Musre of Canary, one of Herald's Trusted under the cloak of Sila-ir Gold, offered a crested robe to his Lord.
The man he offered it with was assessing his posture on the ceiling-length mirror, and promptly eyed the matching red doublet. Then with annoyance, waved his hand languidly as if to will the robe away.
They were inside the Masters Quarters. But the whole room itself was spacious and empty. The bare necessities of a bachelor. And yet every piece was shining with opulence. Velvet and furs of earthen hues adorned the furniture and fixtures of cold mahogany and ivory ornaments.
Musre could not help but be aware of the paned hose, and the robe on his hands that was trimmed with bands of gold, braided with runed embroidery, and closed with enchanted jewels. And reluctantly choose a severe black doublet instead which his Lord, with his imposing height of almost two boulders, accepted without much as a backward glance. Not really knowing why his Lord have the taste to carry the colors of lowly servants of the Treasuries, Musre continued straightening the noble's attire--but still, he find it amusing.
"Should I remind you, My Lord, that the theme for the Ball--"
"I do not wish to color myself with a banner that's as unstable as a woman in her cycle."
Sir Reculus announced, taking the ruff of his collar from his Trusted and straightened it himself. "Give it another milennia and it'll dye itself with the Summoned they pranced about just to lap on her feet like some sow in heat."
"I do not think calling the House Regalia as pigs would be appro-"
"I tell you whatever it is you need to think." He said, the cold stare was enough to silence Musre. It was statement, not a command--or even a threat. Sir Reculus just stated a truth that he couldn't deny. The moment Musre pleaded with his life and honor as a soldier in the Eastern Higher Districts, he had been at the service of the Sila-ir. A decision prompted by either that or the forfeiting of his life.
Sir Reculus knows how to assess a person. When he saw Musre, he knew he has the potential of the strong but the innocence of a knight that could be also taken as a dampened version of idiocy. A few words and coin, and baited by a woman--the blinded knight pledged his word to his Banner within the snap of his finger.
He corrupted the young lad, but it was all worth the coppers he threw.
Sir Reculus of House Sila-ir have became the [Herald] of Canary Gold at the young age of twenty-first moon. Being the only heir, he succeeded the moment his trash of a father died from an unfortunate hunting expedition. Of course he made sure to be only heir that survived. With 29 other siblings, it could be considered a massacre but that was another story.
But despite his utter disregard to his family, all Sir Reculus time was devoted to his House. He has to, his greed for power will not let him do nothing less. He was not a good person but he was good at business. Cruel, direct and strict. His strictness do not only apply to his business but also to his family. He ignores his relatives--leeches, the lot of them, and focus on the next Line. All for the continual future of his House.
As anyone in the Kingdom of Arvalar knows, despite being one of the highest nobility, their Banner have never garnered the prestige it should once have. Even the tasteless Timberwolf Silver of House Trimadr far surpass the Canary Golds Stronghold. Some Bronze Banner would even contest their daughters for a hand to stain his House. Those Ochre Bronze in the Lonely Pastures and Umber Bronze with their empty-headed proposals for joining their banners.
The once Great House Sila-ir has been on the decline. And it was not long before even the Royal Palace, The House Regalia treated their Banner with contempt and ignored their very ancestry. But everything changed when Sir Reculus took the position of [Herald]. He started accumulating golds. Well his sisters helped, he did spared their lives, and they proved to be useful.
Dowries were very proficient, oh he wished he had more sisters. Little by little, their Banner rose to prosperity, by any means necessary. Their Banner has finally resembles their title of Gold and was now known far and wide for its infamy. He could never be prouder.
Everything was working out fine. His trade was booming and all corner of Cessine would lust after his exotic goods. He even took the lowly daughters of Bronze Banners that dared look down upon him and made them regret even thinking of such foolish way to ascend in rank. Pathetic insects.
Sir Reculus did everything he could to manipulate and bested with other Banners and at long last he was able to wed, as his 37th wife, Lady Deil from the fallen line of Aureolin Gold. A House rumored to be descendants by the God of Hringra [Heaven] to strengthen his seeds. But the lady died before birthing to his child. All his investments gone.
It was nothing sort of a miracle that the boy have lived. And how splendid did that child have grown.
The child resembles him the most. Simos, from [gorsim] treasure and [mos] moss. Gold hair that curls like his namesake .
