Chapter 40: Hiding in Plain Sight_Trapped in Another World With No Magic

Chapter 40: Hiding in in Sight

 Shortly after Daniel finished the first of his two nned nuclear weapons made with his best guesses, memories from Earth, and deduction from what he knows of the principles of their operation, some strange visitors arrived at the Citadel requesting an audience in spite of the dragons flying around. They weren’t deterred by the Citadel’s location deep in the Demon Wilnds, nor the fact that Daniel hasid low while building the nukes in hopes of keeping them almost entirely secret other than if and when they destroy the Devourer, a monster consuming the demon wilnds and eventually the whole world.

 After putting his armor’s helmet on, Daniel should be extremely difficult to kill, but because he’s not a melee fighter, the visitors could still prove deadly. They arrived bearing the sigil of the Stalvaltan Grand Duchy; an emblematic symbol of a feldrok wielding all six of the fundamental magic elements.

 Xyreko teleports them both to just outside of the ground floor audience chamber, where she lets him enter before they are brought in. Hekate is lounging in the ‘throne’, and she perks up when he enters. “Daniel!”

 “Shhh! Whatever you do, don’t call me that in front of them unless I reveal it, please. I want to try to fish for information.”

 Xyreko rifies, “We are not certain why they havee all this way. They could be assassins posing as allies.”

 Hekate coos, “Ahhhhh… Yes that makes sense.” She casts a spell, and a barrier appears around her. She grins at Daniel, and he nods. “Try not to provoke them, but feel free to pick their brains for information. Metaphorically.”

 She nods brightly and eagerly. “Will do! Leave it to me… Darling.” She grins at him.

 He sighs, but adds yfully, “I suppose we have no choice this time.”

 She giggles, waving at the door, and the golems open the double doors gesturing for the soldiers to walk in. The soldiers, all wearing the Stalvaltan sigil on some part of their outfits, walk in cautiously. They notice that there are no dragons on the throne, but they remain cautious.

 Without prompting, the captain of the squad halts the squad at a fair distance, kneeling as the others follow suit. “Forgive our intrusion, your Majesty. I am Captain Muindis of the Stalvaltan Guard’s Third Battalion Advance Reconnaissance unit, ‘Wyrmgaze’. These are my soldiers. If necessary, I shall introduce them, but I would spare you the time by speaking for them if it so pleases you.”

 Hekate sits up in her throne as she looks down at the soldiers. “Well met, Captain Muindis of the Stalvaltan Grand Duchy.”

 He looks up at her with a hint of surprise, and she smirks. “Oh? Am I wiser than my years would suggest?” She looks at Daniel asking brightly, “Did you see that, Darling? I surprised him with my wisdom.”

 Daniel acknowledges her with a silent nod. Hekate then rocks in her seat forfort, facing the Captain once more. “You’d be surprised with what all I know, even though I’m so young. I know how many dragons there are, I know the Demon Queen Vae personally, and I know that Fort Peony was defended by someone called ‘the Harbinger of Cmity’, all by his lonesome.”

 Captain Muindis is a little disarmed by Hekate rattling off randomly specific knowledge -or ims that she has that knowledge-. But, he replies, “Your Majesty, I am indeed impressed. Though, I must apologize. I am ignorant of thesends and the rulers. Not forck of trying, I swear it to you.”

 She nods as he’s finishing. “Mm-hmm. Yes. I imagine it was difficult. I haven’t had many visitors. Just the Demon Queen Vae, some jerk face named… Goo… something…, and the dragons you probably saw.”

 He reluctantly nods in agreement with her assessment. “You must be quite powerful and wise tomand dragons.”

 “Oh, I don’tmand them. They’re more like… parasites. I can’t get rid of them.” She waves her hand dismissively at the thought. She then introduces herself, “Regardless, I am Hekate, ruler of the Citadel ever since my darling won it for me.”

 “Your darling?” asks Captain Muindis. “As in, the knight behind you?”

 She grins proudly. “Yep! He’s my husband. And, he’s kind and strong and wields the most powerful magic.”

 “Does your darling have a name, Your Majesty Hekate?”

 She scoffs. “That’s presumptuous of you to pry into my personal affairs of my loved ones in my own castle. Did you note for an audience with me?”

