EPISODE 53: LAGUU END OF MONSTERS 2
— Edryan Queendom, Year 7291. Season: Central.
“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.”
— George Bernard Shaw
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“WHO WOULD LIKE TO FACE ONE OF OUR CLANSMEN ON THE BATTLEFIELD?
TO THOSE WHO WIN, A SUITABLE PRIZE SHALL BE BESTOWED UPON YOU.”
I rolled my eyes as Ola Oni finally showed herself. I knew the woman talked in a loud voice, but this was starting to get ridiculous. The Lady of Laguu was dressed similar to the Oni clansmen below. White war paint that represented the runes |True| and |Warrior| were intricately drawn upon her. The painting resembled the Samoan tattoos back on Earth.
My thumb lightly pommeled the red gem that served as the hilt for my sword. Everything that was happening right now was, obviously, for show. I just didn’t fully understand the angle Ola Oni was playing at. In the background, my new passive core skill (Political Might) played an active role in deducing the ploy Ola Oni was going for. The skill laid out three possibilities in front of me.
1. Ola Oni was putting on a show of might.
2. Ola Oni is Titled, and her actions may be a direct result of her title, The Unrelenting.
3. Ola Oni was taking an unknown stance.
Minerva, what do you think? I questioned through our bond, knowing the owl would be far better at piecing together clues than me.
“ She is playing at all three, even her Title, most likely, ” Minerva responded. Her head swiveled about as she watched the show and the academy members.
“ Who knows what time of rewards her Title gives her for following its values. The presentation, the glamor, the fire, the effects, and leveling . It all shows that Ola Oni wants to reestablish the might of the Oni, her son was defeated by you, but you are a target she cannot reach. So, the next best thing to do is… ”
Reach for something I hold dear. I narrowed my eyes but stayed silent, mentally taking notes on what I saw. The bravest of the Imperius Academy students stood and were making their way down to the field. Ready to challenge any of the young Oni clansmen. Both the men and women of the clan looked excited as flames of Chi danced on their fingertips. At their center was the young master of the Oni clan. A challenging look in his eyes as I gazed toward him and him at me.
I am not doing that shit again! I turned to my general and spoke. Deciding I needed a second opinion. “What do you think is going on?”
Alexandria was dressed in more formal wear. She wore a long red dress that held two long slits at the side, which would give her the flexibility of movement should she need it. The dress complimented her strawberry-blonde hair, causing her to stand out amongst the crowd of people. It wasn’t like those surrounding us didn’t stand out in their own might. “Of? Ola Oni’s intentions?”
I nodded in confirmation. My thumb rhythmically tapped up and down on my sword’s hilt. My passive, (Political Might), was still actively in use in the background. I reduced the sensation of the skill and focused on Alexandria.
My General tapped her palm on her knee, then she began to speak. In doing so, she caught the attention of Bucca, who was seated to my left. “I believe Lady Oni intends to give you an example of the power of Chi, reestablish the might of Oni, and send a jab at her sisters'.”
My eyebrows raised as I listened and the battle between the Oni’s clansmen and the Imperius students began. Alexandria paused only to drink the red wine she was served earlier before she continued.
“Do you know the history between the three sisters?” Alexandria asked me, her palm going back to tapping.
My gaze landed a few seats over at the glaring gaze of one of my vice principals. Femi Gamal hostility was nearly palpable, no , it was palpable. Her aura surrounded her body in a barely tightly controlled veil of explosive threat. She was a [Priestess of Madris] but that did not mean she only possessed the skills to heal. Her repertoire of skills, especially blessings and other abilities that stemmed from her connection to Goddess Madris, made her highly dangerous. Not to mention, those that deeply worshiped the Goddess were rewarded with more skill slots, unique blessings, and more for their service.
“Not to the degree I should,” I responded to Alexandria.
“Marna is the oldest, Ola is the second, and Femi the third. Marna and Ola fought for the position of [Mother of Magi’s 1st Daughter] , but she lost. Then she lost the position of [Mother of Magi’s 2nd Daughter] to Femi.”
My eyes widen at the realization. Losing in such a manner with a people who worshiped Goddess Madris in a near fanatical manner was a considerable tarnish to one's honor.
