《Seeker of Memory》


 Prologue: The Collapse

    Running through the hallowed hallways, the man¡¯s pants sounded abnormally loud in the silent corridors. He was covered from head to toe in plate armor, yet the only sound that could be heard was his shortness of breath as he sprinted towards the massive doors at the end of the passage. Bursting through the doors, the man managed to get five meters before several white orbs were shot at him. Moving faster than the armored man could react, the white orbs hit his hands and knees. Nearly at the same time, they shot towards the ground, pulling the man into a kneeling position.


    ¡°How DARE you barge into her Holiness¡¯ presence without announcing yourself! I should have you drawn and quartered for this act.¡± Walking quickly towards the now kneeling man, a rather portly man in a deep blue robe raised his staff. The metal tip of the staff was cast in the shape of an hawk, and its eyes started to glow with power as the mage started to chant a spell.


    ¡°Keeper, there is no need for such punishments. Our situation is dire enough as it is.¡± With a wave of her hand the woman seated on the throne dispelled the binding magic holding the armored man down. ¡°Knight-Magus. Please give me your report of the situation outside.¡±


    Taking a deep breath, the man remained kneeling as he rubbed his sore wrists. No matter how hardy he was, binding magic always left him sore afterwards, especially when casted by one of the most powerful mages in the land.


    ¡°Your Holiness, the Conduits of Storm and Earth have breached the outer walls. The Common, Market, and Guest Districts of the city have erupted with fierce fighting in the streets as the Guard struggle to turn back the invaders.¡±


    Sighing, the woman leaned back into the throne. Within the same instant, a man seemed to materialize from the air next to the throne. He was in a rather strange outfit. It was impossible to tell if it was a outfit of armored plates or leather. The silver outfit seemed to hypnotize slightly all those who gazed at it. On his face was a mask, with the design of a six pointed star on it. Leaning towards the woman in the throne, his voice was a whisper that only she could hear.


    ¡°Do you wish to leave? My men have already secured a direct passage from here to the Ocean District. Your Holiness could be gone from this situation within the hour.¡± Even though the mask hid the man¡¯s line of sight from the woman, she could feel his penetrating gaze. They had known each other for nearly their entire lives. He was her personal Shade, the bond-guard that every Conduit was given when they reached the age of five. Bond-guards grew up with their masters, many becoming irreplaceable friends to the Conduits. The act of binding a Bond-guard to a Conduit was an incredible strain on their souls, so much so that the bonding could only be completed once within a lifetime. The masked man, as the Shade of the Prime Conduit, is the very best that the entire Empire could offer. His lineage was even more heavily selected than even hers, as Prime Conduits were chosen from birth by the Gods themselves. Commoners and Nobles alike had equal chances to be the Prime Conduit, talent and potential were the only factors in deciding the Prime Conduit.


    ¡°No, it is my fault that the state of the Empire has deteriorated enough as it is. Keeper! Send one last message requesting an ceasefire from the Conduits of Storm and Earth.¡±


    ¡°As you command.¡± The Keeper¡¯s face was subservient even as he was doubtful in his heart. The insurrection by the High Conduits had lasted nearly half a decade. With a majority of the Empire turning against the Prime Conduit, it was a testament to the strength and determination of the loyalists that the civil war had even lasted this long.


    Feeling the Keeper¡¯s doubts, the Prime Conduit smiled. ¡°There is no need to feel doubtful, old friend. The Prime Conduit has never been overthrown before, and I will not be the first. Send my message asking for peace.¡± Her smile fading, the Prime Conduit¡¯s voice grew frosty instantaneously. ¡°But do let them know that this is the last time I will offer a truce. The power of the Prime Conduit has not been exercised in full for nearly a millennium since the last Uprising.¡±


    ¡°Your Will be done, Holiness.¡± The Keeper¡¯s face was reverent, but his back was cold with sweat. He had forgotten that the Prime Conduit had access, if they chose to, to the emotions and memories of any nearby person. He had once heard it described as effortless for the Primes, as if they had to actively try to not eavesdrop on the thoughts of others. It certainly made diplomacy easy for the Primes of yesteryear, before the Empire spanned the world. Knowing the thoughts of your opponents at the negotiating table was certainly a huge advantage, thought the Keeper.


    With a short chant, the Keeper conjured a hawk out of mana. Hovering in the air directly in front of him, the Keeper imbued the hawk with enough mana for its trip and the message from the Prime. With a nod, the hawk flew in the direction of the rebellious High Conduits besieging the capital.


