《The Greatest Trick Ever Sold [LitRPG Progression Fantasy]》 Chapter 01: The Ill-Fated Prince CHAPTER ONE The Ill-Fated Prince
¡°O¡¯ hazy eye of the blue moon above,¡± sang the young bard who sat on a rickety wooden stool by the tavern¡¯s lone hearth fire, ¡°bestow me the fortune of lovers and go~~old¡­¡± Usually, bards wielded all manner of sorcerous illusions to accompany their songs. From conjured fog to colorful lights and even dancing spirits; the master bards of the Atlan Imperium turned every tune into a magical performance¡ªbut not him. Not this youthful, purple-haired bard who dared to entertain a gathering of the most dour-looking patrons he had ever encountered with only his voice and lute to woo them. ¡°And should your red twin fill the night with death and cold,¡± he strummed his lute with a skill that belied his young years, ¡°keep these troubles far from my weary soul~~l¡­¡± As the bard finished his ballad¡ªone that told the tale of the sisters who straddled Aarde¡¯s night sky¡ªhe heard no applause. He wasn¡¯t disheartened though, for the silence permeating the old tavern was telling enough that he¡¯d captivated his audience. Earlier, before he began his tune, many of the tavern¡¯s patrons¡ªthese hardened-looking city folk who¡¯d fallen on tough times¡ªwere up in arms against the appointment of their new governor, who, in the two weeks since he¡¯d taken up office, had already managed to cause friction between the northern and central regions of a kingdom that was already on the verge of civil unrest thanks to a decade¡¯s worth of decline and misfortune. No one cared how he¡¯d managed that in so short a time, only that the new governor was, as they all claimed, unworthy. ¡°Incompetent!¡± they¡¯d complained. ¡°Coward!¡± they¡¯d railed. ¡°Magicless!¡± they¡¯d condemned. They¡¯d huffed and puffed¡ªspewing treasonous ideas into the ether¡ªuntil the bard who¡¯d been quietly observing the crowd from a shadowy corner chose to step into the limelight to change the mood within the tavern. For personal reasons, he fancied himself a loyalist, but he didn¡¯t want to scold the rabblerousers because he could see things from their point of view. So, instead, the bard chose to serenade them, trusting in the words of a wise man who once claimed; ¡®Tis music that soothes even the most savage beast. Now, finished with his song, the bard rose from his seat, but before he could leave the spotlight, a copper coin flew toward him, carried through the air by a glowing magical hand. The hand deposited the coin into the mug the bard had placed on the dirty floor and then vanished in a puff of colorful smoke. To use an advanced spell like the Sorcerer¡¯s Hand in such a common way¡­ The bard¡¯s gaze snapped toward a plump wiry-haired woman seated at a nearby table whose eyes glittered with the telltale signs of sorcery at work. Oh, how I envy your talent. She sent him a flying kiss which he promptly caught with his hand so that he might place it on his lips. ¡°Much obliged, love,¡± he said in his best commoner¡¯s drawl. Two more coins followed, a fourth, and a fifth¡ªenough imperial griffins to buy him a pint of ale. The bard smiled. He possessed such a charming smile that the womenfolk in the crowded tavern couldn¡¯t help but swoon, their cheeks flaring crimson as he trained his smile on them. Indeed, even some menfolk blushed at witnessing such a handsome bard glancing their way. Yes, be charmed by me some more. He encouraged their admiration because it meant more coins fell into his mug and he enjoyed seeing them prove his point. I can¡¯t wield sorcery like you all, but I don¡¯t need it to make you love me for a little while. He did his best not to look smug though. Being on the other end of ridicule his whole life has made him sensitive to smugness. ¡°Sing us another song,¡± one patron yelled. ¡°A lively one this time!¡± a second patron chimed in. ¡°Sing about our ill-fated prince!¡± a third patron added. Many heads nodded at this last suggestion, though the bard wasn¡¯t one of them. He¡¯d sang for them so they might forget about the prince, yet here they were asking him to join them in their treason. His disappointment was swift to vanish though, replaced by his charming smile. ¡°Once more for the people, yeah?¡± So, he sang another tune, a lively one he¡¯d learned recently from a fellow bard he¡¯d met in the city¡¯s midtown district who claimed she created the song in honor of the Forest Kingdom of Lotharin¡¯s new governor. ¡°I hear we¡¯ve earned an ill-fated prince¡­that sounds horrible,¡± the bard began in jest, and his audience laughed in response. ¡°Though I think Lotharin¡¯ll endure, it¡¯ll be no thanks to him¡­¡± Their merriment grew as he continued to mock Lotharin¡¯s new governor in verse, and though he encouraged them to sing along, in his heart, he grew weary¡­ It wasn¡¯t easy for him to make fun of someone he knew intimately. ¡°My friends,¡± he rose from his seat, ¡°you¡¯ve been a delightful audience!¡± He began tapping his foot against the floor. ¡°I hope you continue to be generous with your tips!¡± His strumming resumed, wilder, more manic than before. ¡°Now, come and sing this chorus with me!¡± ¡°Quit!¡± they cried together. ¡°Quit, Ill-Fated Prince, quit~~t!¡± Yes, it was a new tune, yet strangely, everyone knew its words. ¡°Quit, quit, quit, quit, quit~~t¡­¡± they chanted. ¡°Or we¡¯ll throw you out,¡± the bard strummed the last key, his voice lowering to nearly a whisper, ¡°and leave you lying in filth, you magicless fool~~l¡­¡± This time, his audience cheered. They stomped their feet on the ground, smashed their fists against wooden tables, and clinked their mugs together, oblivious to the fact that they were celebrating with words that could¡¯ve gotten them hanged if the prince himself had overheard them. Assuming, of course, that the prince was as villainous as they all seemed to think. ¡®Ping!¡¯ An otherworldly sound reached the bard¡¯s ears, one only he could hear. He chose to ignore it, choosing instead to pick up his mug full of griffins. With a wide grin, he raised the mug high and thanked his audience, and they cheered for him. This is why I prefer coming to Lowtown instead of spending my day in that stuffy bastion. The people here might be shameless, but at least their smiles are genuine. The sound of coins clinking inside his raggedy purse helped to shoo away some of his ill feelings. ¡°There¡¯s enough here to get me drunk,¡± he murmured. Then, as an afterthought, added, ¡°And one last day of playing the fool¡­¡± The bard left his post by the hearth and made his way toward a corner of the tavern. However, before reaching his destination, he felt a hand grope the back of his trousers. ¡°Here we go again.¡± Reforming his charming smile, he turned around but found no randy, middle-aged seamstress ogling him. This ¡®grabby hands¡¯ was a man; an unsavory-looking fellow with a greasy face. He wore a stained, padded jacket the bard recognized instantly because this teal-colored gambeson was the new uniform of the city guard who manned the city of Bastille¡¯s parapets and gates. ¡°Where are you heading off to, pretty lad?¡± he asked in a slurring speech. ¡°Want some company?¡± The guard¡¯s cheeks were red from drinking, his eyes dazed and wandering. Seeing this evidence of intoxication, the bard¡¯s smile faltered. ¡°Sorry, bruv, but I¡¯m not interested.¡± Too drunk to listen, the guard came forward and flashed him a grin of yellowing teeth. ¡°Nights in Bastille can get cold without someone to snuggle with.¡± That¡¯s when the bard¡¯s smile vanished, replaced by an exasperated sigh. It wasn¡¯t the man¡¯s lewdness that annoyed him because he was used to such propositions. Over the years, he¡¯d enchanted many of the high nobles in the Sovereign¡¯s court with his looks, which the Sovereign¡¯s courtiers claimed was his only redeeming quality. In exchange for lewd favors, they offered him things that were enticing for a boy without real power or influence. He declined them all though, the men and women both.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. No, the bard¡¯s hackles rose not because the guard was a vulgar bastard but because he was disloyal to his liege. Surely, he¡¯d done nothing while the tavern patrons sang their rebellious tune. He¡¯d probably sang with them, and loudly too. You wear the prince¡¯s colors, take your wages from the prince¡¯s coffers, but show no loyalty to your liege¡­ Not that I want people to get arrested, but still¡­ ¡°Come on,¡± the guard¡¯s hand reached for the bard, ¡°let¡¯s get better¡ª¡± He stopped suddenly, his eyes widening in confusion¡­for the bard was gone. He¡¯d vanished from sight, transformed into one who lacked the delicateness he¡¯d shown earlier. ¡°What sort of sorcery¡ª¡± ¡°There¡¯s no sorcery here,¡± interrupted a man whose voice had lost its gentleness, ¡°but one of simple misdirection.¡± The purple-haired man who shrugged off his bard¡¯s disguise stopped slouching like he¡¯d been doing since stepping into the tavern. He stood to his full height, his shoulders widening, causing muscles hidden underneath loose-fitting clothes to expand, and revealed himself as a tall muscular youth who towered over the guard. ¡°Meaning no offense, bruv, but I don¡¯t swing that way, yeah.¡± The young man placed a hand on the guard¡¯s shoulder and then squeezed. ¡°But, if you¡¯re so insistent on snuggling, I know one or two moves that¡¯ll take your breath away.¡± ¡°G-Gah!¡± Despite the thickness of his gambeson¡¯s padding, the guard felt growing pressure from the young man¡¯s fingers tightening around his shoulder. Such monstrous strength sobered him quickly. ¡°I-I¡¯m a guardsman,¡± he complained, but, still feeling the pressure, he rallied, ¡°a-and I¡¯ve got the ear of the Captain of the Watch!¡± One of the young man¡¯s eyebrows hitched upward. ¡°Captain of the Watch¡­?¡± ¡°Y-Yeah, that¡¯s right¡­ And the captain, well, he don¡¯t like it when lowly commoners mess with his mates.¡± With each word, the guard¡¯s confidence grew. It seemed he was used to name-dropping his captain¡¯s name for situations like now. ¡°S-So, you better stop¡ª¡± His voice faltered along with his courage. ¡°You talk as if you aren¡¯t one of us, bruv.¡± Eyes the color of molten gold gazed imperiously back at the guard, and for a moment, it felt like he was in the presence of a noble. ¡°But you stink of Lowtown same as me¡­¡± This was a lie. The young man enjoyed luxurious baths far too much to smell like the tavern¡¯s patrons. ¡°Now, I value those who protect our fair city.¡± He slipped several of his hard-earned griffins into the guard¡¯s pocket. ¡°So, how about I pay for your meal, and we don¡¯t cause a scene, yeah?¡± Just in case the guard was too thick-headed to realize he¡¯d been given an out, the young man pressed down on his shoulder, forcing the guard¡¯s legs to buckle so that he fell back into his seat with a harsh thud. Gazes around the table snapped toward the tall figure, and he, noticing they were all guards too, slapped several more griffins onto their table. ¡°Next round¡¯s on me, gents.¡± The young man placed enough coin on their table for them to send him off with cheers, and, while ¡®Grabby Hands¡¯ looked on in confusion, he slipped away before anything else could happen. He moved quickly through the crowd, dodging more unwelcome advances, and finally claimed his seat beside a table in a corner of the tavern that was half-veiled in shadow. By the other side of this table sat a hooded man who expelled the smoke he¡¯d inhaled from his long pipe, sending a musky aroma into the air that caused the young man¡¯s nose to wrinkle. ¡°Why do you love cloud weed so much, Ser Anthony?¡± he asked, his voice changing, losing his practiced commoner¡¯s drawl for the speech of a noble. ¡°It helps keep the aches and pains of old age at bay, Your Highness,¡± the hooded man answered in a voice that was barely a whisper. ¡°And you¡¯re alright with reeking of wet grass and mud?¡± ¡°To smell of nature is the privilege of the old.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not that old.¡± The prince carefully placed his lute on an empty seat before returning to the conversation. ¡°I heard that cloud weed¡¯s a calming herb.¡± ¡°It is.¡± A wry grin flashed on the prince¡¯s face. ¡°Then why are you still holding your sword?¡± It was true that Ser Anthony¡¯s other hand had been holding tightly onto the sword resting against the tavern¡¯s back wall. ¡°Stay your hand. The matter¡¯s settled. No need to shed blood here and draw attention to us,¡± the prince insisted. ¡°The matter is far from settled¡­¡± Reluctantly, Ser Anthony let go of his sword. ¡°And you drew attention to yourself first.¡± ¡°A bard¡¯s work is a different kind of attention,¡± the prince reasoned. This was true, at least for him. Song and rhyme, and sometimes even dance, were the prince¡¯s coping mechanisms against the scorn often sent his way. They were his escape from the burdens of his ill fate. Fortunately, he wasn¡¯t bad at it. Indeed, he proved a quick study when it came to the performance arts, though the Sovereign might have preferred the prince¡¯s talent lay elsewhere. ¡°My ears wrung so badly from all their biting commentary that I thought a song might help keep them from calling me names,¡± he chuckled. After exhaling another column of smoke, Ser Anthony asked, ¡°And did you succeed?¡± The prince glanced over his shoulder and listened in on nearby conversations. He could hear them clear enough, ¡°Ill-Fated Prince this,¡± and ¡°Ill-Fated Prince that,¡± though these surly tavern patrons seemed to be in a merrier mood unlike earlier. ¡°Let¡¯s call it a draw,¡± he concluded. Ser Anthony chuckled. ¡°Hearts and minds aren¡¯t won easily with just a song.¡± ¡°A magical song might have,¡± the prince argued. He¡¯d often heard it said that the master bards of the Imperium could turn the hearts of men and beast alike with a performance infused with sorcery. If only he had just a bit of magic inside him, perhaps then¡­ The prince shook his head. There was no point in wishing the impossible was possible. ¡°Your singing may not be able to win them over just yet,¡± Ser Anthony appeased, adding, ¡°though your mad plan just might, Your Highness.¡± ¡°Call me Bram. Just Bram.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do no such thing.¡± Ser Anthony took another long puff of his pipe, and then expelled the smoke while saying, ¡°You¡¯ve been insulted enough today.¡± ¡°I¡¯m used to it.¡± The contempt of the commoners was nothing new for Bram. He¡¯d lived with contempt for as long as he could remember, and he remembered much. Even the first time he¡¯d opened his eyes on the day his mother gave birth to him. The seventh prince of the Atlan Imperium was special, though not in the way those around him hoped for. Over time, their hopes dwindled, twisting into scorn, until finally, only Ser Anthony remained by his side. Bram gazed fondly at the old knight who kept on smoking his pipe. Underneath his hood was a weathered face with short-cropped, salt-and-pepper hair and a thick handlebar mustache. Even seated, the old knight seemed tall, with shoulders nearly as broad as Bram¡¯s. ¡°They insult you because they don¡¯t know how hard you toil for them.¡± Again, Ser Anthony reached for his sword, and again, he reluctantly withdrew his hand. ¡°It¡¯s taking all my resolve not to arrest these fools, not out of compassion ¡ª I¡¯ve no mercy for those who defame your good name ¡ª but because I know your courtiers will find some way to blame you for any incident in the city¡­¡± ¡°The nobles of Bastille like me less than even the commoners do,¡± Bram chuckled lightly. ¡°It¡¯s as if I¡¯d never left the Sovereign¡¯s court¡­ Only now I have a bigger target on my back and no ally to watch it.¡± ¡°You have one ally in this city.¡± Bram couldn¡¯t help smiling. He never said it aloud, but Ser Anthony¡¯s steadfast loyalty was one of the largest reasons he could shrug off the stress of being House Attilan¡¯s ill-fated prince. The ¡®Ill-Fated Prince¡¯¡­this was the title his older siblings bestowed on Bram after it became clear that he was a child whom the gods had cursed with a body that couldn¡¯t become a vessel for the magical energies permeating Aarde¡¯s western continent of Gaullia. He was magicless in an empire where sorcery was the dominant power, and though not a crime exactly, to be magicless was seen as the harshest of failings among nobles and commoners alike. Bram hated hearing this moniker spoken aloud and hated it more whenever he thought it himself. ¡­And yet I sang it easily enough. ¡°You mentioned my mad plan¡­and you¡¯re right.¡± Bram picked up the flagon of ale on his side of the table and breathed in its heady scent. ¡°It is mad ¡ª positively insane¡­ If I had more time maybe I¡¯d try something else¡­¡± Bram sighed. ¡°But time is a luxury I don¡¯t have¡­¡± His gaze fixed on the frothy brown liquid spilling from his flagon. ¡°I must show results by the start of the Conjuring Season, or I¡¯ll lose my one chance to prove my worth¡­perhaps even my life.¡± Ser Anthony knew his prince hadn¡¯t exaggerated. For a royal to fail in their responsibilities, death was a likely consequence. ¡°Nine months is too short a time to change a kingdom¡¯s fate unless you¡¯re willing to make a risky gamble,¡± he conceded, ¡°but at what cost?¡± ¡°If I can help make Lotharian lives better it would be worth any price.¡± Bram raised his flagon higher. ¡°To make the failing Kingdom of Lotharin great again¡­it¡¯ll be the greatest trick that¡¯ll ever be sold ¡ª and for that, I¡¯ll need the help of a master trickster.¡± Even as he said the words, hope blossomed inside him¡ªthe hope that people would stop calling him by his hated moniker one day¡­that they would find him worthy. ¡°You¡¯ve grown.¡± That, Bram believed, was an understatement. At seventeen, Atlan¡¯s seventh prince was tall and muscular with wavy pale blonde hair and irises the color of molten gold¡ªthe physical traits that proved his bloodline¡ªthough he¡¯d recently dyed his hair a dark purple to keep people from recognizing him. Bram¡¯s sun-kissed face was oval, almost delicate, with long lashes complimenting almond-shaped eyes, a long pointy nose, and full lips that were the color of fresh blood. The prince was said to be the perfect likeness to his mother. It was a fact Ser Anthony reiterated when he said, ¡°How like the Sovereign you¡¯ve become.¡± ¡°I¡¯m nothing like her,¡± Bram laughed. ¡°I have none of her wit, her strength, and possess only an ounce of her charisma¡­¡± Embarrassed, he took a long swig of his flagon¡ªand immediately spat out the strong ale that burned his throat. ¡°Fuck!¡± This word felt peculiar on his tongue as if it didn¡¯t belong, at least not to any language known to the Imperium. Still, it was strangely comforting for Bram to bellow this alien curse aloud in times like this one. ¡°What sort of gods-awful piss do they serve here?!¡± ¡°It¡¯s called grog,¡± Ser Anthony answered distractedly. He was busy wiping drops of spit and grog from his face. When he was finished cleaning himself, the old knight added, ¡°It¡¯s cheap and packs a punch. The commoners love it.¡± ¡°Do they¡­?¡± Bram gazed at his flagon with a wary eye. ¡°Grog, it¡¯s a clever name¡­¡± He took a breath, and another, and then, with resolve firm in his heart, Bram took a swig of grog, going so far as to down the whole flagon in one long gulp. ¡°Bloody hell that tasted terrible.¡± He breathed hard, trying not to gag, before slamming the empty flagon onto the table. ¡°I¡¯ll have another!¡± He downed a second flagon of frothy grog quickly too, though his cheeks grew crimson from the effort. Bram bought a third cup, and when he finished it¡ªslower this time¡ªhis head ached so terribly it was as if someone was banging a sword against a shield inside his skull. ¡®Ping!¡¯ Something shimmered in the air, though only Bram could see it. He chose to ignore this strange thing a second time for he knew exactly what it was, and he didn¡¯t need it to tell him what he already knew; three flagons of grog were murder to one¡¯s liver. Ser Anthony eyed him with concern. ¡°Why did you drink so much of it if you don¡¯t enjoy the taste?¡± ¡°How could I ever hope to lead the people¡±¡ªBram wiped the grog from his mouth with a napkin¡ª¡°if I can¡¯t even understand them or their tastes.¡± He was too busy trying not to puke to notice his knight smiling warmly at him. ¡°Honestly, though,¡± Bram rose groggily to his feet, ¡°this is about as much understanding as I can manage¡­¡± Bram¡¯s head swam, and his vision blurred. ¡°Gods, you¡¯re the only noble I know who gets drunk over a mere three pints of grog,¡± Ser Anthony teased. ¡°Not so. My younger siblings have yet to learn the art of drinking.¡± Bram raised a finger, though it looked to himself like he¡¯d raised three. ¡°And this grog is poison ¡ª it¡¯s strong stuff I tell you.¡± ¡°It¡¯s diluted with honey water actually.¡± Ser Anthony laughed. ¡°Shall we stay a bit longer until you¡¯re feeling better?¡± ¡°No, no, I¡¯m fine.¡± Bram took several deep breaths and then dropped the last of the griffins he¡¯d earned onto the table. ¡°Come, Ser Anthony. The hour grows late, and the Loom of Fate is¡ª¡± He dove to the side and spilled grog and luncheon all over the floor¡­and it would be a while before Lotharin¡¯s new governor felt better enough to go on his adventure¡­
KEEP GOING ¡ª SEVEN CHAPTERS COMING OUT TODAY! Chapter 02: Adventure Awaits CHAPTER TWO Adventure Awaits
Years of practicing how to alter his gait on a whim helped Bram to walk straight on his way to the tavern¡¯s entrance despite the world seeming to tilt slightly to the left. ¡°Phoebus¡¯ cock,¡± he cursed. ¡°Remind me never to try grog ever again¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do no such thing,¡± Ser Anthony chuckled as he walked beside Bram. ¡°It was good to see you relaxing. If only for a while.¡± ¡°That wasn¡¯t relaxing. It was torture,¡± Bram protested. Then, glancing over his shoulder, added, ¡°That poor barmaid¡­I hope you gave her a large tip.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Ser Anthony replied. ¡°Though one could argue that mopping a prince¡¯s vomit will be the highlight of her¡ª¡± Ser Anthony froze. So did Bram. He noticed what his prince felt, the strange heat suddenly pressing against the back of Bram¡¯s neck. They both turned around and caught sight of the guard who had accosted Bram earlier. He was creeping nearby and glaring suspiciously at the prince with eyes that glowed with the telltale signs of sorcery, though seeing Bram¡¯s molten gaze staring pointedly back at him caused the coward¡¯s spellcasting to falter and sent him scurrying into the safety of his fellow guards. ¡°Was he actually trying to place a curse on me?¡± Bram asked incredulously. Ser Anthony¡¯s hand flew to his sword¡¯s hilt. ¡°That brazen bastard tried to hurt his liege.¡± ¡°He doesn¡¯t know who I am though, which is what we wanted,¡± Bram reminded his knight. Atlan¡¯s seventh prince had been visiting Bastille¡¯s Lowtown district for several days while in disguise to prove to Ser Anthony that he could conceal himself thoroughly without anyone discovering his identity. It was the only way to get the old knight to agree with his daring plan. Though, secretly, Bram just liked visiting Lowtown. He enjoyed the company of commoners far more than the nobles who plotted behind his back. ¡°Still,¡± Bram smiled impishly, ¡°a man should know his master¡¯s face.¡± His impish smile vanished quickly though, replaced by a clenching jaw that held back the bile climbing up his throat. ¡°I can¡¯t get this gods-awful taste out of my mouth¡­¡± Bram didn¡¯t need to be cursed by a foolish guard since the grog had already sufficiently cursed his innards. He took a moment to regain his composure before leaning toward Ser Anthony who still smelled of the weed that he loved to smoke. ¡°Remember those guards¡¯ faces and have the Commander of the Guard flog them for dereliction of duty tomorrow,¡± he whispered. ¡°You¡¯re not usually one to enjoy such a spectacle,¡± Ser Anthony noted. ¡°Well, luckily, I won¡¯t be here to witness it,¡± Bram pointed out. ¡°Besides, I may cringe at scenes of cruelty, but there are some things we can¡¯t avoid.¡± For seventeen years Atlan¡¯s seventh prince had lived knowing few moments of kindness. Despite this disparity, and mostly thanks to Ser Anthony, Bram had learned to be patient and compassionate and learned to forgive when the situation called for it. This wasn¡¯t one of those times though. Bram could forgive the tavern¡¯s patrons for their treasonous thoughts because the commoners of Lowtown didn¡¯t know any better. The guards were different. They who wore his colors and served as soldiers of his household should know better. These people who spent the afternoon in revelry when they should¡¯ve been manning their posts needed to be disciplined so the others who served the prince learned not to betray their oaths to him. ¡°I¡¯ll do it myself,¡± Ser Anthony promised. ¡°Get the commander to do it. We pay him enough,¡± Bram insisted. Fortunately, the nearby patrons were too sloshed with drink to be paying attention to the two nobles scheming by the tavern¡¯s front door. ¡°You aren¡¯t paying him anything, Your Highness. You fired the man after he¡¯d let the north¡¯s spies ransack your office three days ago,¡± Ser Anthony reminded Bram. ¡°Right, that little mishap happened.¡± Bram tapped the side of his temple. ¡°Luckily, they found nothing because I¡¯m crazy enough to keep all my plans in my head.¡± He patted the old knight gingerly on the shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ll rely on you to mete out the punishment¡­and Ser Anthony, make them hurt, and let everyone know why, especially the Captain of the Watch¡­I hear he¡¯s friends with these guards.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll make good examples of them.¡± The prince and his protector stepped out of the old tavern and into the late afternoon feeling pleased with themselves. To these two men who endeavored to raise the Forest Kingdom of Lotharin from the squalor forced upon it by the Imperium¡¯s other kingdoms, there was nothing more important than weeding out corruption in the ranks. How could growth occur if the soil was rotten? ¡°Lowtown¡¯s surprisingly clean and lively¡­it¡¯s a beautiful neighborhood,¡± Bram observed. Few of Bastille¡¯s nobles would claim this of Lowtown, which unlike the wide avenues of Hightown with its lavish mansions and manicured lawns, was a district of tightly packed old buildings, narrow streets, and rough-looking commoners. Still, unlike most other city slums, the white paint of the old buildings hadn¡¯t wilted, there wasn¡¯t a single bit of graffiti in sight, and the cobblestone streets were well-maintained enough that the children playing nearby need not worry about tripping on a pothole. Bram watched these waifs launch spurts of water at each other from the tips of their fingers using a well-known spell taught to children learning the sorcerous arts for the first time. If only I¡¯d managed a simple ¡®Water Finger¡¯ spell when I was young. I wouldn¡¯t be having such a hard time now¡­ He shook his head. Then, turning away from useless thoughts, Bram breathed in the scent of earthy fragrance and fresh linen¡ªand then he ran over to the corner of the tavern so he could vomit out the remaining grog that refused to settle inside his stomach. Ser Anthony chuckled. ¡°If Princess Camilla saw you like this, she¡¯d laugh you out of town.¡± The old knight stood guard behind his prince. ¡°D-Don¡¯t mention that drunkard¡¯s name¡­¡± Bram breathed hard. ¡°Just hearing it¡¯s making me more nauseous.¡± He would puke his guts out some more on their way to the stables, with the last of the grog leaving him right as Ser Anthony brought him the hart he¡¯d purchased from the stables¡¯ proprietor. ¡°Did you¡­¡± Bram wiped the spittle from the corners of his mouth with the back of his hand. ¡°¡­pay him double the asking price?¡± ¡°To keep his mouth shut,¡± Ser Anthony replied, but, with a warm smile aimed at Bram, added, ¡°and because you¡¯re too generous.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the point of being royalty if I can¡¯t flaunt it every once in a while?¡± ¡°You flaunt it all the time.¡± Bram winked. ¡°As a fool should.¡± He walked over to inspect the hart Ser Anthony bought him. It was a large beast, with glossy black fur, and a fierce look to it. Its antlers were a muddy ivory hue, but with few enough branches to suggest its young age. ¡°How did you find a creature this beautiful in Lowtown¡¯s stables?¡± ¡°The stableboy who cared for it said this hart had the blood of a blackheart stag.¡± ¡°Not a purebred but a hybrid¡­ Is that possible?¡± ¡°The fell beasts of Sundermount have been known to mate with harts from time to time.¡± As if to prove the stableboy¡¯s story true, the black hart pulled against its reins, refusing to follow Ser Anthony who was leading it out of the stables¡¯ front yard. It bucked against the old knight¡¯s hold, though his strength was more than enough to suppress it. Just not to calm it down. ¡°That¡¯s not how you make a new friend, Ser Anthony.¡± Bram moved to stand next to the defiant hart and placed his hand on it. Softly, while he caressed its neck, fingers gently brushing its fur, Bram sang to it, willing the beast to serenity with his dulcet tones. ¡°Dark as the wings of a raven in flight, and swift like the tides of the river Rhyne¡¯s might,¡± he sang. ¡°O¡¯ mighty hart, won¡¯t you brighten up, banish away the night with your an~~ntler¡¯s light?¡± Bram¡¯s song carried no magic in it, but such was his talent that his voice was enough to calm the hart¡¯s temper. ¡®Ping!¡¯ Once more, he heard the otherworldly tone, and again, he chose to ignore it. He had his reasons. Mainly, he didn¡¯t want to feel discouraged¡­not on the eve of a new adventure.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you rather travel in a comfortable auto-carriage?¡± Ser Anthony asked, and not for the first time. ¡°Hush,¡± Bram covered the hart¡¯s ear, ¡°we wouldn¡¯t want him to get jealous¡­ Does my new friend have a name?¡± ¡°The stableboy called him Renfri.¡± ¡°Renfri¡­ I like it,¡± Bram grinned. ¡°A fierce hart should be named after a hero of the Imperium.¡± Bram climbed up Renfri without difficulty, and he sat upon its saddle as if he were born to ride this hart. ¡°I should be going with you, Your Highness¡­¡± ¡°The nobles of Bastille would notice if you were gone from the city, Ser Anthony, which would make this secret journey less secret.¡± ¡°You believe they won¡¯t notice their new governor is missing?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve spent years pretending to be a recluse. So, it wouldn¡¯t be such a surprise if we let it slip that I¡¯m in hiding because I¡¯m weary of the responsibility placed on my incompetent shoulders.¡± Bram laughed out loud. Ser Anthony didn¡¯t share his humor. ¡°You are far from incompetent.¡± ¡°Yet I¡¯ve had to pretend to be¡­to stay alive.¡± Without talent for sorcery, Atlan¡¯s seventh prince had to find other means to survive the machinations of those who resided in the Sovereign¡¯s court. So, he hid his true self¡ªhis ambition to be worthy¡ªin fool¡¯s clothes and was often seen mingling with unsavory folk or wasting time in drug dens and pleasure houses. Little did his minders know that Bram used such places to shed his disguise, and in secret rooms that few would know of, learned of other ways to challenge his lack of sorcery. ¡°Should this journey bear fruit,¡± Bram couldn¡¯t help feeling hopeful, ¡°if I find the ancient power hidden in this land that will give me the means to summon aid from others who could help end Lotharin¡¯s decline¡­then I won¡¯t have to play the fool ever again.¡± ¡°This great undertaking is a radical one.¡± Doubt flashed across Ser Anthony¡¯s face. ¡°Must you go to such lengths as to search for something even the gods feared?¡± ¡°When we come of age, each child of the Sovereign must lead one of the twelve kingdoms that make up our mighty Imperium to see which of us is worthy to become the heir,¡± Bram recalled his mother¡¯s words. However, it was her expression¡ªher lack of expectation¡ªwhich was engraved onto his heart. He came of age a little over two weeks ago. Sadly, for the Forest Kingdom of Lotharin, they drew him as their new leader. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask to be governor, and I don¡¯t want to sit on the Burnt Throne either. It¡¯s bloody hideous,¡± he joked. ¡°But since I¡¯m here, I¡¯ve no choice but to do the best I can.¡± Ser Anthony spoke no words of encouragement. Instead, he drew his long pipe and pouch of weed from his pocket and then offered them to Bram. ¡°No offense, but my disguise is good enough. I don¡¯t need to smell like an old man too.¡± ¡°It¡¯s for luck.¡± The old knight seemed so sincere that his prince couldn¡¯t help but take the gift and then hide it inside the many pouches that lined the inside of his purple coat. ¡°I don¡¯t expect I¡¯ll use it, but thanks. I¡¯ll give it back to you when I return.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll hold you to that promise.¡± Bram made one final check of his gear; the bright purple coat of many pouches he wore, the rations bag Ser Anthony packed for him, his beloved lute, his trusty disguise kit, and the longsword strapped to his thick leather belt. ¡°Your coat¡¯s too bright.¡± ¡°A bard needs to dress flamboyantly to be successful.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t you clean that lute once in a while?¡± ¡°The smudges help make it look cheaper than its actual value.¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you prefer a magic sword?¡± ¡°I¡¯m magicless. I wouldn¡¯t be able to use one.¡± ¡°At least take¡ª¡± ¡°Enough with the nagging, Ser Anthony,¡± Bram sighed exasperatedly. Then, smiling reassuringly at his knight, he added, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll be back.¡± ¡°The Sovereign¡¯s light shine on you, Your Highness.¡± ¡°May her radiance never dim.¡± With their farewells given, Bram pulled on Renfri¡¯s reins and led the hart toward Lowtown¡¯s outer gate and onto the wider world.
Bram¡¯s destination was the lonely mountain of Sundermount rising east of Bastille. Near its peak was a cursed cave which legends claimed was a dungeon with one occupant; an ancient trickster who once defied the gods, who, failing in its rebellion, was imprisoned there by the gods¡¯ champions. In his desperation, the prince hoped to meet this ancient malevolence and borrow its power to change his fate and the fate of all Lotharin¡­whatever the cost. It would¡¯ve been a day¡¯s journey of hard riding on the Sovereign¡¯s Road to reach the town by the mountain¡¯s foot, but Bram chose to take a detour to keep potential pursuers off his tail. Instead of east, he traveled south, crossing the Rhyne River and then passing through neighboring Lorraine Shire while avoiding the walled city of Lorraine whose lord, Eorl Adler, hadn¡¯t yet sent any message of fealty to Bastille Shire¡¯s new eorl, who, incidentally, was also Lotharin¡¯s new governor. To be fair, Bram hadn¡¯t heard any bad rumors about Eorl Adler either. Still, the prince would rather camp out in a grove of trees skirting the southern banks of the Rhyne rather than spend a night in a city whose allegiance remained ambiguous. ¡°I know it reeks¡­¡± Bram watched Renfri turn its nose away from the stick of incense he planted on the ground. ¡°But it¡¯ll keep unwanted guests from catching our scent tonight¡­¡± He did more than simply mask their scent. Once Renfri was settled on a blanket he hid behind a thick wall of thorny bushes, the prince erased all traces leading to their campsite. He went as far as to make fake hoofprints with a tool he¡¯d had forged in Bastille¡¯s smithy days ago. These new tracks led southward, toward Lorraine, which was a likelier destination for a prince who¡¯d never learned to explore the wilds¡­or so people thought of him. ¡°Ser Anthony used to sneak me out of the capital so we could camp under the sky.¡± Bram caressed Renfri¡¯s neck. ¡°All so I could rest in places where others couldn¡¯t judge me for dreams so otherworldly I often remember them even in my waking hours¡­¡± A wistful look appeared on Bram¡¯s face. ¡°He taught me nature craft, hunting, fishing, and even how to read the stars, though it was another who taught me how to stay hidden.¡± Bram shared stories of his childhood and his strange dreams with his new friend, and Renfri listened to him as if it could actually understand human language. That¡¯s how they spent the early evening. Later, as night deepened, Bram didn¡¯t light a fire, choosing instead to snuggle next to the hart that lay on its blanket. He took warmth from Renfri¡¯s fur while he gazed up at a night sky half-veiled by a canopy of pine needles. Of the twin moons that lit up the night, the blue moon, known as the eye of Phoebe, Goddess of Prophecy, was already far into its waning stage. In a few nights, it would disappear from the sky, leaving only its sister to guide those foolhardy enough to travel under her reddish light. For while the blue moon was known as a portent of possible fortune, the red moon was its exact opposite. The eye of Pandia, Goddess of Vengeance, brought woe and misery when it flew across the sky without its twin. ¡°You¡¯d think with all the misfortune I¡¯ve received; fate would at least spare me some luck when I need it¡­¡± As if to prove Bram¡¯s luck was truly terrible, there came a sound from far off. It was the beating of many hooves across the hard earth. Renfri heard this too, and it stiffened underneath Bram¡¯s touch. ¡°Hush now.¡± He caressed the hart¡¯s neck. ¡°Let¡¯s not draw attention to ourselves.¡± It didn¡¯t take long for them to appear; four figures mounted on harts that were wrapped in the same white mist that clung to their riders like hooded cloaks. What sort of sorcery turns men into ghosts¡­? The magic that hid their features also veiled their purpose, though Bram could guess at what sort of reason brought these ghost riders into these woods so late at night. Are they looking for me¡­? Their appearance here coinciding with his departure from the safety of Bastille¡¯s walls seemed too coincidental. He could have been wrong, but it didn¡¯t matter. Whatever their reasons, Bram chose to stay hidden. He lay low while keeping Renfri quiet. Silently, as if they were actual specters, the ghost riders searched the woods, combing it thoroughly, with one of them coming close enough to Bram¡¯s wall of thorny bushes that he, who watched through a space between brambles, couldn¡¯t help reaching for his sword¡¯s hilt. The rider sniffed at the air like a beast, though it would only catch the earthy aroma left behind by the incense Bram had lit that was meant to confuse hounds from catching a person¡¯s scent. Just more greens here¡­so go away. Renfri fidgeted at Bram¡¯s side, making a barely audible sound¡ªbut the ghost rider¡¯s head turned toward the tall bushes anyway. Bloody hell. It urged its mount closer, coming within ten feet of the thick wall of bushes. Another step or so and it would see over them, revealing Bram and Renfri lying low behind it. Bram¡¯s fingers tightened on his sword¡¯s hilt. The rider drew closer. Bram readied himself to barrel through the bushes because surprising his foe was the only way escape could be possible. However, just before he threw caution to the wind, a strange thing happened. The rider turned away as if alerted by some unheard call. Only then did Bram remember to breathe. The ghost riders converged on a spot south of the campsite, leaving Bram to guess that they¡¯d found the fake trail he¡¯d left there. His guess proved right when he watched them ride south toward Lorraine, proving that they were indeed chasing after him. ¡®Ping!¡¯ Bram¡¯s nerves were so frayed by his close encounter with strange foes that he couldn¡¯t help looking at it, the otherworldly message that appeared in the air which only he could see.
CONGRATULATIONS! You¡¯ve used what you¡¯ve learned to successfully hide from your pursuers, earning you the achievement [Apprentice of the Delightful Troupe]! This beginner title increases the chance of success for Stealth and Deception when creating disguises, hiding in covered areas, or moving under the cover of night.
¡°This would be a useful boon if only you meant to give it to me¡­¡±
ALERT! Your body is unsuited to receiving the system¡¯s boons. Activation of [Apprentice of the Delightful Troupe] is canceled.
¡°Hah.¡±
ALERT! [Administrator Lv. 1] prevents you from earning experience.
Bram laughed ironically.
ALERT! You lack the magic to use the system to your benefit. Progressing in your job-exclusive quests may help to remove this penalty.
¡°Once again you taunt me with promises of power but show me no path forward in seizing it.¡± Here lay the reason why Bram often ignored these otherworldly messages. He would see them pop up every time he achieved something of note, although they were constantly negative and always denied him the boons he rightly deserved. When he was much younger, Bram had mistaken these otherworldly messages for a rare form of sorcery, and though he¡¯d tried to show them to others, no one else could see these ghostly blue windows. That didn¡¯t stop Bram from insisting the messages were real though, and everyone had bullied him for it. His teachers scolded him for his wild imaginings while his peers called him a liar, a fraud, and any number of hurtful insults children might hurl at each other. All because he was different¡ªthe only magicless boy in the whole empire who saw and dreamt of things no one else could. Recently, Bram had learned the trick to sharing these notifications with others, but the knowledge had come too late and he was loathe to share them now. Because, for him, this strange power that was his alone only served as a reminder of his ill-fated moniker. He didn¡¯t need false hope though. He decided a while ago that he would grasp success tightly by the balls without this otherworldly system¡¯s help. ¡°Just like tonight.¡± Bram grinned. He couldn¡¯t help it. Thwarting those who meant him ill was a satisfying pastime. ¡°Still, if they¡¯ve tracked me to these woods, they must have come from Bastille¡­¡± He frowned. Only Ser Anthony knew of his departure, but he never told the old knight of his route through Lorraine. Besides¡­ ¡°Ser Anthony would never betray me.¡± Being certain of this fact left Bram with only one conclusion. ¡°They¡¯ve been watching the road, which means they don¡¯t know where I¡¯m going yet.¡± He was nearly certain of this deduction. For if they knew Bram¡¯s mad plan, they would have ambushed him as he climbed the mountain. It would be easier than chasing him across the countryside. ¡°What do you think, Renfri?¡± The hart let out a hearty grunt that he assumed was its answer. ¡°Yes, you¡¯re right, if they¡¯re really after us, then we¡¯ll have to be even more careful.¡± Bram grinned again. ¡°Luckily, we don¡¯t need sorcery to hide in plain sight¡­¡± Chapter 03: A Bard’s Tale CHAPTER THREE A Bard¡¯s Tale
Bram¡¯s encounter with the ghost riders left him even more cautious, making him choose to traverse the wilds of northern Lorraine rather than travel through towns and roads frequented by travelers. Of course, this meant a heightened threat of encountering bandits, but even thieves and cutthroats welcomed bards to their dens when they happened upon them. Such was the case on night two of Bram¡¯s journey when he and Renfri came upon a clearing where a gang of thieves were resting from a long day of thievery. Indeed, with the number of crates and barrels piled up around them, Bram guessed that these bandits had just finished robbing a merchant caravan. Fortunately, there were no captives among the pilfered. There were no stolen auto-carriages around either, which meant these bandits had at least left the merchants a way to return home without difficulty. These observations suggested to Bram that the bandits weren¡¯t the sort of bastards who traded in evil things like illegal slavery. That made them tolerable in his eyes. They¡¯re full now, and they¡¯ll be wanting to celebrate¡­and celebration¡¯s a bard¡¯s specialty. With his deductions made, Bram chose not to flee the edge of the clearing, because he didn¡¯t doubt that there were scouts nearby who¡¯d already noticed him. Instead, he urged Renfri forward while inwardly reminding himself not to show an ounce of fear to these bandits for to be daring would be his way to survive this encounter. ¡°Lo¡¯ friends!¡± he called. A dozen icy glares snapped toward him. The bandits sitting around the campfire all looked gruff and burly. They all glared at Bram like they would skin him alive and then eat him for dinner, which, from the fragrance of herbs wafting out of the pot magically floating over the fire, was already being prepared. ¡°Fancy a few songs or stories in exchange for a seat at your fire?¡± Bram asked in his practiced commoner¡¯s drawl. ¡°Are you a bard?¡± the largest of the bandits replied in a low, menacing tone. He was like a bear, tall and large, with a long mane of dark hair and a thick beard that was like the fur on a beast¡¯s face. His eyes, which were big and brown, were probing Bram and his mount for any valuables they might possess. ¡°Aye, I¡¯m a bard,¡± Bram answered happily. More than one gaze drifted toward the sword strapped to his belt. ¡°What kind of bard?¡± the bear-man asked. Prepared for this question, Bram raised his lute high in one hand, and in the other, a bottle of ale from the bag Ser Anthony prepared for him. ¡°The kind that¡¯s fun to be around.¡± Bram flashed them with his charming smile, and their gaze softened a little, but only a little. ¡°A seat for a tale then, bard,¡± the bear-man answered. Truthfully, Bram wasn¡¯t as good a storyteller as he was a singer, but he had a few yarns ready to spin for them. So, taking the spot beside the bear-man¡ªas if proving to these others that he was fearless¡ªBram began a tale he¡¯d heard years ago that actually set him on this path he took now. ¡°Have any of you heard the tale of the Trickster of the Burnt Tree?¡± Such questions were important in engaging his audience. Not a single thief could say yes, which he expected, because the yarn he was about to weave was one he cobbled together from scattered tales he¡¯d discovered of this nearly forgotten legend. ¡°She who flew too close to the heavens was burned by the will of the sun who judged her unworthy,¡± he began in as eerie a tone as he could manage. ¡°Broken and spurned, she called to the hearts of man and beast, whispering sweet lies and empty promises into their ears, instilling these mortals with desire for that which the gods would not share.¡± ¡°What wouldn¡¯t the gods share?¡± asked the only scrawny-looking thief in the group. Honestly, Bram wondered that too. ¡°Their deepest desires perhaps,¡± he assumed. In his desperation to find ways to change his fate, Bram had scoured the Imperium for hidden knowledge. Of this legend, he found only a few sources; brief passages in holy scriptures or obscure songs and rhymes told by bards who hailed from the Imperium¡¯s outer edges. It seemed almost like an invisible hand had wiped this tale from the memory of Aarde, and it was down to luck that he eventually discovered the secret hidden in that cursed cave he longed to visit. He told the bandits nothing of his mad plans, of course, choosing instead to regale them with a tale of rebellion and failure which were the best kind of stories for thieves who spent their days on a razor¡¯s edge. ¡°They who followed her false light learned the truth of her deceit, and with the aid of the gods who reconciled with their creations, these champions rejected her claim to innocence and banished the Burned One to the abyss where her flame of rebellion would be forever dimmed¡­¡± Finished with his tale, Bram accepted the mug of ale he¡¯d been offered, which he took as a sign that he¡¯d earned favor with them. This seemed true enough for every bandit¡¯s gaze was fixed on him as if they wanted more story time. ¡°So, what happened to this Burned One?¡± the bear-man finally asked, invested it seemed in the trickster¡¯s tale. ¡°I expect she¡¯d be long dead by now, Boss,¡± the scrawny thief cut in. ¡°Why would she be dead?¡± asked another, a rotund man this time. ¡°Well, if this story be true, and the gods¡¯ stories are always true, Blessed Pallas,¡± as he spoke, the scrawny thief clasped his hands together in a sign of faith, ¡°then this trickster¡¯s been imprisoned for a thousand years. She¡¯d be all shriveled up and old if she isn¡¯t dead yet and isn¡¯t that more unlikely than getting executed for being a trickster.¡± ¡°Boo!¡± several of them yelled. As if agreeing, the bear-man tossed a bone he¡¯d plucked from his dinner bowl at the scrawny thief who was quick to duck out of its way. ¡°If the trickster¡¯s strong enough to fight gods, then she¡¯d be one of them immortals too,¡± he argued. Then added, ¡°And the bard never said she died.¡± ¡°He said they trapped her,¡± the rotund man chimed in. ¡°Right, he did,¡± the bear-man chuckled. Then, still laughing, he said, ¡°And you only trap something if you can¡¯t kill it.¡± He turned his big brown eyes on Bram. ¡°Aren¡¯t I right?¡± he pressed. ¡°Right,¡± Bram agreed. He was smiling again, genuinely this time. For he didn¡¯t expect such a debate to begin among godless bandits. Their speech might be rougher, but to Bram¡¯s ears, they sounded just like the scholars he¡¯d met during his days researching obscure legends. ¡°They say she waits in her prison,¡± Bram took a swig of his ale before adding, ¡°for a fool brazen enough to free her¡­¡± ¡°What happens if she¡¯s freed?¡± asked a strong-looking woman with long wiry hair framing her comely face. She¡¯d been the one who¡¯d offered Bram his drink. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Bram¡¯s brow creased in contemplation. ¡°I¡¯ll have to free her and find out.¡± He sounded like he meant it, and they all looked at him like he was crazy. That¡¯s when Bram laughed¡ªand they laughed with him. Eventually. The rest of the night was merry, with the bandits welcoming Bram as if he¡¯d been one of them this whole time. He sang to them, and they cheered him. He drank with them, and they toasted him. More and more, Bram enjoyed their company. It helped that they shared his love for building muscles and that they seemed an honest group at least who didn¡¯t deal in slavery. ¡°We don¡¯t do that sort of shit,¡± answered the wiry-haired, comely-faced woman whose name Bram learned was Josslyn. ¡°There¡¯re enough evil pricks in Lotharin. We don¡¯t want to be like them. We just want to survive.¡±This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it Strange how she echoed words Bram often heard in Bastille¡¯s Lowtown. Survival seemed such a difficult thing for commoners. ¡°We don¡¯t steal from our lot either,¡± Josslyn added. ¡°You only steal from the nobles?¡± Bram guessed. She grinned. ¡°We may be bandits, but it¡¯s the nobles who¡¯re the real thieves,¡± Josslyn insisted. ¡°They steal our livelihood to fill their coffers, they steal our men for their wars, they steal our women for their beds¡­we¡¯re just taking back a bit of what¡¯s been stolen from us.¡± Bram found it hard to argue with her logic because he knew many nobles who did the things Josslyn spoke of¡ªnobles who thought of commoners as no better than cattle. A thought struck him, and he asked, ¡°Do you steal from the rich to give to the poor?¡± It wasn¡¯t just Josslyn. Nearly every bandit who overheard him laughed out loud. Josslyn refilled Bram¡¯s cup. ¡°Why would we risk our lives just to give away our spoils to people who can¡¯t find the balls to take back what¡¯s theirs on their own?¡± Her words certainly made more sense than his. The idea of a noble thief was an interesting notion to him though. Much later, the bear-man, whose name Bram now knew to be Lil¡¯ Joss, noticing the thick muscles hidden underneath Bram¡¯s loose-fitting shirt, challenged him to an arm wrestling match. Bram accepted, and despite having the strength to beat the man, he let Lil¡¯ Joss win, though not before making the bear-man sweat a little. ¡°You sure¡­you¡¯re a bard?¡± Lil¡¯ Joss asked again, half-breathless. ¡°A bard¡­can be¡­more than¡­just an entertainer¡­¡± Bram pretended to be more breathless than Lil¡¯ Joss to boost the bear-man¡¯s ego. ¡°Now, shall we¡­drink some more?¡± ¡°You were right.¡± Lil¡¯ Joss slapped Bram hard on the shoulder. ¡°You¡¯re a fun bard!¡± The next morning, with his head feeling like a nail that had been hammered repeatedly, Bram woke up while regretting that last cup of ale Josslyn offered him. He did not, however, regret waking up next to her underneath a tree at the far end of the clearing with their naked bodies still intertwined. He may have earned the bandits¡¯ favor, but he was certain that it was thanks to Josslyn that no one thought to steal from him while he slept. It was also thanks to her and Lil¡¯ Joss that Bram was able to mount Renfri that afternoon without anyone stopping him. ¡°We¡¯ll keep a lookout for these ghost riders of yours,¡± Lil¡¯ Joss promised. ¡°They seemed a dangerous lot¡­ Avoid them if you can,¡± Bram suggested. ¡°You sure you don¡¯t want to stay?¡± Lil¡¯ Joss asked again. ¡°The Mighty Greenwood Gang could use a bard with your talents.¡± Bram flinched at hearing the word ¡®talent¡¯ for it was a word closely associated with those who possessed the gift of magic. ¡°The call to adventure takes me elsewhere,¡± he answered. Yes, it was better he parted with the Mighty Greenwood Gang while they thought highly of him. For, surely, if his secrets were revealed, he would lose their favor quickly. From atop Renfri¡¯s back, Bram looked down at Lil¡¯ Joss with a fond smile, one he didn¡¯t think he¡¯d ever give to a bandit. ¡°We¡¯ll meet each other again if the Loom allows.¡± ¡°Aye,¡± Lil¡¯ Joss agreed. Then, glancing over his shoulder, he added, ¡°You should say farewell to my sister too.¡± ¡°I plan to,¡± Bram answered, grinning. He led Renfri to that spot underneath the tree where he¡¯d gotten better acquainted with Lil¡¯ Joss'' younger sister. Josslyn was putting on clothes while seemingly uncaring if others saw her naked flesh. ¡°Off to woo other damsels?¡± she asked distractedly, busy as she was reclipping her axe to her belt. ¡°You¡¯re no damsel,¡± Bram said, chuckling. ¡°You¡¯re all fire and passion.¡± Josslyn blushed at the compliment. ¡°When I sing of the Mighty Greenwood Gang, it¡¯ll be a happy song of noble thieves,¡± Bram promised. He meant it too. Frankly, it was a huge stroke of luck that the bandits he met weren¡¯t an evil gang that even a bard might have trouble with. ¡°Noble thieves. I like the sound of it.¡± A smile flashed on Josslyn¡¯s face. ¡°See you, Bard.¡± She waved him off¡ªand Bram left the clearing without having lost a single griffin or piece of clothing. Such was the privilege of a bard of the Imperium. Four days after meeting the Mighty Greenwood Bandits, Bram arrived at Laire, a bustling river town in the northeast of Lorraine Shire that was the last stop before the bridge he needed to cross to reach the lonely mountain that was his true destination. He found the busiest of Laire¡¯s two inns and secured himself a spot in that night¡¯s entertainment because he wanted to be surrounded by people in case he met the ghost riders who had been hunting him, which was likely, as Laire was a town travelers had to pass to get to the bridge. He made sure Renfri was comfortable inside the inn¡¯s stables before spending hours donning a new disguise, one that changed his appearance more completely. ¡°They¡¯ll know what I look like if they¡¯ve come from Bastille,¡± he deduced. ¡°I¡¯ll need a disguise that would make the Delightful Troupe proud.¡± Like his bardic talents, Bram¡¯s skill with disguises wasn¡¯t self-taught. He¡¯d had many teachers, some who were more than simple entertainers. As he proved on his night with the Mighty Greenwood Gang, bards were welcome all over the Imperium. So, it became a tradition among the nobility to employ these musicians and poets as spies and saboteurs. Among the many organizations in the capital born from this tradition, there were none better than the Delightful Troupe whose skills for espionage were said to be as dazzling as their talents in the performance arts. Bram¡¯s teachers had come from this very troupe, and though he lacked talent in sorcery, they taught him other things that didn¡¯t require the gift of magic because they saw the benefit in having a prince beholden to them. So, in a secret room of a brothel that a then fourteen-year-old Bram frequented, Atlan¡¯s seventh prince learned to paint his face with strange dyes and alter his features with clay. He learned to change his gait, his size, and even his speech, turning him from prince to pauper as easily as if he were changing clothes. ¡°I¡¯ll also need a backup plan just in case I do run into them tonight.¡± His backup plan was a small vial of white powder he found among the potions Ser Anthony had packed for him. The potion was nothing lethal, though it could give Bram an edge in a fight, should a fight occur. ¡°Welcome, welcome, my friends!¡± That night, on a wooden stage by the back of the inn¡¯s tavern, Bram was nowhere in sight. In the prince¡¯s place was a purple-haired bard with pale skin, painted brows, and dyed lips. His eyes were hidden behind tinted spectacles hanging over a hawkish nose whose one nostril had a ring clipped to it. His painted chest was bare underneath his purple coat and lathered in oil to make his muscles pop. ¡°They call me the Gentleman Caller,¡± he strummed his lute once, twice, and then a third time, before adding, ¡°and I dedicate this song to you brave fools who dare to be merry under the red moon¡¯s light!¡± The audience cheered. ¡°Hmmm-hmmm, hmmm-hmmm¡­.¡± Certainly, no one could mistake this Gentleman Caller for Atlan¡¯s seventh prince, which was fortunate, for there were guests among this gathering who didn¡¯t look like they¡¯d enjoy Bram¡¯s company. Particularly the two hooded figures seated around a table near the tavern¡¯s entrance, a convenient spot to be in should they choose to stop someone from leaving. ¡°Be wary, be vigilant against the trickster¡¯s voice¡­¡± Bram eyed these two figures while he sang, his gaze taking in the length and breadth of them. ¡°Beware, lest you hear her call, whispered one who¡¯d fallen for her wiles, his body sinking in despair beneath the tides¡­¡± The expensive cloaks they wore lacked the ghost-like veils that hid their features from his eyes six nights ago, but their auras felt too similar. Indeed, the burly-looking hooded fellow seated on the left was about the same size as the ghost rider who¡¯d almost discovered Bram¡¯s campsite. Instincts born from years of dodging the spies of other royals left him with little doubt that they were his pursuers. Although even if his guess was wrong, Bram didn¡¯t like the look of them which was enough to be wary of them. ¡°In the blood-soaked lands of ancient Gaullia where her followers fought and died,¡± his voice turned loud and mournful, ¡°to the gods¡¯ champions they fell because she left their side.¡± Since he saw only two of them, Bram guessed that the other riders were elsewhere. Possibly, they were still searching for him in Lorraine which was as large a city as Bastille. If he guessed right, then there was an opportunity to be made here. He strummed his lute to a somber melody. ¡°Buried deep within the mountain, betrayed by blood and oath, to the gods with her last breath cursed, beware the Trickster of the Burnt Tree¡­for vengeance I¡¯ll give to thee~~e¡­¡± Bram sang an old, outlawed tune barely remembered except in the farthest reaches of the Imperium. He sang it to its last mournful melody, and when he finished, there came no applause. Yet from the troubled faces spread amongst his audience, it was clear that they¡¯d felt something from his song. Remnant feelings of an old hatred perhaps, one left behind like a curse by something even the gods feared. Seeing his song¡¯s effects on them, he couldn¡¯t help smiling. Here was proof that magic wasn¡¯t the only worthy talent in Aarde. Bram¡¯s gaze fixed on the two hooded figures; the big one and the lithe one sitting next to him. He couldn¡¯t see their faces from underneath their hoods, but it didn¡¯t look like they recognized his song. Nor did it seem like they understood what it meant to him. Either they have no clue what I¡¯m planning or I¡¯m wrong about them being here for me¡­ Bram sang three more songs¡ªupbeat ones this time¡ªwith each tune louder and wilder than the first as if echoing the flashiness of his disguise. When he was done, his audience had grown lively. Lively enough that the two hooded figures wouldn¡¯t have an easy time observing anyone, not even a purple-haired bard who stood out like a sore thumb. He could have left without them noticing for they clearly didn¡¯t recognize him. It would be a waste of an opportunity though, one that was literally walking toward him. Bram noticed her earlier, the straw-haired barmaid who¡¯d been serving their table. As luck would have it, she was on her way back to the kitchen after taking their order once more. ¡°Hello there, beautiful,¡± he called. A charming smile and a little flattery were enough to gain the barmaid¡¯s interest, but it was the gold griffin he planted on her palm that sealed their deal for such a weighty bribe would ensure her family was fed for months. ¡°This isn¡¯t poison, is it?¡± she asked. In her other hand was the vial of white powder Bram had prepared. ¡°It won¡¯t cause any lasting harm. All that¡¯ll do is stimulate their bowels,¡± he promised. Bram didn¡¯t wait to see the results of his scheme. Instead, after reclaiming Renfri from the inn¡¯s stables, he rode out of town in haste. He also didn¡¯t forget to bribe the guards at the gate to keep them shut on his pursuers for the rest of the night. Under the glare of the red moon¡¯s watchful eye, Bram crossed the Rhyne once more, passing through the Laire Bridge, which, fortunately, was empty tonight. He urged Renfri onward, and they rode north without rest, ignoring all other distractions in their haste to reach the lonely mountain. With a stroke of luck, they arrived at the town by Sundermount¡¯s foot just as dawn¡¯s first rays crested the horizon. The sun had barely risen when Bram reached the trail behind the town. He was alone. It would¡¯ve been a quicker climb if he had taken Renfri with him, but he chose to leave the hart in the town¡¯s stables. He¡¯d grown too attached to Renfri to risk its life on the dreaded climb, because, as he looked up toward Sundermount¡¯s peak, Bram became certain of one thing¡ªblood would be spilled on those slopes¡­likely his. Chapter 04: A Desperate Struggle CHAPTER FOUR A Desperate Struggle
¡°It¡¯s no use glaring at me, o¡¯ Herald of Bloody Murders,¡± whispered a weary Bram who gazed up at a sky bathed in harsh scarlet hues. ¡°If I¡¯m to die tonight, I¡¯ll do so while knowing I did all I could¡­to change my fate.¡± Only the red moon was visible of the twin moons that usually lit up the night. It was full and glowing fiercely like a great crimson eye glaring down at the ground with a gaze full of judgment and promise¡­blood would be spilled tonight. Most others who saw this portent of misfortune wouldn¡¯t dare leave their homes. Whether commoner or noble, they would lock their doors and hide behind the safety of their walls for fear that death would come calling for them¡ªbut not him. Not for Atlan¡¯s seventh prince who dared to scale the jagged mountain without sorcery to aid his climb. For him, the ¡®Bloody Moon¡¯ was a welcome boon whose gaze lit the path up the mountainside, its crimson light showing every outcropping of rock to cling to so he might stave off death a while longer. ¡°I¡¯ll not surrender now¡­¡± Sweat dripped down his brow while his arm stretched toward the next handhold. ¡°I must prove¡ª¡± An arrow pierced into Bram¡¯s left shoulder. It must¡¯ve been enchanted for its tip was like a hot poker that scorched his flesh while digging into the meat underneath. Searing pain lanced up his back, nearly forcing him to let go of the outcropping of rock he clung to. ¡°Fuck!¡± Again, he found comfort in bellowing this alien curse aloud because it reminded him of wild possibilities. The kind only a cursed being like himself might achieve. ¡°Fuck~~k!¡± Despite the arrow digging deeper into Bram¡¯s shoulder, a stubborn desire to live instilled in him the will to pull himself up to the top of the cliff that he¡¯d scaled with a body stretched to its limits. This was a great feat of strength that was also why he¡¯d been mocked his entire life. Because in a land where one¡¯s magical talents mattered above even one¡¯s lineage, what use was a strong man with no skill for even the most basic spells that would¡¯ve made his climb much easier? ¡°Renfri would¡¯ve¡­gotten me there faster¡­¡± he lamented through gritted teeth. Although, as he thought about how he¡¯d been chased throughout his climb up the jagged slopes, Bram was glad he chose to leave the hart behind along with the lute that was so dear to him. Bram heaved himself over the edge and then crawled onto the safety of the ledge. Only then did he pull the arrow out of his shoulder. He didn¡¯t cry out this time. He simply gritted his teeth and allowed the pain to wash over him. His breathing was ragged, and his back was coated in blood and sweat, but he was alive¡­for now. ¡°Ha-ha-ha-ha¡­¡± Laughing like a madman, Bram rolled over to gaze at the sky. ¡°Here I am¡­ I¡¯ve arrived!¡± The night sky was painted with a sea of glittering stars, each twinkling too brightly as if to suggest that all the gods of Aarde were watching this prince¡¯s struggle play out. ¡°Just you wait¡­ I¡¯ll succeed,¡± he whispered to the heavens. Pain wracked his body, but Bram ignored it. His breath remained ragged, but he ignored this too. Urgency drove him to rise from the rocky ground. And, knowing his pursuers were coming, he turned away from the ledge and began limping toward the cave he¡¯d climbed a mountain to reach. It was barely ten yards away, a black hole whose edges revealed the tell-tale signs of an entryway hewn from rock corroded by time. Yet the warning carved over its entrance remained readable to those who dared look upon it. HOPE DIES HERE WHERE ONLY FOOLS DARE TO TREAD ¡°This isn¡¯t enough¡­to turn me away.¡± Bram grinned with bloodstained teeth. ¡°If it¡¯s a choice between embracing the darkness or dying a fool¡¯s death¡­then I¡¯ll gladly sell my soul for this opportunity.¡± Bram was so close to the entrance that he could almost taste salvation on the tip of his tongue. Hope fluttered inside his chest¡­only to be crushed by the billowing wind that pressed against his back. ¡°Phoebus¡¯ cock¡­¡± He couldn¡¯t help looking over his shoulder and seeing the four ghostly figures who landed on the ledge behind him as if they¡¯d floated down from the sky. Only four¡­ ¡°You seem to be¡­missing some people,¡± he teased. Bram couldn¡¯t help feeling a little smug because his efforts to thwart the two he met in Laire had born fruit. Most likely, the two missing ghost riders had upset stomachs even now. The medicine Ser Anthony packed for him to use against the fel beasts of Sundermount was that potent. ¡°Well, you¡¯ve chased me long enough¡­ Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s time you showed your faces,¡± Bram challenged. They obliged. With a snapping of their fingers, the pale fog that clung to their forms fell off them, revealing a truth Bram had already guessed at. Their hoods were wide and deep to keep their faces veiled, but the pristine white armor they wore underneath their cloaks was unmistakable. These were knights of the White Rose, an order of assassins who faithfully served the imperial family. His family. Bram laughed out loud as his guess proved true and realization dawned on him. One of the other royals wanted him dead, although he had too many siblings for him to determine which of them sanctioned his murder. Only, if the White Rose had been sent to take him off the board, then the Imperium¡¯s game of succession was finally beginning in earnest. I thought they¡¯d at least wait until the Conjuring Season began¡­but it turns out one of my siblings is eager to be rid of me. ¡°I applaud your tenacity, Prince Bram,¡± said the lead knight whose voice was coarse and rough. ¡°You¡¯ve made us chase you for seven days with barely any rest, and you¡¯ve even managed to lessen our numbers in that time.¡± It didn¡¯t surprise Bram that they recognized him easily. The climb up the mountain had been rough. Indeed, he¡¯d lost his fake nose a while ago¡ªalong with most of his things too¡ªand he didn¡¯t have time to reapply his disguise. All that remained was his purple hair, but that obviously wasn¡¯t enough to hide him from these assassins. ¡°Surely, it¡¯s a worthy accomplishment for our ill-fated prince,¡± agreed the knight standing behind the lead. Hers was a feminine voice. One filled with spite for Bram. ¡°Your monstrous stamina¡¯s the only good thing about you,¡± scoffed the burly warrior standing to the left of the lead knight. ¡°He¡¯s got more than strength going for him.¡± Suggested the smallest knight who sounded much younger than the others. ¡°Even without sorcery, he had wits enough to evade our pursuit for so long¡­ What a waste of a talented mind.¡± Bram listened to their blatant disrespect with a furrowed brow. ¡°I have a question if you¡¯ll indulge me.¡± He took a casual step back. ¡°You said I did a good job evading your pursuit¡­ So, how did you track me here?¡± The lead knight raised the gold locket tied to the white chain around his neck. Recognition filled the prince¡¯s face. ¡°I assume that marker has my blood in it?¡± Bram guessed. ¡°Yes,¡± the lead knight answered. Fucking magic, was what Bram wanted to say aloud. Instead, he opted for, ¡°You didn¡¯t have that when you tracked me to the woods. You would have found me otherwise.¡± This was confirmation that someone in Lotharin had helped the White Rose. For how else could they have acquired his blood without his knowing? ¡°What now?¡± Bram asked. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve wits enough to understand the meaning of our presence here,¡± the lead knight answered. ¡°I hear the knights of the White Rose are all murderous lunatics.¡± Bram flashed them with a wry grin. ¡°So, yes, I know why you¡¯re here¡­ One of my siblings doesn¡¯t have the balls to dirty their own hands.¡±This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°Why should they bother?¡± the female knight scoffed. ¡°You are beneath them ¡ª the ill-fated prince of House Attilan.¡± ¡°Well, you¡¯re a harsh one.¡± Bram sighed exaggeratedly, pretending to be only slightly annoyed, though deep down his anger boiled. ¡°But you know, I did everything they wanted. Even sullied myself in worldly pleasures that would make you blush to hear.¡± He winked at her for even now he chose to play the fool if it would make them underestimate him more. ¡°I¡¯ve stayed away from the court, because, gods, was that place boring,¡± he said, sighing again. Despite everything he¡¯d done to prepare in secret, it was still true that the talentless boy who was humiliated repeatedly by all the Sovereign¡¯s retainers grew up a recluse who hid from his mother¡¯s court, ensuring he would have no friends or allies to call upon when he needed them most. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask for the responsibility placed on my shoulders.¡± Bram shrugged. Then added, ¡°If I could, I¡¯d gladly give it back.¡± ¡°Unfortunately, the choice is not yours to make, Ill-Fated Prince,¡± the female knight countered. He couldn¡¯t see her face from behind her deep hood, but Bram was certain she gazed at him with equal venom as the poison spilling from her spiteful tongue. ¡°Killing an incompetent governor like you would be a blessing for Lotharin,¡± she shamelessly continued, ¡°and remove the stain that has plagued the royal family for seventeen long years¡­¡± Bram cast her an offended look. ¡°Again, harsh.¡± He slid his left foot back, hoping that the White Rose, in their arrogance, wouldn¡¯t notice. ¡°But you¡¯re right, I am incompetent.¡± Bram took another step back, bringing him closer to the cursed cave. ¡°Obviously, I pose no threat to my siblings for I¡¯ve made it clear time and time again that I wish not to participate in their game.¡± This was an obvious lie, at least to Bram. He wouldn¡¯t have risked climbing the jagged mountain if he¡¯d already given up. It wasn¡¯t an ambition for the Burnt Throne that goaded him onward though. Bram¡¯s desire was to prove his worth. It was a desire now stained in anger and resentment, and though he kept these emotions mostly in check, he knew a bit of his rage was needed now. ¡°But, why¡­¡± His right hand moved to the sword hilt strapped to his waist. ¡°¡­Why have I been marked for death?!¡± The knights flinched involuntarily as they felt Bram¡¯s rage roll over them. Being the perfect likeness to his mother was the reason for their hesitation. They saw the Sovereign¡¯s face and her fury in his expression. This illusion lasted only a moment, however, and as Bram drew his sword, so too did the four knights draw their weapons against him. Bloody hell, I¡¯m still too far from the entrance. I won¡¯t be able to avoid a fight¡­ I¡¯ll have to surprise them, stall them, do anything I can¡­ The lead knight let out a heavy sigh. ¡°If only you had the slightest bit of magic flowing in your veins¡­then you might have become a worthy candidate for the Burnt Throne and not the embarrassment you¡¯ve become.¡± ¡°If lacking talent was all one needed to deserve death¡±¡ªBram pointed his sword at the lead knight, its blade quivering as he held it aloft¡ª¡°then you fools deserve the death that¡¯s coming for you.¡± In response to Bram¡¯s challenge, the lead knight nodded to his smallest companion, signaling the beginning of the battle. The small knight yelled in glee just as the telltale golden sparks of sorcery spread out of the soles of his boots. A gust of wind exploded underneath him, propelling him forward at great speed, bringing him close enough to brandish his sword against Bram, who, to everyone¡¯s surprise, managed to parry the enemy¡¯s attack with a steady sword. ¡°W-What!?¡± the small knight cried. His shock was understandable. He didn¡¯t know the secret that only Ser Anthony was aware of. In his years¡¯ long seclusion, Atlan¡¯s seventh prince hadn¡¯t been idle. A lack of magic had made Bram consider other options besides his bardic talents. It¡¯s why he trained his body in all manners of martial studies and honed his muscles to such extremes as to bring forth a strength that would be his tool against sorcery. Bram¡¯s sword pushed against his enemy¡¯s blade, leading it downward to open the way for a riposte aimed at the small knight¡¯s throat. ¡®Tang!¡¯ Sparks flew as the sword clashed against the glowing aura that grew over the small knight¡¯s white armor. The sight of it caused Bram to grimace for he remembered now that this shimmering veil spreading across the armor¡¯s white surface was a ¡®Barrier¡¯ enchantment that would be hard to penetrate with a blade not empowered with sorcery. ¡°Again!¡± he roared. ¡®Crack!¡¯ Though the barrier cracked from the force of Bram¡¯s blade impacting against it a second time, its magic repelled the prince¡¯s attack and forced his sword from his grasp. ¡°Did you think you could win?¡± The small knight laughed while his hand stretched forward to tighten its fingers around the prince¡¯s neck. ¡°See, I don¡¯t need muscles like yours.¡± As the telltale sparks of sorcery escaped his fingers, the small knight lifted the prince off his feet with a strength that couldn¡¯t have belonged to such a slight form. ¡°I can simply cast a spell to overwhelm your ogrish strength with even greater power.¡± Bram¡¯s feet kicked in the air while his enemy tightened his fingers around his neck and began choking the life out of him. ¡°This is how you die. Unable to do a thing while I deprive you of breath,¡± the small knight taunted. ¡°You¡±¡ªUnwilling to surrender, Bram¡¯s hand moved to his back, his fingers grasping at something he kept hidden there¡ª¡°should¡­have¡­¡± ¡°Still struggling?¡± the small knight frowned. ¡°It¡¯s quite unseemly, Ill-Fated¡ª¡± ¡°Watch out, Ser Jasper!¡± the lead knight roared, but his warning came too late. ¡®Crack!¡¯ It took only a moment for their fates to be reversed. While Ser Jasper arrogantly assumed Bram could do nothing more, the prince surprised him by plunging the enchanted arrow that had hurt his shoulder during the climb into his enemy¡¯s throat. Ser Jasper¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°H-How¡­?¡± Bram fell to his knees thankful that he¡¯d had the foresight to keep that arrow for a crucial moment because the sorcery that had made its charred tip searing hot proved effective against his enemy¡¯s weakened barrier. In the same breath, the small knight staggered back, his fingers grasping at the shaft stuck to his neck. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have come¡­so close to me,¡± Bram managed a taunt between breaths. The fight was far from over, however. Ser Jasper was a sorcerer, and a wound that would¡¯ve been fatal for Bram wasn¡¯t so deadly for one who possessed the gift of magic. Bram glanced at the others. He noticed they hadn¡¯t moved to help their companion, proving what he already knew; their pride wouldn¡¯t allow them to interfere in what they deemed a meaningless duel. This duel wasn¡¯t meaningless though. Not for the prince who clung desperately to his advantage. With Ser Jasper distracted by the arrow plugging the hole in his throat, Bram rose to his feet and slammed his fist into the small knight¡¯s neck. Ser Jasper croaked a garbled response¡ªbut Bram struck him again with a haymaker to his chest to keep him off-balance. ¡°Gah!¡± the small knight screamed. Despite being pushed back, Ser Jasper reached for Bram with a hand burning with arcane fire. It would¡¯ve melted the prince¡¯s face if he hadn¡¯t ducked down at the last second. Then, with his feet bent low, Bram pounced on Ser Jasper. The prince tackled Ser Jasper¡¯s smaller figure, getting behind him to wrap thick arms around his waist, and then lifting him high with his ogrish strength to flip Ser Jasper over, sending him slamming headfirst onto the ground with a ¡®Lotharian Suplex¡¯ Bram had learned from a wrestling instructor who¡¯d trained him secretly many, many moons ago. Ser Jasper¡¯s head and back cracked hard against the ground, leaving him groggy long enough for Bram to mount him and then pull the enchanted arrow from his bleeding throat. The wound tore open, spraying the prince with a knight¡¯s blood. Bram hoped that the blood loss would render Ser Jasper unconscious, but the small knight clung to life as desperately as the prince did. ¡°Y-You!¡± Bram was lifted off Ser Jasper as if carried upward by an ill wind. Sorcery raised him high, and sorcery sent him plummeting back into the ground. In a dose of his own medicine, Bram¡¯s spine cracked against the earth, and it was all he could do not to lose consciousness. Half in a daze, he felt himself lifted once more, and with his vision clearing, discovered a bloody face staring back at him with pure hatred. ¡°I-I¡¯ll kill you!¡± Ser Jasper was paler now, his eyes glazed, with blood gushing out of his wounded throat. ¡°I¡¯ll t-turn y-you inside out!¡± His hand was raised, its glowing fingers stretching toward Bram, though not touching him. Not yet. Not ever. In his recklessness, the prince grabbed the wrist of that glowing hand, and, dragging the small knight forward, Bram sent his head cracking against Ser Jasper¡¯s face like a hammer against a nail. Ser Jasper staggered back, his spell withering into nothingness. Freed from the small knight¡¯s magical hold, Bram rushed forward and used his momentum to kick out at Ser Jasper. The prince¡¯s foot struck the center of the small knight¡¯s chest, and with strength springing from his lower body, sent Ser Jasper flying back, and, unexpectedly, over the cliff to meet his doom.
CONGRATULATIONS! You have slain a knight apprentice [Jasper von Galen], earning you the achievement [First Kill]! This title doubles [Critical Hit Chance] and [Critical Attack Damage] for thirty seconds when activated.
I¡­I killed him. In his mind, Bram realized what he had done¡ªhis first time taking a life¡ªand he barely managed not to throw up. He had no time to let guilt overwhelm him though. ¡°To die so pitifully¡­what a fool,¡± the burly warrior chuckled. Then, with a grin, he roared, ¡°My turn to duel our monstrous prince!¡± Bram wasn¡¯t paying him any attention though. He was too distracted by the otherworldly messages floating in the space between him and the now-charging knight.
ALERT! Your body is unsuited to receiving the system¡¯s boons. Activation of [First Kill] is canceled.
More ghostly blue windows appeared, causing a breathless Bram to grin. I knew you would show up. All his life, this otherworldly power had been nothing but a nuisance. Tonight, however, it would prove useful for the first time. It would serve as an excellent distraction to aid his escape. ¡°Share notifications!¡± Bram roared. As he uttered the magic words¡ªthe only one he could cast and very recently learned too¡ªthe ghostly blue windows became visible to the burly warrior¡¯s eyes, causing him to mistake them for a surprise attack Bram had conjured. ¡°Warbringer¡¯s balls!¡± the burly warrior cursed. ¡°You do know sorcery?!¡± Thanks to his confusion, the burly warrior¡¯s swing went wild. He missed Bram completely while his sword sliced through the floating blue windows which didn¡¯t disappear from his attack. ¡°You fool!¡± the lead knight yelled. ¡°How could you miss him?!¡± ¡°N-No!¡± Embarrassedly, the burly warrior protested, ¡°Prince Bram has summoned some sort of devilish specters against me that cannot be hurt by simple steel!¡± ¡°What are you on about, oaf?¡± the female knight complained. ¡°There¡¯s not ¡ª he¡¯s getting away!¡± With his enemies sufficiently distracted, Bram threw himself over the threshold of the cave. ¡°Stop him!¡± the lead knight commanded. Once again, his warning came too late. For the prince had already plunged into the darkness of the cursed cave even the most unrivaled champions of the imperium feared to tread. He could only hope its legend of containing great evil would keep the White Rose away long enough for him to change his fate. Chapter 05: Bargain Struck in Blood CHAPTER FIVE Bargain Struck in Blood
Hope dies here where only fools dare to tread¡­ The warning carved above the cave¡¯s entrance remained fresh in Bram¡¯s mind as he staggered forward on rocky ground while covered in complete darkness. Apologies, but I can¡¯t help but be hopeful¡­ He dared not even light a match for fear that his pursuers might use sorcery to snuff out its feeble fire along with him. Better that they chase after him in the dark. If they even dared to step into this cursed cave. Hope is all I have now¡­ More than once, Bram¡¯s shoulder crashed against the narrow passage¡¯s jagged walls. He tried to endure it and carry on, but eventually, his aches and pains grew so great that he had no choice but to pause his march. I need something to help me move. Unfortunately, he¡¯d lost his bag somewhere on the mountainside, and the medicine Ser Anthony packed for him vanished with it. Ser Anthony¡­ The memory of the old knight lit a spark in Bram¡¯s brain, causing him to search his purple coat¡¯s many hidden pockets. Soon enough, he pulled them out; the long pipe and bag of cloud weed Ser Anthony had given him. Do I even dare¡­? Bram glanced over his shoulder, but there was only darkness behind him. The White Rose hadn¡¯t followed him in. Not yet at least. ¡°Keeps the aches and pains at bay,¡± were Ser Anthony¡¯s words earlier, and Bram had no choice but to believe him. Quick as he could manage, the prince placed a pinch of cotton-like herbs into the pipe¡¯s bowl. Then, after procuring a box of matches from one of his coat¡¯s other pockets, he lit a match and used its feeble fire to burn the cloud weed he¡¯d put in the pipe. At the same time, he pressed its mouthpiece to his lips, and with a long breath, inhaled as much smoke as he could manage¡ªand then he coughed. Fortunately, the coughing didn¡¯t last long. Just long enough to make Bram nervous. Again, he glanced over his shoulder, but only darkness greeted him. So, once more, Bram took another puff of the pipe. This time, he managed to keep the cloud weed¡¯s smoke in long enough to feel it settling inside him. When he let it out¡ªa column of smoke so white he could glimpse it in the dark¡ªhe felt different. The pain had certainly lessened, but there was more to it than simple relief. Bram felt better somehow, more confident even. Most of all, he felt less encumbered by his sense of duty and responsibility. Enough that he managed to crack a smile despite his dire circumstances. ¡°Bloody hell¡­Ser Anthony was right.¡± An invigorated Bram started running again. ¡°¡­I could get used¡­to feeling this way.¡± He continued to smoke his pipe while he trudged onward. A little slower than before, hitting the walls more too, but at least his fear of pursuers had dwindled. He wasn¡¯t sure how long it took, it certainly seemed like hours had passed before he felt the breeze on his cheeks and the path finally widened ahead of him. Only then did he return the pipe into his coat¡¯s pocket, and reluctantly too.
CONGRATULATIONS! You are the first person in seven hundred and seventy-seven years to enter the dungeon [Innocence Lost]! For seven days, the experience and item drop rate are doubled while exploring this dungeon.
Delight flashed on Bram¡¯s face as he cleared the tunnel.
ALERT! Your body is unsuited to receiving the system¡¯s boons. Experience rate and item drop rate have returned to normal values.
It was a delight that was quick to vanish as he felt sudden heat against his back. ¡°Bloody hell!¡± The prince could only curse aloud as a ¡®Ray of Fire¡¯ struck his back, causing heat, flame, and pain to climb up his spine, which, interestingly, also served to sober him of most of the cloud weed¡¯s numbing effects. Particularly, the haze in Bram¡¯s mind that had made him calmer. Even worse, the force of the enemy¡¯s sorcery launched him forward so that he fell, tumbled, and came to a crashing halt near the center of the large chamber he arrived in.
ALERT! You were dealt a critical blow. Your Health Points [HP] have dropped below 40%.
This value meant nothing to Bram who could not see his status.
ALERT! You have been inflicted with [Burn]. You will continue to lose HP for five seconds.
