Trapped in Another World With No Magic

Chapter 163: Strengthening an Empress

Kaboom!

A distant explosion puts everyone on edge immediately, and Daniel grips his rifle tightly. It came from the direction of Hekate, and he starts to move, but a crystal cradled in the crook of a wooden staff cuts in front of him. He orders, "Move."

"If you value her Greatness, you will wait."

"Neith,..." starts Daniel loudly, but Senn immediately interrupts to reiterate, "If you value Hekate, you will wait!"

Daniel draws his revolver, since his staff is too long to aim at someone so close to him. Senn doesn't flinch, even looking down the barrel of his sidearm. She probably can withstand the revolver with a magic barrier, which she likely already has surrounding her. He can't carry anti-magic bullets, or he'll negate everyone's magic in his immediate vicinity.

That said, the message is clear. Everyone is on guard now, and Senn needs to explain quickly.

"I received more than just a location from the tree, Daniel. You've trusted me well enough so far, and I have no desire to provoke you or your allies. Not least of which is the little feldrok in question."

"I'm not playing mind games, Senn. Neith, go and..."

"She's insecure!" shouts Senn, once more doing everything she can to stop anyone from going to Hekate's rescue. "I saw two futures at the same time I was looking into the past. One where you go to her rescue, and one where you don't. You can't keep coming to her rescue every time she stumbles." Senn finally relaxes her staff, adding sincerely, "Hekate is immature and reckless, but she's not helpless. The creature lying ahead is no match for her. But, it will challenge her. Let her be challenged and grow for a change, or you run the risk of her being helpless when you are unable to help her."

Daniel feels a crushing guilt at these words. He has the youth and endurance of his younger body with the knowledge and experience of a decade longer of working and living. And, because of that, he has chosen to take the approach that, so long as he can keep going, he will make use of every hour he can stay awake out of Zenkon's 29 hour days. He is constantly working, though there is time for leisure with his friends and family that he ensures to take when he can.

That said, he has been told directly and knows that he carries a lot of the burden of the Fievegal's inner workings, while administrative tasks are largely handled by the convenience the Citadel provides.

He needs to be learning to properly lead and delegate, and he needs to be helping his companions fill important roles as well, not least of which is the sovereign leader of the Fievegal, who is not supposed to be himself.

Hekate relies on him for almost everything, but her small excursion to Shialvalgarro's Hoard with Geirahoel was an attempt to face her demons on her own. Geirahoel went along under excuse, but she was much more effective at letting Hekate stand on her own.

And, the teenage empress specifically requested to do this scouting mission solo. Daniel doesn't like the idea of leaving her to it, but he needs to trust her. She has telepathy, and Neith would move if Hekate asked for help. The only reason the grey knight has remained, along with the others, is because she hasn't asked for help yet. The explosion is proof that Hekate is doing what she needs to in order to defend herself and carry out her mission.

There is other noise happening, from foliage breaking and other deep sounds, confirming that the fight is still ongoing.

Senn adds, "Hekate needs confidence. There is a reason that birds push their offspring out of the nest when it's time, yes?"

Daniel looks away from the elf. She's absolutely right, and he's still trying to suppress his instinctive desire to sacrifice himself for someone who is more powerful and likely to survive than he is. He is terrified of the possibility, though.