I felt something rising and shrinking underneath me, like I was bobbing up and down in peaceful water. In fact, the temperature was getting warmer under my back despite the air flowing over me being cold. Blankets? Soft, comfortable human inventions, though the little demon commoners would emulate human creations when we discovered them or looted them from their corpses after battles. My hand clasped my chest and scratched skin. No blanket? Why does a lack of a blanket make me feel vaguely sad?
Perhaps I was lying on it, but instead of a soft blanket I felt fluff like a cloud strolling carefree in the air. Wait. Clouds were not fluffy, no, not even close. I rose again, though not of my own volition. What was happening to me? I could lie here hoping a blanket would show up and envelop my body in warmth, or investigate what exactly was moving me around. It was moving at a nice enough rhythm. Predictable, soothing even. I shuffled my hands and feet across the bed, but the mattress felt oddly prickly for a pile of blankets, though. Pushing against it would feel spiky, but smoothing it out again would make it soft.
“What are you, you mystical blanket?” I sprang awake. I nearly hit the ceiling as I sat up. Huh? I looked up at the ceiling and noticed it was much closer to me than I remember. Did humans grow taller overnight like this? I realized the blanket I was lying on was in fact, the abdomen of the Spider Assassin. Huh? Did it get lonely watching me sleep?
— Nameless, level 41
— Classes
Spider Worker [Common], level 20
Spider Leaper [Rare], level 10
Spider Assassin [Epic], level 11
Danger Class: S+
Buffs: Death Touch, Darkness Infused Attack, Leap Attack Up, Spider Queen’s Presence, Powerful Friends, Brutal, Cloak and Dagger, Stealthy, Immune to Fire, Ice and Lightning Damage, Human Killer, Blessing of Geer’Sha
HP: 6600/6666
Mana Pool: 100%
Stamina: 84%
The fuzzy butt was quite powerful on his own, but he was still asleep and I am a firm believer in not overworking my underlings! Despite the growth potential increasing over 100% while one is awake, it’s important to get some rest! I admit the numbers might not be as accurate, but what kind of leader would I be if the principle was wrong? It breathed out again and I felt myself lowering to the ground. Uh oh. Falling, falling, falling! My hands hopelessly groped for a bristle or something to hold on, but the spider was still expanding as it snored! I landed on the floor with a thump. Fine, I’ll get up! It was dangerous sleeping on his fuzzy behind and this was the proof! Still, it was odd why he leveled up while sleeping, but awhile ago my Steel Spider Warriors leveled up by simply eating rocks so what do I know?
After a considerable amount of effort I finally managed to stuff myself into a dress I brought. As I inspected myself in the mirror, however, I realized it was on backwards. Geer’Sha, Wisdom, help me! My shadow stirred at the moment I prayed that. Blanche to my rescue!
“The bandits have been routed, Your Majesty,” she said with a bow. Her face was inches away from my stomach when she did. I hoped she did not notice— “Can I help you with that dress?”
“Gah! I mean, yes, please,” I pleaded. Blanche snapped straight and spun me around with webs. She has Advanced Web Conjuring? I wondered as I started to get dizzy. No, she’s a spider, of course she would be able to use webs freely. “What of the ones in the cage?”
“I healed those lower lifeforms and let them go wherever they wanted,” Blanche finished her work on me. I looked normal! Hooray! She must have recieved training from the Caretakers, but I’m not complaining!
“Excellent,” I guessed. “Anything more to report?”
“The bandits we captured appear to be apart of a larger organization, called the Man Harvesters.”
“Man… What?”
“And the Orc Village renovations are nearly complete,” Blanche continued. “We can move along with Your Majesty’s plans swiftly.”
“Excellent, excellent,” I chuckled to myself. Wait. What plan? Instead of asking, I decided to go along with it, despite Attor stirring awake. “Best of luck to you, Blanche.”
“Your blessings mean a lot to us, My Charlotte,” Blanche bowed. She looked at the sleeping Assassin Spider and cocked her head. “Shall I take this one with me?”
“What, him?” I looked at his oversized rear end. “I think he’ll be fine in the corner, but he is hungry. Take him away, Blanche!”
“As you wish, My Queen.”