    ¡°Mm. It is done. Thank you, Keeper. I suppose there is nothing to do now but wait. I expect that I will receive their reply shortly.¡± Putting her hands on her lap, the Prime Conduit sat back against the throne. The Prime¡¯s throne was something of an oddity in the Empire. For such a nation of riches and decadence, the Prime¡¯s throne had always been a huge single piece cut out of moonwood. Moonwood is a curious substance. Hard as reinforced steel and naturally fortified against nearly all forms of magical attack, it was easily made by the Primes. Rather, it was sung into form by each Prime after the took their mantle at the head of the Empire. Each moonwood throne as a result was unique, and yet another subtle reminder of the absolute power of the Prime Conduits. No other Conduit was able to make moonwood respond to their manipulations, or at all for that matter. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    After a short while, that felt like hours instead of mere minutes to everybody but the Prime, a cyan cormorant flew through the wall and halted in front of the Prime. Looking disdainfully at her, the cormorant opened its mouth.


    ¡°Hahaha, is this how low the Prime Conduit has fallen? I would never have thought that the Prime Conduit herself would suggest a ceasefire. Then again, I don¡¯t think any Prime has been as incompetent as you before. There will be no ceasefire, I can see the Citadel itself from the supposedly impregnable walls of the Capital. The time of the Prime Conduit is over. We, the High Conduits, are sick and tired of having to govern the Empire in your name. The Gods must agree with us, since our powers have not vanished yet. I expect that we will meet in person shortly, your Holiness.¡± The Conduit of Storm¡¯s message finished, the cormorant squawked and disappeared in a cyan puff.


    After the message was delivered, a deathly silence befell the throne room. The various guards and Keepers were in paralyzed with shock, rage, and some with fear. Sighing, the Prime Conduit stood up.


    ¡°I guess we have our answer. It seems that this is the end for the Empire as we know it.¡± With her hand outstretched in front of her, a golden staff materialized as if from nowhere and landed lightly in the Prime¡¯s palm.


    ¡°We...we have ways of getting out of the city unnoticed. Your Holiness, please reconsider! Your life is the most important thing in the world. The Divine Will flows through your veins. If you are lost...then the world is lost.¡± Kneeling prostrate on the ground, the Keeper robed in blue as well as everybody else in attendance except for the Shade bowed deeply.


    ¡°I will not run from this.¡± Her face set in a hard line, the Prime tapped her staff on the throne room¡¯s floor. A huge surge of mana came from the Prime¡¯s body and sunk into the ground. As her mana flooded the room, the throne room¡¯s huge rune array started to light up. In an instant, the entire room was flooded in six different colors, one for each of the different Gods of the Empire. ¡°They have made their choice, and now so have I. They do not know the Gods as I do, they know not where their power truly comes from. I have let the High Conduits run amok for far too long in an attempt to keep the peace. Perhaps...never mind. There is no need to think of what may have been, only what that should happen going forward.¡±


    Turning towards the Shade, the Prime sadly smiled. ¡°It seems that this is where we must part. Dear friend, I thank you for your years of service and friendship.¡±


    Cocking his head ever so slightly at an angle, the Shade seemed perplexed. ¡°This isn¡¯t goodbye. What are you talking about? All you need is to activate the capital¡¯s Destruction Array, and the interlopers would be destroyed. We should be fine.¡±


    Although the kneeling Keepers and guards also had their doubts, they did not dare to voice them. In their hearts, however, they envied the Shade. Only he was able to speak so frankly to the Prime. Good men and women have died for less than that in the Empire.


    Shaking her head slightly, the Prime sighed as runes began to light up across the streets of the city. From Quarter to Quarter, arcane patterns on the streets of the city began to light up as the Prime¡¯s mana poured like an unending tsunami into the city. The High Conduits, witnessing this, desperately gave orders to their men to pull back from the city. The Destruction Array was an ancient defensive measure put in place by the first Prime himself as a way of completely wiping out all opposition within the city. The Array would kill every living thing in the city, regardless of affiliation. Only the Citadel itself was safe, but only the High Conduits and the Prime knew about the extent of the Array.


    ¡°This rebellion is a symptom of Empire. It will repeat itself in cycles until the Prime is overthrown. There is no way around it. We have conquered the world itself. When there are no challenges for the people, they look for challenges within. Our people are bored, and I couldn¡¯t bring myself to make fake enemies of the state and scapegoating others for the sake of stability.¡± The Prime¡¯s eyes started to tear up as she spoke.


    ¡°Regrettable.¡± The Shade brought his right arm horizontally to his chest as a salute. ¡°Do as you think best, you know that I will always support you. ¡°Divinus Vult!¡±


    ¡°Hahaha, look at you. You¡¯re so stiff. Where has my friend gone? This isn¡¯t goodbye. I will see you soon.¡± The Prime laughed as she channeled even more mana into the city¡¯s formations. His shoulders sagging a little bit, the Shade knew that the Prime was not activating the Destruction Array. As the Royal Shade, he got the same book education that the Prime herself received from the previous Prime. The Destruction Array did not require this much mana to activate. What the Prime was actually doing must be something even more serious. He knew that this could very well be the last time he saw the Prime. Standing straight once more, the Shade resolved to witness the last act of the Prime.


