Wait, what? That was the first time that I heard about that one. It was Axelrod who hired Eicam?
HE was the one whose experiment got out of hand and destroyed that place?
An interesting piece of information indeed.
But it was not really what was important right now.
-People, can we focus? I came here to revive Kon, not to lose any more value.
-Excuse me?!
-You’re excused. Anyway, the main question is still what exactly happened?!
-True. And where exactly is that friend of yours?
-Damn… yeah, where the hell are you, ILMA? - I sighed, asking the question to the nether. - What happened…
-ILMA: current location: Red Edge.
That one sentence made all of us jump up.
The voice was still similarly robotic, although it was younger this time.
We all turned to the source: Kon.
He was sitting up now and gazing at me with the blank and distant stare that I so very well knew from Goldie not so long ago.
-What the fuck?!
-What?! Who is that?! - Goldie was still weak, but the jolt of adrenaline helped him up and he was now the furthest away it was possible in this small room from the newly arisen “threat”.
-I don’t even…
But despite the initial confusion, it was obvious. Somehow, some way, ILMA made her way into Kon’s body.
-When I said “wake him up” I didn’t mean this… - said For, still stunned. - Why… I…
-That’s how I looked? - Goldie was still in disbelief. - That is the thing that took me over…?
-More or less, yeah… - I nodded. - Although how did that happen is still what eludes me…
-What do you mean? Didn’t she do that on purpose?! - asked Goldie. - This thing is clearly an enemy!
I was not going to even try and explain, but it was apparently not necessary, because For had different plans.
-Don’t you think that the best way is just to ask? - said For. - ILMA, did you take Kon’s body on purpose?
I was honestly surprised that she was so open and up front with that question, and as surprised with the reply she got.
-Negative.
-So what were you trying to do, ILMA?
-As per instruction, the attempt was made to awaken mana of the entity named Kon. The attempt consisted of moving the mana of the entity Kon from its host and back again.
-And what failed, ILMA? - I asked, curious.
-A mana anomaly has been detected. The connection has been overwhelmed by another force, most likely the entity Kon itself.
Let’s add that to the list of the things I didn’t expect to hear.
-What? Does that mean… that HE was the one who absorbed her… not the other way around? - asked uncertain For.
-I… honestly don’t even know…
But the truth is that it might have been true. After all, during the whole process I have seen that both of their manas were mixed… and that strange whirlwind I was seeing… It was possible that it was indeed the effect of them essentially playing tug-of-war.
But what was the strangest one… why was he even able to do that?
Sure, he was part me, or rather part Origin Crystal, meaning he was sure to become strong, but for it to happen so soon?
It was not really something I would think would happen now… But it was agreeing with my earlier hypothesis of him starting to become an even stronger crystal than me and my overall inability to drain him.
Wouldn’t that mean that he was still conscious though? Or was he really that powerful to be able to act subconsciously?
It was possible… If during his slavery he was able to rebuild his body in those kinds of circumstances, it wouldn’t be far fetched if he was able to do this again, this time with his own mind though. Especially after I showed him how to exactly manipulate mana and pay attention to it…
Hm.
So really, there was only one question to ask.
-ILMA, where is Kon now?
Her answer was as instant and as bland as usual.
-The entity known as Kon: current location: Red Edge.
-Err… that’s good news I guess… - mumbled For. - But where exactly, ILMA?
-Exact location: underground, dungeon, interrogation room, desk.
-Wait. That’s where…
That was where she was sitting.
-And let’s just confirm… that is not just his body, but also his soul… right, ILMA?
-Affirmative.
-What in the hell is going on…
Goldie was not amused by us ignoring him and probably more by For apparently not caring about his threats or overall comments.
Or maybe it was still just my presence what annoyed him.
-Er… and he is fine… and conscious, right ILMA?
-Affirmative.
-How the hell is he supposed to be conscious if she is the one doing the talking? - protested For. - That makes no sense.
-It is worrying, true…
-Worrying?! That’s a bit of an understatement! What are we supposed to do now then? Is he…
-Part of her? - I finished for her. - Most likely. Or maybe the other way around…
-Part of… what in the hells are you talking about?!
Goldie has not even in the slightest been able to understand the current predicament we found ourselves in. Which was doubly strange, because if I was correct, he was in the exact same situation not so long ago.
-What should we do now? - For started repeating herself, sounding more and more desperate.
For some reason she was really invested in this.
-You or me? Well, I don’t know, really. Why don’t we ask, hm?
-You want to ask her for help AGAIN? - she didn’t bother hiding her annoyance and slowly started losing her cool. - Oh, how well that ended up last time…
-I never said I was going to do exactly what she says or even was not going to ask her to fix our problems for us. But in any case, it’s not her fault… I think.
