《The Epic of Gaia》


 Background

    Lore


    When the world was first created, the first creatures that emerged were the elder dragons. They had absorbed pure mana


    from the earth during its formation. They didn''t need to eat as a result of the mana in their bodies and as another side


    effect, were invulnerable to most things. At this time, the world wasnothing but a wasteland full of wandering elders.


    They discovered that they could have offspring and the second generation was born. Although it was possible to have


    offspring, the fertilization rate was extremely low. The offspring were unlike their parents and needed sustenance to survive


    but at the same time, the mana in their bodies kept them going. They lived long and agonizing lives for thousands of years


    until they died, always feeling hunger and their bodies self canabalizing them. The first elder to die was a second


    generation onewhose body had finally run out of mana.After a while, his siblings saw that things were growing from the


    ground beneath his body. They ate the first plants and although it tasted bad, it nourished them a little.But the foodwas


    soon gone and they formed a plan, what would happen if a first generation elder died?This lead to the first murder, the


    second generation had learned that in order to survive, the first generation needed to die.


    Eventually, all the first-generation elders died out and the earth was teeming in life from returning their energy to the


    earth. The second-generation elders enjoyed great prosperity for a long time.They had a higher fertilization rate and theIf you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    earth was covered with the elders after several hundreds of thousands of years. This golden age couldn¡¯t last and soon war


    would break out. The second generation had grown large massive bodies after enjoying the nourishment that their


    forefathers gave them. Resources were beginning to become scarce and the third generation decided to make their


    move. They knew that one day their children might kill them as well, so the second generation prepared for it.


    The great war broke out and the race was decimated.In the end only a few elders of both generations survived and they


    went in to hiding in order to recuperate after the war. During this time, the earth was renewed again from the dead. The first


    signs of intelligent life aside from the elders emerged. The other races enjoyed a time where they grew and prospered until


    the elders came again. They emerged from the earth and destroyed all that opposed them. This started a dark age for the


    earth that would last for a large portion of recorded history. The remaining elders numbered in the hundreds and became


    warlords/kings. The most powerful ones would control a continent and their generals would govern certain parts of the


    land.


    Over time, a resistance had begun to build up. Their offspring were not supportive of enslaving the other races after


    thousands of years and joined with the humans. This gave the rebels the edge they needed. But the war didn¡¯t start until a


    human managed to kill an elder who was a king. The races came together to fight back against their oppressors. The fourth


    generation offspring and the dragons joined them in the fight. The dragons were genetic mutations from elder dragons that


    were weaker and scorned. Eventually, the warlords were all defeated and were mostly removed from the earth. The


    remaining offspring decided to exclude themselves from the world¡¯s affairsand made a deal with the remaining races to be


    left alone.T hey all relocated to a large island in order to live out their days.This ended when a child was kidnapped from


    the island and the elders were angered. The humans didn¡¯t bring the child back, so the elders started to raze cities and


    countries until she was found.But one day, they all disappeared along with the island and the world was finally free of the


    elders . . .


    <hr>


    Characters


    Gaia


    Only female child of her parents'' offspring. When she hatched, they thought she was a wind elder since her scales were


    green notdark like theirs. She also the ability to manipulate the earth and the plant life around her. This made her the only


    known elder that was born with the ability to use magic. At a young age she was kidnapped from the island and woke up in


    cave around a thousand years later. Ever since then, she has done everything for her goal of returning home.

 Chapter 1: The Time I Beat A Goatman

    ¡°GGAAAAOOOOOO¡±


    The bastard finally decided to get serious.


    He was a hulking 20ft something goat man with black fur and red eyes.


    Covered in muscles and the smell of blood and death, he was definitely an evil demon.


    The goat had huge horns that were basically spears but I effortlessly dodged them as he tried to ram me.


    ¡°COME ON!!!¡±


    I shouted at the lumbering oaf as he walked towards me.


    He threw a straight punch at me but I dodged again and it shattered the wall.


    ¡°Oh? Is that all you have?¡±


    I laughed and decided to show him my power.


    I ran at him and threw a punch of my own.


    ¡°GAAAAAAAA¡±


    This time he let a scream that sounded more human.


    He was probably bleeding internally with many broken bones.


    ¡°ENOUGH!!!¡±


    The goat man shouted with such ferocity that he blew everything around him back.


    ¡°Just pick if you¡¯re a demon or a beast already¡±


    ¡°You fool, do you who you face? I am----¡±


    ¡°Dead is what you are if you don¡¯t keep fighting¡±


    [Earth Spear]


    Multiple jagged rocks started to form from the floor and stab in to his legs until all that was left were bloody stumps.


    Demon blood is black so it didn¡¯t really stain his fur.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    Instead of screaming cries of pain, he just started screaming.


    ¡°Y..y..y..you DARRRREE HARM ME!!??¡±


    The surrounding area started shaking and the castle started to collapse.


    A dark aura started to come over him and I couldn¡¯t see inside the dark ball.


    A dark wind started to radiate from the ball and I followed suit.


    [Earthquake]


    Instead of shaking the ground, I concentrated and released shockwaves in to the air.


    And as a result, from his dark wind and my shockwaves we blew the castle completely apart.


    I looked around and we were both now standing in the ruins of the castle.


    ¡°I know not who you are but you have allowed me to turn in a royal. For that, your reward is death¡±


    The goat man had shrunk to just about 8 feet tall now and nearly all his muscles were gone.


    Now he was more of a slender standing goat than that muscle-bound minotaur that he was a minute ago.


    Suddenly he grew wings from his back and flew in to the air.


    [Dark Void]


    Countless balls of darkness started to materialize around him.


    He causally pointed at me and the barrage started to come down.


    Every time a ball hit something, it would explode with enough force to destroy a castle in one hit.


    ¡°Weak¡±


    I was having fun but it looks like now he wanted to use magic instead of our fists.


    [Nature¡¯s Will]


    I slammed my palms to the ground and countless vines started to shoot out of the ground.


    Each vine caught a ball and smothered it, rendering it harmless.


    ¡°WHAT?!?¡±


    The goat man was starting to panic as my vines were unfazed from his attacks.


    But they kept going and reached for him.


    He did his best to evade them but he was caught and wrapped up nicely.


    ¡°Well now, can¡¯t have you trying to run anymore¡±


    I then tore his wings off with my vines.


    ¡°NNNNNNNNNNNN¡±


    He couldn¡¯t even scream properly with how tight I was holding him.


    He started to get black blood on my vines but that was a given.


    I decided to release his mouth to hear what he had to say.


    ¡°Wha. . What are you? No human can be this strong, unless. . .¡±


    ¡°NOPE!!! I¡¯m not a hero¡±


    I said with a smile on my face.


    ¡°Then. . .¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s just say I¡¯m bored and that you demon king candidates are my current entertainment¡±


    ¡°!!! How do you know about that?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter since you¡¯re about to die now¡±


    <hr>


    I watched as the girl¡¯s features started to change.


    Her long black hair turned emerald green and her brown eyes turned yellow.


    In all my years, I have never encountered such a powerful being.


    I have fought dragon lords and even they were more of a match for me.


    I was in shock from both blood loss and fear.


    But I couldn¡¯t deny that this was now the end.


    I wasn¡¯t able to become the Demon King even after I just reached a new level of power.


    I broke my limits due to a near death experience but she was only playing.


    ¡°I¡¯m letting you see something special before you die, so don''t be sad¡±


    Her eyes started to glow and the earth itself split apart beneath me.


    The vines suspended me in the ravine and I could barely think anymore.


    Is this what Hell would feel like?


    But even Hell would be welcoming to a demon.


    No . . .this was . . . .


    ¡°Good bye¡±


    Her face was the last thing I saw as the earth clapped itself together again.

 Chapter 2: The Time I Beat Some Bandits

    After the battle, I started to loot the remains.


    This was actually harder work than fighting the demon.


    In the end, all I found was the giant cleaver he had been using.


    Whatever I guess I¡¯ll shave it down to a sword.


    I returned to my dragon form and used my claws to reshape it as a sword.


    I could just break off a claw and use that as a sword.


    But It¡¯ll probably raise suspicion on me for having something stronger than most legendary weapons.


    I did my best to form a hilt and it became a straight sword.


    Finally, I gave it some power by pouring some of the goatman¡¯s mana in to the sword.


    It turned the weapon black and ominous.


    It¡¯s probably cursed now, but as long as I¡¯m stronger than it then it obeys my will.


    Oh well, it¡¯ll be a good sword for a while.


    I had looked over the ruins for survivors but they were all probably dead.


    The goatman had been kidnapping people and torturing them.


    He was trying to concentrate human suffering in to a form he could absorb.


    Honestly, I try not to mettle in other¡¯s affairs, but he was just asking for it.


    Even then he was one of the weaker demon king candidates.


    There are worst ones out there.


    My master taught me how to use a sword but it¡¯s really hard not to default to magic when your opponent does too.


    This human form can only use strength appropriate to it.


    So, I had to use some body reinforcement spells beforehand.


    I finished up the sword and fashioned a quick sheath then I went on my way.


    I walked for a little bit on the path when I saw an overturned cart on the road.


    ¡°Hey do you need some help?¡±


    I approached and saw a crying, hunched over figure, probably an old woman.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    When I was about to tap her shoulder, she quickly reacted.


    ¡°Huh???¡±


    ¡°she¡± threw her cloak over my face and I felt a blow to the back of my head.


    It didn¡¯t affect me at all but I decided to see where this went.


    I pretended to be knocked out and soon I was tied up in a sack.


    ¡°BOYS WE GOT ONE!!!¡±


    A loud and gruff voice suddenly shouted.


    ¡°¡±¡±¡±¡±¡±WOOOOOO¡±¡±¡±¡±¡±


    Huh sounds like they¡¯re bandits or slavers.


    Well I was already suspicious but honestly they might have some good loot at their hideout.


    Someone threw me over their back and started walking.


    Multiple voices spoke on the way but nothing was useful.


    As a result, I went to sleep.


    ¡°!!??¡±


    I was jolted awake as I was thrown in to a cell.


    I looked around and I seem to be in cave.


    The cell was just a locked bar door in front of a small cave.


    I started to look at the back and noticed several people with me.


    There were 5 girls huddled in the back in ragged clothes.


    Yep these men were definitely not going to weigh on my conscience if they were gone. J


    ust when I thought about rushing through the doors, someone called out.


    ¡°Hey . .are. . are you alright?¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    I turned towards the girl.


    She seemed to be about 17 and had short brown hair and eyes.


    ¡°They caught us from the road and now . . .¡±


    She seemed to be the only one who still had any reason left.


    The others were just cowering together.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s . . . Trish¡±


    ¡°Well Trish you can call me Gia¡±


    She nodded and didn¡¯t want to seem to speak any longer.


    ¡°HEY, new girl. Acquainting yourself with the rest of the pack? Hahaha¡±


    A fat and hairy man appeared in front of the cage.


    I smiled and motioned for him to get closer to the bars.


    He got curious and actually did it.


    I grabbed some of the mangy hair on his head and slammed him against the bars. ¡°Won¡¯t you be nice and open the doors?¡±


    I asked sweetly.


    But then


    ¡°!?!?¡±


    Someone tried to hit me again from the back.


    I turned around and saw Trish dropping a rock from her right hand.


    Alright enough of this, time to get out.


    I reached over to Trish and grabbed her right hand.


    Then I squished it and broke all her bones.


    ¡°GAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!¡±


    Her screams echoed throughout the cave and I turned back to the man.


    ¡°She needs some medical help, so why don¡¯t you open these bars?¡±


    He hurriedly complied and I thanked him by knocking him out.


    He¡¯ll wake up form that. . .probably.


    I can¡¯t fight fist to fist with a high demon but I could still beat most humans.


    <hr>


    Pain. . . so much pain.


    That bitch just crushed my hand.


    It hurts so much that I¡¯m just shaking on the floor.


    I helped the bandits prevent the other girls from running in exchange for better treatment.


    But it seems this girl is too strong.


    I saw her walk out the cage and run towards the other bandits.


    I could only hear screaming and the sounds of fighting.


    I blanked out shortly after. . .


    ¡°???¡±


    I woke up to the cold splash of water to my face.


    ¡°So, Trish, the bandits and some of the girls have told me that you¡¯ve been selling them out. Is that true?¡±


    I was currently sitting on chair in front of a table.


    Gia was at the other end and the other girls were standing around.


    I could see the bodies of all the bandits around.


    ¡°. . .¡±


    I didn¡¯t reply and could only look at my flattened hand.


    ¡°Oh that? Let me help you¡±


    ¡°AAAAAAA¡±


    She suddenly grabbed my forearm and slammed a red hot blade through it.


    I jerked my arm back and stared at her with hatred in my eyes.


    ¡°YOU BITCH, FIRST MY HAND AND NOW THIS?¡±


    ¡°What? Now you don¡¯t have to look at a pancake¡±


    My head was filled with so many thoughts and emotions right now.


    But I could barely think from the pain.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry I won¡¯t kill you, this seems like punishment enough. Well I got some of their gold so I¡¯m leaving now good luck¡±


    With that she walked out and left me surrounded by the remaining girls. . .

 Chapter 3: The Time I Entered Foren

    Elder Dragons, if there¡¯s one thing we all had in common, it would be our pride.


    When Trish tried to attack me from behind, I lost it.


    I manage to hold off killing her but this was probably worse.


    I dislike sneak attacks, but that¡¯s probably because I¡¯m strong.


    If I were weak, I would probably employ them all the time.


    But It¡¯s just another thing I have to keep in mind now.


    Humans are weak and yet they are abundant everywhere.


    It¡¯s their ingenuity that¡¯s kept them alive.


    That¡¯s what master taught me long ago.


    Yet, I still can¡¯t keep my rage in check sometimes.


    Well dwelling on things for too long is bad for me.


    So, I decided turned in for the night.


    I don¡¯t have the same needs as humans, so I just slept on a tree branch.


    I wonder if my parents see the same stars.


    My brothers never really bothered with aesthetics, only caring who was stronger.


    But I was always the strongest, the weird one of the nest.


    I was the last to hatch and had green scales.


    My parents thought I was a wind dragon at first when they saw my color and size.


    But they accepted me eventually as a small, green earth dragon that could use magic.


    The only dragons that could use magic were the dragons that humans revered.


    I¡¯m pretty sure they were distantly related to us Elder dragons or some off mutation.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    But they are nowhere as strong as we Elder dragons are.


    So, it¡¯s still a mystery why after so long, an Elder was born with magic.


    I¡¯m told that they started a world war looking for me.


    Yet somehow, they all disappeared, only being mentioned as ¡°sealed¡± away in some old books.


    I¡¯ve been trying to find anything out about those events.


    But beings over a thousand years old are rare.


    Usually though, it means that they are strong.


    So, I fight and fight until the one who can help me will appear.


    Sometimes, I make connections with humans but they never last long.


    After master died, his son saw my true form and I ran away.


    I wonder what he¡¯s been up to?


    It¡¯s been seventy years, hopefully he had a good life.


    Eventually, I got tired from thinking about the past and fell asleep.


    I woke up the next day and found my way to the road again.


    I decided to head to the capital Foren of this country Emisia.


    It was a relatively new country, it wasn¡¯t here all those years ago when I first met master.


    He was a retired swordsmaster of renown who lived in a small village with his son.


    His wife had died and he lost his will to fight.


    He past the days with his son, in peace.


    But I needed a way to hide my true form and came to him for training.


    Learning how to fight like humans was useful.


    He didn¡¯t open the door until the third day I stayed outside his house.


    Nowadays, the village is gone and a giant capital is in its stead.


    And it was a sight to behold as I walked over a hill.


    It had a huge wall that wrapped around the city.


    Peeking out in the middle, could only be what I assume to the King¡¯s castle.


    I walked towards the gate and saw a long line of people waiting to get in.


    There were knights at the entrance going through everyone one at a time.


    I got to the end and waited for my turn.


    ¡°NEXT¡±


    I walked up to the two knights and prepared for their questions.


    They both had helmets on but I heard a young man¡¯s voicetalk to me.


    ¡°Name and reason for entering Foren?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Gia, I¡¯ve come to see the sights¡±


    The knight looked over me and pointed at my side.


    ¡°That your sword?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it is¡±


    ¡°Mind if I take a look?¡±


    I covered my side and moved away a bit.


    ¡°Is there a problem sir?¡±


    I said with a calm smile on my face.


    There was no way I could show him this sword.


    Anyone could tell that it was evil if they saw it.


    ¡°HEY!!! Everything must be inspected¡±


    ¡°Now, Now¡±


    The other knight tried to calm him down.


    ¡°Obviously, this pretty girl isn¡¯t someone who is dangerous right? I¡¯ll handle her, go look at the next person, will you?¡±


    ¡°Tch¡±


    The first knight scoffed and moved away.


    ¡°Thanks¡±


    I said to the second knight.


    ¡°No problem, the kid just started and doesn¡¯t know the ropes yet. Now I really have to inspect EVERYTHING on you.


    Unless of course you pay the toll¡±


    ¡°Oh of course. Will these do?¡±


    I handed him two of the gold coins I got from the bandits.


    ¡°These will do nicely. Enjoy your time in Foren Ms. Gia¡±


    ¡°I intend to¡±


    He welcomed me past the gate and I was finally in Foren.

 Chapter 4: The Time I Saw A Fight

    Right past the gate were stalls lined up to the center of the plaza, where a water fountain was.


    They were filled with people selling all kinds of things, ranging from food to weapons and all kinds of exotic things.


    This section of the city was the lower part where poor families and the like lived.


    The middle was where the artisans, craftsmen, and other skilled workers lived.


    Finally, there was the upper section, where all the nobles and royalty lived.


    The reason I had come to this place was the rumor I heard before about a hero being here.


    It always subjective whether or not someone actually is a hero.


    There are no clear definitions of it.


    Usually it¡¯s someone insanely strong with light magic that fights for justice or something like that.


    I¡¯ve come here to evaluate this ¡°hero¡± of Foren.


    If they¡¯re strong then it means that they¡¯ll eventually fight other strong beings as well.


    I will hopefully join their party and their adventures.


    This is a nice change of pace than me just wandering around looking for foes.


    I wandered through the lower section for a while before I saw a huge building.


    It was a large circular structure that could only be a coliseum.


    Usually fighting tournaments and slave fights happened here, depending on the country the country¡¯s laws.


    Foren was the capital of Emisia, which didn¡¯t allow slaves.


    But the nobles anywhere always love gambling.


    That means one of them can notice me and I could get hired.


    I¡¯ll eventually cross paths with their hero this way which was my train of thought.


    But when I went to the desk. . .


    ¡°Sorry, entry for the tournament is closed¡±If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    The old man behind the counter said that it had already started.


    A little disappointed, I decided to go watch anyways.


    I threw the man some coins and walked in.


    The strength of the warriors here should help me see how much power I should use.


    Unfortunately, most of the fights were boring.


    So, I just started to talk to a random granny near me on the stand.


    ¡°Um excuse me, I just got in to the city. Is it true that there¡¯s a hero here?¡±


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re talking about Arthur, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Is he the hero?¡±


    ¡°Well that¡¯s what the king said, why look there the hero is now¡±


    She pointed to one of the higher stands where the nobles were.


    There was a man sitting on a chair who was watching the fights with a bored look.


    He had blonde hair, blue eyes, and a face that hinted at a good bloodline.


    He wore white clothing with gold lining throughout it.


    If the old lady didn¡¯t mention the king separately, I would have assumed this man to be him.


    ¡°Does he always spectate?¡±


    ¡°No, today is special. His companion Greer is participating. He¡¯s one of the hero¡¯s party members along with Arte¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    Nothing exciting really happened after that until the man Greer himself stepped out.


    He was a huge man with dark hair and dark eyes.


    He exuded confidence as he stepped out, carrying a giant silver and black axe.


    This axe was different from normal ones.


    Its handle was about as long as a typical spear¡¯s.


    So, this more of a polearm with an axe head attached to it.


    ¡°IN THIS CORNER IS GRRRREEEEEEERRRR, the man who fights alongside the hero and has the power to split the


    Earth itself. Can his opponent defeat one with such a reputation?¡±


    "AND ON THE SIDE IS YYYYYMMMAAALLLL, the man who can cleave the winds and an experienced mercenary with


    years of combat"


    Greer¡¯s opponent looked like an experience warrior with scars on his arms and armor.


    He also carried a big weapon, in this case it was a great sword.


    But I got the feeling that Greer was going to win this easily.


    ¡°READY? BEGIN!!!¡±


    The crowd shouted with cries of excitement as the two started to stare each other down.


    Ymal started to approach Greer but Greer didn¡¯t do anything.


    He started to use some jabs to test out Greer.


    Suddenly, Greer raised his axe up and slammed it towards Ymal.


    He dodged right and went for Greer¡¯s open side.


    But it was an actually a feint and midway, Greer changed directions and caught Ymalin his exposed side instead.


    Ymalmanaged to block with his sword but was sent tumbling to the ground nonetheless.


    Then Greer walked up to him and knocked him in to the air.


    He leaped up and started to glow.


    [Star Crusher]


    It looked like he was using a martial skill.


    When a person uses their mana in a conjunction with a physical attack, it¡¯s not counted as magic.


    Ymalwas sent flying backwards in to the opposite wall and collapse in a heap.


    The crowd went silent when he smashed in to the wall.


    I suspected he was heavily injured and soon enough, two people came to drag him out.


    ¡°Oh, and it looks like, Greer is the winner of the tournament¡±


    The announcer shouted with great vigor.


    ¡°Is there no one who can match me? That wasn¡¯t even a warm up!!¡±


    Greer started to rile the crowd up.


    ¡°I¡¯ll double the prize if anyone can beat me!!!¡±


    At this statement, several people started to run down in to the field.


    But with one swing, Greer knocked them all away.


    That¡¯s when I decide it was my turn.


    I pulled my robe up to cover my mouth and put on my hood.


    This would make for a better reveal later.


    I jumped on to the field and met his eyes.


    ¡°How about an actual fight?¡±

 Chapter 5: The Time I Fought The Heros Companion

    ¡°What is your name stranger?¡±


    Greer asked me with a strange calm.


    ¡°Well I-----¡°


    I was rudely cut off when he immediately rushed forward to attack.


    I leaped backwards but he changed in to a thrust from his axe slam.


    I had the wind knocked out of me as I was sent backwards.


    Fortunately, I didn¡¯t fall backwards and pushed myself off the ground with my hand.


    Since he just did a preemptive strike, I¡¯m going to use some magic.


    Enhancement magic could also be considered a martial skill depending on the region and variation.


    But I wasn¡¯t going to use it in the first place.


    Small foes were usually trickier in their fighting styles.


    This fight started to get my fighting spirit going.


    No, normal enhancement wasn¡¯t going to be enough.


    I wanted to beat him but I still had some things I wanted to hide.


    [Valkyrie¡¯s Call]


    I went for an extremely flashy spell.


    Lightning started to surround me and form a light armor around me.


    This spell gave minimal defense boosts but it increased my speed and imbued my attacks with lighting and wind magic.


    I pulled my sheath up and decided to give them a show.


    I couldn¡¯t draw this blade but it would prove a point if I didn¡¯t use it.


    And as expected, the crowd started to marvel at my spell.


    ¡°Oh? You¡¯re right this may become an actual fight. I¡¯ve got an armor spell of my own¡±


    [Titans¡¯ Forge]


    The earth started to crumble around him and it crawled up his body.


    Then it melted and turned in steel gray armor on him.


    ¡°AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE TWO FIGHTERS ARE GOING TO GO ALL OUT ON THIS¡±


    The announcer screamed out jubilantly as he moved further and further away.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    This time we stared at each for a while, awaiting the other to move.


    I decided to try out my own hybrid move that I had been developing.


    [Shadow Variance]


    In an intense moment of concentration, I increased my reaction time so much that time slowed down.


    This move basically made it so that I could strike twice.


    My eyes would exude so much fury that they would be distracted by the main strike.


