‘What time is it?’ I thought groggily as I stood up from my king sized bed, the light of the new day in this strange world hitting me in the face.
Judging by the hourglass in the cabinet next to my bed I have slept for 7 hours straight, a new record for my insomniac ass who barely could get 4 hours of sleep previously and I can say this for certain…It felt invigorating, powerful, Magnifice-
“Good morning My Lord.” The Guard-servant standing next to the door interrupted my monologuing, what an absolute prick. I am supposed to be a high ranking Lord you know!
Petty thoughts aside, the previous owner of this body was a hell of paranoid fucker and I am barely scratching the surface of the sheer insanity he had created, amongst those was this servant that would stay up until I wake up as a guard, he had been personally trained by the guy who previously had my new body to be the perfect guard dog.
Danger can be found everywhere..a thought crossed through his mind which caused him to shiver slightly unconsciously.
“Good morning Leoc, you may go rest now.” He returned the greeting, he really forgot he was there last night when he crashed on the bed after getting a full body massage from a bunch of…
Bunch
Of
Hot
CHICKS?!?
‘What the shit? Was I truly that fatigued that I barely noticed five girls touching me?!’ I screamed mentally, impossible, improbable! I feel like I have committed a grave sin.
Ten thousand Curses upon you GAZUL! You asshole of a cool necromancer, how dare Thee make me tired enough to not enjoy such an occasion!
Note to self for next time, remember to hoard stamina potions ya fool.
Perish that thought…
Sexual frustration aside…where the fuck do I go from now? I have no friggin 'idea how to rule a duchy or be a noble and it's not like the former owner of this body had also trained a servant to help out in case he was called on the battlefield because he was Avalon’s right hand Man…hold on I have an idea.
Jeffrey…a brief momentary itch reminded.
“How are our reserve supplies running currently Jeffrey?” He asked the Butler who had joined his side ever since he left his private bedroom.
If his gut feeling was correct, this guy was the trusted adviser and personal speaker of Valerio Lionheart. The common archetype of a Lord having a trusted follower for each occasion was pretty widespread during the feudal era in my world and this place was based on those foundations.
“We had to use a small percentage to keep the civilians well fed when you gave the order for them to retreat into the Underground area. Judging by the rate of harvest in this season we are sure to stabilize our rezerves before winter to the required levels where food shortage can be managed via rations.” His Butler replied curtly, judging by his accent this old man was probably a lower noble who was sworn to the Lionheart.
Sworn comrade.
“Hmm…I see.” I inclined my head understandingly.
Food rationing, reserves, Winter…how could I forget the most prevalent reasons why families during the middle ages had so many children…I even called myself an avid enjoyer of history and a intellectual who could recite hundreds of tales of legendary figures and their achievement to humanity…yet I forgot to grasp the most prominent problem for humans during that time, Food, basic necessities, warmth and safety.
Remember remember…the death of the first civilization…
“Jeffrey, call the Builders and the architects, I have been thinking of a novel idea I read in a book when I was but a boy. It should be possible now that there is no danger of more raids. We have some time available.” He commanded as he overlooked his undeveloped domain from the window.
“Your command shall be done my lord.” His butler bowed his head elegantly before leaving his side.
“Winter huh? It can't be helped, it's time for coal to emerge and the preservation techniques of our ancestors to be reinstated once more until I find Avril.” He murmured under his breath, his eyes piercing the great forest that blocked his duchy from having a clear path directly to Sea.
That must be remedied also at once, the seas are quite special in such settings. Usually demi-humans exist there, mermans and mermaids come to his mind who may be bargained for goods found into the depths of sea. Plus he remembered the event of Exploration that happened for the fifth anniversary of the game, there is an island full of treasures with his name on it waiting. He just needs to build a naval fleet and exploit his knowledge and profits will be booming.
‘Judging by the time I awoke here for the first time, we are still pre-first map update. That means No Dragon guardian yet, nor glyph research or potential boosting..that limits my current trajectory quite a lot if i wish to grow more powerful yet the Sutra and archaic Tomes must be active right now.’ The most annoying thing about the Path of enlightenment pre-update was the Grind for materials which is why he hated it, even though the boost it gave to troops was enormous.
First things first though, the food crisis problem. Then we can begin recruitment of fresh blood into troops. Doubling the working force will double the fighting force and civilization then will grow and expand.
