Comments to the threads in order to tell me what you think, ratings on the fiction page and also pm's for feedback are most welcome and help me develop the story. Thanks to everyone who has done so!

And while I can't write everything people wish me to do, everything you tell me -might- influence the story in the future in certain ways.

Lair

Chapter 040 - Midday Shadow

By Skalsar

>It's a lie, right, you aren't killing people, right?<, Lily suddenly appeared before Odas.

He was on his way to find the slave girl Mina that Mardo had told him about.

Instead, Lily suddenly ran to him and was shouting.

>What?<, he was startled for a moment.

His daughter had ran off with Blazer and hid herself after returning.

And now she was suddenly screaming at him.

>Lily, I don't have time right now.

We can talk later.<, he said and wanted to go on, but she simply stepped in his way.

>NO!

I hate it!

You always hide things from me!

Everytime you say you have something important to do!

Always leaving me behind alone!

Every single time since mother left us!<, she screamed.

His own anger from moments ago, after finding out Mardo spied, had vanished easily to this.

Why was she so upset?

He never noticed her unrest.

>Calm down, Lily.

And what is that about mother leaving, you know what happened to her, right?<, he asks a bit worried, bending down to her.

>Stop dodging my question!<, she screamed.

This was a problem.

'She is thowing a tantrum.', he thought full of worry.

>Lily, I have to do important things. After that, we will talk.<, he said, but Lily wasn't doing that.

She wasn't looking like she would calm down any time soon.

>Tell me!

Are we killing people?!

Like living people, who did hurt no one?!

Humans killing other humans?!<, she shouted again, earning the concerned looks of other villagers and travelers. Again it was common sense that Lily didn't know about.

But was it alright to tell her?

She wasn't good with the dead it seems..

>Well..<, he was searching for words.

Somehow he was scared.

What was he scared about?

This was his daughter, who one day might have to lead his territory.

She has to know about the laws and flaws in human nature.

>If they break the law, they will be punished accordingly.<, he started saying.

Lily's eyes widened.

>S..So..? It's true?

You are killing humans?<, she asks with a shocked expression.

>Lily, the world is complicated.

Sometimes, there are people, who need to be punished accordingly to the law.<, he tried to explain things in a soft tone.

>What people?<

>W..well.. People who hurt others, or harm their land.<

She was looking irritated now.

>Harm their land?

How can you harm the land?<

Maybe it was because that situation had just happened, but Mardo was the first thing to come to his mind. He felt anger again about it. If that church were to tell someone..

>Like people who give important and dangerous information to others, that could put many people in danger.<, he tried to explain, but it was hard to explain that to a ten year old girl.

>What am I even saying.

This is enough.

I will explain it to you later.

For now there are important things I have to do.<, he exclaimed and grabbed her arm.

>There are always important things!

Why am I never that important!<, she shouted at him and tried to free herself.

>[Guard], take her to the [Inn] and watch her.<, he said and gave her to the female [Guard].

Naturally, Lily tried to free herself even more, biting the hand that held her, but she was too weak.

The people around looked irritated but didn't say anything.

What could they say, they knew about the executions by law, but had pity on Lily who didn't.

>Let me go!

Let me go!

I don't want to!<, she screamed.

Sighing, Odas wanted to move on.

>Don't worry too much, Odas.

She is your daugther after all, she will come around if you explain it calmly.<, Rego said.

You have been summoned by the king. Transportation will take place in five minutes.

>WHAT?!<, Odas suddenly screamed.

This was bad.

Was it about the dungeon?

Or the tower?

Maybe the church?

Shit.

A magic circle appeared under his feet a moment later.

>Rego, I'm being summoned by the king.

Please search for the slave girl, I will return as soon as possible.<, he said agitated.

Rego was surprised, but nodded.

Since every lord had to swear fealty to their king, summoning magic could be used on them.

It was to no surprise for situations like this to happen every now and then.

Shortly after, light took the lord and he was gone from the village.

Instead, he reappeared in front of the king.

A man in his late fifties, sitting on a golden throne.

Placed within a great hall with marble pillars.

Huge windows with great motives of heroes on each side.

White beard, red robe with golden ornaments.

One wife to both his sides.

A face that has seen war and peace.

But the feeling of royalty was still missing.

Maybe because he wasn't born king.

He was an adventurer once, who was friends with the late king.

The late king didn't have an heir and decided to give his crown to someone he trusted.

Peace was seen ever since then.

>Sire, you have summoned me?<, Odas said, bending down on one knee and one arm bend over his chest. Facing the ground before the king.

>Rise, Lord Odas.

We are here to talk informally.<

Standing up and looking around, the throneroom was nearly empty.

>I was told about a great tower near your newest village and was wondering about its meaning.<

'The tower after all..

If that is the case, this is meant even more than formally.', he thought.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Done wrong, this could cost his lordship.

>Sire, we are still investigating the appearance ourselves.

It.. It was hard for me to comprehend, but as far as the witnesses told me, it just appeared.

