New Fantasy World: Galeia-Chapter 165

The three reached the end of the stairs and walked into a large room full of people.

Dwarfs, Lupum, a few Humans, Tigeas, a couple of Elves, and a Satyr occupied chairs facing the opposite wall, where a wooden dais stood.

The white lardelite stone had no decorations, and E’eral lamps hanging from the ceiling illuminated the space.

The Elf that guided Bonte and Hanna gestured at the seats with a welcoming smile. "Please, find a spot to your convenience. The meeting is about to begin," he offered.

The two nodded and looked around, then walked to a couple of free seats and sat down.

The people around them chatted with their neighbors, gossiping about the latest news.

"Word has it you have information about an upcoming book by Yinka Plavas," a female Tigea chuckled, leaning on her companion. "Mind sharing what you know?"

The male Human she was talking to politely laughed, then replied, "Nothing but rumors, friend. I have no such information, I’m afraid," he denied with a shake of his head. "If that were the case, however, you’d be the first to know."

"Hmm," she purred and placed a hand on his chest. "We could chat about other matters, too, if you’d be so inclined," she offered, giving him a look and shifting her feline ears.

The Human let out a polite chuckle that betrayed he wasn’t comfortable.

Bonte, disguised as a Dwarf, leaned close to them and muttered, "Ma’am, this is not the place."

The Tigea turned her head and eyed him from top to bottom, then met his eyes. A coy smile split her lips. "Could you take me to the right place, then?" She inquired in a playful whine.

Bonte frowned. The type of person that flocked towards social events of any kind for the main purpose of flirting with others never sat well with him. He never would have thought one of them would be in such a place, too. His facial expression, however, said ’Do you want a fucking slap, then?’.

"Oh, feisty," the woman giggled.

Hanna scoffed. "How unsophisticated," she mocked.

The Tigea gave her a glance, noticing the red scales and dark horns of her disguise. "Mph," she harrumphed and looked forward.

The Human gave an appreciative nod to the Dwarf that helped him.

Bonte returned the gesture.

As if on cue, a Changeling walked up to the dais and waved a hand. They wore a simple gray robe with no decoration or patterns, contrasting with their white-bluish skin and hair.

The crowd quieted down.

The Changeling looked over the crowd with eyes similar in color to their hair, then smiled. "Welcome, dear friends. I noticed we have a few newcomers," they chuckled. "My name is Kulmonari, a Changeling born in this country just like some of you here. I welcome you to our community, and to the returning friends, welcome back."

A few murmurs broke in the crowd, greeting the individual. A few waved their hands, other nodded, other called the Changeling by name.

"I’m happy to see you again," Kulmonari cheerfully greeted back to some. "How’s the family doing?" They smiled to a few. "I hope work’s going fine, and the summer hasn’t been too harsh on you," they warmly replied to a few attendees.

The crowd chuckled and giggled, either replying or staying silent.

Once the short exchange of pleasantries was done, Kulmonari continued, "On my way here, I noticed something you might have seen as well, friends." They eyed the audience, and a frown slowly took over their face. "The Royal Family has invited the populace to join them in celebration."

People in the crowd shook their heads in disapproval, along with grunts of displeasure.

"Now, now," the Changeling chuckled, waving their hands to appease the mild response from the audience. "I think we all agree that the Royal Family is an unsavory group of people, but we must not forget they are... people, too. Just like us. With worries, everyday problems, and difficult situations like choosing which crown to wear for the day, right?"

The crowd laughed at the little joke with nods of agreement.

Kulmonari sighed and rested their hands on the dais, then leaned forward a bit. "The King was ill, as we were all informed. And a Halve of all things came to the rescue." They looked up at the ceiling with a smile. "How convenient. What would the reasoning be to hide the Monarch’s health other than to artificially embolden the Halve’s standing with the populace?" The Changeling looked back at the crowd and tilted their head. "And on such a short notice, too. I don’t know about you, but I find it odd. A Halve arrives shorty after being born and having done nothing for the world so far... and bam! A King is ’saved’."

Some people nodded in agreement, others opened their eyes in realization while covering their mouths, others clicked their tongues, others scoffed.

"I’d love to hear your opinions on the matter," Kulmonari requested with a smile.

A few individuals raised their hands.

The Changeling nodded and pointed at a Human on the front row. "Come up to the front, friend. Let everyone see and hear you," they offered and stepped aside.

The Human stood up and walked to the dais.

Kulmonari walked to the empty spot and sat down.

"This is obviously a ruse," the Human pointed out to the audience, displeasure evident on her face. "Perculis died, Yulianna leaves... now this one shows up. They have done nothing good in the last three centuries. Their public opinion is in the lowest low. The King is a puppet as we all know, following the orders of powers we can’t stand against. He was used to improve the image of those creatures." She sighed. "Don’t get me wrong... I don’t pity the King since he’s part of the problem. I think Halves have begun to go against their duties and use people instead of protecting them," she finalized with a nod. "That’s what I think."

The crowd cheered and clapped, sharing nods of and words of agreement.

Kulmonari replaced the Human on the dais and nodded. "That is a very good point, friend. Halves using state agents for their benefit, yes. Just like Yulianna did in Karanva," they recalled. "Yes, going against the people to improve their own image. Before it was the execution of ’corrupt’," they did air quotes, "rulers, now they invent illnesses that a Warrior can heal. They think us stupid, but we see through their lies."

The crowd nodded.

Kulmonari hummed in thought, then eyed the audience. "Would it be strange to consider this as them against us?" They inquired the sitting people. "With the amount of deceit present, would be it be too far-fetched?"

A few shook their heads, some thought about it, others shrugged.

"It’s not, friend," a person called out from the crowd. "They seek to fool us so they can continue being powerful and free of consequence!"

