Brian sat behind his newly acquired desk, his hands clasped firmly under his chin. His eyes bore into the documents spread out before him, revealing the tale of a merchant's tyrannical rule over a hapless town. The residents suffered under his harsh governance, surviving on meager rations obtained from the merchant's personal caravans.
According to the documents, over five hundred people called this town home. Brian marveled at their tenacity and wondered how they had managed to endure such hardships. Their resilience was evident, and he vowed to ensure their perseverance would be rewarded.
To the south of Yellowstone Town lay a treacherous forest teeming with dangerous creatures and mythical beasts. In every other direction—north, south, and west—various settlements and bandit hideouts dotted the landscape. The Grand York Empire sprawled further to the north, its vessels scattered across the land. Yellowstone Town, isolated and distant, stood apart from it all.
Brian let out a heavy sigh as he surveyed the unforgiving terrain of Yellow Stone town. The soil was stubborn and unyielding, making it arduous to cultivate crops. Local folklore whispered of a curse that lingered from the ancient demise of dragons in this very land, and to his astonishment, there was some truth to their tales. Coeus had revealed that a corrupted dragon had met its end on these grounds, and the land had since borne the weight of its malevolence.
‘ Coues, what can I do about the demonic dragon blood? Can my bloodline help?’
<
While that was good news, it would take time. Time that he didn't have. There were things he needed to accomplish. Things he couldn't ignore.
As the sun descended, casting a gentle shade over the room, the flickering flames of the candles lining the walls burst to life, bathing the space in a warm and vibrant glow.
“ I thank you all for sitting here with me after all this time. I will dismiss you to your rooms, but I feel the need to do something.”
As Brian stood up, the large chair screeched in protest, adding a discordant note to the room. He walked purposefully towards the center, where the gathered individuals waited with bated breath. With each step, his resolve strengthened. Taking a knee, Brian placed one hand over his heart, a symbol of his unwavering commitment. The weight of his actions and the importance of the moment settled upon him, as he focused on the task at hand, aware of the expectant gazes fixed upon him.
“ Stephon, Butty…” he looked at the rest of the guards he couldn't recognize. “ The rest of you guys. I am sorry. Sorry for the disappointment and disgrace, I’ve caused the Agnus name. Blondie, I give my thanks for you saving my life on more than one occasion. You took my insults in stride though I’ve insulted your family. Thank you.”
“ I told you my name is Stephon, boy.” Looks like he ignored the apology, but Brian didn't care. It was him extending his hand for a clean slate. That didn't mean others had to agree.
“ To my butler, Butty.”
“ Young master,” John whispered.
"I am grateful for your unwavering support and guidance throughout my life," Brian expressed, his voice filled with heartfelt appreciation. "You never abandoned me, even when I was at my lowest, and you consistently led by example. Despite my insults and reckless behavior, you remained steadfast, pulling me out of dark places and nursing me back to health. You have been a parental figure to me, surpassing the role of my own parents." Emotion welled up within Brian, causing his chest to warm and tears to gather in his eyes. "Thank you, Butty," he whispered, his gratitude overflowing.
John walked from his seat to embrace the kneeling Brian offering his thanks for the apology.
“ For the rest of you… I’ll just say thanks. We have things to handle.”
“ Hey, I’ve taken beatings for you and snuck you alcohol!” said a brown-haired guard, his scarred face bunched.
“ I’ve said my thanks but let us move on,” Brian said ignoring his outburst.
“ You-”
“Let's continue. I need all of your help,” he walked back in forth in the room with his arms behind his back and his posture straight. “ I need builders, farmers, and fighters. And I need you guys to spread the message. The merchant left quite a lumpsum of coin behind and I still have the sum my father gave me so make sure their salaries are decent, but not too much.”
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“This land is poisoned boy or have you not been listening all these hours?” Stephon seethed.
Brian wasn't so sure why he was still angry, but he didn't care. Soon he would be strong and blondie wouldn't dare offend him again.
“ I have a way to fix the land and-”
“ Impossible! If someone had the means, this land would've been prosperous by now. And I’m supposed to believe a boy I watched get his dick caught in his zipper while drunk can fix cursed land? Don’t make me laugh, boy.”
A smirk played on Brian's lips as he confidently challenged the person in front of him. "Care to make a wager, blondie?" he boasted, his tone brimming with self-assurance.
