[Geodbolt] Burn the contaminated wine

The tainted wine was the linchpin of the false saintess's whole operation; if you could get rid of that, then the battle itself would really be secondary. Furthermore, Mertz had handily taken position right next to the wine barrels, unassuming. This might be a case where you could throw two major wrenches into the conspirators' plans at the same time.

A well-placed Geodbolt would set fire to the wine collection, wiping much of it out while creating something between a fireball and an explosion. In the best case, it might take out Mertz, removing him as a factor in the upcoming brawl.

You gently unsealed the lid of the casket, allowing the two conspirators to continue their conversation while fire gathered slowly around your two raised fingers. The swirling of the embers let you know the bolt was ready. Concentrating, you aimed at the barrels behind Mertz, then let fire.

There wasn't a forceful explosion, but there was an immediate burst of flames, covering Mortz and setting his long cape ablaze immediately. "Fuck! It's them! Those blasted interlopers!" he spat, patting at his clothing with wild swipes of his arms. When you extended your hand and released a plume of flames, like a dragon's breath, he left off shit-talking and got onto the ground to start rolling. "Ah, fucking hell!"

"You'd waste your advantage removing him from the equation? Your sense of priorities needs adjusting," the mystery woman chuckled, twirling a parasol over her shoulder as she approached.

In the light of the fire, you could make out the woman's features more clearly. She appeared to be part of the nobility herself, or at least, she was dressed like the type of dandy such an upbringing tends to foster. Her attire was all white and lace, with a somewhat shorter skirt than you'd typically picture someone of her class wearing. Her long stockings drew attention to the curves of her legs. You noticed she was dressed in high heels, which didn't seem well suited to moving around in this dirty cavern, nor for the fight she was about to endure.

Her hair did give her the look of a saintess-- long, silver, and straight, framing her face evenly and falling all the way to her back. Her expression seemed persistently frozen in a cocky smile, with pink lips curled into an amused smile and serene, blue eyes.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance. I am Dame Nil Riiche, a lady of the royal capital. And you... you're one of the squires, aren't you? Here along with two saintesses. New to the job, are you?" the woman chuckled, raising one gloved finger to her lips. "What a time to join. The saintesses as they exist now are about to go extinct, and here you are trying to court them."{if Amulette = True}

"Extinct? Egregiously early estimation, I say. My best years are yet ahead!" Amulette quipped in response, as her dark features emerged from the casket. "But your days are duly numbered, you dubious dandy! When we've wiped the wine cellar with your white finery, perhaps I'll place those periwinkle panties onto that pretty pate of yours, then parade you about the point?"

"You'll be the one humiliated, once you realize you've defected to the wrong side, dear Amulette," the false saintess laughed, covering her mouth with one hand.{endif}{if Liens = True}

"That parasol of hers. I don't think it's the source. Her magic is coming from somewhere else. It's not normal. Not elvish. Not human. I don't think she is either," Liens mused, biting on the thumb of her glove as she crawled out from the barrel to stand behind you. "Might also be related to how she contaminated the wine. Haven't seen any poison here. Don't smell any. It's something different." She raised her goggles for a moment, then narrowed her eyes. "What? I don't know what the hell you are. Demon?"

"Guess again, sweetie," Nil shrugged, smiling more broadly. "You may be a genius back home, but there are forces at play here you couldn't possibly understand."{endif}{if Bangaal = True}

"Hmmm... she is not a human, nor a demon? She's not a djinn either! Just what are you, Riiche Nil?" Bangaal commented, as she swished around the barrels, leaving a trail of red smoke in her midst. "Whoever she is, that strange magic of hers is no match for chaos magic, I wager! Simply give the command, VinLavender!"

"Oh, hush. You djinns have high opinions of yourselves, hm? The time of saintesses is nearly over and, needless to say, the time of djinns is far, far past," the false saintess sighed, shrugging and shaking her head, surprisingly aloof.{endif}{if Rosary = True}

"I can't believe you would tarnish the name of saintesses like this! It is not for us that I weep, but for our lord, Geod above! A creature created in His divine image, feigning some part in his prophecy to take advantage of innocent people... such sacrilege!" Sister Rosary cried, stepping behind your formation and raising her hands for the sake of a shielding prayer. "Do you not feel any love for Geod in your heart?"

"Geod is the one person I owe the least, my dear Sister Rosary. But I hope you will see him in the afterlife, where you can hold him accountable for dragging you into the terrible fate you're now facing." Nil grinned, holding her parasol aloft and half shading her face. "Now, you shall quake in your cotton stockings, poor and powerless."{endif}