From the window he saw his Butler signal one of the errant knights to inform them of his decree.
Good, I need that path to the sea cleared so the algae harvest can begin without interruptions.
.
.
.
.
[Pov: Head builder Galvur.]
.
‘We have suffered no losses this time.’ Galvur thought to himself as he observed the few new buildings his Lord had commissioned being finished.
It is a miracle judging by how downtrodden the civilians were when the news came of their lord being called to the battlefield, they all knew of his desire to join his fallen bloodline in glorious Death…when he had donned that ancient battleplate of Lionheart they knew what was to come when he gave that speech before leaving…the last Archduke and the last Lionheart of Silverwing was not planning on returning from this battlefield.
He grasped his pendant around his neck tightly, the Lionheart symbol engraved on it served as a reminder of his linked destiny to his Lord and the bloodline of Lionhearts should his master ever contemplate such action as leaving an heir.
“Bloody fool scarin’ me half to death with that depressing speech and then returning as a champion of a God!” He exclaimed in relief, word had spread of their master’s ascension into the ranks of the Heroes by the Chosen of Lionheart who had told tales of his lordship’s strength and tactical mastery that broke the hordes charging with but five hundred of his Crusaders who he had taken with him. He didn't even have the cavalry or the feathershots with him since he left them to guard his walls and domains in case the monsters broke through.
The Lionheart's Charge and the Lionheart Arrow had been charged with the defense of the domain from all threats that may present themselves, be it from outside or inside the Kingdom.
His recollection of the previous day was broken by the sound of a galloping horse coming straight towards him, an errant knight bearing the personal emblem of his lord atop the horse's back.
The horse came to a halt a couple of meters away from his workbench where his precious plans were placed for reviewing later.
“Greetings head builder! I come bearing his lordship's word, he has called all of the great minds of his domain to join him for a discussion regarding a new project he plans to unveil.” The errant Knight dipped his head and relayed the message he was given by the Head-servant who answers directly to the Archduke.
The Dwarf rose one bushy brow up questioningly, he had not expected any new project being given to him for a while but a call to all of the guilds? That was a rare occasion reserved for when the Lord expanded the walls protecting his domain or to build more barracks and stables for the horses.
“Any other information you can tell me, knight?”He asked curiously.
“Well, the Head Butler did say something about his Lordship asking him about the food reserves before he sent him to call the guilds so there is that but I can't say for sure master Galvur.” The Knight shrugged his shoulders.
“Alright then, I shall be there at once. I just have to put these precious plans into a safe place in case there is a sudden rainstorm coming from the north. Give my regards to the old head-butler boy.” He waved to the knight who mounted his horse and left, before he returned to his workbench and began to gently put the ancient papers in the magically charged bag which sealed the flow time from interacting with the objects stored inside.
A relic treasure given to him by the Lionheart the First when he had sworn himself as one his subordinates, it was something he cherished. A relic from the era when they still claimed their former territory in the continent of drake before the great catastrophe.
“I wonder if the underground workshop is still intact…The Magic-powered armor that we were working to develop..” His thoughts once more returned to the past, they were so close to creating that wonder of wonders that would allow them to fight against the most monstrous beasts on an even ground.
“I hope his lordship has not forgotten about that project.”
.
.
.
.
‘-dragons and wyverns are a thing here so I should try to create A flying Unit if I can. The Lionheart's Wings…or drakes. Naming can be Chosen with a coin flip later.’ Brainstorming new projects is quite easy when you have the knowledge to build it from, I really should write a book or two in case I actually have a kid.
He was outside his castle, standing ramrod straight with his best blank-expression on his face which came quite easy judging by how the Servants reacted to his soul-piercing gaze. His outfit was also something to behold, as expected of the Older Brother of the Virion Lionheart “the Drip King”, the sexy-ass fashion runs in the family, the portrait he saw in his room showed him where the style and genes had come from. The Lionheart was not a last name, it was a title that was given only by the patriarch who bore that name.
Only three Individuals had ever held that name, Lionheart the First, former prime minister of the Empire of Silverwing, him Lionheart Valerio the Archduke firstborn son and his Lost brother Lionheart Virion the Marquis.
