/n/jackal-among-snakes-1520/c-673
chapter-674

“I think that the answer should be obvious.” Elenore stared Argrave down. “When you’re fighting an opponent, there’s only two ways to gain advantage. Strengthen your own side, or weaken theirs.”

Argrave narrowed his eyes at her suggestion. “Weakening him kind of defeats the purpose of this being a test, doesn’t it? If you turn down the difficulty when you get beaten into the dust, you don’t learn how to overcome the challenge. It’s… cheating, basically.”

Elenore shrugged. “Fine. Why are you even asking me? Ask Anneliese—she’s the one with magic.”

“I will. But in the meantime, I respect your opinion, too.” He leaned on her desk. “Besides, you were right alongside Orion and I when we melded into the Tree of Being, and you have the most experience around talking with Vasquer.”

“Alright…” Elenore stood up. “Then I reiterate—make him weaker. You aren’t playing a game, you’re fighting a war, a battle—and learning how to weaken Raven can be applied to Gerechtigkeit in much the same way. They’re similar, even, in how terrifying I find them.”

Argrave thought on it for a moment, then realized she did have a rather ironclad point. Beyond changing his own strategy, the only other option was to make the opposing side weaker. It was a skill that did have some hope of reapplication in the times to come.

He knocked her wooden desk with his knuckles. “See, and that’s why I came to you first. Thank you. You’ve given me a good foundation for me to ask the others about.”

“Hold on. You’re sure this… bizarre endeavor will stop Gerechtigkeit?” Elenore asked. “It’s important we be timely. I’ve started to make arrangements for some of the god’s agents to come and restore order—well, the gods that I trust, at the very least. Law’s Justiciars are already working to uphold it in the most badly-affected areas. But things are getting worse, day-by-day. Time was, we could stop suicide pacts before they’d even formed. But they keep growing and numbers, and they’re starting to throw themselves upon either our soldiers or their blades in numbers we can no longer realistically prevent.”

“Provided I can win…” Argrave nodded. “It’s as good as done.”

“Then beat his damned ass for me.” Elenore sat back down. “And shut the door on your way out. I’m busy enough as is.”

Argrave made to leave, a faint smile on his face. Before he could…

“Sophia keeps asking to see you,” Elenore called out as he opened the door slightly. When he looked back, her gray eyes met his own. “Might not hurt to pay her a visit. Boost that resolve, remind yourself what you’re fighting to protect.”

Argrave gave a steady nod, agreeing. Last time they’d spoken, Argrave had said that Sophia was like a daughter to him. Then, he’d gone out to get some smokes with Jaray. It was overdue to end that. And at her mention of people he wanted to protect, he already had some inspiration for what might weaken Raven.