Chapter 47: Steady Progress

"So, while we have time, let’s organize what we’ve each gathered on our ends, how about it?" Nio proposes to her clone as she changes into one of the outfits Stelaria bought for her.

"Sounds good, I have a few points to discuss... although you have the same ones, so let’s split it into stages!" Her clone suggests so they both mention different things and don’t get stuck on the same subject with the same answers.

Both Nios ignore what the real Nio just did to Ryu as they sit down in chairs near a table.

"How are the things you got for the war going?" Nio asks her clone, who pulls a few items from her inventory.

"Here’s everything I managed to steal without being noticed. There are reports from Stelaria, and some letters I copied personally. Besides that, there are also the future plans. Apparently, the theocracy wants to incite the war to escalate while trading the communication magic you taught them."

"Good, good... as for my side, everything’s going well too. I’ve started creating new ways to defend my palace, not to mention I’ve been thinking about how to put the island back in the skies... there’s also the theory I came up with about the power we originally have. It seems pretty solid, so maybe there’s a way for me to get past level 100..." Nio says to the clone, storing everything she received in her inventory.

"Nio... I have a question. Thinking rationally... what do we want? Ruling the world is just to protect our palace. Protecting our palace is because it’s everything we have, the life we’ve built over years..." The clone’s question leaves Nio thoughtful.

"I dunno! I don’t have a good grasp on that now that I’ve realized how many things have changed. But for now, I think it’s better to live one step at a time. Protecting the base is the most important thing... after I get rid of Typhon." Both of them shudder thinking about that monster.

"Honestly, I’m scared of Typhon. I’m glad my instincts as a player kept me fighting, but I need to be more prepared!! Currently, I plan to keep certain things already equipped on my body for faster activation." She says to the Nio clone, but before she can finish, she hears a sound.

"!!!" The clone quickly leaps out the open window and flies extremely fast upwards to vanish from sight. Nio hides everything she needs to in her inventory as Stelaria walks in with Ryu.

"Nio, are you alright?! We were attacked by someone. Ryu got hurt, but she’s better now."

’Attacked?...’ Nio looks at Ryu and gives her a smile, seeing that Ryu lied for her. However, Nio also notices that Stelaria’s reaction is slightly lukewarm, as if she suspects something about this attack.

"No, I was... studying." Nio secretly pulls a book from her inventory and places it on the table.

"Here, I wanted to learn more about our gods."

"...Haaa... be more careful. It happens sometimes. Good thing they didn’t come after you." Stelaria, oblivious to certain details, approaches Nio and picks up the book. She reads the cover and then tucks it into her clothes.

’Tsk... she took it for herself... I was still going to read that... she clearly doesn’t really believe what she said... an attack, huh...’ Nio looks at the window and then at Stelaria and gives her a smile.

"Thank you for worrying about me. Stelaria, can I participate more in important matters? I want to help you." Nio’s attitude makes Ryu look at her with disgust, but she takes a step back when Nio stares into her eyes.

"...Yeah... I think maybe it is time to introduce you to the theocracy’s more relevant affairs, since you learn so quickly. We can leave that for tomorrow. This afternoon, I’m going to order a search for whoever attacked Ryu and me..." She takes Nio’s hand, starting to guide her to the bed.

’That wasn’t exactly what I expected, but I guess it’s worth it... I wonder if everything’s going well at the palace...’

...

...

... 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ

"M-Miss Azalea, is this it?" The dragon Nio appointed as leader speaks to Azalea, who is taking care of all the defense adjustments for the palace’s outer area.

"Yes, yes, that’s where you’re to place the eggs. After that, you must daily fly over this perimeter here, destroying any invader. If the invader is strong, the strongest among you will stay and fight, and the others will come warn the palace and send support requests."

"After all, we don’t literally need all of you to die fighting. That was just Nio’s way of phrasing it. Only one of you needs to stay fighting and maybe die. The rest have to warn us, because if the threat can kill dragons, then it’s something we Apostles will have to deal with." Azalea says, showing a map of the region made with the help of other Apostles and their servants.

"...I don’t know if I can ask, but why so many defenses?... there are so many points marked on this map." The dragon questions, seeing the numerous traps spread across much of the palace’s perimeter — traps that seem almost excessive.

"It’s because we have a troublesome enemy. It’s not something you need to know. Just be happy that Nio was merciful. In the end, you are all scaly, cold-blooded reptiles, so she must have felt comfortable letting you live with us."

"Charitable, don’t you think?" Azalea’s tone is quite derogatory when referring to the dragons Nio made a deal with, in a way even offensive to Nio’s own identity as a dragon.

"...Yeah, she is..." The dragon looks over Azalea’s entire plan. It’s less work than he expected. There are 24 shifts, each shift requires 10 minutes and is done in 50-minute intervals — meaning one patrol every hour, 10 minutes of flight, divided among all the dragons.

That means only 4 hours of work per day. Since dragons are fast, covering everything in 10 minutes is easy, and other races in general aren’t as fast while the area is immense. Which means for 50 minutes the area will have no dragon supervision, but no one will be able to pass without leaving traces or drawing attention.

It’s such meticulous planning that it allows the dragons to be rested and ready to fight, while also preventing a window of time large enough for invaders to reach the palace.

"Recently, many humans have been trying to get here. My plants have been devouring them, but sooner or later, strong people will arrive. It will be useful to have the dragons’ help to stop them — but don’t let them escape."

"If even one of them escapes, that means information. Understood? Kill ALL of them. If I find out one of them escaped, you will be punished for such incompetence. If you think you can’t kill them, you must call me. I’ll leave some communication artifacts with you."

"Furthermore, your group’s eggs will be safe as agreed. However, they will be in a restricted area inside the palace, which means only three females may go see and check on them, and no one else!! If I find out you broke any of the rules, I will flay you alive and use your hides for something more productive." The dragon begins to withdraw after being threatened unnecessarily.

"Oh, and... if someone too important shows up, don’t kill them! Capture them. I know I said kill everyone, and that was an emotional euphemism on my part. There are exceptions — influential people, nobles of extreme importance, or prominent figures. I’ll leave it to your judgment to decide that." She turns her attention back to the projects she’s handling for world domination, while the dragon, resolved not to overthink it, prefers to just get his work done.