I wanted to release this chapter sooner, but I had to go through about 100 essays at my main teaching job, so I was unable to work on this for a while. This is the beginning of Mini Arc 4 and will bring an end to the Antium Arc while setting up for the next arc as well. The focus of this arc is beginning to understand the Hero System and the Invasions, which has only been mentioned by a few people up till now.
This arc will be broken into 2 smaller events.
Number 1
Spoiler :
Garnet taking on the special examination for her class up so she can acquire Lightning Fire magic. She had the passive before, but not the skills.
Number 2
Spoiler :
The invasion itself. If you've seen Book Extra: Chapter Zedd, you kind of know what's going to happen, but there's a little I haven't revealed yet. If you've been paying close attention to how it is described though, you should be able to figure it out.
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The discussion of the Invasions were serious business. Failure to stop it meant a dangerous army would establish a foothold in their world and will spread outward to destroy everything unless someone else could step up to stop them. "Was Antium not built on this very spot to deal with the Invasions?" asked Charles.
Garnet whispered to Zedd. "Offer them the farming technology from the North in exchange for helping with the Invasion," said Garnet.
"The King has proposed a deal for you," said Zedd.
"What is it?" asked a noble.
"As you know, the King recently acquired access to certain technology that greatly improved his lands," said Zedd. "He has agreed to share it with you on the condition that you agree to his terms and conditions."
"What are the terms?" asked Earl Linsey.
"First, you must invest in the technology with your own wealth, the treasury of Antium will not pay for it," said Charles. "Second, you will help raise and train an army to provide for the defense of Antium. It is up to the Duke of each region to decide how many troops to provide in total, but keep in mind how costly the last Invasion was and the consequences if you fail. Lastly, you must encourage trade with the neighboring regions. I will give you time to discuss among yourselves."
The technology that Garnet provided them was probably about a few decades worth of advancement. Even then, they still had not figured out the other things like the steam engine. But, the water mill and special farming tools alone would greatly improve their farms. Charles had offered them the ability to produce a vast amount of resources, but it was up the nobles to make sure they spent it well. Any failures would also be blamed on the nobles for failing to provide resources needed to fight back. "I accept these terms," said Earl Linsey.
The person who objected first was now on their side. It was a good sign. The access to new technologies was something very powerful and it allowed one noble to increase their power over others. By accepting Charles' terms, they would become stronger because they will be able to increase their wealth. The nobles would also have to rely on Charles a little as well, providing a room to build additional alliances. If the others objected now, they would be losing ground. "I agree too!" shouted another. Pretty soon nearly all of them agreed. There were a few who were suspicious, but for the most part it was good.
The other topics covered were the promotion of a new Duke to the North, but Duchess Kiko would help manage and take a share until the new Duke could securely control, the repair of the West Gate, which was broken by Garnet, and the conversion of the other major gates into fortifications like the ones present on the East Gate. The goal to do this, was one year.
Quest Complete: Persuade Nobles to Reduce Taxes and Tariffs
The nobles have mostly agreed to lower taxes and tariffs
Reward: Experience, Fame+0.
You have leveled up!
You have leveled up!
You have leveled up!
Quest Complete: Save Antium
"By the way, I'm going to need another baby from you," Charles whispered to Garnet.
"Isn't three kids already enough?" asked Garnet.
"Most royal families are very big after a few generations," said Charles. "It's best to start early."
"Alright," said Garnet. "We still have over a year until the Invasion, but definitely no more after this one."
After about a week, Anna arrived with Jasper and Jade. The twins that Garnet had about two years ago. Ruby was at the school with Leeroy still. "Long time to see!" said Anna.
"It's only a few weeks," said Garnet.
"They miss their mommy very much," said Anna. "Leeroy helped me take good care of them."
"Are you absolute sure that he isn't interested in you?" asked Garnet.
"I'm sure he is," said Anna. "But like I said before, it's not something in my mind at the moment, besides I hear you're going to have another."
"Charles said its customary for a new Queen and King to have a child together," said Garnet.