The older gentleman he saw on the portrait had a presence that inflicted instinctual pressure on him when he gazed at it, the previous soul who had inhabited this body must have experienced some shit for this body to react in such way or It may be an unknown feature of the humans who exist here when they see the face of their primogenitor, who knows.
‘they are arriving one after another, good, the faster we are done here the sooner they can begin cutting a path to the sea.’ he had been observing the Craftsmen, builders and architects that had been arriving for any similarities with the mech-user in the game, I want to get my hands on it.
Jacques the firestorm, where are you?
“My lord All of your craftsmen have arrived and are awaiting your orders.” His Butler informed him.
“Welcome my loyal Craftsmen, Forgive me for my poor timing but I wish to converse with you all on a certain subject which our territory suffers almost each year if we aren't well prepared.” I began the speech, I swept my gaze to each of them to give everyone present a proper amount of attention for their attendance.”I am talking about food preservation and other valuable resources we can't harvest during winter, I have been pondering about a possible solution until I remembered about a book I had read when I was but a boy and my father was still alive.”
The tale of A Foolish mage…a memory subtly entered his subconsciousness.
The Craftsmen present turned to each other and began whispering, food preservation techniques were a lost art of bygone era when clans and tribes roamed the world. When kings and emperors did not exist, when chieftains and clan Patriarchs held supreme authority over the lives of their clan members.
“The resource we are in need of is found beyond the great forest and into the sea, its called "algae". It can be used for preservation of food or medicinal purposes in conjunction with other known medical herbs. As such I am hereby instating a grand project, A path will be opened wide enough for entire carriages to be transported close to the sea side by side, The wood collected during the clean up will be used to built a new type of vessel capable of surviving the Sea waves. The dangerous beasts within the forest will be subdued and used for breeding livestock, these are my orders loyal Craftsmen of Lionheart. You may now ask any questions you may have.”
The whispering had died down, what he had revealed to them seemed to have shaken them to their core. I wonder what it was, it's not like I revealed the path to the continent of the drake. That would spell certain chaos for everyone, no sir, there is enough conflict going on here without involving the five draconian tyrants. Imagine what they would do if they knew of the dragon eggs that would begin appearing soon when the Meteor festival begins, civil wars everywhere.
Knowledge is power, guard it well…
“My lord, you remember knowledge from the Past?!” One of the Craftsmen present gathered his wits first and asked the question which everyone present who had listened to his words was trying to formulate.
“Yes, I do recall everything I have known. Why do you ask Craftsmen?” I replied, gasps of Surprise and awe followed his words as the rest of the craftsmen began whispering amongst themselves once more.
“Can you tell me the name of the scroll which held this information, My Lord Lionheart?!” The Shocked Dwarf asked, trembling seemed to engulf his whole body at the words he spoke.
He raised an eyebrow at their reaction and from the corner of his eyes spied his butler and the Crusaders having a heated conversation amongst themselves.
‘Why are these morons acting so surprised? It's not like I showed them the blueprints of a nuclear reactor or a bloody spaceship..’ I wondered to myself, they are a strange bunch but I can work with that.
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Hahahaha.
Bullshit no Jutsu to fill the blanks and historical facts mixed with a little bit of legends to do the rest.
And my help.
“The tale of the Adventurous Water Mage”. it was something which I read in a grimoire when I was a boy. My father had found it in a wreckage close to our territory and gave it to me as a way for me to learn ancient speech.” He revealed, judging by their awed expressions and noises coming from their mouth, his little white lie had done the trick.
A lie based on your great-grandmother.
“So there were still records of what existed once before the wars of unification…” Murmured the Dwarf with visible awe.``And his lordship's memories haven't been tampered by the mass teleportation aftereffects.”
I narrowed my eyes at that little tidbit of lore I was not aware of. When you start the game you are forced to choose a Hero who then would need to explore the mist and find the closest army camp…so that is how it is huh, Avalon began his journey close to beach then moved east towards the place where he “started” a new kingdom made up of survivors he recruited while exploring the new Land.
“My mental faculties have not indeed been tampered by the Forced teleportation, I can recall perfectly everything that was taught to me, for example.” I lied, but I had to otherwise the next step of my plan won't be possible so it's best I give them a show.
In this world mana is everywhere, including our bodies and all you have to do to make use of it is have a strong will to control the free energy.