    Steeling herself, the Prime Conduit and the Shade exchanged one last, forlorn look. To the two, it was as if time stood still for just a second. Their bond could not be described with just words. It was as if they were related by blood, even if that was impossible.


    With a final surge of mana, the spires of the Citadel lit up the sky. It was late into the evening, but the blinding light from the spires lit the plains surrounding the capital up as if it was day. With a shout, the Prime Conduit put the last of her mana into the capital¡¯s Array. A second sun blossomed from the tip of the Citadel¡¯s spire.


    For miles around, loyalists and rebels alike were enraptured in sheer amazement by the display of magical prowess coming from the Citadel. The magically adept knew from the heart that the only person capable of unleashing such might would be the Prime Conduit. In their camps outside the city, the High Conduits¡¯ faces were ashen. They knew not what this spell was, but they felt in their gut that it was the end for them.


    The newly made sun lingered for just a moment.


    The Prime collapsed as her body lost its strength.


    The Shade caught the Prime before she hit the ground, holding her in his arms, he stared at her now pale visage.


    Smiling weakly, the Prime reached up and touched the tip of her finger to the Shade¡¯s mask.


    ¡°I dub thee...Lazarus Rhodes. Ad astra, old friend.¡±


    The golden sun exploded, and time stood still.


    ¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C-


    The wind whistled through the ruins of a city long lost to time. Nature had reclaimed the plains and turned into a deep forest. Fey creatures now wander the ruins, preying upon those foolhardy enough to try and seek treasure from the depth of the ruins.


    Deep within the ruins, there is a giant silver throne. Despite the countless years, it has not decayed a single bit. In front of it, there is a curious sight. What appears to be a badly sculpted statue of a kneeling man is positioned directly in front of the throne, as if he is presenting something to it.


    Suddenly, the statue cracked. The next moment, pieces of rock exploded in all directions as the statue collapsed. Standing up from the dust, a masked man looked at his hand. Holding a locket, the man¡¯s eyes reveal his confusion.


    ¡°Who am I?¡±


    The silence answered him.

 Chapter 1: New Blood

    ¡°It¡¯s a good day for crime! Hehehe today¡¯s going to be another great day for me.¡± Whistling a short tune to himself, a lanky man dressed in finery stepped out of his carriage in the Outer Circle. Quickly entering the building that the carriage stopped in front of, the man disappeared within the dark building before anybody noticed. Even though he unofficially controlled the area, it did not do to look like the nobility in one of the poorest parts of the city. Desperation has made men and women do more for less than attempting to rob me. Musing to himself, the man walked down the hallway towards his study.


    ¡°Good morning, Boss!¡± The guard outside of the kingpin¡¯s office greeted the finely dressed man with a big smile. However, his heavily scarred face made it look like more of a grimace.


    ¡°You¡¯re looking well, Hound. I heard your wife had a second child last night?¡± Stopping for a second, the kingpin leaned against the wall.


    ¡°Oh, yes, yes. My wife gave birth to a second boy. I¡¯m glad that she survived the birthing. I didn¡¯t think she had another one in her since the first birth was so hard.¡±


    ¡°Mm. Well go to Stock and tell him to give you three gold coins when you¡¯re done with today¡¯s shift. You can also have some time off to help your wife with whatever she needs, just let Notes know ahead of time. We take care of our own.¡± Nodding once at the guard, the kingpin pushed open the door and went in.


    ¡°Thank you very much, Boss!¡± Beaming as he went back to duty, Hound¡¯s face seemed to light up the room just a bit despite its craggy exterior.


    Inside the man sat at his desk, but not before checking to see if his defensive runes were still active. A blue rune flashed within his right eye as he double checked the integrity of his study¡¯s magical defenses. Seeing that all was in order, the man nodded to himself and looked at the paperwork on his desk.


    ¡°What do we have here today? Hmm...it seems that the Fourth Street Vipers haven¡¯t paid their taxes this month. I¡¯ll have to send an enforcer to make them behave. It¡¯s their first time so¡­..Badger seems like a good choice.¡± His eyes lighting up at the thought of how his victims would react, the man nearly cackled out loud as he went about his work.


    Soon, a knock was heard at the door. ¡°Center. You have a visitor.¡± Not even looking up, Center continued with his paperwork.


    ¡°Who is it, and what do they want? Quill, I swear to the Six that if it¡¯s like those Smith twins from last week I¡¯m going to have Hound beat some sense into you. My time is important this time of the month.¡± Still writing furiously as he reviewed the mountain of papers on his desk, Center frowned.


