Chapter 191

Seek Freedom! Seek Hunger! Seek Power!

Just after breakfast, Connie was sitting behind a desk in her bedroom. Legs crossed with a sweet wine in hand. And pieces of parchments in hand. In her other hand, was a quill. Yao-Er and Chen were playing on the sofa quietly.

If I want to make this town my base, I need a place away from the eyes of the public, where I can do my research and contact the Dark Elves. Yes, I also have to think about the name. Shadow Guards is a good name, but I want something that’s more striking.

And there’s also the Sect. How should I start? Connie shook her head. One at a time, Connie. One at a time. Keep your priorities straight.

While she was pondering, she heard someone knocking at the door. Turned out it was Harrison. With him was his secretary, pushing along a trolley.

“Good morning, Lady Steelheart. There are some letters addressed to you,” Harrison spoke. “Mister Martell had compiled them based on the senders before his…punishment. There are also some that arrived just this morning.”

“I will take a look at them,” Connie said as the letters were unloaded before her. “Something in your mind?”

“Well, it’s just. The Hero’s Party left town this morning. Are you…sure you didn’t have to see them off?”

“Akula and Nick had seen them off in my stead. That’s the most I could spare of my hospitality for them.”

“I…see,” the current Mayor sighed. “Then, I’ll leave you to it, Lady Steelheart.”

“Just a minute, Harrison,” Connie raised a hand to get his attention. “I’m looking for a proper place to take root here. Staying in this awful mansion is starting to grate on my sensibilities. Do you have a place you can recommend?”

“As it so happens, I have. I’ve been tallying the number of abandoned villas in Greyvault. What type of place are you looking for?”

“Really? There are villas in this town?”

“This place used to be quite a busy town, a few hundred years ago. But the lack of entertainment and how remote this town is from the Capital has caused Nobles with properties here to abandon them. The Ex-Mayor had purchased some of them to store his…valuables. Which we have sold to buffer our expenses - properly reported, of course - Wouldn’t want to lose my head over shit administration,” Harrison said with a small chuckle, as he revelled on the image of his nemesis’s head falling into a bucket of his own blood. “Mind you, most of them are not exactly in a liveable state.”

“That is fine. I’m looking for a large one, with enough room for my party members. And away from the crowd. I like peace and quiet.”

“…there’re actually some that’re just right up your alley. I’ll hand the documents in by this evening at the latest.”

Connie nodded then waved him and his secretary away. Harrison threw a piece of leftover pie he kept in his jacket to Chen as he walked out, who swallowed it promptly.

After that, Connie looked at the three trays in front of her. The leftmost one was labelled ‘unimportant’, the middle one was ‘Unknown’, and the last one was ‘important’.

She began with the important ones.

There was a letter from Ethel, regarding the success of the Pills. Some unscrupulous merchants had tried to poach the Alchemists and had begun to use coercion. However, the attempt stopped before it escalated.

The cause would be explained in the next letter she read. One sent by Prince Elhart, who informed her of some merchants trying to get into the Pill-making business by harassing the Alchemists affiliated with Connie. The fat Prince had very kindly reminded them of their positions, and the danger one might face when trying to annoy a friend of his.

“Prince Elhart, he knows about my involvement with Ethel. But it seems like he’s going for long-term friendship with me rather than quick coins. It was not in vain that I sent him the Pills for his sickness. I will have to pay him a visit next time I’m in the Capital.”

There was also a letter from Kim Sooyoung. Though not often - due to the distance of their respective countries - Connie and the Otherworlder had kept in touch through letters. The contents were usually things like how worried she was that she could not fulfil her capacity as a Hero. Usually a letter from her curved-sword wielding guard would be tucked at the back, saying that she put herself down too much and asking Connie to reassure her.

Though the letter this time were more serious in regards to the oncoming war. With winter in Vorzenny coming to an end, soldiers from Al-Khemiya’s side will make their move towards the border. Though whether her patron, the Red Prince, would take charge of the endeavour was still up in the air. As other Princes also clamoured for the chance to take charge.

Connie put the letter carefully back. Her eyes then fell on the only letter in the middle tray. It was something she did not expect.

The Steelheart coat of arms, stamped onto a lump of red wax.

She was about to throw the letter into the fireplace, but curiosity won her over. She ripped it open roughly and read the content.

“HAH!”

Connie slammed her hand on the table. Laughing with glee.

Suddenly, Illumca burst in.

“Connie! Did something happen? I heard a loud noise!”

“You’re just in time!” Connie shoved the letter to Illumca’s face. She grabbed the piece of paper, smoothed it over and began to read.