    But I would also hit them a second time.


    ¡°OH, AND THE MYSTERY CHALLENGER MOVES FIRST, BUT WILL IT WORK?¡±


    I rushed forward and prepared to hit Greer¡¯s face with the bottom of my sheath.


    He tried to stop me by stomping me.


    But right before he hit me, the second blow happened.


    ¡°!?¡±


    Greer fell over and crashed in the ground backwards.


    My [Shadow Variance] didn¡¯t rely on speed for a second strike but an artificial ¡°mana clone¡± that came out.


    This time I made it come from below to strike behind his raised knee.


    ¡°OUCH AND DOWN GOES GREER, IS THIS ENOUGH?¡±


    I jumped on top of his chest and was about to strike him.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see what happens when a metal can gets hit by lightning¡±


    I poured more mana than I should in to this strike and the sheath hit his chest with ten times the amount of lightning as


    normal.


    ¡°GAAAHHHH¡±


    Greer slammed his arms down and used the momentum to try to head butt me.


    It missed but it got me off of him.


    ¡°Not bad, I haven¡¯t used this in a while¡±


    His gray armor was still on but it slowly turned red.


    Yes, this was . . .


    [Berserker¡¯s Rage]


    ¡°LOOKS LIKE GREER IS GOING ALL OUT NOW AND NO LONGER HOLDING BACK¡±


    He charged at me and swung that axe of his for the first time in a while.


    Before his swings were slow, precise and deliberate.


    Now he was one handing the axe and swinging itwildly.


    Not to mention the fact that he was starting the carve out the ground around me.


    I dodged for a bit but then he suddenly increased the speed of his swing and nearly took my face off.


    ¡°AND A CLOSE SHAVE FOR THE CHALLENGER!!!¡±


    He managed to chop a part off the front of my hood though.


    He was faking the speed of his attacks so that he could actually usehis real speed in a single lethal strike.


    Not bad, this means the hero should be just as strong or most likely, way stronger.


    [Lightning Fang]


    Looks like my theme for my time here is going to be Lightning based spells.


    Usually only one projectile would form behind you, but stronger people can make more.


    So, I formed eight behind me and stretched them in to spears.


    ¡±WHATS THIS? EIGHT SPEARS???¡±


    I hurled two at Greer but he deflected them.


    I rushed directly at him and forced four spears to converge on me creating a lightning vortex.


    Just as I predicted, he raised his axe and was about to crash it on me.


    [Star Crusher]


    ¡°HERE COMES GREER¡¯S SIGNATURE MOVE¡±


    Greer started to glow again but . . . .


    ¡°KUH!?¡±


    He stopped and his axe crashed backwards behind him.


    I had sent the final spears at his armpits and the simultaneous hits stunned him.


    But just in case, I collapsed [Valkyrie¡¯s Call] and sent the remaining lightning in to his chest.


    His armor finally shattered when I did this.


    When it happened though, Greer suddenly hugged me and started to crush me.


    This wasn¡¯t good, If I ever took enough damage, my human form would fail.


    This illusion magic would only take enough damage that I designated my human form would take.


    That means to the people that a giant green dragon that could blow buildings away with its wings would appear.


    ¡°Huh!?¡±


    Greer loosened for a second and I head bashed him.


    ¡°It can¡¯t be, you¡¯re a . . .¡±


    ¡°YEP¡±


    Time for the finale. I removed my hood and uncovered my mouth.


    [Thunder God¡¯s Judgement]


    The sky turned dark and a single bolt of lightning shot down.


    I caught it in my right hand and it formed in to a spear.


    At the same time, Greer was preparing his move as well.


    Then we leaped at each other, my lightning spear vs his axe.


    [Star Crusher]


    [Shadow Variance]


    [Light Lord¡¯s Shield]

 Chapter 5.5: Arthur

    Greer was holding yet another tournament.


    He always does these things since he believes that they are ¡°fun¡±.


    This time, he tried to drag me to visit.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    I asked with an almost disgusted look on my face.


    ¡°Why not is the question?¡±


    Greer threw back my own words with cynicism mixed in.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to watch you beat up what is mostly thugs and other lowlifes¡±


    ¡°Well, if you¡¯re there then there are bound to be people who¡¯ll come to impress you right? So that means real warriors will


    come!!¡±


    I really loathed Greer sometimes, but what do you expect from a bastard.


    Despite how I feel about him, he is one of the only people I acknowledge.


    ¡°What benefits can I actually gain from this? You are my sparring partner. I already know you¡¯ll win¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, this time I¡¯ll spread the news far and wide. This way, you won¡¯t be bored by the usual fights¡±


    ¡°We should be focusing on the report we received on the demon¡¯s castle. That might actually be worth our time¡±


    ¡°Hey it won¡¯t hurt to show up and greet the people, will it?¡±


    ¡°You mean the ones trying to tear down the aristocracy? After all the decades, we spent protecting them and improvingThis book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    their lives. They¡¯re no longer grateful, just an unruly mob that wants more and more. . . On second thoughts, I¡¯ll come. You


    are technically apart of the nobles. Therefore, show them our power and their place¡±


    My tongue slipped and I started to voice my frustrations.


    But indeed, this was an opportunity, Greer will show them our power.


    When the demons in the castle emerge as a problem, they¡¯ll come begging to the nobles for help.


    The King decided to give the commoners some opportunities and they have abused them.


    When they have, a demon munching on their bones, they¡¯ll see the light.


    ¡°Um . . . whatever works I guess. I¡¯ll do my best to win¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you always?¡±


    Greer disappointed me when he said that there would be anyone decent.


    He defeated his opponent easily for the finale.


    But it seems he¡¯s disappointed as well.


    He called out to the crowd for more challengers.


    He even offered more money.


    As a result, they scurried to the field like vermin.


    And they were treated as such, Greer blew them all away.


    But then. . .


    Someone interesting actually came.


    They used an interesting armor spell that granted them higher attack and speed.


    The intricacies of this spell meant that this was someone actually worth watching.


    Though they wore a hood and covered their mouth.


    Maybe they¡¯re a criminal or perhaps even an assassin?


    Realizing this, I sent several disguised guards to the front of the crowd with magic neutralizers.


    This won¡¯t set a good precedent if you lose GREER.


    Unfortunately, it looked like he would.


    He went in to his rage form and actually started to fight.


    He only used that when his life was in danger.


    Is this your cry for help?


    Once again, the individual used more lightning strikes.


    Greer can¡¯t possibly handle all these attacks.


    This person is too strong, this is too suspicious.


    By this point, Greer caught the challenger but loosened his grip for some reason.


    He missed again and their hood finally fell.


    Oh, it looks like his opponent is a girl.


    Her long black hair spilled out to match her eyes. She seemed so graceful in her moves as if she loved fighting.


    She used yet another lightning move, this time it affected the weather.


    The sky turned dark and lightning struck her hand but she caught it.


    There¡¯s something unsettling about her.


    Before I knew it, I noticed how fair she looked.


    She must be a high-grade assassin with her looks and her power.


    This means the guards are useless.


    Greer and her leaped at each other.


    But I noticed her using another spell secretly.


    It was the one that emerged from the ground.


    Greer was running straight in to a double attack.


    Looks like I have to act now, Greer was already barely holding on.


    [Light Lord¡¯s Shield]

 Chapter 6: The Time I Visited The Holy Lake

    The hero suddenly jumped in front of us and used a shield spell.


    He made it break before we collided with him and were blown back a bit by the shock wave.


    ¡°Greer move back. You, who are you?¡±


    He swept his gaze over me repeatedly with great caution.


    ¡°Just a traveler who came to see Foren¡¯s hero¡±


    I said while putting on my most innocent smile.


    ¡°LIES¡± He shouted as he drew his sword.


    ¡°Huh?¡± I was surprised.


    I didn¡¯t expect to be rejected like this.


    Maybe I¡¯ll have to skip this city as well.


    ¡°I know what¡¯s wrong now, it¡¯s that sword. You never used it, but I can feel it. It has a dark, demonic aura about it. No


    wonder you¡¯re so strong¡±


    Several people started to jump in to the field from the stands.


    They slowly approached us and soon surrounded us.


    The crowd started to clear out when they saw the hero act all serious.


    ¡°Guards, back off. She¡¯s too much for you¡±


    They moved back a couples of paces.


    ¡°Wait, I¡¯m not possessed by this weapon or a demon. I just made it from some metal I found¡±


    ¡°You expect me to believe that?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll show you. I can part with it¡±


    Cursed demonic weapons would always possess someone and grant them immense abilities in exchange for their minds.


    I guess it was easy to blame my strength on this sword.


    But I didn¡¯t think he would notice, I tried my best to hide it.


    ¡°Come with us then¡±If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Arthur casted a healing spell on Greer, sheathed his blade and started to walk out of the coliseum.


    I started to follow and Greer with the guards came as well.


    We went outside the arena and Arthur had a carriage come to pick us up.


    It was then Arthur, Greer, me and three guards.


    The carriage ride was in silence with two guards sitting next to me and one in front.


    We pulled up to a lake outside the city and Arthur motioned for me to get out.


    Everyone else walked behind me until we got to the lake¡¯s edge.


    ¡°I had thought you were an assassin, but you might be a demon. This is lake Maria; her holy waters can burn away any


    dark specter¡±


    ¡°What do you want me to do?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s simple, walk in to it and place the sword down. If you are not a demon and not possessed then you won¡¯t burn¡±


    ¡°Heh, thought you were going to test if I would sink¡±


    I took everything off except for my shirt and pants.


    I approached the lake slowly barefooted and stuck my foot in.


    It felt cold and yet . . . I wasn¡¯t affected by it.


    With the sword in my palms, I walked further in.


    I knelt down to submerge both the sword and my body.


    Suddenly I saw visions of . . . something.


    It looked like a forest, it felt overflowing with magic.


    It was teeming with life but sensed a strong feeling of being trapped by it.


    Then I saw a desert, barren and desolate.


    I felt worry and fear from this place, like there always was a looming threat.


    Somehow, I was in both these places at once.


    They were so different, yet they still felt familiar.


    Out of nowhere, voices called out to me in both visions.


    In the forest, they were calling out a name.


    I realized that it was mine and I turned towards the voice.


    I saw only darkness but I felt . . . . unhappy.


    The feeling could only be described as being caged, like a bird.


    In the desert, when I turned towards the voice I saw darkness again.


    But this time I felt joy . . . . .only it was followed by a great sadness.


    As if I lost something that was more important than anything else.


    ¡®Gasp¡¯


    I broke the surface of the water and started to cough out water.


    ¡°You were in there for a while¡±


    I turned around and saw Arthur with a slightly concerned look.


    But it was only slightlythough.


    ¡°Well? I went in, did what you want happen?¡±


    ¡°Yes, look¡±


    He pointed at the sword and I saw the pitch-black steel slowly fading to silver.


    ¡°You satisfied? The sword has been purified and I¡¯m still the same person¡±


    ¡°. . .Hmm, yes it appears that way. Where did you acquire this blade?¡±


    ¡°I fought a demon and took it after it died¡±


    ¡°WHAT?¡±


    Arthur was taken aback a little.


    ¡°Yea, there was a demon torturing people at a castle. So I waited until it¡¯s minions left and took care of it¡±


    ¡°Tch, it can¡¯t be¡±


    ¡°?¡±


    ¡°We received reports about a demon staying in a castle. But to think the missing people were there. Can you lead us


    there?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing left. In the middle of our fight, he started to make the castle fall around us. Anything left is buried under a


    lot of rubble. I only managed to get the sword. And that was so that I could prove I took him out¡±


    ¡°Well, demon slayers are worthy of my time. Come, if you want to assist me I won¡¯t say no. But you must adhere to the


    laws of Foren and her king is that clear?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡±


    I nodded to show my confirmation.


    The sword had lost what made it interesting to me.


    All the negative energy the demon had collected felt gone.


    The sword wasn¡¯t even fit to be a weapon anymore, it felt worn.


    So, I walked behind a bush near the lake and stabbed it in to the ground.


    Then Arthur led me back to the carriage and we all went back to the city again.

 Chapter 6.5: Shifting Forces

    . . . . . . . .


    . . . . . . . . . . . .


    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


    Where . . . . was I?


    No . . . who was I?


    WHAT am I?


    All I can remember is the feeling of being dragged down and crushed by the earth.


    I reached the apex of my own potential before this state.


    Now I can¡¯t see, hear or feel anything.


    Am I dead or rather is this existence now?


    I know it wasn¡¯t always this way and yet I cannot remember anything from before.


    I didn¡¯t feel anything, I didn¡¯t truly exist like this until . . .


    I suddenly realized that I existed and the horror came.


    I was submerged and nearly snuffed out.


    But a tiny sliver remained and from it, my suffering and this state began.


    I tried again, tried to picture where I was.


    But I still felt like I was floating in a void.


    IS THERE ANYONE THAT CAN HEAR ME?


    <hr>


    When I was eight, I was introduced to my brother.


    Apparently, my father had an affair with some noble girl.


    My mother complained of course, but it was futile.


    My brother was being secretly raised by his mother¡¯s house.


    But as soon as my father discovered his talents, he took him in formally.


    That¡¯s how my younger half-brother became the heir of the house.


    It turns out his talents far eclipsed my own and now I¡¯m constantly playing catch up.


    Though I did manage to become captain of the knights.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    One day, we werereturning from confronting bandits.


    But actually, they were all already dead when we got there.


    Someone had already come through and cleared them out.


    They were cut down easily in one or two strokes of a sword.


    We found some women there among the dead bodies.


    Their injuries were different, more wounds covered their bodies.


    They were also covered in a lot more blood.


    When we returned to the city, I had us stop by the holy lake.


    I walked off on my own to clear my thoughts.


    If we claim credit for this and my brother found out, he would turn out more negativityagainst me.


    But if I didn''t, he wouldcomplain that we should''ve been faster and reduce the knight''s standing.


    That¡¯s when I heard a voice calling out.


    I walked along the lake¡¯s edge until I came across something.


    The voice continued in my head.


    It needed help getting its strength back.


    It had fought against a great foe and now it was reduced to this state.


    It needed my help to defeat its foe who could threaten the city.


    This must be my chance, it has chosen me for a greater purpose.


    It told me that it was weak and needed to replenish its strength.


    So, I made a pact with it and started to feed it my mana in return for its strength later.


    <hr>


    It took a while but I finally reached the city.


    I had stuffed everything I could on a cart and horse.


    They were being used to transport cages, probably to sell slaves.


    I didn¡¯t care so I kicked the cages off and used it load all the valuables.


    Eventually I reached the gate.


    I had put on the best dress I found from the pile under the cloak.


    I also cleaned myself up the best I could in order to seem credible.


    ¡°Are you ok there miss?¡±


    The knight at the gate asked me with worry in his voice.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s horrible. I was coming up here with my father, who was a merchant. But we were set upon by bandits and they


    killed him. I was forced to run away. They took our cart to their hideout and I followed them. At night, I snuck in and killed


    them, but they managed to wound me¡±


    I fed him my story with teary eyes.


    Then I showed him my injury and he winced.


    ¡°Woah, you need to get that tended to by a doctor¡±


    ¡°Of course, that¡¯s why I¡¯m here¡±


    ¡°Well, just so you know there¡¯s a toll¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t try that. I know there¡¯s no toll. Don¡¯t make me have to report you to your superiors¡±


    ¡°Hey now it was only a joke¡±


    He tried to profusely apologize but I just glared at him.


    Finally, he let me drive the cart in.


    With the amount of money, I currently had, I could start a new life here.


    But that wasn¡¯t what I wanted, no I have to find HER.


    <hr>


    When we came back to the castle with new prey, we discovered it in ruins.


    ¡°Heca, I cannot find our lord anywhere¡±


    ¡°Search harder¡±


    I said while feeling really concerned.


    The three of us went through the rubble but we couldn¡¯t find anything.


    There wasn¡¯t any way the castle fell naturally.


    Also, there were signs of a battle, but who fought we didn¡¯t know.


    We couldn¡¯t sense our lord either.


    This could only mean one thing, he¡¯s dead.


    Even the energy he had been harvesting felt gone.


    This was not possible, there is no one who could have killed him in this region.


    Unless . . . no it couldn¡¯t be?


    The one they call the hero around here, he must have come.


    ¡°Heca over here!!!¡±


    Mardu called me over and he pointed to a spot on the ground.


    !!!


    I was astonished, I could smell a faint scent of our lord from there.


    But it was also a bloody mess.


    As if he had been crushed by the earth itself.


    ¡°Mardu, Onyx we have to kill the hero now¡±


    ¡°Yes agreed¡±


    ¡°But how?¡±


    ¡°Simple, we raise hell and kill them in the confusion¡±


    I responded with a smile on my face.

 Chapter 7: The Time I Visited The Heros Home

    The carriage rattled along the paved roads as we went past the city gate again.


    I could only smile and meet the stares of everyone in the carriage.


    The silence was indicative of some tension in the air.


    I didn¡¯t know what else to say, until . . .


    ¡°So, you know I¡¯m Arthur Corland, better known as the hero. But what is your name


    exactly?¡±


    I hesitated a little, usually I would give my name.


    But I had been through here before.


    Granted it was over 70 years ago, surely no one remember me.


    Hopefully. . .


    ¡°You can call me Gia¡±


    Arthur cocked his head to the side a little.


    ¡°Is that your real name?¡±


    ¡°Well I originally came from an island nation, and in our language my name means earth. So, I¡¯m known as Gia from ¡®Gaia¡¯¡±


    ¡°Interesting, what was this nation called?¡±


    ¡°Nemestia¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of it, how about you Greer?¡±


    Arthur turned to his side and looked at Greer.


    Greer was also puzzled at the name I said.


    ¡°Nope doesn¡¯t ring a bell¡±


    ¡°Oh, it was cursed when I was a child and the island has disappeared. I¡¯ve been searching for strong people who can help me break the spell¡±


    ¡°And you think I can help?¡±


    ¡°Hopefully¡±


    Arthur stroked his chin while deep in thought.


    ¡°But why not a magician or an academic. Why me?¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t heroes supposed to break curses? I heard you were blessed by the goddess of light?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, true but I can¡¯t just take off from Foren to go with you. I¡¯m a pillar of the king¡¯s power here. Without me here, the


    cities are more likely to rebel¡±The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    This country didn¡¯t exist when I was here.


    But I learned after recently coming here again was that the king changed things.


    King Julius grew from a strong warrior to a conqueror and then a monarch.


    The capitals of the countries surrounding us were taken by him.


    They were forced in to being vassals after he showed them his might.


    The former rulers still lead their people but talks of rebellion still go around.


    Julius was a fierce warrior in his prime years but his age was a problem now.


    And Arthur helped Julius to hold legitimacy through the church.


    As well as through being a physical deterrent.


    I don¡¯t think rebellion will happen while I¡¯m here.


    But that¡¯s as long as the King doesn¡¯t past away.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, it¡¯s something I need to do myself. But learning from you and access to the royal library wouldn¡¯t hurt, would it?¡±


    Arthur threw me a questioning look this time.


    ¡°Only royalty and higher nobility may access the records there¡±


    ¡°Darn¡±


    Well, it¡¯s not like they¡¯ll stop me from seeing them one way or another.


    ¡°But, I am allowed in due to my status. I can provide you as long as you do good work for me¡±


    I nodded.


    ¡°No problem¡±


    Soon, we pulled up to a large gate.


    It was your typical noble¡¯s house.


    The road was lined up with nicely trimmed bushes on the side.


    There were people all around, going about their business.


    Supplies were being delivered, gardeners working, and guards were patrolling.


    In fact, this road was large enough to be mistaken for the main one that ran through the city.


    This all lead up to a large three story mansion that probably equaled six or seven regular houses in the other districts.


    All I could think of was how much space this wasted.


    Although, I was later told that this was the second largest estate in the city, after the king¡¯s palace of course.


    The carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the ornately carved wooden doors of the mansion.


    Our door was opened by a butler and every stepped out.


    The guards went back to work and left us there.


    Arthur spoke to his butler quickly and soon lead us in.


    ¡°Please come in Gia, this is my home. I can let you stay for a night. But I already thought of a good assignment for you.


    You¡¯ll need to start tomorrow, is that clear?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡±


    ¡°For now, Frederick will show you your room¡±


    Arthur and Greer went off in to an office and I was left with his butler.


    He was an old man who seemed diligent enough at his job.


    ¡°Milady if you would please come with me¡±


    I followed him up the main staircase that had branched off to each floor.


    He led me to the second floor and we walked for a bit until we were nearly at one of the corners of the mansion.


    He took out a key, unlocked the door and gestured me in.


    I thanked him and was told that dinner would be ready in an hour.


    I was expected to make an appearance to the head of the house, Arthur¡¯s father.


    The room was simple enough.


    There was a bed, a desk next to it, and a dresser.


    There was even a closet and a bathroom in the room.


    It was a guest room but for the nobles, any of their rooms would be better than what most people lived in.


    I walked in to the bath room and saw the controls for the magitech installed in the bathtub.


    This created water and controlled its temperature as well.


    I slipped out of my clothes and went in to the tub.


    The warm water felt distant to me as a result of my illusion spell.


    It allowed me to maintain a human form while storing my real body in a schism between worlds.


    And at the same time, it used my mana continuously to create a human body that I controlled.


    Part spacial and part illusion, it was the perfect wasteful magic.


    It used up so much my mana, I had to continuously find new sources of energy.


    Like for example, the mana of a powerful demon.


    Not only that, there were certain people who could see through my disguise.


    Usually they would sense that I was a solid body of mana.


    This was so that I could emulate the weaknesses of a human.


    It seems as though Arthur and Greer didn¡¯t notice yet.


    But it¡¯s too risky, I¡¯ll have to switch to my back up ability soon.

 Chapter 8: The Time I Ate With The Hero

    I got out of the tub after ten minutes and wrapped a towel around myself.


    I stared in to the mirror at my current form.


    I looked young, maybe about 16 or 17.


    Long black hair and soft brown eyes that were almost hazel.


    I thought my face was decent enough and the other body sizes seemed good too.


    All in all, I wasn¡¯t going to be turning heads but I was above average.


    Enough to surprise people with my hidden power and skills.


    I walked over to the dresser and opened it.


    Half of it was men¡¯s clothes and the other half were dresses.


    I frowned when I saw this.


    It seemed like Arthur¡¯s house wanted some control over how guests dressed.


    Or perhaps this was a guest room for those who weren¡¯t of the nobility.


    A red dress caught my attention as I browsed through the clothes.


    It was a simple dress that you would wear during the summer or something.


    But it¡¯s color was a little glaring to look at.


    . . . How nostalgic, to see this dress again.


    I ignored it since it was so flashy and decide to pick another simple white dress.


    This one didn¡¯t have an eye-catching color, multiple layers, or screamed nobility.


    Though it did have a black ribbon that went around the torso.


    I quickly changed and laid on the bed for a while.


    Before I knew it, I was drifting off.


    <hr>


    [Sis wait up]


    My youngest brother was panting heavily trying to catch up with me.


    I was in the lead and running at full speed.


    [Hey don¡¯t go too far you two]


    My second youngest brother was running, trying to catch up with us.


    I soon stopped, turned around and pounced on my youngest brother.


    [HAH!]


    [AHH!?]


    We ended up as a pile of scales and wings.


    Even though he was older, my youngest brother was timid and shy.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    I liked to tease him because it was fun to do so.


    My second youngest brother was more mature and responsible for his age.


    We were the ¡°second batch¡±, our parent¡¯s second round of kids.


    The first batch was another four elder brothers.


    Yep, I was the only daughter my parents had.


    Our enemies were few on this island, mostly just other elder dragons.


    And usually things could be talked out before violence started.


    As a result, we were usually allowed to go whereever we wanted.


    [H. . .He¡¯s back sis]


    My youngest brother pointed his claw at the approaching figure with a worried look.