A groan escaped Bram¡¯s lips as he struggled to his knees. It was an impressive feat of will as other men might not have risen so quickly after being attacked by such potent sorcery¡­though perhaps the lingering effects of the cloud weed helped him too. ¡®I¡¯m not falling¡­not now when I¡¯ve come so close.¡¯ His purple coat caught fire, so Bram took it off and sent it hurtling across the cavern like a shooting star momentarily lighting up the chamber with its weak glow. ¡°At long last¡­¡± The light had come and gone, but there had been enough of it for Bram to capture the layout of the chamber. ¡°I found you¡­¡± It was a temple-like structure with a vaulted ceiling weathered by the passage of time and neglect. There was a round depression at the heart of the wide chamber¡ªthe spiral markings engraved on its stone floor¡ªthat was so close to where Bram knelt that he need only stretch his hand, and his fingers would grasp the small round crevice at its center. ¡°¡­Burned One.¡± The sound of rushing footsteps resounded in the tunnel Bram exited. They would be here any second, the knights of the White Rose one of the royals sent to kill him. Somehow, they managed to shrug off their fear of the cursed cave and followed him into it so they might finally end the life of their ill-fated prince.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°There¡¯s no time for even a tune¡­¡± With seconds left to claim his prize, Bram reached out his hand, fingers grasping onto the grooves of the hole at the heart of this chamber. ¡°I summon you¡­trickster.¡± Sweat dripped down his brow unnoticed as an unnatural concentration swept over him. It slid down the bridge of his nose to hang on its tip before dropping onto the stone, its sound echoing throughout the chamber. ¡°Burned One who spurned the gods¡­ The light they couldn¡¯t dim even in this dark prison¡­¡± he chanted. ¡°Come to me. Breathe life to my desire¡ª¡± An enchanted arrow pierced his shoulder, forcing Bram to end his chant before he could finish it. ¡°Ugh!¡± A second arrow pierced the back of his leg, driving him lower to the ground. ¡°Gah!¡± Still, despite this pain and humiliation, he gritted his teeth and crawled closer to that hole that seemed a bottomless pit to his blurring vision. ¡°Crawling on the ground like a slimy little worm¡­how unseemly, Ill-Fated Prince,¡± mocked the female knight whose voice was filled with venom. ¡°Why can¡¯t you accept death with the dignity of your blood?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be fooled by him, Lady Belle, the prince has tricked us all!¡± the burly warrior warned. ¡°He knows sorcery... Don¡¯t let him speak lest he summons his bedeviled ghosts again!¡± ¡°Silence, you fool!¡± The lead knight chided. He drew his sword, aiming its tip at the prince¡¯s back. ¡°Enough playing, Lady Belle¡­ Slay him quickly before we disturb the evil sleeping in this cursed cave,¡± he commanded. ¡°You¡¯re no fun, Ser Benoit, but very well.¡± Lady Belle raised her hand and then flicked her finger forward. ¡°Farewell, Ill-Fated Prince.¡± An arrow from the quiver strapped to her waist flew off so that its charred tip pierced Bram¡¯s back, causing the prince to fall prone on the ground unmoving, his breath seemingly silenced. ¡°He¡¯s dead,¡± Lady Belle insisted. ¡°The Eminence¡¯s will be done.¡± ¡°The Eminence¡¯s will be done,¡± Ser Benoit repeated. Only the burly warrior seemed uncertain of their victory because he was wary of Bram and the strange sorcery the prince wielded against him. He was right to be suspicious of Bram too, as his companions would realize too late. Atlan¡¯s seventh prince was not dead. He clung stubbornly to life. And, with his hand now coated in blood spilling from the many wounds they inflicted on him, Bram slid his palm across the floor and smeared the chamber¡¯s heart with his life force. ¡°Breathe life¡­into my desire¡­¡± he whispered. Even as black spots began filling his vision, with his consciousness teetering over the edge while visions of otherworldly things flashed in his mind¡¯s eye, Bram continued to utter his prayer. Not to any god the imperium worshipped, but to the rebel trickster that legends claimed had been trapped here by the gods¡¯ champions who were the same founders of the Atlan Imperium. ¡°If the blood¡­is the life¡­¡± Bram dared to raise his voice once more like the bard he was. ¡°No¡­¡± The burly warrior growled. ¡°He¡¯s not¡ª¡± Both Ser Benoit¡¯s and Lady Belle¡¯s heads snapped toward Bram¡¯s fallen form. But even as they began to cast their spells, they knew they would be too late. ¡°Then let my blood¡­give you new life!¡± Bram howled. The blood he smeared against the floor dipped into the hole at the heart of the chamber just as the burly warrior¡¯s sword cut into his back. No scream left Bram¡¯s lips. For not even the coming of death could make him beg or surrender. In this at least, he was truly the Sovereign¡¯s son. ¡°Interesting,¡± whispered a deep voice that belonged to none of the cave¡¯s visitors. ¡°Very interesting.¡± The darkened chamber grew dimmer as if a shadow even darker than black had risen from the ground to dye the entire cavern in its unfathomable depths. ¡°W-What¡±¡ªa shiver ran up Ser Benoit¡¯s spine as the spell he tried to cast fizzled out¡ª¡°devilry is this?!¡± Beside him¡ªor at least he believed she was still standing next to him¡ªLady Belle let out a soft whimper quite unlike the fearless assassin known as the ¡®White Widow¡¯ of their order. ¡°Lady¡ª¡± There was a sound akin to the tearing of flesh, a muffled cry, and then the thick scent of iron was all around him. Then silence. Ser Benoit gulped. ¡°Ser Gaston, we need light!¡± ¡°I¡¯m trying, Ser Benoit!¡± Ser Gaston, the burly warrior, replied. ¡°But the blasted torch refuses to catch fire!¡± Laughter. Low, sultry giggling that made one¡¯s skin crawl to hear and yet evoked a sense of pleasure in one¡¯s ears could be heard all around them. ¡°The gods damn you, Bram, you fool!¡± Ser Benoit cursed. ¡°You¡¯ve doomed us all with your madness!¡± ¡°The only ones¡­I doomed tonight¡­is you.¡± Bram¡¯s voice was labored, weak, but still taunting. ¡°¡­Go die¡­with the dignity¡­you claim I lacked.¡± Another round of laughter filled the air. It was followed by the swinging of a heavy sword. ¡°Where are you?!¡± Ser Gaston screamed in the darkness. ¡°Where are you?!¡± The burly warrior didn¡¯t expect a reply, so he couldn¡¯t help but jump out of his boots when a reply came, and so close to his right ear too. ¡°I am right here,¡± whispered a deep, intelligent-sounding feminine voice that oozed pleasurable thoughts into one¡¯s ears. This was why Ser Gaston did nothing but stand in place as the presence behind him tapped long fingers against his shoulder. For him, this may have been akin to a feather¡¯s touch. At least until nails sharper than the sharpest blades pierced through the barrier enchantment of the plated steel shell around his shoulder to bite into the flesh underneath. ¡°Argh¡ª¡± Ser Gaston¡¯s gasp was cut short by the sound of tearing flesh, muscle, and sinew as the arm that held his broadsword tight was ripped off him in a single motion. Only then did the burly warrior scream a high-pitched scream that was unfitting for his great physique. ¡°Ser Gaston!¡± Ser Benoit raised his hand, sparks of magic flaring from his fingertips only to fizzle out again. ¡°Damn it!¡± ¡°S-Ser Benoit¡±¡ªthe plea was apparent in Ser Gaston¡¯s voice¡ª¡°help¡ª¡± There came the sound of breaking bone, of blood gushing forth, and of something beating rapidly, then slowly, slowly¡­until finally, the familiar beating stilled. Once again, no body slumped to the ground signaling the death of another one of Ser Benoit¡¯s comrades. Yet despite this lack of proof, the lead knight understood that he was alone now. Alone in the dark where a great evil stalked him. ¡°Not like this¡­¡± Ser Benoit turned on his heel, his face flushed with fear. ¡°Not like this¡­¡± The lead knight who had been so proud as he entered this cursed chamber shamelessly ran back the way he came while hoping that he would find his way to the end of the narrow tunnel and to freedom. ¡°Not. Like. This,¡± he huffed. By some stroke of luck or intervention of the gods, Ser Benoit¡¯s gaze found crimson moonlight hovering at the end of the tunnel¡¯s entrance. Seeing the open air beyond it sent hope into his veins, pushing his feet to struggle more. He thought that freedom would be his. Oh, how wrong he was. ¡°Fee-fi-fo-fum,¡± whispered a voice so close to his right ear that it tickled his earlobe. ¡°I smell the blood of an Atlan-man¡­¡± Ser Benoit swung his saber to the right, but it struck against the wall and bounced back. ¡°Be he living¡±¡ªthis time, the whisper came from his left side¡ª¡°or be he dead¡­¡± Ser Benoit swung his saber to the left, and once again, he hit only the tunnel¡¯s craggy wall. Then, right ahead of him, he heard the same whisper, ¡°I will grind his bones¡­¡± A face appeared out of the darkness. She was a pale beauty; her long crimson hair falling across her shoulders in perfect waves framed a heart-shaped face with high cheekbones. She might have passed off as human if not for the sparkle of her alabaster skin. Her eyebrows were dark and arched over eyes that were the same shade of bright crimson as her hair. Her nose was long and widened at the tip, and she had a pair of dimples around the edges of her puffy lips. Lips which were at that very moment speaking the final words of her taunt. ¡°¡­and show him dread.¡± Ser Benoit saw a pair of sharp fangs protruding from behind her upper lip. They were the last things he saw before she bent his head ever so gently and then pressed her lips to his neck.
It wasn¡¯t long after the death of the last member of the White Rose who¡¯d come to hunt Atlan¡¯s seventh prince when the pitch-black darkness that had covered the chamber receded, returning to fill the shadow of the redhead who was now walking leisurely toward Bram as he lay in a pool of his blood. She wore a loose emerald robe with a hemline that dragged against the floor. Its slightly transparent fabric barely hid her shapely figure, although Bram¡¯s vision had become too foggy to notice or admire her beauty. He looked as pale as she did, but he was dying while the rosy tinge of her cheeks showed her full of life. ¡°Your blood tastes so sweet and familiar to me¡­ Could you be Atlan¡¯s descendant?¡± the redhead asked as she knelt by his side. It must have taken Bram all his strength just to nod. It was all he could do, for his throat had become too dry for words. The redhead reached down, and with a strength that should have been impossible for her lithe form, she picked Bram up and cradled him in her arms. ¡°Tell me, Atlan¡¯s descendant,¡± she whispered to him, her deep voice like honey to his ears, ¡°what is your heart¡¯s desire?¡± She pulled him close in an embrace that would have seemed intimate to a casual observer, but it was the only way for the redhead to bring Bram¡¯s mouth close enough to her ear. ¡°Bargain,¡± he whispered, his voice barely audible. ¡°I¡¯ve¡­come¡­to¡­bargain.¡± Bram saw the smile forming on the redhead¡¯s face, and the twin fangs protruding from her upper lip. ¡°Very well¡­¡± her mouth moved ever closer to his neck so that her breath tickled the skin of his throat. ¡°A bargain struck in blood it shall be.¡± As Bram¡¯s eyes slid to a close, the redhead pressed her lips to his skin and then she kissed the ill-fated prince¡­ Not a lover¡¯s kiss, but one of blood and death. Chapter 06: The Prince and His Trickster CHAPTER SIX The Prince and His Trickster
Where¡­? It took Bram a second to gather his bearings and notice the strangeness surrounding him. Ah, I see¡­ Above him was a clear blue sky half-veiled by the glass towers that rose to scrape against it. These lofty towers which seemed to have been made by the greatest of giant folk were taller even than the highest spires of the Sovereign¡¯s palace. I¡¯m here again¡­ Beneath him was a wide street of gray stone that was unlike any road one might find in the Imperium. It was a street painted with otherworldly symbols that stretched outward like a great web in all directions, snaking out onto other paths and around buildings of stone, steel, and glass. In this strange other world that plagues even my waking thoughts¡­ Around him was a great host of commoners dressed in strange but comfortable clothing that was vastly different from the restrictive uniforms and sweeping dresses of the imperium¡¯s nobility. Thoughts that did little to help me in my youth¡­and made me a target of ridicule and spite. A shadow passed over him, drawing Bram¡¯s gaze to the great steel bird soaring over the distant clouds. Instinctively, he knew that this giant bird was no animal, but a flying carriage that was but one of the many examples of this other world¡¯s ingenuity. Though I still believe now what I knew to be true then¡­that this other world would be the answer to my lack of sorcery¡­ A horn-like roar pierced Bram¡¯s musing, drawing his gaze back to the street and the beast that had made this strange-sounding howl. It was a beast whose bright blue scales were wrapped around a body that was both wide and sleek. This beast of speed raced toward Bram like a tri-bull charging a matador. It¡¯s why I sought out the cursed cave¡­ He locked gazes with its pair of glowing eyes which were bright and glaring, and felt a cold shiver climb up his spine as he thought of their imminent collision. Because I believed the rebel trickster locked within it might help me wield this otherworldly knowledge for Lotharin¡¯s sake¡­ Long seconds ticked by while Bram stood in the middle of the road unable to do anything as the shiny beast hurtled toward him. Theirs was a painful meeting that hastened a violent ending to his dream, causing Bram to awaken with eyes wide and a curse spilling from his lips. ¡°Fuck¡­¡± The prince sat up with a groggy head, but his gaze was alert and searching. ¡°Where¡­?¡± It didn¡¯t take him long to recognize the curtains hanging on his four-post bed or the polished wooden paneled walls of the large bedroom that still didn¡¯t quite feel like it belonged to him. He had only used it for two weeks though, so this feeling of unfamiliarity was understandable. ¡°Yours must have been an interesting dream,¡± spoke a deep, intelligent voice. ¡°The drool on your chin gives you away.¡± The prince¡¯s gaze snapped to a dark corner of his bedroom where the shadows seemed extra thick. He peered into that unnatural abyss¡ªand the abyss looked back at him with crimson eyes. ¡°It¡¯s done then¡­¡± Unconsciously, Bram¡¯s hand moved to his chest which was covered by a fresh linen shirt he hadn¡¯t been wearing during his journey. ¡°¡­I¡¯ve set you free.¡± She stepped out of the shadows and into the faint light of dawn¡¯s first rays filtering in through the curtains of the large window to the left of the four-post bed. ¡°I¡¯m free thanks to you.¡± The prince¡¯s eyebrows rose in slight surprise for the woman who revealed herself looked nothing like his expectations. ¡°You¡¯re¡­the trickster?¡± ¡°Were you imagining a more horrific countenance?¡± The rebel trickster of legend was no horrible monster who¡¯d been burnt by the gods as her title suggested. She was a pale, crimson-eyed beauty who looked no different than the young highborn ladies of the Sovereign¡¯s court. Her bright red hair was slicked back and tied in a messy bun behind her head, giving breadth to a heart-shaped face that would make most men swoon to see. Her neck was long and slender, the sight of which made Bram remember the moment she had kissed his throat and sealed the bargain between them. Bram¡¯s hand flew to his neck, but she had left no wound for his fingers to brush against. ¡°Already regretting your choice, Prince of Atlan?¡± she asked in a teasing voice. ¡°I regret nothing,¡± Bram insisted. He glanced left and then right, before adding, ¡°Where¡¯s Ser Anthony?¡± ¡°Your knight was here earlier but went off to deal with your courtiers since you were still unconscious,¡± the trickster answered. Then, pointing to the bedside table, she added, ¡°He asked me to tell you that he¡¯s retrieved the item you promised to return after you came home.¡± ¡°Oh, right, I did promise to give him his pipe back.¡± A tinge of regret filled Bram¡¯s face. ¡°Pity, I was starting to enjoy the taste of cloud weed.¡± He took a second to inspect the purple coat that was folded on top of the table which she must have brought back from the cursed cave for him. It was mostly burnt, certainly unusable, which was another pity, because it had been one of Bram¡¯s favorite coats. ¡°Well,¡± Bram cast a furtive glance at the trickster¡¯s crimson hair, ¡°I guess I¡¯ll wear red next time.¡± He got out of bed only to find that his legs were made of jelly. ¡°Careful, you nearly died two nights ago,¡± the trickster reminded him. ¡°You¡¯ll need more time to heal.¡± ¡°Two nights ago¡­¡± Bram¡¯s brow creased. ¡°No, I¡¯ve no time to lie in bed.¡± With so little time left for him to fulfill his duty to Lotharin, a day wasted was one he could ill afford. More importantly, the mastermind of this plot to murder him wouldn¡¯t give up after a single failure. They would try again, and soon. So, Bram must also be prepared to repel them with whatever meager force he could muster. ¡°There¡¯s time at least to take a breath,¡± the trickster insisted. Despite his protests, she forced him to sit by the edge of his bed with a delicate hand whose grip was as strong as steel. ¡°You needn¡¯t worry about any further attempts on your life for the foreseeable future. I¡¯ve dealt with what needs dealing,¡± she promised as she sat beside him. The trickster motioned to the floor. ¡°Your enemies will receive the message loud and clear after they hear of this.¡± She snapped her fingers. Suddenly, as if a veil had been pulled from Bram¡¯s eyes, he saw with clarity the scene before him. ¡°Bloody hell¡­you¡¯ve been busy.¡± The parquet floor around his bed was caked in the dried blood of numerous corpses, all dressed in the all-too-familiar armor of the White Rose. It was clear that they had died violently. Dismembered limbs had been the cause of the bloodstains on the floor, but there weren¡¯t enough of these stains to explain the state of the dead. For all of them were like dry husks drained of life. A stench of iron and decay filled his nostrils, causing Bram to pale. ¡°How did I manage to sleep through all this¡­?¡± ¡°You were snoring,¡± she said teasingly, but also added, ¡°They came like thieves in the night¡­ Whoever sent them must have known you were bedridden and thought you vulnerable.¡± The implication of her words wasn¡¯t lost on him. There must be a spy in his household. One or several who needed to be rooted out lest his rivals learn of his plans. ¡°Their assumptions proved wrong.¡± The smile on the trickster¡¯s red lips widened, slightly distorting her features but not marring her beauty in the least. ¡°And when whoever sent these assassins receives word of what¡¯s happened¡­¡± Despite the queasiness of his stomach, Bram¡¯s mind couldn¡¯t help but turn its cogs. ¡°¡­then they¡¯ll think I¡¯ve found myself a strong protector.¡± Smugness flashed on the trickster¡¯s face. ¡°They might even assume that I¡¯ve found an ally in one of the Sovereign-guard¡ª¡± The trickster laughed. It was both a girlish sort of giggling and malicious laughter that made the hairs on the back of Bram¡¯s arms stand on end. ¡°Don¡¯t compare me to the frail guardians of your Imperium,¡± she complained.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°Of course,¡± Bram conceded with a chuckle. ¡°Your value is far greater.¡± He glanced sideways at the trickster whose face seemed too innocent to have committed the massacre around them. Even her lithe but curvy form was more suited to a lady¡¯s sweeping dress rather than the teal-colored gambeson and the tight-fitting leather breeches she wore. He belatedly realized that this was the uniform of the soldiers of his household, although the noble crest on her left sleeve¡ªthe one right below the golden griffin of house Attilan¡ªwas one he didn¡¯t recognize. ¡°What you¡¯ve done here will surely make the enemy pause and force them to rethink their tactics. It buys me time to see my plan to fruition¡­¡± Bram leaned back, relief flooding his face. ¡°Thank you, Trick¡ª¡± He frowned. ¡°What do I call you?¡± Before the trickster could answer, the bedroom doors flung open, and two maids walked in. ¡°You¡¯re awake, Your Highness!¡± exclaimed the older-looking maid. ¡°Lady Rowan should¡¯ve informed¡ª¡± Noticing the corpses on the floor, the older maid let loose a high-pitched shriek of terror. Not an illusion then, Bram mused. Out loud, he said, ¡°To be fair, this probably isn¡¯t the worst thing you¡¯ve seen in my bedroom.¡± He flashed the maids a smile, but neither of them smiled back. The second maid screamed too¡ªand then all hell broke loose.
¡°They¡¯re finally finished¡­¡± Bram sighed in relief. Beside him, the trickster let out a soft giggle while she leaned an elbow against the balcony railing. ¡°It was fine practice for the next time they clean up our mess.¡± There would be a next time, Bram agreed. The other royals would see to it. ¡°Well, like my old masters often say, never send an assassin to do a bard¡¯s job.¡± Bram couldn¡¯t help chuckling at his joke. Of course, if one of the Delightful Troupe had come for him, he never would have seen them coming, and that thought sobered him quickly. ¡°Gods, the rumor mill will be working hard today¡­¡± Bram¡¯s brow creased while he watched his guards drag the last of the dead toward the auto-wagon waiting next to his bastion¡¯s tall gate. Soon that auto-wagon filled with corpses would be driven out past the drawbridge and into the city¡¯s Hightown district. ¡°If they didn¡¯t think me peculiar and incompetent before¡­¡± The stench alone would draw the gazes of the highborn in Bastille who would no doubt find a way to blame Bram for this ghastly incident rather than show sympathy for their new governor who¡¯d been the victim of another assassination attempt. ¡°¡­They¡¯ll certainly think so now,¡± he guessed. ¡°You don¡¯t seem to mind playing the fool,¡± the trickster noticed. He combed his hand through wavy strands of his pale blonde hair that had lost their purple shade. ¡°Give them a show to ogle and they won¡¯t see the knife coming for their throats.¡± ¡°Theatricality and misdirection?¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± The trickster gave Bram an impish grin. ¡°And here I thought you despised intrigue despite learning to wield it yourself.¡± ¡°How would you know that?¡± She pressed a sharp nail against the skin of Bram¡¯s hand, drawing a tiny bead of blood. ¡°For the blood is the life¡­¡± She brushed her finger against the bead and then pressed that bead to her lips. ¡°Your past, thoughts, dreams, even your desires¡­they are recorded in your blood like the moving pictures of that other world.¡± ¡°Cinema,¡± Bram recalled the strange word that felt alien on his tongue. ¡°Cinema,¡± the Trickster repeated more awkwardly. ¡°Such wild and fantastic inventions your dreams bring you.¡± Bram couldn¡¯t help smiling at the compliment since it was the first time anyone complimented him for his madness. His gratitude was quick to wither though once he realized the implication of her confession. She knew his inner thoughts¡­he had yet to decide whether this was a gross invasion of his privacy or an accidental convenience that made it unnecessary to explain his otherworldly visions since she could see them for herself. ¡°What do you think of it?¡± ¡°Your great undertaking?¡± Bram nodded. ¡°¡®Tis¡­ambitious.¡± To use his knowledge of the other world for the betterment of Lotharin, the weakest of the twelve kingdoms that made up the Atlan Imperium¡ªambitious seemed almost an understatement. ¡°Is it possible?¡± ¡°With my power¡­perhaps.¡± Bram cast a sideways glance at his new collaborator. The trickster basked in the light of Aarde¡¯s morning sun which bathed the blue sky in a bright golden crown. Bram thought it unfair that she knew everything about him, yet he knew nothing about her apart from the scattered tales he¡¯d discovered of her nearly forgotten legend, the same ones he¡¯d shared with the Mighty Greenwood Gang a week ago. He observed her playful smile¡ªhow she enjoyed the freedom he¡¯d given her¡ªand he longed to know her truth. Despite this, he resolved not to ask the trickster about her past. Better that they build trust with one another first. Perhaps then she might be willing to share her tale. For now, it was enough that she possessed the power to help him realize his goals. That thought made him frown. Yes, she defeated the assassins who came to kill him, but did she truly possess the power to give him his heart¡¯s desire? ¡°I sense your doubt.¡± ¡°You can sense my thoughts even without blood?¡± ¡°Reading your mind would require sorcery, and I¡¯ve not done this,¡± she explained. ¡°What I can sense without effort are the emotions bubbling to the mind¡¯s surface.¡± ¡°An empathic link.¡± Bram couldn¡¯t help feeling fascinated. ¡°Could you show me more proof of your power?¡± ¡°The proof is right in front of you.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± She pointed a finger at the corner of her left eye, drawing Bram¡¯s gaze to something floating at the leftmost corner of his vision which only appeared after she pointed it out. It was a tiny twinkling thing bathed in a ghostly glow shaped like a single blue eye. ¡°The All-Seeing Eye shows hidden truth to those who seek it,¡± the trickster claimed. This All-Seeing Eye seemed eager to show Bram its hidden truth, and with this realization came words that automatically spilled from his lips. ¡°Show status¡­¡± With this incantation¡ªhis second¡ªthe All-Seeing Eye expanded into the familiar ghostly blue window that had haunted the prince with thoughts of power he couldn¡¯t wield. Today, however, it seemed power had come to him at last.
Welcome, Bram.
It was the first time the system had ever shown him kindness. The sight of its greeting sent emotion swirling into his chest.
Please wait while the system measures your current capabilities.
¡°At long last¡­¡± A tear fell across his left cheek. ¡°You¡¯re finally on my side¡­¡± A new ghostly blue window appeared before Bram, carrying a word he¡¯d longed for from the moment he first learned its meaning.
STATUS
NAME: Bram Lothaire of House Attilan
RACE: Human (Atlan)
LEVEL: 1
JOB: Administrator Lv.1
LIFESTYLE: Not yet determined
AFFILIATION: [Atlan Imperium], [Kingdom of Lotharin], [Bastille Shire], [Central Martial Academy], [The Delightful Troupe]
TITLE: [Seventh Prince of the Atlan Imperium], [Ill-Fated Prince], [Contractor of the Burned One], [Governor of Lotharin], [Eorl of Bastille], [Apprentice of the Delightful Troupe]
¡°Titles?¡± Bram scanned the list, his eyes narrowing at seeing his ill-fated moniker. Instinctively, he tapped a finger against it and wasn¡¯t surprised when a smaller window appeared to superimpose itself over the first. [Ill-Fated Prince: Doubles experience required to level up, doubles points required to increase fame, doubles experience required to grow lifestyle, chance of learning skills or spells is lowered by fifty percent [50%], random encounters with monsters in a field or dungeon is increased by twenty percent [20%], item drop rates and experience gain rates lowered by [10%].] ¡°I should have known,¡± Bram sighed. ¡°Truth is not always good,¡± the trickster admitted. ¡°¡®Tis not all bad either.¡± True enough, his title of seventh prince gave Bram several boons; a discount on knight or councilor recruitment fees, larger levies in wartime with higher taxes during peacetime without incurring penalties such as lower fame and higher tyranny with Lotharin¡¯s population, and, to Bram¡¯s delight, a ten percent bonus to experience earned for both jobs and lifestyles. ¡°Brilliant,¡± he grinned. He had once dreamed of becoming a ¡®Knight Enchanter¡¯ like his brother Balor or a ¡®Sky Ranger¡¯ like his sister Camilla, his two older siblings who hadn¡¯t shunned Bram outright for his ill fate. Unfortunately, such professions required sorcery and were impossible for the ill-fated prince who lacked magic in his veins. Now, however, a quantified reflection of Bram¡¯s physical traits showed him proof of his changing fate.
HEALTH POINTS (HP): 120
MAGIC POINTS (MP): 10
STAMINA POINTS (SP): 200
FATIGUE: 38%
¡°Is this¡­truly real?!¡± The prince¡¯s shoulders shook because he couldn¡¯t control the tide of emotion washing over him as he saw the numbers showing him a truth he longed for. ¡°How did you do this?¡± Bram felt a hand on his shoulder. The warmth it instilled in him calmed his trembling. ¡°I gave you only what your body could handle,¡± the trickster answered. ¡°Enough magic to awaken this fascinating sorcery hidden inside of you.¡± Bram was at a loss for words, although his gratitude was obvious when he took her hand and kissed it. Because of this trickster, the ill-fated prince was no longer a lame duck. Magic coursed through him now. A tiny amount by anyone¡¯s measure, and certainly not enough for proper sorcery, but this was a new beginning for him. ¡°¡®Tis not time to celebrate. ¡®Tis but the start of our rebellion,¡± she said encouragingly. ¡°So, what shall we do next, My Prince?¡± ¡°For a kingdom to thrive, there are five considerations to meet.¡± Bram flexed the fingers of his right hand. ¡°Of these five, the ¡®Martial¡¯ issue is Lotharin¡¯s most urgent concern.¡± No spark of magic flashed across his fingers, but he didn¡¯t feel disappointed. ¡°We lack soldiers, knights, and sorcerers. We lack¡­champions.¡± His eyes drifted to the status window floating in the air. ¡°In my visions of the other world, I saw its cities teeming with people ¡ª like spiders rushing across a web of stone paths leading into glass cocoons ¡ª they are the resource we need to set our plan in motion.¡±
JOB/s: Administrator Lv.1
¡°We will summon these people to Aarde¡­¡± Bram tapped on this strangely named job, and what he read of its status made him smile. ¡°¡­And give them a reason to fight for us.¡± Chapter 07: Where Journey Begins CHAPTER SEVEN Where Journey Begins
As the auto-carriage pulled to a stop, a panel in the upholstered wall slid open. ¡°We¡¯ve arrived, Your Highness,¡± said the coachman. ¡°Thank you,¡± Bram replied from his heavily cushioned seat that had barely protected him from the bumps on the rough road. ¡°And you did as I asked?¡± ¡°Yes, Your Highness,¡± the coachman answered worriedly. ¡°But are you certain you would rather not have me drive you to Reise¡¯s gate?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a short walk, Baer,¡± Bram assured his coachman. ¡°We¡¯ll manage.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Baer¡¯s brows stitched together. ¡°¡­If the seneschal hears that I dropped you and Lady Rowan in the outskirts¡ª¡± ¡°¡ªSer Anthony won¡¯t hear it from me,¡± Bram was already pulling the carriage door open. The prince got off the auto-carriage and then offered his hand to the trickster who¡¯d somehow convinced his household while he slept that she was a daughter of a fallen noble house from the north of Lotharin who¡¯d rescued Bram from bandits two nights ago and then chose to serve him after they¡¯d escaped death together. ¡°Lady¡­Rowan.¡± Saying her name felt uncomfortable to Bram¡¯s tongue. It was, after all, the name of a dead girl. Whether she¡¯d taken it for convenience¡¯s sake or if there was another more interesting reason, Bram wasn¡¯t sure. ¡°Thank you, My Prince,¡± said the trickster¡ªno¡ªRowan, for that was who she now was to his household. ¡°It was a comfortable ride.¡± Rowan gave Bram a playful smile as she put up the hood that kept her face veiled from the eyes of strangers. Bram did the same. ¡°Comfortable¡­¡± He eyed the dirt road they¡¯d passed and scowled. Compared to the paved stone highways of the imperium¡¯s wealthier kingdoms, the roads of Lotharin were awful to travel in. Bram¡¯s sore bottom was proof of this. ¡°We can make this better,¡± he whispered. ¡°Even better than the roads of central Atlan.¡± ¡°We will,¡± Rowan agreed. ¡°Now, how far to our destination?¡± ¡°The town of ¡®Reise¡¯ is half a mile to our east,¡± Bram answered. Rowan wrapped herself in the dark green riding cloak Bram had given her as part of their disguise for visiting the countryside without catching the attention of the nobles who were constantly on watch for the prince¡¯s whereabouts. ¡°I do enjoy a leisurely walk,¡± she said. ¡°So do I,¡± Bram agreed. ¡°Though I enjoy riding just as much.¡± His thoughts turned to Renfri who now had a cozy room in his bastion¡¯s stables. Fortunately, Rowan, who¡¯d tasted Bram¡¯s blood on the night they met, managed to retrieve Renfri from the stables of the town Bram had left the hart in, and then used it to bring the prince back to Bastille. ¡°Renfri is a good companion,¡± Rowan said as if she¡¯d read his thoughts. ¡°He is,¡± Bram agreed. Then added, ¡°But I did want you to experience this invention of the modern world too.¡± The prince spent a long moment admiring the auto-carriage that had taken them from his bastion to the eastern outskirts of Bastille Shire where the quaint little town of Reise lay nestled underneath the shadow of the very mountain Bram had scaled to find the cursed cave. A sleek coat of bright scarlet enveloped the four-seater carriage with its four wooden wheels wrapped in supple leather, the internal sorcerite engine growling noisily underneath the driver¡¯s seat¡ªtruly, the auto-carriage was an ingenious invention, a marvel of modern-day life in the Atlan Imperium. ¡°We can improve on its design,¡± Bram mused out loud, his thoughts drifting to the sleek otherworldly carriage that had rammed into him in his most recent dream. ¡°Add springs to the undercarriage or swap out the tires¡¯ leather wrap for ones made of hardened sap from a rubber tree might help absorb some of the shock that comes from traveling on a rough road.¡± ¡°Rubber¡­tires?¡± the broad-shouldered coachman chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s a daft idea.¡± But then Baer¡¯s face turned the same color as his auto-carriage. ¡°Begging your pardon, Your Highness,¡± he added quickly. ¡°I only meant¡ª¡± ¡°¡ªyou¡¯re not wrong. It is a mad idea.¡± Chuckling, Bram turned his back to the coachman. ¡°Wait for us here, Baer. We¡¯ll return in the afternoon.¡± They walked in silence while their feet carried them closer to the split in the road that marked the entrance to the town. In that time, Bram contemplated his coachman¡¯s lack of imagination¡ªthe spark that fueled innovation and progress¡ªand wondered if the commoners of his shire were of a similar mind. Would the people of Bastille even appreciate what he was trying to do for them? ¡°I sense your doubts,¡± Rowan said as she matched his quicker pace. ¡°I have no doubts.¡± Bram took a deep breath and then let it all out as if he were expelling doubt from his body. ¡°I¡¯m not allowed to doubt.¡± ¡°True, doubt cannot exist on the path we walk,¡± Rowan agreed. ¡°Though it is admirable that you would consider the opinions of others, remember that someone¡¯s point of view is often shaped by their surroundings, meaning¡ª¡± ¡°¡ªthey can be changed,¡± Bram deduced. ¡°Exactly,¡± Rowan answered. ¡°Change doesn¡¯t always happen. Some biases take root too deeply in a person¡¯s mind for it to accept change,¡± Bram argued. ¡°True enough¡­ ¡®Tis the age-old question of nature versus nurture.¡± Rowan eyed Bram curiously. ¡°Would this not hold true as well for those mortals of the other world you wish to employ?¡± ¡°I have an idea about that, but first¡­¡± He stopped walking. ¡°¡­Time to see if Reise is a suitable destination to host our future guests.¡± They arrived at the split in the road. A short distance to their right lay the town of Reise with its high stone walls casting shadows over the surrounding grounds. Beyond these walls, Bram saw the tops of straw thatched roofs with the tall steeple bell tower of the sun god¡¯s temple further in. ¡°Reise¡­ ¡®tis a word of the old tongue,¡± Rowan¡¯s face turned contemplative. ¡°Do you know its meaning?¡± ¡°It means journey.¡± Bram grinned. ¡°It¡¯s why I chose the town.¡± Getting into Reise wasn¡¯t difficult because the prince could don a disguise as easily as slapping dirt across his face. Today he had dyed his hair a bright red, though he couldn¡¯t quite copy the luster of Rowan¡¯s scarlet locks. He wore a red cape too, though it was nothing fancy. Just something bright a bard might wear. His favorite lute¡ªwhich Rowan retrieved along with Renfri¡ªhung on his back. These were enough to convince the two guards protecting Reise¡¯s wooden gate that Bram was indeed a bard looking for work inside the town. ¡°You¡¯re a bard, but you¡¯ve got the build of a mercenary too,¡± noticed the older-looking guard whose shabby spear floated in the air at his side, proof that even commoners possessed more magic than Bram did. ¡°I hear the mercenary guild¡¯s looking for recruits. You¡¯re welcome to find work there too so long as you don¡¯t cause no trouble with the locals.¡±The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. He eyed Bram up and down¡ªimpressed by the young man¡¯s physique¡ªbefore switching his gaze to Rowan. ¡°And¡ª¡± It was hard not to stare. For even with her hood covering most of Rowan¡¯s face, one couldn¡¯t help but imagine the beauty hiding underneath. Her allure was that potent. ¡°Venna¡¯s breath¡­¡± The younger guard invoked the name of the Goddess of Love for he too couldn¡¯t help staring. Bram chuckled. He stepped between the guards and Rowan to shield her from their gaze with his body. The effect was immediate. With the trickster hidden from view, both guards began to blink as if they¡¯d just woken up from a daze. ¡°We¡¯ll head in now if that¡¯s alright, bruv,¡± Bram said in his practiced commoner¡¯s drawl. ¡°S-Sure,¡± the older guard replied. While the younger guard said, ¡°W-Welcome to Reise!¡± They crossed through the gate and into a wide cobblestone street enclosed by quaint-looking buildings on either side of it. These buildings were mostly two to three-story houses of timber framing with stone or plaster between their wooden frames. They looked shabby compared to the tall manses and manicured lawns of Bastille¡¯s Hightown, but the variety of colors painted on each dwelling¡¯s wall gave the town a festive feel that Bram didn¡¯t dislike. ¡°They call Reise the rainbow town,¡± he recalled. ¡°Now I see why.¡± Rowan¡¯s eyes lit up with wonder at the sight of the street and the people walking it; the locals who hung close to their homes, and the travelers wearing clothes different from the styles of the region who wielded sorcery to carry their heavily laden shopping bags aloft in the air around them. ¡°I like it,¡± she said as if that settled their choice. ¡°Shall we go exploring?¡± It wasn¡¯t long before they found a line of shops and stalls further along Reise¡¯s main street. Smithies and apothecaries that seemed busy with mid-morning shoppers, as well as storefronts with a variety of offerings which filled the air with many scents that drew in visitors like moths to a flame. The curious Rowan was no different. ¡°What¡¯s this made of?¡± the trickster asked as she picked up a small, pink bar that smelled of roses. Bram, who¡¯d come up behind her, sighed. Unlike his practiced commoner¡¯s drawl, Rowan sounded like a noble. The curly-haired, middle-aged woman manning her stall noticed this too. ¡°It¡¯s soap from the port of Norfolk,¡± explained the shopkeeper offering Rowan a sly smile. ¡°Most highborn ladies pay a premium for it, but I¡¯ll give it to you at a discount on account of how pretty you are¡­ lass.¡± It seemed she¡¯d chosen not to bring attention to the trickster. Bram thought this was a show of discretion rarely seen amongst commoners. Rowan seemed to think so too when she glanced over her shoulder to wink at him. ¡°Buy me this.¡± So, Bram returned the shopkeeper¡¯s smile. ¡°How much, love?¡± ¡°Venna¡¯s breath¡­¡± His smile was so pleasing that the shopkeeper couldn¡¯t help but blush. ¡°For such a lovely pair, forty copper griffins a bar. Sixty gets you two.¡± Despite her compliment, one of Bram¡¯s eyebrows twitched upward. ¡°That¡¯s a little pricey for soap, ain¡¯t it?¡± Ten more coppers and he could afford to buy himself a decent dinner in the town¡¯s inn. ¡°The craftmanship¡¯s worth that much, lad,¡± the shopkeeper insisted. ¡°Plus, goods from up the Rhyne have gone scarce on account of the north lessening trade with the center.¡± Bram frowned. It was true that trade with the northern region of Rhyneland had lessened since he took office weeks ago. Bram thought this was just the northern nobles expressing their discontent with him, but what if there was more to it than that? ¡°Aye, we¡¯ve heard these rumblings in Bastille too¡­¡± He leaned in as if to whisper in the shopkeeper¡¯s ears. ¡°Seems silly to me that they¡¯d stall trade just to start a pissing contest with an imp.¡± ¡°It¡¯s more than simple piss they¡¯re looking to deal him¡­or so I¡¯ve heard.¡± The shopkeeper rapped her fingers conspicuously against the wooden counter. Bram assumed this gesture meant her information was worth something, and so he planted two silver griffins on the wood. An extra hundred and sixty coppers worth of information was a generous deal in his opinion. Enough at least to loosen one¡¯s lips¡ªand the shopkeeper seemed to agree. ¡°The mercenary guild¡¯s sent out a call for strapping young lads like you,¡± she began in a low tone, ¡°and they only do that if they need hands, which only happens¡ª¡± ¡°¡ªIn wartime,¡± Bram deduced. ¡°Aye,¡± the shopkeeper nodded. ¡°Now, this isn¡¯t confirmed, so take it with a grain of salt, but I¡¯ve heard it¡¯s the northern nobles who¡¯ve been hiring all the famous mercenary companies in Lotharin. Only, we¡¯re not at war with any kingdoms bordering us¡­¡± ¡°¡­So, the coming conflict¡¯s internal,¡± Bram guessed. ¡°Just one thing¡¯s changed these past months, and that¡¯s the imp prince taking over as guv¡¯nor¡­¡± She leaned over her counter so that only Bram and Rowan could hear her. ¡°The northern nobles haven¡¯t been this riled up since¡±¡ªshe paused for effect¡ª¡°the fall of House Wolfe¡­¡± Bram glanced sideways at Rowan. From what he recalled; Wolfe was the house of the dead girl whose name she took. ¡°You ask me, they¡¯re getting greedy challenging an imp,¡± the shopkeeper chuckled nervously. ¡°He may be an ill-fated prince, but he¡¯s still the sovereign¡¯s pup.¡± Bram¡¯s eyes twitched at hearing his ill-fated moniker. ¡°¡­And your source?¡± She tried taking the coins from the counter, but he wouldn¡¯t let go. The woman cast a nervous glance on both sides of the street before she admitted, ¡°My husband. He¡¯s a clerk for the mayor¡¯s office. Heard it from his lips myself.¡± ¡°Thanks for the soap.¡± Bram let the shopkeeper take the coins while he straightened up. ¡°And the kind words.¡± The hooded pair continued along the cobbled road, making sure they were out of earshot from the shopkeeper with her loose tongue before Rowan spoke her mind. ¡°Do you think the northern nobles sent the assassins?¡± ¡°The White Rose moves only at the behest of a royal¡­ Although we can¡¯t discount their involvement, I doubt Lotharin¡¯s nobles have the nerve to murder me without the support of one of my siblings.¡± ¡°Then why court war?¡± ¡°The ill-fated prince is a weak governor without allies to call on. I would be the perfect hostage for the northern nobles of Lotharin to control.¡± ¡°So, a show of force to change your point of view and turn you into their puppet.¡± ¡°Nature versus violent nurture¡­¡± ¡°A rebellion for power¡­ How like your gods you humans are,¡± Rowan giggled. ¡°It¡¯s not just for power,¡± Bram reasoned. ¡°The port cities of Rhyneland provide most of the trade in Lotharin, which means they¡¯re better off than the rest of the kingdom, but even with all the trade they do with the other kingdoms, the north can¡¯t escape the decline that¡¯s gripped the rest of Lotharin¡­¡± ¡°You speak as if you understand them.¡± ¡°They seek change, a chance to uplift their people, through violence or coercion if necessary¡­ It¡¯s not so different from what we¡¯re planning.¡± ¡°The one difference is that you want what¡¯s best for the whole kingdom. The north does not. If they did, they would have attempted to work with you before considering more drastic measures.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not wrong¡­¡± At this point, the pair had passed the shops along the main street and moved on to the residential area which was in the same lane. ¡°¡®Tis as if this town grew on a single stretch of road.¡± Many of their fellow commuters cast sidelong glances at Rowan and her burly companion. Such gazes followed the duo¡¯s backs long after they¡¯d walked past. Feeling the heat of their stares on his spine, Bram sighed. ¡°Can you do nothing about your¡­whatever it is you do?¡± ¡°Could you ask a butterfly to polymorph into a moth?¡± Rowan countered. Smiling, she added, ¡°You¡¯re no better. I¡¯ve noticed more than a few young ladies giggling at the sight of you.¡± Bram couldn¡¯t help feeling a little smug. ¡°I guess I¡¯m a butterfly too.¡± Past the residential area of colorful dwellings was Reise¡¯s town square; a cobblestone expanse of thirty yards in length and width that was surrounded by grand buildings on all sides. Amongst these important structures were the mayor¡¯s manse, the sun god¡¯s temple, and the town¡¯s only inn. The mayor¡¯s manse was a gaudy display of color¡ªa fa?ade of reds, blues, greens, and indigos¡ªthat demanded the attention of first-time visitors. ¡°¡®Tis like a painting made by one locked in a fever dream¡­ Your otherworlders will enjoy seeing such a novelty.¡± ¡°Any attraction that catches their interest is good for us.¡± Beside the mayor¡¯s manse was a well-manicured lawn, the only one Bram had seen since he arrived at Reise. Behind this lawn was a temple to the sun god; thick round pillars held up a domed portico at the front of a raised rectangular building made entirely of expensive white stone. There was also a steeple bell tower whose golden bell had begun to announce the arrival of noonday. ¡°Excessively extravagant,¡± Rowan whispered, ¡°so like Phoebus, the arrogant prick.¡± The temple¡¯s obvious extravagance wasn¡¯t the only issue¡ªit was the smell. A stench of recently burnt flesh wafted toward the pair who stood by the road, neither of them unable to turn their gaze away from the sight of a corpse that had been burned on the stake erected to the side of the temple¡¯s front lawn. ¡°What crime deserves such an ignoble death¡­?¡± Rowan asked. ¡°Heresy,¡± Bram answered. The burning of heretics at the stake was a common sight throughout the Imperium whose gods¡¯ demanded piety from nobles and commoners alike. It was an especially regular occurrence here in Lotharin where the sun god¡¯s influence was great. As if her earlier excitement for Reise was but an illusion, Rowan¡¯s crimson eyes flared with hate. Bram noticed this physical change that came with the heavy pressure of magic leaking out of her. Others would notice this too if the trickster¡¯s irritation wasn¡¯t quelled quickly. ¡°If it annoys you that much, then why not give them a taste of their own medicine,¡± he suggested. ¡°I enjoy the way you think.¡± Rowan¡¯s face lit up like a candle was alight inside her head. ¡°Wait here. I¡¯ll only be a minute.¡± She crossed over to the edge of the temple¡¯s lawn and then knelt to touch its grass. This curious scene lasted but a moment, and then Rowan was back next to Bram and smiling impishly at him as if her earlier tantrum had never happened. ¡°Feeling better?¡± ¡°Much.¡± He noticed the cut on the forefinger of her hand. Seeing the bead of blood leaking from it sent his gaze drifting back to the temple¡¯s lawn. It was a small change, but the grass that Rowan had touched was beginning to wilt. Bram didn¡¯t doubt that the rest of the lawn would soon follow. ¡°Bloody hell.¡± He couldn¡¯t help smiling. She was a trickster after all. ¡°I seem to have worked up an appetite,¡± Rowan said as she linked her arm around his. ¡°Shall we have luncheon?¡± Chapter 08: The Greatest Lie Ever Told CHAPTER EIGHT The Greatest Lie Ever Told
The Journey¡¯s Respite was the last of Reise¡¯s attractions that Bram and Rowan visited. Its interior wasn¡¯t anything like the fashionable inns of Bastille¡¯s Hightown, but it was cleaner than Bram expected. The seats they found at the Respite¡¯s bar were comfortable, while the food brought to their table¡ªplates of meaty sausages, squashed potatoes, and hot onion soup¡ªsmelled scrumptious and looked delicious despite its commoner appeal. More importantly, at least for Bram, there were few patrons at this hour, giving the duo the privacy required to continue their conversation. ¡°Did you see the armed men milling around the square?¡± Rowan asked. Bram¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°I noticed the mercenaries.¡± It would¡¯ve been harder not to notice them. There had been too many able-bodied people lined up outside the local mercenary guild¡¯s front door. ¡°They looked eager¡­excited,¡± Bram deduced. ¡°The excitement of those who smell opportunity coming and have begun preparing for it.¡± ¡°This gives credibility to the shopkeeper¡¯s tale,¡± Rowan agreed, ¡°The rebellion of your northern nobles may begin soon.¡± ¡°Which is why we need to move up the timeline of our plans,¡± Bram insisted. ¡°How soon can we summon the first¡ª¡± A young server arrived to drop a bottle of cheap ale on their table, drawing Bram and Rowan to silence until she left. ¡°I do not believe myself to be an altruist,¡± Rowan¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, ¡°but are you certain you want to summon unsuspecting otherworlders during a time of brewing conflict?¡± The thought of using innocent lives to fight for him ate at Bram¡¯s conscience. However, the prince knew he had no other recourse because he had no allies to call on. ¡°Honestly, it¡¯s like poison to my soul¡­ I have no choice but to swallow this bitter pill, but don¡¯t worry. I have an idea of how to make it more palatable.¡± In his youth, Bram had researched all the ways one could acquire power without magic, and apart from the martial styles of the eastern continent, the seventh prince had found hope in the ancient legends of long-lost civilizations that had once populated Aarde before the time of the Imperium¡¯s rise. Among such legends was a tale of demigod-like beings called the fae who wielded trickery and bargains to steal the souls of mortals who¡¯d captured their attention, forcing these mortals to serve and entertain the fae whilst they slept. In those sleeping hours, they were transported to the fae courts to live half their lives in a magical realm. While in waking, these same mortals were returned to their regular lives to live as they would until they were called again in their dreams. ¡°I know of what you speak of¡­¡± A shadow passed over Rowan¡¯s face, though it lasted only a moment before her smile returned. ¡°And yes, such a scheme is possible for our situation. Instead of summoning their bodies to Aarde, we could limit it to the otherworlder¡¯s soul instead, ensuring that they remained tethered to their world while they live in ours.¡± ¡°That¡¯s brilliant!¡± Bram took a bite of sausage, pairing it with a spoonful of squashed potato. ¡°So long as their bodies remain in their world, any deaths on Aarde won¡¯t be permanent.¡± ¡°Such deaths will leave scars on their souls.¡± ¡°Life is pain. We both know that.¡± Life on Aarde was difficult even for the nobles who could afford to live in it. ¡°We can¡¯t simply steal their souls either¡­¡± The thought of such a theft made Bram¡¯s stomach churn. He didn¡¯t want to become a tyrant who forced others into submission. ¡°We¡¯ll make the transfer an enticing one that they¡¯ll want to seek out repeatedly.¡± Rowan¡¯s hand froze in the middle of slicing a sausage so that she could look up from her plate. ¡°What sort of trickery would entice them to give up half their lives to us?¡± Bram recalled a vision of the other world that had fascinated him during his youth. It was an interesting contraption; a black box with glowing knobs and the visor and gloves that came with it. He¡¯d learned in his dreams that this object was like a magic tool that allowed the people of the other world to experience strange and fantastical things as a form of entertainment. ¡°They called it¡­virtual reality.¡± The words felt unnatural to Bram¡¯s tongue. ¡°A kind of illusion magic, I think¡­ It¡¯s a game many of them play.¡± ¡°And you mean to trick these otherworlders into thinking they¡¯re playing this sort of game?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°And when they die¡­what then?¡± Rowan challenged. ¡°Will they simply return to Aarde when next they play like the undead fiends of old frightening your people with their undying nature?¡± Bram shook his head. ¡°For this to work, both sides must be fooled into believing the lie.¡± The prince contemplated this while he ate another slice of sausage. ¡°After dying once, they¡¯ll be forced to start over under a new guise different from their last life¡­¡± Bram took a swig of wine. It left a lackluster taste on his tongue, though not as foul as grog. ¡°Their past achievements will remain in recorded history, but the people of Lotharin won¡¯t recognize their new guises.¡± ¡°Assuming their faces remain the same, this will require tricking the minds of the locals as well so that they won¡¯t see these otherworlders from being the same person as the one that recently died,¡± Rowan deduced. ¡°It¡¯s possible then?¡± Bram sounded hopeful. ¡°There¡¯s nothing easier than tricking a mind into believing the improbable is impossible¡­¡± Rowan¡¯s brow creased. ¡°Still, to redo a life from scratch after having spent a great deal of effort on it¡­this sounds more like a punishment than a game.¡± ¡°An easy game is a boring one,¡± Bram insisted. ¡°And a game too challenging will not attract the numbers you require,¡± Rowan countered. ¡°It will,¡± Bram said confidently. ¡°Aarde is a realm of wonders that will fascinate the otherworlders just as I am in awe of my visions of their world. Once they have had a taste of Aarde, they will long for it, desire to dwell in it, and choose to explore it of their own free will.¡± ¡°¡®Tis true that men are easily swayed by beauty and wonder,¡± Rowan conceded, then adding, ¡°And you may be right that Aarde will fascinate them but living in a new land and fighting in a war are two different matters. How will you persuade them to join the undertaking?¡± ¡°Humans are filled with desire, and what they can¡¯t achieve in their world, we must make them believe they can achieve here.¡± ¡°You think them too like you.¡± ¡°They must be¡­¡± Bram gulped down the entire glass of cheap wine as if to fortify himself for his next words. ¡°Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t have such a strong connection to them like I do now.¡± ¡°Perhaps,¡± Rowan conceded again. ¡°But why would they risk pain and suffering for you?¡± ¡°You underestimate a person¡¯s capacity to endure strife and struggle to achieve their dreams,¡± Bram answered. ¡°Certainly, they may choose to fight and die, but why would they choose the ill-fated prince?¡± Rowan challenged. Bram frowned at hearing his ill-fated moniker from her lips. ¡°Must you say that name¡­?¡± ¡°Oh, don¡¯t be mad. I thought I would try it out once.¡± She smiled impishly at him. ¡°Still, my question stands. Why you when they could easily choose another of Atlan¡¯s nobles to serve?¡± ¡°They can¡¯t.¡± ¡°Why not?¡± ¡°The system we build will have safeguards to ensure our interests are prioritized.¡± He poured more wine for himself and Rowan. ¡°It will grant them their heart¡¯s desire while binding them to me, you, and Lotharin.¡± ¡°And what of their freedom?¡± Rowan asked. She took a sip of wine. Her wrinkling nose told Bram she did not enjoy its taste. ¡°They will be free to choose how they live their lives on Aarde but within the limitations of the system,¡± Bram answered. ¡°I see.¡± Rowan smiled again. Wider this time. ¡°Limit their choices to those that will benefit only the great undertaking.¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Bram replied. Then, with an ironic expression on his face, he added, ¡°It will be the greatest lie ever told¡­¡± Rowan shook her head. ¡°Not a lie, My Prince,¡± she whispered, tilting Bram¡¯s chin up with delicate fingers so that they locked gazes. ¡°It will be the greatest trick ever sold.¡±
Bram and Rowan left Reise with full stomachs and happy thoughts. They came scouting for a town that had the infrastructure already set in place to help otherworlders begin their journey on Aarde without any nobles around to impede them. Reise¡¯s amenities were deemed passable by the duo, and with a little capital investment from Bram, it would serve as an excellent base of operations from which to begin their grand undertaking. ¡°About this system¡­¡± Rowan glanced sideways at Bram who walked alongside her on the dirt road. ¡°How exactly do you plan to build it?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll find others to help us manage and improve it, to extend its influence across two worlds, but the system exists already,¡± Bram replied. Rowan¡¯s face lit up with understanding. ¡°The fascinating sorcery inside of you¡­it works as a guide to aid in your improvement, does it not?¡±This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. ¡°For years its existence was just a reminder of my failings. Only with your help did the system finally become of use.¡± Bram chuckled at this strange twist of fortunes. ¡°Honestly, I didn¡¯t plan on using the system for this, but it¡¯s become the perfect tool to rope the otherworlders into our plans.¡± ¡°Then I am to be the battery that will empower this system so that we might share it with the otherworlders?¡± ¡°Will you be able to do it?¡± ¡°I will¡­though it will weaken me greatly.¡± Bram¡¯s steps slowed. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Like any act of sorcery, the magic required for so great a trick will consume most of mine¡­and it will continue to drain me so long as I maintain it, which also means I can be of no help should your enemies choose to strike at us again.¡± Bram¡¯s face turned contemplative. ¡°What if we found other magical sources that could help empower your spell¡­sources you might be able to absorb to replenish your power?¡± ¡°¡®Tis as if you¡¯ve read my mind.¡± Rowan linked her arm around Bram¡¯s. ¡°There are many artifacts on Aarde that I could use to supplement my strength¡­ Relics that could make me stronger.¡± ¡°Relics¡­¡± Bram couldn¡¯t help smiling. ¡°You speak of items that hold divinity in them?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no magic more delectable than that which comes from the arrogant gods,¡± Rowan answered. Bram recalled such relics that he¡¯d read about during his research. They were many and varied, these powerful sources of magic and divinity; the bones of saints, rings of power, the vestiges of past champions, even the great symbols of the high clergy¡­ ¡°We¡¯ll use the otherworlders to seek these sources out,¡± he promised. ¡°Good.¡± Rowan led Bram onward as if they were lovers taking a stroll at a park. ¡°I too will need to grow stronger if I am to have my vengeance¡­¡± As she said this, Bram recalled an interesting sight he¡¯d seen after they left the Journey¡¯s Respite. One where a well-manicured lawn had turned into a wasteland of shriveled grass and dead earth while the clerics of the sun god Phoebus tried desperately to cure the now-blighted lawn with sorcery fueled by divinity. They¡¯d failed. Rowan¡¯s curse was that potent. ¡°We shall both have our hearts¡ª¡± He frowned. They had walked a fair distance from Reise and could now see the auto-carriage that waited for them. Only, as he saw it idling there by the side of the road, Bram couldn¡¯t help but feel that something was amiss. It was just a feeling, but the prince had learned to trust his gut. ¡°Rowan¡­can you sense anything?¡± ¡°I wondered if you would notice.¡± ¡°What do you see?¡± ¡°¡®Tis not what I see, but what I smell.¡± Rowan tapped a finger against her nose. ¡°They are very potent, the stench of blood and steel¡­¡± ¡°How many?¡± ¡°More than enough to trouble you.¡± ¡°What do you¡­?¡± Rowan unlinked herself from him and then stepped aside. A smile, impish and taunting, appeared on her face. It was the face of a true trickster. ¡°If the power inside of you is to be the backbone of our great undertaking, should we not attempt a trial of its capabilities?¡± Rowan¡¯s gaze drifted to the sword tied to Bram¡¯s waist. ¡°Wield this sorcery to fight, struggle, and live.¡± Her voice had become like the booming challenge of a thunderclap. ¡°Show me you are worthy of your great ambition!¡± Bram sighed. Truthfully, he¡¯d been expecting this. The moment that the trickster of legend would demand proof of his determination¡ªhis worth. He would show her. As always, Bram had a plan. ¡°Watch me then.¡± Excitement filled the prince¡¯s expression. ¡°Show status.¡± The All-Seeing Eye blinking at the corner of his vision expanded, unveiling a ghostly blue window that gave Bram the quantitative representation of his abilities.
HEALTH POINTS (HP): 120
MAGIC POINTS (MP): 10
STAMINA POINTS (SP): 200
FATIGUE: 10%
STRENGTH: 20
DEXTERITY: 15
CONSTITUTION: 12
INTELLIGENCE: 15
WISDOM: 10
WILLPOWER: 10
POINTS TO DISTRIBUTE: 10
There was a blinking (+) symbol beside intelligence that made Bram tap on it, causing a new notification to appear.
ALERT! [Administrator Lv.1] combined with your body¡¯s unique condition alters the effects of certain attributes. Increased [Intelligence] will not stimulate the growth of your magic power. Magic power [MP] is set to [10] until your body¡¯s condition improves or the penalties of [Administrator Lv.1] are removed.
I was prepared for this¡­ Bram tapped on [Administrator Lv.1] next.
JOB: Administrator
LEVEL: 1
RATING: Unique
DESCRIPTION: You are both the creator and the first user of the system that has yet to receive a name. It is a system designed to assist in the growth of future champions, offering a training regimen that ensures further development of one¡¯s talents while providing opportunities to earn exclusive rewards.
It seemed strange to Bram that such promising sorcery could not help him in his youth.
As an administrator, you have full control of the system¡¯s operation. However, to ensure fairness, certain functions geared for development are restricted for you. These penalties can be removed after you grow in your role and once a system update is available.
The notification failed to explain how growth was possible. Nor did it detail what a system update meant or how to trigger one. These inconsistencies did not deter Bram, however, as he¡¯d vowed to figure out all there was to learn of it soon enough.
Administrators are not allowed to change to other jobs. As such, you will not have the chance to learn abilities related to these jobs.
So, others might be able to switch professions at a whim while I am stuck in place¡­ How infuriating. The final lines of [Administrator Lv.1] were a list of his abilities.
ACTIVE ABILITIES: [Status Emulation Lv.1] [Ability Replication Lv.1]
PASSIVE ABILITIES: N/A
His abilities list was rather empty, which Bram thought was strange since he¡¯d trained in many martial styles to supplement his lack of magic. Even stranger, not even his bardic talents were listed among his abilities. It¡¯s like I¡¯m being told I¡¯m not good enough yet to have them on my status. This obliviousness to his talents didn¡¯t dishearten him though. Instead, Bram took it as a challenge to prove the system wrong. I¡¯ll make you recognize me properly one day. As Bram checked the first of his only two abilities, a new incantation appeared in his mind¡¯s eye. ¡°Emulate¡­¡±
ABILITY: Status Emulation Lv.1
TYPE: Active
DESCRIPTION: allows you to temporarily copy the status of a chosen target or saved profile. Depending on several factors, a percentage of that target¡¯s status will become yours, including certain applicable abilities. The percentage of emulation, duration, usage, cooldown, and number of saved profiles will increase with higher levels.
DURATION: 2 minutes
USE: 1/1
COOLDOWN: 4 Hours (Short Rest)
SAVED PROFILES: 0/3
ALERT! There is one target available for emulation. Would you like to copy the status of [Rowan Wolfe]?
Curious that even the system recognizes her chosen name¡­?
[YES] [NO]
Necessity drove Bram to tap on [YES]. With this choice, a great deal of pain wracked his body¡ªand then oblivion took him. Chapter 09: Glimpse of Power CHAPTER NINE Glimpse of Power
Bram had lost consciousness for only a moment, but when he came to, the prince was kneeling on the ground and spilling most of his lunch onto the dirt. Despite his condition though, Bram¡¯s gaze was alert and searching. As for Rowan, she was gone. Bram seemed to recall seeing her turn to mist as he blacked out. Strange how thick fog was beginning to rise from the ground to coil around his wrists and ankles soon after her disappearance.
[ALERT! [Status Emulation Lv.1] was successful. Your status will temporarily be updated to reflect the boons earned from the target¡¯s data. Please wait while the system performs the necessary calculations¡­]
¡°Gah!¡± Bram gasped. The prince felt pain wracking his body as what seemed like a thousand volts of power had begun to stream into his veins, the blood vessels and unused magic circuits that spread throughout his form. ¡®Ping!¡¯ ¡®Ping!¡¯ ¡®Ping!¡¯ Notifications continued to appear, but it was a struggle for Bram just to browse their contents.
WARNING! Your body is not strong enough to wield the power of an [^#$% ^&$]¡­
Try as he might, he couldn¡¯t understand the meaning of those words. With each attempt, more pain lanced into his brain. ¡°Argh¡­¡±
¡­Only [1%] of the target¡¯s status is useable. Be warned, you may accumulate damage while the emulation continues.
If even just one percent of Rowan¡¯s power was transferred to him, he imagined it would be more than enough to deal with whatever had made him wary. It had to be.
WARNING! You have no Magic Power [MP] to wield the target¡¯s borrowed abilities. However, it is possible to use Health Points [HP] as a substitute¡­ Would you like to switch to HP instead?
To use his life force to empower an ability¡­this sounded a lot like blood magic. Bram had little choice but to take the risk, however, because he couldn¡¯t argue morality with his conscience if he was already dead.
[YES] [NO]
¡°Fine¡­yes.¡±
ALERT! You may now use HP to wield your borrowed abilities. Be warned, each ability you use will drain you of your health. The stronger the ability, the more health you¡¯ll lose.
¡°A double-edged sword¡­this will be fun.¡±
WARNING! The strain of emulation is weakening your body further. Your Stamina Points [SP] are being used to counteract this effect.
¡°Phoebus¡¯ cock¡­You¡¯re full of ill tidings.¡±
ALERT! The system is still calculating the [1%] increase in your status. Refrain from taking action while this is in progress.
Unfortunately, it seemed Bram wouldn¡¯t be able to follow the system¡¯s recommendation. For he now saw the cause of his earlier trepidation. Four men appeared from behind the auto-carriage¡ªand Bram knew at least one of them. ¡°Baer¡­¡± The auto-carriage¡¯s broad-shouldered coachman was in the lead, although it didn¡¯t look like Baer had arrived to help his master. The contempt on the coachman¡¯s face was too noticeable. Nor did Baer try to hide the bearded axe he held in each of his hands. ¡°Now I have proof¡­there are spies in my household.¡± ¡°Sorry, Your Highness,¡± the pale-skinned coachman grinned yellowing teeth at Bram, ¡°but we¡¯ve been promised a lot of griffins to bring you in. Alive, of course, but it doesn¡¯t mean we can¡¯t get rough if you¡¯re unwilling to cooperate.¡± If Bram wasn¡¯t in such pain, he would¡¯ve spat a curse at the traitor. All he could do was show Baer a vulgar gesture he¡¯d learned from his otherworldly visions¡ªthe dastardly middle finger. ¡°What¡¯s he doing?¡± asked the oily-haired, gruff-looking fellow to the right of Baer. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± replied the bald, heavy-bearded bloke to the left of the coachman. ¡°Maybe he¡¯s trying to point up¡­?¡± ¡°Why doesn¡¯t he use his pointing finger then?¡± the oily-haired fellow argued. The bald bloke shrugged. ¡°Maybe that¡¯s how fancy imps do it?¡± Yes, the meaning of Bram¡¯s gesture was lost in translation, although the prince didn¡¯t mind if they didn¡¯t understand how he¡¯d just expressed his anger toward them. Flipping them with the middle finger just made him feel better. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with him?¡± asked the fourth man, a blonde youth in the teal gambeson that marked him as one of Bram¡¯s soldiers. ¡°The imp looks like he¡¯s dying¡­¡± Aside from Baer, Bram¡¯s other three would-be-attackers all wore the pale blue-green colors of his household. The sight of these traitors caused the prince¡¯s anger to flare, giving him the strength to rise from the ground on shaky legs so he could face them properly. ¡°Warbringer¡¯s balls,¡± whistled the oily-haired fellow, ¡°looks like he ain¡¯t dying then.¡± With shaking fingers, Bram grasped the hilt of his sword. That was the limit of what he could achieve though. He hadn¡¯t yet regained the strength to unsheathe its blade. ¡°More like he¡¯s spoiling for a fight,¡± the bald bloke chimed in. ¡°He¡¯s got more balls than I¡¯ve heard, our ill-fated prince.¡± He laughed out loud, and except for the blonde youth, the other traitors soon joined in on the merriment. It was a scene of contempt that Bram was quite familiar with. Still, he wasn¡¯t such a pathetic man that he didn¡¯t chafe at their scorning. ¡°You best consider what you¡¯re doing, Your Highness.¡± Baer raised his right hand so that his bearded axe was level with Bram¡¯s eyes. ¡°We may be common folk, but we¡¯ve got more magic in our bones than you¡¯ll ever know.¡± The telltale sparks of sorcery flared out of Baer¡¯s fingers just as a coat of flames wrapped around the axe blade. ¡°Funnily enough¡­¡± the bald bloke drew his sword and then pointed its tip at the ground. In the next second, dirt rose from the earth to weave itself around the blade. ¡°¡­we learned proper sorcery thanks to you wanting to train your guards, imp.¡± ¡°Aye, you trained us hard you did, but you didn¡¯t pay us enough to die for you in a war.¡± The oily-haired fellow licked the blade of his dagger with his tongue and then used sorcery to coat its blade in frost made from spit. ¡°You should¡¯ve paid us more if you didn¡¯t want to get stabbed in the back.¡± Only the blonde youth hadn¡¯t made a move to intimidate Bram. Despite the haze clouding his vision, the prince could see the hesitation on the boy¡¯s face. ¡°Oi,¡± the oily-haired fellow glanced sideways at Baer,¡± didn¡¯t you say there was a woman too?¡± ¡°Aye,¡± replied Baer. ¡°A pretty noble. Too pretty for an ill-fated prince to be fooling around with.¡± ¡°She¡¯s probably just using him just like those other big nob¡ª¡± A look from Baer silenced his oily-haired companion. Bram caught the look, and he could guess what was left unsaid.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°You¡¯re betraying me¡­to the northern nobles,¡± he deduced. All four men stiffened but said nothing. ¡°Never you mind, Imp,¡± replied the bald bloke after a brief bout of uneasy silence. ¡°Now, tell us where the bitch is, and we might let you have fun with her when we¡¯re done. Everyone deserves a last supper.¡± His words made Bram laugh out loud. It was quickly stifled by the pain though. ¡°You would die¡­before you could¡­touch her,¡± he growled. ¡°Look at this daft fool¡±¡ªthe bald bloke pointed at Bram¡¯s shaking legs¡ª¡°trying to be all brave and noble when he¡¯s nearly soiled his pants from fear.¡± ¡°Go to hell,¡± Bram hissed through gritted teeth. ¡°I reckon that¡¯s where you¡¯re going, Imp,¡± the bald bloke chuckled. ¡°Enough, Barret,¡± Baer growled at the bald bloke. He glanced sideways at the oily-haired fellow. ¡°Hans, tie him up. We¡¯ve been standing here too long already.¡± A smiling Hans made slow deliberate steps toward Bram as if he wasn¡¯t at all worried about the sword hanging from the prince¡¯s waist. ¡°Best not try nothing, you hear?¡± Hans brandished his knife around, showing off the frost that coated its blade. ¡°A single cut of this and you¡¯ll be lucky if you only get frostbite.¡± Bram wasn¡¯t paying attention to Hans¡¯ taunts though. He was far too busy looking at the notifications popping up around him.
ALERT! The system has finished its calculations. Your status has been temporarily updated.
Along with this first window came relief. The pain finally subsided to a dull roar that Bram could tolerate enough to not impede his movements.
CONGRATULATIONS! A secondary job has been temporarily added to your status. You are now a [Blood Champion Lv.1]!
Bram¡¯s arms and legs stopped shaking. His ragged breathing stabilized too.
Becoming a [Blood Champion] fills you with power. Based on probability and threat assessment calculations, your physical attributes are temporarily tripled.
STRENGTH: 60
DEXTERITY: 45
CONSTITUTION: 36
Bram could feel his muscles expanding, stretching the fabric of his clothes.
ALERT! Your HP and SP have temporarily increased.
HEALTH POINTS (HP): 360
STAMINA POINTS (SP): 600
The haze that had trapped his mind was gone too.
ALERT! Emulation will last for 2 minutes. Your body may receive penalties once it ends.
WARNING! Your SP is rapidly depleting due to your body¡¯s incompatibility with [Blood Champion]. You will earn more fatigue with every action you take.
Bram inhaled and exhaled, beginning the breathing method he¡¯d been practicing for years to calm his heart, steeling himself for what he had to do next. ¡°You¡¯re a handsome imp.¡± Hans licked his lips. ¡°Tell me, you ever sucked a cock before, Imp?¡± Perhaps if he¡¯d been quicker about it, then Hans might have reached Bram before the prince could fully adapt to the changes in his body. However, Hans, like most men, underestimated Bram. He thought that showing off a bit of sorcery was enough for the prince to cower. Hans should have known better. Despite his many shortcomings, a griffin¡¯s cub was still a griffin¡ªand Bram was much different from who he was moments ago. ¡°You¡¯ll like it.¡± Hans chuckled mischievously. ¡°It¡¯ll be the best thing you¡¯ve ever¡ª¡± Hmmm, hmmm¡­ While humming a tune in his mind, Bram unsheathed his sword, and before Hans could react, the prince sliced into his foe¡¯s midsection. With his borrowed strength, Bram sent the blade out the other side of Hans as easily as if the traitor had been a slab of butter. ¡°Hans!¡± Baer roared, but his warning came too late. Blood sprayed out in all directions as Hans¡¯ upper body toppled over, leaving his lower half twitching for long seconds before it fell limp on the ground too. ¡°Gah!¡± The tune Bram had been humming was cut off as excruciating pain flared out of his wrist to climb up his shoulder like a lightning bolt racing through every nerve. The half of his brain that hadn¡¯t frozen from the sudden pain recognized that he had overused his newfound strength. The bones of his sword arm were unable to handle the strain of his borrowed power. As a result, Bram¡¯s wrist was broken. So were three fingers from his right hand. Indeed, the only reason he stayed conscious was because the prince was unreasonably stubborn. ¡°You shitty imp!¡± Barret roared as he charged at Bram with his sword raised high. ¡°I¡¯m going to cut¡ª¡± All at once, the fog that clung to their knees rose to cover their surroundings, hiding the prince from their sight. This is all the aid I will provide¡­ said a whisper in Bram¡¯s mind. Remember, fortune favors the bold. Rowan¡¯s fog helped conceal the prince from his attackers, but it wasn¡¯t the same for Bram. I see you. They¡¯d look so proud when they showed him what sorcery they¡¯d learned under his household¡¯s banner. How foolish it seemed to Bram now to have been jealous of their talent when the very magic they flaunted was like shiny beacons in this thick fog. Bram summoned his status while he switched his sword to his left hand. Intuitively, he placed all his bonus attribute points into ¡®Constitution¡¯ to help bolster his dwindling health and give him more options when wielding his borrowed power.
The following abilities have been inherited by [Blood Champion Lv. 1].
Only two abilities were usable, but they would be enough. ¡°Show yourself, you blighted imp?!¡± the bald bloke yelled. With his boost in stats, Bram¡¯s movements were inhumanly quick, although it took him precious seconds to figure out the right mix of exertion and restraint so as not to damage his body further. Swift as a flametail leopard, he got behind the fool who kept yelling for him to appear, and with a quick jab of his blade, he pierced the man¡¯s right calf, forcing the bald bloke to stumble forward. ¡°Gah!¡± Barret hissed. ¡°Damn you!¡± Even as he stumbled, Barret twisted his body around and sent his sword careening a full hundred-eighty-degrees¡ªand hit nothing but air. Bram had already stepped out of the blade¡¯s reach, although the prince was unprepared for the thing that came lashing out at him an instant later. He barely parried it¡ªthe whip made of the very dirt that clung to Barret¡¯s sword. It snapped against Bram¡¯s weapon, causing cracks to appear on the blade¡¯s bastion-forged steel. Bloody hell, his brow creased at the sight of these cracks, sorcery is such a cheat power. The enemy¡¯s ¡®Dirt Whip¡¯ came snapping at him again¡ªonce, twice, thrice¡ªwith each swipe at the air barely missing Bram by inches. Despite his impeded vision, Barret¡¯s intuition was inconceivably sharp, and if Bram¡¯s reflexes weren¡¯t magically heightened, the prince would be the one bleeding now. ¡®Snikt!¡¯ Again, Bram got behind his foe, and once more, he made the bald bloke bleed. This time, with a cut that severed the tendon in the man¡¯s heel, forcing him to his knees. It was the kind of swordplay he¡¯d learned from the Delightful Troop¡¯s dueling experts who entertained their audience with long fights full of harrowing moments; to kill not with a single swing of one¡¯s blade, but with a hundred cuts that stole away the enemy¡¯s strength. ¡°Slippery bastard!¡± Barret slammed his free hand against the ground, causing the earth to rumble. ¡°Eat dirt!¡± Dirt and rock rose from the earth around him to dance in the air like tentacles whipping to and from while indiscriminately lashing against the air and snapping at the ground. It was a desperate act of defense, Bram realized, for like a hellhound on the prowl, the prince smelled blood in the air. He¡¯s a lively fellow, but he¡¯s no assassin of the White Rose. Bram ducked, dodged, and slipped past each grainy tentacle in a feat of daring and acrobatics that the prince couldn¡¯t normally achieve. Not without the aid of his newfound power. In the end, like a mighty griffin, Bram descended on his foe. And Barret, who was kneeling on the ground, was unable to see death approaching. ¡°Where are you?!¡± he screamed, his eyes darting left and then right. ¡°I¡¯m right here¡­¡± Bram¡¯s face appeared like a demon jumping out of the fog. It was the last thing Barret saw before the prince¡¯s sword pierced his chest. ¡°Y-You¡ª¡± The man¡¯s blood spilled out of his mouth. The sight of it made Bram¡¯s stomach rumble, and not in an uncomfortable way. ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ When his enemy fell limp against him, Bram¡¯s left hand reached out for the blood dripping down Barret¡¯s chin. ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ His fingers brushed against its crimson stain. ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ Perhaps a taste. Just one. ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ Barret wouldn¡¯t complain. He was already dying. ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ That¡¯s when Bram caught sight of the man¡¯s eyes. They were already devoid of light. ¡°Fuck¡­¡± He stumbled back, his mind reeling from the thought of what he¡¯d nearly attempted. ¡°What¡­what have I become?¡± It was a question no one would answer. Nor was there time for Bram to ponder this strange change in him. For in his moment of confusion, he didn¡¯t see Baer come up from behind. ¡°Found you, Your Highness,¡± Baer whispered. ¡®Clang!¡¯ Sparks flew between them as Bram¡¯s sword blocked the axe blade coated in magical flames. The impact caused more cracks to appear in his own blade, though this was not the worst of Bram¡¯s problems. He hadn¡¯t forgotten that Baer had two bearded axes, but he had no weapon to repel the other. Recklessly, Bram used his left arm to block Baer¡¯s other attack before its momentum could reach its zenith. ¡°You crazy¡ª¡± The coachman¡¯s eyes widened as he watched the blood gushing out of the wound hardening enough to push back against the axe head embedded in the prince¡¯s forearm. Bram recognized the fear flashing on Baer¡¯s face. It made him smile, and only then did both men notice the fangs protruding from behind his upper lip. ¡°Come on, Baer,¡± he growled, ¡°tonight, one of us dines in the seven hells!¡± Chapter 10: A Lesson in Battle CHAPTER TEN A Lesson in Battle
Emulation¡¯s duration: 55 Seconds¡­
ALERT! You have successfully countered with [Iron Blood Lv.1]! A fourth of your remaining HP was consumed to activate this ability.
Oh, whispered a deep, intelligent voice only Bram could hear. Interesting. Thankfully, the points Bram had added to his Constitution were now reflected in his health, bolstering him enough to be more daring.
[HP: 595/660] has dropped to [HP: 446/660]
¡°This is¡­¡± Baer¡¯s eyes widened at the sight of the blood hardening around Bram¡¯s arm. ¡°¡­blood magic?!¡± When those same eyes snapped toward him, Bram saw a myriad of emotions reflected in their gaze. Disbelief, confusion, fear¡ªsuch emotions wafted out of Baer, creating an imbalance in his mind that helped weaken the strength in Baer¡¯s arms enough for Bram to push his broad-shouldered coachman back with his sword. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Bram asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Where¡¯s the confidence you possessed when you thought me weak?¡± ¡°You aren¡¯t supposed to know sorcery!¡± Baer protested. ¡°All I hear¡­¡± Knowing he had under a minute left with ¡®Emulation,¡¯ Bram pressed his advantage. He stepped forward¡ªthe strength in his foot cracking the ground beneath him, causing pain to spike up his leg¡ªand launched a righthanded haymaker at Baer¡¯s chest that carried with it the power that sprung from his lower body. ¡°¡­Is the whining of the unprepared!¡± ¡°Phoebus¡¯ cock!¡± Baer tried to slap Bram¡¯s fist away with the butt of his axe, but the fist extending toward the coachman was encased in the hardened blood that now coated the prince¡¯s entire arm, negating the weakness caused by its broken wrist. ¡®Wham!¡¯ A fist reinforced by ¡®Iron Blood¡¯ slammed into Baer¡¯s solar plexus, forcing the breath from his lungs, and making him stumble backward. ¡°H-How?!¡± The coachman¡¯s face grew pale while blood leaked from the corner of his mouth. ¡°H-How are you wielding sorcery¡ª¡± ¡®Crack!¡¯ Earlier, Bram had displayed the swordplay taught to him by the Delightful Troop. Now, however, he sought to overwhelm Baer with skills that made better use of his ogrish strength. Wielding the style of fist fighting he¡¯d secretly learned two years ago from a revered mystic warrior of the ¡®Mountain Kingdom of Shamvala¡¯ who¡¯d visited his mother¡¯s court to pay homage to the Sovereign, Bram followed up his blood-coated fist with an elbow rising underneath Baer¡¯s chin, cracking against it like a hammer to a nail. Baer staggered backward and was unable to raise a defense against the blood-coated hand, which, after rising upward from that last attack, was now chopping down at him from on high. Strangely, in the face of Bram¡¯s assault, the coachman¡¯s expression lost its confusion. Taking its place was an excitement that seemed out of place considering Baer was about to be struck again. The prince didn¡¯t notice this abrupt change in his coachman¡¯s demeanor though. For within his mind, Bram was too busy feeling thrilled. In his years¡¯ long seclusion, he¡¯d learned all manner of martial arts, believing that a honed body and skills to match it would one day prove useful against a sorcerer in a close-quarters fight. Today, he was proving that his efforts hadn¡¯t been in vain. ¡°Be fuel for my growth!¡± Bram swung his hand down for all it was worth¡ªand that was when he felt pain explode into his arm. ¡°Ugh!¡± Blood spilled out of Bram¡¯s mouth as pain racked his insides. ¡°Damn¡­¡± In his haste, the prince overdid it. As a result, his body strained against the incompatible power rampaging inside him like molten fire racing across his veins. He could press his advantage no longer, and so Bram stumbled back into the embrace of Rowan¡¯s fog, allowing Baer time to recover from his combination of attacks. You were too excited¡­ Bram heard a sigh in the wind that reflected his frustration at failing during such a crucial moment.
45 Seconds¡­
Meanwhile, Baer, who was once again hidden in the fog, howled, ¡°I¡¯ve often heard about your ogrish strength, but this is beyond what a talentless fool can achieve¡­ You¡¯ve done a decent job concealing your fangs!¡± Bram wasn¡¯t sure if it had been due to Rowan¡¯s fog, but the coachman¡¯s voice had changed. It became distorted, deeper, more manic somehow. ¡°You¡¯ve tricked the proud Lotharian nobles into believing you a lamb.¡± Baer let loose a mad cackle, one Bram didn¡¯t think could come from the mouth of the genial coachman who¡¯d served him even before his time in Lotharin. ¡°You¡¯ve even dabbled in blood magic, you daft bastard!¡± Although not illegal in the imperium, many nobles and commoners frowned at those who practiced blood magic because they believed it too dark a branch of sorcery for mortal hands to wield. This bias was especially strong in Lotharin where the influence of the sun god Phoebus and his Temple of Light was deeply rooted in the people¡¯s minds. ¡°I see you for what you are¡ªyou¡¯re no lamb!¡± Baer roared in that strange voice that Bram didn¡¯t recognize. ¡°You and I are alike, Your Highness¡­we¡¯re predators hiding among sheep!¡± The twin flames that marked Baer¡¯s position winked out as if the coachman finally noticed how Bram was tracking him in the thick fog. ¡°I¡¯ve hidden my fangs too¡­¡± Baer¡¯s voice came from many places around Bram. ¡°But I¡¯ll unsheathe them now to tear at you!¡± ¡°Fuck you, Baer!¡± Bram growled defiantly. He wasn¡¯t sure what the coachman was getting at, but his senses told him that his opponent was far different from the two traitors he¡¯d already defeated. Indeed, Bram recalled that Baer was not originally his, but a servant sent to him by the Sovereign¡¯s court during the days when responsibility and duty were still far from his grasp. Baer had never shown him an ounce of disloyalty before today though, so Bram had never suspected the coachman of having ulterior motives or a fractured mind. You have more to learn about intrigue than your troupe has taught you, whispered the voice in the fog.
WARNING! Your HP has dropped below 50%. Your body is suffering from continued use of [Status Emulation Lv.1].
Bram could feel his borrowed power surge inside of him like an unruly beast. He¡¯d felt it from the onset; how alien Rowan¡¯s energy had been compared to anything else he¡¯d witnessed. Despite its inconvenience, he had no choice but to cling to this double-edged boon, for Bram knew that he couldn¡¯t defeat Baer without it. ¡°Oh, fiery spark that refuses to be tamed¡­¡± The coachman¡¯s voice was echoing from around the prince¡¯s left side. He backed away while keeping his bloodstained arm up like a shield. In the same breath, Bram tried desperately to control his breathing to help counteract his internal pain.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°¡­Engulf my enemy in your wicked flame¡­¡± This time, Baer¡¯s voice was to Bram¡¯s right. Bloody hell¡­ He slid to the side just as realization dawned on him. Somehow, Baer can see me in Rowan¡¯s fog¡­ Then he smelled the scent of a flame crackling to life against flesh. This odor drew Bram¡¯s gaze over his shoulder, and that was when he saw the telltale spark of magic glowing in the near distance. ¡°Ray of Fire!¡± There was a sound akin to a hunting horn¡¯s call as the air pressing against Bram¡¯s back grew unreasonably hot, and then a brilliant orange ray shot out of the fog behind him. Like a javelin in flight, it hurtled toward Bram who twisted his body around in a hurry so he could raise his bloodstained arm against Baer¡¯s sorcery. ¡®Boom!¡¯ Smoke and dust billowed out in all directions, clearing the dirt road of Rowan¡¯s fog. When the magic of his sorcery dissipated and the swirling dust settled around him, a gleeful Baer raised his twin axes in triumph. ¡°I beat the imp! I killed him!¡± Baer cackled like he was a man possessed who¡¯d forgotten his original intentions of kidnapping Bram. His eyes, which had become bloodshot, gave him a strangely ghoulish countenance. ¡°I¡¯m not like the idiots who¡¯ve died. I¡¯m one of the chosen! I¡¯m¡ª¡± Twin arms coated in hardened blood enclosed Baer¡¯s chest, wrapping the coachman in a bear hug empowered by ogrish strength. Baer¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°W-What?!¡± He struggled against his attacker, but Bram, with his bloodied face and ragged breath, refused to let his enemy go. He clung to Baer¡¯s back as if his life depended on it. ¡°W-Wait!¡± As he¡¯d once done against a knight of the White Rose, Bram used his borrowed strength to flip Baer over, sending him slamming headfirst onto the dirt with a ¡®Lotharian Suplex¡¯ that was swiftly becoming one of his favorite moves.
8 Seconds¡­
Baer¡¯s head, neck, and back cracked hard against the earth, leaving the coachman groggy and unprepared to fight off Bram who was quick to mount him on the ground. ¡°It¡¯s never wise¡­to count one¡¯s basilisks¡­before they hatch,¡± he taunted. Bram¡¯s lips drew so close to Baer¡¯s neck that his breath tickled the coachman¡¯s flesh. Good, Rowan whispered. Now, drink his blood and know the taste of victory. ¡°S-Stop,¡± Baer pleaded, his voice reverting to the one Bram recognized. ¡°P-Please¡­let me¡ª¡± ¡°No¡­¡± A telltale smile grew on Bram¡¯s face, showing off the twin fangs that pierced into Baer¡¯s neck a second later.
ALERT! The right conditions have been met to activate [Blood Drinking Lv.1] Draining the target¡¯s blood will restore a set amount of HP.
For the blood is the life, came Rowan¡¯s encouraging whisper. Bram had felt it earlier. This desire to taste his enemy¡¯s blood, to drain them of their life force. He¡¯d held himself back against Barret, believing such thoughts to be of evil roots. But now that he was tired and near death, the prince no longer had the will to deny the strange hunger that came over him.
You have activated [Blood Drinking Lv.1]. A third of your total HP is restored. The injury to your right hand has also healed.
ALERT! The duration of [Status Emulation Lv.1] has ended.
ALERT! You are no longer a [Blood Champion]. Your status has reverted.
With his borrowed power gone, the hunger that overwhelmed Bram went with it. His eyes widened as the blood that had been so sweet to his tongue only a second ago morphed into this foul metallic taste that made him gag. His head reared back in disgust only so he could vomit out the leftover blood onto Baer¡¯s face. The coachman didn¡¯t complain though. Baer couldn¡¯t¡­because he was dead. ¡°I¡­¡± With his mouth free of the revolting taste, Bram could now see his handiwork in its entirety. Consumed by devilish hunger, the prince had drained the coachman of every bit of his blood so that Baer¡¯s corpse now looked like one of the husks that had littered the floor of Bram¡¯s bedroom. ¡°I did this¡­?¡± He got up on shaky legs¡ªand that was when he felt his world tilt sideways.
ALERT! You are suffering from the withdrawal of great power. Your fatigue has reached its limits [99%].
Bram didn¡¯t need the system to tell him what he felt in his bones. It was as if his muscles had been torn repeatedly from overexertion during a brief period. Black spots were hovering over his vision. He was also out of breath.
