Paying the reward

In the Moscow Tsar's Palace, Ivan the Terrible's enormous body sat upon the throne.

Kadoc said, "Your Majesty, why did you suddenly choose to withdraw?"

Ivan the Terrible said, "They have another powerful fighter. Though they did not show themselves, I should have been able to win if I had insisted on fighting to the finish. But I would have suffered serious injuries myself."

He was confident he could defeat the golden, white-faced fellow alone with his Very Big Authority active.

But the owner of that roar afterward was no weaker than he was. Forcing a fight would have been far too unwise.

Kadoc inwardly lamented the missed opportunity. If both sides had been badly hurt—or even if only the Tsar had been seriously wounded—he would have had a chance to take his place.

Kadoc said, "According to the latest intelligence, the people from New Chaldea seem to have arrived. They are also your enemies, Your Majesty. We should prepare for them early."

Ivan the Terrible said, "How could mere Proper Human History rival the might of Russia? I understand. You may withdraw. I still need to consider how to conquer Tunguska at the smallest possible cost."

Kadoc and the others all withdrew. The Tsar needed time to think.

In one of the rooms, Kadoc and Anastasia, who held Viy in her arms, drank freshly brewed, steaming tea.

Peperoncino had sent the tea leaves. His own Lostbelt was far from peaceful, but he had still made time to send Kadoc some tea.

Kadoc said, "I intend to use Chaldea to bring down the Tsar, then have you wear the crown before facing Chaldea in a final showdown."

Anastasia said, "Why are you so fixated on this? According to the intelligence we've received, if all those people from New Chaldea take