Traveling through Mirus ends up being much more of a hassle than I predicted. It isn't for lack of roads as, after a few days, we encounter an old route leading to Fringia, but because of the numerous household troops the local Nobles have sent to patrol their borders with the hills that are considered under rebels control.

Early on I burn most of my access on making sure we travel quickly and taking out the occasional squad but, as we enter the fertile lands north of Kruzser, we decide to be more discreet so we sell the horses and buy cloaks.

With the scar on my cheek and my left flank concealed, guards in villages and patrols stop us much less although some do merely because of Nahl's claymore, which we can't conceal like Idali's spear, since he doesn't have the height or 'refined' appearance of a Noble.

The good news is that the south-eastern countryside of Mirus holds the second largest concentration of peasants in the Kingdom and isn't very close to the rebel strongholds so people are less suspicious of us. It helps that most travelers with weapons are mercenaries headed for Kruzser or going directly to join the war in the east.

The lands here are so productive that the first spring harvest is already being sent by carriage to various docks on eastern rivers to be transported mostly to Kruzser from where it'll be redistributed across the Empire.

I hear more news of the war and it isn't good. The Twelfth was close to obliterated, in a way that battle was a reverse decimation as it is said only one in ten made it out without injuries.

As a consequence of that loss, tens of thousands of drones spread throughout Steso's countryside and set it ablaze which forced the Order to deploy many of its Templars to hunt them down with local forces. The warriors were killed very quickly but the scouts dispersed and killed most of everything they ran into including wild dogs.

The fact that the Order had to act meant that the Empire lacked cavalry to repel the overwhelming assault the Rykz then launched with almost a million drones. Each of these armies had large reserves of flow and contained harvesters with often only a single Princess that remained hidden.

The Phalanxes held by the skin of their teeth by retreating in order until the hole in their lines were filled, forcing a stalemate that leaves the Empire in the position of being unable to make advances in the Rykz Contested Highlands anymore.

Fringia fared better on the whole than Steso but that is because they didn't dare to move into the hills controlled by the Fiery Hive, which is where Fenyz was born. As a result the Phalanxes in the north have barely pressured the Rykz but, on the other hand, it allowed them to fan out to the south and relieve Steso.

This leads to some tension in our group because of my and Idali's relationship with the Rykz but far less than if an outsider was involved. Rowland still resents the insects but he's grown to appreciate how they spared and helped Izla Meria.

“Maybe it would be best for the Hospitaliers to go east.” Nahl proposes as we approach a town not far north of Kruzser, he seems to be itching go fight but he's too disciplined to seriously consider doing so by himself.

“Every resource the Empire can throw at the Rykz has been invested in the war.” I calmly tell him. “The border most at risk is the southern one.”

“We know but...” Uhla trails off, she is the one most affected by the news as her ambition in life is to become a healer. “There is always a lack of Alemplars.”

“The Empire only has to retreat, the Rykz are defending their lands.” Idali throws out.

“Of course, you would say that.” Nahl comments snidely.

“She isn't wrong.” Uhla cuts in. “And we're fighting for a wasteland neither side can settle.”

We all pause in surprise as the two don't exactly get along, I fully expected her to criticize Idali for her role as an agent of the Rykz but she does know enough to understand the blonde owes her life to them after the incident on the galley.

“But the Rykz slowly inch forward by building up the area as a base of operations, letting them is suicidal.” Nahl argues.

“I'm sure the Emperor knows what he's doing.” I say to end the debate. Or he's gone senile. “He did conquer humanity after all.” I can't help but add.

“It was unification.” Nahl immediately bites the bait. “But, fine, I get your point. He doesn't need me.”

“Don't sell yourself short. It's very unlikely but the possibility exists you could become the next Emperor.” I tell him.

“The possibility is beyond extremely remote.” Idali scoffs.

“That was far too blasphemous, even for a joke.” Uhla helpfully comments with a disapproving expression.

“Not treason?” I ask.

“Treason would be if you suggested overthrowing our Emperor, blasphemy is suggesting one can become Emperor without first being chosen by the Lake.” Nahl explains.

“Makes sense.” I acknowledge with a nod.

“Patrol ahead, your sheathes are showing Jess.” Rowland cuts in.

I glance ahead to find a troop of ten riders headed north on the road. As they're armed with simple spears and in a hurry I don't worry too much. I simply reach around to arrange my cloak and hide my left flank behind Rowland's large frame.

They pass us by without even slowing down. I notice that the officer is carrying a messenger's pouch held closed by a piece of fragile string and sealed with wax engraved with runes. I don't recognize the crest on the pouch, a pilled of rolled up parchments with a writing quill laying on top.

“That's the Administration's seal.” Nahl speaks up.

“What do they even do?” I ask.

“They're responsible for conscription, taxes, censuses, and logistics across the Empire.” He explains. “Think of them as a Templar Order for scribes.”

