----------------------------------------
-Two months later-
Rita panted even with all the new knowledge about her race. She didn’t understand why she could not create others like her. Walking up to the last of the new test subjects for the promotion to beta packmates. Her synthetic skin drew back to show her real black and silver body. Touching her hand to the man's chest, steadying her breathing.
[Aspect of lycancat: automaton heart]
Rita's mind cleared for the fifth time today to a calm, emotionless state. Her voice cold and toneless as her arm and hand melted its way into the man's chest, glowing with power. Losing some of its mass forming into the Seventh real magic core, as she started to pull back her arm.
Gently removing her arm as the man withered on the ground like the others. Watching as pure Silvery metal replaced flesh. Quickly changing the human into real Automations like mistress Kathrin. Luckily none of the packmates died like last time Rita had to stay focused; until they calmed down no matter how hungry she was. Loss of focus would kill them until the transformation was completed.
They might look the same, but Rita could feel the magic core pulse in each of them. Even with her newly reached level 50 and mastery of Corrupted hybrid, Rita couldn’t make Alpha pack mates. Nor could she feel any connection to any of the pack mate mental network Aside from lady Kathrin.
Knowing there was still so much she didn’t understand about her race, Corrupted hybrid, and the only one of her kind.
Sinadra and Normick applauded. “Yes, I won our bet. I told you she could handle five.”
Mistress quieted them with a glare. “Very nice, my lioness, that will be all for a while. Until we have finished testing. At most, only three more beta pack members will be needed to support the packmate network. Why don’t you run off for now and get something to eat?”
She gave a proud smile before leaving the windowless rune lit room. With her friends following behind her as they traveled down the halls. Taking a side route to meet up with someone. Stopping at one door knocking, hearing a panic shout, giggles, and rustling of papers.
Finally, Arche opened the door. Her hair was a mess peeping inside Ureirika, and Kuuderika was holding in their giggles as they helped pick up the scattered piles of paper. Looking back, Rita could see the bags under Arche's eyes.
“Another late-night studying with Fluder?”
“Yeah, please tell me he wasn’t part of the secret project.” Arche gave her those puppy dog eyes again. Sighing at the caster, unable to turn her friend down.
“You know I am not supposed to say anything about that. I already messed up by letting that slip.” Crossing her arms leaning on the doorway.
“Oh, come on, I helped you max out the lifeforce for the new class. Yawn…The empress has been pushing me hard with the last batch of training and tests.”
Rita hushed Arche looking around the halls. Arche looked sheepish, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. “Sorry forgot, still, please.”
Rita let out a tired breath before remembering seeing the old long-bearded wizard as the first one. “Yeah, only because Lady Kathrin doesn't want to lose his well of magical knowledge.”
Arche shoulders slumped at the news. Rita patted her friend's shoulders in understanding. The old wizard, even when he was still human, could be forgetful of his own limits. The first thing Fluder did after the change to Automation was run off to his tower. To study something, Rita was unsure if he was examining his new magic core? The magic Rita used to change him, or his own researching into magic lady Kathrin gave him was an unknown.
“How about I take all three of you to lunch. We might run into Kevlar on the way.”
Rita's heart filled with joy at the way both Arche’s sister's eyes lit up, begging her to take them. Her friend gave Rita an annoyed stare but relented. “Fine, let me freshen up first.” Rita's senses stayed sharp. She watched the door close. Waiting reminding herself to keep vigilant at the memory of all that had been lost. Rita might have regained new friends, a home, and her noble title. Her past reminded her how quickly all that could be lost if she let her guard down. Tightly gripping her sword handle, snaping up at Arche’s hand on her shoulder. She must have a serious look again by Arche's worried face.
“You ok?”
“Fine. Got lost in thought; come on, let's go.”
Rita smiled with the warmest expression she could. Bardic words came back to her as a warning and reminder to enjoy the time she had with all her new friends. ‘Doesn’t mean I will allow this to be taken away by evil.’