 Muindis bows, “Of course, you’re right, your Majesty. If you would hear my request, I would be sincerely grateful.”

 She hums, scratching her chin as her tail sways back and forth. “Hmmm… Mmmm… Eeeehhhh… Alright. Speak your request, and I’ll decide what to do with it.”

 He bows his head. “Thank you, your Majesty. As it turns out, we are looking for the man known as the ‘Harbinger of Cmity’. He is a human from our Grand Duchy, but he was banished through a series of misunderstandings.”

 “I see. That sounds like a pretty sloppy way to treat someone if mere misunderstandings could lead to a banishment.”

 “You speak the truth, your Majesty. Our trail has led us far, and includes the identity ‘Feldrok Sorcerer’, or his true name, Daniel, as if he journeyed here of his own ord, if the rumors are to be believed, to y the Dragon Lord. We are willing to pay heavily for any information that leads to his current whereabouts.”

 Hekate hums again in thought. “And, you believe this… ‘Daniel’ has found his way here?”

 Muindis nods in confirmation. “This is where his trail ends. The viges around the area have not seen Daniel, and we have heard the Dragon Lord was here.”

 “Daniel the Harbinger of Cmity struck down our kin.” The regal and powerful voice of Ryuogriar fills the room at a strangelyfortable volume, even though it projects to everyone when she speaks, like a natural-born Queen. She walks up alongside Hekate, still carrying her egg proudly in the carrier-harness Daniel made for her. Reignleif joins her, both standing to Hekate’s left as Daniel stands on her right. Reignleif also has her egg, simrlyid in a night of strain and cuddling with Daniel forfort, though she is morefortable holding her egg mostly inside of her shroud-like dress.

 Ryuogriar adds sternly, “It would be strange to find Daniel here, where Dragons nest, would it not?” She grins, and the Stalvaltan guards; each one a special forcesmando in their own right with magic and weapon masterybined into one; shiver nervously as primal fear grips them.

 Hekate sighs, asking dryly, “MUST you bring those with you EVERYWHERE you go?”

 Reignleif clings to her egg even more possessively, murmuring, “Yes.”

 Ryuogriar replies more logically, “Not must, but a profound desire. You’ll understand someday, my Lady Hekate.”

 Hekate sighs, turning her attention back on the soldiers. “I agree, though. I would think I would know if this Harbinger of Cmity was roaming around my castle.”

 “I see. That is an inconvenience, but ours to bear, of course. Your Majesty; if I may so humbly request, have you heard of the Harbinger of Cmity’s whereabouts more recently than the Dattakorien vige?”

 “I would suppose I’m like you in that matter; I have heard many things, but nothing useful and concrete. But, it’s my turn. You im this dangerous human is in my domain. For what reason do you seek his whereabouts? Perhaps to assassinate someone?”

 “Ideally, if possible, we’d like to prevent the assassination of the Dragon Lord and avoid a diplomatic incident.”

 “I see. So, you intend to arrest him and return to your Empire?”

 “That is correct.”

 “Ahhh… But, you HAVE heard, yes? We can confirm it. With his sorcery, he struck down dragons with ease. What do you intend to do if he resists? You’re in my domain. If he resists, the coteral would be untenable.”

 “I am confident Daniel wille with us willingly.”

 “You just said you would arrest him. Is he a fugitive or an ally?”

 Captain Muindis hesitates, pondering carefully his next words. He admits, “He is an ally of our Grand Duchy, your Majesty.”

 “An ally, is it? Then what of justice? I cannot overstate that he yed dragons, allies of mypanions here. They may be parasites, but I still consider them friends, I guess.”

 Ryuogriar gives Hekate a brief scowl, but resumes looming over the soldiers with her icy calm and somewhat smug gaze. Reignleif, on the other hand, couldn’t care less about the meeting, as her focus is almost obsessively on her egg.

 Muindis sighs softly. “Your Majesty, our orders specifically were to return to the Grand Duchy with Daniel. I cannot speak to the logic of our leaders."

