Break out. Having Daspotta stand up for you will only make you look more weak in their eyes.

Also it puts you in a very passive position having to rely on the kindness of nasty criminals.

Does the escape route, by any chance, lead to the general direction to Erja Nokol? because that would greatly affect my decision to stick with the plan. And even if it doesn't, i don't really like the idea of going on our own, we can at least make sure you can get out this way. If you can convice them to STOP fucking around and let me "help" them, then yes, i'll stick to the plan. But that means no more hitting me and no more trying to steal my shit. If they can't stick to this two simple requests, we are gone. You don't tell them the last part, obviously.

So you'd have to escape to get to where Cheese expects us?

I hate to say it, but where you are might actually be best. Especially for Daspotta. Though if you somehow persuade your group to allow you to escape with them, that would be ideal, as you'd be able to travel to where you have to go.

>>985039
Yeah, I trust Daspotta, let her deescalate.

Honestly, they really should know better than to fuck with their meal ticket's ability to provide meals, they shouldn't NEED Despotta to remind them that. The chain is also really conspicuous compared to the other prisoners' now that I think of it, would be good to get it off with permission. Can't have us being noticed.

If you're going to break out, wait until most of them are asleep and kill them then. Daspotta can tell you when their guard is down.

Moss 2021/01/05(Tue)19:39 No. 985053 ID: 5fc3a0
File 160990439162.png - (267.01KB , 800x800 , 1575.png )

I lean back and think on some of the finer details before telling Daspotta anything.

The map shows where the river is, and judging by the elevation, it flows towards Erja Nokol. I don't know where the noble would end up during the escape, but it doesn't matter. It ends on the surface, and Daspotta alone would report my situation to the field marshal office while I continue crawling down here. Even if I went with the prisoners and escaped the mines, I'd have to figure out an all new route to Roc Underpass.

"Remind me when the escape happens?"
>"They expect a couple of weeks, sir, but can only say it is absolutely within the next month."

It's a long time to wait when I'm supposed to meet someone, but on the other hand, Cheese didn't give me an appointment time, and she can't possibly have expected me to make it there quickly. These gates that border the mines of the Turtle and Erja Nokol must be heavily guarded.

>>985053
I trust Daspotta, but I don't trust the worthless losers in this mine. They clearly deserved to be trapped in this hell hole forever.

She told you to run and hide. Hiding is kindof pointless in this situation unless you do it for a while, to let the heat die down. If they're actively searching for you, it will be near impossible to travel all the way the fuck over to Roc Underpass. Look at the map closer- there are landmarks called "gates" in the way. How did SHE even get through those? Her mutant contacts here must really be dedicated.

If this situation is really stable, Daspotta keeps them from escalating, and they let you go when the escape happens, this is actually fine. All you have to do is keep your work pace going, and I guess give up the mead so that mutant doesn't cause you any more trouble.
...actually, if you give up the mead to the mutant, maybe he can help you plan for a way to get to Roc Underpass? Now that you know where it is, he can't really demand anything further from you over it; that was the most important information you needed and you can in theory just head towards it and find more mutants along the way to help. Especially with the collar working to disguise you.

You can also use this as an excuse to train. A couple of weeks of hard labor will also get you some more muscle mass and endurance. I wonder if any of the prisoners here know how to swordfight? Maybe you can convince them to help you polish up your sword skills using some spare sticks lying around.
The more they support *your* end goal, the less they have to worry about you running off and betraying them, after all. Maybe with Daspotta's help you can develop a working relationship with them.

>>985056
I like the idea of trying to convince them to go with them, given our destination, but i don't expect more than that. I doubt that they even know any fencing.

We would be lucky if they even agree with you tagging along.

Trust in Daspotta. Worst case you can break out later.

There is one additional thing to consider here: these are prisoners that used to hate prison life so much they punished other prisoners for behaving well. Will they punish YOU for behaving well?

If the mutant's sure he really wants the wine again, consider this: Decking him the face with one hand, and actually giving it to him with the other. Explain that his gang's sense of "compromise" is rubbing off on you.

Either way, stay and let her do her thing.

How exactly was Cheese expecting you to get out of here to meet her over there?

