Incomplete World map here:
https://archiveofourown.org/works/20196703/chapters/74509461
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「What are you saying? Yllaes dono has taken over control of the Shilna clan?」Ryan was surprised when he first heard about the news from Adela, a few hours before King Lance and Princess Yllaner. 「How could that be? The Shilna clan never allowed a male heir to take over as the head.」
「Even I don't know the reason why...」Lied Adela 「but we know that he did. Us Astrals never want to interfere with the mortals' affair, but this time, it would be the one exception. Soon enough, Princess Yllaner will clash with her brother for the control of the Shilna clan and the lordship over Vernys, we shall use this internal strife between the wood elf to lure Kibadios into our trap.」
「What do you mean?」
「As you know, this hybrid, reincarnator of the dreaded Zaeryn, had somehow stolen from us the Primordial Spirit of Fire, HaoS. I'll be honest...」she paused for a moment. 「If he were to summon HaoS, there are not a lot of beings that can deal with it. Of all the heroes, only the Six could somehow hope to contain HaoS, provided all six of them work together. And as you know, getting the Six together is no simple task, especially in such a short timeframe. And time is something we can't afford to waste, for that hybrid is growing stronger each day. Hence, to ensure he cannot call forth HaoS, we shall lure him into the trap that can temporarily seal his ability to summon skill and deal with him before he can escape.」Adela discreetly licked her lip has she thought of the sight of the defeated, powerless Zaeryn lying half dead on the ground under her feet.
「We can do that?」
「Yes. Of course we can. Though, since I have known his past life too well, it's obvious that he's a very cautious individual. If he, just for a moment, thought that he's walking into a trap, our plan would fail. That's why, we must use this upcoming wood elf conflict to cloud his judgement and distract him from our plan of sealing HaoS. 」explained the Astral.
「How can we be sure that he'll be involved with the conflict?」Asked Ryan 「He told me he wanted to travel to his hometown to deal with the commander who killed him during his second reincarnation and attacked his village during his current lifetime, I don't think he will somehow get sucked into the conflict in the Vernys forest.」
「That is where you're wrong, my dear Ryan. Princess Yllaner resembles his first love, it would not be easy for him to abandon her when she's in need. Besides, this is where you will come into the picture: you will have to try to convince him to help Yllaner out. Don't worry, it's not going to be that hard.」Adela noticed Ryan's confused look.「No, don't get me wrong, it's going to be easy not because he likes you and can't turn down your request or anything. It's merely because for him, this is only another chance for him to test his skills and level up… and we can't have that. During his time as Zaeryn, at his full power, he caused the death of hundreds of millions of lives. We can't let that repeat, can we, my dear Ryan?」
「I understand, Adela sama.」Ryan quickly remembered something and hesitated. 「Though, what about that Ryuu? He's been sticking to that hybrid days and nights and he's not someone we can easily deal with.」
「Dealing with that second generation dragon will be tricky.」agreed Adela. 「I may have some people that can deal with him, though, hopefully you can separate them before we temporarily seal away Kibadios' ability to summon HaoS. Can you do this?」
「I'll try my best, Adela sama.」Ryan determinedly responded.
「Good, Ryan chan! I know I can always rely you.」
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「So, from my eavesdropping, the news had already reached you, Lan-chan!」Back to the present, Gilga's voice suddenly echoed throughout the chamber before she, along with the hybrid's group, finally walked in the room while ignoring the guards' attempt at stopping her. Her hands were holding onto the restless Nu, squeezing and playing with it ever since she had asked the hybrid to carry the little slime.
「Gilga dono!」Lance greeted with slight annoyance. 「I did not know you have arrived… and also, how many time have I told you not to call me by that nickname.」
「Aww dont be like that~」dismissed the demon lord while slightly nodding at Yllaner. Evidently, both of them have known each other for a while now since the City-state of Uruk was located fairly close to the forest. 「Remember how happy you were when I called you Lan chan when you were a kid and visit my city together with our Jay-chan!」
「That was when I was a kid, Gilga dono. Besides, I don't think we were ever "happy" when you called us those names, especially not Jayden.」argued Lance.