“This is…from your family’s butler?” Illumca was reminded of the skinny butler in the Capital under the employ of Connie’s stepmother. “I don’t think that old hag would have the nerve to write to you. It must be his own decision.”

“Agreed. It seemed like Sebastian heard of my skills in Alchemy and begged for me to come to Courandhel and take a look at that whore. She had fallen sick from an unknown disease and no Alchemist or Healer had been able to find the cause,” Connie said. “What a laugh. If only he only knew that I was the one who poisoned her. Isn’t it droll?”

“And will you?” Illumca asked despite knowing the answer already.

“I will.”

“Really?” She asked again. “That doesn’t sound like you.”

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“Of course. I’m going to be there, and gloat in front of the sickly bitch’s face. But not now. I’m still thinking about how to begin with creating a sect. I’ve been making plans, but they’re all still just concepts,” Connie sighed. “But never mind that. It’s very rare for you to be here so early.”

“Well, I…I want to ask you –“

Bang!

“Huh?”

A loud sound came from the window. A large bat the size of two fists flew into the window, headbutting it.

“Is that a bat? At noon?” Illumca said. “Wait, that’s a monster!” Illumca conjured a Fireball and was about to fire when Connie spoke.

“Just a minute. I feel Lihua’s presence in that bat. “Capture it. Don’t kill it.”

Illumca nodded before opening the window and caught the bat as it tried to ram itself against the window once more.

The bat flapped its wings frantically when a voice came out from the bat’s mouth.

“Yes, Hello. Can you hear this one’s voice?”

“Madame Sui?” Illumca quickly let go of the bat, surprised.

“Ah, Illumca. You sound well. Good afternoon, Mistress. Are you treating her well?”

“Yes, yes.”

Yao-Er and Chen, who were playing nearby, jumped over to the desk, curiously staring at the newcomer. The bat returned their looks with a tilted head before his eyes went blank and Lihua’s voice came out of his mouth.

“Wonderful. This bat is named Xue, this one’s Familiar. This one had found a colony of bats in a cave nearby and made them this one’s servants. This way we can communicate through long distances.”

“How…are you doing this, Madame? Is the bat speaking for you?”

“No, dear. That would be silly. This one was just projecting this one’s voice through him. A bat cannot speak. It would be a different case if he’s like me.”

“I never knew that you can do this,” Connie said.

“This one didn’t have to do this in the old world. We had Communication Talisman for that. Those are much better than this method. You can’t keep a bat in a pocket, after all.”

“You’re just full of surprises. Ah, right. I have some things that I need to discuss with you, regarding the plans for a Sect.”

“You’ve finally decided to go with this one’s suggestion? Excellent! No time like the present then. Ah, before that, do you have that smart young boy with you? It would be good for his development to listen to our discussion.”

“He’s currently grounded for his transgression. He can join us later,” Connie paused and looked at Illumca. “Oh, right. You said there was something you need to talk to me about?”

Illumca shook her head with a thin smile. “You’re…busy. I’ll…tell you later when you have time.”

“Sure.”

Illumca glanced at Connie as she closed the door to the office. She had already begun talking with the bat and writing on the parchment.

The Dark Elf stood in front of the door for a brief moment, letting out a deep sigh before going out to look for Akula and vent.

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While a scheme that would encroach upon Grea’s natural law was being developed, the Hero’s Party was halfway home. But there was no cheerfulness in their steps, owing to the Hero’s sullen face. After a day of riding, the boisterous Hannah had had enough of it.

“Cheer up, Akira,” Hannah tried to console her lover. “We managed to fulfil the King’s order. I’m sure if we report what happened to you, we can get back at her.”

“No!” Akira said suddenly. “Nononono. Don’t do that. This is a small price to pay to calm her down. Honestly, she could’ve done worse, but she stopped at giving me a warning,” he said, gesturing at his abdomen.

The only ones who understood the meaning were only Hannah and Eleanora, who knew about the seed planted in the couple’s body.

“I’ve already had time to think about what I did, and Cornelia was right. Though it was inevitable, I had caused one of her people to get hurt. I, too would’ve done the same if someone hurt you, Hannah.”

“But it isn’t my broken arm that made me feel so frustrated!” Akira growled. I thought we’ve grown stronger! We only managed to survive our last battle through dumb luck!”

“Akira…” Hannah smiled sadly. Her heart hurt seeing the one she loved looked so down. But the very fact that they had faced something far beyond their capabilties and survived the encounter was a miracle. She begrudgingly understood that. Everyone else felt the same.

“It couldn’t be helped,” Donovan stated. “The Fragment of Calamity was something beyond our understanding.”

“But I’m a Hero! I’m supposed to be the one solving all of this!”

