Published at 16th of February 2024 2:25 pm

Chapter 2.62 Victory Celebrations

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Even though everyone had classes the following day, they gathered in Pudge's apartment for dinner. Because of his recent successes, he was bringing in a lot of capital for the university, and they had upgraded him to a new apartment above the stables. Since he needed a lot of room for his critters, he had more space than the affluent Lady Oakheart’s suite or Kris’s apartment.

The Beauforts, Aria, Joey, Kris, and Pudge were in attendance. Everyone brought food from their favorite restaurants, bakeries, and stalls. The dining room table had a diverse selection of dishes, ranging from street food and home-style dishes to beautiful centerpiece preparations that belonged on the Singhs’ banquet tables.

A large assortment of beverages also decorated the kitchen counters. They had lemonade and a sinus-assaulting ginger beverage for people not interested in drinking. Pudge brought mead, and Michelle had enough red and fortified wine to drown a baby. Meanwhile, Kris supplied her students and apprentices with brandy in heavy crystal bottles.

No one planned the event or what to bring. They didn’t discuss what to celebrate either. Instead, one person suggested the idea to gather, and then the invitation spread through word of mouth. Everyone involved in the recent events turned up.

Kris erected privacy wards by covering the walls with chalk spell circles. Then, they were free to discuss the previous evening, the Singhs, and all related news circulated around the city.

“It feels like a conflict of interest,” Aria told Kris as they discussed her investigation of the event. “As far as the city is concerned, the Singhs caused a major disaster using research stolen from your apprentice. They don’t know for sure whether Nox was involved. Shouldn’t they assign someone else to the case?”

“After Nox and House Singh’s alchemists, I’m the city’s expert on all things myconid. I also happen to be one of the major authorities on wards.” The professor had a sly smile as she spoke. “There is no one better suited to this investigation. Sure. My apprentice is the supposedly wronged party, but that’s not too big a concern to the City Council. It means I’ll be extra critical of the Singhs, their crimes, and negligence.”

“Supposed negligence,” Aria corrected.

“That hardly matters here. There have been plenty of grievances filed against the Singhs over the years. Bribes, witness intimidation, and other underhanded tactics helped them avoid justice for far too long. It’s time they have their comeuppance.”

“What kind of punishment do you think they’re facing?” Michelle asked. She appeared reasonably nonchalant about the matter. As a research alchemist, she knew several parties wronged by predatory houses and organizations.

“A hefty fine and forfeiture of property at the minimum. There is also a small chance of exile. Apparently, Harin, his father, and his uncle have been switching between bribes, threats, reasoning, and begging.”

“Have they connected the incident to Nox at all?” Aria asked

The professor shook her head. “They think he might’ve caused this, but far too many witnesses saw him in the brasserie, ballroom, and gardens. There were no major windows where no one had eyes on him. So, they want Nox questioned but can’t say for what. They’ve failed to explain why they think he might be at fault or how he may have caused a disaster of this magnitude.” Kris pushed Spirit Caller’s Brew on Nox and Lillin. “Drink up.”

“Why me?” Lillin asked. “I’d rather have the mead.”

“We’ll have Pudge guide your spirit walk tonight instead of directly participating,” she answered. “It’s time Nox solved this Bi Xi issue so he can settle on a planet. Wasting time on a decision for this long will lead to stagnation, and we can’t have that, can we?”

Aria hinted at her disappointment about not spending the night with Nox. They had made appearances together around campus but put on a show of coldness and nonchalance. They had not slept over or visited each other's quarters since the staff party either. Nox hoped the act had convinced at least some people. The facts and public opinion were currently on his side, but that could change in the blink of an eye.

Everybody ate, drank, and talked, creating an atmosphere Nox was sure would be short-lived. He hoped it wasn't the last time his friends would be together. The Beauforts had just over a week left in the city. Michelle was a researcher in the university’s employ. Meanwhile, Ernest mainly existed as one of her many projects and only audited a handful of courses. They had no exams and were only staying in the city until they resolved their affairs. Nox believed the pair were sticking around for a proper gathering to mend bridges and say final goodbyes before departing. Worried that it was the last time he would get adequate time with the pair, Nox spent most of the evening with them.

As the drinks made everyone merry, Caitlin and Michelle buried the hatchet. It started with an awkward conversation before Aria lured him away for a few private minutes. When they returned, the women were holding each other and sobbing.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“Promise me you’ll visit.” The crying and pitch made Michelle’s words almost impossible to understand.

“I promise to visit between delves.” Caitlin was in a similar state. “There are lots of adept dungeons along the Imperium’s border, right?”

“Maybe not this semester break, but during the next for sure,” Nox told the pair. “If you get the old family reagent farms going again, perhaps you’ll end up my supplier, and we’ll have another excuse to visit you.”