“They also govern Kruzser and the Emperor's fiefs.” Uhla mentions. “Don't antagonize them, Jessica, they are as powerful as any royal house but less divided.”

“I don't see why you keep assuming I'm going to pick fights with everyone, I'm a dedicated pacifist.” I note.

“When, how, who? What?” Uhla throws out in confusion, causing me to chuckle.

“I make peace all around me, haven't you noticed?” I ask with a crooked grin.

“For sure, ruins are very peaceful.” Idali chimes in.

“That doesn't count.” Uhla grumbles with an offended expression.

Rowland bursts out in laughter and pats the ex-Semplar's back to comfort her. I decide to leave it here since Uhla likely sees herself as a pacifist in a sense so it would be insulting for me to push it. I spot a column of gray-black smoke rising on the horizon.

“Say, is that a fire?” I ask with a frown.

“It sure looks like it.” Nahl agrees with a concerned tone.

“Those messengers left the town in a hurry because of it, fearing an ambush.” I instantly analyze.

“No one would dare.” Uhla affirms.

“Accidents happen and any good messenger wouldn't take the risk that someone would have the guts.” I deny. “Especially in a period of war where fear of Rykz spies may run high.”

“I don't think it was an ambush but I agree with Jessica.” Nahl says. “I would place my bets on sabotage.”

“Indeed.” I agree. “Either rebels or foreign noble houses aiming to weaken Mirus.”

“So far east? No one would believe the Redreef rebellion responsible.” Uhla contests.

She understands how Nobles have been using the Kingdom's peasantry as a proxy for their infighting but doesn't seem able to grasp that both sides would blatantly ignore the evident to blame the innocent in public.

“We're close to Mirus' central power base and near Kruzser which means that this may be a hub for the conflict.” Rowland speaks up. “News of the rebellion's victory would have spread by now so tempers would run high and prospective rebels could have taken action.”

“Could it be crime-slaves?” I question.

“Possibly, I believe they use some in their workshops but it's doubtful as they would need to escape before or after unless they're prepared to forfeit their lives over it.” Nahl somberly explains.

“So, either true rebels or a Noble house making a play to further the chaos.” Rowland concludes with a dark expression.

“Or they're having an outdoor barbecue.” I note.

“Kh.” Idali snickers.

The conversation dies down as we approach the town and eventually find it genuinely on fire. Flames are burning through the roofs of three buildings, including two that look like warehouses.

There are soldiers patrolling the streets and helping firefighters, an odd sight because I'm used to seeing people come out to help. A pair of guards rush out as we near with their hands held out to tell us to stop.

“Halt! Aisn is under martial law! Turn around and leave!” One of the two bellows.

I scowl as I wanted to figure out what happened here. I could force my way inside but it would be troublesome to gather information when fending off the garrison. I end up deciding to leave since we don't need supplies and I'm not especially keen to meddle any more than I have.

“We're going.” I speak up.

“What?” Idali asks with a shocked expression as her hand was already grasping for her spear sheath.

“If this is important, we'll hear of it, if not then that's that.” I tell her. “I don't have time to be fixing every wrong one by one.”

“But...” She protests.

“Let's not...” Nahl starts.

“Hey! We told you to get lost, mercs!” The other guard snaps at us.

I extend my hand out and launch a cloud of thirty air-needles made of unstructured energy at the two, they're much weaker than the construct but more easily controlled.

The first who spoke staggers back and crosses his arms in front of his head while the ill-tempered one trips as he tries to do the same and falls on his ass with a gaping mouth.

I stop the projectiles at the last second before they hit their throats. A dark patch appears and spreads on the latter's pants around the crotch area. I flick around and recall my energy as I lead the way around this town.

“Yea, you're the embodiment of patience, peace, and diplomacy.” Idali mocks.

“Somehow I feel like you're responsible for whatever happened here.” Rowland notes.

“Oh, come on, this can't be a repeat of Hafjord. I wasn't even near the town and the buildings haven't crumbled.” I protest.

“Yet. It might mean you're getting worse.” Idali says.

“I'm a curse now?” I ask with an amused smile.

“More like a natural disaster.” Uhla corrects.

I can't help but laugh and wave them off. The town's guard doesn't send anyone to pursue us, likely because they thought me a Noble, so we make it back on the road without issue.

We reach the next village at the end of the afternoon only to find the outskirts deserted. When we approach the central plaza, we find a crowd watching a Noble bleeding out from a stab wound to his heart with his guards desperately trying to save him.

There is a dead peasant covered in dirt laying by the side of the high born with multiple slashes on his body and a sword impaled in his back likely from trying to run after doing the deed. I snatch an elderly woman and pull her aside from the crowd.

“What's going on?” I ask her with a low voice.

“Willy killed our Lord after he tried to have him condemned for ties to the Redreef rebellion.” She replies with a lost expression, her irises are wide open from shock. “Willy said he'd rather die now doing good than on a galley supporting their cruelty.”

