Chương 127: The Overlord of Crime (11)

"A coup?" Simon repeated, his voice heavy with skepticism.

"Are you plotting against your master?"

"I am, for the both of us," Velvet replied.

"My sister is a bit too skittish."

"And you're too impulsive; Velvet," Silk countered harshly. She then turned her icy glare on Simon.

"The Overlord is not to be trifled with. We may end up trading Verney for an even more dangerous party."

"We need to take the gamble before he accumulates too many crystals," Velvet insisted.

"He'll become unstoppable at this rat–" An annoyed Simon put on his Overlord armor, his miasma erupting across the outer wall in a wave of shadows and terror. A startled Velvet nearly fell off the wall while two weapons appeared in Silk's hands: a single-edged saber in the right, and the Crab grimoire in the left.

"Enough of this prattle!" Simon ordered once he had their attention.

"I shall have the truth this instant! Speak now or cease wasting my time!" Silk adopted a battle stance, but her sister raised her hands in appeasement.

"Easy you two, we're all on the same side," she said.

"We've been doing things your way, sister. Won't you let us try my approach for once?" Silk scoffed.

"He wouldn't have come to us if he were strong enough to take on Verney."

"Not strong enough yet," Velvet insisted, smiling at Simon next.

"You didn't answer my previous question. Would you like to become the new Prince of Spiders?" Simon scowled behind his helmet as he considered her words. This had to be a test of loyalty of some kind, a trick.

"Why ask me this?"

"Because I have been paying close attention to you since you joined us," Velvet replied as she sat back on the wall.

"You've been slowly building up your own Cobweb inside the Cobweb under the guise of an apprenticeship, stealing resources and gathering allies. You're the Overlord. You'll always want more power."

"And you think I will be a kinder master than your current one?" Simon inquired. Could they actually be plotting treachery against the Prince of Spiders? Betrayal ran deep in this organization, but he struggled to see what these two would gain from it.

"A stabler partner, which should tell you how low the bar has gotten nowadays," Velvet replied.

"Verney has gone insane, and he has to be removed." Simon squinted behind his helmet.

"So Count Verney is the Prince of Spiders?"

"Verney is the Cobweb's true master," Velvet confirmed while her sister frowned at her.

"He created the fetches and the Attic that let us expand our influence across the globe." Could it be? Simon squinted with skepticism, knowing better than to take these two at their word.

"Is he a mage?"

"No, he is something else entirely," Velvet admitted.

"He's a vile fey creature that has infiltrated Lorean society, though we're not sure what kind." This would fit Remedia's intel that fetches were usually the creations of the Fairy Tribe, and Simon had felt something odd and unnatural about Verney, so it might be accurate information.

"How strong is he?"

"Stronger than you," Silk replied bluntly.

"Stronger for now," Velvet insisted.

"He clashed with your brother Louis and survived. Make of that what you will."

"If he's so strong, then why plot against him?" Simon asked. He sensed deceit.

"You serve as his second-in-commands, isn't that enough for you two?"

"It was when we were working for power and money." Velvet pointed at her sister's Crab grimoire.

"Now we are releasing archdemons into the wild." Simon's spine tensed more than a bowstring, his fists clenching.

"I'm listening." Velvet smiled in satisfaction now that she had his full attention, while her sister frowned and lowered her weapons.

"I don't think you understand the true value of the Zodiac crystals, or else you wouldn't be giving their locations away so easily," Velvet said.

"Some people sharing the same birth sign as the crystal can draw immense power from the archdemon sealed within. We found a way to draw out a fraction of it through items like my sister's grimoire, but only a compatible wielder can use their full might." That was technically true, but missing the key detail that it involved merging with the demon. Simon wondered if that was ignorance or a deliberate omission.

He decided to play the fool for now, both because it might cause them to slip up or clarify their intentions.

"My sister and I would rather keep these creatures safely bound, but Verney, Bert, and their ilk don't fear the Zodiac Fiends or want to bind them. They worship them." Velvet clasped her hands.

