*Step..Step...Step.Step*

"All of you fools laughing while not realizing death is at your door deserve to die a dog's death"

Someone new indeed.. He seems to be referring to me as death but that's a bit of a reach, I prefer to be the moments just be death, slow and everlasting.

Either way he has a good eye. I attempted to [Identify] him but an even bigger surprise!!

System: 'Error' - Only certain stats will be shown due to interference from the target.

Status Name: Micheal Calles Class: Warrior HP: ?00 MP: ?50 Level ??? Race: Human Str: ??? Agi: ??? Vit: ??? Int: ?? Titles: [Council Chief of the Steris Kingdom], [Marshal], [???] Skills: ??? Magical Affinity / Resistance Fire: 20% Water: 0% Earth: 0% Air: 10% Darkness: 0% Light: 0%

Micheal Calles huh? He definitely is a power house within this kingdom with the title [Council Cheif] alone. But what really disturbs me is that I can't see his stats completely.. At least with the affinities, I can kinda determine his strengths and weaknesses, though those numbers won't really help me much if he can just beat me senseless before I can even blink. Let's just hope the latter isn't the case.

He stood almost a head taller than everybody else in the room beside maybe only the King. His hair was jet black and was as wavy as it was long. He had average features but that only added more to this oddly fiendish type aura he was giving off. The only thing that stood out were his eyes which were red for the most part but normal the closer it got to the pupil. A crazy site if I've ever seen one.

He continued his spill quickly as read over his stats. At least he was kind enough to let me finish.

"Did you not hear the young miss earlier, this fellow can use four elements in battle seamlessly. I who can only use two elements flawlessly could wipe the floor with every one of you when I was his age, and not to mention I didn't even have mommy and daddy's pocket to fund my training."

That last statement got a bunch of scoffs directed at it, but i couldn't really determine why, though I'm sure it has something to do with their disdain for non-wealthy individuals. A strange society indeed.

"Your reactions prove my words.. I don't even know why the keep this group of hyenas around you Arnur."

I seemed to be the only confused by whom he was referring to, but after looking around I quickly found out.

"Ah, I was wondering when the glorious marshal would show his face around these parts. Only you would have the audacity to yell before me without fear of repercussions."

"Yeah.. Yeah It's me. I felt some strange mana fluctuations near the castle and decided to check in on my dear old 'friend'. Mostly old though these years. I glad I got here before our young flame here was extinguished."

The marshall gestures towards Ari during his last statement making her tense up and lose control over the mana she had gathered for her attack. Luckily for her, she seemed to have fail-safes in place in case this happened. I felt the mana she gathered be greedily devoured by a ruby red amulet that hung around her wrist. The amulet glowed brightly as everyone beside the Marshal and maybe myself finally reacted to this new development. That amulet continued glowing for a few more seconds before it suddenly shut off, but this was overshadowed by Ari collasping to the floor with her complexion becoming a deathly pale.

"Ari!!"

A girl from the crowd seated around the king ran to the fallen court mage while screaming. She wasn't the only one who looked concerned though she was the only person screaming and crying. The King quickly called for some of his servants to take her away to god knows where. The girl followed with the team of servants who came from the one of the several side entrances, out of another side door out of sight. I quickly put both of them out of my mind but everyone seemed to be a little bit more sulkier than earlier which is understandble I suppose.

The King, Arnur, continued his conversation with the Marshal, Micheal. Albeit, a bit less arrogant and more angry than before.

"This girl... She is very capable when it comes to her duties but just one mention of loss or death and she loses control.. Thank Zaius for her master's foresight. Otherwise... Nevermind. You on the other hand should learn to mince your words more while--"

"Indeed, But I've never been one to hold my tongue for anyone, nonetheless a little court mage, Arnur."

"Insolence!" "The gall!!" "Courting Death!!"

The crowd of lapdogs surrounding the king didn't seem to like the tone of the Marshal. Even I could the disdain laced within his last statement. I should definitely look into their relationship more later.

The Marshal cast a glance over the crowd which quickly shut them up, then continued.

The king scoffed at the lack of respect coming from the Marshal but even he seemed to tone down his arrogance when dealing with this person. It was quite the sight to see given the supposed hierarchy that existed here but I digress.

