Chapter 100
“Unexpected Re-encounters”.
Caranthir’s hand shook, and the elf hurried to cover it with his other hand. He sat back down in the chair across from Kalysto and placed his hands on his thick tunic under the table. Wishing inwardly that she could not notice how affected he was. And after taking a deep breath, as if to give himself courage, he nodded his head, his face suddenly full of determination.
“What do you need me to do?” he asked, his deep voice permeating the air, as he feigned a calmness he was far from feeling.
But Kalysto didn’t even flinch at his predicament.
“These are my terms:
1. You will answer truthfully to everything I ask you and you will never lie to me or share with others what we talk about. If you break this rule, your heart will stop beating.
2. You will not betray me, and you will not tell anyone else about me or my secrets. If you do, you will die.
3. From this moment on and for the next year, you will work only for me. You will be available any time I call you and you will get me everything I ask for. You will also accommodate your schedule to mine.
4. You will teach me everything I ask of you, from how to create a magic circle, including all types of magic, to potions. What you don’t know, you will have to research on your own and be ready for my questions.
5. In exchange for working for me, I will give you two liters of holy water per month, which you can resell or do with them as you wish.
6. I will assign you some independent missions, which I will pay for with additional holy water. Among them will be to help me find my friend Alice and to help me discover the spell and all that is required to be able to return to my world and take other people with me. The latter will be your first task and you will have one month to complete it.
7. You will give priority to me and the work you do for me, even above any work, service or activity you do for your race. This way I can be sure that you will never again abandon me or leave me behind to do something else for them.
8. You will give me all the potions I need per month, plus all the potion materials I ask you for, from cauldrons, empty bottles and so on. I will give you half a liter of holy water per month to cover these expenses.
9. This contract will be valid for one year and will be valid from the moment you accept it. In case we both want to continue working together, a new contract will be formed and the terms will be updated.”
And as Kalysto spoke, everything she said was being written inside the purple window of the contract.
“So, do you accept the terms?” Although the elf’s face lost what little color it had, Caranthir nodded his head, but doubt still shone in his eyes.
“I think a month to research how to travel to other worlds is too short a time. Even my former master, the only person I have ever known with the ability to do such a thing, took her over forty years to research such a feat," the man replied.
I knew there had to be a reason he became a wizard before he got the system! She thought, making sure that it didn’t show on her face how much she was interested in hearing that story.
“Besides, the amount of mana needed for it is gigantic. It is practically impossible to possess such an amount of mana, no body could..." Kalysto’s voice interrupted him.
“Then you’d better hurry to find your old master and bring me results, Caranthir, because I need that information.”
“It’s impossible... She died decades ago," he answered with a frown and confusion stamped on his face.
“Then bring me the notes of your old master...“ Kalysto got up from the chair and stood next to him. And in a soft voice, she whispered in his ear. “That is, if you really want to save your brother’s life..." she added, allowing the idea to embed itself in his mind. “How do five liters of holy water sound in exchange for giving me information about it, notebooks, books, texts, notes, anything you can get your hands on?” Kalysto hid her smile when she saw the greed shining in the elf’s eyes.
He probably knows where at least some of the information is, but he doesn’t know how to use it or doesn’t know all the conditions necessary to get the result I want. She thought, remembering all of Artemis’ warnings about not touching any other profession before she had leveled up enchantments to level forty, or she would never be able to meet the conditions necessary to be able to acquire glyph inscription, the other profession the queen demanded of her to be able to create the protective barriers she needed.
And the ancient languages, like the runic language, could only be learned if the glyph inscription was studied in a certain special way. And both were fundamental requirements for the creation of barriers.
Maybe something similar will happen with this. She thought with a bit of hope. Even if he didn’t have all the information, it would give me a basis with which to start investigating, or at least I would have an idea of what I could ask Artemis or exchange with her to get information about it.
They both watched each other in silence, each deep in their own thoughts.
By the time I raise enchantments to level forty, I’ll most likely have to be around Artemis studying all the time... Which means I have to hurry and make sure everything goes smoothly during the boys’ escape, or the boss might get annoyed that my attention is elsewhere.
Unlike what she had originally thought, healing the plague had turned out to be much easier than she thought. The only case she still had left to finish was Artemis herself, and it was only because the damage to her legs was too advanced.
