“Y-Yes, now get in the carriage, Charl— Lady Charlotte.”
The servant, Becca, skittishly followed me. Her fear was delightful, even though I said something innocent to her. I was lucky I managed to squeeze myself into the blue Noble’s dress with help from the Assassin Spider living inside my room. Fancy attire shall not stop me during my time here!
It has been some time since I have arrived to this horrible Realm and things were looking up! I brought my bag with twenty Messenger Spiders inside of it and several articles of clothes made from the Caretakers. My Crystal Wand and Crystal Broom were inside my Quick Slots although I was not sure if I would need to use them for this Ceremony.
I wanted to sigh as I watched my familiar’s spirit fly into the ride through its chipped painted walls. I stepped quietly to the door of the carriage, smiling at a terrified soldier. He gulped and promptly opened it for me. He was level 12, surprising me. How is a man much bigger than me one level lower than I was?
— Wisdom’s Intervention activated. As the User ‘Charlotte’ grows more powerful, her ability to see Statuses is updated. As such, the way Levels are recorded have been changed to account for prior evolutions of all those weaker than User ‘Charlotte’ should she desire to see further Level detail.
Well, time to check the new details! Ha! I checked my own Status and nearly gasped when I compared it to the soldier’s own.
— Charlotte Bohun, level 33
— Classes
Human [Common], level 20
Witch [Epic], level 13
— Lewis, level 12
— Classes
Human [Common], level 10
Human Soldier [Common] level 2
As expected of Wisdom! It was a small change, but she had created this Forbidden Skill to adapt as I grew stronger. Of course, this soldier did not have a Spider Army of his own and I was level 33, so there! Hah! What could he know? What a weak tin man! I scoffed at him and took my first step into the cab. Hard and tough wooden seats greeted me. Sitting on the boards in this cab was fine, but something about it piqued my interest. Judging by that alone as the one who commanded soldiers and had domain over this Forest, my Father seemed like a man who preferred function over comfort! Lucky for him, I agree!
Becca shifted nervously, avoiding eye contact with me and glanced out the window. Attor’s floating head reclined and scoffed. What’s wrong, I glared at her. You’re a servant of my Father, and yet you act scared?
“She’s nervous about the ride home, it appears,” Attor floated around the unaware servant’s head. The maid’s headband shuddered as his spirit passed through it, but she merely shivered. A quick gasp tried to escape her when she noticed me watching her.
What is there to be afraid of? I asked him with my thoughts. I already sent the fuzzy butts to kill any monsters around here awhile ago!
“The Spiders are precisely what she’s afraid of,” Attor sighed. “She is scared of them.”
It was not just her, though. The driver, the horses and even the soldiers moved in silent apprehension. The forest itself was peaceful, but their fear was silly to me. This road seemed like it branched out deeper into the woods but ever since I crafted my broom I had no reason to explore where the roads went. My Father’s home was close by— we could get there before nightfall. Yet, the soldiers were still scared.
“It’s quiet,” I remarked aloud. “Too quiet.”
“Aye,” the driver grunted through the barred window behind me, but quickly changed his tune. “L-Lady Charlotte, if I may.”
“No need to call me that,” I sighed. “Why is everyone so cautious? Is our home not that far away?”
“Er, Lady, it’s true what you say,” He lowered his voice. It was true that the town surrounding the Bohun Manor was close by my Tower, but I dared not fly to it and blow my cover though curiosity nearly drove me mad. “Rest assured we will be safe! The soldiers have been fighting off Spiders for weeks ever since the two Starfalls happened. That now speaks about troubling times, but we will be home in no time milady.“
The horses neighed and stopped. A disturbance? I’ve seen heavily armored men travel on those large beasts through the Portal to Hell, but the ones pulling the wagon were particularly scrawny and did not have any armor. Poor things! The driver calmed them down and I realized a group of people were headed towards us from further down the road. They weren’t soldiers, but they possessed weapons? Attor watched them wearily. Strange, I peered through the window, but Becca pulled me away. They were adventurers!