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry. I guarantee that you¡¯ll be interested in today¡¯s guest. He¡¯s the one responsible for the Dire Boar Mount incident two months ago.¡± Even though Quill was sure of Center¡¯s impending response, she still did not dare to enter without permission.


    Pausing, Center finally looked up from his desk. ¡°The Dire Boar Mount incident? If you¡¯re sure of this, then come in.¡±


    Permission granted, Quill quickly pushed open the thick oak door. The moment her hands touched the handle, a yellow rune lit up on the back of her hand. The same rune lit up on the door itself as the door unlocked in response. With a bright smile, the young woman gestured for her guest to move into the study.


    ¡°Please come in and take a seat. Quill, this gentleman is?¡± Looking up, Center was shocked initially by the man walking in. He wasn¡¯t too impressive, but what stood out was the man¡¯s lack of presence. It seemed to the kingpin that there was a void where a person was supposed to be. If the man in dark brown leather wasn¡¯t standing in front of him, Center would have sworn that there was nobody there. However, the unknown man did have one discerning feature. He wore an ancient looking mask with no features.


    ¡°Oh yes. This is Mr. Rhodes. He¡¯s the person responsible for the Dire Boar Mount incident. We have verified the claim through the use of a Memory Clone. Priest did the procedure himself. He¡¯s clean.¡± Bowing deeply to Center as she handed a white orb to him, Quill quickly left as she closed the door once more.


    ¡°Mm. Very good, very good. Well Mr. Rhodes, you may address me as Center. I welcome you to my little corner of the Outer Circle. What can I do for you today?¡± Leaning back in his chair, made out of the most expensive wood available, Center crossed his arms.


    ¡°I want to be a fixer.¡± Short, straight to the point. Rhodes¡¯ voice sounded nothing like the man dressed. It was very...average.


    The man looks odd, but his voice is just...really average. I don¡¯t know quite how to describe it. Center smiled as he quickly thought about his options. It¡¯s never a good thing to decide too quickly. Let¡¯s see if I¡¯m going to be comfortable working with him first.


    ¡°That¡¯s...a tall proposal. Let me review the Memory Clone to see what you are capable of. Please wait a moment while I do so.¡± Seeing Rhodes not say a word, Center took it as his assent to do so. Raising his hand, Center put touched his forehead to the white orb. Memories from the viewpoint of Rhodes flashed through Center¡¯s mind. Everything, from the planning to the actual assassination, was shown to Center from the most important viewpoint of all. Sighing, Center looked Rhodes with more respect than before. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Well Mr. Rhodes, I would love to work with you. However, my organization is one based on experience and loyalty. You would have to go through a trial period, you understand.¡± Easing himself in his chair, Center¡¯s smile returned to his face. He always these type of conversations best. Born with a business sense rivalling history¡¯s greatest merchants, Center had built up his underground organization over the past decade with both business acumen and a ruthless streak.


    ¡°What does this trial period entail?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d have to do a series of jobs for us. In order of increasing difficulty as judged by our current fixers. It is a sort of...audition if you will. We will, of course, pay you a fair price for any work that you do for us. You will not receive the premium for each job, as only our in-house personnel get paid the premiums.¡±


    ¡°So, like a contracter.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes. Exactly like a contracter. I can see that you understand as well. I do dearly love working with those individuals who understand business as well as you and I do.¡± Opening one of his drawers, Center pulled out a grey piece of paper out. ¡°All you need to do to become one of our contractors is to sign this, well, contract. Please read it over and let me know if it is satisfactory for you.¡±


    Picking up the piece of parchment, Rhodes¡¯ eyes flashed imperceptibly as he read the contract in full. A short moment later, he placed it down on the table.


    ¡°This is a Partial Spirit Contract, is it not?¡±


    With a start, Center lost his composure for just a moment. How does he know what a Partial Spirit Contract is? I could count on one hand the number of people in this city that should know what it is. Heh, this Mr. Rhodes is certainly getting more interesting by the minute.


    ¡°Ah, you sure have good eyes and knowledge. I see no reason to hide what you have already seen through. Yes, this is a Partial Spirit Contract. Trust is a very big part of my business, Mr. Rhodes. Unfortunately, even with your Memory Clone, I do not have much trust towards you. However, since you know about the Partial Spirit Contract, you should know that it binds me as well. I cannot move against you on risk of crippling myself.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t. But it doesn¡¯t say anything about your men. And I¡¯m more worried about my physical well being with them involved.¡± Rhodes¡¯ facial expression was hidden behind the mask, but his voice held a tinge of disapproval. Center¡¯s smile got even wider.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m afraid that¡¯s just a risk that you need to take. Rest assured, Mr. Rhodes. My organization is very, very trustworthy. I know that doesn¡¯t mean much to you right now, but keep in mind that this is only a Partial Spirit Contract. Other organizations have been known to do worse for less.¡±


    After a short moment of silence, Rhodes nodded. Placing his hand on the contract, he sent some of his mana within. A flash of white light later, and his part was done. Center then placed his hand on the contract as well, completing the contract.


