Chapter 598: Growing Danger
The Empress and her maid left shorty after, but only after letting Laz know that some preparations had been made and if anyone asks, he was passed out when she visited. After that, it was a quick matter of him being returned to the normal slave block where he was crowded, rushed and asked hundreds of questions before a feast was prepared in his honor for the accomplishment of his fight.
Jacob especially was by his side, asking questions and making sure everyone had a good time. As for the drinks and food provided, they were actually brought in by the guards. Times like this were rare, as Laz was told, but not unheard of. The key being that big wins that brought huge amounts of conversations and praise from the crowds would get them this extra reward to not only keep their spirits high, but also to give them more motivation to go all out.
It hadn’t happened in a while.
The next day, they were all given a day of rest but Laz didn’t take it, making his way out to train as soon as the field was unlocked at daylight.
Again, Laz fought with the different weapons available, using everything he could get his hands on to familiarize himself with it. The activity also allowed him to digest the essence of Hera that remained in his body after their joining. While the energy of the shadow beast healed him, the essence of the Empress made him stronger, so much so that inside of his body, he could feel the third palace being formed. While it wasn’t a huge increase, it was the jump start his body needed after being seriously injured. The energy in the air would also give him a good boost moving forward, but he would need more time before any more progress could be made.
Or another drastic intake of energy.
And that was one of the things that was starting to become apparent. The amount of energy he had gotten from the goddess was more than he had gotten from Maya and yet he couldn’t make nearly as much progress with it, despite using it all. It made him come to the realization that the further along the path he walked, the more resources he would need to advance forward. He couldn’t even begin to guess what it would take for him to actually step into the realm of gods himself.
’I wonder just what it would be like to be a god. Compared to a void Emperor, they are worlds apart....’ Laz thought more than once.
The week went by quickly but before the coming of the next games, the guards had a message.
"Keep up your training. There will be a delay in the fights and none will take place this weekend."
The men were shocked as the weekend fights were something that hadn’t been interrupted in as long as any of them could remember, even the old men couldn’t remember a time when something didn’t go on, even if it wasn’t an all out exhibition.
Laz soon got an answer as to what was happening from a very unexpected source.
Mail call was something that didn’t effect most of the men as most of them had been long abandoned by their families. But there were still some who got some communication every now and then. Some of the more popular fighters would even get fan mail from some very daring fans, even ones that couldn’t be read out loud.
’Guess there isn’t an lack of literacy in this place,’ Laz thought as a guard walked over.
"Letter for you," the guard said, handing Laz the simple envelop with a sheet of paper tucked inside and sealed up.
"Looks like you’ve really made an impression on someone, eh boy?" Jacob said, laughing.
"Could be? I’ve got no family to talk to so that would be the only explanation," Laz said, laughing back.
Opening the letter, Laz was surprised to see he could read the text and understand it since it was clearly not in English.
’Young Master. I wish to apologize on behalf of my lady for her lack of attention to you over this past week. Things seem to have taken a turn for the worst in other parts of the world and teams have been sent out to deal with the problem. As my lady’s specialty lies in important matters such as logistics, strategy and counter measures, she has been dispatched as well to help with the rising problems coming from the lands to the north. While I am unable and forbidden to discuss the cause or relay vital information as such things are deemed national security matters, just know that you should already be aware of at least the cause and have some clue as to the current nature of the danger that we now face. While things haven’t become hopeless enough to warrant the Emperor’s personal involvement, my lady feels as though such actions would only be a matter of time. As per her request, my lady wishes you safety and good fortune and desires to communicate via her own pen next time. Until then.’
Laz finished reading the unsigned letter and began thinking. While there was a lot left unsaid, there was a lot of information packed in that only he could understand even if someone else were to read it. As for the information about who the lady in question is, Laz could only assume that there could be several such people and therefore the things mentioned wouldn’t be enough to single someone out.
’Still though. The biggest problem is that she wrote this in the first place as there was no need for her to tell me what she was doing, is there? Perhaps she just wanted to let me know that she wasn’t around right now while the Emperor was and I should keep my head down? That would make the most sense. But that was something we agreed upon before so why remind me? I feel like I’m missing something...’
While it floated around in the back of his mind, Laz continued on like normal, knowing that training was the best thing he could do for now.
...
In the snow covered north of the continent, another town lay engulfed in flames as the Imperial Troop marched by. Hera was dressed in full armor and rode, surrounded by her personal guards.
"How many towns?" She asked, still facing ahead on the road.
One of her advisors, a middle aged man with a well groomed beard and slight southern accent responded.
"This makes twenty seven confirmed towns Empress, as confirmed from all reports of troop movements.
"And the capital?"
"Still quiet. From the early recon we sent in, the gates are locked tight and there has been no sightings of anyone coming in or going out in over seven days."
"I see," Hera said, her gaze still locked forward. After a brief fight on the border, lasting only a few days, the troops of the north retreated in a run, abandoning everything and disappearing like the wind. Once inside the border, all that was seen was devastation in all directions. Towns were wiped off the map or still in charred cinders. Forts were left empty and wild beasts were seen everywhere, picking through the places like scavengers.
"Still no news about the civilians?"
"None Empress. While a few human body parts have been recovered, for the most part there is a distinct lack of human remains in every village searched. It’s like... they weren’t here when the towns were sacked. It’s... honestly something I have never seen before. After all, it makes no sense. Fight for a few days just to move everyone and destroy their homes? Why?"
Hera had an idea, one that sent shivers down her spine and she could only pray wasn’t true. But the further into the northern lands they marched, the more likely the outcome.
"I want all legions to rendezvous at the capital in two days time. Forget the searches of the villages and make haste, but keep alert and wary. I don’t want any commanders to be caught off guard."
"Yes your highness."
"Commander!" Hera called over the the grizzled old man who had been riding on her other side.
"Here your highness."
"This is the fastest route there?"
"Yes your highness. Unless the capital has moved, which is unlikely, then it should be in sight by the end of tomorrow unless your highness wishes to make additional haste?"
"Of course not. Only a fool would rush into a possible ambush with tired soldiers," Hera said, a smile on her face.
The old man returned the smile, knowing she was far smarter than he in terms of combat and movement having studied under her as a young man in officer training.
"As you say your highness."
"Tell me your thoughts Julius?"
"There is a foul energy in the air my Empress. It feels like the time we waged war on the slopes of that wretched volcano when it felt like we were on the belly of a sleeping beast. One wrong move and all the armor in the world wouldn’t save you from what came next. My steed is strong and steady, having followed me into battle these last eight years, but even he has a nervous gait to his stride."
"I understand," Hera responded, his feelings mirroring her own.
"Levia. What does your closed eye tell you?" Hera asked, turning to a woman who rode behind her, one with a heavy fur coat covering the bright assortment of silks and shawls she wore underneath it. Her tanned skinned looking vastly out of place in this grey environment.
"We are being watched your highness. Ever since we set foot in this domain... We are being spied upon..."
