Once he finished inspecting everything, Vale returned to the first floor of the dungeon.
After tossing the bike back into his subspace, he took out [Essence Pryer] and [Dominion].
With deliberate care, he studied the sleek onyx blade with a red guard that curled like a flower petal, resting atop a golden handle.
[Dominion] - [A world without barriers is a world befitting a true warrior.]
Enchantnts: [Domain] [Siphon] [Strike Steady]
[Domain] - [Erase the world of obstacles. Nowhere to hide. Nowhere to run. Leave only you and your enemy.]
[Siphon] - [For each drop of blood that your domain tastes, you claim a portion of power until your reign over battle ends.]
[Strike Steady] - [A true strike never moves back.]
’This is...’
Vale had thought the sword only had one Enchantnt, but...
’Sweet!’
Naturally, his thoughts drifted to what each one actually did.
[Domain] allowed for the creation of the octagonal space, cut off from the world. [Siphon] allowed the wielder to grow stronger with any blood the sword tasted when [Domain] was active. Finally, [Strike Steady] made it so if an attack was countered or stopped, the sword wouldn’t bounce back or be knocked away.
Taken together, it was an aweso weapon. More importantly, it was a much-needed one for Vale, who used his body most of the ti. He was bound to face more and more armored foes like Lor, whom he couldn’t face with his body alone.
’Plus, it’s SSR!’
Which ant it was powerful, even ignoring the Enchantnts.
Altogether, it was definitely a weapon worth losing the [Whip of Beginnings] for — though Vale was a bit sad he’d lost the weapon that had been with him since day one.
Putting the sword away, a smile crept on Vale’s face as he made for the Grand Hub.
’I guess it’s ti for another remodel...’
Or more accurately, it ant transferring his bed to the new floor to achieve peaceful slumber at last.
No more snarling imps or slashing stone.
But that would have to wait a little...
As Vale entered the Grand Hub, he noticed Salo, Toy, and Mias, now at 25 percent of himself after Greed left, standing by the diorama in discussion. Or rather, Toy was watching; the other two were talking.
Vale closed the distance, giving a brief flick of his hand.
"I’m glad to see you’ve recovered."
Mias, looking a little worse for wear, nodded.
"And I’m glad to see you’ve awoken, Master Vale."
Vale pointed to the diorama, specifically at the smoky figures gathering on the ridge.
"So... what are you two talking about...?"
Salo sighed.
"Akkuron has a tail following Greed. Once they confirm she is not returning, an elite squadron will descend upon us."
Vale’s eyes narrowed.
’I see.’
At that, Mias added:
"Since it’s unlikely they’ll be so rash as to act imdiately, and you just woke up, we were giving you so ti to beco acclimated to your new body. But since you’re here..."
’New body?’
That was indeed a way to describe his current condition — it felt like he had been molded from his old form and been reforged into an entirely new one.
Perhaps there was even so truth to the statent.
Either way, it was a non-issue at the mont.
Without pausing, Mias continued:
"I’ll fill you in. Salo and I have discerned that we need to present a passive show of force and intelligence. In other words, we should prepare quite a stage to greet them."
Vale’s lips curved upward, a faint glimr in his eyes.
’How competent my underlings are!’
He had been thinking much the sa thing.
It was imperative that they show they knew Akkuron was coming, to suggest their intelligence was not one-sided. He also should make a quiet, not overbearing, asure of force; however, simply piling all of his Champions in one room wasn’t going to create that effect. Neither did he want to show his hand.
’Less is more.’
Vale smiled.
"I quite like that idea. I have my own thoughts, but Mias, I’d like to hear yours."
"Yes," the Reaper nodded. "Since we can’t risk one of them being marked, Salo and I cannot be seen. Awilix is too rash; Toy is too docile." Mias looked at Toy. "I won’t say you’re weak, but that is undoubtedly the impression you give. aning it would make the most sense for Vale, the Ice Witch, and Sivian to face the Akkuron delegates."
Toy solemnly nodded, clearly understanding, though perhaps disagreeing. Still, if she held any reservations, she stayed silent.
From there, Salo added,
"Assuming it doesn’t break out into a fight, of course. If that circumstance arises..."
Salo detailed several contingency plans, plans which Vale prayed never ca to fruition, as they mostly involved sacrificing his Legion to buy ti.
"I believe that’s everything we discussed before you arrived, Vale."
Vale’s head dipped slightly.
"Thanks."
With that settled, summoning the blueprint, he quickly outlined a long table near the entrance. He also told a nearby imp to drag over two of the finest chairs they had stolen from the village. It wouldn’t be the classiest reception, but it was sothing.
While Mias kept updating them on Akkuron’s movents, they discussed the potential outcos and demands these humans might have.
The central conflict they all agreed on was that Akkuron would most likely call for so form of assistance in their war.
Whether it be direct involvent or providing them with resources from the Scar.
Vale sighed.
’I already had to deal with Greed, but at least she’s hot!’
Now he was going to have to argue with old n.
Vale sure as hell couldn’t seduce them.
’Well...’
Maybe he could...
Not that he would.
Before long, the smoky figures began to move unnaturally. A group approached the edge of the Scar and slowly began to descend.
As they did, Vale looked over at Toy.
"Go find Awilix on the second floor. You two are to defend the Dungeon Core. Let nobody near it, not even a worker."
The goblin nodded and walked off.
Vale couldn’t risk a warrior of Envy slipping that deep into the dungeon during this debacle. In fact, after his dealings with Akkuron were done, Vale would have to inspect his entire Legion one by one, making sure their status pages appeared. Sadly, there were so many now that even that wasn’t a surefire thod.
’How annoying!’
With that decided, they retrieved Sivian from the training room, and the three walked with Vale toward the entrance, continuing their discussion.
It was only as they reached the last corner that Mias activated [Nevermore] and Salo turned around.
All Salo said as she headed to the end of Floor One was...
"Good luck."
Vale raised a hand in brief acknowledgnt, then dropped it.
’Out of all people, she should know I don’t need sothing trivial as luck.’
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