    ¡°I can guarantee that you won¡¯t regret the decision that you made here today. Mr. Rhodes, I hope that this is the beginning of a profitable relationship. Of course, once you finish the preliminary tasks, you do not have to formally join if you do not wish to. You are free to leave at the end of your contract.¡± Scooping up the grey parchment as if it were a treasure, Center stashed the contract into a secure drawer.


    ¡°Now that the contract is complete. You¡¯ll report to Raven for your first assignment. Hmm you¡¯ll need a name. We all have names. It helps us from ratting each other out and keeps us safer. Do you have a name you¡¯d like us to call you by?¡±


    ¡°I have no preference. Call me what you will.¡± Shrugging his shoulders, Rhodes crossed his arms.


    ¡°Well...I¡¯m bad with names. What about Mask?¡± Sighing to himself, Center despaired at his uncreativity with names.


    ¡°That¡¯s fine.¡±


    Nodding, Center snapped his fingers as he chanted. A small surge of mana came from the palm of his hand, and congealed itself as a nearly translucent moth.


    ¡°Raven, it¡¯s Center. Mask is new. He¡¯s our newest contractor to be a fixer. Give him his first assignment. He did the Dire Boar Mount incident. I expect great news from you about his performance.¡± His message completed, Center waved his hand. The moth circled once around Center¡¯s head before shooting through the wall towards Raven somewhere else in the building.


    ¡°Quill, my dear. Please show Mr. Rhodes, now called Mask, to Raven. His first assignment should be given to him shortly.¡± Calling out to Quill who was waiting patiently outside the door, Center looked at Mask.


    ¡°Mask, it has been a pleasure meeting you. I do hope that the next time we meet face to face you¡¯ll be one permanently joining us.¡± Looking down, Center quickly lost himself in his paperwork once more.


    Mask turned around, and walked out of the study since Quill had already opened the door for him. Walking in silence, Quill took several twists and turns before leading Mask to a large warehouse. Seated on a barrel near some crates, a man in pitch-black clothing was furiously polishing an apple.


    ¡°Raven. This is Mask he¡¯s here¨C ¡°


    ¡°Yes, yes, yes. I know why he¡¯s here. Mana messages always travel faster than you walking. In fact, I¡¯d bet money that my grandmother could walk faster than you Quill.¡± Abruptly looking up, Raven took a large bite out of the apple.


    ¡°Hmph. You don¡¯t need to be so rude. What if I was walking slower for Mask¡¯s benefit? It is his first time in the hideout after all.¡± Puffing her cheeks out, Quill glared at Raven.


    ¡°You¡¯re a glorified secretary. He¡¯s a trained killer. The Dire Boar Mount incident was no joke. I don¡¯t think Snake could have gotten out of that deathtrap of a villa if he was there. Have you seen uhh...Mask¡¯s Memory Clone? That shit is outrageous. I feel like I learned a trick or two and I¡¯ve been assassinating people for two decades now.¡± Still taking massive bites out of the apple, juice dripped down Raven¡¯s chin as he spoke between bites. ¡°Mmph. These new apples from the Spade¡¯s Orchards are really nice. Hey Mask do you want one?¡±


    ¡°No, thank you very much. I¡¯m not hungry.¡±


    ¡°Shit man you don¡¯t need to be hungry to eat. Have you seen Badger? I swear that bastard is always eating something. Maybe he even eats in his sleep. Off you go, Quill. I can take care of it from here.¡±


    Muttering something indecent under her breath, Quill pouted as she walked away from the two men. Shaking his head, Raven smirked.


    ¡°Ah, she¡¯s just really sensitive. Kind of strange though, considering that she¡¯s worked with us for almost five years now. I think she¡¯d be used to our abrasiveness by now. But I guess that blueblood really runs deep eh?¡±


    ¡°Quill is nobility? Why would she be working here?¡±


    ¡°Ah fuck. I said too much. We shouldn¡¯t talk about others while they¡¯re not here. Well, shouldn¡¯t talk about the in-house people while not with them. Trash all the other contractors no question though. I know some of the boys will be making fun of your Mask the moment you¡¯re gone. Some even to your face, heh.¡±


    ¡°My assignment.¡±


    ¡°Ah, yes right. Nearly forgot about that. You want to be a fixer right? Do you even know what that entails? We¡¯re not one trick ponies like some of the other members.¡±


    ¡°Fixers fix problems when the others can¡¯t. They do everything from assassinations to heists to hostage rescues.¡±


    ¡°Huh, so you do know. You can call me Raven. I handle all of the fixer assignments here. I don¡¯t know what Center has told you, but you¡¯ll get to know me very well in the next couple of weeks. For your first assignment, how do you feel about bal masqu¨¦s?¡±


    ¡°Masquerade parties? I hate them.¡± Mask suddenly got a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach.


