Baeka rings her hands as she paces in front of the doorway that leads to the 'Violet Garden', where a handful of acolytes of the Unity of the Dragons are standing almost religiously tranquil along the wall. This is clear evidence that several of the Dragon Empresses are in the garden, since the Unity of the Dragon worship the powerful reptilian beings, and the high ranking acolytes have the exclusive privilege of serving the highest ranking among them in the Fievegal, which are the ones who have chosen to be intimate with Daniel, as well as Gold.

"My lady?" asks one of the older women, who happens to be a dattakorien as well. The Unity of the Dragons is primarily made up of disillusioned men and women of virtually all tribes on the continent, lost in their own cultures and having found meaning and purpose serving the most powerful of beings still alive today. As such, the woman speaking has no reverence for Baeka's own lofty position as the Mikadresselle, but that doesn't mean she's disrespectful either.

"Oh! Uh, I'm just… I was wondering… how long Empresses Ryuogriar and Geirahoel might be in there…" Baeka can't help but fidget, and the acolyte who is a couple decades older than her gives a soft smile.

"Excepting the most dire of emergencies, we Acolytes are not permitted to enter the Violet Garden. However, close friends and family are welcome, so long as the garden and princes and princesses are respected."

Baeka nods gratefully. "Oh! Um… Are you sure?"

"Yes," replies the Acolyte. "Please do not worry."

The dattakorien 'princess' cautiously approaches the door, and she exits to the outside. It's an overcast day, but the Citadel has mild weather most of the year. It shouldn't rain, or the dragons would likely find somewhere else to be.

Baeka cautiously walks through the garden, which is cultivated carefully by Geirahoel, primarily, but with Daniel's direct input. It's more like a miniature jungle with how tall some of the plants are, and the more decorative structures adorned with flowers create a beautiful maze of flora from all over the western part of the continent.

Baeka feels nervous, since Geirahoel is the Orange dragon, who was notoriously temperamental while they resided at Shialvolgarro's Hoard. Harming her belongings is potentially a death sentence.

While their interactions since Daniel came about have been far more docile, the dattakorien woman still errs on the side of caution.

She follows her ears when she hears the distinctive voices of children, and she makes her way in that direction. Sure enough, the golden-haired dragon who still goes by Gold is playing a sort of wrestling game with four half-goblin children, two boys and two girls, while Ryuogriar and Geirahoel sit with two more goblin children, surrounded by eggs larger than even the eldest girls that are attacking their gilded counterpart playfully.

"... understand why Onii-chan can leave to search, but you insist I stay here," grumbles the youngest of the three dragons, all of whom are in their human forms.

"Because, my dear, sweet sister, recklessly searching for him may lead to us missing him entirely. And, with the Citadel's mana depleted, we need to remain on guard."

"What about Hekate and the others!?" snaps the youthful dragon.

Gold sits up, noticing Baeka approaching first, but she only winks at the dattakorien. The dragon instead remarks warmly, even as she continues fending off the playful goblins trying to wrestle her with her arms and tail. "Hah! That little fuzzball had some real tough teeth to decide to awaken the faormyr. I'm surprised you let them go."

"Hekate can teleport herself and a large group now," replies Ryuogriar. "I'm not worried about her ability to return to the Citadel. Though, it does frustrate me that she didn't exercise patience. Vaergraes has confirmed that Mukori and Magnir are fine." The platinum white dragon Empress looks at Baeka, which finally draws everyone else's attention. "Ahh, Baeka, good to see you."

The dattakorien makes several fidgety movements, unsure of what to do. "Um, yes! G-Good morning, your Graces. Please pardon my intrusion."

"Not at all," replies Ryuogriar graciously. She gestures near her where a rather beautiful stone bench is. Of course, the Empresses and Gold are seated on the grass, while the princesses and princes have all dirtied their clothes with grass stains.

However, Gold has other plans. "Hey, my little Gremlins, look there. See that pretty lady? That's Baeka."

"Baeky?" repeats Jieka warmly, her eyes beaming as the other three children listen attentively to the boisterous dragon.

"That's right. Baeka is a Princess who wants to steal your Daddy away. Attack!"