I concentrated my mind and took a deep breath to calm my nerves, extending my hand Open-palmed forward. I did something I have always dreamed of doing.
You are related to a legend, fool.
Mana began gathering on my palm, the colorless energy which infuses everything in this world took a bluish tint under my urging and underwent a transformation which changed the very composition of the mana into pure clean water.
“As you can see I haven't lost my mental fortitude.” I explained as I fired the water towards a frog that had been watching them suspiciously for far too long to be just an idle animal…
Kill it.
The concentrated water ball tore the thing to pieces and washed the remains away.
Magic control was an art in itself but unlike the masses here I knew a secret that only someone who had built heroes for PvP could know, with imagination and information you can cheat your way to make it look true. Honestly I did not have such fine control over magic but I knew how to channel and redirect it thanks to my little Gambit yesterday.
No. It's in your blood. That itchy feeling tingled once more at the back of his mind.
Or maybe the Lionhearts are not just any simple warrior-paladins…Virion was after all a direct champion of The Sun God who could channel the power via “heartfelt” prayers or whatever the crap that flavor text meant when describing his life-saving barrier skill he used when his health was low.
Damned devs making everything so obnoxiously subtle for the sake of having the option to change or add things in the future.
And now there is a nagging feeling itching at the back of my mind. Good grief.
‘My lord Behemat grant this loyal champion your protection.’ I prayed, the gods here do deliver after all.
That they do…even if it is at the cost of your choice.
A tap on his shoulder brought him out of his thoughts, his butler had joined him at his side during the brief moment he contemplated the universe and its secrets.
“My Lord the Guild Lords and the Labour-Serfs are ready. The Craftsmen and the architects have asked where they should begin clearing a path.” Jeffrey informed, it seems he also managed the finer details of policing how everything worked when he didn't directly interfere.
An Enforcer of the law, a feudalistic Era one but judging by how everyone seems to abide by his words, a necessary one. A lord can't micromanage everything and that is why he had multiple custodians to enforce his will amongst the populace.
Good, you are finally learning.
“Bring me a map.” I commanded calmly, my mind shifting back into the present problem. Hypothetical scenarios are endless and time consuming, I must focus on the soon-to-come wars for territory which will reveal the dungeons and the rest of the resource-producing areas waiting to be claimed and put to use.
“My lord, I took the liberty of procuring the latest map from our cartographers before I came here.” The same Dwarf who had been the first to ask walked forward and pulled a yellow-paper from the magical-pouch-
Wait, does this old geezer hold an artifact inventory in his possession?!
“Good good.”I nodded, eyeing the pouch from the corner of my eye, the symbol of a golden lion emblazoned on it looking suspiciously like my Crest.”the area closest to the main road will be where you will begin cutting down the trees and then advance in a straight line until you reach this area here where I want you to Open a canal in the middle of the road and continue it until you reach the Sea. Make it 3X3 meters wide and deep, the bottom will be filled with stones collected from the quarry.”
He began listing down the specifications. The road will serve a double purpose later down the line, for now I will set down the foundations for a small fishing farm which later will be expanded into a Port for the ships. Clean sea water will attract marine life, which means more food, more food means more people, more people more trade.
The guild lords and the architects began drawing the project as he described, wide open roads with enough space for future endeavors, wooden platforms in the middle to split them into two and to begin planting the seeds to curb the traffic that this business will have in the future. Rocks collected from the quarry will be the first layer then the sand collected from the sea will be the second layer until I find a way to make roman-type cement in large quantities to layer it again.
“The beasts that live within the forest will be dealt with by the Crusaders and the new initiates, the experience of combating wild animals will be valuable to shape them into future members for the garrison army. As for the wood that will be valuable once you start cutting down the forest, you may use it to create cabins to live in until the project is done.”I finished explaining the project, looking at their expressions it seems like my intuition was on the point, they can build but cannot imagine new ideas.
Skilled as they may be, they lack the spark of an inventor in them. Creativity isn't a quality that is pushed here yet, feudal lords and monarchs cannot have revolutionary ideas give rise to shared-power or abolishment of their Throne which they inherit thanks to their bloodlines. Nobles also don't like people who can out-think them, especially when it comes to taxes and the ways a commoner can evade “paying their due'' to their betters.