The marshal continued while looking back towards the King.

"I'm sure you are wondering why I am here. I've decided to get right to the point since I'm clearly not liked around these parts. I'm here to check out my army's newest recruit."

"Recruit?? I don't see anybody here who seeks to crawl in the dirt all day long while singing those monotone songs."

The King reacted before his lackeys could, drawing a laugh from everybody in the throne room except the Marshal and me. He seemingly relished in the cackling of this group otherwise why would someone keep such an annoying group around.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

I looked towards the Marshal to gauge his reaction to find he was doing the same to me.

His gaze seemed to see through me for a second, and I felt as if all my secrets were on display. I thought for sure that he used a skill on me. I was worried until the system reminded that [Identify] is special skill created specifically by it, and that no one else in its record has access to this skill.

The marshal smiled and looked back towards the King who quickly averted his gaze. I was confused by these actions but didn't show this. Well more like I couldn't show it. The marshal then spoke to me

"You seem to have a good physique, and a strong will. Why don't come put your talents to use, and maybe serve this king over here while you are at it?"

The King's lackey were quick to gossip over the choice of words used by the marshal. I quickly ignored them though as this seems to be to my first major decisions since coming to this world. The answer was clear as day but there was no need to rush things. But I'm still confused about one thing though, why has the process been so fast? I brought that girl back, who seemed to be pretty calm about everything happening except for my use of magic. There was an attempted assassination yet none of these people including the King seemed to worry about it, or her for that matter. Now after bringing me in front of said king, his marshal is asking me to work for him basically. If this how they run things in the palace, it's no wonder their kingdom is on the brink of collapse.

After 'contemplating' his offer I decided to answer.

"I decline."

The was a lull in the room as everyone including the marshal was wondering if they had heard me correctly. But I continue on before they could get the chance.

"I'm not specifically denying you Marshal, as I hardly know anything about you. But the King there and his dogs around them, let's just say I decline."

The room quickly jumped backed to life as people either gasped or roar insults at me to gain favor from the King. The marshal on the other hand kept that same smile he had from the very beginning. As I looked away from the marshal towards the King though, I noticed that the marshal gave me a slight nod before turning to look at the King himself.

The King was furious as it turns out. He stood pointed at me whilst screaming for his guards. The princess who was watching all of this unfold retreated towards the throne and tried to convince the King to do otherwise.

"Please father, don't kill him. He is my savior, is this how we trea-"

"Shut it Lisa, He might have saved you but what kind of king would I be if accepted disrespect from a lowly commoner."

"But his magic-"

"I SAID SHUT IT! Go to your wing of the castle, you will be stay there for 3 months. And double the amount guards around her wing. No one in or out without inspection from her guards."

The princess clearly angered by being grounded tried fiercely to escape the grips of her guards but was unable to and was quickly escorted to her wing... of the castle.. That is just.. nevermind..

The king satisfied with teaching his daughter a lesson, looked back over at me and started up again.

"And you.. since you did save my daughter's life, your life will spared. However you will be arrested and sent to prison to think about your crimes. And if my guards mention anything about you, even my daughter won't be able to save you."

Warning. Threat received! Threat Level: 0/5!!

'huh. system even you know a joke when you here one.'

"Guards! Take him away."

"Yes sir!"

The guards surrounded me and grabbed my arm while dragging towards to the door. I decided to just go with them since there was a chance I would be able to meet the guy who got me in this mess in the first place.

After dragging me for what seems like a full hour through lesser and lesser grandiose hallways and staircases, we finally reached what seemed to be the jail. I first saw an iron gate resembling those of the medieval times on my previous planet. There two guards who seemed to be waiting for us to arrive as the guards who carried me this whole way threw me at their feet and walk back the direction we came from. The guards didn't waste anytime with pleasantries as one kicked me in the ribs whilst yelling at me.

"Get up! I don't know why those idiots carried you this whole way anyways."

He sent another kick towards which connected again with my ribs but did no damage. But I got the message and got up while wondering why I wasn't just killing these guys. Well honestly i'm making harder for myself since I could have just walked here.. Anyways I digress.