"Raaahhhh!" One simple provocation is all it takes for Jieka, and the Crown Princess charges straight at Baeka, exclaiming, "Baeky no take Daddy!"

"Wh-Wha-!? L-Lady Gold!?" cries out Baeka. She is set upon by Daniel's eldest daughter, and the little girl latches onto Baeka's shin, shaking her body weight in a futile attempt to bring the much larger person down. Baeka is stunned and afraid to move, lest she hurt the small princess.

Her hesitation leads to her being approached by Tekten and Pomiel, who are more reserved, but the princess and prince both tug on Baeka's other leg, trying much less aggressively to 'defeat' Baeka.

"U-Uh… I… Y-Your Highnesses…"

Gold laughs as she rolls on the ground briefly, thoroughly enjoying watching the helpless Mikadresselle.

Daugli, the remaining prince, stays near Gold. He seems a little shy about approaching Baeka.

"I-I just… If I could just speak… Please listen…"

Jieka can't help but growl and shake playfully, unable to topple the relative giant. Tekten tries striking Baeka with a fist, and Ryuogriar instantly reprimands her.

"Tekten, no hitting friends and family."

The princess flinches and looks to the dragon matriarch. She becomes bashful, replying, "Sowwy Wyuo."

"Baeky twy to steal Daddy!" whines Jieka in defense of her sister.

"N-No!" exclaims Baeka. "I don't want to steal him! I promise!"

"Weally?" ask both goblin sisters.

"Really!" Baeka carefully lowers to a crouch, mindful of Jieka still clinging to her shin. She reaches to pet their heads, but halts herself for a moment. She hesitates to touch the princesses, because she's still learning how the inner circle functions. She decides to be gentle and affectionate and hope for the best. What she knows of their father certainly suggests that he will forgive small sleights if she does something wrong. Baeka pets their heads gently, ensuring not to forget Pomiel, and she says, "I want to be part of your family if anything."

"Don't let the fuzzball hear that," jokes Gold.

"I think she'd appreciate it… as long as it stops at 'family'," retorts Ryuogriar playfully. Gold snickers, and Baeka listens a little awkwardly.

"What did you want?" asks Geirahoel. Hearing her voice makes Baeka's ears and tail twitch slightly, but her tone was actually much softer than the dattakorien ever heard. Part of it is certainly the fact that she is in a human form instead of her true dragon form. But, she seems more worried about Daniel being transported away than anything else.

"I… actually wanted to ask if there's anything I can do to help with what's going on. I know things are hectic right now, but… I just… feel useless."

Ryuogriar explains confidently, "Neith will likely retrieve Mukori before Hekate and her new minion do. But, good luck restraining them, I suppose."

"Minion?" repeats the Mikadresselle.

"Yes," replies Geirahoel. "She is known as Yaulwembor, one of the Three Terrors of Mattarglos. She's dangerously powerful, but somehow, Hekate convinced her."

"I think we should ask Fuzzball how she managed that," remarks Gold. She flops her tail around as Daugli continues to try to catch the end of it, stumbling after her tail before she flips it to the side away from him. "One of the oldest beings on Zenkon, legendary for being a killing machine, won over by a teenager." The dragon sniffs as she feigns wiping a tear away. "I'm so proud of our little Fuzzball."

Geirahoel asks more pointedly, since Baeka is a little disappointed, "Is there something specific you feel you should be doing, Baeka?"

"I… I don't know. It just seems… so chaotic since the last time I was here."

"True," replies Ryuogriar. "Much of the Fievegal has been run by Xyreko and the golems, since our size was inconsequential, and it mostly served as our entertainment. If you are looking for a role of importance, we do need someone to handle the merchants as they start to appear. Or, you could take charge of the serving staff within the Citadel."

"L-Like a head maid?" asks the dattakorien, who only knows a little about such a thing from the Stalvaltan staff, who mainly serve the ladies of their house. She never had any authority over the acolytes, though the dragons barely acknowledged them back in the Hoard.