    ¡°Well, you¡¯re shit out of luck.¡± Raven chuckled.

 Chapter 2: The Masquerade of Brandt, Part I

    Night descended rather quickly, as it was the winter season. In the Outer Circle, the common folk finished their work, and quickly went home to eat or pubs to meet friends. The Market Quarter shined brightly in the night as people enjoyed themselves.


    Compared to the Market Quarter in the Outer Circle, the Inner Circle was not nearly as brightly lit. However, the level of energy in the air was the same, if not more. The aristocracy and people of high influence that lived in the Inner Circle held many parties throughout the cold, dark winter months. No matter what season it was, Pherkad the capital of the Polar Kingdom was always lively.


    A silver carriage pulled by a team of four horses travelled down the King¡¯s Road in in the Inner Circle. The carriage¡¯s sides had the coat of arms of the Richter Family emblazoned onto its sides. Being a family heavily involved with the House of Justice, it was no surprise to most people that the Richter coat of arms was a black hammer and quill crossed. Inside the carriage, the passengers were deep into conversation. Looking outside, Quill finished giving Mask his briefing.


    ¡°We¡¯re almost at the Brandt¡¯s manor. Do you understand what you have to do?¡± Closing her notebook, Quill looked expectantly at Mask.


    ¡°Mm. I have to frame the eldest son of the Brandt family, disgracing him in some way that results in him embarrassing the family enough so that his father makes the second son the heir instead. Is there a suggested way to do this?¡±


    ¡°Heh, that¡¯s part of the mission. We have some idea of what can be done, but that¡¯s up to you to figure out. This mission is designed to see how resourceful you are when confronted with an unfamiliar situation. An infiltration mission among the nobility is harder than what we would usually give first time contractors, but Center has high expectations for you.¡± Quill smiled sweetly as she explained.


    ¡°That¡¯s fine with me. Doing things on the fly isn¡¯t the best way but I guess I have no choice in this situation. Why does the mask matter though? I don¡¯t feel comfortable in this one.¡± His face covered by a different mask, Mask seemed a bit surly. Instead of his original mask that had no features, this new one was designed to look like the face of a wolf.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to a masquerade ball that¡¯s going to be attended by most of the people of influence in the city, perhaps the kingdom itself. You don¡¯t really think that the House of Brandt would allow just anybody to walk in?¡± Chuckling, Quill took out a letter stamped with an insignia in the shape of a flame. ¡°This is your invitation, and also identity while we¡¯re at it. You¡¯re to be the Knight-Captain Wolff of Fort Northstar. He¡¯s one of my family¡¯s allies and, coincidentally hates to be at any of these parties.¡±


    ¡°So he has an alibi if I get caught here, is that it? I impersonate him while he¡¯s stationed in Fort Northstar hundreds of miles away with his troops.¡± Shifting his weight, Mask leaned back in his seat with his arms still crossed. ¡°You do know that I hate these¡­.frivolous events as well right?¡±


    Smiling like a panther, Quill¡¯s teeth shone in the near darkness of the carriage¡¯s interior. ¡°Oh, I know now, of course. But you¡¯re just going to have to grit your teeth and get on with it. The only thing you have to worry about if you fail this task is that the organization won¡¯t hire you. We¡¯ve got ourselves covered.¡±


    ¡°What, the Knight-Captain can say that the messenger delivering the invitation was captured and that I was some unknown imposter if I fail?¡±


    ¡°Huh, you¡¯re not as politically inept as most fixers that aren¡¯t from the nobility. That¡¯s the gist. Here is a prepared Memory Clone from the real Knight-Captain. He hates socializing in these events, but that¡¯s not to say that he is not acquainted with most of the guests that are going to be attending the event tonight.¡± Bringing out a white orb from the inner folds of her jacket, Quill handed it to Mask. ¡°Take your time and absorb all the information from this Memory Clone. We left earlier than we needed to so you could have the time to get used to the Knight-Captain¡¯s memories.¡±


    ¡°No need. It¡¯ll just take a moment.¡± Grasping the Memory Clone with his left hand, Mask crushed it against the forehead of the his wolf mask. Instead of shattering instantly, the white orb was neatly absorbed by Mask. Images flashed in Mask¡¯s eyes and voices spoke in his mind. ¡°Done. Knight-Captain Wolff certainly has some colorful opinions of the aristocracy.¡±


    ¡°Mm. That was quick. Are you trained in Memory Magic?¡± Although she was shocked internally, Quill knew that some of the Memory Magi were able to absorb information and understand it at a much faster rate than normal people.


