Entering the Library, I felt something coming from my soul space. It was a weight that hadn't been there before, accompanied by a distant hum. Looking at Mel, sitting across from me at the desk in my room, she grinned but didn't say anything, just gesturing with her head in the direction of the door.

Getting up, I walked out to the main chamber and walked over to the archway I had used the first time I entered this place. Opening it, the hum intensified as I floated out to the emptiness around my Core.

I immediately noticed the cause. My right and left Brachium Pathways shown twice as bright as they traveled down my arms from my Core. I examined it closer, and looking through the glow I could just make out the Mana inside, it was more viscous than that of the Mana throughout the rest of my body.

Studying it, I found that it started to congeal as it left my Core, getting denser as it grew closer to the Relay. On the return trip, it lost most of its density by the time it made it back to my Core.

"It's more qualitative than I anticipated, but this was in line with expectations from the Gauntlet's effects. It should increase the effectiveness of your mana techniques: the Gauntlet, the Unguis, and the Panoply. Though mainly in your arms for the last one."

"Something I will get to test soon, one way or another," I said as I made my way back to my room, eager to change into something made out of silk and sink into my luxurious bed.

"The carriage has stopped and there are voices outside other than the driver's," Mel said, waking me up from my comfortable rest.

"How long?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.

"Ten minutes outside time."

"That can't be right. We are too close to town." Checking my map I added, "and there is nothing but fields for a few more miles until the edge of the forest. This doesn't make any sense."

"Well, you could go ask them. According to one of the local agricultural almanacs I had you grab, the farmland in this region consists mostly of a vegetable called Eronou. A corn-like stalk that is resistant to the salt in the soil from the sea. Should be easy to escape into these fields and disappear, barring magical tracking."

"A direct confrontation is still not ideal, but I guess you're right."

Exiting meditation, I took a deep breath and opened the door. Stepping out, I took in my surroundings quickly. We were off to the side of a packed dirt road that was about twenty feet across. On one side was a field of the stalks Mel had described, they were a bright crimson cone-shaped bulb on a vividly green stalk. Almost like a rose that had been compressed and shaped to a point. They hung over lazily, clearly heavier than the stalk could support.

On the other side of the road was a row of five residential dormitories, all three stories tall, most likely for the farmhands and their families.

With my enhanced perception, what would normally be blurred specs in the distance, I could now make out the top of the massive wall that surrounded Requara City behind us and the sea of green that was the expansive canopy of the Therinil Forest just a few miles ahead.

With the time dilation of the Library it had been seconds since we had stopped in real time. I had exited silently, not wanting to draw attention, thankful the door leading out was closest to the field of stalks. Slipping around the rear of the vehicle I listened to what the voices were whispering about.

"Are you sure they had no other escorts?" A male voice asked in a hushed whisper.

"Of course I'm not, I picked them up directly from the gatehouse, but they could already have had people here before they arrived." My driver answered in a sharp tone while still keeping his voice low. "Now get on with it, so I can depart before my head gets put to the ax."

"Aye, have your gold, and be on your way as soon as these two are extracted."

"It looks like one of them is already out boss." A woman yelled. I was startled as I heard the voice come from behind me and to my right from somewhere in the field of Eronou.

Quickly abandoning my attempt at stealth, I backed toward the middle of the road to create some distance. Leaving my place behind the carriage I saw two men, one short and broad, the other at least my height but thinner. Both were on horseback, wearing mismatched armor, leather mostly, reinforced with some steel, and each had the same crest embroidered on their outer cloaks. It was the shape of a scythe crossed with a hoe. Farmers Protection Guild most likely. Hired security to protect the crops of the kingdom from bandits and creatures.

[Dwarf- Level 102 (Journeyman)]

[Elf- Level 95 (Novice)]

Two more men on foot came around the opposite side of the carriage, where I had exited and opened up the door.

[Human- Level 58 (Novice)]

[Elf- Level 48 (Beginner)]

The heavy set of the pair looked in, pulled out a sword, and swung it inside before pulling his body back out.

"Where's the Lord?" The skinnier newcomer asked the driver, still out of my line of sight.

I heard him reply. "They were both in there, I watched him enter myself, if the boy got out, there's a good chance he ran for it already."

The dwarf whistled loudly as some of the Eronou stalks began to shift in a wave toward the city.

