CHAPTER 46.

Amber paused at that. Needless to say, she was interested.

“And this isn’t any divine weapon,” the king continued. “You are a Cursebearer are you not?”

She blinked. “How do you even know that?”

“I have a sharp eye,” he chuckled. “Anyway, this weapon was meant for Cursebearers, Vi made it for that, however as we both know. A Cursebearer is as rare as a Primordial Spirit themselves, and that is why it hasn’t been used in the ages long past.”

“Hasn’t been used?”

“That is right, ever since the dawn of its creation this weapon has been missing a Cursebearer to wield it,” the king said simply. “The reason it’s glowing is because you are a Cursebearer, but also because it wants you as its owner.”

“It wants me as its owner?”

“According to Vi, and also it can be used with other swords as well.”

“It can be used with other swords?” Amber saw its size and it certainly didn’t mean dual-weilding. “What do you mean?”

“That’s all the information you are getting.” The king of Cytel smiled.

Amber frowned at that. There were so many things she wanted to know about the sword, how come the Arcane Council hadn’t taken it, what kind of powerful curse did it have if it was meant only for Cursebearers? She had so many questions, and her interest in the sword was⁠—

Needless to say she wanted the damn sword. Ignoring how fun it could be to fight with or the fact that it was a divine artifact. The king’s words were enough for her to interest her.

If it was something specifically made for Cursebearers, what was it like to use? And if it could be used alongside other swords⁠— what did that even mean? And did Vi make it, or was it the other Primordial Spirit?

No⁠— that didn’t matter, regardless of who made it she could use it as leverage in her meeting with the purple Primrodial Spirit.

Amber took a breath.

“I want it.”

“Good, lest I was going to have to offer you the whole kingdom for your help.” The king laughed. “Welcome aboard.”

Amber was sure that there was a more in depth reason to why the king had offered the sword so readily, but she was sure he wasn’t going to tell her why.

But at least I get a super badass and useful sword out of it. Amber grinned.

The king smiled. “Glad we can get along, and thank you for taking care of Noah Risnar. I’ll see it that Liz and Velda Starkell keep their nobility after all of this is done.”

She nodded at his words. The king seemed to be a good man all things considered, to be honest she kind of expecting him to be incredibly forceful or annoying to deal with, but he wasn’t.

“I did hear something interesting that wasn’t fully confirmed, and that is that you haven’t eaten in eight months, is this true?” the king asked with curiosity.

At his words some of the knights around shook their heads, and she even overheard a snort accompanied by the word “ridiculous”, but she paid that no mind and just gave her response.

“It is, it’s all thanks to a special skill.”

“Are you not hungry?” He leaned forward from his throne.

Amber paused at that, and she had to actually think about what hunger felt like, but after a moment she nodded.

“I think I am.”

“Well then, I’ll have my chefs prepare a fine meal for you,” he said simply. “Consider it a small gift of gratitude, after all, a friend of Vi is my friend.”

She didn’t expect that, but nodded. “Thank you, your Majesty.”

The king laughed. “Sure, sure.” Then he turned towards the mage in the black robes. “Please inform the chefs.”

The mage nodded and raised his staff. Amber never thought about having a mage as a personal assistant, but from the looks of it, it looked incredibly convenient. She stared at the man as he opened his mouth and then⁠—

The doors burst open. Amber had to take a step to not be hit, and a knight immediately rushed into the room. He wore light leather armor, evidently some type of messenger by his lack of weapons. He knelt in a rush, his voice booming.

“The Royal Knights request for a Court Mage and a Royal Scout with tracking skills at once!”

The king raised his brow. “So the families are missing?”

“Both of them my liege!” the man called.

At that the king frowned. “I’ll send another squad of knights along with the mage and scout, and Amber.” He turned to her. “You will accompany this new squad, I have a feeling we may just encounter more than just the two families, so your presence will be required.”

Amber blinked but nodded.

Then the king turned to his assistant. “Have the preparations made at once.”

“Yes your Majesty,” the mage replied in a low voice before gathering mana at his staff⁠— and he slammed it. “[Call].”

Amber blinked since nothing happened after that, but the king nodded in approval. The scout also seemed to be relieved.

“I’ll return to inform the Royal Knights of your orders, I’ll also inform them of… Amber.” He looked at her strangely.

“Tell them that she is a friend of the kingdom and to not be disrespected,” the king said.

“Yes, my liege.”

With those words the man departed and Amber was left to sit there. She didn’t really know what to do, but the king spoke.

“Brim, take her to see the Royal Knight squad that is getting ready.”

