My Servant System

I made sure I was properly dressed as I exited the room, joining the growing family out in the main room and sitting down for breakfast, which made me smile apologetically at my Mother since I had been... preoccupied this morning and couldn't help her get everything ready.

Though, considering she too gave me a wry smile, I glanced at the Marquess who was happily devouring her pancakes before looking towards the Countess, who was eating a bit more elegantly but still rather quickly, though her rhythm was broken up by the occasional slip of her fork towards Alessandra, who would curiously take a nibble of the pancake before it was pulled away by her Mother, who finished it for her.

Lakshmi was getting a similar treatment from the Marquess, who was only occasionally remembering that she had a daughter sitting on her lap thanks to the smaller Demoness tugging at her Mom's shirt, making the Marquess look down in surprise before letting the girl take a nibble as well, and it would seem that the love for pancakes was hereditary in the Asmodia household since Lakshmi had no problem opening her little mouth wide open and chomping on the fork, determined to get that pancake.

It was amusing to watch, and we all smiled softly at the actions of the lavender skinned Demoness whenever she demanded to be fed, though Mother seemed to be a tad mixed about it since she eventually grabbed both of the babies and slipped into the other room, feeding them properly.

When it was all finished, the Marquess got up and beckoned for us to join her on her way to the Empress, guiding us from the room and through the halls of the Palace, which were as empty and immaculate as ever.

The throne room was where we found the Empress, the giant woman lounging on her marble throne and nodding as she listened to Lady Lorelei speak, the Vampire flipping through a few papers and reviewing something with the Empress.

Hearing us enter, Lady Lorelei fell silent and glanced at her wife, who just pat her arm and said "Like I said yesterday, there've been a few things that have happened that I think will be of interest to you. The first is the artifact that you retrieved from the Renacla County. It's a fresh enchantment, something that was created recently and for the purpose of altering the mind of whoever wore it. There is a blank spot on the artifact as well, suggesting that there is a planted suggestion on the artifact. In this case... it was a suggestion to target House Asmodia."

The Marquess frowned, though she continued to listen to the Empress as she added "This means that someone inside this 'Cult of Ambition' has the ability to wield Moon Magic, and from your report, I doubt it's that Fiend. Unless of course the ability to utilize such a potent magic was purposefully kept under wraps in the midst of the fight, which is possible. Though for an enchantment of that caliber, it would appear that the enchanter had a deep understanding of the Ancient Magic they were working with, and in the midst of a fight Moon Magic - that is understood at that level - is an incredibly potent tool."

Lady Lorelei nodded, though she remained quiet as she allowed the Empress to pull us towards the next pieces of news, getting us towards the reason she brought us here.

"Besides that, which is important, we learned of something during your absence, and something this morning. While you were gone, another Gate opened inside the Empire again, but this one was in the North, specifically the Dukedom of Blizzards. Klaki handled it swiftly, so no harm was done to any of her people or her lands, but still... it would appear that whatever lurks inside the Labyrinthian creating these Gates has finished resting from your last meeting. Chordeva, I'd appreciate if you could go and investigate the area with Kolia and a few Wisps; just a quick journey to and from, to see if everything matches from last time.

As for what happened this morning, it would appear that the emergence of the Cult of Ambition is going to become a problem, since a Barony to the west has fallen, it's ruler butchered and the citizens forced into labor for the people who decided to requisition the Barony. People that are proudly proclaiming that the fall of the Empire is nigh, and that the root of all problems is the Nobility, specifically the Royalty... All while they themselves oppress and exploit the normal people... idiots."

Letting out a sigh, the Empress leaned back in her throne and turned towards us, a smile gracing her lips as she switched gears, saying "I heard you wanted some more experience against a variety of monsters and opponents, while you wanted to gather some more resources as well, no? Well, this Barony is at the edge of Ungrida Canyon, so perhaps this would be the perfect opportunity to go? The usurpers of the Barony will face their consequences either way, but if you'd prefer to go and take care of them yourselves, that'd be excellent."

I looked towards Jahi, as did Anput and Leone, the three of us leaving the decision to the Demoness who was not only the head of our 'family' but also the leader of our group during adventures.

The Demoness was frowning slightly as she stared back at the Empress, only to nod and say "We'll do it. We were going to head there anyways, so this would be ideal for all parties involved. Though I imagine you aren't sending us alone, all things considered."

"Correct. Since Chordeva needs to head north, and it'd be best if you headed out sooner rather than later, I was thinking of having Nirinia continue to venture with you; she may not be a Knight just yet, but she is certainly capable of receiving that promotion. Along with Eriana and Cernia to keep watch from the shadows..."

"Wait, aren't the teleportation circles still up and active? I could just take the one linked between the Palace and the Dukedom, no?"

The Empress gave a wry smile as she shook her head, answering with a bemused tone "Sadly no, since Klaki decided that the appearance of the Gate warranted a severance of the circles since they might be connected. A shame, but understandable; who knows just how the Gate's work, and if they might be able to be linked between such Ancient Magics like the circles? So you'll need to take a carriage there."

The Marquess rolled her eyes and let out a sigh, glancing back at us before focusing on Jahi as she said "Don't be an idiot."

That made the younger Demoness raise a brow at her Mom, replying "If either of us would end up being an idiot, it'd be you. So YOU need to listen to your chaperone, alright~?"

The two just smirked at one another, making the Empress chuckle softly as she added "It doesn't sound like either should be a big deal, but you never know nowadays, so do be careful..."