Chương 25: Chapter 24 - Princess Alizia

Tiffany released the arrow without putting too much effort on her aim, and the arrow hit exactly at the forehead of the dummy. If only it was this easy to hit an enemy while it was literally trying to rip her guts out. After the 30th floor, she had told the team to just make their way back instead of wasting time. Thankfully, Alexander had backed her up on this, though, that was only possible because Yumi's mental state had already broken too much.

Idiot #2's feelings for her was completely obvious even back on Earth. But who was that group that saved them? There were... 6 or 7 of them? She couldn't clearly remember. Everything was a blur. In less than a couple of seconds, they decimated the horde that was chasing them. Klaus would be around 435 prowess after the whole raid, while Haestus had reached 400 by the 28th floor. Even they couldn't handle the half undead orc horde on the 30th floor.

To think that after coming back, the first thing they did was brag about their achieved prowess. Had they not been saved by the mysterious Legends, their progress would've been deleted, yet they were so proud. How stupid. What did a couple of prowess levels mean when it couldn't compare to the group she saw? It did tell Tiffany something, though.

The historical records, rumours, and anecdotal information she received did not account for beings that didn't abide by any of the logic that she was told of about Nulfrae. But there was no way to confirm that unless she was able to secure a meeting with someone who would actually listen to her. Haestus, Klaus, even the asshole Drake no longer cared about listening to her. If she left and just ran away on her own, that would basically be suicide. She knew nothing about living off the land.

The only thing she knew was how to assemble different burgers from the menu. Apart from having more common sense than anyone in this goddamn friend group, she was just as mediocre as the rest of them. Tiffany sighed. Hold on... The Court of Mist knight that was almost dead. He kept glancing at Princess Alizia the whole time while recounting the events. Even as Haestus prodded the man for a conclusion, he was adamant about only being as objective as possible.

And what was the point of Haestus stopping Alizia from being debriefed? The whole thing felt strange to Tiffany. Thinking about it for a while, there was no way the current King or even someone like Haestus could keep this whole country running. The eyes of the Court of Mist knight said it all. Princess Alizia might be the key to turning around this whole hero group. Then the next step would be to get in front of Princess Alizia, but how? Haestus said that Alizia handled administrative matters rather than military.

Since they were part of the military umbrella of this kingdom, it was naturally hard to get a conversation with her unless it was during a group meeting. That didn't count. She barely talked unless it was to be a mouthpiece for the king. With Haestus in the mix, it looked like he would also block her from speaking even more. It was even more frustrating when all she was trying to do was survive this hellhole. Think, Tiffany. What should you do? Think, goddammit. Make a scene.

If Princess Alizia's umbrella was labelled 'Administration', then present information that would be categorized as such. Tiffany didn't know whether the roads had been reported yet, nor the 'Star Cubs' retail store they passed by. She needed to make a scene to show that this information was really important—which it was. She would either get a meeting with Princess Alizia or the Princess would notice her and eventually call her for a meeting.

The worst thing they could do to her, due to her being a summoned hero, was tell her to go back to her room and calm herself down on her cot. It was a win-win-neutral scenario no matter what. Footsteps closed in from behind her. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Alexander.

"Tiffany, you doing ok?" he asked.

"Why do you care?" she replied. It's not like he actually cared. Without Yumi, he probably wouldn't even be here.

"Nothing... just...."

"Just what? Say it already."

"I think you were right."

"You think?"

"Ok, can you not give me an attitude? I'm already saying you were right." Tiffany sighed.

"Fine. But so what if I'm right? We almost got fucked back in the labyrinth anyway."

"Next time, I'll back you up. Yumi too, probably."

"Whatever," Tiffany said. Though, he was right. Giving attitude wasn't going to help them in the current situation... she just couldn't help it. Had to be tough in the orphanage or the other kids would just see the weakness, maybe that was why her foster parents gave her less attention.

"So, we good?"

"Yeah, we're good. Was that everything?" Tiffany tried to say as politely as she could, knowing that her words were still too rude.

"Uh, kind of. Wanna have lunch with Yumi and I? Drake isn't there." Alexander asked. Tiffany smiled a little at the invitation. At least he wasn't being as much of an asshole anymore even though he still had that rivalry with Drake going.

"I'm, uh... I'll pass. I need to do something," she said.

"You sure? Anything I can help with?"

"No. I can handle it. Thanks for the offer," Tiffany said.

"Sure, ok. I'll see you later then?" Alexander asked.

"I'll see you later. Thanks for the invite."

"Next time then," Alexander turned around while waving.