"Usually," said Anna. "It's proof that the royal family will have a new generation to continue and we don't have to worry about something like another Civil War. Just don't make me help you deliver another one."
"I want you to be there since you're going to help take care of it," said Garnet.
Almost a year later, King Charles and Queen Garnet had their first child since becoming royalty. It was another girl. It was the first baby Garnet had that Charles was actually there to witness the birth of. She had brown eyes. The announcement of the birth of a child for the King was a joyous occasion because it guaranteed a continuation should the King and Queen die. Even though they already had three, the people treated it like it was the first since it was the first one that had been announced in decades. "Amber will be her name," said Garnet.
"Don't I get a say in this?" asked Charles.
"I'm not going to break the theme now," said Garnet. "I don't want you to either."
"Theme?" asked Charles.
"My name is Garnet, our first daughter's name is Ruby, second is Jade, third is Jasper, and fourth is Amber."
"You're all named after gemstones," said Charles.
"Yep," said Garnet.
Garnet spent a lot of time with Charles, but it was mostly for ceremonial purposes as was not allowed to speak. Every time she wanted to speak, she would have to whisper it to Charles who then decided if it was worth bringing up. Most of the time, it was, but Garnet was still frustrated by this.
"Why can't this tradition change?" asked Garnet.
"The monarch alone is the voice of the entire royal family," said Charles. "That's just how it has been. I think it is because if every member of the royal family had a say, they could change the results of votes and policies too easily."
Garnet had chosen to accept this. If the King and the family had too much power and influence over the city, they would be able to do whatever they want and the decisions of the other nobility would not matter. They had a long way to go before they would reach Anzio's standards, but it was better than nothing.
"How are the kids doing?" Charles asked.
"They're doing fine," said Garnet. "Jade and Jasper have both started talking and walking on their own. Why don't you spend more time with them?"
"Because I have a lot to do as well," said Charles. "I want to make sure that there is still a home here when they return. In half a year or so, the Invasion should be coming and I fear we are not ready."
"Have the troops been training?" asked Garnet.
"Almost every day as far as I can tell," said Charles. "Anna told me there was a young man who could not stop talking about you."
"How did you know it was me?" asked Garnet.
"A young beautiful woman who was cooking potato stew for all the volunteer soldiers beat up some guy who was talking too much and then somehow assumed leadership of a volunteer army in order to defeat two powerful undead creatures that feasted on blood," said Charles. "Unless you have a twin sister, I'm pretty sure it was you."
It was Barry. The young soldier who was said to be strongest among her battalion at the time. That was the only person who matched the description. "That was shortly before you arrived," said Garnet.
"What did Arnold Gray do?" asked Charles.
"He forced people into the volunteer army and used them as human shields for his own soldiers," said Garnet. "That way, we would weaken the enemies and then he could claim all the fame and glory for himself when he defeated the weakened enemies."
"Why didn't you add that to his list of crimes?" asked Charles.
"He was already in for conscription," said Garnet. "I don't want to see him punished for the same crime twice."
"I see," said Charles. "That would make sense."
Garnet thought about all the things that she still had to do. She had saved Antium for now, but the Invasion was just around the corner. Zedd described it as one of the most frightening things he had ever seen or experienced. There was also the chance that Arnold Gray might try something since he probably still had a few loyal followers.
"If there's anything that ever worries you, feel free to speak to me," said Charles.
"What if I want to travel after the Invasion?" asked Garnet.
"To where?" asked Charles.
"I don't know," said Garnet. "But somewhere out there is a way to bring Riley back, and I want to find it."
"Your promise," said Charles.
"Yes," said Garnet. "Even if I cannot bring Riley back, I want to at least find a way to send the papers that he wrote to another world."
"What about your family?" asked Charles.
"At the age of five, they will go to Anzio," said Garnet. "I can just visit them there. I have the spell, so I can go whenever I want."
"I forgot about that," said Charles.
"I can visit you any time I want as well," said Garnet. "Well, if you have time for me."
"I will always have time for you," said Charles as he held Garnet close to him. "You are the most important person to me, that's why I want to know when something is troubling you as well."