“A…a Hero is not invincible, Akira,” Eleanora started to speak, her voice small. “Even the First King had faced losses during the founding. And at the end…he fell before he managed to reach the Demon King.”

“Eleanora! You shouldn’t say such things! It’s bad luck!” Hannah scolded her.

“I-I’m just stating what’s written in the books that I’ve read,” the little Wizard cowered under the glare of the young girl.”

“Alright, stop with this pity party,” Sabrac, who had been sleeping on top of the wagon said out loud. “You say you want to get stronger? How much? As strong as the Captain here? Or as strong as me?”

Akira stared at the old man with a puzzled look. He wanted to answer, but his lips just flapped without any sound coming out of them.

“See? You don’t know. How can a man who doesn’t know what he wants, get what he wants?”

“I – I’m sorry. I just can’t imagine me being as strong as you.”

“That. That right there is what kept you from reaching your goal,” Sabrac huffed. “Those who are satisfied with their lot and those who wants more. That’s the difference between you and that fierce young woman. To get what she wants, she’ll go through anything, even in the face of death.”

“Guild Master, you’ve only known her for a little bit more than a day. How can you say that?” Donovan asked.

“It’s intuition, boy. When you’ve got to my age you learn to see through people,” he replied curtly before turning back to Akira.

“You are sent to cull monsters, and all the other things that Heroes do. But they never sent you to anywhere much higher level than you, don’t they? Because they’re afraid of losing you. But that concern is just a fetter keeping you from reaching your true potential. Do you know why there aren’t a lot of Unrestrained Candidates? Because more often than not, they failed. And failure, in our line of work, means death.”

“Guild Master!” Donovan started, sensing that the conversation was going to a dangerous direction.

“Shut your mouth, I’m still talking!” Sabrac barked.

“You have managed to fulfil an almost impossible task that I’ve asked of you. Not many can do that. That, at the very least, shows that you have some promise. And for that, this old Hunter might have a way for you to break through. But in order to do that, you must leave the safety net called Courandhel.”

“You…can?”

“My word is my promise,” the old Hunter said. “I will be heading to the Capital first. If you have decided on the path that you will take, come meet me in the Hunter’s Guild in Courandhel. I will be staying there.”

Sabrac rose to the sky and yelled out loud before disappearing into the horizon.

“Remember, young Hero! Seek freedom. Seek hunger. Seek power!”

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One afternoon, Harrison was standing before Connie, who was now commanding his desk. Right now, only the two of them were present in the room.

“Harrison. Today I want to talk to you regarding my support for the town.”

Harrison felt like his heart fell towards the pit of his stomach. “…yes?”

“During my stay here, I’ve invested a lot to the town. Starting the Public Hospital, creating the cure for the Azure Dream, and feeding the people affected by the accursed poison,” she stated the facts. “Many of those who were just awakened from their dreams are weak and unable to work, resulting in untended fields untended and spoiled crops. I have spent a lot of my money to feed them. But it’s unsustainable. Greyvault had no specialties, no products that can be traded with others except for the meagre crops that we had. At some point, I had to stop. So, sorry to say, I need to cut my support by half.”

“But that’s going to slow down our effort!” Harrison suddenly exploded, hearing the cruel news. “This is a poor town, the flow of trade stops here. No one else bothered to go farther. We have many abandoned villages in Arlaine; abandoned simply because the villages cannot sustain themselves. And where do they move? Here. The only place they could hope to eke out a living. Are you saying that you are going to let them die from starvation?!”

“Mind your tongue, Harrison. I only said that I am going to cut my support in half. I did not say that I’m going to lead the people to their deaths.”

“W-what do you mean?”

“We’re going to slowly move the money that’s being used to feed the people to fixing the town.”

“But…that doesn’t make sense! Without food, how are they going to have enough energy to work?”

“Harrison, do you know what is so scary about hunger? Is it the pain of the hollowness in your stomach? The weakness you feel when you had nothing to eat for the third day?” Connie spoke, eyes gazing straight at the Mayor. She shook her head, then stared into his eyes, her gaze as straight as an arrow. “No. It’s the fear that the next time you close your eyes to sleep off your hunger, it would be forever.”

Slowly, the Mayor nodded. He had lived for many seasons during the hellish years when his predecessor was in power, seeing the townspeople robbed off their food and possessions. Many of them could only afford thin gruel and bread so hard you had to dip it into the former so that you can eat it. Fresh bread was counted as a luxury during the bastard’s rule.

It had become better now with the Lady Steelheart in power. But he too, knew that charity could only last so long.

“…yes.”

Connie walked up to him and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

“Therefore, I will take death out of the equation.”