Chapter 267 B4 Chapter 23 - The Queen of Norfolm

The Queen’s hellish palace revealed more grand courtyards and halls with tall ceilings, none of which were their destination. They must have passed hundreds of servants by now, and even more soldiers in runic armor.

Vivi struggled to believe runic armor was the norm for all soldiers here. Even single-runed armor historically took weeks to produce. When completed, the training required to use runic armor was just as much of a pain. Each soldier had to be maxed out, preferably with excess ether, since outside-carved armor had that many more places where it could leak. Reaching an elevation or two for efficiency was recommended as well, if only to move in such a heavy clump of metal, unless swiftness runes were used, at which point the single-runed armor would only turn into a lighter version of regular armor. Most plates here used strength runes.

If runic armor was really the standard here for soldiers, Vivi had no doubt Norfolm had one of the strongest armies in the world. Shivenar had one or two plates of armor here and there, and it seemed like Norfolm had more runeswords as well.

The palace was definitely the most intimidating place Vivi had been in. Zand had felt much scarier, though, if only because she was weaker back then. Today, runic armor would hardly be an obstacle if it really came to a fight. Dawnpour would cut right through outside-carved armor.

Tender scents of cooked meat came from the next room over. Vivi was afraid of whether any of the foods would be edible at all. The demons here barely looked humanoid. There was a chance their foods would be similarly different. She turned the corner, and a long rectangular banquet table came to sight.

The first meal she spotted was a row of black sausages next to some soup that looked more like a poisonous cauldron, though that wasn’t what made her pause. The banquet was happening directly inside the throne room, with Queen Adalene sitting on her pitch black throne.

“Welcome,” she said, scarlet red eyes looking down at Vivi’s arrival. “Legends of Shivenar. I am honored to meet you.”

Queen Adalene lowered her head for just a few seconds. She had lush dark silver hair. Her horns were similar to Senith’s, though her face was harsher, and she didn’t radiate any of the same innocent happiness. Her smile was tough and competent, and her dark gown complemented that.

Knights lined the sides of the room, and at least a few were fourth elevation. They’d agreed on a peaceful meeting, at least Vivi hoped so, but Adalene was clearly prepared for battle as well. A fight against so many could get ugly.

Not that Vivi intended to cause any reasons to fight. She returned the quick bow. “Likewise, queen of Norfolm.” Her friends did the same.

“I believe we should all introduce ourselves while we wait for the feast to cool down,” Adalene said. “I am, as you know, the queen and leader of the ancient Stormkeep, now called Norfolm. But as I’m talking to someone who just broke through levelstone, there is no need for formalities. You may call me Adalene.” She kept her eyes on Vivi, only lightly glancing at her friends. “If what I hear is correct, you are the legendary runesmith from the fifth level. The Ethersmith.”

An awkward chill came, hearing that name. She still wasn’t used to that. How had it spread all the way down here… “I am Vivian Runeblessed, yes,” she said. “You can call me Vivi. I am from the surface, and I’m a human, as you can see. But I’ve set up home in Shivenar.”

“The city of runesmithing rises again, I see,” Adalene said. “You have snapped Frodin’s sword in one swing.”

“I apologize.”

Adalene grinned at that. “No, not at all. I am almost delighted to see that—the invention of inside-carving. There could be no better time for a new, powerful defense to be brought to the world.”

She studied Vivi’s reaction, as if expecting something. Lucius frowned at that. “She wants swords from us. Of course she wants power.”

If she can teleport us to Shivenar, we’ll need to trade something, Vivi thought. I’d like to pay just with ether, though.

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“But you have allies as well,” Adalene said. “To confirm, have you brought servants, or are they companions?”

“Friends,” Vivi said.

Attention turned to the next closest person, who was Lortel. She bowed. “I am Vivian’s seamstress and stylist. You may call me Lortel.”

Short and concise. Lortel said nothing more and stood straight, confident with her answer. Eyes moved to Cael.

“Cael Darkwind. I’m a hazard artist from the other end of the world. One of the best, in my humble opinion. Not a very useful profession at these times, however.” His bow was elegant and clearly practiced.

Alda seemed the least prepared with a response. “Alda Darkwind. An ether hunter from the surface. And… Vivian’s friend.”

Realistically, Alda and Cael were probably weaker than Adalene’s usual guests. With Vivi’s runeswords, they could defend themselves, but she wouldn’t rely on that. It was wild to think that simply by being her friends, they were treated with respect.