[The system recommends that you refrain from emulating your previous target again. The power of [Rowan Wolfe] is not suitable for your constitution.]
Despite its warning, the system without a name also asked Bram if he wanted to save Rowan¡¯s status in one of his three saved profiles. ¡°Yes¡­¡± He imagined the positives of the power he copied from the trickster outweighed any negatives, and Bram believed he would need such oppressive strength again in the coming days. ¡°You can come out now, Rowan,¡± Bram whispered. ¡°The battle¡ª¡± The prince felt pain blossom in his gut before he saw the dagger that pierced his side. ¡°M-Monster,¡± whispered the owner of the hands that shook while they held onto the dagger¡¯s handle. ¡°You?¡± Bram¡¯s brow creased. He recognized the blonde youth who had been hiding behind Baer and the others. Bram thought the boy had run away when the fight began, but he was wrong. The blonde youth tried to reclaim his dagger, but Bram grabbed his wrist and kept him from pulling the blade out. He knew that the dagger plugged the hole in his gut, and without it, blood would gush out of his wound, taking with it the adrenaline that kept him standing. ¡°M-Monster!¡± The blonde youth cried. Bram frowned. He¡¯d been named an ill-fated prince, a weakling, and a fool, but he¡¯d never been called a monster before or been looked upon with such terror. ¡°You godsdamned fool,¡± Bram growled. Although his physique towered over the blonde youth, he noticed that they were about the same age. This comparison wouldn¡¯t stave off his anger though. Not after the other boy tried to kill him. He reached for his sword with his free hand, but it wasn¡¯t there. He¡¯d lost it in the fight with Baer. With his status reversed, he¡¯d also lost the ability to wield the iron in his blood. There was, however, one weapon nearby. It would be a pain to wield though, the dagger embedded in his side. ¡°You should have¡­remained hidden.¡± Bram grinned bloodstained teeth at the youth. ¡°You should have run¡­¡± His terror of Bram kept the blonde youth paralyzed and unable to dodge the headbutt that bashed against his skull. ¡°Gah!¡± Stunned, the blonde youth¡¯s hands slipped from the dagger. He should have held on. He should have been more desperate to survive like Bram was when he pulled the dagger out of his side with a resolve to kill or be killed keeping him standing. With the last bit of his strength, Bram plunged the dagger into the blonde youth¡¯s chest. The boy cried out, and so did the prince. Together, they toppled over, both hitting the ground at the same time. Although only one of them let out a gasp moments later. ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Bram rolled over so that his gaze was on the late afternoon sky already basking in sunset¡¯s golden glow. ¡°Damn you for¡±¡ªtears pooled around his eyes¡ª¡°forcing me to kill you.¡± While his emotions overwhelmed him¡ªwith the weight of what he¡¯d done pressing against his chest¡ªRowan appeared kneeling at the prince¡¯s side as if she¡¯d been cast out by the surrounding mist that was already beginning to dissipate. ¡°Victory comes with a heavy price.¡± She pressed a hand against his side, causing the pain in his gut to lessen. ¡°I hope you never forget this lesson.¡± Rowan cradled Bram¡¯s head on her lap while the prince wept silently. They were traitors who deserved death, certainly, but Bram couldn¡¯t help feeling remorse for his role as their executioner. He was no killer hiding among regular men like Baer claimed to be, and he abhorred the act of taking a life, though he knew this round of murder wouldn¡¯t be his last. ¡°Does it get any easier?¡± ¡°Unfortunately, yes¡­ Especially for one who allows his anger to get the better of him¡­¡± ¡°I was swept up in my anger while also enjoying a taste of your power, though it made me feel such terrible pain after¡­¡± Bram grimaced. ¡°I hope killing never becomes easy for me¡­¡± ¡°Worry not. I will stay by your side and keep you on the right path¡­¡± She wiped away the strands of hair from his brow. ¡°Now, drink from me and heal.¡± Rowan pressed her wrist to Bram¡¯s mouth, forcing him to drink the blood dripping from a new cut on her flesh. Surprisingly, the taste of it on his tongue didn¡¯t make him gag. Rowan¡¯s blood was different from Baer¡¯s, and Bram drank his fill of it while knowing her power was healing him.
ALERT! Your HP has been restored by half its total. You are no longer at risk of dying.
He sat up feeling much better. A quick inspection of his wounds showed him that they¡¯d scabbed over as if they¡¯d been weeks old instead of being freshly made. ¡°Thank you.¡± The smile Rowan flashed at him caused Bram¡¯s cheeks to redden. ¡°You still have to claim your rewards.¡± That was when Bram finally noticed the ghostly blue windows waiting patiently in the air.
CONGRATULATIONS! You have completed the hidden quest [Battle Tutorial]! Rewards will now be distributed.
¡°This truly is a day of firsts.¡± Bram was smiling now too. ¡°Show me¡­what have I won?¡± Chapter 11: A Meeting of False Smiles CHAPTER ELEVEN A Meeting of False Smiles
CONGRATULATIONS! You have completed the hidden quest [Battle Tutorial]!
QUEST REWARDS: New ability [Last Stand], 200 EXP.
Bram couldn¡¯t help smiling widely at the floating blue window since this was the first time the system had given him the boons he rightly deserved.
ALERT! [Administrator Lv. 1] prevents you from earning job EXP.
It was a happy smile that was quick to vanish. ¡°How will I progress in my job if you deprive me of my experience?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be too discouraged.¡± Rowan patted him gently on the shoulder. ¡°Perhaps there is another path to your growth you¡¯ve yet to discover.¡±
ALERT! You can gain rewards from looting the dead.
¡°Should we check their pockets?¡± Rowan asked. Bram glanced down at the nearest body. The blonde youth¡¯s eyes were devoid of life as they stared up at the sky. His skin was growing paler by the second while dark blood continued to pool underneath his body. ¡°Better to let the dead lie in peace¡­ We have enough griffins.¡± To distract himself from having to think about the recently departed and his role in their demise, Bram checked the status of the ability the system had just rewarded him with.
ABILITY: Last Stand Lv.1
TYPE: Passive
DESCRIPTION: One of noble blood should not easily fall. When health drops to zero, you gain a measure of protection from death and regain 1 HP. You are also immune to sorcery that deals instant death to targets so long as Last Stand is still available.
COOLDOWN: 24 hours
To survive death¡¯s touch once a day, ¡®Last Stand¡¯ was quite a boon for the prince. One that would prove helpful should the worst-case scenario occur. ¡°It rewards you with what you need to ensure your continued growth while taking into consideration our circumstances¡­this system is quite intuitive,¡± Rowan said in an impressed tone. ¡°Not as intuitive as it should be,¡± Bram grumbled. He hadn¡¯t forgotten that the system without a name hadn¡¯t recognized his martial or bardic talents. ¡°¡­It didn¡¯t even recognize my singing. I¡¯m great at singing,¡± he complained. ¡°I¡¯m sure you are, though I haven¡¯t heard you sing myself,¡± she replied teasingly, but placatingly added, ¡°You seemed talented enough in combat.¡± A curious look flashed on her face. ¡°To be able to fight well with weapon or fist, to use your body so effectively, it speaks of an exceptional talent, and from one as young as you, ¡®tis quite the achievement.¡± Bram¡¯s cheeks reddened at being called talented. Not even his masters in the Delightful Troupe had called him this. ¡°I was so desperate to find something that could match the other royals¡¯ sorcery that I learned whatever I could. Many might claim I wasted my time chasing after my siblings in this way.¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t.¡± Rowan pointed to the four dead traitors. ¡°You¡¯ve proven that today.¡± ¡°Tell that to the system then.¡± ¡°Well,¡± Rowan¡¯s fingers brushed the back of Bram¡¯s hand, ¡°perhaps it might be more inclined to be supportive if we gave it a name.¡± With her slight touch, Bram¡¯s frustration was instantly quelled, though this didn¡¯t stop him from poking fun at his opponent. ¡°How about¡­ The Fool¡¯s Guide to Sorcery?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°The Better Me Tool?¡± ¡°That¡¯s terrible.¡± ¡°The Magic Trick?¡± ¡°Honestly, are you truly this horrible at naming a thing?¡± ¡°They weren¡¯t that bad¡­¡± Bram rose from the ground and then offered the trickster his hand. ¡°Go on, you propose one then.¡± Rowan¡¯s face turned contemplative while Bram helped her up. ¡°Well, it seems our fates are now intertwined with this strange sorcery at work inside of you,¡± she said. ¡°Sure, one could see it that way,¡± Bram agreed while he reclaimed his sword from the ground. Once he returned its cracked blade to its sheath, he added, ¡°Not just our fates, but the fates of all the otherworlders we¡¯ll summon to Aarde.¡± ¡°Then let us call it the Loom,¡± Rowan suggested, ¡°for ¡®tis a device that will weave the destiny of mortals and immortals alike.¡± ¡°The Loom,¡± Bram repeated. He didn¡¯t hate the idea of naming the system for the very apparatus that Moira the Goddess of Destiny used whenever a child was born on Aarde so that the Fate Weaver could chart their fates with her weaving. ¡°It fits rather well,¡± Bram admitted. ¡°Though ours will be a Loom of Ill Fates where sacrifice and opportunity come hand in hand¡­¡±
CONGRATULATIONS! The system has been given the name [Loom of Ill Fates]. This event marks the starting line of your grand undertaking¡­and the Loom shall watch your progress with great interest.
¡°¡®Tis settled then,¡± Rowan said, sounding delighted. She flashed Bram with an impish smile. One that withered quickly as the sound of marching hoofs reached their ears. Rowan¡¯s gaze drifted to the west. ¡°We have company¡­¡± Both she and Bram stood shoulder-to-shoulder as they watched a group of armed men on hartback appearing from the west. They rode swiftly and with purpose, their banners unfurled and billowing in the wind, the largest of which was a golden griffin on a field of royal blue. ¡°¡®Tis the sigil of House Attilan,¡± Rowan noticed. ¡°I¡¯m not familiar with the others. Are they enemies?¡± The second banner showed a teal yew tree on a field of white, its branches spreading out nearly to the banner¡¯s edges. This was the forest kingdom¡¯s sigil. It was Bram¡¯s sigil now too. While the other two¡ªone of a black stag, and the other, a pair of blue clouds¡ªbelonged to noble houses from the north as Bram recalled. ¡°My seneschal is in the lead, so no.¡± Bram¡¯s hand rested on the pommel of his sword. ¡°Still, it wouldn¡¯t hurt to be prepared.¡± The prince¡¯s gaze drifted down to the blonde youth¡¯s corpse and the teal gambeson he wore. The sight of it set Bram¡¯s teeth on edge.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. ¡°There could be other rats hiding in my household.¡± Suspicion flashed on his face. ¡°We should remain vigilant.¡± Bram felt Rowan¡¯s hand on his shoulder. Her touch calmed the prince, relieving him of the bubbling rage that seemed ever-present underneath the surface of his fool¡¯s disguise. Speaking of disguises, Bram asked, ¡°Can you do something about my hair?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t want them to see how you¡¯ve pretended to be a redhead today?¡± ¡°I¡¯d like to keep my tricks hidden for a while longer.¡± ¡°Very well.¡± She patted his head like one might do to a dog. Then Bram felt heat on his scalp, and a second later, a sticky watery substance slid down the back of his neck. ¡°¡®Tis finished.¡± ¡°And now my back¡¯s coated in red dye.¡± ¡°There¡¯s enough blood stains on your coat that it will hardly be noticeable.¡± Rowan giggled, and Bram couldn¡¯t help chuckling too. He¡¯d survived a fight to the death. It wasn¡¯t the time to be a sourpuss. ¡°Are you still able to fight?¡± Rowan asked. ¡°Only if I must, but,¡± Bram eyed her coolly, ¡°I seem to recall you promising to protect me.¡± ¡°I should arm myself then.¡± Rowan walked over to the blonde youth¡¯s corpse. She spent a long moment staring at his lifeless face before chastising words spilled from her lips. ¡°Foolish Boy, you failed your prince in life, but worry not, your blood shall serve him in death.¡± She raised her hand, palm facing downward, and bright crimson sparks flared out of her fingers. With her sorcery cast, the blood pooling beneath the blonde youth¡¯s body flew up to her hand, gathering into her palm as a mass of pulsing red matter that then reshaped itself into a crimson sword with a single-edge blade that widened and curved around the tip. ¡°A blood falchion,¡± Bram said, sounding impressed. Before the trickster could comment on the prince¡¯s strange naming sense, the riders who led the teal-clad soldiers arrived by the auto-carriage¡¯s side, with the first of them climbing down from his russet hart so that his head wasn¡¯t above Bram¡¯s when he approached Atlan¡¯s seventh prince. Two others followed him, though, unlike the first man, they seemed less relieved to see Bram in good health. ¡°Welcome, Ser Anthony,¡± Bram called in greeting. At the head of the trio was Ser Anthony Holmes, Bram¡¯s only trusted retainer, protector, and also seneschal of Bastille. ¡°Your Highness!¡± he called. ¡°Thank June, you¡¯re safe!¡± The sincerity in Ser Anthony¡¯s face, the worry in his voice, these served to reinforce Bram¡¯s belief that his seneschal had not betrayed him to the White Rose or the north. The prince also noticed that instead of a sword, his seneschal carried a basket of red packets in his hand. These were healing gels, a medicinal salve made with alchemy that healed various wounds and ailments while also granting anesthetic and clotting effects to one¡¯s injuries. Seeing them caused Bram¡¯s heart to swell with appreciation. Ser Anthony knelt on one knee about five meters from his liege as if to give Bram time to acknowledge his intentions first. ¡°Forgive my lateness¡ª¡± He was the only one to do so, and the blatant disrespect of his companions raised Ser Anthony¡¯s hackles. ¡°My Lords,¡± the seneschal¡¯s gaze narrowed, ¡°you forget your manners!¡± His words fell on deaf ears, however, for the two men walked past the kneeling knight without the least bit of respect reflected in their gait. Unperturbed by the carnage around them, they would have stridden over to Bram¡¯s side without pausing if the trickster hadn¡¯t stepped forward and blocked their path to the prince. ¡°No further.¡± Rowan¡¯s ¡®Blood Falchion¡¯ was at her side, and ready to be swung at the slightest provocation. Seeing such confident men shrink before her lithe frame made Bram smile while also instilling him with much-needed confidence to face these nobles who barely hid their contempt for him in their half-hearted greetings. ¡°Your Highness¡­¡± the slight-looking man with sandy hair bowed stiffly at Bram. ¡°¡­we came once we heard news of your troubles.¡± He was Baron Archibald von Galen; an unpleasant man Bram had met twice since he became Lotharin¡¯s governor. In their brief acquaintanceship, the prince likened the baron to a sly rat who ate the crumbs of his betters while sharpening the knife he meant to stab their backs with. Speaking of betters, the stout bearded man who arrived with Baron Archibald wrinkled his nose at the stench permeating the air. He did not, however, seem too surprised by the scene around him when he asked, ¡°What roguery occurred here¡­ Prince?¡± Bram got the feeling that Vicomte Henry Kleist had stopped short of parroting his ¡®Ill-Fated¡¯ title. This insight caused the prince¡¯s eyes to narrow, though he didn¡¯t chastise the vicomte. Despite the confidence he gained from Rowan¡¯s actions, Bram had yet to rid himself of past trauma instilled in him by the nobles of the Sovereign¡¯s court. Dealing with these two lords who were quick to feign feeling offended as much as they were swift to subtly challenge his new authority would be challenging for him. To aid him in this meeting, he recalled the words Ser Anthony had once taught him back during the days when being bullied by other nobles had taken its toll on a younger Bram. ¡°A noble of the imperium must have three faces,¡± the old knight had said. ¡°One for the world to see, one for only your closest companions to enjoy, and¡ª¡± ¡°One I keep for only me¡­a face only I can see,¡± finished a young Bram who¡¯d then asked, ¡°How will I know which face to use?¡± ¡°If they show you sincerity, then treat them the same,¡± Ser Anthony had suggested. ¡°But if their smiles are forced¡­¡± As he recalled his seneschal¡¯s words, Bram noticed it now; the false smiles these nobles presented him with. Knowing which face to show them lent courage to his voice. ¡°As you can see, My Lords¡±¡ªHe faced the hyenas while inwardly thankful that his legs hadn¡¯t buckled underneath him¡ª¡°I¡¯ve been attacked by traitors seeking to capture me¡­ For whom and for what purpose, sadly, they never said¡­¡± His gaze drifted from one passive expression to the other, noting how Baron Archibald¡¯s brow was sweating a little too much. ¡°Thankfully,¡± the prince¡¯s molten irises drifted to the small back of his new protector, ¡°my companion managed to thwart my assassination.¡± It was only right for him to place the recent battle on Rowan¡¯s shoulders to hide the truth of his achievement. For it wasn¡¯t yet the time to reveal his new fangs. Neither did Bram admit that he suspected the north of treachery. Such an accusation required unimpeachable proof which he still lacked. The two lords¡¯ gazes drifted from the blood on Bram¡¯s clothes to Rowan whose dress and cloak were in an pristine condition. Others might have questioned this obvious contradiction, but not the lords who thought so little of their prince that they didn¡¯t doubt that he couldn¡¯t have slain his enemies himself. Still, they couldn¡¯t believe Rowan had done the deed either. ¡°This slip of a girl killed these men¡­?¡± Vicomte Henry scoffed. ¡°She did,¡± Bram reiterated, adding, ¡°Quite easily too.¡± It wasn¡¯t technically a complete lie. If Rowan had fought these men herself, they¡¯d have been dead within seconds. The two lords looked at Rowan with renewed interest, and Bram couldn¡¯t help noticing the sparkle in their eyes nor the flushing of their cheeks as they beheld her beauty. Truly, she¡¯s a beautiful butterfly, one that stings like a mighty bee. Bram smiled inwardly. A bee whose stinger I¡¯ll be aiming at your necks eventually. ¡°You¡¯ve been holding out on us, Your Highness,¡± Baron Archibald said teasingly. ¡°Where have you been hiding¡ª¡± The baron leered at her as if he would devour this redheaded maiden whole with his unveiled lust, but then Rowan lifted her sword a little higher, aiming it at his crotch, and sending him cowering back. Just like a rat when facing a true predator¡­ ¡°Behave yourself, Baron!¡± Ser Anthony chided as he stepped over to stand beside the trickster. ¡°This is Lady Rowan of House Wolfe who has entered into the service of our prince.¡± Bram saw trust in the gaze his seneschal gave her, and he assumed the trickster pretending to be a noblewoman had found a way to convince Ser Anthony that she was on the prince¡¯s side. It wouldn¡¯t have been difficult, he realized. Bringing me back alive would be enough for her to gain his trust. The others didn¡¯t share Ser Anthony¡¯s confidence, however. Shock, disbelief, and even fear flashed on their faces at hearing her name. Bram understood their sudden tension because he too recognized the noble name of ¡®Wolfe¡¯ and the tragedy which befell that house. So notorious was their downfall five years ago that the bards of the imperium had immortalized it in verse, one he¡¯d sang himself on occasion. For the Wolfe who stood once strong and tall Dabbled too keenly with blood magic. And birthing madness inside their hall Ensured an ending far too tragic. ¡°Impossible,¡± Vicomte Henry sneered. ¡°House Wolfe was left desolate after Eorl Roland¡¯s heir caused the catastrophe that cursed their lands¡­ None of that family survived.¡± ¡°I survived,¡± replied the trickster who¡¯d stolen the identity of a dead girl. ¡°And I remember all that happened afterward¡­¡± Bram wasn¡¯t sure what Rowan meant but he could visibly see the vicomte repressing his discomfort. In his mind, the prince recalled his recent lessons of Lotharin¡¯s noble houses¡ªtheir territories and relationships¡ªwhich he had inscribed to memory so that he might never be ignorant of their dealings and dispositions. Bram remembered how Vicomte Henry¡¯s territory in Koble and the Wolfe¡¯s former shire of Rhein¡ªnow called ¡®Bloodhaven¡¯ after the catastrophe that laid waste to it¡ªhad been close neighbors in Lotharin¡¯s northern region of Rhyneland. He also remembered that the Koble Shire, the Kleist family, and their allies in the north had profited from the fall of House Wolfe and the loss of Rhein Shire. The rumors of how they seized its remaining unspoiled territory and monopolized the trade of former Rhein goods were riddled with dark whispers as well. Was this why she chose her new name? Bram wondered if her new persona was chosen to make the vicomte and his backers nervous or if Rowan chose the name of a dead house for convenience¡¯s sake. With the way the trickster smirked at the vicomte, Bram thought it might be the former, and if so, he couldn¡¯t help but feel elated for choosing a partner skilled in the art of intrigue in a way he wasn¡¯t. Vicomte Henry cleared his throat. ¡°What proof have you of your claim?¡± Rowan kicked the nearest corpse closer to the vicomte¡¯s feet. It was Baer. ¡°Surely a sorcerer of your caliber can recognize the condition of this man¡¯s body,¡± she said teasingly. Vicomte Henry glanced down, his gaze narrowing at the sight. ¡°This¡­¡± he let out a sharp intake of breath. ¡°This commoner¡¯s been drained of blood.¡± Narrowed eyes snapped toward Rowan¡¯s falchion. ¡°That¡¯s¡­blood magic,¡± he deduced. ¡°Blood magic?!¡± Baron Archibald¡¯s eyes widened into saucers. ¡°Then she must truly be a damnable Wolfe?!¡± Blood magic was a rare art in sorcery, and the fallen House of Wolfe was known to be quite proficient in it. As a house¡¯s brand of sorcery was akin to a badge of recognition, the sight of such potent blood magic in this scene could easily be mistaken as proof that the trickster was indeed the long-lost daughter of the last eorl of Rhein. With her surprisingly detailed knowledge of House Wolfe, the others who weren¡¯t privy to Rowan¡¯s true origins had no choice but to allow doubt to fill their thoughts. They could only concede the possibility of her outlandish story. ¡°Her claims will need to be verified,¡± Vicomte Henry insisted. ¡°She must also be evaluated¡±¡ªBaron Archibald turned a knowing gaze on Bram, the prince with supposedly no magic in his veins¡ª¡°for her aptitude in sorcery.¡± ¡°From the state of the dead¡±¡ªSer Anthony patted Rowan on the shoulder¡ª¡°I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if the Sovereign¡¯s court named Lady Rowan the ¡®Incomparable¡¯ of this year¡¯s conjuring season.¡± He laughed. She giggled. Meanwhile, the two lords stared nervously at each other. Bram understood their sudden sense of trepidation. These two representatives of the northern nobles¡¯ faction which resented Bram¡¯s governorship have discovered that the once-weak seventh prince of House Attilan now had fangs he might use to bite them with. If only they knew the depths of Bram¡¯s plans to use the resources of another world against them. These nobles would have felt more than simple trepidation from this meeting. ¡°I appreciate how you came here out of worry for me, My Lords, but¡­¡± Bram grabbed the trickster¡¯s slender hand, their fingers intertwining. ¡°¡­Lady Rowan and I have business elsewhere.¡± Before anyone could protest, he led her past the flustered lords and swiftly toward the auto-carriage¡¯s open door. ¡°I trust you can see yourselves back to Bastille,¡± Bram said before he entered the carriage that was now manned by one of his teal-clad soldiers. ¡°And Ser Anthony, please have the new coachman wash my carriage when we return to the bastion. We wouldn¡¯t want the stench¡±¡ªhis gaze drifted to the two lords¡ª¡°to linger.¡± Quickly, the prince¡¯s auto-carriage left the scene of the crime, and with him went the personification of blood, death, and rebellion. Chapter 12: Ritual Killing CHAPTER TWELVE Ritual Killing
Escaping the company of armed guards escorting Bram¡¯s auto-carriage back to Bastille would have been a difficult feat if Rowan wasn¡¯t with him. True to her monicker of the Rebel Trickster, the redheaded maiden who¡¯d swapped out her commoner¡¯s clothes for her teal gambeson conjured a fog so thick around the auto-carriage that the escorts following it began bumping into each other. ¡°Watch where you¡¯re riding!¡± warned a soldier with a gruff voice. ¡°You¡¯re the one who¡¯s out of formation!¡± complained another. ¡°I cannot bloody see in this damned fog!¡± yelled a voice that sounded a lot like Vicomte Henry¡¯s. Coupled with the dark clouds that appeared overhead to cover the twin moons in the sky, visibility on the dirt road had become too horrible for the retinue¡¯s journey to continue. ¡°Hold ¡ª hold!¡± Ser Anthony commanded. ¡°Stay in formation around the prince¡¯s auto-carriage. We¡¯ll wait until the fog clears!¡± ¡°B-But, Ser,¡± came an urgent, anxious voice, ¡°the auto-carriage¡­it¡¯s not here!¡± The barking of panicked orders and the anxious neighing of harts filled the night, but neither Bram nor Rowan would hear them. With the aid of her trickery, they¡¯d slipped away into the darkness and took the auto-carriage back down the path they¡¯d come from. ¡°The fog,¡± Bram fidgeted in his seat because he couldn¡¯t help feeling uncomfortable on this rough road they were on, ¡°why did the sorcerers not notice you conjuring it?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t use sorcery to summon the fog,¡± Rowan replied. One of Bram¡¯s eyebrows twitched upward. ¡°How did you manage it then?¡± Rowan stared out the window. It would be a while later before she would reply. ¡°¡®Tis an ability restricted to me and those like me¡­¡± There was a finality in her tone that kept Bram from prying further, although he took note of her strange and sudden melancholy, storing it in his mind for future inspection. They continued in silence, their secret journey taking them along a mountain path just beyond the town of Reise. This path climbed up to the side of the jagged mountain that Bram had scaled to reach the cursed cave where their fates had become intertwined. Later, when the auto-carriage pulled to a stop, a panel in the upholstered wall slid open. ¡°We¡¯ve arrived, Your Highness,¡± said the soldier who¡¯d driven the auto-carriage. Bram couldn¡¯t help noticing how the soldier¡¯s eyes were glassy and unfocused. It was a telltale sign of sorcery at work. ¡°Thank you,¡± he replied. Once Bram and Rowan exited the auto-carriage, the trickster made its driver move over to the interior and then placed the soldier in a deep sleep that would keep him there while the pair went about their business. ¡°That¡¯s convenient¡­but how long will your spell last?¡± Bram asked as he shut the carriage door on the soldier who was snoring loudly in his seat. ¡°Long enough for us to finish our task,¡± Rowan answered, a slight frown on her lips. ¡°Are you certain you would rather not use him?¡± Her crimson-eyed gaze remained fixed on the carriage door. ¡°We will need blood for the summoning. As much as a grown man can carry,¡± she insisted. ¡°You said it needn¡¯t be human blood.¡± Bram¡¯s gaze drifted to the tall oaks on the ridge above. ¡°There are plenty of fel beasts who live on Sundermount. Shouldn¡¯t their blood suffice?¡± ¡°The blood of beasts is acceptable,¡± Rowan relented, but couldn¡¯t help adding, ¡°though human blood¡¯s more potent in empowering sorcery, and thus more preferable.¡± ¡°Then use mine,¡± Bram replied in earnest. He might be willing to sacrifice the lives of others for their great undertaking, but not if it wasn¡¯t necessary. The prince wasn¡¯t like the other royals and high nobles who treated the lives of commoners so carelessly. Indeed, he could never think lowly of them since being around commoners had helped to keep Bram sane when he was younger. As he thought this, he recalled some of those commoners who¡¯d saved him from a youth filled with loneliness. There was Aim¨¦, one of the palace¡¯s assistant cooks who¡¯d always prepared Bram¡¯s favorite treats after every time he¡¯d been bullied by his siblings. The cook himself had been tormented by the palace¡¯s head chef, one of noble blood who¡¯d loved to berate his underling for lackluster dishes he¡¯d prepared himself. There was the vivacious Willow of the Soft Touch, a lady of the Pillow Court who¡¯d taught Bram the delights of the flesh. Whenever they¡¯d finished their passionate embrace, she¡¯d always offered him a kind ear and listened to his troubles, and she¡¯d never asked him to pay extra. There were also the Lost Boys and Girls, a gang of children from the capital¡¯s slums who¡¯d treated Bram as one of their own. They¡¯d played with him when no nobles would, teaching him Hide and Seek and other games of chance and intrigue that eventually led Bram to the Delightful Troupe¡¯s door. Most recently, Bram had a wonderful time camping outdoors while in the company of the Mighty Greenwood Gang who¡¯d show him more grace and respect than any noble had. Such experiences with commoners have reinforced Bram¡¯s belief that one¡¯s blood didn¡¯t determine their worth. Not really. ¡°It¡¯s what we do that matters,¡± Bram whispered, though Rowan heard him. She watched him ready their climbing gear with a thoughtful smile as if she¡¯d listened to his thoughts. It was a smile she¡¯d never shown before that vanished by the time Bram looked up from his work. ¡°Is there something on my face?¡± Rowan shook her head. ¡°Nothing,¡± she flashed him her usual impish grin, ¡°though we won¡¯t be needing the rope.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve tasted your unrivaled strength myself, but trust me,¡± Bram raised the roll of hemp rope to her eye level while recalling how he wished he had one during his previous climb, ¡°this will save¡ª¡± It happened so quickly that Bram¡¯s jaw barely had time to drop before Rowan was standing beside him and her arms wrapped around his waist. ¡°Clench your jaw,¡± she instructed. A moment later, the ground was gone, and they were soaring up into the sky at a speed that was faster even than a magic arrow in flight. The harsh winds buffeted Bram¡¯s face while the chill of the mountain air seeped into his bones. Surprisingly, the prince didn¡¯t mind these inconveniences. Bram discovered that he enjoyed flying even if it was only done with Rowan¡¯s aid. It was a short maiden voyage for him though, and soon enough, they touched down on the familiar rocky ground of the ledge that led to the cursed cave. ¡°That was¡­brilliant!¡± Bram said, breathless. His face shone with delight. It was a delight that was quick to pass, however, for Bram felt sudden nausea overwhelm him, and then he was on his knees and puking what was left of luncheon onto the rocky ground. ¡°Wait for me here,¡± Rowan suggested, ¡°and try not to get any of it on you.¡± The sound of his retching continued. It was the only response Rowan would get before she disappeared into the air. When the trickster returned a short while later, the prince was sitting on an outcropping of rock and feeling much better, though his face was still pale from the ordeal. It grew paler still once he noticed what Rowan dropped on the ground between them. ¡°Is that¡­¡±This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Even curled and unconscious, the shaggy beast with russet fur was noticeably large. Eight feet tall and six hundred pounds by Bram¡¯s reckoning. ¡°¡­A red grizzly?¡± Of the many beasts that called Sundermount home, the red grizzly was known to be one of the most savage. It was a well-known maneater that attacked people who stumbled upon it without any provocation. Hunting a red grizzly in so short a time was a feat that even Ser Anthony couldn¡¯t have easily managed, and his seneschal was once a celebrated champion of the Sovereign-guard. ¡°Impressed?¡± Rowan asked. ¡°Undoubtedly,¡± Bram nodded. ¡°Is it¡­dead?¡± The trickster shook her head. ¡°The beast¡¯s blood must be warm for the ritual.¡± Rowan eyed the muscles peeking through Bram¡¯s loose shirt. ¡°Can you carry it into the cave?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Bram answered confidently. ¡°I need to be of some use in this quest.¡± The prince walked over to the red grizzly whose thick, furry chest was rising and falling in slow, labored breaths. ¡°You¡¯ve put it to sleep?¡± Bram asked. ¡°There was no need for sorcery¡±¡ªRowan raised her hand and then clenched it¡ª¡°when a single fist was enough to shake its consciousness loose.¡± ¡°Ah, yes, I see it now.¡± A tiny bit of blood coated the red grizzly¡¯s snout. It seemed to have lost several of its fangs too. There was, however, a bigger issue besides wondering whether the beast would wake up during transit. Bram¡¯s gaze drifted to the nearby hole in the wall with its familiar warning carved over it. ¡°It won¡¯t fit through the narrow passage leading into the dungeon¡­¡± ¡°That won¡¯t be a problem,¡± Rowan assured him. She strode over to the hole in the cliff wall whose edges revealed the tell-tale signs of an entryway hewn from rock eroded by time. ¡°Mae popeth yn newid mewn amser¡­¡± It was the beginning of a complicated incantation spoken in a language that sounded as alien to Bram as the words he¡¯d learned from his visions. When her voice reached a crescendo, Rowan waved her hands over the entrance, and with crimson sparks flaring from the tips of her fingers, a great rumbling began. With that rumbling came violent change¡ªthe rock surrounding the entrance broke apart, folding into itself like the cogs of a great machine, and then reforming into new shapes with perfect detailing. ¡°Sorcery to manipulate matter at will,¡± Bram whispered in awe. At its core, sorcery was the art of altering one¡¯s surroundings to meet the caster¡¯s demands, but the kind of magic Rowan displayed now was leagues beyond what even the grand sorcerers of the Sovereign¡¯s court could conjure. ¡°I¡¯ve read about this ¡ª the long-lost sorcery of the Transmutation Arts,¡± Bram recalled the name of the ancient magic whose knowledge had been lost to the Imperium, its fleeting trail remembered only in the most obscure of books. ¡°Incredible, I¡¯ve become witness to history¡¯s hand reaching out to the present from a forgotten past.¡± Before Bram¡¯s very eyes, the cave opening achieved a new form; a projecting doorway of massive stone with an arched ceiling raised high by the twin pillars standing to either side of the now expanded entrance. Both pillars had been carved into the shape of a warrior woman who wore a gambeson and sweeping dress like the ones Rowan was wearing, with both statues carrying swords aloft in their hands. This new entryway had been made with such intricate detailing that Bram couldn¡¯t help admiring Rowan¡¯s artistry. ¡°You are breathtaking¡­¡± He hadn¡¯t meant to say it out loud, but the words spilled from his lips unbidden. Bram coughed embarrassedly. ¡°I only meant that your talent is impressive,¡± he finished lamely. To witness such compelling sorcery strengthened his belief in the trickster¡¯s power to see his wish fulfilled, though he couldn¡¯t express his thoughts properly in words. It wasn¡¯t necessary, however, for Rowan glanced back at Bram with understanding. ¡°¡®Tis not yet the time to be amazed, My Prince,¡± she said, her impish smile returning. ¡°Come. There¡¯s more sorcery to be done before this night is over.¡± ¡°O-Of course,¡± he agreed. Bram gathered all the strength in his body to help him lift the red grizzly¡¯s lower half onto his shoulders. This was a great feat of strength that few could manage without the aid of sorcery, but the prince had honed his body to such extremes that half-carrying, half-dragging a beast weighing more than five hundred pounds seemed a doable challenge. ¡°Are you certain you don¡¯t require my help?¡± Rowan asked. ¡°This is¡­nothing¡­¡± Bram¡¯s arms shook from the strain, but he didn¡¯t complain. ¡°Lead the¡­way.¡± Later, much later thanks to the slow pace at which Bram carried his burden¡ªinsistent as he was not to share the load with Rowan who he believed had done too much already¡ªthe trickster and the prince returned to the place where their acquaintanceship first bloomed. As Rowan crossed the threshold of the long-forgotten temple, light flared from the ancient sunstones hanging at intervals around the spiral chamber. When Bram followed her, a new notification appeared in the air.
ALERT! You have entered the dungeon [Innocence Lost]. With your body now suited to receiving the system¡¯s boons, the reward for being the first person to visit the dungeon is now applied. For the remaining four days, the experience rate and item-drop rate are doubled while exploring the dungeon.
¡°There¡¯s not much point¡±¡ªBram dropped his heavy burden on the stone floor¡ª¡°to this boon now.¡± Instant relief flooded his body, and he began to stretch his tired limbs. ¡°I¡¯d rather have one that will give me tangible benefits.¡± A notification popped up as if it had been waiting for his complaint.
CONGRATULATIONS! You¡¯ve pushed yourself to new heights, increasing your Strength [+1] and Willpower [+1].
¡°Finally.¡± Bram had been wondering how he was supposed to grow if he couldn¡¯t earn experience normally, but it seemed the Loom took his efforts into account as well. Unfortunately, this also meant the difficulty of his training needed to be increased for Bram to benefit from this reward system. ¡°Fuck¡­¡± The dungeon of ¡®Innocence Lost¡¯ was a temple-like structure with a weathered vaulted ceiling. The spiral markings engraved on its stone floor and the small round crevice at its center where the centerpiece of this chamber. There, in the very spot where she was freed from perdition, the rebel trickster awaited her liberator. ¡°Do you¡ª¡± Before Bram could finish his sentence, a spear formed of blood shot out of Rowan¡¯s palm to pierce the hide of the unconscious red grizzly. The pain woke the beast, and with a mighty roar, the red grizzly rose to its haunches and hurled a thick, shaggy arm at Bram who stood closest. Claws the size of scullery knives reached out for his face, but Bram weaved out of its way and then slid back to avoid the other arm from hitting his side. ¡°Why wake it up now?!¡± he complained. The red grizzly roared. Its bellow shook the ground, ripping across the chamber like a peel of thunder. It lunged for Bram once more, but a second ¡®Blood Spear¡¯ struck the beast¡¯s shoulder before it could take another swipe at him. ¡°Sorcery as demanding as a summoning ritual requires a violent ending,¡± Rowan explained. ¡°Now, focus!¡± ¡°A little warning next time¡­¡± Taking advantage of its momentary daze, Bram drew his sword from its sheath and then sent its blade swiftly across the red grizzly¡¯s outstretched neck. ¡°¡­would be appreciated!¡± Blood gushed out of the savage cut he dealt the red grizzly, but the beast seemed intent not to die alone. It rushed forward with berserker fury and would¡¯ve skewered Bram in the chest with its claws if a third ¡®Blood Spear¡¯ hadn¡¯t struck its other shoulder. This caused the beast to stumble right into Bram¡¯s sword which pierced its hide at the last second. With a final pain-filled roar, the red grizzly crashed onto the floor by the prince¡¯s feet. Bram was wide-eyed and breathless. ¡°Bloody hell¡­that was close.¡± His hands shook while he retrieved his sword from the chest of the beast that had shown such ferocity that he thought the stories of its savagery seemed modest compared to the real thing. It would¡¯ve killed him if Rowan hadn¡¯t critically wounded it first. It certainly killed Bram¡¯s sword. Its blade, which was already cracked from the earlier fight, broke off as he pulled at the sword¡¯s hilt. ¡°So much for bastion-forged steel,¡± Bram sighed.
CONGRATULATIONS! You are the first user to slay a [Red Grizzly]! The first kill bonus will be added to EXP earned.
You earned 120 EXP.
ALERT! Dungeon bonus is applied. 240 EXP earned.
ALERT! [Administrator Lv. 1] prevents you from earning job EXP.
Bram sighed as he returned his broken sword to its sheath. ¡°One day you¡¯ll be nice to me and I¡¯ll be pleasantly surprised.¡± His gaze drifted back to the beast¡¯s corpse. It¡¯s different¡­ The weight of slaying a beast weighed much less on his mind than the killing of other men. Although perhaps he was simply getting used to the act of murder. It was a thought that made Bram¡¯s shoulders shake though he tried hard not to let guilt ruin the moment. With the red grizzly¡¯s death, the blood pooling beneath it was carried away by the grooves in the stone floor. A line of red was formed, spiraling ever closer to the round crevice at the heart of the chamber. ¡°¡®Tis time,¡± Rowan insisted. ¡°I shall begin.¡± The trickster who¡¯d been standing beside the hole raised her feet one at a time and then folded herself into the lotus position. She sat cross-legged in the air as if there was an invisible chair underneath her. ¡°Come to me, My Prince.¡± An exhausted Bram walked over to her while taking care not to disturb the line of blood flowing on the floor. ¡°Take my hands,¡± Rowan instructed. ¡°The physical connection will strengthen our mental bond, allowing me to peer into the other world of your visions.¡± When Bram placed his hands over hers, he asked. ¡°And what am I to do?¡± ¡°Think of a mortal you believe we¡¯ll need most to create¡­¡± Rowan¡¯s face turned contemplative. ¡°¡­What did you call it again?¡± ¡°A virtual reality game,¡± Bram answered. ¡°Yes. That.¡± Her fingers tightened around his. ¡°Think of the otherworlder who can help build the illusion of your virtual reality game¡­and I shall drag this unfortunate soul into Aarde¡­¡± Chapter 13: First Summoning Note: Just a heads up, the first half of this chapter will be a different POV. It''ll also sound a little different from Bram''s POV. More modern. This will happen a few times, though not often, and only in a land Bram can''t get to. ;P CHAPTER THIRTEEN First Summoning
The ¡®ping!¡¯ of the elevator doors woke him from his daze. ¡°Ha~~ah,¡± he groaned. He had been staring listlessly at them throughout the ride, but now those doors opened to a pristine white space that had become the setting for his worst nightmares. The sight of this lobby filled the tan-skinned man with the kind of dread that left him feeling paralyzed. ¡°You alright, Hajime?¡± asked the woman leaning on the wall beside him. Hajime glanced tiredly to his right. ¡°Bridget-san¡­I don¡¯t think I can do this anymore,¡± Hajime admitted in an exhausted tone. The blonde woman with a wide brow and almond-shaped hazel eyes offered him a sympathetic smile. ¡°You say that every morning.¡± ¡°I mean it this time.¡± Hajime pulled out the crumpled white envelope he had been keeping in his jacket¡¯s breast pocket for months now. ¡°I¡¯ll turn in my resignation today. Right now!¡± Bridget laughed. ¡°You say that every morning too,¡± she reminded him just before patting him gingerly on the shoulder. ¡°Come on¡­let¡¯s clock in before the next crisis hits.¡± As she walked past the open elevator doors, Bridget glanced over her shoulder and offered Hajime a sarcastic grin. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see what other unreasonable demands Corporate¡¯s come up with in the last¡­¡± She checked her smartwatch. ¡°¡­Four hours since we clocked out.¡± ¡°H-How are you not feeling as dead as I feel?¡± Hajime complained. ¡°I got to shower earlier!¡± Bridget yelled as she left him behind. Hajime sniffed at his armpit, his nose cringing at the strong odor wafting out of him that his deodorant barely concealed. ¡°I wish I had time to shower¡­or have breakfast¡­¡± A nap and a change of clothes were all Hajime could manage in the time he had before coming back to work after another all-nighter. There were a lot of those recently. Weeks of crunch time and rushed work all because their corporate overlords insisted the studio keep to its highly unrealistic release date plans for their next triple-A game. ¡°I¡¯m going to die from overwork¡­¡± As the lead game designer for the latest installment of the company¡¯s blockbuster franchise, Space Age: the Dread Fool, Hajime oversaw nearly every aspect of game design. From concepts, characters, settings, storyline, and gameplay¡ªhe led the development team in ensuring the group¡¯s overall vision came to life in another groundbreaking virtual masterpiece. At least that¡¯s what his job looked like on paper. In reality, Hajime, one of the last of the O.G. staff that had helped turn his gaming company into a triple-A studio, had also been put in charge of ¡®Project Management for Development¡¯ since the guy who had the job before him quit due to the high-stress environment of today¡¯s gaming industry. Corporate promised it was a temporary gig, but three months had passed since then, and Hajime was still grinding it. With a defeated sigh, Hajime stepped out of the elevator. The first thing he saw once he exited into the expansive white space of the studio¡¯s lobby was the logo that flashed on the white wall to greet arrivals. WELCOME TO BIOSOFT ¡°Bakayar? ¡­¡± He flipped his once beloved studio logo with the middle finger before it vanished back into the wall. ¡°I¡¯m going to resign today.¡± Hajime didn¡¯t resign though. He couldn¡¯t. It wasn¡¯t in his nature to quit no matter how grueling the challenge was because he had been raised with the honorable samurai spirit of his motherland which he continued to uphold even in this gloomy, smog-filled New York weather. So, while mentally and physically exhausted, Hajime Hideo Miyamoto, a Japanese-born thirty-six-year-old man once lauded as a game-developing prodigy who¡¯d renewed the public¡¯s interest in the possibilities of virtual reality games, spent his last day as a free soul slaving for the studio he once loved. Still, a morning of grueling meetings with the corporate overlords over discussions of cutting content for the sake of hitting Space Age¡¯s unrealistic release date was the worst start for another taxing day. ¡°Can¡¯t we just cut out the third act of the story and repackage it as downloadable content later?¡± one of the faceless suits suggested. ¡°A DLC will make us more money, won¡¯t it?¡± ¡°C-Cut out the third a-act?!¡± Hajime sputtered. He was so frustrated by this suggestion of blatant greed that his samurai spirit seemed ready to burst out of him so that it might cut down the offensive speakerphone from which the greedy devil¡¯s voice exuded. ¡°Without a third act there¡¯s no ending, you¡ª¡± In the nick of time, Bridget reached over to the speakerphone and pressed the mute button. ¡°¡ªbakayar?!¡± Hajime howled. ¡°What was that, Hajime?¡± asked another faceless suit. A female one this time. ¡°We didn¡¯t catch the last part?¡± Bridget mouthed ¡®Calm down,¡¯ while the other leads around the table repressed their giggles. ¡°Anyone there?¡± asked the faceless male suit. ¡°Did we get cut off¡­?¡± added the faceless female suit. At the head of the conference table, Chris¡ªthe game¡¯s gaunt-faced, sandy-haired, mustachioed Executive Producer¡ªsighed heavily. He shrugged in a defeated manner and whispered, ¡°Unmute the darn thing so we can get this horseshit over with.¡±The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. With a wink at Hajime, Bridget unmuted the call. ¡°Sorry, guys. Technical difficulties on our end¡­¡± By the time the meeting from hell was over, Hajime¡¯s soul looked ready to flee his body. He would¡¯ve remained crestfallen for the rest of the day too were it not for the cup of instant ramen noodles that he found waiting for him at his desk afterward. A Post-it note accompanied this veritable potion of healing. ¡®Keep pushing back against those bloodsucking bastards ¡ª B.¡¯ A wan smile flitted across Hajime¡¯s face. ¡°Arigatou, Bridget-san¡­¡± In his mind, Hajime recalled his compatriot¡¯s appearance; the shoulder-length blonde hair framing Bridget¡¯s oval yet square-jawed face and the wide cheekbones that made her smile seem more prominent¡ªyes, Bridget Fowling was indeed Hajime¡¯s guardian angel. Thoughts of Bridget and his one-sided crush on her filled Hajime¡¯s brain, reinforcing him for another day of managing underpaid programmers and designers, who, like Hajime, were sacrificing their mental health and family time in the name of honor¡ªand not disappointing the legions of fans who loved their studio in a way they¡¯ve forgotten. Typically, this led to another all-nighter that ended with Hajime crashing onto his bed without the strength to even brush his teeth. ¡°I¡¯ll resign in¡­¡± He just had enough left in him to check the clock on his bedside table. ¡°¡­two and a half hours¡­¡± Hajime yawned. ¡°I¡¯ll do it this time. Hontoudesu¡­¡± As these words spilled from his mouth, Hajime, with tears pooling beneath his closed eyelids, fell into a deep sleep. He wasn¡¯t waking up in two and a half hours either.
Earlier, when Rowan had asked Bram to think of a mortal who could aid them in their great undertaking, the prince had drawn a blank. His knowledge of the other world wasn¡¯t omnipotent. Neither did Bram know the inner workings of the ¡®virtual reality¡¯ that he deemed was the perfect tool for fooling the humans of the other world. However, there was one phrase from his visions that Bram recalled with strange clarity¡­ ¡°Game designer,¡± he whispered. Bram couldn¡¯t say how he knew that phrase, which vision had taught him these words, or why ¡®Game Designer¡¯ evoked such passionate and wistful reflections in him. The one thing he was certain of was that they needed someone who could design the narrative they wished to push forward. ¡°A single phrase isn¡¯t much to go on,¡± there was the barest hint of a furrowed brow on Rowan¡¯s face, ¡°but perhaps if we combine it with your ideas¡­we may find the missing pieces of this puzzle.¡± With her eyes closed, Rowan¡¯s head swiveled to the right, then to the left, and then back to the right. These same motions repeated continuously and quickly¡ªso quickly that afterimages were formed, making it seem like the trickster had many heads instead of one. Bram could only watch as this bizarre sight continued for long seconds¡­ Then, without warning, Rowan¡¯s eyes flew open. She gasped, fingers tightening around the prince¡¯s hands. She might have stumbled out of the air if Bram hadn¡¯t been supporting her. ¡°What happened?¡± he asked. ¡°I looked into the lives of twenty million mortals,¡± she whispered. Rowan paused, Bram waited on bated breath, and time seemed to extend into hours before the trickster raised a finger. ¡°I¡¯ve found him,¡± she revealed. ¡°One person in twenty million lives. The only mortal with the talent to aid us in beginning our grand undertaking.¡± ¡°Only one?¡± Bram asked doubtfully. Rowan nodded. ¡°For the role that you desire¡ªjust the one, My Prince.¡± The sincerity in Rowan¡¯s gaze washed away the doubt from Bram¡¯s mind, leaving a space in his brain that was quickly filled with a spark of anticipation. ¡°Then we must bring them here this very moment,¡± he insisted. The trickster smiled impishly. ¡°¡®Tis already begun.¡± At her words, the line of blood spiraling around the chamber''s heart began to glow an eerie crimson hue. ¡°We need only wait while the ritual harkens to the one beyond the veil between worlds, and like a siren in heat, drag this poor mortal¡¯s soul into the depths of Aarde.¡± A long while passed while they waited yet the summoning remained unfulfilled, causing a frown to grow on Bram¡¯s face. He was so bored that he was just about ready to burst into song to kill some time. The only reason he hadn¡¯t yet was because he didn¡¯t want to risk disrupting Rowan¡¯s ritual. ¡°Could the ritual have failed?¡± he asked. ¡°Patience,¡± Rowan chided. ¡°It takes longer than ten minutes to steal a mortal¡¯s soul from another world.¡± ¡°Will all our future summoning rituals be this¡­challenging?¡± Bram pressed. ¡°The first time is always hardest,¡± Rowan explained. ¡°Though once a soul is summoned, the need for the ritual disappears so long as a contract is established between the summoner and the one who was summoned.¡± ¡°A contract¡­¡± A memory flashed in Bram¡¯s mind, one of Rowan pressing her lips against his neck and drinking his blood. The trickster noticed his paling pallor and giggled. ¡°¡®Tis nothing like the bargain you and I have struck,¡± she promised Bram. ¡°The method will be less intimate.¡± Relief filled the prince¡¯s mind, although he wasn¡¯t certain if the thought of having to drink the blood of legions or the idea that Rowan might have to fulfill this task herself was what caused his stomach to churn. ¡°Will I have to establish contracts with a thousand souls?¡± Bram wondered aloud. In his mind, the prince knew that one thousand otherworlders was a very conservative estimate. For the great undertaking¡¯s success, millions would have to be called into service. ¡°Binding thousands of souls to yourself would be inadvisable.¡± Rowan¡¯s reply indicated that she thought the same as him. ¡°Though such dark sorcery might give you great power, it would drive any mortal mad, turning you into a destroyer rather than the benevolent ruler you hope to become.¡± A dark look flashed on the trickster¡¯s face. ¡°Only a god would consider such depravity,¡± she grumbled. ¡°To attempt it yourself would mean a challenge that their pantheon cannot ignore¡­¡± ¡°¡­And we¡¯re not ready for a confrontation with the gods,¡± Bram agreed. ¡°Not yet,¡± Rowan sighed heavily. ¡°Not while I remain in this weakened state.¡± With all that she¡¯s shown him, Bram couldn¡¯t imagine ever calling Rowan weak. It made him wonder just how powerful the rebel trickster of legend truly was during her prime. ¡°In the future, we shall set up a more competent method of summoning the otherworlders to Aarde,¡± Rowan reiterated. ¡°It shall require a proper summoning circle in Lotharin with a similar totem on the other side to ensure a stable connection between our two worlds.¡± Once more, the vision of the black box and visor flitted across Bram¡¯s mind. He thought that such a device would suffice as a totem, though he would have to discuss it with the mortal who was taking their time arriving on Aarde. Bram let out an exasperated sigh. ¡°Patience,¡± Rowan reminded him. More time passed, and with his impatience growing further, Bram¡¯s eyes drifted down to the glowing lines of blood. His gaze followed them to their source¡ªthe red grizzly¡¯s corpse. ¡°Why is a blood sacrifice necessary?¡± he asked. ¡°Apart from empowering the ritual, the blood offered shall be the matter that forges the body the otherworlder¡¯s soul can reside in,¡± Rowan answered. ¡°We will need a constant supply for every first summoning. Not just blood¡ª¡± ¡°¡ªBut the way the sacrifice is slain matters too?¡± ¡°A violent ending strengthens the ritual.¡± ¡°Then we¡¯ll need to train soldiers for the hunting and slaying of beasts to sacrifice¡­¡± Bram¡¯s brow creased at the thought of tainting his soldiers with his sins. Then again, not a lot of them were trustworthy enough for this part of the great undertaking. ¡°We¡¯d need a skilled group reliable and noble enough to work with¡­¡± Noble¡­ This word brought back fond memories to the forefront of Bram¡¯s mind; a night in the woods celebrating in the company of noble thieves. ¡°The Mighty Greenwood Gang do know how to hunt,¡± he mused aloud., ¡°We¡¯ll also require sorcerers who can perform the first summoning rituals¡­ I can¡¯t have you stuck here and focused on just this one task¡­¡± ¡°And I would never agree to such a boring assignment,¡± Rowan replied with a giggle. Her hand brushed against his hand. ¡°My place is by your side, though my focus will be on maintaining the Loom¡¯s operation. So, I hope you don¡¯t expect me to fight as well.¡± Bram shook his head. ¡°I¡¯ll swing my sword enough for the both of us.¡± It was a promise he meant to keep even if the numerous lives he would take as a result turned him into a demon of the blade, one consumed by the thought of murder. Such damnation would be a small price for the great undertaking¡¯s success. Bram¡¯s brooding didn¡¯t last long though, for their wait was finally at an end. The prince and the trickster were enveloped in a flash of brilliant crimson. When the light had gone seconds later, they became witnesses to an incredible sight. The lines of blood by the central crevice rose into the air to weave an intricate pattern of roots that were the veins at the core of man¡¯s form. From these veins grew sturdy bone and pulsing organ that muscle and sinew would wrap around. Skin and hair spread over flesh, and soon enough, Bram and Rowan were no longer alone. A naked, tan-skinned man with dark hair was standing close by, his slanted eyes widening as he looked upon his kidnappers. Chapter 14: Chosen Ones CHAPTER FOURTEEN Chosen Ones
An awkward silence passed between them while the three people eyed each other. The naked, slanted-eyed man looked older than either of his captors. He was a head shorter than Atlan¡¯s seventh prince. Slim, but not physically fit like Bram was, with skin a shade darker than Bram¡¯s bronze complexion. Scruffy dark hair framed a round face whose sharp features reminded the prince of the native-born people of the Hilltop Kingdom of Yamadai, the northernmost kingdom of the Imperium. Bram had many questions for their guest, though it wasn¡¯t the prince who broke the awkward silence between them. ¡°Y-Y¨­kai!¡± the slanted-eyed man pointed a quivering finger at Rowan who sat cross-legged in the air. ¡°Y¨­kai!¡± Bram didn¡¯t know this alien word, but the fear apparent in their guest¡¯s face gave him an inkling of its meaning. ¡°Be at ease, friend,¡± he urged. The prince placed himself between the slanted-eyed man and the trickster he seemed so frightened of as if he could see something other than the maiden she appeared to be. Bram raised his palms forward, which he hoped was a universal symbol of peace. ¡°We¡¯re not your enemies.¡± ¡°Y¨­¡ª¡± Confusion flitted across the slanted-eyed man¡¯s face. ¡°¡ªB-Bish¨­nen?!¡± There was a slight redness in his tan-skinned cheeks, and he calmed down for just a moment. But once he saw Rowan looking at him from behind Bram¡¯s shoulder, he was back to his hysterics. ¡°Y-Y¨­kai!¡± ¡°Enough,¡± Rowan hissed. The wind howled, and then she was suddenly standing before him as if conjured by the very air. Her invasion of his personal space triggered him further. Only, before he could peel away, Rowan¡¯s hand shot out, her fingers latching onto the slanted-eyed man¡¯s brow. ¡°¡®Tis time for us to speak like civilized folk,¡± she insisted. ¡°Rowan,¡± Bram stepped forward, ¡°wait¡ª¡± Too late. A spark of crimson flashed around Rowan¡¯s fingers to spread out onto the slanted-eyed man¡¯s brow like lightning racing across his flesh. He screamed, his eyes rolling inward, and then he crumpled to the floor. ¡°What have you done?¡± Bram asked as he unclasped his cloak and placed it over the unconscious man¡¯s naked body. ¡°I gave him the Gift of Tongues,¡± Rowan answered. One of Bram¡¯s eyebrows twitched upward. ¡°He¡¯ll be able to understand us?¡± ¡°As if he¡¯d been speaking ¡®Gaul¡¯ his whole life,¡± she replied. ¡°So, you can just give someone an enchantment¡­¡± Bram¡¯s face turned contemplative. ¡°Is this something you can weave into the summoning ritual from the beginning?¡± ¡°¡®Tis possible,¡± Rowan answered after a while, ¡°with the help of the Loom¡­assuming it can be implanted into an otherworlder¡¯s soul at the moment of their arrival.¡± ¡°We should try it with the next otherworlder,¡± Bram insisted. As an afterthought, he asked, ¡°Should I prepare my lute for when he wakes up?¡± ¡°I doubt it could hurt¡­ Only,¡± she warily eyed the unconscious man, ¡°he¡¯s not exactly the calm sort. Who knows what madness a song could induce in him.¡± In his head, Bram recalled a vision he¡¯d once had of the other world, one of the few he¡¯d had of their music. It had been a dark vision of a quartet of bards with wild, wiry hair and faces painted white. Their vestments were steel and leather with spikes jutting out of their shoulders. They looked like the sun temple''s art depictions of demons from the seven hells, and their song, which was loud and raucous and full of curses, seemed like a tale about a ¡®Great Evil¡¯, or the summoning of one. Their audience was no different; adorned like their bards and just as raucous. They often bashed their heads and chests against each other as if they were under demonic possession while they listened to that wild tune, which, to a young Bram, had been the sound of a demon''s shrieks. ¡°Right,¡± he conceded. A young Bram had considered this a nightmare so overwhelming he¡¯d woken from it with his back coated in sweat. ¡°But there¡¯s nothing wrong with a little madness,¡± he argued. While the older Bram recalled this strange dream with fondness. Indeed, these wild bards had been his inspiration for the Gentleman Caller; his music, and his disguise. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Rowan flashed Bram an impish smile, ¡°there¡¯s nothing wrong with a little madness.¡± Seconds ticked by while they waited for him to wake, but the slanted-eyed man remained unmoving. His chest rose and fell in erratic intervals, so at least they knew he was still alive even though he was comatose on the ground. Bram sighed. ¡°There¡¯s been too much waiting in this stage of the undertaking.¡± ¡°Now you sound like a prince,¡± Rowan giggled. Then, in a softer tone, she added, ¡°Patience. It takes time for the seeds we plant to bloom.¡± It wasn¡¯t long after these words spilled from her lips when the slanted-eyed man sat up suddenly. He was wide-eyed and screaming. Only, this time, both his captors could understand his words. ¡°M-Monster!¡± He wrapped Bram¡¯s cloak around himself as if its fabric could protect his naked flesh from his captors¡¯ gazes. ¡°I believe he¡¯s referring to you,¡± Bram guessed. ¡°He¡¯s quite rude,¡± Rowan replied. More confusion flitted across the slanted-eyed man¡¯s face. Bram couldn¡¯t help sympathizing with him. After all, the two beings who¡¯d abducted him from his world were now speaking in a language he could understand. Nervously, the slanted-eyed man glanced up. ¡°Beauty and¡­the beast¡­?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t believe I¡¯m the beast in this scenario,¡± Bram said confidently. Though in his mind, the prince couldn¡¯t understand how anyone could look upon his collaborator and think of her as anything but lovely. Rowan¡¯s wiles had enchanted everyone they¡¯ve met since their first meeting¡­Bram included. Rowan¡¯s smile twitched. ¡°Everyone¡¯s entitled to their own preferences, I suppose¡­¡± The slanted-eyed man seemed to understand what she meant and vehemently shook his head. ¡°I-I don¡¯t swing that way,¡± he protested. ¡°I just¡­¡± Both captors raised an eyebrow, prompting the slanted-eyed man to explain further. ¡°In my culture, a woman with a perfect face like yours¡±¡ªhis gaze drifted nervously toward Rowan¡ª¡°is never human. You are either an incarnation of a goddess or¡­¡± ¡°A beast veiled in man¡¯s perception of beauty?¡± Bram supplied. Rowan elbowed him on the shoulder. The slanted-eyed man blushed but said nothing else. ¡°You¡¯re right¡­I¡¯m not human,¡± Rowan revealed. ¡°Though there¡¯s no need to be frightened of me unless you¡¯re a god of Aarde or one of their fanatical followers.¡± The slanted-eyed man frowned. ¡°A-Aarde¡­?¡± ¡°¡®Tis a world that is twisted, broken at the whim of those who lord over it.¡± Rowan¡¯s voice was filled with condemnation. ¡°It needs¡­correction. ¡®Tis why we¡¯ve summoned you here.¡± Bram frowned. As a prince of the Atlan Imperium, he had technically lived a life of opulence. Indeed, if it wasn¡¯t for his lack of talent with sorcery, Bram wouldn¡¯t know the meaning of struggle and strife. But perhaps because of his body¡¯s ill-fated condition and the misfortunes of the past few days, the prince couldn¡¯t disagree with Rowan¡¯s assessment of a broken world. On a lesser scale, the Imperium had a society that needed alteration. ¡°Ee~~eh, you summoned me?¡± The slanted-eyed man¡¯s voice drew Bram out of his musings.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Rowan nodded. ¡°We need your talents, Hajime.¡± Hajime¡¯s eyes widened slightly at hearing his name on her lips. ¡°You know me?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Rowan¡¯s face turned contemplative. ¡°Hajime Hideo Miyamoto, lead game designer for a prestigious gaming studio, lauded by your peers and patrons as a pioneer in¡­¡± Bram noticed the soft glow of her crimson irises. They were a telltale sign of magic at work. He assumed this meant Rowan was reading Hajime¡¯s mind or something equally invasive but in so subtle a manner that the otherworlder didn¡¯t notice. ¡°¡­virtual reality role-playing games,¡± she finished. ¡°Sugoi,¡± Hajime whispered. Bram noticed that even the ¡®Gift of Tongues¡¯ couldn¡¯t completely dissolve a person¡¯s mannerisms. ¡°As I¡¯ve said, we require your expertise.¡± Rowan offered Hajime a slender hand. ¡°Will you help us change the world?¡± Bram watched the confusion wash away from Hajime¡¯s expression, although the otherworlder¡¯s fingers shook slightly when he accepted Rowan¡¯s hand. Once Hajime was back on his feet, introductions were given, with the otherworlder seemingly amazed by the people he was meeting for the first time. He even bowed his head once he learned Bram was a royal. ¡°There¡¯s no need for that,¡± Bram insisted. ¡°O-Okay, but I don¡¯t know how I can help¡­ I only know how to make games¡­I¡¯m not a y¨±sha,¡± Hajime admitted. His brow furrowed. ¡°¡­A hero,¡± he translated. ¡°Though we do need heroes,¡± Bram conceded, ¡°the task we have for you is more vital¡­¡± A long conversation ensued where they explained their great undertaking to this otherworlder. By the end, the trio were seated in a circle by a corner of the chamber where the sunstone¡¯s light flared brightest. A flask of hot elderberry tea with three wooden cups, and plates of cheese, dried jerky, and fruit lay between them. These were among the equipment Bram had packed for their climb, which included the loose shirt and trousers he¡¯d given Hajime. ¡°More tea?¡± Bram asked. He noticed that the otherworlder was thoroughly enjoying the sweet taste of elderberry. Hajime respectfully offered his cup forward. ¡°Hai.¡± Bram poured him tea while asking, ¡°Do you have any questions?¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± With his cup filled, Hajime took it back. ¡°And yes¡­ To clarify, I¡¯m not trapped on¡­Aarde?¡± Rowan shook her head. ¡°So long as your body remains intact in your world, your soul will return to it.¡± ¡°And you¡¯ll be able to go home to¡­Japan,¡± Bram reiterated. ¡°This is the empire you¡¯re from?¡± Hajime nodded. ¡°But it¡¯s not like yours.¡± ¡°How so?¡± Bram asked. ¡°We have an emperor,¡± Hajime took a sip of his tea, ¡°but elected officials govern our country.¡± ¡°Elected officials,¡± Bram repeated, his brow furrowing. ¡°Your emperor shares power with¡­commoners?¡± ¡°The emperor is a symbol of Japan. He does not govern. That¡¯s the job of our ministers,¡± Hajime replied. Then added, ¡°I live in New York, which is part of America, a country without nobles¡­technically.¡± ¡°Fascinating,¡± Bram whispered. There seemed to be many differences between the two worlds apart from the direction of their technology. ¡°And there¡¯s truly no magic on¡­Earth?¡± Rowan asked. ¡°Magic is fantasy,¡± Hajime replied. He gazed at the summoning circle that had plucked his soul from his world, with his eyes drifting over to the monstrous corpse lying a few feet away. ¡°All this is fantasy to me¡­¡± Hajime pressed a finger on the cheek of the meat suit his soul wore. ¡°Things we read about in books and manga¡­¡± ¡°Or watch in¡­cinema?¡± Bram supplied. ¡°Hai.¡± ¡°If magic wasn¡¯t used to build your glass towers,¡± one of Rowan¡¯s eyebrows tilted upward, ¡°then what method did your people employ to become an advanced society?¡± ¡°Um,¡± Hajime scratched the stubble on his newly made chin, ¡°we have science¡­and with science, we develop technology.¡± Hajime explained how his people studied the physical and natural world through observation and experimentation. Up to this, science seemed very much like sorcery. But where science tested theories against the evidence through experimentation and then conceived new knowledge and machinery from their discoveries, sorcery used the magical energies prevailing in Aarde¡¯s nature to bypass the evidence and create a magical solution that would satisfy the caster¡¯s will. At least that¡¯s how Bram remembered it when he¡¯d first been taught about the sorcerous arts. Rowan echoed this belief when she began explaining sorcery to Hajime. ¡°The sorcery of Aarde is older than even the beginning of man¡¯s civilization.¡± She drew her hands together as if in prayer. ¡°¡®Tis the practice of harnessing the magical energy inside of us and all around us to express our desire to reshape reality.¡± As her hands separated, she drew a circle with her fingers, and the air of the chamber had become so dense with magical energy born from the recent summoning that a shape formed of red sparks appeared floating between her and Hajime. It was a large spiral of rotational symmetry. ¡°Sugoi¡­¡± Hajime whispered. ¡°We use sorcery to cast spells¡±¡ªRowan moved her hands in a clockwise motion to create a second spiral emanating from the same center as the first spiral but positioned below and to the right of it¡ª¡°that manifest objects, harness elemental power, alter our bodily constitutions, or build ungodly wonders.¡± Rowan moved her hands in a counterclockwise direction, creating a third spiral that began from the same common center as the other two, but positioned on the opposite side of the second spiral. The prince recognized the icon the trickster had formed in the air. It was a triskelion, a powerful symbol of sorcery that signified the profound concept of life, death, and rebirth. ¡°There are, of course, some forms of sorcery that cannot be weaved into being without a design to draw inspiration from.¡± Rowan¡¯s gaze drifted toward Bram. ¡°Sorcery born exclusively to those rare beings whose fates flow in opposition to the will of the world.¡± Realizing her intention, Bram cut his palm with the chipped edge of his sword¡¯s broken blade so that a line of blood would leak out of the wound. ¡°For the blood is the life,¡± he whispered. He pressed his bloody palm to the heart of the triskelion. As a result, the floating symbol began to shake violently, with sparks flying off it. ¡°This is how we make magic¡±¡ªRowan slapped her palm against the floating triskelion right on the opposite side of where Bram¡¯s hand touched it, causing even more sparks to fly off the glowing symbol¡ª¡°to change the world!¡± Those same fiery sparks spread out toward Hajime, enveloping him in their warm embrace while being absorbed into his skin. ¡°W-What is¡ª¡± ¡®Ping!¡¯ Then they all saw the ghostly blue window that appeared before the otherworlder.
Welcome, Hajime.
Hajime¡¯s eyes widened with surprise. ¡°Ee~~eh?!¡±
You have been invited to take part in the great undertaking. Will you join?
A smaller window appeared on top of the first.
[YES] [NO]
At that moment, all nervousness vanished from Hajime¡¯s expression.
[YES]
CONGRATULATIONS! You are the first [Traveler] to join the Loom of Ill Fates!
¡°Arienai¡­¡±
Please wait while the system measures your current capabilities.
While Hajime¡¯s jaw dropped from seeing his status window coming to life, Bram leaned in to whisper into Rowan¡¯s ear. ¡°How did you do it?¡± ¡°I established a connection between the Loom and Hajime¡¯s soul using the information in your blood and a triskelion¡¯s symbolic power to become a bridge between the earthly and celestial realms,¡± Rowan explained. Bram had heard of this rare form of magic before. To represent a caster¡¯s desired outcome through the creation of a telesmatic force. This was the sorcerous art of Sigilry. ¡°Just so I understand what¡¯s happened here ¡ª you translated a triskelion¡¯s meaning of connection with the infinite to forge a magical connection between Hajime and the system, weaving its sorcery into the fabric of his soul,¡± he deduced. ¡°There is great power in symbols, My Prince. Never forget this,¡± Rowan lectured. ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± Bram grinned, adding, ¡°and you¡¯re bloody brilliant.¡± ¡®Ping!¡¯ A new notification appeared in front of Bram.
ALERT! The Loom has expanded by one user. Acquiring more users for the system will help to grow the capabilities of [Administrator Lv.1] and may lead you to a breakthrough.
Finally, an explanation of how he could grow his job¡¯s talents. ¡°We may need to simplify the process of bestowing the Loom onto others,¡± Bram thought aloud. Meeting every single otherworlder they summon and then gifting them the Loom through this ceremony seemed inefficient to him. ¡°We can combine the gifting of the Loom with the summoning ritual and the signing of the contract.¡± Rowan¡¯s face turned contemplative. ¡°Though this will require adding a triskelion and transference ceremony into the formula of my summoning circle.¡± ¡°Is there a disadvantage to this?¡± ¡°There¡¯s a delicate balance in formulating magic circles. Too many conditions may create undesired variables during the process of summoning.¡± ¡°Too many cooks spoil the broth then.¡± ¡°You need not worry. With a bit of experimentation, I¡¯ll manage.¡± ¡°It¡¯s like being in a game,¡± Hajime announced. The otherworlder was grinning from ear to ear as his gaze drifted away from his status screen to home in on Bram and Rowan. ¡°Like I¡¯m a chosen one!¡± His cheeks flared immediately afterward as if he was embarrassed by what he said out loud. ¡°You are a chosen one.¡± Seeing Hajime¡¯s excitement, Bram couldn¡¯t help but feel hopeful. ¡°Do you think other Earthers will be interested in our great undertaking too?¡± ¡°Many dream of something like this happening¡­ We call it being isekai¡¯d ¡ª to become protagonists in another world!¡± Hajime explained. ¡°And that¡¯s what we want your people to be!¡± Bram couldn¡¯t help but be infected by Hajime¡¯s passion. ¡°Still, to protect your people¡¯s minds from the harsh realities of another world, they must view their time on Aarde as if it weren¡¯t real.¡± ¡°You want to trick them into thinking they¡¯re playing a game,¡± Hajime repeated Bram¡¯s earlier pitch. ¡°It would be a far more enjoyable experience than the truth.¡± Bram offered Hajime his hand. ¡°We would like your help in making this happen.¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Hajime¡¯s gaze drifted to the floating blue window between him and Bram. ¡°Yes. I will help.¡± He shook Bram¡¯s hand, and the bargain between them was sealed. As if as an afterthought, Bram added, ¡°Given the circumstances, I should warn you, our great undertaking has a bit of a deadline.¡± ¡°Rushed deadlines is a way of life in the gaming industry,¡± Hajime grinned, though, after a second of thinking, he couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°But how long do we have?¡± Bram¡¯s brow creased. ¡°Less than nine months¡­on the eve of the Mid-Winter Solstice.¡± ¡°Then, Bram-sama, Rowan-sama, we¡¯re going to need help,¡± Hajime insisted. ¡°We agree,¡± Rowan answered. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t happen to know anyone, would you?¡± ¡°If we¡¯re building the greatest game ever built¡­¡± In his mind, Hajime recalled a few familiar faces. ¡°¡­I know who to call.¡± Chapter 15: Magic on Earth CHAPTER FIFTEEN Magic on Earth
Hajime¡¯s eyes flew open. ¡°I-I¡¯m back,¡± he gasped. His head hurt as if ants were crawling around in his brain. It was a pain that vanished in the seconds it took him to sit up. Or so he thought. A second later, Hajime was climbing out of bed so he could puke his guts out on the nearby trash bin. It would be a while before he would rise from the floor. ¡°But¡­was it real?¡± In the cold light of day, Hajime couldn¡¯t help but doubt it just a little. The fact that his spirit had been summoned to another world while his body slept. ¡°It couldn¡¯t have been a dream¡­¡± From the sound of his captors¡¯ voices, the taste of elderberry tea on his tongue, or the stench of a beast¡¯s carcass on his nose¡ªsuch details from his dream were too vivid for his imagination to have conjured them up on its own. ¡°Arienai¡­my imagination¡¯s good, but it¡¯s not that good¡­¡± Butterflies danced in Hajime¡¯s stomach. ¡°It wasn¡¯t a dream¡­ It happened¡­¡± Elation blossomed in his chest. ¡°Meaning¡­¡± While wiping the spit from the corner of his mouth with his shirt, Hajime strode over to the glass door at the other end of his bedroom. He pushed it open and walked out onto his apartment¡¯s balcony with its view of Central Park from across the street. Then, with the breeze on his face and joy in his heart, Hajime pumped his fists into the air. ¡°Yatta!¡± He basked in the glory of his revelation while the late afternoon sun shone down on him. ¡°I¡¯m a chosen one!¡± ¡°Good for you!¡± yelled one of Hajime¡¯s older neighbors who was out on the balcony to the left of his. ¡°Now, shut up, asshole! I¡¯m trying to read here!¡± With cheeks turning the color of apples, Hajime bowed hurriedly. ¡°Sumimasen, Kent-san.¡± Hajime dove for the safety of his apartment. He shut the door and then leaned against its glass. Then he laughed. He laughed until his sides hurt, and then he laughed some more. When he was done with his fit of hysterics, resolve flashed on Hajime¡¯s face. ¡°I¡¯ll resign today.¡± An hour later, the chiming of the elevator doors woke Hajime from his musing. He¡¯d been thinking about the contract he¡¯d signed with the Aarders¡ªthe name he¡¯d given the otherworlders¡ªand was wondering how they could improve on it so that the experience for other Earthers wouldn¡¯t feel as strange as what he¡¯d gone through. The thought of the small meat doll that had morphed into a toy doll version of him after he¡¯d given it a drop of his blood still caused shivers to climb up Hajime¡¯s spine hours after Rowan had conjured it out of the remains of the carcass of the monster whose blood had given Hajime form. ¡°Maybe we can make the summoning chamber look like airport immigration.¡± Hajime knew this was a silly idea while he said it. ¡°Airport immigration is scary too¡­especially American airports.¡± The elevator doors opened to a pristine white space that was once the setting for Hajime¡¯s worst nightmares. Today though, the sight of the studio¡¯s lobby no longer filled him with paralyzing fear. ¡°You¡¯re late,¡± said a familiar voice that tickled Hajime¡¯s ears to hear. A blonde woman with almond-shaped hazel eyes slid into view in front of the elevator. She had her arms crossed over her chest. Sliding over to stand beside Bridget while looking tired as ever was Hajime¡¯s boss. A bittersweet smile flashed on Hajime¡¯s face. ¡°Bridget-san, Chris-senpai¡­¡± One of Bridget¡¯s long eyebrows arched upward, and as realization dawned on her, she gave Hajime a smile that could light up a room. ¡°Shit, you¡¯re finally doing it,¡± she guessed. Hajime nodded. After he stepped out of the elevator, Hajime took out the crumpled white envelope from his jacket pocket and offered it to Chris with a bow. Chris let out a heavy sigh. ¡°Darn it, not you too¡­¡± ¡°Eh?¡± Hajime glanced up. To his surprise, both Chris and Bridget were grinning conspiratorially at him. ¡°I guess great minds do think alike,¡± Bridget said, laughing afterward. From her jeans pocket, she produced a folded white envelope. ¡°Ee~~eh!¡± Hajime stepped back. ¡°You also, Bridget-san?¡± ¡°Not just me.¡± Bridget cocked her head to the side. ¡°Chris is gone too.¡± Again, Chris let out a heavy sigh. Then he too produced a white envelope from his jacket pocket. ¡°The studio¡¯s big three quitting on the same day¡­¡± Chris shook his head. Though his tired face cracked into a grin when he added, ¡°I reckon we¡¯ll all be unemployed together.¡± ¡°No, we won¡¯t¡­¡± It took him a few seconds, but Hajime¡¯s brain eventually accepted this strange coincidence as good fortune, and he couldn¡¯t help grinning now too. ¡°We¡¯re the chosen ones!¡±
Neither Chris nor Bridget understood what Hajime meant, but they¡¯d listened to his suggestion that the three of them gather at his apartment later for what Hajime called the most out-of-this-world business proposal either of them would ever hear. So, on a night that was like any other for most of New York City, three mortals would attempt something that hadn¡¯t been attempted on Earth since the ancient days when the old gods walked the world. Interestingly, two of these three participants had no clue what they were about to do. ¡°Y¡¯all forget to pay your electricity bill?¡± Chris asked. The tall, fair-skinned, but gaunt-faced former executive producer of a triple-A gaming studio arrived at Hajime¡¯s apartment with a bottle of expensive whiskey in hand. ¡°No, I always pay on time,¡± Hajime said as he received the bottle from his former boss.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Bewilderment flashed on Chris¡¯ face. ¡°So, what¡¯s with all the candles¡­?¡± Hajime watched Chris¡¯ confusion grow as his gaze swept the living room. To be fair, the sight of so many lit candles scattered on the floor was a strange thing to behold in these modern times. ¡°I asked him the same thing when I got here,¡± Bridget answered casually. She lounged on Hajime¡¯s white couch while sipping on her glass of wine like a cat that had made itself at home. Seeing her looking so relaxed caused Hajime to blush, though it didn¡¯t look like either Bridget or Chris noticed. They seemed too preoccupied by Hajime¡¯s choice of mood lighting. ¡°What¡¯d he say?¡± Chris asked. ¡°He said¡ª¡± ¡°¡ªI said it was a surprise!¡± Hajime cut in, adding, ¡°Chotto matte, my presentation¡¯s almost ready.¡± One of Chris¡¯ bushy eyebrows hitched up. ¡°Presentation?¡± ¡°I¡¯m guessing all this¡±¡ªBridget waved at the candles¡ª¡°is meant to set the mood for Hajime¡¯s big reveal.¡± ¡°You were serious about pitching us?¡± Chris asked. ¡°Hai,¡± Hajime answered distractedly. He was busy pouring wine into an empty glass. Chris¡¯ face fell a little. It did seem like he wasn¡¯t interested in talking about new work. Of course, Hajime understood. Any other time, he would¡¯ve joined Chris in drowning their sorrows and frustrations in alcohol while cursing the greedy bastards who¡¯d turned their beloved gaming studio into the sellout it became. However, this night was meant for stranger things, and the Aarders were waiting for new sacrifices¡­ Hajime shook his head. Not sacrifices, he thought. Those were Rowan¡¯s words. Bram¡¯s name for them sounded more pleasant. Collaborators. Hajime offered Chris a glass of wine. The gaunt-faced man shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m gonna need something harder.¡± ¡°Iie,¡± Hajime insisted, pushing the wine glass into Chris¡¯ hands, ¡°we¡¯ll drink whiskey later. Trust me. We¡¯ll need something strong for after.¡± One of Chris¡¯ bushy eyebrows hitched up. ¡°After?¡± ¡°Just roll with it, Chris,¡± Bridget said, taking another sip of her wine. ¡°Ah, fuck it. Why the hell not.¡± Chris placed the glass to his lips so that it brushed against his mustache. He didn¡¯t drink it right away though, instead asking, ¡°Y¡¯all didn¡¯t put anything in this drink, did you?¡± Since he meant it in jest, Chris didn¡¯t notice Hajime¡¯s smile falter. No, Hajime didn¡¯t put anything in Chris¡¯ drink, but that didn¡¯t mean things weren¡¯t about to get weird. ¡°I-Iie, Chris-senpai,¡± Hajime chuckled nervously. ¡°It¡¯s not like I¡¯m planning to murder you or anything¡­¡± A second of nervous silence filled the living room¡ªand then all three of them laughed. After all, it was inconceivable that loyal, straight-laced, hardworking Hajime could ever do anything weird to his two friends. Chris downed half his glass of wine in one gulp. Then, with a mustachioed grin at Hajime, he said, ¡°Well, it¡¯s your show, Romeo.¡± ¡°One more minute,¡± Hajime promised. Then added, ¡°More wine?¡± Chris shrugged. ¡°Sure.¡± After Hajime refilled his glass, Chris tiptoed past lit candles that leaked beads of wax onto the hardwood floor and made his way over to the couch. Once there, he gently pushed Bridget¡¯s feet out of the way so that he could sit next to her. That¡¯s when he leaned toward her and asked, ¡°He¡¯s not gonna kill us, is he?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think so, but who knows,¡± Bridget replied, adding, ¡°We¡¯re all a little crazy from working at Biosoft for so long.¡± Chris clinked his glass against Bridget¡¯s glass. ¡°Touch¨¦.¡± ¡°I can hear you,¡± Hajime cut in. He lit one last candle. It was thick, black, and sweating beads of wax just like its brethren lined up around it. ¡°Yoshi.¡± Finished with his prep, Hajime stood up to admire his work. The candles on the floor formed an intricate pattern; a spiral that looped inward. This seemed like nothing special to Bridget¡¯s and Chris¡¯ eyes, but Hajime had actually recreated the round depression at the heart of the summoning chamber inside the cursed cave¡­with one alteration. There was no round crevice in the center of his living room. In its place was a wooden board that boasted a symbol Hajime had once seen floating in the air between him, Rowan, and Bram. ¡°What¡¯s the triskelion for?¡± Chris asked. Hajime had indeed carved a triskelion onto a thick wooden board he¡¯d placed in the very middle of the spiral of candles. ¡°It¡¯s meant to establish a connection,¡± he replied distractedly. From how Rowan had explained it to him the night before, the triskelion board was the ¡®focus¡¯ meant to establish a connection between the two worlds. If he¡¯d made it in the right proportions she¡¯d detailed, then it would act like a comms buoy that should help Rowan¡¯s sorcery find the object he planned to send over to Aarde. It was the first of several experiments the trio had planned to discover if trade was possible between the two worlds. For, as Hajime had explained it to the Aarders, ¡°Turning success on Aarde into tangible rewards on Earth is the best way to hook people who don¡¯t normally play video games but have the skills we¡¯ll need to help grow your kingdom.¡± ¡°¡®Tis worth testing,¡± Rowan had agreed. Hajime couldn¡¯t admit any of this to his friends though. At least not yet. ¡°A connection with what¡­?¡± Bridget asked. Hajime glanced up. Both his friends were looking back at him with worried faces. ¡°Hajime,¡± Bridget¡¯s brow creased, ¡°what¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Something I can¡¯t explain with words¡­ I need to show it to you,¡± he admitted. Hajime observed his two friends glancing at each other and wondered what he would do if they decided to leave. Chris was looking gaunt from stress with work, but he was still a big guy with shoulders nearly as wide as the Aarder prince. He had short-cropped sandy hair and a horseshoe mustache to go with the deep blue eyes of the Texan he was. Sure, Hajime may have a samurai¡¯s spirit, but he was no match against a real-life cowboy in fisticuffs. Not that it would get to that point. As for Bridget, Hajime had been crushing on the attractive blonde writer since their first week working together more than half a decade ago. There was no way he could hurt her. ¡°Please, just trust me,¡± Hajime said as earnestly as he could. ¡°I promise this will be worth it.¡± Bridget and Chris glanced skeptically at each other, but eventually, they leaned back against the couch. ¡°Alright, Bud.¡± Chris sipped on his wine. ¡°Let¡¯s hear the pitch.¡± ¡°But nothing too weird okay?¡± Bridget insisted. Hajime smiled but said nothing. There was no way he could promise that. Instead, he walked over to the kitchen to pluck two things lying on the tabletop counter; a can of soda and a bowl filled with red liquid. He then brought these items back to the circle of lit candles and placed the soda can on top of the triskelion he¡¯d carved on his wooden board. Again, Chris and Bridget exchanged a look while Hajime looked at the smartwatch around his wrist. ¡°One minute to Eight PM,¡± he reported. ¡°It¡¯s almost time.¡± Hajime poured the bowl¡¯s contents into the grooves of the triskelion. Immediately, an iron scent filled the air. ¡°Holy shit,¡± Bridget breathed, ¡°is that¡­blood?¡± ¡°I-It¡¯s just pig¡¯s blood,¡± Hajime promised. ¡°How¡¯s that any better?¡± Chris replied. The Texan stood up, his hackles clearly rising. However, before he could freak out about Hajime¡¯s morbid show, something happened to keep harsh words from spilling out of his mouth. ¡®Ping!¡¯ The alert of Hajime¡¯s smartwatch signaled the beginning of something otherworldly. There were no glowing lines of blood or telltale sparks of sorcery to signal that the ritual was a success, and yet all three Earthers had their mouths agape. ¡°Sweet Christmas,¡± Chris whistled. The can of soda on Hajime¡¯s board was moving on its own as if something were rattling inside of it. ¡°See, I had to show you,¡± Hajime whispered, his anxiety over his friends¡¯ skepticism diminishing slightly. The can of soda rattled, paused, and then rattled some more as if it were a tin dancer playing to a beat only it could hear. Then, after a long dance sequence, it vanished¡ªplucked out of Hajime¡¯s apartment by an invisible hand. ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ An eerie silence permeated the air. ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ One by one, the candles winked out as if an ill wind was blowing across the living room. Soon, there were no lights left to keep the darkness at bay. ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ ¡°Yatta!¡± Despite the unnerving darkness, Hajime pumped his fists into the air. ¡°We did it!¡± ¡°We?¡± Bridget repeated, to which Chris added, ¡°What¡¯d ¡®we¡¯ do exactly?¡± ¡°And turn on the goddamn light already,¡± Bridget complained. ¡°Ah, hai,¡± Hajime said, quickly rising to his feet. He knew better than to let Bridget¡¯s Irish temper flare up¡ªhe¡¯d seen firsthand how badly her team members cried whenever she blasted them for missing deadlines¡ªbut he would quickly discover that he couldn¡¯t do anything about her request. The lights wouldn¡¯t turn on. Indeed, it seemed like every piece of technology in Hajime¡¯s living room stopped working. ¡°Darn it, my phone¡¯s dead too,¡± Chris reported. Someone fumbled in the darkness. A second later, the thick blackout curtains covering the living room window were pulled aside. Moonlight filtered into Hajime¡¯s apartment. Only, the moon seemed too bright for this part of the city, which was always lit with bright lights. ¡°Holy fuck, Hajime,¡± Bridget breathed. She¡¯d been the one to open the curtains, so she had the best view of the outside, including Central Park, which, like the entirety of the street below, was covered in darkness. ¡°Did you do this?¡± she asked. ¡°Um, I didn¡¯t know this would happen,¡± Hajime replied lamely. It was another New York City blackout, though not like the ones they were used to. There wasn¡¯t a single honk of a car to be heard, though there were a lot of raised voices from below. It wasn¡¯t just a few city blocks that had lost power either. From the view of their window, it seemed like all of Manhattan was silent. ¡°But what did you do?¡± Bridget pressed. Hajime was so distracted by the view that he answered without thinking. ¡°I sent soda to another world¡­¡± Both Bridget¡¯s and Chris¡¯ gaze snapped sideways. ¡°What?!¡± Bridget asked incredulously¡ªto which Chris added, ¡°This is what you meant about us needing my whiskey later?¡± Hajime nodded. So, Chris obliged. With the help of the moonlight, he poured all three of them a drink, and only after they¡¯d all downed their glasses did he say, ¡°Alright, Bud, from the beginning¡­and don¡¯t y¡¯all leave any details out either.¡± ¡°Um, so¡­¡± Sighing heavily, as if to expel doubt from his body, Hajime asked, ¡°Do either of you know what ¡®isekai¡¯ means¡­?¡± Chapter 16: Dream Walker CHAPTER SIXTEEN Dream Walker
WARNING! Members of the Pantheon have noticed your ritual!