    [Reeelaaaxxx, I¡¯ve got this]


    I reassured him as I went to meet the figure.


    My older brother caught up with us and shook his head.


    [Not again, don''t you and him ever give up]


    [We can''t, our pride won''t us. He can''t stand losing to girl and I want to prove that I am the strongest]


    I laughed as metal head and I charged at each other for the umpteenth time.


    <hr>


    There was a knock on the door and I was awake again.


    ¡°Miss Gia, dinner is ready¡±


    I opened the door and Frederick was standing there.


    I nodded and followed him to the dining room.


    The dining room had a long rectangular table that was the same shape of the room.


    Behind us the long side of the room were wooden frame windows that gave a nice view of the sunset.


    I noticed that there were many seats but only two people were sitting and eating.


    Arthur was sitting near the end of the table and next to him, at the head¡¯s seat was an older man.


    I could only assume that this was his father.


    He was a man about 50 or so years old.


    He had a stern face covered by a short beard.


    His graying hair was a sign of his age but it didn¡¯t take away from his domineering presence.


    ¡°Duke Corland I presume?¡±


    I walked in and did a little curtsy to him.


    He nodded and motioned for me to sit next to him, across from Arthur.


    No words were spoken as we waited for the food to come.


    Frederick came in along with some chefs and placed our food in front of us.


    I thanked him and watched as he walked out and closed the door behind him.


    Arthur and his father started to eat and I followed suit.


    We were having some kind of meat soup and were provided with some bread as well.


    It tasted good, but again it felt very far away.


    After we were done eating, Duke Corland wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and spoke.


    ¡°Arthur tells me that you can help us¡±


    He stared at me with an intense gaze.


    ¡°Hopefully I can¡±


    I smiled and met his gaze as best as I could.


    ¡°Hmph. Well this is interesting indeed. I heard you killed a demon, but you might find these opponents trickier¡±


    He scoffed and turned to Arthur.


    ¡°Yes. As my father stated, the job I have for you is going to be troublesome. So, first I need you to do a simple job,


    collecting some debt¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    I was confused at how it seemed like I was being used to probably extort money.


    ¡°Our King established a royal bank and let out long term low interest loans to people.


    But these people have not paid even the bare minimum and records show that similar amounts to the loans were used


    foolishly by these people. Those loans were supposed to be used to help the capital through having the people better


    themselves. So, don¡¯t feel bad when you collect from them. We need you to help us clean up the city¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t someone else besides me do this?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but this seems like a good test¡±


    ¡°Seems easy enough¡±


    ¡°Oh, some of the debtors may include some very powerful criminals. I would do it myself but it would show that I would


    waste my time to stop petty scum¡±


    I was starting to think that Arthur was maybe a little stuck up.


    ¡°Got it. They must be strong since you consider this a test¡±


    Duke Corland got up and spoke once more before leaving.


    ¡°Show us that you can do something stranger and we will give you many benefits¡±


    Arthur soon left as well after wishing me luck.


    The servants soon came in and collect the plates when I noticed something.


    ¡°Excuse me that seat. The utensils are out but nobody came¡±


    I pointed at the seat all the way at the end, opposite from Duke Corland¡¯s seat.


    ¡°Oh that . . . the young master has returned but has skipped this meal¡±


    The maid girl I asked was a little hesitant in giving an answer.


    When she did, I felt like it wasn¡¯t much.


    Well I feel like it¡¯s not my problem and left as well.


    Frederick caught up to me and said that I should give him a list of what I needed tomorrow.


    I told him all I needed were new clothes fit for battle and the best sword they could give me.


    He led me to my room and bowed himself out.


    I found a folded nightgown on my bed and changed in it.


    Afterwards I climbed in to the bed and drifted off to sleep.

 Chapter 9: The Time I Went To Investigate

    "GIA!!!"


    I looked around and saw a small boy running towards me.


    It was Ishmael, my master''s son.


    He was around 10 years old and lived at the edge of the village with his father.


    Master was once a great warrior and even became a war hero.


    But after his wife passed away from illness, he shut himself off from the world.


    He took his son and moved here in solitude, hoping to live the rest of his days in peace.


    I heard that a skilled human lived around here and I sought him out.


    I didn''t want to draw too much attention using my own strength.


    So, I learned how to use a sword from him.


    It took me a couple days of waiting outside their door before he decided to teach me.


    But now, I became apart of their lives.


    "Hmm?"


    "Why are you just laying here? Dad said it''s dangerous near the forest"


    Ishmael said as he peered over me.


    I smiled and sat up.


    I had closed my eyes and laid on the side of the hill in the meadow.


    "Why not? It''s relaxing"


    "Aren''t you scared of the monsters?"


    I laughed and ruffled his hair.


    "Don''t worry, your dad taught me all his amazing skills so no monster will stand a chance"


    "Dad also said not to get so full of yourself though"


    Ishmael frowned as he fixed his hair.


    "Here, lay down next to me"


    "Huh!?"


    I pulled Ishmael down and we laid there with our arms spread out.


    "When I lay here and close my eyes I can almost feel the forest. You know what I mean?"


    "No, but we should go soon"


    "You know, Ishmael, you remind me of my youngest brother. He would also run after me, telling me to be careful. I guess I


    should''ve listened to him that day . . ."


    I never spoke about my family to master and Ishmael.


    I told them that I had been kidnapped from my family and was searching for a way home.


    But they knew not to press me for more details.


    "Don''t worry Gia, you have us now"


    Ishmael tried his best to reassure me.


    I thanked him and we walked back to the house.


    <hr>


    I woke up in the mansion and was a little sad dreaming about simpler times.


    I went in to the bathroom and washed my face.


    After I was done in the bathroom, I heard a knock at the door.


    "Every thing you requested, Miss Gia"


    "Thank you, Frederick"


    I took the package from Frederick and closed the door.


    A couple of minutes later, I had put on my new clothes.


    They weren''t anything special, regular old leather armor and they fit me good enough.


    I had some gold left from the bandits and that was all I kept from my old clothes.


    I checked the sword I was given and it was decent enough.


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    But it wasn''t as good as something I could make.


    Hopefully it won''t break if I use it too hard.


    After I walked out, I found Frederick waiting for me.


    He led me to Arthur who filled me in.


    "Here''s a list of the people we need you to collect from as well as the addresses they wrote. We didn''t notice anything


    wrong until the bank branch in the lower district was found to be corrupt. So don''t expect this to be simple"


    Arthur handed me a list as he led me to the back of the house.


    "There''s something you''re not telling me"


    "I suspect that those people on the list may be connected. How so? I don''t know, that''s you''re going to find out"


    We exited through the back of the house and walked through a garden.


    Arthur stopped us at the side of what looked like a storage building.


    There hidden from everything, was a small carriage.


    "I''m not taking any chances. Official word is we couldn''t hold you for anything concrete. Got it?"


    I nodded and got inside the carriage.


    "This carriage will take you to a alley in the middle district. From there you walk, nothing to it"


    Arthur closed the door and the driver took off.


    About an hour and a half later . . .


    I had all but confirmed Arthur''s suspicions.


    I went to three different locations and all were fake.


    One was an empty lot.


    Second place was a abandoned house.


    Last one was an inn.


    Something was really wrong with the one giving out these loans.


    There was also an entire page of these locations.


    I didn''t know anything about the city so this wasn''t going to go anywhere.


    So I decided to go to the inn.


    There was a pub there as well so I could hopefully get some more information from the locals.


    Just as I walked in, a man bumped in to me.


    "Watch it"


    He said rather hostilely.


    "!?"


    When he saw my face though, he was surprised for a second.


    But then he hurried off in to the streets.


    I didn''t think people were already afraid of me.


    I walked up to the counter of the bar and was met by a girl around 17.


    "Hey there how can I help you"


    She had her reddish brown hair in a single braided ponytail that hung around her shoulders.


    A bandana with the emblem of the inn, a green eagle, covered her head.


    I decided to just go straight for it.


    "Hi, a Orville Hods wrote down this place as their residence for a loan? I''m here to collect it. So could you please help me


    find him"


    The barkeep frowned and her eyes started to dart around.


    First they were on me and then they looked behind me.


    "I''m sorry but I''ve never heard of anyone by that name"


    "Are you sure?"


    "Positive!"


    She said with a smile.


    I smiled back.


    "Then you wouldn''t mind if I looked around right?"


    During our little exchange, I noticed the place getting quieter and quieter.


    Suddenly I felt my wrist being grabbed back.


    "Excuse me, miss but could you please come with us?"


    I looked back and saw three stern looking men.


    Before I could even answer, I was already being pulled out in to the alley.

 Chapter 10: The Time I Went To Investigate II

    ¡°Hey!?¡±


    The man threw me to the floor as the other ones surrounded me.


    They all looked to be in their late 20s and yet no one batted an eye as they dragged a young girl like myself outside.


    ¡°You¡¯re asking too many questions. Who are you?¡±


    The one who grabbed me growled.


    I got up and dusted myself off.


    ¡°Exactly as I said, I¡¯m looking for Orville Hods. The bank branch around here was found to be mishandling things and now


    I¡¯m here to collect the debt¡±


    ¡°Heh, why did they send a girl like you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll show you¡±


    I suddenly sent my knee in to his stomach and he doubled over.


    ¡°KAH, GET HER!¡±


    He screamed to his friends as he clutched his stomach.


    I laughed and leaped over them.


    I stepped on the man¡¯s back as I landed and used the momentum to kick him towards his companions.


    ¡° . . .YOU, you won¡¯t get away¡±


    ¡°I doubt it¡±


    With one last look at them, I turned and leaped through to the rooftops.


    Right as I landed on his back, I used [Shadow Mark] on the man.


    This allowed me to locate the man as well as borrow the man¡¯s senses.


    I usually use it to listen through the target¡¯s hearing, but piggybacking off anymore senses might get me noticed.


    Since the more senses I would access would make my magic more noticeable.


    It was entirely one sided so he couldn¡¯t connect to me, only I to him.


    So, I decided to double back and watch the man from the shadows.


    Unfortunately, nothing solid came up as I waited.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    When I mentioned the name in the bar, the atmosphere changed so someone there knew something.


    Was it just a coincidence?


    No, no one tried to help from these guys.


    So, they were trying to protect something.


    All this lead me to wonder why anyone would even put the bar as a location in the first place.


    Arthur probably didn¡¯t care about the money, these people interested him.


    Yet nothing was happening.


    I heard conversations about food prices, local gossip, and even rumors about the king being sick.


    I was walking around the area near the bar since 100 feet was the minimum to maintain a low mana cost.


    I was careful not walk in to the same places twice and did my best to notice people who would be watching me.


    While I was listening the man, I noticed something.


    The general area for these locations on the list was localized around the bar.


    The bank near here only served this district, so this was expected.


    But the bar also came up several times for other names in the list.


    The way they made it seem, it would appear as if the bar was one of those tenements.


    There was definitely something fishy but I think this might take some time.


    The sun was starting to set and it sounded like the bar was closing.


    I had gotten tired of walking around and was hidden on an adjacent roof to the inn.


    If the man was staying in the inn, then I would have to break my connection and search elsewhere.


    Luckily, he wasn¡¯t and I heard an interesting conversation.


    ¡°Sarah, I¡¯m leaving now. George and Matthew will stay here for the night just in case that girl comes back¡±


    ¡°Thank you, it seems they¡¯re finally getting suspicious¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a pity she escaped but without any evidence, she can¡¯t do anything. Though they wouldn¡¯t send someone normal to


    investigate, so be careful¡±


    ¡°Send Adam my regards¡±


    They managed to avoid saying anything of substance for so long.


    But it looks like I¡¯m finally getting somewhere.


    The man exited the inn and started to walk somewhere.


    Occasionally he would take random turns or look around.


    But too bad I always knew where he was.


    After some time, he finally stopped in front of the fountain in the middle of the district.


    He stood there for a while before a figure approached.


    Of course, this was a hooded figure.


    There weren¡¯t many people out during this time, but I think they would notice this weird clandestine meeting.


    So, the man and the figure started to walk to the opposite end of the fountain which led in to a dark street.


    ¡°I assume you didn¡¯t risk coming here unless you have something big?¡±


    The man said to the figure as they walked along.


    ¡°Yes, I have news I know where SHE is¡±


    From the voice, I could tell it was a young woman¡¯s.


    She stopped suddenly and started to scan her surroundings.


    ¡°What?¡±


    The man said cautiously as he threw a glance around as well.


    ¡°. . No, maybe it¡¯s nothing but you need to hurry. I heard she¡¯s being held in Duke Marren¡¯s residence¡±


    In that split second, the woman tripped as she nervously gave him the information.


    I decided to risk it and connect to the man¡¯s eyes as he helped her up.


    Her hood had fallen down and she looked up at the man as I had hoped.


    ¡°Ahhhhh¡± She gasped and hit the man¡¯s hand away.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± He said, confused at her sudden actions.


    [Purifying Light]


    Oh? She used a spell that would get rid of possession spells or curses.


    It was a standard spell for weaker possessions but her strength was surprising.


    She managed to burn some of my connection to the man.


    Unfortunately for her, I had already seen her face.


    I had all that I needed and so I fled in to the night.


    Only members of the church tend to know that spell, so I¡¯ll check them later for that woman.


    But first it looks like Duke Marren has someone important to them.


    Now I needed to find them to get to the bottom of all this.

 Chapter 11: The Time I Met A Knight

    Marren was one of seven houses that held the most power after the king.


    Corland was one of them too and probably held the most power currently as a result of Arthur¡¯s title.


    But Marren wasn¡¯t to be trifled with either, they held several prominent government positions.


    Like being the prime minister or the head of the nobles running the bank.


    According to what I could find, only the seven families could have a large estate here.


    The rest of the nobles had to have their mansions right next to each other.


    As a result, I¡¯d probably be spotted before I could find the prisoner.


    I also decided not to tell Arthur before I snuck in to the Marren home.


    I didn¡¯t know whether or not he would order me to stop.


    But I hoped that this was something I could use later.


    The residence didn¡¯t differ in size or quality from Arthur¡¯s place.


    But it did have more guards on patrol.


    I could also sense some kind detection magic above the estate.


    So, I couldn¡¯t drop in from the sky.


    The employees also seemed to live on the premises.


    The maids, butlers, and other servants lived there, of course.


    But I was surprised to see barracks near the house.


    Deliveries were also carefully searched and examined.


    It didn¡¯t look like there would be an easy way in.


    There were two groups that were able to get in unannounced though.


    The royal knights were able to where they pleased with the authority of the king.


    But the circumstances that lets them burst in on high ranking nobles usually are on the charges of treason.


    That wasn¡¯t something I could just conjure up and most importantly, it draws way too much attention.


    So, I decided to kill two birds with one stone and went to look at the clergy.


    I looked up at the large building in front of me as the sun¡¯s rays were reflected at my eyes.


    This wasn¡¯t a place for the common people.


    Even the people of the central district were only recently able to enter.


    That was provided they donated a generous amount of course.


    I gave my ¡°donation¡± to the priest at the front and he signaled to the two guards nearby to let me in.


    It was the last of the bandit¡¯s money that I took.


    They had quite a fortune, and the amount I took was not one that someone from the lower district could ever get.


    Well, I guess praying for those girls now wouldn¡¯t hurt.


    The clergy were given a giant cathedral when the city was being built by the king.


    He needed the support of the church to legitimize his rule.


    And the building he gave them was almost twice as big as a regular noble¡¯s mansion.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    It had six towers that surrounded the central dome.


    The stained-glass windows looked like they were handled by the best artisans.


    With vivid colors showing the various stories of the goddess.


    The doors were made of bronze that was shaped beautifully in to the images of a dragon and the king.


    When you walked in, you would find pillars in the interior that were intricately designed.


    The ceiling was extremely tall and if you looked up, you could see a painted ceiling that depicted the goddess of light in her


    full glory.


    This church was well funded by the king, the nobles, and now the central district.


    The other areas had churches as well, but they were all much smaller and less attended.


    Since it was the afternoon on a weekday, there was hardly anyone here.


    I didn¡¯t know if this was a good thing or a bad thing.


    I had spent the most of today going through churches, hoping to catch a glimpse of the woman I saw last night.


    She definitely was related to the clergy somehow but just in case, I searched all the small churches.


    I guess it was only appropriate that someone with her power would have a connection with the nobles.


    She probably couldn¡¯t recognize my presence as our interaction was brief. . . probably.


    While I was thinking about all this, I came upon a surprising sight.


    A blonde knight was kneeling in front of the statue of the goddess and praying.


    I slowly approached him, thinking it was Arthur.


    I waited until he was done praying but when he turned around, I could see he was a stranger.


    He also had blonde hair and blue eyes, yet his face was more friendly looking than Arthur¡¯s.


    ¡°Hello young lady, how can I help you?¡± He said with an inquisitive look.


    ¡°Oh. . uh sorry, you look like someone I know from behind¡±


    I turned around and walked away from him.


    The statue of the goddess was the master piece of the cathedral.


    Rows and rows of beautiful wooden benches were lined up in front of it.


    But most of the people here were in the sides of the cathedral, rather than in the center.


    They were all conducting some business and were all busy.


    Rather it was strange the knight and I were actually not busy in this place.


    I used this to my advantage and swiftly walked through the cathedral.


    The ground level had most of the general facilities for the public for things like confessions, purifications and healing.


    Most of the clergy in the cathedral lived near the back where it opened in to an exclusive garden for them only.


    The level below us housed the crypts of the noble dead, but there wasn¡¯t any one of interest there.


    The level above had some meeting rooms but no one there matched the woman¡¯s face.


    I was walking through the main level again when I saw him again.


    The blonde knight from before was waiting for me.


    ¡°Oh hello, again¡±


    I said trying to be courteous to him.


    ¡°Hmm, I couldn¡¯t help but notice you walking around here. Do you need any help?¡±


    ¡°Um, I don¡¯t know if you can help me¡±


    I said in doubt.


    ¡°Despite how young I look, I¡¯m a full-fledged knight. Name¡¯s Leon¡±


    He said as he gave me a short bow.


    This was true, Leon could¡¯ve been my older brother for what anyone knew.


    I chuckled and pretended to do a curtsy.


    ¡°I¡¯m Shera¡±


    ¡°Nice to meet you Shera. I¡¯m sure I can help you out in some way¡±


    I took a step back in my mind and thought about it.


    Certainly, he was a knight and the woman was nowhere to be seen.


    I guess I had no choice but to play this carefully.


    ¡°I. . . I hope so. It¡¯s . . . no never mind¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    He said, sounding concerned as he placed his hand on my shoulder.


    I looked Leon in the eyes and started to put a plan in to effect.


    ¡°You have to promise not to tell anyone¡±


    I said in a hushed voice as I looked around us.


    He nodded and led me to an unoccupied room.


    After Leon closed the door, I continued, carefully choosing my words.


    ¡°I was working on the paperwork for the bank in the aftermath of the scandal in the lower district. As a result, I was late in


    going home last night¡±


    I paused to let Leon start to form a picture.


    He nodded and I continued.


    ¡°When I was walking back, I spotted a hooded figure and curiosity got the better of me. So, I followed them and saw them


    talking to man by a fountain. I caught bits and pieces of their conversation but it seemed like they were planning an attack


    on Duke Marren¡¯s estate¡±


    ¡°WHAT?¡±


    Leon said with a shocked look on his face.


    He mulled over the information I had just given him before speaking again.


    ¡°Are you sure this is true?¡±


    ¡°From the last snippet of their conversation, yes¡±


    ¡°I have to warn the knights¡±


    Leon said as he suddenly stood up.


    ¡°WAIT!¡±


    I grabbed his arm and he decided to hear me out.


    ¡°The hooded figure was a woman and it seemed like she knew a lot about the Duke. I think she¡¯s someone close to him or


    least close enough to know about his home. I think the best course of action is for us to go directly to his home and speak


    with the one in charge. I can go with you and help to identify the woman¡±


    ¡°No, what if she recognizes you. We need a careful plan to catch her¡±


    I turned around and shook my head.


    ¡°We need to go now; the attack seemed to be in haste. And if a bunch of knights show up at the Duke¡¯s place, then it would


    only be postponed. But if it''s just the two of us, we can warn the guards and set up an ambush¡±


    Leon was at a loss for words, I pleaded with him the best I could until he caved.


    ¡°Alright fine, but you must not do anything rash you hear?¡±


    I smiled and patted my sword.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry even though I got this recently, I know a move or two¡±


    With that, Leon soon commandeered a horse from the cathedral and I rode with him to Duke Marren¡¯s estate.

 Chapter 12: The Time I Infiltrated The Dukes Home

    ¡°I require an audience with the duke¡±


    Leon said as he stopped the horse in front of the gate.


    The two guards seemed to recognize Leon since they hastily followed his orders.


    One went to signal the other guards inside to open the gate.


    But then the other one asked a question.


    ¡°Pardon me Sir Leon, but who is she?¡±


    I hoped I didn¡¯t look that suspicious.


    I had changed my clothes before my search for the woman I saw before.


    Now I had on a blue dress with a brown cloak tossed on top of that.


    The oddest thing out of place should be the sword at my hip.


    Leon looked back at me, wondering how he should put it.


    But I took the lead and spoke first.


    ¡°My name is Shera and I have urgent news that needs to be heard by the duke immediately¡±


    The guard turned to Leon and he nodded in agreement.


    With that, the gate was opened and Leon cracked the reins.


    Leon charged through the path leading to the mansion.


    Somehow, he managed to avoid hitting anyone and stopped us in front of the main entrance.


    While he helped me off, a group of people were already gathering around us.


    A man who had a beard and looked to be in his 40s spoke to us first.


    ¡°What is this all about Sir Leon?¡±


    ¡°We have urgent news for the duke¡±If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Leon said with an impatient tone.


    The man looked at us over and rubbed his beard.


    He spoke some words to a nearby servant and they ran off.


    Then he turned back to us and signaled someone else to take care of the horse.


    ¡°Hmph, it had better be important enough that you came here unannounced¡±


    He motioned for us to follow him and we were led inside.


    The interior of Duke Marren¡¯s house was stylistically different from the Corland¡¯s.


    If there was a word to describe it, then it would be yellow.


    There was a large painting of a man dressed in yellow robes that towered over you as you walked in.


    As you got closer inside and near the painting, you could almost feel it¡¯s intense gaze.


    The drapes and rugs that decorated the place were also a yellow color.


    It was a healthy yellow color that seemed almost alive.


    It must have cost a lot of money to reproduce this color for everything in this place.


    Arthur¡¯s father had a more subdued style for their house.


    But this, this was pretty ostentatious to me.


    Almost to the point of being gaudy since the color was over used everywhere.


    Leon cracked a small smile when he saw my bewildered eyes scanning this place.


    It seems like this was a normal reaction to all this.


    We were led to a large reception room of some sort.


    There were four guards already in the room and they saluted the man with us as we entered.


    ¡°My name is Allan Renstair, you might not know this but the duke trusts me as his second in command. So, anything you


    have to tell him can be told to me¡±


    The man said after we sat down.


    I looked at Leon, hoping that he was thinking what I was thinking.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry but this is must be spoken to the duke personally¡±


    Leon said firmly as he looked Allan in the eye.


    ¡°What gall you have, to demand a meeting after bursting in to here. Even if it¡¯s you Sir knight, this can only go so far¡±


    Allan said in slightly raised but calm tone.


    ¡°And on top of that bringing your woman here? The city isn¡¯t a place for you to prance around in¡±


    ¡°ENOUGH!!!¡±


    Leon shouted as he got up and slammed the table with his gauntlet.


    ¡°There is danger to the duke¡¯s household and I won¡¯t stand to have you waste my time.


    My duty as a knight is to protect the people, all of them. Even if that means I have to go through someone like you¡±


    The mood in the room got a little tense as Leon was staring down Allan.


    Allan suddenly broke his gaze and got up.


    ¡°Hmph. Well sir knight, I like your spirit. You should know your place though, sometimes it might get you in to trouble. But


    since you insist with such vigor, we¡¯ll interrupt the duke together¡±


    He said with a look of amusement on his face.