After standing up I was pushed firmly by the other guard who had been watching the whole debacle. I didn't lose my balance but I did stumble into the massive cell which caused all the occupants to look in my direction. Looking around the cell, I saw poorly made wooden buckets leaking out in contents. Aswell as cloths of some kind spread out in random places. There were only candles to light the cell but they did it no justice. It seems people avoid the corners of the cell, so I scanned them and saw mold of some type which explained their reactions. The cell was terrible but it atleast had a window.

I started moving towards the window but was blocked on all sides by the other inmates. I scanned and finally saw the person I was looking for.

"There you are.. You know i've been looking for you ever since that whole debacle in front the castle. Sorry about what I did to your guys."

Leestan, the man who lead the assassination attempt of the princess. He also happens to be an officer in that Forsaken group which those royal and nobles muts hate so much. He parted the men in between him and me, while giving the order to his men to back away from me.

"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be getting the hero's honor from the king himself. Has the king really fallen so low?"

"Haha.. Well I did get to meet that marshal of his. A pretty stern guy. But no, I called the king and his posse dogs after the marshal offer me to work under him."

The inmates listening in on us were amazed. Most of them wish they could get close enough to the king to tell him what they thought. Some even started looking at me with stars in their eyes. Leestan continued.

"Listen, I know we attacked you earlier, but it was because of the princess. Don't take it personal. Since we are in here together now we might aswell get along."

I laughed.

"As long you don't hold a grudge for your men that I killed. It was in self defense." I grinned.

Leestan shook his head and continued.

"I can't say the same about everyone else, but I believe death comes with war. No hard feelings here. I have to ask you though-."

"Hmm. What is it?"

"What did you decline the offer the marshal gave you? I truly don't understand this point."

"Oh, well that's easy. I don't like the way they treat the people of this kingdom."

'I mean I can't say it's cause I would get rewards for saying no could I?'

Leestan continued.

"Good.. That's good. I hope your words are true. Actually you can prove your words by doing something for me and my men here."

"Oh yeah, and what is that?"

'He's going to ask me to help them escape isn't he. Well I was thinking of doing that anyways'

Leestan smiled. "I've seen your prowess upclose. And I know you don't have plans of sticking around here given how calm you are. So I ask you, can you help us escape? ."

'and there it is. I might aswell accept. But let's try to get something from it once.'

"Alright I'll get you guys out here. On one condition though, you and your men will follow my orders from that point on. I won't take your authority away from you or them, but they must in turn give their loyalty to me."

Leestan and his men gathered away from me and went to talk amongst themselves. I guess they needed more time to wager their freedom and loyalty on a stranger, not to mention their lives if I somehow failed them.

I, on the other hand went to the small gap in wall that I called a window earlier. It was just big enough to see out of, but you couldn't even stick your finger through. The view was terrible as you might expect, but what I could see was that there was still daylight out. Which surprised me to say the least. I guess the day on this world are longer somehow.. But wouldn't that mean that nights are longer as well..

Well I will figure it out in due time, for now though. Leestan and his group seem to have made up their mind.

"All of us have agreed to your terms, but we want your word that you will not make us spill the blood of the innocent, that is our one condition."

I looked around and saw most of the men there nodding and others scrutinizing me to see if I was serious or not. I felt strange given that I couldn't feel any emotion given the my current circumstance, but I was still excited given I had my own personal force shape up. Although really weak right now, they were something. Well I guess I got to start somewhere.

"You've got yourself a deal. You guys might not know now, but this might be your best decision ever." I said with a mysterious smile as I went back to look out the small gap in the wall.

Leestan and his men quickly started gather items and things they could use as weapons. Some even started barricading the cell the inside using all the cloths and buckets...

After setting up what they considered there best defense, Leestan walked over to me and spoke.

"We are ready to start a riot on your word, We understand most of us will die, but it is better than waiting to be executed by those rabid dogs."

I looked at Leestan and saw a determined man willing to fight to his death for what he believes. I saw the other men preparing to give their lives for the possibly of freedom. I was honestly more proud to be in the presence of such men that to be 'leading' them. But I guess like always I will spoil the fun.

I reached my finger out and poke Leestan's forehead which made him confused.

"Don't go anywhere or everyone will freak out, and they will be behind you shortly so don't worry."

*fwoosh*