A large shadow enveloped the ground surrounding the slumbering fuzzy butt, and soon both of them sank into the ground and disappeared leaving me all alone. I was not so sure what to do now. Was I even allowed to explore this place without someone complaining? I stopped at my room’s entrance before I heard someone yawn. Oh yeah, I can ask for Attor! The Dragon was getting larger, much to my surprise. Checking his status gave me a headache. He had hardly leveled up at all, yet had thousands of Stat Points. What are you doing with all of those!?
“They’re my hoard,” he countered. What? Instead of answering me, he dissolved into his spirit form. “I have been here before.”
“Our short teleport here doesn’t count!” I shrieked. His floating head shook.
“Before your time, but we shall have to explore this place together.”
So he was no help, basically! Frampton was off exploring more of the Forest, but I wondered if there was a way to make him come to me by my shadow somehow. Enough dawdling! It was time for my new plan I thought of while sleeping. Operation: Spy-der is in effect! Get it? No? Only the foolish would not understand my perfect jokes! Given my ample amount of time here in this gargantuan manor, I could sneak around everywhere. Maybe even go outside and see the locals some more! Just how long does it take to acquire an Awakening Orb anyways?
The rising sun peaked from behind my curtains and wind pushed through the window. Was that always open? Oh well! My hand turned the doorknob and I prepared to exit. A dusty hallway greeted me, with no other doors in sight. Only the stairs I apparently fell down were at the other end. I gripped my trusty Bag of Holding and let one of the Messenger Spiders living inside it leave and station itself here. The little creature was happy to roam around the hall, but I lost track of him quickly. The only thing that revealed his location was my ability to see his Status.
— Nameless Messenger Spider, level 10
— Class: Spider Spy [Epic]
Buffs: Hidden, Presence of the Spider Queen, Unstoppable, Shadow Clone, Immune to Magic, Immune to Anti-Magic, Immune to Fire, Irregular, Blessing of Geer’Sha
— Passive Skills
Infiltrator [Class Unique]: Undetectable by level 30 entities and below. This entity is invisible and cannot be interacted with. Scales directly with the Spider Queen’s Power.
Harmless [Class Unique]: Appears harmless and indistinguishable from a regular insect.
I reeled. Reading these Statuses is going to send my ego on a broom flight on its own! I had a lot of them left, so I decided to finally go downstairs after letting that one hide wherever it pleased. Attor’s head peaked around the downstairs before I did, but he was tracking humans standing nearby. Giggling came from them.
“Haven’t you heard?” A girl named Sydney’s Status showed around the corner, stating that she was a level 6 Human Servant. Are all the servants of the house so weak? I decided to hear what the laughs were about. “Master’s bastard child has arrived yesterday!”
“No way!” Nana, level 7, giggled. “I was too busy washing out doors to catch her. I bet she was kicking and screaming foolishly!”
“Shh! Nana!” Sydney tried to stop her from mocking me, but she laughed as well. “Get this, that half-elf is in charge of watching over her, so hopefully we don’t have to ever hear from her.”
“Good, I don’t ever want to end up like those other two servants that bastard child threw out.”
Oh, yeah! Emma, that crazy powerful servant! Perhaps I could get a tour from her! I stomped around the corner. The two servants frozeand I heard a satisfying squeak of surprise when they saw me.
“Those two think they could look down upon you, but look at them now!” Attor’s head floated over the brown haired girl. “They’re cowering before you! Make them suffer—“
“Excuse me!” I called out to them, pushing through Attor’s misty spiritual form.
“Charl— Lady Charlotte!” Both of them exclaimed, but plunged their faces and knees into the ground. “F-Forgive u-us! You didn’t—“
“Shh! Don’t tell her!”
“What are you two doing?” I looked down at the human balls before me. “Nevermind that. Have any of you two seen Emma?”
“No, we haven’t seen her around, Lady Charlotte!” Nana shook her head profusely. “W-We swear!”
“Okay,” I guessed they were busy doing whatever servants do. Attor’s head floated in front of me as I wandered aimlessly down the hallways. Ah, there it was. That needlessly large gathering hall.
“You’re a lot more kind to those who have ill will towards your name than I thought,” Attor remarked.
“Huh?” I slipped a Messenger Spider inside the room. It skittered like a lightning bolt skipping along the walls behind a neglected piece of artwork in the corner of the big dining hall. Now, both the spider and this portrait were sheltered in the dark, I scoffed as I approached it.
