl had been caught many times pilfering food and wine from the kitchens. She was forced to only eat hard bread and other food of lower quality.”

God dammit... are you kidding me?

That explains the hard bread I had been eating for the first fucking month.

Our meals were done and we had wanted nothing else to do with each other so we left. We did not shake hands since we still felt ire toward each other.

I am fucking both your daughters…

When we left the office, we went our separate ways.

“I have someone I need to meet in secret.” I said while bidding them a farewell.

“Have fun~, we need to set up for tomorrow's feast. I’ll send Saya over with your overnight bag.”

☘ ☘ ☘

『Zoe and Emily's Chambers』

Zoe Summers was positioned on all fours, naked, wracked with sweat and on the cusp of climax. Behind her knelt a young man busily and rhythmically penetrating her.

“Oh, oh god Naoki, Naoki, I’m cumming baby. Harder… harder!”

Both partners shared a mutual orgasm before separating.

“Look, I know you're hung up on the guy, but stop calling me by his fucking name. God damn Zoe.” the young man admonished.

“Sorry Vince, I just got caught up in the moment.” she said as she laid on her back then looked over to her servant and called to her, “Sweety, come clean me up.”

The young girl crawled between Zoe's legs and lowered her head.

“Where's Em?” Vince asked while watching the servant 'cleaning' her master.

“Making up with Chad. She felt bad for going off on him at the meeting.” Zoe sigh each word.

Zoe noticed Vincent's servant holding her hand over her mouth before rushing out of the bedroom.

“Vince, what's wrong with your servant?”

“She's been feeling sick all month. Probably food poisoning.”

“Dude, I think she's pregnant.”

☘ ☘ ☘

『Minervina's Chambers』

Minervina rested her head on my chest while we lay in bed. We spent little time clothed the moment we had met each other and immediately worked to relieve each others tension.

“Did you miss me that much?” I teased.

“… I just missed the sex.”

“That's fine, I will be spending the night so we can have as much fun as we want.”

“And it only took you a month to finally spend the night.”

“Alicia is planning a feast for tomorrow. Afterward, we will be making our preparations for our expedition. I want you to come with us.”

She said nothing while running her hand over my chest. Her delicate fingers tracing the lines of sweat left behind from our tryst.

“I will think about it.”

“I would prefer it if you came with.”

“Naoki, do you love me that much?” her face was covered in the same smug as Alicia's.

“I only enjoy sleeping with you.”

She leaned down to kiss me.

*chu*

“We're both terrible liars, aren't we?”

☘ ☘ ☘

『S-Day +74』

『High Servant's Quarters』

“Onii-chan~, welcome back. Did you have fun?” Alicia greeted me outside, early in the morning.

“I can't believe you actually sent Illyria to record us.”

When Saya had arrived last night she was accompanied by Illyria who was carrying Alicia's DSLR.

“I can't wait to watch it together. By the way, I need your help. I need you to make an imu.”

“Emu?”

“No, not the bird. Imu.”

Inu.

“You're thinking of the Japanese word for 'dog' aren't you? An imu is a type of pit oven that uses heated rocks to cook a large amount of food over a long period.”

She described in detail how to construct one and I went to work.

A trench was made using earth magic behind the insulae. Firewood was stacked carefully to allow airflow from the ends of the trench to pull in oxygen and keep the fires hot. Stones were piled atop the firewood to absorb as much heat as possible. When the firewood burned through enough, the stones would simply fall into the trench.

Once the stones become set in the trench, branches which have been soaked overnight were carefully placed over the trench to hold the food. Large broad leaves were placed on top the branches and the meat and vegetables placed above that. More leaves covered the food and soaked linen cloths were used to hold the leaves together. The ends of the trench were sealed and the pile was covered with dirt. This would cook throughout the day.

“Wait, hold on. Where did the banana leaves come from?” I noticed the leaves, but did not remember seeing anything like it before.

“The market, apparently bananas grow here, but don't bother eating it. Totally not worth it.” Veronica warned me.

