Malum awoke to a dim morning. Autumn was quickly arriving and so was his birthday. He kept the happy event away from his thoughts and instead focused on his ravenous stomach.
He got dressed first and then headed towards the mess hall. There, he collected his food and sat down in an empty space. Greives wasn’t there and neither was Jameson so it seemed he would be with his thoughts this morning.
Thankfully, there was lots to think about. From reasons why demonic variant numbers were increasing, to his return back to Roosevelt City and his cultivation.
First on the agenda was his return. He pondered on how the suspicious Knight had acted and how Jameson had been doing with his icy fever.
He still had the blackmailed Nobles in play and the lack of evidence would surely keep him away from the gallows. Still, he couldn’t be too sure.
He spent the rest of the day training and thinking about ways to block possible threats the Knight could bring. He also booked his journey to the city and with it leaving tomorrow he had ample time to think through several scenarios.
Malum was packing for his departure when the door to his room came swinging open. Malum’s hand instantly reached for his sword but stopped when he realised the lack of danger.
“You have good reactions Malum.” Said the figure in the door, Malum quickly processing it to be Davidson, the commander of the Sector.
“Good morning Sir, to what do I owe the pleasure.” He said, whilst still packing his things.
If Jameson hadn’t specifically told him that the commander didn’t like formality, he would have been standing as straight as his body allowed it: with his left arm down his side, and right held to his chest.
“I see Jameson has taught you well. Killed two high demons by yourself, a nice achievement. But I’m not here to congratulate you.” He pulled out something from his commander uniform, “You will need to deliver this to Jameson when you return.”
Malum took the sealed letter and said, “Are the official channels not open?”
“They are but this letter is a bit too sensitive for such methods. As his protegee you should be discreet enough, the fact you live in his mansion shows how much he trusts you.”
Malum eyes widened at the commander knowing such a fact. He was going to ask, but decided not to.
“For my Master.” He bowed and the letter went into his sack.
Davidson nodded and left the room as rudely as he entered. Not even saying goodbye.
Malum shook of the goliaths attitude and thought about the strange feeling he felt when he was about to as how the Commander knew he was living inside of Jameson’s Mansion.
It was danger, but one different from what he usually felt. It felt deeper, darker, then the usual red mist he was used to. It was like it was a pool of blood.
Odd, incredibly odd.
Was it because of the commander strength? Or was he connected to something far more dangerous?
Malum caught himself before he fell into another pit of theories, he instead finished his packing and entered the caravan. He made sure to sit next to the window and drank a potion that relaxed his senses.
He could fall asleep, but he could certainly try to formulate some new poisons in his head. He thought of ingredients and reactions, from products to catalysts he kept himself busy and readied himself for whatever danger that Knight had cooked up.
As he got closer to the city, the tinge of red in the surroundings slowly grew a thicker shade. It hung over the horizon, and weighed on Malums shoulders.
The gate was as colossal as ever. Thick iron hung over him forming a large metallic mesh that would block even high tier demons.
Thick stone made up the rest of the wall with another iron gate on the other side.
Interestingly, the queue to enter the city was instead replaced by several carriages riding out. Fear of potential capture had scared away the lesser merchants but the smart ones stayed to fill in the gap.
Nobody got to the top without taking risks.
Malum looked away from the outgoing carriages and looked to the guards at the bottom of the metallic mesh. They were heavy iron full body armour and the weapons they held were as spotless as the amour which held them.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
They gleamed like gemstones, and Malum felt his eye twitch as one beam hit him in the eye directly.
He cursed his luck and quickly averted his gaze. Pain searing whatever senses he had left.
The potion was slowly wearing off and Malum was starting to regret his consumption. He could still sense his Intuition but it was weaker than usual and even his basic senses had taken a good hit.
He reckoned at the rate he was recovering it would take another day for the potion to completely leave his system which gave him a day to rest and relax before he headed back to the mansion and dealt with whatever the Knight might have set-up for him.
They entered the city with the driver showing just a single document. He chatted with the Knight for a second before Malum felt the carriage move once again and they dropped off soon after once they had arrived at the garrison’s stables.
Not wanting to get spotted by any Knight on his arrival, he snuck out the side and headed towards the nearest inn. He booked a room under a fake name and stayed there in the bed for a good while before he got up to train again.
With a day of freedom, he of course would use it to train.