“Sit down and don’t be rude, Lady Charlotte,” she hissed. Why? She already knew what I was about to ask, and shot back with an unpleasant answer. “It’s still dangerous outside!”
Huh? The fuzzy butts were aware of these adventurers the moment they stepped into the Forest and alerted me of their presence. In fact, they were underneath this wagon and in the trees watching us go by. Not that they would notice, I guessed. I told them to leave strangers alone unless they get attacked.
“Hail friends,” the driver waved at the guests. I did not notice it at first, but this ride was quite bumpy! I would rather fly on my broom! Attor looked at me skeptically. So what? I warmed up to the sky’s freedom! Looking at Geer’Sha’s work from above is a marvelous feeling! After some laughing, the driver seemed on good terms with the group of armed individuals. “‘Fraid the town is that way! Heh! You’re going the wrong way!”
“Hail,” the biggest one spoke with a chuckle. He had a huge sword on his back, much larger than even the Hero’s Holy Blade! Ever light? Everbright? What was that thing called again? It was too bad I did not have a Weapon Identifier Passive Skill! I waited to hear Wisdom’s chime conveniently give me that, but nothing happened. “We’re B Ranked Adventurers. We’re here to crush some Spiders. Been in the business for a few years now, don’t you worry! Ha!”
— Jorim, level 16
— Classes
Human Fighter [Common], level 10
Human Berserker [Rare], level 6
— Danger Class: B Ranked Adventurer
“Thank goodness you people are around,” the driver shook his hand. “Things have been mucking in crazy all over this damn territory. By the Light, they’ve been creeping around here all over the place!”
Oh? I raised an eyebrow. People did not like my little fuzzy butts? How could they not? They’re so cute and adorable!
Attor looked at me and sighed. I supposed it was my fault for sending them all over Geer’Sha’s Forbidden Forest during the last few weeks, but how would they know? From the way they were talking, it seemed like they were also after rumors of a new Spider Queen. I gulped.
Perhaps Awakening Ceremony will reveal I have the Spider Queen Title and they’ll find out that I am responsible for all the Spiders. They’ll try to kill me like that paper I found said after all. Bring it on, humans! I have not forgotten that the old Charlotte had a bad reputation before I arrived here. These adventurers seemed like they did not notice me anyways. A woman grinned and threw her head back as she laughed. A pair of shiny daggers hung at her hips as her armor peeked out from the cloak she wore.
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— Clothes Identifier: Rogue’s Fire Tunic [Rare]: Enhances fire damage. Adds magical fire damage to weapons without any other elemental enchantments.
— Trisha, level 12
— Classes
Human Thief [Uncommon], level 10
Human Rogue [Rare], level 2
— Danger Class: B Rank Adventurer
“We’re here to protect our people and fight those Spiders for our Lord, sir,” she laughed flipping a gold coin in her palms. “You or that little cretin need not worry for us, sir!”
“Shh!” The driver tried halfheartedly to not chuckle. “She might hear you!”
“Oh, no! I’m sure the Lord will punish me!” She laughed. Jorim waved goodbye to the carriage and we were on our way again.
I see. That Rogue and her group of friends here were getting ready to explore the newly discovered dungeon. Wait a minute, I realized. They were going to MY Spider Dungeon! Her equipment was not going to have any effect against the fuzzy butts, which was my fault I later found out. As it turned out, the Fire element was known as the main way of dealing with them. However, every single one of them inherited my legendary Passive Skill, “Fire Immunity.” Oh Goddess, oh Wisdom! I gulped.
She was going to be in for a rude awakening, I sighed. Most of my Spider levels inside that dungeon are level 30 and above, even the Spider Workers with no attack Skills were sitting at level 20! She stood no chance, neither did any of her friends. They would be good for feeding them, I guess but then I realized: If news tells of more failed adventurers, surely more stronger ones will come and die. I grinned as I watched the party move out, their confidence was as thick as the woods. Well! That’s as far as I can think. Good luck Spider and adventurer friend-os! May the best group win! I shall be back, ah, who knows when!