Fucking politics…can't believe all those sleepless night reading and watching the documentaries that break down how the Empires of old kept their commoners in check for the history test would come in handy…
“This project will need to be completed within three weeks, my territory needs to be expanded and fortified in a short amount of time for His highness the Prince informed me yesterday of future raids by strange beastmen who have sent scouts to spy on us.” Valerio Lionheart proclaimed loudly, his words having the desired effect of countering any rebukes such a small timescale for finishing this project would have when word of more raids entered the equation.” I have been entrusted with guardianship of the Kingdom and my duchy has to grow stronger than it is if it wishes to stay intact when the hordes of barbarians smash against the walls.”
He swept his gaze to the rest of listeners and activated his blessings, aura of a Conqueror, his will made manifest creeped to everyone present and began enforcing his desires to those who were still on the fence.
“Once this project is completed I plan to open more farm lands to be planted with special seeds I shall procure from the trader-nomads of the far lands.” He pointed at the map, there was an area where the trees and farmlands meet, greenery there was vibrant and healthy, a clear sign that the soil was rich and ready to be planted with the vegetables they will soon find when they uproot the trees in the forest.
Wild Potatoes and tomatoes will soon become staple food, the uprooting of the forest will reveal so many secrets they aren't aware of. Wild berries, fruit trees, medicinal herbs and so much more are hidden in the forest. I may just have started the revolutionization of human understanding, history will record it as a checkpoint for what's to come.
Egomaniac thoughts aside, something is missing. I can't pinpoint it but I have a nagging feeling that I am missing something big.
“Your wishes are our commands my Lord Lionheart.” the Guild-Lords bowed their heads, each one of them discussing the resources needed to clean such a dense area of vegetation, the required amount of serfs and working equipment that are needed and so on.
‘Ah yes, that's what the feeling was. I forgot I have been displaced in an Era where we use horses to travel around and cleaning a path through the forest was usually done via burning it down hahaha…I am so dumb, I hope the dwarfs have some magically-powered bullshit machines stored somewhere. I remember they had steam-powered mechas as units in the game.’ I sweat dropped at the oversight, my calculations may be off the mark if they can't recruit enough able-bodied Men for the project.
I think there was a Nature-controlling sage hero in the game, he could use tremors, vines, roots and even empowered ents…oh crap there are Tree-monsters in this world, and tree-huggers as well. I may have just declared war on them without knowing.
that guy was from a cult of tree worshipers, he had so many passive skills that affected the Tree-spirits folk and their Titanic monsters they used as attack units.
‘but wasn't he a human? No, bro had green hair and pointy ears…but he could affect human troops with his skills and boost their effectiveness...Fffffffuckk this sucks I can't remember exactly what species he was from, I really can't afford to not do this project soo..fuck it, we ball motherfuckers, we balling hard and incase those shitheads are in the area I am gonna hunt them myself down plot be damned.’ With my mind made up I began making some plans, Treants and sylvanni aka elves of this world. I am signing your death warrants before you do mine.
[Heroic choice: Pre-planning the doom of your opponents has been made, plot forwarding begins on 23:59:59. Wars of the Conquest Era will begin!]
Oh shit-
[Attention: heroic figures that will lead the paths of fate will begin making moves. The Leading faction with most Heros will get a higher chance to get more resources and artifacts from the dungeons.]
…
[Silverwing triarchy of heroes: 3 heroes (lead #1)]
[Legio Domini Mortem: 2 heroes (#2)]
[Coalition of Rakans: 1 hero (#3)]
‘Only three factions currently? What the fuck, where are the other Kingdoms that rule over the corners of the continent? Have they not yet unified under one banner yet? Why are there so few active heroes currently when there are five major races currently which should have their own factions and leading Kings and Lords?’ This doesn't make sense, this place should be a kegging pot waiting to explode, not this sparse zone of zero-activity.
[The Coronation of A Battle-King - main-plotline(new)]
‘Wait what?’ I felt my eyebrow twitch of barely contained annoyance at another thrown wrench in my game knowledge.
A cry of predatory bird took his attention, from the sky a magnificent black eagle was plummeting towards him at speeds that could barely be seen by normal humans. It was making a direct beeline for him judging by how it changed the trajectory of its dive a few tens of meters before opening its wings and gliding towards me.