"No. As has been teased, you are one of Mukori's earliest allies in this world," replies Geirahoel. "If you wish for the role and title of Empress Consort, you need only ask him. But, if you are asking how you can help now, taking charge of whatever interests you is fine. I have no interest in managing other races. I only wish to be with Mukori and raise our children. But, to do that requires… managing Mukori…" Geirahoel growls the last two words, and while it's similar to the tone she used to use, it still has the edge of frustration only someone who cares greatly can have.

"S-... So, if I wanted to organize the Fievegal's celebrations, or… even trade, I could do that?"

"Please do," replies Ryuogriar. "In fact, we need to get moving on a birthday celebration for the Princes and Princesses, which will soon include several of our eggs."

"As for the Harbinger," starts Gold. "Leave him to the men. Knowing that foolish human, he's going to bring more women home, and new problems before he's even solved the last one."

Baeka gives it some thought. She doesn't necessarily want to be a warrior. She was forced into it by Mulmonbargonaed, and when asked, she volunteered her help for the rescue of Grendel Six. But, if she could finally settle down and avoid combat and war…

"If ever I am needed, I ask that you call upon me," replies Baeka confidently. "However, I would like to focus inwards, on our friends, our family, and our growing Fievegal."

"Very well," replies Ryuogriar. "Do as you please. And, if you need assistance, just because we are lazy, that does not mean we will not help."

"Thank you, your Graces."

Baeka starts to excuse herself, but the two princesses and prince Daugli have lost interest in attacking her and are plodding back towards Gold to play with her.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go find and steal Daniel away. Heeheheehee!"

"Wah!?" "Hey!" "No!" whine three little goblin children, who are surprisingly smart for their ages. They start to toddle furiously back towards Baeka as she laughs and dashes off acrobatically, easily avoiding them. Jieka warns, "Baeky no take Daddy! Daddy Jieka's!"

"T-Tekten too!" exclaims Tekten. The Mikadresselle peeks over the hedge she managed to side-flip over and out of sight, and she gives a bashful look at the three dragons. However, Gold is chuckling as she continues to lounge on the grass, and Ryuogriar and Geirahoel roll their eyes with amused smiles.

The dattakorien finishes her mischief with a taunting wave at the children, and Jieka is the most boisterous about trying to 'chase her off', even though that would still play into exactly what Baeka said she was going to do.

Regardless, the feline woman grins and ducks back down behind the shrub, darting back towards the entrance to leave the garden. She still doesn't know for sure what she wants to do, and as far as she knows, Shek and Skloe handle the civilian population in large part, and have been handling it well. But, the internal affairs for the Citadel itself, or even the affairs of the Imperial family might benefit from her perspective. She'll have to try and see what she'll be able to do, but from the sounds of it, she is free to choose this time.

***

Klur walks wearily towards the shuttle that will carry Grendel Six for their next mission. He is aching all over, and the pain was truly excruciating. But, as promised, his new arm has granted him the ability to use far more magic than he ever could before, which was effectively none. Xyreko gave him a crash course on a couple spells to make use of, and she gave him two enhanced magic crystals stored into the arm to ensure his arm has plenty of power. He won't be able to use anti-magic rounds himself anymore, and he has to be careful when such ordinance is being used, but as long as he leaves the field of effect, his arm will power back up.

Strangely, unlike his fleshy right arm, his golem-ized left arm has no feeling in it. He can tell his fingers are moving, and he can tell where his hand is at even with his eyes closed. But, he can't feel pain or touch with it, so he has to be careful when searching or blinded. The best he can get is the sense of solid walls from resistance against his arm. To be able to feel more, he would have to surrender more and more of himself to being a golem, which has a non-zero chance of leading to death.

Klur is fine with his body. He was fine without magic. Losing his sense of touch on an arm that was already missing is a small price to pay for gaining the ability to use magic at a relatively high level of proficiency.

"Field Marshal?" asks Mosko as he climbs to his feet, waiting at the shuttle.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"At ease, Mosko," replies the goblin commander. "Is just me."

"Hah!" scoffs the old goblin. "'Just you' was half a goblin wrapped in chains!"

"Boss?" asks Hap as he cautiously approaches the shuttle as well.

"Hap," replies the Field Marshal.

The young goblin drops to his knees, staring at the grey-mantle Field Marshal with watering eyes.