"Yup. Next time." Tiffany saw his form disappear into the barracks doors. Better to let him stay out of it. If the only one making a commotion was one member of the party, it would be an isolated incident. If Alexander and possibly Yumi joined, then the authorities might do something drastic not accounted for in her scenario. Time to make a scene. Tiffany turned around and exited the training grounds.

From there, she walked over to the Royal Courtyard, overseen by Princess Alizia's room, by a window on the right wing. She marched forward, fast, attracting the attention of guards. Once she was in front of the castle's door, she banged on it loudly.

"I have news of the mountain path! I wanna see someone that can talk about it! Anyone!" She continued banging. For a while, no one answered, but behind her, a few guards were already looking at her, wondering what to do. She was a summoned hero; they simply couldn't touch her without getting reprimanded.

"Crown Prince! Princess Alizia! I have observations of the roads on Hadstead! Anyone! Please!"

"Hero Tiffany, please halt your disturbance at once." A voice came from behind her. It was distinctly the husky and dramatic voice of Klaus. Turning around, Tiffany said, "I must speak with someone in authority. I want to discuss of the experience we just had on the Hadstead mountains."

"I understand your eagerness to talk with either the prince or the princess. However, the debriefing of the expedition has already been done yesterday," Klaus said.

"This isn't about the expedition. It's about the roads we've walked and the store we passed by that we ignored on the way back. I have information that might be of use on strategy," Tiffany said.

"A fair assessment. But must I inform you again that matters of strategy are handled by the King and Crown Prince themselves? Drake has already been consulted on this matter."

"Wait, why was Drake the only one allowed to go to that meeting?"

"Forgive my rudeness, but he was assigned as the leader of the summoned heroes."

"So you're saying I can't speak to anyone about the roads and their potential advantages for the kingdom as a whole? That's ridiculous!"

"I believe it would be redundant as Drake would have the same information as you. You two came from the same world."

"That's even more ridiculous! Just because we came from the same place doesn't mean we know the same thing! He could see things differently from me! Besides, I wanna talk about economic advantages, not military!"

"Please quiet down, Hero Tiffany. You are disturbing the peace and quiet of the Royal Castle."

"And who am I disturbing that's so important?! All I want is an audience or a meeting!"

"Hero Tiffany, please. I will relay your message to the King. However, I do implore you to keep your voice down to not disturb the kingdom's administrative staff."

"I want to talk about the roads! What about Star Cubs! Did you guys talk about that!? HUH?! Star Cubs could be a danger!" Klaus sighed, moving in.

"I'm sorry about this, but I shall send you back to your quarters."

"Do it then! Let all the guards see that the summoned hero can't even talk to someone about economics!" Tiffany shouted, bracing herself. She tried to resist his grip, but he was too strong. Her whole body was picked up and hoisted over Klaus's shoulder like baggage. Stolen novel; please report.

"You see what you're doing!" Tiffany continued shouting.

"Not even letting someone have a logical conversation about the current state of stuff! Why only Drake!" Klaus shook his head.

"I believe you should stay within your quarters until tomorrow as punishment. Otherwise, you won't have dinner."

"Such childish ways to treat your heroes!" Tiffany shouted as she struggled.

"Let me go!" As she was being carried by Klaus, she caught a glance of Princess Alizia's window. Her curtains moved slightly, enough to confirm that she had at least heard the commotion. That was one good thing about her talent, eagle eye. Now, all she had to do was wait in her room and hope for the best. If she didn't come, then nothing was gained or lost. ☕︎ ☼ ☕︎ ☽ ☕︎"What the hell was that about, Tiffany?!" Drake shouted.

Tiffany rolled her eyes and tried to turn around to lie down on her cot, but Drake caught her shoulder, stopping her.

"What the fuck! Don't touch me!" She slapped his hand away.

"You made us look like fools," Drake said.

"No, I didn't. I made me look like a fool."

"Tiffany... you're smarter than that. Can you at least tell us why?" Yumi asked.

"Who cares, Drake?!" Alexander shouted from behind them.

"What's done is done. It's not that deep. Get over it. Not like they care about our hysteria or some shit." Huh? The Alexander was actually defending her? So he wasn't lying after all, though he obviously didn't know why she had done all of that.

"So you're with Tiffany with all that bullshit, huh, Alexander?" Drake asked him.

"The fuck are you even saying? We're all in this together." Alexander stood up from his cot and stared down at Drake.

"You're the one running your mouth all the time with that fantasy bullshit speak. How about you do us a favour and not get us killed?"

"The labyrinth thing wasn't even my fault. That was Haestus's call."

"They listen to you, bud. How about using that head of yours and stop larping?"

"Guys, guys, please stop fighting!" Yumi got in between them and pushed them away from each other.

"Fighting's not going to do anything."

"What's with you and this hero's journey anyway, the fuck?" Tiffany asked.

