CHAPTER 1434: CHAPTER 1433: DISCUSSIONS

"We have a few things to discuss it seems. To start let’s talk about the Labyrinthian again, primarily sending yet another expedition into its depths. The things you all retrieved are already incredible, so I don’t see why we shouldn’t think about it..."

The Empress started everything off with the issue that Lilith presented her with, and that was the fact that ignoring the wealth of resources and experience that was provided by the Trials inside of that city would be rather idiotic.

Whether or not the expedition was a giant force of varied troops meant to be inside for a prolonged period of time or a smaller group like the one we had been in was the first to be discussed.

"All I will say on this matter is that it was definitely worth the time we spent there but I do not want to go back anytime soon, and by extension I am also just going to forbid my four idiots from doing so as well."

Mom spoke first and immediately informed us about what we could or couldn’t do, though in this one instance I was happy to just nod along and accept her making that decision for us; that was accepted by the Empress as well as she just looked towards Lilith, who also nodded.

"It was definitely... draining. I wish to venture back inside the Labyrinthian but not within the week. Perhaps a month from now... enough time to get things in order and outfit an acceptable force for this endeavor."

"Do you have anyone in mind? You sent a very specific list last time, so what about now?"

The older Demoness pursed her lips and considered it before focusing completely on the Empress as she said "Any of your children would do, honestly. The aptitude they all display would serve well inside of the Labyrinthian. Dante, perhaps? Slotted in as a leader of a small force for experience?"

In response the Empress just looked over towards Lady Igna - who was frowning at the suggestion - as well as Dante, who stepped forwards and said "I would be honored to have the chance to join this second expedition."

Before anyone else could suggest something both of Lady Fenyras’ children stepped out from beside her throne, looking towards their eldest brother and saying "We want in as well!"; both Vienna - the slightly smaller replica of her Mother - and the thin, suave Roman said the same thing at the same time, causing them both to sneer at one another.

At first I thought it was going to be a cascading effect that saw most of the Empress’ children asking to go, but no one else offered themselves and instead it was just those three; still, that was enough for the Empress to take it seriously as she weighed the pros and cons, ’looking’ between the three of them silently.

"Yeah, unless you let me take Arc along I don’t wanna head back out anytime soon. There are other things I wanna do right now... like drink or sleep. But hey, if you two numbskulls wanna venture into peril, knock yourselves out. Just don’t die out there or I’ll kill ya."

The brother sister pair just stared at her in silence before turning away when she sneered at them, focusing instead on the Empress as she nodded and said "Very well. The three of you can go, so begin preparing for it. Lilith, create a suitable list of candidates for the party; select from the Knights and their Squires, make a group of a dozen or so."

Nodding back the older Demoness beckoned for the three to follow her out of the throne room, leaving the rest of us to move onto the next point; before I could wonder what it was the Empress gestured at one of her stoic, silent guards and answered my question as I watched Belian strut on in.

"Long time no see, cousin~! Nieces~! How are you all~?"

The silver tongued man bowed to the Empress and turned towards us immediately, his grin more than enough to let me know that he was already aware of why we were here and why he had been called in.

"Piss off, Belian."

Ignoring the offered hand from the red skinned Demon, Mom just crossed her arms and looked at the Empress, ignoring him for the most part and causing the powerful man to just grin despite the disrespect shown to him.

"I missed you too, muscle head. Now, is this being brokered between me and them or me and you, dear Empress? Or am I trying to strike a deal with my potentially illiterate cousin?"

"You and them."

Speaking before Mom could lash out verbally and fixing the man with a ’stern look’, the Empress set him straight and gestured for him to approach us as she added "While you five discuss that we shall discuss something as well, Chordeva."

Belian grinned and beckoned for us to follow him towards a quieter part of the room, though his grin faded a little as Mom said "Try and swindle them, I dare you." while the Empress just kept watching from her throne.

"I would never! You injure me, Chordeva! Truly!"

Feigning hurt and shaking his head at Mom, Belian continued to show why he was so disliked by her while also displaying that ever present ability to act as he just slipped into a new mask upon us reaching one of the smaller tables.

"First things first, welcome back from whatever it was that you all did~! I can see that it had some... fascinating outcomes; new hair for two of you and an entirely new Demoness! Fascinating! You four are just a bundle of surprises, you know that~?"

"What are the terms for our participation in rebuilding Tragon Kingdom, Belian?"

Jahi cut right to the chase, making the man grin even more as he just nodded and replied "Simple ones, really, and they change based on your ambitions~! So let me ask this first; how much are you willing to do for Tragon, Jahi Asmodia?"