 Hekate suddenly groans indignantly as she leans around childishly in her throne. "Gaaaaah! I don''t get it at all! YOU said he was banished under a misunderstanding, but you acknowledge that he''s an enemy of dragons, and you im you''re going to arrest him and take him back! Which is it!?" She res at the soldiers fiercely, using her magic aura no doubt, and the re of magical energy invisible to all but those who can detect magic -which is everyone in this room save Daniel, apparently- causes the soldiers to flinch. Between helping Daniel conquer the Citadel and training her magic with Ryuogriar and Xyreko, Hekate is rapidly approaching the level of strongest magic user in the world. Given her small size and young age, it''s additionally surprising, since it''s safe to assume, even if she weren''t a feldrok, that she would continue to get stronger.

 With her heartstopping re, Hekate growls her finishing question to her outburst; "Are you here to bring him to justice or not?"

 Daniel is unfazed by the three women treating him like a viin in the conversation. Hekate, specifically, is using her immaturity and indignance to force a terror-fueled honest answer out of the soldier, or seeing howmitted to diplomacy they are otherwise.

 The soldier is quiet for a long time, and he nces over his shoulder at his men. Several can’t look up from the ground. One of them seems to be praying. Those that are feigningposure are trembling lightly. In spite of their prowess in ground warfare, every one of them knows that the two dragons and the strange, fox-like girl has them hopelessly outmatched, let alone the mystery knight and the golem standing silently and unfazed by the stifling auras of the dragons and the girl.

 Captain Muindis takes a deep breath, and he admits softly, "Your Majesty, I have ryed my mission as I know it. As such, were we to find evidence that Daniel has perished, our search could conclude. It would make our jobs easier, and our Lady Wenlianna could move on."

 "This ''Wenlianna'' was the one wronged by Daniel?"

 "No. As I understand it, she''s interested in his ability to work on magic tools. Our… Grand Duchy has profited greatly from monopolizing his technology. If he were unable to make it for others, that would be as good as returning him to the Grand Duchy."

 Hekate gives a serious nod, her tone cold. "I see. Since you have shown me your hand…" Hekate snaps her fingers, and Xyreko steps up, withdrawing a reddish brown jacket from magic storage and presenting it to Hekate. Hekate takes it, just as carelessly tossing it to the floor in front of Muindis. He shifts ufortably when he sees the emblem on the shoulder; the very same one they''re wearing.

 Hekate states mercilessly, "I''ll ept your tribute and your gratitude, now that I know we were on the same side in this matter. Humans disgust me, and this one was no different. Daniel of the Otherworld is dead. I imed him myself. If you would like his body, I can provide you his bones, but nothing more. You know how goblins can get with their food." She smirks, waving her hand idly to emphasize her carefree attitude about it all.

 Muindis is silent for a long time. It''s clear that, although he said the words, the return trip is not one to look as forward to as they hoped. After all, Daniel doubts that, if his absence represents a loss of profit, that Aramellianna will be particrly pleased. He knows she''s not a heartless monster, but she is probably one of the most prolific capitalists in this world. Her priorities run: Family, profits, allies, friends, and finally assets. Daniel would never be arrogant enough to believe he rose above friend at best, meaning profitse long before his well being.

 And, in that vein, protecting the monopoly if need be is preferable only if having Daniel as an asset is impossible.

 Hekate finishes with, "You may give your tribute to my service golems, and your gratitude directly to me, if that was unclear."

 Captain Muindis flinches and bows his head. He states in a slightly deadened tone, "Your Majesty, while the oue is not ideal, I must express my sincerest gratitude for your aid in helping us locate the whereabouts of Daniel and his ultimate fate." The other soldiers bow their heads. Daniel feels a little bad for them having to report back to Aramellianna with less than ideal news, but having the kingdom believe that he is dead will stop them from wasting resources continuing the search. Especially because he’s about to do something that will almost certainly make him an enemy of the kingdom if Rikuto jumps to conclusions. “Please ept this token of our gratitude for your assistance in this matter, as well as your hospitality meeting with us.”

 Hekate waves in a haughty and dismissive way. “Yes, yes. It was my pleasure.”

