Re: Ascension Rebirth – Festival of the lesser evil and greater evil
Chapter VIII
PART ONE
[Eternum Calendar - Year 988]
“W- who’s… is someone… there?”
A feeble voice came from behind me, no power, no energy; the voice that belonged to someone who was on the verge of giving up on life. [Elise Noire], the child that I came here to look for, so conveniently placed in my direct proximity. I have to thank that dunce duke for making my life so much easier.
“Elise Noire?”
“Y- yes… just who is…?”
“You may call me [Ulysses]. I’m here to save you.”
I gave her a false name just in case we get caught I didn’t want to tie my existence to my family. It was actually quite amusing how I was able to be taken to gaol and still the duke didn’t even ask for my name.
“S- save…? But… why?”
“I was asked to by a certain client. We’ll discuss more on that after we get out, for now just give me a second to deal with these shackles.”
Now then, currently my arms and leg were bound by metal chains and shackles but that was of no object to me. Activating [decay] on them they started to corrode and soon their durability was low enough for me to power through them with brute force. With a clank sound both shackles that bounded my arms and leg were thoroughly broken.
Due to the darkness I wasn’t able to see too well but since I had my [life force sensory] active I was at least able to sense where Elise was. Thus I stumbled my way over to her.
Through the small windows of the dungeon, the moonlights made their way in, revealing the small trembling figure of a girl before me. She was horrible bruised in many areas and her tattered clothing revealed her rib cage; malnourished.
A young girl with faded blonde hair and a unmotivated expression, almost as though she had given up on the prospect of getting out of this alive. I couldn’t exactly blame her for having such thoughts, she was merely a 9 year old against a monster. As I did for mine, I undid her shackles with [decay].
Without the shackles supporting her she fell down and planted her face onto the stone floor. I tried to help her up but she was too lifeless. Hunger? Mourning? Pain? Anxiety? I couldn’t know which of these emotions were going through her head right now, it could be all of them and it could be more.
Unfortunately I did not have any sort of healing spells thus I couldn’t erase these injuries from her skin. It pained me to see such a beautiful white skin defaced with such abhorrent scars. I laid her head on my lap and let her rest a while, that was the only thing I could do for her at the current moment; show her some kindness.
We sat there for an hour or so before Elise finally spoke again towards me.
“Why… why…? Father… Uuu…”
Tears streamed down her face as she moved her hands to cover her face. She was finally able to cry, and as she did I gently stroke through her hair. She lost her father, not only that she was charged with murdering him as well, poor thing. I knew very well what it was like to lose people close to you, thus I understood her pain.
After she had calmed down a little bit of life returned to her eyes.
“Are you feeling a bit better now?”
“… Yes, thank you for being here with me… Mr. Ulysses.”
“It’s fine. But first let’s get out of here.”
She tightly grabbed onto my clothes as I went to work with the bars of the gaol cell. The bars were a bit more durable than simple shackles so it took a bit more time to get through to them but I was able to nonetheless. I checked to see but my [decay] leveled up a few more times simply trying to destroy some metal bars.
I didn’t go through the walls to the outside because we were underground, if I opened the walls only sand would come in. There was a small opening at the top but that was too far up for either of us to reach, conversely it was possible to use [skeleton knight] as a kind of ladder but that would cause too much noise.
“Okay, we’re through lets go.”
She gave returned a nod as she held on tightly.
* * *
Well… what can I say? Mission failure…
We were able to sneak past some guards due to my [life force sensory] but in the end there were too many and got caught. I contemplated in trying to use [enchanting voice] but the level of these soldiers were far higher than me and for some reason they still had quite a bit of morale despite working here.
I also did think about trying to taunt them into lowering their mental resistance but that would’ve made too much of a scene in this dungeon and the sound would’ve echoed through, alerting everyone else.
Thus we were caught and brought to the interrogation room. Though, interestingly enough they didn’t treat us badly, in fact they even offered us a warm drink and some food. Sat on a small table with a single, dim light source above us, Elise sat next to me tightly holding onto my clothes and opposite us was metal clad knight.
[Eric Bahal. Level 33, Knight of the Realm].