"Don't cry boy," replies Mosko. "You're Grendel Six now. The only tears we shed are from our enemies."

Hap nods, doing his best to restrain himself.

Olk and Locke also show up, as well as the rest of the members of Grendel Six who survived.

Xyreko appears after they have their reunion. "Grendel Six, I'm glad to see you're all in good spirits."

"The Emperor himself killed Koggus Gristak!" cheers Locke. "Of course we're excited!"

"Gendel Six held that jatata at bay, and only the Harbinger himself could defeat it! We're as strong as the dragons!" cheers one of the other goblins.

Olk warns him a little cooly, but his own tone is one of excitement, "Be careful of those words. Dragons don't take kindly to such mockery."

"It's not mockery! We are!" complains the goblin.

"All that aside, the Emperor will share high praise with you when the time comes. Grendel Six has made the Fievegal very proud," continues Xyreko. "However, there is a mission I need Grendel Six to undertake so that the Emperor does not endanger himself."

"Can't he just use the Fiendbreakers?" asks Mosko. "Forgive speaking out of turn, please."

"The Fiendbreakers are meant for fiends and archfiends like Kernuules and Yaulwembor," replies the golem Prime Minister. "The mission I'm sending you on is a rescue mission."

The goblins all straighten their posture, paying the utmost attention. Their very first mission as a unit was the extermination of dumgobs and the rescue of their prisoners, several of which were citizens of the Fievegal. It was a resounding success, and the rescued victims have been grateful since that day. Some of them, including the women from the dumgob tribe, who are being educated more properly, are accepting courtship from members of Grendel Six.

Regardless, Xyreko continues, "The Emperor's ally, and a fellow summoned being from another world, has been captured by enemies within the Grand Zenkon Empire. As you know, the GZE is in talks to unite our Empires through marriage between the Emperor Daniel and Empress Sundenelle. As such, a full military invasion or strike force is not available to us. The problem is, the captors include a high ranking Imperial noble, who we would not get permission from Daniel to attack, but instead, would insist he go himself. I want you gentlemen to go in, retrieve the captive, and return without being detected."

"Who is the captive?" asks Klur. He already received a brief overview from Xyreko to distract him from the pain of fusing the arm to his body, the fingers of which he flexes idly out of a quiet reflex to the thought.

"The captive is a young human woman, estimated to be Daniel's age, with brown hair that has a golden-hue and brown eyes. She will be wearing clothing that exposes her arms from the bicep down, as well as her legs from her thighs to her shins, where she has leather boots. As a Divine Summon, she has unknown magic abilities, so Grendel Six will need to be careful if she goes on the offensive to avoid blocking her lines of attack. She goes by 'Zuzia Spolskia', according to the infiltrator I have following them, though I have yet to confirm her exact whereabouts. You'll need to shadow the captors, who are led by Grand Prince Yaulander kos Strylaph, until you can confirm where she's being held. I believe a void bag or similar magic may be involved."

"What do we do if it's magic?" asks Locke. "We're killers, not countermages."

"You'll capture the mage holding her and bring him back to the Citadel. If he cannot be made to give up Lady Spolskia, we will find more cruel methods to be used. Death is not the end for the Fievegal."

Hap raises his hand, and Xyreko nods at him. "Private Hap."

"My Lady, I was just wondering… Will Corpsman Floria be joining us on this mission?"

"She will not. Corpsman Floria's injuries were severe, and she's being closely monitored for further damage done by Kernuules. However, her condition is stable, so you shouldn't worry about her for now."

"Thank you, my Lady," replies the young rookie.

"I understand some of you are probably on edge deploying without your corpsman. I can one of the Chi'rinnis assigned to your unit temporarily for the mission, and we'll send you with several healing and antidote potions from the east, which aren't poisonous to goblins."

Mosko scoffs. "They just taste like dattakorien feet." He realizes his folly immediately, particularly when Xyreko looks at him. He clears his throat, adding nervously, "Not that I'm familiar…" He scratches his chest and looks away, avoiding eye contact during the awkward silence that follows.