I’m going to need to increase my mana points in order to finish healing her, but to increase my mana reserves, I need to create at least my first mana circle. Which again led her to the man sitting in front of her.
“So do we have a deal?” She asked with a smile full of confidence as she stretched out her hand towards the elf, who this time did not hesitate to take it.
A couple of hours earlier. Kingdom of Balsac. Throne room.
“I don’t understand why the king thinks it is the temple’s responsibility to escort the heroes during their training trip," answered Alim Berkeley in a calm voice, despite the late hour in which the king had summoned him to the royal palace.
Only two guards, trusted by the king, guarded the entrance to the large enclosure where the former great cardinal of the temple of light, and now appointed supreme pontiff, stood in front of the king. Who lay seated in his comfortable chair with a majestic red cloak over his shoulders, and a crown of gold and rubies decorating his head. With his dark gaze full of greed, completely focused on the new pontiff, the only other soul in the spacious room.
“I think it is the high pontiff who does not understand," King Medhas argued. “I doubt very much that with all the losses the temple of light has suffered in the last month, it is appropriate to let the world know that it is our dear Darla’s fault that the former duke of Lanish was poisoned," he commented as if talking about the weather. As he enjoyed watching the apparent calmness in the face of the newly promoted priest darken. “Especially since not even the temple has the resources to create holy water anymore," he added, letting him know that what they believed was a well-kept secret about Darla’s lack of skills in blessing water, a secret they had kept hidden thanks to the fact that the previous pontiff’s secretary was also a saint. But the old man had died years ago due to old age. “And with the few resources you have left, being forced to defend yourself against the great military power that is the Duchy of Lanish once they learn the truth... it won’t be an easy task, will it?”
“Is the king threatening the temple?” Grunted the forty-five-year-old man, the same age as the king in front of him. However, it was the king who looked much older and more worn out than he really was.
“ I think the word threat sounds too harsh," Medhas’ voice was full of false condescension. “I prefer to call it a mutual agreement," he continued, giving him a smile. I understand that as the new bishop, there are many skeletons inside the temple closets that are best not allowed to come to light," the man continued. “I am not even asking for Darla’s release, but for the help of the new saintess. I have heard that in the city of Cifha, which has been filled with refugees from the other cities that have been destroyed after the invasion of the monsters or the demon king, the health and economy of many families have been affected... is it not the duty of the temple to go and heal them? To heal their aching souls and give them some rest so that they can reaffirm their faith?” he added brazenly. “And what better than to do it while accompanying the heroes on their training journey as they go to close a new dungeon nearby? Wouldn’t that help improve the temple’s image after the great failure you had in subjugating the black dragon? A dragon that came to our world thanks to the work of the previous saintess.”
The new pontiff’s fists clenched inside his tunic as he clenched his jaw.
Berkeley could not believe the brazenness and cynicism of the man in front of him. But, although he detested the king to the point where being in his presence turned his insides, he could not deny that it was true that since the death of the previous pope, donations from the aristocrats had stopped, and with them most of the profits of the temple, who had had to compensate the families of all the soldiers they had lost during the failed subjugation, while they tried to find a new main headquarters, far from the ruins of the destroyed kingdom of Vatha.
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And even if he wanted to, the new pontiff was in no position to refute. Not in the current chaotic state the temple of light was in.
Not with the demon king’s army ascending from the southern continent. Least of all, with the monsters annihilating entire cities left and right without any apparent pattern, only to evaporate without a trace, as if made of shadows. And then reappear in some other kingdom of Tanish, and begin again to destroy everything in their path.
In a terrible cycle, which many were beginning to fear, had no end.
“And everyone in my kingdom expects the temple and the saintess to help the heroes face the demon king and his army of monsters," concluded the king, oblivious to the fact that he had lost the pontiff’s attention several minutes before.
Berkeley took a deep breath as his chest burned with rage at being forced to play by the stupid king’s rules, but he had no other choice for the moment, not until it was decided where the new central temple would be established. And in the meantime, he would have to play along with this man, although the only thing he could give him was the security that came from the powerful military force of the armies of the Lanish and Brincy duchies.
A couple of hours later.