"The Cobweb is slowly turning into a closeted demon cult, and we need to clean house before the rot spreads any further." The Cobweb, a demonic cult-in-the-making? Simon was partly skeptical. It would explain some things, but some details clashed with the tale.

"Why do you keep one of them bound in a grimoire then?" Simon inquired.

"Chrom Cruak and Ludwig Bert were talking about containing the Scales, not releasing it."

"That's what they say, but we've discovered evidence that Chrom and Bert are running experiments behind our backs," Velvet said.

"They've been butchering beastmen and slaves in an attempt to create vessels for the demons' power, among other things."

"Verney is taking risks that may destroy what we have built to obtain more of these crystals," Silk conceded.

"He is planning to rob Vouivre, the Queen of Cocagne, and other powerful figures in the near-future, which will put too much heat on our operations for uncertain gains, among other things..." Simon grunted in cold anger. He thought the attack on Fabliau had been a mere happenstance brought about by multiple variables, but it seemed the Cobweb had been after the Lion Zodiac Fiend from the start.

Their siege of the flying castle had only taken such a violent form because the Cobweb could recruit Vouivre and the War Party to go along with its plot. Which meant that the Prince would make a move against Remedia sooner or later. Not this time, Simon promised himself before he asked, "Is that why you were asking for my zodiac sign? You fear I am compatible with one of them?"

"Yes… and no," Velvet replied.

"The truth is that there exists a power even greater than that of the Zodiac, which only those favored by the Light Megalith can unlock. A power that Verney craves."

"What kind of power?" Simon insisted. And why would his birth sign matter for the Light Megalith?

"Have I got your full attention now?" Velvet inquired.

"Maybe I'll tell you that secret… after Verney's out of the picture." Simon scoffed dismissively.

"Is that all that you promise in return for me waging your battles? A fairy tale?"

"We're promising you a throne," Velvet countered.

"It certainly won't be as fancy as that big monstrosity in Frightwall, but it'll be a nice springboard for the day you'll take that one."

"You only offer me dreams and promises," Simon replied, opening his palm to summon the Devil Brands.

"If we are to sign a true pact, then accept my marks." Silk sneered at him.

"Do you believe us foolish enough to take those?"

"We aren't trading one leash for another," her sister concurred.

"Then what guarantee do I have that this is a genuine offer, rather than a trap?" Simon asked.

"The fact we could have sold you out to Vouivre, Louis, and the White Unicorn by now? If we wanted to betray you, we already would have." Velvet replied with coy confidence.

"If you want proof, simply go along with Bert and Cruak's favors. I'm sure they'll try to indoctrinate you into their little plot." Simon had spent too many reigns fighting back the Cobweb's backstabbing attempts to believe her. He would bet his hand they would betray him at some point, likely right after they succeeded in overthrowing the Prince of Spiders, if that was even their true goal. They would have no use for an Overlord after that, and he had plenty of enemies they could sell his identity to.

Then again, Simon thought, I could grab a few benefits before that sudden, but inevitable betrayal comes… and when it does, I will be ready.

"All I hear is that you need me, but don't offer much beyond vague promises," he replied, his gauntleted finger pointing at Silk's fiendish grimoire.

"That will seal our agreement." Silk scoffed in disdain.

"I'm not surrendering a Zodiac crystal."

"I have no need for the crystal." Though he would have it as well in time.

"What I want is a sealing grimoire of my own. A safe way to contain those demons." The main issue Simon currently faced with the Dark Visionary ritual was securing a Zodiac Fiend crystal in a way that wouldn't cause the demon to either escape or try to take him over. He was somewhat confident his Class and Indomitable Crown would protect him, but attempting to use one of those malicious artifacts for an untested ritual without additional safety measures would lead to disaster.

The sisters exchanged a quick glance, after which Silk sighed in annoyance.