"I know," said Garnet as she pushed him away. She knew what he wanted, but she did not want to give him the chance. "But does any of the other nobles except Kiko know that I used to be a slave?"
"Not yet," said Charles. "I don't know how they would handle learning that a slave had a higher position than them."
"Will you ever tell them?" asked Garnet.
"Yes," said Charles. "I just want them to be more accepting of others first."
"Traditions are hard to change," said Garnet. "If they weren't they wouldn't be called traditions I guess." There was one way that she could earn acceptance still, fame. If she could acquire enough fame, she would be able to change many things and influence others. The problem was actually acquiring it because it was not easy to.
Garnet's past quests had given her about 10 points of fame each. Fighting against the undead that Arnold Gray had lured to Antium had given her 100, which was a lot. All that resulted in was a few stories about her achievements.
Garnet had four kids now. Three girls, one boy. She should have been around 25 by now, but because of absorbing the Siren, she had not aged at all. She saw Charles age a little and her own children age, but Garnet herself had not changed much. The only real changes to her body was when she had a baby. The only thing that lasted was the stretch marks on her body from having so many babies, but even those gradually disappeared. In fact, she looked younger than when she was used in the Hero Summoning since she would have been about 20 then. While the others around her were getting older, she was staying the same and felt out of place. Anna was not very talkative, so Garnet went to talk to the only person who might understand, Zedd, who was younger than he looked as well.
"How does it feel like to live forever?" Garnet asked Zedd.
"It's sad seeing the ones you love die before you," said Zedd. "But you also get to see how the world changes and all the good that you've done for others."
"Do you like it?" asked Garnet.
"What makes you think I'm an immortal?" asked Zedd.
"When you transformed, you seemed much younger," said Garnet. "Anna too seems to be a lot older, but she appears quite young to me. There is a trick."
"When you become strong enough, age is no longer a factor," said Zedd. "It is the reality of how things are."
"Are there many people who are immortal?" asked Garnet.
"True immortality is rare," said Zedd. "Most of us just have something that slows aging or makes us unaffected by it."
"What do you have?" Garnet asked. She was curious.
"I exist outside of time, so I am unaffected by aging," said Zedd. "I can still die if someone kills me, but at the same time I can also cheat my own death, by changing the flow of time. But I choose to keep going."
"Why?" asked Garnet.
"Because there are still things that I want to do," said Zedd. "There's always things that I want to do and it keeps me going."
"So do you like it?" asked Garnet.
"I feel burdened with the task at hand, but I learn to enjoy every new experience," said Zedd. "I know something happened to you so you don't age, but I suggest you go see the world for yourself."
"I will," said Garnet. "I have a promise to keep."
"Riley?" Zedd asked.
"Yes," said Garnet. "To be able to create a body for her."
"I suggest you travel North of Anzio and then East," said Zedd. "If there are clues, that is where I would look."
"What's to the Northeast?" asked Garnet.
"A millennium ago, there was a great city known as Constantinople," said Zedd. "But a great Invasion that numbered in the millions arrived. It was the largest Invasion ever recorded in our history. For years, the people of Constantinople fought against it, but they could not hold out. In their last ditch effort, they hid their knowledge in the ruins below the city and set the city ablaze with the monsters trapped inside, in doing so, they destroyed most of the invading monsters. The remaining ones spread throughout the land where most were destroyed by neighboring empires, but it was believed that a few monsters from that era still exist as well."
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"Do you think that the city will have that knowledge?" asked Garnet.
"If anyone has it, it is them," said Zedd. "I discovered how to use Space-Time Magic from a single tome there."
"Where is the book now?" asked Garnet.
Zedd pulled a book out from a purple ripple in the air. It was similar to storage rings, yet not the same. "Here," said Zedd as he passed it to Garnet. "Learn the Instance Dungeon Creation spell," said Zedd.
Garnet remembered the requirements. "I don't have the mana for it," said Garnet. "I only have half of the required mana."
"At your age, that's not too bad," said Zedd. "I would be surprised if you did."