Traveling the halls, Rita couldn’t help but think with nothing to really do right now. The Slane Theocracy was quiet after the loss of the Black Scripture and wind flow Scripture. She would love to see their faces when they realize their misguided followers would not return from death. Unless they had 9th or 10th tier revival spells or items, according to lady Kathrin.
She had never heard of magic that could block Revival magic before but with how High tier it was. There was little wonder why even now she had only days ago learned her first two 7th tier spells. Bringing her total spell count to 19, most of which were heat and fire-based. This was nothing when compared to Kathrin. Who had knowledge of over 100 or even the emperor who Kathrin said knew over 300.
Even if she rarely saw him use any outside of the new corruption spell testing or in combat. “Hay Arche, how many spells do you know?”
“Big sister knows lots. Both Ureirika and I only know about ten.”
“I don’t know that many Fluder knows way more than me. I only got about 52 so far. Most of them I learned over the months because Fluder is a slave driver either to his own eccentrics or because of the empress’s order. Why do you ask?”
Rita did her best to hide her own disappointment at her own averageness. Maybe that was a little harsh, but after seeing all the emperor and empress could do. In the time she got to know them, it still felt like there was a vast power gap. Remembering the overwhelming evil powers that kept showing up making her question what good she could do defending the emperor? Combining her aspects of lycancat, martial arts, and spells would it be enough?
Rita could have lied, but Arche was one of the few people she could be honest with. “Now, I feel a little disappointed in myself for only having two 7th tier spells.”
Stopping when Rita noticed Arche had stopped staring at her. Right, she would probably say what lady Kathrin said. ‘Those are the common Starting range of spells for real PVP. Between only having three or fewer spells in each rank and Your limited list of spells. A skilled enemy player will quickly figure out your range of skills and leave you unable to catch them off guard.’
Before Arche could comment or the complete awe-filled eyes of the twins could speak in the wondrous praise only children could. Kevlar and his group turned the corner loudly talking.
“Oh, Hay Kuude and Irika. Rita, you going to get something to eat too? If so, you can share more of your awesome stories with us.”
Rita refocused her mind, something which she had mastered. Being able to quickly change her Thought process was the key to using her combat style. It also helps her stay alert at all times, even in the peaceful times they had now. All six young children cheered as she and Arche followed them. Enjoying seeing the energy of the children who help get her mind off the negative thoughts.
Coming to the richly decorated dining room of the palace. Light shining into the room through the tall windows. The room only had a few guards and servants eating. The place was mostly quiet save for the clattering of silverware or the odd conversation. She and Arche had gotten used to this. The pack mate mental network allowed for quick and precise talks that only they could hear.
Everyone in the palace had been turned into a packmate. Save for the handful that had a reason not to be. This was lady Kathrin’s security network, which made the palace a safe haven for the supreme being whenever he came by. No one that didn’t have Kathrin’s permission was even allowed to meet them physically. The greater doppelgangers, which posed as emperor, empress, and royal guards as they talked to the visitors and handled the requests and issues of the common people. If the request needed it, then the rare visitor would meet her mistress.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Getting in line, they each got special meals. Lady Kathrin allowed each person in the palace their own personal food and favored meal list for each day. Allowing the cooks to premade the food before they got there though it couldn’t be changed on the same day. It saved time, and all they had to do was pick up the food when they got hungry.
Rita took the tray with delicious Pasta, rice, and fish taking a seat near Arche while the kids were enjoying themselves. “So, you finally reached 7th tier, huh, which spells.”
Rita halted mid-bite looking over Arche moving the food around more subdued than usual. “[Napalm] and [Primal hell armor]. I assume you know them.”
To her surprise, Arche answered no. Seeing the magic as She teleported a large book to her. looking through it. “Napalm makes sense for your affinity for Fire magic, but I can’t find Primal hell armor.”
Rita pulled out her own book; it wasn’t as big as Arche’s and could fit in her hand. Covered in glowing runes as the words glowed with power as she opened the book. Showing the two pages, one described the spell, and the other was a picture of wicked-looking evil armor that would bring fear to any who saw the burning snarling armor.
