In one blast, the [Earth Wall] had fallen, along with Thel and his party. Seklrex remained unfazed, using the concealment provided by the dust to maneuver himself to stab Johoon with his spear. Yet, his enchanted spear tip merely stabbed the air. Sensing the chill on his scales, he dodged the dagger that attempted to pierce his side.
Johoon’s dogged shadow disappeared in the dust with a silver flash. The Dragonkin [Spearmaster] decided not to wait for the next attack.
“[Riptide Spear: Ocean’s Ripple].”
Seklrex used one of his Spear Art to slam the butt of his spear to the floor, with an impact like a great ripple that disrupts the waves of the ocean. The dust cleared, and he saw himself surrounded by the Diamond Shore’s [Marines], who pointed their cutlasses, wands, and pistols at him. Behind him was Johoon, with his Smoke Elemental now materializing from his pipe, and in front of him was no other than an aquatic figure covered in an armor of metal and waterproof cloth, with bandoliers of pouches and alchemical bombs.
“Surrender.” The translation rune on his necklace spoke, and at the same time, the Seafolk’s mouth gurgled within the water-filled helmet.
“I know you.” Seklrex pointed his spear towards the Seafolk. “You are the one who destroyed one of my kingdom’s colonies. The Scourge of the Dragons’ Crossing.”
“Leigh, please,” Leigh corrected.
“Surrender,” Johoon repeated. “You are an adventurer. You will not die for a foreign [Lord]. What did that [Count] offer you?”
“Twice the price for Vanderan goods and a chest of gold coins for me,” Seklrex answered. “Can you auction me off? I’m also bound with a Contract Feat. I’m supposed to hold you off.”
“For what?”
“He didn’t tell me.”
The standoff continued as Johoon tried to think of a better deal that wouldn’t tank their finances.
“In exchange for sparing your life, how about I offer my ships to escort your delegation in Iquelica back to Vanderas? The colors of our flag are enough to deter would-be [Pirates].” Johoon suggested.
“That is still less than what I have been offered.”
“Think of this instead,” Johoon continued. “The Count of Ovespuerte will be dead, and this city will be Diamond Shore’s. Would you rather fight us outnumbered? Even a [Spearmaster] would not survive this futile battle. We can be a valuable ally for Vanderas’ designs in the Golden Triangle, with this city as a staging point. I’m sure that will be preferable to your [Lord] or whoever hired you.”
Seklrex determined that it was not worth dying here.
“I surrender.” Seklrex dropped his enchanted spear. As soon as he uttered the words, his orifices bled out.
“T-the contract!” Seklrex gurgled. “I… should’ve read–”
“Contract curse,” Johoon uttered. “Someone bring me a Scroll of Dispel!”
Yet it was too late. The curse had killed the Dragonkin [Spearmaster]. His body fell into the puddle of blood on the floor from his orifices.
“Captain! Our ships at Est Provés are being attacked by [Assassins] and [Monks] with guns. All of them are now burning!”
Johoon’s [First Mate] had rushed to report the dire news.
“Doston! Bring all of your men to our ships! [Hydromancers], extinguish the fires! I will find that [Count] and behead him, that tricky bastard!” Johoon commanded his [First Mate].
“I’ll send five of our–”
“I will go alone. The ships are more important. I will take care of the rabble within this fortress.”
Doston did not dare to countermand his [Captain] ’s order. He led the [Marines] back to Est Provés, with his [Mages] providing [Speed] Spells for them to rush faster towards the dock.
As Johoon walked the castle halls, he was attacked by the [Knights] of the castle’s Household Guard. Despite their skill and might, they were like chaff before the scything blade of Johoon’s dagger. His silver leg propelled him past volleys of bolts and bullets, closing the distance. Their blades only brushed air as Johoon vanished in a silver flash and sliced past them despite their armor.
After each encounter, Johoon dodged halls that unleashed [Lightning Bolts] or rooms that unleashed all-consuming blasts of flame. Pits had opened under his feet, and walls attempted to halt his advance. Yet his silver leg hopped past holes and sped through the magical walls before they formed. The parasitic prosthetic also dispelled hexes laid for him, and he effortlessly eliminated monsters summoned by automated summoning circles.
He had already checked most of the secret rooms that were outlined in the map that Aryyad gave him. They were [Servants] hiding in many of these rooms, but he left them alone to not waste energy and time. The two areas left to be explored were the passage that leads to the [Count] ’s quarters and the dungeon. The privateer [Captain] went through with the most obvious option and headed through the passage that leads to Torresso’s quarters.
When the trap runes within the damp spiral staircase lit up, Johoon’s silver leg leaped from the steps to jump from wall to wall until he reached the exit, yet his eyes burned from the harsh light. A second later, he regained his senses, and a bullet broke the magical barrier projected by the ring that was already depleted from the impact of the [Spearmaster] ’s spear.