“What’s their problem with me?” I asked the cowering Becca. The servant was too paralyzed to speak, but the driver thought I was speaking to him.
“Shhh! It is just a joke, milady!” he swore.
“Oh, really?” I sighed. “A joke, huh.”
“E-Exactly, milady!” The driver promised before he muttered. “Troublesome brat.”
I guessed that rude remark was to be expected, but I still could get information from him if I simply asked and ignored it.
“Where are those people going?” I asked innocently, knowing full well that they were headed to their deaths.
“A Dungeon,” he explained. “Ain’t seen much monster trouble, lately, but its been worrisome since the Starfalls. Trade’s getting slow to a halt. Sure hope that’s it and nothing more. Definitely not because a Witch— Nevermind. Forgive me for bringing that up, milady.”
Starfalls result in large amount of Mana being spread in the areas they crashed, I was told. Witches did not seem like they were well liked by the Humans, but I did not believe they were the ones causing Starfalls or monsters to gather around them.
“Are Witches evil?” I asked with an innocent voice.
“Whoa! Don’t ask that so brazenly! It’ll bring bad luck if you talk about a them folk like that,” the man confirmed my suspicions by cautioning me. “Still. Your Father, the Master, well, must love you very much. You were put away in the tower for awhile now. Ha!”
The driver sped the horses up with his reigns and feet, while I pondered if that was true. I failed to see how keeping me locked away was a good thing. I was about to complain, but Attor stopped me.
“He never spoke ill of her,” Becca murmured. “But you mustn’t bring that up around him, you hear me?”
I nodded vigorously. If they were looked at with fear or respect, then the reason why my Mother’s disappearance must be hidden well. If I had to guess, she was the Witch before I came around. Even if these humans did not know I was one, they had their doubts about me since I was her daughter. Well, I flicked a strand of black hair. Let them come and see how I changed! Or better, let them try and fight me if they think they’re so tough!
The sun was shining through the forest now, but the light match the grey stone road smoothed out from the dirt path of the forest. Ahead of us, an ancient metal gate peered over towards us. Well, at least I wasn’t getting thrown around in the wagon as hard now! People were gathered around to watch us enter and I peered out the window before shrinking. We were catching some serious glares!
Gah! Attor! The h-humans! I stammered in my thoughts. I did not even know I could do that! They’re everywhere!
Don’t do anything stupid now, Attor sighed. You’re quite outnumbered now.
Whose side are you on? I did not prepare for all of these eyes upon me! I glanced over the windows again and instantly regretted it. Something red splat against the outside of the cabin. A fruit? Rude!
— Wisdom’s Intervention activated. The people disapprove of the User. Identified attacker used a tomato to insult her legitimacy.
Whose side are you on, Wisdom?! I glared at the Status’s windows. Are you telling me I’m illegitimate?
Instead of a sea of fuzzy butts, I could make out through the smearing a crowd of folk dressed similarly to Becca stared at me. We passed by several shops made neatly with wood and stone, and what appeared to be an important office much larger than all of them. The main attraction, I guessed, was the even larger estate looming at the end of the road. Humans had laid their towns similar to us Demons, with commerce in the center near all the main roads rolling up the contour of the slight hill. My Father’s Manor rested on top of it and my S Rank hearing could detect that large river flowing through the city somewhere nearby. That’s not how my ears work? Well, I said they function that way, so there!
— Wisdom’s Intervention activated. Another attack is imminent.
I’m under attack? Don’t be dramatic, Wisdom! I flinched as the noise of another splat slapped the side of the wagon. I gripped my seat as I felt the ride grind to a halt. Shouting came from outside the window from the driver! I stand with you, sir! It was property damage to stain it with a fruit! Or was a tomato a vegetable?
