Is this a good thing or a bad thing that we've run into the person with the single most authority in Lausiel. Should we suck up to her and hope we get something out of it, or maybe we should try and take her hostage?
{Stop thinking about stupid things like that before you inspect her. I keep failing and your inspection skill is better, so you do it,} Lia says.
Lia's can't see her status? She can't be that strong for someone so young, it's not like she isn't human like us and is younger than she looks.
Name: Aurelia Lausiel
Race: Human (Eithgar - Spirit Descent)
Titles: Imperatrix of Lausiel, Descendant of the Eithgar Royal Line, Talented Artist
Class: Eithgar Monarch -Psychic Variant (Tier: Special)
Level: 3
HP: 3,000/3,000 MP: 3,000/3,000 SP: 3,000/3,000
STR: 2,500
VIT: 2,000
DEX: 2,200
INT: 2,600
WIS: 2,700
MND: 2,500
How the fuck is she only level 3! Lia's level 12 and her stats aren't too much higher than this. And those guards she has around her are no slouches either. Their levels are significantly higher than Aurelia as are their stats, numbering around 3,000-4,000. If there weren't so many of them than trying to take Aurelia hostage would actually be an option, but their strength combined with their numbers pretty much blocks this out. If I were to return to my true form we might be able to manage fighting all of them, but I would attract way too much attention from the city guards and the nearby garrison. And while I can't see Aurelia skills, I get the feeling it's more trouble than it's actually worth to fight with her even if she was alone.
"A smart choice, I am certainly not easy to deal with even when discounting my high stats. But you said something very interesting right there, why don't we talk somewhere a little more private."
"But I didn't say anything... Psychic? You can--"
"Yes, I can read minds. Now, follow me to my room."
Without being given much of a choice, we are brought over to the room the Aurelia is staying in, although only four people enter. Lia and I, followed by Aurelia and one of her guards still disguised as a gangster. But there are many more just outside the door and beyond the window.
"Sooo... what is it you want to discuss with us, your Majesty?"
"You needn't address me as such, I can read your thoughts so I know you call me by name in that head of yours. And on that topic, the first thought I read from you was a dead giveaway that the two of you aren't here to see me like all the other people coming to the city. It was also clear as day from that thought that the two of you also don't have any decent intentions," Aurelia says while checking us out.
{What are we going to do? Should we try and fight our way out? Or should we try and see if we can get into the factories?} I ask Lia
{Shut up, she's probably listening to us right now!}
"So that's what you two are after. Hmm... you, Lia right? you're ok I guess, just passable. But the feathery one, Cordelia if I recall, you are much closer to my views of aesthetics. Let's make a deal. I will take you along as guards for my inspection of Ugernum, and in return, I won't have you two arrested."
"You're not really giving us a choice, are you?" Lia asks with a stiff face.
"The not so beautiful but still ok one is right, there is no real choice unless you want to be arrested."
"If it means we get a free pass into the factories I don't actually mind this arrangement," I say.
"The inspections will begin in a couple of hours and will take place over the course of the next few days. The visits to the factories will be the third day which is also the last day of Ugernum's inspection," Aurelia says.
"Well, this is much easier than breaking and entering. All we have to do is follow around her Majesty for a couple of days, a nice change of pace compared to acting like thieves. But I have a question, why are you asking this of us when you already know that we have bad intentions, what's the catch behind this," Lia asks.
"The answer is simple really," Aurelia says and points towards her Guard, "take a look at him and tell me what stands out the most."
Turning my attention to her guard, I say, "muscles, he has a lot of muscles. Wow now that I actually look, this guy's muscles are huge."
"Thank you ma'am," he says.
"Exactaly, and that's the problem. All my guards, both the men and women are nothing but giants walking masses of muscle! I'm fairly certain that the two of you are strong enough to fight them all on your own, so I can have some of the Guards that follow closely replaced with you two. It is much more preferable to having good looking women following me compared to a literal walking body of muscle. Escpecially someone as good looking as you, Cordelia."
"Oh, why thank you. You're quite nice to loo-- ouch, ow, stop pulling my tail, Lia, that hurts."
"Then maybe you should keep your mouth shut and not say anything else."
watching the two of us, a smirk sneaks its way onto Aurelia's face as she draws in close to me, saying, "Why don't we just go with the two of us, and your friend here can join the rest of the shadow guards and stay hidden while we have some fun."
"No!! Cory is mine!" Lia yells while pulling me to her side.
A back and forth ensues between the two of them, but eventually the time for the inspection comes and Aurelia lets go of my arm, launching right into Lia's chest. Damn this feels great, but then I see mine own and get a little sad. Standing up with my eyes darting between Lia's chest and my own, I sigh and follow behind Aurelia. But she stops and walks over to me and whispers just loud enough for Lia to hear her.
"I heard rubbing them can help them grow, would you like my help later."
But before I can answer Lia walks between us, saying, "let's just start with the inspections."
I probably shouldn't say it out loud but I almost agreed.