At first, his Line have tried to kill the young one, understandable really, considering how much of a threat the child was at the tender age of five. But finding all those who dared perished in so-called accidents, they gave up and started focusing on each other.
Sir Sila-ir have 12 sons, Simos was the thirteenth. Just before Simos turned 10, all his Olders have killed each other.
Sir Reculus did ended two of them but that was because they were foolish enough to target the Lord of Canary House. They were swiftly dealt with, making him adamant of his choice of relinquishing a legendary Line for his House.
In the end, before his fifty third moon, only two of his sires remained. Simos and Delica. Not that Sir Reculus do not have daughters, actually he had many but his wives have the audacity to kill their own babe if they find it to be a girl and those that survived choose death rather than be sent off to the highest bidder. Only Delica remained.
Delica, that talented wonderful girl. No, he won't marry her off. She's too useful for that. Even before she could claim a class, she could already use necromancy. His business would prosper even more if he could guise the undead as his wares and no one would be the wiser. Recyclable goods, if it wasn't for Delica's magnificent work in her quarters, he wouldn't have thought of that plan. His hired high class necromancer paled in comparison. His House would have been complete if not for one problem.
Delica died.
Why can't women just do their roles properly! Without Delica, he has no hold over Simos. Without Simos, his House would fall.
It was as obvious as daylight that not one of the Olders have touched or even went close to that bumbling girl whose obsession to corpses can only be rivaled by her idolatry to the Lady Yuusha. And it was clear it was because of Simos.
It was that very moment that Musre, his Trusted, raised a suggestion to use Undead Magic. With the use of his employed necromancers, they were able to reanimate the girl.
Things were going fine until news of last night tragedy happened. Their head necromancer produced the only remains left of his Line. And it was that of that red-headed girl, and not even a trace of Simos can be seen.
Sir Reculus clenched his fist tighter and undid his collar forcibly almost ripping the seams apart.
"My Lord."
White was the color of mourning. If the [Herald] of Canary Gold would don any apparel other than the Flag of the Lady Yuusha, it should be that of white. But the Lord refuse to wear any distinction of death. Not even a funeral or Diem of Mourning has been observed by the Estate.
"Do you know when we of Banners wear black, my young stupid Musre?"
"Y-yes, my lord."
"War." He seethed with vigor, giving a full measure of his height towards his image on the mirror. "A war where blood would become indistinguishable as it seeped to your armor. Is it not the very reason we wore black when we lay to our grounds? Hahaha, he would come. He surely would."
"Who, my lord?"
"Of course! My son! Simos would take our Banner and rest it to its heights like never seen before."
"But Sir! Your son is--"
"Do you think an insect, moreover a blank who have never been wetted, could lay a finger to Simos? Ridiculous!"
The Lord started whistling a merry tune as he once again put his attention on his image. There was party to be celebrated, a heartbeat short from the announcement of his childrens death and the end of Sila-ir Banner.
It would not be unnatural for his mind to be clouded with insanity with the way things have come.
He had lived long enough to know that only their Banner was worth the immortality of history. And just when he was almost there, circumstances easily snatched it away.
Anyone would be on this line of thought when suddenly, a large explosion was heard inside their manor. Musre turned alert and gripped his sword closer to his torso. "Sir Reculus!"
But the Lord of the Stronghold did not heed the commotion and started to whistle even louder. Panic and confusion erupted before the door of the Masters Quarters but Sir Reculus stood resolutely with all intent to have a presentable appearance.
Musre, taking his Pledge with all seriousness, unsheathed his sword when he sensed the demised of his companions who was tasked to guard the door. His Lord, started to comb his hair which almost glistened from the candlelight. And when the door opened, the old man put his comb down and produced a warm greeting, "Welcome back, my son."
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"Do not kill him." Aiven whispered to Simos. His whole body strategically being blocked by the shadows of Simos. Aiven only hoped Simos [Hide Skill] and the overwhelming presence of this golden boy was enough to make his existence scarce.
"Don't worry. I will leave his brain intact." for Delica, Simos answered just as silently.
No, not good. Seriously, just because Delica could pry your fathers brain does not mean we could not get anything more from his words! Memories were just as misleading as dreams.
But Aiven would not even dare to go in between the Father and Son right now. Just from the look on Simos' face and Aiven knew anything he voice out would be ignored. And so, Aiven focused on support.