Torresso threw his pistol away, and another one appeared in his hands. Johoon dodged the bullet and slashed a bleeding hole in Torresso’s chest plate. Johoon dodged Torresso’s laggard slash and disarmed him by shattering his sword with his superior dagger. For this transgression, he will kill the [Count] slowly, without regard for the consequences. He swaggered towards Torresso, who was kneeling on the ground with labored breath from his wound.
Yet Torresso spoke two Feats.
“[Weapon Acquisition: Broadsword of Torpor]. [Upgrade Goods].”
Johoon found himself stabbed by an enchanted bronze-colored broadsword in the stomach. His body was suddenly heavier than usual, and his reflexes became sluggish. He instantly recognized that deadly enchantment that had been inflicted upon him.
“[Healing Service: 20 Gold]. [Repair Goods].”
The wound caused by Johoon’s dagger healed, and the diagonal hole of the chest plate healed. Torresso stood up and pointed his newly bought sword at Johoon. In total, Torresso’s Feats consumed seventy gold coins, a drop in a bucket in his House’s treasury. Johoon’s pipe still emitted smoke.
“I may not be as martially talented as my dear sons, but they wouldn’t think of what you can do with Feats.”
He raised his blade, poising for a stab at the [Captain] ’s head.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
“This is for both of my beloveds.”
Before his blade fell on Johoon’s eye, Torresso choked on the Smoke Elemental, who snuck through his nostrils and throat. He fell on his knees, writhing and clawing at his throat as he choked to death.
Johoon poured a vial of healing potion on his wound, which slowly healed.
“Fuck me, you have more balls than I expected.”
He raised himself and pulled a metal hip flask from his coat. He pulled out its cap and poured alcohol at the gaping mouth of Torresso’s corpse as a sign of respect.
As soon as Torresso’s heart beat its last, he activated one last Feat.
[Conditional Signal].
The [Mage] hiding in the lighthouse during the affair had received the signal that activates after his [Lord] ’s death. Attuned to the boulder-sized glowing crystal within the lighthouse’s lantern panes, he activated the crystal’s [Pillar of Light].
The light shone through the glass ceiling, piercing the darkness of Ovespuerte’s night. Every settlement within Commerro’s lands had seen the line of light. Racieros was practicing the stabs and swing of his cutlass when he saw Ovespuerte’s glow. The light did not escape the notice of the nobility of House Kaminor and House Gaviolos. One of the Beacons of Torregorn being lit meant only one thing: that Ovespuerte must be besieged or raided, or worse, a foreign power had invaded them.
The nobles of House Commero, House Kaminor, and House Gaviolos were unsure of the beacon’s signal. Their [Scouts] and the troops that man their watchtowers didn’t hear of news of an invasion nor any attack on the port of Ovespuerte. Many of the nobles are indisposed, for they are asleep.
Ironically, Dustitoz Gaviolos was the first to take action. He ordered the [Mage] of this manor to send a [Priority Message] to the current patriarch of his house.
-
Johoon and his [Marines] came down to the dungeon hidden within the castle to fulfill his deal with Aryyad. Their ships were narrowly saved by their [Hydromancers] putting out the fires, yet it would take a substantial amount of time to repair them. Numisley and Cultrost saw the [Captain] with a silver prosthetic leg.
“Are you Numisley and Cultrost Gildin?”
The brothers stood up from their bedrolls, seeing the stranger as their chance to escape.
“Yes, we are. And who are you, exactly?” Numisley spoke up.
“Let’s just say that I’m an associate of Aryyad.”
The brothers didn’t know much of Aryyad’s dealings aside from knowing that he was a [Merchant] with wealth and influence a magnitude beyond them. He was a friend to them since he assisted them in the Merchant’s Guild when they had started trading in Torregorn.
With a flick of Johoon’s dagger, the barred door collapsed into heavy pieces. They were free, at last, and they briskly walked out of their cell until Cultrost slowed down to look behind him, towards Verrespadion, his friend’s brother.
“What about him?” Cultrost blurted out. Johoon raised an eyebrow to that sudden question and deigned to answer it. Instead, he walked towards Verrespadion’s cell and gave him a final offer.
“Verrespadion. A Satyr of all people pities you. The people your kingdom calls the northern barbarians.” Johoon mocked Torresso’s son. “Your father wounded me as I murdered him. Can you believe that? A [Spearmaster] died fighting me, without a scratch, while your coward of a father stabbed me.”
How did he know his father? This was the question that now pervades Verrespadion’s mind. Is this why his father had confined him here in the first place? Locked him away from his father’s treachery and mistake?
“...I give you one final offer. Rule over Ovespuerte, with the interests of Diamond Shore in mind.” Johoon offered, calling his [Marines] to line up in front of his cell and pointing their wands and guns at him.
“No.” Verrespadion spat.
As Numisley dragged Cultrost out of the dungeon, they heard the report of the pistol volley and the immolating roar of [Fireballs]. Cultrost saw the smoldering smoke and ashes from Verrespadion’s cell. Both Numisley and Cultrost stopped when they heard the sound, and they realized what just happened.
“Be grateful that I left you alive at someone’s request. Speak of this to anyone, and I’ll be sure to visit.”
