The Fourth Secret: A Fantasy LitRPG Adventure (Divine Apostasy Book 4) A. Kay (best management books of all time .TXT) 📖

me. Our intelligence determined him a low threat. Either he’s changed or we are dreadfully weak for him to come to the surface and participate in an invasion. Haffa, while vastly more aggressive than Naktos, rarely leaves the ocean. I find it interesting the two gods who shun the surface, are attacking us.”

Ruwen nodded at Drivyd. “You’re right, Uru did appear incredibly weak.” With so much at stake, Ruwen decided to share as much as he could, including the Root Class. Secrets had purpose, but they also acted as traps, hamstringing the ability to make informed decisions. “Uru had lost four Champions in a row and her plans had isolated her from the other gods.”

Odalys leaned forward, the Mage’s fingers each adorned with a ring. “Has the world changed so much that Champions are common knowledge? Are they not still hunted to permanent death.”

Ruwen remembered his surprise when offered the Root Class. But then again, he had been a nobody. It shouldn’t have surprised him that these leaders knew of the Root Class, and it made him wonder what current leadership knew of the Champion’s existence. “No, it’s not everyday knowledge. But four of Uru’s Champions, trapped in the Spirit Realm, all returned at the same time. Even if normal folk don’t know the details, all the other gods do. Secrecy is no longer a shield for Uru’s Champions. They are each in charge of coordinating a portion of our country’s defense.”

The last sentence hung in the air.

Zahara laughed and leaned back. The Merchant looked comfortable in an expensive sage green robe. “Aren’t you just full of surprises?”

Yana looked at her own Void Band and then at Ruwen. “A powerful combination.”

“Do these other Champions have totems as well?” Vachyl asked, his plate armor creaking as he moved.

Ruwen shrugged. “I can’t be sure.”

“There’s more, though,” Drivyd whispered from his seat across the table.

The Observer grew still and Ruwen mirrored him, sensing danger. Drivyd barely lifted his hand and two small bolts shot toward Ruwen from the Spy’s wrist. Last Breath triggered but Ruwen didn’t need it for just two bolts.

Remaining in the seat, Ruwen casually turned his torso sideways, allowing the first bolt to pass harmlessly past him and into the chair. The bolt aimed at his neck, he gently pushed as it neared, altering its trajectory. A loud snap echoed in the room as it struck the wall behind him.

Ruwen kept his breathing even and his body relaxed, prepared for any other attacks. The first bolt had snapped against the metal chair, and he placed the pieces on the table.

Niall gasped. “Are you mad, Elder Drivyd?”

Hamma stood and began casting a spell at Drivyd. Ruwen reached up and gently pulled her back to her seat. “Thanks, Hamma. It’s okay.”

“You see it, Vachyl, right?” Drivyd asked. “I’m not the only one?”

Vachyl nodded. “He has some Clan training.”

“Not some,” Drivyd said. “He might be a Master. I can’t tell because he is hiding his natural movements.”

“Interesting,” Vachyl said.

“I can’t shake his focus either,” Drivyd said. “I’ve tried everything, but he remains aware of my presence. I am very interested in how he’s doing that.”

Ruwen sighed. “Speaking of focus, can we focus on the invasion?”

Drivyd shrugged. “Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the child Uru put in charge of us seems like an appropriate use of time.”

Ruwen let the jab at his age go. It was true, and he needed the benefit of their experience. In fact, the comment itself was probably just another test by the Observer.

Yana frowned at Drivyd before turning to Ruwen. “Did Deepwell and Stone Harbor survive?”

Ruwen assumed the Worker Elder meant survived whatever catastrophe occurred here. “Yes. And their defenses are being organized by the three other Champions. The restoration of this temple has surprised everyone.”

Vachyl placed his plated arms on the table with a loud clang. “That explains Naktos and Haffa’s involvement. They were likely only responsible for controlling the sea and southern flank, preventing any escape south. Not as deeply committed as the other gods.”

Odalys nodded. “With none of Uru’s temples nearby, they wouldn’t have to fear a protracted battle.”

Yana nodded at Ruwen. “But he brought us back. With the temple restored, Eiru—I mean Uru’s Blessing will be visible on their maps. It is doubtful they’ll ignore us.”

“Which means we need to fortify the city immediately,” Gabryel said.

Vachyl growled. “Again, Gabryel? How many times will you make the same mistake? Hiding only gives them time to defeat us. We should strike decisively to turn them around. Just like we should have before. If the intelligence is correct, there are only ten thousand. That is barely a fight.”

“I think Naktos is hiding his army,” Ruwen said.

Everyone stared at him.

“I encountered an underground Naktos base when collecting oil for the temple, and the Temple Guardians reported two interesting facts. Their main army moves slowly and there are no visible revival baths.”

“You think they’re underground?” Yana asked.

“Maybe,” Ruwen said. “Or cloaked.”

“So the first priority is intelligence,” Drivyd said, the red balloons around his head like a halo.

Ruwen nodded. “It is likely we’ll need to defend the city. But the threat might not come from the surface. While we are collecting intelligence, how do we strengthen the ground under us?”

“Stone Mages,” Odalys said, tapping his jeweled hands on the table.

Zahara frowned and folded the sash of her green robe. “Without Alchemists to create Mana potions, they won’t be very productive.”

Yana tapped her chin. “Without Gatherers your Alchemists won’t have any ingredients, plus Harden is a spell every Worker has access to. At level five it’s as strong as diamond.”

Niall spoke up. “Without food stores, you’ll need Priests to make water and bread and Enforcers to help protect the city.”

Vachyl sat up straight. “We’ll need Fighters for the walls and to patrol the surrounding area.”

“And Scouts to gather enemy intelligence,” Drivyd said.

It shouldn’t have surprised Ruwen that every Class played an important part. “Information is our highest priority. How many Observer teams do we need?”

Drivyd thought for a few seconds. “Eight