    I lightly tugged at Leon¡¯s hand to get his attention.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry but in our rush here, I forgot to use the bathroom¡±


    I said with an apologetic look on my face.


    Leon looked at Allan and he rolled his eyes.


    He snapped his fingers and motioned for me to follow one of the guards.


    ¡°Hurry up¡±


    Allan said rather rudely.


    I was led down the hallway by the guard and shown the bathroom.


    I walked inside and smiled.


    Now it was time for phase two of my plan.

 Chapter 13: The Time I Caused A Ruckus

    I took a deep breath and pictured the mansion in my mind.


    The detection spell was like a relatively simple one.


    It stretched across the airspace of the estate like a net of sorts.


    It would detect if something of a certain size had entered.


    Mostly definitely there wasn¡¯t someone maintaining the spell all the time.


    Duke Marren probably had something artificial that powered it.


    I wanted to overload the spell, which meant sending in a short burst of mana that was more than what the sourcecould


    handle.


    This would distract everyone while I searched for the prisoner.


    [Air Shot]


    I accumulated a mass of air above the mansion and hurled it at the spell.


    !?


    I dropped on one knee with my right hand covering my mouth.


    What was that?


    Impossible, I couldn¡¯t shatter the spell?


    Even worse, it had the opposite effect and harmed me instead.


    But I felt something in the split-second I clashed with the spell.


    The thing that was powering it was underneath the mansion.


    Outside the bathroom, I could hear the guards clamoring about something.


    My initial plan failed so I could only look for an opportunity now.


    The guard and I quickly returned to the reception room.


    ¡°Leon what¡¯s happening?¡±


    I asked as I saw a lot of people running around.


    ¡°Looks like something tried to mess with our detection barrier, maybe you guys are on to something. Hurry now¡±


    Allan cut Leon off before he could speak and started to lead us out of the room.


    ¡°Hey are you alright? You look a little pale¡±


    Leon noticed my face as we were walking out.


    ¡°I¡¯m a little tired that¡¯s all¡±


    ¡°Here, let me¡±


    He placed my arm over his neck and let me use him as support.


    The reason why I was so tired now was because I just used a very mana consuming spell.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Summoning magic was very useful but if you were weaker than the thing summoned than it was probably going to kill you.


    Or in the very least it was going to go out of control.


    I used a temporary summoning spell [Cloud Dragon].


    It was a part of the lower tier of summoning spells that were more accept in practice.


    Since the higher tier ones involved complex rituals that summoned demons from another world or something.


    This typejust gave shape to an element and allowed one to control it.


    ¡°DANGER¡±


    ¡°LOOK OUTSIDE, WHAT IS THAT¡±


    ¡°Of all the. . . it appears to be some kind of air serpent¡±


    Well put.


    The clouds had come together to form a dragon shape that had a head, two arms and a


    really long serpent like body.


    DUUUUUUNNNNNNN


    DUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNN


    DUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNN


    The entire place shook as I made the dragon hit the spell.


    Tch, it turns out Allan was right.


    This wasn¡¯t just a detection spell but also a barrier.


    This was strange, how could I have missed the second part of the spell?


    ¡°HURRY, to the duke¡±


    Allan shouted to us as the ground kept shaking.


    ¡°Hey are you sure you¡¯re fine?¡±


    I nodded and we started to move rapidly to the duke.


    BOOM


    ¡°AGH¡±


    BOOM


    ¡°GAH¡±


    BOOM


    ¡°Ugh¡±


    As we were running, a mini version of the gigantic dragon above the estate had come crashing through the windows.


    Every time a guard got close to a window, it would slam into them and went back out the way it came.


    I was picking off the guards one by one this was.


    Nobody really was hurt aside from being slammed in to a wall hard enough to knock them out.


    I sped up the rate the second one moved at and pretty soon it was only Allan, Leon and me.


    ¡°How much farther?¡±


    Leon said between several deep breaths.


    ¡°Not much longer, his office is on the second floor¡±


    Allan stated as we reached the stairs on the first floor.


    Hmm, if I went with them any further I might not be able to find the basement.


    And the guards outside were starting to rush in.


    I finally realized I couldn¡¯t break the barrier with the large cloud dragon at my current state.


    I prepared the two dragons to move in sync as we about to go up the stairs.


    DDDDDDDUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNN


    I made the large dragon slam in to the barrier hard enough to dispel its form.


    It didn¡¯t break the barrier still, oh well it was only a small hope anyways.


    But it did do what I needed it to, the slam had knocked us all on out feet.


    The second dragon then rushed in and grabbed me.


    ¡°SHERA!¡± Leon shouted as he frantically tried to grab my hand.


    Too bad I was already outside in the air as my dragon raced away.


    I entered the mansion on the other end and started to make my way towards a door.


    What the?


    The seal on this door was very powerful.


    This keeps getting weirder and weirder.


    Only Arthur should pose any challenge to me.


    I was starting to run out of mana for this form.


    And I could only use ancient magic in my true form.


    Damn it, I dispelled the second dragon and started to think of another way past the door.


    ¡°OVER HERE, THE INTRUDER IS HERE¡±


    The guards were starting to close in on me.


    Damn


    Wait, it couldn¡¯t be?


    Huh? There may be a way for me past the door.


    My greatest affinity was still earth so this might work.


    I placed both of my hands on the door.


    [Strengthen]


    I used an extremely basic reinforcing spell but it should be fine.


    Now with the spell active on myself, I pushed the door extremely hard.


    It wasn¡¯t budging at first but I gave it another try.


    Finally, the areas around the door started to crack.


    Turns out I was right; the door was stronger than the foundation it was built on.


    I forced it down just as guards from both sides of the hall started to arrive.


    Good thing I put my hood on.


    [Mend]


    I threw as little mana as possible to fix the door.


    Hmm, the finished result looked really ugly, but they already knew I was here.


    Turns out the door was sound proof too, I couldn¡¯t hear them on the other side.


    I looked in front of me and saw a bunch of stairs leading down in to the depths of the estate.


    What could possibly be down here?


    This must be the source of the barrier, this suddenly became more important than the prisoner.


    How were they able to achieve this level of power?


    When I got to the bottom, I found my answer.


    I was genuinely not expecting this.


    At the foot of the stairs was a room.


    In the middle of that was a clear rectangular coffin like box.


    It was filled with water and suspended in the middle of it was a woman.

 Chapter 14: The Time I Woke The Prisoner

    No way, could it be?


    Was she the prisoner?


    There were pulsating blue lines along the floor that also wrapped around the walls.


    They started out under the coffin and seemed to end going up in to the ceiling.


    This looks like some kind of elaborate magical circuit.


    I approached the glass coffin and looked closer.


    The pale blue light from this mechanism was the only light showing.


    But I could see that she was special.


    Somehow, she was still alive despite being submerged in water.


    That wasn¡¯t the strange part, it was the fact that she was unconscious and still alive.


    She looked to be around the same age as my human form.


    But her appearance could only be described as ¡°cold beauty¡±.


    She had pale white skin and long shiny black hair.


    A blue veil covered her body and she had airy quality about her.


    I could tell that she had a lot of mana just from this appearance alone.


    She reminded me of stories of the Fae, an ancient magical race that the elves descended from.


    They were also said to have such glowing skin.


    No, I was getting distracted.


    Well I hope she¡¯s the one, otherwise this would be for nothing.


    I raised my fist and shattered the glass.


    CRACKKKKKKKK


    The glass was pretty thick but it was still no match for me.


    I stepped over the shards and started to shake her shoulder.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    ¡°Hey are you ok?¡±


    Her eyes slowly opened but she quickly gave me a glare.


    She pulled herself away from me and waved her hand.


    !?!?


    Ugh, she sent me flying back in to the wall.


    She had waved her hand and the water on the floor knocked me back.


    It looks like she could use ancient magic too.


    More powerful beings like me could use ancient magic which was chantless and based more on one¡¯s will.


    But she stopped after knocking me back and absorbed all the water in the room.


    Next, she turned her body in to water and only a vague female figure could be seen.


    She rushed up the stairs after this and easily smashed through the sealed door.


    ¡°GAAAHHHHHHH¡±


    ¡°GET IT!!!!¡±


    ¡°RETREAT!! RETREAT!!¡±


    I heard various guards shout upstairs and started to run upstairs.


    By the time I got up there, I had my hood on and my sword ready.


    There were guards on the floor getting up but the girl was nowhere to be seen.


    ¡°HEY YOU STOP!!¡±


    A guard suddenly shouted at me as I walked by him.


    ¡°Sleep¡±


    [Air Blast]


    I sent several strong winds from my body and knocked every guard close to me away.


    I felt a little sorry for them but not enough to not use that spell.


    I quickly made my way to the front of the mansion and saw the girl in her aqua form.


    She was now very huge and seemed to have been absorbing all the water around her.


    CLLLAAANNNGGGGGG


    She smashed through the front gates like nothing and continued on.


    It looked like she was headed for the lower district.


    There¡¯s no telling where she¡¯s going so I had to catch up quick.


    I was starting to fall in to dangerously low levels of mana right now, so using magic intensively was not a choice.


    I looked around and saw some guards starting to ride out.


    Hmm, I could use this to my advantage.


    [Air Shot]


    ¡°AAHHHH¡±


    I knocked one off a horse and took it while they were helping their comrade up.


    I started to see her figure as I got on the main street of the capital.


    She was now about three stories tall and was still headed in the same direction.


    I whipped the reins harder and harder to make the horse go faster.


    It was a good thing it was night, there weren¡¯t many people out.


    But it seems like she¡¯s avoiding breaking things.


    She would reform past any structures so as to not hit them.


    Also, it seemed like she knew the city well, she got on the main road and never stopped.


    When suddenly a voice called out.


    ¡°HEY¡±


    It was Arthur, he pulled up next to me in his white horse to match my speed.


    ¡°THAT THING CAME FROM DUKE MARREN¡¯S ESTATE¡±


    I shouted as we rode closer and closer to the girl.


    But Arthur didn¡¯t respond, he had a surprisingly angry face on.


    ¡°GO BACK NOW!!¡±


    What the?


    [Light Speed]


    Arthur and his horse both started to glow and sped away from me.


    Well two can play at that game.


    I hope I do this right. . .


    [Light Speed]


    The horse and I started to glow as well.


    ¡°WOOAAHH¡±


    I suddenly felt weightless and we probably tripled our speed.


    It was a struggle, but I tried my hardest to maintain control of the horse.


    He was starting to freak out, most likely it never experienced being weightless.


    ¡°RRUUNNN¡±


    CRASH


    The girl blew through the front gate and continued her way out of the city.


    Unfortunately, by the time I got to the front gate, she was gone.


    But a trail of upturned ground led me in the right direction.


    Huh? What do you know it¡¯s the direction of the holy lake.

 Chapter 15: The Time I Regained My Strength

    Clip Clop


    Clip Clop Clip Clop


    Clip Clop Clip Clop Clip Clop


    My horse trotted slowly along the ruined road towards the lake.


    Arthur seemed really angry when he saw the girl¡¯s form.


    I wonder if he knows something about her?


    This city gives me nothing but questions.


    NEIGH!


    Hm?


    My horse started to freak out for some reason and refused to move forward.


    I looked closely at the road, it was dark and many trees lined it.


    Something was strange, small droplets of water were slowly falling up.


    Oh no.


    FLASH


    Water started to rush up around us from the ground.


    She was trying to encase us in an orb of water.


    Damn it, I should¡¯ve noticed sooner.


    I tried to turn the horse around but the water wouldn¡¯t let me.


    It wrapped itself around me and pulled me off, the horse was harmlessly let go.


    ¡°WHAT DO YOU WANT?¡±


    I shouted to what I assumed was the girl.


    My entire body except for my face was engulfed by water and suddenly a face appeared in front of me.


    [Who are you]


    She said in a voice that sounded like she was underwater.


    ¡°Is this how you treat someone who freed you?¡±


    Ugh.


    I felt an increasing weight on my chest.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    [Interesting, this isn¡¯t your real body. But no one can know what I am. I¡¯ll have to kill you twice]


    She pulled me in the center of her watery form and started to crush me.


    My throat, my lungs, and even my eyes were feeling intense pressure.


    Even though this form was made of mana, it didn¡¯t mean I couldn¡¯t feel the pain.


    But situations like this was why I created this skill.


    It¡¯s time to go back to my normal form. . .


    This was risky since I didn¡¯t want her to see my form either.


    [Fireball]


    Like any other spell, with enough mana poured in to it the spell will be magnified.


    Bubble Bubble Bubble


    The water around me started to heat up and she started to loosen her grip.


    Good, now for the finisher.


    I increased the heat even further and started to rapidly increase the size of the fireball.


    [!!!]


    She dropped me promptly when it grew to the size of a man.


    [How do you like this?]


    Water started to trickle up from the ground and in to my mouth.


    Looks like she¡¯s trying to kill me by ripping me up from the inside of this form.


    Too bad this won¡¯t work on me.


    I pushed the fireball further and it became like a mini sun.


    She finally gave up and started to rush down the path.


    ¡°You look like you could use some sun!¡±


    I said as I finally unleashed the fire ball.


    BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM


    The explosion rocked the entire area and created a giant crater.


    I was thrown back very far in to some trees.


    My mana form finally failed and I returned to being an elder dragon.


    ROOOAAARRRR


    I couldn¡¯t help but roar as soon as I became normal.


    If someone was here, they¡¯d be treated to two eardrum rupturing sounds right after the other.


    Ahh, it was nice to have scales again.


    WOOOOSSHHH WOOOOSSHHH


    As usual whenever my wings flapped, trees would creak in the wind created.


    Though I was technically over a millennium old, my growth was stunted during the time I slept.


    Right now, I was about the size of a two-story building.


    I could easily snap a human in half but I could only fit half their bodies in my mouth.


    Well I don¡¯t eat human but I¡¯ve fought some during my time in their land.


    This was probably not conspicuous at all, so I found a small clearing close to the crater and landed.


    It¡¯s time I go all out, I started to concentrate and focused on a human shape.


    I accidentally used this once and only refined it after I met a regular dragon.


    Dragons could turn themselves in to humans but it required some amount of mana in order to force the transformation.


    As it stands elder dragons have no ability to use magic and as a result, can¡¯t manipulate it.


    But I could and I hated using this way of transformation.


    I was told it was relatively painless for dragons to do this.


    For me it was agonizing pain.


    GAAAAHHHHH.


    I was literally crushing my body down to size.


    The way I understood it, I was releasing the mana in my dragon body.


    But I still retained control over it so magic wise I should be as strong.


    I would have to reabsorb it in order to bring my dragon form back.


    Although, I figured out if you only absorbed a certain amount back you could get very powerful.


    You could grant dragon abilities to your human form, physically of course.


    Like say grow scales that were almost as tough as my regular ones or claws that could slash through almost anything.


    But that was like a trump card for me in fights, granting me the agility of a human form and the power of a dragon.


    Though right now, I didn¡¯t feel any of that power.


    Huff Huff Huff


    I was sprawled out on the ground and taking slow breaths.


    This really drained me and also it was really uncomfortable.


    Human skin is soft and the rocks on the ground were digging in to me right now.


    Yep, when my real body appeared it tore through my clothes.

 Chapter 16: The Time I Returned To The Lake

    Oddly enough I also looked like a Fae in this form.


    The water girl had dark blue eyes, shiny black hair and fair pale skin.


    I had piercing yellow eyes, emerald green hair and ¡°radiant¡± skin.


    Yes, under this moonlight my skin¡¯s effect seemed to be especially pronounced.


    Like one of those paintings of mythical creatures.


    When I suppose having the only known elder dragon use magic would result in a mistake here and there.


    But I¡¯ve come to like this form and wouldn¡¯t change much about it.


    I looked relatively the same as my mana form.


    The difference was that I could freely use powerful magic.


    Though the reason I used that weaker form was because it could take a death blow.


    When the mana form is destroyed, my real body would appear.


    This would allow me the advantage of a surprise attack.


    But if I took a death blow in this form, I¡¯m probably dead.


    That¡¯s why I tried to experiment in reabsorbing some mana.


    It would always result in some dragon like features if I absorbed too much.


    In the end, all I could get away with is super human strength and durability.


    I could hold my own against a demon but if more showed up or if it was too powerful, I had to become part dragon.


    I finally gathered my bearings and sat up.


    I placed my hand on the ground and focused some mana there.


    For some reason, I could grow plants with my ancient magic.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    I always knew the earth would listen to my will but I thought it was more dirt and rocks bending to my will.


    Well it¡¯s time grow some clothes or at least try to.


    Soon a shimmering plant started to grow from the ground.


    I walked up to it and it wrapped around me.


    I fused some parts of it together so it would stay on.


    It looked like I was wearing a translucent robe that was somehow still a dress.


    The material glistened and if one looked closely, you could see that it wasn¡¯t translucent at all.


    It was like if you stared at the night sky and walked around, no matter where you went you would think it looked the same.


    Colors of the rainbow appeared to glisten from it periodically while other times none appeared to be there.


    In conclusion, this plant was very mesmerizing.


    Even for me, I could just stare at this thing for days.


    But I had some where to go, the lake was her destination.


    I finally got back to the crater though I didn¡¯t want to go any further.


    The road was really bad now and I didn¡¯t have shoes on.


    SIGH


    Oh well I guess I did make this mess.


    I held my hand out and focused on the giant crater.


    Slowly the loose dirt all around started to crawl back in.


    This was as odd as seeing water drip upwards but it turned out fine.


    I filled in the crater and even put all the trees right side up again.


    Though they did still have scorch marks on the sides of their bark.


    I decided to fix the places where that girl had upturned too but only as far as I could see.


    As for the direction leading to the lake, I decided to smoothen out the path.


    Now I didn¡¯t need to walk with shoes and since I control the earth, the dirt won¡¯t get on me.


    I started to walk down the path when I noticed a presence nearby.


    ¡°Come out I won¡¯t bite . . much¡±


    ¡°So, the stories are true, a goddess does favor us¡±


    Voiced filled with sarcasm, Arthur emerged from the side of the road leading his horse behind him.


    ¡°Are you here to stop me human?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe I can, after witnessing you command the earth like that¡±


    ¡°Good, then leave this place I have . . . .business to be taken care of¡±


    I said as I started to walk towards the lake.


    Surprisingly, Arthur bought my performance, he nodded and rode in the other direction.


    Unfortunately, he saw me in this form but no one should ever put a connection between my forms.


    My body can make people not recognize me by messing with their brains.


    I never dove any deeper in to that ability because it scares me.


    Now I have to deal with Arthur later though.


    Oh well, stories tend to pop up from time to time about me in this form.


    I finally walked out of the path and was met by the lake again.


    Its immense waters were lit up by the moonlight and it sparkled with light.


    There was another reason I was here though, the visions.


    Over the years, I¡¯ve been plagued by snippets of things here and there in my dreams.


    I¡¯m sure I remember other things too but I forget them when I wake up.


    This lake has given some clear information and I had to know what they were.


    I took a deep breath and entered the lake again.


    I walked slowly in until my body was submerged.


    Soon I felt my mind expanding and I let go.

 Chapter 16.5: Visions

    ¡°ISHMAEL WHERE ARE YOU?¡±


    I said as called out in the woods.


    Soon, he came running and stopped right in front of me.


    ¡°Here I am Gia¡±


    ¡°Good I need your help¡±


    ¡°Oh, what is it? Do you want to spar with me again?¡±


    He said rather enthusiastically.


    I couldn¡¯t help but smile and ruffle his hair.


    ¡°Haha, didn¡¯t we do that this morning?¡±


    ¡°Yea but you weren¡¯t being serious¡±


    Ishmael said with a frown on his face.


    ¡°Tell you what, we can practice again after you come with me into town¡±


    ¡°. . . fine¡±


    We walked on the path to town and started to chat.


    ¡°I noticed you don¡¯t play the other kids a lot¡±


    ¡°Hm? Oh, yea I don¡¯t really care about them¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you lonely?¡±


    ¡°. . . It¡¯s alright, I have you . . and dad of course¡±


    Ismael hurriedly turned his face away, but I could tell he was embarrassed.


    ¡°Aww how sweet hehe¡±


    I went right for a hug and he struggled to get away.


    ¡°Giiiiaaa, stop treating me like a kid¡±


    He said with a hint of red on his face.


    ¡°Oh, okay I won¡¯t tease you anymore¡±


    ¡°. .I didn¡¯t say I disliked it¡±


    ¡°What was that?¡±


    ¡°NOTHING. Let¡¯s just hurry, I¡¯ve been practicing in the woods. I¡¯ll beat you this time¡±


    It took a little bit, but by now the towns folk got use to my green hair and yellow eyes.


    I never answered questions about my past, only offering some information on it on my own terms.


    But I hear the rumor going around was that I was a noble from a fallen kingdom, possibly even a princess.


    That was a funny thought, but dad did tell us that great grandfather was a ruler of a continent.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    . . . . Before he was deposed and all the elder dragons decided to seclude themselves.


    Wewent to the usual places to shop and got through my list quickly.


    Soon we had all I wanted and prepared to walk back.


    ¡°Need any help?¡±


    I said to Ishmael as I saw him struggle with a sack.


    I was carrying two large woven bags in my arms, but I could probably handle his sack as well.


    ¡°Nope¡±


    Someday, he¡¯ll learn to depend on others. . hopefully.


    "Suit yourself then"


    With that we started to walk outside of town when . . .


    ¡°Wait¡±


    I said suddenly as I tapped Ismael¡¯s shoulder with mine.


    ¡°?¡±


    WHOOOOSH


    A rock came whizzing by our heads.


    ¡°RUN¡±


    We turned back and saw five kids running away.


    Ishmael dropped the sack and started run after them.


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡°


    Suddenly the three boys and two girls ¡°mistakenly¡± tripped over some rocks and fell down.


    ¡°OWW¡± ¡°OMMPHH¡± ¡°AHHH¡± ¡°OUCH¡± ¡°UGH¡±


    ¡°Gia, . . . what---?¡±


    Ishmael said as he turned to me with a surprised look.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about¡±


    I said as I started to walk away.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you use to play with them?¡±


    I watched Ismael as he faced the ground.


    ¡°Yea, but I think training is more important now. I can¡¯t just be playing around with them¡±


    ¡°heh pretty soon you¡¯ll outgrow me, too right?¡±


    ¡°. . .¡±


    ¡°Ishmael?¡±


    He suddenly looked me in the eye and made a declaration.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make you recognize me one day Gia¡±


    ¡°Eh? Hahaha¡±


    He frowned.


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, you just looked so serious. It¡¯s a far contrast than from the boy I flipped over this morning¡±


    ¡°T. That was, I¡¯m ready now¡±


    ¡°Uh-huh. Catch up if you can!¡±


    I said as I suddenly started to run.


    ¡°WAIT!¡±


    Ten minutes later. . .


    ¡°Ugh¡±


    Ishmael collapsed in front of the house just as I finished putting my things away.


    ¡°Here¡±


    I threw Ishmael a fruit and took his sack inside.


    MUNCHMUNCH MUNCH


    ¡°That was only a warm up, ready to spar yet?¡±


    I grinned at him as he hungrily devoured the fruit.


    GROWL


    ¡°Uh I can get some more food first?¡±


    ¡°Hahaha, sure I¡¯ll prepare dinner. Master should be coming back soon anyways¡±


    With Ishmael¡¯s help, I prepared some stew for us that night.


    When the stew was done, and being kept warm by the fire, I questioned Ishmael.


    ¡° . . So why did that girl shoot a glare at me?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Ishmael quizzically looked at me.


    ¡°She looked pretty angry¡±


    ¡°Oh. . . that. Yea, I told them I had better things to do than to hang out with them¡±


    ¡°And she didn¡¯t take it well?¡±


    I turned to him with crossed arms.


    ¡°I . may have said some other things too¡±


    I frowned and approached Ishmael.