The golem caretaker finally sighs, and she adds, "That actually does remind me. We can't do anything about the firearms, but the more convincingly you can ensure that your identity as Fievegal soldiers remains hidden, the better this mission will turn out." The machine-like woman adds under her breath, "And will reduce how angry Daniel will be with me…"

Klur's new hand idly flexes. He's still getting used to the strange sensation of 'feeling' his hand, but not being able to actually feel with it, like his hand is usable, but permanently asleep.

Wait… That's it!

"Elemental blasters, your ladyship," states the goblin Field Marshal confidently.

"Beg pardon?" replies the confused Prime Minister.

"The elemental blasters have barely been used at all in combat against the east," replies Klur. "The largest extent would the Empresses, to my knowledge, and that was at extreme range, if my memory of the events is correct."

"You're right," adds Olk. "While it's not perfect, it would be less likely to be associated with us specifically, since they're different and rely on magic."

Xyreko remarks as she cups her artificial chin, "It would open us to greater plausible deniability. Especially because our enemy is using crude firearms as well… Very well. But, know that I won't be able to provide support on this mission if I provide Grendel Six with the blasters for all of your troops. It is one of the best options available to us, so I'm willing. But, you'll have to rely on a radio and your own troops and pray for the best."

Klur looks over his troops, who are weary from their last battle, but ready for the next one. Kernuules was outside of their skill-threshold. By the sounds of it, they'll be well-equipped and well-prepared for the battle that's coming.

Klur asks the obvious question, "What are the requirements for us in regards to our enemies?"

"Grand Prince Yaulander is the highest status person present." Xyreko creates a hologram of him next to herself, demonstrating his blond hair, scarred face, and regal attire. "You absolutely cannot kill him. It will create a political nightmare for us that will be untenable. Anyone dressed similarly to him should also be avoided, as they're nobles. But, any soldiers, especially stragglers, can be eliminated. The more it looks like bandits or animals attacked them, the better. You may hold no quarter against them."

The goblins all cackle eagerly. Most goblins, but especially those that have found their way into Grendel Six, have blood-thirst in their nature. Dumgobs have no ability to resist that urge, while the soldiers of the Fievegal direct it outwards at the Fievegal's enemies.

And, with that bloodthirst comes greed.

While the nobles are the wealthiest, and as such, a shame to leave their wealth untouched, the goblins can benefit from looting anyone and everyone that they are permitted to kill.

And, a soldier escorting a Grand Prince will undoubtedly have some nice equipment.

Xyreko warns them, "As I said, check your targets and focus on rescuing our allies. The field operation will obviously be in your hands once you leave here, so make decisions as need be. Rescuing Zuzia is the goal, but there is reason to believe Grand Prince Yaulander may be protected or allied with our true enemy, so if a retreat is needed, we will reassess." The golem looks to the side, adding softly, "I'm assigning Grendel Six because I want to protect Daniel. He'll undertake this task himself if left to his own devices. If he must take over again, then so be it. But, if you CAN succeed, I would prefer you do so."

All of the goblins present salute. Klur calls out on their behalf, "Leave it to us, my Lady!"

The other goblins cheer, "YEAH!" "RAH!" and other boisterous singular yells of eagerness for the mission and glory ahead.

Xyreko nods. "Grendel Six, make ready to deploy. Your weapons will arrive in ten minutes."

The members of Grendel Six all salute in unison, and Xyreko disappears. Klur is left wondering why they lose support from the golems if they receive the elemental blasters, but he's just a mere goblin. He just has to focus on completing his mission.

And this time, he intends to make sure Grendel Six is successful.

***

Gwenesphia watches as Senn meditates near the core of the Citadel. It's a strange place that even Daniel rarely visits, since it hosts the magic 'heart' of the powerful fortress. He often jokes that the most he could do in the core is cause damage, so he avoids it.

For the ancient elven mage, however, it's supposedly a precipice of tapping into the world's mana.

The female gatonine tries to be patient, but she should have gone with Hekate, Doephluev, and the others. Yaulwembor is every bit as terrifying even with Hekate somehow controlling her. Just seeing the ancient draconic being is soul-shivering. Seeing her walking about freely makes Gwenesphia truly terrified.