 Xyreko’s servant golem collects the offering from the Captain; arge bag that jingles with gold. When the golem spreads out the tribute before Hekate, she notices a ratherrge gemstone. And, so does Daniel. Its shape is that of a magic crystal, but he knows from the glisten and the blue color that it is a synthetic diamond. Muindis adds, “I hope these humble offerings will be to your liking, your Majesty Hekate.”

 She inspects the diamond, nodding. “I have never seen a stone like this.” She allows the envious-looking Ryuogriar to take it briefly, and she inspects it as well. The dragon woman murmurs, “This is pure diamond…”

 Surprised, Reignleif adds, “Diamond? That’s huge…”

 Muindis remains humble, and Hekate smiles. “Captain Muindis, for this gracious offering, I shall allow you to take refuge for the night in the castle town. You have my word that you will be safe, in spite of the denizens of the town disliking humans, as you are my guests. You will be fed and sent on your way in the morning.”

 “Thank you for your hospitality, your Majesty. We humbly ept your offer.”

 She nods, waving her hand to dismiss them. “You may go. Thank you for your tribute, and may our exchange grant our peoples the beginning of a hospitable acquaintanceship.”

 He bows, “I can not speak on behalf of the Grand Duchy of Stalvaltan, but I shall ry your words faithfully, your Majesty.”

 She nods onest time like a regal ruler, and the Stalvaltan guards make their way out.

 Once Xyreko gives the signal that they are out of earshot and she’s blocking sound, Hekate leaps from her chair, pouncing onto Daniel as she pleads, “FORGIVE ME DANIEL! I said such dreadful things! Please believe me! They were all lies! I love you! I love… well, I don’t know how I feel about humans, but I don’t care that you are one! Please love me!”

 He chuckles, petting her head. “You did perfectly, Hekate. I never doubted you for a minute. Thank you for protecting me.”

 She sniffles and hugs him, and Ryuogriar bows, adding, “I hope the same extends to me, but I do apologize, Master. My words, too, were chosen only to hide your identity.”

 “I know,” replies Daniel approvingly. “Thank you all. Your arrival was actually rather timely and effective, I’d say.”

 She smiles. “If I may say so, My Cherished Master, I was selfishly going to ensure they did not take you back with them.”

 He scoffs, and Hekate adds sassily, “They would have had to go through me first anyways!”

 Reignleif, still affectionately focused on her egg, coos, “Master, for the record, I said nothing disparaging about you.”

 He chuckles. “I noticed, Reina. You just came to show off, didn’t you?”

 She blushes, nodding.

 Ryuogriar says proudly, “We have much to show off. Our race has hope once more. And, with noble guidance, we will no longer be the most feared race. We will be the grandest and most loved.”

 Before Hekate canunch into a tirade, Xyreko cuts in cautiously, “Master, I approve of the course of the meeting to a point;...”

 All four of the others look at her, and Daniel says gently, “Go ahead, Xyreko. Tell me.”

 “Are you certain it was wise to let them go? When they report your death to their domain,... Should we expect retaliation? If your fears are that we have your technology, will they not wish to erase it?”

 Daniel takes his helmet off, replying gently, “I don’t think so. I was serious when I said Ryuo and Reina arriving was extremely timely. I don’t know how much the eastern kingdoms know about dragons, but they do seem to understand that there aren’t that many. Seeing two with their eggs is sure to imply that, if nothing else, the dragons are nesting here, which means they’ll fiercely defend it… I hope.”

 Ryuogriar immediately steps in close to lean against his shoulder, and Hekate hums in disapproval while the dragon replies, “My nest is wherever you are, Daniel, and I shall defend us all with the full extent of my power.” Reignleif nods in agreement, cuddling close to his other side.

 Daniel chuckles. “Much appreciated.” He continues his answer to Xyreko, “The kingdoms have to rally as much support as possible in hopes of defending against one dragon, knowing they’ll see losses. I sincerely doubt they would attempt to attack a dragon nest where they saw no fewer than four dragons, as far as I can guess. Plus, Hekate is an unknown quantity, since they clearly felt her magic, but don’t know her race.”

 “I see…” murmurs Xyreko as she agrees with the assessment. “And, allowing them to return with news of your demise will squash any further investigations.”

