NOVEL NEXT Chapter 35.1
Half a day had gone by, and Simon still hadn't been told what the Last Resort even was.
Not that most of the Hurricane had either. Out of the hundred-some rebels gathering together here, only ten were aware of the specifics. It was the single-most guarded secret in the entire organization, with just a small sub-division privy to what exactly the plan entailed.
Thankfully, it wasn't completely opaque. Through persistence, repeated Eavesdropping, and a judicious application of 'being an imposing Demon', Simon eventually managed to glean a few relevant points of interest.
The first step of the Last Resort was to raid a major Mana Harvester repository. Classic smash-and grab; break inside, seize as many mana-containers as possible, and kill anyone that got in the way. When the Hurricane had stolen everything they could, they would then use a specially-made Artifact to exit stage left. Preferably before reinforcements arrived.
After that, though? A mystery. He just knew that Step 2 was exorbitantly risky, and would likely result in a good chunk of the Hurricane perishing outright. In exchange, they would gain a tiny fraction of a chance at killing Duke Helmund and rescuing the hostages imprisoned in his castle.
Amazingly, the rebels didn't seem to mind any of that. Pretty much everyone Simon had spoken to agreed that the secrecy was a sensible precaution to prevent potential leaks. Notably, Cyna knew of the specifics while Bastian did not, and she refused to tell him – nor did he ever try to ask.
As for the risk of near-certain death? Well...they wouldn't be Hurricane if they stopped to consider unimportant details like that.
It was impressive, in a sense. Most people would have balked at being asked to bet their lives on an unknown plan with admittedly low odds of success. The rebels, however, were so committed to their cause that they easily accepted it as a cost of doing business. They trusted Marlene's judgement, and they would have suffered far worse to free Valtia from Duke Helmund's tyranny.
Passion bordering on zealotry, Simon thought. Useful, if I can make them feel like I'm one of them, bring me into the fold. Dangerous, if they turn that passion against me.
As things were, the transmigrator wasn't super happy with being kept out of the loop. He was no stranger to high-risk, high-reward, but there was a difference between making an educated gamble and running blindly into the dark.
Only three factors kept him from saying his farewells and leaving the Hurricane to their suicidal devices.
First, his ongoing Contract with Marlene. 'Clause 3: Marlene Besnard will never betray Simon Cobblestone, in any capacity, whether directly or indirectly.' Whatever the Last Resort was, it didn't involve selling him out.
He went a step further by having her add a new Clause to their Contract – which she readily agreed to. 'Clause 9: The sole purpose of the Last Resort is to slay Duke Helmund and rescue his hostages.' At the very least, she was being honest with her intentions.
Second, Simon had his own personal reasons for wanting to raid a Mana Harvester repository. Having the rebels assist him in that endeavor wasn't an opportunity he could pass up.
But if he kept inquiring about what the Hurricane's big plan was, then they might turn it around and ask what he was planning. Better to play his cards close to his chest for now.
Third, and most importantly...Simon was starting to get an inkling of what the Last Resort was.
Nothing confirmed – just various dots connected. If he reviewed what he'd learned in Valtia thus far, then combined it with the scattered pieces of info that the rebels had divulged, it painted a vague picture of what Marlene's inner circle was cooking up.
Although he hoped he was wrong. Simon fully recognized that he was an outsider here. He doubted that he could convince a group of single-minded revolutionaries to change course on Step 2.
And he wasn't looking forward to taking drastic action if necessary.
"Simon?" Katarina tapped him on the shoulder to draw his attention. "A strange woman is approaching us. I think she wants to speak with you."
'Strange woman' was an apt description. Unlike the rest of the Hurricane, who were dressed in standard commoners' garb, a silken cloak of fine quality was draped over her shoulders. Underneath, she wore a rough, padded outfit reminiscent of a mechanic's uniform. Her hair was another visual contradiction; long, blonde, and well-cared for, yet with errant strands wildly out of place.
Like someone who's dressing the part of both a laborer and a noblewoman.
Simon took note of the other rebels, observing how they gave the woman a wide berth as she sauntered forward. There was respect in how they gazed at her, but also...trepidation? As if they didn't quite know how to behave in her presence.
"So you're the Demon that's been skulking about." The woman stopped in front of him, standing without so much as a hint of fear in her posture. Now that she was closer, Simon could see that she was in her late-30s of age. "You don't look much like the poster."
"Afraid not." He grinned. "Duke Helmund is prone to exaggeration, it seems."
"You have no idea."
Without preamble, the woman reached into her pocket, pulled out a piece of jewelry, and tossed it at him. "Put this on before you murder us by proxy," she ordered, with the tone of someone accustomed to people listening when she spoke.
Another point in the 'noblewoman' column. Curiosity overtaking him, Simon examined the bauble and cast Identify.
Name: Amulet of Obfuscation
Description: A one-of-a-kind Artifact designed by Lady Victoria. Hides the unique signature of Fell mana. Very few people would be capable of sensing you from afar, but those who can are to be avoided at all costs.
...Right. Without betraying any concern, Simon casually pinned the amulet to his shirt. Guess that confirms how Helmund was able to hunt us down in Caelryn so quickly. "Thanks, Victoria. I take it this is to prevent the Duke from locating me?"
If the woman seemed surprised at him knowing her name, she didn't show it. "Indeed. The chances of him finding you inside my domain are slim, yet not zero. Would be aggravating if all this work went to waste because–"
"Did you say Victoria?" Katarina leaned forward, her eyes widening. "The Victoria? The Lady Artificer?"
Preening, Victoria allowed a smug half-smirk to grace her features. "That I am. Always nice to see my reputation preceding me."