“Yes, your Majesty,” the knight nearest to her said. Interestingly enough it was the knight that had said “ridiculous”. He began to walk and nodded to her. “This way, esteemed guest.”

Amber nodded, she felt slightly weird about being spoken to in such a way, but said nothing sa she left the room with the knight.

[Warrior. Lvl. ???]

Whose level she couldn’t see. Amber at this point had sort of figured out that she could only see the levels of enemies up until they were twenty levels higher, but that was the limit of it. For all she knew the knight could be level 140⁠— or he could also be level 200. Amber didn’t know at what point the questionmarks in the class started.

Though, while she didn’t keep quiet, she asked a different question.

“Is being able to forego food that rare?”

She thought back at the reactions back in the camp in regards to that.

“At our levels for a few weeks it’s not rare, but for months?” The man shook his head. “It is unheard of, esteemed guest, however, given your friendship with the Primordial Spirit, Vi. I shouldn’t be surprised, sorry for my unsightly snickering.”

Amber ignored his apology, instead asking what she had in mind.

“Do you know her name or is that a nickname that everyone uses?”

“A nickname, esteemed guest, only the queen and king are aware of her name.”

Amber had a hunch, but it seemed that indeed⁠— the king was friends with Val’leri as well.

“Just call me Amber.”

The man nodded, not stopping to look at her. “As you wish Ms Amber.”

Amber couldn’t really tell if the knight actually disliked her or not⁠— maybe he didn’t even care. All she could sense was professionalism through and through, which she didn’t mind. However, the same couldn’t be said about the knights that bowed to her down the halls. She had noticed it before, but she had missed the admiration present in their eyes.

She didn’t know what to make of that, specially after nodding at one of them and seeing them beam with happiness, however, the knight took it upon himself to explain.

“As a friend of the king and friend of Vi, and a guest of honor, it is only natural for trainee knights to react that way upon receiving your acknowledgment,” he explained.

Amber nodded, but couldn’t help but pause at a part of the man’s statement.

I am the king’s friend?

“Huh…”

Amber didn’t expect that, but she enjoyed the recognition she was getting. It was nice. And the king declaring her, his friend was a nice thing too.

It took another minute for her to be led to some barracks where there were knights fastening their armors which were a pale white.

“Here we are.” The knight gestured before smiling at her. “Good luck out there Ms Amber.”

She nodded, and with those words the man departed. Leaving her in the middle of some barracks, there werefive knights getting changed total. And she only got nods from four of them, but a woman immediately smiled.

“So the rookie is here,” she said. “Welcome⁠— oh.”

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Amber felt confused at her reaction, and she continued.

“You are much weaker than I expected, though I suppose given that if you befriended the dear Primordial Spirit of the capital, you must be able to punch way higher than your level, so welcome aboard.”

The woman smiled at her and Amber felt confused. She seemed glad to have her but also⁠— brutish and raw? It was her first time meeting a person like that. Though⁠—

Amber stared at her large build, even though it was clearly a woman she was a full head taller than her, and she had bright red short hair, one that was quickly hidden by a fancy helmet that would inspire awe in the faces of the public.

The red-haired knight was the first one to get ready, and she immediately approached Amber extended her hand.

“Nice to meet you, I am Ave.”

Amber blinked but shook her head, she half expected for her to try to do something weird, but she just received a firm handshake.

“Hm,” Ave looked at her strangely. “I have a sixth sense and you know what it’s telling me?”

Amber raised her brow. “What is it telling you?”

“It’s telling me that you can kill me in a blink should you want to,” she chuckled. “Scary, no wonder you are friends with a god.”

“Well, lucky you, I don’t kill for sport.” Amber smiled.

And in response she got another chuckle. Then Ave turned to look at the rest of the knights that were just now putting on their helmets.

“Alright, bastards, let us go kill these fuckers.”

At that, the knights did a small cheer and Amber noticed that the woman was wearing the captain cloth. Then, the captain, turned to her.

“Follow our lead.”

Amber wasn’t particularly sure what to expect, but nodded. She figured that for now, she should go along with the knights and then⁠— once the time came to deal with the demons, she’d do her damn best in order to get that sword.

They went to the gates where they were joined by the Royal Scout and the Court Mage that were requested. And of course, Amber couldn’t see the level of a single person in the group.

And after, they set off to search for the Risnar and Starkell family.

And possibly exterminate the demon cultists.

The sooner it happened, the faster she’d get that sword.

* * *

“Please, I’ve told you everything I know!” a servant cried.

“These are the orders of the king.” And the knight slammed them into the wall.