"There is no safe way to handle an archdemon," she said, "I can teach you this grimoire's secret, but you will need to prove yourself first. I do not trust you." If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"That will do." Simon nodded sharply. So far so good.

"What's your plan?"

"We can't move against Verney until we have taken out or turned his loyalists among the Weavers," Velvet explained.

"Bert and Chrom Cruak are his allies. Renal and Borsh will go along with whoever is in charge, as will Granny Radhag. Albert is an easily intimidated tool, and Voltobauta is on his way out."

"On his way out?" Simon blinked.

"How so?"

"You don't know?" Silk scoffed.

"He has gone to the Valean League and pledged his pirate fleet's assistance in the White Unicorn's plans to retake Magvolia. He kept your existence and his Weaver membership a secret from them, but he'll be ferrying their forces across the Dragonsea." That… that's new, Simon thought. Voltobauta always sat out the so-called War of the Triad in past reigns. What had changed? The bet. Of course. The Adventurer was a Lorean woman, so she was likely a White Unicorn supporter.

Voltobauta must have bet his assistance in their upcoming war with Endymion, which explained why he had sounded so mad about losing the wager. The fact that the Overlord was safely hidden in Valne and seemingly uninterested in the continental conflict probably factored heavily into his decision as well.

"Bert is Verney's creature and will have to be killed, but the Count promised something to secure Chrom Cruak's cooperation," Silk said.

"We believe he could be turned."

"Neither of us could find what Verney promised him, but surely an Overlord can outbid him," Velvet replied.

"Find a way to turn Chrom to our side when fulfilling his favor, and we'll tell you more about the grimoire."

"Or kill Bert," Silk added.

"Either outcome will serve us." Simon would probably have slain Bert for free, but he would be happy to be paid for the deed.

"What can you tell me about Bert? I know the least about him."

"He's one of Verney's creations, differing from the fetches he crafted in one aspect only," Silk replied, "He was imbued with a wicked soul, which lets him feel emotions and use Crestones." That would explain why Voltobauta's Perks registered him as neither alive nor undead, Simon thought. The aura of Dark coming from Bert was likely the result of his unholy origins.

"Which Class?"

"That is a secret he keeps under wraps," Silk replied, "But I do not think he is all that strong. He never engages in battle nor sullies his hands directly. He will be no match for you if you can catch him unaware." Simon had his doubts, but he pretended to go along so as not to appear weak.

"Then we have an agreement," he declared.

"I will deal with Bert and investigate Chrom Cruak, so long as you fulfill your obligations." This pleased Velvet.

"I'm happy you're with us. Yes, you crave power… but when my sister warned you you were making too much noise, you actually listened and tightened the screws. I think you're calculating." Her smile widened.

"Reasonable."

"He's not," Silk replied.

"He's too brazen by half."

"My sister is a skeptic, but I think we can work well together," Velvet crossed her legs lasciviously, tilting her head slightly." Closely together." Did she truly think such seduction would work on him? Then again, Simon did keep two female slaves in his retinue and his father was infamous for his voracious appetite for female flesh. She might have misread his motives and character. All in all, Simon could only think of three possibilities.

The first was that this was all a test of loyalty of some kind from the Prince of Spiders.

The sisters might have lied to him about almost everything on their secret master's behalf to see if he would actually plot and act against him if given the chance. The second and least likely possibility was that they were entirely honest, that they were indeed plotting a coup against the Prince of Spiders after he had grown too reckless in his pursuit of the Zodiac crystals and were looking for an out. Simon had suffered too many betrayals to totally believe it. And the third and most likely possibility…

was that those two were plotting a coup, but that they didn't intend to share power. They plotted to send the Overlord and the Prince of Spiders on a collision course in the hope they would take out each other, or be so weakened they could slay the victor in his moment of triumph. Simon had run that con himself too often not to see the strings. Either way, Simon decided to play along for now until he learned more. He didn't actually have to commit to a side for the moment, one way or another.

