Story update + changes

Chapter 58 - A pleasant day

I woke up the next day with a pounding headache. Between the running around the city, and pushing myself in the skirmish, I guess I’d stressed my body more than expected. I briefly considered staying in bed, trying to sleep off the pain, but the instant I was awake my ‘faithful’ companion skittered onto my bed and started poking me. As much as I wanted to ignore him, the relentless poking, and whining, finally roused me.

After struggling to get dressed I dragged myself down to the cafeteria. It was quite late in the morning, so the area was mostly empty, so I just dragged myself to a quiet booth in the back. As soon as I sat down, George started headbutting me, obviously upset about missing breakfast.

“Fine… I’ll make sure you’re fed, you little glutton,” I muttered as I grabbed the tablet on the table. I quickly flicked through the menu, ordering some ham for George, and a generic breakfast plate for myself. Usually I’d change some things around, make sure my order had chicken and mushrooms instead of the basic options, I just didn’t care enough to make an effort this morning.

Thankfully it only took a few minutes for our meals to be delivered, and for George to get distracted, leaving me in blessed silence. I pretty much had to prop up my head with one hand as I slowly chewed through my own meal.

I’d just about finished my meal when Charlotte sauntered in. The elder chimera raised an eye in my direction before coming over and joining me at the table.

“You know everyone’s been looking for you. Are you hiding from the attention?” she asked with a smirk.

I just stared at her for a moment, eyes unfocused, her words not quite penetrating my pain addled brain. “What?”

“The entire city is a buzz, talking about the midnight raid of an illegal dungeon led by some of our best and brightest,” she said with a smile.

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“That would have been Lanivia, not me. She pretty much leveled the entire operation all by herself, all I did was help Kass and Calliope evacuate the prisoners,” I told her, as I stuffed the remainder of my toast into my mouth.

“So… you didn’t smack a group of nobles around while you were there?” she asked with a smirk. “It’s all over the news this morning.”

“Pardon? Why?” I cried, nearly knocking my breakfast off the table as I turned in surprise. Thankfully I managed to catch it, to George’s dismay. “I’m not in trouble for it, am I?” I took a second to take a deep breath, and calm myself before continuing. “I don’t regret it at all, they were hunting people for sport, and deserved what was coming to them.”

“Relax,” Charlotte said, patting the back of my hand. “You’re not in trouble. The article was more about the corruption of the local nobles, and law enforcement. Count Jarvis was quite aggravated when they apprehended him, spouting off some nonsense about how you, in particular, had no right to confront him. At least, until they shoved him and his cronies onto the prison wagon. He somehow thought his noble status would protect him from any consequences,” she smirked. “Too bad the council is planning on stripping his family of their noble status before his trial.”

“They are? Why?” I asked.

“Because Lanivia showed up in person,” Charlotte replied. “Weren't you paying attention last night? It’s not just the guard that’s afraid of her. No one in this entire country wants to piss her off. The fact that she showed up in person means that she has her eye on the situation, or at least had, so there’s no way the guilty parties will be able to weasel their way out of it. The government officials just fear she may turn her gaze on them next.”

“Sounds like they’re paranoid.” I said, popping a small piece of ham into my mouth.

“Maybe. Lanivia doesn’t show that much interest in politics, but there have been periods where she became active historically, and it wasn’t a very good time for the incumbent, corrupt officials. Through the years the government has just learned to abide by her rules, or face the consequences.”

“You make her sound like a tyrant,” I said. “It’s not like she runs the country.”

“The only reason she doesn’t run the country is that she doesn’t want to,” she said seriously “The only ones that have the strength to stand up to her are the other dungeon masters. She’s usually quite sociable, and kind to the people she likes, but she could level cities if someone angers her. Keep that in mind.”

I nodded slowly, digesting this information.