-You think? Then what exactly happened, hm!?
-If I knew there would be no issue right now! - I sighed. - What I suspect though is that something or someone is messing with us…
-If you are going to say that it’s King’s fault again… - she started.
I didn’t let her finish, nor waited for the inevitable outburst from Goldie.
-Who the hell knows. That is not important. But before we do something, let’s finish what we started here.
-And that is…?
-ILMA, are we able to communicate with Kon?
-Affirmative.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
-And how can we do that, ILMA?
-Any information that is absorbed by me is shared with the entity known as Kon while they are conscious.
-What, so does that mean that he is able to hear us? - For looked a bit spooked.
-Apparently…
It started looking more and more like it was indeed the same thing as I and Iloa had not so long ago. But that also gave me an idea.
-ILMA, are you able to switch with Kon?
-Results inconclusive.
-What? Switch…?
-I suspect that they both have a bit of a similar relationship now that I had before…
As I was saying that I bit my tongue. I didn’t want to say that…
It was not a problem if I was just with For. But the other one…
-You had what?! I knew it! You are an abomination.
I just rolled my eyes.
Goldie was the problem.
Whatever I was going to say or do, he was always going to be against me, or rather with Axelrod. And since he apparently fed him a bunch of crap about me, there was no way to actually turn him to our side… If we even had a side to begin with, that is… If only there was someone…
-Right, I almost forgot - I changed the subject. - Gol.. ehm, Caleb, I think we are done here mostly, but I would like to still have a couple of words with For. Would you mind and take a leave…?
-Like hell I will! - he protested, unsurprisingly. - I am not going to leave you alone with your conspirators! It’s…
-Excuse me? Me, a conspirator? - For was clearly not amused. - I would like to remind you where you are and who you are talking to!?
But he was not budging.
-I am sorry, but right now the word of our King has power over yours. I will be taking this person into custody, and I am afraid I will have to report your behavior as well. Harboring a bunch of criminals…
For was about to say something, but I was first.
-And what, you are going to capture your brother as well, hm? - I asked. - He is also with me on this, especially after I have saved his life. Multiple times in fact.
-I do not have a…
-Oh stop it… - I frowned at him, looking at him annoyed. - I know your name, I know his name, you can stop pretending. It’s not like…
-Oh, you don’t understand me - he interrupted me. - We might be of one family, but after what I’ve heard and what he has done, he is no brother of mine.
Both me and For were speechless. That was news for both of us. Since when he was disowning him? Can he even do that?
It was doubly weird, especially after hearing Jacob be so worried about him and constantly trying to protect him.
And wasn’t he, just before he got knocked out by me, genuinely happy to see him? What happened to that?
-What are you talking about, Caleb? What do you think he’s going to say about that? - For was not hiding her surprise.
-Didn’t you just earlier today talk with him like you were friends? What happened to that, huh?
-I have nothing to say to you.
-Well, he definitely will though…
-Oh, no you are not going anywhere!
I rolled my eyes.
-And what, you’re going to stop me?
-Of course I will!
He reached for his sword, but it was missing.
-You think that someone would let you have a weapon after the stunt you pulled? Or, well, your body did.
-I don’t… - he froze mid complaint. - Wait, what exactly did I do?
-Attacked and almost killed a couple of my men - said For, not amused by the current situation.
-I don’t remember… ANYWAY, it doesn’t matter! - he quickly corrected himself. - It’s not important. Doesn’t matter if I have a weapon or not, you are not going anywhere!
-And how exactly are you going to stop me, hm? - I asked, stepping closer to him.
He didn’t even flinch. Instead he stood up as well, and this time he didn’t even have to hold onto anything to heep balance.
I guess he finally regained his strength, or mana rather.
Not like there was much to regain to begin with.
-Did you forget who I am?! I still wield fire magic, and I am intending on using it.
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
-Go on. Hit me with it. Fire. Let’s see what happens.
I didn’t have to tell him twice.
But, what he did was almost hard to call even an attempt at magic. He extended his hands towards me, like he was about to grab my head.
Both me and For involuntarily moved a step back, more confused than anything. I definitely have not seen anyone use magic like that, but after being that long in this country I realized that it is better to be safe than sorry, and waited for incantation.
And waited.
And nothing.
I mean, sure, you can cast a spell without words, or not even use words and produce some effects, but to see an attempt like this from him made me very skeptical.
And, confirming my suspicions, after looking closer at him I did not notice any movement of mana. Nothing at all.
For still didn’t clock on that, because she stepped even further away from us both, moving Kon with her, but even she finally noticed that something was not right.
-Are you going to do something, or… - I asked, raising my non-existent brew.