He was a training freak but he was also human and it was his first day back in the city. Instead of doing more boring exercise he decided to live a little and have a night of no regrets.
For most that would mean drinking, but Malum’s rational side would hardly allow such wastrel behaviour so instead he met them at the middle and decided to go on a little steal.
He could sharpen his Intuition, his stealth skills, and wind down a bit by doing something fun.
It was already past midday but Malum reckoned he could get himself something nice if he set his mind to it. First on his agenda then was finding himself a fun little target.
Malum didn’t usually get to do something just for the fun of it and so he decided to go full out. He bought himself some piping hot bread, and a few fresh apples to begin his little event.
Next he walked the streets looking for something to catch his Intuition. He saw several moments of opportunity, including a Noblewoman falling from her carriage, A Noble dropping his wallet on the street and even a shopkeeper who left his shop for several moments.
All that netted him some good money but nothing that nearly scratched his itch.
Instead what he ended up following was a delicious smell coming from the library. It felt vibrant and so Malum followed the positive Intuition.
It wasn’t any old library though, instead it was the Noble Library. Access was only permitted to the families who held titles of Knighthoods and above.
With the dark mist of danger hanging over the entire city, the opportunity here felt like a beacon in a storm and Malum was ravenous for a taste.
He reeled himself in though with the thought of his body being crushed. He couldn’t risk it, not now at least. It wouldn’t be long before he became a real Knight and he was sure Jameson could get him access so he decided to hold that opportunity for later.
Instead the target ended up being an old mans house. For inside his drawer Malum found himself several interesting lockets and a few gemstones to boot.
The lockets held pictures of the man and his family, his uniform looking like that of a butler and with his wife and 4 children it looked like a happy family. Why the locket held around quarter of the opportunity of the martial art book? Malum decided to let fate show him why.
With night setting Malum headed back to the inn and settled down. Danger pervaded the shutter and sneaked into his room. It looked at Malum in the bed before disappearing back into the mist.
Morning came and as Malum woke up to greet the sun he felt its warm rays against his skin. His senses had completely returned and looking into the thick red smog Malum was ready to return back to the mansion.
He walked outside with the plain clothes he had bought the day before. He stuck towards the centre of the moving crowd and ensured he kept his head down.
Day by day, he felt the pressure of the city rising. Long hours were taking their tole and with it came a build up of resentment. Malum felt like all it would take for the city to explode was a good enough match.
That wasn’t his problem, he kept his eye on the guards and made sure he got back to the mansion safe and sound.
Because of his plain looks, he managed to make his way back in one piece and knocking on the door, Florence quickly ushered him in.
Malum stepped through the door and felt the warmth of the house. The fireplace was going and as Malum climbed the stairs to see Jameson he felt the house only grow warmer.
Opening the door to Jameson's bedroom and Malum felt like he had entered the peak of summer. It was baking, so much he almost wanted to take of his shirt.
Jameson was sat on the middle of the floor; he had several layers on and yet still looked to be shivering.
Malum still saw how his suffering friend couldn’t help but smile to see him enter the room.
“Malum!” He said, as he quickly got up to hug him.
“Good to see you too pal.” Malum said as he felt the strange coldness of the Jameson's skin against the baking hot third layer he wore.
Malum did find his reaction a bit much but sketched it up to his illness.
“Any updates so far?” Malum couldn’t help but ask.
Jameson peeled back from his hug and got himself a chair to sit down on. Florence entered not a moment later holding not only a chair for Malum, but also 2 cups, one filled with hot chocolate and the other filled with an ice cold orange juice.
He was an angel. Malum thanked his profusely to which Florence only replied, “Its my job.” Before Malum could argue with him, he disappeared out the door to probably do some menial cleaning.
Breaking his thoughts process on how he could get his own butler, Jameson spoke.
“Apart from my illness, my taking of medicine there has been two events which you would be interested in.
The first came just a day after you left, on the day of the wave. A solider came to the door with news of a capturing of one of the thieves of the Heist. His execution was a day later and was held in the main square, Florence went to see it and it was certainly a big event.
Obviously it wasn’t one of us so it was likely a fall man for the government to relieve some stress from the other Nobles. Florence is looking into the man’s background as we speak but he looked very similar to me so there is that link.
The second event came a day after that and it came in the form of a letter.” Jameson paused his speech and pulled something from one of his many layers. He then gave Malum the paper and let him read the contents for himself.