Perhaps it is both? Attor suggested.
Whoa! You’re so smart! Perhaps you really are not looking to betray my side!
Before the dragon spirit could retort more yelling ensued outside of the window, while I noticed the horses were getting agitated. The driver was shouting at a disgruntled man and it looked like the two were going to start fighting. The soldiers escorting us were beginning to grip their weapons. This could spell bad news for the old Charlotte’s ailing reputation if they beat up these fools! I slammed on the wagon’s door and opened it. Even in the pale sunlight, and my presence drew everyone’s attention— including the stranger and the driver. Silence fell upon the judgmental crowd like a flock of Fell Demons and all eyes were on me. Gah! So much pressure! I forgot how much I hated speaking in front of large crowds and no one here seemed friendly! I surveyed the scene and decided I will put my best foot forward!
The soldiers have apprehended the young culprit behind the tomato ambush, so why was this guy yelling at my driver for? He was also blocked by spears from the kid — Ah, a father, I grinned. Dissenters were in every Realm, it seemed. I ignored the father and instead relied on my Human Killer title to let my heavy steps reign terror upon the crowd over the silence. Feast your eyes on me, you Class Common, foolish Humans!
I would declare My Greatness, but the soldiers were terrified of my approach as well as the tomato thrower. They might flee in terror and that would make me look bad, I determined. Perhaps next time I shall really do it! The air was cold and the day grayed out as the sun hid behind clouds, but it was beautiful here. The rows of houses past the busy streets reminded me of how truly lucky the Humans are. They were free to walk and gather around without fear of portals appearing in the sky. I smiled and approached the soldiers, much to Becca’s protests. The perpetrator was a young boy, shaking in his boots while being restrained by the soldiers.
— Erickson, level 3
— Class: Human [Common]
“My, oh my,” I spoke with an edge of cruelty in my tone. I realized I could see his detailed levels or turn them off if I didn’t need to. “Why are you throwing food at my carriage?”
“P-Please!” The man arguing with the driver called for me. “Lady, he’s my son, I- I’ll teach him a lesson if you spare him.”
Ha! As if I would spare him! I contemplated for a moment. I would not if I was the Demon Queen, but the Pink Fey warned me to not reveal my power. The man, who was called Erick, was yelling at me still when I rose a hand and interrupted him. The boy squirmed on his knees in the guard’s grasp as I approached him.
“So why’d you do it?” I leaned over to level my eyesight with his.
“‘Cos you’re cruel!” He muttered. “The meanest girl in the realm!”
“Is that so?” I scoffed and crossed my arms. “Thanks for the feedback, kiddo, now let him go.”
“L-Let them go?” Lewis, the soldier who opened the door from me, stammered. “This is an affront to— Oh, bother! Git! Move along! The Lady wishes you to be out of her sight!”
The guards let them go, but not without kicking them with their boots. Lewis was about to open the door, but before I hopped in I called over to the boy who still had his sights on me, unbelieving and wide-eyed.
“Get stronger, then we can fight! Or talk it out. I don’t care!” I told him, but the driver left them in the dust before the boy could respond.
“L-Lady Charlotte,” Becca gasped as she looked at me. Bask in my glory! Or fear me. Whichever works! She was muttering odd things to herself, but I could still hear her anyways. “Y-You’ve changed. What has happened to you in the Forest?”
The forlorn mansion lay ahead, its brick frame and many towers glared down upon us as we arrived to its gates. I saw many guards and maids gathering at the edge of the perron behind those barbed metal fences and I knew exactly who awaited me as we rolled in. My Father, Charles Bohun stood silently watching me, along with two twin children next to him. My weakling of a brother, Charles the Second, clung to his side. The one I feared the most eyed me with an indecipherable gaze— My sister and my doom, Elaine the First. Trepidation stirred the beating of my heart, I forgot about you, Big Sister!