They need us, which means we might have the leeway to negotiate using Daspotta as our negotiator And bargaining chip. Their plan relies on her talents and knowledge so hopefully we can figure something out.

Break the chain and then stay anyway, just to prove the point.

>let you keep the mead
Okay, so not complete assholes.

Give Daspotta a chance.

If she does escape, you'll give her loose orders to report in, stay alive and train herself further as an assistant while waiting for your return, so it'll be the truth - and she can stick around the palace at least for a time, assuming they'll put her up. Hrm. Maybe a contingency - if she doesn't hear from you in a few months, she's to attempt to relocate you, rather than wait for you to be declared dead in absentia. Of course, she's free to interpret those orders as she'd like - going through information brokers like you did with Cheese, dropping by a tavern every month listening to rumors until she grows fat and old, whatever. Her call.

If she can get scrap paper at some point, you could write a letter with those orders, as well as summarizing whatever details you want to share with Warlord Krix. Your investigation has gotten... significantly sidetracked, but there's clearly enough going on here that would be of interest to a Gold's field Marshal, even if it'll bring you out of jurisdiction.

>map
...like, all these empire-stretching tunnels seem like an issue. Perhaps a known one, but still. News to you. There's digging going on under other nobles' land, for one. You'd think they'd mind their stuff being mined. Also, the security risk of it all. Also, Cheese implying Gahki being so old he's a bag of bones kept 'alive' through necromancy. And there apparently being a direct connection to Erja Nokol through the network of mines. Gahki and necromancers. Do they work together? Trade?

Say, does Daspotta have any clue as to the Goldyard noble's identity, by the way? Their presence at least indicates that Gahki isn't afraid of certain people ratting him - and all of this - out. Possibly the ability to do secret business this way is more valuable. Possibly they're part of a conspiracy.

Heck, this place might not just be the product of Gahki's. Maybe it's lots of nobles working in conjunction. Mutants and intelligent animals like the Crows contributing. A giant underbelly of the above. An Under-Empire, of sorts.

No wonder they're reliant on undead. Keeping people fed and watered must be a logistical nightmare.

No wonder Gahki did not want you to leave. If you do report this in, he's under some serious blackmail pressure, at the very least.

We can trust Daspotta. The prisoners will escalate until you are dead.

nobles' servants are going to have intricate outfits, and expect instant and accurate obedience with flawless etiquette. Hand signals are not uncommon. They may not notice different people there, but nobles tend to have very refined senses for being offended.

And we haven't even talked hygiene. Stink alone will probably throw the plan.

I don't see this plan going anywhere, and Daspotta might actually be in danger for attempting it. These guys are seriously desperate, or incredibly ignorant, which is worse. We should skip over the escape and try to find cheese when things calm down and you have some stamina.

We don't have to ratfuck these guys instantly, if you can get anything out of this, but it isn't worth any harm done to keep this up.

1/7 Moss 2021/01/06(Wed)20:00 No. 985132 ID: 5fc3a0
File 160999200117.png - (267.37KB , 1000x800 , 1576.png )

"I'll give you the chance. The day things get worse, I leave."
>"Thank you sir, I'll get them to stop interfering with your help and get them to behave better."
"Hmph, the thought of them behaving..."

.... It just occurs to me they don't like behaving. They punished fellow prisoners for behaving. If I behave, will that ironically make it worse? Or are they hypocritical? I have another idea.

"One more thing. They can have an outlet to hit me. Tell them to gather some sticks and gather their bravery, and spar with me."
>"Are you sure that's wise, sir?"
"If I were wise, I would've ran away the second I stumbled on a barbarian's dragoncloth. But I need to gather my bravery, too, and take a few hits to avoid taking a few stabbings later. I've been hiding from fights for awhile now, and I need some confidence back. I doubt these guys are that good in a fight, but they've got enthusiasm and dirty tricks, something that goes a long way. And I doubt I can avoid fights forever if I go to Erja Nokol, which I want to do just to ask Cheese how the hell she expected me to get there."