“I can create it or transform the armor I have on. Mistress said it will help protect me against good and light magic. It might look evil, but it has helped…”
Arche was staring at the pages in shock, absorbing every detail. Taking out another book and writing in the pages. Rita was at a loss to how to react to her friend. Glancing at Sinadra and Normick, who both shrugged. They might be a little use to seeing her use that spell in their regular training.
“Sorry, Fluder drove the habit of memorizing or writing down notes about new spells as soon as possible.”
“I thought you knew this one?”
“Rita, are you kidding me? I don’t know a single spell above the 4th tier. Sure, I know a lot more about magic then I did while adventuring. I am still having a hard time learning the 5th tier. I don’t know how you learn them so fast.”
“Uh, the emperor's sister helped me out.”
Rita could swear Arche was becoming more like Fluder by the same obsessed look in those gray eyes. Kathrin wouldn’t allow her to say much about Jester even though they weirdly added her to the new temples dedicated to the emperor. It was very odd, but she wouldn’t argue with it. Mistress said it was a minor request from the supreme being.
Rita Relented; it probably wouldn’t hurt to say. Arche spent most of her time in the palace or at Fluders tower. “Jester is a demigoddess that is the emperor's sister. But you would have to ask the emperor himself.”
“You mean like the minor god in the temples of the undead gods? She is the emperor's sister. I never heard of her before a month ago, and even in the book didn’t say they were related.”
They already finished the book that fast! “Yes, but don’t tell anyone. It is weird enough that lady Kathrin suddenly wanted to replace the old faith of the Four gods with the four new gods.”
Arche chuckled with myth. “Not really, I still get out more than you do. To supervise my sister when they hang out with Kevlar and his friends. After everything, the sorcerer-king, the emperor, and the empress have done. It is hard for people not to start seeing them as gods and goddesses. Even if Jester is the less well-known one.”
Rita turned to Sinadra and Normick for help. This was a little weird. Considering that to the supreme beings, gods were playthings, it seemed almost insulting to call them that. Evil deities, Dragonlords, and even the demigod like Jester allied with them, feared them like the wicked Carnival or died.
Sinadra spoke up first. “Uh, she does have a point, lady Rita. The emperor god of war and Justice has destroyed the convent of crows, fought back the Demon Emperor, saved the dragon kingdom from the savage beast-men, fought off the dragon lord, and would risk his life and war for a single person threatened under his protection. Something that no ruler has ever done before having such care given to the commoners aside from the golden princes.”
Normick spoke up next. “The empress goddess of silver beauty has maintained prosperity and peace. Putting down the four gods' faith rebellion, beaten the Slane theocracy’s treachery, and most of all, always looking as pretty and regal as ever.”
Rita shot them both a look grumpily eating they did not understand. She really wished she could connect to the packmate network at the moment. “Ok, what about the Sorcerer kingdom and Jester then?”
Arche saw that something was upsetting Rita but didn’t seem to get it. “The god of life and death fought off the demon emperor. Aside from E-rental, which somehow wasn’t attacked by the Demon Emperor. There is more if you asked someone from the sorcerer kingdom, but his deeds are less well known here then Jester, the emperor, and empress.”
“What about Jester?”
All three looked at each other before Arche answered. “Not really sure on that one? Seems particularly popular among the undead or monster races.”
Rita relented once lady Kathrin messaged her that the supreme being didn’t mind. Also informing them that she would have the rest of the day off. It still felt weird. “Alright, So the empress said we have the rest of the day off. Testing with the new project will take longer than expected.”
The children cheered at the news as Arche decided to take Rita exploring the capital before they visited the new temple of the four gods.
----------------------------------------
-Clemvet-
She kept her hood up following the three slaves to her [submission chains] a little tricky to control more than one at a time. Grinning at the challenge, not that her old home was much of a challenge. This mission her only master had given her was so wonderful. Fingering the four golden spider silk-like crowns with many small gems on them.