"What about other ways to increase your mana?" asked Garnet. "I've noticed that there are times when my maximum mana can be increased by other means."
"Take out your robe," said Zedd.
Garnet took it out of her Inventory. The shape itself was different than when she remembered it. It looked more like a black dress now than a magic robe. The Crystal Catalyst had transformed the entire robe. At the legs, it split open on the sides. If she removed the hood, the top revealed her shoulders. It was a slit dress. The gloves and boots were the same.
Name: Robe of the Shadow Empress
Quality: Legendary
Effects: Self Repairing, +10% bonus to Magic Damage, +100% to Mana Regeneration, High Resistance to Slash, High Resistance to Blunt, High Resistance to Pierce, Shapeshifting
It had incredible stats. The only thing it was missing was runes. "Would you be able to do more to it if you had additional Crystal Catalysts?" Garnet asked.
"Do you have more?" asked Zedd.
"Two more," said Garnet. "I took them from Arnold Gray's cannons."
"So that's where you got the last one from," said Zedd. "I was wondering what happened to the others."
"Were you after them too?" asked Garnet.
"Yes, but I settled for just the magic ore after," said Zedd.
"So can you do anything with them?" asked Garnet.
"Do you want to use something like a magic staff?" asked Zedd.
"I already have a normal staff for fighting," said Garnet. "I would like to avoid it if possible."
"Can I keep what is left of the crystal after I polish it?" asked Zedd.
"Sure," said Garnet.
Zedd cut the crystal in half each and then shaped them into the largest orbs he possibly could. He then sewed them onto the gloves. Garnet watched as they were absorbed into the dress.
Name: Dress of the Dark Goddess
Quality: Mythical
Effects: Self Repairing, +50% bonus to Magic Damage, +500% to Mana Regeneration, +100% Maximum Mana, Mana Consumption -50% (still requires mana to cast spell before reduction calculation), High Resistance to Slash, High Resistance to Blunt, High Resistance to Pierce, Immunity to Acids, Immunity to Decay, Shapeshifting
The dress gave absurd benefits. "How is that even possible?" asked Garnet. "Such a high quality item to exist."
"This is the true power of superior magicraft," said Zedd. "The hardest thing is finding the materials you need."
"Thank you," said Garnet. "Can't the materials be made?"
"Most recipes were lost along with their techniques," said Zedd. "Most of them were unwilling to share their knowledge and held it as a closely guarded secret. What an Alchemist makes today with their magicraft is only a small fraction of the knowledge that has been recovered."
"Why wasn't that information duplicated?" asked Garnet.
"Their techniques were a closely guarded secret," said Zedd. "It was made so that only a few people ever knew because they relied on it to be a successful and powerful country."
"And we have to deal with the consequences of lost knowledge," said Garnet.
"Correct," said Zedd. "That is why many magicians who work for royalty often ask for and arrange to create a library to compile and save that knowledge."
"Do you think you can get me access to other libraries like this?" asked Garnet.
"You'll need to do that yourself," said Zedd. "I heard from Anna that you have a Guild Card correct?"
"Yes," said Garnet as she pulled it out. She had no rank, just a plain card.
"If you can either become a magician in the service of a King, your husband does not count, or if you can acquire a high enough rank, you might get a chance," said Zedd.
"What rank would I need?" asked Garnet.
"At least Triple Adamantium," said Zedd.
"Is that high?" asked Garnet.
"Very high," said Zedd. "Each Guild Card is unique and as you make significant progress, they give you a better card that shows your status. The rarer the materials are to make the Guild Card, the higher ranking you are."
"That's going to take a while," said Garnet.
"Just go hunt some big name monsters," said Zedd. "It'll save you some time."
"There's rank requirements though," said Garnet.
"Take out a big one, bring proof of it along with the request card and just show it to them," said Zedd. "They'll have to take it."
Garnet had never thought about that. She always followed the rules, but this was a work around. They would have to acknowledge her strength if she did not have the rank to qualify. That might allow her to accept more difficult tasks as well.
"I want you to put on the dress in two days," said Zedd.
"What for?" asked Garnet.