“What a great honor has befallen my city.” Adalene stood from her throne, then walked down to the banquet table. “There is a lot to discuss and talk about. I would like to dine before I’m presented with decisions, however. Negotiations should always be made with a filled stomach.”

She sat down at the end of the long table. No other seats were in place yet, until the servants around the room carried four seats, placing them in the middle, two on each side. Vivi sat with Lortel, facing Cael and Alda.

“Are you familiar with Norfolm’s cuisine?” Adalene asked.

Vivi had been trying not to think about the foods in front of them. The smells weren’t too bad. A mix of cooked meat and high-end stew. The color of the cauldron was what terrified her. Why were the colors so dark, and why was the liquid in the cauldron purple?

“We are not, I’m afraid,” Vivi said.

“That right there is fearoot stew with lowland coney meat. Or as it’s known outside, Norfolm’s poison soup.” Adalene smiled, as if something was funny. “It’s perfectly edible, even for humans. The color comes from the fearoot’s essence permeating into the soup. It tastes similar to butter. Would you like a taste?”

“Sure,” Vivi said, and had to force the hesitance out of her voice. The servants delivered a bowl.

Norfolm’s dining customs were just as unfamiliar to her as the cuisine itself, but she figured if she was just respectful, nobody could blame her. She waited for everyone else to get their meals. Then she pressed her hands together, prayed internally, and took the first, small spoonful.

She blinked. Adalene was right. The taste was similar to butter, though more sour. The meat chewed nicely enough. And the soup… gods be damned, the purple liquid actually acted as a decent sauce, even if it looked like eating pure poison.

Everyone ate silently for a few minutes, sharing Vivi’s reaction. Adalene seemed satisfied. She was the first to speak. “Would now be the right moment to ask how you’ve ended up under our city, from all the way in Shivenar?”

“It was banishment portal,” Vivi said. “We teleported straight from the surface, here.”

“That does sound like the only possibility, indeed,” Adalene said. “Most targets of that skill are never found. Rarely, their equipment is found reanimated in some terrible storm. But it seems most missing people have been sent down there.”

Francesco did say there have been others, Vivi thought. “Looks like we’re the first to break out.”

“You did so with runesmithing?” Adalene asked.

“Yes. That’s the simple version. We utilized something similar to great runes.”

“Don’t give too much away,” Lucius said. “Adalene will want to steal the trick from us.”

The Queen’s focus did indeed intensify on Vivi. “Great runes?”

“That’s a vast oversimplification,” Vivi said. “And it’s only something similar that imitates the effect. Not true great runes.”

“But still powerful enough to break levelstone.”

The Queen eyed Vivi’s reaction. She wanted to sigh. “I’m guessing you’re hoping that I’ll share my work.”

Adalene smiled. Only for a second, though. “I apologize. I might be prying too aggressively. My nation would normally rush to form friendly ties with Shivenar right now. If I can’t spark a deal, I will at least make sure you don’t turn into an enemy.”

“People have tried to kidnap my family to work for them already,” Vivi said. She took another spoonful. The stew was actually pretty good. “That won’t work.”

Adalene chuckled. The joy quickly fell, and she faced everyone with a fully serious look. “If it means you can help us, I am prepared to offer all that Norfolm can. The truth is that we’re slowly being overwhelmed by the storm season.”

She spoke like revealing a secret. Vivi didn’t find herself all that surprised, though. Shivenar would have collapsed a long time ago if they hadn’t invented the slingshot launchers, and if Vivi hadn’t burned thousands upon thousands of ether to defeat a behemoth. If the storms were anything close to the same level here, she could imagine Norfolm struggling, despite their superior military.

“Are the fifth elevation hunters helping at all?” Vivi asked. “The hunters of… Freimar?”

Another solemn look. “We have not heard from them. Not a single word. Messengers have been sent to Freimar. They have not returned.”

Interesting…

Adalene continued. “It’s not Freimar’s responsibility to protect the world. Their pact discourages meddling with us, in fact. Defending our walls is our responsibility.” She took a sip of her drink—what looked like wine. “You strike me as a blunt person, Vivian. I suppose I should be blunt as well. If there is a weapon, or a new invention, that could save us from a god-tier monster, there is not much I would not offer for a chance to obtain it.”