Netori: Stealing The Hero's Party!

A legion of iron maids that appeared suspiciously close to Avarice had taken over the dark castle and were stationed at every door by their master. Only a handful of humans and demis were left in the castle's service, most of which were either kitchen staff or tailors, leather workers, and overseers for the automatons. Grace still remained the executive head next to Mono, but with her work split between a few hundred machines, she no longer needed to do much herself.

"Let us guide you," bowing at the guests as they entered, a line of automatons maids greeted Raven and Linkle. Lifting her heads while the two were still alarmed at seeing Avarice's face everywhere, the girl at the very end motioned to the stairs and started leading them to her mistress. "Follow me, honored guests."

Although reluctant to do so, Raven and Linkle looked at each other and once they'd ensured that both of them were on high alert, they began following the automaton to her master. Walking up the stairs and then passing through a door on the right side to the empty council hall, the two finally arrived at the corridor at the end of which Mono usually spent her time.

Taking her leave at that point, the machina left the two to make the last stretch themselves. However, before walking an inch forward both Raven and Linkle ensured that the machina was gone before turning around and moving forward.

"Do you think those things are as strong as Avarice?" Raven asked as the two made it to Mono's room.

Standing outside for just a moment, Linkle responded with a shrug of her shoulders.

"I don't know, I never met that girl, but from what I've heard from you guys–having so many of her in this place…" Shaking her head, she relayed her thoughts about the matter.

"Well it is what it is I guess?" Turning his head to the front, Raven shrugged the matter as well. "Let's just hope she hasn't gone insane already." Stay updated via empire

Pushing the door open, Raven stood outside with a bit of surprise. He didn't really expect the door to be unlocked and was only trying to get Mono's attention by trying to open it instead of a regular knock. Why was that exactly? Because he acted before he thought.

"Who is it?" Asked mono, sitting at the edge of the bed and combing her glowing blonde hair.

Dressed in a striped gown of pink and white, her dignified frame was heavily contrasted by the overly feminine choice. Even so, as she put the brush down and turned her head, the piercing blue of her eyes drew out command and honour from all those who peered into her gaze.

"Ohhh, it's you?" A weak smile took over her lips as she beckoned the guests inside her room.

However, the wide-eyed look that refused to be let down cautioned them into a state of constant alert. Slowly moving in with his hands hanging by the side and ready to conjure any weapons, Raven led the charge and moved inside the room. Linkle followed soon after, but halfway hiding behind Raven, she was clenching a teleportation necklace away from Mono's sight. Instead of engaging with a monster, she preferred to avoid the trouble altogether if the chances of defeat were far greater than victory.

"Is something wrong?" Tilting her head to the side, Mono finally blinked her eyes yet her gaze refused to let go of the guests. Almost glued into her sight, she followed their every movement and even that necklace clenched in Linkle's hand or the reason behind Raven's quivering fingers–nothing, absolutely nothing was kept secret from her. "Has the automaton maids upset you two? Is that it?"

Moving even closer with his hand outstretched, Raven touched Mono on the forehead and tried to peer into her. Zapped with a burning spark, however, he clicked his tongue and pulled away from her.

"What in the hells happened to you?" He asked, resting the tip of the burnt finger on his tongue.

"Hmm? What do you–" Cutting her own sentence short, Mono glanced down at her frilly gown with pompous ballooning shoulders. For a spell, she stared at her body and the strained look in her eyes began to melt. Finally looking up with a genuine smile, she chuckled while speaking. "I just had it made, do you like it? The tailors kept complaining how it was too girly for a queen or whatever, but who cares, right? Ahahaha~"

The sudden shift in her behaviour had the two concerned still, but at least now Mono appeared to have a hold of her senses and didn't seem completely maniacal. Taking the opportunity while she was sane to step forward with her preposition, Linkle put the necklace away and faced Mono head on.

"We need your help," she told her and the queen–albeit confused and giddish, listened.

Detailing to her everything that has happened since she'd left Elanaris, Linkle informed her about the demons and her body, the island of Lantherem, Aranuvia, Elanavia, the Djinns, the witch hunter, and King Aran. Growing increasingly more serious as the conversation went on, Mono's mind began to race trying to figure out a way to take down Aran as a favor towards Linkle and all the help she'd provided her kingdom thus far.

"Soooo…" Taking a step away with an uncertain look in her eyes, Linkle took a deep breath and heaved a sigh. "Are you gonna help me with this king and the demon?"

"Why won't I?" Confused why she would even ask the question, Mono leaned her head to the side. "I couldn't help you get the cave emptied so it's the least I can do, and oh! We're gonna do something about the cave too once we wrap this up."

Placing a hand on her chest, Linkle heaved a heavy sigh of relief and a smile climbed up her lips. Raven on the other hand, still worried about the monotone state they'd found the queen in as well as the many Avarices, couldn't help but worry.

"And how do you plan to help?" He asked, staring sternly at the iron queen.

Without a hitch, she responded with the brightest smile she'd had in weeks.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"I'll join the fight, myself!" And with those words, Linkle's smile was replaced with worry.

However, remaining adamant about helping, no matter how much the two tried, fighting herself was the only way the queen was willing to help.

'Shit…'

Cursed the two while looking at each other as both of them knew that getting her involved directly was far more trouble than it was worth.