‘Knight of the Realm’ simply referred to people who worked as soldiers to the country, unlike mercenaries or adventurers. They were most often employed as security guards for nobles or other VIPs, otherwise they were sent to far outposts to deal with monsters.
He had bags under his eyes but his gaze was still strong, his overall body posture was oozing with proper discipline, even his facial hair was neatly trimmed. I can see that stress is indeed sinking into his psyche but he’s enduring it, most probably for the men under his command.
The two men standing guard at the door in leather armor had a relatively decent appearance, and I figure they were able to do that because their captain was someone so charismatic.
“To start off, I am [Eric Bahal], the knight captain of duke Vista’s security division. I had heard a new prisoner was moved to the dungeon but to think it was a small child. Tch, that bastard of duke. In any case what is your name?”
“You can call me Ulysses.”
“Ulysses… that’s fine. Now then… can you tell me how you escaped from your cell?”
“The metallic bars on the cell were damaged so I easily pried them open.”
I retorted.
“Even if they were damaged, that isn’t something a seven year old should be able to do.”
“Of course, but clearly we are out of our cells correct? Then I don’t think you have much of a choice but to believe that’s how it happened.”
I was keeping how we got out a secret because in the case that they throw us back into our cells I would be able to escape again using [decay]. At my answer the knight captain, Eric gave a sigh.
“Ordinarily I would have to report this incident but that would only complicate the situation, I’ll let you escape from here but you’ll have to leave the girl.”
He gives me an ultimatum, I could tell he was already taking a huge risk by allowing myself to escape but that would defeat the purpose of me coming here in the first place. I guess I’ll just have to extend the mission parameters to include these gentlemen.
“Sir Eric Bahal, how about if I told you that there is a third option. One that can satisfy all of us.”
“Pardon?”
I decided to let the captain in on my plan.
PART TWO
When the captain heard of my plans he wasn’t really convinced but the soldiers under his command were. With their help we were able to successfully lure the captain to our side, meaning that he would help testify against the duke tomorrow. Since it was pitiful that only the soldiers were getting such a deal I extended it towards the servants of this household as well and they swiftly accepted.
The duke is incredibly unpopular huh?
“It is here.”
I was guided to the duke’s study by one of the maids. Realistically I could’ve just left the manor after securing the guards’ and servants’ cooperation but I wanted a bit more dirt on the duke. That and I was a little curious about something; about how the duke even arose to power with that pea-sized intellect of his.
I started to dig around his file cabinets in the midst of the darkness, only the light of the two bright moons providing support. I wasn’t able to find anything especially significant other than some proof of tax evasion, merchant fraud, bribery reports.
They would hold up if presented but nothing too worthwhile. I wanted to see if I could find anything more significant but as I was searching I felt the life force of someone else coming from within the room. When I turned to look there was a shadowy figure sitting on one of the sofa, calming contemplating by itself.
“Looking for this?”
The shadow held up a file with documents inside, though the exact details of what they are were hidden to me. I couldn’t tell if it was a man or a woman due to its rather loose clothing and hooded head, even the voice was ambiguous at most.
[Orion Valteare. Level 50, Assassin]
The name didn’t really expose much about the person either, but a level 50 assassin is quite troublesome. I wouldn’t be able to beat him in a straight up fight so my only option was to talk him down. For now it didn’t look like he was going to attack. If I had to hazard a guess he’s the actual killer of duke [Ciel Noire]; a hired assassin.
I fell down to the duke’s large desk chair and stared back up at the two moons from the office window. As I did the shadow seemed confused by my actions but continued to monitor me. I swiveled the chair away from the window and towards the shadowy figure on the sofa.
Crossed arms, refusing to reveal himself, maintaining distance, he called out to me first.
Crossed arms - defensive posture.
Refusing to reveal himself - he’s standing within the shadows just barely on the edge of the moon’s light. He’s taking cautions not to reveal himself, probably meaning that it would be a detriment if I found out who he was. Unfortunately for him I had an ability that rendered those actions useless.