“More surprises it seems.” I murmured loudly causing my Servants to look at the place where I was staring, the eagle was looking at him for something-Oh right, landing on your outstretched forearm.
“Come.” I commanded, my arm outstretched forward.
The bird seemed to have heard him as it let another cry before descending down on his waiting arm.
“What have you brought me, Askyrex?” I asked as I petted the beautiful bird, my Butler bringing a standing Platform for the eagle.
Letting the bird stand on the platform I carefully took the tied message on its right leg and opened it.
‘My Dear friend and loyal right hand, I sent you this message to inform you of the situation in the Capital. The senate of nobles is trying to push the date of coronation to stop the stabilization of the Kingdom, as such I inform you that your presence is required to remedy this conundrum. You may take the Executioner's Axe with you as it is You are the highest ranked Noble lord and by the laws of the Silverwing The Judge, Jury and Executioner of the Will of this Kingdom. - Avalon’
…
“Oh.” I mumbled as I finished reading the paper that bore the Emblem of the Royal Family, a dreadful feeling rising at the back of my mind as I digested the words that had been written on the paper.
Denying his Majesty’s right to throne?! A wrathful scream filled with pure intent flared in the subconsciousness.
“My Lord? Has something happened in the Capital?” My Butler asked as he saw my expression, It must have been something scary judging by how tense my warriors seemed to stand when the butler asked.
“Indeed it has, prepare my Executioner's vest and My Axe. By the command of the Heir of Silverwing I must make haste to the capital and right some issues. Two cavalry lines will join me alongside my Chosen, the rest will stay here and help out with the project.” I replied, giving the letter to the Butler who read it in a matter of seconds, his expression becoming more thunderous with each word he read until he finished it.
The words flowed to my mind without any input, it seemed so natural that If I wasn't aware of the strange rage I shouldn't be feeling at this moment I wouldn't have noticed the significance of what I was doing, my emotions are being influenced.
Forgive me, this part is my duty. A voice echoed in my head.
‘Lionheart. It is you after all, I was wondering where those brief moments of turmoil and alien thoughts were coming from and I was starting to get suspicious but now that you dared to puppeteer me…now you fucked up.’ I replied back where I now felt that second annoying presence, I hate scheming scumbags who can't be direct. I fucking hate them with burning passion and really want to mess them up be it figuratively or literally, in this case If I don't like what He was doing I will ruin this scheme with my own two hands.
“The Securis Carnificis will be ready My Lord, I shall personally make sure both the vest and the artifact are in perfect condition.” Bowing his head low the Butler hurried back into the castle to prepare the so-called Executioner's Set- If I had to guess it might have been a time-limited skin you can purchase in the game, same with the tyrant skin for Avalon.
I am not him, he is being subsumed into you, I am merely an Echo left to guide you until the process is finished An- I tightened my grip on my mental space and hid my memories from the small tendril that tried to read them.
‘Dont you fucking speak my name without permission, you are not worthy of even comprehending its weight you shitty figment of imagination born from a random thought.’ I retorted as I twisted my mind into an impregnable Fortress of will and thought.
You call me a false entity while inhabiting my body and devouring my soul, I do not know if you are aware of this but you shouldn't be here in the first place, your existence in this reality is an impossibility that came to be because somehow your soul had more weight than mine and as such my choice was taken from me-
‘Listen here carefully echo of Lionheart, Until yesterday I was living a life you could never imagine then I woke up here amidst a battlefield that I could care less about, I Won that war Not you and the pathetic toy soldiers you call warriors but I digress That's not the point of the matter at hand, the point is do not talk to me about “A Choice” when I myself had none in whoever decided to throw me in this shitty world filled with ignorant fools and power hungry nobles. If I had A CHOICE I would return directly back into living my comfortable life so don't you dare talk to me about a choice.’ I tightened my grip in the false reality until I could feel the sharded entity try to wiggle itself out of my iron grip.
My thunderous retort seemed to push the small shard back in shock judging by the twitch I felt at the back of my mind, good It felt so freeing to say that out loud. I must not show weakness, usually in such cases the weaker will has to comply and act accordingly if it wishes for its plans to come into fruition…compliance through dominance-
‘Hold on what?!’ I paused as strange thoughts crossed my mind, compliance? Dominance? Will?!
