I went along with Solana's blunder, "Would you please sit, your Highness. We have several pastries and our team of maids would be happy to serve you."
She caught herself and looked to the sides. "Leave us. I must talk to our guests in private!"
The servants quickly filed out through the secondary door. The princess' escorts tried to protest but she kicked them out of the room. Once the door closed, I raised sound and divination barriers.
"Hey, Solana," Nenandil waved her hand.
"Lady Nenandil. Good to see you two again," She waved back at the fairy. She then nodded at me. "You're Lakerta, right? I don't think Nenandil can go far from you."
"Right on both counts, Solana. How're you doing?"
She had grown and aged very well. Solana looked no longer like a young brat. Her features matured but she didn't look old. She was level seventy-five and by that, I knew she'd worked hard to get there. These tiers are too steep.
She was trembling. Her voice came out all awkward. "I'm fine! I got married and now I have five kids. Do you want to meet them?"
"Of course I want. But Solana, what's the matter? You came down here to meet me and now became this jittery pile of nerves. Why? What are you afraid of?"
She sat down on the couch and stuffed her mouth with pastries in a very unladylike way. She avoided my gaze. I tried to make some small talk.
"You reached seventy-five! Congratulations. Those last levels will be a huge bitch to climb, right? I hadn't gotten a level in two years, can you believe it?"
"You're on the third rank," She said without raising her eyes.
That was it. She was afraid of my level? What the fuck does levels even... Oh, right. I'm not normal. But that still got me angry.
"Oh, for crying out loud! You're afraid of me now that I'm displaying a high level? Well, let me fill you in something, princess. I'm reborn every time I die. I carry my Skills and Perks along with me. I can assure you I'm only marginally more capable of destruction than before. And I have no intention of going against your country."
She drank a whole teapot before she faced me. Go caffeine! Nenandil sat down on the table and began the epic quest of devouring the petit-fours from the tea set.
"You're in Auvani now. I saw what you did to the pirates. What brings you here?"
I gesticulated with the sign language.
Right on cue, someone banged at the door. I dropped the barrier. It opened. An older Albryan and away older Albryan entered. Only one way to disambiguate.
"Hey, Albryan. Long time no see!" I waved. The not-so-old one reacted.
"Duchess," Older Albryan that now is confirmed as not-Albryan started to speak with a well-modulated voice. "Welcome to Auvani. I'm King Treosen IV of Auvani. My children spoke highly of you."
The king was level one hundred-fifteen. I smiled but didn't bow. Staring straight at his eyes, I gave my greetings.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, King of the Auvani. It pleases me much to know that a tribe from such humble origins grew to be this splendid kingdom."
"I'm aware you claim to be the reincarnation of the Great White One," he replied. "However, we follow Bundeus' faith now."
"Sorry, Your Majesty. I fail to see the connection." Was the albino rabbit worshipped in Auvani?
He confirmed that. The Auvani tribe used my legend to rally the other villages and unite them into the first true kingdom of this continent. I wonder if I can find the forest where I lived around here. My memory was very good so there was a high chance if the terrain didn't shift very much. In these thousands of years since... nevermind.
"I'm not here to proselytize. I've never been nor declared myself a deity."
His eyes betrayed nothing of his intentions, "I'm glad my children made such stalwart friends in their travels. But I think a social visit wasn't the reason that brought you here. What was it?"
Should I tell him? Yes, I should. Even if it can jeopardize my task.
"There's an [Enchanter] working for the temple of Bundeus in here. He's crafting slave collars to be used in the entire continent. I've tracked that organization all the way from Windemere. Once I neutralize them, there will be no more magically-enforced slavery in this continent."
His expression shifted. His face hardened.
"I know of whom you speak. He's Sumsar, my court wizard."
Yup. Shit has just hit the fan. Albryan and Solana had no idea of that. No idea whatsoever. The princess looked betrayed. And Albryan was cranking the gears in his head at full speed. But the time for pleasantries is over.
"Deliver him to me. He's responsible for the misery of thousands. On my word, he won't craft a single collar after today."
The King laughed. Then his face scrunched with determination and anger, "No. You are banished from Auvani. Enemy of Bundeus, I know who you are, Anomaly. A wretched creation sent to disrupt and destroy this world. He will continue to do Budneus' divine work. You do not belong here. If you are truly a friend of the Auvani, leave peacefully."