Just before Simos touched the door knob, Aiven activated [Soul Analysis (Skill Set IX: Analysis) ] and [Mana Detect (Skill Set VIII: Detection)] and his hand rested on the back of Simos' armor. With Simos' [Battle Aura] he could sense every movement done on proximity of his skin. So even with the thick armor, Simos could read the etches being done by Aiven's finger on top of his armor.
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Two individuals.
Class, Hades Warrior.
Strong battle aura. No weapon equipped.
Strength attributed robe, Fire attributed belt, 6 enchanted rings
mostly with earth and health regenerative.
Location: Left side, bed, under the second window. Infront of mirror.
Health: ~6000
Mana: ~9000
Level: 2nd-tier ~40-60
Attributes:
-Fire
-Earth
Weakness:
-Water
-Earth
Take Note: Defense Tactic[Block, Grab and Parry]
Class: Legoinnaire Knight.
Equipped with Level 150 Longsword.
Shortsword on the left [same level],
Armor [same level]
Location: Left side, bed, beside the first one. Facing the door.
Health: ~5000
Mana: ~2000
Level: 1st-Tier lvl 56
Attributes:
-Melee
-Earth
Weakness:
-Wind
Take Note: Defense Tactic[Block, Takedown Stab, BackStab Impale]
Simos and his father almost have the same elements only Simos was also adept at wind magic (his only advantage since the Trusted was weak against that element). Backed with experience and stats, Simos would have to create a miracle to defeat him.
Then with a confident smile, Simos mouthed for Aiven to see, <
Hah, so they were thinking the same. Just as you would expect from Simos. And Aiven etched the words <
Silently, Aiven crouched further away to the corner, farther as possible and into the shadows and darkness.
While doing so, Simos started to talk, his volume noticeable higher to capture all their enemies attention, "Hello, Father."
"Y-young Master, you are alive!" the Trusted stuttered, his sword clambered with the heavy numbness of this unexpected reunion.
"Knight Musre, how have you been?" Simos greeted, reverting back to the sharp boy who would run away from his tutors and tormented the maid at the bakery with him stuffing his mouth with savory meat pies.
The scene would have been normal if not for the gleam of dual blades on his hands which were both aimed exactly on the knight's neck.
"Finally, you came for my head, didn't you, my boy?" Sir Reculus said, slowly taking out his treasured double-handed broadsword and placed it on his shoulder. The weight seems to be nonexistent with the way he handled the sword.
But Simos ignored the old man and wielded his blade against the Herald's Trusted. He was fast, but the advantage of surprise has long been passed and Musre was able to counterattack. He used his short blade to deter the onslaught and his longsword as a shield against the succeeding slashes. Each packed with [Bloodlust]. It was a foolish move since from the start Musre have no plan in interfering between the House Sila-ir's affairs.
His Lord has been wanting to battle Simos to the death and to prove if the only heir--the hope Sir Reculus have held for years, deserves the position the old man have sacrificed to put on the pedestal of their Banner. Instead of a one-on-one battle where the boy was already at the disadvantage it became a two-vs-one since Sir Reculus' pride will not be left out nor ignored by an ill-prepared youth.
The start of the exchange was not too difficult, Simos knows their attacks well and his heightened reflexes, keeps his flesh unscathed at breadth's hair. He knows where to attack and when to dodge, and continue to attack relentlessly. His shorter reach, makes it easier for him to change direction in between a slash and parry, while his enemies needs to be cautious of the other since their oversized weapons could slide off the wrong torso at any given moment. Making their movements all the more predictable.
But his full attention has been with the Knight. His blue orbs do not leave the disposable Trusted and was so immersed on landing a blow on the Knight that was twice his levels. When Musre noticed what Simos was planning, it was too late.
The young knight could sense the deadly wrath from his Lord as his broadsword became more aggresive and heavier with each blow only to catch air. Angered by such blatant disregard on his position, humiliated with being put a second priority compared to a puny knight he picked on the streets, and pain and insanity from losing his son, finding him again, and now being treated as if a fly was better to be swatted compared to him. Him! The Great Lord of Sila-ir House under the Banner of Canary Gold! Sir Reculus, the once calculated, cold, manipulative bastard was now filled with both overwhelming anger and unreasonable pride.
Brandishing his sword, he chanted his most destructive spell [Hades' Underworld].