Grinning evilly in the shadow of her hood to think her master would ask her to steal one of the rarest and most protected treasures of the Slane Theocracy. Even finding the tunnels they traveled to the hidden temple was fun. Passing a few guards, this one was much more heavily guarded, probably because of her quick work.
Two old men were arguing. One looked about 30 in thick armor with symbols of the water god. The other was a fierce-looking priest around 40, the foremost defender of the last Miko priestess of darkness.
“We should start now before the monster finds its way here as well! Or did you forget that the new black Scripture failed to even realize something was wrong before the whole hidden temple was slaughtered.”
“No, we should wait for the extra guards. Ah, finally, you arrived! You see, Raymond and Maximilian have not failed us. You should have more faith; my friend, the Six gods, will lead us to victory against these false undead idols.”
“I have faith, but we will not know what Killed the black Scripture until we revived them. It is bad enough that most of the ones we tried died minutes after being brought back. These three may be our only hope to learn what evil spell the vampire lord used. Let alone what really happened at the capital of the dragon kingdom.”
The knight frowned at the priest. “Thousand Leagues should have never been sent on this I can agree. If they can kill the mysterious monster and get back the Crowns of Wisdom, we can at least spy on the empire. This is merely a test of the Six gods.”
The priest’s eyes passed over her, and the mind dominated slaves. With suspicion but did nothing to act on it. Clemvet had to restrain her laughter at the fools giggling as She led the toys to take their places around the room.
“S-sorry for being late, we ran into a vampire that tried to ambush us.”
Clemvet loved watching the two humans argue. She could kill them all now. Then she wouldn’t be able to complete her mission to meet and kill the last of the three members of the black Scripture. Scoffing at the new ones, they weren’t even worth killing the greenhorns.
“~No need to worry, Sir, we will defend you while you work.~”
Finally, the priests and priestesses gathered around the Miko priestess, mindlessly waiting. Then they began To Clemvet’s joy holding herself back, creating magic enchanted stilettos. Her cursed chains are eager to claim her prize. Watching as The Thousand Leagues Astrologer, Cedran, and Beaumarchais came back to life, and weaker due to the lower tier magic used. Clemvet laughed, throwing [Creeping darkness talismans] all over the room.
Clemvet’s three toys compelled by [submission Chains] attacked anyone in the room besides herself. Killing everyone in the room as the assassin herself cut loose. It was laughably easy in seconds two of her [raider chains] steales the last crown of Wisdom. Then turned to the last objective, the three surviving members of the black Scripture.
Clemvet lowered her hood. “Hello, you missed your friends' deaths, but don’t worry, master wanted me to help you join them.”
“Didn’t you learn anything after stealing one Crown of wisdom.” The red-headed defender shouted.
Clemvet beamed darkly with joy patting the five crowns of Wisdom on her belt. “Oh, these. Feel free to try taking them. Don’t blame me if you lose a hand.~We got plenty of time together before my feast. Not that any of you will be leaving here with your blood. Or arms Entoma needs a gift after all for helping me. ~”
She crouched low, taking in her three targets, the redhead taking the defensive front. Beaumarchais readying his weak chains, and a thousand leagues cowering in the back with her magic monster bag. Clemvet’s only problem was the time limit before the guards realized something was wrong in the sealed room.
‘Maybe I should pay a visit to the last Scriptures before I go. Master will be sure to reward me, even more, ruining the military might of this rotten country.’ Clemvet licked her lips before charging her prey stood little chance.
----------------------------------------
-Temple of the new four gods-
Rita greeted the vampire priest as their group entered the temple. It was a little surprising to see so many here. When it first got finished, few people were there for the grand opening. Now many people came and went through the high vaulted halls of the entrance.
The pale blue-haired vampire priest bowed. “It is a pleasure to meet the champion of the emperor god. What Can I do for you, lady Rita and your friends?”