“So, she left the church,” I finished for Alexandria.
“So, she left the church,” Alexandria repeated with a nod.
Bucca spoke up from the side. “She didn’t just leave the church. If she only did that, Femi would not be staring at her with such hostile Intent.”
My eyebrows raised once again at the familiarity with which Bucca addressed Femi Gamal. She wouldn’t do that unless they held some sort of relationship .
“She disregarded the teachings of Goddess Madris and broke one of the Nine Principles.”
“…which one,” I asked with some hesitation. If Bucca knew this much, then it was apparent she not only did her research but held a personal interest as well. She was a previous slave under the employ of the Oni, after all.
“Principle Three…”
“… Reverence Mandate. She challenged the judgment of the Goddess?” The question came out louder than I intended, causing many heads to turn in my direction. The head of Femi Gamal was included in those numbers.
The on-looking crowd quickly turned away as I released a bit of my Intent around me. The aura of the Chosen of Madris turned away all onlookers as they felt a small surge of power. My aura boosted them by 5% and let them know to mind their business.
Once the commotion died down, I returned my attention to Bucca. Minerva and I looked at the Sky Elf expectantly. It was clear we wanted to know all the details of the event.
Bucca waved her hand, and a charm on her bracelet activated, limiting the surrounding sounds. “She questioned the judgment of the Goddess. Once she lost the position, not once but twice to her siblings, Lady Oni… lost faith.”
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Below us, Oni fought against Imperius students, battle after battle taking place. Imperius student, after Imperius student… defeated.
The first of the students who held the confidence to challenge the Oni were amongst the lower-class numbers. Those who held pride in being highly ranked amongst the school and thought themselves superior because of it. Those were the first to lose to the might of the Oni clansmen. Judging by their reaction time, skills, and physical appearance, these clansmen were the freshest of the bunch. A few prominent members of the new generation showed their might. Defeating the Imperius students with what seemed like ease. It wasn’t until a disgruntled student from Class One stood such disregard for Imperius students changed.
Luke Walker stood with anger in his voice and a tight grip on his weapons as he jumped down to face the Oni. Right after him was Koa Indrian, the sister of my general, managed to elicit a groan from the woman.
“Please don’t embarrass me,” Alexandria muttered. I only managed to catch her words because of our proximity. I ignored her and returned my attention to Luke.
He was of average build, standing at 178 cm tall. His looks were plain, but the resolution and resilience in his eyes were clear for all to see. Luke had brownish-black hair and wielded a spear that was more blade than shaft. Next to him, Koa Indrian landed. Much like her sister, two long daggers were brandished in her hands. She gestured straight toward Ade Oni.
“This girl,” Alexandria said, palming her facing. “Just don’t do anything stupid.”
“ARE YOU NOT ASHAMED AS A STUDENT OF IMPERIUS ACADEMY?”
Koa Indrian loudly stated, drawing the attention of most of those present. My attention was still held by Luke. Luke Walker was one of the four remaining commoners still in class one. He had done what many deemed impossible as more and more nobles brought their children to attend the academy. He was the sort of talent I made sure was nurtured at the school, and he was already guaranteed to work for me. Others had attempted to purchase his contract, but the youth remained adamant he stayed under the crown. Even with the lucrative benefits, many minor houses offered him.
My attention was drawn back to Ade Oni and Koa Indrian as both fighters faced off against one another. Ade Oni scoffed, taking his stance as he responded to Koa.
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“What do you know? What is there to be ashamed of?”
“How can you be a student of the academy and try to belittle its members? Do you call this honor? Do you call this justice ?”
Ade Oni scoffed and moved forward, my eyes flicked around the battlefield and found Luke battling another clan member. His long blade spear was useful for sweeping movements and powerful thrusts that put his opponents on the defensive. The Oni clan's member blocked the best she could with her gauntlets while seeking an opportunity to counterattack.
Seeing that Luke was doing ok, my eyes flicked back to Koa and Ade. The two clashed in a brilliant display of blue flames and the reddish-brown of Koa’s dagger. Although they gave off a copper hue, I knew those blades were anything but, otherwise, they’d have been deformed by now.