¡°Bloody hell!¡± Sweat dripped down Bram¡¯s brow. ¡°We¡¯re not ready for their attention¡­¡± He tried to rise from the chamber¡¯s cold stone floor, but Rowan wrapped her hand around his and pulled him back into her arms. ¡°Worry not, My Prince.¡± She intertwined her fingers with his fingers. ¡°They cannot see us¡­¡±
ALERT! Phoebus¡¯ gaze has turned to the Atlan Imperium.
Bram¡¯s free hand flew to his sword¡¯s hilt, which he realized a second later was a foolish act. For what could bastion-forged steel do against the sun god? ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid,¡± Rowan whispered into Bram¡¯s ear. ¡°They cannot hear us¡­¡±
ALERT! June¡¯s gaze has drifted to Lotharin.
¡°They cannot smell us¡­¡± Her breath tickled his skin.
ALERT! Pallas¡¯ gaze is fixed on Sundermount.
¡°They cannot touch us¡­¡± Her lips pressed against his neck, drawing out the anxiety from Bram¡¯s body along with the blood she sipped from him. A moan escaped the prince¡¯s lips. He wasn¡¯t sure how long she fed, but eventually, her lips parted from his neck and the pleasure he felt from her touch vanished. In his mind, he wanted her to keep going, to sate her hunger by taking more of his blood in that blissful way that set him afire¡­but Bram didn¡¯t say this aloud. He couldn¡¯t. Control of his senses was returning to him, and with it came the embarrassment of one who¡¯d overindulged in a drug in which he alone could partake. When Rowan pulled away from Bram, her cheeks showed a rosy tinge. She looked full of life unlike a minute ago when the ordeal of her sorcery had sapped her complexion of color. ¡°And even if they knew where to look¡­¡± Rowan¡¯s gaze drifted lazily away from Bram¡¯s flushed face toward the chamber entrance. Long moments passed by without anything or anyone arriving to disturb their vigil¡­not even a passing breeze. ¡°¡­They would do nothing.¡± She rose from the ground where she sat next to him. Then she laughed. It was laughter of a girlish sort but with a hint of malice in its echo. ¡°The gods are impotent without their champions,¡± Rowan scoffed. ¡°We need not worry about an encounter¡­not yet.¡± Hers was quite the declaration considering that three of the most prominent members of the pantheon ruling High Heaven¡ªthe Sun God Phoebus, June, Mother of Life, and Pallas, Keeper of Knowledge¡ªhad turned their attention to the mortal world. ¡®She Who Knows¡¯ had even pinpointed the mountain from which Rowan had cast sorcery potent enough to break the fundamental laws of two worlds. Yet despite this blatant flouting of their rules and the distortion it caused to the fabric of the world they governed; the gods did nothing. Rowan¡¯s claim proved true. Still, the pantheon showing interest in the mortal world was so rare that mortals who witnessed their portents in the heavens were left with their mouths agape while feeling a sense of wonder, confusion, and even fear striking through them¡­ Meanwhile, the two rulebreakers who¡¯d drawn the gods¡¯ gazes cared not for their attention. Bram, whose mind was still recovering from the trickster¡¯s bite, and Rowan, who was busy inspecting the item she¡¯d just acquired from another world. ¡°I expected something more glamorous.¡± She sounded disappointed. ¡°Perhaps one of those moving pictures I saw in your visions¡­¡± Rowan eyed the metal cylinder in her hand with confusion flitting across her face. ¡°¡®Tis cold to the touch¡­¡± she observed. ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s a weapon of some sort?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a weapon¡­¡± Bram blinked. Once, twice, and then a third time to ensure his mind was his. Only then did he decide to speak again. ¡°It looks more like one of the ever-heating flasks we keep our tea in.¡± ¡°A drink then¡­?¡± Rowan shook the cylinder, causing the sound of sloshing liquid to reach their ears. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t¡ª¡± She pierced its top with her nail¡ªand a frothy brown liquid exploded out of it to splash across her face. ¡°¡ªdo that,¡± Bram finished lamely. The otherworldly knowledge he gleaned from his dreams proved accurate this time too because he knew that one should never shake liquid trapped in a container lest they wished to be doused in it, though he didn¡¯t understand why this reaction could occur within so tiny a thing. To her credit, Rowan didn¡¯t fly into a tantrum like most of the highborn ladies of the Imperium would have if they suffered from such a mishap. Instead, she brushed her finger against the bead of brown liquid sliding down her cheek and then pressed it to her lips. ¡°It¡¯s sweet,¡± she whispered. ¡°Is it?¡± Bram asked curiously, though it may not have been the beverage¡¯s taste but the way she tasted it that caught the prince¡¯s interest. To his secret delight, she offered to let him try it in the same way she¡¯d done. Funnily enough, it was in this compromising position¡ªBram pressing his lips against Rowan¡¯s outstretched finger¡ªthat they were in when they felt the wind stir. ¡°Um, should I come back later?¡± came a familiar voice. He appeared nearby as if spat out by starlight, with bits of stardust still clinging to his body. ¡°Good evening, Hajime,¡± said Rowan who disentangled herself from Bram¡¯s side. With an apologetic glance at Bram, Hajime greeted Rowan back with, ¡°K-Konbanwa!¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to return without my summoning you¡­nor fully clothed.¡± Curiosity flashed on Rowan¡¯s face. ¡°Interesting¡­very interesting.¡± Hajime hadn¡¯t arrived on Aarde like a newborn babe this time. Instead, he wore the same loose-fitting shirt and trousers they¡¯d given him before. Bram recalled that when Hajime left Aarde the previous night, the Loom had asked him if he wanted to save his progress. Hajime¡¯s current state must¡¯ve been what the system meant, and if so, then this solved one of the issues Bram had been concerned with when he first met Hajime. Starting over on Aarde after dying once seemed a harsh enough challenge, but to lose all of one¡¯s things when returning to Earth and then coming back to Aarde without one¡¯s hard-earned loot seemed a hellish endeavor even for Bram. A new concern grew on the prince¡¯s mind though; the fact that the otherworlder appeared unbidden, and so close to where he and the trickster were too. What if she or I had been taking a bath? he wondered. What if we were both in the same¡ª Bram knew better than to finish that thought especially since Rowan could sometimes glean his thoughts through his emotions. ¡°To be able to record the state of your last visit¡±¡ªRowan¡¯s fingers brushed the fabric of Hajime¡¯s shirt¡ª¡°means the Loom is more than a simple tool for training¡­ ¡®Tis powerful, this strange sorcery.¡± Rowan cast a sideways glance at Bram. ¡°A pity it doesn¡¯t work the same with you, my prince,¡± she said. ¡°Most likely because I¡¯m not a soul plucked from another world,¡± he replied, desperately trying not to think green-minded thoughts now that her gaze was on him and failing miserably. Bram cleared his throat and quickly turned the spotlight back on Hajime, ¡°What were you doing before coming here?¡± ¡°Um,¡± Hajime¡¯s brow creased, ¡°I think I just closed my eyes¡­¡± The otherworlder recounted the moments before his soul was whisked away to Aarde, explaining to them how he had the most awkward conversation with his friends, who, with a lot of convincing and copious amounts of alcohol, finally agreed to sleep in his apartment so that they too might visit the new world he¡¯d allegedly visited. ¡°I don¡¯t think they believed me even after they dozed off,¡± Hajime admitted. Then, in an undertone, added, ¡°They were just drunk enough to play along¡­¡± Concerned that Aarde and Earth time weren¡¯t synchronized like he first believed, Hajime lay down and shut his eyes thirty minutes before the schedule he¡¯d planned with Rowan the night before. ¡°I was worried that I dreamed all of this¡­¡± His gaze drifted to the round depression at the center of the summoning chamber. Wonder and relief filled his face. ¡°I¡¯m happy this place isn¡¯t a dream¡­¡± ¡°You returned here thanks to wish fulfillment¡­¡± One of Bram¡¯s eyebrows hitched upward. ¡°Is that even possible¡­?¡± ¡°Not usually.¡± Rowan¡¯s expression turned contemplative. ¡°Without a summoning from our side, a conduit to allow the transfer of a soul would be necessary.¡± Bram nodded. They¡¯d already explained to Hajime last night that they wished to use the virtual reality device he called the ¡®Visionary II¡¯ for the totem that would allow otherworlders¡¯ souls to travel to Aarde. ¡°But we¡¯ve yet to establish the link between the Loom, the ritual, and the Earther¡¯s device,¡± Bram reiterated. ¡°So, how is Hajime here?¡± The prince couldn¡¯t help feeling anxious. His new companion¡¯s unscheduled arrival awakened a possibility he didn¡¯t expect; they might not have full control of the otherworlders¡¯ comings and goings. But, while Bram worried over this possibility, curiosity was alight in Rowan¡¯s eyes. ¡°I suspect Hajime could be a dream walker.¡± ¡°Bloody hell,¡± the prince whispered.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Dream walkers were sorcerers who could enter the dreams of others to reshape their dreamscape, influence minds, or even harm the dreamer. There were even accounts of powerful dream walkers crossing into other realms through the dreaming. Tales of such people were plentiful, for there were famous sorcerers in Imperium history who claimed to possess this rare trait. ¡°The touch of magic may have awakened Hajime¡¯s latent talent, allowing him to travel to Aarde since he wished to visit us again in his dreams.¡± Rowan looked delighted. ¡°If I guessed right, our new friend has great potential for sorcery.¡± Hajime, who¡¯d been inspecting the two beasts sacrificed to summon a single can of soda to Aarde, looked up now, his cheeks flaring red in embarrassment. ¡°Iie,¡± he nervously swatted his hand in the air, ¡°I-I¡¯m not special¡­ This is just¡­¡± Bram guessed Hajime was about to say ¡®coincidence¡¯ but stopped himself. His curiosity also ignited, Bram asked, ¡°What sort of potential are we talking about?¡± ¡°Do you recall the sorcery I used at the cave¡¯s entrance?¡± Rowan replied. Bram¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°The Transmutation Arts¡­you think Hajime can use it?¡± As far as Bram knew, no modern sorcerer had yet learned this lost sorcery. ¡°A dream walker¡¯s ability to reshape the dreaming is similar in theory to the power of reshaping matter to one¡¯s will,¡± she explained. A part of Bram couldn¡¯t help but feel jealous of Hajime¡¯s potential, though his envy was quickly stifled by delight because if they trained him right then Hajime could become a powerful second fang for the prince to bite his enemies with. ¡°Let¡¯s find out.¡± Bram pulled up Hajime¡¯s status using his authority as the Loom¡¯s chief administrator.
STATUS
NAME: Hajime Hideo Miyamoto
RACE: Human (Earth)
LEVEL: 1
JOB: Not yet determined
Bram frowned. He¡¯d been stuck with the administrator job, but it seemed Hajime would be allowed a choice.
AFFILIATION: [Bastille Shire]
TITLE: [Lead Game Designer] [???]
¡°There.¡± Bram clicked on the suspicious title but found only a single phrase in its details.
Unknown¡­ May be revealed once user¡¯s potential has blossomed¡­
So, even the Loom isn¡¯t all-knowing¡­ This thought made Bram grin. ¡°Interesting,¡± Rowan said as she looked at Hajime¡¯s status from over Bram¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Um, isn¡¯t this¡­invasion of privacy?¡± Hajime complained. He too was looking at his status from over Bram¡¯s other shoulder. ¡°No,¡± Bram and Rowan answered, with Rowan adding, ¡°Shall we see what else the Loom thinks of his potential?¡± Hajime¡¯s brow creased. ¡°Let¡¯s not¡­please.¡± He was outvoted.
HEALTH POINTS (HP): 90
MAGIC POINTS (MP): 300
STAMINA POINTS (SP): 80
FATIGUE: 8%
¡°I guess I¡¯m the only one in two worlds without talent for magic,¡± Bram chuckled ironically. Rowan giggled at his self-deprecating humor. ¡°I told you he has potential.¡± Hajime looked on with embarrassment. ¡°Eh¡­¡±
STRENGTH: 8
DEXTERITY: 9
CONSTITUTION: 9
INTELLIGENCE: 30
WISDOM: 14
WILLPOWER: 17
Bram frowned at the sight of Hajime¡¯s poor physical traits. ¡°Your lack of training is glaringly obvious.¡± ¡°I-I¡¯m a game designer. I didn¡¯t have time for the gym,¡± Hajime protested, though his voice faltered by the end. ¡°Work isn¡¯t an excuse for poor health. There should be a balance,¡± Bram insisted. Inwardly, he couldn¡¯t help chuckling. Until recently, his life was the opposite of Hajime¡¯s; training his body until he coughed out blood but living idly while hiding from his responsibilities in the Sovereign¡¯s court. ¡°I¡¯ll speak to Ser Anthony about training you on your next visit,¡± Bram promised. From his weak, ¡°Hai,¡± it was clear Hajime wasn¡¯t as enthusiastic as Bram when it came to building one¡¯s muscles.
ACTIVE ABILITIES: N/A
PASSIVE ABILITIES: [Programming Lv.1] [Keen Mind Lv.1] [Gift of Tongues Lv.1]
Bram and Rowan shared a look. ¡°It takes time to groom potential into talent,¡± she insisted. Hajime¡¯s other two passives were the reason for his high mental trait scores. Programming even allowed him to fiddle with some of the Loom¡¯s features, assuming the prince gave him access. ¡°These abilities make it clear. Hajime should train as a sorcerer,¡± Rowan proclaimed. Bram agreed. When they first met, he thought Hajime looked the part of a sorcerer who spent too much time with his nose buried in books. It¡¯s why the prince brought it with him tonight, his gift to the otherworlder. Bram walked back to where he sat earlier and procured the item lying next to his lute. It was a box. Nestled within it was a wand; thirteen inches long, made of pale wood from an ancient oak, with decorative magical inscriptions carved throughout its surface. ¡°Beginner sorcerers use wands instead of staffs.¡± Bram pressed the wand into Hajime¡¯s hands. ¡°And while staves have their arcane focuses attached to their tips, a wand¡¯s focus lies within the wood.¡± Bram gazed fondly at the wand he¡¯d given away. ¡°This wand¡¯s focus is a royal griffin¡¯s feather,¡± he revealed. Bram didn¡¯t say it aloud, but the wand had been his; a gift from the Sovereign back when she was still optimistic about his potential. ¡°Arigatou gozaimasu,¡± Hajime said, bowing his head. When it came up a moment later, delight replaced his initial embarrassment. ¡°I¡¯ll try to be worthy of it¡­¡± ¡°I believe you will be,¡± Bram said encouragingly. The Loom seemed to agree. Because, as Hajime raised the wand¡ªthe runes on its surface suddenly lit up in a dull glow¡ªnotifications arrived for him that he was quick to share with his new employers.
ALERT! You have received [Young Griffin¡¯s Wand]. This is a magic item that requires attunement to wield properly.
Bram explained to Hajime that attuning to his new wand meant forging a bond with the magic item. This was often achieved through practicing with the item in a practical setting or by studying the item¡¯s inner workings and gaining an understanding of its enchantment. Both methods took time¡­a lot of time. And, until he attuned to it, the capabilities of the Young Griffin¡¯s Wand would be weakened. Speaking of its capabilities¡­
Would you like to register this item with the Loom?
Last night, after the Loom was bonded to Hajime¡¯s soul, he¡¯d been asked if he wanted to register his new clothes with the system. He¡¯d clicked on [YES], of course, resulting in his clothes receiving statuses of their own though these statuses were nothing special. This time was different. The Loom¡¯s All-Seeing Eye appeared over the wand in Hajime¡¯s hand. It glowed, blinking repeatedly, until, a few seconds later, a new message appeared.
ITEM: Young Griffin¡¯s Wand
DESCRIPTION: A wind-elemental wand made of top-quality materials whose arcane focus is a griffin¡¯s feather plucked from Brightcloud, the personal steed of Sovereign Johanna Barbara of House Attilan. This ornate wand was the Sovereign¡¯s present to the seventh prince on his seventh naming day, though the prince lacked the talent to use it properly.
BOONS: +2 to Intelligence, +20 Magic, +5% spell damage, 2.5% increased magic regeneration speed.
Bram¡¯s brow creased. ¡°There was no need to mention this last part¡­¡± He was surprised by how accurate the item¡¯s description was because only the wand smith who¡¯d forged it should¡¯ve known all the wand¡¯s boons. Bram didn¡¯t since he never managed to attune to the wand.
ALERT! You have yet to attune to [Griffin¡¯s Wand]. Most of its boons will be locked until the attunement process is completed.
¡°Sugoi,¡± Hajime whistled. ¡°The Loom has a built-in item feature.¡± Rowan cast a sideways glance at Bram. ¡°Has it ever done this before?¡± ¡°Not for me,¡± he admitted. To be fair, the prince had only recently been given access to the system¡¯s tools, and with everything that¡¯s happened, he¡¯s barely had the chance to truly explore this strange sorcery of his. Meanwhile, Hajime spent a long moment inspecting the item window and he had thoughts on its makeup. ¡°It¡¯s lacking some information. Rarity, attack power, and others. We¡¯ll need to rework this. Maybe give the feature an update.¡± ¡®Ping!¡¯ A new notification arrived for Hajime.
The potential to wield powerful magic lies within you¡­ Would you like to become an [Arcane Novice]?
[YES] [NO]
¡°W-What should I do?¡± he asked. ¡°Say yes,¡± Rowan answered. ¡°You¡¯ll need it to help our prince secure sacrifices for your friends¡¯ summoning.¡± Hajime¡¯s brow creased. ¡°S-Sacrifices?¡± Taking his cue from Rowan, Bram patted Hajime on the shoulder. ¡°Your new job arrived right on time. Rowan needs to prepare a new summoning ritual. So, you get to join me in hunting the beasts that¡¯ll fuel that ritual.¡± Again, Hajime¡¯s gaze drifted to the two carcasses at the edge of the Rowan¡¯s circle. They were red grizzlies that were larger than the one used for his summoning. ¡°Come on.¡± Sensing the otherworlder¡¯s desire to flee, the prince wrapped an arm around his shoulders. ¡°It¡¯ll be fun.¡± While Bram half-dragged Hajime toward the chamber¡¯s entrance, Hajime¡¯s eyes widened with worry. ¡°Ee~~eh?!¡± Chapter 17: Magic for Beginners CHAPTER SEVENTEEN Magic for Beginners
¡°Carry on, o¡¯ errant knight,¡± Bram sang, ¡°fighting evil with righteous might!¡± It was a loud, raucous tune he sang; one meant to stir the blood of those who heard it. The prince who¡¯d once again donned his bard¡¯s disguise strummed his lute with practiced hands. ¡°Don¡¯t you lay your sword to rest¡­¡± Bram hoped his song would inspire Hajime, though, from the sound of his companion¡¯s cries for help, he guessed his tune wasn¡¯t as effective a morale booster as it could¡¯ve been if it were weaved with magic. The prince shook his head. There was no point wishing for the impossible. Even with the system¡¯s help, he didn¡¯t have enough magic within him to become a proper bard. At least not the kind adored by the Imperium¡¯s grand theaters. ¡°Fight until you¡¯re¡ª¡± ¡°¡ªBram-sama!¡± Hajime yelled desperately, forcing Bram to pause his singing. From his perch atop a thick tree branch, the prince gazed down just in time to notice that the otherworlder had rolled to the ground after stumbling over an exposed tree root. Unfortunately, he couldn¡¯t dodge the shaggy, black beast charging him with black antlers that smoldered like burning coals. ¡°I-I¡¯m going to die!¡± Hajime screamed. ¡°Dying once could help us study the effects of a death on Aarde,¡± Bram whispered in a curious tone. ¡°Maybe I should let¡ª¡± ¡°¡ªBram-sama!¡± Hajime yelled again. ¡°Help!¡± The prince caught sight of the otherworlder¡¯s face¡ªthe fear apparent in Hajime¡¯s expression¡ªand he recalled his own sense of crippling fear whenever he faced that sleek blue monster that often ended his dreaming in such a violent fashion. Bram sighed. Then he whistled. A moment later, he heard a friendly bellow responding to his whistle. It came just in time because the shaggy, black beast hellbent on skewering Hajime with its antlers was nearly upon him. It was a split-second save; Renfri slammed into the blackheart stag¡¯s side right before it reached Hajime. ¡°Good boy,¡± Bram whispered. Renfri¡¯s ivory antlers pierced into the blackheart stag¡¯s hide, causing dark ichor to splash out of wounds dealt to it by the young hart. Unfortunately, Renfri¡¯s attack wasn¡¯t enough to slay a beast that was at least four hundred pounds and nearly eight feet long. However, there had been enough impact to send the shaggy beast reeling away from Hajime. The blackheart stag roared indignantly, and its bellow shook the branches of nearby oaks. ¡°Phoebus¡¯ cock¡­we¡¯ve attracted a feisty one.¡± This fel beast was no red grizzly, but even Atlan¡¯s seventh prince couldn¡¯t shake off the tingling in his spine as he observed the creature preparing to charge again. Its beady black eyes weren¡¯t turned on Bram, but on Hajime who¡¯d just regained his footing. ¡°It recognizes who the weaker prey is,¡± Bram deduced. Hajime noticed this too. ¡°Bram-sama¡­can I tag you in?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need me¡­ You can do this.¡± These were the same words of affirmation the prince used to tell himself whenever he had to try something uncomfortable. Sadly, things never worked out for a young Bram. But Hajime was made of different stock. He had talent. He was the Loom¡¯s first arcane novice after all. Hajime still looked unsure, but he nodded all the same. ¡°I can do this.¡± He spoke so quietly that Bram¡¯s ears strained to hear him. ¡°I can do this.¡± Hajime raised his new wand forward, its tip shaking as he held it aloft. He took a breath, then, ¡°Hi-ya!¡± Nothing. Bram laughed out loud. He couldn¡¯t help it. Although he wanted to help Hajime learn sorcery too, the prince also couldn¡¯t help feeling relieved to learn even a potential dream walker was having a hard time learning to wield basic magic. ¡°Nandayo?!¡± Frustration filled Hajime¡¯s face. It was an expression quick to vanish though, replaced by the sudden fear of impending doom because the blackheart stag was rushing forward again. ¡°It¡¯s not working¡±¡ªHajime stumbled backward¡ª¡°Bram-sama!¡± Since he¡¯d been observing Hajime¡¯s fight with a deft eye, Bram deduced that the arcane novice¡¯s failure to wield sorcery had nothing to do with his talent. Indeed, with Hajime¡¯s passive abilities inflating his magic power well beyond the reserves of an average beginner, the arcane novice shouldn¡¯t have such a hard time sensing his inner magic¡­but he did. He¡¯s only felt the signature of Rowan¡¯s magic. He¡¯s yet to feel his own. Atlan¡¯s seventh prince may have no talent for sorcery, but he¡¯d studied the sorcerous arts so thoroughly that one might call him an expert at noticing the quirks and flaws of others when it came to harnessing their magic power. ¡°Focus!¡± he instructed. ¡°Can¡¯t!¡± Hajime yelled back. The otherworlder had just jumped out of the way of the blackheart stag that nearly ran him over. ¡°Why¡¯s it chasing only me?!¡± Hajime donkey-rolled to the side just in time to avoid the smoldering antlers that skewered the ground he¡¯d vacated. ¡°Despite the threat, you must focus. Breathe¡ª¡± The blackheart stag¡¯s front hoof nearly landed on Hajime¡¯s chest. Fortunately for him, Renfri came to his rescue once more. The hart bounded forward, and like a graceful ballerina, he twirled his body around and then kicked out at the blackheart stag¡¯s rump with his hindquarters.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. The shaggy beast was pushed aside, allowing Hajime time to escape from under it. It turned, its beady black eyes now fixed on Renfri, while its teeth gnashed together in anger. Worried for his hart, Bram yelled, ¡°Renfri, brighten the night!¡± Ser Anthony had once suggested to Bram that his new mount might have been born a hybrid. Indeed, there were several similarities between the young hart and the monstrous blackheart stag it faced. They both had fur as dark as raven¡¯s feathers, though Renfri¡¯s fur was trimmed and glossy while the blackheart stag¡¯s mane looked mangy by comparison. They were nearly the same size too, though Renfri¡¯s neck was longer, giving him a more elegant appearance. There was one obvious difference between them; while the blackheart stag¡¯s antlers were thick and black like smoldering coals, Renfri¡¯s ivory antlers¡ªshaped like the outline of a heart¡ªshone with an inner light that all harts possessed. And, at the prince¡¯s behest, these antlers began brightening. ¡°Shut your eyes, Hajime!¡± Bram followed his own advice, closing his eyes just as the glow of the young hart¡¯s antlers brightened into a flash of light so bright that it lit up the night. The blackheart stag neighed in anger¡ªproof it had been struck by Renfri¡¯s ¡®Antler Light¡¯, a power all harts shared, which was why they were the preferred mount of nobility and commoners alike. Of course, the truly affluent could afford a wyvern mount, but such creatures were hard to tame and required lots of upkeep. A rich noble would be better off buying an auto-carriage, though its maintenance costs were also high, making harts a much better and more affordable option. ¡°Breathe, Hajime.¡± With his eyes still shut, Bram continued his instruction. ¡°And with each breath you take, imagine the magic flowing inside you.¡± In his mind¡¯s eye, the prince recalled when he¡¯d tasted Rowan¡¯s power flowing through him and how he¡¯d used that power to slay his former coachman and Baer¡¯s collaborators. ¡°Feel the magic rippling through your veins like a great wave crashing into every bit of you¡­¡± Bram longed for that taste of power himself, though he knew it wasn¡¯t the time for ¡®Status Emulation¡¯ and its limited usage. ¡°Channel that wave of magic into the tips of your fingers, your wand, and to the moment you choose to strike!¡± He peeked through half-closed eyelids. Renfri¡¯s antlers had dimmed to a low glow, allowing him to observe the scene below. Hajime¡¯s eyes were still closed, though his breathing seemed steady while he aimed his wand forward. Good¡­he might manage it this time. Meanwhile, the blackheart stag¡¯s vision had yet to fully return, though its wildness was barely diminished by its loss of sight. The beast might have rushed blindly at Hajime again if not for Renfri choosing to take the initiative once more. The young hart slammed its head against the wary beast, causing their antlers to lock together. They pushed and pulled at each other, and though Renfri was slowly losing this contest of strength, he was managing to keep the blackheart stag contained to one spot. Watching Renfri show such a strong heart caused Bram¡¯s chest to fill with pride. They hadn¡¯t been together long, but Renfri was quick to act in his interests with barely any instruction given. It made the prince wish he¡¯d had magic enough to learn a beast tamer¡¯s spell. Surely, Renfri would make the perfect friend for Bram to teach magic tricks to. I want far too many things¡­ A flash of green caught Bram¡¯s attention. It was on the tip of Hajime¡¯s wand; the sparks of emerald light that were the telltale sign of magic at work. ¡°You¡¯re doing it, Hajime,¡± Bram whispered excitedly. Hajime didn¡¯t cast a spell. He hadn¡¯t learned one yet. Instead, he¡¯d harnessed his inner magic to empower the elemental enchantment grafted onto the Young Griffin¡¯s Wand so that he might use the power of the wind to hurt his foe. ¡°Bloody hell, you¡¯re doing it¡­¡± A bead of emerald light formed on the wand¡¯s tip, with strips of air gathering around it like a bundle of yarn. Hajime took a deep breath, opened his eyes¡ªhis irises gleaming with ethereal light¡ªand aiming his wand, expelled his breath in a roar, ¡°Hi-ya!¡± ¡®Bang!¡¯ That bundle of air shot forward like an arrow in flight¡ªand struck the blackheart stag in its neck. It was a blow that tore into the beast¡¯s hide, drawing ichor and causing its head to rear back in surprise. ¡°Yatta!¡± Hajime pumped his fist into the air. ¡°Don¡¯t lose your focus now!¡± Bram warned. ¡°Again!¡± ¡°Hai!¡± Hajime replied, looking excited. The arcane novice twirled his wand with a flourish, and, though Bram thought he looked ridiculous doing this, the twirling seemed to help Hajime channel his magic into his wand so that he fired a second, third, and fourth projectile of wind magic at the blackheart stag. This kind of magical attack was the basics of an enchanted wand or staff and was a lifeline for sorcerers who¡¯d depleted their magic reserves. ¡®Bang!¡¯ ¡®Bang!¡¯ ¡®Bang!¡¯ Unable to escape the distraction of Renfri¡¯s charge, the blackheart stag was struck by Hajime¡¯s elemental attack. The wind blasted its neck full of holes, causing the beast to stagger back. It released a painful neigh. ¡°It¡¯s like firing daggers right in its gullet,¡± Bram noted, and, with a grin, added, ¡°You¡¯re brilliant, Hajime!¡± The arcane novice might have blushed properly if he¡¯d heard the prince¡¯s praise. Sadly, he looked too weary for his gaze to leave the ground. Hajime was out of breath, his shoulders sagging, his face paling as if he¡¯d run a marathon at a sprint. Hajime¡¯s condition was expected though, because Bram knew better than most how hard it was flexing muscles one had never used before. The prince drew his sword from its sheath. ¡°I guess the finishing blow¡¯s mine to take.¡± He didn¡¯t mean to steal Hajime¡¯s kill, but they were on a tight schedule, and this stag was but the first beast they encountered on the secret trail down from the cursed cave. Fortunately, Hajime¡¯s and Renfri¡¯s combined attacks had forced the blackheart stag underneath Bram¡¯s tree, making it vulnerable to an attack from above. ¡°One swift blade to the back of its head should do the trick.¡± In his mind, Bram recalled the number of times he¡¯d been forced to jump out a two-story window or the rafters of a high ceiling to attack the straw targets he¡¯d been instructed to murder. It had been grueling training meant to give him an advantage against sorcerers who lacked talent in spatial perception. It was also training that often led to bruised knees or sprained ankles, but eventually, Bram¡¯s teachers in the Delighted Troupe grew satisfied with his skill to bring silent death from above. Tonight was a little different. He wasn¡¯t allowed to slay the beast. Not yet. Here I go. The prince jumped off his tree branch¡ªand the blackheart stag was so distracted by Renfri drawing near that it failed to notice Bram falling on top of it. His teachers would¡¯ve preferred him to be more subtle, but Bram¡ªwho¡¯d been suppressed by the Sovereign¡¯s court for so long¡ªliked to cut loose and use his ogrish strength whenever possible. So, with gravity supplementing his attack, a single prodigious swing of the flat of his sword¡¯s blade smacked hard against the blackheart stag¡¯s head, causing the beast to topple over in unconsciousness. ¡°And that¡¯s how it¡¯s done.¡± Renfri drew close to place his snout against Bram¡¯s cheek. ¡°You did well too, my friend.¡± With one hand, he patted the hart¡¯s neck. With the other, he pulled out a clump of elderberries from his red jacket¡¯s pockets and offered them to Renfri¡¯s mouth. The hart was eating the prince¡¯s offering when Hajime arrived. He was still short of breath, pale like he was dying, but his face showed excitement too. ¡°Nice teamwork!¡± Hajime said. The otherworlder raised his hand to the prince, palm forward, and Bram, having seen this very pose once in his visions, knew exactly how to react; he smacked his fist against the otherworlder¡¯s palm. Hajime laughed. Coughed¡ªcoughed some more, and then he took a much-needed breath. Realizing he¡¯d made a mistake, Bram asked, ¡°Was that not how you do it?¡± ¡°No,¡± Hajime smiled sheepishly, ¡°we¡¯ll work on it.¡± They tried again, and this time Bram managed a proper high-five, which, unbeknownst to Hajime, sent a thrill up his spine. Truthfully, the prince never had anyone to high-five with, because he¡¯d never had a friend his age to fool around with. Not really. Even the children of the capital¡¯s slums avoided him once they¡¯d learned Bram¡¯s identity. Not that Bram considered Hajime a friend. Though he missed out on proper friendship when he was young, the prince was educated in the rituals that led to it; rituals such as sharing jokes or pranking old men or falling for the same comely maiden. So, no, they weren¡¯t friends. Not yet. But at the very least, the prince imagined he¡¯d finally met someone he could get to know without worrying about his ill-fated reputation. It was a silly thought, but as Bram watched Hajime try to tie up the unconscious blackheart stag¡¯s front hooves together, and failing miserably at it, he couldn¡¯t help feeling a little hopeful. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it.¡± Bram took Hajime¡¯s place, expertly tying the stag¡¯s front hooves together to keep it from running away should it awaken before they returned to the cursed cave. Once he moved on to its hindquarters, they heard an angry bellow from just beyond their sight. ¡°This one must have a mate, which saves us the job of searching for a second sacrifice.¡± Bram glanced over his shoulder. ¡°You handle it. Defeat the next beast like you defeated this one.¡± ¡°Eh?¡± Confusion flashed on Hajime¡¯s face. ¡°W-What about teamwork?¡± ¡°We¡¯ve tried teamwork.¡± Bram¡¯s gaze returned to the unconscious stag so Hajime wouldn¡¯t see his grin. ¡°Now it¡¯s time for you to fly solo.¡± ¡°B-But, Bram-sama, what if my magic fails again¡­?¡± Hajime asked. ¡°We have a saying in the Imperium,¡± Bram resumed tying the stag¡¯s hooves together, ¡°repetition is the mother of learning.¡± Chapter 18: Price of a Soul CHAPTER EIGHTEEN Price of a Soul
It took great effort, and mostly thanks to Renfri, that Bram and Hajime managed to return to the entrance of the cursed cave with their two beaten blackheart stags in tow. Fortunately, Rowan had prepared something earlier in the day to make the journey less harrowing, wielding the transmutation arts to forge a hidden path behind the cliff wall that made it unnecessary for one to climb up the treacherous cliffside to reach the ledge that was the cursed cave¡¯s entrance. ¡°Soon it¡¯ll be a proper temple,¡± Bram had commented earlier. By the time they reached the cave¡¯s entrance, Bram and Hajime were exhausted. This was expected of Hajime who¡¯d used most of his magic subduing the second blackheart stag. On the other hand, Bram should¡¯ve fared better with his stamina if he hadn¡¯t insisted on helping Renfri pull the makeshift wooden sled that carried their captives up the path. Outside the cave, Bram heard loud neighing that sounded suspiciously like laughter to his ears. ¡°Bloody hell¡­¡± His molten gaze swept toward the four harts he and Rowan had led up the mountain earlier in anticipation of their otherworldly guests. Unlike Renfri, however, these four harts he¡¯d borrowed from his bastion¡¯s stables were too tame to use in a fight against wild beasts. ¡°This is why I prefer auto-carriages,¡± Bram sighed. Renfri made a sound. ¡°You¡¯re the exception, my friend,¡± he promised, patting his mount¡¯s rear. ¡°Come on. We¡¯ve got a ritual to finish.¡± Their party of three returned to the summoning chamber with their captives and found Rowan waiting for them sitting cross-legged in the air like before. ¡°Had a challenging hunt?¡± she asked, teasingly. It wasn¡¯t the hunt that had been difficult¡ªat least not for Bram. The difficult part was hauling their prey up the mountain. And the prince, not wanting to do menial labor like this again, resolved to streamline the process in the future. ¡°We¡¯re moving the ritual to Reise.¡± While unloading their cargo from Renfri¡¯s sled, Bram quickly detailed his plan to build a mansion on the town¡¯s outskirts where the, as Hajime called it, ¡°Immigration Center,¡± would be located. It would be large, spacious, and have enough room to store beasts to sacrifice for later. ¡°We¡¯ll need staff to manage it,¡± Hajime weighed in, to which Bram replied, ¡°I have a few ideas on the matter.¡± Bram hadn¡¯t yet found Rowan¡¯s replacement summoner, but he already knew who to hire for hunting the beasts needed for their rituals¡­the Mighty Greenwood Gang. Surely, a band of thieves who called the forest home were efficient poachers. ¡°It seems I¡¯ll have to redo my magic circle in your immigration center.¡± Rowan glanced down at the floor. ¡°Pity ¡ª this was not an easy task to complete.¡± Hajime¡¯s summoning didn¡¯t require a magic circle. Now, however, new lines of arcane formula had been alongside the spiral depression at the heart of the chamber. ¡°This is¡­¡± Bram scrutinized it some more, but apart from its outer shape¡ªthe circle that formed a protective barrier between the summoner and their summon¡ªand the triskelion within it, he couldn¡¯t make heads or tails of Rowan¡¯s creation. ¡°¡­It feels different. Otherworldly.¡± ¡°¡®Tis otherworldly by design,¡± she answered. ¡°¡®Tis a formula meant to weave the Loom onto Earther souls without needing us to start the process ourselves.¡± ¡°I see.¡± He didn¡¯t, but there was no need to admit it. ¡°I¡¯ll still need your blood to create a connection.¡± ¡°Ah, at least I¡¯m good for something.¡± ¡°A drop will do. Over by the triskelion, My Prince.¡± Bram slid a dagger¡¯s edge against his thumb. ¡°Should I expect to be drained of all my blood once we begin summoning Earthers in the hundreds?¡± ¡°Worry not. I¡¯ll have figured out an alternative by then.¡± ¡°That would be appreciated.¡± This second summoning wasn¡¯t as difficult. Nor was the wait as long as the first. With the end of the blackheart stags came a new beginning¡ªa brilliant flash of crimson light, and Hajime witnessed a sight only Bram and Rowan had seen before. Blood rose into the air to weave an intricate pattern of roots, bone, and pulsing organs. Skin and hair spread over newly formed flesh, and then Chris and Bridget arrived on Aarde, both naked as the day they were born. ¡°Eh¡­?¡± Seeing his friends¡¯ privates caused Hajime to look away, though Bram noticed his companion stole a peek at the woman who just arrived and blushed at the sight of her. Speaking of the blonde arrival¡­ ¡°Wow, that was bizarre.¡± When Bridget spoke, everyone understood her. ¡°Felt like I was falling up the sky¡­¡± ¡°Yes, Hajime did mention a similar experience,¡± Rowan replied. Bridget turned, her brow rising slightly. ¡°You¡¯re floating.¡± ¡°I am.¡± ¡°Neat trick.¡± ¡°I know.¡± Surprisingly, Bridget exhibited none of the panic Hajime had when he was first summoned. She had a calm look about her as if she wasn¡¯t at all disturbed by the idea of her soul being spirited away to another world. ¡°Can you spare the cloak?¡± she asked. ¡°Of course.¡± Rowan¡¯s feet returned to the ground as she offered Bridget her riding cloak. ¡°Be careful with it. ¡®Tis a precious gift.¡± ¡°I will. Thanks.¡± The blonde wrapped the cloak around a well-toned body, though her curious gaze remained fixed on the trickster. ¡°Hajime wasn¡¯t kidding. You¡¯re gorgeous¡­like an elf from Lord of the Amulets.¡± Since he¡¯d understood everything Bridget had said up to this point, Bram assumed the ¡®Gift of Tongues¡¯ was properly gifted to her soul, though one word was lost in translation. ¡°What¡¯s an elf?¡± Strange that surprise would finally find itself on Bridget¡¯s face just because of Bram¡¯s question. Bridget¡¯s brow creased. ¡°A race of beautiful, ethereal-looking, pointy-eared people ¡ª not ringing any bells¡­?¡± Hearing this, Bram glanced at Rowan. She fit the description, though her ears weren¡¯t pointy. Strangely, Rowan knew the answer to Bridget¡¯s question. ¡°There are none of the fair folk here¡­ Not for a very long time.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± Bridget¡¯s expression fell a little. ¡°That sucks.¡± Bram couldn¡¯t help noticing that Rowan¡¯s face had fallen slightly, too. He also noticed that she¡¯d used a phrase to describe the ancient ¡®fey¡¯ whose legacy of kidnapping otherworlders had become a huge part of their great undertaking. ¡°Meh, I guess it¡¯s fine.¡± Bridget turned her frown upside down. ¡°Hi again. I¡¯m Bridget Fowling.¡± She pointed to her companion, the naked man, who, unlike her, looked appropriately bewildered. ¡°The big guy¡¯s Chris Chase. Used to be our boss but now he¡¯s unemployed like me, but if Hajime¡¯s right¡­¡± Bridget¡¯s gaze found Hajime, and she mouthed, ¡®Holy shit, this is amazing!¡¯ before continuing with, ¡°¡­You guys want to hire us to build you a game?¡± She elbowed Chris in the shoulder. ¡°Say something,¡± Bridget insisted. Finally, as if his brain had finished jumpstarting, Chris unfroze, and said, ¡°Y¡¯all got any clothes to spare?¡± Once Chris and Bridget were properly clothed, the duo began admiring the world they¡¯d arrived in. Their gazes swept the length of the summoning chamber¡ªpausing at the two dead stags, observing Renfri lounging on his mattress by the chamber¡¯s entrance¡ªwhile curiosity and delight filled their faces. ¡°Holy shit,¡± Bridget elbowed Chris again, ¡°you¡¯re seeing this too, right?¡± ¡°Seeing,¡± Chris replied, and with a shake of his head, added, ¡°still working on believing.¡± Bram noticed that Chris¡¯ accent was different from Hajime¡¯s. It had a low, melodic drawl to it. This wasn¡¯t the only contrast between the two otherworlders either. With his chiseled face, straight nose, fair skin, and large frame, Chris looked like a native-born of Lotharin or even the River Kingdom of Dane to the west. While Hajime, with his sharp features, tanned skin, and smaller physique looked like he hailed from the Hilltop Kingdom of Yamadai in the north or the Valley Kingdom of Xanxi in the far east.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. As for Bridget, she was exactly like Hajime had described her to Bram earlier during their climb back to the cursed cave, which he¡¯d done in near-perfect detail. Shoulder-length blonde hair framed an oval, square-jawed face with wide cheekbones. She had thick brows over almond-shaped hazel eyes, a short, pointy nose, and pursed lips. She was tall like Rowan with a fit form that suggested she cared for her health in a way that Hajime didn¡¯t. They both seem suited to knighthood¡­ Bram¡¯s gaze drifted to Hajime, and the judgment was clear in his expression. At least he¡¯s talented in magic¡­one can¡¯t have everything. ¡°Y¡¯all see this?¡± Chris called, drawing Bram from his musings. The Texan pointed to the ghostly blue windows that appeared in the air.
Welcome, Chris.
Welcome, Bridget.
Bram and Rowan shared a look, each smiling at the other, because here was proof that the Loom had been properly weaved onto the otherworlders¡¯ souls, which meant that Rowan¡¯s magic circle had been a resounding success. ¡°This looks like a typical game message,¡± Bridget noted. ¡°Makes you wonder how they¡¯d thought to make it like this,¡± Chris added. Gazes drifted toward the prince, but he didn¡¯t know the answer because the Loom¡¯s inner workings remained a mystery even to him. As expected, neither Bridget nor Chris declined the system¡¯s offer. With their acceptance, a new notification appeared for Bram.
CONGRATULATIONS! The arrival of new users has helped to grow the Loom. Resources have increased by [0.003%]. Inviting more users will help remove the penalties of [Administrator Lv.1].
Current resource rate: 0.003%
¡°Any chance you could grow faster?¡± Bram asked.
ALERT! There are a variety of ways for the Loom¡¯s resources to grow. With new users, the growth rate increases by [0.001%] for the first [1,000] arrivals. Resource growth using this parameter will decrease once the first threshold is reached.
¡°A thousand users¡­¡± Bram¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°That¡¯ll be our first goal then.¡± The contract ceremony came next. As Rowan promised, neither she nor Bram needed to drink their guests¡¯ blood to form a contract with them. Instead, Bridget and Chris were each asked to donate a drop of their blood to a meat doll that Rowan fashioned from the carcasses of the beasts used to summon them. ¡°Is this thing supposed to represent my intent like one of them voodoo dolls back on Earth?¡± Chris asked. ¡°It is exactly that,¡± Rowan answered. These meat dolls were small enough to fit in one¡¯s hand. They were grotesque to look at, and they smelled nasty too. ¡°So, we just give it our blood and that¡¯s it ¡ª we¡¯re part of the team?¡± Bridget confirmed. ¡°¡®Tis an act that symbolizes your willingness to join the cause for which we summoned you,¡± Rowan explained, adding, ¡°They will bind your souls to us for the duration of your¡­employment.¡± Chris and Bridget exchanged a worried look. ¡°And what if we wanna quit?¡± Chris asked. ¡°Then I shall break your dolls and set your souls free,¡± Rowan answered, with Bram adding, ¡°We¡¯re not looking for slaves to lord over, but partners who will aid us in our great undertaking. Should the time come when our interests no longer align, you¡¯ll be free to go with our gratitude.¡± Both Aarders spoke with such conviction that the Earthers couldn¡¯t help but feel relieved. ¡°Should we discuss benefits?¡± Bridget asked. ¡°Look around you,¡± Bram suggested, ¡°could there be any other benefit greater than a chance to explore a new world?¡± ¡°That¡¯s a huge plus, but¡±¡ªshe eyed the shiny gold ring on Bram¡¯s hand that was the symbol for his position as Lotharin¡¯s governor¡ª¡°we will get paid, right?¡± The prince grinned. Hajime had been too eager to join their mission and hadn¡¯t asked these important questions which could have given Bram a better glimpse of Earth¡¯s inner workings. ¡°We¡¯ll need to iron out how we¡¯ll do it, but yes, we will pay you for your services,¡± he promised. Bram was glad to learn that earning wealth was also a necessary goal for these otherworlders. Not just because he had enough of it to give, but because this sort of mutual transaction of service for payment was a far more reliable foundation rather than one¡¯s blind devotion to a cause. He had seen zealotry before, and he didn¡¯t care for it. ¡°Is there anything else you¡¯d like to add to this arrangement?¡± Rowan asked. ¡°Seeing as death ain¡¯t permanent for us, I guess we won¡¯t need healthcare,¡± Chris¡¯ expression turned thoughtful, ¡°but maybe year-end bonuses and stock options for when the studio¡¯s up and running.¡± He looked to Bram. ¡°Y¡¯all are planning to build a studio, right?¡± Chris confirmed. ¡°It¡¯s why we¡¯re hiring you,¡± Bram answered. ¡°As for¡­stock options¡­?¡± Chris explained that stock options offered them a piece of the company that would be built on Earth, and Bram didn¡¯t see a reason not to deny them this boon since they would be the ones to build it themselves. ¡°We¡¯ll need housing too,¡± Bridget chimed in. ¡°And paid vacations,¡± Chris added. Much later, once the Earthers had gotten all they asked for in a deal that included housing, sorcery lessons, a budget for equipment and items, becoming permanent members of the prince¡¯s adventuring party, vacation days, sick days, mental health days, and a great deal more of things Bram had planned to offer them anyway, Chris and Bridget finally seemed ready to shed their blood for the great undertaking¡¯s success, though the Texan wanted to add one last provision to their contract. ¡°Hajime gets what we get too or no deal,¡± he stated. ¡°Chris-san¡­¡± Hajime looked like he might cry. ¡°You¡¯re easily impressed, so we figured you didn¡¯t ask for anything and just said yes,¡± Bridget said, teasingly. ¡°H-Hai,¡± Hajime admitted, looking embarrassed. They were indeed his friends because they knew him well. ¡°There¡¯s no need to worry,¡± Bram began. Once he assured them that Hajime had been included in the deal from the beginning, Chris and Bridget let Bram cut their palms with his dagger so that they could offer their blood to the meat dolls. With their sacrifice given, the little effigies of sympathetic magic transformed into tiny versions of them as if these dolls were shedding off the excess fat from their bodies to become something more likable. ¡°Oo~~oh, it turned into a Fun Pop,¡± Bridget said, sounding delighted now. ¡°Yeah, but, um,¡± Chris¡¯s brows were still knotted, ¡°we might want to tweak this a bit. Not everyone¡¯s gonna be thrilled with this kind of weird ceremony¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I said,¡± Hajime chimed in. Rowan collected the two dolls before disappearing for a short while. She¡¯d gone to take them somewhere safe where no hands but hers could get to them. ¡°Now that we¡¯re all acquainted, let¡¯s go somewhere more comfortable,¡± Bram suggested, adding, ¡°Talking of great undertakings is best done over a hearty breakfast.¡±
Getting off Sundermount wasn¡¯t too difficult since Bram¡¯s newly formed party had enough harts to traverse the hidden path down the mountain. It also helped that Chris and Bridget weren¡¯t as clumsy as Hajime when riding on hartback. ¡°You ride well for an otherworlder, Chris,¡± Rowan noted. ¡°I grew up in Dallas, Ma¡¯am. Big swaths of farmland and wilderness as far as the eye can see. Riding¡¯s kind of a prerequisite over there,¡± the Texan explained. From what Bram had read in Chris¡¯ status, ¡®Intermediate Riding¡¯ was indeed one of his passive abilities, created after the Loom had analyzed the otherworlder¡¯s natural talents. Incidentally, ¡®Athletic¡¯ and ¡®Bodybuilding¡¯ were also passives Chris automatically earned thanks to how he lived on Earth. The Texan patted his brown hart¡¯s neck. ¡°This guy¡¯s doing all the work. I¡¯m just coasting on his coattails.¡± Bram shared Chris¡¯ enthusiasm for the harts, and he patted Renfri¡¯s neck with a loving hand. ¡°So,¡± Chris¡¯ brow knotted together, ¡°I reckon Hajime¡¯s losing his fight.¡± The Japanese man was struggling with his steed further behind the trio. ¡°S-Stop, please!¡± Hajime pleaded. ¡°Stop ¡ª not toward the trees ¡ª yamete!¡± The prince chose the tamest of the harts in his bastion¡¯s stables for his guests, especially for Hajime who¡¯d admitted the previous night that he¡¯d never ridden. Unfortunately, not even the most well-trained beast could support Hajime¡¯s abysmal riding skill or the lack of one. ¡°Yamete!¡± As he watched Hajime¡¯s steed take him off the hidden path, Bram couldn¡¯t help thinking it wasn¡¯t entirely the otherworlder¡¯s fault. After all, wasn¡¯t this gray hart the same one that had been laughing at him the loudest earlier? ¡°It¡¯s an unruly beast,¡± he murmured. Hajime¡¯s steed nearly ran off into the woods of Sundermount¡¯s slopes, and it would have taken the Loom¡¯s new lead game designer along with it too if not for the reflexes of the woman riding the palomino hart next to him. With deft speed, Bridget¡ªwearing a linen shirt and leather breeches underneath her traveling cloak¡ªplucked the hart¡¯s reins just as it slipped from Hajime¡¯s grasp. She then brought the beast to heel before it could run off with a stern voice and an even sterner glare. When he saw this, Bram couldn¡¯t help but think that the Loom was truly intuitive. He¡¯d already seen ¡®Beast Handling¡¯ in Bridget¡¯s list of abilities. ¡°Having trouble, Hajime?¡± Rowan asked teasingly. ¡°Rowan-sama,¡± Hajime sighed, ¡°I don¡¯t think this deer likes me¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯ll be fine,¡± Bridget cut in. ¡°Just stay close to me.¡± ¡°Yes, you can save him again before he falls off and dies from an accident,¡± Rowan said, to which Bridget replied, ¡°And we wouldn¡¯t want that to happen this early in the game.¡± They¡¯d only known each other for less than an hour but Rowan and Bridget were fast becoming friends. To think that the rebel trickster of legend could meet true companions among the otherworlders. Seeing this, Bram, who¡¯d had little experience getting along with people his age, secretly hoped he too could become friends with Chris and Hajime. ¡°If you¡¯re all done fooling around,¡± the prince turned his gaze toward the path leading to the foot of Sundermount, ¡°let¡¯s move on¡­and we just might make it to Reise in time for breakfast.¡± Bram¡¯s words proved prophetic. The party arrived at Reise¡¯s gate in the early morning just in time for the otherworlders to witness the town¡¯s waking. Like Rowan¡¯s first time in the Rainbow Town, the otherworlders were wide-eyed over everything they saw of daily life on Aarde. The bustling main thoroughfare with its shopkeepers selling their magical wares, the townspeople who commanded floating brooms to sweep their front yards, and even the gaudy appearance of the mayor¡¯s manse¡ªsuch sights turned these three adults into children at a theme park. ¡°What happened over there?¡± Chris asked. He pointed to a curious sight; a patch of dead earth whose ground had blackened as if it had been scorched with unholy fire. ¡°An improvement,¡± Rowan said, giggling. In front of this scorched earth was the sun god¡¯s temple, which, at this early hour, had its golden-robed clerics bustling about, with one or two of them attempting to cast spells that Bram guessed were meant to heal their blighted front lawn. Golden sparks flared from the tips of their fingers and a golden aura much like the rays of sunlight touched the blackened earth¡­and failed to improve its condition. Rowan¡¯s giggling doubled in intensity. Worried someone might notice her blatant disrespect, Bram urged the others toward the Journey¡¯s Respite. However, as he glanced over his shoulder, taking one final look at the priests¡¯ disgruntled faces, the prince noticed another interesting thing. The burnt stake that he¡¯d seen only yesterday was gone. It had been replaced by a fresh one that had yet to be touched by fire. He hoped the clerics of Phoebus weren¡¯t feeling overly devout today. He didn¡¯t need Chris, Bridget, or Hajime to witness a burning. Not on this morning when they¡¯d just finished signing their souls away. Bram knew better than to hope though. The zealotry of Phoebus¡¯ clerics was legendary. ¡°This is why I hate zealots¡­ If we¡¯re not careful, they¡¯ll come for us too.¡± With this disturbing thought planted in his mind, the prince followed his new companions into the inn. Chapter 19: The Breakfast Club Note: Just a heads-up. We will be changing the title of the novel here on Royal Road to be more accessible to readers of the platform. Hope you continue to support us despite the change. CHAPTER NINETEEN The Breakfast Club
The sun was still in its waking phase when Bram, Rowan, and their otherworlder guests started their meeting at the Journey¡¯s Respite while enjoying a high-class breakfast prepared for them by the inn¡¯s cook, a big-boned woman named Madam Bertha, who, despite Bram¡¯s red hair, tinted spectacles, and easy smile, figured out his secret; he was a noble pretending to be a commoner bard. She didn¡¯t know exactly who Bram was, but that part didn¡¯t matter. In a way, all nobles were alike; they were all eccentric, and Bram the Bard certainly fit the bill. To her credit, the frizzy-haired wife of the inn¡¯s proprietor kept her mouth shut about Bram¡¯s status as she led his party to a secluded bar corner. After promising them ¡°A scrumptious meal and all the privacy you require, good ser,¡± Bertha was off to the kitchens to keep her word¡ªand she did. Bram, whose palette was quite refined, had no complaints about the dish of ¡®Rouladen¡¯ set before him. Indeed, he could argue that the bacon wrapped in a thin slice of beef he¡¯d just sampled rivaled the one his bastion¡¯s cook usually made for him. Bram might even claim Bertha¡¯s Rouladen, which she¡¯d paired with a side dish of piping hot mashed potatoes laden in thick grav¨¦, seemed more flavorful than his usual meal. To be fair to his bastion¡¯s kitchen though, the company gathered around this table might also have something to do with why the food tasted so good. With a veiled smile, Atlan¡¯s seventh prince observed his new companions jostling each other like the old friends they were while enjoying their first taste of Aarde¡¯s dining scene. It wasn¡¯t lost on Bram either that this was his first time at breakfast with people who weren¡¯t forced to sit down and dine with him. It was a nice feeling. Cool fingers brushed against his hand, and Bram turned sideways to find Rowan giving him a curious look. ¡°Try this.¡± As if she¡¯d read his mind¡ªthe longing to have companions he could fool around with¡ªshe deftly drove a piece of her spearfish into his mouth. ¡°Well?¡± ¡°Spicy,¡± he said, chewing it some more, before adding, ¡°with a hint of lemon¡­and is that¡­paprikash?¡± ¡°Impressive,¡± she smiled. ¡°Good, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± he smiled back. ¡°Quite.¡± It was a second or two later when Bram noticed the stares. He glanced in their direction and watched as all three otherworlders looked away with faces frozen in sheepish expressions. He wasn¡¯t sure why, but the thought of them seeing Rowan feeding him from her plate caused him to blush, and he was suddenly desperate to change topics. ¡°So, shall we begin?¡± he urged. A while later, once the explanations of the great undertaking were finished¡ªthe scale of it causing even the cool Bridget to pale slightly¡ªRowan brought out the can of soda she¡¯d hidden. ¡°You didn¡¯t drink it yet?¡± Bram asked, surprised. ¡°I was waiting for you,¡± she answered, adding, ¡°Shall we see what all the fuss is about?¡± At Hajime¡¯s behest, and to the amazement of Bridget and Chris¡ªwhose eyes widened at every hint of magic they witnessed¡ªRowan cast a simple ¡®Cold Touch¡¯ spell that chilled the soda can to the perfect drinking temperature. Then she and her prince were treated to a delight of the senses neither of them expected. They had both taken a swig of soda and thoroughly enjoyed the crisp vanilla-like flavor on their tongues to the point that Bram declared ¡®soda¡¯ would be one of Earth¡¯s first products to be exported into Lotharin. ¡°As much as I enjoyed its taste, bringing more of this soda to Aarde may prove challenging. It took two red grizzlies to empower the ritual that brought it to us,¡± Rowan reminded him. The implications of her words weren¡¯t lost on him. The population of fel beasts in Gaullia was plentiful, and with many such creatures labeled as menaces throughout the Imperium, Bram had a resource for summoning more otherworlders. Still, this abundance didn¡¯t mean an infinite supply, and the prince was loathe to waste finite resources on a beverage. It seemed too excessive. He didn¡¯t need to mention that such an endeavor would draw the gods¡¯ gazes back on them. They may let it slide once, but twice¡ªsurely, the pantheon of High Heaven wasn¡¯t that lazy. ¡°It might not be too hard to make soda locally,¡± Chris piped up, adding, ¡°Y¡¯all probably have similar ingredients to the ones we need.¡± ¡°That may be true, but how would we achieve the bubbles effect in the sweet brown water?¡± Rowan asked curiously. ¡°Y¡¯all might get a kick out of this one.¡± Chris glanced at the blonde sitting to his right. ¡°Tell her, Bridge.¡± Of course, the Texan would turn to the writer who enjoyed researching the backstories of even mundane items like soda to explain its making to the Aarders, and Bridget didn¡¯t disappoint. She explained that the ¡®bubbles¡¯ in the soda were made by exposing a solution of ¡®sweet brown water¡¯ to high-pressure carbon dioxide, which, if continually stored under high pressure, would stay dissolved in water until its container was popped open. ¡°Fizz happens when the CO2 comes out of the water after the pressure¡¯s been released. That¡¯s how we make carbonated drinks,¡± Bridget finished. ¡°To use a part of the air we breathe to create a taste that could rival even the nectar of the gods¡­¡± Awe filled Rowan¡¯s expression. ¡°How ingenious this Earth science is¡­ I wish to learn more about it.¡± ¡°Now we know what we¡¯ll be sending over here next time,¡± Chris chuckled. ¡°A tablet full of first to twelfth-grade science books?¡± Hajime guessed. ¡°I was thinking more of back-to-back seasons of Billy and Nighy, the Science Guys,¡± Chris proposed. Rowan¡¯s eyes were alight with interest. ¡°These Billy and Nighy¡­I assume they are the greatest of your science sorcerers?¡± ¡°We call them scientists,¡± Bridget replied, prompting a new discussion on Earth¡¯s version of sorcerers to begin. Listening to them speak of their world with Rowan and watching her praise their otherworldly wisdom caused the ever-present weight on Bram¡¯s shoulders to lighten slightly because here was proof that his plan might not be completely insane. Their otherworldly knowledge would be essential in elevating Lotharin¡¯s status to the top of the Imperium¡¯s twelve kingdoms. Though in truth, Bram¡¯s interests lay less in these scientists who fascinated Rowan and more with those other experts who could make his refined taste buds crave more otherworldly delights. ¡°Soda¡¯s only the beginning¡­we¡¯ll seek out these artisans of Earth who can bring revolution to the kingdom¡¯s cooking.¡± As inspiration lit up inside his brain, Bram¡¯s mind couldn¡¯t help but turn its cogs. ¡°Such experts bringing new flavors to Lotharin will mean a demand for ingredients, increasing the need for food production, meaning the building of more farms and more jobs working those farms¡­ That could create a profitable food trade to rival even the Plains Kingdom of Navarra.¡± ¡°It¡¯d be awesome if Earthers also benefited from your increased GDP,¡± said Chris, the former executive producer of a triple-A game studio. ¡°Supposing trade between Earth and Aarde is possible?¡± ¡°You wish to send an item of Aarde to Earth similar to how your soda arrived here?¡± Rowan deduced. ¡°In a nutshell,¡± Chris agreed. ¡°Sadly, that isn¡¯t possible,¡± Rowan answered. She said it so definitively that even Bram couldn¡¯t help but ask her to elaborate. So, Rowan explained that it would be impossible to send physical objects to Earth because it was a world without magic and therefore possessed no means to keep an interdimensional portal open from that side long enough to send something through. ¡°It might have been different during an earlier age but no longer.¡± Rowan¡¯s face turned contemplative. ¡°Of what you¡¯ve told me of your science, the technology born of it is often harmful to your world¡¯s environment¡­¡±The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. She waited for them to confirm before continuing. ¡°Nature is the source of all magic. Its vitality gives birth to the magical energies that flow through all living things,¡± she lectured. ¡°So long as that vitality isn¡¯t diminished, then Aarde¡¯s magic will continue to flourish.¡± ¡°Meaning we Earthers fucked up our chance to learn magic when we started making a mess of our world,¡± Chris deduced. ¡°Global warming sucks,¡± Hajime agreed. ¡°There used to be plenty of tales about magic in the times before the industrial revolution started. Maybe there was some truth to those old stories,¡± Bridget piped up. Then, in a sadder tone, she added, ¡°These days, that¡¯s all magic is to us ¡ª stories¡­¡± Noticing the gloom in the otherworlders¡¯ expressions, Bram couldn¡¯t help feeling disheartened himself. He¡¯d aspired to visit the other world too¡ªto experience its wonder beyond his dreaming¡ªand he lamented that he wouldn¡¯t get the chance. Rowan¡¯s big reveal exposed a new problem too; if they could only send items from Earth to Aarde, how could the Aarders invest in building a game studio on Earth? This wasn¡¯t their only money concern either. There was a second issue, one Bridget called, ¡°Real Money Trading.¡± While sipping a glass of properly chilled Valenosian wine, Bram asked, ¡°How is this different from an investment of funds?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not the same, um, Boss,¡± said Chris, who looked uncertainly at the young man who¡¯d proposed the outlandish idea to him and Bridget. ¡°In Earth-speak, an investment is you pouring your money into our business hoping to get a solid financial return in the future¡­¡± ¡°A return of many souls to aid us in our scheming,¡± Rowan suggested. ¡°Exactly, but real money trading¡¯s a bit different.¡± Chris finished savoring a slice of medium-rare tri-horn boar steak before adding, ¡°Real money trading, or RMTs for short, is what we call player-to-player or player-to-game monetary exchanges like a player selling an item in-game to other players using hard cash or buying loot boxes directly from the game¡¯s publisher with digital currency.¡± ¡°Eto, Chris-senpai, we shouldn¡¯t do loot boxes,¡± Hajime interrupted quickly. ¡°Loot boxes are money-grubbing forms of live service¡­ They¡¯re exploitative and tricky, prone to ruining games¡­or lives.¡± ¡°Tricky?¡± Rowan¡¯s ears perked up. ¡°Explain.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a good trick, Rowan-sama.¡± Hajime¡¯s fork stabbed his sausage with a relish that suggested he was stabbing something else in his mind. ¡°I admit that they add an interesting layer to a game¡¯s structure if done right, but that¡¯s usually not the case. In this era of live service content, loot boxes are now a corporate scheme forced upon studios to steal more money from players who already pay full price to buy our games.¡± Thus began Hajime¡¯s long rant on how the suits in charge of the money were godless people who only worshipped on the altar of greed. His rant was so long that by the time he wound down the large bowl of blue potato soup in the middle of the table had lost much of its heat. ¡°¡­Just remembering how they wanted to slash content and repackage it as DLC makes me wish I could cast magic back home and pulverize that stupid speakerphone,¡± Hajime finished, his nostrils flaring in satisfaction. ¡°Maybe drop a fireball over Corporate¡¯s head office?¡± Bridget chimed in. ¡°Hai¡­¡± A dark look passed over Hajime¡¯s face. ¡°I can¡¯t stand greedy people who exploit our creations just to squeeze our players dry.¡± ¡°Neither could I,¡± Bram said. The Japanese man and the prince grinned at each other from across the table. Chris, who¡¯d caught their show of camaraderie against greed chuckled loudly. ¡°Y¡¯all get that we¡¯re¡±¡ªChris pointed his finger at the people around the table¡ª¡°technically corporate now, and Bram and Rowan are our new overlords.¡± Hajime couldn¡¯t seem to repress the shiver the Texan¡¯s words instilled. ¡°Besides, debating about the pros and cons of a loot crate system is moot unless we can fix the money issue,¡± Chris pointed out. ¡°Investments and RMTs.¡± Bridget glanced gloomily around their corner of the bar. ¡°It¡¯s like we¡¯re back inside a Biosoft boardroom¡­¡± ¡°How pressing of an issue is this?¡± Rowan asked. ¡°If we don¡¯t get cash from y¡¯all, then we¡¯ll have to look for third-party investors on Earth to help set up our new studio,¡± Chris began, to which Hajime added, ¡°We shouldn¡¯t trust third-party investors. Their goals won¡¯t be the same as ours.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Bram agreed, adding ¡°I shared the Loom with you three because we found you worthy of the great undertaking¡­ I don¡¯t wish to involve anyone else in our schemes. Not yet.¡± ¡°Ditto, Boss,¡± Chris nodded. ¡°Now, as for RMTs, we¡¯ll need them later because they¡¯re the kind of thing that builds an in-game economy that¡¯ll bleed out into real life, ensuring that our game becomes relevant on Earth.¡± ¡°Building a proper in-game economy for the players also extends a game¡¯s lifespan,¡± Bridget chimed in, while Hajime added, ¡°With RMTs set up, even top-tier Earth companies will want to work with us to sell digital products inside our game.¡± Listening to them talk of this, it seemed like this real-money-trading experience could truly be beneficial for both worlds¡¯ economies. Sadly, without a realistic way to send griffins and their Earth equivalent across two worlds, there was no way to benefit from this opportunity. That¡¯s when Bram had a thought. ¡°Does it have to be a physical exchange¡­?¡± Gazes around the table turned toward him. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Hajime asked. ¡°Surely a civilization as advanced as Earth is familiar with banking, and if you have banks, then you must have ¡®Promissory Notes¡¯ that allow you to store griffins in one bank¡¯s branch to claim the same amount from another branch in a different place,¡± Bram explained. ¡°We do have banks,¡± Bridget replied, ¡°but we don¡¯t need a promissory note for exchanging money¡­ We use our banking apps.¡± ¡°Sugoi¡­I get it.¡± Hajime¡¯s eyes lit up with sudden understanding. ¡°Bram-sama¡­you want to use the Loom, yes?¡± Bram grinned. ¡°Why can¡¯t we?¡± Silence. Then, one by one, a candlelight ignited in each of their brains. They¡¯d already proven that the Loom could bridge the gap between worlds because Rowan had grafted the system onto the otherworlders¡¯ souls and Hajime proved the bond couldn¡¯t be broken despite the journey between worlds. ¡°Is it possible?¡± Chris asked. ¡°Though your physical bodies cannot achieve the abilities you gain through the Loom, your experience on Aarde is weaved within the fabric of your souls, allowing you to remember with clarity the memories you earn here,¡± Rowan explained, further adding, ¡°It stands to reason that information can be passed between both worlds using your souls as a conduit.¡± The trickster turned contemplative while she took a sip of wine. Bram watched as Rowan¡¯s nose scrunched up just like it had when they were here last, and she¡¯d tried the cheap port wine they¡¯d been given. But if even the taste of expensive Valenosian wine wasn¡¯t to her liking, Bram guessed that Rowan might not have the same appreciation for alcohol that most nobles did. It was one more interesting thing he learned about her. ¡°¡®Tis not inconceivable for your bodies to inherit some of the skills you attain on Aarde,¡± Rowan conceded, but adding, ¡°Nothing so great as spell crafting ¡ª your world lacks the magic to allow this boon ¡ª but perhaps a more dexterous hand from learning swordplay or better aim and judgment of distance from mastering archery.¡± ¡°Lord almighty,¡± Chris breathed, ¡°that would be something, ain¡¯t it?¡± Bridget and Hajime nodded. ¡°If it were possible to inherit skills,¡± Bridget¡¯s face scrunched up in contemplation, ¡°then we could advertise the game as an alternative training ground for athletes.¡± ¡°Not just for polishing their skills either¡­¡± Hajime took up the baton of inspiration. ¡°Athletes from all over the world could choose to train in optimal environments they won¡¯t find anywhere else¡­¡± ¡°Why stop at training?¡± Chris pointed his steak-skewering fork at Hajime. ¡°We could host the Olympics on Aarde!¡± ¡°We don¡¯t need to host the Olympics,¡± Bridget cut in. ¡°We could just make our own world-class competition ¡ª one with swords and sorcery as a main event!¡± ¡°Hot damn that sounds like a plan!¡± Chris agreed right before eating the piece of meat dangling from his fork. Stars danced across the eyes of all three otherworlders, and it would be a while before their enthusiasm for hosting athletic competitions in-game died down. Afterward, the discussion returned to the possibility of using the Loom as a tool for monetary exchanges. ¡°Bram-sama isn¡¯t wrong.¡± Hajime sipped his elderberry tea. ¡°If the Loom can interact with the system of a Visionary Two like we think it can, then it should also be able to interact with an ATM or a banking app.¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t we just ask it?¡± Bridget suggested. So, they did¡­and the Loom gave them an interesting reply.
ALERT! Setting up a currency exchange between Aarde and Earth is possible, but physical access will be required to establish a connection with [Earth] banking systems.
¡°Physical,¡± Chris repeated, to which Bridget continued, ¡°Access¡­?¡±
ALERT! Access to the bank account of [Bridget Fowling] is required.
¡°Whoa, hold on there,¡± Bridget pulled away from the floating blue window. ¡°At least take me out to dinner before you take my money!¡± ¡°Eh¡­?¡± Lucky for Hajime, Bram was the only one who noticed his look of surprise, including the longing clear on the otherworlder¡¯s face. Unfortunately for Hajime, Bram now knew that he liked Bridget, and the prince was the kind who stored such intriguing information for use on a rainy day. ¡°Hey, Loom, can y¡¯all clarify?¡± Chris prompted.
ALERT! With the system¡¯s connection to [Bridget Fowling], she can become the delivery system that allows the Loom to integrate directly with Earth¡¯s banking system. This interaction will lead to the creation of a new [Finance] tool.
¡°So, it would be as simple as Bridge logging into her bank account through a digital app?¡± Chris deduced. ¡°Like a computer virus hacking Bridget-san¡¯s bank for access,¡± Hajime added. [¡­] was the Loom¡¯s only response to being called a virus. ¡°Does it have to be my bank account?¡± Bridget asked. ¡°Nah.¡± Chris shook his head. ¡°Let¡¯s hold off on bank accounts for now¡­ I¡¯ve got a different suggestion¡­ We¡¯ll use cryptocurrency.¡± Rowan, who¡¯d been sipping on the tea that had replaced her wine, looked up from her cup intrigued. ¡°What is crypto¡­currency?¡± ¡°It¡¯s kind of like digital money that we can exchange for real money, but ones the government can¡¯t track outright,¡± Chris answered. ¡°Oh,¡± Bridget beamed at him, ¡°that might solve the tax issue too. At least for now.¡± Once it was decided that Chris would handle integration on Earth for investments, the team enjoyed the rest of their meal while getting to know one another. ¡°We should complete this task as quickly as possible¡­ I plan to set out on a trip north soon,¡± Bram said, and with an impish smile to mirror Rowan¡¯s, added, ¡°And I¡¯d like to take you all with me on this next adventure.¡±
*Rouladen ¨C Rouladen is a classic German food of tender steak, seasoned with mustard, onion, and paprika wrapped in pickle or bacon slices and served with pan gravy. Chapter 20: Griffins to Dollars Note: As a thank you for reaching 400+ followers, here''s the extra chapter I promised! CHAPTER TWENTY Griffins to Dollars
Two days after the breakfast club¡¯s first brainstorming session, Hajime Hideo Miyamoto¡ªofficially named the Loom¡¯s lead developer¡ªwent on a kind of solo quest of his own. One that caused his back to be coated in sweat. ¡°Don¡¯t get all fidgety,¡± whispered Chris who spoke to Hajime via the earpiece in his left ear. ¡°You¡¯ll do fine.¡± Hajime frowned from behind the black medical mask covering the lower half of his face. ¡°Chris-senpai, why aren¡¯t you doing this again¡­?¡± ¡°Because I did crypto. And we¡¯re spreading the money jobs so the Feds don¡¯t catch wind of what we¡¯re up to. On that note, good luck!¡± Hajime sighed. It would have been better if Bridget was the one in his ear, but she was already back on Aarde and busy with the job Bram had given her. ¡°Hey, Bud, you good?¡± asked the voice in Hajime¡¯s ear. ¡°You¡¯ve been standing around for a while now.¡± ¡°I-I¡¯m okay!¡± Underneath his black baseball cap, Hajime¡¯s eyes darted left and right to make sure Chris hadn¡¯t followed him from the car park where he waited in what the Texan had dubbed the getaway car. ¡°I¡¯m going!¡± ¡°Yeah, maybe don¡¯t yell too much. Security might think you¡¯re here to rob the place¡­ Hell, you¡¯re dressed like you might.¡± Chris wasn¡¯t wrong. Apart from the baseball cap and face mask that covered most of his face, Hajime was decked in a black coat and black slacks to go with his black trainers. Combined with how anxious he was, the Japanese man looked like a shady character from an anime. It wasn¡¯t the impression one might want to give before entering a bank. Hajime looked up at the sign above the door¡­ BANK OF MANHATTAN Reading it reminded him of another sign he¡¯d seen recently. One that Rowan had left intact despite having altered the cave entrance with long-lost sorcery. HOPE DIES HERE WHERE ONLY FOOLS DARE TO TREAD ¡°Bud, we don¡¯t have all day,¡± Chris¡¯ voice drew Hajime out of his musings. ¡°I¡¯ve got to check out office spaces and you¡ª¡± ¡°Have to help with the job system¡¯s integration and continue my training with Rowan-sama,¡± Hajime finished for him. Besides learning from a sorceress as powerful as the rebel trickster of legend, the thought of witnessing new sorcery from the few experts of Bram¡¯s household was a comfort to Hajime. It instilled in him the kind of courage that allowed one to bravely enter even a cave that was home to a monstrous beast. Or in Hajime¡¯s case, a den full of hungry bankers. ¡°Chris-senpai,¡± Hajime whispered, ¡°I don¡¯t have to talk to a teller?¡± ¡°According to the Loom, all you need to do is log into your account from inside the bank,¡± replied Chris¡¯ voice. After they¡¯d woken up inside Hajime¡¯s living room yesterday afternoon, the three Earthers had attempted to connect the Loom with Chris¡¯ custodial wallet, the app managing the Texan¡¯s digital assets, including his cryptocurrency. Chris had logged into his custodial wallet like usual¡ªand that¡¯s when something otherworldly happened; his smartphone¡¯s screen had frozen up like it was glitching and then numbers and letters appeared like lines of code moving in random directions across the screen. Since only Chris could see this strange phenomenon, he had described the scene to his friends as if he¡¯d suddenly glimpsed the ¡®Matrixes¡¯ in reality, although the numbers and letters moving around on his smartphone¡¯s screen had been pale blue instead of the iconic green of that popular movie franchise. Sometime after they¡¯d first appeared, the neon blue numbers and letters had melded together to form a familiar shape, the ghostly blue window of the Loom of Ill Fates.
CONGRATULATIONS! The Loom is now connected to your custodial wallet [Binancier]. You may access your digital assets the next time you arrive on Aarde via the Loom¡¯s new system [Finance] which now includes a [Currency Exchange] tool.
A day later, Chris still hadn¡¯t forgotten his otherworldly experience or the spine-tingling sensation it gave him. ¡°I¡¯m telling you, Bud, I was so spooked seeing that blue screen on our world that I almost don¡¯t want to return to Aarde¡­¡± Hajime, who¡¯d just walked in through the Bank of Manhattan¡¯s glass front door, avoided the gaze of a security guard while whispering, ¡°But you are going back, right?¡± ¡°There ain¡¯t no way I¡¯m missing history get made¡­nor all the fun shit that¡¯ll happen to us from now on,¡± Chris chuckled in Hajime¡¯s ear. ¡°But I¡¯m telling you, seeing the Loom on Earth, that was mighty stranger than my first meeting with a teenage prince and his freaky magic girlfriend.¡± ¡°But Bram-sama doesn¡¯t look like a kid.¡± ¡®No, he doesn¡¯t,¡± Chris agreed. ¡°Seriously, I work out like a plow horse at the start of harvest but that kid¡¯s got muscles I¡¯ll never have.¡± Hajime crossed the lobby¡¯s parquet floor while avoiding eyes that couldn¡¯t help turning his way. He didn¡¯t know it, but the all-black attire he thought would make him less noticeable was doing the opposite. Indeed, Hajime reached his destination without much fuss only because people moved to avoid the sketchy-looking man making a beeline for one of the bank¡¯s ATMs. Hajime whispered, ¡°I¡¯m at the ATM¡­what now?¡± ¡°Stick your debit card in there and see what happens.¡± Hajime frowned. ¡°What if nothing happens¡­?¡± ¡°Trust me, Bud, something¡¯s gonna happen.¡± Truthfully, this was what Hajime was worried about. He wasn¡¯t sure he was ready to see the ¡®Matrixes¡¯ for himself. ¡°Are you sure we can¡¯t try connecting with the app again¡­?¡± ¡°Rowan said that wouldn¡¯t work, remember?¡± Flush with the success of integrating the Loom to Chris¡¯ custodial wallet, the Earthers had attempted the same tactic with his banking app, but the integration failed. So, sticking to their eight PM schedule, the Earth trio returned to Aarde last night, and the Texan shared the results of their experiment with Bram and Rowan, prompting the trickster to explain a possible reason for the varying results of the two experiments. ¡°There is great power in symbolism, and having you physically present inside a place where wealth is stored and distributed might be necessary for the Loom¡¯s sorcery to integrate successfully with an Earth bank,¡± she¡¯d deduced. ¡°However, this wouldn¡¯t be the case for your¡­¡± Rowan¡¯s face had turned contemplative like it did whenever she tried speaking Earth words. ¡°¡­Digital assets.¡± She¡¯d grinned triumphantly at how she¡¯d spoken the alien words without stuttering. ¡°As you¡¯ve explained, such a tool exists only on your device, and therefore wouldn¡¯t require your physical self for a first-time trade.¡± Hajime had been recalling last night¡¯s gathering when he felt a tap on his shoulder. ¡°Can I help you, Sir?¡± asked a breathy, soprano-like voice. An athletic-looking female security guard with light caramel skin and a pixie cut arrived behind Hajime without him noticing. She¡¯d given him a pointed look as if she was expecting him to cause trouble. ¡°N-No,¡± Hajime bowed nervously, ¡°thank you.¡± The security guard nodded back, though she kept eyeing him as she stepped away, and not very far either. Close enough that she could tackle Hajime if he proved her suspicions right. ¡°Chris-Senpai¡­I think she¡¯s on to us¡­¡± ¡°Relax, Bud. It¡¯s not like you¡¯re there to rob the place. Just do what you need to do and then walk out.¡±This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. ¡°If something happens¡­¡± ¡°Worst case, you get fined for breaking an ATM. It happens.¡± Hajime¡¯s brow creased. He wasn¡¯t sure such things happened outside of TV. ¡°Okay¡­¡± He took a deep breath. ¡°I can do this¡­¡± Surprisingly, Chris¡¯ guess wasn¡¯t far off. As Hajime slipped his debit card into the ATM¡¯s slot, he felt a sudden chill flow through him like an ice cube was sliding down his back, and not in a fun way. A moment later, the ATM screen showing a Bank of Manhattan ad froze like it was experiencing a computer glitch. ¡°Eh¡­maji?¡± Then things happened just like Chris had described it yesterday. Neon blue numbers and letters danced across the ATM¡¯s screen, prompting Hajime to whisper, ¡°I think I just took the red pill¡­¡± ¡°Congrats, Bud, now you¡¯ll see how deep the rabbit hole goes.¡±
CONGRATULATIONS! The Loom is now connected to your personal bank account in the [Bank of Manhattan]. You may access it the next time you arrive on Aarde via the Loom¡¯s Finance tool.
Contrary to Chris¡¯ anxiety-building experience, Hajime¡¯s worries were washed away at the sight of the system message. Instead of fear, he felt excitement. Hajime didn¡¯t know this yet, but he and Bram were alike. Despite their many worries, both men dreamed of pushing the envelope and trailblazing the future. It¡¯s why Hajime couldn¡¯t help but pump his fists into the air and yell, ¡°Yatta!¡± That¡¯s when the entire bank lost power and the building went dark. ¡°Eh¡­?¡± A second later, the pixie-haired security guard tackled Hajime to the ground, ensuring he would miss today¡¯s return to Aarde.