Rita didn’t know if she would ever be fully used to being considered a noble lady again. Lightly smiling at the kind vampire priest. “I wanted to get a copy of the new book. I also wanted to ask about why…Jester was added to the fourth spot.”
The vampire priest gains an energetic flair; she didn’t think possible for an undead. Achieving a smile that almost split his face in half, leading them inside the temple filled with paints and sculptures of all four new gods.
“With pleasure, our guiding light, our goddess Jester personally had us create a book, especially for you. It should answer any questions you have.”
Arche shared a look with Rita before asking. “I thought you would be answering questions.”
The vampire priests smile back, but his eyes held Rita's attention with a gleam. That told her this vampire priest would not talk till they were alone. Rita couldn’t see any hostility from him or hidden magic weapons.
She kneeled down and encouraged Kevlar to go keep the children together and explore the main temple of the four gods. While Arche went off with her two underlings leaving Rita to follow the priest to a private room.
The room itself had three other undead in the room, all of the priests and priestess of the temple. Which confused her a little undead should be weak to divine magic like she was. So far, she had only seen undead acting as priests healing those who need healing regardless of undead or living.
“I see you are confused, lady Rita. Is it my nature or that undead make up the majority of healers and faithful of the temple of the undead gods?”
The vampire opened a small box with a little black book with her name on it. It looked too small to hold all the information she was after. The vampire held it out to her, allowing her to take it. “Both, I guess. I know many undead and creatures that where considered monsters have flocked to the empire of night and Sorcerer kingdom. Yet I still don’t understand why undead would choose this line of work.”
The vampire laughed at her conflicted eyes. “You sound just like Arche’s friend Roberdyck. When he first came here with questions. I am sure you will leave just as enlightened as he was.”
“You must understand in some way even if you don’t know it. You are one of the goddesses chosen creations made by her and her big brother.”
Rita’s eyes widened in shock, the only ones who should know that where at Nazarick. Her hand shooting to her sword, she needs to know how he learned that. The vampire stayed calm, his hands together in front of him the kind smile never changing.
“Enough Brother Magnus, you are scaring her. Sorry about him, he forgets our jobs are to keep our goddess secrets and move her mysterious goals forward.”
Then a third holy undead came forward nest to the pale, raven-haired sister with a collar around her neck. The third was only bones in robes with glowing orange eyes. “We will answer what we can, but you know how our goddess is like. She only reveals information as needed.”
“What are those goals, and how long have you been following jester?”
The vampire lost some of his cheer. “You already know her goals. Where you not there when they talked about it. While we have been left to guess with the Tasks, we are given.”
Rita was there, but she had no idea what YGGDRASIL was besides a collection of 9 leaf’s on a tree. They were also Nine worlds that Kyuketsuki was from. She didn’t know how any of that worked or what would be needed to recreate it. Frowning, this didn’t tell her anything she didn’t already know, and worse, they didn’t seem to know either.
“Ok, how long have you been serving Jester?”
The lich answered next. “Since we were called by the goddesses champion’s wave of darkness. It had brought many who had their doubts about the empire and Sorcerer king out. It had helped guide and lead the lost and scattered those who have long been hunted or hiding.”
Rita remembered the wave. She wondered what the tide of darkness really was. Kathrin would want to know about this if they had dangerous goals. “For what reason?”
The Dullahan she realized smiled at Rita. “To finally live in peace any task the goddess gives. It is for both her brother and her own goals to create a city, no a nation where undead and other monsters no longer need fear or hide. Under the undead gods, we shall finally have the chance to have a family and live in peace like before my death. Is that not what you want as well?”
Rita couldn’t believe she doubted such an honest person. She had rarely seen such honesty even in living people. Taking her hand away from her sword. “Yes, I seek to purge the world of those like Eight fingers, the demon emperor, and dragon lords. Who makes those seeking only to live in peace suffer for their own amusement.”
The lich carefully took Rita’s hand in her skeletal hands. “Would you like to pray with us before we talk more?”
----------------------------------------
-End of Chapter-