Koa threw her dagger at Ade’s head yet by the time the projectile reached him another was already in her hands. She began tossing them at the young man as they argued.
“(Blue Oni Arts: Jaded Fist),” Ade Oni responded with his own ranged attack. One powerful enough to give me pause as I sat up in rapt attention.
Koa dodged outside the way, and the flames interrupted Luke from dealing a critical blow to his opponent. They were not fighting to the death, but blades are blind. All the academy students knew they could die on this path they chose to walk.
What caught my attention was the way the flames from the (Blue Oni Arts) stuck around. Permitting the area and disrupting the control of the surrounding magic. No, not disrupting.
“ Displacing ,” Minerva commented. Finishing my train of thought.
“(Mana Sense).”
The skill activated naturally as I opened my eyes to the world of mana. The first thing I saw was the soft blue, gentle glow of unattributed mana. Mana that did not hold allegiance to any element and could be shaped into them all. The second more populous was air mana with a few sparse deep blue glows for water mana. Finally, close to the ground was the brown of earth. The problem I instantly understood was the lack of all the elements where Ade Oni’s attack landed.
Any mage would feel the lack, mana was an integral part of us. To feel it missing from an area of the world was as clear as the sun in daylight. ’ Do you think?’
“ Yes, I do, ” Minerva responded. “ That skill is a mage killer and would completely stop (Elemental Harmonization). Not only that, but it would also create a problem for all magic. Casting with the agreement of the world would be negated, causing the full cost of spells to be on the caster. ”
Interesting. Right as I was turning my attention back to the stage, a figure appeared before me. Before I could act, Femi Gamal appeared before her sister. At the same moment, Principal Camilla placed a hand on her shoulder. Halting the woman for taking any unwarranted action.
“Hello… sister,” Ola Oni began. “Fortunately, I am not here to talk to you,” she continued before gesturing toward me. “Your Highness,” Ola gave a slight bow in my direction, and I waved my hand for her to continue. “I beseech you for a more formal discussion.”
Lady Oni waved toward a large platform that took up a small portion of the stands. It was clear this was a private venue and one where Ola Oni could make her case with me.
“It would be my honor, Lady Oni.”
“Please call me Ola,” she responded, to which I nodded in acceptance.
Femi Gamal pursed her lips, but it was not her place to say anything. Although her mouth opened and closed several times as she stared with pure unfiltered hatred at her older sister. I hope this doesn’t start anything between the Gamals and Oni once again.
It was already a wonder that we found little presence of the Gamal priesthood in Laguu, instead plenty who joined the church and were not members of the family were assigned here instead.
It wasn’t long before we found ourselves in the venue. Bucca and Alexandria followed with me, as any dealings I made with Lady Oni should be in their presence. Bucca specialized in deals and negotiations as the head of Law’s Sweet Golems. Her class would give her a superior edge in any trade deals or such. There was a reason she was the vice president, and I kept her by my side.
Alexandria was here as my first and only general. Anything that had to do with military matters would be through her. Basically, I brought my wallet, Bucca, and my weapon, Alexandria, with me to this meeting.
The venue was filled with sparse luxury, following the Oni tradition of being a warrior ran family. Every single clansman of the Oni was expected to have a fighting profession, and their bloodline made them excel in said category. I didn’t know the exact details, that was a family's closet secret, and such things would never be shared. Not even with the crown. It was just like none knew I held, (Unrivaled Might). A trump card I hadn’t needed to use yet.
We settled on soft but firm, pillows with a small spread of food between us. You didn’t negotiate on an empty belly.
“ Do you think her Title drives her actions, ” Minerva questioned on my shoulder as I fed her pieces from the food below.
I gaze at the woman and the several attendants of hers across from us. We slightly ate our food with sparse conversation occurring between both parties. The gaze of Ola Oni never wavered as we made eye contact many times.
A title and Titled were two different things. Titled were what we called System plagued. They possessed a destiny the system set for them that would end in their victory… or defeat. Each Titled was different, but one thing was certain, fulfilling the conditions of their Titled gave them immense power. It was the only form of title that could not be taken away by the Gods. Whereas I could lose my blessing [Chosen of Madris], and my title such as [Holy Prince of Edryani] and the few others I gain. Titled could not be taken away, not even by the Gods. It was a blessing, but also a curse, as the title drove you to do certain things and complete certain quests. Just as I felt Ola's title was pushing her now.