Amber and the group she was with were just now arriving when she watched the scene unfold. No one really said anything past a whistle from the squad captain Ave. The knight doing the questioning seemed to wear the same white armor. Something that Amber had noted drew a lot of stares from citizens, however the stares were of respect and admiration more than anything.

Though, Amber felt that it should be fear given what the knight was doing to the servant. They stopped at the entrance of the house watching the scene unfold.

He grabbed the butler by the neck and slammed him into the ground, making him spit blood.

“I’ll repeat one more time, where did the Risnar family go?”

“They told me they were going to have a meeting with the Starkells!” he screamed.

“And I’ve told you the Starkells are also missing and that their servants said the exact same thing!”

The knight let go of his neck and raised his foot to stomp⁠, but the Court Mage approached.

“That is enough,” the mage said, raising his staff. “[Truth].”

And it shone in a green light. The knight nodded and lowered his boot.

“Do you know where they are, yes or no?”

“No!” the butler cried and the light remained green.

“Do you have any idea where they could possibly be?”

“No!” And at that, the light still remained.

The knight that was doing the interrogation scoffed and even though Amber was off-put by the brutality she witnessed, she had to commend their resolve to do that without hesitation. The knight turned towards some terrified servants in the back.

“Bring close personal possessions to the Risnars, now!”

And with shrieks, the servants scrambled to go fetch what was asked. Amber didn’t really know if to say anything, she wanted to say she felt bad⁠, but she didn’t. It wasn’t a sight that she was unprepared for, now⁠— if the knight killed the servant that would have been a completely different story.

“Well, he may be brutal but he’s efficient,” Ave said. “He finished up interrogating the entire house of servants by the time we got here.”

The knight gave them a glance, which Amber sensed but said nothing.

“I’ve been meaning to ask, but why are you here Amber?” Ave asked. “You aren’t a knight trainee or anything so I don’t see why you came along.”

“The king wanted me here since I gave the information that began this search.” Amber shrugged. And I get a sword I really want in return, she added in her thoughts.

The captain nodded.

“Well, he someone with great foresight, so I’m sure that he had a very specific reason for asking you to come,” Ave said, her voice sounding certain.

“Is that so?”

And she was met with a nod in response. Amber found it a bit weird, but she didn’t question it.

A moment later, the servants arrived with several pieces of jewelry, documents and some were even dragging a desk. The knight nodded approvingly and turned to the mage.

“Track their essence, the scout will take over once we get close enough.”

And with that, everyone got to work. She even watched as the scout approached the items and grabbed some of them and studied them with great detail, even smelling them. The mage on the other hand, had his staff extended pointing at the pile of items and seemed to be muttering to himself.

Amber could see glimmers of magic on his staff but nothing more.

“So we just wait then?”

“Pretty much,” the red-haired woman said. “They can track anyone this way.”

Why wasn’t I tracked then? Well, the obvious answer was⁠— they didn’t have the resources to spare given what transcurred the same night. Though, Amber did have a question.

“Can the noble families track people this well or only the king?”

“Well, you can always try to hire adventurers with this skillset at an exorbitant price.” Ave tilted her head in confusion. “But aside from that, only the king’s retainers are capable of doing all of this, the noble families don’t have enough incentives to keep people like these in their ranks.”

Amber nodded, it was good to know that.

They waited for a few minutes before the mage swung his staff lightly, and a moment later a small blue magic circle flashed in the air, it was laid horizontally in the air but it expanded up and down and the mage spoke.

“[Sense].”

And it expanded in a blink, going past the room and everything. The mage took a breath and said.

“I know their general direction.”

“Then let us go kill these traitors,” the knight that had been interrogating said as he hastily walked.

Amber and Ave let him pass, and soon, everyone set off in the direction that the mage led them to.

And Amber began to bite her tongue and burn herself with her sword, much to some of the confusion of the knights.

She was going to do her best. The sooner she got the sword, the better. She had so many questions about it that she wanted answered, and the fact that it would potentially help her attain essence, made her want it even more.

* * *

Just when the scout took over he paused.

“It’s inside the Institution of Arcane Research.”

And Amber paused, everyone did. They were all standing in front of the building, and Amber just felt as confused with the others. She had come here with Liz once and met a strange man that wanted to play a game with them to fund the institute, but otherwise⁠— she never expected the demon worshippers to be here.

“Maybe just the two nobles gathered here, we can arrest them if that’s the case,” Ave said.

“Then that shall be our plan of action,” the other knight captain said. “And if we find the entire demon cult, we burn them to the ground.”

“Alright,” the red-haired captain agreed. “Let us go then, scout lead the way.”

“Right away!”