    THUMP


    ¡°Oww, my head!¡±


    ¡°You idiot, you should go apologize to them¡±


    ¡°NOPE!¡±


    ¡°Ugh, fine at least think about it then?¡±


    Ishmael seemed set on not apologizing but getting him to compromise a little was fine.


    ¡°. . .¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll ignore you until you apologize then¡±


    ¡°!!! . . . I¡¯ll think about it then but no guarantees¡±


    ¡°Good enough. Oh, I think Master¡¯s back¡±


    "Huh?"


    Soon we heard the familiar footsteps of Master as he came in to the yard.


    ¡°Ishmael, Gia, I¡¯m home¡±


    ¡°Dad¡± ¡°Master¡±


    ¡°¡±Welcome back¡±¡±


    My master was in his late 30s, and currently had grown a beard.


    Dark hair and eyes just like most people, and no noticeable traits of being related to nobility.


    But he was extremely talented at the sword.


    So much so that he became known as the ¡°Crimson Tiger¡± after many a battle fought for his country.


    I heard of his skills as I wandered this land initially and came to the conclusion that I would need them.


    The humans managed to capture me and I have yet to know what they are truly capable of.


    I heard humanity¡¯s strongest were called ¡°heroes¡±, so I sought the tutelage of one.


    I don¡¯t know why he came to this village with his son.


    All that is clear is that he left after his wife died.


    But we came to a silent understanding of not prying in to each other¡¯s past.


    ¡°Here, dinner¡±


    I smiled as I placed Master¡¯s bowl at his place on the table.


    ¡°Thank you, it looks good¡±


    He took his place at the table and we all started to eat.


    We chatted for a while about random things until . . .


    ¡°ARAM! GET OUT HERE!¡±


    An angry voice shouted from outside the home.


    Ishmael looked his father.


    ¡°Dad what¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Stay in here¡±


    Master got up and walked outside.

 Chapter 16.5: Visions II

    ¡°WHAT DO YOU WANT¡±


    Master called out to the men in front of the yard.


    Ishmael and I slowly peeked out the window and saw at least four men in front of his father.


    ¡°It¡¯s time to pay your dues, oh great hero¡±


    ¡°I THOUGHT I told the king I was done¡±


    ¡°You were born in this country and you¡¯ll die for it. And the one who rules it is the king¡±


    ¡°NO, leave this place or I¡¯ll force you to leave¡±


    ¡°We need your help, Aram. The conflict near the border is about to escalate in to a war. The king thought it was best if one


    such as yourself showed them how bad of an idea that was¡±


    ¡°No, I refuse. I¡¯m not that man anymore¡±


    ¡°Hmm, well then let¡¯s test that theory. Shall we? See if the tiger still has his fangs¡±


    ¡°Oh no, dad doesn¡¯t have his sword¡±


    Ishmael rushed to get his father¡¯s sword.


    ¡°Ishmael, WAIT!¡±


    I tried to stop him but it was too late.


    Ishmael rushed outside with his father¡¯s sword in hand.


    ¡°DAD!¡±


    ¡°ISHMAEL, NOOO!¡±


    ¡°Ahh¡±


    A man rushed in from the side of the yard and grabbed Ishmael.


    BAM


    ¡°AAGH¡±


    Another man sent Master crashing in to the ground with a punch.


    ¡°Ohh what¡¯s this? Is this your precious son?¡±


    I almost pictured the dark smile this man must have on his face.


    ¡°LET HIM GO!¡±


    I saw the two next to the leader grab Master by the arms.


    Master would never let these goons get him.


    But Ishmael ruined all that, Master could easily deal with them even without a sword.


    ¡°Now, let¡¯s have that conversation, again shall we?¡±


    Things look bad, it might be time for me to intervene.


    ¡°LET THEM GO!¡±


    I stepped outside and all eyes fell on me.


    ¡°What¡¯s this? You didn¡¯t tell us you had a daughter as well¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m warning you¡±


    ¡°Hmm, no her hair color ah and even her eyes are strange, aren¡¯t they?¡±


    ¡°GAAAHH¡±


    Another man tried to grab me from the side but I sent him crumbling down.


    ¡°NOW!¡±


    The man showed no emotion and waved his hand.


    His men let Ishmael and master go then they collected their unconscious comrade.


    ¡°I can see when we¡¯re at a disadvantage. Aram, I hope you won¡¯t regret this when the war comes to your doorstep¡±


    They all turned around and left, soon the stamping of hooves and neighing of horses could be heard.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°Dad are you ok?¡±


    Ishmael rushed to Master¡¯s side and helped him up.


    ¡°. . Gia¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    I turned and looked at Master when he touched my hand.


    ¡°You¡¯re shaking¡±


    ¡°Oh¡±


    It¡¯s true, my hands were shaking the whole time.


    . . And my heart, it was pounding.


    THUMP THUMP THUMP


    THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP


    THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP


    Loud, it was too loud.


    The sound of my heartbeat started to reverberate throughout my entire body.


    Suddenly, it was all I could feel, like it wasn¡¯t even a sound anymore.


    AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH


    I was running through the trees, leaping off from one to another.


    I could see the men riding up ahead on their horses.


    They were far away but soon that would not be the case.


    Closer and closer I became.


    I could almost taste their blood now.


    Until finally, I leaped at the leader.


    But just when I almost had him.


    NO!


    I stopped where I was and watched them ride away.


    This. . this wasn¡¯t what happened.


    I never chased after them.


    But you wanted to. . .


    . . Yea I did


    You wanted to kill them for what they did . .


    . . No!. . I


    For what they would do later on


    NOOO!


    Who are you?


    ¡°I think that¡¯s enough of that, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Suddenly the tree lined path faded away and I was now in a very wooded area.


    Two figures appeared from nowhere and one started to speak.


    ¡°Sorry, the meaning of sanctity of life didn¡¯t ring true in her time¡±


    The one who was speaking was taller than me by a head and had a very surprising appearance.


    ¡°FAE!¡±


    ¡°Hm? Oh, yes that¡¯s what those humans call us isn¡¯t that right?¡±


    She was taller than your average person with luminous skin that seemed to radiate light.


    Also, she had long silver hair that she parted behind her pointed ears.


    Her soft red eyes gazed in to mine from behind her beautiful face that had on a false smile.


    All of this was complemented by the intricate blue dress she had on, it also gave off a ¡°airy¡± feeling.


    Suffice it to say, she was extremely striking and not to mention imposing as well.


    Her companion was similar to me in height but she looked like a human.


    She had dark black hair that rested on her shoulders, her face wasn¡¯t quite as beautiful as her friend¡¯s but it had a certain


    charm.


    Her most prominent feature was her eyes, they had an unsettling yellow glow.


    Her skin was extremely tanned, as if all she ever had was sun.


    While her friend had an eye-catching dress, she had on what amounted to a sack.


    It looked like a tunic but it looked so rugged and beat up.


    ¡°Who are you two and what do you want?¡±


    ¡°Nothing really, you just happened to wander in to our domain¡±


    The fae said with a nonchalant tone.


    ¡°I thought all the fae were gone?¡±


    ¡°Like how all the elder dragons are gone?¡±


    ¡°Wait, can you tell me where they went?¡±


    It made sense, there was a possibility this mythical being knew.


    Since her kind were spoken of in stories that bordered the beginning of recorded time.


    ¡°Ummmm, no. They were still wandering the earth last I checked. They went to that island way after my time¡±


    I turned to the other girl but she shook her head.


    ¡°Sorry, she tells me that I¡¯m after their seclusion. But I come from a time where everyone is enslaved by


    monsters¡±


    ¡°Oh, well can I at least get your names?¡±


    ¡°. . . you can call me ¡°Tanya¡± and she¡¯s nameless isn¡¯t, that right?¡±


    The yellowed eye girl turned away for a bit, as if a touchy subject was just spoken of.


    ¡°. . .yea. I have no name¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m¡ª¡°


    ¡°Gaia, we know¡±


    ¡°Are you two spirits or something?¡±


    ¡°Something like that, it was fun watching you act much more na?ve than are now¡±


    ¡°No, why did you do that to me?¡±


    ¡°You wanted to, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    Surprisingly, nameless answered this question.


    ¡°There was no reason for that, what happened later wasn¡¯t their fault¡±


    ¡°Has anything changed? You haven¡¯t discovered where your family is, even after all these years¡±


    ¡°. . .¡±


    ¡°Are you even trying? I guess one good thing about being human is that we learn to grow up. You long lived beings are


    nothing more than children running around with fire¡±


    ¡°Better than whining about the harshness about the world¡±


    Tanya spat back at her companion.


    The two glared at each other for a bit but then turned to me.


    ¡°She¡¯s right you know, you¡¯re powerful. Why not form a nation, one that does your bidding? Surely then you¡¯ll have the


    resources to search the world. And I¡¯m sure all the world would line up just to take you on. A prime opportunity to subjugate


    and interrogate them for any info on your people?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not some foolish demon. Mother and father told me about when our kind ruled the earth, it was a veritable wasteland.


    Why would a fae unbound by anything care to rule? And you! Weren¡¯t you enslaved your entire life?¡±


    ¡°. . .¡±unbound¡± hm? It was only a suggestion¡±


    Tanya chuckeled a little.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know dragons were all the same, your ego is staggering. Much more than . . . even hers¡±


    ¡°Enough, I¡¯ll ask again what do you two want? And what did those visions have to do with me?¡±


    ¡°Those ¡°visions¡± you saw were some of our memories. Let¡¯s just say that we are children of the earth, you, me, and


    nameless. We died in differing circumstances but the result was the same, we became one with the earth. We are here to


    warn you; a being was created to destroy you since you have that power. It¡¯s all borrowed from the earth, the more


    powerful you become the less mana there will be in the world¡±


    ¡°What? Why would I have such an effect?¡±


    ¡°You have a high affinity with the earth, just like we did. But instead of being in a fae or a human, this time it¡¯s in a nearly


    indestructible elder dragon. Your mana won¡¯t return to the earth easily this time. So, we¡¯ve decided to hitch a ride with you


    until the time we are needed¡±


    ¡°What? Why would you help me?"


    ¡°Oh thats not important right now, and you won¡¯t hear from us for a while, this lake may have strengthened our connection.


    But you¡¯re still not strong enough to be noticed by him or to channel us¡±


    RUUUUUUMMMMBBLLLLEEEEE


    ¡°Looks like it¡¯s time to say goodbye¡±


    ¡°Wait, I have more questions¡±


    ¡°No time, the water child wants to speak with you. Just know we are on your side and we will be watching over you¡±


    With that they both disappeared and I fell towards a light.


    GASP

 Chapter 17: The Time I Met Aura

    Gasp


    Cough Cough Cough


    After my cough finally went away, I called out in to the woods.


    ¡°It¡¯s not polite to stare¡±


    That¡¯s when she walked out, the girl from the basement.


    This time she didn¡¯t show any signs of hostility.


    ¡°. . . um sorry m-my mistake¡±


    She quickly bowed after shyly apologizing to me.


    Hm? Well this was different she turned from a flash flood in to a puddle.


    ¡°Who are you?¡±


    I said sternly since it seemed she had me in some regard.


    ¡°My name is Aura and I¡¯m a fae like you. Though I¡¯m only a half¡±


    Well this could work to my favor.


    ¡°Aura is it? My name is . . Tanya, a pleasure to meet you¡±


    ¡°S-sorry, I¡¯m still a little taken back. I¡¯ve never met anyone like me before¡±


    ¡°Oh? What do you mean by that?¡±


    I tried to give her a calming smile.


    ¡°I¡¯m part fae, so I have a lot of mana. But at the same time, I¡¯m a water elemental. I can sense something similar from you¡±


    I slowly approached Aura and placed my hand on her shoulder.


    ¡°That¡¯s correct¡±


    I waved my hand and created a stone bench.


    Then I used my other hand to cause plants to grow on it.


    Now the hard stone was covered by a soft plant layer and I motioned for her to sit.


    ¡°I came to this place searching for something and I found this curious lake. It showed me . . interesting visions¡±


    Aura¡¯s eyes widened a little and a look of worry started to appear on her face.


    ¡°Oh, um Tanya be careful. This lake is . . . special. The humans believe that just because it can cleanse dark magic it is


    holy. But that¡¯s not the case. It does things to your mind if you let it affect you. Please, promise me you won¡¯t come here toReading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    see those visions anymore¡±


    Curious, this lake didn¡¯t feel that way.


    But it¡¯s not a bad idea to take caution.


    I nodded and asked her another question.


    ¡°How old are you? Fae are usually long lived and for you to be even half a fae, you must be thousands of years old¡±


    ¡°Hardly, I turn 16 this year¡±


    ¡°WHAT? Who are your parents?¡±


    ¡°I grew up in small village not far from here. It doesn¡¯t exist anymore. I never knew my father and my mother . . . She was


    horrible to me so I left her as soon as I realized that I could¡±


    ¡°I sensed from the earth that you rampaged from the capital. Can you tell me why?¡±


    ¡°. . .¡±


    She hesitated in telling me anything but I pressed on.


    ¡°You seem like you have something on your mind. Perhaps I can help¡±


    Aura stood up and started to walk towards the lake.


    Suddenly the water in the lake started to rise to form orbs of water.


    ¡°Can you hear my story out?¡±


    ¡°Of course¡±


    ¡°Thank you¡±


    The orbs started to change shapes to provide visual aids I assume as Aura started her story.


    ¡°A long time ago, a mighty empire stretched across the continent. They were the pinnacle of human rule on this side of the


    earth. But one day they grew too prideful and took something from those who should never be disturbed¡±


    I guess Aura assumed I didn¡¯t know some parts of the history of the land and decide to start from the beginning.


    ¡°Yes, when the Rokans kidnapped the child of the elder dragons. Then they scorched all the lands on the earth until they


    disappeared with their island¡±


    This was my own story, it felt weird being the subject of an old legend.


    I thought Aura might fill in something about the disappearance, but sadly she continued.


    ¡°The empire later couldn¡¯t keep it self together after being damaged so much. So, it fractured in to some of the countries we


    know today. More and more civil wars broke out until one day, seven countries bordered this area. They all claimed this


    area as their own but no major skirmishes occurred¡±


    ¡°Yes, this I know but how is this relevant to your troubles?¡±


    Aura showed me a sad smile and made the water form in to a small figure of a child.


    ¡°My troubles stem from the conflict of this land and it all started over 70 years ago¡±


    I didn¡¯t how to respond but deep down I knew.


    ¡°The countries were too busy fighting amongst each other to properly claim the land. One day, two of those countries


    became more powerful than the rest and they had to choose sides. There was a village here that wasn¡¯t bound to any of


    their rules. At least it was, until the day it was destroyed by monsters. A small boy lost his family and everything he cared


    about that day. This boy later became the conqueror of the countries that he blamed for him losing everything. Apparently,


    he claimed to be a king since he was acknowledged by the goddess of the earth. She was said to have saved him and took


    the form of a dragon as she flew away¡±


    . . . .


    ¡°The king unfortunately, was too strong. He never prepared a proper heir and everyone thinks that as soon as he dies, war will breakout again¡±


    ¡°This history lesson is starting to drag on. Cut to the part where it¡¯s your problem¡±


    ¡°My problems seem insignificant compared to all that but it¡¯s important. When I was growing up in the village, I met a boy


    who became my friend. I could tell he was . . special and he could tell I was as well. One day he started to treat me coldly


    and before I knew it, he was so different. I eventually discovered that he had come to this lake before changing so much. I


    then found out that a demon had been whispering to him.I tried to confront him but he lashed out. He later left the village


    and after a while so did I. I found out later that he was actually a noble from a very powerful house. I realized the demon


    had egged him on and was aiming for the king¡¯s throne. I tried to stop them but I got captured until you rescued me¡±


    ¡°So, your childhood friend has gone crazy and you want to save him from some demon. Is that correct?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, I can help you confront this demon¡±


    ¡°Would you? Thank you . . ¡°


    I was starting to think I might be in over my head here.

 Chapter 17.5: Samil

    His name was Samil.


    An aging man (about 50 years old) that was more than he let on.


    He was bald and had the eyes of a snake.


    But they didn¡¯t represent how sneaky he was, they represented his cruelty.


    He was born in a poor village back when the capital still hadn¡¯t form.


    Samil was destined for a life there, or so he initially thought.


    One day, representatives of the king came to his village and said they were looking for talented youths.


    Having an opportunity to leave the village for good, Samil jumped at this chance.


    Unfortunately, he was turned away from the test they were giving.


    He was told that he was too old and had he been a year younger, they would¡¯ve given him the test.


    The test was used to find the kids with the most potential in the village.


    The most promising youths would be taken to the capital and trained to quickly developed skilled workers.


    When he was turned away, Samil was devastated.


    His parents were poor and had no skills to pass to him.


    They couldn¡¯t afford to apprentice him out either.


    Samil let his anger and resentment fester inside of him.


    He hated the testers for turning him away from what he thought was his right.


    He hated the kids who were taken since he thought they were laughing at him.


    It seemed he would always be stuck this way.


    That is, until he joined the army.


    The capital had yet to put up walls and the king had yet to conqueror the last of the surrounding countries.


    Samil joined as a soldier, was hoping for anything, including death.


    He was extremely depressed at his spot in life.


    But he discovered he was good at one thing, and that was fighting.


    Time and time again, he would survive even the most arduous of battles.


    In due time, he rose to the highest rank he could.


    Going any higher required knowing someone who would promote you.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    Despite that, he was glad to lead his own squadron.


    After the war, Samil felt he was still owed his due.


    He had managed to get in to the capital but he was changed.


    The battlefield had made him cruel and ambitious.


    The other countries never liked the terms they signed and the citizens proved to have divisive loyalties.


    Despite the fact that they all lived in the same city, every group was out for their own agendas.


    Cold, calculating and prideful, Samil started to build up a movement.


    Multiple resistance cells had sprung up in the disadvantaged lower district.


    And during the years, the king started to lose his power physically.


    His health was starting to fail and all the forces started to vie for power in the shadows.


    Samil was prepared to seize power through a coup.


    The guards and soldiers that now protected the capital had never really seen combat.


    They were all probably second or third or so sons looking for an occupation.


    As a result, Samil gathered the veterans that he felt would listen to him and organized them.


    Patient as Samil was, he was also arrogant and this didn¡¯t mix well with the enormous pride he acquired.


    He wanted to crown himself king and would do anything to achieve it.


    Despite hearing of the noble¡¯s magical powers, he merely ignored it.


    ¡®People all die, it¡¯s only a matter of finding what does it¡¯ was his mindset.


    He wanted his takeover to be swift and with over whelming power.


    Along the way, he would eliminate anyone who could be seen as a legitimate ruler.


    The heir to the throne was exiled and imprisoned for a coup of his own.


    Samil thought that he was just weak and that he would do better.


    One day, Samil¡¯s efforts were dashed.


    A girl appeared from nowhere and started to talk to the different resistance cells.


    Samil was slowly gathering the cells through promises of power and through alliances.


    He was prepared to kill any of them afterwards as long he got to claim the city.


    This girl though was offering a completely different approach.


    She championed the ideals of democracy.


    The people were the nation and only through a social contract with them are the nobles given power.


    In the beginning this was true, monsters, demons, and other beasts use to roam the earth in abundance.


    Now it was relatively safe to travel the lands.


    The girl spoke treacherous ideas of overthrowing the nobles.


    She claimed that this way, they were removed from power more easily and could not claw for it without a fight.


    Having elected officials would let the people decide the direction of the nation, she said.


    These were exciting ideas that had never been spoken of before in these lands.


    They spread like wild fire and soon the girl became a leader of a mounting resistance.


    Her name was Aura and she had become Samil¡¯s enemy.


    Though she called for a nonviolent transition of power, Aura knew the nobles wouldn¡¯t just give up power.


    So, she asked Samil to join her cause with his forces and resources.


    Through gritted teeth, Samil begrudgingly agreed to her proposal.


    But Aura proved to be too popular a figure.


    As a result, Samil took matters in to his own hands.


    The carriage slowly stopped in front of a dark alley in the central district.


    It¡¯s door was slowly opened and Samil got in.


    ¡°Duke Marren, it¡¯s my pleasure to finally meet you¡±


    Samil bowed with his best fake smile on.


    ¡°Hmph, what is it that you want?¡±


    Samil had used some connections to send a message to meet with the duke.


    He looked over the duke and sized him up.


    The duke was in his late 60s and had graying hair.


    But one could see that he had a fighting spirit, he had yet to lose all his strength from his days fighting the king.


    As backup, he had one of his personal knights sit with him.


    Samil thought that these two would be nothing for him if negotiations broke down.


    ¡°Like I said in the letter I have information on who the leader of the resistance is¡±


    Despite the fact that the resistance was not a united organization, the nobles didn¡¯t know this.


    ¡°I can read, you dunce. Tell me what you want for this information¡±


    ¡°Oh I just hope to be in your good graces, if the house of Marren should find themselves in an even higher position soon¡±


    Duke Marren raised his eyebrow.


    ¡°Oh? I see, very well then. Now give us the one spreading treason¡±


    Samil nodded and started to give the duke the details.

 Chapter 17.5: Samil II

    ¡°WHAT!?¡±


    Samil threw his fist in to the wall.


    He had just received news from his subordinate that Aura was back.


    Apparently, she was taken captive but she managed to escape and was currently in hiding outside the city.


    ¡°That thing then? She has some strange allies¡±


    ¡°Yes, we think she used that water creature to break out of the duke¡¯s mansion¡±


    ¡°Damn, I thought we could get rid of both the girl and the duke¡±


    ¡°Well the news being passed around is that the duke is under heavy investigation for corruption as well as human


    experimentation¡±


    ¡°Human experimentation?¡±


    Samil was intrigued by the plans that the duke had supposedly been hiding.


    ¡°Yes, a knight was in the area and discovered a mana circuit in his basement. There was a coffin there and it is


    speculated that is what escaped¡±


    ¡°Hmm, and she took advantage of the confusion. This isn¡¯t good, those fake loans were supposed to link him to the


    resistance. But now she¡¯s not dead and he¡¯s not a traitor¡±


    Duke Marren''s house controlled the bank and currently one of the strongest houses.


    All the other houses would believe his guilt since they were all vying for the throne in secret.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry sir, it looks like there isn¡¯t more we can do¡±


    ¡°Well, at least his honor has been tainted. Though I would¡¯ve liked it if we actually got something out of this. But that¡¯s oneThis narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    duke house out of the way for now¡±


    Samil was frustrated at the failure of his current plans and was now thinking of damage control.


    As long as the duke didn¡¯t mention him, then Aura would never know he had given her up.


    But it was unlikely that he would admit to meeting with Samil.


    The more pressing concern were the fake loans that Samil had made.


    He had set up the bar where most of Aura¡¯s supporters met as a suspicious place.


    A bank courier that came to the lower districtwas beaten and robbed.


    Then the fake loans were inserted in his pile as he was knocked out.


    Samil had even tipped off the investors of the lower one¡¯s darker dealings.


    The investors were other powerful nobles so they wouldn''t hesitate to move against Duke Marren.


    The glossing over of questionable loans would have the responsibilty placed on everyone who overlooked them.


    Eventually implicating the one who over saw everything.


    This way he set in motion a purge of Aura and her followers as well as a duke in order to conceal his movements.


    Despite all this, no one had discovered the rebels'' location and the nobles only focused on Duke Marren "mishandling"


    funds.


    Only a select few knew the significance of the bar, and the blame would surely fall on him if they were raided.


    But Samil was unsure what would happen next and prepared for the worst.


    ¡°Gather the ones who are loyal, we need to prepare for any . . unexpected conflicts with our brothers and sisters¡±


    Samil¡¯s subordinate nodded and walked out the room.


    KNOCK KNOCK


    ¡°WHAT?¡±


    Samil called out but there was no response.


    Slightly annoyed he got up and opened the door.


    The hall way was dark and currently only had a few flickering candles.