Completely ignoring her, I went to the kitchens and found a banana bunch and took one to eat. I immediately regretted my decision as the banana had a weird artificial taste.

“So yeah, the ones that they grow here are the same ones that supposedly went extinct on earth. It's actually pretty popular among the locals as a delicacy. You should really see your face right now.” Veronica was busily laughing as she explained the banana issue.

I left to work on other things. The servants were ordered to pause their making of ration bars and tasked with setting up tables and chairs outside as well as preparing other foods and drink to be served.

☘ ☘ ☘

『Port City of Ostia – Outskirts』

“Blasted jungle, how can so much plant life survive in such a place?” a young girl with a cat-like human appearance vexedly asked.

“Unlike our world, this world is rich in mana. With so much mana moving freely, it allows life to overcome. Now come, daughter, we are nearing the town.”

The group of trackers had been tasked with searching for an ancient fortress to allow a further foothold onto the continent for the Ossians stationed in Pompeii. Unfortunately, the jungles were thick with life. Beasts would attack, ossian tribes would not ally themselves and the plants with thick roots and vines which webbed around them slowed their progress.

Though a month had progressed, barely one hundred kilometers had been traveled. It was only thanks to numerous failed naval expeditions that they knew of a town which they were now nearing.

The city of Ostia was once a small fishing village before the empire came to be. It was one of many villages which provided food and salt to the northern cities. Despite becoming a prosperous city, it was unfortunately plagued by the rampant spread of the Oakoo tree. Ostia was eventually abandoned over five hundred years ago.

Night fell when the tracking corps had reached the city. Because of their beastly traits, the tracking corps composing primarily of Felidoss, they were able to see the city clearly through the starlit night.

“Just as the report claimed, it is empty. We will make our camp here and in the morning I will send someone back to Valemarch. We can have this place set up as a supply post.”

☘ ☘ ☘

『S-Day +75 – Midnight』

『Praetorian Guard Barracks』

3am, I had snuck out of the apartment after our party by feigning drunkenness before going to sleep. With Alicia's meticulous scouting, I had access to the night patrol's routes which became easy to bypass. With the use of 「Silent Stones」, I broke into a private room of the barracks and used more of the stones to contain the room.

As I completed securing the room, I noticed the person on the bed stirring. His eyes opened wide upon taking notice that he was not alone.

“Morning~.”

“Guards!” he screamed, pointlessly.

“Yeah, no, don't bother. I covered the windows and door with some cloth to prevent light leaking out and covered the area with a bunch of 「Silent Stones」. No one will bother us.” I showed him my sheathed sword to ensure he did not make any moves.

“What do you want, you scum?”

“Oh, you're able to speak clearly now? That will make things less tedious. I have questions; you have answers. Just make this simple, okay?”

“I will never answer your questions.”

〈!〉

“Yeah, okay, that's a lie. Now tell me, why did you have so much money hidden away. Someone of your former rank would not make such a large amount.”

“Hmph, I was the greatest-”

〈!〉

“Lie. Was it bribe money?”

He refused to answer my questions. Any questions. I decided to pull something out of my ass to see if my false accusations had any substance.

“Propraetor Lucius Umbrius is dead. Crucified and burned for treason. His estate is being searched for any missives to indict any other traitors.”

His eyes twitched.

That's a bingo.

“Is there a plot against the empire?”

Though I was unable to get a direct answer from him, I did, however, get some implied answers. Umbrius and this guy may be part of an underground faction to rebel against the empire. What I had thought was bribe money from patricians to get their sons into the praetorian guard may actually be bribe money to sway the guardsmen.

The best part is simply that I just so happened to stumble upon this plot because these two were idiots or something.

As I looked at the annoyed man lying in his bed all I could see was pitifulness. I drew my blade and aimed at his heart.

“For someone who was trying to recruit allies for the rebel alliance, you sure as shit fucked up in not recruiting me.”

“You are just worthless children. You will never be useful. The true empire is greater than you can ever comprehend.” he spat with venom and hatred.

“All that pride and look at where it has gotten you. I defeated you in combat, I defeated six adventurers in combat. I am the greatest.