“Those servants call you a bastard, a child of illegitimate blood.”
“Really? That’s their problem, I guess,” I stared up at the painting. It was dusty and worn out, despite all the other decorations that remained in pristine condition. “The weak shall become food for… the spiders or something. Our current problems are more important than mere servant gossip.”
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“Or something?” Attor floated upward to match the portait’s subject. A black haired woman with a powerful gaze stared back at me with a stern expression instead of the smiles or gentle faces in the other portraits. “That’s your mother, Sigrid.”
“How lovely,” I mused. Sigrid’s red eyes were more beautiful than mine, although I was sure the woman would abandon me just like my original parents. Enough dawdling, it was time to leave.
As soon as my hand twisted the door’s handle, I noticed blue hair storming across the hallway. It’s Emma! Uh oh, Attor. I think she is mad! The dragon merely scoffed and his spirit faded. Don’t leave me here!
“You,” she marched up to me. “Your Father has sent for you. Come, Lady Charlotte.”
I’m definitely dead. I think. Was this forboding feeling from vestiges of my body’s former owner? Emma led me past a peculiar room, but its doors were sealed shut. A library? I stopped to inspect the seal. Perhaps my spiders would be able to get through this barrier. Emma cleared her throat.
“We mustn’t keep Master Bohun waiting on us, Lady Charlotte,” she urged me.
We marched past a flight of stairs leading down into the main hall, where many important looking adults stood around in hushed circles. A spider or two here shall serve me well, so I let two out. The other one skittered towards the library. Best of luck! I followed the stern half-elf along until we reached a familiar hallway. This was the same hall where I was dragged to the teleporter room. Its door was locked, but the huge ornate ones of my Father’s office awaited me. Emma approached one of the two tin men standing at its grand entrance and bowed her head for his approval. I was not prepared for any of this! For one, my head did not even reach the door handles in height! The pair of guards knocked and opened both the doors, while Emma remained bowed.
“Lady Charlotte has come as you have requested, milord,” the soldier declared.
“Come in, Charlotte,” Charles’ voice boomed. The massive man was standing at his window, staring outside yet again. “I have asked you this during our last meeting, but I must now once again repeat myself: What is it that you want?”
“What I want?” I wondered aloud. The doors shut behind me, making me rely on my Reflexes Stat to hide my flinch. Attor’s head floated around me, looking at the painting of Sigrid on his desk. I looked back at Father. There was no escaping his scowling presence, so honesty was the best policy! “I wish to get stronger, Father but I also wish to learn all I can. It’s been some time, since I have visited here.”
“Visited?” Charles narrowed his eyes on me, so I narrowed mine back at him. It was then I saw his Status again.
WARNING! DO NOT ENGAGE WITH THIS ENTITY.
— Charles Bohun, level 30
— Title: Witch Slayer
— Classes
Human Warrior [Common], level 20
Human Noble Champion [Epic], level 10
Buffs: Height of Heroism, Human Noble, Powerful Friends, Brutal Strength III, Magic Resistant III, Stalwart Stoic, Witch Slayer
WARNING: This Entity possesses high EP
Head of the Bohun Duchy, a man of sheer power and will. He has reached the Height of Heroism and demands absolute strength from his children.
This guy is a monster! I stopped myself from sighing. That title and last buff said all I needed to know about this man and why I should not fight him. Still, Wisdom’s status reading ability was amazing!
“Of course! I’ve been locked away in a tower, Father,” I hissed. Maybe the old Charlotte was as rude as this? “I have nearly been destroyed by two Starfalls now, so now I must look at ways of surviving a third if need be!”
We held each other’s stares in a deadly bind, but perhaps the fear inside my soul was caused by his Witch Slayer title. Now I know how the goblins and humans feel like, but I didn’t ask for it to happen! If I wanted to feel fear I’d go train in the Demon Labyrinth again! Charles’s shoulders relaxed and he sat in his chair. Something instinctual stirred inside of me, making me move to him and sit on his lap. Surprisingly, Father let me. Attor scrutinized me and groaned but I shot back a glare. I let the Old Charlotte do that, okay!
“I see now, Charlotte,” Charles sighed. “You are no longer the same foolish brat I left inside that tower. You are calculating and move with more purpose now, though I know not what that is. I also heard that you spared that boy on the streets.”