But, Hekate assured everyone that she has it under control. How remains to be seen, but the only person who has the ability to stop the Feldrok Empress is the one she's set on using the faormyr to rescue. Veiranoei enters the chamber with Wenlianna, and they both approach Gwenesphia, remaining quiet as to not disturb Senn. Walking behind them meekly is the former Dawnseer Bellphine, who is a lady-in-waiting for the Fievegal's Empresses, though she might as well be an Empress herself with how well Daniel asked for her to be treated by everyone.

"Has she said anything?" asks Wenlianna quietly.

The pregnant gatonine with light lilac-colored hair shakes her head gently. "Not yet. She said something about the strange mana substance being difficult to detect, even what's right in front of her, other than its intensity."

Wenlianna nods in agreement. "I've done a few more experiments, and as far as I can tell, the mana diffuses into materials, rather than being explicitly shielded the way Mu-, um, Daniel says the radiation is. I think it's not wrong to say that it is 'absorbed' by other materials and 'slowed down' back into the natural raw mana that's always present everywhere."

"I asked my Grandfather about it," starts Veiranoei to add to the thought. "He says there are old stories of miners sometimes stumbling across a phenomenon like what Reignleif described, and the superstitions around it became that the mines were haunted. When investigation teams would go in years later, there was nothing to find."

Wenlianna continues off of that mention, "Daniel has said that the reason anti-magic materials are less of a threat here in the ways they were on Earth is because they seem to 'decay' the anti-magic property they hold in proportion to the mana they are exposed to, which was a much slower process on Earth, and with nothing cancelling it out, could damage the bodies of living things as well as inanimate materials." She looks at Senn, adding a little nervously, "This new strange mana material may decay away, but the question is, what does the exposure to that decay mean if there's no anti-magic material present?"

This leaves a grim silence, and Senn finally speaks up. "It means your soul takes damage." She finally opens her eyes, and even after several days in the Citadel, she remains in her black-haired appearance.

More importantly, though, she adds to her declaration, which has caused the other three women to stare at her with worry painted on their faces. "Don't worry. I don't think the damage is permanent, as long as you make a concerted effort to avoid exposure like that. From what I've gathered between all of the otherworldly summons I've encountered, which is a few, even humans here on Zenkon age much slower than those of Earth, which is extremely fair to attribute to the magic here. That said, the average human size on this world is a fair bit smaller than the average of Earth, if Daniel and Rikuto represent a relative range of averages for their world's population."

"What does that have to do with the strange mana material?" asks Veiranoei. "Does the soul have something to do with all of that?"

"Well, even on Earth, there's apparently no definitive scientific stance on the soul," replies the elven mage as she summons her staff. "But, I did a little… manipulative Dawnseeing just now."

Bellphine is the one to gasp, and everyone looks at her. She can't speak very well without stammering, but she didn't lose any of her intelligence or knowledge about Dawnseeing, which was very much her specific field of study until she was forced to abandon it.

The young woman gives a sorrowful expression and quickly starts writing, to which Gwenesphia says gently, "Take your time, Bellphine. Just, please tell us what it means."

"I'll explain while she writes, and she can confirm," replies Senn. "While I'm a few months or so older than all of you,..." The gatonines and humans glance at each other awkwardly, with Bellphine pausing her writing. She has a more nervous expression, while Wenlianna, Gwenesphia, and Veiranoei are more cynical about the statement. Regardless, no one interrupts, and the elf continues with a bit of a cheeky smirk now, "... but I have heard a little about a lot of things over the years. 'Manipulative Dawnseeing' is one of the dangers provided when using the art of seeing into either the future or the past. If the Dawnseer isn't careful, it's possible to influence the visions with your own thoughts and desires, or, in the case of intentionally doing it, try to test the possible outcomes of a change."

Bellphine holds up her notepad, which has a fairly long reply written. "{Manipulating a Dawnsight is said to be one of the inciting acts that lead to the 'Cleansing War'. The King of a country that no longer exists had his Dawnseer test the future if the other races were exterminated…}" Bellphine frowns sadly as she holds the note, hoping no one is angry at her for saying it. Her mentor taught her how to see the past by showing the young woman the conversation that was had.

"'Cleansing war'," murmurs Veiranoei out loud. "That's what led to the founding of Mattarglos, isn't it?"