    At the end stood a tall dark figure with glowing red eyes.


    Sacred, Samil shut the door but he suddenly felt something behind him.


    ¡°I heard you had a problem?¡±


    Surprisingly, a woman¡¯s voice came out the figure.


    ¡° W. .Wha . .Who are you!?¡±


    ¡°A benefactor, I hear you have plans of taking the city yes?¡±


    ¡°I. . I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about¡±


    Samil was sacred of this dark figure but still had enough reason to deny its claims.


    ¡°Come now, I¡¯m only here to help. Why I can even make your soldiers fight like they once did in battle long ago¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°All you have to do is to make a contract with me, In exchange I can give you power¡±


    ¡°Do you take me for a fool? I know not to sell my soul to demons¡±


    ¡°Soul? Hahahahahaha how amusing, as if your weak soul is desirable to me. No I simply want the death of one man¡±


    ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°In exchange for giving you power and the city itself, I want the hero to die. Plus, somethings we can discuss later¡±


    ¡°. . .the hero? I had planned to take down the ducal houses by eliminating their legitimacy. There¡¯s no way I can face him


    head on¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, after I give you some help you¡¯ll be able to match him. So, what¡¯s your decision?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll agree to your terms for now¡±


    ¡°Excellent, now I won¡¯t have to kill and possess you or mind control you¡±


    ¡°!!!¡±


    ¡°That was a joke¡±

 Chapter 18: The Time I heard Auras Intentions

    ¡°Why did you spread those ideas?¡±


    I asked Aura as we walked along the forest path.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it the next logical step for the people? The immense power of the nobles isn¡¯t needed in day to day life anymore. Suffice it to say, they¡¯re not needed anymore¡±


    ¡°And yet you need someone like me to help you against this demon of yours?¡±


    ¡°This is different, it¡¯s personal. My friend was deliberately targeted and twisted to become a pawn. I think it¡¯s because the king can¡¯t be corrupted, so the demon took the person next in power¡±


    ¡°Are you going to tell me who your friend is? Or the name of the demon?¡±


    Aura turned to me with a smile.


    ¡°All in due time, there¡¯s somethings you can¡¯t know yet¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll trust on this. But if things get out of hand, I¡¯ll it my way¡±


    ¡°But getting back to why I spread those ideas. The demon keeps latching on to strong people. People who have unquestioned power that can¡¯t be challenged. This way, if I fail at least the demon won¡¯t control a nation¡±


    I frowned.


    ¡°Not without enslaving them right? I still hear stories of those slave empires¡±


    ¡°Like I said, I hope things won¡¯t get to that point¡±


    ¡°I still think it is too soon for this to be introduced. Are you prepared to lead them? It¡¯s the most likely outcome if you win¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do my best if it comes to that¡±


    ¡°When the last empire fell, it was because they enraged one of the most powerful races. Are you prepared for a similar situation?¡±If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been traveling a lot time, Aura. I hear whispers and ramblings but the most recent ones are about the demon king¡±


    ¡°What? That¡¯s absurd¡±


    ¡°Is it? It seems like it¡¯s almost that time again. I fought several demons who mentioned something about demon king candidates. It¡¯s still far too soon but they¡¯re making a move. It might be why the monsters aren¡¯t showing up as much¡±


    Aura didn¡¯t respond and looked like she was thinking hard.


    I placed my hand on hers.


    ¡°But don¡¯t worry, you¡¯re an elemental. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll survive, I¡¯m just worried for the stability of this region. Let¡¯s deal with your demon first. One problem at a time, right?¡±


    She smiled a little and nodded.


    We stopped talking and started to pick up our pace.


    ¡°There¡¯s been another attack last night¡±


    Greer reported to Arthur with an unfazed tone.


    ¡°Another noble?¡±


    Arthur raised an eyebrow, as he was sure he knew the target of recent attacks.


    ¡°Yes. This time its Baron Cavor, there were signs of a struggle. But he¡¯s missing and the guards protecting him are dead¡±


    After the disturbance at Duke Marren¡¯s home, small disappearances started to occur in the capital. At first it seemed like random people were being taken, but recently targets seemed to include some nobles as well.


    ¡°Well, I think it¡¯s time we formed a subjugation squad¡±


    Arthur said with a small smile on his face.


    ¡°There¡¯s something rotten in the city of Foren¡±


    ¡°Do you think it¡¯s more important than keeping the surrounding countries in check?¡±


    Arthur got up off his chair and looked Greer in the eye.


    ¡°I know it is. The easiest way to defeat a nation is from the inside. I won¡¯t allow this city to fall while I breath. I¡¯ve worked too hard to get to where I am and given up too much. And now my goal is within reach¡±


    ¡° . . . you¡¯re not planning to do it at the ball are you?¡±


    ¡°Of course, the old man has to appear then. Even if everyone knows his time is short, he can¡¯t act like it is. After that, I¡¯ll be on track to the throne. To think that his greatest weakness was her. But first we need to deal with these intruders¡±


    Greer nodded as he knew the drill.


    ¡°Arte will be happy to work you again, I¡¯m sure¡±


    Besides being an exceptional archer, Arte was in some ways the closest woman to Arthur.


    Despite this, even she wasn¡¯t privy to his future plans.


    ¡°Contact that new priestess, as well, Maria? I think her name was¡±


    ¡°Want Gia or your brother to come too?¡±


    Greer joked as he threw out a random suggestion.


    Arthur shot Greer a look filled with contempt.


    ¡°Ok ok, I¡¯ll go ask Maria. But do you really think that she¡¯s necessary? Unless . . .¡±


    Arthur smiled and gathered his things, preparing to leave.


    ¡°Yes. Looks like we get to hunt demons after all¡±

 Chapter 19: The Dark Watchers

    Thump


    Thump


    The two guard¡¯s bodies dropped to the floor as they were knocked back by the floating figure.


    Covered in a dark hood and surrounded by a dangerous aura, they approached the locked door.


    Behind the door was the treasure vault of the kingdom and hopefully the thing they were looking for.


    ¡°THERE HE IS!¡±


    Guards came pouring in to the hallway leading to the vault.


    They had noticed that a part of the castle had not been reporting in.


    To their surprise, they found a trail of fallen guards leading to what could only be the vault.


    ¡°Surrender now, Metis!¡±


    The figure had called themselves ¡°Metis¡± in a previous encounter with guards in the city.


    Metis had been breaking in to various noble¡¯s homes throughout the last week.


    They were searching for something and had ransacked several homes just for people to later disappear.


    As a result, Metis was thought to be one of the demons in charge.


    Metis slowly turned around and glared at the guards before them.


    Woooooosssshhhh


    A gust of wind suddenly blew through the hallway and all the torches went out.


    The guards fumbled to take out their light orbs but it didn¡¯t go well.


    Each and every one of them were thrown against the wall.


    Metis turned around again and started to blast down the seal on the vault door.


    BOOM


    RUMBLE RUMBLE


    BOOOM


    RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE


    BOOOOOM BOOOOM


    RRRRRRUUUUUUUMMMMMBBLLLLEEEE


    No matter what they threw at it, the vault did not look like it was opening anytime soon.


    Metis was trying to brute force their way in and it looked like the castle would crumble down before the vault opened.


    THUD


    An axe had just been dodged by Metis and struck the vault door.


    Fwip


    Not even a split second later, an arrow had flew straight at Metis¡¯ face.


    But it was currently floating in front of Metis.


    Crack


    The arrow bent in half and fell to the floor.


    ¡°Looks like he sees us, spread out!¡±You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Greer shouted as he moved in to formation.


    [Light¡¯s Blessing]


    [Iron Shot]


    [Light Speed]


    [Star Crusher]


    The four party members started their assault.


    They had all lined up in a row with Greer in the front, then Arthur, next was Arte, and Maria was last.


    Maria was the priestess of the group and boosted everyone¡¯s endurance and vitality.


    In front of her, Arte used a martial skill that granted her arrow the ability to strike harder and faster.


    Arthur meanwhile, used his spell to charge at Metis by giving Greer a boost from behind.


    After Greer was pushed forward at a blinding speed, Arthur would then run along the wall and attack from there.


    All of this happened at nearly the same time.


    So, as Arte shot her bow, Arthur and Greer ducked while charging.


    All three attacks should hit one after the other.


    This was a deadly combo to be used in a narrow setting.


    BOOOM


    Unfortunately, Metis sent a shockwave hurtling at them.


    ¡°GAH¡±


    Greer was hit head on with Metis¡¯s attack and was sent flying back past Arthur.


    Arthur immediately raised his sword and blocked the shockwave.


    His sword started to shine with an intense light, reacting with equal energy in order to negate the attack.


    ¡°Cover us¡±


    Arthur called back to Arte as he ran to pick up Greer.


    Fwip Fwip Fwip


    Metis moved to dodge Arte¡¯s arrows and allowed Arthur to reach Greer.


    ¡°Ready?¡±


    ¡°Ugh. Yea, looks like everyone¡¯s breaking my [Titan¡¯s Forge] these days¡±


    Greer had used [Titan¡¯s Forge] on himself and it had saved his life.


    Despite his entire body hurting, as he was thrown to the floor, at least his body wasn¡¯t ripped apart.


    ¡°Arthur, we can¡¯t beat him, we have to run¡±


    Greer expressed to Arthur as they both leap back to Arte and Maria.


    [Heal]


    Maria mended the damage to Greer¡¯s body although, he still felt sore.


    Arthur was stumped at what to do next but was interrupted by Metis¡¯ actions.


    Metis had seemed to give up, as they flew over the group.


    Soon, more guards came and surrounded the area.


    Maria went to attend to the wounded.


    Arte went to gather information from the guards still conscious.


    Greer went to lie down with some of the wounded.


    And Arthur got a message to meet someone by the balcony in the ballroom.


    The balcony overlooked the hall where parties and other festivities were held.


    Arthur arrived and saw the man he had been hoping to meet.


    ¡°Your Majesty¡±


    Arthur bowed in front of the king.


    ¡°Come, Arthur walk with me¡±


    Arthur nodded and followed the king.


    ¡°It has been years since someone would so boldly attack us here. Don¡¯t you think?¡±


    ¡°Yes. As I recall, the last person to stage a large scale attack was prince¡ª¡°


    ¡°We all know what happened to him don¡¯t we? Well I need you to make sure that Metis must be killed or dealt with in the same manner. I can¡¯t have the people and demons ripping apart the city at the same time¡±


    ¡°Of course¡±


    For a sick old man, you seem to be in good shape.


    Arthur thought as he felt a little disappointed.


    ¡°As long as you understand. I have to face the people during the ball where I¡¯ll announce the selection of my new heir. It


    would be a shame if there was no one left to hear me. Now go do your job, ¡°hero¡±, or I¡¯ll have your brother do it¡±


    Arthur bowed and the king faced away from him.


    If I can¡¯t do it what makes you think that he can?


    Arthur shook his head at who he thought was a troublesome old man.


    He looked up the painting that the king was also looking at.


    Titled simply as ¡°The Goddess¡±, it was a large painting of a forest.


    And in the center, was the titular goddess herself.


    She had long green hair flowing past her shoulders, white milky skin, and piercing yellow eyes.


    But the first thing people would look at was her beautiful red dress.


    The painting depicted her strolling through the forest, casting a glance over her shoulder at the viewer of the painting.


    It was painted a long time ago by someone who supposedly saw and even knew her when she first visited the area.


    The king stared at the painting as he had over the years and blocked everything else out.


    Soon you old fool, soon. You¡¯ll have your wish, then you can die.


    Arthur walked away, thinking that the painter did, surprisingly, capture a bit of the goddess¡¯ beauty.


    ¡°Master I did as you commanded but I could not get in to the vault¡±


    ¡°Hmm, well it seems that something important is hidden there. Oh well, this was expected. No trace of it has been found at all?¡±


    ¡°My apologies, nothing has been found¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll have to test the vault another time then. Don¡¯t contact me until I contact you. Finish searching the rest of those


    houses. If you see any other demons, kill them¡±


    ¡°It will be done my master¡±


    ¡°Good, it¡¯ll confuse them in how we could be in different places at the same time.


    Well, I look forward to your progress Baphmet¡±


    ¡°Of course ms¡ª¡°


    ¡°Not that name is that clear?¡±


    ¡°Apologies, I meant to say lord Metis¡±


    The cloaked figure broke the illusion spell that gave him the appearance of his master¡¯s cloaked form.


    He left his master and flew in to the night sky.


    His large black wings were camouflaged in the night.


    His black fur shined brilliantly as the moonlight shone on it.


    His black horns seemed the more ominous as he flew through the sky.


    With one last look in the direction where his master was, his red eyes turned towards his next objective.

 Chapter 19.5: The Last Birthday

    [Flash Strike]


    I used the martial skill master taught me and lunged at Ishmael.


    CLANG


    I had rushed at him so hard his sword went flying out of his hand.


    And currently, I was holding my blade to Ishmael''s throat as I pinned him with the rest of my body.


    ¡°Give up?¡±


    I said smugly as this was the umpteenth time I''ve won.


    Ishmael tapped my hand and I got off of him.


    I went to get his blade and prepared to hand it back to him.


    ¡°Whats wrong?¡±


    I noticed that he looked a little sad.


    ¡°This sucks, I can''t fight as good as you or dad¡±


    ¡°Oh come on, I''m sure you just need more practice and in a few more years you''ll be just as good¡±


    ¡°Dad doesn''t hold back when he spars with you. And I can''t even react to your strikes anymore¡±


    ¡°Well. . . it''s true that I usually beat you in one hit. That doesn''t mean you won''t catch up¡±


    Ishmael shook his head.


    ¡°This just means I''m weak, I. . I want to protect you. . . I mean I can''t just let you protect me all the time¡± This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    ¡°Aww, how sweet come here¡±


    I gave Ishmael a hug to try to cheer him up.


    ¡°Maybe you want to lay down? Your face feels hot¡±


    He hurriedly pushed me away and turned his face around.


    ¡°I''m fine. It''s just that dad''s a warrior, I want to become one too. I want to protect the things I care about¡±


    ¡°Hahahahaha¡±


    I was rolling on the grass at the words Ishmael spoke.


    ¡°What''s so funny?¡±


    I collected myself and sat up once more with a smile on.


    ¡°Nothing, that just sounded so cheesy. You know, not everyone can fight. You just have to find something that suits you¡±


    ¡°I guess so¡±


    ¡°Don''t worry, I''ll help. Let''s go in to town and see what things you could do¡±


    ¡°Did you forget?¡±


    ¡°?¡±


    ¡°It''s your anniversary. Dad''s bringing home the food soon¡±


    ¡°Huh? Oh yea it was¡±


    Yep today was the anniversary of when I had first arrived on Master''s doorstep.


    This marked the third year that I was with them.


    It also functioned as my birthday and I''m turning ¡°14¡± today.


    Someday I would have to leave them, and I don''t know if I could.


    But I''ve learned that I can''t live like this.


    ¡°Your kind brings nothing but death¡±


    Those were the last words my previous caretaker said before they died and after they learned of my true form.


    ¡°Gia you okay?¡±


    I snapped back to reality and smiled a bit.


    ¡°Yep, I''m just thinking about the cake¡±


    I ruffled Ishmael''s hair as I stood up.


    ¡°Hey, I''ll race you to the kitchen¡±


    ¡°You''re on!¡±


    ¡°Ready, set, go!¡±


    The sound of our laughter could be heard as we raced each other.


    Little did we know, that was my last birthday with them.


    Soon, I would be forced to wander again.


    And it wouldn''t be the last time I had to leave after I was found out.


    The times with them were some of my most fondest memories. . . .

 Chapter 20: The Return To Foren

    The city had a certain tension surrounding it as I stepped foot inside it.


    It had been four weeks since I had left and two since I left Aura.


    I had things to take care of and instructed her to return first.


    The situation seemed to have changed for the worst.


    Rumors swirled around about demons everywhere.


    Curfew had been established to start as soon as the sun set.


    I snuck back in by going over a dark part of the wall.


    Currently there was nothing but guards out patrolling.


    The city was gripped in fear and no one knew what to expect.


    Would the demons kill everyone? Or would the rebels destabilize things further in to chaos?


    I didn''t expect Aura''s problem to turn this in to a full blown lock down for the city.


    I was headed to Arthur''s place but no sooner had I turned a corner when . . .


    ¡°AMBUSH!¡±


    I heard a yell cry out and several shouts followed.


    Pretty soon the sounds of a battle could be heard.


    I rushed to the scene and peered over it from a dark rooftop.


    I saw Arthur, Greer, and two familiar looking girls trying to fight off several shadowy figures.


    Several guards'' bodies littered the floor.


    ¡°Give up Hero! And accept your death! You''re outnumbered¡±


    A figure snarled with delight.


    ¡°As if someone of your strength could kill me¡±


    Arthur raised his sword and a blinding blast of light came out of it.


    ¡°AAAAAIIIIIEEEE¡±


    ¡°AAARRRGGGHHH¡±


    When the light finally died down, I could no longer see the shadowy figures.


    They had all turned to dust on that street.


    ¡°Hey¡±


    I called out to Arthur after I landed behind a corner. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°Gia? What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°I just got back to the city. I was attacked in the forest after the last time we met. I went to recover in one of the surrounding villages. It took several weeks, but I''m here to help again!¡±


    Unfortunately, he gave me a cold reception.


    ¡°No need, we don''t need your help as you can see¡±


    ¡°I see several injured guards¡±


    ¡°Our priestess can heal them, and the less more outsiders are involved the better¡±


    ¡°You still think I could be a demon in disguise?¡±


    ¡°You''ve been gone too long, I can''t trust those I know nothing about¡±


    ¡°BUT--¡±


    ¡°Leave! This is official business and you''re out past curfew. So unless you''re a demon, I suggest you find lodging soon¡±


    ¡°She only wants to help, brother¡±


    I turned around and saw Leon approaching us with a bunch of knights behind him.


    ¡°Leon¡±


    ¡°Shera or should I say Gia?¡±


    ¡°!¡±


    ¡°Why did you give us both different names?¡±


    The two of them looked at me with mistrust in their eyes.


    ¡°I gave Leon another name since I needed to investigate Duke Marren''s mansion. He had some connection to the names you gave me Arthur. And what do you know? The mansion was attacked . . .sort of, something broke out¡±


    ¡°You used me! And you were working for HIM!¡±


    Leon was getting a little riled up, I guess he really didn''t like Arthur.


    ¡°I didn''t you were brothers, honest¡±


    ¡°You always were too much of a trusting fool, don''t blame the girl too much¡±


    The two brothers stared each other down for quite a while until Arthur''s teammates came.


    ¡°Arthur we have to go now, there''s been another break in¡±


    Arthur nodded and walked off, leaving me and Leon there.


    I turned to Leon and tried to speak.


    ¡°I--¡±


    ¡°Save it, I don''t want to talk to you right now¡±


    With that, Leon went to tend to the injured.


    I decided I''ll give him some space and apologize later.


    I guess finding Aura now was what I needed to do.


    <hr>


    ¡°My master, the hero and his companions came but I managed to search the place. Unfortunately the item you seek wasn''t there as well¡±


    ¡°I see, that only leaves the dukes and the king doesn''t it? There is going to be a ball soon be in the castle, I''ll search it myself then¡±


    ¡°Of course, I will handle the ducal houses in the mean time¡±


    ¡°Avoid Corland''s, the hero is too strong for you alone and not to mention he has help¡±


    ¡°Understood Lord Metis¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°Excuse me, we need space to house some injured for the time being. Can you please let us in? You''ll be compensated later¡±


    ¡°O. . of course, sir knight¡±


    The old innkeeper was surprised when he saw a squad of knights at his doorstep.


    As a result, Leon''s men started to carry some injured guards inside since the church was currently full.


    ¡°Is everything alright?¡±


    Leon turned towards the stairs and saw a pretty girl descending the stairs.


    ¡°Not worry miss, an altercation broke out and some guards were injured. We''ll leave when we can¡±


    ¡°Oh is there anything I can do to help out?¡±


    Leon hesitated a little when he saw her full figure.


    ¡°No the thought of it alone is enough¡±


    She nodded and flashed Leon a smile.


    ¡°Don''t worry sir knight, I can do my best still despite my hand¡±


    ¡°Leon¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    ¡°Leon is my name¡±


    ¡°Nice to meet you sir Leon, my name is Trish¡±

 Side Story: Myra "A Desperate Hope"

    ¡°Father, the preparations are complete and the call has been put out¡±


    The young girl said as she knelt in front of her father.


    ¡°Good, it''s that time again. Remember, no one can know about you. If you are discovered, I have to claim no knowledge of you¡±


    ¡°Yes¡±


    ¡°Carry out your orders faithfully and never forget where your loyalties lie¡±


    ¡°Yes. Until we meet again father¡±


    ¡°I look forward to good news¡±


    <hr>


    Seven people stood in the clearing and glanced at each other.


    Each one of them had come here of their own accord after they heard an interesting rumor.


    Suddenly, an eighth figure appeared in front them.


    ¡°My name is Myra and I was the one to put out the call. Since you all came, I can only assume that you all know that this


    is a one way trip¡±


    With the girl that appeared, there were now three women and five men.


    One of the men walked forward and nodded.


    ¡°Yes to kill the Elder King Falvor¡±


    ¡°How do you intend for us to do an impossible task?¡±


    One of the other men said with great doubt.


    Myra had put the rumor out that anyone who wanted to end the tyrant king''s rule should meet her here.


    Seven people answered the call, which was more than she had thought would come.


    After all, who would be so foolish to try to kill an elder dragon.


    Especially one that was considered a king.


    ¡°Before I proceed, you must know that your lives are basically forfeit if you agree to this. And any traitors will be killed on


    the spot, either by the king''s orders or by my hand¡±


    No one moved despite the somber words of Myra.


    ¡°We''re all prepared to die other wise we wouldn''t be here would we?¡±


    ¡°Yes but are you prepared to die for nothing? The mere flap of an elder dragon''s wings could snap your neck. And you''llSupport the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    probably be tortured for the location of any other dissidents¡±


    Still no one moved and Myra understood that for one reason or another, these people were ready to die.


    ¡°Well, now that it''s settled, I''ll tell you the plan. And like I said before, I''ll kill you if you decide to leave after¡±


    Myra took the time to glance over the walking corpses and was satisfied with their resolve.


    ¡°Now, you all know elder dragons can only be killed by another elder dragon correct?¡±


    Everyone nodded and Myra continued.


    ¡°Well this is because their scales are probably the most toughest material on earth. So much so that only the claws of an


    elder dragon can pierce it. And not to mention the fact that they are impervious to magic. Which leaves us with the


    obvious answer, we need another elder to kill an elder¡±


    ¡°That''s insane, elders fighting are basically equal to or worst than natural disasters¡±


    ¡°Yes that is a concern, but what if I were to say that we could do it with only us?¡±


    ¡°¡±¡±¡±¡±¡±¡°WHAT?¡±¡±¡±¡±¡±¡±¡±


    Everyone was confused but at the same time excited.


    Myra had just spoke of a way that humans could kill an elder king.


    ¡°Now, now just because we can doesn''t mean we will. COME! These are the tools that we will use¡±


    Myra turned around and pointed to a box filled with weapons and armor.


    ¡°WHAT! This. . This is¡±


    ¡°Careful, and yes all of these came from an elder dragon¡±


    There were suits of armor able to be adjusted to the wearer.


    The scales of an elder could be seen on them.


    The weapons looked far more interesting to the group.


    An elder dragon''s claws looked like bone and that was the theme of the weapons.


    There were several swords of varying lengths, a spear, a set of daggers, a shield, and a bow with a quiver.


    ¡°Take the weapon best suited to you. I tried to get a range of them but I didn''t know who would come. Oh and you with


    the bow, there''s not going to be any more arrows. Save them for elders¡±


    Each one of the arrows were tipped with a bit of elder dragon claw.


    ¡°How did you get these?¡±


    One girl said what was on everyone''s mind.


