“When are you planning on accepting quests?”
Some things never change.
Eric still refuses to use her name or honorifics when speaking to her, but a part of Lexi appreciates it.
The second son of the Dawn Duke - so nicknamed because their family has protected the east for centuries - is observing her carefully while appearing to be focused on his dinner, and Lexi wonders again at why this man seems to always ask her questions as though trying to understand her thought process.
“Since accepting a quest doesn’t mean departing right away, I was thinking about going to the Guild tomorrow and visiting the stores after.”
It’s that familiar little tilt of lips again, and Lexi just smiles down at her plate.
----------------------------------------
“So, you’re the Hargreaves.”
Oh shit.
The Guild is packed with players loitering about, and Lexi doesn’t need any special skills to know that there are more than enough people wanting to kill her and upgrade their rank.
That being said, the man in front of her looks like he’s just stepped out of a painting - chiseled jaw, deep blue eyes, perfectly coiffed blond hair and all.
He looks like an avenging angel.
“Saint Angelus, it’s been awhile.” Eric’s tone is pleasant but cool, body deceptively languid.
So this legendary rank player is someone even the Commander of the Hawk Legion is wary of.
Navy blue eyes leave Lexi as the blond turns to the redhead, before a business-like smile takes over a sculpted face.
“Commander Tridentia, great to see you again.” They shake hands briefly, and Lexi’s a little disappointed there’s no machismo squeezing going on. “How kind of the crown prince to assign the empire’s greatest knights as bodyguards for a new player.”
You DICK.
It’s a snide remark - intended to create rifts between Lexi and her escorts, between her escorts and the crown prince, as well as between Lexi and every other player - and her mind races as she tries to think of a response with her limited knowledge of this world.
“Indeed, Saint Angelus.” Eric seems perfectly at ease, and Lexi realizes he’d been expecting such a comment. “As you know, his highness is an exceptionally thoughtful person who cares deeply for all his people.”
Why would you say it like that?!
While it could be construed as the heir to the throne being a man who cared for everyone in the empire, Lexi isn’t foolish enough to miss the true meaning behind those words. Where before she could have played off arriving at the Guild with the prince as a coincidence, could claim that Eric had been the one to invite her to his home, now everyone will know she’s officially been taken into the crown prince’s faction - and though it’s great because of the protection it affords her, it also puts Lexi firmly in the crosshairs of the prince’s enemies.
I have enough people trying to kill me just because I’m a time attribute player, you idiot!
“I see.” The angelic looking man’s smile is razor sharp. “What a fortunate person you are, Hargreaves.” Those eyes are cold seas when they look at her.
“Thanks.” Her refusal to address him respectfully clearly rankles, but he can’t pick a fight with her over it and seem petty - especially when she’s only just been Initiated.
“Well then, I must be off.” Saving face, are we? “Kass must be waiting for me.”
Who’s ‘Kass’?
No, wait! I need this guy’s full name so I can see his level!
Turning towards Ray, she hopes her eyes and face communicate what she wants to say but can’t give voice to.
He understands, somehow, and she almost wants to kiss him for that.
“Vice-Commander Rayleigh Fortisutum of His Majesty’s Imperial Knight’s Hawk Legion greets Saint Angelus Gwynfor.”
God bless you, Ray!
With that, a faint number appears over the Saint’s head.
Only Level 34? So why is Eric treating him this way?
Lexi recalls Ray saying that those who moved up from rare to legendary were given a penalty by having their level reset to 10. And since legendary classes are locked until level 50, the fact that everyone knows this man is a Saint means he’d most likely been one of those who’d received a promotion. While he could be someone who’d figured it out, like her, his cold eyes and her gut instinct tell her that’s not the case.
How many saints did he kill to get here?
It’s chilling to realize, and not for the first time she’s extremely grateful for the knights by her side.
When did he get promoted? Is he just slow to level up, or did he only reach legendary recently?
“There’s no need to be so formal, Vice-Commander.” That tone is almost condescending, and Lexi’s indignation rises on Ray’s behalf. Pompous, patronizing, petty, pretty prick.”It’s been a while but not so long that I’d forget the shield of the empire.”