"What's that journey going to do when you die?"

"But we didn't, and we're stronger because of it." Drake glared at her.

"Some luck we got not dying because of the legends that saved us, eh? It's like they'll magically appear again next time we almost fucking die."

"We're already stronger, and we learn from mistakes. I'm sure Haestus and Klaus too."

"Next time, we won't have those potions," Tiffany said. Frankly, they wouldn't have survived the way back up if they didn't have the pouch of potions. They had used almost all of them on the way up the labyrinth to exit. There was one left, and that was strictly for her as a last lifeline.

"We'll ask them to prepare healing potions next time; it's no big deal—""And what? Have them take even more of our salary as compensation?"

"I'm with Tiffany on that one," Alexander said.

"We haven't gotten jack since we got here. We can't even go out to spend the single gold we got since."

"Maybe we can ask them if we can explore the city?" Yumi asked.

"Yumi, please. We know they won't let us go," Tiffany said.

"I was just trying..."

"It's ok, I know." Two knocks suddenly came from the door. Without waiting for a response, the door opened. Two guards came forward, looked at each of them, and said, "Hero Tiffany, please come with us."

"Why?" Tiffany asked.

"Shh, don't ask. Just go," Drake said.

"Fuck you, asshole," Tiffany said, standing up from her cot and walking to the door.

"Please do not resist, Hero Tiffany." Both guards gripped her arms tightly, slightly hurting her.

"Ouch! What the hell!" Tiffany shouted.

"Tiffany!" Yumi shouted. Glancing back, she said, "it's fine, Yumi. I'll be ok." The guards dragged her through the corridor and down the steps. Once they were out on the training grounds, they tightened their grips and even forced her head down as they walked, making it difficult for her to walk. Arriving at what looked like the gate of the Royal Courtyard, they moved through the path and stood in front of the castle door. After four knocks, the door opened.

As they dragged her through the castle, Tiffany already felt the strange based on how they handled her. There was no reason for them to handle her so roughly unless it was for theatrics. Once they reached the third floor of the castle and the red carpeted hallway, their grip eased on her. After they reached the end of the hall, the guard knocked on the door once and opened the door, entering the room. They let her go and stepped aside. In front of Tiffany was Princess Alizia with stacks and stacks of paper.

Her eyes turned up at her from the scrolls she was looking at, smiling.

"Hero Tiffany, I apologize for the rough handling my guards gave you. Please sit," Alizia said. Tiffany stepped forward as she dragged the seat back to sit on it.

"Princess Alizia, can I know why you've called me?"

"Let us drop the pretenses. You've mentioned of the 'roads' and a thing called 'Star Cubs' during your outrage." Alizia leaned forward.

"If it's attention you want, you have gotten it. So, what is that you want?" Tiffany gulped.

"Then I'll be honest. You wanted the expedition debrief, right? Did you get it yet?"

"And why would you think I have not?"

"I don't. That's why I'm asking."

"I see," Alizia said.

"But what I know is that the Crown Prince and the King are preventing you from doing stuff. And it's probably reasonable to say that they haven't told you we almost died at the labyrinth, right?" Alizia's eyes slightly widened. She waved her hand to the guards behind Tiffany, and the two men exited the room, though, they didn't leave. Instead, they stood guard just outside the door as she didn't hear their steps.

"Then let us talk, Tiffany. Call me Alizia."

"Is that ok?" Tiffany asked. Alizia smiled.

"There's information that I want. The expedition, prowess progress, and the topics you've shouted of in the courtyard."

"What do I get?" Tiffany asked.

"Resources, protection while you're still in training, and most importantly, my backing."

"What does your backing mean?"

"Drake has the backing of Haestus and Father. His words reach their ears and are able to sway them. My backing comes with benefits of being able to sway their judgement--the most important power to you, is that not right?" Tiffany glanced at the desk full of paper. Scroll sheets and documents were scattered throughout. There was one issue with her statement.

"How would you sway them if they would just dismiss you all the time?"

"Supplies, logistics, and strategic information are all under my purview. Depending on how much I give them, it will sway even their decisions, do you not think so?"

"I got it."

"But before we talk about the expedition, what are the roads and 'Star Cubs' you speak of?"

"The roads on Hadstead mountains were bricked roads instead of the dirt paths we were expecting."

"Oh?"

"Klaus said it would take 5 and a half days to get to the Labyrinth, but it took us less than 3 days instead."

"Which means your arrival on the 55th day since the expedition was much more delayed."

"Exactly. And that's not all. There was a store that I recognized at the convergence of the 3 mountain paths. A store called 'Star Cubs' which sounds similar to something we have where we came from."

"And what do you make of that?" Alizia asked.