Did I mention I was having anger management issues? Every ounce of my willpower was used to keep myself from murdering that King on the spot. If it wasn't for Albryan and Solana, I think Auvani would become a smoking crater.
"{Champion's Duel}!" Was my way to vent a little of my anger. "I challenge you, King Treosen. Should you win, I'll leave. Otherwise, surrender that mage."
Albryan took a step forward and covered his father. Seventy-seven. So close yet so far.
The King burst into laughter. "Leave, Anomaly. Bundeus told me he is coming for Windemere. If you run, you may be able to see him destroy that filthy beast country--"
That was it. I jumped and shifted at the same time. I transformed into the [Guardian of Caerbannon] and placed a {Death Contract} on him. Which was a practical joke by Loki, I'm sure of it. That didn't matter. Incorporeal, I crossed through Albryan's body and dove in the King's neck. {Vorpal Bite} did its trick. Or not.
> Target is immune to instant death.
>
> You bit King Treosen for 18 milion HP of damage. (Base 27 x2,62 Strength x4 Skill x2,96 Backstab x4,92 Assassinte x2 Dislocated Jaw, x2 Improved Natural Attack [Bite] x1.5 Natural Attack Specialization [Bite] x5 Improved Critical [Bite] x3 Mana Strike x4 Death Blow x2 Master Bite x3 Champion's Valor x2 Avenger Strike).
>
> Assassination successful. Contract Fulfilled. Duel Won.
>
> For killing level 115 [Emperor], you gained 54 trillion Exp.
He had less than three million HP. An hybrid build's weakness.
> You reached Frost Lamia [ice] level 8.
>
> You gained 2 human perks.
>
> You reached Royal Lamia Avenger level 9.
>
> You gained 1 perk.
>
> You gained 60 Skill Points.
>
> Reassigning Attributes above the cap.
> Strength 71+3 - Dexterity 72+3 - Endurance 72+3
>
> Mind 78 / 135 - Willpower 76 / 135 - Charisma 71 / 135
>
> Magic 160
>
> Ego 160 - Luck 160 - Soul 160
>
> This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
>
> HP 67,552,584
>
> MP 22,395,840
>
> SP 7,424,280
"FATHER!" Solana fell on her knees with a screech and fainted.
I came out on the other side as the King's body vanished. I quickly captured the king's ghost. My anger didn't diminish by a single mote. I materialized the spectral King and made my bid. I spoke out loud over the din of swords being drawn.
"Now, spirit of King Treosen, what do you say? You know what I can offer you. Accept my bargain or embrace oblivion."
He was adamant in his refusal, "You ask me to choose between my faith and my life. I lived long enough."
I could count on one paw's claws the number of people that resisted it even after they became disembodied so far. Three if memory serves.
The King's ghost convinced the knights to not attack me.
"Your faith in a dying god that enslaved people to steal faith against your life and your nation. Your family even. I don't think your sons and daughters will not attempt to avenge you. Look at Albryan's eyes."
The prince knelt. "Father! Live! Please! Give Lakerta what she wants."
After pondering for a while, the spectral emperor spoke, "I'll give you what you want. Bundeus' faith will be outlawed in Auvani for as long as Lakerta lives. And Marinell will be put to trial."
"Yeah, nice try," I replied to him. "But that's too weak. No conditions whatsoever. And I'll take your oaths to not seek vengeance. Or I'll find the next King. Your time is running out. The System assigns the succession as soon as the soul departs. In a few moments, you'll no longer be able to be brought back."
I could only resurrect people five minutes after they died.
"You have a deal." The King said.
I brought the body back, shoved the soul back in, and paid the Six million SP after I healed the severed cerebellum. I need a bigger SP pool. I only had seven and a half.
The King gasped for air.
"Now, remember our deal. I got six levels for killing you," I said as I updated my display. "And I think I can get another two if I kill you again. Let's not find out, shall we?"
He laughed. "You have true power over life and death! Great White One, I'm sorry for not believing!"
He stared at me (still as a rabbit) with fanatical devotion. I think I didn't fix his brain right.
"The wizard you seek is in the cathedral," He added.
"I'm going then. Solana, Albryan, well Albryan only. Take care and be good people. Remember that strength and levels aren't everything!"
"You won't make it in time. Bundeus will destroy Windemere. It's a month's travel to get there," Treosen warned.
"Nenandil, do you think they'll be angry if I call them for a ride?"
The fairy just shook her head. "Not at all. Can I get the recipe for these scones?"