He would bury them all in the end. The very first thing Simon did after returning to Rosanne was to investigate the twins' tale a bit more thoroughly. Thankfully, he knew someone with an ear on Lore's pulse and who owed him a favor…

"Count Verney?" Mel asked, after he had invited her to his office.

"What do you want with that recluse?"

"He has been interfering with some of my affairs lately," Simon lied.

"I was hoping to get a better understanding of the man, and see how I should approach him."

"Good luck with that. He hardly ever leaves his castle since that bastard Louis nearly skewered him when the Overlord invaded Magvolia." Mel crossed her arms.

"Satine did meet him once."

"Oh?" Simon raised an eyebrow.

"Under what circumstances?"

"Well… wedding talks…" Mel scratched her cheek.

"Count Verney has been looking for a wife for some time, and he's so devout he's only interested in priestesses of the Light. Satine is one of the best Theurges in the world, so her supporters figured he could be a good match." Interesting…

"I assume the arrangement didn't go through?"

"Nah. Satine said she found him courteous, but he was looking for someone whose 'light shone brighter,' whatever that means." Mel scoffed.

"I've heard the Orthodoxy sends him aspiring priestesses and vestals every month or so to see if one strikes his fancy, but none have matched his impossible standards so far." That particular detail bothered Simon. The Dark radiated from Verney, so why would he be so interested in marrying a priestess of the Light? Moreover, Simon had no doubt a Paladin or Templar would have picked up on his suspicious aura during the Magvolia conflict. Something didn't add up there…

was Verney being impersonated by a fey or demonic creature after the real one perished fighting Louis? Mel had little else to tell Simon on the matter, though she did inform him that Verney had apparently commissioned a lot of archeological digs in Lore in the past few years. He had apparently grown very interested in pre-Doom ruins and artifacts since the Magvolia campaign; perhaps due to his association with Chrom Cruak.

Simon's gut told him they were looking for something in particular, though he drew a blank at what. More Zodiac Fiend crystals perhaps? Could Verney be possessed? If the Prince of Spiders had found a Zodiac crystal and accepted to merge with the demon to save his life or gain enough power to claim his revenge against Louis, then it would explain both his change in behavior, his affinity for the Dark, and that drive to investigate anything related to the fiends...

Either way, Simon thanked Mel for her information and then sent her on her way with a promise to smuggle weapons for royalist rebels in Magvolia. Everything was slowly lining up for a Lore-Valne allied landing in the region, which ought to inflict a crippling blow to the War Party's efforts. Ironically enough, the landing was planned for the first of Germinal; the very same day when the civil war would have started without Frightwall's bombardment.

Simon was starting to find it suspicious how some dates continued to come up again and again. Perhaps it was the Oracle's guiding hand, or fate trying to restore its course after being interfered with by the Overlord. As for Shabram, she had little more to say since Verney had been a low priority for imperial intelligence since his retirement from the White Unicorn movement.

"Prince Louis still insists to this day that he killed Count Verney during their clash," Shabram informed him through telepathy.

"Your brother drove his sword through the man's heart and gained a Hellblade level from it. We attributed his survival to Prince Louis slaying a body double."

"It's a possibility," Simon agreed. The Cobweb had an army of fetches under its control, though Voltobauta's comments about his Class sending him conflicting signals about Verney pointed to the unnatural nature of his survival.

"What about the Duke of Gorre?"

"Duke Maleagant acted as an intermediary and information broker for the King of Lore, so we have an extensive file on him," Shabram replied.

"He was one of the main backers and financial supporters of the White Unicorn forces that fought us in Magvolia six years ago. His soldiers nicknamed him the 'Sellsword Duke' for all the mercenaries he employed." Simon was more and more certain that the Cobweb started as a private Lorean spy ring that slowly evolved into a criminal syndicate over time. That would explain its incestuous ties to the White Unicorn.

According to Shabram, the Duke of Gorre returned to Lore after the conquest of Magvolia six years prior, at which point he perished alongside most of his staff in a massive fire that destroyed most of his castle. The man himself had apparently fallen to his death during the incident, and quite a few of the bodies discovered showed sword and laceration wounds.