Ooh, nice moniker you got there, gentle giant!
Ray just bows slightly, face the usual inscrutable mask, and Lexi really wishes the Adonis would leave them alone right now.
“Good day to you all.”
Take a long walk off a short pier, asshole.
Once the doors close behind the Saint, a pressure in the air she hadn’t realized was there is lifted.
“This way, my lady.”
Ray leads her to the quest boards, and although the whispers buzz loudly, her mind is racing over the encounter.
’The Hargreaves’. That’s what he called me as soon as he saw me. He must have figured out who I am because word spread about me being under the care of the Tridentias.
She’s the only one in the world with that last name, according to Ray. The last Hargreaves had died three years ago - falling down the stairs, of all things - after managing to survive two decades in Terra.
600 players in the world, and only one with that last name. Why are Hargreaveses targeted? Why did the crown prince send his best men to get me?
None of the books she’s read so far have answered that question, though Lexi knows she’s barely scratched the surface of the duke’s library.
The weight of stares on her back is heavy, but she’s used to this kind of thing, so she just stops before the quest boards and peruses casually.
What the hell am I supposed to take up without any offensive capabilities?
And more importantly, if everyone’s watching me, they’ll know what I’m choosing. Which means they can ambush me easily.
“My lady.” Ray indicates a quest to her right with his eyes, and she wanders over.
Eradicate a nest of griffins?! Is this guy nuts???
Both Eric and Ray look a little excited, and belatedly Lexi realizes that there’s a reason these two have managed to pierce through the clouds and approach the pinnacle of mastery in this world while only in their thirties.
Oh well, why not.
It’s not like she’ll be doing any of the heavy lifting anyway.
“Your paperwork is in order, my lady.” The woman behind the counter has eyes that look like cheap glass beads. My 100 gold coins... “Please report back to the guild when you’ve completed your quest.”
Other players in the Guild are talking again, wondering what kind of abilities she has considering the difficulty of the quest, and inevitably the question arises.
“So she’s probably rare or legendary, then?”
While the Guild formally logs the existence of each player during the Initiation, players’ classes and deaths aren’t reflected, meaning existing players are unaware of which slots are available for promotion to.
Which also means that lower ranking players tend to take any chance they can get for advancement.
Pretending to be fine is something she’s relatively good at, so Lexi just saunters out of the Guild and boards the carriage waiting outside.
Eric and Ray are quiet even as she browses equipment in what’s supposed to be the best armory in the country, which initially surprises her but then she figures they have access to even better weapons and armor given their statuses.
After all, the duke possesses powerful player suppression tools that come with obscene price tags. Lexi had spit out her coffee when Ray had told her how much the device in the manor costs - since it allows the Tridentias to target specific player classes, and Eric had had to disable the suppression on sages for her at the prince’s request.
There’s old money, and then there’s Old Money.
It’s clear as day that even a single piece that the two of them are wearing or carrying right now is worth a lot more than entire sections of the store.
What a waste of time.
Two hours of looking around, and Lexi hadn’t found a single thing worth purchasing.
She’s not familiar with weapons and armor, but each time she’d looked at something she’d trusted her gut instinct, since it’d never led her astray.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Sighing, she holds Ray’s hand as she alights the carriage at the duke’s manor.
I really feel sorry for these guys.
They’re the best of the best, have trained all their lives to earn their lofty positions, and they’ve been reduced to being bodyguards for a weak little player who can’t defend herself even if her life depends on it.
Deciding to make it up to them somehow, Lexi’s surprised when the butler informs her that a messenger from the crown prince is waiting in the drawing room.
What the hell does that guy want now?
Eric and Ray seem to recognize the messenger - a testament to the time they’ve spent around the crown prince - and soon the light brown haired male has departed, while Lexi stares at the ornate dagger in the bejeweled little chest.
I don’t know what this is, but it feels powerful.
There hadn’t been a note, which hinted at the crown prince fearing interception, so she doesn’t have a choice but to ask Eric and Ray about the weapon.