… When he was a kid? Wait, how old is this Demon Lord again? Kibadios wondered. The tall, beautiful woman looked no older than a late twenties woman, yet it seemed as though she was much older than her look. Without being invited, the demon lord simply sat down to the large, fully polished wooden chair next to Yllaner, then turned to the Princess
「So, what are you planning to do now, Princess Yllaner?」She gave her an obligatory friendly smile.
「Gilga dono! It's good to see you again」Yllaner greeted her old acquaintance. The two had already known each other for years since the city-state of Uruk located only 3 days' travel from the edge of the Vernys forest. Being ruled over by both demihuman races, the forest and Uruk have always been maintaining a good relationship, one of the few precious, fully normalized diplomatic ties that the citystate had established under Gilga.「Thank you for asking. I had already planned to return to the Vernys forest, mostly to treat Kyles. The news about my brother only hastens my preparation.」
「... And what details have you learned from His Majesty here?」The demon lord curiously asked.
「Lance dono has only informed me about my brother's coup.」
「Our kingdom is still recovering so our intelligence is lacking. I'm sure Gilga dono would let us know the details regarding the situation, given how extensive her spy network is.」
「Yes, all thanks to slimes like this, who have been continuously gathering information for me from all over the world.」Gilga honestly admitted as she held Nu up. The slime was all tired after struggling to break free from her embrace to jump back to its current master.「Anyways, the whole situation concerning Vernys is mostly due to the meddling from the Yin Empire .」
「... So they still have not given up?」frowned Yllaner.
「Yin Empire?」Kibadios noticed a familiar name. Isn't that where that commander came from, according to what Ryan told me before? The hybrid turned toward his slave, looking for a confirmation. Yet, Ryan seemed to not have noticed his master, his gaze fixated to a corner of the room, deep in thought… Ryan?
「The Yin Empire has been trying to exert their influence onto the forest ever since the second emperor resumed their expanistic policy. Before I was kidnapped, my mother and I had dealt with them and their ambassadors. What did they do now?」
「They had whispered into your brother's ears, promising to back him as a successor to Lady Seoder. Simultaneously, they lobbied for the other clans to break away from the confederation. It's so obvious that they wanted to weaken the Vernys Forest forces before they swoop in and annex the forest by force. Sadly, the momentary benefits seem to have outweighed the long-term cost in the mind of your brother and the elders from the clans. As of now, the three clans have already fully supported your brother's claim and all the clans are amassing their military forces to intimidate the Fyeran, the last remaining clan who rejects Yllaes. I'd say given the circumstances, the Fyeran would soon step back from their opposition. Once they do, that'd be the end of the Vernys Confederation.」
「... Princess Yllaner.」Lance was deep in thought for a while before calling out to his royal guest. 「You have my full support in this matter. If your brother succeeds in taking control over the Shilna Tribe and the great Vernys confederation is broken apart because of it, sooner or later, the empire will initiate a war to take over the forest. Truth to be told, if they ever succeed, our kingdom will share our border with them and in our current situation, being weakened by civil wars and catastrophe disasters, we will undoubtedly be their next target. I will dispatch ambassadors to the other tribes, trying to convince them to not abandon the confederation but without you and your mother returning to power, I fear there will be no future for Vernys forest.」
「I share your concerns too, Your Majesty.」Gilga nodded.「Everyone knows that aside from the Oracle and the Theocracy, the Yin Empire is second to none when it comes to descrimination against demihumans. Given that our city is made up of 80% demihuman and shares a border with the Vernys forest, I personally don't like to see them taking over the forest. However, this is still, first and foremost, your internal affair. As such, I regrettably cannot interfere and help you regardless how I feel about the matter, Princess.」
「I understand, Gilga dono.」Yllaner faintly smiled, then turned toward Lance. 「Your Majesty, I graciously accept your help. In fact, at this point, I'm afraid that without your backing, I would not be able to stand against my brother's forces.」
There was a long silence that filled in the grim atmosphere. The audience hall was specifically designed for natural light to illuminate the room during the daytime and allow the dim moonlight to soak it during nighttime. Yet, at the moment the princess acknowledged her predicament, the shadows quickly enveloped the room as the sun found itself concealed behind a thick dark cloud, as if the world itself was agreeing to Yllaner's ominous prediction of her future.