Joey appeared amused by the exchange. Nox was doubtful about the thief-turned-mage when they first met. His past and inexperience didn’t make for the most reliable of party members. However, a life on the streets had sharpened Joey’s instincts and taught him creativity. It was his performance that encouraged him to give Ingrid a chance. She didn’t have a pact partner to accelerate her growth, but she was starting young enough to grow into a powerful mage.

The junior apprentice, Kris, and Alexander spent most of the evening in a corner talking magic. Joey had taken a particular liking to illusion magic and put on a display of blending Fae and Djinn Fire to create a dancing aura and a myconid in belly dancer garb.

To everyone’s surprise, Ernest joined a conversation between Pudge and Lillin. They mainly discussed the different birds and rodents living in the apartment. The animals appeared to treat the Beaufort man like furniture. He found it amusing and didn’t mind when a parrot left droppings on his shoulder.

“How's your investigation into the pattern murders going?” Nox asked Kris when there was a lull in the conversation. “I've heard nothing about it since we returned from the delve.”

“That's because they all but stopped afterward,” Kris answered. “Only a handful happened since, and they’ve been pretty spread out. Aria will probably paint a better picture of this than me. But the outer sections of the city, especially New Outer Ring, are below their usual population numbers.”

“Two-thirds of the refugees and almost half of the regular residents fled after Terrastalia appeared,” Aria contributed. “It's decent for the city as it somewhat solved the overcrowding problem. My father is happy, too, since the barony’s population numbers have grown by about six hundred. We’ll return to pre-Terrastalia numbers if I can double that. It's a start, though.”

“Myconid-fed soil and farm animals will make them rich,” Nox commented before redirecting the conversation to his original question. “Why do you think the murders dropped?”

“The killers can't operate as freely without the overcrowding and increased guard presence.” The professor encouraged him to drink more Spirit Caller’s Tea as she spoke.”

“You're sure there are multiple killers? Did you find any signs that can point to cult activity?”

“The difference in style and technique in the cases since tells me that the murderers are different. The symbols are inconsistent and often don't make sense either. I suspect the original killer left the city or ceased activity. Gangs or other criminals are emulating the style to cover the motives of their crimes and mislead the guard.” She paused. “There was one that very much looked like a ritual. Unfortunately, I failed to determine its purpose. It looks like a dead end, to be honest. And I feel like a lousy detective.”

“Maybe you were right about the rituals acting like an anchor for Terrastalia's teleportation,” Nox said. “Whatever the cults or criminals were trying with the last appearance didn't work out."

"They may be trying again. That's my concern. That's why I'm staying in the city this semester break. You'll probably need to stay for your store, too.”

“I might use the time to expand. We're struggling to keep up with the city's demands and university contracts. Other artisans and businesses are starting to request our product, too.”

“Real estate is hard to come by, and the cost is criminal. I hope your pockets are deep enough or the Banking Guild likes you enough for a loan.”

“Mou told me to avoid debt to the guilds at all costs. It's tempting, though. I'd very much like a workshop for large-scale, mass brewing. Perhaps an exclusive research laboratory, too. I think we can use my bonding process to make different kinds of essence-infused slime. It could revolutionize how we approach expert and higher dungeons.”

“You might just develop a new breed of delver.” Kris laughed. “Who needs mages, summoners, or aether warriors when you have battle alchemists?”

“I'd like one copy of Adventures of the Battle Alchemist, please!” Michelle drunkenly exclaimed from across the table, and they moved on to the subject of delver and war mage fiction.

It was a pleasant gathering. The saboteurs were temporarily no longer a problem. Business was booming. Best of all, Nox had made a major alchemical breakthrough. His creation was yet to be made public. The Edelweiss Barony would try it, and their success would spread the word. It would start with neighbors questioning the secret of his land and people's fertility and end with everyone cultivating myconids for mushrooms or animal feed. Nox planned to send samples to House Oakheart and the Imperium, hoping for similar results.

Either way, Nox expected to make a significant profit from the product. It would make the business and him famous, granting him access to markets, audiences, and dungeons not available to most. Money and power were essential for his vendetta. They were as vital as magic and friends for the destruction of Sundarshahar. As a result, Nox didn't feel wrong about the innocents in the Singh family. However, he felt some sympathy for the hundreds in their employ. Most would soon end up jobless.

Food and fatigue eventually got the better of Nox. When Kris found him drifting, she ushered him, Lillin, and Pudge into the bedroom. They found Aria already tuckered out with her flask of tea almost empty. The woman was tirelessly recruiting the displaced and urchins for her barony. Her upcoming exams had her stressed, too.

“I suppose she'll have to join you for your spirit walk,” Kris said. “Be careful, and good luck!”

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