Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 390

Before Argrave stood his top ranks in this expedition—everyone who had some degree of authority. The three Veidimen officers, the Magisters, Mina and the Monticci family, and lastly his family, Orion and Anneliese. These were all people of proven trustworthiness and skill, and he needed precise delegation and execution at this critical juncture.

Seeing them all… he felt some degree of self-loathing for having doubted them. To know that betrayal came from somewhere higher up did disquiet him. Simultaneously, knowing that whatever happened moving forward would be with those he trusted absolutely bolstered his confidence.

Argrave nodded and looked off to everyone else. “We’re going to the coastline of the North Sea, where the ships I called for will be docking tomorrow morning—we can’t sleep, not tonight. I had intended Elenore to send men to help purging the land of the remnants of Kirel Qircassia’s forces, but we’ll make use of them.”

“Make use of them for what? What’s happening?” Nikoletta asked, still out of the loop.

Argrave looked at her and her father. “For starters, we’ll use their ships. You and Duke Enrico will be going back.”

The old duke had barely had the chance to say even three words, but even still he recognized the situation and gave a steady nod. Nikoletta, however, began, “But I want to--!”

“You need to go to Elenore, and you need to deliver her my words exactly as I say them,” Argrave interrupted her. “These are instructions I can’t risk being leaked.”

Duke Enrico put his hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “Listen to Argrave.”

“His Majesty, Duke Enrico,” Orion corrected. “But please, tell us what happened to change our plans so.”

Argrave looked at him and took a deep breath, still grappling with that himself. “Another god has hit the forests. We have to change our response accordingly.”

“And the elven gods?” Vasilisa questioned seriously.

“…we’re lacking critical information,” Argrave said hesitantly. “There is much to work out. For now, go.”

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a clear uncooperative signal,” Anneliese advised Argrave. “And as we are now, we can do nothing. The fate of the

Anneliese, ensuring none of their conversation leaked out to anyone listening. They could tolerate

out, it was best to give the image of accepting Erlebnis’ unspoken offer. And so they headed for the ships Elenore sent, where some would turn back. Yet even still, Argrave’s mind drifted

Argrave said nothing. “Their enemies are strong, but as are they. And each are made even stronger by the power Kirel Qircassia’s partial defeat gave to

if Erlebnis is lying

a few emissaries, who fight half-heartedly, I am sure of it. But even if they did not… could you change their Tumens’ fate?” Anneliese said tactfully. “Is there even a way out of

thought it rhetorical… yet nonetheless, his mind worked to grab at answers. “Mozzahr, the Castellan of the Empty, fought against gods deep below the earth in

“You said he invades the mainland at the

his victory, so he weakened the boundaries between

she almost stumbled over something while

away in the Bloodwoods as he was. If not for him trying to kill the forest, I might not have noticed at all.” Argrave sighed. “Whatever the case, it

“Did the

looking back to see everyone was following. Their haste had put some distance between him and the main forces, yet Orion still followed

Anneliese said confidently. “At

when Onychinusa cast that spell on me, the first time we interacted

times, then nodded. “You said

in confirmation and continued, “And

also said that the Ebon Cult heralding Mozzahr were prominent users of shamanic magic,” she filled in somewhat eagerly. “And shamanic magic

raise expectations. “Shamanic magic was useless to me in the beginning. Silvic was the only spirit we saw, and she wasn’t vulnerable to shamanic magic in the slightest. Spirits aren’t abundant. It’s been

now things are different,” Anneliese followed his train of thought. “Now, we have seen spirits, seen them taken in by the elven gods. But is

her question. The rest of their force caught up, so Argrave resumed walking, and Anneliese followed eagerly waiting for his answer as he deliberated. “What Onychinusa was trying to do was teleport me to another location. That should give you some indication of how powerful shamanic magic can be. It also uses a highly limited resource that can’t reasonably be obtained until things get… very desperate. Any spirits we’d get, we’d have to make—namely, by

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