Kalysto blinked, unable to understand what was happening.
She was sure that she had lain down only seconds ago on the bed inside the room that the king of Balsac and his people had prepared for them. And yet there she was, in the middle of a dimly lit hallway, in the middle of the night.
How the hell did I get here? She questioned herself, feeling her heart gallop like a runaway horse against her chest. Sense the mana! She commanded, as she felt the flow of her mana leave her body and surround the perimeter by barely a couple of meters, assuring her that she was the only soul in the vicinity.
Map! She thought, needing to be sure. But the enlarged map returned the same information her senses had already told her.
There was no one else there with her.
So there was only one possible explanation for what was happening to her. One that she was afraid to delve into.
Alice had told her about it some time ago. About the blank spaces one personality had when the other took control.
Kalysto breathed in sharply as a shiver ran through her body at the thought. I need to calm down. She said to herself. However, contrary to her expectations, her breathing quickened even though she hadn’t moved an inch as the implications of what she was experiencing flashed through her mind.
What the hell am I going to do from now on if Persephone starts stealing spaces of my time? And what was even more terrifying for the saintess... What did she do this time? Did she kill someone? Why did she go out without me noticing?... What triggered it?... How come I regained control without even realizing it?... I just went to sleep a moment ago!... And as her mind traveled in a spiral of unanswered questions, she began to hyperventilate.
The worst thing is that since I have my cell phone in my backpack, I didn’t even notice what time it was before I went to bed! And I don’t have the slightest idea how long I was without control of my body!
Her face turned pale at the possibilities.
That’s it! I’m not going to sleep again!... She decided. I’ll ask Caranthir to help me strengthen my mental defenses and I’ll live on revitalization potions from now on!... Confident that this was the best plan she had for the moment, she continued. Come on, Kalysto! Focus!
[The passive skill Mental Defense has been activated.]
And though she felt the familiar coldness that came with the skill, she forced herself to activate it about ten more times before she finally felt safe enough.
I need more information on this!... It’s a pity there’s no internet in this world!... If only I had Alice around!....
But it didn’t mean that libraries didn’t exist.
At the very instant the thought struck her, the sound of approaching footsteps interrupted the silence of the dark night. And trusting her instinct and the map that wasn’t quite revealed, she escaped.
In search of the library.
It was almost an hour later that she found it. And for the next three hours until the sun came up, she devoted herself to duplicating all the books on magic in general and mental magic that the royal library had. She had even snuck inside the forbidden section and duplicated all the books she thought might be of use to her. Using her new skill to manipulate the earth and use it against the rocks in the walls that kept the books confined, just as those giant earthworms had done to the floor.
She arrived at her room a little after the sun had risen.
She immediately took a revitalization potion to get rid of the accumulated fatigue and took out one of the many books she had duplicated and stuffed into one of the bags imbued with space magic she had obtained from the blond merchant. And as she desperately searched for information that would be of use to her, a knock at the door startled her.
“Miss Luna, the king has summoned the heroes," one of the servants told her. And despite her reluctance, she had to organize herself to start the day.
“My dear heroes, good morning!” The king greeted them in the small dining room he had organized for them, several minutes after Kalysto and the rest of the summoned heroes came to meet him. “Today, I have wonderful news for you. After you finish your breakfast, you will accompany the new saintess and the knights of the temple to the city of Cifha, then you will take a small detour to a new and small dungeon where you will find level 10 monsters, with which you will finally be able to advance on your journey. I understand that it is difficult to level up and that you have been stuck in your ascent since you have only been training with level 3 to 5 rabbits, and that this has been difficult for you. But we have tried to do things in the safest way for everyone. So from now on you have nothing to worry about. Several of my best men will accompany you on your journey and I assure you that those who return alive will do so bring much stronger than you are now.”
It is ironic how this guy really does not realize that with his attitude, he is only earning the enmity of all of us. Kalysto thought as she saw the looks of annoyance on most of the faces of the other summoned heroes.
The only ones excited about the idea were Sandra and Edward. And that was for very different reasons.