「Fear not, Princess.」Said Lance determinedly.「We will spare no expenses. Reinstate your mother and preventing the collapse of the Vernys Forest Confederation are of our best interest, after all.」
「Princess Yllaner! If possible, I'd like to help you through this crisis.」Ryan, who remained quiet for most of the conversation, loudly offered his assistance before turning to the hybrid. 「That is, if Kibadios… sama is willing to let me.」
「Of course. Though I can't just let Ryan go alone. Our group is happy to lend you our strength.」Kibadios nodded after briefly being dumbstruck by Ryan's sudden offer. He was supposed to help out Yllaner even before Ryan said anything, since that was the favor Gilga had asked him. Yet, the hybrid did not expect the hero to be assertive and made decisions on his own without consulting him first. Somehow, even his eyes have appeared much clearer than before. Was it just my imagination? The hybrid thought to himself.
「Having someone as strong as you are on my side is assuring, Kibadios dono.」Yllaner was elated.「I'm hoping I don't appear too greedy in accepting your help.」
「No, no, I don't mind.」Dismissed the hybrid.
The meeting between the three royalties finally came to an end shortly after Yllaner suddenly remembered she had to return to Kyles' side after having left him for more than two hours. As they left the room, Ryan hurriedly bid farewell to the princess before joining Kibadios to walk back to the guest house they were staying at.
「I'm sorry, Kibadios sama, for offering to help the Princess before checking with you.」Ryan finally spoke.
「Yeah, what's with that?」Ryuu was annoyed at the indiscretion. 「It's lucky for you that our Master was already determined to go to Vernys Forest to assist Syl… Yllaner sama.」
「Huh? He did?」Surprised Ryan.
「Um Huh.」Rowan nodded. 「Before coming here, Gilga dono had already asked master to help the Princess.」
「Gilga dono did?」confused Ryan. 「But why didn't she offer to help the princess back then?」
「She could not directly interfere because she did not want to risk having her name associated with either of the sides during this civil war in the Vernys forest. She's a crafty demon lord.」Rowan shook his head. 「I'm sure she will eventually side with whoever emerges victorious from this contention to keep the Yin empire away from the forest. If she openly sided with Princess Yllaner and the princess lost, Prince Yllaes would never cooperate with her and the city-state of Uruk. And if the Shilna clan does not ally itself with Uruk, it stands no chance of winning a war against the Yin Empire on its own, if the empire ever wants to invade Vernys. On the other hand, if the princess emerges victorious and the confederation remains intact, the Yin empire would not be able to easily take over Vernys. Even if they try to invade, Gilga dono would immediately come to Vernys' aid. Yllaner dono would have no reason to refuse. In short, it's a win-win scenario for Gilga dono. Though, she seems to prefer the Princess to win since she secretly asked Master to assist her.」
「I see...」
「Ryan, let's go somewhere and talk about how we should help the Princess. Ryuu and Rowan, you two can go ahead.」ordered Kibadios
「Huh? But we can discuss...」
「Just go… and take Nu with you」reiterated the hybrid before Rowan could finish his sentence, then signalling for the slime to jump off from his shadow into the dragonoid's.
「「Yes, Master.」」 Both Ryuu and Rowan obediently nodded. Despite wanting to contribute and help their master, they reluctantly left the hybrid and the hero behind.