 “That’s my hope. Retaliation against the dragons won’t gain them anything, and risks only provoking the dragons that aren’t currently attacking them. Hekate made a good point of ensuring that there is some kind of animosity rted to me killing dragons, so attempting vengeance for such a person would spark her ire as well.”

 Xyreko nods as she pieces it together. “I see. You’re surprisingly astute at this, Master.”

 “Hardly. You all did all of the work. I’m not good at nning things like these, but I can definitely analyze the benefits after the fact. That’s why I stayed silent. I didn’t recognize any of those men, but if one of them recognized my voice, the entire charade would be ruined.”

 “So, they spoke the truth? The Stalvaltan Grand Duchy is where you lived?”

 “For a time. The daughter of the Grand Duchess was the one who employed me. That diamond is actually synthetic. We made a machine to produce the diamonds. It seems they have been using them as financial assets to boost their wealth, since diamonds are typically extremely rare.”

 “A… machine to make… diamonds…?” asks Ryuogriar softly.

 Xyreko attempts to specte, “So, you were able to make a summoning device, Master?”

 He shakes his head. “Not a summoning device. It’s based on machines used in my old world. It uses manufactured graphite to turn it into diamond with high heat and pressure, mimicking the real conditions that produce diamonds.”

 Xyreko puts her hand to her forehead, muttering, “Of course… You made diamonds without magic…”

 “Technically, I used some magic in this world. Magic crystals. The reason being we wanted to make diamonds into magic crystals.”

 Reignleif is the one that takes notice of that. “You can store magic in diamonds?”

 Daniel confirms with a nod. “Yes, ma’am. They’re more efficient and sturdy than the type we used in the east. I haven’t seen nearly as much magic equipment in the demonkin territories.”

 Ryuogriar answers his unspoken question. “The short reason is because we have virtually no ess to salt, so the necessary crystals have be scarce.”

 Daniel sighs. “The Devourer?”

 She nods once.

 “Alright… Well, the first one is assembled. Xyreko? Have you found a suitable location?”

 She confirms. “Yes, Master.”

 “Good. Then, we have to practice the drop action. I hate to ask this, but I’ll need someone that can fly me and the [5 ton] bomb without magic, escape the magic negation field after drop, and then teleport quickly to a safe distance.”

 Hekate starts to volunteer, but she stops. She still hasn’t even attempted to transform into her true feldrok form, and it’s pretty obvious she probably won’t have the strength without magic.

 That leaves the dragons, and Reignleif looks at Ryuogriar.

 Ryuogriar thinks. She murmurs, “I can probably carry the weight, but… I have never learned teleportation magic.”

 Hekate adds, “And, I can teleport others, but… I don’t know that I could teleport Ryuo at full size.” She genuinely seems disappointed in herself.

 Daniel thinks for a moment. Xyreko adds, “Obviously, I can do little in this scenario.”

 He reassures her, “Adding enough lead shielding to the whole bomb to grant you ess would vastly increase the weight. I would love to have an airne to carry it, but it’s a long road to making all of thoseponents to make it work without magic.”

 Daniel suddenly perks up. “Hekate; you could theoretically teleport the three of us at this size, right?”

 She confirms, a little unsure, but fairly confident, “I think so, but I’ll practice before we try for real.”

 He nods as one more piece falls into ce. “Agreed. Then, Ryuo; can you fly in your human form?”

 She nods in reply, casting a brief spell that sprouts wings on her back. “Such trifles are simple, Master. I have studied many forms of transformation magic in my years of life.”

 He smiles, asking next, “And, do you think you could carry the two of us in this state?”

 She smirks. “With ease, Master. But, if it will reassure you, I will happily practice with Hekate.”

 Reignleif offers gently, “I could apany the three of you while she’s in dragon form as well and aid in retreat. A-Assuming Hekate can teleport four.”

 Hekate nods in agreement. “I-I’ll do my best. But, we should practice.”

 “Definitely. Xyreko, do you know what the range of teleportation magic is?”

 “If the coordinates are known, I could teleport to anywhere in the world, assuming I have enough magical power. If you’re simply returning to a specific point, such as the Citadel’s receiving circle, the spell is significantly condensed and easier to cast.”

 Daniel ponders all of the new information. “Good, good. We can work with this. So, let me just verify; are you three okay with doing these things?”

