What happens when three Geniuses in different fields sit at the same table?
Pure Manheim.
Sitting in his dimension, Sol observed the meeting between the three women and wished he had something like Popcorn and soda.
.
.
.
At first, when Sol brought Kali and Arachne to the dungeon, Theresa welcomed them with a beaming smile before asking them to take place.
But the moment Sol "left", things became far more complicated.
Theresa and Arachne were friends who had worked for years together and had the roles of support during their years as Heroes.
But this did not mean that they were perfectly in synchro.
It was exactly because they knew each other that they felt more competitive.
Finally, there was Kali who technically had been an enemy not long ago for them.
Kali and Arachne had a weird relationship as she was the one who tried to recruit Arachne to the wings of freedom.
This made things very awkward for Kali.
It didn't help that Theresa had killed one of her siblings who was a cult follower of Ymir and helped fund some of the terrorist actions of the Wings.
No matter how much of a temporary member she had been, it was hard for her to erase this stigma.
Well…That's what she felt at first.
But the moment she saw them —
"Mecha…"
Her breath became rough, her eyes even redder than normal and she could feel saliva flowing from the corner of her mouth.
"Hehehe…"
Theresa and Arachne both took a few steps back at the sudden display and creepy laugh coming from Kali.
"Witch of Destruction?"
"Heh…Oh? Sorry, sorry. My bad."
Kali immediately wiped the saliva and looked at Theresa with eyes shining like a starved wolf finally finding food.
"My new best friend. I believe it's time to work."
Theresa had no time to ask since the two of them became friends and she was pulled forward by Kali.
Looking at all of this, Sol chuckled and began walking away.
He was sure that things would be alright.
Though,
"I should ask Freya to seal the whole zone just to be sure."
This time it wouldn't be to stop people from reaching this place but rather to protect anyone unlucky enough to come close to this place.
—-
Back in Lustburg, Clara adjusted her glasses as she sat in her office.
She was quite tired and she hadn't seen the sun in a few days, but it was all worth it.
The war effort was progressing greatly and while the Dwarves increased the price of the goods imported, it was still in the reasonable zone.
For the Death merchants, war was the best time to make some quick money.
'I need to organize the mercenaries.'
The Mercenaries who volunteered had to be put aside from the soldiers.
After all, unlike the trained soldiers, their loyalties only came from money.
The moment the war showed to lean in favor of the wolf King, they would immediately jump out.
'Leeches who are only good to be used as Cannon fodder.'
She snorted and nearly crumpled the documents but in the end, she took a deep breath and calmed down.
Things were what they were so she didn't need to focus on that too much.
"What is bothering our dear Clara?"
Clara stood up without showing surprise at the sudden appearance of Sol and gave a bow.
"Your Majesty…."
Sol smiled at her greetings before taking her place naturally while she stood behind the chair.
He didn't bother telling her to stop addressing him so respectfully as he had tried many times and the answer had been the same.
"So, what interesting things happened in my absence?"
"Nothing much. We are simply preparing the supply lines. The merchants have already started increasing the price."
"Hum…As long as it's still manageable, there is no problem. But make them understand that we are not their golden goose. If they go too far, there will be retaliation."
He tapped his finger on the table, "Also warn them against increasing the price for the commoner."
Sol understood that merchants would seek profits whatever the time was.
Trying to stop them from doing was impossible and would simply create a Strong backslash.
Of course, all of this wouldn't be a problem if he simply raided them and he could. But Sol wanted to play the gentle game for now.
He would only show his fangs if they went past the limit.
"Very well. Now, why don't we talk about the Elves?"
Clara gulped a little before placing one knee, "I am listening."
"I want to know everything and I want you to tell me the truth, were you sent as a spy by the elves? How much information did you share?"
Even though Sol was still smiling at her, Clara could feel a chill go down her spine.
But her expression did not break.
For she had nothing to reproach herself,
"I will write a summarized and complete version of all the information I have about Southern Pride."
Her voice was calm, "I am not so much a spy, I was simply given the directive before leaving to observe you and give my opinion on your personality."
Sol rose an eyebrow. He would have expected many things but — His personality?
"That's all?"
"Yes. The Queen was never interested in Lustburg as a whole but simply in you. I was not told why."
"I see."
"As for how much information I shared? Outside of telling them that you were a wonderful lord I never shared any other form of information."
Sol looked down at Clara and observed her through the Eye of Akasha.
He did not even start doubting her words. The numbers of thread that connected her to him were enough proof of how loyal she was to him.
Clara never had any ill intent towards him and her loyalty was the highest below that of his women.
But this why — He had to do this.
He had to show her that her Lord was not a fool who could not see through her duplicity.
This was the only way to keep her feeling awe and respect towards him.
After all, people had the bad habit of looking down on those they managed to fool once.
Sol tapped his finger, "I believe you."
"Your Majesty."
"Do you know why I kept you at my side despite knowing that you might potentially be a spy?"
Clara shook her head.
"It's because I am sure that, no matter what you did, I would be able to handle it."
He smiled at her, "Rise."
Clara nodded and stood up. Though her expression was normal, she could feel cold sweat on her back.
She did not doubt that she might have been eliminated if Sol had suspected her loyalty even in the slightest.
'Ah– Your Majesty.'
The way he had just treated her was so cool!!!
Clara bites her lips to keep her expression from growing slack.
She felt like her heartbeat reached a point where it might explode in her chest with how fast it was beating.
'Perhaps I should have been a little more suspicious?'
She wondered then if Sol would have roughed her up a little bit more or brought her in a dungeon for some special kind of interrogation like in the book she read.
"Heheh…"
Sol looked bewildered as he gazed at Clara.
Despite what she was thinking — She had sadly not managed to keep her expression in check.
'Perhaps I should change advisor?'
He chuckled and ignored the pervert elf who was deep in her Delusions and focused on work.
Soon, he will meet the witches. This mean it was also time to have contact with Nefertiti.
'Only a few weeks went past. Logically speaking, Nefertiti shouldn't have been able to do much.'
At least this was how it should be when taking into account what was in the realm of possibility.
But — This was Nefertiti they were talking about.
'I am sure I will be agreeably surprised.'
He was starting to miss his loyal woman.
"Clara."
"Ah! Yes!"
"Firstly, wipe the saliva from the corner of your mouth."
"My, I apologize!"
"Don't mind. Secondly, I want you to send an official letter to Southern Pride. Tell them I wish to visit them. Obvio
usly this will be done in secret."
Clara's eyes twinkled. She didn't exactly know what kind of plan Sol had for her country but she had full confidence in his success.
This was going to be very interesting.