"No! My Lord!" But his words were suffocated by the spell. The Legionnaire Knights have a strong resistance to Fire Attributed Magic so at most he could survive but the whole manor can eaten by the spell and being at the full blast of the spell could still be critical.
Musre started applying temporary resistance and buffs against a calamity-tier spell until he noticed Simos. The moment Sir Reculus chanted the spell, Simos also released [Heavens Burst], an advance wind magic. But instead of attacking the spell, it surround itself with the powerful fire spell and started feeding the fire not just with oxygen but also with Simos own mana. With different manas converging in one spell, the spell itself could not determine the caster and created a massive hostile spell that attacks whatever comes near it. The magic have increased by almost a tier.
Sir Reculus, realizing the situation opted for his trump card. He pulled out a ring and smashed the gem with his bare hand and chanted [Create Circle]. The ring was an [Anti-Magic Circle Summoning Device] creating a 10 boulder radius magic circle that could dispell World-Tier Magic and lower.
The magnified fire spell started to weaken then without any warning at all, it accelerated in growth producing heat the same as the surface of the molten lava. The Lord of Sila-ir was dumbfounded. His mouth agape from not understanding what happened. When all of a sudden a loud ringing voice shouted, "Simos! Run!" a shadow passed between the three and grabbed Simos. It was Aiven. His right wrist was empty, and with his free hands, he unfastened the inventory bracelet from Simos and flung it as hard as he can.
The void treasure chests erupted.
52 [Superior Mana Potions]
116 [Higher Mana Potions]
20 [Lower Mana Potion]
60 [Higher Health Potion]
100 [Lower Mana Potion]
30 [Holy Water]
others
On the Celebrations of The Lady Yuusha's Departure. The whole Eastern Higher District brightened with an explosion that could rival a volcano's eruption and at its center was the Sila-ir's Stronghold.
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The Sila-ir Estate was an old family that dates back even beyond the Noctem Kingdom and passed the Middle Era. They have never left the place, no matter what famine or disaster that may afflict the land. The former Herald has once hold firm on his stand to never sell even a parcel of their land. A burden, for even the Grand Manor cannot be sustained by their current expenses and maintenance and patrol of vast empty grasslands produce nothing since even those areas cannot be productive for grazing nor farming. Some of their lands have been encroached by the Woods where monsters roam free.
Because you see, underneath the land was the Catacombs. Their Banner of Old have protected these sacredlands and was passed on from one generation to another. Until of course the current House which desecrated the Catacombs and use it as a place of torture, whoring and slavery.
When Delica and Maou-chan slipped into the Catacombs, there were not much problem on their part. Most of the victims were sold or rented for the festivities and those that remained were too broken to even lift their heads.
Delica, finding the familiar quarters was assaulted with grief and guilt. She knows she has no time, but she still tried to free one slave only to find the young boy committing suicide the moment his hands were free from the regenerative-imbued metals.
Maou-chan only stared at the skin and bones body, touched the hair already caked with dust and peeled off rotten scalps and murmured a small mantra, a prayer, "It is all right, everything is all right now."
After that, Delica steeled herself and continued forward, not even glancing at the strewn bodies of each quarters whose only movements were the breathing of their lungs. She have never held live bodies. They have always been dead, always lifeless that she convinced herself that they have been lifeless from the very beginning. It was for her craft, her dream to become a necromancer and ideal for the purpose of being a Great Demi-Lich, forever searching for knowledge. How cruel of her. Cruel and dead of her. She has long killed herself before her untimely death. Actually she never felt more alive compared today. Together with Maou-chan, and her brother and her friend.
"Delica! It is here. You are here." Maou-chan said, pointing at the farthest corridor and when she stepped in, she saw two small sarcophagi. One named after her and one named after her brother. A proper burial place. Ahhh, she belongs there isn't she? Of course she would be there.
But the tightened grip of Maou-chan pushed her back to her mission. She went to her sarcophagus and pushed the stone coffin open.
But what she saw made her even feel numb. Her coffin was empty. Looking past the room she saw the little girl touching the other sarcophagus, the one for Simos.
Ah father, why do you have to bury me so much?
If she has a functional tearducts, she would have cried but instead, dark miasma has peeled from her eyes and defiled her cheeks, eating away the flesh that touch it.
But it cant be helped. It was their father afterall. Grasping the miasma that tickled to her face, she lashed it on her brothers' tomb and it cut into two. On the center was a blood red gem, rough and decay of green can be seen on the soul.