¡°Enter,¡± Bram said distractedly. Atlan¡¯s seventh prince didn¡¯t look up from his desk when the door to his study opened because there was a mountain of paperwork to keep him occupied. ¡°Hey, Boss,¡± Chris called. ¡°You look busy.¡± ¡°Who knew managing an entire kingdom would be so hectic,¡± Bram replied wryly, adding, ¡°I saw the Loom¡¯s message earlier in the day. Hajime succeeded then?¡± ¡°He did.¡± Chris sat on one of the two plush chairs opposite Bram¡¯s stately-looking wooden desk. ¡°But he¡¯s not going to make his appointment with Rowan.¡± ¡°Why not?¡± Bram asked. ¡°Because he¡¯s been arrested by Earth¡¯s version of a city guard,¡± answered the redhead who walked into the study after Chris. Hearing this, Bram couldn¡¯t help but look up. ¡°Arrested?¡± ¡°We call them police,¡± Chris corrected, adding, ¡°And yeah, he¡¯s been detained for the night. There was more of a show to the integration than we expected.¡± ¡°Is it serious?¡± Bram asked. ¡°It¡¯s fine. Feds won¡¯t be able to prove anything.¡± Chris leaned into his chair. ¡°They¡¯ll chalk it up to coincidence and an eccentric foreigner getting excited about money and let Hajime go in a few hours.¡± ¡°A few hours¡­¡± Rowan took a seat on the couch near the fireplace. ¡°And I planned such an interesting training session for him.¡± Glancing over his shoulder, Chris gave her a wry look. ¡°You were going to give him a hard time, weren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Training is supposed to be challenging,¡± Rowan picked up a teacup from the small table between her and the fireplace. ¡°What about you, Chris¡­have you considered Ser Anthony¡¯s offer to train you so that you might become our prince¡¯s newest knight?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t he offer you the same thing?¡± ¡°He did. I accepted.¡± ¡°Good for you¡­ I don¡¯t know if the chivalric path is the one for me. Still holding out for something more¡­¡± Chris¡¯ face turned contemplative. ¡°¡­Flavorful.¡± The Texan eyed the prince whose nose was buried in the pages of a thick ledger. Bram, who could feel Chris¡¯ eyes on him, absentmindedly said, ¡°If you¡¯re curious about other jobs then you should go to the training hall.¡± ¡°Bridget¡¯s still in there cataloging your soldiers¡¯ jobs?¡± Chris confirmed. Bram nodded. Still sensing the Texan¡¯s gaze, he looked up from his work. ¡°Was there anything else?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Chris took out a folded parchment from his leather jacket¡¯s breast pocket and passed it to Bram. ¡°Now that the Loom¡¯s Finance feature is up and running, the bean counters on both sides of the veil have come up with an estimated conversion rate for griffins and dollars.¡± Bram inspected the parchment. ¡°You¡¯ve already talked with the bastion¡¯s bookkeepers about this?¡± he confirmed. ¡°First thing I did after Rowan summoned me back here,¡± Chris reported. ¡°I also went ahead and met with an accountant I¡¯m thinking of hiring for the studio. I based my conversation with Ser Anthony¡¯s guys on her suggestions.¡± ¡°What was the basis of conversion?¡± ¡°Something both worlds got plenty of¡­a pint of beer and a loaf of bread, though y¡¯all call it grog over here.¡± ¡°Grog,¡± Bram repeated, his eyes narrowing slightly. Based on the estimates of his household¡¯s bookkeepers along with the input of the accountant Chris wanted to hire, a single gold griffin was worth a hundred of the ¡®US Dollars¡¯ Chris assured Bram was the most used currency on Earth. ¡°The Loom seems to agree with you. It¡¯s already accepted the exchange rate,¡± Bram revealed. ¡°Yeah, I saw that too,¡± Chris replied. ¡°That said, I thought I¡¯d try the currency exchange tool here so y¡¯all can get a look-see with me.¡± ¡°Interesting.¡± Neither Chris nor Bram had noticed when she moved, but Rowan was now seated on the other chair opposite the table. ¡°Well, shall we begin?¡± At her prompting, the Texan pulled up the Loom¡¯s menu and selected [Finance]. ¡°Just so y¡¯all know, there ain¡¯t any other game on Earth that gives players an option to manage their finances while they play,¡± he said, his brow furrowing slightly. ¡°Not sure it¡¯s legal, to be honest. We may need to tweak the feature a bit before we launch.¡± As Chris fiddled with the options, Bram, who was using his administrator access to watch, caught the moment when the Texan used the currency exchange tool to trade a thousand US dollars from his bank account for an equivalent amount of imperial griffins as determined by the exchange rate both sides had agreed upon from a comparison of costs for a ¡®pint of beer¡¯ and ¡®loaf of bread¡¯ in both worlds.
Proceed with this transaction?
As soon as Chris tapped on [Yes], the magic inside him began to stir and telltale sparks of sorcery exploded out of his hand. A second later, a golden ticket lay on his palm. Chris frowned. ¡°I thought y¡¯all still used coins for currency?¡± ¡°That¡¯s a promissory note given by the Bank of Steel. It¡¯s used to exchange for griffins from one branch to another,¡± Bram explained. ¡°I¡¯m assuming y¡¯all get it made with magic because this one cost me five MP to generate,¡± Chris revealed. ¡°May I see it?¡± Bram asked. A quick inspection of the item showed it was exactly like the promissory notes the Bank of Steel gave its clients down to the paper and ink used in its making. ¡°The Bank of Steel has magical protections against forgery, but this ten-gold griffin note could pass their tests with flying colors,¡± Bram observed. A further inspection caused a curious look to appear on the prince¡¯s face. ¡°This promissory note¡­it¡¯s credited to me.¡± Chris¡¯ name was on the promissory note¡¯s recipient line, while the account used to exchange the dollars into griffins belonged to Bram. ¡°So, if I got the griffins from you, where¡¯d my dollars go?¡± As if it were waiting for them to ask, a new message arrived from the system.
ALERT! For this monetary exchange to be processed properly, a corresponding banking account from both Earth and Aarde must be created to act as the system¡¯s financial foundations. Furthermore, these two accounts should maintain a sizable amount of funds to ensure a smooth transaction process whenever the Finance tool is used.
¡°So, until we get these financial hubs set, I won¡¯t be able to get my money?¡±
Yes¡­
¡°Well, ain¡¯t that a pickle¡­ And you¡¯ve used Prince Bram¡¯s bank account as the default setting for Aarde¡¯s finance needs?¡±
This option can be changed using the administrator¡¯s access.
Learning this caused Bram¡¯s brow to furrow. As a prince of Atlan, Bram¡¯s personal wealth was considerable, though it wouldn¡¯t be enough to fulfill the system¡¯s needs, particularly if transactions between Earth and Aarde became the norm. Of course, as Lotharin¡¯s governor, he had the kingdom¡¯s wealth to use as an option, but Bram was loathe to abuse his authority by misappropriating the griffins needed for the kingdom¡¯s restoration efforts. The great undertaking might be for Lotharin¡¯s sake, but this was a secret task that couldn¡¯t be written into the kingdom¡¯s ledgers. After reflecting on his choices, Bram said, ¡°I¡¯ll have Ser Anthony set up a new account with the Bank of Steel using a portion of my wealth¡­ We¡¯ll call it the Lotharin Investment Fund.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll take care of creating the bank account on Earth¡¯s side with my savings for now,¡± Chris said, adding, ¡°Maybe Hajime and Bridget can chip in too.¡± Bram couldn¡¯t help but smile at the man he¡¯d chosen to be Loom¡¯s co-executive producer, a man who was willing to share his life¡¯s savings to help the great undertaking succeed. ¡°Your wealth will be returned to you as soon as I¡¯m able to transfer assets to the Earth account,¡± he assured Chris. ¡°I know you¡¯re good for it, Boss.¡± As he said this, Chris¡¯ gaze drifted around the room to home in on obvious signs of prosperity; a gold lamp by the prince¡¯s desk, piles of gold griffins stacked on a side table, and even the plush chair he was sitting on. ¡°We¡¯ll be needing your investment to open our studio ASAP.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll get it done,¡± Bram grinned excitedly. Chris shared Bram¡¯s enthusiasm. ¡°Yeah, we will.¡± Both men knew that by tomorrow, they would have done something that had never been achieved before; a proper trade between two worlds. ¡°Not to dampen your spirits,¡± Rowan cut in, ¡°but I expect such a large undertaking will quickly drain the well that is the prince¡¯s wealth¡­¡± Her prince¡¯s smile hadn¡¯t vanished though. ¡°You already have a plan,¡± she guessed. Bram took an unfurled scroll from the top of the pile and showed it to his companions. On its header was the title; A Report of the Troubles of Bellen and the Growing Dangers of the Red Forest. Grinning, Bram asked, ¡°Well, are you both ready for our first adventure?¡± Chapter 21: Clash of Steel CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE Clash of Steel
Bram had one last task before he could set out on a new adventure. It was why he brought Chris to the bastion¡¯s training grounds. ¡°This place could do with a bit of polish,¡± Rowan commented. She¡¯d tagged along with them because she had nothing better to do. Not now that Hajime wasn¡¯t around to bully, which was the specific word she used for training him. They arrived at the entrance to a courtyard sandwiched between the inner keep that housed the Oaken Hall and the western wall that guarded the bastion¡¯s residents from the cliff¡¯s edge behind it. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Chris¡¯ gaze swept the yard, ¡°I like how rough it looks.¡± He sniffed at the air. ¡°Smells of sweat and hard work.¡± The Texan grinned. Though he appreciated Chris¡¯ sentiments, Bram didn¡¯t think an otherworlder¡¯s gym was anything like the training grounds of his bastion with its many implements of death and struggle. Racks filled with all manner of weapons envisioned by the smiths of the Imperium waited in one corner of the rectangular space, even the rare double-sided lances that were the signature tools of the sky rangers of Navarra. These weapons weren¡¯t the wooden variety common in training halls but made of bastion-forged steel and sharpened so thoroughly that they easily cut through flesh. A considerable expense, for certain, but one that Bastille¡¯s seneschal deemed of utmost importance. Within this training ground of rough stone floor, Ser Anthony sought to forge warriors who could protect his prince from all dangers. Recalling how well Baer and his fellow traitors had fought, Bram thought Ser Anthony was succeeding at least in training them. Loyalty was another matter entirely. ¡°They¡¯ve even got a jungle gym,¡± Chris mused aloud. The Texan¡¯s gaze was fixed on another corner of the training grounds and the weightlifting tools set up there. Iron framing and wooden planks made up a short obstacle course that was like a death trap of swinging axes, rotating sickles, and, seemingly to Chris¡¯ delight, a pool of processed slime. ¡°Yep, this will be my favorite spot in the bastion,¡± he decided. ¡°Right,¡± Rowan shook her head, ¡°you and our prince are cut from the same cloth.¡± ¡°Nothing wrong with that,¡± Bram said, flexing his muscles for good measure. It was an act Chris copied. ¡°Ditto.¡± ¡®Clang!¡¯ The sound of steel clashing against steel ended their banter, drawing the trio¡¯s attention toward the central arena. There, trading sword blows as if she were born to be a warrior¡­was Bridget Fowling. Bram raised an eyebrow. ¡°I thought she was a writer?¡± In Bridget¡¯s hand was not a pen but a short sword of two-and-a-half feet in length, its single edge gleaming underneath the light of the twin moons. ¡°She is, but she¡¯s also a big MMA nut,¡± Chris chuckled. ¡°MMA?¡± ¡°Mixed martial arts¡­from what Rowan''s told me about your last fights, then it''s kind of like what you do, Boss.¡± While Chris explained the intricacies of Earth¡¯s martial arts scene, Bridget showed the prince its potential in duels. Holding her weapon in a reversed grip made it easier to parry a sword blow meant to cut her shoulder while allowing Bridget room to maneuver in such a heated close-quarters-fight. ¡®Clang!¡¯ Sparks flew as Bridget blocked one blow after another in a deft showing of defensive talent. In the same breath, she tried to grab her opponent¡¯s outstretched wrist with her free hand, but the knight who wielded a saber against her was no easy prey either. She was Ser Aveline Allard, a middle-aged woman with short copper hair and a scar across her nose who¡¯d learned to wield her saber under Ser Anthony¡¯s tutelage. Like the other knights that the seneschal had summoned to Lotharin to serve the prince, Ser Aveline had been meant to be Bram¡¯s sword and shield¡­a role Rowan had taken up. He¡¯s had few occasions to interact with her and her fellow knights though because they¡¯d been avoiding the ill-fated prince as most of his household did, so this might be the first time he¡¯d seen Ser Aveline smile. ¡®Clang!¡¯ Ser Aveline¡¯s and Bridget¡¯s blades locked together, both smiling like mad fools drunk with the madness only a duel could induce. ¡°Bridget¡¯s a natural,¡± Rowan noted. ¡°Has she had training before?¡± Bram followed up. ¡°Karate and Judo, I think,¡± Chris¡¯ brow scrunched together, ¡°maybe some Krav Maga.¡± Bram cast a curious expression at Chris. ¡°Krav Maga¡­?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a self-defense art geared for close-quarters fights meant to keep you alive as long as possible,¡± Chris¡¯ face turned contemplative, ¡°or, you know, surprise someone enough to earn the kill shot.¡± As if to prove Chris¡¯ words true, Bridget performed a stunt rarely seen in duels¡ªshe let go of her weapon. This astonishing feat of daring didn¡¯t just end the sword lock between her and Ser Aveline, but it left Bridget vulnerable to the knight¡¯s saber coming down on her arm. Or it should have, but Bridget sidestepped the blow at the last second, forcing Ser Aveline to move forward, leaving her vulnerable to the short sword now aimed at her gut, which Bridget had dropped with one hand and then caught with her other hand. ¡°It was a good move,¡± Bram conceded, ¡°but not enough.¡± He saw Bridget¡¯s sword waver just before it could draw blood, and that instance of indecision cost the blonde otherworlder. Unlike Bridget, Ser Aveline was used to the threat of death. Instead of cowering back from the sword aimed at her midsection, the knight who¡¯d traded her armor for a trainee¡¯s leather padding barreled forward, sending her shoulder crashing into Bridget¡¯s bosom with such force that the blonde otherworlder was pushed back before she could resume her attack. Then, with Bridget¡¯s footing compromised, Ser Aveline kicked out at her stomach in a move that reminded Bram of his victory over a knight of the White Rose. The kick sent Bridget crashing butt-first onto the ground, where she was unable to react to the tip of Ser Aveline¡¯s sword brushing against her neck. ¡°I surrender,¡± Bridget said, breathless. ¡°You sacrificed sure footing for a killing blow.¡± Ser Aveline¡¯s voice was low and melodic, but there was a hint of approval in her tone. ¡°Had your gamble worked, it would have been me on the floor instead of you.¡± While the copper-haired knight helped Bridget up, she asked the blonde otherworlder where she¡¯d learned to fight and if Bridget might be willing to trade techniques with her.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it ¡°I can teach you the swift sword I use in exchange for your defensive style,¡± Ser Aveline said, to which Bridget quickly replied, ¡°Hell yes ¡ª let¡¯s do it.¡± Hearing them caused a grin to spread on Bram¡¯s face. An exchange of ideas and expertise, this was exactly what he was hoping to achieve for Lotharin¡¯s sake as much as his own. Here and now, without his prompting, such an exchange was truly beginning. ¡°Well done. Both of you.¡± Bram stepped out of the shadows the inner keep cast on the courtyard. ¡°It was a good match.¡± Silence. Once they noticed the prince had arrived, the noise around the training grounds died down, and only awkward silence remained. This wasn¡¯t a special circumstance, though. Bram often made people uncomfortable whenever he appeared at a gathering. It was one of the reasons he preferred being in disguise. However, this time, there was also an undercurrent of tension in the air, one whose origins Bram already guessed at. Two incidents came to mind. There was the flogging of the city¡¯s guardsmen who¡¯d been caught drinking instead of performing their duties as they should have. It had been nearly two weeks since, but the severity of their punishment¡ªhow Ser Anthony showed no mercy in giving it¡ªseemed fresh in the minds of the gathered guardsmen. Then there was the more recent incident of betrayal within the ranks of his household¡¯s soldiers. Baer¡¯s betrayal had shaken Bram¡¯s trust in them, and for days, the soldiers of his household were questioned to see how many more rats were hiding among them. A few were discovered and rooted out, although all shared the stigma of mistrust. This, more than his reputation as a magicless fool, was the cause of the awkward looks Bram received from those sworn to be his swords. In short, trust and camaraderie within the bastion were at an all-time low, though Bram hoped to change this before he left for his next adventure. Fortunately, he wasn¡¯t alone in this thinking. ¡°Well met, Your Highness,¡± said Ser Aveline. She bowed her head, and the others gathered nearby followed suit. Bram couldn¡¯t help but feel grateful. ¡°Raise your heads,¡± he insisted. ¡°I¡¯ve told you all, you needn¡¯t bow to me. Just serve me well.¡± ¡°They cannot do that,¡± said the old knight who¡¯d been observing from a shadowy corner. ¡°All must show due deference to the Sovereign¡¯s blood.¡± ¡°When was the last time you showed me deference?¡± Bram asked, chuckling. Ser Anthony exhaled a pillar of smoke he¡¯d inhaled from his pipe. ¡°Being strict with you is my way of showing deference, Your Highness.¡± The seneschal reeked of grass and mud when he arrived at his prince¡¯s side, but Bram didn¡¯t dislike this aroma anymore now that he¡¯d enjoyed cloud weed himself. ¡°We¡¯ll end training here,¡± he said out loud. The soldiers and guardsmen took his command as their cue to escape, with Bridget thanking them for participating in what she dubbed, ¡°The interview.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t lose your promissory notes,¡± she reminded them. ¡°You can¡¯t claim the griffins you earned today without them!¡± Earlier today, Bram had unlocked his vault to encourage the soldiers and guardsmen to participate in Bridget¡¯s interview, the ruse meant to hide that she was cataloging their jobs and abilities to add to the Loom¡¯s new job system, which, until yesterday, had only three entries. It didn¡¯t mean the Loom couldn¡¯t create jobs by itself. However, providing it with already-established information helped expand the job list faster. So, with the promise of a hefty pouch of griffins, the soldiers of Bram¡¯s household readily showed off their skills to Bridget while not knowing that their hard-earned talents would serve the great undertaking¡¯s cause. After a short conversation with Ser Anthony and a promise of more training with Bridget, Ser Aveline was the last to leave the training grounds. Once they were alone, the others praised Bridget for her duel, with Chris asking her when she¡¯d learned to fight like she did. ¡°I spend my weekends at the Krav Maga Institute on the corner of Broadway and West Thirtieth. My boyfriend¡¯s one of the instructors there,¡± she explained. ¡°Heck, I didn¡¯t know Biosoft had weekends,¡± Chris chuckled, but, as an afterthought, added, ¡°New boyfriend?¡± ¡°Fairly recent,¡± Bridget admitted. Chris looked uncomfortable. ¡°Does, um, Hajime know?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t know.¡± Bridget wiped the sweat on her brow with the towel Rowan offered her. ¡°We don¡¯t really talk about relationships.¡± ¡°Yep, I figured,¡± Chris sighed. Bram, who knew of Hajime¡¯s secret crush as well, couldn¡¯t help but understand Chris¡¯ frustration. However, romance was one thing the prince couldn¡¯t help with because he¡¯d never had a problem with it himself, having mostly been on the receiving end of others¡¯ admiration. Of course, this was only true for commoner suitors or those few nobles who had yet to discover his ill-fated reputation. ¡°Did you get everything you needed?¡± Bram asked. ¡°Enough to start with.¡± Bridget motioned the group over to a nearby table. ¡°Here, have a look.¡± It was stacked with piles of scrolls and books. ¡°Your guys loved showing off, so it was easy to get them to perform,¡± she explained. Both Bram and Chris exchanged looks. The strands of hair clinging to her flushed face, the sweat that coated her shirt, and her charming smile; they suspected Bridget¡¯s appearance had much to do with his household¡¯s cooperation. ¡°Some of them even shared their training manuals. Most of its stuff that¡¯s already in your library, Prince Bram, but some of it,¡± Bridget took a scroll from the pile and unfurled it for Bram, ¡°like this one¡­¡± The Fleet-Footed Step ¡°¡­It¡¯s a manual for a mobility spell that the Loom¡¯s tagged as a rare piece,¡± she happily reported, adding, ¡°We can turn these into skill books that players can earn as rare quest rewards with low drop rates¡­¡± ¡°¡­Encouraging them to repeat quests we¡¯ll need them to keep doing,¡± Chris finished the thought. ¡°That¡¯s a good one, Bridge.¡± ¡°I know,¡± she grinned. Bridget further explained that she¡¯d cataloged a total of fourteen new jobs along with hundreds of new abilities. She¡¯d even finished integrating these into the Loom¡¯s job system before her duel with Ser Aveline. ¡°The All-Seeing Eye made it easy to analyze stuff,¡± she said. ¡°Might be more useful than we thought.¡± Most of the team grew enthusiastic about the updated system, though Rowan dampened their enthusiasm with only a few words. ¡°With the number of people here earlier, I expected more than fourteen,¡± she said. ¡°Honestly, there wasn¡¯t a lot of variety with this group,¡± Bridget admitted, although also adding, ¡°But people with the same jobs do use their abilities differently, so seeing these varying habits might be helpful to us.¡± To Bram, it sounded like the last part had been Bridget¡¯s attempt at consoling him for his lack of competent men. ¡°Did you get other knights besides Ser Aveline to participate?¡± he asked. ¡°All except one,¡± Bridget reported. Her brown-eyed gaze drifted to the old knight standing behind the prince. ¡°Oh, right,¡± Bram nodded. The prince turned to face his loyal knight, though, as their gazes locked, he couldn¡¯t find the words. It was a shameful thing to ask his seneschal to allow the Loom to clone the skills Ser Anthony had worked all his life to achieve, something most true masters of their respective jobs would be loathed to do. Fortunately, the old knight already knew what his prince wanted. ¡°To ask me to share my skills with people who have no relation to me or my house¡­¡± Ser Anthony shook his head. ¡°You¡¯ve grown bolder since becoming governor, Your Highness.¡± ¡°Is it an impossible proposition?¡± Bram pressed. He didn¡¯t bother offering Ser Anthony money or a promotion for his knowledge. His seneschal had served as a member of the Sovereign-Guard before Bram was born, and as a former ¡®Knight Champion¡¯ of the Sovereign, wealth, prestige, and position were his already. Indeed, Ser Anthony could have done anything in his later years, but his loyalty to Bram¡¯s mother made him choose to become the protector of a prince whose ill fate no one else would touch. So, instead of plying him with sweet words or false promises, Bram could only ask his companion of many years for this great favor while knowing he could offer Ser Anthony nothing in return. ¡°Despite my ambitions¡­I can¡¯t achieve greatness alone. I¡¯m too weak¡­¡± Bram¡¯s hands balled into fists. ¡°I need the strength of others to help me with the great undertaking ¡ª to raise Lotharin from its decline ¡ª and finally become a prince worthy of my bloodline¡­¡± Ser Anthony was the only member of Bram¡¯s household who knew of his schemes to wield the knowledge of the other world for Lotharin¡¯s sake. His seneschal didn¡¯t have a full understanding of Bram¡¯s plans, but it was a sign of Ser Anthony¡¯s loyalty that he hadn¡¯t tried to stop his prince from enacting a stratagem which any right-minded sorcerer might assume was a dangerous and foolhardy endeavor. ¡°What you ask of me isn¡¯t an impossible proposition, Your Highness.¡± His seneschal walked over to the center of the training hall where Bridget had dueled Ser Aveline. ¡°As you know, my time as a champion of the imperium left me with no opportunity to start a family.¡± He spoke in a wistful tone. ¡°Officially, my only heir is my younger brother Axel, who, like me, chose the path of the sword rather than become a lord.¡± House Holmes was the hereditary ruler of Dunhallow, a shire in the Highland Kingdom of Tara, a land separated from Bram¡¯s kingdom by the ¡®Gaullian Channel¡¯ to its northwest. By rights, Ser Anthony was an eorl like Bram, though he¡¯d relinquished his title at a young age when he chose to serve in the Sovereign-guard whose members weren¡¯t allowed to be landed lords. ¡°I have no child who will inherit what I have to pass on¡­¡± Ser Anthony gazed at Bram with great fondness. ¡°At least not one who carries my blood.¡± Emotion filled Bram¡¯s chest. ¡°Ser Anthony¡­¡± It was true that his seneschal had treated a young Bram more like a family member rather than a knight who served his liege. As the prince grew older, the dynamic between them didn¡¯t change, and Bram didn¡¯t want it to. For him, Ser Anthony was like his favorite uncle who¡¯d showered Bram with the affection no one else would give him. The old knight was his protector, his teacher, and his one true friend. Bram lowered his gaze. Though he felt great affection for his seneschal, it was also true that Bram was suffocating from the weight of Ser Anthony¡¯s expectant gaze. For only he of all Bram¡¯s retainers believed the prince could still achieve greatness. Despite his efforts though, Bram had failed to meet those expectations time and time again. ¡°But if I¡¯m to share my talents with those unrelated to me¡­¡± Ser Anthony¡¯s choice of words caused Bram to look up. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t the heir I¡¯ve chosen be first to inherit the art of the ¡®Peerless Heart Sword¡¯ that I¡¯ve mastered?¡± ¡°S-Ser Anthony¡­?¡± With a smile, the old knight drew his longsword from its sheath. ¡°I believe a new lesson is overdue.¡± Chapter 22: Sword Growing From One’s Heart Note: We''ve changed the book''s title for Royal Road, but it''s still a TGTES novel. Thanks for understanding. CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO Sword Growing From One¡¯s Heart
¡°Draw your sword, Prince Bram,¡± Ser Anthony insisted. Calling him by name, that¡¯s how Bram knew his seneschal was serious. ¡°So, this is why you wanted to meet in the training grounds¡­¡± Bram¡¯s gaze drifted down to the pommel of his bastion-forged steel longsword. ¡°¡­and why you¡¯d insisted on commissioning me a new sword as quickly as possible.¡± Ser Anthony smiled. ¡°As always, you catch on quick.¡± His smile twitched slightly. ¡°That wit has ever been your greatest strength,¡± the seneschal admitted. ¡°It will serve you well when learning the first technique of the Peerless Heart Sword.¡± Bram sighed. ¡°You know I can¡¯t use sorcery¡­¡± ¡°Lady Rowan¡¯s told me differently.¡± Bram glanced sideways at Rowan, who, along with Chris and Bridget, had moved to the side of the arena. As she was prone to do in such moments, the trickster offered Bram a challenging smile as if to egg him on. The prince sighed again. ¡°I¡¯ve received but a trickle of magic in my veins¡­ It¡¯s not nearly enough to harness the sorcery for such grand swordsmanship.¡± Despite his obvious reticence, Bram¡¯s right hand still grasped his sword¡¯s hilt. ¡°I¡¯m tired of failing you¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s not weak to fear failure, Your Highness¡­but it is weakness to fear not trying.¡± One of the things that irked Bram most was to be told he wasn¡¯t trying. He¡¯d tried his best in everything he¡¯d attempted to do so far¡ªto the point of coughing blood whenever he pushed his body past its limits¡ªand still he would fall short of the other royals who barely lifted their fingers to achieve something of note. To tell Bram he wasn¡¯t trying¡­such words were fighting words to the prince, causing his fingers to tighten around the handle of his sword. ¡°I knew the fire still burned in you.¡± Ser Anthony aimed his sword¡¯s tip at his prince, an act that would have been seen as treacherous if it had been done by anyone else. ¡°Once I¡¯m satisfied with your progress, then I will agree to your request.¡± ¡°You do understand that I only want to copy your job¡¯s regular abilities,¡± Bram reiterated, adding, ¡°The Peerless Heart Sword wouldn¡¯t be part of this exchange unless you offered to make it into¡­¡± Bram¡¯s brow creased as he tried to recall one of the gamer terms he¡¯d been learning from Hajime. ¡°¡­A skill book¡­which I wouldn¡¯t ask¡ª¡± ¡°I¡¯ll allow it,¡± Ser Anthony cut in. Bram¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°Y-You would share such a prestigious martial sorcery with people who can¡¯t know nor appreciate its storied history¡­?¡± ¡°A manual wouldn¡¯t be enough to teach someone the Peerless Heart Sword.¡± Ser Anthony laughed out loud. When he finished his moment of glee, he added, ¡°It would take a savant of Prince Balor¡¯s caliber to understand the intricacies of the heart sword without a proper teacher to guide his training¡­and we both know there aren¡¯t many among the Imperium¡¯s knightly orders who could match your brother¡¯s talent.¡± The mention of Atlan¡¯s third prince caused Bram¡¯s brow to furrow. Unlike the Ill-Fated Prince, Balor was regarded as a talent who appeared only once in a generation. Among the royals, he was known to be a gentleman who was kind, fair, and wise¡ªa fact Bram couldn¡¯t refute because his older brother had never treated him with the contempt his other siblings showed Bram. For the common citizens of Atlan, Balor was once touted as the ¡®New Light of the Imperium¡¯ and there were many retainers in the Sovereign¡¯s court who believed he might become the heir. ¡°Not even Balor could escape this damnable game of succession,¡± Bram whispered darkly. It had been over a year since he¡¯d last seen his older brother. Indeed, Balor hadn¡¯t graced the Sovereign¡¯s court with his presence for longer than that, and the rumors of why he¡¯d sequestered himself in his bastion at Alba, the capital of the Highland Kingdom of Tara, were many and varied and full of dark tidings. ¡°Yes¡­it¡¯s why we too must be ever vigilant.¡± Ser Anthony¡¯s expression stiffened. Though this stiffness was quick to pass. ¡°In any case, offering the skills I¡¯ve sharpened into a fine blade as a rare prize would make your game more interesting to those otherworlders who will gather in Lotharin.¡± One of Bram¡¯s eyebrows hitched upward. ¡°You¡¯ve been paying attention to Hajime¡¯s lectures¡­?¡± ¡°Any good seneschal would do his utmost to learn more about the men and women my prince associates with,¡± Ser Anthony answered, chuckling afterward. ¡°You¡¯ve made interesting friends, Your Highness.¡± Bram couldn¡¯t help chuckling himself. Friend¡ªit was a word he didn¡¯t expect to hear. At least not concerning himself. Finally, with his thoughts organized, Bram drew his longsword from its sheath. ¡°I appreciate the lesson.¡± He raised his longsword¡¯s hilt to his chest in a knight¡¯s salute. It was a gesture Ser Anthony didn¡¯t return. ¡°Take this seriously, Your Highness.¡± ¡°I am.¡± ¡°Then wield the sword with your left hand.¡± ¡°¡­You remembered?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been watching you since you learned to walk. Of course, I remember that you¡¯re a southpaw.¡± In his mind¡¯s eye, Bram recalled a recent battle where he¡¯d been forced to use his left hand to wield a sword and how it had felt more comfortable fighting Baer and his friends as a lefty. In truth, Atlan¡¯s seventh prince had switched to using his sword with his right hand only after his academy instructors forced this lesson upon him. ¡°A sword belongs in the right hand, Your Highness¡­ That¡¯s how proper gentlemen fight,¡± his primary grade sword instructor had once claimed, a hint of the usual derision in his tone. Every time Bram forgot this lesson, his instructors or peers would ridicule him. Not directly, of course. Despite his ill-fated reputation, Bram was still a prince, and his royal blood was enough to shield him from a more severe kind of oppression like the ones young commoners got from the young nobles who lorded over them. These so-called noble children would often speak just loud enough for Bram to hear how ignorant they thought him to be. Because of this verbal bullying, Bram had learned to hide his quirks, and that included suppressing his need to use his dominant left arm. It wasn¡¯t until he¡¯d met the Delightful Troupe much later in his youth that he began using his left hand again, though only when necessary. Today, Bram listened to his seneschal¡¯s advice, though not without adding his own bite to the conversation. ¡°I¡¯ll switch to my left hand if you put away the pipe.¡± Ser Anthony grinned. He took one last puff of cloud weed before hiding it in the pocket of his gambeson. ¡°Now you, Your Highness.¡± With secret relish, Bram switched his longsword over to his left hand and then repeated his knight¡¯s salute. This time, Ser Anthony returned the gesture. Bram then slid his right foot forward, bent his knees to lower his center of gravity, and with his back straightened, raised his longsword over his head. ¡°Excellent display of the ¡®High Guard¡¯ stance,¡± Ser Anthony nodded approvingly. ¡°Now, remember, as you deliver a cut or thrust to your opponent, your lower body must move to generate the power necessary for a single decisive blow ¡ª that is the basics of the Peerless Heart Sword.¡± ¡°To slay a foe with a single strike,¡± Bram recalled. Ser Anthony nodded. ¡°Now, let us begin. With that declaration, their clash of steel began. Bram wasn¡¯t sure which of them moved to claim that first strike, but he did remember that Ser Anthony¡¯s sword was heavy when it clashed against his to the point that Bram¡¯s hand protested at the weight of blocking such a heavy blow. ¡°You don¡¯t fight like an old man,¡± the prince hissed through gritted teeth.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°Age is never an excuse to lose in strength to a sapling who¡¯s barely grown hair on his chin,¡± Ser Anthony taunted back. That did it. Bram, who was a little sensitive about his lack of facial hair, a look worn by the fashionable gentlemen of the imperium, couldn¡¯t help flexing the muscles of his sword arm some more as he and Ser Anthony exchanged one savage sword blow after another. Though Bram was bigger, and his swings were getting heavier, Ser Anthony managed to parry each attack with the finesse and skill of a celebrated swordmaster. ¡°Here¡¯s more advice¡±¡ªSer Anthony slid to the left, dodging the downward swing of Bram¡¯s blade a mere half-second before it could cut him¡ª¡°don¡¯t be so predictable!¡± ¡°I thought being left-handed¡±¡ªBram stopped his momentum mid-swing, and with a talent that would have been praised in a land where sorcery wasn¡¯t a dominant power, twisted his wrist a full one-hundred-and-eighty degrees to send his blade careening horizontally into Ser Anthony¡¯s path¡ª¡°already made me unpredictable!¡± ¡®Clang!¡¯ The seneschal¡¯s longsword¡ªa masterfully crafted blade with a golden griffin¡¯s hilt gifted only to members of the Sovereign Guard¡ªeasily parried the prince¡¯s surprise attack as if he¡¯d been expecting it. With a deft swish of his wrist, Ser Anthony slid Bram¡¯s sword to the side and then countered with a riposte aimed at his prince¡¯s neck. Years of avoiding food thrown his way by bullies hiding in the dark gave Bram the kind of danger sense that helped him avoid getting grazed on the neck. He pulled his head out of the way at the last second and bounced right back into another attack that Ser Anthony dodged again. ¡°I¡¯ve mentioned this many times now¡ª¡± He slid to the side of Bram who¡¯d overextended himself. ¡°¡ªbut choosing to strengthen your body as a means to counter sorcery¡ª¡± With Bram¡¯s side exposed, Ser Anthony stepped forward, bringing himself back into striking distance. ¡°¡ªwas an excellent choice!¡± He raised his sword high. ¡°It makes you harder to¡ª¡± ¡®Clang!¡¯ Sparks flew as steel clashed against steel. Once more, Bram¡¯s instincts kept him from losing. Not the instinct to dodge, but to throw himself into the attack regardless of the possibility that Ser Anthony would hit him first. ¡°Brilliant!¡± Ser Anthony roared. ¡°You nearly caught me off guard.¡± They locked swords, each of them pushing back against the other. ¡°You seem to be mistaking the point of¡­¡± It took Bram a second to recall the words Bridget had taught him yesterday. ¡°¡­trash talking, Ser Anthony!¡± ¡°A knight should never stoop to the vulgarity of lesser men, Your Highness!¡± Ser Anthony chided. ¡°Fuck civility,¡± Bram growled, ¡°I want to win!¡± To defeat a former member of the Sovereign Guard¡ªand one as highly decorated as Ser Anthony¡ªwould be a tall order, but the prince was nothing if not stubborn. Also, since neither of them wielded sorcery, Bram hoped the handicap Ser Anthony gave him would give him the edge he needed for a single decisive blow. He used his ogrish strength to push back against his seneschal¡¯s one-armed parry and blew Ser Anthony¡¯s blade away. This gave Bram an opening to launch an attack, although he suspected it was an advantage too easily given. Still, despite the possibility of a trap, Bram leaped forward anyway. With his longsword towering over his head, he sent his right foot forward¡ªgrinding it into the stone floor with a hard stomp¡ªand then used the spring of force climbing up his body to empower a slash meant to cut Ser Anthony in twain. ¡°Gaah!¡± Despite his age, Ser Anthony still proved quicker than Bram. The prince felt the crushing blow of a sword pommel smacking him in the gut just before he could complete his swing. The blow pushed him back, but his stubbornness kept him from falling to his knees, though he was left gasping for breath and too stunned to fix his stance. ¡°That last attack¡­¡± The corners of Ser Anthony¡¯s mouth twitched. ¡°¡­You attempted to use the Peerless Heart Sword¡¯s first technique?¡± ¡°Even without¡­magic¡­it¡¯s still¡­a powerful¡­technique¡­¡± A pleased smile spread across the seneschal¡¯s face. ¡°Lady Rowan tells me your unique brand of sorcery allows you to duplicate another person¡¯s abilities for a short time.¡± ¡°Rowan¡­talks too much¡­¡± Again, Bram looked to the side, and again, he saw the trickster¡¯s taunting grin. Only, there was something else mixed in her expression of challenge. Bram wasn¡¯t sure, but he thought he could see pride in the glint of her gaze. ¡°But she¡¯s right¡­¡± Bram faced forward. ¡°The greater the people around me¡­the greater I too can become¡­I think.¡± ¡°Then you are fortunate to have me by your side.¡± From the way Ser Anthony raised his sword over his head, Bram guessed his seneschal wasn¡¯t talking about ¡®Status Emulation¡¯ but the ¡®Ability Replication¡¯ the prince had never used before. ¡°I see.¡± ¡°As I¡¯ve said,¡± the telltale sparks of magic exploded from the tips of Ser Anthony¡¯s fingers, ¡°you catch on quickly.¡± The seneschal¡¯s sword shook as a sliver of magic seeped into its blade. ¡°Phoebus¡¯¡ª¡± Before Bram¡¯s very eyes, a pale blue aura¡ªlike the first rays of sunlight appearing over the horizon to banish the night¡ªwrapped around Ser Anthony¡¯s blade, enveloping it in sorcery Bram had only heard about in the tales often told about the celebrated champions of the Imperium. ¡°¡ªcock¡­¡± This was the ¡®Sword Aura¡¯ that manifested one¡¯s will upon the world, expressed in vivid color by Ser Anthony¡¯s sorcery. ¡°Allow me to demonstrate it properly so that you may use your ability to copy it.¡± ¡°Ser Anthony¡­¡±
ALERT! An opportunity has arisen for you to replicate an ability.
The Loom¡¯s notification arrived for Bram as if the system resonated with Ser Anthony¡¯s wish.
Would you like to use [Ability Replication Lv.1] on [Ser Anthony Holmes]?
YES NO
Bram¡¯s heart ached when he said, ¡°This feels wrong¡­¡± ¡°Your Highness,¡± Ser Anthony frowned, ¡°only a fool would be hesitant to play with the gifts the gods give us¡­and I didn¡¯t help raise a fool.¡± Bram flinched at the reprimand for it happened so rarely. ¡°Do what you must with whatever means is available to you until you can achieve what you want the way you want to do it!¡± ¡°I¡­I see.¡± Bram felt sufficiently admonished. ¡°You¡¯re right¡­¡± Bram wanted to make Ser Anthony¡¯s technique his without aid from the Loom, but this was an impossible proposition. For now, at least. ¡°Replicate.¡± As he said the magic word¡ªthe third incantation he¡¯s learned¡ªBram felt his eyes grow suddenly hot. It wasn¡¯t painful exactly, but a strange pressure in his irises made staring uncomfortable. Ser Anthony couldn¡¯t hide his delight at seeing his prince perform sorcery for the first time. ¡°Now, let me show you just how proud of you I am.¡± ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ Bram could hear a familiar beating. Weak at first but increasing in pitch and tempo with each passing second. He knew from his lessons with his seneschal that this ¡®drumming¡¯ was the anthem of one¡¯s determination to cut the world with a sword growing from one¡¯s heart. ¡®Ba-dump!¡¯ Ser Anthony sent his lead foot stomping forward¡ªcausing cracks to appear where his boot slammed against the stone¡ªand then used the spring of force climbing up his body to empower a slash meant to cut the world in twain. ¡°Death from Above.¡± With a thunderous boom, Ser Anthony¡¯s sword came swinging down in a cut so quick that Bram barely caught its motion. The sight of such overwhelming swordsmanship sent heat and pain lancing up Bram¡¯s eyes so that he had to grit his teeth to keep from screaming. ¡®Krak-ka-boom!¡¯ Bright blue Aura descended from on high like a lightning bolt slicing through air and earth at tremendous speed. It zipped past Bram¡¯s left side faster than the auto-carriage from his dreams and cut everything in its path like a blue line drawn across space. There was a ¡®Crash!¡¯ and then the howling wind stilled. ¡°Bloody hell¡­¡± Bram glanced over his shoulder. ¡°Sorcery offers such a ridiculous advantage¡­¡± A chunk of stone had been carved from the thick stone wall behind him. His face shone with delight at the sight of it. It was a delight that was quick to pass, however, for Bram felt sudden nausea overwhelm him, and then he was on his knees and puking blood on the cracked floor. ¡®Ping!¡¯
ALERT! You have successfully replicated the ability [Peerless Heart Sword 1st Technique: Death from Above]! Half of your HP was consumed to achieve this feat.
That¡¯s when Bram realized why pain wracked his body. To activate ¡®Ability Replication¡¯, the Loom had used his health as a substitute for his lacking magic. ¡°Y-Your Highness!¡± Bram raised his hand to keep his seneschal from rushing over. ¡°I¡¯m¡­fine.¡± As if to prove his words, he rose back to his feet on shaky legs. ¡°My abilities¡­¡±Bram grimaced, his teeth smeared in blood. ¡°It¡¯s like wielding blood magic¡­¡± ¡°I¡­I see¡­¡± Though he stayed where he was, worry and doubt filled Ser Anthony¡¯s face. ¡°Perhaps we should¡ª¡± ¡°No!¡± Bram straightened his back. ¡°You were right¡­the first time.¡± Bram wiped the blood smearing his lips with the sleeve of his shirt. ¡°I must prove¡­my worth.¡±
ABILITY: Ability Replication Lv.1
TYPE: Active
DESCRIPTION: Allows you to replicate the abilities and spells of your chosen target. Each spell or ability you replicate can be used once at 100% potency and without delay and then erased from your pool of stored abilities. With your current resources, you can replicate an ability or spell once a day, use them immediately, or store them for later use.
SAVED ABILITIES: 1/5
COOLDOWN: 24 Hours
While understanding the current limitations of his new ability, Bram raised his sword high over his head, perfectly replicating his seneschal¡¯s earlier stance. ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ ¡°It might not be today¡­¡± No telltale sparks of magic exploded from Bram¡¯s fingertips. Instead, he felt the familiar sticky sensation of blood beginning to coat his fingers. ¡°But one day¡­¡± ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ His longsword shook slightly as a sliver of magic¡ªno, his blood¡ªbegan seeping into the steel of his blade. ¡®Ba-dump!¡¯ ¡°I will show you this technique again¡­¡± ¡°Blessed June¡­¡± Before the seneschal¡¯s widening eyes, veins of pulsing blood spread upward, enveloping Bram¡¯s blade in a dark crimson aura. ¡®Ba-dump!!¡¯ ¡°And when I do,¡± Bram flashed his seneschal a blood-smeared grin, ¡°it shall be done without the aid of the Loom.¡± ¡®Ba-dump!!!¡¯ As Bram stepped forward, his sword came crashing down to draw a vertical line of crimson against the world¡­ Chapter 23: Troubles of the Shire CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE Troubles of the Shire
Some days after establishing his duel with Ser Anthony, Bram, Rowan, and the three Earthers arrived at the city of Bellen on the northern tip of Bastille Shire. Located on the outskirts of the Red Forest, the great woodland realm bordering central and northern Lotharin, Bellen was an important city that was both a focus of trade and a gateway between the north and center. Getting into Bellen wasn¡¯t difficult as the walled city hadn¡¯t yet yielded to the rule of the northern nobles. Although their influence could be felt within its walls through the tensions growing between locals and their northern visitors such as the quarrel happening at this very moment only a few yards past the city gates. ¡°What¡¯re you looking at?¡± growled a gray-bearded, barrel-chested man in a fur jacket. ¡°I-I¡¯m not looking at anything, Ser,¡± replied a sandy-haired boy with a bag of firewood slung over his back. ¡°I-I was just minding my own business¡­o-on my way back to the smithy¡­¡± ¡°You calling me a liar then?¡± the gray-bearded man growled. ¡°I saw you eyeing my mate¡¯s purse just now, bas¡ª¡± A great black hart pulled to a stop between them, forcing the gray-bearded man to back away or risk getting trampled on. Sitting astride this magnificent beast, his face half-veiled in a mercenary¡¯s hood, was the seventh prince of Atlan. ¡°What the bloody hell¡ª¡± Bram spoke no words, but the daggers in his eyes revealed the seething rage that seemed ever-present underneath his usually calm and fun demeanor. The gray-bearded fellow wasn¡¯t a small man either, but he couldn¡¯t help shutting up at the sight of Bram¡¯s hostility. Even with his lack of talent in sorcery, the prince¡¯s physique alone made him an intimidating encounter with anyone who didn¡¯t know his real identity and saw him only as the mercenary he appeared to be. Yes, Bram wasn¡¯t pretending to be a bard for this adventure. He had opted for the more conventional mask of a mercenary because he¡¯d reasoned that much of his work in Bellen would require a more rough-handed touch than the one used to strum his lute. ¡°Oi,¡± a short-haired woman with a scar on her left cheek pulled on the gray-bearded man¡¯s arm from behind, ¡°now¡¯s not the time to start trouble¡­remember?¡± She wore a similar fur jacket as the gray-bearded man. The noble crest on her left sleeve was of a pair of blue clouds, marking her as a member of House von Galen¡¯s forces. The two others standing behind her wore the same uniform as well. ¡°I wasn¡¯t looking for no trouble.¡± the gray-bearded man nodded toward Bram. ¡°That bloke¡¯s the one who tried to trample me.¡± The scarred woman eyed Bram warily, and he returned her gaze with a cool eye. ¡°We¡¯re soldiers of¡ª¡± ¡°Baron Archibald von Galen,¡± Bram finished for her. ¡°What of it?¡± She seemed taken aback by his brazenness, and an increased wariness flashed on her face. Bram understood. Most mercenaries would¡¯ve sheathed their hostility at the mention of a noble patron. At least this was true for those without patrons themselves. ¡°Baron Archibald doesn¡¯t rule this city¡­¡± Bram made a show of gazing back toward Bellen¡¯s gate which was a good forty yards away behind them. Unfurled upon its high walls were banners of a red pinecone on a field of yellow. ¡°This is Leyen land¡­¡± When his golden-eyed gaze returned to the scarred woman¡¯s face, Bram¡¯s hand went to the pommel of his sword. As if on cue, a second hart rode up beside Bram¡¯s. Its rider was a tall, fair-skinned man in a brown padded jacket whose shoulders were nearly as wide as the prince¡¯s. Like Bram¡¯s entrance, Chris spoke no words, but a pair of deep blue eyes underneath bushy brows gazed intently down on the scarred woman as well. Mistaking these two riders as House Leyen¡¯s men, the scarred woman raised her hands in peace. ¡°We¡¯re not looking for trouble¡­¡± With a nod of her chin, the other soldiers of von Galen, including the gray-bearded man, began walking away. However, before she followed them, the scarred woman tossed a furled scroll up at Bram. ¡°The baron pays much more for strong-armed mercenaries than House Leyen can,¡± she promised. ¡°Come find us at the Red Pine Inn if you¡¯re interested.¡± With one last wary look at Bram and Chris, the scarred woman chased after her companions who¡¯d joined the throng of people moving deeper into the city¡¯s interior. Bram peeked at the contents of the scroll and smiled. ¡°We may take you up on that offer.¡± While thoughts of infiltrating the baron¡¯s forces played in his mind, a russet hart trotted over to his other side, its rider veiled by a deep emerald hood. ¡°You ask me not to make a scene¡±¡ªRowan sounded amused¡ª¡°and yet here you are playing the errant knight.¡± At her words, Bram glanced over his shoulder, but there was no sign of the sandy-haired boy the gray-bearded man accosted. The lad had probably escaped during the stand-off. ¡°He didn¡¯t even bother to thank you,¡± Rowan commented. ¡°I didn¡¯t do it for gratitude,¡± Bram said as he steered Renfri back to where Hajime was struggling with his hart on the opposite side of the road. ¡°I only¡ª¡± ¡°You wanted to blow off steam,¡± Rowan finished his thought. Bram sighed but nodded. Over the last few days, the northern nobles visiting Bastille had begun to make noise. They didn¡¯t challenge him overtly, but Baron Archibald and Vicomte Henry had started a campaign to gain supporters among the highborn of Bastille to create an opposition against Bram¡¯s rule in the center. This wasn¡¯t difficult to achieve since many central nobles already thought poorly of their new governor, including the eorls of the three shires bordering Bastille to the south, east, and west. Meanwhile, the two lords¡¯ men had also started causing trouble among the locals of Bastille much like what they were doing here in Bellen. Bram¡¯s patience was growing thin, though he stayed his hand because he didn¡¯t yet have the strength to achieve a decisive victory against the North. ¡°Patience,¡± Rowan reminded him. ¡°Our time will come.¡± ¡°I know¡­¡± Bram turned to face their companion next. ¡°Thanks for the assistance, Chris.¡± ¡°Unlike Bridge, I wouldn¡¯t have been any help in a fight,¡± Chris nodded to the ghostly blue window floating close to his face. ¡°It¡¯s been a few days but I¡¯m still getting used to all of this.¡± As the Loom¡¯s chief administrator, Bram was privy to the statuses of all those who joined the great undertaking. It¡¯s how he knew that Chris had chosen to become a ¡®Squire¡¯, one of the only two beginner jobs the Loom offered to the otherworlders besides Hajime¡¯s arcane novice. While Chris rode alongside him, Bram observed that the Texan had lost much of the gauntness that marred his face when they met several nights ago. He thought this was good because it meant Chris was enjoying his time on Aarde enough that his health was recovering from overworking in his former job. Bram hoped all the otherworlders they summoned in the future would feel the same sense of rejuvenation. It would burden his conscience less if they did. ¡°Let Aarde be a place of healing as well as excitement.¡± Bram mused aloud. Then, guiding Renfri back to where Hajime and Bridget waited, he added, ¡°Let¡¯s move on¡­the adventure awaits.¡±If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Later, after they¡¯d spent some time exploring the main thoroughfare, with the otherworlders enjoying their first glimpse of a city that wasn¡¯t Bastille, Bram¡¯s party of five entered a less prominent district of Bellen close to its northern wall. It was dirtier and poorer than what they¡¯d seen of the rest of Bellen and worse off than Bastille¡¯s Lowtown. The buildings on both sides of the pothole-ridden cobblestone street seemed in dire need of repairs. The paint on houses was chipped, and their walls were flooded by graffiti. Storefronts were bordered up, their shutters closed due to a lack of business. Thankfully, the smell wasn¡¯t too bad because the sewers underneath the city seemed well-maintained. ¡°We saw signs of poverty back on the main streets too, but this is worse,¡± Bridget observed. She and her otherworlder friends were eyeing a pair of urchins on the other side of the street. They each had oily, matted hair and faces streaked with dirt. Their clothes were frayed too, with one of the children, a little girl, missing a shoe. ¡°I¡­I want to help them,¡± Hajime said, his face crunched in concern. ¡°Chris-senpai, can we spare some griffins?¡± ¡°Sure, we can give them griffins enough for a bite to eat, but I¡¯m not sure we should¡­¡± Chris nodded toward a nearby alley where a gang of shady-looking locals were eyeing the party with hungry gazes. ¡°I reckon someone will just steal the money from those kids once we¡¯re out of sight.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll give them food,¡± Hajime insisted. He was about to turn his hart toward the other side of the street when Bridget grabbed its reins. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it,¡± she suggested. ¡°It¡¯s safer than you trying to ride over there and accidentally trampling them to death.¡± Chris chuckled. ¡°Good thinking.¡± Bram, who¡¯d been listening to their conversation, was glad that they who hailed from another world seemed eager to assist Lotharin¡¯s citizens without him needing to goad them. However, he wasn¡¯t certain that a well-meaning act of charity was the right way to aid those children. Silently, he watched as Bridget approached the urchins with the rations Hajime had given her. They were wary of her at first, but the scent of fresh bread and dried beef jerky quickly won them over. Soon enough, the children were stuffing their faces with food, and the sight of their toothy smiles as they ate, the tears of gratitude pooling underneath sunken eyes, well, even Rowan seemed affected by this scene. ¡°It¡¯s not enough¡­¡± Bram¡¯s brow creased. ¡°To truly aid the impoverished of this city, we need to deal with the source of Bellen¡¯s troubles.¡± ¡°Is this a result of losing trade with the north?¡± Rowan asked. Bram shook his head. ¡°The north stopped trade only a short while ago, but Bellen¡¯s decline started long before this.¡± The prince knew the cause of the city¡¯s growing poverty since he¡¯d read about it in Ser Anthony¡¯s report on the shire¡¯s concerns. It was the same one he¡¯d shared with Chris and Rowan the day he decided to use Bellen¡¯s troubles to fund their great undertaking. As a city built on the outskirts of the Red Forest, Bellen¡¯s livelihood depended on the woodland realm. Their main trade was lumber taken from red pines, though fur, leather, and iron were resources abundant in the red forest too. Unfortunately, the dangers of the forest increased significantly these past ten months. To the point that the Leyen barony¡¯s soldiers were no longer enough to protect the loggers, miners, or hunters who made their living there. Nor could the city guard effectively patrol and secure the southern half of the ¡®Red Road¡¯ that was the main thoroughfare between central and northern Lotharin. ¡°It¡¯s not simply a problem of commerce, but also of security,¡± Bram finished. ¡°The Red Forest is ancient. It was here long before your Imperium¡¯s birth,¡± Rowan recalled, her lips pursing slightly. ¡°It holds many secrets ¡ª some quite dangerous ¡ª though such dangers are well-hidden or in deep slumber¡­¡± ¡°Secrets like yours?¡± Bram asked. ¡°There are no secrets like mine,¡± Rowan replied. The prince couldn¡¯t help noticing the fleeting melancholy in the trickster¡¯s expression. ¡°Though I will admit that there are elements in the Red Forest, which, if awoken, might stir the great troubles you¡¯ve mentioned,¡± she conceded. ¡°Yet another reason why we need to recruit champions from Earth¡­¡± Bram glanced over his shoulder at Hajime, who, though still struggling with his steed, was managing to keep pace with Chris and Bridget who¡¯d returned from her good work of charity. ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to hearing your plans to ensure our great undertaking¡¯s success.¡± Chris, riding to Hajime¡¯s left, reported, ¡°Thanks to the money y¡¯all invested in us, we¡¯ve begun setting up our new gaming studio¡ª¡± ¡°¡ªwhich we¡¯re calling ¡®Trickster Studios¡¯ by the way,¡± Bridget cut in. ¡°A clever name.¡± Smugness flashed on Rowan¡¯s face. ¡°I like it.¡± ¡°Of course, you would,¡± Bram replied. ¡°The name¡¯s not set in stone yet,¡± Chris reminded them. ¡°We¡¯re still waiting to get the trademark for the brand and logo design. It might take a while. New York¡¯s patent and trademark office is notoriously slow with these things.¡± Seeing one of Rowan¡¯s eyebrows twitching upward made Chris clear his throat. ¡°But, um, I¡¯m sure we can ask them to prioritize our request,¡± he conceded. He then switched the topic to something less hazardous than irking a rebel trickster of legend. ¡°On the bright side, with the boss¡¯ investment secured in our new bank account, we¡¯ve at least proven that financial trade is possible between worlds.¡± A day after the Finance tool was created, just like the Loom had promised, once the two bank accounts were set up, Chris was able to exchange his promissory note with the Bank of Steel for ten gold griffins taken from the Lotharin Investment Fund. At the same time, the system confirmed to Bram that the thousand US dollars Chris had traded for those ten gold griffins had also been deposited to the then-unnamed studio¡¯s new company account back on Earth after deducting the amount from Chris¡¯ bank account. This first successful trade inspired the prince to send an investment of wealth to Earth. Using the Loom¡¯s currency exchange tool, Bram had converted a vast amount of griffins into cryptocurrency, which, after the griffins¡¯ digital equivalent arrived in Chris¡¯ custodial wallet, the Texan then sold it for the money he would deposit into the company¡¯s account. Trained to foresee ¡®game bugs¡¯ in advance, Chris had informed his bank that the money¡ªwhich he¡¯d transferred in increments of a hundred thousand US dollars¡ªwas part of an investment made by an individual investor to fund their new game studio. This helped ensure that the fledgling business wouldn¡¯t come under scrutiny from the IRS or other government institutions that were on watch for bad schemes like money laundering. Here in the present, Chris ended his explanation with, ¡°We¡¯re alright for now, but we keep doing it this way and the Feds will notice, and they might start asking questions about where the money¡¯s coming from.¡± Based on their recent discussions about investments and RMTs, Bram had learned quite a bit about Earth¡¯s banking system, which he thought was similar to how the Bank of Steel did business. So, it was with confidence that he said, ¡°Your side will have to prepare receipts for any financial transactions and pay the appropriate taxes once the game launches. That¡¯ll ensure legitimacy for most of our earnings.¡± ¡°That¡¯s actually what we should do.¡± Chris couldn¡¯t help sounding impressed. ¡°When did you become a finance expert?¡± Bram was still a teenager with little experience in worldly matters. Yet he¡¯d arrived at the same conclusion the Texan had one second earlier. ¡°Trying to keep a failing kingdom afloat is giving me lots of practice with economics,¡± Bram answered, chuckling as he did. ¡°Heavy is he who wears the crown,¡± Chris replied, chuckling too. After a short while, he cleared his throat, and added, ¡°Anyway, once the studio¡¯s up and running, we¡¯ll hire a team on our side that¡¯ll work to integrate the Loom with the gear we¡¯ve picked as the summoning beacon for y¡¯all¡¯s ritual over here.¡± ¡°That¡¯ll be the Visionary II,¡± Bridget chimed in. According to the otherworlders, the ¡®Visionary II¡¯ was a newer version of the device that Bram had seen in his vision that had sparked his original idea for the great undertaking. ¡°The Visionary II has a sleeker wireless visor with built-in high-end inside-out tracking and external object tracking. Its tactile gloves and supplementary body suit also offer better haptic feedback than the old second-gen VR tools,¡± Hajime explained. These tech details sent confusion flitting across Bram¡¯s and Rowan¡¯s faces. ¡°What Hajime means is that the Visionary II¡¯s hardware will help fool people into thinking this world isn¡¯t real,¡± Bridget clarified. ¡°It will be the most realistic VR game they¡¯ll ever play,¡± Hajime finished, smiling sheepishly. ¡°I see,¡± Bram lied. Truly, the science of Earth was difficult for him to comprehend just as it was challenging for Chris and Bridget to understand the sorcery of Aarde. ¡°Let me know if you need more investment.¡± The prince¡¯s gaze drifted to a tall spire further away. ¡°It¡¯s why we¡¯ve come here instead of meeting with Bellen¡¯s lord.¡± Though Bellen was part of Bastille Shire¡¯s territory, the barony of House Leyen were lords of the city. Their matriarch, Baroness Lena, was a loyalist who was once a sorcerer in direct service to the Sovereign. The prince wasn¡¯t sure that loyalty extended to himself because rumors of Baroness Lena favoring visitors from the north had spread even to Bastille. Fortunately, Bram hadn¡¯t come to Bellen to test House Leyen¡¯s oath to the Sovereign¡¯s blood. He and his companions were in the city for another purpose¡­recruitment. The party rode their horses up to the gate at the end of the lane. Beyond it was a shabby-looking manse that had seen better days like the rest of the impoverished street. ¡°So, here¡¯s where we shall find¡­¡± Rowan¡¯s face turned contemplative. ¡°¡­What did you call them again, Hajime?¡± ¡°Tech support,¡± Hajime answered. Rowan pointed to the symbol engraved on the rusted wrought iron gate; three eight-pointed stars set in a triangle formation. ¡°From its sigil, I assume this coven can fulfill that need,¡± she said. ¡°C-Coven?!¡± Hajime glanced sideways at her, his eyes widening slightly. Unlike Hajime, Bridget¡¯s gaze was alight with curiosity. ¡°You¡¯re not talking about vampires, right?¡± ¡°Vampires?¡± Bram repeated. Hearing this otherworlder mention the undead scourge sequestered in the faraway northern continent caused the prince¡¯s brows to stitch together. He found it strange that a world without magic would know of vampires and covens. Though, from their expressions, Bram guessed that the meaning of a ¡®coven¡¯ on Earth differed greatly from what it meant here on Aarde. ¡°There¡¯s no cause for fear,¡± he promised. The prince then explained how a coven was not a place where evil gathered but one where sorcerers came together in search of enlightenment. ¡°It¡¯s a gathering of those who follow the same arcane traditions and sorcerous practices, united as they are in the common purpose of solving specific arcane mysteries,¡± he explained. ¡°Which, based on their sigil¡­¡± Rowan pressed her hand against the rusted wrought iron gate which groaned at her touch. ¡°¡­should be divination, shamanism, and¡ª¡± With a single flick of her wrist, the gate gave way to her prodigious strength, with one-half of it flying off its hinges and crashing onto the overgrown front lawn beyond. ¡°Summoning arts,¡± she finished. Bram sighed. ¡°I asked you not to cause a scene.¡± As the front door of the manse flew open, with several people in bright green robes rushing out of it, their hands glowing with the telltale sparks of magic, Rowan flashed Bram an impish grin. ¡°I¡¯ve simply wrung the bell, My Prince,¡± she replied teasingly. ¡°Now, shall we introduce ourselves?¡± Chapter 24: Stargazers CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR Stargazers
Bram avoided a confrontation with the manse¡¯s guards by promising to pay for the broken gate, and with a hefty bag of griffins, earned entry into the coven house as guests instead of prisoners. From the expansive main hall that looked as shabby as its exterior¡ªthe trappings of once-great fortune in decline¡ªthe party was ushered into a dusty sitting room where they waited for a coven representative to meet with them. ¡°The tea¡¯s quite good.¡± Having pulled off her hood, Rowan now enjoyed another sip of the tea a servant had brought into the sitting room. ¡°Oh, do sit down, My Prince. Fretting about won¡¯t hasten our host¡¯s arrival.¡± As usual, waiting was a challenge for Bram, who, like Hajime, was pacing around in the room. Though, unlike Hajime, who, along with Bridget, marveled at every sorcerous bauble they discovered, Bram¡¯s attention remained fixed on the closed door. ¡°I¡¯ll see what¡¯s keeping them,¡± he proposed. ¡°Or¡±¡ªRowan patted the seat next to hers, with bits of dust flying at her touch¡ª¡°you could sit and enjoy the tea whilst we wait.¡± Bram sighed, though he gave in and sat next to her. Funnily enough, the door to the sitting room opened as soon as the prince chose to quiet his impatience. A lanky, pale-faced, blue-eyed man with chin-length dark blue hair¡ªthe racial trait of a Shamvalan¡ªwho wore an embroidered silk robe of varying green tones appeared through the open doorway. ¡°I apologize for the wait,¡± he said in a quiet, genial tone that carried no hint of a Shamvalan¡¯s highland accent. ¡°I thought I might dress appropriately first since we have such important guests visiting.¡± Strangely, the Shamvalan¡¯s face¡ªthe long-hooked nose over the lips that were painted blue, the high cheekbones, and the narrow chin¡ªwas a face that Bram thought familiar. It took him a second longer to realize that this sorcerer who¡¯d entered the room had been the same servant who¡¯d brought them tea earlier. Undoubtedly, he had also been the guard whose long-fingered hands received the bag of griffins Bram had bribed the coven with. I see I¡¯m not the only one adept at disguises¡­ ¡°You clean up nicely,¡± Rowan said in greeting. She too had noticed the Shamvalan¡¯s identity. ¡°And you¡¯re even more beautiful than the rumors claim, Lady Rowan,¡± he replied. It seemed this Shamvalan was also practiced in intrigue. ¡°I am Ravi Samal, Vice Master of the Coven of Stargazers.¡± The Shamvalan introduced himself with a bow to Bram, showing he indeed knew who had come to call on him. ¡°Do vice masters usually serve tea to guests?¡± Rowan asked. ¡°Sadly, you¡¯ve visited at a time when many of my coven have gone off on an expedition. I do what I can while I mind the house.¡± He flashed Rowan with a pleasant smile. One he turned on Bram next. ¡°Despite being understaffed, those who remain are capable sorcerers who can provide excellent services to our new governor¡­ So, how can we help?¡± Though the prince was certain Ravi Samal was hiding something behind his smile, he didn¡¯t dislike this obvious attempt to show off one¡¯s ability in information gathering. And so, looking more favorably at their host, Bram said, ¡°We¡¯ve come to bargain.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± One of Ravi¡¯s painted blue eyebrows hitched upward. ¡°What sort of bargain?¡± The prince was glad that the Shamvalan seemed interested. Had he shown the slightest hesitation, Bram would have left without sharing his proposal because he couldn¡¯t risk revealing the great undertaking to potential enemies. ¡°It¡¯s well-known that the Coven of Stargazers are talented summoners.¡± Bram started things off with a bit of flattery. ¡°Lotharin needs your coven¡¯s talents now so we might rise from years of fetid waters to touch the sky.¡± ¡°Lotharin,¡± Ravi repeated as if he thought the prince¡¯s choice of words was interesting. This was Bram¡¯s intent. Within that one speech, he revealed his great ambition while also setting himself as the people¡¯s representative. A sheepish smile flashed on Ravi¡¯s face. ¡°Forgive me for saying so, Your Highness, but the people don¡¯t know their new governor¡­and those that do¡ª¡± ¡°Think very little of me.¡± Bram finished the Shamvalan¡¯s thought. ¡°I¡¯m aware.¡± He made a show of glancing around the room, his gaze pausing at the obvious signs of decline around them. ¡°I hear the people of Bellen hold you in the same regard these days,¡± Bram said provokingly. Thanks to Ser Anthony¡¯s report, Bram had come to Bellen knowing that the Stargazers were the least recognized among the walled city¡¯s three covens. It wasn¡¯t always so, but something had happened to their coven in the past year to influence their decline to the point that its vice master handled even the menial task of serving tea to guests. ¡°How long has it been since you received a commission from the city lord?¡± Bram asked. ¡°Not in a long while, considering the state of this abode,¡± Rowan weighed in. Ravi frowned. ¡°Your point?¡± Bram didn¡¯t mean to offend, but discussing the coven¡¯s decline was his way of sweetening the bait he was about to dangle under Ravi¡¯s nose. ¡°Come under me, and I won¡¯t just commission you for simple magic tricks¡­ I¡¯ll give you wealth, honor, prestige¡­and even a worthy purpose,¡± he proposed. Ravi¡¯s eyes widened slightly. ¡°You¡­want to sponsor us?¡± ¡°More than simply sponsoring you, we would like to put you to work on a great undertaking,¡± Rowan clarified. Bram could picture the cogs turning inside the Shamvalan¡¯s brain, and he wondered if Ravi would notice. Bram hoped he would. He¡¯d brought such stellar examples of their product just to see if Ravi had sufficient skill to detect their true nature. ¡°You mentioned our summoning talents¡­¡± A pale blue light sparked in the depths of the Shamvalan¡¯s irises. This pair of glowing blue eyes flitted toward the faces of the three otherworlders behind Bram and Rowan. ¡°I assume you mean them¡­ Your companions aren¡¯t from around here.¡± Rowan smiled. ¡°He noticed it quickly¡­ Impressive.¡± ¡°Could other members of your coven easily discern the truth of my companions like you have?¡± he asked. ¡°Thanks to recent trends, not many sorcerers practice the Summoning Arts,¡± Ravi explained in a disappointed tone. ¡°Our coven is the only one in Lotharin, though not many of my brethren have the eyes to see what mine can detect.¡± ¡°What do you see?¡± Hajime asked curiously. ¡°I see the distortions in your forms like flecks of stardust clinging to your bodies. It¡¯s the same effect that appears whenever we summon an elemental from another realm,¡± Ravi revealed, adding, ¡°Though you seem to possess actual bodies instead of an astral form¡­ Astounding.¡± Bram glanced sideways at Rowan just in time to see the smugness flash on her expression. Ravi noticed too. He inclined his head toward her in a sign of respect. ¡°The rumors about you were downplayed, Lady Rowan.¡± ¡°¡®Tis a simple task¡±¡ªRowan placed her empty teacup on the table¡ª¡°that I wouldn¡¯t mind showing you should your coven decide to accept our proposal.¡±If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Learning rare and advanced sorcery was a great incentive for any sorcerer, but Bram could still see the hesitation on Ravi¡¯s face. ¡°To be able to summon humans from another world¡­it¡¯s an unprecedented accomplishment,¡± he admitted, though he sighed soon after. ¡°But it¡¯s also a crime with grim consequences¡­¡± Ravi bowed his head. ¡°Apologies, Your Highness,¡± he said. ¡°I cannot accept your offer of salvation at the risk of committing taboo¡­¡± Bram raised his hand. ¡°That¡¯s not exactly true.¡± ¡°But it is,¡± Ravi insisted, further explaining, ¡°It¡¯s explicitly stated in Section Seven of Article Sixteen of the Sorcerous Codex, detailing the proper rites and regulations of the Summoning Arts¡­ The summoning of living beings in their entirety is expressly forbidden, for a complete being of mind, body, and soul may not be bound in contract with their summoner. To summon such existences risks bringing havoc to the world should such beings ¡ª demons, elementals, spirits, and the like ¡ª prove hostile to the people of Aarde.¡± ¡°Then we¡¯ve not broken the law of the Codex,¡± Bram insisted back. Rowan giggled. Ravi couldn¡¯t help but look confused. ¡°You didn¡¯t summon these otherworlders?¡± ¡°We did,¡± Bram admitted. ¡°Then¡ª¡± ¡°But we never summoned them in their entirety¡­ Only their souls were brought to Aarde,¡± Bram revealed. ¡°Only their souls¡­¡± Ravi¡¯s gaze drifted over to the otherworlders. All three of them waved back at him. Ravi¡¯s brow creased. ¡°But their bodies¡ª¡± ¡°Created through sorcery,¡± Rowan cut in¡ªto which Bram added, ¡°Right before they signed a contract with us.¡± ¡°We couldn¡¯t cause havoc without the prince¡¯s say so¡­ Not that we¡¯d want to,¡± Bridget added. ¡°Blessed Pallas,¡± Ravi breathed. As if the revelation of these otherworlders caused him to feel lightheaded, the Shamvalan was forced to sit on the couch opposite Bram¡¯s and Rowan¡¯s. It would be a while later, after a full swig of the zesty tea, when he finally found his voice again. ¡°I suppose you¡¯d want us to move to Bastille,¡± he began. At last, the vice master seemed ready to bargain in earnest. ¡°There are too many eyes and ears at the capital. A nice house in the countryside might be better,¡± Bram answered, with Rowan adding, ¡°Have you heard of a town called Reise?¡± ¡°No,¡± Ravi admitted as he poured more tea for her. ¡°You¡¯ll like it.¡± She took back her teacup. ¡°It has all the amenities one could need. Or it will soon enough.¡± Bram briefly explained that he would build new facilities in Reise to serve as the operations center for their great undertaking. This would include the large summoning hall that was crucial to their plans. ¡°Your lodgings shall have enough space to fit all your research materials, including the large Stargazing Mirror I noticed on your roof,¡± Bram promised. ¡°That would be appreciated¡­¡± Again, hesitation flashed on Ravi¡¯s face. ¡°You promised to give my coven wealth, honor, and prestige¡­ I assume all of this will be tied to the new purpose you have in mind for us?¡± Bram noticed Rowan scratch the tip of her nose. This was the sign they¡¯d agreed upon beforehand to subtly explain that she could glean no disturbance in Ravi¡¯s emotions that could suggest deceit. It would have been better if she read his mind more accurately, but such an act required casting a spell that an experienced sorcerer would most certainly notice. Still, Bram thought Ravi could be convinced. Not just because of Rowan¡¯s lure of newfound power, but because he could see a glint of desire in the Shamvalan¡¯s eyes. Bram had seen such a look enough times among the favored courtiers of the Sovereign¡¯s court to know its meaning. ¡°We¡¯ll need many hearts and minds to help Lotharin prosper.¡± The prince made a show of glancing over his shoulder. ¡°Hearts and minds that have yet to be tainted by the customs of the Imperium.¡± Realization flashed on Ravi¡¯s face. ¡°You want to summon more otherworlders to Aarde¡­¡± His gaze drifted to the trickster who was sipping her tea. ¡°¡­Much more than Lady Rowan alone could handle.¡± Bram nodded. Ravi gulped. ¡°What will you do with such a large force¡­?¡± Again, realization flashed on the Shamvalan¡¯s face. ¡°The brewing conflict with the north¡­you plan to use otherworlders against Rhyneland,¡± he deduced. ¡°Conflict may be the most immediate concern,¡± Bram admitted, ¡°but we also plan to use the knowledge of the other world to elevate the people¡¯s quality of life.¡± ¡°How?¡± Ravi asked. ¡°Better roads, for one,¡± Bram answered quickly. The prince couldn¡¯t help frowning while he recalled the Sovereign¡¯s Road that they¡¯d taken north to Bellen and compared its rough stone path to the paved gray roads of the glass city in his visions. He was determined that such roads be made in Lotharin. ¡°Healing Arts more advanced than the Imperium¡¯s,¡± Bram added. Skepticism flashed on Ravi¡¯s face. These days, the ¡®Healing Arts¡¯ was quite advanced. Sorcery that could restore even lost limbs, herbal medicines to combat plagues, and even divine rites that stave off curses, the Sovereign¡¯s court spared no expense in improving the quality of health of the Imperium¡¯s citizens. ¡°They have a cure for the malignance,¡± Bram revealed. Ravi¡¯s eyes widened. Despite recent advancements in the healing arts, malignance, like old age, was the one thing that could not be cured. The appearance of its tumors in a body was akin to a death sentence on Aarde. It was such a powerful curse that many covens were dedicated solely to solving its ghastly riddle. ¡°Is this true?¡± Ravi¡¯s questioning gaze drifted to Chris who looked to be the most reliable of the trio. Chris nodded. ¡°But it¡¯ll still depend on what kind of cancer y¡¯all got and how far along it is.¡± He raised three fingers. ¡°Anything under stage three and it¡¯s doable,¡± Chris explained, his brow creasing when he added, ¡°Stage four¡¯s terminal. At that point, it¡¯s in the hands of the Almighty.¡± Excitement filled Ravi¡¯s face. ¡°What kind of sorcery does your world wield?¡± ¡°We don¡¯t use sorcery,¡± Hajime answered. One of Ravi¡¯s painted blue eyebrows hitched upward. ¡°Then how do you cure the vile malignance?¡± A long discussion about the science and technology of Earth ensued with the Shamvalan enraptured by every word spilling from the otherworlders¡¯ lips. At the end of their tale, it almost seemed to Bram that Ravi salivated at the prospect of introducing such novelties as toilet seat warmers, same-day delivery services, and carbonated beverages to Lotharin. ¡°I¡¯m more hopeful for cinema,¡± Rowan remarked. ¡°These are the moving pictures you discussed?¡± Ravi confirmed. ¡°We just call them movies,¡± Bridget answered. The thought of recording a celebrated play into a device and then sharing that recording with more people than could fit even the grand theaters of the Imperium¡¯s capital seemed like such an innovative idea to the three Aarders. More importantly, the wealth such an industry could bring would certainly help Lotharin rise from its status of being the poorest of the twelve kingdoms and perhaps become a center of entertainment for the Imperium. ¡°Imagine,¡± Bram raised his hands in the gesture of ¡®air quotes¡¯ Bridget had recently taught him, ¡°the sorcery of the Cinema Arts.¡± ¡°Such an innovation would make the sonusgraph obsolete,¡± Ravi whispered. ¡°What¡¯s a sonusgraph?¡± Bridget asked. Ravi pointed to a bronze box sitting on a nearby desk. When the Shamvalan snapped his fingers, the box popped open like a clockwork machine revealing its inner workings. It was a bronze horn wheeling around itself, its open half rising to the top while its pointed tip slid down to the base of a bronze plate. Mounted on that plate was a crystal cylinder with grooves engraved on its surface. ¡°This is a sonusgraph,¡± Ravi explained. The crystal cylinder that was about the size of a soda can began to rotate clockwise so that the horn¡¯s pointed tip slid along the grooves etched on its surface. A slight trembling raced up the bronze horn. When that trembling reached the top, a song began to play. ¡°Oh,¡± Bridget grinned in delight, ¡°it¡¯s like an old record player.¡± The song playing on the sonusgraph had a mournful melody that accompanied a female bard singing of forlorn love and infidelity. ¡°I love a good ballad,¡± Bridget commented. Hajime frowned. ¡°Isn¡¯t this too sad, Bridget-san?¡± ¡°The sadder the better,¡± she replied. ¡°What¡¯s it called?¡± ¡°Loveless,¡± Bram answered. He¡¯d sung this song himself a few times and could easily recall its tale; the nymph loved by a goddess who later spurned her after she¡¯d been raped by that goddess¡¯ husband, another god who¡¯d been jealous of his wife¡¯s lover. From the corner of his eye, Bram caught Rowan¡¯s frown. He assumed this was because she hated being reminded of the gods¡¯ transgressions against their children, a tragedy he guessed she¡¯d experienced herself once upon a time. Ravi¡¯s face turned contemplative. ¡°Loveless could make an interesting story for one of your movies.¡± ¡°Then you agree with us?¡± Bram asked. For the third time, he noticed hesitation flash on Ravi¡¯s face. ¡°You¡¯ve painted a picture of stars so dazzling that I would be a fool to refuse your offer, Your Highness¡­¡± Ravi bowed sincerely to Bram. ¡°However, this isn¡¯t a decision I can make without the master¡¯s approval.¡± From what he read in Ser Anthony¡¯s report, the prince knew this was impossible. ¡°Your master¡­where is she?¡± Bram asked. The hand that held Ravi¡¯s teacup shook slightly. ¡°You know she¡¯s missing¡­¡± Bram nodded. It was written in Ser Anthony¡¯s report that the master of the Stargazers had been missing for nearly a year. Right around the time that the troubles of the Red Forest began. ¡°How deep in the forest did your expedition go?¡± Bram pressed. Ravi sighed. ¡°A month¡¯s ride to the west, in an unexplored region near the foot of the Vinland Mountains.¡± Bram glanced at Rowan. ¡°Ring any bells?¡± ¡°A few,¡± she conceded, ¡°but I would have to go there to know for certain.¡± ¡°Y-You want to go?¡± Ravi asked. The Shamvalan couldn¡¯t keep hope from showing on his face. ¡°Should we manage to find your expedition¡­¡± Bram refrained from saying ¡®rescue¡¯ because he wasn¡¯t certain anyone from their expedition would still be alive after all this time. ¡°¡­Can I assume your coven will agree to serve me?¡± ¡°A thousand yesses!¡± Ravi bowed his head once more. Lower this time. ¡°If you can bring them home, we will pledge ourselves to your cause.¡± ¡®Ping!¡¯ Right on cue, the party¡¯s first quest notification arrived.
URGENT QUEST: Save the Master, Save the World!
Chapter 25: Squires and Novices CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE Squires and Novices
¡°Power Strike!¡± Chris roared. He swung his bastion-forged steel sword down at the beast with all the strength his right arm could muster¡ªand he hit nothing but air. This beast¡ªa wolpertinger twice the size of a large hare¡ªflapped its wings and flew into the thick canopy of leaves above before Chris¡¯ strike could land.
ALERT! You have failed to cast [Power Strike]!
¡°It didn¡¯t work y¡¯all!¡± Observing from nearby, Bram thought Chris¡¯ failure was a foreseeable outcome. In his eyes, the attack, though executed as if the Texan was a natural at swordplay, had fumbled in its final step¡ªthe harnessing of magic to fuel his sorcery. Without it, the result was a clumsy attack that the wolpertinger could dodge with the barest of effort. ¡°I got the steps down like the Loom gave it, but the darn thing just¡ª¡± The wolpertinger dove down headfirst, its sharp antlers aimed at the Texan¡¯s head. ¡°Aw, shit!¡± Chris cursed. He raised his kite shield high in time to block the furry beast¡¯s antlers from skewering his face, though the impact of the wolpertinger¡¯s dive held such force that it pushed the larger man back a step or two. ¡°This goddamned rabbit¡¯s¡­a tough fella!¡± Chris complained, sounding a little out of breath. ¡°Chris!¡± Bridget yelled. ¡°Duck!¡± While the Texan did as she asked, Bridget pulled her bowstring taut. ¡°Let all dark things be pierced by light¡­¡± she chanted under her breath. Brilliant golden sparks flared to life at the tip of the arrow notched to her short bow. ¡°Fiery Arrow!¡± She let the arrow loose, and it flew across the forest floor to pierce into the wolpertinger¡¯s thick hide, causing the fur on its hindquarters to burst into flames. ¡°Yes!¡± Bridget whooped. The beast let loose an indignant screech of pain that was quickly silenced by Chris swinging his sword down on the distracted wolpertinger at a spot right behind its long ears. It was a well-timed strike that sent the beast crashing into the forest floor where it lay dazed and unable to dodge the blade that stabbed its chest a second later.
You have slain a [Wolpertinger]!