"It is," replies Senn, while Bellphine nods in agreement. "As for what I did, I had to dive very deep and test a few different things. I'm almost certain that the material we're calling 'Strange Mana material' is actually such densely concentrated mana itself, that it somehow becomes solid. And, in large enough concentrations…" She looks to the side, saying softly, "The soul of the person is so decayed, that… they cease to be…"

"Is… that what happened to Kernuules?" asks Gwenesphia. They only have Hekate's, Reignleif's, Geirahoel's, and Baeka's accounts to go off of for the corrupted feldrok child that Daniel and Magnir disappeared with, but by all appearances, it wasn't simply feral the way Lugrae was, but instead, absolutely aggressive with no self-preservation nor fear. And, it survived at least one direct headshot from Daniel's revolver at point-blank range. Hekate knows how to defend herself from such a shot, if she's prepared for it, but Daniel killed Lugrae with a rifle from further away due to the feral feldrok's size. And, in the cases of dragons and apparently feldroks alike, their bones and scales strengthen over the years, becoming able to withstand more powerful attacks. No one knows if an ancient dragon will have sharmelkolle for scales like Yaulwembor does, or if that's unique to faormyrs or Yaulwembor herself, but Neith was able to survive Daniel's Dragonslayer with only a mild scar that remains, where as the same upgraded version of the heavy rifle relatively easily took out most of the dragons, including the Red Lord. Of course, Neith also didn't take a direct hit from the rifle, while Daniel had all the time in the world to get a good shot on Morthybargaron when he was ambushed first.

Senn answers Gwenesphia's question with a speculative voice, "I wouldn't rule it out, but from what I saw in my Dawnsight, unreliable as it might be to have done so, the destruction of the soul leads to death, not an undead body lacking a soul."

Wenlianna adds, "Also, if such a powerful body were simply empty, wouldn't contract demons appear?" The brunette recalls the efforts taken whenever dragons are having their magic contracts removed, since other-worldly beings appear out of rifts to try to steal the contract, let alone the body. She knows Daniel has every intention of freeing Gold very soon, whether or not she wins any of her bets or challenges against him, since she has proven to be a good friend to the Empresses, as well as very kind and caring towards Daniel's children.

"I… once lost someone who went out to defeat a dragon carrying out heinous magic experiments,..." murmurs Senn suddenly. Her tone is distant, and her usual air of unflappable calm has all but dissolved. She feels like she might disappear any moment. "I don't know all of the details, as the dragon and my friend have disappeared, but I believe… it had something to do with the Strange Mana material." She clenches her fists, murmuring, "His soul disappeared, and I couldn't find him…"

The other four women present are respectfully quiet as they ponder Senn's confession. It's clear she needs a moment to collect herself, as it's one of the few things she's emotional about. She finally looks up at the core of the Citadel, saying softly, "I believe the Strange Mana is very dangerous. But… I saw one more thing."

"What was it?" asks Veiranoei carefully.

Senn smirks. "I saw a reckless human unafraid of any amount or type of mana."

As the others are realizing who she's implying, a sudden sound fills the air. It has the metallic ring of a large bell, and it reminds Gwenesphia immediately of the dual-cone hammerbells used on most forts to signal attacks, typically. Because it's used to signal attacks in progress most often, the loud percussion instrument is meant to be heard a long way off, particularly by gatonines and shenwulves, hence its bulky size over a regular handbell.

And, the foreboding voice that emanates from the very walls of the Citadel solidifies Gwenesphia's fear. It's easily recognizable as Xyreko's voice.

But, not even the multiple attacks from the east prompted the tone she wields now.

"General Quarters, General Quarters, all warriors to battlestations. This is not a drill. Repeat, General Quarters, General Quarters, all warriors to battlestations. This is not a drill. Non-essential personnel should evacuate to lakeside secure zones. Combat teams, man artillery and prepare to fire. Field Marshals, report to Combat Coordination Headquarters."

The gonging of the bell-sound resumes, and the five women look at each other with worry spread across their faces.

The Citadel is under attack. And, given Xyreko's seeming concern in her voice, the Citadel's boast-worthy defense is not going to be as impervious as before.

***

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