2/7 Moss 2021/01/06(Wed)20:00 No. 985133 ID: 5fc3a0
File 160999202345.png - (335.55KB , 800x800 , 1577.png )

"Now, I've got a half dozen concerns about how successful this escape route is going to be. I don't see any better alternatives, but that doesn't mean I want to send you to die. Intricate servant outfits, hand signals, etiquette, and good hygiene aren't things I've seen in miners here."
>"I can sew, I know a lot of standard hand signals, etiquette, and the river we're going to is clean so we'll definitely dip into that on our way. There's other details, and it's a risk, I know, but apparently they've been studying the noble for a couple months now along with how the servants act and look. I know they seem desperate and a little illogical, but they seem to be smarter about this."
"Then I definitely shouldn't try to go with them, because they just seem to get a case of stupidity in my presence. I'll give you written orders for when you get out. Sir.. who was the guy at the field marshal office?"
>"Sir Guhn."
"Yeah, him. He seemed happy to leave the position filled so long as I wasn't proven dead, so they won't execute you. If you don't hear from me after a couple months... well, you'd know what to do better than I do. Just live well."

She steps forward and hugs me.

>"I'm sorry for my unprofessionalism, sir. Just promise me you'll do your best to survive down here and escape."

I can't be cold to her. I hug back.

>"Yeah, I promise."

3/7 Moss 2021/01/06(Wed)20:00 No. 985134 ID: 5fc3a0
File 160999203598.png - (19.53KB , 800x800 , 1578.png )

The hug lingers for awhile. I look at the map. I should memorize it in case I don't get it.

I'm in no hurry to break the hug, anyways. I have all day to make gravel.

4/7 Fen 2021/01/06(Wed)20:01 No. 985135 ID: 5fc3a0
File 160999209632.png - (19.57KB , 800x800 , 1579.png )

>"This is the Tunnel of Stubs. Better known as Route 23. It connects one of our wizard's checkpoints with the Mausoleum. We've known about it for some time, and have plugged it up. The enemy has recently tried to breach it. I took no chances, because we cannot afford such a breach. Heavy troops were sent directly through the necromile to attack the enemy's exposed back and disrupt them while the situation stabilized. The diversion troops were successful, but at the cost of being surrounded. Now, they are attempting to flee either to the wizard's checkpoint or back to our footholds in the mausoleum to recover. The best route they have to escape is to get to Inhralalop."

Sir Zall looks around at us with a skeptical eye.

5/7 Fen 2021/01/06(Wed)20:02 No. 985136 ID: 5fc3a0
File 160999212612.png - (32.50KB , 800x800 , 1580.png )

>"Better known as the 'skeletorium', within the Mausoleum. And the enemy knows this is my troop's best route, so they are now besieging it to prevent an escape. I want as many to get out as possible, or make it as costly to the undead as possible. Go and report to the skeletorium's helm knight. You can expect to either reinforce it and hold, or push into Route 23 to save any besieged diversion troops, but it will be at the helm's discretion. The situation is chaotic, and every minute counts. I have spent much of the last few weeks training many of you, at the cost of time spent operating our assaults. For many of you, this will be your chance to prove you were worth the sacrificed time. Grab your things, grab your pawns, and go. I expect everyone out of this base in 15 minutes."

It's the last audible word in his speech, but we all know there's a last unspoken line, 'be considered a traitor if I see you around here after 15 minutes.'

6/7 Fen 2021/01/06(Wed)20:02 No. 985137 ID: 5fc3a0
File 160999217654.png - (16.07KB , 800x800 , 1581.png )

rolled 16 = 16

---

I don't need that long. I'm fully equipped, and my pawn, as reluctant as I am to call him that, knows the way to the skeletorium. Along with me, the rest of my squad is either going there, or already is there.

7/7 Fen 2021/01/06(Wed)20:04 No. 985138 ID: 5fc3a0
File 160999226297.png - (58.97KB , 1200x800 , 1582.png )

Including Aira. Kylia's operation was successful, although she tells us that Aira scared the hell out of her for awhile at the end. Aira seems fine now, and the experience was like Kylia said it would be. It assisted us both in hiding our passive mana. Aira especially so. She is nearly impossible for me to detect.

Hug Aira.

>>985139
Save the huggings for later. Now is the time for murder.

Get Kylia to reroll you for better stats.

>>985141
Also make sure your pawn gets killed so you can reroll that for another waifu you will neglect.