Maintaining distance - he’s cautious of me; he doesn’t know who I am or how much power I possess. Even though I’m in the body of a seven year old? That’s pretty professional, to be cautious of all unknown elements even if the opponent is a child.
He called out to me first - watching me search through the duke’s cabinets must’ve made him feel threatened that I might link him to the assassination of duke Ciel. So he called out to me, possibly to distract me or to find out my true intentions.
Well, I guess it’s time for a little magic trick.
“I’ve been expecting you, Mr. Orion Valteare.”
He flinches through the shadow as I reveal his name. I can feel it, he’s panicking but he isn’t letting it show.
“Who are you?”
“You may call me Ulysses. But that’s not what you want to know right? You want to know how I knew your name, the name of the assassin that took the life of duke Ciel Noire.”
“… what?”
He’s quite composed on the surface but I could feel his life force fluctuating rapidly, his heart beats quickly.
“It’s elementary, Mr. Assassin. I know a lot of things that many people shouldn’t, however even if you’re curious, a magician never reveals his secrets. Now don’t worry I won’t reveal you away but I do want to cut a deal with you.”
“… I’m listening.”
“In your hands is something I want and you want me to not reveal you away, right? I’m willing to take your secret to the grave if you simply hand over those files.”
“I could just kill you here.”
I shook my head.
“No, no you won’t.”
“… What?”
“I’m an unknown element to you. You don’t know what would happen if I were killed here; you’re a professional assassin right? You wouldn’t do such a sloppy job of killing me here on impulse.”
I was playing on his professionalism, of course one mistake and my head would probably be removed from my shoulders. He silently contemplated for a bit until he opened his mouth.
“… You don’t know me.”
I sense bloodlust oozing from his very being, he wants to kill me right here. Normal people would’ve lost it in such clear cut malicious intentions but I was different. I was the one who spent every day with a ten tonne sword of Damocles above my head as I worked as the CEO of Mobius Industries. That kind of bloodlust I feel on a daily basis just from the people I worked with so it didn’t faze me a single bit.
“No, but I know your kind. Allow me to enlighten you then, what will happen if I die. You see the duke of this house is a very unpopular figure, so at the behest of a certain client I was ordered to take him down. As you can see a mere child like myself has no real power of my own so I thought of something else.”
“Something else?”
“Yes~ a large celebration! Right outside the Tetrarch’s gate, thousands and thousands of people will gather tomorrow in protest of the duke. The Tetrarch will not be able to ignore this event thus the duke will be called to a trial. At that trial I will reveal everything, the duke’s corruptions, the duke’s assassination plot, everything. I’ve even secured the testimonies of the guards and servants of this household to speak against the duke. Depending on your next reply your name may or may not be included with those testimonies.”
“… I could just kill you here.”
“No, you won’t because I’m not the only one who knows about this information. Should you agree to my deal your name will be censored from tomorrow’s protest, if you disagree then… it’s free game.”
“I could simply run away.”
“Yes, but you’ll become a fugitive of the country. Soon your infamy will spread towards the other Tetrarchy and soon a bounty will be placed on your head. You won’t even be able to find work due to your tarnished reputation of working with such a corrupt duke. Everyday… until you die you will live fleeing from the law. If that is how you wish to live… then by all means.”
He stood there, frozen as if he had seen the devil. In the end he gave up his charade and walked closer to the moon’s light, revealing… a slender hourglass figure… a woman? He… her face was covered by a mask from the nose down but her clear blue eyes reflected my image.
“It is my loss, but I’ll have you uphold your side of the bargain about not revealing me to anybody. If you don’t honor your words… I’ll come for you then.”
“Of course, I always keep promises to friends.”
“… Friends?”
“Of course, putting aside our rather grim meeting, I wish to not be your enemy, instead your friend. Perhaps in the future we may even cooperate.”
“Hahaha… Very well then.”
She leaves the file and disappears in a shadowy effect. I really wished that I could someday master that ability as well.
* * *
I took a look through the files and the one that caught my attention most was that the duke was financially supporting a group known as the [Crimson Knights]; an activist group against the demon race. It wasn’t a large group, it only had a few thousand members but most of those members held power so they were troublesome.