“It’s Akara.” The redhead almost seems envious, which means this truly is an excellent item.
Am I supposed to know who ‘Akara’ is?
“My lady.” Even Ray can’t stop looking at the blade. “Akara is a weapon that will always return to her owner, so long as she has fed on enough of said owner’s blood.”
You guys expect me to do what?!
“Akara is renown for being able to cut through anything.” Eric’s voice seems almost worshipful, and Lexi wonders if the crown prince is going this far because she’s a Hargreaves or because her coloring reminds him of his late wife.
How did that guy even keep this dagger a secret all this while?
If the prince faced danger even in his own home, wouldn’t it be better for him to use such a magnificent weapon himself?
“Akara will not allow herself to be wielded by a man.” Since it’s Ray telling her this, she trusts the information. “She protects only women.”
So why didn’t she protect the late princess?
“Jord only managed to acquire Akara by chance last year.”
I see.
Looking back down at the beautifully crafted weapon, Lexi’s eyes widen when she sees the three digits hovering above it.
HOLY SHIT.
----------------------------------------
You complete psychos!
Eric has decided that it’s best Akara tastes as much of her blood as possible before leaving for the quest, so two healers from the Hawk Legion are standing at the ready while Ray holds her down.
Let me go! You crazy assholes!
The red haired commander’s face is harder than usual as he grips her left hand - the one holding Akara, since no man can wield the blade - and forces it up, his other hand firmly holding her bare right arm out.
No, no, NO!
It hurts like hell, though her screams are muffled through the gag, saliva and tears soaking the expensive silk soon enough as Eric makes her slice herself over and over and over.
Just as she’s about to pass out, the pain becomes a constant stinging throb devoid of the sharp spikes that had accompanied each cut. Peering through watery eyes, Lexi sees that the commander is deliberately coating Akara with the blood on her mangled forearm, before peeling Lexi’s fingers away to let the dagger drop into the crystal bowl strategically positioned to collect dripping red liquid.
Then healing and rejuvenating spells hit her - tingling, soothing, calming - and Lexi can breathe again as the world stops spinning.
I hate you both.
Even if she knows why they’re acting this way, even if she understands she’s at constant risk of losing her life because of who she is, this is too much.
Forcefully cutting up her arm - even if some of the best healers around are on standby - is a crime and a violation of her rights.
What rights? You’re in this crazy ass world with people out to get you. These guys have at least kept you safe all this time.
...is this Stockholm Syndrome or something similar? They hacked up my arm against my will, and I’m trying to be understanding.
I know I don't stand a chance without these guys, but this isn't this like victims defending their abuser?
What the hell's wrong with me? I should be plotting to destroy them and their loved ones right now, but just because they've protected me all this while I'm...
Akara’s glow distracts her from the internal debate.
It worked! I think?
“My lady, give it a try.”
Ray is guiding her gently to a corner of the drawing room, leaving the blade sitting in the now empty bowl in the center.
“Call for her.”
Eric is watching carefully, and Lexi really hopes that the sadistic ceremony doesn’t need to be repeated.
’Call for her?’ Well...okay. Akara, come here.
The beautiful dagger flies to her outstretched hand and fits itself in her grip perfectly.
That’s so cool!
The memory of pain from the imprinting is fading as Lexi stares in fascination at the priceless weapon she’d been gifted.
Even though this time she’d had her arm butchered, the outcome is at least what the knights had been aiming for, and what Lexi knows is good for her.
I won’t agree that the ends justify the means in this case since I was the one getting hurt. But if push comes to shove, I’d do the same thing to myself if it means surviving.
Though, if Lexi is honest with herself, she wonders if she would’ve been able to follow through with Akara’s baptism if left to her own devices, since she dislikes physical pain except when getting more tattoos and piercings.
Don't think about this anymore for now. It’s done, you know why the knights did what they did, and you can agree with their reasoning but not their methods. More importantly: it’s done. You can either let it go and continue relying on them to take care of you - to make the hard decisions to protect you - or you can stay hung up about it and lose sight of the bigger picture.