 All three agree without hesitation, and he asks, “You won’t feel degraded, Ryuogriar?”

 “Why would I? My beloved Master is asking for something only I can do.”

 “It’s also incredibly dangerous.”

 “All the more reason to ensure youe back safely.”

 He scoffs, but nods in assent. “Reignleif?”

 She smiles. “If I don’t help now, then I have no right toin about the oue.”

 Hekate, still hanging from Daniel’s front, smiles and nuzzles his cheeks with her own. “Of course I’ll do anything you ask, Daniel! You''re my husband, and I love you!”

 He chuckles, petting her head. “Much appreciated Hekate.”

 She adds sharply, “But, you’re not allowed to cheat on me ever again.”

 He sighs. “I haven’t…”

 “NEVER!”

 “Fine…”

 She smiles, wagging her tail happily as her big ears bounce with her happy giggling.

 The next few days, the five of them run drills about how they’ll drop the bomb, starting with the flight to a far away location, and then Hekate teleporting them all back with the return spell. It drains her, but Xyreko suggests producing several more diamonds through the summoning circle to charge with pure mana to act as backup magic for her. It works sessfully, allowing Hekate to use the return spell multiple times.

 Xyreko also produces five diamonds each for Ryuogriar and Reignleif to bolster their own magic reserves, just in case. Just because they can reach it and drop a bomb doesn’t mean the Devourer won’t put up a fight. Especially if itprehends how much danger it is in.

 While reluctant about the idea, Geirahoel agrees to watch the eggs for Ryuogriar and Reignleif for the mission, since her own belly deters her from helping.

 However, Daniel seeks her out for a different reason during one of the rest days for the magic users. He asks her to make arge fabric sheet stitched with ropes; a parachute. It’ll serve as backup for them all, though they should be okay. She epts, knocking one more thing off of Daniel’s list that only seems to grow as he remembers things each step of the way.

 After five days of training runs, the group gathers in the morning at the control room of the Citadel. Xyreko is with them, and she murmurs softly, “I wish there was more I could do, Master. But, I cannot get any closer to the weapon.”

 Daniel looks at the flyway where her eye line is currently facing. There, the simplistic metal canister hiding the greatest monster of Earth is resting in quiet slumber.

 He replies, “You’ve done plenty. But, if you’re willing, you could send an expendable golem with wings to stay at a distance and observe for as long as possible. That would be helpful.”

 She nods. “I’ll send several and have them keep at range from your group. Until the magic is negated, I will be able to observe.”

 “I’d rmend against having your consciousness observe directly. I don’t know how the light will affect you.”

 She is quiet for a moment. She murmurs, “Master… You don’t have to be afraid.”

 Daniel takes a breath and sighs. “No. I wish I could convince you all to be as afraid as I am. Perhaps…”

 Hekate takes his hand gently. “We’re in this together. We won’t fail.”

 He smiles, nodding.

 Reina and Ryuo are with Geira nearby, murmuring farewells to their eggs in the simple bed in the control room that will house the eggs until they return; the first ce they can get to after returning.

 Daniel also finished the second bomb the recent night prior, so assuming the test bomb works, they will be ready to engage the Devourer as soon as Hekate, Ryuo, and Reina can rest.

 He takes a deep breath, looking out over the flyway. “Wish us luck, Xyreko.”

 “Good luck, My Master. Return safely before all other alternatives.”

 He smiles and nods warmly. “We’ll be back before you know it.”

 He looks at his three partners in the mission. “Ryuo, Reina, Hekate; are you ready?”

 Hekateughs boisterously. “Of course I am! I’m ready to save the world!”

 Ryuogriar and Reignleif both stand up. “Ready, Daniel.”

 “Ready, Master.”

 They put their hands together in the simple team gesture Daniel showed them. He says sincerely, “Xyreko is right. Our first priority is making it home safe. Rx and do everything the same as we practiced.”

 They nod and pump their hands together with a simple cheer.

 It is the dawn of the secret nuclear age of the world of Zenkon.

 One pioneered by a mechanic jack of all trades, master of none.

 ***

AliNovel

Chapter 40: Hiding in Plain Sight