Chapter 12
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Minor time skip. Here's the next chapter enjoy <3
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The Crimson Widow
Its been been 2 years now here in Zyrus and I am now 7 and I have gotten a lot stronger I am now level 25. I have also grown a decent amount in stature I am now just over 4 and half feet. Which is the average height of a full grown wood-elf since I am supposedly a half-blood I think I will be able to keep up this facade until I leave for magic school.
I finally got a class once I hit level 20 I had figured out what class best fit me and I had to go to through someone in the thieves guild(I am acquaintance now) to get it. My main class is now Shadowblade (assassin mage hybrid class). The best thing about this class is gave me access to body strengthening magic that boosts my stats a lot at the cost of using a portion of my mana which I have plenty to spare.
After about 3 months of leaving home the guilt about leaving back home the way it was to Mandy became too much, and I sent a letter to Mandy letting her know that I was ok. I let her know that I wasn't coming back for awhile and just to trust me to stay safe, not matter what. I asked her to keep my the fact I was still alive a secret obviously I have no idea if she would abide to that though. I told her that I was sorry how everything went down but I what I am doing now is necessary to help pave my own future. I wasn't going to let anything or anyone inhibit me from reaching my full potential and that includes my very own family.
I let her know me sending these letters had a condition. If they tried to send people to track me down and bring me back or even just send people just to observe me, those people were guaranteed to fail miserably. As punishment for violating this condition, I would stop sending letters letting her know I was alright altogether and I would disappear totally. Mandy knew me well enough to tell I was not bluffing. I have been sending her letters every few months since they haven't breached my condition yet.
Messages can be sent with space time magic across the country. This has become a common practice to spread news and information across the continent. It was also useful for researchers as a lot of times mages had to collaborate on projects across great distances. So to send her a message I just had to go to the mages guild and pay to send a message to Mahouren and label it as a letter to Mandy. It would be possible to trace these letters back to me but if they tried it they would be forcing me to cut off communication.
I have grown quite close with Siena as we both do missions for the guild together when ever possible as we enjoy each others company. I can speak the elven language much more fluently now, I could always speak it with my gift the words just came slow so I practiced it to the point it sounds very natural. I decided it was something I needed to do for my cover of being half-elf but I also wanted to be able to communicate with my friends without outsiders understanding. You should have seen how surprised Siena and Zyra were when I cut into one of the conversations they were having about me in the elf language.
My rank in the guild is now rank B and Siena has just been promoted to rank A, in fact me and Zyra are going to throw her a promotion party later tonight. We plan on taking her to a fancy restaurant and then enjoying a cake that I had spent all day yesterday making at Zyra's place.
I have been renting a house for a while now I found it a lot cheaper then renting a room at the inn constantly. Siena figured out my aunt story was a bunch a bs rather quickly but understood why I did it back then. She offered to room with me but I honestly like my own space and I had the gold to enjoy it. Also I didn't want to have to hear her moaning from the random hook-ups she would be having in the other bed room.
Adventuring has been fun as Lara, not a single elf that I have encountered has suspected in the slightest that I was human. As a matter fact I often forget it too as I assumed the role of Lara. Zyra had even made me a special pair of earrings so I no longer needed the headband for the ears which was nice for when we took baths. I spoke the language I had assumed a lot of the mannerisms, and I dressed the part perfect. Any talk about elven knowledge could easily be cheated with the gift in most circumstances.
In the guild I was becoming very well known as I reached B rank faster then anyone had before. In all honesty skill wise I was probably close to S rank or higher but the way the guild works you have to complete lots of quests before you rank up there is no shortcuts. The number of subjugation missions were always constant so I always had something to kill if I wanted.
As Lara I always try to dress impressively, I often flirt with people to get what I want. I enjoy controlling people with my charm, I enjoy manipulating them to my benefit. It is a game to me, and I was very good at it. My goals are never anything very sinister, most of the time it was just to gain information, get a discount or special deal from a vendor, and sometimes it simply is for my own amusement.
Although I am very flirtatious and act cute and innocent. I am very quick to shoot down any advances on me always quick and ruthlessly. I have no intention of getting into any kind of physical relationship with anyone regardless of their sex at this point in my life. I truly appreciate beautiful women, but I am fine with admiring them from a distance at this point. Men who complain I am a tease and try to push the envelope and attempt to touch or grab me endure a much more brutal rejection often needing a visit with a cleric. Although I don't have the title I do have the nickname among people in the guild as the untouchable beauty.
