The next few hours, after I finished pecking the last semblances of information I wanted from Zadkiel's brain, were a constant string of mandatory, yet mundane events, such as throwing him and the rest of his accomplices in the dungeon, where Isaac and his Shade Corps would take over the rest of interrogation; a very much unenviable situation to be in, as they were beyond eager to wash away their shame. We then had to secure the city, cleaning out any hidden filth still persisting in the shadowy corners of the settlement, where the general public would be blind to them, while simultaneously corralling the anxious people back into their homes, until all is done. We also had to find proper accommodations for the men as well, though many of them are martial artists who could endure hardship far harder, and for longer, their spirits were still human, and they needed rest after months of campaign and battle. Fınd the newest release on 𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅•𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝗇𝖾𝗍 Thankfully the harbour was still intact, so the navy could rest easy tonight as well, without causing us too great a headache. And finally, we were struck with the annoying, yet highly rewarding task of filing and counting the enormous plunder we gained from raiding Zadkiel's treasury and office; both of whom seemed locked in an intensely profitable and heated rivalry, each adamant to outshine it's nemesis with how much more valuable the other was. The treasury was basically an overflowing estuary of Darr, jewels and gold; enough to cover most of the costs of this wretched rebellion and then some; meanwhile the office was a veritable forest of clandestine conspiracies, hushed whispers who's owners would definitely not want them seeing the light of day, and secret covens made with the lives of hundreds, if not thousands on the line. 'It's a genuine gold mine of blackmail and political intrigue, one that I expect would serve me far longer and far better, than any amount of Darr or exquisite jewel I will find in the treasury.' I happily thought, a satisfied smile dancing upon my lips, as I sat comfortably on the west terrace of Zadkiel's castle, staring the familiar scene of my men gathering the enemy banners in a great pyre in the center of the city's square. "Revelling in your victory under the light of the stars?" Valdour's jesting voice sounded out from behind me. Half turning to him, I humorously replied "You could say that." He and I had formed a small, yet surprising friendship over the course of this campaign, one born out of a sense of respect, but also out of a mutual understanding, not only because he was only one to know of my deepest secret, but also because we both shared the same hunger to increase our personal power and open all our gates. Something I never about him in my last life. Chuckling, he came to my side and sat down, a large pitcher in one hand, while two cups, one ordinary and the other so massive it looked like a second, slightly smaller pitcher, rested in his other hand. "Didn't take you for one to appreciate such sentimentality." He said smilingly, filling both containers with liquid, which I had to admit was slightly comical despite his ease of movements and lack of clumsiness, especially when he handled the normal sized cup, looking like a grown man playing with his daughter's tiny toys. Accepting the offer, I grab my drink from his hand, before asking in astonishment "Milk?" "Goat milk," he nodded "from Qayan's famed fertile fields. What? Did you expect liquor?" He answered, before asking with a grin. "Indeed, I did." I replied, taking a sip of the surprisingly delicious beverage. Laughing for a moment, he responded "Aye, my liege, you're right; no matter how much I adore this fluid, such nights simply call for a good drink... But I was told you despise the stuff, and I'm afraid I lost my interest in them ever since alcohol lost it's sway on me." I nod in understanding hearing his words, since as a demi-god of the fifth gate, Valdour's body had already far surpassed what most mortals would ever be able to achieve in several lifetimes, so let alone wine, even certain poisons are the same as water to him now. "If you wish, I'm certain I can procure you some Dionysian Ambrosia." I calmly suggested. Dionysian Ambrosia is the most sought after and expensive wine to have ever existed, made by the finest fruit the western nations have to offer and crafted by the hands of the kings of Dionysia and the descendants of the God of wine and parties themselves, with only a dozen or so of these precious commodities being produced per year. Many high lords, wealthy merchants and everything else in between, have tried time and time again to get their hands on this mythical wine, nearly bankrupt themselves every year for the chance to drink, what is often described as a taste of paradise. Yet more importantly, and what most people don't realize, is that this wine was not just exclusively delicious, but it had another secret as well, one only known to those who held the blood of the Gods. Dionysian Ambrosia, could still make a demi-god, one who has even unlocked his eighth gate, experience the sensations of drunkenness. "What?! Truly?" He excitedly asked, before his quickly eyes dimmed with the returned light of adult modesty "No sire, never mind. Those things are an overpriced scam." Chuckling at his actions, I reassure him, saying "Worry not, lord. You would be losing me no money, as I'm sure a more than few of those bottles are currently wasting away, collecting dust in my family's private vault." "What? More than a few?! But each bottle is said to be worth a large ship!" He almost shouted, his face the text book example of the expression stunned. "You underestimate the wealth and exorbitance of my family." I haughtily replied, a light hearted smile still plastered upon my lips. "Then as weird as it is for me to say, but my deepest regards to your ancestors, my liege." We both laughed out loud, as he raised his cup in a toasting gesture. A calm silence then passed between us, when he then asked trepidatiously "Pardon the offense, my liege... But mind if I ask why the fixation on that trading guild, the Sapphire Swallow?" I snap my head to him, with my eyes wide in shock, as they silently asked how he knew about that. Sighing he explained "I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but when I felt you unleashing your divine power, my curiosity got the better of me." I stare at him for a moment longer, silently blaming myself for such an oversight, before sighing tiredly and answering, since it wasn't much of a secret I wanted to keep hidden anyway "They are an enemy that I want eliminated." "I of course understand this, sire. But as far as I can tell, they are of no real danger to us, as they were predominantly the financers of Zadkiel and his merry band of rebels, and nothing more. And considering the hard blow they suffered this time around, I'm certain they are bound to be hurting by this failure for a long time to come, with their influence greatly decreasing in the wider circles of commerce, and especially across our own empire, where I doubt anyone is foolish enough to begin or continue associating with a group that has earned your ire. Unless..." He paused, his eyes narrowing "this is something you do based on your past life." A chuckle emanates through my lips, a ghost of pale blonde hair and proud amethyst eyes flashing in my eyes, before I honestly said "You shouldn't underestimate the power of Darr, Valdour." "I naturally won't." He argued back "But this power of theirs is certainly not easy to replenish, especially after seeing how much capital they spent on that sinking boat by the name Zadkiel. Their finances are certainly stretched paper thin up by now, and if not completely bankrupt, so how could they pose a threat big enough to warrant such focus from you?" Sighing, I explained "You are right that I do this based on what I know to be from my last life, and yes, they will be a thorn, but not one stuck to our side." This surprised Valdour, who asked "If they won't bother us any longer, then why target them so strongly, especially when we would be better off diverting said attention on to our real foes." "Because the side these thorns would prick, are those of your future empress." I resolutely said, a flash of anger and longing in my eyes. Valdour seemed lost for words, his eyes widening cartoonishly, as if he'd just heard the most outlandish thing in history, but then a small smile replaced his previous expression, whisperingly saying "I understand." We then spent the rest of the night emersed in idle chatter and humorously refreshing goat milk, enjoying this rare moment of peace and quiet, after a long devastating war and before an even longer restoration period.