“Who?” I scrolled through the events of yesterday, but could not remember anything! Fear encircled my mind and sent it racing! I must play my part and remain calm. Surely, he will fill me on the details of this so-called boy.
“The one who disrespected your carriage. You didn’t even throw a fit like everyone expected of you to do.”
“Ah, that tomato thrower,” I mused as I shifted on Father’s knee, but realized I was saying that aloud. “Is that a fruit or a vegetable?”
“What does that even matter? It’s a…” Charles quieted down as we were both drawn in deep thought of the mysterious nature of the tomato. He cleared his throat and growled out a warning. “I shall let you learn what you wish, but strength and respect is earned. And you have neither, daughter. I shall call for Emma to escort you, if you wish.”
At the sound of her name, I froze up.
“No, Father, anything but that!”
I felt his strong hands lift me up and set me on the floor. I suddenly felt foolish. What am I to you, a small pet?! Charles laughed. Perhaps he realized my true reason why I was weary of Emma! This was bad!
“Still some brat inside of you,” Charles’s laugh scared me. “You remind me of…”
“Mother,” I whispered, as if saying her name would curse us both. I reached for the picture of her on his desk, but he waved me off.
“Run along now, Child of mine,” he collapsed the frame face down on his desk. “We shall continue this conversation tomorrow. Do not cause trouble, or I shall throw you back in the tower.”
Okay! I was relieved to be free from this oppressive feeling, though going back to the tower sounded like a great idea! Still! I grinned to myself. Attor, I survived! Do you see this marvelous political maneuvering from yours truly?
“Not really,” Attor rolled his eyes. Gah! What!?
“I also would love to know more about her,” I said over my shoulder as I stopped at the door, trying to reach the handle. “And to bring good memories up again.”
A growl came from behind me and I knew it was not from Attor. Okay! I’m out! The guards opened the doors for me after noticing my struggle and I found myself standing in the hall, free to do whatever I want! Only one slight problem: What do I want to do? Father gave me this opportunity to slip away and explore, but as I peered left and right I realized how over my head I was. Attor!
“Go right,” he grumbled. Eh? I did not even ask the question and you already knew the answer. “I chose at random…”
To the right I go! I marched, suddenly remembering my bag. I forgot to let one of those spiders inside Father’s office! Whatever. It was time to continue the operation! I traveled along the wing past a group of murmuring maids on my way, though none of these rooms seemed particularly interesting. I had let one of my Messenger Spiders inside of the teleporter room, however it seemed like I could save the rest of mine for outside. This manor was huge! Or perhaps I was small, finding myself in the main hallway again which was now empty.
There was a great deal of things to explore, though it all blended in a bland opulence that I cared not for. There was a grand entrance where all those important humans were now gathering at, leading up to stairs that split into two wings where I was. After speaking with a maid, I learned that I lived on the very opposite side from where the rest of my family lived. Which gave me a lot of opportunities to explore! The library was behind a sealed entrance under the east wing, while the dining halls and other rooms were… somewhere. I did not know what any of that meant, but I’ll take her word for it! I was absentmindedly heading back to my room anyways. The Spiders shall show me a decent layout of this human labyrinth, I’m certain.
“What do you think about your home? Sigrid’s, I mean,” Attor asked me.
It’s all so bland, I inspected a bust of Charles under a grand window. It needs more red lights and human skulls.
A maid bumped into me as I stood there, but scattered when I nearly jumped in surprise. Attor and I watched her leave the tray’s mess behind quietly, apologizing profusely. There was no notification or Wisdom’s Intervention for that attack? Come on, Wisdom! Help a friend out, will you!
“Perhaps we should start with these servants?” Attor asked. I shrugged. Whatever the spiders want, I guessed. Before I could move back to my room, someone yelled at me.
“I can’t believe you did that to that poor servant!”
A voice called out to me. He was young, but not familiar. That’s not my brother, is it? I looked back, but a boy around his age dressed in a decorated green suit glared at me, but had a mischievous and arrogant look I would love to destroy someday.
“I have heard from your brother that you have been brought here from that dump and what is the first thing I see the first thing you do? That poor, innocent servant!” The boy had a mocking smirk on his face, but something inside me fluttered. Why? I snapped out of that strange feeling. He marched over to me and pointed at the mess that maid left. “Charlotte and cruelty, name a more infamous duo.”