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Simon glanced over at Kat. "Who is she?" he asked. Partially to annoy the esteemed Lady, but primarily because he simply didn't know. He was woefully behind on his understanding of Valtian celebrities. Would've lost horribly at trivia night.
Although...something about Victoria's voice did sound oddly familiar.
"Why, she's only the most renowned Artificer of the century," Kat proudly began. Just from that, it was already evident that she was a bit of a fangirl. "Lady Victoria has improved and invented so many Artifacts that I can't even remember them all. Despite starting as a minor noble, she refused to rest on her laurels and live out her days in idle comfort, rising to prominence entirely on the strength of her mind."
"Flattery will get you everywhere, my dear." The Artificer chuckled to herself. "Yet my many achievements may pale in comparison to what comes next. Prodigy or not, I'll likely be remembered most as the trailblazer who funded a rebellion to overthrow Duke Helmund."
Simon blinked. "You...funded the Hurricane?"
"Of course. How else do you think they've persisted this long? Bravado won't put food in their mouths or steel in their hands. Infrastructure wins wars, now and always."
She swept her arms out. "Take this manse, for example. The Hurricane might have safehouses across the Severed Isles, but without me providing a headquarters for them – a safe haven – they would've been apprehended long ago."
A sigh escaped her. "Do you have the faintest notion of how stressful that is? Harboring a gaggle of loudmouthed warriors with more bravery than sense? It's a wonder that my neighbors haven't simply heard the Hurricane during one of their rousing speeches. Fortunately, my reputation as an eccentric recluse lets me turn away prospective visitors."
Simon nodded along as if he'd already known they were inside Victoria's house. In the Hurricane's haste to prepare for the Mana Harvester raid tomorrow, they'd neglected to mention where their main headquarters was actually located.
Or maybe they were just embarrassed. 'Main headquarters' sounded way more official than 'squatting in a noblewoman's mansion'. He was fairly certain they'd chosen the name Hurricane based on vibes too, but vibes were imperative for attracting people to a cause, so he couldn't rightfully blame them there.
"It was touch and go at first," Victoria muttered. "Helmund's castle is in this very city as well – and not far from here. Needed to install numerous obscuring Artifacts to prevent him from sensing all the rebels. Then develop new Artifacts to obscure the previous ones."
She put her hands on her hips, projecting an air of pride. "Luckily for the Hurricane, I am Lady Victoria, prodigal Artificer, and I spared no expense."
"You've done a great service, then." Simon raised an eyebrow at her. "But I have to ask...why? You're rich, famous, and beloved by at least some commoners – no small feat for a noble. Why put all that at risk?"
"Power and freedom."
Victoria's gaze turned vicious. "You've heard of how Duke Helmund has commandeered we Artificers, yes? Imprisoned us under lock and key."
Katarina had mentioned that to Simon two weeks ago, though it felt like much longer. Apparently, around ten years prior, the Duke had enacted a law forbidding the creation of Artifacts outside his purview. He then enforced his edict by incarcerating every Artificer in the Severed Isles under house arrest.
It was a rather extreme power-grab that nearly caused the noble houses to stage an uprising. To this today, no one was sure why he'd gone so far when there was virtually no reason for him to rock the boat.
"I won't pretend that I live in squalor," Victoria continued. "While I cannot leave this manse, no luxuries are beyond my grasp. And despite his overreach, Duke Helmund still recognizes my prowess."
She practically vibrated with outrage. "Yet am I to accept that? Just keep my head down and crawl under his heel? No. Not when so many Artificers are living in fear of the Duke's whims. Where would he be without our Artifacts of Water, or Crop-Growing, or the recent improvements in Warding? It is our designs that breathe life into the Severed Isles. I won't tolerate this indignity. He will grant us the respect and deference that we are rightfully owed."
Katarina's enthusiasm deflated slightly as Victoria ranted on. The noblewoman's perspective, while understandable, was a tad more self-centered than the Arcane Rogue had probably been hoping for.
Never meet your heroes, I suppose. Youthful daydreams rarely survive reality.
"So you're upset enough with Helmund to subsidize a rebellion." Simon glanced down at the amulet pinned to his shirt. "And provide them with custom-made Artifacts. Like the device that lets Marlene hijack Waystation Crystals and teleport directly here."
Victoria nodded. "That was a crucial one. Marlene is a woman who lives by the skin of her teeth. Can't tell you how many times she's barely made it to a Waystation, then come limping out of the teleportation room, wounded, staining my carpets. Do you know how difficult it is to wash blood out of fur? I swear, one day she'll–"
All of a sudden, the Lady Artificer flinched. "Got sidetracked," she muttered. "Talked too long. Need to prepare for raid tomorrow. Ensure their survival. Good day."
Simon and Katarina shared a look as Victoria darted off. Within seconds, she was animatedly talking to a Hurricane rebel, waving her arms about in a flurry of frantic motion.
"She wasn't quite what I expected," Kat admitted.
"How so?" Simon asked. "You're well-aware of how Valtian nobles are. If anything, Victoria seemed more amicable than most others would be."
"Yes, but..." She scratched the back of her head. "My fault, really. I got attached to the idea of a woman gaining fame through her accomplishments instead of her mana, fortune, or beauty. Envisioned her as the righteous hero of a story. When I was young, I would even imagine that I could someday be like her – it helped when I was trying to sleep on an empty stomach."
Simon paused. In the grand scheme of things, a genius noblewoman being somewhat arrogant was the least-surprising thing in the world. Nothing about Victoria's demeanor had set off any alarm bells.
But neither had Lucette...before her slaver friends arrived with Kat and Gerold tied up in the back of a carriage. You could never truly know what lurked beneath the masks that people presented to the world.
Unless you were a Demon, that is.
"Watch over me," Simon whispered, stilling his trembling hands. "I'm...going to try Sin Scry on her."