She won’t forget what happened, but Lexi knows she doesn’t have much choice for now. This world is too dangerous for someone like her to make it on her own as she is.
I’ll find a way to get back at them later.
“That’s Akara for you.” The healers are whispering among themselves, envy and awe evident in their voices, and Lexi is both glad for the distraction, and uncomfortable because she now has one more reason to be targeted.
Fight fire with fire, I guess?
She needs a weapon, and this one is legendary, which suits someone as weak as her.
It definitely helps that Akara is now bound to her.
----------------------------------------
The duke gifts her light leather armor, a pouch to hold some coins and items, and a pretty violet horse unimaginatively named ‘Violet’, then the trio are on their way two days later.
Lexi is sore as hell, because Eric had decided she needed to learn to wield a dagger without stabbing herself or them by accident.
Don’t ever quit your day job, dude.
This man would never be a personal trainer, not with the way he’d pushed her to the limit again and again until she’d thrown up and collapsed several times.
The prince had visited the manor last night to bid her good luck, and the way those brilliant golden eyes sometimes look pained when they’d glanced at her caused something to ache in her chest.
He’d also brought her a little magic amulet - having heard from Ray that she tended to get cold easily - and she’s thrilled at the fact that it keeps her comfortably warm since Eric had decided against having Lexi bundled up in thick clothing despite the season.
> ”You’re clumsy and unskilled enough as it is. If you wear more layers you’d just be rolling around like a bumbling ball.”
You’re not wrong, but do you really have to put it like that?
No one pays them much mind since they’re dressed nondescriptly with their hoods over their heads, Eric’s and Ray’s magic weapons wrapped in cloth, and now and then Lexi spots trails of glitter that tell her items and people of importance are somewhere in the capital.
I’ll get to you later.
She’s almost at level 6 after all the reading and explanations, so Lexi’s hoping the current book she’s brought along will help bump her over before they reach the griffin nest.
Just 120 EXP more...
The capital is as busy as ever, and it takes them much longer to reach the gate than it had to reach the Guild when she’d arrived, but she doesn’t mind. The city - or at least the parts of the city she can see on the route they’re taking - is clean and well-maintained, without a single sign of poverty or crime anywhere.
There’s sure to be slums here, or an area where the poorer folk live. But I’m not surprised those places are hidden away from the majority.
It would affect the empire’s prestige if the capital is seen as anything but flawless, after all.
An hour out of the city, and Eric pulls his horse - a large black beast named Azure for its eyes - lightly towards the left as they take the fork to the south.
When the road becomes empty enough, Lexi asks Ray about the other legendary-ranked players.
The plot thickens.
Saint Angelus Gwynfor has been in a relationship with Oracle Kass Lorelai after the death of Sage Icarian Forsberg, the man who’d written that book she’d first read in the duke’s library.
The good oracle moved on quite quickly from his long-term partner’s passing.
Oracle Kass had entered the world at 18 years old as a cleric, a normal rank class, and it had taken him 100 years before he’d achieved legendary rank last year.
100 years to get from normal to legendary? No wonder everyone’s mad at me.
Saint Angelus, meanwhile, had come to Terra at 30 years old as a rare-ranked sword master, becoming a saint two years ago after 26 years of training, quests, and dungeon clearing.
Then there’s Sage Elise Eldridge, the only person other than Lexi to spawn as a sage. What piques Lexi’s interest most about her is the news that she’s already been living in Terra for 380 years after coming here as a 20 year old - the fact that Sage Elise is the most seasoned player in this world speaks to the woman’s survival instincts and strong abilities.
She must have had people after her life from the start. But she’s made it this far - that’s crazy impressive.
Lexi is excited to meet such an incredible person, almost bouncing in her saddle when Ray tells her that Sage Elise rarely leaves her villa in the capital.
“Eric, can you introduce me to her when we’re back?”
Not only is he a world famous knight and the commander of an elite force, he’s the second son of a duke, which means his status allows him to approach legendary-rank players easily.
“Are you sure you want me to?”
Oh, right.
