In the silent hall, the only sound was the shuffling of the shape-shifting Slime. After Byron had shared his memories, the hall sunk back into silence, until Murphy broke the quiet.
"Is that all the memories you've managed to retrieve?"
"I'm sorry, Your Highness, my story seems a tad less thrilling than those corny stage plays."
"It's okay, Byron. It's cliché but undeniably memorable. So, you're certain your brother planned your demise?"
"Had it not been for my brother's guard who plunged the dagger into my back, I would have doubted it too."
"Ah, what a... distressing narrative. You must be feeling quite terrible now, with all those memories and this identity shift."
"To be quite honest, Sire, I'm not as forlorn as I anticipated. It's quite peculiar. Maybe because it all happened so long ago and everyone, whether they cherished or scorned me, are now resting in our family's tomb. Besides, I'm no longer human; I've been this creature longer than I was a man."
"Well, if you've come to terms with that, it's for the best. I've never questioned your allegiance, nor will I interfere with your self-identification. Regardless of who you were or are, you're quite valuable to me. Besides, you know my aversion to warfare, getting entangled in it, that is."
"Your graciousness is much appreciated, Majesty. My loyalty to our cause is ironclad." Byron bowed respectfully. Murphy studied the kneeling skeleton before him and opened the Skeleton Lord's panel, discovering some intriguing new details.
A fresh entry in the skeleton's talent section read:
[Whole Soul: A unique awakening talent for transformed demons. Upon recollecting all past memories, such demons can awaken, fully inheriting their past life's skills and more efficiently gaining experience.]
Chuckling at this discovery, Murphy found it amusing. "Quite the unique creature I've raised."
"Great. After hearing your story, I have a fresh proposal for you. Interested?"
"I am at your command."
"Heh, remember our trip to Viscount Baker's fief? How we swayed that old Baker to our side? I originally envisioned that land as the first step into the human world. But after hearing your story, maybe we should think bigger, like taking over a whole Count's territory," Murphy suggested with audacious confidence, adding with a smirk, "How about it, ever fancied yourself as an authentic Count?"
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"I find my current status quite fulfilling and have no further desires," replied Byron with his unfaltering reverence.
"Now, there's no conflict in holding both roles. You're not merely a skeleton; you are the transformed second son of the venerable Count Reed. If our plot succeeds, I'd have the distinct pleasure of commanding an actual skeleton Count, which certainly beats the current ninny. Plus, it could expedite our endeavors quite significantly."
"All shall be as you decree, Your Majesty." The skeleton remained poised.
"Excellent. Then let's consider it settled. I'll take care of the planning. You must simply follow suit. And even if a title of Count doesn't concern you, having a comfortable roost is always preferable to the alternative. I'm familiar with that notion myself." Murphy leaned back into his chair, musing as if contemplating a game where the Demon King and the hero play by different rules.
Take Byron's hidden side quest, for example. Were a player to be the hero, they'd obtain the scratched family crest of gold only after slaying Byron. Most players would treat the crest as a mere trinket to be discarded when something better comes along.
A minority might discern the crest's peculiarities and investigate further, but even fewer would unearth the truth, and by then, they'd be powerless to act. Even if Count Reed were the vilest of allies, on the hero's side he remains. It's usually easier to plot betrayal than to call it out or punish it. Hence, the hero's best possible outcome in following this storyline might just be to entomb Byron's ashes and crest amongst his kins' graves, securing a rather tepid 'Return to the Roots' achievement, while the noble's squabble dies down unresolved.
But Murphy, as the Demon King, had far more latitude once he grasped this secret tale. With the might to overturn the noble's chessboard, Murphy could not only aid Byron in revenge but also plant a spike within human nobility. The scheme just discussed could, if successful, utterly supplant a mid-tier human noble, a prospect both daunting and horrifying to human aristocrats, with untold repercussions.
Byron, from his high-seat, imagined himself surreptitiously causing upheaval among the dim-witted nobles—a most amusing diversion.
Having set the course of action, Murphy sought to discover more about Reed's territory. "Why don't you enlighten me with any juicy tidbits about your count's domain? I've got time on my hands, and I could use some diversion."
Byron began to articulate his recent observations, from the expenses of rural dwelling to the special crystals of the City of Gath, finally recalling the tavern commotion just before his departure.
Murphy was stirred from the brink of slumber by the skeleton's sonorous account, "Repeat that part about the tavern, please."
Upon Murphy's request, Byron narrated the tavern escapade in meticulous detail, prompting a visibly amused reaction from Murphy.
"How delightful. Such compelling drama this world provides." Pacing the palace, a grin spread across Murphy's face. After a moment, he beckoned Byron, "Come, let's make our way to the Silver Moon Highlands. The werewolf Sean might have something interesting to show us. It should be quite the sight to see."