"You need to complete the Mastery Examination for Mages before the Invasion," said Zedd.
"A test?" asked Garnet.
"Yes," said Zedd. "It is an ancient test developed by mages for mages. By completing this test, you should acquire new abilities and increase in strength. Few mages pass it, but it would be the equivalent of improving your own Class if you do. I'm interested in seeing what powers a Dark Mage will acquire."
"What do I have to do?" asked Garnet.
"There's usually three parts," said Zedd. "The first, is a display of power. The second, is a test of endurance. The last, is a test of character. It is different for each person."
"What happens if I fail?" asked Garnet.
"Nothing," said Zedd. "But if you fail twice, you can not take the test again."
"Why not?" asked Garnet.
"If you fail the third time, your magic is sealed and you will be considered as a failure," said Zedd. "But knowing you, it should be possible for you."
"What makes you so confident?" asked Garnet.
"You alone have done more than I could have ever hoped to," said Zedd. "This is just another stepping stone on your path to greatness."
"I still have not felt like a Hero," said Garnet. "I work from the shadows to persuade others and weaken enemies so that someone else can finish them."
"A Hero is more than about winning," said Zedd. "The fact that you did those things without concern for acquiring credit for your work and the fact that you continue to stand up for what you believe in is what makes you such a Hero."
Garnet sat there and thought about something. "Why are there Invasions?" asked Garnet.
"I'm not sure," said Zedd. "As far as I can remember, there was one every five years or so, but for a period of time, there were none in the historical records."
"That means there must be a way to stop them or delay them right?" Garnet asked.
"There might be," said Zedd. "But I have no knowledge about this."
"I think this is something that I need to look into as well," said Garnet.
New Quest: Learn About the Invasions
What causes them to occur in the first place is still unknown. Maybe the Library of Constantinople has some information after their 30 years of experiencing it?
Reward: Experience, Fame
"My theory is that it is simply another world that has been overrun by monsters on the other side of the portal that they appear from," said Zedd.
"But that means they still must come from somewhere," said Garnet. "They don't just appear out of nowhere."
"That is true," said Zedd. "But to this day, neither I nor any of my spirits have found such an origin point for the Invasions."
"Is there anything else you can tell me about the Invasions?" asked Garnet.
"The enemy forces are organized into a hierarchy," said Zedd. "They usually send scouts and weak soldiers out first. From there, they start sending in the stronger creatures. The final one is usually the leader, a much larger and more powerful monster."
"How did you defeat them in the past?" asked Garnet.
"Others held off the enemies while I prepared magic that was able to counter them," said Zedd. "Like when I summoned Sun Wukong, something big enough to destroy their leader."
"I feel like I won't make a difference," said Garnet.
"That's where you're wrong," said Zedd. "A Hero is special, they make the impossible possible, just like how you became a Queen. If anyone can create a miracle, it is you."
"I think you have too much confidence in me," said Garnet.
"You doubt yourself," said Zedd. "Why?"
"I'm trying to be a mother, a Hero, and a wife, but I feel like I'm not doing enough for any of them," said Garnet.
"There's always more to do," said Zedd. "You will never have the time to do everything that you ever want to do, but as long as you are there for the important things, that is what really counts.
"Do you think the test will prepare me for the upcoming battle?" asked Garnet.
"It will make you more prepared, but there's always more you can learn to do," said Zedd. "We are limited by the amount of time that we have, so we have to choose what to focus on."
"And that's what I'm having trouble with," said Garnet.
"In due time, you'll figure things out," said Zedd. "You're only 25, but you look like you're 15. What I would give to look that young again."
"How old are you really?" asked Garnet.
"I'm not sure," said Zedd. "I stopped counting long ago. I chose to focus on just what I can do and I track time through my accomplishments."
"I want to be remembered for what I do as well," said Garnet. "I hope I'm remembered in a good way and not as King Charles' baby factory or something."