The Gildin brothers were rattled. Even Cultrost, who was often the outspoken one compared to Numisley, did not dare to utter a word to someone who committed murder in front of them, much less someone who could cut the bars of their cell with a flick of their dagger.
The [Marines] left them alone as Numisley and Cultrost rushed out of the broken gatehouse.
“What do I say to Racieros?” Cultrost uttered, panting with anxiety. “That we just stood there and watched his brother die?”
“Yes–no. I mean, just tell him the truth.” Numisley was too shocked to reply coherently. He tried to focus on the bright side. Torresso Commerro is most likely dead, which means one obstacle to claiming their father’s heritage is eliminated.
They stopped as they encountered Aryyad and his [Mercenaries]. Unusually, Aryyad brought many more [Mercenaries] than he usually brings as his bodyguard. Their weapons hummed with power, covered in dim shrouds of arcane light.
“I’m glad that you two are alright.” Aryyad expressed his relief.
“Who is that guy? The one you sent to rescue us?” Numisley asked.
“Johoon Silverleg. A [Privateer Captain] of the Diamond Shore. I did not send him. He was already on his way to attack the castle. That brutish [Privateer] is only an associate of mine.” Aryyad explained. He began explaining his proposal, carefully choosing the words that he spoke from his silver tongue.
“Speaking of associates, I want you two to be my close associates in my company. Partners to each other’s endeavors. While you were gone, I had already paid your employees with the coin we had earned. I’m sure they, too, will be happy with this arrangement.”
This was an intricate arrangement to think of right now for Numisley. He was fatigued, yet his mind suggested that what Aryyad offered was the most sensible option that he could take for the survival of Gildin Trading.
“I… I’ll give my answer tomorrow.” Numisley blurted out. There was a nagging feeling that he shouldn’t accept the deal too readily.
“I understand. In that case, you can stay at the inn I provided my employees with.” Aryyad offered.
“Thanks.” Cultrost nodded.
The two brothers were escorted by two of Aryyad’s [Mercenaries]. The Rhundian [Merchant] watched them leave. Silently, a hooded figure wearing dark blue appeared beside him. Aryyad’s [Mercenaries] pointed their weapons at the mysterious figure, but their employer signaled them to stand down.
“Thank you for hiring the Cabal. I do hope you compensate us for our losses.” The mysterious [Assassin] purred.
“How many of your [Assassins] had been killed?” Aryyad asked.
“Fifteen. Too much. Even one death among our Cabal is too much. Are you capable of giving me thirty candidates?” The [Assassin] growled.
The [Assassin] ’s furry claws popped out. Yet he stayed his hand and stopped himself from slashing Aryyad to ribbons.
“Rest assured,” Aryyad said. “I can still pay the [Slavers] back home. What of the Guildmaster of the Merchant’s Guild?”
“He was caught in the fighting.” The [Assassin] plainly stated a euphemism about what he ordered his [Assassins] to do.
“That is unfortunate. Now, I have no choice but to take charge of the entire Merchant’s Guild.” Aryyad can’t help but chuckle at his own joke. He turned towards the [Assassin], but he had long slunk back into the shadows after giving his report.
Aryyad proceeded to give orders to his [Mercenaries] to keep the peace amid the chaos that was to come.
-
When the rest of the reinforcements of the [Marines] came, the [Assassins] had fled, diving into the waters of the port, away from the burning ships. Fourteen had already died in the initial struggle against the [Sailors] who guarded Johoon’s ships moored at Est Provés. The mysterious [Warrior Monks] had zealously fought regardless. It was not for the Count that they were fighting for but for revenge for their monastery that the Diamond Shore had destroyed. Their arquebuses had long been spent, yet they had carved them to also function as clubs to infuse their ki with each strike.
Despite their martial prowess, they were outnumbered by Johoon’s reinforcements, led by his [First Mate]. With his two blades, a storm of slashes had decimated a dozen of them. Their [Hydromancers] had conjured thick tendrils from the coastal waters to drag them to the sea, but unbeknownst to them, they are Seafolk, which can breathe better underwater. They faked themselves being drowned to escape the battle.
Within the docks of Est Provés, a young [Assassin] rose from the corpses of her fellow [Assassins]. The fight was already over, and she was lucky that no one was around. She removed her bloodied robes, for her ordinary clothes were good enough to blend in as an impoverished dreg of the slums.
On what deity of luck did she gain favor? Ever since the magical collar had been broken by one of the [Marines] that she fought on the moored flagship, and ever since the Count of this city didn’t execute her for reading the offensive letter sent by their leader out loud, she considered herself blessed with luck. She was now free, not a [Slave] bound to a guild of [Assassins].
Yet, she was still in need of a safe house to rest in. Her limbs ached from the fatigue of battle. He saw a horned [Thief] and two of his men steal weapons from the corpses of the combatants near the docks. She stalked them as they quickly escaped from the torchlight of patrolling [Marines]. They snaked through the slums, and eventually, she found their safehouse after tailing them for several minutes.
Before she could think about sneaking in and stealing their food, Raudaeiz knocked her out with a cudgel.