Kulmonari nodded. "How free of consequence are them, though?" They asked the air. "Maybe small actions could be the start. How about," the Changeling took a pause, as if considering the next words, "we deny that creature service? Some of you are business owners. Would denying that thing service be a loss? I would love to hear what you have to say," they offered with a warm smile.

Over ninety percent of those present raised their hands.

Kulmonari’s smile widened.

Bonte and Hanna watched in disgust as the audience slowly joined the sentiment of denying any and all services to Natasha.

Although not in concrete terms, there was a subliminal agreement among the business owners to make up some excuse if the Halve approached their stores.

"It would be terrible if all my products were reserved for the foreseeable future," a Shishi Tigea chuckled a few rows to the front.

"Right, summer hasn’t been kind so the amount of produce went down," an Argo Dwarf laughed to the left. "We have to prioritize our regular customers, after all."

"That thing’s companions, too," one of the Elves at the front row pointed out, then sarcastically added, "I’m sure our services pale in comparison to what the Halve can provide."

Their words were mocking, non-committal, and attempted to avoid incrimination.

Every time someone added to the fuel, Kulmonari praised them with big nods.

"As for your question, my friend," an old Auno Dwarf with plenty of wrinkles on her face addressed the Changeling. "There would be no loss. We’ve ran our businesses for quite a while now, and depending on our individual approaches, nothing would seem out of the ordinary."

"I see," the leader-like individual replied. "Thank you for answering my concerns. I was simply worried about everyone," they admitted with an apologetic smile. "I don’t want you to get in trouble, is all."

Bonte wanted to shake his head in disapproval but kept his cool.

Hanna had a deep scowl on her face, however. She disguised her disgust with nods that could be taken as support, though.

For the following hour the two listened and watched people share their ideals, opinions on various matters, personal theories-of which there was an abundance-, assumptions, and more.

The debate or discussion the Elf that guided them had mentioned were nothing more than a bubble of rubbing and recycling what others said, yet they got applause as response and overwhelming support each and every time.

By the time the meeting was nearing its end, every participant had gone up to the dais except for those who were there for the first time. Those would be Bonte, Hanna, the flirty Tigea, and the Human she was harassing.

"Now friends," the Changeling began, taking a deep breath with a big smile. "As much as it pains me to say... we’ve ran out of time."

The audience nodded in understanding.

"Please follow the people who guided you today, be respectful to each other, take good care of yourselves, and I’ll see you next week," Kulmonari announced with open arms. "Spread the word if you can, friends."

The audience stood up and slowly made their way to various individuals around the room, probably those who had guided them.

"Excuse me," a voice came from behind Bonte.

The man turned to the source.

The Elf that guided them there stood with a polite smile. "We have a procedure to welcome new members, if you wish to partake in it," he offered.

Bonte looked up to the man and gave a short nod. "Alright, lead the way."

Hanna simply nodded, a frown on her face.

The Elf noticed it and arched an eyebrow. "Anything the matter, friend?"

The disguised woman sighed. "My eyes were opened today," she muttered. "Quite illuminating."

"I’m glad to hear that," the guide chuckled. "Would you like to follow as well?"

Hanna nodded, looking deep in thought.

"Perfect," the Elf cheered and turned to the other two newcomers. "Excuse me, friends..."

After a short exchange, the Elf convinced both Tigea and Human to join the welcoming procedure.

The Tigea had a neutral expression on her face, the king that has nothing better to do but would agree if the invitation is interesting enough.

The Human had a doubtful expression, but looked like he could be convinced if given the proper push.

And so, the four followed the Elf through the sea of people towards one of the room’s exits and into a tunnel that led to the back of the room.

After a few minutes of silently walking through brightly lit and empty corridors, they arrived at a lone door.

The guide knocked three times, took a pause, then knocked two times, then paused again, and finally knocked once.

"Come in," replied a voice Bonte had grown tired of hearing.

The Elf opened the door and gestured the four to go inside.

Kulmonari was sitting on a chair, holding a book with their left hand and holding a pipe with their right hand.

Bonte, Hanna, the Tigea, and the Human walked in.

The Elf closed the door behind them, staying outside the room.

The room itself was pretty sober. A desk, a small bookshelf, and a few chairs. A simple chandelier hung from the ceiling.

"What do you think of today’s meeting, friends?" Kulmonari asked the four, then put their lips on the pipe and inhaled.

"I admit I’m not quite convinced," the Human spoke first. "I apologize if I offend you, but I think the very idea that Halves are unnecessary is flawed. I agree that they hold too much influence and authority, however."

The Changeling nodded and blew out smoke. "Hmm," they hummed. "I see. I was like you, once. Hopeful, optimistic, and... naive."

The smell of burnt hemp drifted towards them.

Bonte had to make great efforts to avoid pinching his nose. Dwarves weren’t as sensitive to smells as Tigeas, after all.

Hanna was unbothered by it.

The Human had no reaction.

The flirty Tigea openly waved her hands in front of her face.

"Naive?" The Human repeated in confusion. "What if a Wild Dragon descends on Paarjo, then?"

"The Army and Chasers can handle that," Kulmonari replied.

"Giants?" The Human insisted.

"You’d be surprised to know there are people as powerful as Halves, especially the new one," the Changeling simply stated, then took another drag from the pipe.

"How powerful is it?" Bonte inquired, almost cringing at how he referred to his friend.

Kulmonari eyed Bonte and smiled. "One of our agents came across it’s level in Riverfield during an investigation. A Cleric helped the Halve write a form for the Church. We’re talking around level 1300," they replied.

Bonte hummed and appraised the Changeling.

[Changeling, Lvl 192 Deceiver]

Hanna did as well and turned to her temporary partner.

It was now or never.

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