[Developer: So whaddya say, you down with my plan?]

[Bell: Yup! It sounds exciting! Plus it's not like I got much else going on (ᵕ — ᴗ —)]

[Developer: Awesome! The code should be done tonight, so I'll let you know when it's time to implement ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧]

[Bell: looking forwards to it hehe]

***

Noe leaned back from her magic-projected screen, grabbing a striped cat-like creature that was lazing on a pillow next to her and pulling it onto her lap.

"What do you think Felix? It's the perfect plan, right?" She lifted the little orange beast over her head as she layed back on the floor.

"It'd be more fun if we could get Rivi to participate, but knowing her she'd probably just rat us out." Noe sighed, putting the beast down on her chest. "You've become quite domesticated haven't you Felix?" Noe giggled as she scritched Felix's neck.

"Both you and Rufi were so adamant on dignity and discipline when you first came her, and now look at you, lounging around with nothing to do all day." She sighed as she turned and put the beast next to her, who promptly began licking his claws while looking at her a little indignantly.

"But I suppose I'm no different. When I first came here it felt like a self-imposed exile. I was kicking myself for taking on the title of Sloth. Yet here I am planning pranks on my sister's girlfriend instead of planning for the pending war with the gods…" She sighed again, though a smile crept across her lips.

"I suppose I've become quite domesticated too…"

A ringing sound came from one of the magical tokens hanging on her wall, and Noe indifferently sat up with a groan.

"Mmm, who is it…?" She looked closer at which token had been activated. "Endra?" She sighed a little as a small pang went through her heart. Why did I…wish it was Velda? Noe shook her head, dismissing the thought.

"Come in," She waved her hand, and a light wrapped around the token which had rung, gradually spilling out and taking shape until it dissipated around the form of Endra, her long black hair and piercing red eyes completely motionless as she stood at perfect attention.

"What brings you here?" Noe had spun to put her back up against the wall, a squishy beast-shaped pillow propped up behind her. "Something important, I presume?"

Her air was still careless and unconcerned, but the sharpened eyes of the Vampire Queen couldn't help but see the underlying authority and tension hidden behind that casual smile.

"I came to report on the status of the new fortress city we took over from that demigod as well as the current movements of the gods, especially in light of our recent actions. I thought given the importance of the events my lady would like to hear more of it in person, but if I was mistaken I can merely submit my report as usual."

Noe sighed inwardly. Much as she might like to dismiss Endra, these affairs were too important to leave unattended. It had long annoyed her that no matter how much she attempted to step away, most of her parallel selves still saw her as the authoritative original who had the last say in any important matters.

But seeing what she had done to Riviera over all the years, who was really the only one who saw her as something other than a master, she couldn't help but admit that she'd been acting hypocritically—saying she didn't want the crown, yet acting as if she was entitled to its privileges when it really came down to it.

"Well, I suppose we can start with the city. Have the attempts at rebellion died down?"

"More or less, my lady. There are still quite a few who serve us reluctantly, but we have weeded out those with true hatred in their hearts, and any concentrated efforts to resist have been swiftly and publicly crushed.

"On that front, we believe now would be the time to hold a re-christening ceremony for the city, and officially hand it over to your rule."

"So a new name and a new government, huh…Did you want to fold it in with the Kingdom of Undeath's holdings, or did you think this should be an independent city-state directly under our rule? Also any ideas on the name?" Noe had pulled out a cat toy as they discussed which Felix was in the midst of lazily chasing.

"Given our position with the Beast tribes, I don't think it'd be wise to place it under the Kingdom of Undeath's banner. Therefore I was thinking of an independent city-state with a council government. This way we can give both humans and the neighboring beasts a token of authority, while maintaining the real control with a vampire head minister and a chancellor directly under our authority.

"As for names. We've thought the epithet 'city of blood,' would be good both to keep the humans in place as well as to advertise to vampires, but we thought to leave the final naming rights in your hands."

"Ah how the fortress city has fallen," Noe murmured a predatory smile crossing her lips. "I like it, it's very much like you. As for the name…what about Eren? Fitting for a fallen city, don't you think? To lose its first initial?"

"Very good, my lady. Would you like to be present for the re-christening?"

"No, it wouldn't have much effect anyways. Sacrifice some handsome young men in the public square, and I'll send a divine manifestation over the city. Really strike it into their hearts who they belong to now."

Endra smiled, her lips revealing her sharp white fangs. "I look forward to the show."

"Now, the movements of the gods…Anything we should be directly concerned with?"

"Not precisely though it's certain that they are far more wary of us, especially Draugner. We had already presumed he had plans on other gods with his stunt with the Summoned, and it seems that's true as he's been secretly gathering a faction around himself and Verena. Verena's motivations seem obvious, though we're less sure of what Draugner has to gain."

"So they're aiming for Serinali, huh…" Noe put a finger to her chin to ponder. "But they're still moving forward despite our actions, right? Have Serinali's people become aware of their betrayal?"

"It's hard to be sure, nothing's changed on the surface at least, but something like this they'd probably keep very close to their chest."

"Have they begun taking any action against us?"

"About that…we've received word from our people in the Besari Trade Company that some of the Summoned have come trying to get in contact with the pro-beast faction."

"Ho?" Noe picked up Felix and put him on her lap. "And what's become of that situation so far?"

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