The best thing I could compare them to would probably be a group like the [Illuminati].
With that I was convinced that it was most likely this group that helped the duke get to his position. It was probably them that ordered duke Vista to get rid of duke Ciel because Ciel was a proponent of coexisting with demons.
Since it wasn’t a good place to be reading too deeply into this file I decided to move remove myself from the scene. I decided to go out through the back door when I was attacked!
By… zombies? I was able to dodge their sudden attack thanks to my [insight] stat. if it was always this useful I should’ve added more, but then again the [strength] stat improves my summons too.
[Zombie. Level 12, undead soldier].
There were about 12 of them but they were lower level than me so I didn’t really feel too endangered. The slowly inched their bodies closer to me, they only moved slowly out of caution not because they couldn’t run.
Well since I was already outside and a little bit of noise seemed acceptable I used my skill [Summon - Skeleton Knight]. As I did, just like in the afternoon a green lightning hit the ground before me and out came a large skeleton knight. I ordered it to go and destroy the zombies and within only 20 seconds all of the zombies were subdued.
[You have gained (2) level(s)]
The interface box appeared before me. It was amazing that I even gained so much experience from mere zombies at level 12, but that begs to question, who was it that summoned these zombies to attack me. I can’t think of anyone at the top of my head. Couldn’t have been anyone I know or met today… an outsider? Then were my actions all compromised? No… from the lack of interference it doesn’t seem like that was the case.
This is another headache but I’ll have to deal with that at a later date.
* * *
After rendezvousing with Chrom at her inn she gave me a report on everything she found out about the duke. Most of it was information that I already knew, including that he was working with the [Crimson Knights]. To be honest I only sent Chrom out to investigate to distract her, because this was a delicate operation, brute strength was unnecessary and if I simply told her to stand by she wouldn’t be satisfied. So I gave her the illusion of help.
Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
“That’s great. Now I have one more task for you, I need you to testify against duke Vista Calros at tomorrow’s hearing. That’s fine right?”
“Yes, if it is to prove Elise Noire’s innocence then I will comply with Lord Morgant’s decisions.”
Speaking of Elise Noire, she was sent with the knight captain, and they were sent to the earl’s manor to rendezvous with everyone. Tomorrow was going to be a big day after all, and all of the party preparations were complete.
Time to set off some fireworks.
PART THREE
-Vista Calros’ PoV-
Feeling a little more sluggish than usual I woke up way past when I normally do, however this was weird, because it is the job of the servants to wake me up after a certain period of time, but they have yet to show themselves. In fact I don’t even hear anything going on in this house.
“Just what the hell are those slackers up to?”
I mumbled to myself. Getting off the bed I could feel terrible noises coming out of my aging joints, this wasn’t good, perhaps I should start exercising a bit more. Powering through the joint pains I manage to get off my bed but I had to stand still for a few seconds to catch my breath.
As I did I could hear small footsteps running through the corridor. Good, I can finally start getting some answers. When I left the room I was met with a woman in her mid 20s. her light blue hair was tied up into a ponytail and despite her frail looks she’s actually pretty muscular under her clothing. However the most noticeable point was her ears; she was an elf.
I think her name was [Latrica] or [Latricia] or something, I don’t know, these peasants all have the same name to me. I only barely remember this one because she used to be a former adventurer until I managed to coerce her into becoming my maid.
“You there, woman. Stop.”
I called out to her and she obeys like she should. She should’ve been wearing her maid uniform but not only was she not she was dressed up in a manner like she was going to leave, with a large pack slung over her shoulders.
She turns her head and gives me a dirty look.
“Don’t give me that look. Tell me, what’s going on here?”
I asked her with an intimidating tone, once these peasants get scolded at in that kind of tone they shiver in their boots and turn meek. It’s one of my many talents as a leader of this putrid country. Oddly, she wasn’t like that, she did not shiver or cower but simply stood staring back at me intently.
What’s up with this bitch’s attitude?
“Umm… what was your name again? Windows? Oh, right Vista. Anyway yeah, so I quit and that’s that. So like… bye.”
With that she tries to leave… what? Quit? She can’t just do that! I own her!
