Chapter Sixty-Seven

The table was genuinely huge. It took up most of the meadow, and nearly everyone could sit. Darren mumbled something about a banquet hall as the feast got underway. Laughter played through the air, faces were alight with smiles, and the tension of the battle to come was a worry shoved aside. It was still there, however. A lurking predator that waited in the bushes to pounce at the right opportunity.

But for now, that is all it did.

Jenny was tickled by her father, squealing as her face went red from her laughter and attempts to fend off her father. The aroma of spices, cooked meat, and more tickled the noses as the scent of the food drifted on a lazy wind.

Ambrose took the downtime to manage his progression. He had gained ten levels, which meant he had eighty points to spend. With that in mind, he pulled up his attributes.

[Constitution: 190

Strength: 202

Intellect: 194

Wisdom: 198

Willpower: 224]

Poking his fork at his food, he bit the side of his tongue. His stats were growing, but wisdom and intellect were still lagging. He put twenty each into strength, intellect, and wisdom. That left him with twenty points.

More tapping with his fork. He wanted to split it up between constitution and willpower. Being tougher to kill was a good thing, but he also needed fuel for his skills, which were already costly. Deciding to compromise with himself, he put ten into willpower and ten into constitution.

With that done, he pulled up his skill options.

[Retributions Gaze-Epic]: Stare into your opponent’s spirit and flood them with your infernal mana. This skill causes them to experience all the pain and suffering they have caused to others. Note that this skill may not work on those of a higher grade or level. This skill is an upgrade of [Insight] and allows you to see the guilt of others, their levels, and other information.]

Ambrose ran his tongue over his teeth as he considered the skill. He had wanted it before, and his father’s voice nagged him to take it in the back of his mind. He put it to the side of his mind he had marked for consideration and looked at the other options.

[Hellfire Manipulation-Legendary]: A direct upgrade of Infernal Infusion, this skill retains all of the benefits of the previous skills and can turn your mana into hellfire which you can manipulate at will, including creating weapons and medium-sized constructs. Infuse more mana for unique and powerful effects.]

Ambrose almost whistled. The possibilities felt genuinely endless with this skill. He threw that in the consideration pile before moving to the next.

[Infernal Smite-Legendary]: The upgrade of this skill allows for massive smites that affect a large area. Does increased damage.]

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Ambrose felt his face settle into a sour frown. For a legendary skill, he was a little underwhelmed by it. Smite was a good skill; he cleared an entire small group of enemies with it just hours ago. But he didn’t really need it to affect a huge area, or at least that wasn’t what he was currently looking for.

[Infernal Sanctuary-Mythic]: In addition to being able to manipulate the chains freely, Infernal Sanctuary now affects intangible foes, and more chains can be summoned. In addition, the chains do more damage, plus they have a greater chance of paralyzing foes.]

Another underwhelming skill. It was one of the first mythic skills he had seen, and he didn’t care much about it. His chains were already very good, and while this upgrade was significant, it wasn’t as attractive as the other skills he wanted.

Resolving his decision, he selected his skills.

[You have gained [Retributions Gaze-Epic], and you have gained [Hellfire Manipulation-Legendary], you have lost [Insight-Uncommon], and you have lost [Infernal Infusion-Epic].

Ambrose felt the changes settle over him and decided to bring up his full character sheet—something he hadn’t done in a long while.

[ Name: Ambrose Severen

Level: 121

Race: Human (D-Grade)

Traits: Ruthless(Uncommon), Giant Slayer(Uncommon), Reforged-Legendary, Infernal(Mythic)

Class: Infernal Paladin (Epic)

Profession: Knight Of Avalon (Level 35)

Skills: [Hellfire Manipulation-Legendary], [Retributions Gaze-Epic], [Infernal Smite-Epic], [Infernal Sanctuary-Legendary], [Shield of Conviction-Uncommon], [Infernal Aegis-Legendary], [Infernal Recall-Rare].

Constitution: 200

Strength: 222

Intellect: 214

Wisdom: 218

Willpower: 234

SC: 0

Attribute Points:

Inventory: Knight of Avalon Set-Epic, basic axe, Noelle cloak-+10 to all stats, Merlin's Grimoire-Mythic: Grants Infernal Trait.]

If this were any kind of game, Alice would say that he was shaping up to be a solid badass.

“Uhh, Mr. Ambrose?”

Ambrose blinked, looking at Jenny, who’d come up to him.

“Yes?”

She gave him an uncertain smile, shifting her feet from side to side, hand behind her back.

“I just wanted to say thanks. You protect us, and you brought me new friends! And you brought Daddy back safe. You’re a good guy, Mr. Ambrose, and we need good guys right now.”

Jenny threw herself at him, her tiny body squeezing him as tight as she could. Ambrose didn’t really feel it in the physical sense as he was still in full plate armor. Even so, he felt a warmth settle over him. Something that he hadn’t felt since Alice.

For the first time, Ambrose felt genuinely wanted. Moisture and tightness built up in his throat, and he forced himself to swallow it. His heart suddenly felt heavy. Gently, ever so gently, he put his hand on the girl's head.

“Thank you.”

“Hey there, bossman. I know this is a drag, but you should know that boats are approaching.”

Dannill had come up to the pair, scratching at his face.

Jenny looked up at him, eyes full of worry.

Ambrose shoved all emotion aside, allowing his mind to go cold.

“How far out?”

Dannill shrugged,

“They’re slow, maybe a couple of hours?”

Ambrose nodded, standing up from his seat.

“Listen up, everyone. I have something to say, and we don’t have much time. The enemy is here.”

That quieted everyone down. They turned to him, expressions sober.

“I told you that I had a goal. When I brought you here, I made it clear that I would be pursuing it at all costs. That may happen tonight. You’ve all helped build this place and continue to build it. Not only into a physical home, a piece of the old world, but a place of safety, where your children can grow up without fear.”

Ambrose pointed towards the sea,

“Someone is coming to threaten that. To end what we have built. That means you have to defend it. You have to fight. Darren has built a building with a stocked and large basement. Women who aren’t fighting, and all children, will go there. Darren, and a few others will be stationed there to defend you, as will my companion, Noelle.”

As he spoke, he manifested her, his cloak floating, twisting, and arching with power as the lithe arcane tiger appeared, claws needing the ground.

“She’s powerful,” Ambrose said, resting his hands on her head.

“The rest of you have your orders. Let’s move out, folks. Let’s defend our home.”