    Myra smiled.


    ¡°My father helped me, but if you must know. . . These are the clippings and molted skin of an elder. Yes, we''re using


    their refuse but that doesn''t matter. I had to dig them out of the ground. It was a lot of work, thankfully my father made


    the weapons and armor¡±


    Myra showed them her hands and they could see that they were covered in bandages with a hint of red near each of her


    finger tips.


    ¡°You dug them out by hand?¡±


    ¡°Of course, a small sacrifice for the death of my enemies¡±


    ¡°We''ll use them well¡±


    ¡°Now I said we''re going to kill Falvor but he''s not the only target or even the first one. First we have to kill his lieutenants.


    Otherwise they''ll just replace him. And when they''re dead, we can arm an army from their dead bodies and finally kill the


    king¡±


    Everyone looked at Myra and nodded.


    Before none of them thought they had a chance, but something drew them to Myra''s cause.


    Now they had hope and the chance to free humanity if they were successful.


    This was the start of a long and arduous fight for them.


    History would never know of them but it was ultimately Myra''s actions that would change the world in ways none of them


    could have foreseen.

 Chapter 20 The Long Night

    The inn¡¯s name was the ¡°Mermaid¡¯s kiss¡± apparently, the owner used to be a sailor.


    We had eight injured soldiers and including the five knights with me, there were fourteen of us.


    Since the capital has had some troubling times, there were only three guests here staying the night.


    The owner, his wife, and Trish made it twenty people in total here.


    I thought that being in doors was relatively safe but I can¡¯t believe that I thought walls would stop demons.


    That night was the start of many things but what I remember it for was the time I spent with her.


    The injured had been given unoccupied rooms on the first floor, away from the other guests on the second floor.


    I gave my men time to rest as we rotated shifts staying awake.


    I figured that they were tired so I took the first shift and sat on at a table in the empty tavern.


    ¡°Hey¡±


    I turned around and Trish placed some bread in front of me.


    ¡°Some food for you¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Ms. it¡¯s much appreciated¡±


    She smiled a little.


    ¡°Please just call me Trish. I couldn¡¯t sleep and thought maybe you could use the company¡±


    I nodded and pulled up a chair for her when . . .


    ¡°Ugh¡±


    ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    I caught Trish as she stumbled a little and I noticed her clutching her injured hand.


    She flashed me a pained smile and motioned that she was fine.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, sometimes it still hurts. This is just one of those passing pains¡±


    ¡°If you need to, I happen to know some good doctors. They mostly deal with nobles but I¡¯m sure¡ª¡°


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it and I already had it looked at. Even though the best doctors deal with nobles a lot, they won¡¯t say noIf you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    to someone with money¡±


    ¡°Oh, well . . . I wouldn¡¯t have thought that¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t look like I would be able to afford it on a salary here huh? But I¡¯m actually pretty well off¡±


    ¡°Really? And yet you still work despite your . . . condition?¡±


    ¡°Yes, the owner and his wife were the ones who helped me after I came to this city injured and alone. I was scared and


    didn¡¯t know what to do. But they helped me through it and now I¡¯m enjoying life in a way I never thought I could¡±


    ¡°Well, at least things got better for you¡±


    ¡°What about you? Hm? What¡¯s your story?¡±


    ¡°Not much to it, my parents were nobles and I was raised to do something befitting of my position. I chose to become a


    knight and now I lead those men there¡±


    ¡°Must have been nice¡±


    ¡°?¡±


    ¡°Uh, I mean to have been born to a well-off family. I wasn¡¯t born a noble and my father only happened to get lucky finding


    gold on our farm. But my mom was already gone and then bandits took him too¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for your loss¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be, otherwise then I wouldn¡¯t be here would I? I¡¯d still be wandering around as the daughter of a farmer. I probably


    would¡¯ve gotten married, had kids, and that would¡¯ve been the rest of my life. Instead I got my wish and now I¡¯m free of that


    life. I have the resources to do whatever I want. Too bad it cost me a hand . . . and some friendships¡±


    She laughed bitterly after she said this.


    I wanted to help her in any way that I could.


    But I knew that all I could do was offer resources, and that just came from my family.


    No, the root of the problem was the lawlessness of the area beyond our city.


    Some mercenaries would always be paid to get rid of bandits but they¡¯d keep coming back.


    I heard that a thousand years ago, the empire had paved roads that went through the entire continent.


    And to protect them, soldiers would constantly patrol.


    The security they provided was enough to ward many from the bandit profession.


    But these days, the countries would never agree to anything like that.


    Greed has consumed their leaders and our king was a man brave enough to stand up to them.


    Although, my father is also one of those leaders.


    My grandfather gave our king his support by letting the king¡¯s forces in to the capital of Karza, Len.


    So, in exchange for letting him taking the country our family became a ducal house in Foren.


    Emisia is a country born from lands taken from the surrounding countries.


    Every ducal house is the same as well, they are all traitors that gave up their country.


    Yet, they play both sides claiming to be both a proud supporter of our king and a citizen from their old country.


    I was born here and this was all that I knew, so my loyalty is to my king.


    I have to believe in his dream, that one day the land will be reunited again.


    And people like Trish wouldn¡¯t have to get hurt.


    ¡°Hey, are you okay? You¡¯re spacing out¡±


    ¡°Huh? Oh, I was just thinking about why that had to happen to you. Our king is trying his best to keep everyone together


    and make sure things like what happened to you don¡¯t. But everyone doesn¡¯t seem to want to stay together¡±


    ¡°I think if the other nobles think like you, then we wouldn¡¯t have to worry, right?¡±


    I apologized for bringing up heavy stuff and we talked for a bit more on other random topics.


    But I sensed that Trish carried something heavy in her heart, she was putting up a false front.


    Gia lied to me easily and so I couldn¡¯t quite figure her out.


    Trish might have thought that I didn¡¯t notice, but I could see the fatigue on her face.


    It was subtle and barely noticeable, though that was all it took for me to notice.


    I think when she¡¯s ready, she¡¯ll open up to someone about it.


    If that person happened to be me, I hope that I¡¯m up to the task.

 Chapter 20.5 The Long Night Side B

    ¡°Where am I?¡±


    I remembered talking with Leon at the inn but . . .


    ¡°You¡¯re unconscious¡±


    I turned my head towards the voice.


    ¡°WHO ARE YOU?¡±


    There was a dark figure approaching me that looked like dark fog with red eyes.


    ¡°Relax child, it is as I said. You are currently unconscious, that¡¯s why we¡¯re in a black void right now¡±


    I looked around and it was true, I could see nothing.


    ¡°What happened and what do you want with me?¡±


    ¡°Well, shortly after you and Leon had your little talk, demons attacked the inn. They came sprawling through the windows.


    The knights managed to kill the first wave but more soon came. You helped them set up a barricade and to fend them off.


    But eventually their leader came and you took a hit for Leon. He killed the demon and now you¡¯re here. I just want to . .


    meet you¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    There was something ominous about this being but currently I was in no shape to resist him.


    ¡°It¡¯s only appropriate, I was looking for a new . . . partner¡±


    ¡°You want to possess me you fiend? Well I won¡¯t let you¡±


    ¡°Hahaha as if you can turn me away. No, I want us to enter in to a mutual relationship. A pact if you will, it¡¯ll make us


    stronger . . . among other things¡±


    He motioned to my missing hand.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need anything from you, get out!¡±


    ¡°Are you sure? There¡¯s always something you humans want¡±


    ¡°I finally got a decent chance at a good life, I don¡¯t want you to ruin it with your schemes demon¡±


    ¡°Demon . . . yes I was once a demon. I remember conducting experiments on humans to feed off their emotions. But it was


    all useless, until I discovered a way to live beyond death. Now I am so much more and you could be too. Come, just let me


    inside¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to get a different answer, I rather you kill me now than to steal my soul¡±


    ¡°Well then, . . . I guess you leave me no choice HAHAHAHA¡±


    As his laughter rang through my ears, I felt like I was falling somewhere.


    ¡°AGH¡±


    ¡°Trisha, it¡¯s only a nightmare¡±


    ¡°M. . Mom?¡±


    I couldn¡¯t believe it; my mother was currently hugging me and . . . I was in my room.


    ¡°Who else would it be? Come on, time for breakfast your father is waiting¡±


    She left me some clothes on the side of my bed and went downstairs.


    I threw off the covers and realized something.


    My hand, it was there.


    I stretched my fingers out and worked each individual finger.


    I felt so relieved, it was good to be able to have ten fingers again.


    The clothes we had here weren¡¯t exactly fashionable like the capital¡¯s.


    But then again, no one here was trying to be.


    Except for festivals and celebrations, our normal clothes in the village all looked like rough gray cloth.


    But it didn¡¯t matter, I was just glad to see her again.


    I walked downstairs after I got dressed and saw my father.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    While my mother was slender with auburn hair, my father was well built with dark black hair.


    ¡°Morning, you ready for another day¡¯s hard work?¡±


    My dad said as he finished off one of my mother¡¯s meals.


    ¡°Of course,¡±


    I nodded.


    My parents didn¡¯t really have enough money to support another child, so they stopped at one.


    But I still had to help out with farm work even though I was a girl.


    We owned a small field outside the house but recently it hasn¡¯t been growing well.


    My father, like a lot of villagers, decided to go work for the big farm owned by some rich man.


    The man wasn¡¯t a noble but apparently, he had a lot of money and decided to return here where his grandparents lived.


    He was nice enough to help the village out during bad seasons like this one.


    Usually the workers on his farm came from the surrounding villages and were rotated out with the seasons.


    And so, I was going to help my father earn some money for the day.


    I sat down at the table and my mom placed a bowl of soup in front of me.


    I missed the taste of my mother¡¯s cooking.


    It wasn¡¯t exquisite in any sense but it felt like it to me.


    I looked around the house and felt strangely nostalgic.


    The sun shined through the kitchen window and on to the dining table.


    Our house had two floors but the kitchen was the fourth room we had.


    The bedrooms were two rooms and the storage closet made another.


    This room was most of our house.


    Still, it mattered little.


    My dad constantly joked about expanding when we could but my mom and I never took his word for it.


    The usual breakfast banter took place as we ate.


    My mom would tell us gossip that the other wives would pass around and ask when I was going to find a husband.


    My dad would say that I was strong enough to run a farm on my own and that he would run anyone not worthy of me away.


    We would all laugh and finish our noisy breakfast.


    Mom waved us out as my dad and I walked down the road to the workplace.


    But I had a sense of dread, I knew what would happen.


    And it did. . .


    I walked with my dad until there was only one hill left to the farm.


    Then we would see smoke and run ahead.


    We would be appalled at the sight of the entire place burning down.


    The people already there would be either dead or in the middle of being cut down by men on horses.


    My father would tell me to run and as we both turned around to leave . . .


    An arrow would hit him in his back.


    Tears welled up in my eyes and I clutched his dead body.


    What¡¯s the point of showing me this again?


    Do you just want to see me suffer?


    ¡°No I wanted to remind you¡±


    Time froze and the figure appeared behind me.


    ¡°HOW CAN I FORGET? Everyone was killed except for the young women . . . We were taken captive¡±


    ¡°They had their way with several of the girls before they got to you. And to avoid their fate, you became their puppet. Didn¡¯t


    you?¡±


    ¡°. . . .¡±


    I couldn¡¯t deny it, I begged them not to touch me and somehow it worked.


    Their boss decided it was worth it to have one girl untouched and on the inside.


    But they beat me to keep up the fa?ade.


    ¡°You lost count of the days and became . . should we say quite heartless?¡±


    I was only looking after myself at that point.


    They took all the village girls later and I never saw them again.


    They were probably sold or killed for all I know.


    The bandits kept bringing in new batches of girls every couple of weeks.


    And I was there to report on them, whenever they wanted to escape.


    I would tip the bandits off and the girls were separated from us.


    This went on for god knows how long.


    Eventually I learned how to smile while being dead on the inside.


    Should they ever reneged on their promise, I was ready to slit my own throat.


    It took weeks, but I managed to sharpen a rock enough.


    I could only sharpen it when nobody was suspicious, so I only managed to scrape it once every few hours.


    I wanted to one day get their trust enough so that I could kill them and run to freedom.


    ¡°And then she appeared, right? She was strong unlike anyone else along with being impatient and proud. She was


    everything you weren¡¯t and so you were free¡±


    I scoffed at this.


    Hardly, when she left the other girls to decide my fate, I let loose.


    Rage, hatred, pain, and adrenaline ran through me.


    They circled around me, ready to administer their own justice and perhaps I deserved it.


    ¡°If you believed that then we wouldn¡¯t be here, would we?¡±


    No, I did believe it.


    I just didn¡¯t want all my planning to go to waste just to die there.


    ¡°Quite a sight to behold if you remember correctly¡±


    I learned that if you brutally maim someone in a fight with multiple people they will hesitate.


    And then they¡¯ll run when you cut another down.


    Their fear took over and I caught them easily.


    ¡°Then you took the gold and ran. Made a new life for yourself here. What was it again? Oh, yes you were traveling with


    your father who was a merchant, when you were attacked by bandits. You escaped but lost a hand and your father in the


    pursuit. He was all the family you had left and that couple in the inn bought your sad little story¡±


    I smiled.


    So, you know everything, that still won¡¯t make me budge.


    That¡¯s all in the past.


    ¡°Oh, you poor child. You can¡¯t see what I do. This city is about to become a battlefield¡±


    What?


    ¡°Yes, haven¡¯t you noticed it? The demons running around, the disappearances, and the squabbling nobles. Do you think


    anyone will care for a weak scarred girl when the fighting starts? You feel those pitiful looks everyone gives you secretly¡±


    Aren¡¯t you a demon also? Isn¡¯t it good for you


    ¡°I have become more than a demon now after I died. I understand humans can be of some use other than test subjects. I


    had hoped Leon would prove useful to me. He was gullible to feed me. But he won¡¯t do what¡¯s needed, he has too much


    good in his heart¡±


    Leon? You¡¯ve targeted him?


    ¡°He¡¯s not my host but he listens to me and without me all those knights and you would have died before he killed the


    demon. No I need someone strong and willing to do anything in order to bring out my true power. So, you can watch your


    life fall apart again or take the chance to fight it. After all there seems to be more than one faction of demons running


    around¡±


    . . . No I still won¡¯t throw my lot in with a demon


    ¡°Very well then, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll change your mind. I¡¯ll be waiting for when you do and I know you WILL¡±


    He was gone and time flowed once more.


    I looked upon my father¡¯s body that I had seen die for a second time.


    ¡°Dad, I almost forgot what you looked like. Would you and mom be disgusted at what I have done?¡±


    I cried for a little more and finally I hugged his body one last time.


    I could feel the dream fading away to cold reality.


    ¡°Trish! Are you alright?¡±


    I woke up in a bed and the first thing I saw was Leon¡¯s concerned face.


    I touched my hand to his face and smiled.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry I¡¯m fine¡±

 Chapter 21: The Preparations

    The king had stated that an important announcement would be made at a ball.


    Though it was initially for that reason, it also became a way to ease the minds of the people and to give a status update on


    the demon problem.


    The ducal houses on the other hand knew exactly what was going to happen.


    The king had been feeling unwell as of late and needed to step down.


    This would be the announcement of his successor.


    Though he had children, none of them were currently able to take his place for one reason or another.


    In fact, none of them were even in the city at all.


    As a result, the ducal houses fully expected him to name one of them the next royal family.


    Now that one less ducal house was in the running, anticipation was high for the future of Foren.


    But no one could have guessed the events that would take place that night.


    <hr>


    The castle was rife with activity as the ball grew near.


    It was the night before the big party and everyone was running around making sure that things would go smoothly.


    But there was one person who was moving at their own pace in the castle.


    She approached the king¡¯s study and the guards outside saluted to her as she came.


    She had on an ornate looking white robe that made one immediately think of the church.


    This was true, in fact this girl held a position similar to the king in the church¡¯s hierarchy.


    ¡°Your holiness¡±


    A guard said as she stopped in front of the study.


    She nodded and knocked on the door.


    KNOCK KNOCK


    ¡°IT¡¯S ME¡±


    She called out to the king.


    ¡°Come in¡±


    ¡°No one will disturb this meeting, is this clear?¡±


    She said sternly to the two guards.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    They quickly nodded their heads and she locked the doors behind her.


    ¡°You were right, he¡¯s planning something. Though I couldn¡¯t find out what in time. Also, he¡¯s not only interesting character


    running around the city¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, just knowing he¡¯s going to try something is enough. But as for the other ruffians, deal with them as


    you like. Sorry I have to rely on you like this¡±


    The girl smiled and took off her white hood, letting her long black hair billow out on to her shoulders.


    ¡°Even one of the ¡°Holy Crusaders¡± needs help sometimes¡±


    The king chuckled at this.


    ¡°Hahaha, I¡¯m the ONLY Crusader left¡±


    The king walked towards his window and stared off in to the city.


    ¡°It seems my dream can only last as long as my life. My friends, your grandfather, soon we¡¯ll be reunited¡±


    ¡°Oh? You actually seem sad to go¡±


    She said, playfully with words dripping of sarcasm.


    ¡°Yes, well . . . would you humor an old man by listening to his stories?¡±


    ¡°Of what?¡±


    She asked, curious of the king¡¯s intent behind such an action.


    The king walked behind his desk and sat on his chair, he motioned for the girl to sit in the chair of his desk as well.


    ¡°Of everything, . . . I think it¡¯s time someone other than the dead knew my story again. The nobles know me as a


    conqueror, the church as a crusader, and the people a king. But I was none of these things when I fled my village all those


    years ago. I want you to understand why this city is important to me, so listen carefully¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°This is a bad idea¡±


    I had just met up with Aura again after we spent several weeks apart.


    She was currently hiding at a resistance controlled inn in another part of the lower quarter.


    But more importantly, she just told me her foolhardy plan.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you tell me that you were captured by a duke last time I saw you? This seems ten times worse¡±


    I said in utter disbelief at Aura¡¯s words.


    She just brushed me off and said with a determined look.


    ¡°Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I got this idea from you¡±


    ¡°WHAT?¡±


    ¡°I . . need to hear the king out, to determine how things got this bad in the city¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s there to think about? Good soldiers don¡¯t make good leaders¡±


    ¡°Yea, well I need to hear it from him¡±


    ¡°If the KING catches you there, finds out WHO you are and WHAT you are. Then things will turn out extremely bad for you.


    I¡¯ve had to leave several times when people found out what I was. You, you¡¯re only 16. This is the only home you¡¯ve known;


    will you really risk it for this? Later on, you might regret not staying¡±


    Aura lowered her eyes and placed the dress she was holding down.


    She then turned her back to me and let out a sigh.


    ¡°Well, there is another reason why I must go. It¡¯s personal, it¡¯s a selfish and entirely self-serving reason. And yet, . . I must


    go, even if the risk is too great and no matter what¡±


    I was speechless, I knew that she was hiding something.


    But I could understand that there were things you had to do.


    No matter what and despite everything, my foremost goal is to find a way back home.


    Whatever Aura wants may not be as important as my goals but she probably felt like it was.


    ¡°Fine, then go¡±


    ¡°Thank you¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re bringing support, at least right?¡±


    ¡° . . .¡±


    Tch, this girl . . .


    ¡°Then I¡¯m coming with you¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡°


    ¡°You can take care of yourself and I¡¯ll take care of myself then. But I need to do something there too. At least this way, we


    won¡¯t step in to each other¡¯s plans¡±


    Aura thought about it for a moment but finally relented.


    ¡°Well, to get to the king I had my contact give me a cover. It¡¯s nothing that would normally let me see him. But at the ball, a


    concerned citizen like a merchant¡¯s daughter might be able to speak to him. I¡¯ll just say that you¡¯re my maid then. But . . .¡±


    She pointed at my green hair and yellow eyes.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry I already know. But . . . just in case, I¡¯ll dye my hair. Don¡¯t want them to misinterpret my magic for a demon¡¯s.


    You can just say I¡¯m the third or fourth child of some noble from a foreign country for my eyes¡±

 Chapter 22: Endless Night I

    ¡°The rumor going around is that the king will announce the next ruler, is that true?¡±


    Aura and I were currently in the ball room of the castle.


    Her contact managed to get us on the list and we were let in.


    Makes me wonder who this mysterious benefactor is.


    ¡°Well . . . I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if he is going to do that. All his heirs are either dead . . no missing as they say or exiled¡±


    Aura said as she gracefully took a drink from a passing servant¡¯s plate.


    She surprisingly went all out in her appearance.


    Her dress was turquoise, although it leaned heavily towards being green.


    It had several extravagant layers that went over her legs.


    She already had good looks due to being part Fae but still her true origins elude me.


    Aura was looking radiant tonight, but probably not as flashy as the real Tanya.


    She¡¯s not telling me something, but all I can hope is that it won¡¯t become a problem for me later on.


    Her eyes were distracted, constantly going through the entire room.


    But she was right, all the heirs of Emisia were gone.


    The first prince and princess were scheduled to depart on a diplomatic mission across the ocean to the other continent.


    The second princess decided to sneak aboard and join her siblings.


    That would be the last anyone saw of them.


    Their ship later sank in a storm, with only a single messenger bird making it out.


    The queen went in to shock as a result of this and she never leaves her chambers now.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    This all happened decades ago, but the king decided to adopt a child more recently.


    He picked a teenaged boy off the streets and raised him as his new son/heir.


    But the child later tried to take the throne by force.


    No one knew why he would do such a foolish thing.


    The king had all but given him the keys to the kingdom, all he had to do was wait.


    They took the new prince away and no one has heard from him since.


    There can¡¯t possibly be anyone left that he trusts, so this might be interesting.


    ¡°YOUNG MISS¡±


    I snapped.


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    Aura said as she broke out of a daze.


    ¡°I must insist that you calm down, you¡¯re attracting stares¡±


    I leaned in closer to whisper.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    She looked at me with eyes that were devoid of the strong will I had come to know.


    ¡°I . . . I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m ready for this¡±


    What the?


    ¡°What are you talking about? This is simple ¡°talk¡± you¡¯re going to have with the king, right? I¡¯m expecting us to be chased


    by the end of the night but you¡¯ve been through worse, right?¡±


    But just before she could answer, the sound of multiple horns started to play.


    Everyone in the room started to part to the sides and looked at the twin curving staircase.


    The old man himself appeared at the top and was followed by a white hooded figure.


    From what I could tell, they were related to the church somehow.


    But still, there¡¯s not many who put such flashy streaks of gold on white.


    ¡°ANNOUNCING HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, KING DARRIUS AND THE HOLY SAINT MARIA¡±


    The figure took off her hood and revealed a smiling girl a little older looking than us.


    Her long black hair was a good backdrop for her piercing blue eyes.


    ¡°No way¡±


    Aura and I said almost at the same time.


    I looked at her and she at me.


    ¡°You recognize her?¡±


    ¡°Yea, . . . she¡¯s who got us in. And you?¡±


    ¡°. . .I thought she was a regular priestess. But maybe we shouldn¡¯t do anything drastic if not outright try to leave right now¡±


    ¡°Maria got us in, right? So, she probably has her reasons¡±


    ¡°I no longer think something bad will happen, I now know it¡¯s inevitable¡±


    I turned around to leave the crowd but Aura grabbed my arm.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    ¡°To do what I came here to, good luck to you. Oh and definitely stay away from her¡±


    <hr>


    I watched as Tanya disappeared in to the crowd and then I turned back to the king.


    He had finished giving his greetings when he turned to Maria.


    ¡°As many of you know, the future of Emisia has been called in to question. I assure you,I will not let the stability that Foren


    has given to the land break down. As such, I have decided to relinquish control over to the Holy Saint and the church¡±


    The crowd erupted in to murmurs and everyone was confused at this development.


    This was not something I would ever expect to happen.


    Why?


    Maria, why did you want me here?


    I thought you were just a citizen concerned with the future of the city.