The scary thing is, this Lara persona it came so naturally, did this mean that Lara is actually my true personality? Was I Lara, Kara, or Taiko now? I like to think I am a combination of all three but I feel less and less like Taiko and Kara everyday. As Taiko I am hard working, honest, and earnest but also selfish, self-destructive, and dense. As Kara I am graceful, caring, and studious but also timid, sheltered, and reserved. As Lara I am confident, ambitious, and dedicated but also manipulative, ruthless, and cold.
I am neither good or evil that was what the gods told me but in a way I am actually both good and evil. I enjoy killing people and watching the despair in their eyes as they die, yet I feel elated when I was able to liberate a bunch of kids from future slavery. I guess I will just leave it as I am complicated.
Anyways I am heading to Sarah's store to pick up my gift I have ordered for Siena. It is a necklace that will look good on her and I know she will like it. I paid good money to get it a high end enchant. In a couple years I am going to move away, so for now I am going to spoil her. I don't know if I will see ever her again after I leave.
“Hey Sarah I am here to pick up the thing I ordered.” I ask her as I walk in. The necklace was enchanted by one of her connections in the craftsman guild. Apparently it was the same enchanter that did my bracelet she had given me 2 years ago as a reward for saving her caravan from goblins.
“Here you go Lara” she handed me a box with the necklace inside “how have you been? Still going strong with the guild?”
“It was super fun at first but it has gotten boring of late. I have to do some many mission to rank up, so I don't even get the opportunity to try the super challenging missions. Occasionally things get interesting though.” I nonchalantly explained my current feeling of adventuring.
“Well if you ever want to work for me you have spot open for you. Anyways have you noticed it, the vibe in the city?” Sarah asked.
“Oh you mean the tension between the upper and lower class? Yeah it has gotten really bad, the corruption is at an all time high. I feel like it could boil over at any time.” I confirmed Sarah's thoughts.
“So who's side would you take if there was a clash?” Sarah asked.
“I would take my own side of course. I do feel some empathy for the lower class but not enough to stick my own neck out as it would not benefit me.” It was a tough question.
Anyways after picking up my gift I met up with Zyra and Siena to go out to dinner.
The place was a high end elf restaurant. Our waiter was actually a wood-elf himself and I enjoyed pulling his heart strings like a lute. It was too easy to do, all I had to do was look into someones eyes give them a sweet smile and talk in sweet melodic voice and they would snared into my web. The blessing of Aphrodite made charming people second nature. He blushed bright red when asked him what traditional wood-elf dishes he would recommend from there menu. He stuttered out a few options all of them were some type of meat, seriously no salads? I ended up going with a venison steak. After taking our orders Siena and Zyra started to speak in elven language.
“Zyra isn't Lara the biggest flirt? She could charm the Demon King himself.” Siena amusingly said.
“Yeah but she shoots down every guy that approaches her without reservation. I think she is into girls by the way she checks out women and pays no interest into men other then to size them up in a fight.” Zyra added.
“I am right here you guys forget I can speak elven too? Anyways I never said I was into guys or girls, all that matters to me is getting stronger.... that's it” I say annoyed that Zyra could read me so well.
“Who even taught you to speak elven we sure didn't Now you intrude on our private elf conversations jeez Lara.” Siena annoyingly said.
“Oh elven is easy to learn I just read a book you know, and since I am half-elf shouldn't I get to join in or at least half in?” I replied with a smile.
“I must admit I forgot you are actually human most of the time, its too bad that you are. Humans live for a short amount of time compared to us.” Siena kind of was depressed at this notion.
“I don't know Siena by the rate you get into trouble I might be around longer you. Anyways there are quite a few ways to prolong your life as a human.” I replied to Siena.
After enjoying are meal we started heading back to Zyra's place.
As we walked down the street there was a huge argument going on between 2 men and a woman. The first man was a chubby guy in really nice clothes and jewelry hes got at least 6 guards around him all on edge I bet hes a big time merchant or a noble. The other man was tall and wiry and in very cheap clothes. The woman's attire looked rather cheap too.
“Phebian why do you get between me and that woman, I wanted to talk to her and you are in my way! I am Lazlo Ludwick son of the duke of Sturn. Know your station.” Lazlo is a noble of a medium duchy to the far east of this country.
“Well she is my wife and she doesn't want to talk to you, please understand. We don't want any trouble.”
the man was trying his hardest to diffuse the situation and protect his wife.