Ola Oni – The Unrelenting eyes met my own, and I knew the time for discussion had come. We pushed the scraps of food away and servants quickly appeared to take them. I stayed silent. It was not I who wanted to proposition the Oni, it was the Oni who wanted to proposition me. My goal of securing land for the RAIL system had long since been accomplished.
Bucca, my loyal wallet, thought otherwise as she opened her mouth to speak and end our childish staring contest. “Oh, by her three faces, let's get this over with! Lady Ola, what is it you wish to discuss with His Highness?”
Ola Oni smiled, her short black hair with gold highlights flashed brilliantly in the firelight. “That is simple, I want to ease the tensions between the Oni and His Highness, so I’ve prepared a gift of five thousand of our fresh recruits led by my niece.”
The moment she finished, the doors to the venue opened and a young woman swiftly entered. She possessed startling long, locked hair that fell just past her waist. She stood at a height of 178 cm and possessed the toned body of someone who worked out daily. Red eyes met my own, and she gave me a pleasant nod and smile as she joined the small circle.
“Five thousand is too much,” Alexandria said after she joined us. “Five hundred will be enough.”
Ola Oni, move was clear now, she wanted to insert the Oni family deeper into my camp. Of the Six Great families, she was the first who took the initiative to do so.
Five hundred? I pondered on the number, and Minerva cooed into my ear.
“ She doesn’t want to lose control, five thousand would immediately put her disadvantaged as your lead general, and it would give the Oni’s general a chance to take over. ”
I starched under Minerva’s beak and continued to sit in silence as the negotiations began.
“This is Ameri Oni, direct cousin to my son whose potential is not lacking in the slightest,” Ola Oni spoke, a gaze directed at me.
“She possesses the strength of a gold knight, and she has fought in the middle kingdoms, under the employ of several beast-men tribes.”
“I am willing to dissolve my ties to the Oni Clan and serve you in the same capacity my fellow general does,” the woman spoke. Her voice was firm, filled with strength. Her eyes were hardy, showing the vestiges of life she’s experienced.
Next to us, Bucca and Alexandria began their negotiations with the people serving the Oni. I brought my hand up to my chin and rubbed it. The first signs of a beard were beginning to grow, causing me irritation at the itchiness.
On the side, Bucca and Alexandria were arguing about what quality material these recruits to my army would be arriving with. It was only after several minutes of intense arguing that things settled down and I spoke.
“Five thousand is too much, a thousand is the maximum I can take.”
I hadn’t even accepted the troops my mother was willing to give me. What made Ola Oni believe I would just take five thousand men from her? I wasn’t looking for numbers, I’m looking for quality.
Wars on Elrunian were fought in various ways, quality troops with good equipment, war-forged, or a massive quantity of people with decent to poor equipment. Numbers could win. You could exhaust your opponent's LP by literally throwing bodies at them. The beast-men of the middle kingdoms were best known for this. Yet, once your troops hit a certain quality, like the [Gate Protectors] of Edrya. Not even bodies would be enough to defeat them. Classes, skills, and the abilities they gave you just made you far beyond what your opponent could compete with.
It was like me in my armor maxed at level 25 versus me as a level 0. I could easily one-shot myself without barely using any skills. I understood what Margret Musa said to me all those years ago, especially after I advanced my class. The quality of your abilities changes.
“Two thousand,” Ola responded.
“A thousand, or nothing. I cannot in good faith allow more than that. They must only be of rare grade, or if not their equipment must be of rare grade.”
“Rare grade bloodlines? That is an expensive gift you want, Your Highness.”
“I am a hard man to please. I do not lack numbers, but I do lack quality.”
Ola Oni's eyes seemed to glaze over. It was clear her vision was on a notification and not me. After a moment of silence, she spoke. “Ameri, Your Oath to the Oni Clan is Dissolved, Your Pledge Free and Your Path Your Own to Choose. ”
The magic of the world responded, and Ameri shuttered for a moment before she stood and bowed to the Lady of the Oni clan. Next, she turned to me.
“ I pledge myself to thee… ”