"Nearly three hundred people perished or disappeared that day, and the reasons for the fire were never discovered," Shabram concluded.

"Locals blamed a payment dispute between Duke Gorre and his sellswords, others an attack by Endymion. Since the Duke had no trueborn children, his belongings were split between his adopted sons and daughters as per his will. The deed to the castle reverted to a certain Elsa Nightingale." Silk's alias. Simon had the sneaky suspicion that a lot of the missing people ended up in her sister's private larder.

"Was she noted to have a sibling?"

"Not that I know of. Our file says that she let the castle fall into disrepair to focus on an import-export consortium that eventually merged with the Bert Trading Company, and bribed many officials to smother investigations into the Duke's criminal ties. Officials preferred to ignore evidence of misconduct on account of the man's popularity."

"I see. Keep me informed if anything comes up." Every detail counted.

"Stay away from Magvolia too. I suspect the War Party will soon lose that region. Too many forces are arrayed against it."

"The writing has been on the wall for some time," Shabram replied.

"Princess Lauriane already transferred most of the key Crestone-production facilities east." Of course Louis and Lauriane wouldn't sit idle while a massive fleet gathered across the Dragonsea. They had managed to repel it in a previous reign, but they were in a far worse position this time around. The Church Party and Vouivre were slowly chipping at Louis' dominion in spite of his own overwhelming power, and the latter should soon expel Dassein from Telluria.

Eole wanted me to organize a meeting with Vouivre to hash out a deal and save the shifters, if possible, Simon thought as he wrote down his agenda for the coming days. I'm still not sure if that's a good idea, but it's worth considering… I need to finish the Ruin spell and practice with Belzemine on the self-destruct one, coordinate with the Honorious family and Shabram on our infiltration of Borsh's operations, find time to complete the hag's request and– Knock.

Simon's head perked up from his documents and he stared at his office's door.

"Belzemine? Eole?" he asked, activating his Overlord armor, casting all of his buffs, and putting on a Nightveil at the lack of answer. He had no other meeting planned for today.

"Who's there?" The door opened on its own, and a familiar face smiled at him on the other side.

"Greetings, good sir." A grinning fetch stood on the threshold.

"Would you follow me? You have been invited." Simon blinked in surprise, his gaze wandering to the space behind the fetch. Instead of the corridor outside the office, the threshold now opened into a well-lit, stony hall. I can't believe it… Simon immediately contacted Belzemine through telepathy.

"Agnes, move to the corridor and tell me if my office door is open."

"One moment," Belzemine said, no doubt walking out of her own room to check.

"It is closed, Your Majesty." Damn it.

"Open it, and tell me what you see." Belzemine answered him after a short silence and sounded markedly unnerved.

"A wall, Your Majesty. It opens to a wall."

"Stay there and wait for further orders," he informed Belzemine before rising up and following the fetch past the threshold.

"We might need to blow a hole in the wall." The secret Attic doorway opened into a luxurious lord's hall, with a long table facing a burning fireplace beneath an atlas of the known world. Stony walls surrounded him from all sides, with multiple windows offering a view of a foggy marsh outside. Count Verney was sitting at the table's end, smiling at him.

"Greetings, Your Majesty. My apologies for the urgent summons, and the deception." Simon pointed at the door.

"How long?"

"Since long before you arrived in Valne," Count Verney replied with a hint of amusement.

"I usually install one of these… private backdoors in any Spinner's headquarters to ensure I can contact them at my leisure without the Prince of Spiders catching wind of it." And neither Belzemine nor I ever not—wait. Simon's eyes widened in confusion.

"The Prince of Spiders?"

"Yes. I suspect that if they haven't already set you up to kill me, then they will do so soon." Count Verney pointed at a seat to his left.

"I thought it was time we had a chat, Your Majesty, about what's truly going on."