“Wait!”
I shout out to her but she ignores me and continues to leave. I run up and take a hold of her arm, then she finally stops to listen.
“What?”
What’s with the attitude? Doesn’t she realize who I am and what I am capable of?!
“Where do you think you’re going? I own you!”
“Own me? That’s funny, I just said I was quitting now get out of my way you scumbag.”
‘Scumbag’ she says?! Who does she think she is?!
“You take one step out of that door and I will have my guards execute you on the spot! You hear?! On the spot!”
She stops moving and turn back with a smug smile. My blood starts to boil at that arrogant smile, I will have her executed regardless of if she steps out or not. Before I get the chance to order my guards she speaks up.
“Good luck with that, bastard.”
She leaves through the front door, I don’t know if she was brave or stupid! That’s why I don’t hire former adventurers all that much, their all muscle and no brain.
“Guards! Execute that wench!”
…
The guards don’t come, in fact no one comes. I can’t even hear anyone. It was almost as though this entire estate had been emptied. I took a look around the house and true enough all of my servants and guards had vacated the entire manor; I was left alone in this large house.
Just what in god’s name is going on here?!
Since searching the mansion was of no avail I tried to go down to the dungeon, at least those two brats should’ve been there. When I go down none of the guards that should be there were there, no in fact it was just them, the two brats have also gone missing!
Feeling a sense of confusion I return back to the mansion only to have people knock on my door. Who could it be at such an important time?!
When I open the door I see two armored knights waiting for me. They weren’t my estate’s guards… no they were more, they were the Tetrarch’s personal guards! But why are they here?! Just what in blazes went on around here?!
“C- can I help you?”
My voice sounds extremely pathetic right now but that couldn’t be helped, the [Praetorian Knights] aren’t so easily mobilized and when they are it means something serious had just happened. There are only very few instances they are called upon for menial jobs like visiting a person’s estate.
“Tetrarch Rodric has summoned for you. You are to appear in 3 hours and no more.”
The knights give me a piece of paper with an official seal. This wasn’t a joke, halfway through I was expecting someone to come out and say ‘just kidding’ but no, this was really happening. The Tetrarch wants to see me personally? Why?
When I inquire about the reason why I was summoned, the knights give me a dirty and arrogant look while saying that it’s none of their problem so they don’t care to know. These bastard… just because they work under that stupid Tetrarch they think they can be so insolent?! Tch, I’ll have to deal with them once this entire charade is over.
But for some reason I’m getting chills. Am I getting nervous?
* * *
After getting prepared I arrived at the Tetrarch’s castle. Every time I see it I want to throw up at how obnoxiously large it is. Does he think he’s better than me?
And for some reason a large crowd has gathered outside. Just what is this pathetic gallery gathered up for? When I get close they split and make way for me, hmph, at least these plebs know their place; even ants will know their place if you squash them enough, though their giving me hostile looks that’s not different from always. Great men are always feared, that is the rule as a leader.
Walking through the great architecture that is the Tetrarch’s castle I made my way into the throne room. As I arrived a large group of people lined up along the side as though some sort of entertainment was going to happen. Sitting atop his throne and looking down on everyone else is the old bastard, the Tetrarch.
His hair is grayed from age and his once blue eyes have faded into a deep grey color also. Though he is lavishly dressed it was impossible to hide his decaying corpse of a body, he really should stand down from that throne if he was getting to that point. And next to him was his son, [Rian Mil Avon Ariadyne], the so called ‘next-in-line’, I just hope he will be more useful that this old geezer.
I walk forward to the middle of the room and kneel before him, not because I want to but because I have to.
“I have arrived as you commanded, Lord Rodric, why have you summoned me?”
I asked, but all I get is a bored response from him as he sighs. He then shakes his head at me. What? Why is he acting like this? Is he a spoilt brat? Well, he did grow up in such an environment, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was just a child inside.
Well, whatever.
“Come in.”
The Tetrarch commands, at first I was confused but the door to the throne room open. When I see who enters my eyes widen… No! it can’t be… that boy…
Standing next to him is a small and feeble girl… duke Ciel’s daughter! What?!