Spoiler :
Name: Garnet
Level: 21
Class: Dark Mage / Queen Consort
Sub-class: Temptress of the Night
Stats:
HP: 1670/1670
MP: 4800/4800
Fame: 130
Strength: 41 (+5)
Dexterity: 38 (+7)
Intelligence: 134 (+22)
Vitality: 47 (+5)
Agility: 48 (+7)
Charisma: 27 (+20)
PROFICIENCY:Weapon:
- One Handed Sword – 7
- Hand to Hand – 3
- Staff - 1
Magic:
- Fire – 6
- Lightning – 10
- Wind – 3
- Summoning – 8
- Blood – 6
- Spatial - 0
SKILLS:Weapon (One Handed Sword):
- Horizontal Slash (Level 3)
- Double Slash (Level 3)
- Crescent Slash (Level 1)
- Triple Slash (Level 1)
- Delta Attack (Level 1)
- Spiral (Level 1)
Weapon (Hand to Hand):
- Palm Strike (Level 1)
- Wind Palm (Level 1)
- Explosive Palm (Level 3)
- Lightning Palm (Level 1)
- Sweeping Kick (Level 1)
- Horizontal Kick (Level 1)
- Uppercut (Level 1)
- Ki Burst (Level 1)
- Demsey Roll (Level 1)
Weapon (Staff):
- Thrust (Level 2)
- Swinging Smash (Level 1)
- Double Strike (Level 1)
- Triple Strike (Level 1)
- Quadruple Strike (Level 1)
- Vertical Smash (Level 1)
Class (Dark Mage):
- Fire Bolt (Level 5)
- Fire Ball (Level 1)
- Lightning Bolt (Level 8)
- Chain Lightning (Level 4)
- Lightning Ray (Level 1)
- Light (Level 1)
- Air Bullet (Level 4)
- Mana Armor (Level 1)
- Call: Skeletal Hounds (Level 4)
- Call: Skeletons (Level 1)
- Call: Skeletal Knight (Level 1)
- Call: Romulus, Knight of Blood (Level 1)
- Call: Sylvia, Priestess of Blood (Level 1)
- Call: Lilith (Level 1)
- Call: Nuria (Level 1)
- Call: Mazu (Level 1)
- Recall
- Dismiss
- Enhanced Mana Regeneration (Level 3)
- Lightning Fire (Passive)
- Blood Absorption (Level 7)
- Blood Bind (Level 1)
- Blood Scythe (Level 1)
- Blood Sacrifice (Level 1)
- Blood Bullet (Level 1)
- Transformation: Blood Reaper (Level 1)
- Dance of Blood (Level 1)
- Teleportation (Level 1)
- Teleportation Summoning Circle (Level 1)
Sub-class (Temptress of the Night):
- Enhanced Body (Level 3)
- Captivation: (Level 3)
- Mind Read: (Level 1)
- Pleasure Inducement (Level 3)
- Sexy Walk (Level 1)
- Stealth (Level 2)
- Shadow Walk (Level 2)
- Sonic Scream (Level 1)
- Illusion (Level 2)
- Alluring Song (Level 1)
- Flight (Level 1)
- Aura of Fear (Level 2)
- Scale Armor (Level 1, Passive)
- Transformation (Level 1)
- Partial Transformation (Level 1)
- Transformation: Temptress of the Night (Level 1)
Tradeskills:
- Hunting (Level 5) - Hunter
- Cooking (Level 9) - Cook
- Inspection (Level 5)
- Sewing (Level 4) – Tailor
- Magicraft (Level 2) - Alchemist
- Inventory Expansion (Level 4)
Passives:
- Hand to Hand (Level 1)
- One Handed Sword (Level 1)
- Staff (Level 1)
- Reflex (Level 5)
- Haste (Level 2)
- Scale Armor (Level 1)
- Aura of Leadership (Level 1) – The
- Summoning Commander (Level 1)
- Queen's Presence (Level 1)
Unique:
- Hero System (Level 2, Passive)
- Otherworldly Knowledge (Passive)
- Golden Tongue (Passive)
- Mana Compatibility (Passive)
- Quick Learner (Passive)
- Channeling (Passive)
- Charging (Passive)
- Night Vision (Passive)