Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 467

“Where have I experienced a method of persuasion like this before?” Argrave said, rolling his shoulders. “Playing nice, with the pretext of total destruction? It’s a familiar street we’re walking. And you probably should have record in those Annals telling you that it didn’t work on me last time.”

“So, shall I tell Mozzahr all you’ve taken and what it does?” the Keeper pushed. “Conspire against you more actively?”

“Do it,” Argrave nodded. “You already got me what I wanted, and I’ve been running around long enough. But you won’t, will you? Because you want to control things from the background, as Erlebnis’ good little servant. You want us to head deeper in, limit our options, force us to fight… and have your master sweep things up.”

Orion and Melanie entered into view, and Argrave walked toward them, pulling the Inerrant Cloak tighter over his shoulders.

“What you said, about being enslaved… it sounds plausible enough to bear merit, but it’s not quite possible enough to bear weight,” Argrave continued.

“My thoughts exactly. Would Erlebnis allow a being with ill intent to control all of his operations, even his vault?” Anneliese contributed, walking up beside Argrave. “And even supposing you were kept near Hause… you spoke with such certainty that you’d be freed. But how are you sure? Antagonizing us cannot see that come to fruition. No—these are the textbook tactics of Erlebnis. And I know better than to go along with them.”

The Keeper’s silence was answer in itself, but he quickly bubbled up again, “But Erlebnis—”

“He is coming,” confirmed the Alchemist. “So you stall for his arrival, pitting us against each other.”

“We’ve collected all we can,” Argrave continued, watching Orion and Melanie run ever closer. “Now, it’s time for the final resistance. You can search without us, I trust?” He looked up at the Alchemist.

“I can,” confirmed the Alchemist. “And far faster, too.”

“Give me our weapons, and go,” Argrave said. “You’ll find us here.”

The Alchemist’s body shifted, and he drew out several artifacts, emerging from his body like frosting from a tube. He stabbed them to the ground one by one, then handed the final to Argrave—a familiar quarterstaff, the Resonant Pillar. It had two rings on each end, and looked to be made of jade.

hand. It felt as heavy as lead, but as it empowered him, it felt like bamboo. He gave

form and surging down the hall. He

die,”

five… and you gave me the key to invincibility to earn some trust. You must be

waiting for Mozzahr. The Castellan of the Empty

his voice now gone. “But forget not where you are. My twin is coming… and he is more unlimited than I am. I am bound in books and vaults, but he

“Twin?” repeated Argrave.

said dryly. “Now… I’ll not distract either of you. It would not do for either side to have a decisive

to dismiss the words, but they lingered in his head. He looked back, focusing on his duty as the leader. “Orion—pick up that hammer. You’re with me. Melanie—support and protect Anneliese and Durran, and try to get that Eighth Blade of yours ready for the thrusting attack. Cut at me if you must. You two magic users—look for openings, cast strategically. Presume I’m invulnerable, because I will be. Those artifacts make your magic much stronger than it normally

Resonant Pillar in his hand. It chimed pleasantly, casting off dancing

Orion questioned, sizing up the war hammer he’d been given. It looked to be a tooth fastened by metal, and yet exuded power all the same. “We might be better

said. “Keep everyone else safe. Don’t let this

Your Majesty. The queen, our brother-in-law,

end of the long corridor. He declared with a steady voice, “In this domain, Erlebnis’ Blessing of

him as the Domain of Law took effect. He didn’t know how much of an effect it would have—the Domain of Law could only ever be as strong as his will… but certainly, he’d need every edge he could get against Mozzahr. He spread out his blood echoes, having them perform the

Cloak draw out that power in unimaginable quantities to suppress the damage it might’ve caused. It used

a deafening bell, and when the Emptiness faded, Mozzahr leapt through the corridor like a feral beast. The cult leader hefted a divine sword of bone in his right hand. It seemed he recognized the Blessing of Supersession from his battles with the emissaries,

on the Resonant Pillar, swinging the opposite end like a bat. Mozzahr held out his left hand to catch it midflight. When it touched his palm, the reason why it was called Resonant made itself clear. The power it had received returned through the opposite end, and Argrave swatted Mozzahr’s hand aside. Its edge struck his

from slamming ungracefully into the wall using one hand. He landed on the ground, where Orion promptly charged and slammed the hammer down upon him. The castellan moved quick and received it with the sword of bone. A deafening noise erupted as the two divine weapons met. Orion kicked him in the face, but it was like kicking a rock—Mozzahr only shifted like a child had pushed him. He gathered Emptiness in his palm for a blast of power,

Blessing of Supersession as the Inerrant Cloak used its power to defend him. Surprise flashed through Mozzahr’s elven features at his attack’s impotence. Enough residual Emptiness had struck the Resonant Pillar, and

portal, and witnessed Melanie hack into the castellan’s calf. The black blade cut his purple robe, but seemed to do little more. Ignoring this, Mozzahr thrust the divine sword of bone into Argrave’s stomach. Once again the Inerrant Cloak defended him. The castellan grew yet more confused and shocked, yet Argrave calmly called upon his blood-infused [Electric Eels] to punish him. Mozzahr leapt away, but he wasn’t faster than lightning—about twenty eels struck

to shield himself with Emptiness that scattered under the power. Anneliese, meanwhile, collaborated with Melanie to rain a twisting spire of ice down upon his back.

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