Stephon's retort came swiftly, his voice dripping with a mixture of annoyance and defiance. "The name's Stephon, you brat!" he snapped, his words laced with a hint of exasperation.
“ tomayto, tomahto,” Brian waved him off to Blondie's annoyance.
“Here's the deal, if I fix the land,” Brian pointed at Blondie “You train me in body cultivation.”
Stephon absentmindedly scratched his bristled beard, a predatory glimmer in his eyes as a sinister smile spread across his face. "If you lose," he proposed, his voice oozing with mischief, "you'll have to parade around the entire town completely naked." With a challenging air, he extended his hand, waiting for Brian's response.
Brian's hand met Stephon's in a firm grip, wincing slightly at the intensity of his opponent's strength. Fighting back the pain, Brian whispered through clenched teeth, "Deal.”
Having dismissed everyone, Brian made his way back to his quarters, yearning for a moment of respite. As he entered, his gaze fell upon the sight of the most opulent bed he had ever laid eyes on. With a grateful sigh, he rested his head upon the plush pillows, succumbing to the allure of much-needed rest.
Morning greeted him with a blaze of blinding light seeping through the slender cracks in the blinds, casting a warm glow upon the room. Brian rose from the comforting embrace of his bed, his mind gradually awakening to the tasks that lay ahead.
Stepping into the bathroom, he observed the elegant sink and bathtub, devoid of any visible faucets. It dawned on him that water must be manually transported using buckets, likely sourced from a nearby water supply. Reflecting on this, he speculated that the mansion's lofty position, set apart from the surrounding homes, might have been chosen due to its proximity to this crucial resource
‘Coeus, can you scan the surroundings for a nearby water source?‘
<< Does the user want to learn sensory magic or allow Coeus to take over the user’s body?>>
Brian wanted to dive into magic as soon as he could. With Coeus burned into his soul instead of a power like fire or telepathy, he had an endless query of magic at hand. The only downfall is that he had to take time to learn various magics instead of it being inherited. Still, Coeus taking over was the better option now.
‘ Coeus take over.’
Coeus taking over was a weird feeling. The only way to describe it was like a lucid dream without the demon on his chest. He was consciously there but had no control of his limbs.
Brian's senses heightened, attuned to the subtle currents of magic coursing through him. The magic granted him a profound connection to the world around him, allowing his perception to extend beyond the limitations of mere sight. As he surrendered to the magic's embrace, a vivid image unfolded in his mind—a sweeping vista of darkness, illuminated by ethereal outlines of trees, rocks, homes, and the bustling figures of people.
With his newfound clarity, Brian delved deeper into the landscape, his consciousness reaching several miles behind the confines of his home. There, amidst the mental landscape, he discovered the sought-after prize—a well of water. The pulsating energy of the magic guided his gaze, pinpointing the vital source that will quench the town's thirst.
Within the depths of his consciousness, a new presence emerged—an ominous and palpable crimson aura of bloodlust. The intensity of this malevolent energy grew, suffusing the air around him with a sense of violence and danger. In response to the dark power, the mirror before him cracked, unable to contain the sheer force emanating from his being.
There was no way the merchant shared this source with the residents. Not from their chapped lips and dull skin. He allowed these people to starve and fed them just enough to keep them living, but that merchant was no longer among the breathing.
Good. Brian would've killed him if he could. His bath could wait. He now had to address his subjects and grant them the ability to live like humans and not beasts. A knock from the door and Butty’s voice drew him out of his thoughts.
“It's open Butty.”
*************
Before John even turned the doorknob, a primal surge of bloodlust gripped him, causing his entire being to tremble. As he braced himself to open the door, a bead of sweat rolled down his forehead, a testament to the overwhelming anger that coursed through the air and magic around him. It was as if an enraged god had descended upon the land, his wrath eclipsing even the legendary fury of Duke Agnus. The air itself seemed to quiver with fear as if nature itself recoiled from the presence of such divine and destructive rage.
“ Young master is everything okay in here?”
“ Don’t worry, Butty. I was just a bit angry. Now tell me, old friend,” Ethan wrapped an arm around John as they headed toward the exit of the mansion.
John could still feel the heat of anger radiating from his beloved young master. Ethan wasn't the greatest boy, but blood thirst was not him. Had the poisoning changed him so? He loved the new young master, but he didn't want him to be his father.