Like the magic of old stories.<

>Is that so..?<, the king scratched his beard.

>Well, I was told the same already.

But it's quite hard to believe.<, the king added.

>But I'm surprised.

I hear you are securing books into the dungeon.

And just like that, suddenly there is a tower to guard the entrance.<, he says with curiosity.

Adding: >It couldn't be, that you are trying to hide something from others, right..?<

>Well..<, what could Odas say about that..?

'Think..'

>After these orcs had nearly destroyed the village, if not for the [Hero]..

I decided to secure important books into the dungeon.

But that has nothing to do with the tower.<, he said.

>Hm. The [Hero].. yes.. The one that disappeared shortly after.

So is that why you declared for no one to go beyond level fifty of the dungeon?<, he asked.

'This is getting complicated.'

>Yes, sire.

That way, no one would accidently find the books, even though we put them into secured chests.<

>I see.

But that tower appearing for no reason is still hard to believe.<, the king was still doubting.

>Yes.. Something only happening in childrens stories..<, Odas added thoughtful.

>Children stories?<, the king seemed interested again and gestured for his [Court Magician].

A moment later, the [Court Magician] stepped near the king and whispered in his ear.

>What?<, he seemed surprised.

Standing up, the king walked some steps towards Odas.

>Lord Odas, you are hereby to keep looking for the person who created the tower.

If by chance, a person who did it, is to be found, report immediately.

Dismissed.<, the king declared and before Odas could say anything more, he was send back.

Finding himself back in the village.

'That was weird.', he thought.

>The magician must have told him about the stories and figuered it might be someone with a greater blessing. If so, his reaction makes sense. Such a person would be most useful for the kingdom.<, Odas sighed.

'If they find out the truth, I will be executed..'

Huh?

What was that smell?

Looking around, Odas noticed.

A building had burned down and it reeked of blood.

>Milord!<, an adventurer shouted.

>The [Inn] was attacked by a [Hero]!<

'What?'

It took Odas some seconds to comprehend what was going on.

Why should someone attack the [Inn]?

But..

>By the deties! Lily!<, he shouted and started to run.

His heart beating like crazy.

If she was somehow drawn into that, he would never forgive himself.

A moment later he arrived to the [Marketplace] where the [Inn] was.

Rego was currently trying to fight the [Hero].

No.

It wasn't a fight.

Rego was hopelessly trying to block.

>Aargh!<, getting cut once more.

He was already full of blood.

>Hahaha! For you fools to try and help the corruption!<, the [Hero] shouted.

Was that really a [Hero]?

The man in front of him was clad in red platemail and wearing a big bastardsword.

Happily slashing around and not caring for anything in its way.

>Evacuate the villagers out of reach!

Send for [Soldiers]!

Get ranged weapons!<, a [Soldier Commander] shouted.

With his commands done, he stepped in to try help Rego.. And was cut down with one swing.

Odas couldn't believe it.

This was a slaughter.

Just why?

>Mylord.

That [Hero] suddenly lost it when he walked into the [Inn].

Screaming that this village was full of corruption.<, a heavily bleeding [Guard] told him.

Wait..

This [Guard]..

>Where is Lily!<, Odas shouted.

>She.. she ran away..<

Suddenly the [Hero] was in front of Odas.

Only a few steps were needed as it seemed.

It was something similar to the [Runner] skill [Blur], as it seems.

>Oh! Is that the name of the corrupted girl?

What a lovely name!

Sadly she has to perish for the glory of our god!<, he laughed.

No, this wasn't a [Hero].

>P..[Paladin]?<, the [Guard] asked weakly before being cut down.

>Silence!<, the [Paladin] ordered.

A [Paladin] was the champion of a god.

If so, that man was even stronger than a [Hero].

>Wait?! What do you mean corruption!

My daughter isn't corrupted in any way!<, Odas tried to mediate.

But it was useless as the [Paladin] was only laughing.

>You poor thing, knowing nothing.

I can feel it. Can't you too?

The corruption creeping around.

Everywhere in this village.

I could follow it even from the great plains, like a line leading me here.

It's strongest felt in that girl.

Having a dungeon nearby, this occasionally occurs.

A human being strongly influenced by its darkness.

Such a thing has to perish.<, he told the lord with glowing blue eyes.

Lifting his sword to strike down the man.

Odas nearly pissed his pants, feeling the killing intent.

>Don't!<, Rego screamed as he tackled the [Paladin], who only laughed as he was pressed away.

>Hahahaha! You fools.

I wasted enough time with you.

Be happy for not having died for guarding the corruption.

As my god commands me, I will take the girl!<, he said and vanished again in a blurry light.

Rego was breathing heavily.

Being cut all over his body.

One hand was missing.

His chest bleeding heavily.

>Heal!<, could be heard as Lant mustered some last strength and cast a spell before losing consciousness. Not that Lant was wounded, but being only a [Novice Cleric], he had poor stamina.

Maybe he got in the way and was simply thrown away by the [Paladin].

>This can't be happening!<, Odas said in disbelieve, going pale.