----------------------------------------
I acted without wasting time. I had to nail that mage before word came out of what happened at the castle.
I triggered the {Summon Godmothers} perk paying the million MP cost. The fairies would show up next to me in an hour so I had to hurry. I rushed out of the castle and flew to the cathedral. The time for finesse was over. I encased the whole building in an opaque barrier of Force and dove into the shining cathedral. I had no time to waste. A barrage of overcharged {Force Javelin} flew and killed all the people marked as worshippers of Bundeus.
I sensed an organized group moving underground and away from the cathedral. I dove through the rocks and just as I did with the pirates, but before that, I checked on them. Four adventurers and one elderly [Rune Wizard] level one ninety-three. They had really heavy bags. Cave-in ahead, cave-in behind.
"Master Sumsar, what will we do?" One of the adventurers asked when they heard the cave-in from behind. That confirmed my target.
I dove from the wall and bit the mage's neck. Sumsar's body went into my storage as I stopped his ghost from departing.
The adventurers stumbled in the dust cloud-filled tunnel. "Who's there?"
I considered leaving them behind to their own fate. But they would suffocate and die trapped in here. Besides, they seemed like full-time employees of the slave ringmaster. Accomplices, I justified. An overcharged {Force Javelin} for each one did the trick.
It was time to interrogate the ghost. I still had people trapped in the cathedral and had to amend that fast. Before they started pounding on my Force wall.
"Sumsar. Was it you that made the slave collars?"
"Yes."
"Is there anyone or anywhere that holds the knowledge of how to do it?"
"My books in my pack. Only that."
"How did you do that? Make that many collars?"
"I had an ability from the [Enchanter] profession. {Batch Enchanting}."
I didn't look at that. I quickly created a small cloth doll with my silk and bound the mage's ghost to it. I might need to borrow his knowledge later, and death was too good a punishment for him.
"What the hell!" A sharp voice came from behind me. "Why did you summon us in this filthy tunnel? Can't you dig yourself out on your own?"
Nenandil came out on her own. "Mom!" She zipped as an arrow to hug Doris.
"Lorelai my dear, would you please do something with this awful dust?" Brenna the fire fairy coughed.
They soon fixed the air conditions in the tunnel and we got light thanks to a glowing fire Queen.
"I didn't expect you to come so soon," I joked but got a lot of glares.
"Greetings, goddaughter," Lorelai the elder spriggan smiled. She seemed to be the only one comfortable in the man-made tunnel.
"Greetings, godmothers. I'm sorry to call you but there's a dire need."
"Why did you summon us? What's the crisis?" Daphne the dryad asked, mildly annoyed.
"I got a warning that Bundeus is going to destroy Windemere in person. I need to get there as fast as possible. Maybe you could teach me how to use the mushroom circles to teleport?"
"That we can," The elder sylph Nephele answered. "However it will do you no good."
"Yes," Doris added after she unlatched from Nenandil. "Because you can only teleport between mushroom circles you are attuned to."
"From what I can see," Brenna pointed, "You are attuned to the one in our grove in Theirian. But only that one."
"And I can't feel circles near Windemere," Lorelai lamented.
"I'll lend you the power of the wind to fly there faster," Nephele amended. "As well as teaching you how to make the mushroom circles."
"At a cost," Daphne said. "We need fifteen million MP."
I giggled, "That's easy. So long you don't set roots on my legs again. It will be rather hard to do," I shook my rattle. Somehow being around them puts me in a silly mood.
I extended my hands and they held a finger each. I channeled raw magic and used my {Elven Royalty} perk to tithe them the MP.
> You were granted the Perk: Fairy Ring Gate (rare): When standing on a fairy ring, you can spend (100*[distance in Km/5]^2) MP to open a gate to any other fairy ring you visited previously. The gate stays open for 1 minute or until you dismiss it.
>
> You were granted the Perk: Create Fairy Ring (very rare): Invest (10,000* (radius in meters)^2) MP on a patch of mushrooms over a whole day to grow them into a fairy ring. Fairy rings and anything inside them are invisible to non-fairies. Fairy rings can only be created in primeval forests. Significant destruction of the forest destroys the fairy ring.
And now that I knew what I was facing, I allocated my Perks and Skill Points. I rose {Throw Threads} to Journeyman 49. I was going to fight a God. I needed every defensive advantage I could get. [Avenger] had one perfect for me.