¡°Doing it normally¡­gets the job done too,¡± Chris said, sounding breathless. From ten paces behind him, Bridget raised a fist. ¡°Nice teamwork!¡± Since he was still trying to catch his breath, Chris¡¯ only response was a thumbs up. ¡°You alright?¡± Bridget asked. ¡°Fatigue¡¯s a little¡±¡ªhe raised his hand above his head¡ª¡°up there¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s because you keep yelling at the top of your lungs,¡± she teased. ¡°You don¡¯t have to call out your spell¡¯s name, you know?¡± Chris straightened and stretched his back before replying, ¡°It¡¯s not that¡­it¡¯s this place. It feels too real¡­ Besides, y¡¯all do it too.¡± ¡°That¡¯s because it is real. We¡¯re not inside a game,¡± Bridget reminded him. ¡°And yeah, I yell it out too. Invoking the spell helps me concentrate.¡± ¡°Good for you¡­ It hasn¡¯t helped me one bit,¡± Chris sighed. ¡°You can try again¡±¡ªwith this encouragement, Bram trained the light of the sunstone in his hand at a nearby bush¡ª¡°on that one.¡± It stepped out of the shadows creeping at the edge of their vision and into the spotlight, a gray-furred beast whose red eyes shone with rabid hunger. Antlers protruded from a hare¡¯s head, while a thick canine musculature rippled underneath bristling fur. Written in bright yellow on the nametag that briefly appeared over the beast¡¯s head was [Wolpertinger]. ¡°At least it ain¡¯t orange anymore,¡± Chris said. From what the party¡¯s learned of the Loom¡¯s combat system¡ªone that had only become available after they¡¯d set out on their adventure¡ªthey now knew that a yellow tag meant caution instead of the danger that an orange tag foretold. ¡°Don¡¯t get smug¡­ It still takes two of us to kill one of them,¡± Bridget warned. ¡°I know¡­¡± Chris raised his shield. ¡°But we¡¯ve got this.¡± Bridget notched an arrow to her bow. ¡°Yes, we do.¡± Bram, who remained a bystander throughout this encounter, watched with a smile as Chris and Bridget stood their ground against a beast that had the strength to kill even trained soldiers of the Leyen barony. It was proof that these two otherworlders had improved greatly in the six days since their party entered the Red Forest. Six days¡­considering the massive size of the woodland realm, this was a quick pace of travel made possible only thanks to the ¡®Waypoint¡¯ that the Coven of Stargazers had established at certain locations of the forest during their failed expedition ten months ago. Each waypoint contained a ¡®Door of Dimensions¡¯¡ªa powerful spell of the summoning arts that connected two points of varying distance¡ªtransporting Bram¡¯s party from one waypoint to another, allowing them to reach the Red Forest¡¯s western half in record time. The only drawback was that Bram had to leave Renfri and the other harts behind in the Stargazers¡¯ stables because the magic the expedition had used for their spell hadn¡¯t been calibrated to allow non-humans to travel through. Moreover, these six days were a heavy price to pay. With conflict brewing on the horizon, time was a luxury Bram had little of. He hadn¡¯t forgotten the deadline given to him by the Sovereign¡¯s court for improving the Kingdom of Lotharin¡¯s condition. Despite his misgivings though, Atlan¡¯s seventh prince recognized the merits of accepting the very first quest the Loom had given them on Ravi Samal¡¯s behalf. For with a show of competence, he would earn the loyalty of a coven capable enough to produce a ¡®Door of Dimensions¡¯ whose magic hadn¡¯t withered even after months of neglect. ¡°Power Strike!¡± Chris roared. This quest also provided Bram and Rowan with the perfect opportunity to train their new companions in Aarde¡¯s ways of combat. However, it was clear from the way Chris flailed around that there was still much room for improvement. ¡°Goddamn it!¡± the Texan cursed. ¡°I still can¡¯t get this spell to work!¡± Perhaps I should bring out the lute, Bram thought, and inspire Chris with a song¡­? Itchy fingers rose to grasp the harness of the lute strapped to his back, but they withdrew just as quickly. Yes, he¡¯d brought his lute with him, but he only used it during nights when they camped underneath the forest¡¯s red canopy. Bram wasn¡¯t a bard on this adventure, and he¡¯d been trained well enough not to forget that committing to an act was the key to a successful disguise. Besides, there were other ways to encourage Chris. From his observations of the Texan¡¯s fight, Bram deduced that the squire¡¯s failure to wield sorcery had nothing to do with his swordplay. Chris¡¯ ¡®Athleticism¡¯ passive helped him effortlessly perform the three-step movement Ser Anthony had taught him during his brief training with the seneschal back when the otherworlders had first visited Bastille. ¡°You¡¯re so focused on correcting the sword¡¯s path that you¡¯re forgetting to channel your magic into the attack¡­ Concentrate!¡± Bram instructed. ¡°It¡¯s a little hard to focus on the inside when¡±¡ªChris just blocked the wolpertinger¡¯s claws with his shield¡ª¡°this bastard¡¯s going all berserker on me!¡± Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. ¡°Don¡¯t let it rattle you,¡± Bram insisted, adding, ¡°Control your breathing ¡ª and with every breath, imagine a sword rising from inside you.¡± In his mind¡¯s eye, Bram recalled his last spar with Ser Anthony¡ªremembering with clarity what it meant to clash blades with a swordmaster¡ªand then explained that feeling to Chris as well as he could. ¡°Within every warrior¡¯s heart is a blade that seeks release. Draw this blade out with your breath, channel it with your magic, let it flow out to the tips of your fingers to sharpen your sword ¡ª and then strike with the desire for a killing blow!¡± ¡°Sounds like you want me to¡±¡ªAgain, Chris blocked another claw with his shield, saving his neck in the process¡ª¡°create a mental image of a sword while I¡¯m fighting!¡± ¡°Just try it!¡± Bridget yelled. She¡¯d moved to stand beside Bram, leaving Chris to face the wolpertinger alone. ¡°Alright!¡± Chris breathed in, but then, ¡°Goddamn it!¡± The wolpertinger refused to give him the time. It attacked with reckless abandon, forcing Chris to stay on the defensive as if it instinctively knew that giving him room to breathe would be dangerous. Worriedly, Bridget notched another arrow to her short bow. ¡°Should I¡­?¡± Bram shook his head. ¡°Give him the chance to learn what you already understand.¡± More than simply being skilled with her short sword, Bridget¡¯s talent with a bow¡ªa weapon she¡¯d never used before coming to Aarde¡ªwas so incredible that Ser Anthony had suggested she use it as often as she could. Bridget readily accepted his proposal while admitting that she¡¯d always wanted to, in her words, ¡°Cosplay a Katnize,¡± which Hajime later revealed to Bram was the name of the heroine of Bridget¡¯s favorite novel. ¡°And what is cosplay?¡± Bram had asked. ¡°It¡¯s something like putting on a disguise,¡± Hajime had explained. ¡°So, in your terms, does it mean I cosplay a bard when I switch disguises?¡± Bram had clarified. ¡°Eto,¡± Hajime smiled sheepishly, ¡°sure, I guess¡­¡± ¡°Cosplay,¡± Bram had smiled, ¡°I like it. Perhaps I¡¯ll use it myself.¡± ¡°Come at me, Rabbit!¡± Chris roared, drawing Bram out of his musings. It took many more attempts and several lacerations to his arms and legs before Chris finally managed to properly cast his spell. He dodged to the left just as the wolpertinger¡¯s antlers tried to pierce the padded leather protecting his chest. Then, with his lead foot sliding forward, Chris raised his sword high, and with butt clenched, the Texan roared, ¡°Power Strike!¡± With the help of his new mental image of a sword rising from inside him, Chris didn¡¯t forget to weave the magic in his veins onto the tips of his fingers, and the result was a spectacular finish. Glowing slivers of magic wrapped around the edges of his sword¡¯s blade just as Chris swung it down on the wolpertinger¡¯s head. ¡®Wham!¡¯ It was a blow that crushed the beast, sending it crashing into the ground that cracked from the impact of an empowered strike. Blood spurted upward, splashing against Chris¡¯ clothes and his face as if he were a man in the middle of a warrior¡¯s baptism.
You have slain a [Wolpertinger]!
¡°Yippee-ki-yay, mother¡ª¡± ¡°Chris!¡± Bridget yelled. ¡°Watch out!¡± The Texan had been so distracted by his achievement that he failed to notice the threat coming at him from behind. He had just enough time to look over his shoulder before a third wolpertinger struck his back. Or it would have had Bram not arrived in time to save Chris from sudden death. With a single mighty swing of his new bastion-forged steel longsword, the prince cut down the wolpertinger that attacked Chris, sending the beast¡¯s severed head flying into the thick foliage above while its body fell lifeless onto the forest floor.
You have slain a [Wolpertinger]!
You earned 30 EXP.
ALERT! [Administrator Lv. 1] prevents you from earning job EXP.
Bram had seen this message so many times these past six days that it no longer irked him. Besides, he knew he could increase his attributes another way. ¡°Sweet Christmas,¡± Chris said, his mouth agape. It wasn¡¯t just the Texan. Bridget also noticed that Bram slew a beast she and Chris had trouble defeating together with a single swing of his blade and that he¡¯d done it without sorcery too. ¡°A one-shot kill.¡± Bridget nodded appreciatively. ¡°Remind me¡­why do you need us again?¡± Bram couldn¡¯t help smiling at the rare compliment. It wasn¡¯t lost on him that he¡¯d been getting more of them since meeting Rowan than he¡¯d ever received in his entire life. ¡°Anyone who diligently trains with their sword can slay a beast,¡± he insisted. Bram nodded to the east, where, through the space between the trees, they caught sight of the other half of their party. The thick canopy above kept the forest floor dark even under the watchful glare of the midday sun, but the telltale sparks of magic flashing yonder gave them light to see. ¡°But against sorcery,¡± the prince couldn¡¯t help chuckling wryly, ¡°even a diligent man is little more than a beast with dull fangs¡­¡± Rowan had been instructing Hajime in the elemental arts of sorcery. However, since the arcane novice wasn¡¯t yet proficient with his aim, the trickster thought it best to separate him from the others so they could avoid¡­accidents. ¡°Form into a fist, o rumbling earth,¡± Hajime chanted, ¡°and strike down my foe with hardened dirt!¡± Rock and dirt flew up to form a large fist that floated next to Hajime¡¯s outstretched wand. ¡°Shatterstone!¡± With a flourish of his wand, the boulder-sized fist shot forward and smashed into a wolpertinger that had been diving toward him antlers-first. The collision didn¡¯t end well for the beast. There came the sound of crushing bones and smashed innards, and then Hajime pumped his fists into the air. ¡°Yatta!¡± he yelled. Back in Bram¡¯s group, Bridget said, ¡°I might have been hasty choosing to be a squire.¡± ¡°Ain¡¯t that the truth,¡± Chris weighed in. Envy flashed on both their faces. ¡°I disagree.¡± Bram was cleaning his longsword¡¯s blade with a cloth he¡¯d pulled out of his pack. ¡°Hajime¡¯s spell might be more devastating than yours, but the time it takes him to cast Shatterstone compared to Fiery Arrow or Power Strike makes a world of difference in a fight.¡± With his authority as the Loom¡¯s chief administrator, Bram pulled up the status of Hajime¡¯s spell so he could show it to the two squires.
ABILITY: Shatterstone
TYPE: Elemental Magic (Earth)
TIER: 1
RANGE: 50 Feet
COST: 100 MP
CASTING TIME: 10 seconds
DESCRIPTION: Create a boulder-sized fist of stone and smash it into your target, inflicting elemental earth damage while possibly shattering enemies with brittle forms.
BOONS: 200% Weapon Damage, a chance to stagger enemies within 2 meters of impact, weakens target¡¯s defense by 10% for 5 seconds.
COOLDOWN: 10 seconds
¡°Without Rowan protecting him, a wolpertinger would have killed Hajime before he could complete his incantation,¡± Bram explained. ¡°Also¡­¡± The prince pointed to the four small craters close to where Hajime¡¯s wolpertinger had fallen. ¡°So long as you¡¯re quick on your feet and keep Hajime from finishing his invocation,¡± Bram put the cloth back into his pack, ¡°he would lose in a duel against either of you four times out of five.¡± Of course, there were plenty of exceptions to this rule of quick attacks being dominant in a fight like how the armor of a knight of the White Rose had raised a ¡®Barrier¡¯ to repel Bram¡¯s attack moments before the prince had injured Jasper von Galen with an enchanted arrow to the neck. Truthfully though, Bram was biased. He favored the squire job more because it was a prerequisite to advanced professions that he wished to take if only his role as an administrator didn¡¯t bind him to the job. The sound of rustling leaves caused the three companions to turn to their left. Bridget¡¯s eyes squinted at the shadows beyond the light of Bram¡¯s sunstone. ¡°What is that¡­?¡± ¡°I think it¡¯s a tail,¡± Chris replied uncertainly. They saw a wagging tail with a tip coated in flames, though its light did nothing to disperse the shadows around it. ¡°Seems like we¡¯re done with wolpertingers,¡± Bridget reported. The two otherworlders stepped back at the sight of the thick bushes parting to accommodate the beast pushing past them. The canopy above swayed, causing a great many leaves to fall around the trio. ¡°I see¡­¡± Bram glanced down at the nearest wolpertinger¡¯s carcass and the blood pooling underneath it. ¡°You caught the scent of lingering death.¡± He gazed forward just as a pair of orange eyes stared back at him. ¡°But these dead belong to us,¡± Bram insisted. The beast stepped forward, allowing the sunstone¡¯s light to reveal its full form. It was a feline of a size that could rival Renfri. There were orange spots around its yellow fur, and these spots seemed to sprout with flames every time the beast took a lumbering step forward. Above the giant cat appeared a nametag of a bright orange color, [Flametail Leopard]. Flames sprouted at the tips of the feline face whose growling mouth was filled with sharp fangs. In response to its growl, Bram flipped the flametail leopard the middle finger. He would not be intimidated. Not by any man or beast. ¡°Um, Prince¡­¡± Beside him, Bridget¡¯s brows were knotting together. ¡°¡­How are we supposed to fight this monster?¡± ¡°Together.¡± The prince brandished his sword forward. ¡°We¡¯ll slay this thing together.¡± Chapter 26: Man Against Beast

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Man Against Beast
The flametail leopard was a fight that pushed Bram, Bridget, and Chris to their utmost limit. By the end of it, all three of them were bloodied and bruised but they did survive the encounter. The same couldn¡¯t be said for the flame-tail leopard. The beast that had shown such savage fury dropped dead at Bram¡¯s feet just before it could take one final swipe at him with its claws.
You have slain a [Flametail Leopard]!
[You earned 50 EXP.]
ALERT! [Administrator Lv. 1] prevents you from earning job EXP.
Bram didn¡¯t feel too bad about this. It was enough that Bridget and Chris had earned the same reward as the total amount of experience earned from the kill would have been divided among the three. Of course, the prince had something else to be glad about too.
[CONGRATULATIONS! You¡¯ve pushed yourself to new heights. Surviving multiple harrowing encounters increased your Constitution [+1].
¡°Right,¡± he chuckled, coughed, and then chuckled some more. ¡°Give me more¡­life-and-death encounters.¡± ¡°Speak for yourself,¡± said Bridget who¡¯d fallen on her butt from fatigue and now sat cross-legged on the forest floor. ¡°I¡¯ll stick to wolpertingers, thanks.¡± ¡®Grrr¡­¡¯ Two pairs of eyes snapped toward the shadows creeping beyond the light of Bram¡¯s sunstone. ¡°Y¡¯all had to jinx it,¡± Chris sighed. The Texan raised his shield just as two more flametail leopards stepped into the light. Both were slightly smaller than the beast the trio had just slain, but their gazes shared the same glint of hunger that the first flametail leopard did. As he pulled his longsword out of the dead flametail leopard¡¯s spine, Bram noticed an odd thing. ¡°They all have the same eyes¡­¡± He didn¡¯t mean it literally, only that the same glint of rabid hunger had been present in the wolpertingers'' gazes too. ¡°¡®Tis a curse,¡± Rowan answered. She, Hajime, and the guide the Stargazers loaned their party crossed over to where Bram and his two squires formed a defensive line against the two fel beasts. Correction, a third flametail leopard¡ªone even larger than the first dead beast¡ªarrived to send shivers climbing up the party¡¯s collective spines. ¡°These beasts have been driven to hunger by an ill will.¡± Rowan glanced to her left. ¡°Can you feel it as well, Vice Master?¡± ¡°Yes¡­I can sense a dark presence in the forest,¡± answered Ravi Samal, who, besides playing the role of gatekeeper, tea server, and coven representative, was now the party¡¯s guide inside the Red Forest. ¡°It¡¯s like a fel voice in the air.¡± The largest of the three flametail leopards¡ªthe one with a garish scar around its left eye¡ªunleashed a guttural growl that caused the ground to shake. ¡°It seems we¡¯ve outworn our welcome,¡± Rowan said in her usual impish tone. ¡°I welcome the danger¡±¡ªBram brandished his sword at the largest of the beasts¡ª¡°if it meant we were closer to finishing this quest.¡± Unfortunately, it didn¡¯t quite go as the prince hoped. Even with Rowan and Ravi supporting them from the rear, their battle against the cursed beasts soon turned disastrous for Bram and the otherworlders. Seven more flametail leopards arrived during the fierce struggle where every clash of steel and bone was a brush against death. This leap of leopards drove Bram¡¯s party into dire straits where they had no choice but to flee or lose most of their members in this struggle. Bram, who stood as rearguard while the others gathered behind the sorcerers, was separated from his party by the largest of the flametail leopards, which, besides its abnormal size, seemed special in comparison to the rest of its leap. The fires sprouting out of this leopard¡¯s spots coated its entire body in flame, making it extra-resilient against the party¡¯s sorcery. ¡°Rowan!¡± The prince turned his gaze over to the trickster who was singlehandedly fending off three beasts with only her Bloody Falchion in hand. ¡°Take care of the others!¡± Bram didn¡¯t wait for a reply. He plunged into the shadows of the trees in the opposite direction to force the largest flametail leopard into chasing after him. The prince calculated that if he could take this beast out of the equation, then the others under Rowan¡¯s protection could deal with the rest of the leap. Only, as the sounds of pursuit followed him, Bram couldn¡¯t help wondering if even ¡®Status Emulation¡¯ was enough to challenge such a savage beast as the one that hounded him now. ¡°What doesn¡¯t kill me¡±¡ªhe tore through the forest floor like an arrow in flight¡ª¡°will only make me stronger¡­¡± His bravado pushed him onward and right into the path of an exposed tree root that latched onto his foot. ¡°Phoebus¡¯¡ª¡± Refusing to fall completely, Bram dropped shoulder-first so that he could roll forward and use the momentum to slide out of the way of the flametail leopard that just pounced on his back. ¡°¡ªCock!¡± He¡¯d been angry at the roots that tripped him, but this anger evaporated once he realized that the fall also saved both his life and his lute. For had the roots not forced him to stumble, the back of his head would have been skewered by the dagger-sized claws of the flametail leopard¡¯s paw. ¡®Crash!¡¯ Without the prince to cushion its landing, the beast crashed into the trunk of a tall red pine, stunning it long enough for Bram to get back on his feet and flee. ¡°The god of fortune¡±¡ªa grin flashed on the prince¡¯s face¡ª¡°truly does favor the bold!¡± It was a grin that was short-lived. The beast¡¯s roar caused a shiver to climb up Bram¡¯s spine. Instinctively, he turned around, his longsword twirling forward in an arc, and then¡ªwham¡ªsparks flew as the prince¡¯s blade met an outstretched paw coated in flames. ¡°Argh!¡± Bram just barely managed to block the attack, though the force of the flametail leopard¡¯s strike was so strong that he was sent hurtling toward a line of pines behind him. He crashed spine-first against a tree and then crumpled to the ground with a groan. ¡°No¡­¡± Black spots hovered over his vision. His back ached terribly. ¡°Not dying today¡­¡± Groggily, he sat up, and the first thing he did was check his lute. Fortunately, the enchantment that protected it from physical damage had been enough to shift it out of the way so that only Bram¡¯s spine was bruised. ¡°I knew that extra charge¡­for ¡®Bubble Wrap¡¯ would be worth¡ª¡± ¡®Grrr¡­¡¯ A growl forced Bram¡¯s gaze forward. The flametail leopard crouched nearby. Close enough that it need only pounce for a third time, and it could pin Bram down to the forest floor. Strangely, the beast that bared its fangs against the prince took not one step forward.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. ¡°What¡­?¡± Its change in behavior seemed so unnatural to Bram that his gaze was forced to flit left and then right in search of the reason for the beast¡¯s hesitation. That¡¯s when he noticed where he¡¯d fallen. Bram lay half-prone between a pair of young pines whose red leaves had yet to darken like the older trees spread throughout the forest. These two trees were surrounded by other young pines, and all of them had knotted silver cords tied around their trunks. ¡°These trees¡­¡± Realization dawned on his face. ¡°¡­They¡¯ve been made sacred.¡± He glanced over his shoulder. Behind him was a small clearing of wildflowers bordered by an encirclement of young pines. The same ones that seemed to be repelling the cursed beast that wanted to rip Bram into shreds. When his gaze returned to the flametail leopard¡¯s, he couldn¡¯t help sending it a taunting grin. ¡°You¡¯re not allowed in here, are you?¡± Hungry eyes drifted to Bram¡¯s feet which were still on the other side of the fence of sacred pines. ¡°Oh, right.¡± The flametail leopard pounced, but Bram was quicker. He tucked his feet in, bringing them into the protection of the fence of sacred pines before the beast¡¯s claws could get at them. Instead, those savage paws smacked against one of the young pines¡ªand then came a sound akin to a thunderclap. The cursed beast was thrown back while the flames that licked at its body winked out as if they had been doused in water. The beast sent the prince an indignant glare, and Bram replied with the middle finger. ¡°Not today.¡± Meanwhile, Bram¡¯s other hand brushed against one of the wildflowers scattered around the clearing. Only then did he give this flower the proper inspection it deserved. ¡°This is¡­white sage¡­?¡± It was a fact on Aarde that the scent of sage was repugnant to evil things. Bram even had a bundle of ¡®Sage Torches¡¯ neatly packed inside his bag for when the night came, and his party was in a place where the blessings of nature¡ªa blessing that seemed all around him now¡ªwere nowhere in sight. His gaze drifted from the white sage beside him to the silver cord tied around the nearest young pine. ¡°A double dose of sacred blessings to drive away evil¡­but for what purpose?¡± He rose to his feet, dusted off the dirt and leaves clinging to his trousers, and then he moved deeper into the clearing. ¡°Is this a natural sanctuary or perhaps¡­?¡± He spotted a mound of stones in the middle of the field. ¡°I see now.¡± The rough stones piled one on top of the other rose to his waist. ¡°This is a cairn.¡± Scrawled on the surface of the stone at the very top of the cairn was an arcane array whose patterns resembled the constellations appearing in Aarde¡¯s sky. Bram had seen this magic circle enough times now that he knew it activated the ¡®Door of Dimensions¡¯ sleeping within this arrangement of stones. ¡°This must be the last waypoint that the expedition made¡­¡± Once more, Bram¡¯s gaze drifted to nature¡¯s protection scattered around him. ¡°The other waypoints didn¡¯t have this sort of protective measures¡­¡± His brow furrowed. ¡°What dangers did the coven encounter to need¡ª¡± From the gap between pines, he caught a glimpse of a large feline form. ¡°Ah, right¡­a silly question.¡± The flametail leopard walked the fence of sacred pines as if contemplating how it could enter a place that had been made to repel the evil it brought with it. No, Bram didn¡¯t think the beast itself was evil, but the curse of hunger that turned it savage must have been. For how else could a creature of this woodland realm be barred from any part of it? ¡°You¡¯re not getting in here, so why don¡¯t you just give up, you whore¡¯s swine!¡± In truth, the prince didn¡¯t want this flametail leopard to surrender. He needed the beast to remain fixated on him so it wouldn¡¯t return to where his party stayed behind. So, giving up on his stubbornness not to break character, Bram pulled out his lute and began to sing a song meant to annoy the fel beast that was stuck outside the grove. ¡°If there¡¯s a cost for foolish judgment,¡± he strummed his lute, ¡°then you¡¯ve certainly paid it.¡± In an undertone, he added, ¡°Foolish cat¡­¡± Bram¡¯s voice was its usual perfect pitch, but his tone had a bit more spite to it. ¡°You¡¯re no longer worth my attention, come back again when you¡¯ve earned more wit!¡± While strumming his lute, Bram began to dance a jig meant to taunt his enemy. And, though it lacked the magic of a proper bard¡¯s spell, the vulgarity of his dance was enough to raise the flametail leopard hackles. ¡°Whoa ~~a, no chance, no way, you won¡¯t catch me, no ¡ª no!¡± His strumming turned feverish, a beat that demanded more mocking movements. ¡°Give up, give in, check my grin, I¡¯m untoucha~~able!¡± Bram twirled around so the flametail leopard got a good view of him smacking his own ass. ¡°Take a look, I say, it¡¯s all you¡¯re getting,¡± he sang, ¡°Come on, I dare, stop my playing~~g!¡± The strumming slowed; the final verse was ready. ¡°You¡¯re sad, you¡¯re bland, you¡¯re¡ª¡± A growl most menacing reached his ears, forcing an end to Bram¡¯s song. ¡°Huh¡­ I guess it worked. It looks ready to kill me now.¡± Yes, Bram may have gone too far for it seemed the flametail leopard had heard enough. The beast disappeared from his sight so that he could no longer catch a glimpse of it through the trees. He could still hear it though. Only, with each awful sound spilling into the clearing, Bram was convinced that unfathomable devilry was afoot. For what first had been the labored growls of a beast soon turned to the gasps of a man in pain. Carefully, Bram placed his lute on the ground. In the same breath, he whispered, ¡°Emulate.¡±
ALERT! Since there are no targets available for emulation, the system will refer to your saved profiles¡­
Even when the flametail leopard chased him across the forest, he chose not to use ¡®Status Emulation¡¯ because he believed it wasn¡¯t yet the time to spend such a valuable boon. Now, however, the threat from beyond his sight¡ªone that caused his spine to tingle¡ªmade it necessary to throw caution to the wind.
ALERT! One profile is available. Would you like to copy the status of [Rowan Wolfe]?
Before Bram could give his consent, he heard a voice from right outside the fence of sacred pines. ¡°You are not welcome here¡­¡± It was a deep, guttural voice that seemed more beastly than man. ¡°Who are you to say this to me?¡± The prince responded. A naked man stepped through the gap between trees as if nature¡¯s blessing no longer barred his way from entering the clearing. Well, calling him a man might have been a stretch for there were few men in all Aarde as tall or wide as this one. Indeed, it had been a long time since someone dwarfed Bram¡¯s size. He had a muscular, reddish chest that seemed unaffected by the chilly late afternoon air. His dirty blonde hair was short and wild, brushed back and set like twin demon horns. It served to enhance the savage countenance of a face disfigured by a single jagged scar across his left eye and cheek. This was how Bram knew that the great flametail leopard that chased after him and the beastly man before him now were one and the same. ¡°You¡¯re a wearg,¡± he realized. The prince had heard tales of humans cursed by the gods to live half-lives. One half as men who walked with two feet, while the other half as beasts who ran on four. Bram had never met one before now, but he was certain this man was such a creature. The man¡¯s lips curled into a snarl. ¡°I am Scarfang¡­of the Flametail tribe.¡± Scarfang was at least a head taller than Bram, with shoulders much wider than the prince¡¯s. His arms and legs were thick like tree trunks, and the nails on each toe or finger were sharp like a beast¡¯s. ¡°I¡¯m Bram, Seventh Prince of the Atlan Imperium and Governor of Lotharin¡­¡± One of Scarfang¡¯s thick brows hitched upward. He recognized the meaning of Bram¡¯s title. ¡°Then you¡¯ve come to rape our forest like those others before you¡­ Bram¡¯s brow knotted together. ¡°Your forest¡­?¡± ¡°Our tribe has lived here longer than when you outsiders built your walls outside its boundary¡­and we have grown tired of watching while you pillage our land and rape our mother.¡± ¡°The Red Forest is¡­your mother?¡± If he hadn¡¯t met Rowan, Bram might not have taken Scarfang¡¯s words literally. However, it was no longer outside the realm of possibility to assume that something as old as this vast woodland realm might also have a consciousness¡ªa spirit¡ªthat guided its growth. ¡°We didn¡¯t come here to rape and pillage,¡± Bram insisted. ¡°Your actions speak louder than your words,¡± Scarfang argued. ¡°You came at us first,¡± Bram argued back. ¡°We were merely defending ourselves.¡± Then realization dawned on him. ¡°And as for my song, I will admit that now that I know you to be an intelligent being I may have crossed a line I shouldn¡¯t have¡­sorry.¡± The apology was not accepted. Scarfang scoffed. ¡°You came to our home with your steel and your sorcery¡­killing the creatures who live under Mother¡¯s care.¡± This was a truth that was hard to argue against, though Bram knew that he had to try. For even now, the cogwheels of his mind were turning. If he could have a proper conversation with this wearg, then perhaps Scarfang and his people could become allies in the coming conflict with the north. There were other considerations as well. Chief of which was the search for the missing Stargazers. With the aid of these weargs, tracking the expedition would be much easier. ¡°We don¡¯t have to fight.¡± As a show of good faith, Bram lowered his sword. ¡°As I¡¯ve said, we¡¯re not here to take anything from you¡­¡± This was technically not a lie because the problem of trade and security could be dealt with another time and with more diplomacy than Bram could achieve during this heated encounter. ¡°We¡¯re here in search of our companions who¡¯ve gone missing.¡± ¡°The conjurers who liked to watch the stars.¡± ¡°You know about the Stargazers¡­?¡± ¡°They went where they shouldn¡¯t¡­and woke Mother from her slumber.¡± ¡°They woke the spirit of the forest¡­¡± Bram didn¡¯t raise his sword again, though his grip on its handle tightened. ¡°Did you hurt them?¡± ¡°Mother was angry.¡± Scarfang took a single step forward. ¡°Angry at them¡­ Angry at us.¡± ¡°Oh, Warbringer¡¯s balls, I understand now¡­the spirit of the forest,¡± Bram¡¯s brows knotted together, ¡°that¡¯s who cursed you with rabid hunger.¡± As soon as Bram uttered those words, pain flashed on Scarfang¡¯s face. ¡°Yes¡­¡± Suddenly, as if the civility he¡¯d just shown was beginning to wilt away, Scarfang growled. ¡°Always hungry now¡­hard to suppress.¡± He bared his teeth at Bram. To the prince, this was a familiar scene. One that reminded him of his former coachman¡¯s sudden and drastic change during their deathmatch. ¡°Don¡¯t do it¡­¡± Despite showing restraint, Bram readied himself for the attack he knew was coming. ¡°We can still¡ª¡± Scarfang leaped forward. ¡°Damn it!¡± Bram drew his longsword. Sword and fist would have collided then and there, but in that moment between life and death, an interloper made her flashy appearance. The red-haired trickster in her green traveler¡¯s cloak fell from the sky to land right between Bram and Scarfang so that she caught his fist in one hand and the blade of Bram¡¯s longsword in the other. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Rowan smiled impishly at the wearg, ¡°did I step on your moment?¡±
Note: A group of leopards is called a ¡®leap¡¯ or ¡®prowl¡¯. Wearg is a very old German for warg, which can mean wolf or outlaw, but in this story, they encompass all shifters. Chapter 27: Job Promotions CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN Job Promotions ¡°Sheathe your hostility, Child of the Forest,¡± Rowan ordered, ¡°or I may consider shedding your blood on this hallowed ground.¡± Blood flowed from the hand that held onto Scarfang¡¯s fist, wrapping around it like a shiny crimson glove. The sight of this strange sorcery caused the wearg¡¯s eyes to widen. ¡°No¡­¡± Scarfang sniffed in the air. ¡°This scent¡­old like Mother¡¯s¡­ Older.¡± Bram saw it then, the fear spreading across Scarfang¡¯s face. One born of sudden recognition. It must have been quite strong to weaken the hold of the curse that had turned him savage. ¡°Blutm?dchen¡­¡± the red-chested man¡¯s voice was stained with doubt and surprise. ¡°¡­So, you too have awoken.¡± ¡°I never slept,¡± Rowan answered in an annoyed tone. ¡°I recall every single moment of my imprisonment¡­and etched into memory the faces of all those who made it possible.¡± She let Scarfang go, and he jumped back in a hurry. Then, to Bram¡¯s surprise, the wearg went down on one knee in what the prince assumed was a show of deference for the rebel trickster of legend. Scarfang lowered his head. ¡°We did not know¡­¡± ¡°How could you ¡ª you¡¯re too young to know,¡± Rowan replied. ¡°Which begs the question,¡± Bram thought aloud, ¡°how can he know now?¡± ¡°The old tribes of Lotharin¡¯s forests record their histories in oral traditions that could have survived the purge of my existence.¡± Rowan¡¯s smile twisted ever so slightly. ¡°This child must have been taught the old ways by those who still remember¡­ ¡®Tis how he can sense my nature.¡± ¡°Oral traditions¡­your nature,¡± Bram repeated. Though he was curious to hear what the wearg knew of Rowan¡¯s legend, or what sort of nature she might have that had turned him so docile, Bram didn¡¯t press either of them for details since he was sticking to his plan of waiting for Rowan to trust him enough with her origin story. ¡°My tribe¡­¡± Scarfang kept his head lowered. ¡°¡­did any of them survive?¡± ¡°Four,¡± Rowan answered. ¡°You showed them mercy.¡± ¡°I gave them no such courtesy.¡± Scarfang looked up bewildered. ¡°Then how¡­?¡± Rowan crossed her arms over her chest. ¡°My role was to protect the mortals in my charge. Not to chase weargs who run away after having lost their nerve.¡± ¡°They must have recognized you as I now do,¡± Scarfang assumed. ¡°They didn¡¯t run from me.¡± Rowan glanced over her shoulder to look at Bram. ¡°Hajime, Chris, and Bridget played their roles well. You would be proud of their growth.¡± Hearing her words caused the tension in Bram to wash away, and he moved to stand at her side. They stared at each other for a long moment, both gazing favorably at the other, before they were interrupted by Scarfang¡¯s growl. ¡°You fight with this¡­ prince?¡± he asked in a tone of disbelief. Rowan smiled impishly at the wearg. ¡°Will you run with your tail between your legs now that you know what you face, Child of the Forest?¡± Scarfang let loose a low growl. ¡°To show my respect to Blutm?dchen,¡± he rose to his feet, ¡°I will give way¡­for now.¡± His gaze drifted toward Bram. ¡°To have Blutm?dchen at your side¡­¡± His beastly gaze gave Bram the once-over. ¡°¡­You are different from those others who come to our land.¡± ¡°There are others besides us in this part of the forest?¡± ¡°We attacked you because we thought you were with them¡­the hunger came after.¡± Once again, Scarfang''s gaze drifted to Rowan¡¯s face. ¡°They are here for plunder¡­¡± As his gaze drifted back to Bram, irritation flashed in them. It was an emotion quickly replaced by skepticism. ¡°You claim to be here for a different reason¡­¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Bram insisted. ¡°Mother is awake. Should your search take you deeper into her embrace, then not even Blutm?dchen can protect you from her,¡± Scarfang warned. ¡°We search for the sorcerers who woke your mother.¡± Bram sheathed his sword. ¡°We can¡¯t help but continue onward.¡± ¡°Then we will meet again,¡± Scarfang promised, though it sounded like a threat to Bram¡¯s ears. ¡°And¡­¡± The wearg suddenly looked uncomfortable. He looked away while saying, ¡°Your performance¡­it was well done.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Bram grinned. The wearg stepped back past the fence of sacred pines and was swallowed by the shadows that grew with twilight¡¯s coming. Bram waited for his presence to vanish completely before he asked, ¡°What do you know about this ¡®Mother¡¯ he speaks of?¡± Rowan shrugged. ¡°We magical beings don¡¯t all gather in the same book club.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve been learning Earth-speak again,¡± Bram noticed. ¡°They have such a relaxed way with words compared to us. Our speech can be so¡­tiring.¡± She picked up Bram¡¯s lute. ¡°About your performance,¡± she began, to which he quickly replied, ¡°Never. Not that one.¡± The thought of Rowan witnessing such an embarrassing dance caused a shiver to climb up Bram¡¯s spine. She offered him back his lute. ¡°Have you forgotten ¡ª I¡¯ve tasted your blood.¡± Bram sighed. ¡°Right¡­and now you know every embarrassing thing I¡¯ve done.¡± ¡°I do, and don¡¯t you forget it.¡± Rowan linked her arm around Bram¡¯s. ¡°Now, let¡¯s call the others over so we might meet this spirit for ourselves. I¡¯ve had enough of this forest.¡± Bram glanced at the tree line beyond the fence of sacred pines. They looked eerie to him now. More sinister. ¡°Yes,¡± he agreed. ¡°This quest¡¯s taken too much time already¡­¡± Much later, after the spoils were harvested from the dead, Bram¡¯s party gathered inside the small clearing of white sage that was protected by the encirclement of blessed pines. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Bridget, who was standing close to the fence, brushed her fingers against the thick, knotted silver cord tied around the trunk of the young pine near her. ¡°My grandad¡¯s farm outside of Dublin had a tree just like this one¡­¡± ¡°Did it have red needles too?¡± Hajime asked. ¡°Now that you mention it, no¡­but we still called them red pines,¡± Bridget answered. ¡°Why?¡± Hajime followed up. ¡°I don¡¯t know. You¡¯d have to ask the Irish.¡± Bridget had a pensive expression on her face. ¡°But Grandad used to tie a colorful rope around his pine too. Said it would protect us from evil spirits.¡± ¡°Your ¡®seanathair¡¯ was wise,¡± Rowan nodded approvingly. ¡°Pines are indeed a symbol of nature¡¯s power of renewal¡­ ¡®Tis a blessed tree made even more blessed when cherished properly.¡± ¡°Blessed by one of your gods?¡± Bridget asked. ¡°The blessings of the gods are fragile and limited compared to the miracle of Mother Nature,¡± Rowan answered in her usual impish tone. ¡°Her gift is stronger, purer, and not distorted by a god¡¯s ego.¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t call the gods¡¯ blessings fragile, but I agree that there¡¯s a strength in this grove strong enough to keep dark things at bay.¡± Ravi sniffed at the sage he¡¯d plucked from the ground. ¡°Assuming your wearg doesn¡¯t return, we should be able to rest here until we¡¯re ready to use the waypoint.¡± ¡°He won¡¯t,¡± Rowan smiled wryly. ¡°Our prince frightened him away.¡± Bram sighed, though he didn¡¯t refute her claim. It was better that Ravi wasn¡¯t aware of Rowan¡¯s true strength until they were certain he would join their cause. Because of this misdirection, Ravi gazed at Bram with newfound respect, and the prince didn¡¯t dislike it. ¡°If we¡¯re staying here for a while¡­¡± Bridget pulled up her status. ¡°¡­I should check my¡ª¡± She let out a squeal of delight. ¡°I¡¯ve leveled up again!¡± It wasn¡¯t just the dev team¡¯s lead narrative designer who¡¯d gotten stronger either. Its lead game designer and co-executive producer also managed to raise their levels. ¡°Sweet Christmas,¡± Chris grinned, ¡°according to this here Loom, we¡¯re only two levels away from a job promotion.¡± ¡°That means another week of risking our lives here¡­¡± Hajime cast a nervous glance at the canopy of trees above him. ¡°This forest¡¯s difficulty is too high, Rowan-sama¡­¡± ¡°And it¡¯ll climb much higher when we meet the weargs¡¯ mother,¡± she reminded him. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Ma¡¯am, we¡¯ll bring our A-game,¡± Chris assured her just before he elbowed Hajime lightly on the shoulder. ¡°What¡¯d you get for level three?¡± Hajime began reading through his status notifications. ¡°My magic power¡¯s grown¡­I think I can learn a new spell.¡± His brow furrowed the more he read his notifications. ¡°Rowan-sama, the Loom says I can choose a ¡®Sorcery Tradition¡¯¡­¡± The other two Aarders¡¯ ears pricked up. ¡°That¡¯s excellent news.¡± Rowan gave Hajime an approving smile. ¡°With a proper Sorcery Tradition to focus your training, you would receive special boons and gain proficiency with the sorcerous art you choose to specialize in.¡± ¡°Sugoi¡­but¡­¡± Hajime¡¯s brow creased some more. ¡°I only know Elemental Arts¡­is that my only option then?¡± ¡°As your teacher, ¡®tis my job to guide you,¡± Rowan assured him. ¡°Whether it¡¯s to learn the Necromantic, Enchanting, or Transmutation Arts, we shall find the sorcery that suits you best together.¡± To be offered a chance to learn such rare sorcery, Bram thought Hajime was fortunate Rowan agreed to mentor him when the otherworlder had asked. It probably helped his case that she believed him to be a dream walker, though the Loom had yet to confirm if he truly possessed this rare trait. Ravi cleared his throat. ¡°There are also the Divination and Summoning Arts. Those are excellent branches of sorcery too.¡± Rowan giggled. ¡°Worry not, Vice Master¡­you¡¯ll have plenty of chances to recruit novices for your coven once we¡¯ve properly established our¡­?¡± A quizzical look flashed on her face. ¡°Immigration center,¡± Bridget offered. ¡°Yes,¡± Rowan smiled, ¡°that.¡± ¡°That would be wonderful.¡± Ravi looked quite excited by the possibility of new coven members. ¡°When exactly will this center be completed?¡± ¡°After we¡¯re done here,¡± Bram assured him. Hajime, Bridget, and Chris had heightened Ravi¡¯s interest in the potential otherworlders brought to Aarde, something Bram hoped would happen when he thought to bring his ¡®proof of concept¡¯ along for this adventure. ¡°I¡¯m curious, will Hajime be unable to learn spells from other arts if he picks a Sorcery Tradition?¡± Bridget asked. ¡°There are no limitations in magic. Spells you learn will depend on your aptitude, and only the boons change with your specialty,¡± Rowan explained. ¡°Though, ideally, one must have a Sorcery Tradition to earn true mastery in any field of sorcery,¡± Ravi weighed in. ¡°Is that the same with squires?¡± Chris asked. This time, it was Bram¡¯s turn to explain. ¡°Each of the sorcerous arts possesses sorcery tailored specifically for the combat-oriented or exploration-focused jobs.¡± ¡°Though it will take such professions more growth before you can choose a Sorcery Tradition,¡± Rowan finished Bram¡¯s thought. ¡°How many job promotions are there?¡± Chris asked¡ªto which Hajime added, ¡°The players will want variety.¡± For an answer, Bridget, who¡¯d overseen cataloging the jobs of Bram¡¯s household, pulled up the Loom¡¯s promotion system so that everyone¡ªincluding Ravi¡ªcould see a few of the divergent paths a beginner could take once they¡¯d achieved a certain amount of growth. ¡°Your soldiers were nice enough to show off for me,¡± Bridget began, adding, ¡°The offer of griffins for skills helped too.¡± ¡°Capitalism at work,¡± Bram grinned. ¡°It¡¯s a brave new world.¡±
Squire Lv.5: [Knight Lv.1], [Fighter Lv.1], [Archer Lv.1], [Rogue Lv.1], [Soldier Lv.1]
¡°I¡¯m not a hundred percent sure, but Squire¡¯s a job we automatically get if we don¡¯t reach a certain mana threshold.¡± Bridget cast an envious glance at Hajime. ¡°I¡¯ll need more data from other Earthers to be sure, but I doubt they all need to be dream walkers.¡±
Arcane Novice Lv.5: [Sorcerer Lv.1], [Cleric Lv.1], [Chemist Lv.1]
¡°These are the 1st tier job promotions we¡¯ve managed to input into the Loom through copying abilities from members of the prince¡¯s household.¡± Finished with the first window, Bridget pulled up another. ¡°And these¡­¡±
Knight Lv.10: [Chevalier Lv.1], [Knight Captain Lv.1]
Fighter Lv.10: [Warrior Lv.1]
Archer Lv.10: [Ranger Lv.1]
Soldier Lv.10: [Guardian Lv.1]
¡°¡­Are the 2nd and¡­¡±
Knight Captain Lv.15: [Knight Commander Lv.1]
Warrior Lv.15: [Swordsman Lv.1]
¡°¡­3rd tier job promotions the Loom inherited thanks to Ser Anthony and the guys he¡¯s personally trained,¡± Bridget explained further, adding, ¡°Based on my interviews of these experts, 2nd and 3rd tier job promotions will have more requirements beyond gaining levels.¡± While Bridget explained possible requirements for advanced job promotions, Bram recalled his shameful task of asking Ser Anthony to share his secrets with the Loom, how he¡¯d dueled the old knight afterward, and the spectacular finish of wielding his sword to cut the world. It was still vivid in Bram¡¯s mind, as clear as the otherworldly dreams that visited him in his sleep¡ªthe sight of a cut on the stone floor so deep it almost seemed like the earth would bleed. Ser Anthony¡¯s talent differed from Rowan¡¯s but was also quite powerful, and Bram wondered¡­ What if he did more than just replicate Ser Anthony¡¯s Peerless Heart Sword? What if he¡¯d saved the old knight¡¯s status for emulation too? It doesn¡¯t just have to be Rowan¡­ This thought sent the gears of his mind to motion, and his gaze drifted to his companions. While they discussed the possibilities of their growth, Bram wondered if he could add their strength to his. Not now, of course, but eventually, after Chris, Bridget, and Hajime became stronger¡­ Could their growth mean growth for him as well? It was a heady thought, one that Bram didn¡¯t dare whisper allowed. For it did seem like he was using them in a way they might not be alright with¡ªand even he blanched at the thought of stealing another¡¯s strength. Ser Anthony¡¯s voice replayed the old knight¡¯s words in Bram¡¯s mind. ¡°Only a fool would be hesitant to play with the gifts the gods give us¡­and I didn¡¯t help raise a fool.¡± Bram laughed out loud. He couldn¡¯t help it. The others turned his way. ¡°Are you alright, Boss?¡± Chris asked. Bram waved away Chris¡¯ concern. ¡°I¡¯m just looking forward to your growth,¡± he said. The otherworlders looked embarrassed by his seeming words of encouragement, but only the trickster who could read his emotions guessed the truth of what the prince meant. Their growth was his growth¡ªmore literally than perhaps even the Loom intended. And if so, Bram could become conditionally strong¡­strong enough to bring even the grand sorcerers of the Imperium to their knees. Chapter 28: Requirements for Advancement Note: Trying out a new release time right now. Let me know in the comments if this is better. CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT Requirements for Advancement
¡°Um¡­¡± Hajime raised his hand, drawing the prince out of his happy musings of stomping on those old sorcerers who thought so little of him. ¡°Are there no promotions for novices?¡± From the list Bridget had shown them earlier, it was clear that she¡¯d only managed to secure 2nd and 3rd tier jobs related to squires. The reason for this was simple. No one in Bram¡¯s household was dedicated to solving the arcane mysteries. The lack of advanced sorcerers who specialized in sorcery different from Ser Anthony¡¯s combat magic was mostly due to Bram¡¯s ¡®Ill-Fated¡¯ moniker. No self-respecting coven would want to pledge their services to an ill-fated prince destined to be weeded out by the other royals¡­at least not until now. Bram glanced furtively at Ravi whose mouth hung open while he surveyed the floating blue window they¡¯d shared with him. ¡°We¡¯ll have 2nd tier jobs available for arcane novices by the end of this quest,¡± the prince said confidently. Once the Coven of Stargazers pledged themselves to his cause, the Loom would gain the sorcerer, mystic, and chemist 2nd tier jobs. Perhaps even Ravi¡¯s 3rd tier summoner profession. ¡°We might also earn a shaman or divinator job. That would be lovely,¡± he added, sounding quite hopeful. Of course, Bram could ask Rowan to share her ancient knowledge with the Loom, but he was loathed to do this. He wanted the trickster¡¯s power¡ªthe unrivaled might of a Blood Champion and the lesser jobs that must lead to it¡ªto be for him and her alone. Bridget, who had been transcribing Bram¡¯s words into her journal, asked, ¡°I didn¡¯t get to ask this during my interviews, but can we also expect jobs that aren¡¯t in a linear progression?¡± ¡°What my household showed you are merely the first leaves of a burgeoning tree. There will be professions that require experience in multiple jobs and jobs that will need you to hold positions in Lotharin¡¯s many organizations for advancement to become possible,¡± Bram explained, recalling for himself that someone like the Grand Sorcerer of the Sovereign¡¯s court was a master of many jobs before he¡¯d earned his lofty position. ¡°Positions¡­like what?¡± Bridget pressed. Bram¡¯s face turned contemplative for a short moment. ¡°For a squire to become a knight¡±¡ªBram referred to the status window that showed 2nd tier job progressions¡ª¡°you would need to be knighted by a noble or another knight who¡¯s well-regarded by their peers.¡± Chris and Hajime exchanged looks. ¡°Are there many knights or nobles who can knight squires?¡± Hajime asked. Bram quickly realized what the otherworlders must have already noticed. ¡°Knights are limited in knighting squires, and only to those they¡¯ve personally trained.¡± Bram began explaining. ¡°On the other hand, a former high-ranking commander of the Imperium¡¯s military such as Ser Anthony could knight squires not under his charge, but only up to thirty. This is true for most nobles at the rank of Eorl and below.¡± ¡°How about a prince?¡± Chris asked next. ¡°There are no such limitations for royalty,¡± Bram replied, adding, ¡°In her first twenty years on the Burnt Throne, the Sovereign appointed a total of two-hundred-and-eighty-eight knights. First Prince Talos has a hundred knights in his household¡­my other older siblings have similar numbers.¡± Thoughts of the other royals caused Bram¡¯s brow to crease because he knew that none of them were idle now that the Imperium¡¯s game of succession was afoot. Even his younger siblings who¡¯ve yet to be given the responsibility of governing a kingdom were studying hard to eventually usurp their elders¡¯ positions. Like Bram, they were all sharpening their fangs. This was most true of Talos the Magnificent, Governor of the Mountain Kingdom of Shamvala, Dux of Uthar, Master of the Sorcerers of the Mystic Eye, Breaker of the Mountain, Lord of Wyverns, He Who Uplifts¡­ Will I ever reach the same renown as the first prince¡­? ¡°So, I only met a few of them in my interviews, but how many knights do you have in total?¡± Bridget piped up, drawing the prince out of his musings. Bram¡¯s voice suddenly got tinier when he admitted, ¡°Five¡­ I have five knights in my household.¡± The others looked away in embarrassment. Only one gaze remained fixed on Bram. ¡°Am I not also a knight?¡± Rowan cast her usual impish smile. ¡°Then my prince has six knights in total.¡± Rowan did claim to be an errant knight when she¡¯d brought Bram back down from Sundermount. This was a lie, of course, but it was a lie the prince promised to turn into truth once this quest was finished. He and Rowan exchanged gazes¡ªboth staring favorably at the other¡ªwhen Hajime thought to join in on the encouragement by saying, ¡°Bram-sama will have plenty more squires to knight soon.¡± Taking the baton from Hajime, Chris added, ¡°More than a hundred¡­ Nah, let¡¯s go for an even thousand!¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Hajime agreed enthusiastically, ¡°we can make a knight order for otherworlders who¡ª¡± ¡°Boys,¡± Bridget called, drawing the two otherworlders¡¯ gazes to her, ¡°shut it.¡± Bridget¡¯s high ¡®Beast Handling¡¯ skill may have helped to quiet them down quickly, though she was too late to salvage the warm atmosphere that had grown between the two Aarders because Bram and Rowan had already looked away from each other. Still, the blonde archer must have noticed that Bram¡¯s cheeks were as red as freshly plucked apples before he turned away. A short while later, the topic returned to rare jobs and the possibility of acquiring one by earning experience through multiple professions. To date, only Blood Champion fit this category, and Bram was adamant about keeping this opportunity to himself¡­at least for now. ¡°Even if we earn the qualifications for a promotion, it¡¯s not like we¡¯ll be able to do it with a click of a button, right?¡± Chris asked.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°There¡¯s no such convenience,¡± Bram agreed. He and Bridget had already discussed this beforehand to the point that Bram had already sent out a call for experts through Bastille¡¯s mercenary guild as well as with Ser Anthony¡¯s acquaintances throughout the Imperium. With the promise of a hefty salary and other benefits, they hoped to bring in experts to serve as teachers who could assist otherworlders in reaching greater heights. So far, there haven¡¯t been many responses on either avenue. The mercenary guild was experiencing a drought of experts thanks to the new hiring policies of Lotharin¡¯s northern nobles, while Ser Anthony¡¯s contacts in central Atlan continued to be prejudiced against the seventh prince and his ill-fated reputation. Despite this setback, Bram insisted on getting the infrastructure ready for when the experts finally showed up. ¡°We should set up an advancement office in Reise that will screen promotion applications and help connect the players with their teachers,¡± Hajime proposed. ¡°That sounds like a tiring process,¡± Bridget commented. ¡°Like a day wasted at the DMV,¡± Chris weighed in. Though he didn¡¯t know what the DMV was, Bram couldn¡¯t help but weigh in. ¡°Which is why we¡¯ll need you to create a scenario that will make job promotions feel less like studying for an exam and more¡ª¡± ¡°Entertaining?¡± Rowan supplied. Bram nodded. ¡°Exactly.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll handle the scenario.¡± Bridget¡¯s face lit up with delight. ¡°I¡¯ll pencil it into my to-do list right between our newly planned Red Forest scenario and the first scenario.¡± ¡°Yeah, what are y¡¯all calling that again?¡± Chris asked. ¡°The Justification for Stopping the Uprising before it Begins¡­scenario,¡± Bridget replied hesitantly. Chris raised an eyebrow at her. ¡°That¡¯s what y¡¯all are calling our first main scenario?¡± ¡°I¡¯m still workshopping it!¡± Bridget protested. ¡°Writing¡¯s not easy, you know.¡± ¡°Hey, y¡¯all know I¡¯m on Creative¡¯s side.¡± Chris raised his hands in surrender for he knew better than to argue with a writer who was passionate about the details. ¡°Writing ain¡¯t easy. I agree.¡± ¡°This is all so fascinating¡­¡± Ravi, who was waving his hand at the ghostly blue window in front of him, looked like a boy who¡¯d glimpsed a toy behind a storefront¡¯s glass window that he wanted very much. ¡°To think that one¡¯s advancement in sorcery could be achieved with such efficiency¡­ This Loom can¡¯t be exclusive to otherworlders, can it?¡± Bram and Rowan glanced at each other. They¡¯d been waiting for him to ask. ¡°We could share it with our people,¡± Bram began¡ªto which Rowan added, ¡°But only to those who prove their loyalty to Prince Bram and the great undertaking.¡± The Trickster trotted over to where Ravi was standing so she could whisper into his ears. ¡°Imagine the growth your coven could experience should your members also have access to the Loom.¡± ¡°That there¡¯s the only incentive y¡¯all need, Ravi,¡± Chris weighed in. ¡°Y¡¯all should get on board now while we¡¯re still on the ground floor of this thing.¡± The Shamvalan gulped as if he was suddenly parched, and Bram guessed that he was this close to drinking what Chris called the ¡®Kool-Aid¡¯, but then Ravi let out a heavy sigh as if he were expelling the temptation from his mind. ¡°I¡¯ll give you an answer once we¡¯ve discovered what¡¯s happened to my master,¡± he restated. ¡°Such stubbornness,¡± Rowan sighed exaggeratedly. She went back to sit on the log next to Bram who¡¯d begun discussing with Chris what boons he and Bridget received for reaching level three. ¡°I¡¯m guessing this Fighting Style¡¯s like Sorcery Tradition but for martial jobs,¡± Chris assumed. He was right, as Bram would explain. ¡°The style you focus on will determine what weapons you can master and what abilities you might learn through experience while also giving you benefits to match your choice.¡± ¡°So, if I chose archery,¡± Bridget tapped the bow resting on the log next to her, ¡°I¡¯ll still be able to learn how to fight with swords?¡± Bram nodded. ¡°But we can only be masters in one Fighting Style,¡± Chris restated. ¡°For now,¡± Bram answered, adding, ¡°Over time, you should be able to grow however you want with the Loom¡¯s help.¡± The progression of the Loom¡¯s users wouldn¡¯t be limited to a straight line. As an example, Hajime, an arcane novice, could switch to a squire at any point in his career so he could learn martial abilities if he wanted to. The opposite was true for Bridget and Chris as well, assuming they reach the mana threshold required to become an arcane novice. ¡°So long as you meet the requirements for job changes, you can switch as many times as you want. Though each new job will begin at the first level,¡± Bram reminded them. Here was proof that the prince had been thoroughly studying the instruction manuals the Loom gave him every night. Though sounding like he was an expert who¡¯d experienced growth with the system¡¯s aid was simply Bram¡¯s inborn charisma at play. Like the others, the prince was also a, as Hajime called it, ¡°noob,¡± when it came to the system that could alter one¡¯s fate. ¡°But not every spell or ability we learn can be usable with every job?¡± Chris guessed. Bram nodded again. ¡°As you¡¯ve learned today, there are a variety of factors in successfully casting a martial spell. From your choice of gear to changes in your environment, you¡¯ll have to consider many things in your development.¡± ¡°Well, this was a nice lesson on jobs, Prince¡­¡± Bridget pulled out a pocket watch from her coat¡¯s pocket. ¡°¡­But it might be good for us to log out now and come back refreshed in a few hours.¡± ¡®Logout¡¯ was the gamer term the otherworlders used for the moment when their souls returned to Earth. This was a necessary inconvenience because Rowan taught them that a soul could not stray too long from its body lest that soul forget its sense of self and vanish into nothingness. Alternatively, a body that¡¯s lost its soul would slowly waste away in a vegetative state that would eventually lead to its demise. So, it was agreed between both sides that a maximum of sixteen hours a day was the allowable playtime for the otherworlders to ensure no harm would come to either body or soul. ¡°Certainly.¡± Reluctant as he was to delay the quest, Bram had no choice but to agree. ¡°We¡¯ll meet back here in eight hours.¡± ¡°You mustn¡¯t forget to save,¡± Rowan reminded them. ¡°Right.¡± Chris, who¡¯d been lounging on the ground with a stick of sage between his teeth, got back up, dusted off his pants, and then walked over to the cairn. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t want to come back somewhere y¡¯all ain¡¯t in.¡± He pressed his palm to the top of the pile. Attuned to his wishes, the Loom raised a notification in the air. [Would you like to save your progress?]
YES NO
¡°Yep,¡± Chris answered.
ALERT! Progress saved. You will arrive at this designated waypoint when you return to Aarde.
Chris inclined his head to the floating message. ¡°Much obliged.¡± A week ago, the otherworlders had no choice but to appear at Rowan¡¯s side whenever they returned to Aarde since it was Rowan who had first summoned them. However, through a lucky accident¡ªone where Hajime had inadvertently returned to the first waypoint during a day when the rest of the party had already moved on¡ªthe otherworlders discovered they could use waypoints to save their progress. With this discovery came a new possibility, and the prince was already planning on having the Coven of Stargazers spread these ¡®save points¡¯ across Lotharin for the otherworlders¡¯ convenience as well as his own. Indeed, with a waypoint located at key locations, moving an army behind enemy lines to ambush their rear could become a possibility. More importantly, if they could only save their progress within Lotharin¡¯s borders, the otherworlders would have no choice but to stay and help the kingdom rather than venture into other lands. Eventually, Bram planned to expand his influence on the other kingdoms as well, but such an endeavor¡ªwhat Hajime called ¡®Expansion Content¡¯¡ªwould only occur after Lotharin¡¯s many troubles were dealt with. ¡°The Loom guide your fate.¡± Bridget uttered the phrase she¡¯d invented for the game¡ªto which Bram answered with the prepared response, ¡°It guides us all.¡± The prince pulled out the lute strapped to his back and then strummed a tune. One that harkened to the grand adventure he and his companions were on. ¡°Far away, the mount of Sunder cries,¡± he began in a deep, resonating voice, ¡°Beyond the sight of men, as far as the crow flies¡­¡± The otherworlders gathered around the cairn while serenaded by their prince¡¯s song. ¡°To come and see with thy own eyes,¡± he strummed his lute with practiced hands, ¡°a quest to claim the shiny prize or a lie that leads to one¡¯s demise.¡± Then, as Bram strummed his lute, Hajime, Bridget, and Chris were engulfed in brilliant light that dissipated like stardust carried in the wind, taking the otherworlders souls along with it. Chapter 29: Fog of War CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE Fog of War
The sound of a thunderclap resounded across the forest as the first of the party fell onto the ground while wrapped in radiant starlight. ¡°Fuck!¡± Bram gasped. Nausea overwhelmed him, forcing the prince to his knees. He resisted the urge to vomit and even managed to get back on his feet before the rest of his companions arrived. Bathed in starlight, Rowan and Ravi appeared at Bram¡¯s side as easily as if they¡¯d just jumped down from a comfortable auto-carriage ride. Clearly, these two sorcerers were used to traveling vast distances in a matter of moments. The otherworlders weren¡¯t as graceful. Like Bram, Chris and Bridget fell to their knees, each puking the meager rations they¡¯d eaten since returning to Aarde half an hour ago. ¡°I feel like tuna pulled out of the sea¡­¡± Bridget puked some more. ¡°¡­by a hook latched to my gut¡­¡± ¡°Couldn¡¯t have said it better¡ª¡± Chris puked some more. ¡°¡­Myself,¡± he sighed while wiping his mouth. Hajime, who arrived last, landed as easily as Rowan had, but then he stumbled on something lying on the ground and tumbled across the forest floor. Hajime would¡¯ve rolled into a thick clump of bushes had his tumble not been thwarted by a second object lying flat on the earth. He groaned. ¡°Nandayo¡­?¡± It was then that he noticed someone looking back at him. ¡°Eh¡­?¡± Hajime¡¯s eyes widened at the sight of the skull whose empty eye sockets were staring back at him. His gaze traveled down its yellowing bones, to the dirty tattered robe that looked eerily like the one Ravi wore, and then to the vines that had wrapped themselves around the corpse as if to show off that mother nature had already lain claim to it. ¡°Ee~~eh?!¡± Hajime was quick to crawl away, though, in his zest to escape the dead, his left hand fell on something that cracked at his touch. A feeling of revulsion passed through him as his fingers flattened against something squishy and wet. Slowly, he turned his head around, and that¡¯s when he saw the second dead body. Only, unlike the first corpse that seemed to have expired a long while ago, this second corpse had yet to be claimed by the earth. Hajime¡¯s hand was buried deep inside its chest, causing blood to gush out of it. ¡°Yok¡ª¡± Bram clasped a hand around Hajime¡¯s mouth. ¡°Quiet,¡± he whispered into the otherworlder¡¯s ear. Bram¡¯s gaze swept through their surroundings, his eyes pausing at every sign of recent disturbance. A burnt patch of grass, arrows driven into tree trunks, and the blood pooling underneath the recently departed. He noticed how its state of decay was much less than the other four corpses lying around the last waypoint; a rusty iron sword embedded in the ground. ¡°This one¡¯s a fresh kill by the look of him¡­¡± Bram pointed a finger at the garish wound that had sliced the man¡¯s throat. ¡°His skin was ripped out by something rougher than a blade¡­¡± ¡°Mmmh,¡± Hajime whispered back. Bram loosened his hold on his companion¡¯s lips. ¡°What?¡± ¡°C-Claws,¡± Hajime whispered. ¡°His wounds¡­they look like our wounds made by¡ª¡± ¡°The weargs,¡± Bram finished Hajime¡¯s thought. Having seen Scarfang¡¯s claws up close, the prince couldn¡¯t help but agree. Such monstrous claws could indeed rip a man¡¯s throat as easily as if it were a slab of cheese. They would have just as easily torn through this man¡¯s fur jacket as well. ¡°Chris,¡± Bram called the Texan over, ¡°do you recognize him?¡± Chris took one look at the man¡¯s face and nodded. ¡°Ain¡¯t this the fella we got into a tussle with back in Bellen?¡± It did indeed look like the gray-bearded man Bram had nearly run over with Renfri. The sight of his dead body so far away from the city caused the seventh prince¡¯s brow to furrow. ¡°It must be him¡­¡± Bram agreed, adding, ¡°But how could one of Baron von Galen¡¯s soldiers be here, Vice Master?¡± ¡°I-I¡¯m not sure¡­no one but my coven can use our waypoints,¡± Ravi replied in a strained voice. Bram glanced over at Ravi kneeling by the corpse that had stopped Hajime¡¯s tumble. The prince could see the tear sliding down the Shamvalan¡¯s cheek. It was proof that they¡¯d finally found members of the lost expedition. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡­I need a moment,¡± Ravi whispered. ¡°Did you know him well?¡± Bridget asked as she lay a hand on his shoulder. ¡°Her,¡± he answered. ¡°Irena and I came up together. She was third-ranked in our coven.¡± Rowan, who¡¯d knelt beside Ravi, placed a finger against the long crack near the top of the skull. Tiny vines crept out of it like the roots of a gnarled tree. ¡°No wearg did this¡­ These wounds were made with sorcery.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t doubt it¡­¡± Bram¡¯s brow creased. ¡°From Scarfang¡¯s words, it didn¡¯t seem like the weargs were hostile to the Stargazers¡­¡± His gaze drifted to the garish wounds on the gray-bearded man¡¯s body. ¡°But von Galen¡¯s soldiers must have encountered the weargs here too¡­¡± he deduced. ¡°I reckon their meeting wasn¡¯t as polite,¡± Chris weighed in. Bram nodded. ¡°These wounds¡­they¡¯re less than an hour old¡­¡± His gaze examined the tree line surrounding them, but he could sense nothing beyond the gloom of the forest¡¯s dense canopy and the darkness that prevailed over the early morning sky. ¡°Which begs the question,¡± he continued, ¡°how did von Galen¡¯s soldiers arrive at this location before we did¡­?¡± ¡°And if this fella and his friends fought the weargs, how come there aren¡¯t any leopards among the dead?¡± Chris followed up. ¡®Boom!¡¯ They all heard the thunderous roar that came from nearby. ¡°Cannon fire¡­?¡± Bram wondered aloud. Ravi nodded. ¡°From a spell cannon¡­ I think I know how these others arrived here before us.¡± The Shamvalan looked up just as a second thunderous roar shook the forest. ¡°Holy shit!¡± Bridget¡¯s eyes followed Ravi¡¯s gaze. ¡°What crazy magical thing is making all that noise?¡± ¡°I think we¡¯re about to find out, Bridget-san,¡± Hajime answered, looking over to Bram, and asking, ¡°We¡¯re going to where that sound¡¯s coming from, aren¡¯t we?¡± Having just helped Hajime up, Bram replied, ¡°We go where the adventure takes us.¡± It didn¡¯t take the party long to discover the cause of the disturbance. With another thunderous roar, they cleared the tree line just in time to see an explosion of arcane flames ignite upon the ground below. ¡°Looks like we¡¯re late to the party,¡± Chris whispered. The party found themselves at the top of a ridge overlooking a wide clearing that was cut right down the middle by the Rhyne River. Right below the ridge was a gathering of thirty soldiers decked in the leathers of von Galen¡¯s household. At the head of this loose formation was the short-haired woman Bram had met back in Bellen. Beside her stood a waifish young man with sandy hair and armor that gleamed in the light of the scattered fires. ¡°That¡¯s Alaric, the baron¡¯s son,¡± Bram explained.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°Is he a friend of yours?¡± Bridget asked. ¡°We went to the capital¡¯s academy together.¡± Though he didn¡¯t bother telling his companions how Alaric had been among a group of young nobles who¡¯d made his stay at the academy unbearable, the dark look that flashed on the prince¡¯s face was proof enough that they weren¡¯t on good terms. ¡®Boom!¡¯ A second round of explosions struck the far side of the clearing, causing the party¡¯s gazes to drift up at the pale morning sky and the object floating high above them. ¡°Is that¡­¡± Wonder flashed on Hajime¡¯s face. ¡°¡­an airship?¡± Floating in the sky beneath the clouds was a ship roughly eighty feet long, thirty feet broad, and weighing about a hundred and fifty tons by Bram¡¯s reckoning. It was mostly wood except for the bronze plating and piping along the stern which Bram deduced housed the two large sorcerite engines needed to fly a skyship of its size. Cloth fins spread out of its port and starboard side with a white tailfin trailing at its stern. ¡°Twin engines and a sleek fin design for fast travel¡­it¡¯s a brigantine,¡± Bram determined. From what he knew of a brigantine¡ªand Bram knew much about skyships because his older sister Camilla owned many such vessels¡ªits sorcerite engines had a speed between sixty to eighty knots, making a brigantine fast enough to fly over the Red Forest¡¯s vast woodland realm in fewer days than the party¡¯s journey across the forest floor. Indeed, if it wasn¡¯t for the waypoints, Baron von Galen¡¯s men would have achieved their goal inside the Red Forest long before Bram¡¯s party could arrive to thwart them. ¡°A brigantine would have ten spell cannons?¡± Ravi guessed. ¡°Twelve. Six to each side,¡± Bram corrected. ¡°And by the looks of it, they¡¯re all in proper order.¡± As soon as these words left the prince¡¯s lips, a new bombardment began on the opposite side of a stretch of river that was a hundred feet wide. ¡°You called them spell cannons,¡± Bridget, who, like the others, was lying flat on the ground by the edge of the ridge, spoke up, ¡°I¡¯m guessing that¡¯s why the explosions aren¡¯t normal?¡± The party watched as a projectile struck the earth and caused a tornado-like explosion to wreak havoc on the ground. Two flametail leopards were caught in its wrath and were sent flying high into the air. ¡°A magical array is grafted onto a spell cannon which allows it to infuse special ammunition with elemental energy, Thanks to this, every shell launched by a spell cannon is enchanted with the corresponding element of its enchantment,¡± Ravi explained. ¡°A shell enchanted with the ¡®wind element¡¯ does damage like you¡¯ve witnessed,¡± Bram continued the explanation, ¡°while a shell infused with the ¡®water element¡¯ could cause a tidal wave to spread in an area so long as a source of water is nearby.¡± Again, once these words escaped his lips, an arcane shell fell into the Rhyne. A moment later, a torrent of water rose like a great wall that crashed down on the flametail leopards closest to the river. The force of this wave swept away those weargs too slow to flee its wrath. ¡°The weargs are losing,¡± Hajime whispered. Yes, it was clear from their vantage point that the weargs guarding the other side of the river were indeed losing their lives to the bombardment. ¡°Is that what we want?¡± Bridget asked. Bram frowned. He wasn¡¯t sure. On their side of the clearing, Alaric von Galen and his forces were leisurely watching the one-sided carnage as if they were guests in a play at one of the capital¡¯s grand theaters. Meanwhile, on the other side of the Rhyne, the weargs¡ªsome in their human forms¡ªwere scrambling out of the way of cannon fire. A third arcane shell struck the ground, exploding into flames that would have blossomed into a fireball that would have scorched the land if a large wearg that seemed more beast than man hadn¡¯t cut its magic in twine with his claws. ¡°That¡¯s Scarfang,¡± Bram guessed. The leopard man sliced through a fourth shell¡¯s explosion before its magic could blossom. He¡¯d done this to protect the ruins behind him. ¡°The weargs¡¯ ¡®Mother¡¯ must be inside the ruin,¡± Rowan deduced. ¡°And where the fate of my coven resides,¡± Ravi agreed. Scarfang let loose a mighty roar, and the sound of it made even the river¡¯s pale green surface tremble. His was a roar that affected von Galen¡¯s soldiers too. A collective shiver passed through them, with their leader falling on his ass out of sudden fear. Bram¡¯s eyes narrowed at this lack of discipline. ¡°Rowan,¡± he whispered, ¡°can you hide us with your fog?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± she replied, ¡°and you¡¯ll be able to navigate it so long as I allow it.¡± ¡°I can also cast ¡®Falling Plume¡¯ to help us get off this ridge without having to climb down,¡± Ravi suggested. ¡°Good,¡± Bram nodded. ¡°Cast it as soon as the fog obscures the clearing.¡± With a wink at Bram, Rowan whispered, ¡°Cuddiwch y byd mewn niwl ysbryd,¡± and Rowan¡¯s ¡®Ghost Fog¡¯ began to appear in the clearing below, its tendrils stretching out from the very edge of the river to creep around unsuspecting feet and legs. Mostly. The weargs weren¡¯t so easily tricked. Scarfang sniffed at the air, and though he couldn¡¯t see the wearg¡¯s face, Bram didn¡¯t doubt that the leopard man had caught Rowan¡¯s scent. Proof of this came seconds later when Scarfang yelled out a warning to his tribe. At hearing the word ¡°Blutm?dchen!¡± bellowed across the clearing, the weargs fled into the safety of the ruins. Meanwhile, the clueless humans on the other side of the Rhyne cheered. Idiots, Bram thought. You would run too if you knew we were coming¡­ The prince glanced at his companions¡¯ faces, his gaze lingering on the otherworlders. From his many conversations with them, Bram knew that he couldn¡¯t yet ask them to take the lives of other humans. Indeed, Ravi had reported earlier that Chris, Bridget, and Hajime had been hesitant to attack the weargs once they learned the truth of their dual nature. Am I so different? A memory flashed in his mind; the blonde youth¡¯s face right after Bram had stabbed him with his dagger. The prince repressed a shudder. Inside him, reason went to war with morality. This was the perfect time to weaken von Galen¡¯s forces before their inevitable clash¡­but could he slay men who had yet to draw their blades against him? ¡°Vice Master, bring the others to the river¡­¡± ¡°What about you, Your Highness?¡± Dark determination flashed on Bram¡¯s face. ¡°I¡¯ll follow after I¡¯ve thinned the herd¡­¡± The Shamvalan caught the prince¡¯s look, and he nodded. He too must have realized the opportunity before them. Down below, the fog had begun to cover more of the clearing. Soon, even the skyship above wouldn¡¯t be able to see what was happening on the ground. ¡°Cast your spell,¡± Bram ordered. The Shamvalan instructed everyone to hold hands. Then he began a chant. ¡°Light as bird¡¯s plume to escape one¡¯s doom.¡± As the spell was cast, Bram felt his body go light as if gravity¡¯s hold had loosened around it. ¡°Jump,¡± Ravi whispered. With their hands linked, the party jumped off the ledge¡ªand they didn¡¯t fall to their deaths. Instead, they floated down at minimal velocity and touched the ground less than a minute later without any damage incurred from the fall. ¡°I have to learn this spell,¡± Hajime concluded. He couldn¡¯t see them, but both Bridget and Chris were nodding. It was a credit to Rowan¡¯s power that Bram¡¯s party sneaked their way across their half of the clearing with none of von Galen¡¯s soldiers noticing their approach. ¡°Watch where you¡¯re pointing your spear, dolt!¡± snapped a gruff-sounding voice. ¡°I ain¡¯t poking you with anything, you knave!¡± replied a second angry voice. ¡°I can¡¯t see¡ª¡± There came the sound of flesh being pierced, a muffled cry, and then the thud of something heavy falling over. ¡°Wilhelm?¡± called the first man. ¡°What¡¯re you¡ª¡± His gruff voice was cut off as a blade was sliced across his throat. Seconds later, Bram let go of the dying man, and he crumpled to the ground like the earlier soldier. Two¡­ Bram glanced down at the hand that gripped his sword. He couldn¡¯t stop it from shaking. How many more will I add to my ledger¡­? He heard a soft giggle in his right ear. Rowan¡­ Bram knew he could have asked the trickster to deal with von Galen¡¯s soldiers for him. She¡¯d already shown an inclination for mass slaughter. Only, he couldn¡¯t. He believed that this was his task¡ªhis burden to bear¡ªand Bram swore to his heart that he wouldn¡¯t succumb to the madness of guilt.
ALERT! You have slain a soldier of House von Galen [Jonas Becker]!
CONGRATULATIONS! You¡¯ve pushed yourself to new heights. An unwavering resolve increased our Willpower [+1].
Almost ten soldiers would die to Bram¡¯s sword by the time he reunited with his party along the riverbank. Only then did von Galen¡¯s soldiers sound the alarm. At that point, not even Rowan¡¯s fog could hide the stench of blood in the air. ¡°Will someone get rid of this damnable fog already!¡± barked a reedy voice that was slightly different from the one Bram remembered from his academy days. ¡°We can¡¯t, Ser Alaric!¡± replied a female voice Bram also recognized. ¡°This fog¡¯s not sorcery¡­none of our spells can dispel it!¡± Again, Bram was amazed by Rowan¡¯s talents. Surely, Sir Anthony was correct in thinking that she would be crowned the ¡®Incomparable¡¯ of this year¡¯s ¡®Conjuring Season¡¯ when Bram presented her at the Sovereign¡¯s court during the ¡®Mid-Winter Solstice¡¯ that would occur many moons from now. Indeed, having Rowan on his side at the all-important gathering could count as a point to his work in Lotharin¡¯s revival, and he needed all the positive points he could get with how quickly the deadline to his fate seemed to get. When she caught sight of the blood smearing Bram¡¯s clothes, Bridget couldn¡¯t help but frown. ¡°Was that necessary?¡± ¡°It was¡­¡± The harshness of Bram¡¯s features softened as his gaze fell on her anxious face. ¡°Believe me, I don¡¯t do it lightly¡­¡± Getting across the Rhyne wasn¡¯t difficult thanks to Ravi¡¯s support. The Shamvalan conjured a bridge of starlight to help them cross the river. Such flashy sorcery wouldn¡¯t be hidden long even with Rowan¡¯s fog, but the party reached the other side of the Rhyne long before their enemies noticed. ¡°There¡¯s light over there!¡± someone yelled. ¡°Well, shoot at it, you imbeciles!¡± Alaric von Galen roared. Only, by the time they finished casting their spells, Bram¡¯s party had already arrived at the mouth of the ruins. ¡°Blessed Pallas,¡± Ravi whispered. In front of them was a cliff roughly the same height as the ridge they¡¯d jumped down from on the other side of the clearing. Though, unlike their ridge, this cliff was no mere craggy wall. Thick green vines clung to its surface like a many-tentacled beast. They spread over the wall like dark veins forming patterns on the stone that were unintelligible to those who looked upon them. ¡°I don¡¯t want to go in there,¡± Hajime whispered. ¡°I don¡¯t think any of us do, Bud.¡± Chris patted him on the shoulder. ¡°We¡¯re still going though, right?¡± The Texan glanced sideways at the prince who was inspecting the two bowed trees arched over a dark hole like a projecting doorway that was left open for those daring enough to cross its threshold. ¡°Yes,¡± Bram nodded. He then turned to Rowan and asked, ¡°Can you sense anything?¡± ¡°Madness and corruption¡­ You¡¯ll be able to sense it soon ¡ª ¡®tis a stench most pungent,¡± the trickster replied. She was right. Even one who lacked talent in sorcery like Bram could sense the evil energy mixed in with the chilly air drifting out of the hole. ¡°Are you ready?¡± Rowan asked. ¡°No,¡± Hajime replied. ¡°We¡¯re ready,¡± Bridget cut him off. Then, in a less confident tone, she asked, ¡°As the scout¡­should I lead the way?¡± Bram shook his head. ¡°I¡¯ll lead the way.¡± With one last look at the early morning sky that had been half-obscured by the trickster¡¯s fog, the prince took a deep breath, and then he plunged into the darkness of the ruin. Chapter 30: Into the Dungeon CHAPTER THIRTY Into the Dungeon
ALERT! You have entered the dungeon [Red Ruin]!
The first thing Bram did after he crossed the threshold of this new dungeon was to pull out one of the torches he kept stashed in his pack. He meant to light it right away, but the malaise that came with the foul stench in the air made even sparking a match a challenge for the prince. ¡°Bloody hell¡­¡± Bram took a moment to stop his hand from shaking. He did this by recalling what he¡¯d done outside¡ªthe sin of murdering seven people and the nameless faces added to his ledger. The weight of those deaths was heavy indeed. Enough to still his shaking hand. When the torch was finally lit, the scent of sage wafted out of it. Bram breathed in its uplifting aroma and felt a calm return to his mind. ¡°It¡¯s not cloud weed, but it¡¯ll do in a pinch,¡± Bram said, chuckling inwardly at his inside joke. In truth, the prince wouldn¡¯t have minded a puff of cloud weed right about now. Though he figured that the ill feeling he¡¯d felt as he walked into the Red Ruin wasn¡¯t his alone¡­and the Loom agreed.
WARNING! The master of the dungeon is trying to influence your thoughts. You may be inflicted by [Fear] or [Panic] if your mental state is weakened.
¡°The fel voice we heard in the forest is much louder here,¡± Ravi said as he drew close to Bram. ¡°Although it¡¯s been muted by the scent from your torch. Do you have more?¡± At Ravi¡¯s suggestion, Bram passed the remaining two torches to the others. One for Hajime who took up the rear position¡ªmostly to keep him calm¡ªand the other for Bridget who was swift enough to move between the rear and front of their formation at a moment¡¯s notice. Bridget elbowed Hajime on the shoulder. ¡°Can you believe it¡­we¡¯re in an actual dungeon like in the games we¡¯ve created?¡± ¡°I hope we survive the experience, Bridget-san,¡± Hajime replied worriedly, though it was clear from the wonder in his expression that he was also enjoying this new challenge. ¡°And maybe find treasure¡­I would like some treasure.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll survive so long as we all stay vigilant,¡± Bram promised. ¡°And the treasure?¡± Hajime pressed. ¡°That too¡­probably,¡± Bram conceded. With his sage torch held high, the prince took the lead, though he had Chris close by and ready to defend against attacks that might come from beyond the torch¡¯s light. The Red Ruin¡¯s interior wasn¡¯t unlike the dungeon where Bram met Rowan. At least that¡¯s how it seemed in the beginning. The party traversed through a narrow passage with stone-cut walls covered in vines, and weathered stone floors carpeted with moss. ¡°It¡¯s too bad we didn¡¯t get the ¡®first visit¡¯ boon,¡± Bridget commented, ¡°but I guess we aren¡¯t the first group to disturb this dungeon, are we?¡± ¡°No, we¡¯re clearly not,¡± Bram agreed. The light of his sage torch spread over the floor, capturing the appearance of a rotting corpse in robes much like the one Ravi wore. The dead man lay half-seated on the right side of the passage, his back resting against the wall while its vines embraced his body. ¡°Another one of your guys?¡± Chris asked. Ravi nodded. A quick inspection of the dead man¡¯s pockets uncovered a small pouch of gold griffins, a half-full potion flask, a ring of three woven gold bands, and a yellowing scroll preserved by a wax seal. ¡°This is Rinzen. He was a Shamvalan like me though you wouldn¡¯t be able to tell now that he¡¯s lost all his hair¡­¡± Ravi said. He passed the ring to Bram. ¡°This was Rinzen¡¯s treasure. It¡¯s called the Ring of Three Protections, and it was made by a famed jewel crafter of Shamvala. It should help keep you safe, Your Highness,¡± Ravi explained. None among the party took it lightly that Ravi thought of Bram¡¯s safety first and foremost. This seemed to them a sign that the Shamvalan was finally choosing to serve the prince in earnest. ¡°I¡¯ll put it to good use,¡± Bram promised. He was about to put the ring on his finger when Bridget grabbed his arm to stop him. ¡°Sorry, Prince, but this could be the perfect time to test the Loom¡¯s new item feature with the parameters Hajime and I taught the system,¡± she said quickly. ¡°Right,¡± Bram said, nodding. He recalled the first time he¡¯d shared the Loom¡¯s ¡®Administrator Toolkit¡¯ with the otherworlders¡ªa toolkit the Loom itself provided Bram when he asked it to give Hajime limited administrative access to its inner workings¡ªand how Hajime¡¯s and Bridget¡¯s priority was to create a system that would allow the Loom to identify, analyze, and determine the use and impact of an item that was part of a user¡¯s inventory. Originally, the Loom had to ask an otherworlder if they wanted to register an item with the Loom, which had been the case with the Young Griffin¡¯s Wand. Such a process would become tedious if done for every item the otherworlders collected, so Bridget suggested they teach the Loom to automate the process. Hajime further rationalized the Item feature update¡¯s priority by pointing out that Earthers were obsessed with collections, and offering items as rewards for quests was a guaranteed way of earning his people¡¯s cooperation. Thanks to this viewpoint, the two otherworlders had spent part of their first day in Bastille cataloging any items they could find in Bram¡¯s stronghold that weren¡¯t nailed down to something. They then used their new catalog to teach the Loom how to understand an item¡¯s status¡ªits inherent abilities and usage¡ªand how to give ratings based on these varied statuses. ¡°It¡¯s the law of supply and demand,¡± Bridget had said. ¡°The rarer the item, the harder it is to obtain, the more people will want it.¡± ¡°Creating new value for an item beyond the intent of its creation,¡± Bram had deduced. ¡°Yes,¡± Hajime had weighed in. ¡°This is how we¡¯ll get players to do the big quests that will help Lotharin raise its rank in the empire.¡± Back in the here and now, once the Loom¡¯s All-Seeing Eye was finished analyzing Bram¡¯s new ring, a new blue window appeared in the air. One that he gladly shared with his companions to show Bridget and Hajime that their hard work had borne fruit.
ITEM: Ring of Three Protections
QUALITY: Rare
TYPE: Accessory (Ring)
DESCRIPTION: A ring crafted by a famed jewel maker of Shamvala. Each of its golden bands contains an enchantment of protection meant to keep its wielder safe from three likely dangers.
BOONS: Constitution +5, 50% chance to activate the Barrier spell to protect against a physical or magical attack.
NUMBER OF USES: 3
COOLDOWN: 24 hours
¡°Yatta!¡± Hajime cheered¡ªto which Bridget replied, ¡°It works!¡± They high-fived each other.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°The flavor text is almost exactly how Ravi explained it,¡± Bridget noticed. ¡°And the boons are defined by the item feature¡¯s analysis without needing input from Ravi-san,¡± Hajime observed. They turned to Bram, each of them with their hands in the air¡ªand the prince returned their glee with a hard slap to each hand that made both Hajime and Bridget grimace afterward. ¡°Perhaps lessen the force of your excitement next time,¡± Rowan teasingly whispered into Bram¡¯s ear. ¡°I-I¡¯m not used to¡­camaraderie,¡± Bram whispered back. ¡°I know¡­ But your days of going at it alone are over,¡± she promised. Bram couldn¡¯t help but smile at Rowan¡¯s words. He never thought that the Ill-fated Prince would ever be accepted by others¡ªto know what it meant to have companions who didn¡¯t look at him with spite or talk ill of him behind his back¡ªand yet here he was on an adventure with those who¡¯ve willingly shed their blood at his side. To Bram, this was a sign of change that was more than he hoped for. Another thought struck Bram, and he asked Hajime if he could see the status of his wand.
ITEM: Young Griffin¡¯s Wand
QUALITY: Unique
TYPE: Wand
DAMAGE: 1.5 x INT
DAMAGE TYPE: Wind
PROPERTIES: Versatile
WEIGHT: 0.08 lbs.
DESCRIPTION: A wand made of top-quality materials whose arcane focus is a griffin¡¯s feather plucked from Brightcloud, the personal steed of Sovereign Johanna Barbara of House Attilan. This ornate wand was the Sovereign¡¯s present to the seventh prince on his seventh naming day, though the prince lacked the talent to use it properly.
BOONS: +2 to Intelligence, +20 Magic, +5% spell damage, 2.5% increased magic regeneration speed.
