Reginald scratched at the stubble on his face as he watched from the keep at Veridian Holding. He had received word almost a week ago about his "replacement" being sent since he was being "entrusted with important missions by the Crown." He actually laughed and got drunk for three days straight, which was a feat considering his Constitution. At least it wasn't someone like Lord Angus or Peter, both of them had the personality of sewage and the skill to run something about the same. Though, from the King's letter he seemed to consider Reginald's efforts to be a complete failure, and worth retiring him to some corner of the kingdom, or maybe he would be put in a fancy prison as an "advisor to the Crown". Both were some of the highest punishments that could be levied against him at this point, and he had made a bit of study about it before he came this way. That is way he made sure that local losses of life were no higher than 20% and Beastkin were only men and boys above a certain age.
He had followed all the rules and recommendations for such an endeavor, but even with his foresight he couldn't have predicted all the events of this place. His own thoughts drew his eyes to the sky far above, and the clear change around the torn edges. His last few mages had told him that a huge amount of mana was pouring down from that hole in the sky, and even he could feel it on his skin. Like a prickling of insects walking slowly, and a slight feeling of pressure all around everyone. It was also causing some issues with looking at one's status, but it was only happening randomly so it wasn't of too much concern. The more worrying issue was how Skills seemed to also have a random chance to explode or be overcharged. Just the other day one of the soldiers exploded into a pile of dead flesh when trying to use a basic Strength enhancing Skill. So, he put in an order to not use Skills until more mage's could get a handle on the issue. Though he didn't think it would get better, since the sky had shown no sign of closing or changing in almost two weeks now. In fact he overheard one of the mage pairs talking about how it was growing extremely slowly.
"My lord, scouts have seen an incoming party from the direction of Lolacal. It appears to be the guests you were expecting." A cold voice declared, after throwing the doors forcefully open. Reginald didn't even bother to get too worked about the clear signs of displeasure from his men. They had been distancing themselves from him in public and private, and he didn't disagree with them either. It was a smart way to cover their asses, and he had to stop several who started to apologize to him. As a soon-to-be disgraced noble it was always good to cut ties and work to get on the good side of the new leader you were going to deal with for the foresee-able future.
"Very good, I will make my way down. Leave me." He said with a cold voice, and sharp gesture of dismissal. He heard a clear snort from the guard before the stomping of metal feet left the room. That one might actually be one of his detractors here actually. There were a few that honestly didn't like how they continued to have troubles and even failed to stop the rebel raid. Though, it was clear that Remus didn't get what he wanted since all the golems had burst into pieces near the end of the fight. Taking another long drink he turned away from the window, and almost fell onto his face due to his [Drunk IV] status. Groaning, he pushed himself up and slowly resumed walking wincing at the light coming down from the sun, though it would fade soon due to hitting the edge of the torn sky. He knew it was going to feel like an eternity, and he had to act his part before the Lady of Arcues. At least if he read the heraldry right, which he might be a little fuzzy on due to being drunk.
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They had once been on decent terms when in their teens, and before either of them had to go out and make a name for themselves. Then, they became rivals in the same business, Adventuring Guilds. Since then, with their families also fighting about it, they faded into being rivals. It would figure that the King would send her next, since their rivalry was well known, and it would send a message to everyone else who was paying attention. Which, at this point, was the whole court since it was sure to have gotten out that the rebels were very interested in getting their hands on this Mana Well and Dungeon for some reason, and had been beaten back this time before they could get their prize. Reginald blinked slowly as he realized that he was being asked something by a guard as they waited for the Lady to descend her carriage.
"What were you saying soldier?" He asked, a look of pure confusion adding to his words. Something was off, since his status wouldn't account for his wandering attention this time. The man's uniform also seemed to from the Lady rather than his own, and he got a cold feeling in his gut.
"They weren't wrong about how far you have gone, but what can you expect from a failure of a noble." The man said, lifting his bloody hand to Reginald's chest, and pushing him backwards. Reginald tried to activate [Blade Dance] to stabilize his footing and attack the man who would dare to be so disrespectful to him. Yet, all he got was some odd sounds like waves breaking on stone, before the man smiled wider than should be possible under his helm. It was then that Reginald hit the ground, and his muddled mind put things together but he also found his throat had been cut. So he couldn't say the words to warn everyone.
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Lady Mirabella looked out from the windows in the keep, in the same room that Lord Reginald had stood in earlier that day. She gave out a sigh about the events of a few hours ago, and the last of the soldiers were being hung down in the courtyard. Who would have thought that a man of his skill would have let things get this bad. The countryside was in shambles from the Holding taking all the food and resources as well as man power in the last few months. The soldiers of the Holding and extended military were plotting the murder of their own leader, and also sleeping with Beastkin who poisoned their minds to neglect their duties and let slave go free. Such was not what she expected from that man, but the records in the keep and vault clearly showed a lax and slovenly situation that was allowed to get far out of control. There was even a note about the Ash Fall in Lolacal along with the shipping records of food, calling it a local matter of no importance.
She threw a cup at the nearby wall, causing it to shatter and the servant in the corner to jump. The fact of how clear it was made her theory of something odd going on all but certain. No matter how single minded Reginald had been, he wouldn't have been so lax with his records to incriminate himself. Since he would know that the only punishment that would await him was death at that point. Then for him to be killed by his own men? No, something was going on, and it likely had to do with that Dungeon or the rebels. For now she would play the part that was left her, and make sure her Knights investigated carefully. Since, if her enemy could get to the books and Reginald so smoothly then they would be just as easy. What she thought would be a few months in the wilds trying to clean up a mess, was now a delicate dance in a gilded cage.
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The Demon, as it liked that nickname, smiled as it watched from within the tearing sky at the scrambling ants within their home. It had been a long time since it had been awake, and it seemed like there was movement in that promise it made to that little girl Sara. This broken sky was a clear indication that someone had made an object that altered space. Everyone knew it wasn't possible to keep such a thing, inside something similar after all.