“Your wife? Well I am sure that she would be much more comfortable as my concubine. You should be honored I would take such interest in a commoner” Lazlo arrogantly proclaimed.
“We are leaving goodbye” the man grabbed the woman's hand and turned his back to walk away.
Lazlo upset that he didn't get what he wanted so he pulled out a sword and stabbed the man in the back with no hesitation as he was walking away. As the man collapsed and started to die the woman was crying in anguish holding his head as he was saying something to her.
“He threatened me! Look he has a weapon he was about to use it!” Lazlo tried to explain his actions pointing to a small sword at the mans waist. Since when has it been illegal to carry weapons.
There were several guards one whom looked like he was high in command. They were in the area for a while now as the argument had played out over a few minutes, this guy is sure going to get in trouble.
“I Gregarious of the guard saw it as an act of self defense.” This literally made everyone in the crowd start to yell and scream at them. That's when a shit ton of more guards showed up and started to send people away from the scene forcibly.
As I looked at that gluttonous bastard and that old sell-out guard, images of Darius and Roland came to my mind. Men who were too greedy, and either thought that women were just property or men that would lose all sense of right and wrong just for some money. Then when I looked at the poor woman holding her dead husband a dreadful scene from my past popped in my mind. The image of me crying over Mathias's lifeless body played in my mind over and over again. I felt sorrow, as I looked upon the somber scene. Then I got angry, I got so angry that my vision started to blur from increased blood pressure.
As I became enraged mana and pure killing intent spilled out around me like a dam had just collapsed. People and guards were involuntarily pushed away and began cowering from me. They're dead, they're so dead I am going to kill them. Not right now because it would be stupid but soon, I reasoned in my head. As I imagined the despair that would be on Lazlo face as he died from exsanguation I grinned from ear to ear. I started walking with my two girls now focused on cake. Murder would have to wait for the cover of night.
“Unbelievable I cant believe we just witnessed that! A man killed in cold blood and the guards just lets it slide. I don't know if I can live here much longer” Zyra was obviously shaken from the whole ordeal.
“Yeah I wanted to teach that noble guy a lesson and then all the guards showed up and protected him. Lara you were super scary there for a second I could feel atmosphere around you turn dreadful. I thought you were going to do something stupid, yet now you seem giddy?” Siena looked at me.
“I was angry for second but what are you going to do? Anyways I spent a whole day baking this cake and we are going to enjoy it! That's a whole day I could have gotten stronger so you better appreciate it!” I did enjoy making it, I hope they love the taste, the thought of them enjoying my cake made me very happy. I guess the Kara in me is still alive after all.
The cake was delicious and I was so glad everyone enjoyed it. A few of Siena and Zyras friends showed up and we all had a very fun time watching Siena open her gifts. My gift of course was the best, it was really worth the 6 gold I paid to see her smile. We thanked everyone for coming and then we all headed home. As soon as I left I instantly went into hunter mode. I would settle things tonight with these guys for making me relive a personal hell.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
During my adventures I had a chance to partake in an activity that I wanted to as a little girl, herb collecting. I have amassed a small collection among my adventures and I have been able to level my alchemy to level 5. I can make only mid level healing potions, its too bad because if I had could make high potions I would have been able to save that man earlier. I keep my skill a secret because I don't want people coming to me for potions. The supply of mid potions is really small and high potions are almost non existent. If people knew I could make mid potions from lower quality herbs I would have all kinds of people bothering me. It would be a good way to make money but I prefer to only mix in the evening before I go to bed when I don't feel like reading.
While my ingredients for making healing potions have been mediocre at best, my ingredients for poisons have been great. I have crafted several high poisons and there effects are quite lethal. Think about this way a high potion has the ability to heal a fatal injury, so a high poison has the opposite effect. Of course against a high level person the effects are diminished.
I stop home to change out of my clothes putting on really light leather gear that I had bought a while ago, my concealment cloak and my mask of Grena. I grab one of my few high poisons this one was made with fire poppy roots which should make the victim feel like they are burning alive from the inside. I would only need a few drops against these two since they are both below level 40.
My first mark is going to be Gregarious since he is going to be a much easier target then Lazlo and if things go wrong I will have at least eliminated one mark tonight. I ran across rooftops since it is easy for me and my level 7 acrobatics and also since I feel like being a true ninja right now. The first place I checked was the barracks he wasn't there, so he is either out on patrol or drinking at the tavern I concluded logically. I couldn't find him in the tavern either but I now knew were Lazlo was I will be coming back here soon.