‘How the heck do I know such information?! While I may have read occult stuff back home I always kept in mind that it was all a fantasy made up by hyperactive imagination and wishful desires…this is different, it feels factual as if some kind of instinct is telling me it is true to an extent.’ I pondered to myself, ignoring the small shard of the native of this world which used this moment to try and gain control over the situation.
It's divine clairvoyance if you are wondering. The lionheart chipped in knowingly.
‘You don't say?’ I retorted sarcastically, I already deduced that. now I am trying to trace how far its effects reach and how to bring it under control or use it to get away with knowing too much when talking with the natives for example About the secretive order of the magician’s tower and the camps you can recruit troops-
…Holy crap this shit is dangerous, it can actually warp my ideas into a coherent plan and actually make it believable!
…You do know Your thoughts are open currently, yeah? The shard once more added his unnecessary input without being asked.
‘You do know I just learned how to use this extrasensory perception right? Do you know what I will do now that I know how to employ it with a thought?’ I replied calmly, a supernatural sense of tranquility embraced my mind as I achieved equilibrium with my new existence.
I grinned conspiringly, projecting it to the shard as what is about to happen should he not comply with my demands.
Don't you have any conscience in you? Is your soul so dark as to scheme the enslavement of the entire world into your- bit the Shard back hurriedly before I stopped it.
‘Yes. If you don't comply with my demands, Lionheart , I will puppeteer your friend, your kingdom and people into becoming my willing pawns that I will use to conquer this “World” and the rest of linked dimensions. I don't have to even dirty my hands, once “Skyfall” Begins I will collect my reward and use it to do my bidding. So make your choice, give up on trying to control me and let me do what I want or become the reason why I decide to change my goals from saving to enslaving these barbarians you call “civilized folks”.I Dropped the ultimatum on the last remnants of Lionheart.
I… The shard made a conflicted expression, it seems the fool had wished to puppeteer me into doing its bidding until his soul-force expired, indeed now I can glimpse information by focusing that sixth sense into the direction I want instead of allowing it to interact with my unconscious thoughts randomly.
Soul-force, a type of energy that souls contain which they use to reincarnate or gain access to eternal rest or damnation. In my case I seem to have been “chosen” to reincarnate here but the time-dilation field of the Karmic realm had not planned for a “double event” that must happen before someone can enter the barrier that separates realities- to put it into a more understandable perspective my Clairvoyance is telling me that I had to wait for the plot to happen otherwise everything would go so wrong that I may have been reborn into a failed timeline destined for annihilation.
That is why this fucker is still around, he was never Destinied to develop farther then a “gestalt soul state” which is the term used for a baby-soul when a creature is in its infant state. This body was made for my soul to fit in like a glove, that is why I took control without the other soul being unable to contend with my claim and why it was being consumed and used as a pyre to elevate my essence into a perfect state to use everything this body could achieve.
But, this little shard had somehow broken away with all the information and knowledge of the inner workings of this place, which is why I had no “pre-programmed” information inserted in my brain when I was finally released from my limbo. This son of a bitch had somehow become aware of me before I even took over because I had to be dormant until the right moment when I could take over by consuming him.
He withheld important information from me in hopes I would slip and he could come swooping in and begin reprogramming me by adding himself like a parasitic-virus taking over his host
A masterful plot I will give him that, but he had not predicted me becoming a champion since day one and gaining this Otherworldly sixth sense.
And that is why it will cost him everything now.I chuckled darkly as I stared down the final death pyre of what's left of this cunning bitch.
‘Have you made up your mind? Because even though time passes differently here and the real world I don't wanna find out if it has any long lasting side effects on my perception of time.’ I spoke a Half-truth, I already knew how much time had passed and who will actually pay the price of exertion of oneself's mental power- not me.
I…agree with your demands as long as you don't harm the people. The shard complied, admitting defeat here means letting go of everything you are to the other party. Knowledge, skills, experience, everything you are will become a bonus to the winner who then can decide to take everything and change who he is or…
Pick and choose and sacrifice the rest to increase your soul-force to extend your lifespan by doubling or Tripling based on how much you are willing to let go.
The shard broke into ten pieces and approached him, the fortress of will that he had shaped as his avatar slowly changed into the recognizable form of his body, Valerio lionheart but with one key difference, His eyes now had a imperceptible glow that hinted at his control over that otherworldly sight.