Crown Prince Jordan had made it very clear in that pavilion, with a unique magical device activated to hide all conversations from prying ears, that he and the members of the Hawk Legion present were fully aware that Lexi is a Sage, given that Foresight and Hindsight are Sage-specific skills. (His highness had also kindly explained common alchemist and sage skills to her, so Lexi can hazard some guesses as to what her remaining unavailable active and passive skills are).
More importantly, the men had sworn on their lives never to reveal her secret until she or someone else does.
And since Sage Elise managed to survive this long, it’s highly likely that she possesses skills or experience that would allow her to ascertain Lexi’s class immediately.
“...I’ll think about it.”
A grunt is all she gets in response, and Lexi rolls her eyes as Ray continues his lecture.
The second longest surviving player, Dhampir Lily Ichtaca, is even more impressive if that’s possible. Having entered the world as a normal-ranked thief at 28 years old, she rose up the ranks quickly to reach her legendary rank after only 30 years - the shortest time to the top in history and an unbeaten record. And at 209 years spent in Terra and counting, she’s clearly not someone to be trifled with.
So many strong women, this is amazing! And they won’t be coming after me coz they’re already comfortably at the top, so it’d be good to get along.
After hearing about Dhampir Lily, Lexi isn’t very impressed with Shade Raphael Shahrivar, who’d spawned as a warrior at 35 years old before becoming a dark knight, necromancer, and then shade within 72 years, achieving his legendary rank eight years ago.
Man took more than twice as long as Dhampir Lily to get from normal to legendary...though he’s still a lot faster than that oracle fellow. To be fair, ranking up depends on the system, which decides at random.
When Ray mentions Summoner Selena Rossingol, there’s a muffled cough from the front.
Huh?
OH.
Tanned skin, lowered eyes, and hood do nothing to hide the slight flush on the vice-commander’s cheeks.
Oh ho? Someone’s got a crush.
It’s adorable, and she wants to tease him but she also wants to know more about the summoner who’s captured the heart of an immovable mountain.
It seems Summoner Selena entered Terra at the age of 22 as a druid - a rare class - 15 years ago, and reached legendary rank three years ago.
Why are the women so much faster at advancing than men?
Saint Angelus had taken 26 years to reach legendary, more than twice the time Summoner Selena had needed.
Random system selection aside, Lexi wonders if the reason female players are able to move up the ranks faster is...
Stop it, you dumbass. Don’t be a hypocrite when you had to face the same rumors all your professional life just because you shot up the ranks quickly at work. Meet them first, witness their abilities and character firsthand in different scenarios, THEN form an opinion.
After all, if Ray likes this lady, she must be a good person.
“When can I meet her?” She wonders why the flush disappears at that, and why those deep green eyes look pained.
“Summoner Selena lives with Grand Duke Lucas Solusol as his lover.”
Oh man...I’m so sorry, Ray.
There’s nothing she can say, so she just reaches out to rest a hand briefly on a bicep the size of a barrel.
The small smile she gets in return breaks her heart.
----------------------------------------
Eric isn’t one to gossip, but when Ray is busy cooking their dinner he murmurs softly from next to Lexi while pretending to help her with Violet’s saddle.
“Summoner Selena pursued Jord for the longest time, but he was never interested so she became his uncle’s lover.”
WHAT?
Staring at those troubled brown eyes, Lexi revises her assessment of this other legendary player.
She clearly just wants power and money. Look at the guys she’s gone for, at the sweetheart she’s ignoring.
“Ray’s been rejected by her more times than I can count.”
Forget about this woman, Ray, you’re better than that.
Then and there Lexi resolves never to speak to Summoner Selena if she can help it.
“You might want to be careful.”
Huh?
Eric walks away after those words, and Lexi is left staring at a strong leather-clad back before realization hits her.
> ”Summoner Selena pursued Jord for the longest time, but he was never interested...”
Word would have gotten out already, about Lexi receiving the crown prince’s favor and protection.
How many enemies am I making just by breathing, dammit.
It seems she’s destined never to get along with Summoner Selena.
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CHAPTER 9 END