She looks… better, much healthier than before. The light in her eyes that I had so painstakingly tried to get rid of has returned and she is giving me an awful glare as she clings onto the shirt of a young boy.
The boy and the duke’s daughter walk forward and kneel before the Tetrarch.
“I am honored that you have decided to act for the sake of justice, Lord Rodric.”
‘Justice’? just what is he talking about?
“I will hear your case. You may speak.”
The Tetrarch says.
“I am grateful. Then I shall get right to the point, the [Minister of internal affairs], duke [Vista Calros] is the one behind the murder of duke [Ciel Noire], [Elise Noire’s] father. He had framed this poor girl and even sentenced her to death on the count of patricide. If that was not proof of his corruption there are many more cases. These are documents that I have procured from the duke’s own home.”
The boy reveals a folder filled with documents.
[Bribery reports]
[Human trafficking]
[Insurgency plots]
[Scandals]
[Corruption investigation reports]
They were all reports hidden away safely in my cabinet. Just when did he have time to take them out?! One of the guards takes the paper and hands it over to the Tetrarch and as he reads it I could feel my body shaking in fear. If he reads those then I’m finished!
After he finishes reading them he turns to give me an intimidating stare.
“What do you have to save for yourself, duke?”
“I- I don’t know anything about them!”
“Really? But those reports were all found in your cabinet in your study. Actually I’m quite amazed you kept such incriminating evidence in your study, out in the open like that. But I’m more amazed that you were even able to have any sort of political success with such idiotic decisions.”
The boy questions me. A seven year old! This is definitely weird! Why isn’t no one questioning this scene?! A god damned seven year old!
“Y- you’re lying! I’ve never seen them before! Those were forged!”
The boy gives a sigh and looks at me with disappointed eyes.
“Raising your voice, hugging your own body, hysterical and impulsive body movement, hyperventilation. They are all signs of your own admission of guilt… duke.”
The boy lists my body language one by one.
“Explain.”
The Tetrarch asks the boy.
“Of course, it’s a little known ability known as [cold reading], with practice anyone could do it, essentially it is the reading of body language to gain insight into what a person is thinking. We all give off subconscious actions when we do certain actions. For example, the duke raising his voice means that he wants to validate his own words through sheer volume, but that’s just like admitting that he’s lying and he doesn’t want to acknowledge anyone else’s words. Hugging his own body is a defensive mechanism, he realizes that he’s been caught out and he’s holding his body in a defensive posture for whatever may happen. His hysterical twitching is also a trait reveal that he has an elevated level of adrenaline, such things only occur when we feel threatened, and he is truly feeling threatened because his entire livelihood is at stake with his lies.”
The Tetrarch nods as he understands the boy’s words!
“Still, at most with these reports all that I can do with them is imprison him. To be quite honest this entire thing has been a waste of my time.”
Imprison?! Me?!
“Quite so, but allow me to finish up with the formalities, your opinions may change once he hear them.”
The boy suggests.
“I will allow it.”
You will?! You’re the Tetrarch but you’re listening the whims of a seven year old?!
One by one various people come to testify against me. My servants, my guards, a certain white headed warrior, the peasants, other nobles. They all defame me and drag down my name even further. Those plebs are lying! They don’t understand their own words!
“Hmm…”
The Tetrarch grabs his chin in contemplation.
“Lord Rodric, it may not be my place to say this but allow me to say so regardless. Countless thousands of people have gathered today before this place in protest of this corrupt duke. It is a clear indication that they do not agree with his method of going about things, he is nothing short of arrogant and selfish. He has done nothing to aid this country, in fact he actively inhibits it’s growth, clearly seen with his assassination of duke Ciel Noire, one of our country’s most beloved nobles, I honestly cannot believe he has even risen to the position he has now. Lord Rodric, if you have any respect for your countrymen I suggest nothing short of the death penalty for this treacherous cur.”
The boy looks at me with disgust.
“What?!”
I scream out pathetically. You’ve got to be shitting me, the death penalty?! For what?!
“Any last words in your own defense… duke?”
