It had been months since Light's Oak had separated from Rex, though his existence and change he brought with him had remained clear cut and obvious. They were stronger than ever, even having advanced a rano of two during this time. Now, they were proud D rankers, capable of taking on most of the creatures in Vixieras dungeon, diving deeper and deeper as they went. The two additional new members, both women of course, had only strengthened them even further. The two Empowerment crystals were shoving their value big time, as Meru had become a stalwart defender, keeping whatever came at them at bay, and what few monsters could get past her as the rest of the girls pelted said monsters with arrows, spells or whatever else, the two new members, both front line fighters as well intercepted, ensuring their damage dealers had free reign. And when dealing with more powerful, or much larger groups, where ones stamina and limits were tested, Ria came in clutch, her healing and support spells playing pivotal role.
And approximately a month ago their coffers had been flooded with cash, the message from Rex arrived notifying them of the influx of cash in their guild account. They could almost retire at this point, had they not acquired the new members, or if they had the slightest inclination. With unanimous agreement, they had continued to go on as they had so far, growing stronger, day bay day, even if said growth was not obvious in the short term.
Thankfully, after the one ambush they had experienced, not a single new group had arrived, aiming to harm them in any way shape or form, so they could happily continue as they had, exploring the dungeon further and further. They even came to the agreement that once they reach the deepest level, they would move on towards the next place. They had considered multiple choices, each with its won pros and cons, though at the end settled on Solendiel. The capital of their nation. Samanta had some suspicions that Ria at the very least was seriously hoping to run into Rex as they explored the dungeon slash capital. Then again, neither she, nor any other girl, aside from the two new members, could claim otherwise, even if their reasons for the desire were different. Ria and Alurial though, well, they shared a rather similar and steamy reason, something that they got teased every now and then about.
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It had been a rather unexpected assignment, all things considered. His master rarely sent him on such tasks, especially when it involved the exiled, failure of a son of his master. Still, the candle of unlife with said progeny's name had died out, signifying the death of the youngster, and as such, his master had given him a task- to travel to the last place his sone drew breath and figure out what had happened and, if possible, avenge his death. And so, Barnabus had set out, the extinguished candle of unlife in his hand, always lponting him towards the place of death of the younger vampire, or mudblood as his siblings would call him. Barnabus could never quite fathom their cruelty. Were they not siblings, born of the same father? Not like any of them would inherit his place at the council table. That role was long since determined, the firstborn of his master claiming that right.
Still, he had been given a task, and while he could wonder about countless things as he traveled, often even laughing about the foolishness of his masters children, he knew better than to express his opinion without his master's express order. And even as he mused over many, different things, he was getting ever closer to the place of his young masters resting place. Soon enough, he reached his destination, an old and abandoned villa, no signs of a proper fight in sight. Whoever had taken down his young master was powerful, likely an entire group.
As he moved closer and closer to the center, he sensed nothing besides some odd chill creeping up his spine, as if he was closing in on a place he should not. More and more he felt the desire to abandon his task, but his masters orders were absolute, propelling him forward regardless. Then, he reached the central room, and while there was no corpse, or even dust of said corpse remaining, Barnabus learned something. He felt if for only a split second, and yet, his blood burned even as his body shivered in absolute terror.
As a servant, converted ages ago, he was particularly sensitive to the power of blood, something his liege wielded with great skill. And yet, the residue of the magic used here, was incomprehensible, so much so that Barnabus quickly turned one hundred eighty degrees and disappeared from the place with the greatest speed he could muster, like a desperate rabbit running from a pack of predators. And while there were no actual predators behinds him, nor was he a rabbit, the information he had to deliver was more important than the life of said rabbit. And so, he fled, he ran and ran and ran, traveling through whatever villages he ran across, sending a message from each and every one as well, lest he falls along the way. The information would reach his master. It MUST. A primordial bloodlord was walking the plane after all.
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As Evelysandra glanced outside the window, her thoughts wandered, thinking how it had all reached the point it had. Just a few weeks ago she had been a part of a slave trade ring dismantling. A rather large one at that. And yet, she could not smile, the actual sponsors and initiators still unknown since the captured bandit who knew anything, had been assassinated before he spilled the beans. She was of course aware that there were spies and informants among her entourage, bringing info about her movements and actions to the more powerful noble families of their nation, ensuring said families could always be ready to receive her, or whatever else they needed to know her movements for. She had used those she was aware of for her own benefit quite often, providing slightly misleading or incorrect info.
