"Where would Krakov have found mimics?"
Kenji continued to pace back and forth.
"Assuming they're not some other kind of changling...no, I definitely felt something. Kinship, or the like."
"Well, whose Krakov for starters?" Violet said.
"One of the 18, his from where I came from and believes in a political system like peasants believe in the Three. My guess is his killing nobles to try and pull apart the medieval system around here, although I certainly didn't expect him to have developed crossbows."
"Crossbow, is that a sort of magical bow?" Almanac quizzed.
Turning to the Hero Guild's leadership, Kenji sighed.
"It's all material, or at least where I came from it was. What's worse is if he has the skill to replicate a few of them, he might have more. Besides crossbows, there are even more dangerous weapons he could replicate too. A certain twisted knife was illegal in my world because it was impossible to plug a wound from it, there won't be anything from stopping him from creating that design here, nor worse things besides."
Despite that corkscrew knife having made for a cool skin in-game, the illegal connotations of its use in life were chilling. Besides, what was to stop Krakov from developing more tech? Advanced suits of armour like in the Renaissance or arrowheads that shatter inside the body like the Native Indians?
Freaking trebuchets?
"Lord Exhaltier said King Thunberad was sending detachments of the Western Army, and the Royale Army here to deal with the insurrection. They want Venenguard back, the region produces nearly half Alandria's ore as it is, and has the few large-scale workshops in the kingdom."
"Screw workshops, if Krakoc is industrious as he looks he could have factories set up by now," when everyone looked at him blankly he coughed, "they're like workshops, but so well designed they could produce crossbows like those in a day. Less maybe, ten a day, a hundred, it all depends on how extensive the operation is."
"Outrageous!" Caster of all people exclaimed, when all eyes turned on Warden Company's captain, he wilted. "I just meant that fully armoured warriors were slain by those bolts, only the thickest plate, or that with magical protection deflected the bolts. A dozen of those men slaughtered a hundred, nobles included, what could an army of them do? Because from what i've been told thousands of peasants have been migrating to 'New Leningrad' from Oldeth alone. Merchants on the road are reporting the same across Alandria, whole villages emptied, entire swathes of field left untended too as their peoples march to join the peasant uprising."
"Peasants are supposed to be a superstitious folk, I wonder how he can convince them to abandon their farms like that?" Kenji frowned, "what's worse is he could turn normal peasants into warriors with a crossbow, and it seems likely that his plans extend further than that. Every week that passes his army grows exponentially, what can King Thunberad do if he has to face tens of thousands of radicalised peasants in the best steel there is?"
"You forget how powerful Alandria's armies are," Arwen said, "a detachment of the Northern Army already stands by Vennenguard to the north, alone it could take Oldeth. The Western Army is filled with the entire companies of Land Titans to form the Earth Knight Order. Those crossbows could pierce regular plate, but what about plate seven times thicker, magical enhanced, and worn by warriors that can use the energies of the earth?"
"Speaking of armies, why are you not with yours, General?" Almanac smiled, "Because if you were wanting a vacation, I have many treasures and delights I could show you in private."
"I was on route to that detachment when my father told me to come to have a look at a suitor he had prepared. Seeing as Kenji here has no chance in hell of defeating me, that proved a useless venture. But in return for some enchanted equipment I've decided to stick around a little bit, at least until I can I've defeated one of the famous 18 I'm hearing about so much these days. After that I'm off to lead my troops. On that note, I'll be going."
"Going where?" Violet said, "this is important, these men will be those your fighting, and learning about your enemy should be something any general undertakes."
"Absolutely, but I have my own way of doing things. Don't worry about including me in your plans, I'll be there when I'm needed."
Strutting away, the infuriating Northern General left many gritting their teeth.
"Now that she's gone, can we talk about the Casino?" Arti said.
Rather taken aback, Kenji grinned.
"Why Arti, of course! Even in such dire straights, the chance to gamble at such an exquisite resort-"
Violet hit him in the gut, "your not gambling while we risk our lives. Honestly Kenji, I'm worried that you're an addict."
"Actually, we will need to gamble," Arti continued.
"See! He said it, are you going to punch the cute little bear now?"
"No."
"What, why not?"
"He doesn't deserve it."
"And I did?"
Violet turned away.
"Ahem," Arti said as arguing spilled over the table, everyone talking over each other.
"-the artefact shop has all the magic we could need, Kenji if you could spare some of your winnings-"
"-where is Kragg, has anyone seen him-"
"-We should focus on those fanatics-"
"ENOUGH" Arti roared, swelling several times his height, fur darkening to black, eyes flaring red as the Queen of Thorns filled him with power. Through sheer force of will he reverted, heart-pounding for blood, teeth clenched hard. The room was silent, thoughts flattened by the withdrawal of the horrifically malicious aura that had filled every piece of their mind.
"We are going to the Casino, there we will find Venom who rules the spider gang Tenko was sold to. We will find answers, leads, and whatever else you want. Venom is at the centre of this, his web spreads across Oldeth, securing him for information should be our top priority."
"Of course, for Tenko, I'm sorry," Kenji whispered.
"Me too," muttered Violet.
"Well I do have the invitations ready, now we just need the right clothes to fit in," Almanac said bound in bright white cloth and gaudy silver bangles. "Well, the rest of you at least."
The door was thrown open, a disgruntled Kragg stamping inside while elvish guards failed to stop him.
"Kragg! Where have you been?" Hartog said and stood up to embrace the werewolf, "thought I'd lost you there."
"Sorry Hartog, when I heard of the mimics I gathered my pack and started hunting. Don't do well at these meetings, so it's better if I focus on the grunt work."
"The mimics, did you find them?" Kenji asked, certain Kragg wouldn't have returned otherwise.
"Didn't need too."
Kenji cocked his head.
"They found me, and they want to meet."
"Found you...where are they?"
"An abandoned plague ward - no one lives there now but criminals, low lives and vagrants. My hunters have their scent now, so not much of a chance they'll be able to sneak up on us either."
"Then let's go, Almanac lead the adventurers to block off the meeting area, Violet have your elves prepare everything we need to fit in at the Casino, Arti help her out."
Seeing Caster trying to shrink in his chair, Kenji smiled.
"That leaves you to hold the fort and keep our other projects underway, sorry to rely on you like this Caster."
"Not at all Grand Guildmaster, it's an honour, really."
Slipping from the room Kenji followed Kragg into the streets, hand on Honour, eyes keenly watching the dark. Through alley and vacated houses they went, debris blocking roads, rogues scouting rooftops.
"Just through here," Kragg muttered and pointed to an abandoned theatre, "we're nearly there."
"One step closer to Tenko," Kenji muttered, and watched as Kragg didn't so much as raise an ear.
"Of course, now if you would-"
"Who are you?" Kenji said, placing honour at the mimics neck.
"I don't know what you mean-"
"[Overdrive]," corrupt flame wrapped Honour, power sent in burning torrents along with his limbs, "you're a breath from death buddy. Who are you, and what have you done to Kragg?"
"Nothing," came a new voice, turning Kenji found the bronze masked arena entrant from earlier that day. The rogues on the rooftops similarly shifted to reveal they're true bronze masked forms.
"I wanted to talk, believe me, if I thought you would have seen me otherwise I would never have dared trick you, Inheritor."
The mimic sank to one knee.
Kenji removed Honour from the fake-Kragg's neck, as the assembled mimics similarly knelt where they stood.
"Please, come inside Inheritor, we have much to speak of."
Ready to turn into the Green Overlord at a moment's notice, Kenji followed the mimic into the abandoned theatre, a great trail of silent mimics in tow.