And the man immediately began to walk into the building, everyone following behind him.

Their force was eleven people strong, including Amber and excluding the two people that were doing the tracking. All in all, Amber felt a bit awkward walking into an institution with a bunch of level 140+ people, but she didn’t pay it any mind. The same however, couldn’t be said about the people inside.

Those inside immediately began to panic, and even one ran in front of them by accident, which was promptly thrown away by the other knight captain. The scout meanwhile, continued into the building heading for a door, it almost looked like a maintenance closet.

When he opened it there was nothing, but he reached into the air and⁠ twisted an invisible door-handle. At first Amber was confused but as he pulled back and a stairwell was revealed, much to her surprise.

“This way.”

And the scout descended, everyone followed right after him.

The stairs continued for multiple minutes, gradually becoming more and more mishapen and natural the deeper they went. And it didn’t take long before they ended up in a large cave system. It was well below the capital, droplets of water falling from the ceiling and yet⁠—

“When the fuck did they build all of this?” Ave asked.

There were torches lining the walls. The scout meanwhile looked between the two directions and then turned left.

“There are multiple access points to this place too, it seems. Only the nobles entered through this route,” he stated. “Both tunnels seem to curve around, however this one feels like the shortest, so I’ll continue in that direction.”

And everyone followed after him, they continued in silence for another minute, not rushing by when they got close enough⁠— an archer from one of the knight squads pulled out his bow and began to whisper. And at that moment, Amber sensed two people⁠—

She used the 3rd Rank of Quick Step and landed behind the patrolling guard, stabbing him through the chest. The other man reacted, but received three arrows to the head.

“Whew, well done,” the archer said. “Fast reflexes, should I say, as expected of our guest of honor?”

Many knights nodded in appreciation but Amber said nothing, she even ignored the notification.

She had to do a commendable job if she wanted the sword with no strings attached after all.

Crimson Fervor, and Cursed Supreme Momentum were maxed now, which meant she could take the lead.

“Let’s go,” Ave said. “It seems that we are here.”

The knights continued ahead and the scout followed, and when Amber turned the corner she saw a large pair of double doors waiting for them. The scout spoke.

“I’m masking all of our presences since we got here, but it won’t last much longer. I can sense over a hundred presences beyond this door, good luck to you all in your mission,” he said.

Meanwhile the mage crossed his arms. “I have already called for reinforcements, they should arrive in five minutes' time.”

Everyone nodded at both of their statements and Amber turned towards the door. The sooner she got this done, the better.

The other captain gestured at everyone to back off and nodded at her.

“In respect to your strength, you can take the lead,” he said. “Show us what it means to befriend a Primordial Spirit.”

She said nothing as she unsheathed the Flamecursed Sword and pointed it at the door. Amber’s eyes narrowed and she spoke.

“Flamethrower.”

And the door was engulfed by the crimson flames.

* * *

“Royal Flush.” Dreen smiled setting his cards in the table.

“What?” Bruntal asked in confusion. “This is the fourth time you pull this hand!”

“That’s right, you are a dirty cheater, you swindler!” Narisa said.

Dreen chuckled. “Of course not, I’m merely a Thief and barely above level one-hundred like all of you.”

The table in response threw their hands in exasperation. There was no other way to kill the time, they were supposed to stay on guard to ensure that Oracle’s operation went by without a hitch. In just a few hours the capital would go up in flames, but he did say that it was only a matter of time when the knights would come.

Though, it was nonsense.

Dreen had been playing cards for hours with his partners and he hadn’t so much as felt danger. While he was a Thief he had enough skills to double as a scout⁠— a very shitty one at that ⁠— but his detection range was enough to detect past the door.

And there was absolutely nothing beyond, just like in the past few hours.

He closed his eyes. “This is boring.”

However, the people didn’t respond. They were silent for some reason.

“What is that?” Bruntal asked, hesitation in his voice.

Dreen opened his eyes. “What is what⁠—”

He paused seeing a glowing spot in the door, and even though he couldn’t sense anything he knew⁠ that they were about to die⁠—

“Shit get away!” he screamed and used Flash Step⁠—

And the door exploded⁠— a deluge of red flames engulfed his companions and singed his back, which made him scream. The dying shrieks of his companions echoed, but that wasn’t enough to alert the group. He had to sound the magical alarm. The flames proliferated to his body in an instant, but just as he was reaching to his pocket to activate the alarm device, a flaming sword stabbed through his chest.

He looked down in shock, the flaming sword was cursed. And as Dreen died and the knights began their assault on their base, he had a realization.

The knights had brought a Cursebearer, the perfect person to fight most demons.