Though she had never expected that said spies were even embedded in her closest guards, her two knights not including of course. They wore certain curse rings that ensured nothing of the kind could involve them, acquired and adorned of their own initiative. She was eternally grateful for their devotion and faith in her goals and ideals. Still, what had happened was not excusable, forcing both her, and her family members to perform a purge, removing numerous known spies and discovering new ones within their retinues, and raising the level of vetting new ones. She was not the only royal who was spied on. They all were.
And now, she was in a rather large hall, sitting alongside a few other members of her family of similar age. Cousins, aunts, uncles and siblings alike. At the very center of their family, the king, her father, sat on a small throne, their entire group facing another, notably larger collection of nobles and their speakers. It was one of those days where numerous proposals and reports were made to the royal family and quite a few important decisions were made as well.
So far, the event had been nothing but a waste of time, in Evelysandras honest opinion. And while she would have loved nothing more than to get out of this useless and frilly dress she was forced to wear, adorn her usual leather armour and delve the dungeon, some things were mandatory, shackles she was in due to her birthright. It was such a blessing that her father was quite doting on his children and inhabited by the very best qualities of their family traits. Strong willed, fair and wise. Willing to listen to both strategist and pauper, lest he misses an important clue or morsel of knowledge.
As yet another noble droned on and on about their 'achievements' and troubles, her mind drifted once again to tales and thoughts of what could have beens. She would sometimes imagine being born as a child of a couple of adventurers, taught and trained by the parents to one day set out on her very own adventures, forming her very own party and exploring the world. Other times, she imagined being the daughter of a lesser noble, dealing with all manner of challenges they faced, finding clever ways to ensure she could both find her own happiness as well as ensure the prosperity of her families holdings.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
She never did dream of being a child of commoners though. Not that she had anything against them, this group of people were the very backbone and driving force of their nation, providing the majority of food and building most, if not all houses and infrastructure. And yet, no daughter of theirs was ever truly safe, even in a nation where the common folk had it quite good. Be a girl too pretty and some noble son will no doubt eventually notice you, or a band of brigands will kidnap and have their way. Nor did the commoners had enough of an access to education or martial training. All things her family would like to change, though still not having enough proper ideas as to how to implement it or get more noble families along with their ideals.
Evelysandra would have kept on daydreaming, were it not for the noble currently speaking mentioning her name, rightfully earning her full attention. The baron currently speaking belonged to a family on the northern border of their nation, having holdings that bordered the territory of nation of Naramika. A branch family of their ruling clan had sent a letter, expressing an interest of one of their sons, recently having come of age, in her hand. Worse still, she had heard rumours of said son. Not only was his expected potential much lower than her current strength, namely his potential of peak D, maybee barely C, against her current peak C, low B, but he also was known for being decadent and skirt chasing fool. And they had implied that she was of equal status? Now that was enraging, to say the least. Eve was sure that even one of her eyes twitched as the noble kept spouting the bullshit flowery words written in the letter, It finished with the information that an official messenger was already dispatched and should arrive soon for a proper and formal proposal. And what was even more annoying was how said noble fool then tried to prop up the proposal, explaining how it would truly benefit their nation.
Political marriages was a thing after all. No noble family could entirely escape such arrangements, though the men had it easier. All they needed was tallent and a pretty face and they could easily get a concubine or two, or a wife in case an offer from a particularly powerful family came, while still having their access to their own sweetheart in the form of a mistress or actual concubine, no matter the class of said girl. The daughters, unless one was an A ranker, would have to settle for one man and then spend their lives with him. Unfair? Yes, but it did make sense to some degree. A single man could have multiple wives pregnant at the same time, maintaining his own ability to both fight and make decisions while furthering their family line. A woman with multiple men as her paramours could not do the same. That was just how biology worked.