“Congratulations on getting killed by a 'child', number seven.”

*stab*

My sword pierced into his chest. Into his heart. Into his spine. He gasped. In pain and regret, he gasped. I watched as the light in his eyes became faded. I watched as his last breath became faded.

I wiped the blood from my blade and sheathed it. Before I took the cloths used to hide the light and the 「Silent Stones」 suppress any sounds, I turned around and gazed at the body of Dentus.

I wonder…

I summoned my Grimoire and watched as the digital pixelation materialize the book of magic. A thought had occurred to me, if it could copy anything and everything then… I lifted the body slightly to allow the Grimoire to be placed underneath. As it did so, the most vile thing I have ever witness occurred.

The Grimoire absorbed the body slowly, yet quickly. The skin, hair and clothing melted. The fat and muscle melted. Organs and body fluids melted. The bones melted. The Grimoire drank the entirety of a man in only a few minutes.

〈Copied: Corpse – Human Male +5 Skill Points〉

“Jesus fucking ch-blarghahghah-” I vomited.

〈Copied: Vomit +5 Skill Points〉

“Oh my god, fuck off…”

Gross. Might as well hide any evidence I was here.

The bed frame, mattress, pillow and blanket was copied into my Grimoire while everything else in the room went into my super awesome magic bag. Simply turning the bag inside-out allowed the distortion field to contact with the larger objects. I searched for any other hidden panels, but found nothing. If there were any evidence of treason it may be hidden somewhere on the desk.

I probably would not find anything, however.

When everything in the room had been stashed away, I crawled out the window to make my escape only to be met by Alicia.

“I didn't expect you to follow me.”

“I thought you were heading to the princess's room, not here. Is he… taken care of?”

“Yep, found out some things as well. There might be a rebellion happening.”

“Then let's head back and start making plans.”

☘ ☘ ☘

Once we returned to the apartment, I made a stop into the office. I wanted to do a quick update on my stats.

Health:

200/200 → 200/1000

Stamina:

59/200 → 59/1000

Mana:

145/200 → 145/1000

Life Force:

123/200 → 123/1000

Stored Mana:

132,473

Strength:

23

Intelligence:

28

Precision:

31

Wisdom:

30

Dexterity:

25

Willpower:

21 → 22

Endurance:

22 → 23

Perception:

26

Toughness:

30

Charisma:

23

Resistance:

28 → 29

Luck:

68

Health Recovery:

11

Stamina Recovery:

11

Mana Recovery:

35

Life Force Recovery:

11

Skill Points:

2,613

Status Effects:

-

Three thousand two hundred skill points were spent on my pool resource to increase each one to one thousand. Twenty thousand stored mana for the rolling mill. Starting tomorr… today I will need to begin stockpiling my medication which costs one thousand five hundred and thirty stored mana. I have enough stored mana to stockpile nearly three months worth.

Actually, since I still have a large amount of painkillers I can simple focus on my medicine. Four hundred and fifty stored mana for just a days worth of pills.

Okay, this will work just fine. Just fine.

☘ ☘ ☘

『Angerona's Floating Island』

Angerona heard a knocking on the door of her villa. As she opened the door, she was met by a familiar face. One she had been expecting.

“Fortuna, we've been expecting you. We were unsure when you would be visiting so there is little refreshments available.”

“Angerona, you are looking as lovely as ever, but must every incarnation carry such… travesties on such a lovely body?” Fortuna returned the greeting taking note of the young goddess's numerous scars. “Don't mind the food as I have brought some over. I am imposing after all.”

The goddess was allowed into the villa and as she continued inward she noticed two others whom noticed her appearance.

“Ira,” Fortuna began, “Such a pleasant surprise. I see you are looking as peaceful as ever.”

As Ira returned her greeting she noticed who the other person sitting was.

“Felicitas, as youthful as ever.”

“Hmph, old ha-oof” Felicitas was quickly interrupted be Angerona whom anticipated her reaction.

“Now that the pleasantries are done, I will get to the point of my being here. What, exactly, are your intentions with my descendant? The one which you have summoned.”