Agedia yawned as she stretched. She shuddered at the cold air, curling up under the blankets.

Ok, yes, the main reason she had avoided coming to Turannia was not actually the cold, rainy climate, but rather her emotional issues over failing to save Aedinia. But that didn’t mean the cold, rainy climate wasn’t an issue. There was a reason the Mélusine never expanded into Turannia!

But eventually, she got herself help, wrapping herself up in many layers before making her way down the stairs. Tiberius chuckled as he served her a warm bowl of soup. She smiled at him before she dug in. He had finished his own long ago.

They just sat into silence for a while afterwards. Tiberius started to twitch and fidget. Agedia raised an eyebrow.

“Tibbers? What’s the matter?”

He started and looked away. Eventually, he took a deep breath, and looked at her.

“Um, so, Dia, I was thinking…”

Agedia smirked.

“Tibbers, you’re always thinking, whenever you’re sober at least.”

Tiberius didn’t respond to the jab, instead looking Agedia in the eye. She blinked and then went silent, waiting for him to go on.

“So…it…sounds like you’re starting to move forward…and…the reason you didn’t want to come was you weren’t ready to get involved, right? But…um…you’re involved now already…and Ateia has left in any case, so I don’t have to watch over her anymore at this point…so…um…there’s no reason you can’t…I mean…”

She could help but giggled as Tiberius bit his tongue. He groaned and then took a deep breath.

“Ok, what I’m trying to say is…will you stay with me? Or I can come with you. I don’t want to just up and leave the folks here but I think they can handle themselves now if you’d rather be elsewhere.”

Agedia’s heart began to pound as she looked into Tiberius’s eyes. She took a deep breath. His face fell and she quickly shook her head.

“Ah, no! It’s not what you’re thinking! It’s yes! It’s definitely yes! It’s just…not yet. I, um, have something I need to do first. I want to stand by Ateia’s side now, and we’ve all got some unfinished business with the Heralds. But once they’re dealt with…well, shiny girl’s got Ateia covered so…”

Tiberius blinked, and then slowly started to grin. He was about to open his mouth…

And then someone began pounding on the door.

“Magister Tiberius! Dux Opiter is calling for you! He says it’s urgent!”

Tiberius heaved a huge sigh and hung his head.

“I told those idiots I’m unavailable!”

Agedia chuckled as her eyes narrowed.

“Want me to get rid of him? I could get into another drunken rage if you want to meet me at the prison.”

Tiberius sighed and shook his head.

“As much as I’d like to relive old times, I suppose I should still do my job, as long as you’re doing yours.”

She chuckled again as he stood up and opened the door.

“Ok, what is so important that you had to interrupt my leave?”

The soldier outside saluted.

“Magister, it’s NSLICE-00P! She’s back!”

Tiberius sighed.

“Well speak of the demon. Looks like our little vacation is over, Dia.”

Agedia slithered over at the mention of NSLICE-00P. She nodded, her face now resolute.Stolen novel; please report.

“So it is. Let’s finish the job.”

NSLICE-00P flew over Castra Turannia and landed just outside the Legion Keep, carrying Ateia, Taog, and Estrith with her, the Dobhar now fully upgraded into a cyborg as well. There, she found a full Legion waiting for her. Magister Canus was there with the best of his newly trained soldiers, Governor Aemilia now stood with her full retinue and a squad of the Hiberius family’s knights, Magister Tiberius and Agedia stood side by side. And…an Imperial airship now floated over the city. Princess Caecila and her retinue stood off to the side, watching the proceedings along with Miallói and a handful of Selkie hunters.

Magister Canus shouted as NSLICE-00P landed, and all of his soldiers saluted to her. Miallói and her hunters did as well. Governor Aemilia stepped forward, a smile on her face.

“Welcome back, NSLICE-00P, Queen of the Dobhar, Friend of the Empire, Turannia, and the Hiberius family. Please, come inside.”

“Greeting: This unit thanks you for the welcome. It is good to see all Turannian authorities in good condition.”

Princess Caecila stepped forward as well.

“Hello NSLICE-00P, I am glad to see you unharmed. If you don’t mind, I have some matters to discuss with you as well.”