"Probably multiple in the field. Most likely a signal to cut off an attempted retreat." Mel said.

I just mentally nodded, keeping my senses focused on my surroundings. At least five, possibly more. With a Journeyman in the mix, it would be better to retreat into the field, limiting their ability to corner me.

I took another step back, putting more distance between us. The Elf on horseback jumped off his horse and held his hands up in a placating gesture.

"Day, boy. We are not bandits and we are not assassins. We are part of the Farmers Protection Guild assigned to this village, to protect its citizens. We only wish for a chance to talk, by force if necessary, but you will be released unharmed once you have heard us out. Do not worry about your Uncle, he will not be harmed, just retrieved so we can continue with our chat and then you can be on your way." The man had a soft smile, and deep crow's feet, which made for an oddly comforting atmosphere that he gave off.

"Just to talk?" I asked, not letting my guard down.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

"Simply to bring some attention to some issues we need addressing. Our government has not sent a liaison from the main branch in eighteen months, we have tried to take the outlined steps and proper protocol but we need assistance and with these attacks all over the world, our problems are just going to go ignored for even longer. When we heard the estate to the east was to be occupied by a new honorary Duke, we knew we would have to get his attention. He has the power to request a meeting with the ruling Nobility that oversees these lands. He can ask for changes that would be seen through, and not debated to death at the council meeting until it just gets thrown in the inconclusive pile."

My mind was stuck on something he had said. "Attacks?"

"The massacres? Were you not aware? I was informed you arrived on one of the refugee ships, from the attack From what I heard that was the only one where the bodies were in any shape to be recovered and they found these giant red Lizard creatures that no one can identify, dead alongside the citizens. Those occurred all over the world, twelve attacks, all bloodbaths, one moment everything was normal, and the next not a single person remained alive in any of the cities that were attacked. The news is still coming in, but they were all carried out at the same time."

From deep in my Vaults I felt that orb of hatred and rage flare up, shaking the walls within.

More?

I seethed internally. All those eons, I had come to the conclusion that the creatures were just an unfortunate horde of semi-intelligent beasts that had managed to get into the outer layer of my home city. With the time array being some sort of defense put into place that was meant to protect them. If this had been a coordinated attack on multiple continents, then that could mean the array was placed by whoever was behind the attack and was tampered with in an attempt to defend the city.

"It's likely that is why the information behind it was part of your contract with Osiph. He likely knows more about it and has just been waiting until you got to the estate to tell you along with all the other stuff he said he was waiting to divulge you until you got there." Mel reassured me.

Controlling my emotions I saw the logic in it. He had been waiting for a more secure location before filling me in. I thought about the first time I met the old man and remembered him recognizing the lizards. Calling them the Engrogeos Empire. Then he offered me information leading to the cause, but he had said that helping me after I had Ascended would improve my chances of putting the information to use. It hadn't meant anything to me then but now knowing he was an Ascendant and that the attack had been planetary not just localized, the pieces were starting to click together.

Whoever orchestrated the attack is Ascended and part of the larger multiverse.

Returning my attention back to the Elf, as I had stood there for a moment in silence while I came to this revelation. "So what are these issues?"

"There are four separate Novice dungeons, all connected to a main Journeyman mother dungeon that feeds into the others, as you enter the forest. They are all seeping Death Affinity Mana into the soil in the surrounding area, it's so deeply ingrained in the land at this point it's spawning creatures outside the dungeon proper. All Beginner tier, as creatures of a higher tier can't exist outside of dungeons." The dwarf said, taking over. "We have sent requests in droves to the main Farmers Guild, the Adventurers Guild, and the Dukedom hoping for anything other than spit in the face."

"With the desolation of dozens of fields, the farmers can't afford to hire any of the guilds to regularly clear the dungeons." The Elf added. "They have only sent three battalions of adventurers to clear it since the mother dungeon upgraded tiers five years ago, and one of them before the others upgraded as well."

The younger Elf man who stood to my right scoffed before chiming in. "You know what they said when we thanked them for their help? They didn't know what we were talking about. The Guilds were using it as training for their lower ranks. That's why they won't help keep it clear, because it's free training and resources for them, and fuck those who have to endure the consequences."

"This is why we need the help of your Uncle, we need him to see that this is hurting the people of this kingdom and is not worth the greed of those who sit comfortably far away. This affects his lands, so it is his responsibility to force them to stop."