Now I was certain I was supposed to know this child. I studied his face for a moment, but it was awkward! Well, I’m drawing a blank!
“I’m sorry. I shall take this back to the kitchen, uh,” I decided to be honest! It worked with my Father, so it will probably be okay with a snot nosed child! I’ve barely spoken with any of the smaller lifeforms in the Demon Realm, how was I supposed to know how to talk with a human child? “Who are you again?”
The boy looked at me with a flabbergasted expression, which made it difficult to tell the severity of the situation I was in.
“Has the fall wiped your memory or are you just doing this to get my attention?” He scoffed and crossed his arms, preparing to storm away. “You will not be able to play games with the Great Third Prince of Sharra!”
“Well, I don’t want to play any games. I am quite busy, so give him my regards,” I retorted. Again, I received a strangely satisfying shocked look from that remark. Take that, you! This new Charlotte shall not be rude! I wanted to flex, but his status delivered me some awkward news as he walked away.
— Devon Sharra, level 15
— Classes
Royal Prince [Legendary], level 10
Royal Strategist [Legendary], level 5
Prince Devon is the Third Prince of the Kingdom. He has been tasked with overseeing the westernmost territory as a test from his Father. As such, he is often seen around his many noble friends and acquaintances.
Ah, so that was why my heart felt something stir for him. Why, old Charlotte? His Status was too weak! It was higher than most of the soldiers, at least. Those of Royalty must have all the luck in the Human Realm. I stepped out of the way of many guards rushing by to accompany him. Suddenly, someone new chased after them right by me. A girl as tall as me, but dressed like a commoner? Why was she allowed in here? Resentment gathered inside of me, but as she hurried halfway down the stairs where Prince Devon was when she stopped and turned to me. I gave her a blank expression, but she stuck out her tongue at me. It was oddly cute, in addition to being slightly amusing. I shrugged while waiting for the crowd to leave, which seemed to disappoint the commoner girl. Prince Devon linked arms with her and I was soon left alone in front of Charles’ statue again.
I guess the old me would have been offended, I chuckled. My foot bumped into something on the ground. Glass? I looked down and realized it was the tea set scattered on the ground. Oh yeah! That clumsy servant forgot it, but never returned. Attor’s head floated down to sniff it, but it was evident from his disgusted look that he did not like tea. I sighed. I might as well clean this place, it’s not like the servants will mind if I help them, right? I had to be sneaky about it, but no one was around.
Quick Slot! Wand!
“Second Spell: Spick and Span!” I hid the wand in my sleeve and pointed it at the mess at my feet. The Spellpage ripped and magic poured out from my sleeve. The pieces of the tea set and the mess became enveloped in a beautiful shower of colorful light. We watched the light dissipate and soon a perfect tea set rested on the floor, stainless and serene. “Ha! Now I shall return this to the kitchen. They will know what to do with it!”
I scooped up the perfect tea set after swiftly storing my wand and suddenly my body froze in fear. A new voice called for me, one I recognized. It was my Doom! Uh oh, I’m in trouble! I dared not look at her, so I stared down at the tea set I cradled.
“Charlotte? What are you doing?” Elaine asked. Her voice was beautiful to my ears, flowing like flowers in the breeze, but I must not look! Think, Charlotte, think!
“I was going to the kitchen to put these away, Sister,” I kept my voice quiet and focused, because the terror crawling inside me was going to make me drop the tray!
“O-Oh, it’s down to the right, by the south eastern dining hall.”
A slender hand appeared in my view, pointing where I was supposed to go. Her sleeve was a gorgeous gold color and adorned with Rare classed jewelry. Everything about this girl was far too bright and dangerous! I tentatively lifted my eyes from the tray to see Attor flying away downstairs to the kitchen. Gah! You’re abandoning me? Get back here and fend her off! Nevermind, you’ll die too! Plan B, retreat!
“T-Thank you,” I stammered, but who could blame me? The hand withdrew and my feet got to marching as carefully as I could! From behind me, I felt my Doom’s eyes burning holes in my back.
“Charlotte, I’m sorry—“ She whispered sadly. She thought I was not able to hear her, but I wasn’t doing that on purpose I swear! Retreat!