    ¡°You can say that. Right. I¡¯ll be leaving first. See you later.¡± Opening the carriage door, Mask quickly stepped out. The silver carriage had stopped in a side street near the Brandt Manor. Although Mask would be impersonating Knight-Captain Wolff, Center¡¯s organization had no way of procuring a military carriage to further complete the disguise. Not surprisingly, the Royal Army was not keen on having anybody not of military rank travelling in a military transport of any kind. Needing some way to get past the security, and unable to bribe the Inner Circle guards without spending massive amounts of gold, Quill¡¯s family connections was the only practical option. As soon as he got off the carriage, Mask seemed to disappear into the darkness of the alley. No footsteps were heard as he walked into the darkness.


    ¡°I never would have thought that Mask was a memory mage. Perhaps he tampered with the Memory Clone he submitted to us? No, Keeper is a High Memory Mage. He reviews the Memory Clones before we give them to Center for review. If there was any tampering, Keeper would have seen it. Only the most powerful memory mages can get past a High Memory Mage¡¯s notice. Driver! Head towards home. Our job is done here.¡± Nodding, the Richter house¡¯s driver cracked the reins and the silver carriage moved towards a different section of the Inner Circle. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    After the carriage left, a shadow crept along the wall towards the Brandt Manor. Seeing nobody around, Mask chanted silently to himself. After a short while, Mask¡¯s body seemed to get more muscular. His height grew, and his facial features themselves changed. Even more strange, Mask¡¯s clothes seemed to change and adapt to the physical changes that the body were undergoing. After about a minute, a different Mask walked out of the shadows. Still wearing the same formal military uniform, but a different man in nearly all physical respects. No longer lanky, Mask was now taller and much more muscular, befitting a man who has known nothing but war for most of his life.


    As Mask was walking towards the gate, another masked partygoer ran up to him. The man shorter than Mask by nearly a head, but just as if not even more muscular.


    ¡°Knight-Captain Wolff! I certainly didn¡¯t expect to see you here. Why, I never thought you¡¯d deign to come to a party like this.¡± Laughing loudly, the shorter man caught up to Mask nearly instantly.


    ¡°Knight-Captain Berger. We haven¡¯t met in a long time. How is Fort Greystone? I¡¯ve heard that the East is experiencing some minor revolts?¡± Holding his hand out, Mask shook Berger¡¯s hand firmly. Berger¡¯s mask was fashioned in the shape of a bear. It really suits him, that bear. The man¡¯s just as hot tempered to his foes and can probably take more punishment as well. Mask was starting to get used to Wolff¡¯s memories as more time passed since he absorbed the initial Memory Clone.


    ¡°Ach, don¡¯t even mention that to me. It¡¯s those bloody peasants in Count Roth¡¯s lands that are bitching and moaning about increased taxes. That red haired lordling always pushes the people who live on his land just short of a full blown peasant rebellion. All that is really happening is that some of the more unsavoury folk are turning bandit along the smaller tributary roads that aren¡¯t patrolled as often.¡± Screwing his face up, Berger shook his head as he sighed. ¡°It¡¯s not a real emergency, so I¡¯m not allowed to deploy any of my troops. Roth doesn¡¯t understand any of this, or at least he chooses to ignore it. I think now he just has messengers deliver letters requesting aid twice a day.¡±


    ¡°Mm. The Warden of the East didn¡¯t mobilize any forces to stop these bandits? It doesn¡¯t seem to be a huge problem if nothing official is being done.¡± Walking up to the gate, both Mask and Berger flashed their invitations to the guards. The guards immediately opened the gate and allowed the two Knight-Captains to pass. Mask smiled underneath his wolf mask. It seems that my disguise is working even better than I thought it would. I¡¯m glad that the real Knight-Captain Wolff is clean shaven. I wouldn¡¯t have any idea of what he looked like if he didn¡¯t shave himself each morning. The Memory Clones being made can¡¯t skip unnecessary memories, so they¡¯re a bit inelegant in this regard. Although, why do I think that they¡¯re inelegant? It¡¯s not like I¡¯ve seen any other types¡­.maybe I imagined it?


    Deep in thought, Mask didn¡¯t even know that he had reached the entrance to the Brandt Manor until the steward coughed slightly. Berger elbowed Mask for additional effect.


    ¡°Gods, Wolff. I know you don¡¯t like to pay attention at these events but we haven¡¯t even gone into the manor yet.¡± Chuckling, Berger handed his invitation to the steward. ¡°I¡¯ll see you inside. I think we have to enter separately. Boys, let¡¯s go in and get smashed!¡± Waving for his guards to enter alongside him, Berger walked inside.