The Tetrarch asks with clear disgust and that look in his eyes, it’s like he’s already made a decision but wants to toy with me further. Are you joking? ‘Any last words’ you say? I have plenty of last words!
“Lord Rodric you honestly can’t be saying that you’re going to go along with the whims of a seven year old. That’s just absurd. I have served this country for many decades I at least deserve a second chance do I not?”
“’Going along with the whims of a seven year old’? Perhaps I may be, but at any point has his words been wrong? Was it not true that you have shown yourself to be a villainous cur to this country? I see now what this boy means, you are not good for this country, your entire existence I reject it! You will be sentenced to death in a year’s time! Guards! Take him away!”
“What?! No! You can’t do this to me! I have friends you know?! Powerful friends! They will lay ruin to this country! Stop! Take your hands off me! I said stop!”
PART FOUR
-Morgant Fallon’s PoV-
The duke was dragged out screaming. To be honest this entire trial was a farce, I had already won once I had secured the aid of the earl and when people gathered at the Tetrarch’s castle early in the morning. The only reason why I went along with this trouble trial was to show my political superiority to impress the Tetrarch.
Because I wanted to gain access to his library.
As the trial came to a close everyone was slowly leaving the throne room. As I had assumed before, father brought along Lena and was standing in the crowd before, but they too had left and were waiting for me along with everyone else. In the end the only people remaining were the Tetrarch, his son and myself.
“Quite the display you put up there. For a seven year old child, it is uncanny, almost disturbing.”
The Tetrarch says to me in a candid manner. He had dropped his ‘Lord’ act and was talking normally. Well I sympathise with him, if a real seven year old talked like I did then it might be a little scary.
“Nothing of the sort, Lord Rodric, I have had a good education from my father and mother who have both served as this nation’s [praetorian knights].”
“Of course, I know that very well. Still, you are something different. How should I say this? I don’t get the feeling you truly are a child, but something more. I can only shiver to think what you will become in the future.”
“I will accept the compliment.”
“Then, what is it that you wish for?”
Interrupting our little conversation was the Tetrarch’s son, [Rian Mil Avon Ariadyne], the next in line for the throne. He asked what I wished for, meaning that he had caught onto my act already.
“It seems I’ve been found out.”
“Of course, this entire trial was a farce right? You just wanted to show father your skills.”
He reads me like a book, a bit vexing but he has the right skill and mindset if he was to become the next Tetrarch.
“Yes, if you will grant me this wish. I would like to visit the personal library of the Tetrarch, for study and research purposes.”
The Tetrarch and his son turn towards each other.
“I see, well normally that would not be permitted unless you have become a [praetorian knight] but perhaps this once we may be able to bend the rules.”
The Tetrarch tells me.
“Thank you very much.”
After waiting a brief moment, a maid comes to greet me and with that I was taken to the great library of the North country.
END REPORT
[Status Menu]
Morgant Fallon. Level 19
NECROMANCER
DEMON GENERAL
Strength: 78 (65 + 13)
Dexterity: 12 (5 + 7)
Magic: 9 (5 + 4)
Insight: 46 (35 + 11)
Agility: 11 (5 + 6)
[Status Points: 10]
[Skill List]
(PASSIVE) [Life Force Sensory]: Level 12
(PASSIVE) [Toxin Resistance]: Level 1
(AUGMENT) [Enchanting Voice]: Level 6
(ACTIVE) [Life Drain]: Level 11
(ACTIVE) [Wither]: Level 4
(ACTIVE) [Decay]: Level 9
(ACTIVE) [Summon - Skeleton Knight]: Level 3
(SUB SKILL) [Anti-Life Gambit]: Level 1
(SUB SKILL) [Intimidating Roar]: Level 1
(SUB SKILL) [Shield Charge): Level 1
(SUB SKILL) [Fortification): Level 1
[Equipment]
[Shard of Tyrving]
+ 4 [All Stats]
[Sebastian’s Pocket Watch]
+ 3 [Strength]
+ 3 [Dexterity]
+ 3 [Insight]
[Father’s Sword Hilt]
+ 6 [Strength]
+ 4 [Insight]
+ 2 [Agility]