Jackal Among Snakes

What did mortals possess that the gods valued?

The ‘why’ of divinity wasn’t always something that could be precisely measured, but by and large, gods like Kirel Qircassia or Erlebnis valued mortal people only for what use they presented. Argrave had chosen his godly allies wisely, yet even they helped largely because they hoped to make worshippers out of Vasquer’s populace. They hoped to secure a permanent presence and a stable alliance that controlled an entire continent more than they thought of benevolently aiding its citizens.

The mortals of the Great Chu were staunchly anti-divinity, however. They believed in a concept of the heavens—an impermeable will encompassing the entire world, from which all things stem—and the reigning emperor was this heaven’s son. While Great Chu emperors had become gods, they were all viewed as traitors to the heavens rather than proponents of it.

This culture and way of thinking was so absolute that none of the deities of the Qircassian Coalition could make true believers of the whole populace here. Small sections, perhaps. Small towns, even small cities. Yet the wider culture would persist, as it always had. The people would accept no gods. They would exist only as the Great Chu, as had been the case for many millennia.

It made sense, then, that Kirel Qircassia’s sky tower changed its target from Vasquer to the Great Chu.

The skies themselves caught fire over the Great Chu, shimmering with heat and flames of uncountable color. Blasts of hellish purple fire descended from above, targeting the cities of the north—and indeed, the north alone. Arcs of electricity, vast tornadoes, and colossal water snakes rose up to meet attacks that rained like a shower of meteors—the works of S-rank spellcasters or the enchanted constructs defending cities. In Vasquer, all attacks ceased, focused now on the Great Chu.

Elenore’s information lines, elegantly constructed over the past weeks, completely shattered from the chaos of this total war. Small, rural towns in the north, without defense, suffered absolute destruction. The cities themselves were capable of defending against the sky tower’s assault, but all flow of goods and communication ceased as a siege across the continent began.

On the far north, meanwhile, the Great Chu’s so-called barbarian hordes began a full-scale invasion into the north almost as though coordinated—and perhaps they were coordinated by Erlebnis’ machinations. The defending armies were ready for them, and the invaders fell by the tens of thousands. Nevertheless, it strained the north further yet.

Hell became manifest, hiding sunlight and moonlight indiscriminately in wake of its power. Yet even despite this unprecedented calamity… the Great Chu resisted. It did not break, did not fall. Not a one of its cities burned to ash, and though the death toll on the citizenry was high, the armies did not break.

Argrave’s forces in the south, meanwhile, experienced something infinitely worse than the north: nothing at all.

As the Argrave’s new allies witnessed their country light aflame while they were spared, collective suspicion arose. Who else did this benefit but the invaders? Was ‘Grand Commandant Sun’ responsible for this? The prospect of fighting countrymen was already a daunting one, but to have civilian centers assaulted? To rest warm and happy while others faced a calamity beyond reckoning?

“This reeks of Erlebnis’ doing,” Argrave said, standing on the deck of the Sea Dragon. “This sort of cold, callous move…”

“They waited for the Great Chu to fracture in half, then began their assault.” Anneliese sounded pained as she watched. “It may have been their goal to shatter this empire as much as our kingdom. Just as we sought to slay Erlebnis and Kirel Qircassia both, they sought to slay Vasquer and the Great Chu both. It would not be the first time Erlebnis has destroyed empires for his aims.”

“We could prevent this by calling over Almazora, but…” Argrave lowered his head, leaving something unspoken—calling Almazora would expose Vasquer to risk. To risk his own populace to save another, even though the damage to their movement was essentially irreparable… frankly, Argrave could barely consider the notion. His duty to his people came before his duty to all people.

kneeled down and said, “Your Majesty! Ji Meng is being incredibly insistent. He has

#####

time. “Return my weapon. Restore my magic. Restore my honor guard, with all their weapons and glories. Let me lead these men into battle to save their countrymen, destroy and excise the imperial court like the tumor it is, and then together, we can destroy that tower

crossed his arms. “That

into both legitimacy and righteousness. You, Anneliese. I know that you can tell if I lie; I reveal that only to earn your trust.” He slammed his fist against his heart. “I will not betray you. Not immediately after, not ten years after, not a century after.

to verify if Ji Meng was being honest. She looked back at him and whispered with the slightest

I?” Ji Meng placed his hands on

have no intention of changing your mind, or otherwise

author, this tale is not meant to be

at all,” Ji Meng

“And if

the taste the most pleasant you’ve ever had.”

important question. “Why

with his emotions. “I want them to know that it’s mine. I claimed it, I built it over decades, and it’ll remain mine, no matter in what form,” he said venomously. “No matter what compromises I needed to make, I was willing. I want all of my children to

what, because your daughter betrayed you? Because she was ready to

clenching his hand against his knee tightly. “You’ll understand, someday. What it’s like for your children to look at you, and their only thought be the hope you’ll die so they can take your place. For them to bicker, to squabble amongst each other, like infants never grown. Born in the most luxurious seat imaginable, yet utterly…” he turned his head away. “I love them. And I’m doing this because I love

those that try

I want my children to live—even if they are worthless, a lot of them.” He nodded. “But yes, you may kill the fools that try to rebel and fail. But they won’t, because they’re

mixture of contempt and respect. That he would do this, out of some twisted and possessive affection over

however, were the actions of the Qircassian Coalition. Argrave was willing

he looked to

of a like mind with you,” she nodded,

long conversation with her explaining

need to restore your

that drink. How

release the Alchemist. His huge frame filled the room at once, kneeling down to fit. He compressed himself down to something more

in the middle of something,” the Alchemist said, his voice like splintering ice. “You