“Where is the Templar?” I question, finding the absence odd.

“Visiting farms our Lord accused of collusion to clear them.” She says with a sigh as she shakes her head. “I don't know what took the poor Willy, he called the Lord an impostor and yelled 'Freepath' as he stabbed him with his carving knife.”

“Shit.” Rowland swears.

I throw him a glance. His cheeks are turning white while Uhla and Nahl's are as well. Idali seems uncomfortable but reasonably calm. I smile to the elderly woman who rejoins the crowd to whisper with the other villagers as their Lord slowly expires.

“What did you do?” I ask.

“Uh, noth, naught.” He stutters.

“Some rebels suspected you might be a high-born bastard because that's the only way you could have that much access so we had to explain, extensively, that you're a peasant and that Nobles are born with as much access as others.” Idali quickly whispers.

“That would do it in a moment of pressure.” I calmly note. “That dead kid must have truly had connections to rebels to hear of this so soon, we didn't travel slowly.”

The speed at which that idea spread is great news for my plans, all I need now is for my name to be heard by all which the Lisilese will kindly provide by falling to my blade.

“Treacherous peasants!” A household soldier suddenly screams at the crowd. She's tall with brown hair and average breasts. “You contribute none to our Empire but whining complaints and begging to lazily avoid your work!”

“Grain has done more for the Empire than any sword-master ever will.” I calmly deny.

I'm quite tired of hearing these words from soldiers and bourgeois who are a kind of higher class among low born with more rights while paying fewer taxes. My words cause the crowd to split in front of me like a sea encountering a reef.

“Arrest her! Arrest the entire group! Arrest all conspirators!” A soldier screams, he's thin and has already drawn his sword.

“Here we go again.” Idali comments.

“No!” A deep voice cuts in.

A large woman with a prominent brow walks onto the plaza, she is wearing a tunic embroidered with a silver roaring lion's head. I decide not to get involved yet since the Templar returned to find out what's to happen.

“Willy is dead and from all appearances acted alone. Unless you have proof, there will be no retaliation on innocents.” She decrees with her palm laying on the pommel of her sword.

“The Order has no say in this internal matter!” The brunette snaps.

“The populace are as much subjects of our Emperor as they are of the Queen.” The Templar counters with a firm voice.

“We call for Arbitration!” An elderly man near the woman I spoke to calls out.

“Rebel! Planning to hide behind the Order are we?!” The thin man barks while he points his sword. “It won't work because I won't let it happen!”

“Hang him to the porch of his house!” The other soldier exclaims.

The crowd splits in fright as the soldiers obey to advance on the elderly man. The Templar suddenly flashes forth and draws her sword at the same time. I watch with appreciation how she stomps down to launch her slash and twists her leg to follow through the swing and keep her balance.

The head of the brunette flies off and the Templar uses another lion's leap to arrive next to the thin man that she stabs through the heart. I whistle in admiration of her potential but it isn't heard as the villagers suddenly break off screaming back to their houses.

As the temple guard faces off with utterly shocked soldiers, those living nearby slam their doors shut and drag furniture against them before closing their window flaps. I throw a look on the horizon and spot a cloud of dust in the direction the Templar came from.

“Yeah, we're going right now.” I speak up.

“What? Why?” Idali asks.

“Because she has this in hand, they won't be defeating her anytime soon, and I'm quite suspicious there is a group of Templars coming over from Kruzser who were likely meant to deal with a paranoid Lord who now lies dead, confirming his paranoia as truth in the eyes of Noble houses.” I explain. “Defeat is going to lead to harsher repression in Mirus, which will lead to more rebels, which is already forcing the Order into intervening.”

“Staying is going to put us in the middle of this.” Nahl acknowledges. “While I wish I could help, we are ultimately outsiders to this long-brewing conflict.”

“Exactly.” I confirm.

I check the east and find no sign of arrivals. While the Templar and the dead Lord's household soldiers exchange insults, as well as threats, we swiftly make our way out of the village.

A couple of hours later, as night falls, I spot two temple guards on horses coming after us so I accelerate our pace to buy time. When night falls, I lead us into making a turn straight south and lose them.

“They probably only wanted to ask questions.” Nahl comments.

“And I'm not keen on answering those.” I reply. “I'm not entirely sure they won't arrest me for my role. No matter what, Siegfried doesn't speak for the entire Order and I've played a big part in the escalation.”

“If that's the case, then Kruzser is the worst place to go.” Idali worriedly comments.

“It's a huge city, there will be plenty of one-armed gorgeous women of average height.” I tell her.

“How humble, and lucid.” Uhla snidely remarks.

“Indeed, I'm a touch above average in height.” I agree.

I ignore the repressed bouts of laughter that arise from all four of my treacherous minions to seek out a low in the terrain to hide behind for the night, planning to have them train until they drop before going to sleep for their own good and not at all out of a desire for vicious revenge.