The Ogre Strength Fairy and the Eldest 'Son'
Chapter 193 - The Pyramids Are Certainly Part Of A Larger Conspiracy

Chapter 193: Chapter 193 - The Pyramids Are Certainly Part Of A Larger Conspiracy

Corde hez Iralev trod along the packed earth as she examined the perimeter of the staging ground. Her fingers traced the air near her sheathed weapon. A thin layer of Frost-aligned essence kept the Duskblade she was known for primed and ready.

Four cultivators followed at a respectful distance. They carried documents in their hands as she conducted her final inspection of the competition preparations. Their nervous glances suggested they expected criticism of their work at any moment.

They were right.

"The construct placement needs adjustment."

She lifted her chin at the training dummies positioned throughout the area. During one of the trials, their forms would animate and spin in place - providing moving targets during an event. But their current arrangement troubled her experienced eye.

"When participants approach from the southern tower, they will have an uneven challenge distribution. Revise it."

Despite her outward appearance of a young mature woman, she was older than those following. Her tone carried the weight of someone who had survived three Descents. While individual regions valued their local heroes, the Void Defense Society favored those whose fame spread even further.

Especially when they were capable of duties other than purely fighting... though most of their famed members only came out of hiding at the time of the next cycle. Corde considered herself at heart to be one of the latter. Her main goal had always been just to fight the Voidlings.

As she turned to move toward the next event area that required her attention, she noticed something unusual about the space between the towers. The defensive formations held subtle variations from the approved plans.

’Someone has modified it. But why?’

For the most part it seemed artistic. Pyramidal tops to the stone posts between the low walls. Tops that should have been flat. Most wouldn’t care about such alterations, but she hadn’t maintained her reputation by overlooking details.

She signaled the cultivators to mark it and her earlier correction in their documents before continuing her circuit of the grounds. With two days until the events began, every detail required scrutiny... both as her assigned duty and for personal reasons.

’The number of visitors is partially my doing. I cannot be complacent and let anything go wrong.’

The Duskblade’s attention shifted to one of the designated ’rest areas’ where mortals had gathered to sit on concentric circles of benches. A gentle current of cooled air circulated through these spaces as it remained covered with shading canvas.

’Another modification. These weren’t in the original plans.’

Similar spots dotted the grounds at careful intervals to provide relief from the afternoon heat. Changes both subtle and significant appeared throughout the venue - each one precise, purposeful.

The work bore hallmarks of exceptional skill with rituals - to the point it even caused a few problems. The administrative pavilion had to ban the private study attempts that were making it awkward for those seeking to use the areas.

The order even came directly from the continent’s leading Guild on sigils, complete with a list of fines that made it clear they were not joking. One of her escorts cleared his throat nervously as the Frozen Duskblade stared for a long time at the novel ritual.

"Lady Corde, we were told the Coiled Serpent Guild’s young prodigy has been... responsible for some adjustments. The Goltbred heiress has been busily making use of her time here."

She had heard mentions of this girl during the initial preparations. First daughter of Ondua, the hero from the last Descent from one of these three regions who had been betrothed and wed to a supposedly promising Yecine.

But these alterations suggested capabilities and thoughtfulness beyond a mere name. It also felt odd. If the young girl had been so active, so present... how had she only heard of her but never met?

"Where is she now?"

"Likely at the administrative pavilion, I believe. Though she often moves between-"

Corde was already striding in that direction, her escorts hurrying to keep pace. At her age, she had learned to trust her instincts about matters requiring investigation. About matters that felt wrong.

Waiting merchants, cultivators, and staff members quickly cleared a path as the Frozen Duskblade approached. Her reputation preceded her and caused the woman to command that sort of respect without effort.

Even those that considered themselves directly as ’fans’ wouldn’t try to get in her way. There were enough stories about Voidlings getting in her way that didn’t end well for them.

No one wanted to be the person to prove it was also true for insolent cultivators!

The inside buzzed with activity as various Guild and family representatives discussed last-minute arrangements. She caught fragments of conversation about supply logistics and security rotations, but there was no sign of her quarry.

"The young miss was here earlier..."

One of the clerks offered hesitantly when asked by an escort. The man gestured toward a desk piled with neat stacks of documentation. It was much better arranged than the majority of the others.