The next six hours were one of the most tedious experiences Kalysto had ever had, not only because it was annoying to have to share a small cubicle with the other heroes, but the carriage they were riding in barely had enough room to stretch their legs without bumping into each other’s legs. Fortunately she had managed to sit in front of one of the windows while she took the opportunity to read one of the books Caranthir had given her to study so she could understand the basics of magic and the creation of a magic circle.
And while the others complained about the sweltering heat, she pretended to take out her reading material, along with her notebook and pencil, from the backpack Milo had given all the wizards to keep their clothes in. As she occasionally wrote down notes on the most important points and wrote them in Spanish, making sure that no one else could understand what she had written in her Portuguese notebook.
A small caravan consisting of three carriages was traveling towards the city of Cifha. Milo and some of the court magicians rode in the first one, leading the way, followed by the carriage in which the heroes were traveling. In the last, and most elegant of them, traveled the saintess together with a small congregation of priests, all surrounded by the king’s army and some knights of the temple. But before reaching their destination, they had to take a detour due to the destruction of the bridge that crossed the great river, several hours before reaching the city. And they had to first pass through what was left of the town of Exhos. A small ruined town that had been ravaged by famine for a year and monsters for a month.
The cadaverous figures of the few people scattered in the streets welcomed them in the middle of a dirty half-destroyed city that almost seemed abandoned. The gazes of some of its inhabitants were filled with fear at the sight of them crossing its streets. Those of others, on the other hand, glowed with greed.
The horses neighed nervously, almost refusing to advance along the path the soldiers were forcing them to travel in order to get out of there quickly and get through the city swiftly. But their strange behavior served to increase the uneasiness that already reigned in the hearts of all the soldiers.
“This is horrible!” muttered Edward, as he opened the window curtain, looking with compassion at the people dressed in filthy rags, along with malnourished children with annoying flies buzzing around them. “Can’t we do something to help them?” asked the young man, looking at Kalysto with hopeful eyes.
“You expect us to go out and hunt a monster so they can cook it and eat it?”
“Uh...well," he said, avoiding her gaze. “Maybe you could..." Kalysto frowned, annoyed at the insinuation.
“In case you’ve forgotten, we’re here against our will. Besides, feeding them once won’t solve their problems. If it’s so hard for them to live here, they could learn to hunt for themselves or move to another city, as other inhabitants surely have. Even you have been able to hunt at least one rabbit and you are not even used to living in a world like this.”
“But...”
“Edward, it’s not our job to save the world. And even if it were, it wouldn’t be this world that we would have to be responsible for. Instead of thinking about the welfare of those who support our captors, shouldn’t you be more concerned about how things are on Earth? How do you think your father feels about not being able to find you? Not even knowing if you’re alive or dead? Or even worse, without you knowing if he’s even still alive?”
“What?” The surprise on her naïve face when he heard that annoyed her.
What the hell is wrong with him? Does he think this is all a video game?
“Did it never even occur to you to think about the safety of your family?” Kalysto asked him, not believing what she was seeing. But before she could continue speaking, they were both interrupted when one of the guards scolded them when he saw that they had the window curtain open.
“Keep it closed, lest you give these poor godforsaken people ideas and they think there’s something here for them to steal!” The guard growled, and Edward hurried to close the window and the curtain despite the heat.
“Hurry up!” shouted another guard. “We must reach Cifha before nightfall.”
And as if it were a signal, as soon as the words finished coming out of the guard’s mouth, a loud explosion was heard in the distance, followed by the noise of hundreds of beasts that rushed into the middle of the dirty streets while a few passersby began to run and scream in terror at the sight of the monsters that began to invade the city.
“What... what the hell is that?” Sandra stammered, her face losing all color.
Quickly, the rest of the heroes peered out the window, only to be met with the bright bluish light of a ten foot high portal at the end of the long, steep street in front of the other window of the carriage.
And beside the portal from which a horde of monsters emerged and began to run down the street, a huge green-colored orc with a scar across his eye stood firm, his palms close to each other and in between them a thin azure light from a small circle of mana stood active. His cheeks tinged with red lines announced his readiness for battle and his muscular body was adorned with an armor that Kalysto recognized on the spot.
Just as he recognized the scar on his eye, one that she herself had caused with an arrow the very day she arrived in this world, as revenge for the monster that had broken the bones in her feet while she was still on Earth.
Shit, what the hell is he doing here?