    ¡°Now entering, Knight-Captain Berger of Fort Greystone!¡± The steward¡¯s fine tenor reached the entirety of the hall. Walking down the steps, Berger nodded to the people that he knew before walking towards a group of people also dressed in military dress uniforms.


    ¡°Mm. It seems that now is the time for the military dignitaries to arrive? I see minor lords and military personnel but none of the more influential lords and ladies.¡± Looking at the steward, Mask seemed more lupine than usual.


    ¡°Sir is most observant. The standard procedure at most of the events hosted by Barons and higher involve this sort of ordered entrance. Of course, House Brandt is one of the five High Houses of our Polar Kingdom. Being a Duke as he is, the Lord Brandt is of course most insistent on this kind of entrance order.¡± Explaining with a flourish of his hands, the steward looked at Mask oddly. ¡°But Sir Wolff has never expressed such interest in the social workings of the nobility before?¡±


    ¡°It is never too late to learn and adapt to new things. When on the battlefield, one must constantly change strategies to match whatever the enemy might do. I have heard my strategist say that the political arena of Pherkad is similar.¡± Baring his canines in a smile, Mask walked into the hall.


    ¡°Ah, very good Sir.¡± The steward was somewhat shaken by Mask¡¯s presence. He was not used to being directly addressed by such a brute of a man, even if he is a Knight-Captain. ¡°Now entering, Knight-Captain Wolff of Fort Northstar!¡±


    The moment that the steward¡¯s voice reached the entirely of the crowd below, curious gazes and whispers flew about. It was no secret that Knight-Captain Wolff was generally disdainful of social events hosted by the nobility. The last time he was invited to a noble¡¯s party, the poor Baron found out that although Wolff did indeed come back to the capital, the Knight-Captain went to a pub and got wasted with the common folk instead. In the year since, the aristocracy stopped sending invitations to Wolff. Why he chose to come to the Brandt¡¯s masquerade ball was an even bigger mystery.


    Nodding to those few that Mask knew the actual Knight-Captain Wolff liked, he quickly descended the steps to where Berger and the rest of the military crowd were talking. The men and women in military dress uniforms all nodded to Mask as he drew close.


    ¡°Heh, we certainly weren¡¯t expecting to see you here, Wolff. Still no guards as usual?¡± One of the women laughed as she handed Mask a glass full of wine. Taller than everybody except for Mask impersonating Wolff, Lange gave off a rather intimidating aura. Her mask was shaped to look like that of an golden eagle¡¯s beak. ¡°Why, it¡¯s as if you¡¯re a lone wolf. Hehe.¡±


    Berger groaned out loud the moment Lange said that, and quickly stopped when Lange elbowed him in the ribs. Sheepishly looking at Lange, Berger turned his attention to the finger food available at a nearby table.


    ¡°Mm. Still no guards. It¡¯s good to see you, Knight-Captain Lange. How¡¯s the situation in the south?¡± Accepting the glass, Mask started to gulp down the wine.


    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s the same as usual. There¡¯s been no change in the activity of the Tribes along the southern border. I think they¡¯re settling in for the winter. It¡¯s always peaceful this time of the year since nobody really wants to assault the Kingdom¡¯s fortified defenses in the dead of winter.¡± Shrugging her shoulders, Lange started to sip her wine as well.


    ¡°Bah, it¡¯s always business with you two. Why can¡¯t we just enjoy the evening and people watch for once? I haven¡¯t been to a masquerade ball in years, and seeing how many of the nobility lose their masks over the course of the night is always worth a chuckle.¡± Another Knight-Captain sighed as he came close to the two.


    ¡°Still as easygoing as ever, Knight-Captain Becker. It¡¯s good to see you in good health after the White Ghost incident.¡± Raising his glass for a toast, Mask grinned.


    ¡°Gods, you know how much I hate that incident. Who knew that flour would turn into an extremely flammable dust when in the air?¡± Raising his hand to his face, Becker grimaced as he remembered the burns he had suffered.


    Chuckling, Mask turned to talk to the other Knight-Captains attending the masquerade ball. Even though only a small portion of the Knight-Captains were able to leave their duties to attend this party, their individual presences were enough to intimidate nearly all of the minor nobles in attendance so far.


    Making small talk with the other military personnel, Mask took great care to look around the hall for possible avenues of escape and chances for mayhem if needed.


    Mm. There¡¯s nothing to do now but wait for the higher nobles to arrive. The host isn¡¯t even supposed to show himself until all of the guests of honor have arrived. Oh, but this food is phenomenal. I can see how some nobles can be so fat if this is what they eat on a daily basis.