Chapter 160: Chapter 160: The Deep Dive
Chapter 160: The Deep Dive
The heavy iron lid of the Paladin’s lockbox slammed against the obsidian table with a deafening crack.
The War Council of the Velkrath Imperium gathered around the newly rebuilt table in the underground bunker.
Prime Minister Hardsteel, Chief Inquisitor Silas, and my elite Pack looked down at the neatly organized stacks of human parchment.
"They are not just maps," I stated, my baritone voice echoing off the stone walls.
"They are invasion routes. Blueprint schematics for massive holy siege engines. The Human Holy Empire across the Azure Sea has been funding our internal rebellions to soften us up. They are preparing to launch a full scale Crusade to wipe the Monster Continent off the map."
Silas picked up a detailed drawing of a massive wooden galleon adorned with glowing golden crosses.
The Chief Inquisitor took a slow drag of his cigar, his sharp eyes calculating the threat.
"Their navy is massive," Silas noted, blowing a ring of smoke.
"Thousands of ships. Tens of thousands of Paladins. If they land on our shores, it will make the Zenith Academy look like a tavern brawl."
Hardsteel gripped the hilt of his broadsword, his old Orc eyes narrowing in pure defiance.
"Then we fortify the beaches. We line the coast with heavy artillery."
"No," I corrected sharply.
"If they reach our beaches, we have already lost the tactical advantage. We do not fight on their terms. We will sink their holy crusade before they even see our shores."
I turned my glowing red visor toward Nyssa.
"Chief Architect," I commanded.
"The Mana Train was your masterpiece for the land. Now, I need you to conquer the ocean. I want the shipyards operational by next month. We are going to build ironclad dreadnoughts powered by Mana Steel. And I want those deep sea submersibles heavily armed. If they try to cross the Azure Sea, they will drown in it."
Nyssa adjusted her glasses, her green geometrical tattoos pulsing with sheer, unchecked excitement.
"An entire fleet of steam powered warships... It will require thousands of tons of refined steel and Pyre Cobalt. The foundries will have to run day and night."
"Then let them run," I growled.
I placed both of my heavy brass gauntlets on the obsidian table, leaning forward to look at my two primary commanders, Silas and Hardsteel.
"The surface of the Velkrath Imperium is finally stable," I declared.
"The Sovereign’s Labor Law is active. The humans are working. The Orc purists are broken. The Vanguard holds the borders. For the next phase of our empire, the two of you are in absolute command of the surface."
Hardsteel blinked, standing up straighter. "Sovereign? Where are you going?"
"Down," I replied smoothly.
I looked at Kaelith, Lysandra, Nyssa, Anise, and Rolf. My elite Pack.
"The Paladin we killed in the trench was Level 62," I explained, letting the weight of that number sink into the room.
"He was a scout. A vanguard for the true powers of the Holy Empire. If we stay on the surface dealing with politics and taxes, we will stagnate. We need raw materials for the armada, and more importantly, we need experience."
I ignited a small spark of the pitch black and crimson Flame of Death in my palm. The heat in the room instantly spiked.
"We are returning to the Great Iron Labyrinth," I announced.
"We are going to dive straight into Strata 6 and Strata 7. We will farm the magma oceans and the deep abysses. We will break our limits. We do not return to the surface until we are strong enough to shatter the heavens."
Rolf cracked his silver knuckles, his golden amber eyes flashing with predatory hunger. Lysandra’s maroon wings fluttered with anticipation. The Pack was ready.
"We leave at dawn," I finalized.
"Prepare your gear."
The upper wards of the Velkrath capital were quiet.
The massive smog clouds from the lower foundries did not reach this high up the mountain, leaving the night sky perfectly clear and littered with bright, shining stars.
Rolf walked slowly along the polished stone terrace overlooking the city.
He was not wearing his terrifying, jagged silver symbiotic armor. He wore a crisp, tailored black coat and a dark crimson shirt.
His thick silver hair was neatly tied back. For a massive Silver Wolf who spent his life covered in blood, he looked strikingly handsome.
Walking right beside him, her arm looped gently through his massive bicep, was Vanessa.
The busty Half Elf tavern owner wore a stunning, deep violet evening dress that perfectly accentuated her mature, elegant curves.
The cool night wind gently blew her silver hair across her shoulders.
They had spent the evening dining in one of the capital’s finest new upper ward restaurants. It was a proper, formal date, far removed from the blood and ale of the Rusty Anvil.
"The city looks beautiful from up here," Vanessa murmured, leaning her head lightly against his muscular shoulder as they looked down at the glowing lights of the Imperium.
"It does," Rolf agreed softly. His golden amber eyes, usually so fierce and calculating, were completely soft as he looked down at her.
"Vanessa... I need to tell you something."
Vanessa turned to face him, her violet eyes searching his serious expression. The playful, warm energy of their date shifted into something heavier.
"You are leaving," she guessed, her voice quiet but steady.
Rolf let out a slow sigh, gently taking her soft hands in his massive, scarred ones.
"At dawn. The Sovereign has ordered the elite Pack back into the Great Iron Labyrinth. We are diving into the lower strata. Strata 6 and 7."
Vanessa’s breath hitched slightly. Even civilian humans and Half Elves knew the terrifying legends of the deep Labyrinth. It was a realm of absolute nightmares, where ancient beasts ruled the dark.
"How long will you be gone?" she asked, squeezing his fingers.
"I do not know," Rolf admitted honestly.
"A few weeks. Maybe longer. A holy war is coming to our shores, Vanessa. The humans across the sea want to wipe this city, and everyone in it, off the map. I have to get stronger. I have to protect the Forge. I have to protect you."
Vanessa looked up at the towering Silver Wolf. She did not cry. She did not beg him to stay. She was a woman who had built her own life in a harsh world, and she understood the heavy burden of duty.
She stepped closer, completely invading his personal space, and pressed her soft palms flat against his broad chest.
"You are an Alpha General of the Sovereign," Vanessa whispered fiercely, her eyes locking onto his.
"You are the strongest man I have ever known. Do not let the dark keep you. You go down into that pit, you kill whatever stands in your way, and you come back to me."
Rolf felt a massive, overwhelming surge of protective devotion roar to life in his chest. His wolf instincts purred at her absolute confidence in his strength.
"I swear it on my core," Rolf rumbled.
He leaned down, wrapping his massive arms around her waist, and pulled her flush against his body.
He captured her lips in a deep, passionate kiss. Vanessa melted perfectly against him, her hands sliding up into his silver hair, kissing him back with a tender, desperate heat.
When they finally parted, Rolf rested his forehead against hers.
"I will come back to the Rusty Anvil," Rolf promised softly.
"You better," Vanessa smiled, a faint blush warming her cheeks.
"Or I will come down to Strata 6 and drag you out myself."