The city was broken into districts for the guards and I could easily see where the edge of the territory's was with my information gift. After looking around for about 20 minutes I found my mark. Unbelievably he is getting a blow-job while on duty and in a back alley, actually this is going to make this a lot more interesting for me.
I coat Roland's dagger with the poison and I slipped on my mask. I descend down into the alley and sneak up dagger in hand. Gregarious let out a loud grunt as he had finished the deed. The woman saw me and started making muffled noises but couldn't say anything that was sensible as her mouth was currently occupied. As soon Gregarious pulled out she screamed “Behind you!” Instinct fully Gregarious turned around and as he did I cut into his swollen member and then stabbed him in the thigh avoiding major arteries for some decent non lethal blood letting.
“You bitch you just cut my dick!” He went to lunge at me but he tripped himself on his own trousers which were still around his ankles. As he went to get up he quickly fell back down and assumed the fetal position.
“It burns! It burns so bad! So one help me. AHHHHHH! AHHHHH! Some one please kill me!” I was for sure he had taken a lethal amount by the rate his HP was slowly but steadily dropping. His screams are so bad it is for sure going to attract attention, I really want to watch his demise but I need to leave. The woman is just sitting there mortified at what had just happened. I quickly slip out of the alley closing off access to the alley with earth magic and disappear back into the darkness.
Well now to take care of Lazlo. Taking care of Gregarious had been extremely satisfying hopefully this next mark will be as fun. When I got to the tavern I could see Lazlo with his group enjoying drinks. The poor server lady was getting groped as she brought more drinks her face was filled with disgust but she kept a very forced smile. That fat bastard I am going to slip the rest of this poison into his drink. I keep watching trying to figure out how I am going to do this. I don't like it this place is too public, there are too many potential issues. The only way I can think of safely doing this poisoning his drink but I definitely don't have the right poison for the job. Absorption through the stomach is a lot lower because a lot of the poison denatures in the stomach acid before it can absorb into the blood and he would most likely spit out what he is drinking when he tastes it as it would very hot.
I keep watching the situation trying to find an opening. I could try my crossbow coated with poison but it would not be an easy shot and I would only get one shot before I had to escape. Perhaps I should just wait until he leaves and then ambush him as he travels to his inn? As I visualized every possible scenario in my head something incredible unfolded in front of me.
A red headed woman in belly dancer outfit complete with a shawl over her face began to dance on the stage the band began to play music for her dance. She was very enchanting, I could tell she used illusion magic to make movements show a slight after image for effect. Her dance was very hypnotic, and Lazlo was being drawn in like a moth to flame. At first I didn't notice it but now I can tell she was targeting Lazlo in particular as her movements always had him in the center. I snapped out of trance and watched as she went up to Lazlo and pulled him in with her hip scarf and gave him a personal dance close up for a few seconds and then backed up finishing her dance. What is this?? When I looked at Lazlo's neck where the hip scarf was there was a cut and I look at Lazlo's status he losing health very rapidly, yet he hasn't moved a muscle. Paralyzed? I quickly look at the dancer and use analyze as she is bowing and now quickly leaving the stage. What I see shocked my world.
Status WindowName:Jennifer von SteinbenTitle:The Crimson WidowRace:Pure-blood VampireGender:FemaleClass:AssassinSubclass:Enchantress, TailorAge:251Level:123TitlesThe Daywalking Beauty, The Virtuoso TailorResourcesHealth:12310/12310Mana:4850/4850Stamina:13110/13110StatsStrength:758Intelligence:695Agility:840Charisma:854Wisdom:320Precision/aim:85Vitality:685Luck:75
She makes Darius seem like a small fry holy shit. I cant believe I was using Darius as gauge of true strength in this world, the world is much more wide then I had thought! I am in love with her! I need her to teach me! Where did she go?! All that is left on the stage is a note, I didn't even notice her leave the stage. Lazlo has just collapsed. He had died on his feet while paralyzed. Someone looked at the note on the stage and screams “Its the Crimson Widow! Where did that dancer go?”
I searched for her but she was long gone. I want to track her down. I need to talk to her, but isn't that dangerous? She is a vampire after all and she definitely could easily kill me. I want her to teach me, I know she can help my growth. I try weighing the risks with the rewards in my head using logic, and I keep coming to fact I am an idiot for even considering wanting to talk to her. Damn it Taiko in me! Why must I approach her? Last time you got pulled towards a powerful woman you died and were reborn as one.