-I am.
-You definitely are not.
-Shut up. Not like you can understand my higher magic.
-Are you fucking kidding me? - I groaned. - I knew that you were a fraud, but to that extent? That’s…
-How dare you! You won’t be talking much after this spell completes…
-Yeah, no - I shook my head. - First of all, even if you were to actually use a spell, it wouldn’t work. We are in For’s territory and I don’t think you got the permission to do shit over here.
-I do! - he protested, but For corrected him.
-Actually, you DID. But not any more. We… I reset it. A safety precaution - she explained, half-heartedly.
-And before you’re going to complain - I said, seeing that he was about to say something - I can’t cast anything too. I would’ve said that we are on an even playing field, but that’s not…
-Of course we aren’t! Even without any magic I am superior to you!
He now stopped his magical theatrics and now instead raised his fists.
-Oh, such an achievement, comparing yourself to a crippled man, what a hero you are… - I sighed. - Fine. Go, do your worst. See how that ends up.
I think he started reconsidering his options, but not for long. Instead he doubled down on his theatrics.
-I am not going to fight a crippled person! I just have to make you come with me!
-And then what? How exactly are you going to leave this place, hm? With me in tow might I add?
-Portal… - he started.
-Yes, yes, portal magic is a thing, sure. But who exactly do you want to use for that? Your brother? The same one who you just disowned or whatever that was? Maybe For? Does she even know how to do that? And even if she did, do you really think that after this speech of yours she’d help you?
-That’s…
-You are stuck here. And while your brother might just bail you out, I don’t feel like going to the capital.
-You…!
-But I will give you a chance. I am now going to go to your brother. We then can repeat this dialogue with him present, why don’t we?
I gestured towards For. She immediately understood and grabbed Kon.
-ILMA, can you walk?
-Affirmative.
-Then follow me please, ILMA.
-Ladies first… - I said, bowing slightly, ignoring Goldie and his complaints.
I noticed that she squinted a bit, annoyed, but dragged Kon with her nonetheless.
I left the room, leaving Goldie alone and still angry that we were ignoring him.
-You think he’s going to follow us? - asked For after we left the room and the angry shouts of Goldie started to fade away.
-Like he has anywhere else to go… - I shrugged. - I don’t really care.
-He’s going to be annoying…
-Hm.
She was absolutely right.
While we were making our way towards the tower, where Jacob was supposed to be, I noticed that we were being tailed.
And of course it was Goldie.
He did not even bother to talk to either of us, instead decided that “keeping hidden” was the best tactic. I say “keeping hidden” a bit liberally, he was quite obvious in his golden armor, stomping through the corridors with metal boots.
-Was he always that annoying…? - I asked For, while we were walking.
-You’re asking me? I thought you traveled with him?
-I did. But I tried keeping as far away from him as possible. I mean, I noticed that he was not the smartest one, but…
-That is an understatement… I honestly am not sure how he was able to get the title he holds so dear…
-Golden Knight? Well, he has his armor…
-You think wearing some piece of gear is enough for someone to be called like that…?
-Speaking of, he found his stuff - I mentioned. - I thought you hid it better…
-We never hid it, we just left it as it was… It’s not like he was our enemy to begin with, so…
-I guess… And anyway his gear is still useless…
-Yeah, magic is luckily blocked, thanks to you…
-Even if it wasn’t there’s no useful magic in his gear - I shrugged.
-What? I thought he had some great magical fire blade…?
-Nah. That’s just some toy - I plainly stated. - I checked last time. It only had some illusion magic in it and that’s it. And to boot it’s been reforged lately so it’s doubly useless now.
-Are you kidding me? And what about armor…?
-This time completely nothing.
-Shit… I remember him boasting that it’s worth its price in gold… You are going to tell me that’s just a piece of shit?
-Well, golden shit. Literally. He didn’t lie to you. That thing is made out of pure gold. It looks fancy, but I am afraid in terms of protection it does not have much to offer…
-For fucks… How does his brother even work with him?
-I guess he doesn’t any more - I shrugged. - Don’t you find that strange?
-Yeah, very. I do think that his behavior lately has been a bit… Let's say he has not been open-minded. I mean, he’s always been dense, but this is just asinine.
-I guess Axelrod’s fault.
-Okay, I know you don’t like the king but don’t you think that’s a little bit over the top? To blame everything wrong in this world on him?
-I can instead blame it on your people if you want.
-My people?! What do you even…
-You know very well that the blood magic and the overall pacts are the root of most, if not all, of my problems.
-That’s a bit unfair…
-Is it now…?
We didn’t have time to talk about that any more because we finally reached the room where Jacob was supposed to be.
Yet he was not there.