When he replaced the scepter in his pack, he pulled out the “incredibly not-suspicious letter” that had come as a drop when defeating Ash. Its wax seal was flattened and lacked the ability to adhere to the paper, indicating that it had been broken more than once and then pressed back into place several times. Lucas couldn’t recognize which ring or noble symbol had made the imprint, but he did know that this type of seal would only ever be used by those in the Imperium; and, when he opened the letter and began reading, he instantly realized that the script, which was so precise that it rivaled any computer-generated front, confirmed it.

Ash,

Don’t get cocky just because we’ve had one success. We’ve had two failures as well. These noble wenches aren’t doing what’s in their best interest—me—and they’ll pay the price. I’m pleased with the group you put together to handle Isabel, but you failed to eliminate Kegan, so don’t expect full pay either. I’ve already got an Orc working with me on the Alfar queen, so your next assignment will be different. I need you to organize a sizeable rebellion for Rowland’s territory. That troll recently married into the wealth of the Dennings, a prosperous merchant family, and now he is not only going to be able to produce an heir, but he’ll also even have the wealth to expand his territory into my areas of interest. This cannot stand. Take care of it, and make it look like it was another filthy subhuman revolt. My children shall be the only inheritors to the Imperium nobility on this tiny divinity-forsaken island, and if they aren’t, your children shall never know their father while they work like slaves in my mines.

The letter was ominous, and Lucas couldn’t help but frown as he read it. He had a clear idea of who was responsible for this type of machination. There were only six suspects remaining, but the situation was far more Machiavellian than would have expected, especially in a game. He had naturally assumed that all of these killings were out of jealousy and rage, but now it seemed to be a nefarious, premeditated plot, the aim of which was to reduce the number of nobles on noob island from nine to none.

——-

Lucas walked into the throne room a short while later and discovered everyone sitting around several maps that had been laid out on the floor. Maps were a precious commodity in this world that were often hard to acquire, and since there was no HUD outside of the menu or any radar to let a player know where he was or where he was supposed to go, they were a highly-sought item. The only way to get an accurate sense of geography was either to draw the maps from memory—which many players had done on forums to varying degrees of success—or to buy poorly-rendered versions that were drawn within the actual game.