"Alex. That was her name, right?"

"The 5th hero that was supposed to take the role of a mage, yes that was her name." Alizia said.

"The roads might be her doing because the bandits demand a toll of 25 copper per horse to go through the road. Having a Star Cubs store there too, I would bet they are selling products there."

"A toll?" Alizia asked.

"Yes, and it's cheap enough that most travellers can just pay it."

"This is a problem..." Alizia said.

"Might you know what products they might be selling in this 'Star Cubs'?"

"I don't know, but maybe drinks? It's what it sounds like, and I saw people drinking mugs from afar."

"I see... and this has something to do with Alex..." Alizia muttered.

"The roads are the most important part of this. Allowing travellers to cut their travel time by half is an unimaginable advantage, yet the building of the road is extremely costly, especially when corruption looms in the north."

"What do you mean?" Tiffany asked.

"It is not like the kingdoms of Nulfrae haven't thought of building roads before. Due to war, monsters, or demons, the roads would need constant maintenance or would be destroyed altogether during times of conflict."

"Then how would they have built this?"

"The key part would be the Star Cubs. It would lead us to assume that they have more stores that sell their products to the general populace. You said they use tolls and they have bandits to guard the roads. Instead of farming or working in kingdoms, their job simply is to guard the road and are compensated through the coin the toll road earns."

"Would Alex's 100 gold have been capable of such fast expansion?" Tiffany asked. Alizia sighed.

"It would have, but not with greedy bandits. With her prowess of 20, she wouldn't have been able to do anything. Instead, she most likely took the gold and defected to Lyra. If what you are saying is correct and this is part of your world's strategy, then she has taken this to Princess May in the Kingdom of Lyra." All of this was kind of going over Tiffany's head. What she wanted was just to survive. With the brewing conflict of the kingdoms, that may not even be possible. But still, she had to try.

"How would that affect me?" Tiffany asked.

"The balance of power tips towards Lyra's favour. I must prepare contingencies for their inevitable undermining of Dragus' economy. And you..." Alizia stared at her for a moment.

"You must give me as objective information as possible when debriefing me of the progress of the summoned heroes. You will not give me any of your own conclusions, only facts and observations of what you saw. Understand?"

"I understand. And I'll get your backing whenever I speak up?"

"That you will," Alizia said.

"Now, let's talk of the Loomlight Grand Labyrinth." Tiffany nodded. ☕︎ ☼ ☕︎ ☽ ☕︎ Alizia sat at her desk, palm on her forehead. Carefully tidying up her desk, she stacked the papers on top of one another. The work could be done tomorrow. Hero Tiffany had spoken to her about the rescue and how they only reached floor 30 before going back. The whole expedition itself was a disaster all because of her prideful brother and blindly loyal knight, Klaus. The group of legends saving them wasn't the issue.

Alizia heard from mother before that there were sometimes reclusive legends who would randomly group up to challenge labyrinths. That would also solve the question of how Yanis disappeared, as the Legends must've seen him as hostile. Did the Legends also take care of Theodore's group? Alizia shook her head. If even one of the Legends were there in that time period, sending 300 knights would be too wasteful just to clean up one single legend would be too wasteful.

She needed to bide her time for their own Legends to come back from the wilderness. It was the right call to not send anymore canaries. It was strange, though. Why did the old man with a stick, a legendary recluse, promote Star Cubs tavern to Tiffany? She needed more information. If this group of recluse legends allied themselves with Lyra, the power on the continent would shift dramatically even more. Pandor would lose its top spot, and Lyra would leapfrog to being the strongest, pushing Dragus into third place.

This would present a danger to Dragus, being smaller than both. An alliance could be formed between them, and they might target Dragus, citing past violence as justification. She still needed to wait 3 more months for the Mist Knights to return from Pandor and bring their information about the newly summoned heroes. Everything was frustratingly slow, and Princess May had already built her own stores and roads.

"Guards," Alizia said. The door opened, and the two guards entered once again.

"Send me 6 Mist Knights."

"Right away, my Princess." The guards bowed, no questions asked. Would Princess May be alerted? The toll road also allowed for constant monitoring of travellers. Should she have access to this information, any 'unique' traveller using her toll road would be noted, and she would be alerted of movement from Dragus. However, that was much less of a risk due to the sheer number of people coming and going through their roads already. Blind spots would naturally present themselves when scale increased.

Alizia tapped on her desk. This set of Mist Knights would be sent to confirm whether Lyra was dealing with the legends. If possible, also uncover the conspiracy of Princess May's plans. Additionally, kill Alex if they find her in the capital and only if the opportunity presented itself. The plan was set. Now, she just had to deal with her foolish brother and father and somehow manage the summoned heroes through Tiffany.