‘Experience, skills, knowledge and your noble bearing is all want, the rest can become fuel.’ The chosen aspects flew at him and were subsumed, the remaining shards had a far darker fate.
From the depths of the darkness of his subconsciousness a blue tendril made from his soul-force extended and grasped the remaining shards into an iron grip and pulled them back from place it laid without much fanfare except the feeling of dread it unleashed on the interloper that had tried manipulate his fate.
‘That's it? No explosion of power or rush of memories? Nothing at all?’ I asked disappointedly, the fanfiction I read made it seem so special yet it felt more like a missing piece of a puzzle being put into place.
Welp time to deal with the dukes and the lord Marquis, I did promise i wouldn't harm the populace didn't I? Well the nobles aren't the “populace” so I got a free hand there and judging by the memories of the lionheart he wouldn't care either with what I have planned.
“My Lord the Artifacts are ready to be worn.” His return to the real world was met with these words.
“Good good, Jeffrey, prepare a few papers as well. I have thought of another idea to solve this little conundrum incase It ever appears again in the future. You will write and send these letters to Lord marquis of the House Ablavan , lady of the house Argento and Deramant duchies. Archduke lionheart Valerio demands the Heirs of these three houses to become his or by my hand the traitorous disident of this great Kingdom will feel his Executioner's axe fall on their necks.” Indeed I am planning to exploit the laws of this Kingdom to do what I have been ordered by the future King by taking the three daughters of these houses who I know (now) are also the declared heirs as concubines who do not gain my name unless I grant them the right to do so.
I fucking love these manipulative systems, especially when I am not the one who is being exploited but doing it. And guess what, these laws can only be changed by the vote of the king, The prime-minister(empty rank that can only be filled if the king/emperor needs a trusted Lord to help him out with governorship of an empire), the archdukes(only one here,Me) and the princes of the kingdom(only two currently with one soon to become the king and the other somewhere in this giant continent with my little brother).
“My lord, do you plan to create heirs with these women or are you going to keep them as captives to control the three scheming houses?” His butler asked cunningly, Ah Jeffrey you are going to become my favorite servant around here if you continue to conduct yourself like a Intellectual individual with common sense. Careful or I might just dump everything on your shoulders hahaha.
“First I need to judge how far this little scheme goes, then I will decide on my course of action, and do prepare some rooms though once I wrap this up I will have you send an official letter to those three houses. Things are becoming interesting yet again, the nobles have forgotten their place in the hierarchy of this kingdom.” I replied calmly, my equilibrium of mind allowed me to see the bigger picture without being influenced by the last remnants of the degraded lionheart wishful desires.
“By your command my Master.” The once knight-noble bowed his head to his charge who he had raised, the Boy who he had taught and taken care of had finally decided to throw away the veil of death he once craved.
This old man was not what he seemed at first glance, while his noble-rank was low compared to his it was by choice and thought. He was the Grandfather of Valerio Lionheart from his mother's side. A former chieftain turned noble then deciding by choice to take care of the eldest of his grandchildren when his daughter died by an unknown illness when he was twelfth years old and Virion Five years old.
What a better way to safeguard your Blood then to act as their Head-butler and help them out with governorship?
‘You have finally decided to take control of your own fate My beloved Nephew. Never thought I would see the day…no perhaps I was wrong to think of you like that, you aren't a child anymore for me to take care of, you have grown into a Man worthy of Your Namesake.’ The old Grandfather thought to himself as he observed his descendant subtly, there was a glow in his eyes that screamed to the world of his ambition and the way he walked had also stepped, no longer the slow and paranoid steps of depressed Young man but a Vigorous Young Warlord walking with purpose towards his goals.
He saw it all as he followed his charge into the arming chamber, there was still much to be done and he had all the time in the world. Perhaps it is time he started also to be more active and oversee the projects his grandson had put forward.
‘I should start by getting myself into a fighting shape, while I have kept up my martial arts training I may have gotten a bit rusty with my swordsmanship and footwork. If he has decided to control the sea around the duchy then I should make sure I am up to par with Captain of the chosen at the very least.’ A fire was lit in his soul, unknowingly by both him and the source of said spark.
The passive aura of the Conqueror had begun influencing everything that surrounds its host to become better which will result in an environment that will develop the host further.