The Villainess's Reputation [Kingdom Building]

"The only safe place I could think of was Jol—Kim Dukedom," Aurora said, her fingers tracing the edge of the interrogation transcript. "You've built something here that stands detached from the mainland's influence." Her blue gaze locked onto Ravenna. "And you're the only person I know who'd stand against even the Emperor's right hand."

Ravenna's lips curled in a humorless smile as she slid Kenric's letter across the polished ebony table. The parchment whispered against the wood, its contents damning. "According to this, the Conley Empire is constructing a secret armory in Bolita City. Their objective appears twofold: annex the Free Cities and seize control of the Otto-Bolita Strait."

Aurora's advisor Emma leaned forward, her silver-threaded shawl slipping from her shoulders. "With respect, Your Highness, how does this connect to the Cult?"

The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees as Ravenna's glacial stare pinned the woman in place. Emma visibly shrank back, her question hanging abandoned in the sudden silence.

Hughes cleared his throat, his armored gloves clinking against the table. "We know the Hercule Syndicate has been financing Conley's expansion. Now we have proof the Syndicate answers to the Cult." The knight-captain tapped the interrogation transcript. "If the Cult's agents were gathering in Otto for this auction, it stands to reason they're coordinating with Conley's annexation plans."

Ben, Aurora's chief advisor, stroked his beard thoughtfully. "The pieces fit. The Syndicate provides funds and mercenaries, while the Cult supplies intelligence and political manipulation." His finger traced a path across the map between Bolita and Otto. "Control these cities, and you control the flow of magic ingredients through the strait, resources the Witch would need for whatever ritual she's planning to revive the absolute being."

John frowned, his brow furrowing. "But why would Conley, a Solious empire, ally with heretics? They'd be just as likely to purge the Cult as we would."

Alice adjusted her spectacles, the lenses flashing in the light. "We're missing critical information. The only certainty is that the Cult has returned, and both the Syndicate and Conley are their pawns."

Ravenna steepled her fingers, her Apostle's mark glinting on her exposed thigh. "They're still searching," she mused. "If they'd found the Witch, we'd see open warfare by now. If they'd killed the Saintess, they'd be boasting of it."

Aurora nodded, her own mark pulsing faintly at her breast. "Their movements suggest the Witch has awakened, but remains hidden. The Saintess must be out there somewhere too."

Emma, having regained some composure, ventured cautiously: "If we could find the Saintess first—"

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David cut her off with a sharp gesture, his armor creaking. "With all due respect, that's fantasy. The Cult has infiltrated the highest levels of two empires. What hope does an exiled princess and a fugitive noble have against that network?"

The resulting silence was so profound they could hear the distant cry of gulls from the harbor.

Ravenna finally broke it, her voice cutting through the stillness like a blade. "For now, this information doesn't leave this room." Her gaze swept across each face, leaving no doubt of the consequences. "We don't know who in the imperial court might already be in the Cult's control."

Emma, unable to contain herself, broke the stillness first. "But Your Highness," she ventured, her voice trembling slightly, "why not send this information directly to the Emperor? Surely if he knew—"

"And how do we even know Kenric's intelligence is reliable?" she pressed on, emboldened by her own suspicion. "He's half-Conley, is he not? And if I recall correctly, he was once your kept man..." Her words trailed off as Ravenna's gaze snapped to her, cold enough to freeze fire.

Aurora's hand slammed down on the table with enough force to make the inkwells rattle. "That's enough, Emma," she hissed, her Apostle's mark pulsing faintly beneath the neckline of her gown. "Kenric's loyalties or lack thereof are not the subject of this meeting."

Ravenna exhaled through her nose, the ghost of a smirk playing at her lips. "Unfortunately, it seems fate has no intention of granting us peace." She leaned forward, her fingers tracing the edge of the war map spread across the table. "The Cult is a long-term problem. But we have a more immediate concern."

Sarah adjusted her hair, her voice barely above a whisper. "W-what is it, Your Highness?"

The smile that curled Ravenna's lips was anything but comforting. "A fleet is en route to attack Kim Island."

The declaration landed like a thunderclap. Hughes shot to his feet, his armor clanking. "What?"

"Former Duke Edward Jola," Ravenna continued, as calmly as if discussing the weather, "has petitioned the Imperial Army for aid in reclaiming his 'lost honor.'" She paused. "And thanks to our friends at court, we know precisely who put him up to it."

"Nolan." Ravenna's voice was velvet over steel. "My dear brother has decided to make his move."

Hughes ran a hand through his hair. "But didn't Prince Nolan and Princess Serena said 'The imperial court is already fractured—why risk dividing it further?'"

Aurora snorted. "A vow made under duress means little in politics. He and Serena had a falling out months ago. He's been building his faction quietly ever since."

John, who had been silent until now, shook his head in disbelief. "Even so, why target us? You're exiled, Your Highness. Kim Island holds no political sway in the capital. Attacking you gains him nothing, it might even turn the court against him!"

Ravenna's sudden chuckle sent a chill through the room. She leaned back in her chair, the golden embroidery of her dress catching the light. "That's precisely why it's Former Duke Edward Jola leading the fleet, not Nolan himself." Her finger traced the rim of her wine glass thoughtfully. "It's a beautifully simple scheme, really."

She held up one slender finger. "First scenario: Jola succeeds and kills me. Nolan gets rid of a problem without dirtying his hands." A second finger joined the first. "Second scenario: I reveal my military capabilities defending against Jola's attack." Her smile turned razor-sharp. "And when it looks like Jola is about to be humiliated? Nolan swoops in to 'save' him, emerging as both a hero and the only one who truly understands Kim Island's strength."

Alice, ever the pragmatist, adjusted her spectacles with a quiet click. "So either way, Nolan wins politically while testing our defenses."