Trapped in Another World With No Magic

Chapter 143: Enemy Unknown

"Sir Neith, we're going to the Citadel." Daniel informs the grey dragon, who is on probation with the dragon Empresses, while Ryuogriar stands behind the human mechanic. Daniel already told everyone else his plan, and Reignleif will be joining them shortly. Aramellianna is awake now, but she is recovering from her ordeals.

"I am at your service, if you'll have me, my Liege," replies Neith with a humble bow.

"If you'd prefer to remain where you can visit your lady friend, I don't mind. I'll take Magnir or Roeta. Or, I'll rely on my Empress, who is plenty strong enough."

The first of the Jomsvikings shakes his head. "My Lady Roestren is aware that my duties are chaotic right now, your Grace. I will be honored to be entrusted with this task."

"I'm curious, Mukori," starts Ryuogriar, giving a ponderous expression and pose. Daniel looks at her, asking gently, "What about?"

"Neith was present for both you and the Grand Duchess. Does that not raise questions for you?"

"I have questions, but not for Sir Neith," replies Daniel sincerely. "Something is wrong, but I don't have enough information to make a decision. With myself and you three Dragon Empresses away from this location, we will still have Vaergraes and Hekate guarding everyone here, but Vaergraes has successfully kept a low profile, and Hekate is easy to underestimate. She has agreed to capture anyone suspicious, and to be suspicious of everyone."

"My Liege... Your Grace... Are... you... implying...?" Neith can speak casually with Daniel when he's alone, but he is extremely careful to watch his manners and tone when anyone else, particularly the Dragon Empresses. To question the Emperor and the Second Empress could cause problems, and Geirahoel would be quick to snap if she's not in a good mood.

However, Ryuogriar is more tolerant in general. She remarks, "That someone within the Fievegal's upper ranks can not be trusted?" She looks at Daniel, saying coldly, "I am almost certain of it."

"The question is 'who'," adds Daniel. "And how do we lure them out? I have a friendly relationship with all of... uh... my consorts..." As awkward as it is for Daniel to acknowledge out loud, Ryuogriar nods proudly in agreement, and he continues, "And I trust the Einherjars. Neith, you're often too honest for your own good, and Magnir and Roeta are pretty simple in taste."

"Could it be Lady Senn?" asks Neith, glancing between the two.

"It's possible, but I doubt it. She has the power to give everyone pause, and she seems to have some understanding of Earth's technology and capabilities, even if she doesn't fully comprehend everything we can do. If she wanted to, she could likely defeat me with ease. Truthfully, everyone could. But, I think the 'plan' would have shifted, now that there is a line of succession for how the Citadel is inherited."

"Line of succession?" asks Neith.

Daniel nods. "Among the first things I did with Xyreko after Brosjak when I had some spare time was figure out how to change the spellbinding of the Citadel's controls, which recognize me as the master. Because it's a magical system, it can easily recognize a new master, and loyally protect that recognition until the master is dead. So, what if there's also an inheritance of the 'master' role already established, even if the master dies? My country used a similar system for the 'ruler' of the land, which we called the President. If the President were killed, the Vice President takes over. If the Vice President also dies somehow, then... I think it was the Speaker of the House? I honestly don't know the full chain of succession, but it was a very long list, to reduce the probability of needing to enact the lowest levels to nearly zero."

"And, the Citadel will do this for the 'master'?" asks Neith.

"Yes. Xyreko helped me tweak the magic to ensure that, even if something happens to me, Hekate becomes the master, and it goes in order of the Empresses. Since four of those Empresses are stronger than virtually all other beings in the world, let alone the other empresses, it's more difficult than simply killing me and being able to take over the Citadel, which is now the pinnacle of modern technology for Zenkon."