    Not only are you the Holy Saint but also the new ruler of . . .


    No . . . it can¡¯t be, you want me here to . . .


    NO MATTER


    I came here to meet him again.


    Maria, you won¡¯t stop me from seeing him.


    Not even Morwen will stop me.

 Chapter 23: Endless Night II

    ¡°Over here!¡±


    I had just got past the guards at the gate when Arte called over to me.


    There was a second checkpoint to get in to the reception room and they decided to wait for me.


    ¡°Not dressing up?¡±


    Greer said with a little smirk on his face.


    ¡°Well I can¡¯t picture him in anything except armor¡±


    Arte chimed in agreement.


    It was true, Arte had on a yellowish-white dress while Greer saw fit to wear a dress suit.


    I returned their words with a smile.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know what might happen at one of these gatherings¡±


    I looked around and frowned.


    ¡°She¡¯s not coming?¡±


    ¡°She said she had something else to do. You know, church duties and all that¡±


    Greer shrugged as we had our invitations looked at.


    But anyone who had a brain should know who we were.


    Though I didn¡¯t know Maria long, she did support us in our battles.


    I had hoped this would be a chance to solidify a relationship with her.


    Her abilities were incredibly useful.


    If only I had gotten to her before the church or if they didn¡¯t matter as much to her.


    We made the rounds and I saw someone interesting.


    Deke Marren, son of Duke Marren.


    He had an angry look in his eyes and kept his hands balled up at his side.


    I can¡¯t believe they let him in here.


    And I wasn¡¯t the only thinking this, whispers and stares floated about with him as the topic.


    His house was as good as gone.


    Duke Marren was a second generation noble here.


    His father had entered in the pact with Darrius and the Duke reaped the benefits.


    Truly, Duke Marren was one of the vipers.


    A city made up of forgotten sons and daughters.


    And yet it is the center of the east.


    ¡°He seems tense¡±


    Greer said with a chuckle.


    ¡°He was always one of those who only had their pride wasn¡¯t he?¡±


    I said indifferently.


    ¡°Come on, you guys can gossip later¡±


    Arte dragged us away from the area and we continued along.


    <hr>


    ¡°I . I don¡¯t know if I should be here¡±


    Leon had showed up at the inn in the morning with a surprising invitation.


    He wanted me to go with him to the ball.


    This was so out of the blue, I had not expected to see him again.


    I don¡¯t know if I want to.


    That dark presence near him worries me.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    It might not be able to corrupt him but it¡¯s intentions are unclear.


    Sooner or later a situation will occur and it will be found.


    The city under the king is allied closely with the church.


    Not even a noble can escape punishment if hard evidence is linking them to a demon.


    Even then, I¡¯m still not sure it is a demon and I couldn¡¯t prove it anyways.


    They might dismiss it as hitting my head too hard.


    Despite all that, I still thought Leon was a good person.


    I couldn¡¯t bear to sit still, so I said yes to watch over him.


    Now here I was, in a light blue dress being escorted around by him.


    ¡°How are you doing?¡±


    I smiled at his words.


    ¡°Not that good, people always stare. Just . . that I feel like coming here with you only made it worse¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to make you feel bad. I wanted to make it up to you¡±


    ¡°For what?¡±


    I asked, confused.


    ¡°Hm, I don¡¯t know really but it¡¯s a good excuse as any¡±


    ¡°Hahaha¡±


    I looked Leon in the eyes and he looked back.


    I turned away and took a moment to process my feelings.


    I was here . . .now . . .and doing this.


    Nothing else mattered.


    I took a quick deep breath, all the while being careful not to drop hints at my turmoil.


    I flashed him another smile.


    ¡°Lead the way¡±


    I wrapped my arm around his.


    He returned my smile with his own.


    ¡°My pleasure¡±


    <hr>


    The king made his entrance and the usual fanfare went on.


    Music, the announcing of his arrival and all the smiling people.


    Fake or otherwise.


    He was walking to the balcony overlooking the room when . . .


    The world slowed down for me.


    YOU!


    It couldn¡¯t be!


    Why were you here!?


    You¡¯re not going to mess this up for me, are you?


    Even if it¡¯s you, I¡¯ll . . . . no, you¡¯re too strong


    ¡°Did you hear what I just said Arthur? LOOK!¡±


    Arte interrupted my thoughts and pointed to a figure next to the king.


    ¡°Tch. Just more and more surprises aren¡¯t there?¡±


    He announced that Maria was going to be the next ruler.


    This was most unexpected to say the least.


    But what really bothered me was how early he came to announce this in the ball.


    My initial plan seems to have just gone up in flames.


    They descended the stairs and everyone started to gather around them.


    I had an . . issue to bring up with the king but decided to talk to him later.


    It seemed like I wasn¡¯t the only one with an issue.


    ¡°DARRIUS!¡±


    Everyone gasped and parted around the person shouting.


    It was Deke and he had brandished his sword towards the king.


    The only ones allowed to have weapons among the guests here were nobles related to the seven families.


    Naturally, I had my sword but watching this unfold interested me.


    The guards readied their weapons but the king waved them back.


    ¡°What do you want Deke? I have not touched your family¡¯s properties and even your father¡¯s title will be yours soon. So


    why are you pointing a sword at the person who is on your side?¡±


    The king said slowly with a bit of pity in his voice.


    ¡°YOU LIE! SHE told me about HER!¡±


    Deke shouted as he pointed at Maria.


    Huh? Where was this going


    What did she have to do with this


    Although who knew the king was going to be this lenient towards him?


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    The king said, curious about his words.


    ¡°The ¡°Saint¡± she¡¯s did this to my father! She used the rebels to disgrace him. If my father is arrested, then she deserves to


    die for being a traitor¡±


    Fury was expressly shown on his face and everyone was watching intently.


    Maria¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change but she reached for something under her robe.


    The king stopped her as she took some more steps down.


    ¡°YOU FOOL! Do you know who you accuse of this? She is the leader of the church who has been an ally of ours for


    decades. I¡¯ll give you one chance to leave right now before I have you thrown in the dungeon¡±


    Deke glared at Darrius and the king returned it with a stare of his own.


    ¡°RAAAGGHHH!¡±


    In that moment, all the eyes in the room widened.


    Deke had just sealed his fate, whatever foolish leniency the king had given him was gone.


    He lunged with his sword, intending to quickly close the distance.


    Deke proceeded to use a skill.


    [Wind Blast]


    <hr>


    Good, the people here were currently distracted by the king and Maria there.


    But I needed something a little more . . .


    I saw a brooding figure in the corner and remembered that he was the Marren heir.


    Alright, let¡¯s try this.


    I put on a smile and approached him.


    ¡°Hello¡±


    He shot me a glare.


    ¡°What do you want maid?¡±


    ¡°Oh, nothing I just wanted to talk you¡±


    ¡°So, even servants now think that they¡¯re equal to me? Humph! At least you¡¯re easy on the eyes¡±


    ¡°Thank you, people do mention how haunting¡ªly beautiful my eyes are¡±


    He narrowed his gaze even further.


    ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡°. . no, I shouldn¡¯t, it would only endanger my life. I shouldn¡¯t say anything. Never mind it¡¯s nothing¡±


    I turned around to leave but he grabbed my arm.


    ¡°WAIT! . . . What do you want to say to me?¡±


    ¡°Can you promise me my safety?¡±


    I said, trying to act sacred.


    ¡°YES!¡±


    He tugged me a little closer and I pretended that it hurt.


    ¡°Okay, I was running errands for my master one night when I came across a strange scene. When I went closer, I saw two


    people having a meeting. One of them was a man and from the conversation, he was a rebel. The other figure was a


    woman and she was giving him a location with details. I realized when Saint Maria appeared with the king that it was her. I


    saw her giving details on your home to a rebel that night¡±


    ¡°WHAT? That all sounds absurd. You¡¯re wasting my time!¡±


    He gripped my arm even harder and seemed to be livid now.


    He thought I was leading him on . . . . hehehe


    But these flaring emotions of his were good.


    ¡°She mentioned something about a prisoner in your basement¡±


    Deke as he was called, was finally fed up.


    ¡°Ow!¡±


    He onehandedly shoved me with enough force to make me fall on the floor.


    He turned to walk away.


    But then I sealed the deal.


    ¡°She also mentioned something about a glass coffin and that there was girl in it. A VERY special girl¡±

 Chapter 24: Endless Night III

    CLANG


    The King had pulled his swords from under his robe.


    They were both long and skinny swords, like a mix between a rapier and a long sword.


    Deke had focused the spell on the tip of his blade to puncture and then blow the King¡¯s guts out.


    But the King¡¯s skill was amazing, he had hit Deke¡¯s blade away with one blade and the other was about to slice Deke¡¯s


    throat.


    Although . . .


    ¡° . . . Leon why do you protect this traitor?¡±


    He said as he narrowed his eyes from Leon to the stunned Deke.


    Deke felled to the ground in shock and some guards came to take him away.


    Leon had leaped in front of the King¡¯s strike and at the last second, blocked his strike.


    ¡°The king I believe in is just but he is also fair. To strike down his own subject would only serve to fuel his opposition¡±


    ¡°Humph!¡±


    They both retracted their weapons and Leon strolled back to me.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± I asked him, concerned.


    ¡°Yes, though what Deke did is reprehensible we can¡¯t become divided. We¡¯ll need all the help we can to repel the demons,


    both his and Maria¡¯s¡±


    I paused for a moment to think.


    ¡°But what if they incited him? Could you finish him if you were forced to? For the greater good?¡±


    ¡° . . . I¡¯d like to think I would do what was right. But I don¡¯t know, I just hope I won¡¯t have to find out¡±


    A sad smile emerges on my face and I nod.


    I take his hand and we start to walk away.


    The crowd disperses and the festivities continue despite the tense scene that had just occurred.


    <hr>


    I could feel the discontent in the great families but even they aren¡¯t so bold to challenge the church¡¯s authority.


    I greeted and talked with everyone who was of any importance.


    The dukes each told me that they would give me their support.


    I wonder what plans do they have behind those false smiles


    Their fathers supported me through the hard times


    Unfortunately, their time has passed and soon I will as well.


    My children . . . soon, oh how I¡¯ve missed you.


    ALL of you, even the problem one.


    Would you¡¯ve become like the dukes?


    Looks like you have your work cut out for you, oh great saint.


    I was lost in thoughts for a while now and decided to take a small break from the ball.


    I left Maria who was surrounded by many curious nobles.


    Like always, I decided to walk to that place.


    Huh?


    As I approached the painting, I saw a maid looking at it.


    ¡°You there!¡± I called out.


    It was strange, most of the servants here were already familiar with itThe story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Was she new? or did she come with someone here?


    ¡°Hmm?¡± She turned around and I was surprised.


    She was young and had a calm demeanor about her.


    Her wicked smile felt like it was a part of a front.


    That combined with her shiny black hair and piercing yellow eyes made me wonder if she really was just a maid.


    ¡°Do you like this painting?¡± I asked her as I walked beside her.


    She put her hands behind her back and tilted her head a little.


    ¡°It¡¯s interesting, was she a fae or a nymph?¡±


    I rubbed my chin


    ¡°Dragon actually, . . . no goddess I should say¡±


    ¡°Hahahaha¡±


    I raised my eyebrow at her


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡±


    ¡°Humans call many things ¡°gods¡± what makes you think she was one? Or perhaps she was an Elder dragon?¡±


    ¡°I saw her in all her majesty all those years ago. The power that she wielded was unlike anything an Elder would have. The


    earth in all it¡¯s glory bent to her every whim¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve met her before? The girl in this painting?¡±


    ¡° . . . yes I did years and years ago. She saved many people in my village, including me when we were attacked by a horde


    of monsters. I got to see her in action and had this painting commissioned in her honor. The artist was also a fellow villager


    and survivor¡±


    ¡°Eeh? But why not her dragon form? It would¡¯ve looked more interesting¡±


    ¡° . . . it was my fault, I . . . .¡±


    I couldn¡¯t say the words, I still regret my actions back then.


    It was a simple instruction and yet I wanted to know.


    To see.


    ¡°I like the eyes¡±


    The maid tried to break the silence and looked at me with a sad smile.


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re just like mine¡±


    She gave me a genuine smile which surprised me.


    Why? What was this feeling?


    I sensed a cloud surrounding her as if it were blocking me from remembering something, but what was it?


    ¡°Who¡ª¡°


    ¡°Your majesty!¡±


    I turned my head and saw Maria walking towards me.


    When I looked beside me again, the maid was gone.


    How odd . . .


    <hr>


    I turned around the corner and saw the king staring at that painting again.


    ¡°Your majesty! Your people are starting to notice your absence¡±


    I stood next to the king and viewed the painting for the umpteenth time.


    ¡°You know this painting is heresy, the church won¡¯t accept ¡°the goddess of the earth¡±


    The king turned and looked at me.


    ¡°I know what I saw¡±


    ¡°You were a child and it was decades ago. Besides, it was just probably a very powerful dragon. An elemental perhaps?¡±


    ¡°No . . . her magic was chant less and she didn¡¯t become part of the earth to use it. I believe it was ancient magic and she


    had more than one kind. The earth bent to her will but she could also command life to spring forth from it. If you witnessed


    her power, you would agree as well¡±


    ¡°We gave you our blessing and ignored this ¡°goddess¡± of yours since you helped my grandfather. But soon all traces of her


    will be stamped out, do you understand?¡±


    ¡° . . . . .¡±


    ¡°We should get back soon; the most important people shouldn¡¯t be missing¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll just be a moment¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll go back first then¡±


    Just as I was about to turn the corner again, I bumped in to Arthur.


    ¡°Arthur¡±


    ¡°Maria¡±


    We exchanged simple pleasantries.


    Well that was to be expected, I did take what he wanted most after all.


    It looked like he was going to talk to the king.


    I motioned at two guards.


    ¡°Watch over them¡±


    <hr>


    I passed Maria and suppressed my thoughts of lashing out at her.


    All these years.


    All these plans.


    . . . All these sacrifices.


    I can¡¯t . . . No!


    I WON¡¯T let you ruin everything.


    ¡°Your Majesty¡± I said as I approached the king.


    He nodded to acknowledge my presence but that was it.


    ¡°I would like to make an appeal to you¡±


    ¡°Hmm . . . what is it?¡± He said while rubbing his eyes.


    ¡°The succession of the throne should not be in to the Church¡¯s hands¡±


    ¡°And why not? It was they who gave me support to unite the land was it not?¡±


    ¡°Did you forget? The seven families also gave you aid. The church is from a time of fear and darkness. They controlled us


    for generations, draining our resources for what? They can barely keep themselves together. Let someone who actually


    understands the situation here rule¡±


    ¡°Oh? And who might that be?¡±


    ¡°Me¡±


    ¡°HAHAHAHAH¡±


    The king locked eyes with me when he finished laughing.


    ¡°You dare? You presume yourself the best candidate for this role? You are barely a hero much less a king¡±


    I smiled.


    ¡°I thought you would say that, how about appealing to personal desires rather than duty?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    I pulled out an orb from my armor.


    ¡°I encountered an interesting person in the woods¡±


    The king narrowed his eyes


    ¡°She was . . . breathtaking to say the least. Her hair was green like emeralds, eyes like golden amber¡±


    The king¡¯s face moved a little but I knew I had him so I continued.


    ¡°Her skin was fair and it glowed in the moonlight. The ground itself cleared a path for her to walk on . . . need I say


    anymore?¡±


    I said as I turned to look at the painting.


    ¡° . . . You¡¯ve seen her?¡±


    ¡°Yes, she¡¯s exactly the same as she is in the painting . . . no possibly even more awe inspiring. And I have what you want,


    what you TRULY want. You can see her again, maybe even meet her¡±


    I held the orb to him.


    ¡°I recorded my meeting with her in this. It¡¯s yours if you recant your announcement. The church doesn¡¯t need to be in


    charge but you don¡¯t have to appoint me either. This is more than enough proof for you that she is real. This can weaken


    their power and we can finally be free. The goddess of the earth chose you not the goddess of light. And she chose me as


    well. She must have appeared to me to show you the way. She was a benevolent goddess wasn¡¯t she? She protected you


    during a dark time and dark times have come upon us once more¡±


    ¡° . . . . . Gaia¡±


    You were obsessed enough to have displayed a painting of her even though you were married.


    I can see your weakness clearly, so do it.


    Take my offer and chose her.


    The king was clearly in turmoil and right when he looked like he was about to say something.


    BOOOOOOOOOOOOM


    CRASH


    CRASH


    CRASH


    CRASH


    A dark wind blew through the windows and shook the entire castle.


    The demons had come.

 Chapter 25: Darkest Hour

    BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM


    CRASH


    CRASH


    CRASH


    CRASH


    Damn it, I still wasn¡¯t done yet . . .


    The sounds of guards yelling started to echo throughout the castle.


    I ran to try to find Aura as fast as I could.


    SCREEEECH


    Things started to pour in from outside.


    They had the appearance of black shadowy forms.


    Shades, the minions of demons that could overwhelm human towns in an instant.


    Nothing more than mindless bugs and yet they were so effective on humans.


    Tch, they couldn¡¯t ignore the fact that all the important people would be here tonight.


    Chaos started to spread and some of the guests decided to force their way out of the castle.


    Unfortunately, they were killed nearly instantly, the shades tore them up.


    Only the ducal houses had any weapons here.


    That means Arthur and Leon might be able to help these people out.


    But Maria was plenty strong too and not to mention Aura could hold her own.


    . . . Maybe I still had some time


    ¡°EVERYONE OVER HERE!¡±


    It was Leon, he was shouting for everyone to move further in to castle.


    ¡°THERE ARE STORAGE ROOMS, EVERYONE HIDE IN THERE! THE GUARDS AND I WILL FEND THEM OFF!¡±


    I hide behind a pillar and watched as countless people started to run in his direction.


    ¡°OUMPHF!¡±


    A small child had tripped and was about to be trampled but I managed to save her in time.


    ¡°Are you ok?¡±


    ¡°Yes, thank you¡±


    Hmm, this girl . . .


    She started to run back to someone who looked like her guardian.


    She flashed me a smile before turning around again.


    Silver hair and yellow eyes?


    Hmm, interesting combination.


    I hid once again and saw the rest of the people run outside.


    The guests were either dead, followed Leon¡¯s instructions and ran further inside, or used the opportunity to run outside.


    GONG


    GONG


    GONGIf you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Pretty soon I hear many alarms going off, it sounded like the castle was putting the city on full alert.


    I guess the demons¡¯ invasion had started.


    Maybe it¡¯s finally time to stop playing human.


    <hr>


    ¡°HOLD THEM BACK! WE CAN¡¯T LET THEM THROUGH!¡±


    SLASH


    I slew shade after shade but they kept coming.


    SLASH


    ¡°AGH!¡±


    ¡°MOVE BACK!¡±


    A guard had fallen and now we were being pushed to where the people were hiding.


    ¡°WE CAN¡¯T LAST FOR MUCH LONGER!¡±


    No, we can¡¯t let it end like this . . .


    Trish! I¡¯m sorry, it was my fault you were here.


    DAMN IT!


    Why did I have such a selfish wish?


    I can help you know? Just let me go . . . but if you do . . .


    Your life is forfeit . . .


    Not to me but to the people . . . and to her . . .


    You¡¯ve made me strong, are you saying that even with your help I can¡¯t beat them?


    You and I are incapable at the end of the day.


    Chose right now, her life or your ideals.


    I chose . . . them.


    Do what you want . . .


    I felt a strong rush of power flowing from my sword and I held it above my head.


    I leaped towards the shades and unleashed it.


    [Dark Blast]


    SCREEEEEEEEEEEEE


    The loud howling stream of dark energy swallowed them all and carved out a path.


    I looked at the speechless guards and people behind us.


    ¡°ANYONE WHO CAN FIGHT FOLLOW ME!¡±


    No one stepped forward . . .


    I saw Trish standing amongst the crowd.


    Tears were streaming down her face.


    She shook her head.


    ¡°Tch, it¡¯s not safe here we have to leave!¡±


    They all had scared looks on their faces and remained motionless.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll be back with reinforcements then¡±


    ¡°WE DON¡¯T WANT YOUR HELP DEMON!¡±


    ¡°GO AWAY!¡±


    ¡°DIE!¡±


    They all started to shout at me.


    Fear, anger, and sadness.


    These were the emotions now running through these people.


    ¡°ENOUGH!¡±


    A wall of ice suddenly separated me from the people and exploded.


    A girl stepped forward from the crowd and started to speak.


    ¡°He used demonic powers to save our lives, we should be thanking him.He chose . . willingly to use dark arts for us. No


    one here can doubt his words when he says he can help us. If no one will go with you, then I will. I won¡¯t wait to die here


    and certainly not with these people¡±


    The people calmed down and started gather.


    The guards started to move in to a formation to protect them.


    The girl walked next to me and nodded.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take point with you¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Leon¡±


    ¡°Aura¡±


    <hr>


    ¡°YOUR MAJESTY!¡±


    I ran up to Arthur and the King.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, what is the castle¡¯s status?¡±


    ¡°Shades have overrun us; many nobles and other guests were killed. The knights are trying to push them out of the castle.


    But it seems they¡¯ve also started to move on the city as well¡±


    ¡°This is the worst case possible, isn¡¯t it? Can you move your troops?¡±


    ¡°Troops?¡± Arthur shot me a look.


    ¡°They were supposed to be just in case anyone tried to challenge my succession. They¡¯re camped about thirty minutes


    away from the city¡±


    ¡°GO! Signal them and lead them here!¡±


    ¡°As you¡ª¡°


    !?


    CLANG


    I jumped and deflected a blade with my spear.


    ¡°Oh? I didn¡¯t know capable humans were here except for the hero¡±


    A cloaked figure appeared from the broken window and leaped in front of us.


    Three more figures walked next to the first one.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re the ones in charge?¡±


    ¡°Not quite¡±


    ¡°The boss is busy¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s play¡±


    ¡° . . . ¡°


    ¡°Arthur, take the king and rally the troops. I¡¯ll cover you and then go get mine¡±


    ¡°Not so fast¡± The first figure said slyly.


    Her shadow started to stretch and shadow clones started to step out.


    Now over a dozen cloaked figures had blocked one side of the hall.


    Shades had appeared at the other end and were waiting for their masters to signal.


    ¡°I was saving this for actual combat but . . . Arthur get ready to run!¡±


    I pulled out a small orb and placed it in the slot of my spear.


    CLICK


    I shook the spear head to lock the orb in place.


    ¡°GET THEM!¡±


    The shades and demons started to rush at us from both sides.


    ¡°GET DOWN!¡±


    I shouted to Arthur, warning him not to do anything except run.


    BOOOOOOOM


    I slammed my spear¡¯s handle in to the floor and a burst of light exploded from the spearhead.


    EEEEeeeeeeEEEEEEEeeeeeeee


    The demons and shades started to scream in pain.


    [Barrier of Light]


    I formed a defense wall of light and sent it flying in to the demon¡¯s direction.


    This should stop them for a few precious seconds.


    The burst was supposed to be used in a targeted precise blow though.


    Using it as a distraction . . . hopefully I won¡¯t need it later.


    I ran through a broken window and started to run towards the city.


    I had to signal my men, I had to send up a flare.


    <hr>


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Samil but they¡¯ve escaped¡±


    ¡°No matter, just take the castle first. The saint being here was unexpected, unfortunately we¡¯ll have to hurry then. We can¡¯t


    risk her and the hero ruining our plans. Heca, you go distract Arthur. Mardu, go with Onyx and keep everyone else


    distracted in the city. And Karn snag any more rats that try to get back in to the castle. I can handle everyone else here¡±


    They all nodded and promptly left.


    The time had come, my desires were finally about to be realized.


    HAHAHAHA WITH THIS!


    I COULD EVEN BECOME A DEMON KING CANDIDATE.


    THEN I COULD BE A KING NO . . . A GOD.


    My body flowed with dark energy and I started my hunt.