“Greeting: This unit is also pleased to see Princess Caecila in good condition. This unit is willing to coordinate with Imperial authorities to the maximum extent permitted by current missions and directives.”

Princess Caecila smiled and nodded her head.

“Thank you.”

She and Governor Aemilia eyed one another, but neither said anything and the group began to move inside. Agedia slithered over to Ateia.

“You…look much better, Ateia. How are you feeling?”

Ateia smiled.

“Much better. How about you?”

Agedia made a small smile of her own.

“Same.”

Then she glanced around, raising an eyebrow at Taog and Estrith.

“Wait, everyone’s shiny now? How did that happen? And where did…um…our friend go?”

Ateia just smiled and shook her head.

“Well, a lot has happened. We’ll fill you in.”

And so NSLICE-00P and company filled in the group on recent events…minus some confidential information regarding dungeons, secret Imperial family members, and the Aesdes. They mostly explained the altercation with the Heralds of the New Dawn…and their future plans regarding their foes.

Princess Caecila heaved a sigh. NSLICE-00P had included her in this discussion given that she represented NSLICE-00P’s connection to the Emperor, the nominally highest authority of the Northern Court. If she and the Emperor were connected to the Heralds of the New Dawn, then NSLICE-00P would have to consider the entire Empire as hostile. She likewise might benefit from informing the Emperor of her plans, given that it might require her to assault nominally Imperial assets.

The Princess…did not appear happy to be included.

“This…is a lot to take in. Consul Noxisius was a member of a Cult of Mana? He attacked NSLICE-00P and then tried to open a Rift right in Corvanus? How is this possible?”

Magister Canus sighed and shook his head.

“I wish I could say I was surprised, but corruption isn’t new in the Empire. The cult part is a little much but I suppose it was only a step away.”

Governor Aemilia narrowed her eyes.

“Actually, it makes sense. If the Cult had one Consul seat already, then they would have had a strong incentive to neutralize my father. So when I…got a tad emotional…”

Princess Caecilla frowned and opened her mouth before controlling herself and sighing instead, so Governor Aemilia continued.

“...they would have certainly taken advantage. And then my father stepped back…leaving Consul Noxisius as the strongest figure in the North. But why would he try to destroy Corvanus at that stage? They already ruled the Court.”

Canus shrugged.

“I’ve dealt with Cult of Mana folks in the past. They’re all about crazy rituals to gain massive, god-like power. Political power is only ever a means to an end with them, they would never stop there.”

Princess Caecila furrowed her brow.

“And, Miss NSLICE-00P, you plan to…’terminate’ these people as you called it. Like you did with Consul Noxisius?”

“Affirmative.”

She heaved a sigh, holding her head.

“That’s…could I convince you to wait, Miss NSLICE-00P? The Court is still investigating for now, but further aggression could have consequences if your allegations cannot be proven. Perhaps you could entrust some of the investigation to us?”

Magister Tiberius shook his head.

“These cult people won’t wait quietly, and they’ve been hiding within the Empire for years. Not to mention all the rebellions and corrupted dungeons and what not the Northern Court needs to clean up. I highly doubt the North can find and deal with this cult, and that’s assuming Consul Noxisius was the only member in the Court.”

Magister Canus rubbed his chin before nodding.

“I agree. With Caelinus gone and Utrad's forces scattered, the Northern Empire is lacking both commanders and legions. Given what this cult did with corrupted dungeons in the Heartland, I fear they’re a threat beyond what the North could deal with right now.”

“Statement: This unit plans to conduct numerous upgrade routines before resuming active hostilities. If Imperial authorities are able to apprehend the hostiles in that time, this unit will cooperate. If not, this unit will prioritize efficient termination of the threat.”

Governor Aemilia sighed.

“Then I suppose we had best be ready for the fallout. And here I thought things were going well for once.”

Magister Canus smirked.

“They are. We’re in a much better position than we were.”

Magister Tiberius nodded, his eyes narrowed.

“Indeed. And if I catch any of those demon-loving monsters here, I’ll make them wish they were terminated instead.”

Princess Caecila sighed and her head drooped.

“…you are resolved then? I suppose I will inform Magister Appius he needs to redouble his investigations. May the Aesdes help us all.”

Ateia and Taog couldn’t help but share a small smirk at that.

“That might be more likely than you think…”