Looking at the ruined memento of his father for her brother, she was again assaulted by guilt.
Why!? Why do I hate them so much?
Even towards her brother, she have felt raged jealousy and hate, she loathes him, there were times she cant stand being with him. Seeing his never-ending jest for life while she has been slowly rotting on the insides. She has never once killed a person, and yet her brother who have slained who knows how many humans felt more pure and shone more brightly compared to her. And her father was worse!
Her brother have genuinely cared for her and yet she was filled with contempt.
Her Father who hurt her in a more painful way than any physical pain could give and yet she seeks his praise.
Maou-chan picked the incomplete soul gem, and said [Please be whole again, Delica]. The way she said it was the same method they used in chanting and at once the decay receded and Maou-chan handed the piece of her soul to her again.
But Delica didn't move. She couldn't receive her soul. Does she even have the right to be whole again?
Only to be looked when needed, only to be asked when remembered. Her position in this House has always been blurred. Her position as a person has always been dependent to the people around her.
And still why does she feels this undeniable love for them? I love them oh so much and yet I hate them. Making what she feel as 'love' as nothing but superficial and her 'hate' will always feel shallow and followed by guilt.
She was being swallowed by her own darkness and the miasma started to thicken that it dripped to her chest and arms, feeding onto her flesh that bones started to emerge from her artificial body. Her knees gave way and she sat in fetal position, trying to remember her mother who tried to kill her once.
And in her blackened sorrow, she heard Maou-chan's pure innocent voice, "Isn't because you couldn't love yourself?"
Her face looked up from her downed position, her eyes with no white, and skin of grey which started to emphasized the darkened arteries as miasma forcibly flowed to her blood corrupting her more. And with tears of continuously streaming with poison, she grabbed her soul.
She begged her soul, she begged her shadow.
And then she felt a dainty fleeting hand slipping on her locks of strawberry hair and with a soft smile, The Demon Lord comforted her, "It is all right, every thing is all right now, Delica."
And with that her miasma compressed to her and all went to her soul forming her [Phylactery]. A shining gem of amber was made with a blue diamond on the middle. Her soul. Her soul accepted her shadow and with this she would be whole again, but that did not end, the whole Catacombs suddenly emerged with miasma. Deaths and sufferings from years on end accumulated on the place and was being called by the Lich side of her Soul.
The dark cloud circled around Delica.
<
<
<
<<
Then an earthquake. A vent of dark pure energy was opened from the huge explosion from above. The whole place was shaken and the dense miasma and curses was absorbed through her body. Maou-chan continued hugging Delica as the young Lich was rediscovering different memories of past lives, of past humans, and beastmen and elves and the deformed that was broken and shattered by her own Banner. And something much older, much sinister. And in Delica's mind, she accepted them all.
[Do you wish for it, little ones?] A thick voice came from Delica's lips. Thick from dark mana. The cloud danced throughout the two girls. The Undead Grimoire opened her mind like a vast waterfall of knowledge. Delica patted Maou-chan and thanked her in all her heart for giving her this new life. Power surged through her body and her miasma can now be freely controlled.
[Then follow me. Follow the Demon Lord. For we shall put an end to this Unfair Peace, this Unjust Good and I will grant your wishes! But in return, Pledge Your Death only to me! ]
<
<
And slowly dead bodies start to emerge from the opened vent.
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Note: *Void Treasure Chests has safety mechanisms against anti-magic. However against a higher form of magic it could be easily be interrupted. Also if Aiven's party did not bring a ridiculous amount of [Superior Mana Potion] the damage would have greatly diminished.
*Pledge Your Death, is a saying on Olden Kingdoms to give your death only to one person. Life can be easily promised and discarded but with this Pledge, you are literally promising the other person that your life will be only be ended by the one you pledge it with. Dying with any other method is not option. [This is derived from the Bestial Pride which is synonymous to marriage vows for their mates but has a less romantic connotation to man]
*Blade Before Tears (see ch. 4), is a mantra at the Training Grounds which is used to connote that when faced with an impossible enemy, fight with all your might. Do not beg. Force your enemy to kill you as fast as possible to avoid torture (if Humanoid) or being eaten alive (if a monster).
*May your Shadow Follow the Threads, mostly used as a farewell that you may not sway from the path and a prayer also to those who have died.
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