¡°It has more details now,¡± Bram said, sounding impressed. However, in his mind, the prince couldn¡¯t help feeling a tad frustrated. If the system had only been this helpful when he was young, he never would have given his old wand away. ¡°If y¡¯all are done celebrating, let¡¯s see what else this Rinzen left us,¡± Chris suggested. The liquid inside the potion flask was a pale green color which turned translucent when touched by the light of their sage torches. A lock of coarse black hair floated within its depths. ¡°It¡¯s a ¡®Brew of Giant Strengthening. Drinking it will temporarily raise one¡¯s strength to mimic a giant¡¯s power, though the duration of the enchantment will be less since there¡¯s only half of the potion left here,¡± Ravi explained. ¡°Which kind of giant?¡± Bram asked. ¡°We won¡¯t know until one of us drinks it,¡± Ravi answered. ¡°The Loom might know,¡± Bridget suggested. She was right. According to the Loom¡¯s item feature, Ravi¡¯s explanation was spot on except for one tiny detail. The giant whose strength was imbued into this potion belonged to the mountains. ¡°You think there are many kinds of giant, Bridget-san?¡± Hajime asked. ¡°Probably,¡± she replied. ¡°At a guess, there might be giants representing the elements like this mountain giant does¡­ So, fire, ice, and air¡­?¡± Bram didn¡¯t bother to tell Bridget she had guessed correctly. It was unnerving enough to know such terrifying beings existed on Aarde. He didn¡¯t want to give her nightmares about them too. At least not until she encountered one for herself. The last item Rinzen¡¯s corpse gave to the party was the scroll whose seal Ravi had just broken. ¡°Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned¡­¡± Bridget read the words written in dried red ink that was scrawled over a hastily drawn map of the Red Ruin¡¯s interior. She frowned. ¡°I feel like I¡¯ve heard this line before?¡± ¡°You have,¡± Bram answered with a furrowed brow. ¡°It¡¯s from the song we heard on the Vice Master¡¯s sonusgraph.¡± ¡°Loveless,¡± Ravi supplied. ¡°Oh, right,¡± Bridget¡¯s face lit up. Then her frown came back. ¡°But why would he write this on the map?¡± ¡°Good question.¡± Bram was placing the strengthening potion into the potion¡¯s pack clipped to his belt. ¡°But Rinzen¡¯s reason is his to keep. Dead men tell no tales.¡± ¡°Mysterious messages aside,¡± Chris pointed to the drawing, ¡°according to this here map, we¡¯re getting mighty close to this dungeon¡¯s main hall.¡± All gazes turned back to the darkness ahead of them. ¡°Stay vigilant,¡± Bram reminded everyone. Then he led the way forward once more. Rinzen was not the last of Ravi¡¯s fellows the party would meet along this narrow passage. Two other sorcerers of the Coven of Stargazers appeared along the path in a similar deteriorated state as Rinzen¡¯s body, though neither of these coven members possessed any items of note like the ring that now adorned the middle finger of Bram¡¯s left hand. These sorcerers had been dead for months, leaving the party with little doubt that they might not find any survivors in the Stargazers¡¯ expedition. ¡°You know, Ravi,¡± Chris glanced over his shoulder, ¡°you never said why your fellows went on their field trip?¡± The Shamvalan, who was beginning to look more and more forlorn with each discovered corpse, smiled wanly at Chris. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but that is a private matter concerning my coven. I can¡¯t divulge our secrets to an outsider.¡± ¡°Fair enough,¡± Chris replied. ¡°Guess we¡¯ll just ask your master after we rescue them.¡± Everyone could tell that Chris was trying to sound upbeat for Ravi¡¯s sake, but the slim hope of finding survivors was dwindling. ¡°Yes,¡± Ravi replied, a hint of appreciation in his tone. ¡°Thank you¡­¡± Soon enough, Bram felt the breeze on his cheeks and the path finally widened ahead of him. He crossed through an arched entryway of bowed trees and then arrived at a darkened hall so large that his sage torch¡¯s meager light could barely penetrate its veil. This cloying darkness brought with it a malaise that even the scent of sage couldn¡¯t push away completely. More importantly, the fel voice was louder in here so that even magicless Bram could hear its murmur in the air. It was unintelligible, like the sound of many crickets in a forest, but there was a malevolence to it that was unmistakable. Listening to the fel voice¡¯s call sent a cold shiver snaking up his spine that had nothing to do with the chilly atmosphere around him. He managed to keep this feeling to himself though. While Chris, who stood at his side, wasn¡¯t as subtle in trying to still the quaking of the hand holding his shield. ¡°No sense cowering in the dark¡­¡± Ravi strode forward and then raised his hand high. ¡°Light bright like the sun ¡ª Solis!¡± A ball of golden light came to life in his hand and then shot upward to hang suspended in the air a good thirty feet high. Once there, the golden ball flared light so bright it was like a tiny sun had descended on the Red Ruin to bathe its interior in a pale morning light. ¡°Interesting,¡± Rowan whispered. The dungeon¡¯s main hall was a massive space with a vaulted ceiling whose supporting pillars had crumbled beyond repair. It was a wonder that the roof hadn¡¯t caved in yet. ¡°Fuck¡­¡± Bram cursed. The hall was made entirely from the same red rock found by the ruin¡¯s entrance. Stone-cut walls were covered in tree limbs and thick vines that stretched out like pulsing veins pumping cursed blood into the ruin¡¯s bones. The stone-cut floor had a faded design of patterns Bram thought might predate the Imperium¡¯s birth. These designs were hard to distinguish, however, as they were mostly covered by a carpet of moss and fallen leaves. ¡°Fuck,¡± Chris agreed. A wide, sweeping staircase lay about thirty yards ahead. It led up to the second-floor landing where the party could glimpse the stumps of many broken statues. Waiting on this staircase was a small host of weargs. Some of them had taken the forms of flametail leopards while many more had transformed into men whose bodies had taken on beast-like traits. The largest of these leopard men stood waiting at the top of the staircase. Scarfang glared down at Bram. ¡°I told you we would meet again.¡± For now, it seemed he still had his wits about him. Though the glint of hunger was clear on his mostly feline face. ¡°Yes, you did, and I told you we were going to find our missing sorcerers,¡± Bram replied. Scarfang¡¯s glare drifted to the ground between the staircase and the arched entryway Bram¡¯s party was gathered in front of. ¡°You¡¯ve found them.¡± ¡°Looks like it,¡± Bram agreed. It was a scene that reminded him of his bedroom the day he met Rowan. The moss-covered ground was littered with the bodies of the dead, many of them claimed by Mother Nature¡¯s embrace. It wasn¡¯t hard to deduce their identities either because they all wore the trappings of the Coven of Stargazers. Bridget¡¯s eyes went wide. ¡°Oh my God, this is horrible¡­¡± She reached out for Hajime¡¯s hand almost as if the comfort of his touch could banish away the horrific scene. It wouldn¡¯t. ¡°Was it you¡­?¡± Ravi¡¯s shoulders shook while his gaze took in the sight of his fallen coven members. When that gaze turned toward the staircase, they blazed with maddening fury. ¡°Did you kill them?!¡± The weargs growled though they made no move to attack. ¡°Tell me?!¡± Ravi screamed. He raised his hand, and with a flick of his wrist, starlight flared out of his fingers. This was the beginning of a powerful spell that might have wreaked havoc on the weargs if Bram hadn¡¯t stepped in and placed a gentle hand on the Shamvalan¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Wait,¡± he spoke urgently, ¡°things may not be like they seem.¡± Ravi gazed sideways at him, and Bram could see the tears pooling underneath the Shamvalan¡¯s eyes. ¡°Look,¡± Bram pointed. The nearest corpse lay a few feet away. It bore no wounds that could have been made by beasts just like the body of Rinzen and the others in the passage. Indeed, if it were not for the pale pallor of their skin and the dead look in their expressions, one might think these sorcerers were only sleeping. ¡°This¡­what is this?¡± Ravi asked. ¡°¡®Tis nature claiming her spoils,¡± Rowan answered. She strode forward, and every wearg on that staircase stiffened one by one like a wave of fear swept over them. Even Scarfang¡¯s great bulk seemed suddenly smaller in Rowan¡¯s presence. She ignored them, of course, choosing instead to help Bram dissuade Ravi from starting a fight that might be unnecessary. ¡°The wounds they possess¡±¡ªRowan pointed to a hole in the chest of a nearby corpse and the thick vine popping out of it¡ª¡°were made after they died.¡± ¡°No wearg did this.¡± Bram¡¯s gaze drifted from the ground to the top of the staircase. ¡°You didn¡¯t kill these sorcerers.¡± ¡°No, we did not,¡± Scarfang relented. With his admittance, the tension in the hall died down, and Ravi¡¯s hand dropped to his side. ¡°Then¡­how?¡± he asked in a desperate tone. ¡°H-how did they die?¡± ¡°I can answer that,¡± spoke a wizened, raspy voice. A brown-skinned man with gray dreadlocks appeared from behind Scarfang. He wore the same robe as Ravi¡¯s, though it had seen much wear and tear. He carried a tall wooden staff that resembled a tree branch. Ravi¡¯s eyes widened at the sight of this new arrival. ¡°Kazem¡­is that you?¡± ¡°You¡¯re finally here, Vice Master,¡± the brown-skinned man smiled wanly. ¡°Y-you¡¯re alive?¡± Hope flashed on Ravi¡¯s face. ¡°You¡¯re alive!¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡± Kazem leaned on his wooden staff. ¡°¡­And I have quite the tale to tell.¡± Chapter 31: Fireside Chat CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE Fireside Chat
¡°I didn¡¯t see this one coming,¡± Bridget whispered. ¡°Aren¡¯t writers supposed to be good at predicting plot twists,¡± Chris whispered back. ¡°We do, but¡­all the evidence pointed against survivors,¡± Bridget replied. Distracted by their whispering, Bram couldn¡¯t help but agree with the blonde archer. He was almost certain they wouldn¡¯t find survivors in the Stargazers¡¯ expedition. Yet here was one such survivor limping down the staircase toward them with the help of the sorcerer¡¯s staff he used like a cane. From his name and appearance¡ªbrown skin baked from too much sunlight, gray hair styled in a warrior¡¯s dreadlocks, a face that seemed weathered by dusty winds¡ªBram deduced that this man hailed from Damasca, the oasis kingdom on the other side of the ¡®Gabi Desert¡¯ bordering Lotharin in the east. As he recalled, his younger sister Samarah, the ninth princess, would soon be governor of this desert land that was once Lotharin¡¯s most dependable trading partner. Bram hoped to renew the desert trade route, though such an endeavor would have to wait until after he secured his kingdom from the unrest brewing in the north. ¡°Kazem!¡± Ravi yelled, his face filling with relief. The Shamvalan didn¡¯t wait for the older man to reach that bottom step. He strode determinedly forward, past the bodies of his dead coven members, and reached the sweeping staircase where the flametail leopards stood guard. The beasts growled at Ravi, but they stepped back to let him through so that he could reunite with one of his missing Stargazers. They hugged like long-lost brothers, with the Damascan kissing Ravi on each cheek. ¡°Should we go closer?¡± Bridget asked. ¡°We should,¡± Rowan agreed. ¡°I too want to hear that old man¡¯s tale.¡± Together, the five of them began their trek across the garden of the dead, with Bram scrutinizing their corpses more thoroughly as he passed. He noticed similarities between these dead to the ones he saw scattered around the last waypoint. Vines crept out of their bodies like the roots of a gnarled tree, suggesting that some sort of sorcery was at work here. It was a theory that Ravi¡¯s fellow sorcerer would confirm once the party got near enough to hear his voice. ¡°¡­She crawled into their minds and made them think they were starving,¡± Kazem told Ravi, ¡°That belief ¡ª her hunger passed onto them ¡ª that¡¯s what killed them.¡± ¡°And now she feeds on what remains,¡± Rowan guessed. The scene of the red-haired young woman in an emerald traveler¡¯s cloak stepping onto the bottom rung of the staircase and causing the nearby weargs to lower their heads in obvious fear of her must have seemed bewildering to those who didn¡¯t know her hidden truth. Kazem seemed to think so. The curiosity growing in his expression made that obvious. ¡°Curious that all these deaths were not enough to sate your mother¡¯s hunger.¡± Rowan¡¯s crimson eyes drifted to Scarfang, the only wearg not to cower at her gaze. ¡°To be fair, I was much the same when I escaped my prison¡­¡± She glanced mischievously in Bram¡¯s direction. ¡°Thankfully, my prince was kind enough to prepare a meal in advance.¡± ¡°Prince?¡± Kazem¡¯s silver-eyed gaze studied Rowan, the otherworlders¡ªhis eyes narrowing slightly as it observed Hajime¡ªand then lingered on Bram whose hair was back to its original pale gold. ¡°Hair as bright as sunlight and eyes of molten gold¡­¡± Recognition dawned on Kazem¡¯s face, and he bowed his head like Ravi had done when they first met. ¡°The Sovereign¡¯s radiance continues to shine on the Imperium.¡± ¡°May her light never dim,¡± Bram responded appropriately. The elder Damascan straightened up and then introduced himself. ¡°I am Kazem Bashar, an elder of the Coven of Stargazers.¡± ¡°He¡¯s also our Chief Diviner¡­¡± Ravi chimed in, further explaining, ¡°Kazem¡¯s our best practitioner of the Divination Arts outside of the diviners of the Delphyne Observatory.¡± Interest flashed on Rowan¡¯s face. ¡°A prophet then?¡± ¡°Unlike the Delphynians, I cannot claim to know one¡¯s future destiny. I am merely a diviner of portents gleaned from the heavens¡­¡± Kazem¡¯s gaze drifted down to the bodies behind Bram¡¯s party. ¡°And I don¡¯t always get them right¡­¡± ¡°Did you divine signs in the heavens that brought you here then?¡± Rowan asked. Kazem let out a heavy sigh. ¡°I may have¡­though I¡¯m no longer certain.¡± Bram, who¡¯d followed the Damascan¡¯s gaze, turned back to him with a furrowed brow. ¡°This sounds like the beginning of a long tale¡­and here might not be the place for it.¡± The prince¡¯s gaze drifted past Kazem¡¯s shoulder and over to the large leopard man glowering at him from the top step. To Bram¡¯s surprise, it wasn¡¯t him who first offered the olive branch. That honor belonged to Scarfang. ¡°I smell the blood of those ¡®others¡¯ on you,¡± the wearg leader growled, though not in a menacing way like when they¡¯d met in the forest. ¡°Why did you attack them?¡± ¡°Because they¡¯re my enemies too,¡± Bram answered truthfully. The weargs closest to him made a noise that sounded almost like a scoff to the prince¡¯s ears. ¡°It¡¯s the truth.¡± His gaze swept the staircase. ¡°And the enemy of my enemy is not my enemy¡­but perhaps ¡ª my friend?¡± Scarfang growled. ¡°You want to use us.¡± ¡°I want us to be of use to each other.¡± Bram glanced over his shoulder at the three otherworlders; Chris who stayed alert with his shield at the ready, Bridget who was writing furiously into her notebook, and Hajime, who, despite the danger, was looking wide-eyed with wonder at everything around him. Bram wanted more allies like them to aid him in the great undertaking, but only now did he realize they didn¡¯t all have to be otherworlders. So, this time he thought to use diplomacy instead of the sword. ¡°To build a long-lasting partnership that will benefit both our tribes.¡± The growls of skepticism grew louder, though Scarfang at least seemed to be considering what Bram said. ¡°Perhaps we can discuss new alliances and heavenly portents somewhere with a warm fire¡­and tea?¡± Rowan suggested. The trickster smiled impishly at the wearg leader. ¡°Assuming you have enough control of your curse to have a proper conversation,¡± she teased. The corners of the leopard man¡¯s mouth curled downward though it seemed even he didn¡¯t dare to growl at the rebel trickster of legend. ¡°Mother¡¯s fed recently. Her curse won¡¯t trigger while her hunger is sated,¡± Kazem answered for Scarfang. ¡°She¡¯s fed¡­¡± Bram¡¯s brow creased. ¡°Von Galen¡¯s soldiers?¡± Kazem nodded. ¡°Scouts infiltrated the ruin an hour earlier¡­they now address Mother¡¯s needs.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Rowan sounded delighted, ¡°this will make the soldiers wary of coming in so soon, which means we do have time for tea.¡± If Scarfang¡¯s beastly face could grimace, Bram thought he might. Instead, the wearg leader relented to the trickster¡¯s request and summoned the party to join him at the top of the staircase. The second floor of the Red Ruin¡¯s main hall seemed to Bram like the typical nave of a god¡¯s temple. It was a wide spiral chamber with cloisters in the walls for each cardinal direction. Statues lined these walls, though they were left in such broken states that it was impossible to tell which god or goddess they venerated. A raised dais dominated its center like an antithesis to the hole at the heart of Rowan¡¯s prison. On this dais was a cold hearth aging with long neglect.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Seeing it reminded Bram of the fun night he had shared with a gang of story-loving bandits. Strangely, though the hearth brought a smile to his face, beside him, Rowan was frowning. ¡°An altar of fire¡­¡± she whispered. Looking suddenly annoyed, Rowan plucked the sage torch from Bram¡¯s hand and threw it into the hearth. It caught fire quickly, giving birth to a roaring flame that drew the others to the dais like moths. ¡°This was not an act of worship. I simply wanted warmth,¡± she insisted to no one in particular. ¡°You know who this Red Ruin belonged to?¡± Bram guessed. Rowan¡¯s frown twitched. ¡°It belonged to She Who Burns.¡± Inwardly, Bram wondered if Rowan¡¯s annoyance stemmed from knowing that a deity had once called this hall hers or if there was a deeper connection between the ¡®Burned One¡¯ and Aarde¡¯s goddess of fire. ¡°Yes, this used to be one of the Torchbearer¡¯s temples¡­¡± Kazem sat on the ground beside the hearth. ¡°It¡¯s also quite old. The few furnishing that retain their original forms are ancient and predate the Imperium by at least a thousand years.¡± He lay his staff beside him. On closer inspection, Bram noticed it was styled like a tree branch with a green crystal woven into its tip. ¡°I¡¯d wager to say Brigid¡¯s presence hasn¡¯t been felt here for at least that long,¡± he added. Hajime, who sat cross-legged on the dais next to Bridget, elbowed her lightly on the shoulder. ¡°You didn¡¯t tell me you were named after a god, Bridget-san.¡± ¡°I think he meant Brigid with a G¡­the, um,¡± Bridget checked her notes, ¡°goddess of fire, crafts, smithing, and architecture¡­¡± Chris, who sat on Hajime¡¯s other side, whispered, ¡°I didn¡¯t think she got that you were trying to flirt¡ª¡± ¡°I-I wasn¡¯t,¡± Hajime cut him off quickly. Seconds ticked by while the party basked in the warmth spreading from the hearth, a warmth they realized was banishing the eerie chill of the hall and taking with it the harsh whispers in the air. ¡°I¡¯ve got this strange feeling of d¨¦j¨¤ vu like we¡¯re back inside that circle of trees y¡¯all said was blessed,¡± Chris commented. ¡°Maybe the goddess can hear us talking about her?¡± Bridget wondered aloud. ¡°No¡­the gods never return to a place they¡¯ve abandoned,¡± spoke a voice that sounded less savage than it had been a few minutes ago. Scarfang had shifted back into his human form and even wore trousers like a civilized man. He was still mostly naked though, his rugged bare flesh reddening more under the hearth¡¯s light. In Scarfang¡¯s hands was a proper tea set which he then set down in front of Rowan. ¡°This is Mother¡¯s home now.¡± Seeing a man even larger than Bram diligently pouring tea for the trickster caused many brows to rise. ¡°And we, her children, have become her thralls¡­¡± Not forgetting his manners, the wearg leader offered tea to the others. ¡°As have those who remain among our expedition,¡± Kazem sighed. Ravi, who had just accepted a teacup from Scarfang, turned his head to Kazem in surprise. ¡°There are more survivors?!¡± ¡°Alkaid, Mizar, Alioth, Megrez, Phecda, Merak, and Dubhe¡­our seven youngest¡­ However, ¡®survivor¡¯ might not be the best way to describe their condition,¡± Kazem revealed. On that eerie note, the last surviving elder of the Stargazers¡¯ expedition began his tragic tale. ¡°About a year and six months ago, I and my fellow diviners gleaned insight from the heavens¡­¡± He began. ¡°They brought us dark tidings¡­a revelation of blood and conquest¡­¡± Even Bram, who¡¯d studied theories from all manner of sorcery, could barely understand the art of divining signs in the stars. For him, the idea of one constellation twinkling too brightly on a night when the twin moons were dim didn¡¯t immediately mean that a god was angry. Nor did he believe that the positions of heavenly bodies¡ªthe falling of a red comet¡ªmeant war was on the horizon. However, as he listened to Kazem describe his visions, Bram couldn¡¯t help but think that the divination arts might not all be poppycock. ¡°We dreamed of a crimson wolf rising from the blackest pit to bite at the heavens¡­¡± Kazem¡¯s voice quivered as he revealed this. A surprised Bram glanced sideways at Rowan. The trickster caught his look and winked back at him. ¡°We saw countless stars falling from the sky to alter the land they fell on.¡± This time, Bram¡¯s gaze drifted to the otherworlders. From the discomfort on their faces, they too must have noticed what Bram observed. ¡°We saw giants of blazing hair and golden eyes making war on the land. They sundered mountains and upturned rivers with each swing of their mighty fists, while the armies they led trampled on the bodies of innumerable dead¡­¡± Bram noticed that all his party¡¯s gazes had turned to him. Even Ravi. He couldn¡¯t help but look back at them with some embarrassment. There were many more visions, and with each disclosure of their portents, it became clear to those who shared the secret that the Stargazers¡¯ revelations were about the great undertaking and the royals¡¯ game of succession. However, the connection between these two circumstances and the coven¡¯s expedition remained unclear until Kazem revealed, ¡°We saw a forest burning, of a great ruin crumbling, a weeping voice calling to us, desperate for our aid¡­and we believed that this was how we could turn the tide¡­¡± The Stargazers brought their discoveries to the city lord. However, Baroness Lena of House Leyen had been skeptical of the divination arts just like Bram was. ¡°She might have listened if only her ears weren¡¯t poisoned by others who coveted what was ours,¡± Kazem sighed heavily. ¡°We couldn¡¯t wait for her to change her mind¡­time was of the essence.¡± Believing in the righteousness of their cause, members of their coven set out on an expedition to the Red Forest where they thought they might find the answer to stopping the coming era of violence. During their search, they met a tribe of weargs that called the uncharted western half of the woodland realm home. While pouring more tea for Rowan, Scarfang added, ¡°We warned you not to delve too deeply into the forest.¡± ¡°And we should have listened,¡± Kazem admitted. ¡°But you didn¡¯t,¡± Rowan guessed as she accepted her tea. ¡°No, we couldn¡¯t¡­¡± Kazem¡¯s weathered hands balled into fists. ¡°For even then, we were already enthralled by her¡­¡± Ravi placed a hand on the Damascan¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Tell us¡­¡± ¡°We heard her in our waking and saw her in our sleeping.¡± Eyes alight with misery swept through the hall. ¡°She brought us here, and our presence in this cursed place ¡ª the magic in our veins ¡ª this she used to wake from her long slumber.¡± ¡°She tricked you,¡± Hajime guessed. ¡°And then used you like batteries,¡± Chris weighed in. ¡°She sounds¡­¡± Bridget stopped writing. ¡°¡­Horrible¡­¡± No one disagreed. Scarfang took up the baton of the tale. ¡°We should have stopped you from coming here like our ancestors kept outsiders away, but we didn¡¯t know what would happen. How could we¡­when we children of the forest have walked these halls for many years without troubles.¡± ¡°A wearg¡¯s curse is not born from sorcery but has its roots in divinity,¡± Rowan explained. ¡°You would have been of no use to this spirit, which is why your ancestors were sent to guard this place. Not to protect this ¡®Mother¡¯ but to keep her bound.¡± A smile that seemed so sinister under the harsh light of the fire flashed on Rowan¡¯s face. ¡°You deserved to be cursed by her for failing in your charge.¡± Scarfang didn¡¯t argue. ¡°But to turn her jailors¡¯ descendants into her attack dogs¡­I wish I¡¯d thought of that,¡± Rowan laughed. It was both a girlish sort of giggle and malicious laughter that made the hairs on the back of everyone¡¯s arms stand on end. ¡°And you¡­¡± her cold gaze snapped on Kazem. ¡°What else did you do?¡± The Damascan flinched at the sight of those crimson irises. ¡°This mother may have woken, but weakened from long captivity as she was, she should have little power remaining to herself. A year would not have been enough to strengthen her hold on this vast woodland realm or enthrall weargs in service to another god¡­not without a host,¡± Rowan spoke with the breath of experience. Kazem paled. To Bram, it was clear from the shame on the Damascan¡¯s face that Rowan had read him like an open book. Indeed, he too had been curious about another mystery. Throughout Kazem¡¯s lamentable tale, not once did he mention his coven master. And now, Bram had an inkling of what might have happened to her. ¡°It is as you¡¯ve guessed¡­¡± Kazem¡¯s fists unclenched. ¡°¡­The spirit had awoken but could do little¡­and even though she tricked us, we did not think her evil.¡± ¡°Why not?¡± Hajime asked. ¡°Because she told us her story, of how she¡¯d been betrayed by love, violated because of love, and then imprisoned for her love,¡± Kazem said, sighing afterward. Bram and Ravi glanced at each other. Recognition flashed on both their faces. ¡°And¡­because she showed us a way to stop our visions from coming to past¡­¡± Kazem¡¯s hands clenched once more. ¡°To join with her and wield her power over the forest so we might save Lotharin from what was to come¡­ Such a feat would make our coven the greatest in all the land.¡± ¡°Your master agreed to be the spirit¡¯s host, and with the body of a powerful sorcerer under her control, she¡¯s become an unruly thing¡­¡± Bram, who¡¯d been listening quietly, couldn¡¯t help speaking out now with ridicule in his voice. ¡°The weargs were broken with hunger they cannot control, but you were bewitched because of your desires.¡± Kazem lowered his head in shame. Even Ravi, who¡¯d remained behind to look after their home, couldn¡¯t help but look embarrassed. ¡°What of the young ones?¡± Ravi asked. ¡°What part have they been forced to play?¡± ¡°They serve Mother like we serve her, but in a very different way.¡± Scarfang looked suddenly uncomfortable. ¡°She hungers for many things¡­and they fulfill her needs.¡± ¡°Holy shit,¡± Bridget whispered. ¡°Eh?¡± Hajime glanced sideways at her. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Bridget-san?¡± Bridget leaned in to whisper something into Hajime¡¯s ear, causing his face to flush crimson. In his time of feigned debauchery, Bram was a frequent guest of the ladies of the ¡®Pillow Court¡¯ in the capital. So, he wasn¡¯t ignorant of what Bridget must have told Hajime, because he also assumed this was what Scarfang meant. If true, then ¡®Mother¡¯ seemed far too curious for a spirit. First was hunger, then greed, and perhaps anger too. If she was driven by lust as well, then Bram assumed she would indulge in all seven ¡®Great Evils¡¯ unless they stopped her. A hand clasped around his. Bram glanced sideways at Rowan who had lost the anger that had marred her face throughout this fireside chat. She was smiling impishly at him now, and he suddenly recalled that she could sense his emotions. Under her playful gaze, the prince¡¯s cheeks flared the color of apples. ¡°Ahem,¡± Bram cleared his throat, desperate to change topics, ¡°our path forward is clear.¡± ¡°Indeed,¡± Still smiling, Rowan put down her teacup, ¡°I would meet with this indulgent spirit who thinks herself a trickster.¡± Kazem looked at them with surprise. ¡°Y-You want to meet Mother?¡± Chris spoke for everyone when he said, ¡°That was our quest, ain¡¯t it?¡± One by one, each member of the party nodded¡ªeven Ravi. ¡°Then¡­¡± Kazem bowed so low his head hit the dais floor. ¡°Please¡­save the young ones. Our master too, if you can. Please¡­¡± They all heard it then, the chime of resolution encroaching in their ears.
ALERT! The Quest [Save the Master, Save the World] has been updated.
Chapter 32: Mother of the Forest Note: There is some nudity in this chapter. Not to be distasteful but to properly depict the significance of the scenario. CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO Mother of the Forest
URGENT QUEST: Save the Master, Save the World!
UPDATED QUEST DETAILS: The master of the Coven of Stargazers has been possessed by the corrupted spirit of the Red Forest. Free her from possession by exorcising the spirit whose warped mind has created an imbalance in the nature of the woodland realm.
¡°Alright, I¡¯ll say it, this quest system¡¯s mighty intuitive.¡± Chris was looking at the blue window floating mere feet from his face. ¡°We didn¡¯t make it this way, did we?¡±
QUEST REWARD: Earn the loyalty of the [Coven of Stargazers], ensuring that the great undertaking will have enough summoners to begin alpha testing procedures], [Earn the loyalty of the [Flametail Tribe], forming a new alliance with a powerful force inside the Red Forest.], [Gain control of the dungeon [Red Ruin].], [Chance to earn a rare job license with the help of the [Flametail Tribe].
¡°¨©e, ¨©e,¡± Hajime waved his hand in front of his face. ¡°All we did was fine-tune what the Loom can already do.¡± ¡°Making sure our people could understand its interface. Everything else is the Loom¡¯s doing,¡± Bridget chimed in.
BONUS QUEST DETAILS: Rescue the seven surviving members of the [Coven of Stargazers] under the spirit¡¯s thrall to earn better rewards.
Rowan looked curiously at the screen, ¡°¡®Tis a strange sort of sorcery with insight to rival even She Who Knows.¡±
ALERT! Rewards will lessen with each Stargazer who dies. You risk losing the loyalty of the coven if all seven are killed during the rescue.
Ravi, whom the others had shared the notification with, asked, ¡°What do you think it says about the one from whose mind this system was born?¡± All gazes drifted to the prince. ¡°You¡¯re all looking at the wrong person¡­ As Hajime calls it, I¡¯m also,¡± his face turned contemplative for a second, ¡°a noob when it comes to the Loom.¡± Chuckles and giggles spread around the party, briefly lighting up the gloomy atmosphere permeating the chamber. Of course, neither Scarfang nor Kazem could relate to the conversation, but they were surprisingly patient in waiting for the banter to die down before they chose to interrupt. ¡°Are you going to where Mother waits?¡± Scarfang asked. Bram nodded. ¡°Will you join us?¡± Scarfang shook his head. ¡°We would become enemies once again should Mother will it¡­ Better that we stay behind and¡ª¡± ¡®Boom!¡¯ The hall shook violently, causing bits of debris to fall on the party¡¯s heads. When the shaking stopped, wary gazes turned toward the staircase. Just in time, a tall woman with reddish skin and braided hair arrived from below. Her young face was flushed, her amber eyes wide and anxious, when she yelled, ¡°Enemies at the entrance!¡± ¡°I expected them sooner¡­¡± With a low growl escaping his lips, Scarfang rose to his full height. ¡°They took too long to regain their nerve.¡± Bram stood to his full height too, and, though not as large as Scarfang, the prince still cut an impressive figure standing there with his wide shoulders and dark silhouette set against the harsh light of the hearth burning behind him. ¡°Greed can give even a man as cowardly as Alaric von Galen a bit of courage¡­¡± Bram¡¯s right hand balled into a fist. ¡°They think they¡¯re here to plunder treasure, but they don¡¯t know what they¡¯re walking into.¡± ¡°We will show them,¡± Scarfang promised. ¡°Aye,¡± Bram agreed. The prince made to step forward, but the wearg leader stopped him. ¡°My tribe will see to our visitors. Your task lies further in¡­¡± ¡°Can you manage?¡± ¡°We may have been at a disadvantage outside,¡± Scarfang raised his hand, and sharp, inch-long nails popped out of his fingers, ¡°but inside the temple, there are no skyships to attack us from above.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll deal with the spirit for you.¡± ¡°If you can free us of Mother¡¯s collar, then we can discuss an alliance.¡± Once more, Bram marveled at how intuitive the Loom was because it had already foreseen how the Flametail tribe would react should their quest be successful. ¡°Fair warning¡­ Alaric von Galen may be a fool, but his soldiers aren¡¯t.¡± Scarfang and Bram eyed each other, and though neither man had cause to trust the other, a look of faith passed between them. With this silent pact made, the wearg leader hurried down the staircase, and all his tribe followed. ¡°I pity the idiots that have to go up against that fella,¡± Chris thought aloud. ¡°Hai,¡± Hajime agreed, his gaze wary. That wary gaze of Hajime¡¯s drifted to the far side of the chamber where another arch could be found. Two bowed trees served as an awning for an entryway that was little more than a hole large enough for Bram to fit through. ¡°It¡¯s our turn next¡­¡± Hajime let out a breath. ¡°We can do this.¡± He glanced sideways at Bram. ¡°We can do this,¡± Hajime repeated, sounding less certain now. ¡°Right?¡± Despite the hearth warming their bodies, simply staring into that hole at the end of the chamber made him shiver. He couldn¡¯t help it. A malevolence leaked out of that hole like an ill wind on a mountaintop that even the goddess¡¯ hearth couldn¡¯t fully banish.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. ¡°We will,¡± Bram assured him. ¡°It¡¯s do-or-die time¡­ We¡¯re very familiar with those,¡± Bridget chimed in. ¡°Isn¡¯t that right, boys?¡± ¡°Crunch time¡¯s how we roll,¡± Chris chuckled. Hajime sighed. ¡°Please don¡¯t remind me, Bridget-san¡­¡± While the three otherworlders relieved their tension through recollections of painful memories, the prince turned to Ravi and Kazem. ¡°Will you be joining the fight?¡± ¡°I will,¡± Ravi answered, glancing sideways at his fellow sorcerer and adding, ¡°but Kazem won¡¯t.¡± The Damascan bowed his head. ¡°Like the weargs, I too cannot escape Mother¡¯s influence¡­but I can help give you the time you need to save my coven.¡± He clasped hands with Bram. ¡°Save them,¡± Kazem pleaded. With his partings given, the old sorcerer turned his back on the party and began limping down the staircase to help the Flametail tribe fight against the intruders. Bram watched the Damascan go with a furrowed brow. ¡°Your coven were fools to think they could stop the coming conflict,¡± he told Ravi. ¡°Even without the unrest in Rhyneland, there¡¯s never been a game of succession that hasn¡¯t been bloody¡­¡± ¡°We realized it too, the reason for our visions¡­ Yet we still chose to try and do something about it¡­ If that makes us fools, then¡­¡± Ravi looked determinedly at Bram. ¡°I would rather be one among fools than a man who does nothing while knowing the tragedy that¡¯s coming.¡± Bram laughed. He couldn¡¯t help it. ¡°Me too,¡± he said, still chuckling. He let the laughter pass before adding, ¡°Let¡¯s go prove your coven was right to try.¡± Ravi bowed his head. ¡°Thank you.¡± It wasn¡¯t just the vice master. Everyone was encouraged by the prince¡¯s words because they knew he meant it. And, with determination, they followed Bram into the hole leading deeper into the Red Ruins. The trip down the narrow passage was quick, though even with the calming aroma wafting out of the sage torches, a feeling of trepidation still washed over them. Except for Rowan, they were all visibly nervous. They knew what lay ahead, a creature that Hajime dubbed a ¡®Dungeon Boss.¡¯ ¡°She used the Stargazers¡¯ fear of possibility to manipulate their actions, drawing them to her like moths to a flame so they would set her free¡­ This spirit is a devious one,¡± Rowan concluded. ¡°I cannot help but admire her. She has¡­¡± She tapped Chris on the shoulder. ¡°What do you call it again?¡± ¡°Cojones,¡± the Texan answered. ¡°Spunk?¡± Bridget chimed in. ¡°Guts,¡± Hajime added. ¡°Yes, she has all of that,¡± Rowan agreed. ¡°Um,¡± Hajime glanced sideways, ¡°you sound like you know her, Rowan-sama.¡± ¡°I do now. So do you.¡± ¡°Eh?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve already heard her tale¡­ Don¡¯t you remember?¡± ¡°W-When?¡± ¡°From the song¡­Loveless.¡± ¡°Eh¡­?¡± Hajime recalled the song he¡¯d heard on Ravi¡¯s sonusgraph a week ago; the one about the nymph who¡¯d been loved by a goddess who later spurned her after she¡¯d been raped by that goddess¡¯ husband, another god who¡¯d been jealous of his wife¡¯s lover. ¡°Ee~~eh?!¡± ¡°Wait a minute,¡± Bridget, while ignoring Hajime¡¯s outburst, raised her hand to ask, ¡°How did you come to that conclusion?¡± ¡°The old sorcerer told us the spirit¡¯s tale,¡± Rowan reminded her. ¡°¡®Tis the same story as the one in the song.¡± Bridget¡¯s face flashed with sudden realization. ¡°If that¡¯s true, then the goddess in the story would be Brigid.¡± Considering who this temple belonged to, her guess was likely true. ¡°But who was Brigid¡¯s husband?¡± she asked. ¡°Arawn, God of the Wilds and the Hunt,¡± Ravi answered from his spot at the rear. ¡°Also known as the Father of Weargs,¡± Bram weighed in. ¡°Then¡­was Arawn the one who sent the Flametail tribe¡¯s ancestors to guard the Red Ruin?¡± Bridget asked. ¡°Naturally. Arawn is the pettiest of the gods,¡± Rowan scoffed, adding, ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be enough for that nasty little fawn to violate the nymph who stole his wife¡¯s heart. He would have wanted to keep her imprisoned in this temple where their love bloomed, turning it from a place of fond memories into a prison of misery and betrayal¡­¡± ¡°From how they speak of her, the connection between the nymph and Scarfang¡¯s tribe seems deeper than a prisoner and her jailors,¡± Bram added. Rowan nodded. ¡°More than likely, these weargs¡¯ ancestors are the tainted fruit born from Arawn ravishing the nymph.¡± ¡°Sweet Christmas¡­¡± Chris, who¡¯d led the way this time, cut down a thick group of vines hanging down from the wall to block their way. ¡°No wonder their mother went all cuckoo.¡± No one said it aloud, but they were all beginning to sympathize with the nymph who¡¯d become the deranged mother of the Red Ruin, although no amount of sympathy would sway their hand. The quest rewards were just too valuable. Besides¡­ ¡°It would be mercy to put her out of her misery,¡± Bram insisted. ¡°Yes,¡± Rowan replied darkly. ¡°Can you separate the nymph¡¯s spirit from¡­¡± Bram¡¯s gaze drifted to Ravi. ¡°What was your master¡¯s name again?¡± ¡°Wilhelmina Weiss¡­our Master Mina,¡± Ravi answered just before he repeated Bram¡¯s question to Rowan. ¡°Is it possible to save her¡­?¡± ¡°I could perform an exorcism¡­though weakened as I am, it will require my full attention,¡± she answered. ¡°So, we can¡¯t expect you to one-shot Mother for us,¡± Bridget guessed. ¡°You don¡¯t need me,¡± Rowan assured her. ¡°You have all shown excellent growth during this adventure. A mad nymph shouldn¡¯t prove too difficult a challenge.¡± She flashed her companions with an impish smile. ¡°You can always come back if you die. Indeed, it might be better if one of you did die. Then we could begin studying the aftereffects of an Earther dying on Aarde,¡± she teased. ¡°Rowan-sama¡­¡± Hajime¡¯s grip tightened on his wand. ¡°I¡¯m not planning on dying today.¡± ¡°Nor I.¡± As he said this, Bram¡¯s fingers tightened around the hilt of his longsword. ¡°We¡¯re here. Be vigilant¡­¡± The path cleared ahead of them, sending the party into a second hall that was less than half the size of the earlier one. They didn¡¯t need another ¡®Sunlight¡¯ spell here. There was enough light filtering in through the cracks in the ceiling for them to see. Twin rows of tall red pines dominated the rectangular space, their tips brushing against the vaulted ceiling whose fresco depicting a goddess¡¯ achievements with a hammer and thread was barely recognizable. Between these rows of pines was a carpet of moss and fallen leaves leading to the end of the hall where a red pine stood. One so large its top broke past the ceiling, through the temple¡¯s roof, and into the open air beyond. The red pine¡¯s roots were abnormally thick and gnarly. They spread out like long tentacles snaking across the stone floor. Lounging on these roots, with their naked flesh exposed to the elements, were seven young men and women, each one looking no older than Bram. Emotion filled Ravi¡¯s voice when he spoke. ¡°What depravity has been done to them¡­?¡± The young sorcerers all shared the same expression of bliss. Bridget¡¯s brow knotted together. ¡°It looks like they¡¯ve been drugged.¡± Bram didn¡¯t think she was wrong this time either. For the prince, the sight of these young sorcerers reminded him of the seedy drug dens in the capital that he used to frequent. He¡¯d never partaken of the ¡®Milk of the Poppy¡¯ himself for he only used such dens as places to secretly meet with the masters who trained him in his martial studies, but Bram had never forgotten the serene faces of those drug-addled youths who¡¯d wasted away their time and lives in pursuit of false happiness. Surprisingly, apart from their dull expressions, the young sorcerers seemed unharmed. With their bodies out in full display, Bram could see no sign of malnutrition. It made him wonder about what ¡®Mother¡¯ could have been feeding them. A moment later, he would know the answer to his question. Glancing to his right, the prince noticed something odd at the base of the red pine closest to him. The tree had grown out of something lying on the ground. It took him a second more to realize that this ¡®something¡¯ was someone¡¯s corpse. More importantly, this corpse seemed freshly made. It also wore the same leather jacket worn by von Galen¡¯s soldiers. There wasn¡¯t just one corpse either. Nor did the dead only lie underneath the pines. There were many corpses in various states of decay scattered across this hall. ¡°It¡¯s like a lion¡¯s den,¡± Chris whispered. Behind the Texan, Hajime bent over and vomited his rations onto the floor. Bridget was quick to help him straighten up though she also looked paler than usual. That¡¯s when the laughter started. Unlike Rowan¡¯s playful giggle, this was a malicious and contemptuous sound that brought all sorts of strange desires to the forefront of everyone¡¯s minds. The party¡¯s gazes turned to the base of the tallest red pine. They saw nothing at first, but then, as if carried by a breeze, a host of leaves rose from the ground to form a shape that was both sensuous and otherworldly to all who saw her. Her skin, unmarked by age or blemish was a pale green hue, though her long hair was of a similar shade to the canopy of red needles above. She had a handsome face; curved eyebrows over almond-shaped eyes possessed of an emerald glow, a short pointy nose, and dark green lips. ¡°Y¨­kai,¡± Hajime whispered in a tone that lacked the fear he¡¯d had when he met Rowan. He wasn¡¯t the only one affected by her appearance. Regardless of gender, all of them felt a sudden burning desire while they looked at her. Even Rowan. ¡°Master Mina¡­¡± Ravi¡¯s voice dripped with disbelief. ¡°I-Is that truly you¡­?¡± The nymph who sat on a thick root was tall with ample breasts nestling over a flat stomach. Her long, slender legs were parted in a rather vulgar way, easily revealing her womanhood to her visitors. ¡°I think she¡¯s, um,¡± Chris cleared his throat, ¡°um, trying to seduce us¡­¡± The nymph bit her lower lip while she smiled, and the party couldn¡¯t help wanting to smile back. Surprisingly, only Bram seemed unfazed. Inwardly, his desire for this wanton creature was at war with the simmering rage ever-present at the edge of his consciousness which he¡¯d often hidden underneath the guise of a fool. It was an anger that refused to bend even in the presence of such carnal desire. Though perhaps it helped that Bram seemed already beholden to another. He wasn¡¯t certain. He only knew that this nymph couldn¡¯t hold a candle to the redhead standing at his side. More than his rage, it was his thoughts of Rowan that kept the nymph from mesmerizing him. As if she heard his thoughts, Rowan laughed out loud. This caused the nymph¡¯s smile to waver. ¡°Go on, My Prince.¡± She pressed her hand against his back and pushed him gently forward. ¡°Show her that there are mortals on Aarde who aren¡¯t crushed by the weight of destiny¡¯s boot.¡± With her encouragement, Bram strode forward and said, ¡°Spirit of the Forest ¡ª Mother ¡ª we¡¯ve come to bargain.¡± Chapter 33: Loveless Note: The new title wasn''t working out, so we''re returning the original title of ''The Greatest Trick Ever Sold'' CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE Loveless
A pair of softly glowing green eyes fixed on Atlan¡¯s seventh prince. They lacked the warmth the nymph had shown when she first appeared, but Bram wasn¡¯t overly concerned. He¡¯d been the subject of icy glares all his life and knew how to return one with equal venom. She didn¡¯t reply to his proclamation of a bargain either, but Bram didn¡¯t mind this breach of etiquette. Ignoring him was a pastime enjoyed by most of the nobles in the Sovereign¡¯s court. Bram had learned to become numb to being overlooked. ¡°Maybe she didn¡¯t hear you,¡± Bridget whispered from behind. ¡°She heard me¡­ This is just how the great game is played.¡± ¡°So, it¡¯s a power move?¡± Bram nodded. Nobles attempting to subtly show their rivals who had the advantage was another favorite pastime in the Imperium, and this nymph with her haughty display was attempting to prove her dominance over the prince. Bram sighed inwardly. Recalling his dark past made him feel on edge, which wasn¡¯t good when in the middle of negotiations. ¡°Mother¡­¡± He quickly tamped down on his ill feelings, replacing them with a smile that could light up a room, one he¡¯d used often to make the ladies of the Pillow Court swoon. For this, he¡¯d learned from the Delightful Troupe, was a reliable way to deal with someone under the sway of the seven ¡®Great Evils¡¯ at the root of corrupted desire¡­irresistible charm. ¡°We¡¯ve come to bargain.¡± It wasn¡¯t just his voice which dripped with charm that caused the nymph¡¯s face to flush. Bram¡¯s looks were irresistible when he needed them to be. It¡¯s why she lost her icy glare, replaced instead by a wanton expression capped by the biting of her lower lip. Here was proof that she had no control over her desires. It was a weakness he could exploit. ¡°Sugoi,¡± Hajime whispered¡ªto which Chris added, ¡°Some guys just ooze sex appeal.¡± ¡°I prefer not to see that expression on Master Mina¡¯s face,¡± Ravi grumbled¡ªto which Bridget replied, ¡°I¡¯d probably have that face too if the prince smiled at me like that.¡± ¡°Eh, maji?¡± Hajime sounded conflicted¡ªprompting Chris to say, ¡°He¡¯s seventeen, Bridge.¡± ¡°And yet more manly than most thirty-year-olds I know,¡± Bridget countered. Bram ignored the banter. It was hard enough to keep his focus on this nymph, who, with every gesture¡ªthe shifting of her long legs, the stretching of her torso, the bouncing of her chest¡ªseemed intent on trying to seduce him. Thankfully, Bram only needed to shift his gaze to the Stargazers¡¯ young sorcerers to fuel his bubbling anger and shake off the nymph¡¯s attempts at breaching his mind with wanton thoughts. The nymph noticed where he was looking, though she seemed to misinterpret his defense strategy for interest. ¡°What have you come¡­to bargain with¡­?¡± asked a dreamy voice which hadn¡¯t come from the nymph¡¯s lips. A silver-haired, brown-skinned young woman rose from her seat on one of the thick roots. She was naked like the others, though she didn¡¯t show an ounce of shame while her bare flesh was exposed to the party. ¡°Alkaid¡­¡± Ravi¡¯s voice was strained. ¡°¡­What has this monster done to you?¡± The silver-haired woman, attractive by even Bram¡¯s standards, didn¡¯t reply. From how her glazed eyes passed over him, it didn¡¯t look like she recognized the vice master. ¡°Who is she?¡± Bram asked. ¡°She¡¯s Kazem¡¯s granddaughter,¡± Ravi answered, further explaining, ¡°Alkaid¡¯s a prodigy of the Divination Arts. We can¡¯t lose her to this spirit.¡± ¡°We won¡¯t,¡± Bram promised. ¡°You came¡­to bargain¡­¡± Though these halting words had come from Alkaid¡¯s lips, there was no doubt who she was speaking for. ¡°¡­For these children¡­?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Bram answered. This wasn¡¯t exactly true. He simply wanted to know if the mad nymph could be reasoned with, though he had every intention of putting her to the sword. Especially now as he watched her pull Alkaid¡¯s strings like an abusive puppeteer. ¡°I¡¯ve grown tired¡­of my lovers¡­¡± The young woman¡¯s hand came up to cup her left breast. ¡°Have you come¡­to love me in their place¡­?¡± Alkaid¡¯s other hand went up to caress her cheek. ¡°Will you¡­show me¡­love?¡± Despite the show, not a single member of Bram¡¯s party seemed moved. At least not in the way the nymph intended. ¡°Bakayar?,¡± Hajime growled. Instead of desire, they felt only pity for the young woman. ¡°First time since coming to Aarde that I wish I¡¯d brought my gun,¡± Chris weighed in. Instead of seeking pleasure, they sought justice against the one pulling on her strings. ¡°No matter how sad your backstory,¡± Bridget¡¯s eyes narrowed, ¡°taking it out on an innocent¡¯s just wrong¡­¡± Instead of sympathy for the puppeteer¡¯s tragic origins, they felt only repulsion for her corrupted nature. ¡°I do not consider myself an altruist,¡± Rowan spoke up, ¡°but even I feel disgusted by this display one should only expect from a god¡­¡± Ravi said nothing, but with the way blood leaked out of his fists, it was clear he too felt great rage at what was being done to his disciples. The nymph seemed unperturbed by their sudden hostility though. Her focus remained fixed on the prince who was the leader of this party. Only his words mattered¡ªand Bram didn¡¯t disappoint in bringing down the hammer. ¡°You speak of love¡­¡± There was a slight tremor in his voice. ¡°But this¡­¡± After carefully lowering his lute on the ground beside Rowan¡ªarguably the safest place to be in a fight¡ªBram aimed the tip of his sword at Alkaid. ¡°This isn¡¯t love¡­¡± Rage simmered inside him again, though it seemed tempered by compassion this time. ¡°It¡¯s a perversion ¡ª a corruption of love.¡± His blade shook slightly as its tip swiveled over to the nymph who sat so vulgarly on her root. ¡°You who were spurned by love, betrayed by love, forgotten by love,¡± though he too had known little about love in his short life, Bram¡¯s voice lacked sympathy for the scorned nymph, ¡°I rename you thus¡­Loveless. She who plays at love but can no longer know it¡­¡± Then there came a rumbling¡ªthe ground shaking in anger at Bram¡¯s words. How. Dare. You! The fel voice in the air now reverberated all around them. Know. Love! To Bram, it was like a thousand ants were suddenly crawling inside his head. From the way they trembled, his companions were experiencing the same.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Lost. My. Love! ¡°Holy shit!¡± Bridget covered her ears with shaky hands, but it did little to lessen the pain. ¡°It¡¯s like she¡¯s yelling¡­right into my brain!¡± Deceived. By. Love! ¡°She¡¯s making all our heads hurt!¡± Chris¡¯ face crunched up in pain. ¡°Hajime¡ª¡± Forgotten. By. Lo¡ª ¡°¡ªshut her up!¡± the Texan roared. ¡°Form into a fist¡­o rumbling earth,¡± Hajime chanted as loud as he could, ¡°and strike down my foe with hardened dirt!¡± Rock and Dirt flew up to form a large fist floating next to the tip of Hajime¡¯s wand. This fist seemed larger than any he had conjured before, glowing fiercely like an emerald jewel, and was seemingly fueled by Hajime¡¯s heightened emotions. ¡°Shatterstone!¡± The glowing, boulder-sized fist shot forward at tremendous speed¡ªand still missed its target. No, this time, Hajime¡¯s aim was spot-on. It was his spell that was made to miss. One of the thick roots of the great red pine rose to block ¡®Shatterstone¡¯ before it could strike at the nymph who now had a tag above her head.
Loveless
It was red¡ªa sign of great danger. Hajime¡¯s newly empowered ¡®Shatterstone¡¯ had such force that the collision between the fist and the root caused an explosion loud enough to drown out the rest of Loveless¡¯ whining while also serving as the signal for battle to begin. With Chris at his side, Bram darted forward. Their target was the silver-haired woman caught in the splash damage of Hajime¡¯s sorcery. A chunk of rock had smacked into the side of her head, and now she swayed like a marionette whose strings had fallen off. She blinked once, twice, and then a third time with awareness blossoming in her expression. ¡°W-What¡­?¡± She had lost her dreamy voice. In its place there was panic and confusion. Before Alkaid could scream, however, a mercenary¡¯s cloak fell on her shoulders, its folds covering her naked flesh. ¡°It¡¯s all right,¡± Bram spoke soothingly, ¡°we¡¯re here now.¡± Wariness remained on Alkaid¡¯s face. ¡°W-Who¡­are you?¡± ¡°We¡¯re pals of Ravi.¡± Chris, who had arrived a step after Bram, pointed a thumb over his shoulder. ¡°He¡¯s back over there.¡± Alkaid¡¯s gaze drifted past Chris, past Bridget who was notching an arrow to her bow¡ªthis one with a strangely bulbous tip¡ªpast Hajime who was conjuring a second ¡®Shatterstone¡¯ with his wand, and over to the blue-haired man who had a warm smile plastered on his face at seeing his disciple¡¯s gaze on him. ¡°Vice Master!¡± she yelled. ¡°Come to me!¡± Ravi motioned her over. ¡°Quickly!¡± She. Is. Mine! Loveless¡¯ fel voice set Bram¡¯s teeth on edge, though this voice lacked the strength it possessed before as if they were now hearing her through a wall that kept her dark influence at bay. Laughter filled the air, girlish and impish in the same breath. This is all the aid I can provide, came Rowan¡¯s voice to their minds. I must concentrate on the exorcism¡­ Bram glanced over his shoulder to discover a curious sight. At the other end of the hall, Rowan sat cross-legged in the air. Her eyes were closed while her lips moved as if she were busy chanting complicated incantations. ¡°We¡¯ll handle the rest,¡± he promised. No sooner did these words escape his lips when one of the other enthralled Stargazers¡ªa tan-skinned youth with tattoos covering his arms¡ªleaped toward Alkaid like a beast pouncing on its prey. Fortunately, his bare fists could only clash against Chris who had been prepared to block the youth¡¯s bull rush with his shield. ¡°No, Merak!¡± Alkaid screamed. The youth called Merak paid no attention to her for he seemed intent on pounding on Chris¡¯ shield without care for how bloody his knuckles would get. Chris grunted. ¡°It¡¯s like I¡¯m bullying a teenager!¡± ¡°These addled youths will tear at your flesh with their fingernails if you go easy on them!¡± Bram warned. ¡°Fair point!¡± Chris conceded. The Texan pushed the tan-skinned youth back with his shield, but Merak rushed at him again¡ªand he wasn¡¯t the only one. A second girl with pale blonde hair like Bram¡¯s and a figure more voluptuous than Alkaid¡¯s strode forward to try and trap Kazem¡¯s granddaughter in an embrace that would have dragged her back to Loveless¡¯ side. Fortunately for Alkaid, the prince stepped in before this came to pass. With his left arm extended, Bram charged forward and caught the second girl¡¯s neck in a ¡®Lotharian Clothesline¡¯ that knocked her to the ground. It may have been too harsh a wrestling move to wield against a drugged opponent, but Bram couldn¡¯t help being a little rough because he recognized her. ¡°You¡­¡± He¡¯d met her several times in the capital¡¯s gathering of young nobles; Phecda of House Asher, one of the granddaughters of the Dux of Acrae, and a girl who¡¯d once been considered a candidate for marriage to Atlan¡¯s seventh prince. ¡°So, this is where you ran away¡­¡± Though she wasn¡¯t to be the final choice of the Sovereign¡¯s advisors, Phecda didn¡¯t wait to learn her fate. Unwilling to accept the ¡®Ill-Fated Prince¡¯ as even a prospective husband, she escaped the machinations of the Sovereign¡¯s court by joining a sorcerer¡¯s coven, one that was said to be based far away from the Imperium¡¯s capital. ¡°Strange that I would run into you now¡­¡± Their paths had split two years ago, and he never cared much for her, but Bram couldn¡¯t help feeling the sting of Phecda¡¯s rejection even now. This young woman who lay groaning on the ground served as a reminder of his past failings. ¡°Boss!¡± Chris yelled, drawing Bram out of his reflections. The Texan had just finished bashing the side of Merak¡¯s face with the front of his shield, but the enthralled youth, desperate to perform his duty, clung to Chris¡¯ leg and wouldn¡¯t let go. ¡°Y¡¯all got incoming!¡± the Texan warned. Bram turned to his left just in time to see a fourth Stargazer¡ªa tall, dark-skinned man with a rugged figure, his mane of unkempt curls framing a fierce-looking face¡ªcharge at him with reckless abandon. ¡°Dubhe,¡± Alkaid called, ¡°stop, please!¡± Bram had become so distracted by Phecda¡¯s appearance that he¡¯d allowed this next challenger to take his blind side. He would¡¯ve paid for his negligence with a savage blow to the face if an arrow with a bulbous tip hadn¡¯t smacked the man called Dubhe in the chest a step before he reached the prince. On impact, the arrow¡¯s bulbous tip exploded like a balloon, its powdery contents spilling into the air. ¡°No!¡± Alkaid screamed. Kazem¡¯s granddaughter, who¡¯d moved to help the groaning Phecda, now looked wide-eyed as a thick cloud of white powder enveloped Dubhe. Meanwhile, Bram, knowing that Bridget had just used her one and only ¡®Knockout Arrow¡¯ on the dark-skinned youth, dove down to shield both Alkaid and Phecda from the white cloud which he knew was made from an alchemic concoction derived from Milk of the Poppy, a drug that could cause a wide array of debilitating effects to one who imbibed its poison. Dubhe coughed, coughed some more, and then, with a moan and a groan, he toppled over, with his moaning continuing even as he lay writhing on the ground. ¡°What did you¡ª¡± ¡°He¡¯s only been drugged.¡± Bram¡¯s eyes fixed on her to convey his reassurance. ¡°It will pass.¡± ¡°A-Alkaid¡­?¡± Both Bram¡¯s and Alkaid¡¯s gazes snapped toward the young woman lying beneath them. ¡°Phecda!¡± Alkaid wrapped her arms around her friend. ¡°You¡¯re free of that monster!¡± ¡°I¡­ what¡¯s happened to¡ª¡± A pair of bright blue eyes widened at the sight of Bram hiding behind Alkaid¡¯s shoulder. She frowned. ¡°I¡­I know you¡­?¡± Bram¡¯s brow creased. ¡°Only in another life.¡± He rose to his feet while dragging both young women up with him. ¡°Go to where your vice master waits.¡± Bram stepped past Alkaid; his longsword drawn once more. ¡°We¡¯ll hold the line.¡± A brief look of gratitude, and then the silver-haired young woman was dragging her confused friend back to the hall¡¯s entrance. He hoped they would make it, although there were other threats near him now for Bram to worry about their safety. ¡°Hey, Boss,¡± Chris positioned himself behind Bram, ¡°I think we¡¯re outnumbered here¡­¡± The Texan had finally dealt with Merak, but now three more Stargazers were drawing close. ¡°If that last kid was any hint,¡± Chris let out a deep breath, ¡°then they¡¯re all stubborn son-of-a-guns who¡¯ll keep coming at us until we put their lights out¡­¡± The enthralled youths crawled on the ground like beasts, their limbs twitching with each step. Though disturbing to witness, the prince was thankful their brains were so addled that acting like beasts was all they could do. ¡°Look on the bright side.¡± Bram also took this time to steady his breathing. ¡°At least they¡¯re not wielding sorcery against us.¡± ¡°Thank the Almighty for small favors then,¡± Chris chuckled, adding, ¡°So, how do you wanna do this?¡± Bram adjusted his grip so that the flat of his longsword¡¯s blade was facing forward. ¡°Hitting them hard on the head seems to help break Loveless¡¯ hold on them.¡± ¡°Cognitive recalibration.¡± Chris hefted his shield. ¡°My new ability can help with that.¡± One of Bram¡¯s brows hitched upward. ¡°You¡¯ve learned something new¡­?¡± ¡°I kept slamming that other kid with my shield the same way and the Loom rewarded me with a¡ª¡± Their. Love. Is. Mine! At Loveless¡¯ cry, the youths attacked Bram and Chris like wild beasts¡ªand the duo dealt with them as if they were the beasts of the Red Forest, matching their savagery with savagery. ¡°Sorry, Bud!¡± Chris apologized when he rushed at a blue-haired boy. ¡°Shield ¡ª Bash!¡± A little envious, Bram watched the telltale sparks of sorcery envelop Chris¡¯ shield, causing a coating of magical energy to wrap around its front. With his shield glowing with soft starlight, Chris bludgeoned the young Shamvalan once, twice, and then a third time to ensure that he would crumble to his knees, leaving him vulnerable to an attack from on high by the flat of Chris¡¯ sword. ¡°Wow, that was brutal¡­¡± Bridget had just arrived and zipped past Chris¡¯ left side. ¡°Didn¡¯t know you had it in you!¡± Chris was too busy fending off a new attack from a tan-skinned youth¡ªone who looked like a mirror image of the tattooed boy the Texan first defeated¡ªfor him to respond to Bridget¡¯s teasing. Unfortunately, his shield¡¯s light was already spent, and the now wheezing Chris could only grit his teeth while Merak¡¯s twin slammed his shoulder against the Texan¡¯s shield. ¡°Shatterstone!¡± A boulder-sized fist coated in an emerald aura struck Merak¡¯s twin in his shoulder. The force sent the young man hurtling right into the path of Bram, who, using his longsword¡¯s pommel, delivered a crushing blow to the back of his head akin to a hammer striking a nail. Merak¡¯s twin toppled face-first onto the ground, and he didn¡¯t rise again. Bram then flashed Chris a smug grin as if to say he didn¡¯t need a new ability to render an enemy unconscious. Nor was he out of breath like the Texan was. Chris caught the look, and he could only grin back. ¡°You¡¯ve got higher¡­strength than me,¡± the Texan reasoned. ¡°I¡¯ll catch up¡­so¡ª¡± ¡°Yatta!¡± Hajime yelled excitedly, oblivious to the friendly rivalry blossoming around him. ¡°Nice assist!¡± The arcane novice arrived to help, but Hajime came too late. Bridget had just used the strings of her short bow to strangle the last of the seven young sorcerers. This pale-skinned girl with plaited dark hair fell to the floor with spit bubbling at the corners of her mouth. ¡°That was¡­oddly satisfying,¡± said a breathless Bridget. ¡°And she¡­called me brutal,¡± Chris half-chuckled, half-wheezed. The otherworlders resumed their playful banter¡ªwhat Rowan once claimed had been their way of coping with stress¡ªbut Bram had already tuned them out because he noticed something that demanded his full attention. With his gaze darting left and right, the prince caught the movement of every creeping vine, every tree root, and every leaf rising from the ground moving suspiciously toward the party¡¯s position in the middle of the hall. ¡°Phoebus¡¯ cock¡­the forest inside this place¡­¡± The hand holding Bram¡¯s sword shook with fear. ¡°They¡¯re all part of Loveless¡­and we walked right into the bosom of her trap¡­¡± Chapter 34: Clash of Wills Note: I mentioned this on the Discord server, so I''m sorry if it''s late here on RR, but I will be changing the posting schedule starting this chapter. New schedule will be M-W-F-Sat or Sun. The time is meant to ensure I continue giving you guys quality work without rushing the story. Thank you for understanding. But, if you want to read advanced chapters, you can find 51 chapters out now on Patreon. CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR Clash of Wills
With her thralls defeated, the mad nymph sitting so vulgarly on her thick root finally rose to her feet. Gone was the playfulness she¡¯d expressed when they arrived. In its place was a hostility that flowed off her in waves that seemingly caused the hall to tremble¡­and with her wrath came the marching of the forest. Tangled vines thick as pythons slithered across the ground in search of prey. The twin rows of pines¡ªthree to either side of the hall¡ªbegan to shake, their trunks transforming into crooked humanoid forms at least twenty feet tall. Leaves with sharpened tips flew into the air, carried aloft by an ill wind¡­ The sight of these terrors caused the party¡¯s banter to die down, forcing a foreboding chill to climb up their spines. ¡°Holy shit,¡± Bridget¡¯s gaze was fixed to the nearest tree monster, ¡°what are they?¡± As if it had been waiting for such a question, a new nametag appeared floating over the six tree giants.
Lesser Treant Formed of Corrupted Earth
Surprisingly, these lesser treants¡¯ tags were only yellow despite their size and menacing appearance. It didn¡¯t mean the party would have it easy though. After all, they were outnumbered and surrounded. ¡°Well, gang,¡± Chris let out a deep breath, ¡°some of us might experience our first deaths today¡­remember to take notes.¡± The Texan¡¯s gallows humor was proof he understood what Bram already knew; a single shield wouldn¡¯t be enough to block this tide of terrors. Fortunately for Chris, Rowan wasn¡¯t the only experienced sorcerer in their party. A flower with petals formed entirely of flames blossomed on a patch of ground between the party and Loveless¡¯ creeping flora. These petals spread open one by one, causing intense heat to sweep through this side of the hall to herald the fiery form waking within. The otherworldly creature was a scrawny-looking urchin with skin as bright as a roaring fire. Its long dark hair was styled in a topknot that twirled around its back in braided plaits. Curved ivory horns protruded out the sides of its head. The creature¡¯s eyes were black as a starless night sky, but the tattoos that slid down its cheeks to twirl around its chest and its arms shone like hot coals. Instead of legs, it had a smoky tail made from wispy vapor of a fiery tinge. ¡°Apologies for the delay, Your Highness,¡± said the creature who sounded too much like Ravi Samal. ¡°Summoning my djinn takes five minutes of painstaking calculations and prodding.¡± Noticing the pride in its voice, Bridget asked, ¡°Is five minutes good?¡± ¡°Five minutes is excellent,¡± the djinn replied, and then explained, ¡°A regular summoner would need at least twice the time and ingredients to summon a lesser spirit than this second-tier elemental¡­¡± Having experienced a long wait time summoning Earthers into Aarde, Bram couldn¡¯t refute the vice master¡¯s claim. His tension also diminished, though he was less in awe of Ravi¡¯s djinn and more reassured that he now had one more soldier to fight Loveless with. A quick look over his shoulder showed him an interesting sight. Ravi sat on the floor beneath the floating Rowan. Like her, he too seemed to be deep in concentration. Meanwhile, Alkaid and Phecda¡ªnow covered in matching traveler¡¯s cloaks¡ªstood guard around the two sorcerers focused on their spellcasting. ¡°You¡¯re in full control of it?¡± Bram asked. The djinn who¡¯d just finished absorbing the remnants of its flower nodded its head. ¡°This is easier than giving it commands that might conflict with yours¡­though I can¡¯t keep this summoning up for long.¡± ¡°Worry not, Vice Master¡­my command¡¯s simple.¡± Bram flashed the djinn a mischievous grin. ¡°Burn us a path to her.¡± ¡°It would be my absolute pleasure,¡± the djinn¡¯s tail wrapped its smoky tendrils protectively around the party, ¡°Your Highness.¡± The elemental cut its palm with a long-nailed finger. Hot blood gushed out of the wound to splash at the ground in fiery sparks. From there, blood stretched outward like molten veins stretching across the earth. Magic burst forth from these lines, turning the djinn¡¯s blood into rivers of lava that then exploded in sprays of fire, molten rock, and ash reminiscent of a volcanic eruption. With the rising fire reflected in his gaze, Bram knew it was the perfect moment to prepare his next move. ¡°Emulate¡­¡± Meanwhile, the djinn displayed such control of its spell that not a single drop of its magic touched the party, or the unconscious Stargazers sprawled on the ground behind them. The same couldn¡¯t be said for the thick vines, lesser treants, and blades of leaves seeking to harm Ravi¡¯s companions. Loveless¡¯ minions burned at the touch of the djinn¡¯s sorcery, causing shrieks of pain to resound in the air alongside the smell of burning wood. ¡®Crackle.¡¯ The djinn¡¯s spell came and went like a lit match. One meant to start a fire in an overgrown forest. When it was done, the devastation was considerable. Not a single leaf or tendril survived in a round space roughly thirty feet in diameter. The stone floor was scorched and blackened with ash, ensuring no shrub or tree would grow there for a while. Ga~~ah! A mental scream resounded across Bram¡¯s brain as a familiar pain began to ignite inside of him. To his credit, the prince didn¡¯t pass out this time. Instead, he just gritted his teeth while his body was in agony. Fuck~~k!
ALERT! [Status Emulation Lv.1] was successful. Your status will temporarily be updated to reflect the boons earned from the target¡¯s data. Please wait while the system performs the necessary calculations¡­
Meanwhile, two of the six lesser treants caught fire. One was set ablaze, its entire body engulfed in flames. The other lost its arms to the fire. In terror, it turned on its heel and fled, colliding into a third lesser treant that caught fire thanks to its comrade¡¯s touch. The three who remained became frightened of the djinn and would not approach, leaving a path open for Bram¡¯s party to rush headlong at Loveless¡ªand that¡¯s exactly what they did. Rather, that¡¯s what the prince chose to do on his own.
ALERT! The system has finished its calculations. Your status has been temporarily updated.
Before he left though, Bram gave another simple command. ¡°Kill the treants¡­then follow after me.¡± One of Hajime¡¯s eyebrows hitched upward. ¡°You¡¯re going to fight her alone?!¡± ¡°We can¡¯t fight enemies¡­on two fronts,¡± Bram insisted, his voice strained. ¡°Besides, they¡¯re a part of her¡­ Killing them first might wound Loveless too.¡±
CONGRATULATIONS! A secondary job has been temporarily added to your status. You are now a [Blood Champion Lv.1]!
Bram had his back to them, so when he turned around, Hajime couldn¡¯t help but cringe away. ¡°Y- Y¨­kai¡­?¡± Bram knew that activating ¡®Status Emulation¡¯ would change his features just enough to make him seem less human, and he could already feel his muscles expanding underneath his padded jacket. He didn¡¯t think his change would warrant Hajime¡¯s fear though. ¡°Y¡¯all know you¡¯re crying tears of blood, right, Boss?¡± Chris explained. No, Bram didn¡¯t know that. Indeed, he only just now felt the stickiness falling on his cheeks. It shared a strange symmetry with the pain still coursing through him. ¡°His eyes are like Rowan¡¯s now,¡± Bridget chimed in. ¡°And his skin¡¯s gotten all sparkly too.¡± Bram didn¡¯t know this either. Though he recalled a hazy reflection of Rowan¡¯s true appearance when she¡¯d first risen from the abyss and assumed he would resemble her just a little when emulating her power. Fortunately for Bram, he had an excuse to escape their strange observations of his new form. ¡°Hurry to my side when you¡¯ve finished with the treants.¡± With his pain diminishing, relief filled Bram¡¯s expression. ¡°I can keep her entertained for two minutes¡­no more.¡± ¡°That¡¯s about as long as I can keep my djinn under control,¡± Ravi admitted. ¡°Rowan told me to tell you that hurting Loveless as much as possible may lower the spirit¡¯s resistance to the exorcism.¡±This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°That was my intention.¡± ¡°I know the fault of this possession lies with her, but please try not to maim or kill my master¡­¡± Through the djinn¡¯s mouth, Bram heard the plea in Ravi¡¯s voice. He gave the djinn a nod, and then he was off and running headlong into danger.
Becoming a [Blood Champion] fills you with power. Based on probability and threat assessment calculations, your physical attributes are temporarily tripled.
STRENGTH 66
DEXTERITY: 48
CONSTITUTION: 84
Bram hoped for more, but the Loom seemed to think Loveless¡¯ threat was merely at Baer¡¯s level.
ALERT! Your HP and SP have temporarily increased. [HP: 660] [SP: 840]
ALERT! Emulation will last for 2 minutes. Your body may receive penalties once it ends.
What should have taken him four times longer at a sprint, Bram achieved in ten seconds¡ªcrossing through the divide between them to reach the other end of the hall where the mad nymph stood in vigil.
WARNING! Your SP is rapidly depleting due to your body¡¯s incompatibility with [Blood Champion]. You will earn more fatigue with every action you take.
Bram let out a gasp. His leg muscles throbbed from the strain of his mad dash, though it was manageable enough that Bram remained standing while he faced the corrupted nymph glowering at him from above the thick root protruding a good fifteen feet off the ground. ¡°Hello there!¡± Bram wasted another precious second starting the breathing method he needed to sharpen the resolve in his heart. Loveless, on the other hand, seemed impatient to get things going. ¡°Have. You. Come. To. Love. Me¡­?¡± Surprisingly, even at the start of their deathmatch, her thoughts were still conflicted with desire. The changing expressions on her face¡ªangry one moment, happy the next, tear-jerking sadness besmirched by a wanton look¡ªwere proof of her madness. Although with all that she¡¯d been through, Bram couldn¡¯t deny that Loveless had a right to go mad. ¡°Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned¡­¡± He didn¡¯t mean to repeat those lines. They came out of him unbidden, though their effect was instantaneous. Like the snapping of fingers, Loveless¡¯ emotions shifted again. Fury showed on her face now. ¡°Why¡­? Why? Why?!¡± Her once handsome face turned grotesque and murderous. ¡°Why?! Why?! Why?!¡± Pity¡­ If Loveless were even a little penitent, Bram might have conscripted her to his cause just as he sought out the rebel trickster of legend. But no, this mad nymph was too unruly. ¡°Why won¡¯t you¡±¡ªthunder filled Loveless¡¯ voice, causing the ceiling to rattle¡ª¡°Love me?!¡± She flew down from her root with arms outstretched as if readying to hug him, though the sharp claws extending from her fingers told a different truth. ¡®Boom!¡¯ Bram heard Hajime¡¯s familiar cheer of ¡°Yatta!¡± from behind which he took as his cue. He chose not to wait for Loveless to crash into him. Instead, the prince kicked hard at the ground and used the force summoned from his borrowed strength to launch his body into the air. ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ The effort of his ¡®Kick-Off¡¯ caused pain to spike up his feet, one born from a broken toe or two. He managed to stifle it somewhat by recalling a lesson Ser Anthony used to drill into his head. To challenge a stronger foe is not the height of folly, but the perfect opportunity to surpass yourself¡­ ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ Bram pulled his longsword back, his fingers tightening on its handle¡­ You¡¯ll have one chance to prove your strength¡­to scream to the heavens ¡ª I am here! ¡­Readying his blade for that single chance¡­that one moment that could decide victory or defeat. So, strike the spark in your heart, and like a fireball igniting, draw the sword growing from its embers¡­ Loveless shrieked at him from above like a harpy diving in for the kill. Wield it with resolve and it shall become a blade without peer¡­ ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ ¡°¡­One that can cut the whole world!¡± Bram roared. They met mid-air, Loveless from above swinging sharp claws at his face, and Bram from below, his blade hurtling up at her. ¡®Ba-dump!¡¯ It was a clash that was his to lose for gravity was a strong boon to any attack that could harness its power. And yet, as steel met bone, each grinding against the other to send sparks flying, it wasn¡¯t steel that bent for it was steel empowered, not just by a fragment of a legendary trickster¡¯s strength, but with the determination of a daring young man seeking to change his fate. There was the sound of a blade slicing into bone, and then came the shriek of pain that heralded the blood splashing across Bram¡¯s nose. There goes my promise not to maim her host¡­ They landed back on the ground mere feet from each other, and Bram was quick to cut at the vines creeping at him from below before Loveless could trap him in their folds. Another shriek of pain. ¡°You!¡± Bram had just enough time to cut his left palm and coat his blade with his life¡¯s blood before Loveless lunged for him.
ALERT! You have successfully coated your longsword with [Iron Blood Lv.1]! A fourth of your remaining HP was consumed to activate this ability.
He was glad his gamble worked. He wasn¡¯t sure the system would allow it. But so long as he held his longsword, the Loom seemed willing to accept it as part of him.
[HP: 820/840] has dropped to [HP: 615/840]
The longsword¡¯s blade fortified with ¡®Iron Blood¡¯ collided with Loveless¡¯ fist, and the impact caused the air between them to explode outward. ¡°W-What?!¡± To Bram¡¯s surprise, his sword was blown back first. His surprise vanished though after he caught a glimpse of Loveless¡¯ fist and the hardened plates of bark newly coating it. Strangely, instead of feeling fear at seeing her power thwart his, Bram felt elation. Ser Anthony was right. To fight an opponent stronger than yourself could be an exhilarating experience. ¡°Again!¡± Bram dug his feet into the ground and pushed against the pressure threatening to blow him away. With his borrowed strength exploding into his sword arm, he swung his blade a third time and hacked at Loveless¡¯ hardened fist as it came at him. ¡®Boom!¡¯ Their next collision caused the ground to shake, the air to crackle, and even forced Bram back a step. Bits of hardened blood fell off his blade, requiring him to sacrifice more health to reapply its coating. More problematic for Bram was how badly his arm ached. His hand shook from the effort of holding his sword''s hilt. His resolve remained strong though, and it wasn¡¯t only because he was stubborn. From what his eyes could see, he wasn¡¯t the only one to suffer. Loveless¡¯ hands were a bloody mess. One was missing two fingers while the other had lost several of the hardened plates coating it, causing blood to spill from its torn flesh. It didn¡¯t seem like she minded the pain. Although, from the way she glared at him, Loveless seemed intent on gauging his eyes out¡ªand she would attempt exactly that a moment later. ¡°Fine¡­once more!¡± Though it would cost him another broken toe, Bram ground his right boot into the ground, and recalling Ser Anthony¡¯s advice, used his lower body to generate the power necessary for a single decisive blow. To enhance this deathblow even more, he gripped his longsword¡¯s hilt with both hands and swung it in a crescent arc at the incoming nymph. She met his slash with her claws, and despite hearing the crunching of bone against steel a second time, Bram knew he¡¯d lost this round¡¯s clash of wills. Though he¡¯d broken one of Loveless¡¯ hands, and possibly an entire arm too, she also broke his weapon so that a third of its blade was blown away. Sudden doubt flitted across Bram¡¯s face. He couldn¡¯t help it. Could he defeat her now when even a blade empowered with the might of a blood champion proved weaker? Damn¡­ Try as he might, he couldn¡¯t shake off the doubt. It slowed his reaction just enough for Loveless¡¯ other arm¡ªthe one whose hand lost two fingers¡ªto reach out for his neck like a noose. She would have caught him too if fortune hadn¡¯t shown its favor.
ALERT! The [Ring of Three Protections] senses the danger to its wielder. [Barrier] has been activated [1/3].
As Loveless¡¯ claws brushed against the skin of his neck, a bright golden aura wrapped around it like ghostly armor strong enough to withstand the mad nymph¡¯s rampage. More than blocking Loveless¡¯ attack, the ghostly armor around Bram¡¯s neck blew her back by shattering into hundreds of golden shards that pierced into her naked flesh like shrapnel. Loveless¡¯ pained shrieks filled the air. With his mouth agape, Bram noticed a familiar countdown.
15 Seconds¡­
¡°Phoebus¡¯ cock¡­¡± Anger filled his chest. Not for the mad nymph writhing in pain, but for himself for nearly giving in to despair. ¡®Boom!¡¯ An ungodly shriek had come from behind him too, and Bram guessed that the others must have finished killing off the last of Loveless¡¯ treants. Otherwise, the mad nymph wouldn¡¯t have elicited such a mournful cry in the same breath. Bram, you bloody fool ¡ª how can I surrender, when my companions are proving their worth? The safer choice would be to step back and wait for the others to regroup with him, but Bram didn¡¯t like the idea of needing to be rescued. He didn¡¯t like the thought of losing even more. So, instead of backing away, he charged right into Loveless¡¯ range. It was a gamble, for certain, but Bram renewed his trust in the Loom¡¯s power. More importantly, years of training in all kinds of martial studies have instilled in his body a sixth sense of danger. It was this ¡®Danger Sense¡¯ he turned to now to dodge Loveless¡¯ attempt to grab hold of him at the last second. With this feat achieved, he slipped past her outstretched arm, twirled around it, and managed to take the nymph¡¯s back. ¡°You want intimacy?¡± Twin arms enclosed around Loveless¡¯ waist. ¡°I¡¯ll give it to you¡­¡± He couldn¡¯t see her expression from his place behind her, but there was surprise flitting across the nymph¡¯s face. One that was quickly replaced by excitement. Clearly, Loveless misinterpreted Bram¡¯s intentions yet again. ¡°¡­Intimacy that¡¯ll leave you¡ªwith a bloodied face and ragged breath, Bram used up the last of his borrowed strength to lift her high¡ª¡°breathless!¡±
8 Seconds¡­
Only then did Loveless realize the danger, but her realization came too late. Bram was already flipping her over, sending Loveless slamming headfirst onto the hard stone floor with a ¡®Lotharian Suplex¡¯ meant to knock her down¡ªand it did. Chapter 35: For the Blood is the Life NOTE: There is brief mention of rape in this chapter. It¡¯s not overt or graphic but it is mentioned. I don¡¯t mean to offend anyone here, but this is part of Loveless¡¯ story, so it must be written. CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE For the Blood is the Life
6 Seconds¡­
The back of Loveless¡¯ head cracked hard against the ground, leaving her momentarily stunned.
5 Seconds¡­
With no time left, Bram didn¡¯t even bother to mount her. He thought she might even enjoy it if he tried. Instead, he glued himself to her back with arms tight around her waist¡­
4 Seconds¡­
¡­And then he pressed his lips to her neck. Loveless shivered at his touch but didn¡¯t stop him, and Bram guessed rightly that she couldn¡¯t. He deduced that knowing he meant her harm did nothing to stop the mad nymph¡¯s desire from overriding her common sense. She wanted him to do it¡ªand he obliged with fangs that pierced her flesh.
You have activated [Blood Drinking Lv.1].