> You gained the Perk: Avenger's Resilience (very rare): When fighting a target of your vengeance, you take 25% less damage from them. Debuffs and other effects from your targets are 25% easier to resist and last 25% less.
My two "human" Perks had to help me fight him as well.
> Your attempt at purchasing the Perk: God Slayer (ultra-rare) has failed. This Perk's acquisition was blocked by the administrator.
>
> Reporting blocked...
>
> Selecting another perk in the same category...
>
> (...)
>
> All attempts failed. No Perks are available. You have one free {ultra-rare} perk selection.
Erm... Was that an exploit? Cool. Give me a damage bonus on Favored Enemies.
> You gained the Perk: Favored Enemy Slayer (ultra-rare): You deal 50% extra damage against your favored enemies.
This one didn't have a progression. But it stacked with other slayer perks. And yes, I could attempt to pick God Slayer to get a free ultra-rare pick every single time. Hooray, Wyxnos. I could finally get one Perk I sought for years.
> You gained the Perk: Vorpal Claws (ultra-rare): Your critical hits using Claws can sever limbs or necks.
No more drinking the blood of my enemies.
"You've grown powerful," Doris noticed. "I must thank you for taking such good care of my daughter."
With a chuckle, I said sarcastically, "So did you give up on retrieving her?"
"It would break her heart if we destroyed our soul, god-daughter," Doris replied with a veiled threat. "So, yes."
"Besides," Lorelai said in her no-nonsense way, "She benefits greatly from sharing your cores. I can see she's stronger than someone her level should be."
"Now, let us move away from this dreary tunnel," Brenna gasped. "I'm going to cough dust for a month."
"Do the honors, dear goddaughter," Daphne pointed to a section of tunnel away from us. "But it is better if you don't get us crushed."
I weaved Earth magic into my intent and the ground shook. The stone and dirt moved and created a ramp leading to the surface. Someone shouted profanities and a tub of water with a naked man slid down the ramp. I might've connected it to someone's bath.
"What the fuck!" The man protested.
I tossed a gold coin in his tub. "Here, for your trouble."
He picked up the coin and bit it. "Eh, fairies?"
"Sleep, mortal," Nephele blew some dust in his eyes."T'is but a dream."
The man fainted. There was little water left in the tub and the two elder water fairies moved it out of our way. The fairies climbed on my tail and we slithered into the man's house.
"{Invisibility Field}!" I think it would be bad if a lamia with six fairies walked openly on the streets. I made my way to the cathedral.
"We are going then, if you have no other business with us," Lorelai said, "Human cities are..."
"Filthy," Brenna gagged.
"Here, a blessing of the winds," Nephele fluttered up and kissed my forehead. "For a day, you'll fly ten times faster as the winds blow you your way. Take care when passing near settlements, because you can cause a gale. The winds are capricious."
They said their goodbyes and Brenna made me promise to visit her soon. With a loud series of pops, they vanished. I smirked wryly. They could've announced their arrival but chose not to.
I crossed my barrier and saw the churchgoers near the exit door. It was obvious some of them looted the dead priests.
I issued a {Royal Order}, "Leave all you took from the temple and priests on the ground and step out through the door."
They obeyed. Not that any of them resisted my power or attempted to deceive me. The ground now had several pouches of money and some gilded relics. I carved the temple out of the ground and stored it. Even if Bundeus wins tonight, he would be out of a country and his slavery business.
With that done, I transformed into the swift and took flight. I went high up and away before I willed the winds to push me toward Windemere. I would have to cross the central mountain range but no civilized settlements would be on the way.
Curiously, I flew over the ruins of the slaver keep.
The sun rose as I approached the other side of the mountains. I was greeted with the most marvelous sight. In the middle of the mountains, not two hundred kilometers from Dragonfall Valley, there was another elevated valley with green grass and a huge lake in the middle. Birds flew over the forest and I saw some beasts grazing in the grassy area. Maybe Windemere could claim that valley and annex it. There was no obvious presence of sentient species, civilized or monstrous.
Sunlight allowed me to see Windemere in all its glory as I approached and slowed down. The towns and villages weren't going up in flames so that was a good sign. There was an army marching north along Windemere river and that was bad. I sensed Bundeus' divine power from afar, and that was terrible.
I banked to the left and dove toward them.
I could cause gale-force winds if I went at full speed, right?
I chirped a prayer, "Wind, grant me your power."