"She’s quite efficient. Always seems to know exactly which reports need attention first."

Corde stepped over and narrowed her eyes at the workspace. Clear signs that multiple projects had been juggled simultaneously could be witnessed. Each notation on the exposed documents was clear and purposeful.

Just like those modifications across the grounds.

A flutter of twilight-hued feathers caught the woman’s attention. A distinctive bird had taken perch near an open window flap. It watched the room’s occupants with unusual focus that made its intelligence clear.

The Frozen Duskblade had seen similar creatures during her travels and her time since being adopted into the Iralev family. Beasts that acted as ’familiars’ to cultivators. Performing duties like keeping guard or-

"Whose bird is that?"

"Oh, that would be Miss Goltbred’s messenger. It comes and goes as it pleases."

The Whispering Skydancer tilted its head under her scrutiny before taking wing. She approached the open flap and watched it arc toward the western side of the grounds. If she wasn’t mistaken... toward the Yecine family’s area and not the Goltbred.

’So. Where the bird goes, I suspect I’ll find its mistress.’

The swordswoman turned to follow, despite feeling like she was being led around. She didn’t notice the petite figure in an ornate black and gold dress that stood outside the pavilion.

Today’s garment clearly referenced her Yecine connection in its details... for those that recognized her or those that knew of that family. Mint eyes glanced over to the famous cultivator’s way. Lips curved into an increased smirk before she turned back to her conversation.

Her disciples were engaging in animated conversation, happy to be on a tour of the areas that the Goltbred had been working in. The reincarnator continued explaining things about the venue to her eager audience. After all, her mark had taken the bait.

---

After a brisk walk, Corde had almost reached the perimeter of the section of black tents. The sound of rapid footsteps and excited whispers drew the attention of those nearby. The swordswoman took a step aside and glanced back to see what was going on.

Zyris er Talcres practically bounced with every step as she dragged a bemused Ondua er Goltbred by hand. The woman’s breath was short from her unintentional stalking, dashing, and pulling her companion to come see what was going on.

"Is there something I can assist you with?"

"H-hello!"

Her breath hitched and her eyes were lit with the fervor of a true enthusiast who had realized they were standing in front of their absolute idol. One that had just talked! Corde was a little uncomfortable, but had dealt with these sorts of people in the past.

"Well... we were going in the same direction I think. Perhaps we can help you instead."

’So I was led here by his daughter for this?’

She recognized him and the rumors of him well enough. After staring at the man for a moment, she nodded. Two guards stepped forward as the group of three approached the Yecine section..

Their eyes lingered on Corde’s distinctive sheathed blade before shifting between her and the other hero. The Frozen Duskblade waited, letting Ondua take the lead as subtly suggested... since he had actual connections here.

"We’ve come to see my son-in-law."

His voice remained remarkably steady despite Zyris practically vibrating with excitement beside him. It was because of her luck that this was all happening! She never expected to actually find the swordswoman walking like she was on a mission.

’This is the best day of my... well... one of the best days.’

The Talcres awkwardly tried to backtrack in her own thoughts, momentarily ashamed of placing it above the birth of her children or the days of her marriages. An elder from the family emerged from between the tents. He couldn’t help but be drawn by the voice at their boundary.

"Ondua. This is... unexpected."

The elder’s gaze swept over their small group. His expression grew further guarded as he recognized the famous swordswoman.

"Qatrand is currently busy."

"We want to see how well he is training."

Private family training was not meant for outside observers - but refusing entry to both a regional hero and the Frozen Duskblade would create its own complications. The Talcres woman was less trouble but still a problem.

The barely contained enthusiasm only added to the awkward tension. Her eyes remained fixed on Corde hez Iralev even as she tried to maintain a semblance of dignified bearing..

"I thought it appropriate to accompany Lady Corde, given her interest in swordsmanship methods."

The careful phrasing from a fellow member of The Ironclad Order drew a sharp look from the elder. Having their style examined by such a renowned cultivator was both an honor and a concern. Especially with their heir participating in the evening practice.

’There are no tales of this woman spreading bad rumors. But if knowledge of her visit gets out on its own...’

Having nothing good being said is sometimes just as damaging.