"Ok… that makes sense. I don't know about your method though. It has a lot of chances to backfire. We could easily just say whatever you wanted to hear then just not do anything about it once we were free, or worse.

"We understand the risks but extreme measures have to be taken, and if holding you hostage until the dungeon is cleared and there is public notice on the issue so it cannot be hidden and profited from any longer, is one of those measures, then so be it, " The human said.

"Hurley!" The Elf chastised the man. "You are not a hostage. Forgive him, he does not speak for all of us. We simply wish for our issues to be heard and you will be on your way as soon as we are done, completely unharmed. Unfortunately, the driver will depart to avoid any retribution. Understandably, he doesn't want to ride with you sitting at his back.."

"There is a problem though," I said. "My Uncle is not here, I'm pretty sure he never was. He disappeared as soon as we left the city, so I'm assuming some type of illusion magic or teleportation if it really was him. And I'm not entirely sure what I would be able to do to help myself, as I'm not very familiar with the local government structure. I only arrived today, but I don't think I have any actual power other than the status the nobility title brings. I don't think I could sway anyone by sufficient means, and I'm not sure he would bother no offense. He's got other things on his list of priorities, other than a farm village on the outskirts of a provincial city's politics."

"I think they were offended anyway," Mel said, at the same time I noticed the two lower-level ambushers grab the hills of their sheathed swords.

Putting my hands up I quickly added. "Truly no offense intended. I merely meant someone of his status is tending to issues much larger, that affect more people than those who are in the unfortunate situation you find yourselves in. His attention is needed elsewhere at the moment but if all you require is to be heard. I will oblige and listen to the details, and do what I can.

"No offense, but I don't think we'll take your word for it." The dwarf said with a scowl, obviously, he had not been dissuaded by my explanation. He turned to the Elf beside him. "We'll wait for Kira to get back. Until then why don't we go inside and get out of here before I die of old age standing here?"

"Agreed, you already said you'd listen so if you wouldn't mind handing over your gear and weapons, they will be returned when you depart." He replied, turning to me.

"Sorry. Not gonna happen." I said firmly. The younger Elf and the human both pulled weapons out, the dwarf scowl deepened, and the old Elf lost his smile. "I'm not giving anything up and I don't need to go anywhere. I said I'd hear you out, so if it is as important to you as you say it is. You can tell me here, and then I can add it to my list of stuff to check on, otherwise, I'm not going to stick my neck into it. It isn't any of my business. Sure it's sad and it sucks for you but I'm not some hero going around fixing everybody's issues and neither should I have to. You don't know me or what my stance is. I'm not an actual noble, and you're lucky because if it had been someone brought up in a noble house, they would have probably already had some kind of device to call for backup in an emergency and the whole village would be burned down with the people inside of it as an afterthought."

All of the men were holding their weapon's hilts now but they were glancing around us nervously.

"I'm not and I didn't but you're obviously not very good at this so I will save us all the trouble. Tell me your woes so that I may help find a solution. If not then fuck off or fight me." I said, hoping they would be more amenable to just getting this over with so I could leave.

"We both know you could have said that better. If you want to fight something, why don't you get some information on the Novice dungeons and try to clear them out yourself." Mel asked.

I know, but this is really annoying. I replied mentally. And that's not a bad idea. I can at least start on some of the easier floors until I hit Novice. I should probably head back to the estate first but I think we could manage peak Novice before I head to the Academy.

A female voice that must have been their scout, Kira, rang out. "No tracks, no trace, and Saphara didn't see any heat signatures from here to the city."

I spotted a young woman in her early twenties with bright red hair and soft freckles against her pale skin saunter out of the field. She wore a similar mismatched outfit to the men, with the same crest. She held a bo staff over her shoulder, carved with intricate runes resting in the mouths of four carved faces of two men, a woman similar in features to its bearer, and a Wolfkin at the base.

[Human- Level 56 (Novice)]

"It seems you were either telling the truth or we will have company very shortly. You will listen and then you are free to go. Just keep in mind that the people affected by this are mostly the Coreless. They have no means to accomplish anything and are at the mercy of those who do not see them as deserving of consideration." The older Elf said to me, as he began to explain a tale of the plight that affected the local inhabitants of this township.

"Lead the way," I said, an idea forming in my head.