Attack on Sylica

[Ebiris]

Let her, not make her? Strange phrasing from a tyrant. She doesn't reply though, since he doesn't seem about to volunteer any more and she doesn't want to ask his permission to end the conversation. "Asmodeus," she says aloud, a little look of displeasure on her face. "He passes his congratulations on Antenora's ascension."

[Anastasia]

Syala's face turns stormy, "He did WHAT?"

Empress Sulia nods, "I have not dealt with him in depth, but that seems a peculiar thing."

[Ebiris]

"We know he's been doing the same thing with Gathgorian and some other devil," Alicia says, not overly bothered. "Plus he's probably enjoying some reflected glory as if where Antenora originally came from matters as to where she is now."

[Anastasia]

"Probably," Syala agrees, "I'm not going to fall into the trap of overanalyzing it. So, where were we?"

Empress Sulia clears her throat. "Ahem, that should work. Once we've won the land aspect of this, we can prepare to take the fight to them."

[Ebiris]

"I think we were about done, yes," Alicia agrees, finishing off the nice tea Sulia provided. "We'll go back to Sylica and I'll arrange that first contingent to join your knights shortly."

[Anastasia]

Okay, plans look to be in motion here. Anything else to add?

[Ebiris]

Nope. We'll go home and set that in motion and I'll keep an eye on Shinys to make sure everything goes well with him sorting out that lich.

Also I'll tell Antenora that Asmodeus extended his congratulations and to watch out since he might take even more of an interest in her now.

[Anastasia]

Okay, how active with Shinys? Just watching and seeing?

[Ebiris]

Yeah. Like if he has a really hard fight through a dungeon or against a midboss I'll refresh his spells and abilities before he tackles the big boss. If he gets into a really bad jam I'll possibly help in other ways, but mostly just watching to see how this all goes down.

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d100
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d100 --> [ 1d100=37 ]{37}

Shinys seems to be doing well enough, tearing through lesser foes with the aid of a few allies.

As you do that, you talk to Antenora and...

We'll knock both of these out at once. Go ahead and start this, Alicia.

[Ebiris]

"Hello Antenora," Alicia joins her friend atop the Opal Mountain, a part of Sylica she'd already made her own that will surely become moreso now. "I was visiting Empress Sulia to discuss offering help on Daun where she's having so much trouble, when I had an unwelcome interruption. Asmodeus contacted me - distantly but still. He wished to extend his congratulations," she explains.

[Anastasia]

Antenora is radiant here, floating atop it, watching as celestials do your will here.

"Asmodeus?" Her voice is cool, eyes narrowing. "Congratulations? What manner of ploy is that?"

[Ebiris]

"I don't know," Alicia admits, shaking her head. "It could be a simple taunt, a reminder that you were once one of his. A warning that we're going to face increased attention from Hell. I said I would pass on the compliment and he replied 'let her understand', so I think he wants you to draw your own conclusions."

[Anastasia]

"The Lord of the Ninth does not do anything for no reason," Antenora's voice is grim, "I merely need to divine his meaning, be it a warning, a threat or something else. I cannot imagine it would be a warning, why would he warn me of anything?"

[Ebiris]

"To provoke paranoia and self-doubt," Alicia suggests. "With what you have become it is your own mind and will that is your greatest weapon. Why wouldn't he seek to undermine that. The other possibility is whatever purpose he has for Gathgorian and the other two is something you will be enmeshed in, and he thinks he can use you."