After not being able to sleep at all I come up with a plan for approaching her. From what I can tell she is living under the cover of being a tailor here in the city. Once I figure out what tailor she is I am going make an letter exposing her identity and then I am going to have a friend hold onto it. If I disappear then the letter gets exposed, thats my first card to play. My second card is also my extremely expensive trump card. I have an enchanted doll, enchanted with space time magic that will swap places with me if I activate the ward to it. It is limited to about 500 meters so it would be for escaping if she attacks me. I have a pair of silver swords and crossbow bolts too. I will pick holywater from the temple too. I feel butterflys in my stomach as I venture out to track her down.
It didn't take me very long to find her obviously somebody with the title the Virtuoso Tailor was going to be someone high end. She ran a place called Jen's Boutique and Design. It was in the richest part of town close to the palace. I found a place to set up the doll. I made sure I looked appropriate as I entered the shop. A sharply dressed woman welcomed me.
“So what could I interest you in today young miss?” the receptionist asked.
I put on a sweet little smile and talk in a sweet voice and look her straight in the eye in attempt to charm her. “ I was wondering if I could meet with Jen personally. I have a custom order I want and I have the gold ( I show a handful of gold coins). Wont you please take me to her?”
The receptionist cant help but give in to my request and she leads me to the back where Jen has an office. She has me wait outside the office knocks on the door waits for permission to enter. After about a minute she leaves the office “ Mistress Jen will meet you now.” She then bows and goes back to the front of the shop.
“Welcome young lady, to whom do I have the honor of speaking to?”
“Mistress Jen the honor is all mine, I am Lara.” I do a proper curtsy.
“So Lara what is the real reason you come to see me today? It is surely not for an outfit, my personal work is not cheap and you as a human would outgrow it very quickly. The fake ears do not deceive me” Jennifer was very serious now.
“I apologize I wear them so often it becomes second nature, the reason I come to you today is because I would like you to make me your disciple Mistress Jen. I feel that you are the only one who can help me.” I was definitely blushing when saying this.
“Oh its just that, tailoring is a very difficult profession but if you are so interested I can direct you to my liaison in the craftsmen guild they can help you.” She offered to me.
I laughed a little not only because the misunderstanding but also to help calm my own nerves “Mistress Jen, I was not talking about becoming your disciple in tailoring. I was talking about your.......... other profession. I am a big fan of your work!”
“What do you know?” Straight to the point huh?
“I know that you are the only one who can teach me. I also know that I would never betray you.” I said as sincerely as possible.
“That's not what I asked...” Instantly she had closed in on me and attempted to grab me but I casually side step her.
Before she can try again I answer her, “ I know everything and if I disappear what I know becomes public knowledge.”
“Your bluffing.” she said.
“Then call my bluff.” I boldly tell her looking her dead straight in the eyes. I am really scared right now but I hide it.
“Hmm maybe I will have to torture you to get the information.” She quickly counters.
“Mistress Jen you would have to catch me alive and I still have cards to play (I basically implied I had a trump card). I don't know why you would be against taking on the most gifted disciple on the planet. Zyrus is in a mess you can use my help.” I continue my negotiation.
“And what can you do? I cant read your status which is odd so I have no idea what you are even capable of . You smell like a human with extremely potent mana. I am guessing you are around age 12 why would someone with such arcane talent not be at a magic school.” She asked.
“That's simple Mistress its because I am 7. You have to be 9 to enter school. If you want to know my handiwork I believe head guard Gregarious met his end unfortunately by my poison. He was begging for death as I left him. Lazlo was next but you took the prey before I” I answered her.
“Interesting that was you? Those were some of the most delicious screams I have heard in a while. Nevertheless killing a weak old man with one foot in the grave doesn't prove anything.” She quickly dismissed my kill.
“Mistress if you take me on I will give you everything except for my life or my humanity! I guarantee my blood would be tasty for you. I just need your guidance” I offered her
“Lara I don't fully trust you yet but I do find you very intriguing, especially how you found me and were bold enough to approach me. Maybe this can work after all. Come to my mansion tomorrow morning, present this to the guard at the front gate , it is the huge one on the hills to the north overlooking the city. I want to see what you are capable of. I am not making any promises before then. Also there is no point in bringing that ward to teleport. It wont work against my barrier.” Mistress said with a smile.
"You will not be disapointed Mistress Jen" I confidently answered.
I guess my trump card was actually useless. Anyways she actually gave me a chance or maybe it is a trap. I really hope its not a trap.