Snorri leaned back on the ravaged hull of a bone mecha with Aqua, a water mage and new edition to the team, beside her.

The two were chatting it up as they awaited new orders.

“I didn’t know you could do that with water Aqua. Tell me, how did you learn such a spell?”

Aqua timidly responded, “Oh! Um… You see, my sister and I were training with our master, and one day he told us to come up with a new spell and… That wasn’t the full version. If my sister was here it would’ve been much more powerful...”

“Really now? Damn, you serious?”

The timid girl started stuttering angrily, “I-I-I would n-never lie!”

Snorri waved her arms in defeat, “Hey now, I’m just messing with you. Don’t take it so seriously. I’m still amazed you were able to stop him from trying to take us all out with that last-ditch attack. Good job by the way. Everyone here owes you their lives, including me.”

“I-i-it was no b-big deal! A-a-a-anyone could h-have done it!” Aqua stuttered, blushing furiously.

Heh, how cute. Wonder what her sister is like? Snorri chuckled inwardly, her ears twitching as she heard something in the distance.

Turning her head towards the sound, she saw Ubel riding over with a group of guards.

What does that man want? Shouldn’t he be in the command center?

“Hello commander, what are you doing here?”

Ubel didn’t put on airs, “Send your forces back to the village and have them take the mecha core with them. As for you and Aqua, I need the two of you for a mission.”

“Man, you like working us to the bone, don’t you? What are we killing?”

Snorri asked with a bloodthirsty grin while Aqua fidgeted nervously to the side.

“I’ll fill you in on the way. Let’s get going, shall we?”

“Hoho, lead the way then Commander.”

***

A half-hour later Ubel and his group meet up with Urist, who was resting to regain his strength.

In that time Ubel had filled in the two following them so they knew what to expect.

As Ubel pulled into camp Uria’s ears twitched. Bursting out of the tent she was resting in, she stood in front of Ubel with flames in hand.

“Who goes there?!”

“It is me, Uria. I’ve come to talk to Urist about something important.”

Uria recalled her flames and relaxed, “Ah, something so important that you had to personally come here? Very well, he’s waiting in his tent, resting.”

“Good. The rest of you go help the wounded, Uroa could probably use the help. Aqua you help along as well, clean water is a godsend for them.”

“U-uh, understood! I’ll try my best!” Aqua responded with an air of positivity.

“What about me?” Snorri asked.

“Follow along or rest if you want. We’ll be heading out soon anyways.”

Ubel turned away from Snorri and headed towards Urist’s tent with Uria following after him.

I could rest… but I wanna see what expression Urist has when he hears the news. It’ll be a good chance to see his true character.

Having made up her mind, Snorri followed after the two.

Once he entered the tent Ubel saw Urist sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, breathing slowly and steadily.

“Uria who is it? Is it a— oh. What are you doing here Ubel? Even Snorri came? What happened?” Urist’s mind quickly went from sudden confusion to seriousness when he saw his commander.

“To save on time I had Kist make this stone to explain the situation. Put some mana in and you’ll understand why I’m here. But don’t get me wrong, the operation was very successful. It’s just that a minor problem became a reality. “

Although he felt relaxed when he heard the plan was a success, hearing that something had happened made him tense. Even without Ubel telling him, he had a nagging idea of what it was about. “Give me the stone.”

Urist had his assumption, but he didn't want it to be true. Taking the stone from Ubel and pouring his mana in, causing the information to flood his mind. It took him a minute before he could digest the knowledge.

Sorrow was followed by disappointment, then anger and finally, utter rage. Various expressions flashed across his face before it settled on resolve.

“I understand. He cannot be allowed to live.”

“But we need him.”

“Only since he’s essential for our contingency plan in the final battle against the necromancers. His brother, on the other hand, seems to be trying his best to fit in. Are we killing him as well?”

“I wish to talk to him before seeing his stance. But if it comes down to it, we kill him as well.”

Sighing to himself Urist pushed off the ground and picked up his spear, using it as a walking stick to steady himself.

“Then let’s head off. We need to square this away quickly.”

“Aren’t you exhausted? We can wait.”

“I only need an hour more to rest. By the time we get there I’ll be recovered. Let’s bring Master Mo along to be extra sure of our success.”

With such few words, the two quickly came to an understanding that amazed Snorri and even Uria.

Putting her arm under Urist's, Uria helped him stand and whispered in her ear, “I can’t believe it… What did he show you?”

Urist felt tired just thinking of it and rage leaked out into his voice, “Someone like Ubel, but much worse. A monster in dwarven skin. While you and I at least know Ubel is somewhat reasonable, this thing knows no reason. My only hope is that his brother can see the light and give him up.”

Urist spat at the ground with a belly full of disgust then started yelling out orders. Saying he had to go on a mission and that they were to return to camp after the wounded were stabilized. Ubel also told his guards to go with Urist’s men as they weren't needed where they were going.

In the background, Snorri mused to herself about what she was witnessing.

Such decisiveness from both of them. To cut off the flesh that is rotten before it festers… It might not be bad to be a follower for once, as long as my desires can be fulfilled. If they aren’t? Well... guess I’ll just chop off their heads and take command myself.

I wonder what Urist is thinking about? What did he see inside the stone that could’ve made him tremble with so much anger? No matter what I must help him through this. Uria thought, gazing at her man’s back.

While three people were in their own worlds, Ubel had his focus on the near future.

Let’s see what kind of dwarf you are Bishop.