Still, her disgust was evident, she was not even remotely trying to hide it. Nor would her father even consider any of such offers, especially in her case. She had debriefed her father as soon as she returned, explaining in detail both of her encounters with Rex, as well as what she had learned. Her father had agreed that Rex was a catch, and she should focus solely on him to ensure they develop some sort of positive rapport. Even her father was sure Rex would likely outgrow their little and remote country in no time whatsoever, traveling deeper inland to challenge his own limits and as such, there was no point in trying to tie him down. They could though, and should, develop whatever friendly ties they could and Evelysandra was the perfect way to do it, having already made some inroads with Rex.
And once the noble man finished speaking, her father did as she expected. He laughed, though there was no warmth or joy in it, and then sneered, ridiculing the offer, for not only was it an insult to her, comparing her to the waste who had expressed his desire for Eve, but a clear insult to their entire family as well, even assuming for a second he could be amiable to such a pairing. He then also added that Evelysandra would not even consider other nobles for marriage as she was too busy working to ensure the prosperity of their nation for years to come.
Evelysandara almost laughed when she saw quite a few uncomfortable shuffles within the ranks of the nobles, no doubt a few other, similar offers in their hands, shut down even before they had spoken. Though she saw someone rise from their seat. 'One of the three pillars' she noted, as the man wobbled to the center, beginning his speech about the need to see the larger picture, and how such statements could harm the nation. Though she did phase the words of the noble out, as she clearly heard a familiar voice in her ears.
"I am above the capital. I need a place to land and leave my mounts for a time period while I take a look at what jobs you have for me. It feels like you are bored beyond reason so I assume you have the time. And don't answer, just move to the place I could land, this is one way communication only."
Interrupting the monologuing noble, Evelysandra rose to her feet, turned towards the king and spoke.
"Father, its him. He is back. May I go out and receive him?"
"Of course. Do you need someone sent with you? How soon could he visit my study?" the king asked, a slight smile on his face.
"Just give me a moment father." she replied, rushing towards one of the large balcony doors, opening it wide and rushing outside, wawing her hands towards the air. Moments later, jaws dropped one after another, as on the large balcony landed a couple of incredibly large, pitch black birds that clearly exuded A rank monster aura. A calm and powerfull voice of a stranger resounding from outside.
"I suppose you want me to have a talk with someone here? Does not look like a stable to me. By the way, you look good in that dress, even if a little odd when compared to the ussual attire."
"My apologies, but my father would love to have a word with you." Evelysandra replied and just moments later another unrecognized voice from the outside, this time one of a woman, filled the hall with the king and the nobles.
"Anything you have learned about the moneybags behind the slaver ring?"
"My deepest apologies. I am still working on that."
"Tch. Fine." the unfamiliar female clicked her tongue, clearly not happy with the results.
"Let's be quick about it then. I am itching to grind a bit, so lets see whats what." the male commented, as moments later the sound of heels striking the floor could be heard, a trio of people coming inside. And the nobles felt a chill, even more pronounced than what they already left, from the two monster birds. Two, A ranked bird creatures and two more A rankers and if that was not enough, as the man's eyes went over the room, they sent an even greater chill down their spines once again. To them, Rex gave off the sense of a seasoned warrior or a professional torturer, though he was clearly a young man.
The other newcomer, a wolfkin woman, also earned the attention of quite a few pairs of eyes, her exceptional beauty quite the contrast to the average looks of the man, though the gazes quickly dispersed as the man released an oppressive force on those who stared at her. A single 'Mine' all that was needed for them to sweat in fear. It mattered little that they were in what could be classified as the court of the king. In nation as remote as theirs, a single A ranker held incredible amounts of prestige and weight, giving them leeways most noble could only dream of.
As the trio approached the king, Rex gazed around a few times. The first was to warn the fools who were openly salivating over Danica, the next few times he inspected the people present, noting who had been stained either by lingering essence of blood or residue of resentment, created by souls as they reenter the cycles of reincarnation. That too was something he had always found odd. Numerous religions in his original word implied that after death ones soul went to heaven, hell or something similar and Rex found such reasoning flawed. The world was set up with the idea of constantly cycling and reusing recourses. Why would human soul be any different? No matter. He had other things to deal with now. Soon enough the trio stood before the king, and as Evelysandra proceeded to announce them, Rex noted the nobles who should be kept an eye one, the most likely to have a hand in the funding of the slave ring they took care of. There was no way Rex would leave them as they had been, in the lap of luxury and allowed to do as they pleased, consequences be damned.