Gonna gonna kill some undead
Gonna gonna kill some undead
Gonna gonna kill some undead

Fucking finally. LETS DO IT!

Salute your boss and get your butt in gear so we can save some knights.

>>985138
Salute and move. Double time it.
Inventory check please.

>>985138
Time to go save Valsano. Hopefully he’s still alive so that you can save him.

>>985139
Hugs are for winners and we haven't won yet. Let's fucking go, i want to see Valsano's face when we save his imperial ass.

Looks like Aira will be an even more impressinve assassin asfter all. I never saw her as teh confrontational one, always using underhand methods. This will be of great use in the future.

How do you see yourself performing now Fen? Feel any diference?

How's your own mana hiding now, Fen? Feel ready to re-murder some undead?

>>985138
Hooh. One out of ten chance. Guess Aira got a LOT closer to it than you if she learned to hide her mana well and fast. You're both definitely on the 'worth it' survivor's bias side of things.

Good that it worked out - and especially good for her, considering her stated goal of survival. If there's nothing to grab, time to get moving - or help whoever's with you get moving.

... who's your new pawn, by the way?

And did you get any letters of note of late?

Oh, and one requirement for further personalized training was that you sneak up and touch Zall's spine. Did everyone manage? Or, well, anyone?

Well, what are you waiting for then? If you're fully equipped and know the way, just "Yes sir" and go!

>>985139
I think there was plenty of hugging when they woke up. Now is not the time.
Let's head to the bone zone.

...And remember to keep out of the tall grass.

>>985138
The heavy armor will help against poisoned arrows and darts, at least! Let's head out and hunt for the Helm Knight, then we can resume slaughtering the Undead to get that Title.

Actually before you go, ask after the "pink artifact" you recovered down there. That construct is nearly indistinguishable from actual Lily. Which suggests at least two theories:

(1) It's reading your off your soul somehow to perfectly recreate your greatest desire.
(2) They have enough information about the wife of a protective Mithril Noble to create a near-perfect replica.

If it's (1), it should be falling apart if you've been keeping up with your stealth. You would like to know.

If it's (2), then that suggests the backing of someone pretty influential on the noble chain. If it's not said Mythril himself... This theater of war could be a lot less limited than you think. If you can spare the time, a quick patrol of the other entrances could be prudent. But I doubt your superior would appreciate a detour from his orders, much less respond to your inquiry.

Either way, the mission takes priority.

>>985197
I think it was (1) but a one-time read.

>>985197
>(1) It's reading your off your soul somehow to perfectly recreate your greatest desire.
It was already explained that it’s the opposite of Fen’s greatest desire.

It’s his greatest fear. Which is basically Lily, but she doesn’t love Fen.

Okay, but she doesn't do it all the time, right? Like, the bit that scared Kylia wasn't actually her dying and coming back as undead, right?
What about yourself? Are you happy with your progress? And what about your pawn?
Anyway, better double-time it, but try to move as a group.

Speaking of Lily I feel like Fen should send her a letter next time he has a chance. The secret is basically out at this point, not much point in holding back.

Well, for starters, what news has Fen received about construct Lily? Or about lady Cassa's miraculous recovery?

>send a letter to Lily
>construct Lily
>Lady Cassa's miraculous recovery
None of these are important to our current objective and checking up on any of them would take longer than 15 minutes.

We can worry about those things later. Right now, let's focus on our current mission.

Tell Aira “You really had me worried for a second” while you touch her shoulder.

>>985202
My mistake. I should learn to read better.

I will say that it was an ineffective way to scare/demoralize Fen, on the battlefield. I was thinking her creator isn't a proper necromancer. She might practice it, but she's better specced in mana constructs.

>>985201
You're most likely right, as much as it looks like a subtle "please stay away from my fiance". As much as I'd like for this quest to end in a guilt-free punch to his face, this isn't enough to pin a conspiracy on someone as high up as "benevolent tyrant" Stup, if it even IS him. But I am talking too far off-mission.

>>985255
Agreed. Just prepare for anything. Or anyone.

Do final check to make sure you have everything you need. Then get ready kill some undead.

Although we are very capable of stealthing ourselves, it might be better to rely on Aira for sticking to shadows now, now that she got so close to death where you can't even detect her.