Loveless moaned. So did Bram. Locked in an embrace of desire and death, he gave her what she craved¡­love. The kind that was all physical, though it would only last for three more seconds and end with her defeat, which didn¡¯t seem to matter. Bram didn¡¯t think Loveless cared about what Chris liked to call the scorecard. Not in this moment of fulfillment. She longed to be held, touched, and craved by one who wasn¡¯t under her thrall. While he desired the taste of her blood, to drain the nymph of her lifeforce, and weaken her so decisively that she might lose her power over her host¡­although that¡¯s not all Bram would steal from Loveless. He should have expected it because Rowan had said the words time and time again that they¡¯d been drilled into his head quite thoroughly. However, since his last victim had been a little lackluster, Bram was unprepared for the experience draining Loveless¡¯ blood would give him. For the blood is the life, came the familiar whisper. Bram could feel some of his wounds begin to stitch back together, although his attention was turned to something other than the draining of the mad nymph¡¯s blood. A flash of memory that didn¡¯t belong to him appeared in his mind¡¯s eye; a girl no older than the prince in a plain white robe and green girdle running through a grove of red pines, her wiry scarlet hair billowing in the wind behind her. She giggled as she ran, her bare feet barely touching the grass beneath her as if she were a gazelle in flight. ¡°Wait for me,¡± someone called. It was a woman¡¯s voice, strong yet soft, commanding yet pleading in the same breath. ¡°I cannot run as you do!¡± the voice complained. The girl glanced over her shoulder and flashed her pursuer with a playful smile. ¡°Catch me if you can!¡± ¡°Wait!¡± called the other. ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ Bram blinked and the vision was gone, though it seemed his mind had yet to fully wake from his dreaming for he found himself standing in the middle of a room whose walls, floor, and ceiling were painted in the dark crimson hue of blood. ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ The air here was hot and dry like the Gabi Desert at midday. ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ Where¡­? He blinked again, and the vision of the ¡®Red-Hot Room¡¯ vanished, replaced by another memory that wasn¡¯t his. Bram was on a riverbank bordering the edge of a grove of red pines. The trees were sparse here, though their tall canopies were wide enough to provide shade for the two women lying underneath. Oh¡­ They were locked in an intimate embrace, their naked bodies intertwined so completely that one couldn¡¯t tell whose limbs were whose. One was the redheaded girl from the earlier vision, though she looked older now, more like the nymph Bram had been fighting. The other woman, well, she was unlike any woman Bram had ever seen before. She was blonde and beautiful like the young ladies of the Sovereign¡¯s court, though the pretty features of her face were marred on one side by skin that was cracked and dry and reddening. The rest of her body fared no differently. One side of her was pristine, flawless, perfect in every way. The other half of her naked flesh was imperfect, scarred like she¡¯d been a victim of a fire. Bram knew who this woman was just like he knew who the redheaded girl was. He wanted to look away because it seemed wrong to watch the passion igniting between them. He couldn¡¯t though. Rather, the goddess wouldn¡¯t let him. They locked eyes, as if she who was just a piece of memory, could see the man intruding on her precious moment with her lover. You play a dangerous game, Princeling, whispered a voice in Bram¡¯s head. Her lips didn¡¯t move. No, they couldn¡¯t have. Those lips were pressed to the redhead¡¯s flesh. You can see me¡­? Bram¡¯s brow creased. How is this possible¡­? Time is not a river that flows in one direction. ¡®Tis more like a tapestry whose weaving continues with every second yet is also already finished in that same moment¡­a complete design and an unfinished work in the same breath.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Brigid¡¯s words gave Bram a headache. I don¡¯t understand¡­ I mean that time is relative to its observer, and we gods observe many things in far faster rhythms than the ticking clock. So¡­you¡¯re here observing this moment that¡¯s already past, in his mind, Bram¡¯s cogs began to turn, longing for knowledge no mortal possessed, ¡­but you¡¯re also in my present where this tapestry is already finished? The goddess in his vision was too busy with her young lover to smile at Bram, but the voice speaking to his brain almost sounded amused. You do seem wiser than your age¡­ Bram wasn¡¯t comforted by her praise. Even more, he didn¡¯t like the implications of his deductions. If one¡¯s tapestry was already completed, wouldn¡¯t that mean the future was predetermined? Who¡¯s to say if the finished work will remain the same at the end? Then¡­can one¡¯s fate be rewritten¡­? Perhaps, though I¡¯ve seen many mortals try and fail to do so¡­ ¡®Tis not an easy task, fighting against one¡¯s destiny. Hope fluttered inside Bram¡¯s chest. It was enough for him that the goddess couldn¡¯t give him a definitive answer. If changing one¡¯s fate was not strictly impossible, then he would make it possible. He heard amused laughter in his head. As I¡¯ve said, you play a dangerous game¡­ He guessed that she was about to explain the true reason for her intrusion of his intrusion into Loveless¡¯ memories. Why are you here? He assumed it had nothing to do with the nymph whose heart the goddess broke for he felt no anger from the voice who knew he was an intruder in this special moment. Do not trust her¡­ The goddess didn¡¯t need to say the name out loud for him to guess who she meant. You do not know her¡­not truly. Only what she pretends to be. He frowned. I know enough. No, you cannot¡­ There came another round of laughter. Less entertained and more ridiculing this time. She is a trickster. She lies. She steals. She betrays¡­ She cannot be trusted. Bram shook his head. She¡¯s not done these things to me¡­ Do not be fooled by her guise, Princeling. Her light is false¡­she will betray and abandon you in your hour of need. In his mind, the prince recalled the trickster¡¯s visage; her bright red hair slicked back and tied in a messy bun behind her head, the heart-shaped face that made men swoon to see, the crimson eyes that looked at him with understanding, the nose that widened at its tip wrinkling at the smell of cheap wine, and the red lips often set in an impish smile¡­ She won¡¯t betray me¡­ Bram¡¯s gaze drifted back to the two lovers locked in their heated moment, his eyes narrowing at seeing the happiness in a young Loveless¡¯ face. Hers was a pure smile that was already tainted in his time. You¡¯re the one who betrays¡­ Bram¡¯s hands balled into fists. You¡¯re the one who abandons¡­ He saw it clearly in his mind¡¯s eye; a vision of the nymph driven mad by love, and the memory of her madness was enough for Bram to push back against Brigid¡¯s presence. Unsurprisingly, the Goddess of Fire and Smithing didn¡¯t resist the prince¡¯s push of anger. More likely, she couldn¡¯t. For as Rowan once claimed, the gods were ineffectual without their champions. Be gone, Goddess. You¡¯ve no power here¡­ There came the sound of a roaring fire, the smell of burning flesh, and an angry whisper filled the prince¡¯s mind. Not so wise after all¡­ Bram blinked, and then he was back in the red-hot room. ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ It was a short visit, for within moments, he found himself an observer of a new memory, one far viler and more tragic than the misguided romance he¡¯d witnessed so far. He had returned to the final hall in Brigid¡¯s temple, though this version was far from the one the forest had claimed in his time. This version seemed to have been built only yesterday. However, it wasn¡¯t the gleaming trappings of wealth nor the glorious painting on the ceiling that held Bram¡¯s attention. For how could he enjoy this scenery of ancient wonder when Loveless¡¯ heart-wrenching wails filled his ears? A scene of great wickedness took place at the end of this hall, and though he longed to rush over and pry the beast off her, all Bram could do was look away. Like Brigid, he had no power in this memory whose weaving was already completed. Though the future might be rewritten, the past can¡¯t be changed¡­ Loveless¡¯ screams filled the air, and all Bram could do was weep for her. More than simply being a witness to her disgrace, he could feel what she felt¡ªthe shame, the fear, the anger¡ªthey washed over him, and his chest tightened with grief. Rowan was right¡­the gods are cruel. With this realization, Bram¡¯s time in Loveless¡¯ memories came to an end, and then his mind was rushing forward, moving past the red-hot room, out the door, and back into the present where he belonged. Strangely, not much time had passed since his visions began. Not much time at all.
ALERT! You¡¯ve absorbed enough blood to restore a fourth of your total HP. The injury in your right foot is only partially healed.
It seemed the goddess was truthful at least with her explanation of time; time was relative to the observer.
ALERT! The duration of [Status Emulation Lv.1] has ended.
ALERT! You are no longer a [Blood Champion]. Your status has reverted.
With his borrowed power gone, the hunger that overwhelmed Bram went with it. In its place was the kind of fatigue that gave one a nasty headache¡­and that wasn¡¯t all. The prince¡¯s eyes widened as the blood that had been so sweet to his tongue now made him want to gag. He didn¡¯t pull away from their embrace though because he knew better than to give up his advantage. More importantly, Bram didn¡¯t want to. His visions of Loveless¡¯ memories were still fresh in his mind, and he couldn¡¯t help but want to comfort her¡­at least for a short while. So, instead of pulling away, Bram forced the remaining blood down his mouth. He ignored the metallic taste sliding down his throat along with the fatigue that made his arms feel like they¡¯d been turned to stone, all so he could plant a kiss on the two small wounds he¡¯d given her neck. Once, twice, and then a third time. ¡°I know now why you could do the reprehensible things you¡¯ve done¡­¡± No, this was no simple act of comfort. For even now, the prince¡¯s brain couldn¡¯t help but turn its cogs. Even now, despite the sympathy he felt for her, Bram desired victory. ¡°It hurts less when you visit your pain onto others¡­ I know this too.¡± Throughout this exchange, Loveless quivered in Bram¡¯s arms. She didn¡¯t even try to fight him off, and he didn¡¯t think she would. The nymph had been taken with the prince from the moment they met, and he was giving himself to her just like she wanted. ¡°Mine.¡± Bram¡¯s right hand came up to her face, his fingers resting on her chin. In the same breath, his left hand slid from her waist so that he might prepare the instrument that would ensure his victory. ¡°My. Own.¡± With soft fingers, Bram drew Loveless¡¯ face toward his, and that¡¯s when he saw it. Gone was her wrath, her sorrow, her hunger, or her confusion. Her war of emotions was at an end for lust had decidedly triumphed. The sight of the wanton smile that had lost its innocence made his stomach churn for it was a distortion of the happiness he¡¯d witnessed in her memories. ¡°My. Pre¡ª¡± Bram pressed his lips to hers, and she accepted him without fighting. Theirs was not a chaste kiss. Nor was it short. The passion ignited between them while they were entwined on the ground underneath the canopy of the great red pine. It was the kind of fiery passion that sparked quite brightly but dwindled just as quickly¡ªand Loveless would once again taste betrayal as sharp as a jagged blade. ¡®Snikt.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Bram whispered. With everything he¡¯d been witness to, he knew what he¡¯d done was unforgivable. Not just for one who¡¯d been betrayed by love once already, but by his own conscience. This was why his hand shook as it held the broken sword that now pierced Loveless¡¯ side. ¡°Why¡­?¡± The hurt was clear in her expression. ¡°Because you¡¯re still my enemy¡­and there¡¯s no going back for us. Only forward.¡± With those words, he pulled his blade out¡ªand then he stabbed her a second time. Chapter 36: Save the Master, Save the World CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX Save the Master, Save the World
There came a shriek so twisted it rent Bram¡¯s heart to hear. It made him want to puke. For in his mind, Bram imagined he was no different from the two gods who had murdered Loveless¡¯ innocence. Murdering her physically was another matter entirely though. As he¡¯d observed from their earlier confrontation, the mad nymph¡¯s body was incredibly resilient to damage. Despite the near-lethal wounds he¡¯d dealt her, Loveless didn¡¯t seem near death at all. ¡°You!¡± Loveless¡¯ claws dug into Bram¡¯s arms. They rolled around on the ground while sharpened claws tore at his padded jacket so thoroughly that they raked against the flesh underneath. ¡°You!¡± Bram spat out blood, but he wouldn¡¯t yield. He couldn¡¯t. He had done the unforgivable thing and there was no turning back for him now. Again, he pulled his broken sword out of Loveless¡¯ side, and gambling that her host¡¯s body wouldn¡¯t die from another attack, stabbed her with its jagged blade a third time. This one was close enough to her chest that the mad nymph was forced to push him away. She kicked him so hard in the gut that Bram was sent careening back-first onto the wide trunk of the great red pine. ¡°Gaah!¡± He crashed onto the ground feeling breathless with pain climbing up his spine. ¡°No¡­¡± Notifications popped up around him, but Bram¡¯s brain was too addled to pay them heed. ¡°Not yet¡­¡± Through sheer force of will and stubbornness, the prince shrugged off the black spots hovering over his vision. He then rose back to his feet on shaky legs. ¡°I¡¯m not allowed¡­to surrender¡­¡± He reached for his sword, but it was gone. Lost in that last scuffle. Bram wouldn¡¯t need it right away, however, because he was no longer facing Loveless alone. ¡°Boss!¡± Chris called. Right on cue, Bram¡¯s legs gave out, forcing him to stumble right into them. ¡°I¡¯ve got him!¡± Hajime promised though it was clear that he struggled to keep the prince upright on his own. ¡°I-I¡¯ve¡­got¡­him!¡± ¡°Good!¡± Chris replied. With Hajime lending his shoulder to Bram, the Texan was free to stand guard in front of them. ¡°Bridge, get the first-aid kit!¡± he ordered, adding ¡°And hurry¡­she¡¯s limping our way!¡± Bridget arrived at Bram¡¯s other side with the red backpack they stashed their party supplies in. ¡°Ser Anthony promised this healing gel would let even a half-dead, idiotic teenager¡±¡ªshe slapped a red packet onto the most garish of Bram¡¯s wounds¡ª¡°running off on his own without backup survive his dumb decision and get back in the fight.¡± Her words were sharp like caltrops on bare feet because they possessed the sting of truth to them. ¡°Apologies,¡± Bram managed a wan smile, ¡°I wasn¡¯t thinking properly.¡± ¡°Obviously,¡± Bridget replied, though her anger waned quickly. ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re not dead¡­¡± ¡°That remains to be seen¡­¡± Bram glanced down. ¡°¡­Oh.¡± The mad nymph had done a number on his padded jacket. Its right side had been mostly ripped off him so that his chest was exposed to the elements. ¡°By the Loom,¡± Bridget whispered another catchphrase she¡¯d invented for the game, ¡°it¡¯s working!¡± The packet of red gel pressed against the torn flesh on Bram¡¯s right chest had already stopped the wound from bleeding. With the blood clot induced, the healing process began. Quick as a snapping of one¡¯s fingers, the wound stitched itself back together, closing into a red mass of scar tissue that would have taken a week to heal using conventional Earth treatments.
ALERT! With your chest injury healed, the [Bleeding] effect is diminished. Your HP has been restored to a third of its total.
HP: 94/280
¡°Sugoi,¡± Hajime said¡ªto which Bridget added, ¡°I thought Earth¡¯s medicines were better than Aarde¡¯s?¡± ¡°Only against diseases.¡± Bram peeled off the now dry packet from his chest. ¡°Be vigilant¡­she¡¯s here.¡± The mad nymph limped into view from just beyond Chris¡¯ shield. She looked as injured as Bram felt, with dark ichor dripping out of the many wounds he¡¯d dealt her. However, the fury in her expression told the prince that she was far from surrendering. On the other hand, the healing gel may have patched him up, but there were still plenty of wounds in his body to keep him feeling weakened. ¡°You.¡± Her voice seemed strained. It lacked the power she once displayed. ¡°You.¡± Her limbs twitched with every step as if it were a great struggle to move her host¡¯s body. ¡°Y¡ª¡± ¡°Z-Zombie!¡± Hajime pointed. He may have been the one who said it out loud, but everyone thought Hajime¡¯s comparison was spot on. Even Bram. Though the prince assumed this strangely familiar but otherworldly word of Hajime¡¯s was like the ¡®draugr¡¯ Ser Anthony used to warn a young Bram was the fate of bad children who skipped lessons. ¡°Dull boys who misbehave are kidnapped by dark sorcerers and turned into draugr by the blackest magics,¡± Ser Anthony once warned. The old knight would often tickle the little boy whenever he applied scare tactics to a young Bram. In hindsight, Bram¡¯s lack of fear for dark creatures like the ¡®Walking Dead¡¯ and ¡®Hex Hags¡¯ could be due to him enjoying Ser Anthony¡¯s horror stories a little too much. For such moments, though far and few in between, were core memories of warmth and joy for the ill-fated prince who rarely experienced such childhood whimsies. These days, Bram didn¡¯t fear most monsters, though he couldn¡¯t deny that seeing Loveless shuffling toward them while twitching uncontrollably was indeed a hair-raising sight. ¡°What the hell¡¯s wrong with her?¡± Bridget asked.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Laughter, both girlish and impish, filled the air, and that¡¯s when the party realized why their foe acted so strangely. The trickster¡¯s ritual must be working. ¡°Fee, fi, fo, fum,¡± a familiar voice resounded throughout the hall, ¡°I smell the blood of a bad little nymph¡­¡± Loveless¡¯ head jerked upward. ¡°Be she living¡­¡± In that instant, the nymph¡¯s madness left her. ¡°Or be she dead¡­¡± For madness was replaced by recognition¡­and fear. ¡°I¡¯ll grind her bones¡­¡± Rowan appeared next to the frightened Loveless as if she¡¯d been thrown out of the shadows on the floor. A malicious grin flashed on the trickster¡¯s face as her bloody hand shot forward to latch onto Loveless¡¯ brow. ¡°¡­and see her dead.¡± Terror¡ªthe kind Bram had witnessed only once before back when he¡¯d seen an assassin of the White Rose flee the redheaded maiden that had slain his fellow assassins¡ªwas now expressed on Loveless¡¯ face. ¡°I-It¡¯s y-you,¡± she whimpered. ¡°A-Ar¡ª¡± Rowan made a shushing sound just before crimson light flared out of her hand. This light spread out of her like a myriad of red threads that pierced into the nymph¡¯s body¡ªand then Loveless screamed. ¡°You should have aimed your ire on the gods who betrayed you¡­¡± Despite her voice being no more than a whisper, they could all hear Rowan over the din of Loveless¡¯ helpless screams. ¡°Yet you allowed yourself to be corrupted by those seven fools¡­¡± A great deal of blood spilled from the nymph¡¯s forehead. It spread down to cover her face. ¡°¡­and used your blessing to taint the minds of helpless children¡­¡± Blood washed over her entire body, covering it in a coating of dark crimson. ¡°To bend others to your will, to force yourself on them, to do to them what was done to you¡­¡± There was the barest hint of sadness in Rowan¡¯s voice. ¡°To act like the hated gods¡­this I cannot forgive.¡± As Rowan drew her hand back, the threads that were latched onto Loveless¡¯ body receded too, and then the blood that coated her form was violently ripped off her. ¡°Holy shit,¡± Bridget whispered. ¡°Ditto,¡± Chris agreed. The mass of blood that was torn off its body retained the form of the mad nymph. It struggled in Rowan¡¯s clutches, its hands wailing against the trickster¡¯s arm while its feet kicked in the air. It couldn¡¯t escape Rowan¡¯s hold though, for she held it aloft with a grip Bram recalled was as hard as steel. As for the body she¡¯d left behind, a change was beginning to show in it. For what was once flesh of a greenish hue was now turning back into the fair skin of a native-born of Lotharin. Her hair also lost its fiery tinge, replaced by long raven locks that lacked the supernatural luster they previously possessed. ¡°Guys,¡± Hajime called, ¡°I think she¡¯s no longer possessed.¡± The pale-faced woman had just enough strength to turn her head and offer the party a grateful smile before she fell to her knees in exhaustion. She would have crashed hard on the ground too if Chris and Bram hadn¡¯t jumped forward to catch her. ¡°Bridge!¡± The Texan yelled. ¡°We need the first-aid kit!¡± The blonde archer arrived a moment later with a blanket in her hands which she used to wrap around the pale-faced woman¡¯s naked body. ¡°Here¡­this should help.¡± Bridget gently placed three red packets onto the three bloody holes in the pale-faced woman¡¯s abdomen. ¡°The nymph did a real number on you too, huh¡­¡± Bram, who had the pale-faced woman wrapped in his arms, looked away in embarrassment. He didn¡¯t mean to wound her so savagely, but he¡¯d been caught in the heat of battle and whirling emotions. Thank June she didn¡¯t die from that¡­I gambled she wouldn¡¯t, but still¡­ A hand brushed against his arm, forcing Bram¡¯s gaze back onto the injured woman¡¯s pale face. She didn¡¯t yet have the strength to speak, but the clarity in her gaze was more than enough to convey her thanks. Bram shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s not over yet¡­¡± His gaze snapped back to the scene of Rowan subduing Loveless¡¯ spirit. The nymph still struggled against her, desperate to flee the trickster¡¯s touch, but Rowan held on while looking at ease. The way she smiled impishly at a foe he¡¯d had such trouble with sent pride swirling into Bram¡¯s chest. Indeed, he¡¯d found the perfect partner. There was no cause to believe the goddess¡¯ lies. ¡°Oh, very well¡­¡± Rowan sighed exaggeratedly. ¡°I shall give you a chance.¡± Her crimson gaze slid over to where Bram, Chris, Hajime, and Bridget watched. A taunting grin appeared on her face. It was the face of a true trickster. Seeing it made Bram frown. ¡°Perhaps she wasn¡¯t completely lying¡­¡± ¡°Who wasn¡¯t lying?¡± Hajime asked. Bram¡¯s frown only deepened. ¡°Wait for it¡­¡± It didn¡¯t take long for Rowan to express her intentions. ¡°You¡¯ve done admirably so far, but it''s not enough to subdue a nymph in human form. Not if we¡¯re to succeed in achieving all our goals¡­¡± Then it was Hajime¡¯s turn to frown. ¡°Eh¡­?¡± ¡°If you otherworlders are to be the backbone of our great undertaking,¡± Rowan let go of Loveless¡¯ spirit, ¡°should we not attempt a more challenging trial of your abilities?¡± It happened so quickly that all the party could do was watch in surprise as the spirit freed of the trickster¡¯s clutches fled toward the great red pine towering over one end of the hall. Loveless¡¯ spirit slipped into its trunk¡ªand then the ground began to shake much more violently than before. ¡°Rowan, how could you?!¡± Bridget protested. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I had to,¡± Rowan replied with a shrug. ¡°¡®Tis a matter of training.¡± There came a loud groaning¡ªthe sound of a great machine beginning to turn its cogs after a long time of neglect. Thick greenish miasma billowed out from the roots of the great red pine like the exhaust fumes from one of Earth¡¯s shiny auto-carriages.
ALERT! Poisonous [Miasma] is spreading through the air. Inhaling too much of it will render you with several possible status effects; [Low-grade Poison], [Fear], [Panic], [Paralysis], and [Confusion].
Chris looked annoyedly at the Loom¡¯s message. ¡°Talk about a revolting development¡­¡± ¡°We need to go,¡± Bridget warned. They¡¯d all backed away from the great red pine, though ten to fifteen yards suddenly didn¡¯t seem far enough. ¡°It¡¯s all right,¡± came a familiar voice. ¡°I¡¯ll handle this.¡± Ravi Samal strode forward, past Chris¡¯ shield, his steps carrying him closer to the thick miasma billowing toward them¡ªand he didn¡¯t arrive alone. Floating on Ravi¡¯s shoulder was a strange-looking creature; a winged, fluffy white beast with big doe eyes and a rotund, wrinkly face to match its small, chubby form. ¡°Y¡¯all have flying Frenchies over here?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s a French Bulldog, Chris¡­¡± ¡°Bridget-san¡¯s right. I can see it ¡ª the starlight wrapped around its body.¡± If they were impressed with its appearance, what Ravi¡¯s summon achieved next caused all their jaws to drop. Even Bram¡¯s. Just as the thick cloud of miasma reached the Shamvalan¡¯s front, the fluffy beast flapping its gossamer wings beside him opened its mouth wide and unleashed a breath of air so powerful that it blew the miasma away, scattering it so thoroughly that most of its thick cloud was forced to dissipate, leaving only the dregs obscuring the great red pine untouched.
ALERT! The poisonous [Miasma] was successfully neutralized. You are no longer in danger of being poisoned.
¡°It¡¯s not cheating.¡± Ravi glanced over his shoulder to look at Rowan. ¡°I too am a member of this party, and, with his highness¡¯ consent, shall become one of the backbones of the great undertaking.¡± All who heard him understood the deeper meaning of his words. Finally, Ravi Samal, Vice Master of the Coven of Stargazers, was ready to pledge himself to their cause. Bram glanced sideways at Rowan just in time to catch the smile that was quick to vanish, and he realized that this had been one of the reasons why she¡¯d set the nymph free¡ªparty unity. Once more, Bram marveled at her capacity for intrigue in a way that would delight even his masters in the Delightful Troupe. ¡°You¡¯re going to have to teach me how to think as you do one of these days,¡± Bram whispered. ¡°I¡¯ve been teaching you since we met,¡± she whispered back. As Ravi and his summon stepped back to where the others waited, the Shamvalan moved to grasp his master¡¯s hand. ¡°Master Mina¡­¡± Ravi¡¯s expression dripped with relief. ¡°I¡¯m sorry it took me so long to arrive¡­¡± ¡°I knew you would, Vice Master,¡± she replied in a raspy and strained voice. ¡°You¡¯ve made¡­interesting friends.¡± ¡°Yes, I know¡­ They¡¯re a very reliable bunch.¡± With that said, the Shamvalan faced the prince who held Master Mina in his arms and bowed his head. ¡°You¡¯ve kept your promise, Your Highness,¡± Ravi said in a tone of deep respect. ¡°Now I will keep mine.¡± ¡°Ravi-san,¡± Hajime whispered. The Japanese man wasn¡¯t the only one in his party who stared teary-eyed at the Shamvalan. Everyone, even the prince, looked like he might shed a tear. In Bram¡¯s defense, only one other Aarder had ever pledged true loyalty to him. Anyone other than Ser Anthony showing him such respect was a new experience for him. ¡°Raise your head, Vice Master,¡± Bram insisted. ¡°The fight¡¯s not over.¡± It didn¡¯t take long for the vestiges of miasma to settle, but when it did, the party witnessed something indescribable stepping out of the thick cloud. ¡°K-Kaiju!¡± Hajime yelled. She was still half-veiled in miasma, but they were all sufficiently terrified by the parts of her that were exposed to them. The nymph¡¯s final form was such a terror-inducing sight that even Rowan seemed impressed. ¡°Now you look like a proper challenge,¡± the trickster giggled. Somehow, despite her body formed from tree bark, Loveless mostly retained the form she¡¯d had when she possessed Master Mina. Only larger. Much larger. ¡°She must be twice the size of the treants we¡¯d wrestled,¡± Chris pointed out. Bram¡¯s gaze drifted past her long, slender legs, up to the ample breasts nestling over her flat stomach, and higher, toward the oversized head that now showed the nymph¡¯s true face. It was the horrible visage of a crooked hag who might have once been beautiful before she was cursed by a capricious god; a pair of deer antlers stuck out of red, needle-like hair framing a face darkened with a monster¡¯s ichor. ¡°Steel yourselves, my friends!¡± Bram roared. ¡°We¡¯ll kill her properly this time¡­¡± Chapter 37: The True Face of a Dungeon Boss Note: Merry Christmas to you all, my dear readers! CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN The True Face of a Dungeon Boss
¡°I¡¯ll take her,¡± Rowan insisted. ¡°You¡¯ll need both hands to fight, My Prince.¡± Bram wasn¡¯t sure how much fight he had left in him, but he passed Master Mina to the trickster anyway. Seeing the ease with which Rowan carried the taller woman in her arms made him wish he could still borrow that strength for this last round of battle. ¡°The children,¡± Ravi began, but Rowan cut him off with an assurance, ¡°No harm will come to them whilst I¡¯m here.¡± ¡°And my lute?¡± Bram asked next. He may have traded his bard¡¯s guise for the warrior¡¯s mantle today, but his lute was still his most precious item. ¡°Safe,¡± she promised. Unfortunately, this was all the time they had to reassure each other. For with the mad nymph now grown to the size of a giant, Loveless seemed to have regained the courage to face the trickster who¡¯d so easily ripped the spirit from her host. A fist¡ªlarge and gnarly and formed of hardened tree bark¡ªsmashed against the ground, forcing the party to scatter. When the dust cloud settled seconds later, they were split on both sides of the hall, with Chris, Bridget, and Ravi on one side, and Bram, Hajime, and Rowan on the other. ¡®Scree~~eech!¡¯ A horrific shriek filled the air as Loveless stepped forward to place herself between the party¡¯s two halves. ¡°Aren¡¯t dungeon bosses supposed to wait for us to get in range?!¡± Chris complained. ¡°This isn¡¯t a videogame!¡± Bridget yelled. Loveless turned her oversized head in their direction, the tips of her antlers scraping against the cracked ceiling. ¡°Shit!¡± Bridget notched an arrow to her bow. ¡°We¡¯ve caught her aggro!¡± ¡°I noticed!¡± Chris¡¯ gaze slid past the gap between Loveless¡¯ legs and locked eyes with Bram on the other side of her. ¡°What¡¯s the plan, Boss?¡± ¡°Keep her distracted!¡± Bram yelled back. ¡°Alrighty, but¡­¡± the diligent Chris raised his kite shield high, ¡°¡­I¡¯m gonna need a bigger shield!¡± ¡°My Sprite can help with that,¡± Ravi suggested. At the Shamvalan¡¯s urging, the fluffy white beast flapped its gossamer wings in the Texan¡¯s direction, showering Chris in shimmering stardust that wrapped around him and his shield like a ¡®Barrier¡¯ seemingly capable of repelling even a hand larger than a man of his size¡ªand it did. ¡°Sweet Christmas!¡± Chris braced his shoulder against his shield just as Loveless¡¯ palm came slapping down on him. Starlight exploded at the point of impact, expanding into a starry curtain that repelled the giant nymph¡¯s hand. Of course, Chris didn¡¯t come out of it unscathed. The force of Loveless¡¯ attack was so great that the Texan was pushed to his knees while the ground underneath him cracked. ¡°Chris!¡± Bridget let loose her arrow. The ¡®Fiery Arrow¡¯ flew straight and true, its golden light shining brightly as it ignited on the bridge of the giant nymph¡¯s nose, forcing Loveless to back away in irritation. Bridget didn¡¯t see her attack hit its mark because she¡¯d rushed to Chris¡¯ side to help him out of the ground. It was Bram who caught sight of that near-perfect shot, causing him to feel pride at seeing Bridget¡¯s growth. A week ago, she could barely hit a wolpertinger. Now, she was fighting against a giantess without missing a step. Still, the prince didn¡¯t think one successful attack could raise their odds much, though his brain continued to turn its cogs while it searched for a path toward victory. ¡°Bloody hell.¡± He watched while Bridget rammed into a still-shimmering but groggy-looking Chris to push him out of the way of Loveless¡¯ foot stomping down on them and concluded that their odds weren¡¯t great, particularly because he wouldn¡¯t be much help in this fight. Without ¡®Status Emulation¡¯, Bram could only rely on his strength, but even ogrish strength wasn¡¯t enough against a giant nymph who could hurt Chris despite Sprite¡¯s sorcery protecting him. If only Bram still had his longsword. Then he might be able to wield the skills Ser Anthony lent him. Retrieving his weapon was impossible though. Loveless¡¯ transformation had altered the stage of their battle, and with the thick roots growing over the hall having receded to join with the great red pine, the upturned earth it left behind ensured Bram¡¯s broken sword was lost to the dirt. ¡°I need a weapon¡­¡± He glanced sideways. Hajime was whispering to his wand. At first, Bram thought he was reciting a chant to cast a spell he¡¯d yet to cast before, but then he heard the words, ¡°I can do this¡­ I can do this¡­ I can¡¯t do this!¡± and Bram decided his companion needed more time to find his courage. He didn¡¯t doubt that Hajime would though. The Japanese man liked to complain, but he never ran away from the fight. Not in the time Bram¡¯s known him. Hajime had no weapon to lend out though. ¡°Power Strike!¡± Bram¡¯s gaze snapped back to the fight just in time to watch Chris land a heavy blow against the foot Loveless tried to stomp him with. He struck her right in her heel, and it must have been a painful blow for Bram to see her leg shaking afterward. He thought that Chris had the right idea. After all, the best way to bring down a tree was to chop it around its base. Anyone living in the Forest Kingdom of Lotharin knew that. There came the sound of a great machine turning its cogs which was like a herald¡¯s trumpet announcing the arrival of the thick greenish miasma billowing out of Loveless¡¯ mouth.
ALERT! [Poison Cloud] is causing miasma to spread through the air. Inhaling too much of it will render you with several possible status effects; [Low-grade Poison], [Fear], [Panic], [Paralysis], and [Confusion].
Loveless¡¯ ¡®Poison Cloud¡¯ surged down toward Chris. It would have trapped the Texan in its smoky embrace if the fluffy, white beast Ravi had summoned hadn¡¯t flown over to help him. While flapping its gossamer wings beside Chris¡¯ head, Sylph opened its mouth wide and unleashed a ¡®Breath of Air¡¯ powerful enough to counter Loveless¡¯ ¡®Poison Cloud¡¯, forcing it to dissipate harmlessly in the air.
ALERT! The poisonous [Miasma] was successfully neutralized¡­
¡°Great job, Fluffy!¡± To Bram¡¯s surprise, Chris raised a hand to Sylph, and the otherworldly creature returned his high-five. Is it a common gesture among otherworlders¡­? ¡°You¡¯re celebrating too early!¡± Bridget yelled. She was right. Loveless¡¯ hand was already coming down to slap at the two foes who¡¯d thwarted her attack. ¡°Bramble Shot!¡± In the same breath, Bridget fired an arrow. It shot up and collided with Loveless¡¯ hand, and the arrow did more than simply prick her. Thorny tendrils exploded out of their point of impact to wrap around the mad nymph¡¯s hand and restrain it. Her well-aimed attack wasn¡¯t the sight that caught Bram¡¯s interest though. It was the short sword strapped to her back he focused on. Bram wondered if he could risk rushing over to the other side of Loveless just so he could ask Bridget to lend him a weapon, but a hand reached out to touch his wrist and drew his gaze to the pale-faced woman in Rowan¡¯s arms.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. ¡°If you need a weapon¡­use mine, Your Highness,¡± Master Mina whispered. Bram couldn¡¯t help raising an eyebrow at her. For underneath the blanket wrapped over her, the Stargazers¡¯ master was naked as a newborn babe. ¡°Just because you can¡¯t see it doesn¡¯t mean it isn¡¯t there.¡± Master Mina pressed a hand to her left breast as if to make an oath with her heart. ¡°Some of the most wonderful things in the world are invisible ¡ª until they¡¯re not.¡± As she drew her hand forward, stardust flowed from Master Mina¡¯s chest. They gathered like grains of sand on her palm, forming a familiar shape; a foot-long handle molded from golden stardust with a crossguard shaped like a four-pointed star that was missing its two quillons. It had a round red jewel pommel that resembled the ¡®Bloody Moon¡¯ that had graced the fateful night when Bram and Rowan first met. ¡°It¡¯s a sword grown in one¡¯s heart¡­literally,¡± Bram thought aloud. Once it was fully formed, Master Mina pressed the handle into his hand. ¡°It¡¯s called Dusk¡­¡± She managed a short bow despite her awkward position. ¡°May it serve you well, Your Highness.¡±
ALERT! You have received [Dusk]. This magic item requires attunement to unlock its full power.
Unfortunately, I don¡¯t have time to attune to it now¡­
ITEM: Dusk
QUALITY: Epic (Growth)
TYPE: Changeable Sword
DAMAGE: 1.5-2.5 x STR
DAMAGE TYPE: Physical, Dark, Light
PROPERTIES: Martial, Versatile
WEIGHT: Changes depending on its shape
DESCRIPTION: Forged by a nameless master craftsman during Aarde¡¯s Silver Age from a shard of the Dusklight Stone, the large deifacted sorcerite formed from the crystallized corpse of Delphyne, the Dragon of Twilight and Prophecy. Dusk has inherited the changeable nature of an elder dragon, shifting its blade¡¯s shape to suit the tastes of its wielder. This sword is imbued with great power locked within an intricate enchantment that gradually loosens with the growth of the weapon and its wielder.
BOONS: +1 to all Attributes, 2.5% increase to health and magic regeneration speed, 2.5% increased attack speed, 5% increased damage to dragon-type foes, tier-three spell [Sundering] is usable once per long rest. All boons improve after the wielder reaches a level threshold or the weapon¡¯s quality is raised.
¡°Hajime and Bridget did well to update the Item feature,¡± Bram grinned.
ALERT! You have yet to attune to [Dusk]. Most of its epic-rating boons will be locked until the attunement process is completed.
Despite not being attuned to his new weapon, Dusk¡¯s handle vibrated in Bram¡¯s hand as if it was yearning to be wielded by a righteous man.
WARNING! You do not possess the MP required to summon the blade formed of starlight. It is possible to use HP as a substitute¡­ Will you sacrifice [100] HP to summon the blade?
Bram couldn¡¯t help chuckling at finding himself the new owner of another double-edged tool. It was another reminder from the heavens that he¡¯d yet to shed off his ill-fated moniker. ¡°Yes.¡± He felt sudden pain blossom in his hand¡ªas if an unseen foe had sliced his palm¡ªand then a blade of violet and orange hues shot out of the top of Dusk¡¯s handle. It was wide and broad, and just long enough to be at a longsword¡¯s length. Twin spikes of the same dusk-light glow expanded out of the star-shaped crossguard to form its two missing quillons.
[HP: 145/290] has dropped to [45/290]
Bram had just enough time to admire the glowing blade before he felt his stomach churn. ¡°Not again¡­¡± Suddenly dizzy, Bram fell to his knees. He coughed, coughed some more, and then spat out a wad of blood.
WARNING! Your health has fallen too quickly. You are now experiencing the [Bleeding] effect.
Unbidden, a second notification appeared.
EFFECT: Bleeding
GRADE: Low
TYPE: Disability
DESCRIPTION: Suffering from a massive loss of health or incurring a grave injury will induce continued damage to your body. You will lose [1] HP per second and may suffer temporary [Paralysis] or increased fatigue until [Bleeding] is cured.
DURATION: 8-60 seconds depending on the severity of injury.
¡°I could use¡­a song of hope¡­right about now¡­¡± Bram tried but couldn¡¯t get up himself. His bad condition had also caused his arms to lock up. He might have stayed down longer if Rowan hadn¡¯t dabbed his lips with blood from a cut on her finger. ¡°Drink, My Prince.¡± Bram¡¯s free hand shot out to grab Rowan¡¯s, and then he was licking the blood out of the cut on her finger. He took his fill of her like a man who¡¯d been deprived of water for days, and when he was done, the ¡®Bleeding¡¯ was cured and the pain in his foot diminished too. Her blood had healed him enough to mend even his broken toes. ¡°Thank you¡­¡± Bram rose to his feet, his cheeks flaring with embarrassment. ¡°This is all the help I will provide.¡± With Master Mina still in her arms, the trickster¡¯s form began to disappear into the fog that was now growing around her. ¡°You now have a weapon to fight with.¡± Her voice had become like the booming challenge of a thunderclap. ¡°So, struggle and live. Show me once more that you are worthy of your great ambition!¡± ¡°I thought I¡¯d proven this already¡­¡± ¡°Never think that you¡¯ve done enough. Always strive to outdo yourself.¡± Truthfully, Bram had been expecting this. The moment that the rebel trickster of legend would put him through another harrowing test to prove his worth. He would show her again. For as always, Bram had a plan. ¡°Hajime, are you ready?¡± ¡°I think so¡­¡± The Japanese man glanced nervously at the prince. ¡°I know what to do¡­¡± His brow creased with anxiety. ¡°But this is the first time I¡¯ll use this spell¡­ I don¡¯t know if it will work¡­¡± ¡°It will.¡± Bram clasped Hajime on the shoulder just before he moved his new sword over to his left hand. ¡°We have help.¡± Rowan¡¯s fog was beginning to wrap around his ankles and spread around this end of the hall, and Bram couldn¡¯t help but be thankful for the cover it would provide for Hajime¡¯s new spell. ¡°Be ready to¡ª¡± He just noticed Hajime eyeing Dusk with twinkling eyes and a jaw that was swiftly dropping. ¡°What¡¯s wrong¡­?¡± ¡°L-Lightsaber!¡± Bram¡¯s eyebrow arched upward. ¡°What?¡± Hajime pointed. ¡°W-When did you get a lightsaber?!¡± ¡°Ah.¡± Bram deduced that Hajime¡¯s love for what Bridget called ¡®pop culture¡¯ was at play here, and though he usually enjoyed indulging in the otherworlder¡¯s whimsy, now was not the time for an Earth lesson. ¡°Focus, Hajime, and I¡¯ll let you wield it later.¡± Hajime¡¯s eyes seemed to twinkle more, though his excitement quickly dwindled at hearing Bridget¡¯s sharp Irish temper exploding from the other side of the hall. ¡°Put some clothes on you fucking skank!¡± and, ¡°On Earth, whores like you get turned into salt!¡± as well as, ¡°You¡¯re a big goddamn walking clich¨¦, aren¡¯t you?!¡± were just some of the salty phrases being bellowed from yonder. Predictably, Bridget¡¯s cursing had the added effect of drawing Loveless¡¯ ire so completely that Bram and Hajime would have the time he¡¯d asked for without trouble. ¡°Bridge!¡± Chris yelled, ¡°Stop stealing her aggro from me, dammit!¡± The Texan was just in time to block a fist that came crashing down on the blonde archer¡¯s head. Again, the curtain of starlight repelled Loveless¡¯ attack, and again, the force of their collision brought Chris to his knees. Even worse, the magic wrapped around him began to wink out like a lightbulb that was on its last charge. Bram guessed that Chris wouldn¡¯t be able to stop a third attack, and with Ravi busy preparing another spell, they were running out of time. ¡°Cast your spell, Hajime,¡± he ordered. ¡°I¡¯ll move at the same time.¡± Hajime¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°What if I miss¡­?¡± ¡°She¡¯s too big for you to miss!¡± Bram slapped the older man encouragingly on the back. ¡°What was it you always say during moments like this one?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± The anxiety on Hajime¡¯s face dwindled slightly. ¡°I¡¯ve got this.¡± ¡°Yes, you do,¡± Bram grinned. ¡°I believe in you.¡± With that word of encouragement, the prince took off. He didn¡¯t see it, but his belief instilled in Hajime enough inspiration that the otherworlder¡¯s voice was loud and clear when he began the final chanting of a spell that would change the tide of battle. Chapter 38: Wish Upon a Falling Star CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT Wish Upon a Falling Star
¡°Harken to me, o rumbling earth, shake, shake, dance, and twirl¡­¡± While chanting in a voice dripping with power, Hajime twirled his wand around as if he were stirring an invisible pot in the air. ¡°¡­Devour those who tread on land¡­¡± Sweat dripped down his brow from the effort of trying to impose his will on the ground. It pushed back against him as if attempting to resist, though Hajime¡¯s spell would win eventually. ¡°¡­and turn yourself into quickening sand!¡± As Loveless flung another palm down at Bridget who was helping an exhausted Chris to his feet, her left foot suddenly sank into the ground beneath her. It continued to sink, burying her ankle in the dirt Hajime¡¯s spell transmuted into quicksand. She stumbled, failing in her attack¡­and that wasn¡¯t all. Bram, who¡¯d been reading the description of the ¡®Quicksand¡¯ spell using his privilege as the Loom¡¯s chief administrator, learned that a creature as large as Loveless¡ªwhich the Loom had classified as ¡®Massive¡¯ in size¡ªcould only be restrained by ¡®Quicksand¡¯ for an amount of time equivalent to the spellcaster¡¯s Strength stat. Since he could also check Hajime¡¯s status, Bram knew Loveless would be restrained for only ten seconds. It was more than enough time for him to fulfill his role though. He arrived right behind Loveless¡¯ right foot with nine seconds to spare, which also meant he had a second to waste gulping down the half-full flask of pale green liquid he¡¯d pulled out of his potion¡¯s pouch. It tasted horrible¡ªlike a cheap bottle of wine left uncorked for days but worse.
ALERT! You¡¯ve consumed half a bottle of [Brew of Giant¡¯s Strengthening (Mountain Giant)]. Your Strength has increased by fifty [+50] for thirty minutes.
¡°Finally¡­¡± Bram had tried many magic potions before, and they¡¯d never worked for him. Not even the most expensive brews that had been prepared for him by the First Alchemist of the Sovereign¡¯s court. Only now, with a sliver of magic flowing in his veins, did a potion work properly for him. Just like when he borrowed strength from Rowan, Bram felt his muscles expanding, ripping through the fabric of what remained of his jacket and leaving his sun-kissed body exposed to the elements.
CONGRATULATIONS! You have successfully absorbed a tiny piece of a giant¡¯s power. Strength permanently increased by [1].
While pleased with his lucky break, Bram recalled the limitations of his new ability just as he raised Dusk high over his head to perfectly ¡®Replicate¡¯ the stance that Ser Anthony had shown him before. ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ As he began to concentrate on this single task, the muscles of his upper body rippled. His hand tightened on Dusk¡¯s handle, eager to swing with all its might¡­ Bram was ready. ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ ¡°To challenge a stronger foe isn¡¯t the height of folly¡­¡± No telltale sparks of magic exploded from his fingers. In its place, Bram felt the familiar stickiness that came with blood spreading across his palm. ¡°It¡¯s the perfect opportunity to surpass myself¡­¡± ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ ¡°Now¡¯s the chance to prove my worth¡­¡± Dusk shook slightly as a sliver of Bram¡¯s blood began seeping into its magic blade. ¡°To scream to the heavens ¡ª I am here!¡± Bram¡¯s roar caused Loveless¡¯ head to twist around a full hundred-and-eighty degrees. ¡®Ba-dump!¡¯ To alert an enemy to his presence may seem like a fool¡¯s move, but in Bram¡¯s mind, this was not an ambush but an ending to their duel. Also, he was so heavily veiled by Rowan¡¯s fog that he doubted Loveless could pinpoint exactly where he was standing. He was wrong. ¡°And so, I strike the spark in my heart, and like a fireball igniting, draw the sword growing from the embers¡­¡± Loveless¡¯ eyes grew wide with anger when they caught sight of him. They grew much wider when she noticed the crimson aura enveloping his blade like a vein of pulsing blood gushing upward. ¡®Ba-dump!!¡¯ ¡°I wield it with resolve, turning it into a blade without peer¡­¡± The rest of Loveless¡¯ body began to turn toward Bram¡­but the mad nymph moved too late. ¡®Ba-dump!!!¡¯ ¡°¡­One that can cut the world!¡± As the prince stepped forward, his sword came crashing down to draw a vertical line of blood and dusk light over the world. ¡°Death from Above!¡± Though she was much larger than him now, the Peerless Heart Sword¡¯s first technique proved a deadly swing against the giant nymph, cutting Loveless¡¯ right foot above the ankle in a single, mighty slash. ¡®Scree~~eech!¡¯ With her other foot still caught in Hajime¡¯s ¡®Quicksand¡¯, the mad nymph¡¯s massive body teetered. She needed one final push to send her crashing¡ªand Bram¡¯s friends were quick to oblige.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. ¡°Shield Bash!¡± Chris dove into the quicksand just to ram his tattered shield against the mad nymph¡¯s shin. The Texan¡¯s shield crumpled on impact though its last worthy act was the toppling of a giantess. That wasn¡¯t all. ¡°Timber~~r!¡± Bridget yelled. In the same moment as Chris¡¯ shield slammed against the mad nymph¡¯s shin, a ¡®Fiery Arrow¡¯ poked Loveless right between her eyes. And, like the fable Bridget once talked about with Bram when he asked her about her religion¡ªthe one where the boy David toppled a giant with a stone thrown to its head¡ªthe arrow empowered with sorcery smacking Loveless¡¯ face ensured her fall. She crashed butt-first onto the ground, causing the earth beneath to rumble. If that were all, then the nymph might have still recovered. For even as her right foot was chopped off, new roots were growing to replace it. The party saw this absurd power of regeneration and rushed forward to attack Loveless while she was still prone, though neither Bram, Bridget, nor Chris reached her first. That honor went to Ravi¡¯s spell. Bram, who ran forward despite the pain streaking up and down his entire body, felt sudden heat from above. He pulled to a stop right before reaching Loveless¡¯ oversized head and looked up just in time to watch the ceiling crack. A moment later, the neglected fresco of the goddess of fire exploded inward, destroyed by the object hurtling down at them from the heavens. Bridget, who appeared at Bram¡¯s side, looked up with her mouth agape. ¡°Is that¡­?¡± Chris, who¡¯d arrived last of the trio, joined Bram and Bridget in their surprise. ¡°Sweet Christmas¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s a Falling Star!¡± Bram recalled the name of a powerful fifth-level spell that was a favorite of Asteria¡¯s, the Eight Princess. ¡°Run, You Fools! Run!¡± A chunk of rock as large as Loveless¡¯ head and enveloped in a blazing orb fell into the hall. There was barely enough time for the party to scatter before it struck its target¡ªthe bosom of the mad nymph who¡¯d lost her heart. ¡®Boom!¡¯ The shockwave that spread out from the point of impact was so powerful that it devoured everything in Bram¡¯s field of view. A thick plume of scalding smoke billowed out in all directions, grazing his skin just as he was blown off his feet by gale-force winds. ¡°Phoebus¡¯¡ª¡± Bram drove Dusk¡¯s violet-orange blade into the dirt to anchor him to the ground. ¡°¡ªcock!¡± He could barely hear his own cursing over the howling wind. The ground underneath him rumbled so violently that Dusk¡¯s blade couldn¡¯t stay upright and keep him anchored. Bram would have been blown away again if not for the strands of fog that wrapped around him, solidifying into wispy ropes that kept him from flying off. I imagine even Earth¡¯s cinema isn¡¯t as fun as watching this wild battle of yours. ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re so entertained¡­¡± I am. Came a giggling voice in the air. It was quite brazen of the Vice Master not to warn you of what was coming. ¡°Yes¡­ a little warning would have been nice¡­¡± Bram kept one arm up to protect his face from the heat and dust billowing toward him. ¡°I can¡¯t fault Ravi for wanting to end things¡­so extremely though¡­¡± Have things ended¡­? As if on cue, Bram heard a ¡®Scree~~eech!¡¯ and closed his eyes in frustration. ¡°¡­Why won¡¯t she just die¡­?¡± Eventually, the smoke receded, and the winds calmed, but the horrific shriek filling the air told Bram their battle had yet to end. This split-second thought saved his life, for he raised Dusk in time to block the hand that came swinging at him. And, though his new sword managed to stop Loveless¡¯ claws from reaching him, its violet-orange blade shattered on impact, reminding Bram of a flaw most magic blades possessed; they were more brittle than blades made of metal. He would have to factor this flaw into his strategy for next time. Assuming there was a next time. Without Dusk, Bram was defenseless to the other arm that savagely swung his way. ¡°You!¡± Loveless¡ªher body shrunk to the size of a man¡¯s¡ªsent claws made of sharpened bark streaking at Bram¡¯s body. They would have pierced his chest too had fortune not chosen to shower him with favor one more time.
ALERT! The [Ring of Three Protections] senses the danger to its wielder. [Barrier] has been activated [2/3].
As Loveless¡¯ claws brushed against the skin of his neck, a familiar bright golden aura blew her back while shattering into hundreds of golden shards that pierced her flesh like shrapnel. ¡°Mine!¡± Unlike her previous host¡¯s body though, this new one was made of hardened bark that protected her from the brunt of the damage. Still, desperation filled Loveless¡¯ face, and the hand that broke Dusk¡¯s blade snapped back to claw at Bram¡¯s throat. This time, fortune¡¯s favor didn¡¯t arrive, and the nymph¡¯s claws pierced his skin as her hand closed around his neck. ¡°My own.¡± Her claws dug in, causing blood to fill his mouth. ¡°My pre¡ª¡± ¡®Snikt!¡¯ Through the black spots filling his vision, Bram saw a strange sight; the tip of a sword protruded out of Loveless¡¯ chest. His gaze drifted past the nymph¡¯s shoulder and discovered Chris towering over her. He was bloodied, bruised, and looked as tired as Bram felt, but the Texan refused to surrender. He drove his sword deeper into Loveless¡¯ back, causing a cry to escape the mad nymph¡¯s lips. It was a cry that was cut short by the blade of a short sword sliding across Loveless¡¯ throat. The hand that held it was shaking just like the rest of the wheezing Bridget who looked no better than Chris. Finally, the mad nymph gasped. When she choked on blood as Bram did, the strength left her hand, allowing him to break free. Bram should have stumbled as she had, but he didn¡¯t. Through sheer force of will, the stubborn prince of the Atlan Imperium drove his foot into the ground one last time. One hand went up to cup his bleeding throat while a new pain blossomed in the other. ¡®Swoosh!¡¯ Dusk¡¯s violet-orange blade blazed to life a second time. Much smaller than the first, but sharp enough for Bram to slice through Loveless¡¯ neck with what little strength he had left. They locked gazes, each regarding the other with sadness, and then Loveless flashed him a grateful smile. The madness that had corrupted her for a thousand years washed away at that moment, replaced by a scene of tranquility that reminded Bram of the young nymph he¡¯d met in her memories. Life left Loveless¡¯ eyes and her head slid off her neck. When the rest of the nymph¡¯s body followed, Bram finally noticed the notification that saved his life.
ALERT! One of noble blood should not easily fall. [Last Stand] has activated¡­ You have regained 1 HP.
He should have died when his throat was torn, but the Loom had changed his fate once more. Still, a single health point wasn¡¯t enough to keep Bram standing. With exhaustion overwhelming him, he stumbled back. The world went dark, and oblivion took him. To all you Otherworlders who''ve enjoyed the novel this winter solstice, in the words of your Earth, a Merry, merry Christmas to you~~u! - Bram Lothaire of House Attilan Chapter 39: Spoils of Victory CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE Spoils of Victory
¡°Are you frightened?¡± asked the tall woman standing next to Bram. He glanced sideways at her, noticing the expectant look on her face. It was a face that was the perfect likeness to his although with far more delicate features. ¡°No,¡± Bram insisted. This was a lie, of course, but he had learned to hide his emotions so well that not even his mother could tell what he was thinking. ¡°I believe you,¡± she said in her usual calm tone. He wanted to believe she meant it but couldn¡¯t bring himself to, because he knew that like everyone else in her court, the Sovereign had already lost faith in her seventh child. Still, she offered him a smile that didn¡¯t quite reach the corners of her face before she pressed her hand to the great stone door that barred their way. At the Sovereign¡¯s touch, the lines of gold interweaving across its stone surface began to expel a brilliant golden glow. They emitted such radiance that Bram was forced to close his eyes. ¡°Come along,¡± she called. Bram opened his eyes and discovered that the great stone door had vanished. Beyond the now-open entryway was a spacious, high-ceilinged hall like the Sovereign¡¯s throne room but carrying an atmosphere of solemnity much like the grand temples of the gods in the ¡®Radiant District¡¯ of the capital. The Sovereign waited for Bram several steps beyond the door, her pure white gown seeming to glow as it basked in the ethereal light of the object waiting at the other end of the hall. He took hesitant steps forward, his eyes widening as soon as he crossed the threshold. His gaze darted left and then right, hungrily taking in the sight before him like a child who had stumbled into a shop of wonders. On pedestals of white marble were the old relics of the royal family, the vestiges of divine power and sorcery that past sovereigns wielded in defense of the Atlan Imperium. ¡°Do you want to take one¡­?¡± It was a carelessly thrown comment that sounded like a lifeline to Bram¡¯s ears. For any one of these treasures¡ªthe golden sword embedded in the rock, the black ring torn off the hand of a defeated dark lord, even the wand made from a branch of the continent¡¯s eldest tree¡ªmight give even an ill-fated prince the power to compete with his siblings. But no, Bram couldn¡¯t admit that he did want one of the Sovereign¡¯s treasures for himself. To say it out loud would be admitting his weakness, which was the one thing he refused to do in his mother¡¯s presence. ¡°Why did you bring me here?¡± He wondered if she meant to torture him with the allure of power he couldn¡¯t claim, but he failed to see any malice in her expression. Surprisingly, the way she gazed at him now seemed almost motherly and quite unlike the stoic facade she¡¯d cultivated over many years of ruling. ¡°It is tradition that all the royals who come of age be judged by the gift the gods left us.¡± Hearing the word ¡®judged¡¯ made Bram frown. He¡¯d been judged enough in his short life. ¡°Come.¡± Despite the length of the hall, it didn¡¯t take them long to arrive at the end of it, where, floating upon a high dais, there was an otherworldly thing that exuded such powerful magical energy that Bram¡¯s entire body tingled. ¡°Do not be afraid¡­ The Dawnlight Stone is the guiding light that gives our family the mandate to rule over the Imperium.¡± Floating on the dais was a tear-shaped crystal larger even than Bram in size. Radiance flared from within its crystalline shell, a light resembling the pale blue glow of dawn. ¡°Let its radiance shine on you, and you shall be proven worthy of your new role.¡± His mother¡¯s voice sounded almost hopeful to Bram¡¯s ears as if being recognized by the Dawnlight Stone was his last chance to be worthy of her affections. ¡°What must I do¡­?¡± ¡°Stand before the dais¡­and be judged.¡± The prince did as the Sovereign instructed¡ªand then brilliant light consumed everything around him.
Bram woke up with a start. His breathing was ragged. Sweat dripped down his back. ¡°W-Where¡­?¡± The memory of the recent battle flashed in his mind, causing him to sit up in a hurry. His hands flew to his neck in a vain hope of staunching the wound that must still be draining him of life. ¡°W-What¡­?¡± Surprisingly, there was no wound to staunch. ¡°You drool when you sleep,¡± teased a familiar voice. He glanced to his right and found Rowan sitting next to him. Her long skirt was ruffled, which suggested he¡¯d once again used her lap as a pillow. ¡°How long was I out¡­?¡± ¡°Nearly half an hour.¡± Considering Loveless¡¯ claws had torn his throat open, thirty minutes seemed far too quick of a recovery time. After all, People didn¡¯t often come back from such a grave injury. ¡°How¡ª¡± ¡°¡ªDid you survive?¡± Rowan pointed to the fluffy white beast flapping its gossamer wings at the group of young sorcerers gathered around their two coven leaders. Sprite showered them in glittering stardust that healed their wounds even quicker than a healing gel could. When it finished providing first-aid, the elemental that Chris claimed looked like a fluffy French bulldog landed on Ravi¡¯s arms and buried its head in his chest. ¡°I would have saved you myself, but the Vice Master wanted to do it.¡± Rowan helped Bram to his feet. ¡°It¡¯s impressive how you can instill such loyalty in those who¡¯ve chosen to follow you, My Prince.¡± This was a compliment Bram never thought he¡¯d hear. The other royals had inherited their mother¡¯s undeniable charisma, with Bram being the exception. With his bardic talents and handsome face, he had enough charm to woo a young lady of the court who didn¡¯t know his identity, but once his ¡®ill-fated¡¯ moniker was mentioned, they would turn away from him as if he were beset by plague. ¡°I don¡¯t have the talent to inspire others¡­ Just ask those retainers who¡¯ve left my side.¡± ¡°They were fools not to see what I can see with clarity.¡± Rowan linked her arm around his. ¡°You have undeniable charisma¡­ You just didn¡¯t know how to wield it properly before we met.¡± Rowan nodded toward Ravi, who bowed his head deeply in Bram¡¯s direction after noticing he was awake. To the prince¡¯s surprise, all the surviving members of the Coven of Stargazers, including their master, Wilhelmina Weiss, followed Ravi¡¯s example. The sight of such respect caused a lump to form inside Bram¡¯s throat. ¡°See,¡± Rowan bumped her shoulder against Bram¡¯s to lessen his shaking, ¡°even an elemental of air has taken a liking to you.¡± Sprite hadn¡¯t bowed its fluffy head, but anyone could see the light of interest in its big glittering eyes as it gazed at Bram. ¡°Could you summon such a creature?¡± Bram asked. ¡°Ravi is a more talented summoner than I,¡± Rowan relented. ¡°Though I do have the advantage when summoning humans from another world.¡± Of this, Bram had no doubt. ¡°My lute¡­did it survive this catastrophe¡­?¡± At his question, Rowan¡¯s hand reached out to the air and plucked Bram¡¯s lute from it as if it had been conjured from nothing. ¡°That¡¯s a neat trick,¡± Bram said as he accepted his lute. ¡°Not something I¡¯ll be able to learn, is it?¡± ¡°That depends on your own progress.¡± Rowan offered him an impish grin. ¡°It¡¯s not just Hajime and the others that need to grow.¡± ¡°True enough,¡± Bram sighed, his gaze drifting back to the Stargazers, ¡°I¡¯ll just have to keep surviving through life-and-death moments like this last one you forced on us¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s the spirit,¡± Rowan nodded approvingly.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. From the way Sprite yawned, it was obvious it had grown tired from healing everyone. Bram didn¡¯t think the elemental could do much more before the duration of its summoning ended. Speaking of everyone, he finally noticed that his three companions were missing. ¡°Did they log out?¡± ¡°No.¡± Rowan pointed a thumb over her shoulder. ¡°Our greedy otherworlders are helping themselves to the treasure the nymph left us.¡± Bram followed Rowan¡¯s thumb to the burnt husk of Loveless¡¯ giant body¡ªthe parts of the great red pine the spirit discarded to escape the doom that Ravi¡¯s ¡®Falling Star¡¯ dealt it¡ªand to Hajime who stood atop its stomach while holding onto the thick hemp rope that trailed down into the husk¡¯s insides. ¡°Ravi¡¯s spell was quite flashy. Powerful too,¡± Rowan explained. ¡°Though not enough to destroy the great red pine,¡± Bram noticed. This was the first time he¡¯d seen it up close, but Bram had heard of ¡®Falling Star¡¯ before. It was a fifth-tier spell from the divination arts, which, like most offensive spells above the fourth tier¡ªthe so-called ¡®Magics of Mass Destruction¡¯ or M.M.Ds for short¡ªshould have obliterated a husk without the powerful nymph¡¯s spirit protecting it. ¡°That¡¯s not the spell¡¯s fault. Something else protected Loveless¡¯ last host,¡± Rowan explained. Bram frowned. ¡°What could do that¡­?¡± ¡°We¡¯re about to find out.¡± On top of the giant corpse, Hajime struggled to pull the rope back up. ¡°Should we help him?¡± ¡°He can manage. It¡¯s what we pay them for.¡± The farming of materials taken from the slain corpses of their foes was a side of the great adventure Bram wanted no part in. No, he wasn¡¯t squeamish, but he was a prince, and there were just some tasks a prince ought not to do. Rowan, who understood Bram like an open book, giggled. ¡°We do pay them a lot, don¡¯t we.¡± In terms of scale, Bram promised to pay his three collaborators an equivalent amount of griffins to their monthly wages from their time with Biosoft along with the ¡®stock options¡¯ Chris discussed when they first broached the topic of starting a studio on Earth. ¡°Yes, we do.¡± Bram thought about the time they¡¯d successfully turned a gold griffin into what the otherworlders called ¡®digital currency¡¯ with the Loom¡¯s assistance, ensuring that an investment in Earth was indeed possible. ¡°Luckily, we no longer have a banking problem. Staffing for the studio will begin soon too.¡± ¡°Another Earth adventure,¡± Rowan sounded wistful, ¡°how I envy these children who can play in both worlds.¡± Hajime eventually managed to haul Chris out of the hole in the corpse¡¯s stomach, though he was breathless by the time the Texan climbed out. The added weight of a bag full of spoils probably didn¡¯t help. ¡°Y¡¯all need more exercise, Bud,¡± Chris lectured. ¡°Maybe get a membership at my gym when we get home later.¡± ¡°Chris-senpai,¡± Hajime let out a deep breath, ¡°when would I have the time to lift weights¡­?¡± ¡°I do.¡± ¡°Your job¡¯s easier.¡± ¡°Those sound like fighting words.¡± Bram, who¡¯d drawn close by now, caught the beginning of their argument, which he knew was entirely Hajime¡¯s fault. Even as the novice CEO of his new gaming company, the prince knew better than to tell one of his employees that they weren¡¯t working hard enough. Especially in an industry with a high burnout rate in which people could die from overworking. So, Bram thought Chris was entirely justified when he push-kicked Hajime in his rear end and sent the Japanese man falling into the hole leading to the corpse¡¯s insides. ¡°Chris-senpai!¡± Hajime screamed as he fell, ¡°You¡­bakayar?!¡± ¡°Your turn to help Bridget farm!¡± Chris yelled back. Looking satisfied that he¡¯d won the argument so decisively, Chris climbed down the husk to greet Bram and Rowan. ¡°Problems?¡± Bram asked. ¡°Just some pent-up tension leftover from the fight finding an outlet, Boss,¡± Chris chuckled, adding, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯re all used to high-stress environments.¡± He dropped his large brown bag onto the ground and then pulled out a full jar of thick white liquid for Bram and Rowan to inspect. ¡°Well done.¡± The prince¡¯s voice was slightly muted by the handkerchief covering his nose. ¡°We can sell this much Nymph Sap for a hefty bag of griffins.¡± Though he had a good head on his shoulders, Bram couldn¡¯t have known the value of an item one could only harvest from a rare as a forest nymph. Fortunately, the Loom made its details readily available to the seventh prince, doing away with the need for an appraisal by appraisers who usually charged steep prices for their services. Rowan¡¯s nose wrinkled from the stench of the bag, as well as Chris, who sported a look that was a cross between a butcher in a meat shop and a lumberjack who¡¯d just cut down a particularly stubborn tree. ¡°I assume these are all materials harvested from the nymph¡¯s insides?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Chris reported that he and Bridget had harvested jars of nymph sap and phloem along with skins of cambium and sapwood from the great tree¡¯s innards. ¡°Bridget¡¯s still cutting more logs of heartwood around its pith, which¡±¡ªChris glanced at the blue window floating next to him¡ª¡°according to this here Loom is the kind of wood that makes for great armor or the keel of an airship.¡± Bram, who could also see the floating messages around Chris, couldn¡¯t help but be amazed at the detailed information the Loom provided the Texan about the value of the great pine¡¯s treasure of resources.
ITEM: Cambium
QUALITY: Epic
TYPE: Ingredient, Material
DESCRIPTION: A ring of growth tissue that usually sits in-between the sapwood and the inner bark of a sentient tree, it is a primary ingredient used in an alchemy potion that temporarily induces a faster growth rate in experience earned or as a main component in the summoning of greater wood elementals such as a spriggan or nymph.
Bram also noticed that this new information had no connection to the catalog Hajime and Bridget helped create for the Loom, suggesting that the system¡¯s new item feature was also learning in real-time. ¡°Right. I do remember it stating that it could grow alongside its users.¡± As if to prove Bram¡¯s guess correct, a notification popped up.
CONGRATULATIONS! The system¡¯s knowledge base has grown! The Loom¡¯s resources have increased by [0.04%]. Further developing the system¡¯s capabilities will help remove the penalties of [Administrator Lv.1].
Current resource rate: 1.143%
An excited grin flashed on Bram¡¯s face. I was beginning to think that gathering more users was the only route to growing my job¡­ ¡°I came out to harvest some of the corpse¡¯s taproot,¡± Chris¡¯ voice drew Bram out of his musings, ¡°because the Loom says it¡¯s an ultra-rare ingredient used for cultivating the physical body.¡± ¡°It is,¡± Bram agreed. Ser Anthony had been feeding Bram Elder Treant Taproot since he was young, and it was one of the reasons the prince grew to be tall and fit. He could vouch for a taproot¡¯s powers of cultivation, though he¡¯d never tried one from a nymph before, so the thought of tasting it once intrigued him greatly. ¡°I¡¯m gonna need help to pry the roots off without damaging them,¡± Chris gazed pointedly at Bram, ¡°so, why not put those nice muscles of yours to use.¡± Bram¡¯s interest evaporated instantly. ¡°I, well, I¡¯m a bit busy at the moment¡­¡± ¡°We¡¯ll help,¡± interrupted a youthful voice. The teenage sorcerer with the tattoos covering his arms and the other young men Bram and Chris had beaten up arrived to save the prince from the possibility of manual labor. Chris looked at Merak with mild concern. ¡°How¡¯s your head, Kid?¡± ¡°Much better now that I¡¯m free to think for myself,¡± Merak replied. He bowed his head to Chris, and his friends mirrored him. ¡°Thank you for rescuing us,¡± Merak said. Chris scratched his nose as if he were embarrassed. ¡°Y¡¯all should thank the prince. It was his idea to go and save you.¡± They didn¡¯t need Chris to tell them this obvious fact. One by one, the four young men bent their knees to Bram and then pledged themselves to the prince¡¯s cause¡ªand Bram couldn¡¯t help responding to them with the same conviction they showed him. ¡°I accept your oath and swear not to abuse the loyalty you¡¯ve offered me,¡± he promised. It was a solemn moment broken by the loud yawning of the fluffy creature now riding Ravi¡¯s shoulder. ¡°They insisted on serving you even if the coven decided not to,¡± the Shamvalan said, pride filling his tone. ¡°And has your coven decided?¡± Rowan asked. ¡°Yes,¡± replied another. Master Mina stepped forward with the help of a tall, pale-skinned girl with plaited dark hair, the same one Bridget choked into unconsciousness with her bow¡¯s string. The girl looked like the coven master, though her eyes were blue like Ravi¡¯s. As for the Stargazers¡¯ coven master, she looked so much like Loveless that Bram couldn¡¯t help glancing away for fear she¡¯d gaze at him and know how cruel he¡¯d been to play with a mad nymph¡¯s affections. ¡°Your Highness,¡± Master Mina called, forcing Bram¡¯s gaze back on her. There was no hate or judgment in her expression¡­only gratitude. ¡°The Vice Master told me of your agreement¡­¡± Master Mina¡¯s voice still sounded weak, though there was also a strength to it that wasn¡¯t present before. ¡°It¡¯s not an easy task you ask of us¡­¡± Bram¡¯s brow creased. Of course, he knew that the coven¡¯s acceptance of him wouldn¡¯t be guaranteed, but he hoped they would give it more consideration before rejecting him like so many others have done. ¡°But I doubt saving us from our foolish choices was an easy task either,¡± Master Mina continued. Hope fluttered inside Bram¡¯s chest. Could it be possible that he¡¯d guessed wrong? ¡°Aunt¡­you¡¯re still injured.¡± The dark-haired girl tried to stop her, but Master Mina waved her off. Without aid, the pale-faced, green-eyed woman bent the knee to Bram. ¡°If we cannot return the great favor you bestowed on us then we should have perished alongside the nymph who¡¯d lost her heart.¡± Master Mina placed a hand over her left breast. ¡°I, Wilhelmina Weiss, Fourth Master of the Coven of Stargazers, Sorcerer Extraordinaire, Twenty-Third Diviner of the Delphyne Observatory, former Guardian of the Sovereign-Guard, pledge my fealty¡­¡± She glanced left and right, taking in the gazes of her disciples who all nodded as she looked at them. With their agreement, Master Mina¡¯s green-eyed gaze flitted back to the prince so she could continue her pledge. ¡°¡­and that of the Coven of Stargazers to Bram Lothaire of House Attilan, Seventh Prince of the Atlan Imperium, Governor of the Kingdom of Lotharin, Eorl of Bastille, and to the great undertaking that is your cause¡­¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Bram¡¯s fingers tightened on the handle of his new sword. Pain flared from his palm as Dusk¡¯s bright blade blazed to life in his hand. He placed the flat of its blade two inches above Master Mina¡¯s shoulder, taking care not to hurt her with the weapon she¡¯d given him. ¡°I accept,¡± said the prince whose heart was full for the first time in a long while. ¡°From here on out, we walk the same thorny path¡­and may our light never dim.¡± ¡°May our light never dim,¡± they all repeated. Even Chris and Rowan. They were all caught up in this exciting moment. Then, right on cue, a new notification flashed in the air.
CONGRATULATIONS! You have completed the quest: Save the Master, Save the World!
Chapter 40: Shard of Darkness Note: Instead of Monday''s release schedule, I''m moving it to Tuesday so I can greet you guys during New Year''s Eve. Don''t forget to RATE or REVIEW the novel. It really helps the book. CHAPTER FORTY Shard of Darkness
CONGRATULATIONS! You have completed the quest: Save the Master, Save the World! Rewards will now be distributed.
Bram didn¡¯t need confirmation from the quest reward to tell him he¡¯d won the loyalty of the Coven of Stargazers, though it was encouraging to see the system grow alongside his forces.
CONGRATULATIONS! The system¡¯s knowledge base has grown! The Loom¡¯s resources have increased by [0.10%].
Current resource rate: 1.243%
When he was a child, every victory was a chance to deny Bram the boons he so rightly deserved. Now, it seemed the opposite was true. Every successful challenge, discovery, and person who bent the knee to him was an opportunity for the Loom to shower him with gifts. How the tables have turned.
ALERT! The reward [Earn the loyalty of the [Flametail Tribe] is suspended until a new requirement is met.
ALERT! The reward [Gain control of the [Red Ruin]] is suspended until certain conditions have been met.
¡°Looks like this adventure ain¡¯t over,¡± Chris observed. ¡°Aye.¡± Bram¡¯s gaze drifted to the top of the husk that was Loveless¡¯ final form. ¡°Did you find anything interesting in there?¡± Chris nodded. ¡°Bridget and I did find something that was giving off all kinds of bad juju. Y¡¯all might want to check it out.¡± With his report finished, the Texan turned a cool blue gaze at Merak and his friends. ¡°Y¡¯all offered to help,¡± he grinned, ¡°and I ain¡¯t one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so let¡¯s get to wrangling.¡± The young sorcerers eyed each other with confusion. ¡°He means for you to follow him,¡± Ravi supplied. With Ravi as a translator for Chris, the young sorcerers followed the Texan to the husk¡¯s feet where the roots could be found. Bram, who remained where he was, had a troubled look. ¡°Must we go in there¡­?¡± Despite having gone through many grueling challenges that have showered him in blood and guts, the prince still wasn¡¯t keen on the idea of wading inside a dead monster¡¯s innards. Not even a bard would relish the thought. ¡°Your Highness¡­¡± someone called in a tentative voice. When Bram glanced over his shoulder, the young woman he¡¯d rescued earlier stood a little behind him. She gazed at him with worry clear on her face. ¡°The Vice Master told me that my grandfather was fighting outside, but¡ª¡± ¡°We¡¯ll go out to help as soon as we¡¯re done here,¡± Bram reassured her. Relief flooded the silver-haired Alkaid¡¯s face. ¡°We also wanted to thank you again for rescuing us.¡± She elbowed the girl fidgeting beside her. ¡°Go on.¡± Despite her pale blonde hair half-covering her heart-shaped face, Bram could still see Phecda¡¯s reddened cheeks. ¡°Your Highness¡­¡± She couldn¡¯t look him in the eye. ¡°I¡­¡± It was obvious from the guilt and shame mixed in her expression that Phecda was building toward an apology of some sort. Only, Bram wasn¡¯t keen on listening to some half-baked excuses for her shaming him when they were younger just because he¡¯d proven to her now that he was no longer the ill-fated prince that she and the other young ladies of the Sovereign¡¯s court rejected so vehemently. Bram turned away because he couldn¡¯t completely hide the anger bubbling in the corners of his consciousness. It wasn¡¯t Phecda¡¯s fault. Not really. She was simply following rules that had been set long before she or Bram were born. In the Imperium, only those with power were truly worthy, while those without it were left at the edges of society to fend for themselves or die bereft and alone. ¡°I¡¯m a little busy.¡± Bram grabbed Rowan¡¯s hand, and their fingers intertwined. ¡°We¡¯ll talk later.¡± As if he¡¯d forgotten how much he didn¡¯t want to wade into a dead monster¡¯s innards, Bram ignored the rope that Chris left dangling in front of him and leaped up to the top of the husk¡¯s stomach with Rowan in tow. Luckily, he had a few minutes of ¡®Giant¡¯s Strengthening¡¯ left, and he managed an impressively high leap without difficulty. ¡°Show off,¡± Rowan teased. ¡°You¡¯ve learned more Earth speak.¡± he grinned at her. ¡°Pretty soon, you¡¯ll be sounding exactly like Bridget.¡± ¡°Would you mind if I did?¡± They locked gazes, each looking favorably at the other. ¡°No, I wouldn¡¯t mind it at all.¡± With some effort, Bram turned away from Rowan¡¯s crimson-eyed gaze so that he could inspect the corpse Loveless had left behind. As he expected, the giant nymph¡¯s burnt body had lost some of its figure, with parts of it returned to the form of the great tree she¡¯d possessed. In a way, it looked like the chrysalis left behind by a butterfly after its metamorphosis. The hole that cut across its stomach and chest gave that sort of impression. ¡°The nymph I killed in the end¡­was it her true form?¡± Rowan nodded. ¡°She must have realized Ravi¡¯s spell would break her, and so the spirit chose to flee its body, leaving itself weakened enough to be slain by mortal hands¡­¡± ¡°Then she should have fled instead of trying to kill me.¡± ¡°If you¡¯d done to me what you did to her, I might have risked my existence to end yours as well.¡± Sweat slid down Bram¡¯s cheek. ¡°I¡­I was hoping you were concentrating too hard on your exorcism to notice¡­¡± ¡°I thought you¡¯d learned this by now¡±¡ªRowan¡¯s tone was impish¡ª¡°but I notice everything.¡± Without turning to look at him, she dived into the gaping hole by their feet. Bram sighed, and with the barest hesitation, he followed her into the dead nymph¡¯s corpse. It wasn¡¯t a long drop, though it did feel like Bram fell longer than he expected. Indeed, without the effects of ¡®Giant Strengthening¡¯ aiding him, the prince may have broken a bone or two when he landed hard on the ground that was like the inner bark of a tree. Strangely, the husk¡¯s insides were nearly as large as the hall he¡¯d come from. ¡°Could this be an enchanted space¡­?¡± ¡°¡®Tis an example of excellent charm work.¡± From what Bram knew of the enchantment arts, it was indeed possible to add certain properties to an individual, object, or place that could, among other things, expand the space within them, making it many times larger than its exterior suggested. The Satchel for Storing, Pouch of Many Coins, and the more popular Dimensional Diary which sold for high prices at the capital¡¯s enchantment emporiums were proof of this arcane concept. Speaking of spaces that could hold items many times their weight and size, Bram recalled Chris¡¯ heavily laden bag full of spoils and thought it might be time to invest in more storage space. Though expensive, such enchanted items would be more cost-effective than dragging porters around in future adventures. ¡°Surely, the sale we make from today¡¯s spoils will buy us one diary.¡± Bram could opt for the cheaper satchel for storing, but being too frugal and seen as a pauper was just one of those things a prince ought not to do. ¡°Over here, Prince!¡± came Bridget¡¯s voice.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. She and Hajime were waving at Bram from outside a circle of young pines that reminded him of the blessed grove they¡¯d visited the day before. ¡°Hajime seems to have survived his fall unscathed,¡± Rowan noted, adding, ¡°I suppose he used Falling Plume properly this time.¡± The pair were already walking toward their companions when Bram stopped abruptly. He glanced sideways at Rowan with surprise. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Ravi taught him the spell whilst you were unconscious,¡± she revealed, further explaining, ¡°Part of Hajime¡¯s experiment with copying magic from another sorcerer with the Loom¡¯s assistance. ¡°¡­And it worked?¡± ¡°After several tries and only because Falling Plume is a common enchantment.¡± Bram, who¡¯d tried and failed to learn a basic spell like ¡®Power Strike¡¯ knew how challenging it was for sorcerers to acquire new sorcery. It had a process that demanded more time than the twenty minutes he¡¯d been passed out. A smidge of envy bloomed in him. ¡°¡®Tis true that his speed of learning new spells is absurdly quick,¡± Rowan said as if she could see the jealousy on Bram¡¯s face, which she did. ¡°Even considering the Loom¡¯s support, Hajime¡¯s potential as a sorcerer is exceptional, but we already knew that since we suspect him of being a dream walker¡­and isn¡¯t this something to celebrate?¡± Her praise of Hajime caused that twinge of envy to rumble in Bram¡¯s insides, but it was quickly tempered by the reminder that his companion¡¯s growth was exactly what the prince wanted. With this realization came the expelling of a heavy breath, and envy went with it. ¡°Yes, you¡¯re right.¡± ¡°I usually am.¡± They walked onward a bit more before Rowan said something else to make Bram¡¯s steps falter. ¡°To be able to learn a spell that would take even trained sorcerers¡¯ weeks of learning, understanding, and then trial to manifest properly¡­ Truly, the Loom is an ingenious tool.¡± Acquiring a spell¡¯s formula isn¡¯t simple memorization but requires an understanding of its sorcery¡¯s purpose and history too. Only then can one begin the third step of basic spell craft; manifestation¡ªand there should be much trial and error before a perfect manifestation could be achieved. However, with the processing power of what Hajime called the Loom¡¯s ¡®Neural Network¡¯, a user needn¡¯t dive too deeply into the inner workings of a spell and simply rely on the system to manage steps one and two so that a user like Bridget or Chris could go straight to step three. In such a case, Bram deduced that a spell¡¯s formula was already encoded into the system¡¯s spell list, allowing the user to use it so long as they had enough magic for casting. ¡°It would be as easy as notching an arrow to one¡¯s bow and then letting it loose,¡± Bram pondered. ¡°Still, without an inherent understanding of the formula, wouldn¡¯t a spell¡¯s power be less?¡± ¡°Yes, it might¡­ A spell¡¯s strength is determined by many factors such as one¡¯s inherent magic power, but mastery of a spell is also a key factor in its potency,¡± Rowan conceded. ¡°Mastery¡­¡± Bram wondered what might happen should Hajime decide to learn the original methodology of spell crafting. Would his power grow more compared to the Loom¡¯s future users? ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ Bram frowned. ¡°Did you hear that¡­?¡± ¡°The sound is coming from over there,¡± Rowan answered. The closer the duo got to Hajime and Bridget, the more they heard the unmistakable sound of a heartbeat. ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ Bram¡¯s hand instinctively flew to Dusk¡¯s handle which was now clipped to his belt. ¡°I thought she was dead¡­?¡± ¡°She is,¡± Bridget reported, her face paler than usual. ¡°What you¡¯re hearing is coming from something else¡­in there.¡± She pointed a thumb over her shoulder. ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ As Bram moved past her, Bridget grabbed his arm, and in a warning tone, said, ¡°Don¡¯t listen, if you can. Or it might drive you mad¡­¡± He saw a strange glint in her eyes that reminded him of the hunger that had been present in the eyes of those creatures of the forest they¡¯d defeated. ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ ¡°Are you alright?¡± ¡°I might not be if Hajime hadn¡¯t pulled me out of there in time¡­¡± Bram¡¯s gaze drifted to Hajime, and he saw that the Japanese man¡¯s face had become paler too. ¡°Interesting,¡± Rowan whispered. ¡°Very interesting.¡± Without another word, she crossed through a gap in the tree line. And, not wanting her to go alone, Bram followed. Upon crossing the tree line, he was struck by a strong gust of wind that carried a toxicity that was like Loveless¡¯ fel voice, but stronger. Much stronger. For Bram, it was as if a dozen snakes were suddenly slithering inside his head, with each one whispering sickening thoughts to his mind. Weak, whispered one. Always trying, yet always failing. Pitiful, said another. Envious of those with the talent you lack. Bram felt nausea overwhelm him, and he fell to his knees on the spongy ground. Angry, murmured a third. Dreaming of vengeance against those who mock you. Greedy, added a fourth. Coveting even¡ª A hand grasped him, intertwining its fingers around his, and then the noise that scratched at his mind like nails on a chalkboard winked out. Bram blinked. ¡°W-What¡­?¡± ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ ¡°Not to worry,¡± Rowan said as she helped him to his feet, ¡°I¡¯ll protect you from the darkness within.¡± ¡°Darkness within¡­?¡± His brow creased. ¡°I don¡¯t understand¡­¡± ¡°You will soon enough.¡± They walked hand in hand, treading through spongy ground that was like the inside of a mango, toward the object floating at the center of what Bram guessed was this tree¡¯s layer of pith. ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ Unbidden, the memory of his first meeting with his family¡¯s source of power appeared in his mind. ¡°Is that¡­?¡± Though it lacked the Dawnlight Stone¡¯s size, the fist-sized crystal floating before them seemed quite similar. However, instead of light, there was darkness within it that was as black as the blackest pit. ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ ¡°What manner of devilry is this¡­?¡± It pulsed like a beating heart, the sound of its thumps echoing throughout this inner space and sending shivers across Bram¡¯s entire body. ¡®Ba-dump.¡¯ ¡°¡®Tis a shard of the Midnight Stone¡­¡± ¡°The Midnight Stone¡­?¡± Being the seventh prince of Atlan, Bram was privy to a secret few in the Imperium knew; the existence of ancient artifacts possessing great magical power¡­the kind that built empires and split continents. They hailed from the Age of Dreams, the earliest of Aarde¡¯s recorded history, a time when unholy nightmares walked the earth, and the gods still lived among their creations. When the gods chose to rise to High Heaven, they left behind three gifts for man to wield so that our light might never dim¡­ It was a lecture he¡¯d heard many times before. Not just from the clerics of the gods¡¯ temples, but also from the many mentors who grew disappointed by a young Bram¡¯s lacking talent. Three stones there were, each possessing a shard of Phoebus¡¯ light within them¡­ ¡°The Dawnlight Stone, the Midlight Stone,¡± Bram recalled now, ¡°and¡­¡± He glanced down at the gold handle clipped to his belt. ¡°¡­the Dusklight Stone.¡± It wasn¡¯t until the Sovereign had shown him the treasure room underneath the throne room that Bram learned the Dawnlight Stone wasn¡¯t a myth. Once, when he¡¯d accompanied his sister Camilla¡ªthe only one of his siblings who didn¡¯t mind his company¡ªon a visit to Delphyne for the cleansing ceremony that preceded her marriage to a noble of the Plains Kingdom of Navarra, Camilla had told him in secret that she¡¯d been cleansed by the Dusklight Stone hidden in the catacombs underneath the Delphyne Observatory. Of course, Bram thought she was just teasing him, but now, with Dusk in his possession, he realized his sister might have been telling the truth. As for the Midlight Stone, Bram knew it had been real for it had been the cause of a great tragedy that occurred a year before his birth. In those days, the Atlan Imperium had thirteen kingdoms. One was lost to civil war and the unleashing of terrible power strong enough to sink a piece of the western continent into the Shimmering Sea. ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of a Midnight Stone¡­¡± ¡°Of course not.¡± Rowan scoffed. ¡°The gods would never willingly reveal a memento of their greatest shame to their followers¡­¡± This time, Bram chose not to hold his tongue. Some backstory was necessary. ¡°All things must come in balance¡­and there can be no light without darkness.¡± A dark smile grew on Rowan¡¯s face. ¡°Behold¡­you look upon a shard broken from the Heart of Darkness itself.¡± Grave as the ¡®Heart of Darkness¡¯ sounded, Bram¡¯s brain couldn¡¯t help but turn its cogs, and he wondered if such a power could be wielded to the great undertaking¡¯s benefit. ¡°The Stargazers must have thought the same as you do now.¡± It wasn¡¯t a reproach exactly, but Bram still felt the sting of Rowan¡¯s words. ¡°They coveted what they cannot and should not touch, for humans, despite your many faults, are not made for the dark.¡± ¡°Then what do we do with it?¡± Bram asked, adding, ¡°We cannot leave it here to be found by others¡­¡± ¡°We won¡¯t.¡± Hesitantly, Rowan stretched out her hand toward the floating shard, but Bram pulled her back before her fingers could touch it. ¡°What are you doing ¡ª you said we couldn¡¯t use it!¡± ¡°I said humans couldn¡¯t use it.¡± Bram stiffened. Rowan had become such a constant presence in his life, a ray of sunshine to his dreary world, that he almost forgot that she wasn¡¯t the young noblewoman she pretended to be. ¡°The nymph¡ª¡± ¡°Was too weak and compromised by her madness to make this shard hers¡­¡± ¡°And what of your¡­inclinations?¡± Brigid¡¯s words scrolled through his mind unbidden. But then Rowan¡¯s hand came up to touch his cheek, and the anxiety growing within him faded. ¡°I will never lose control so long as you¡¯re by my side.¡± They gazed at one another, each looking favorably at the other, and then Bram¡¯s other hand slipped from her wrist. ¡°I believe in you.¡± ¡°I know.¡± Rowan flashed him an impish grin, and before Bram could react again, plucked the shard of the Midnight Stone from the air so that it now lay pressed in her hand. ¡°You¡¯ve kept your promise.¡± Ribbons of black lightning rose out of the shard to cling to the tips of her fingers. ¡°What promise?¡± This dark energy began flowing into her hand, causing black veins to spread across her pale flesh. ¡°You promised that we would find relics to fuel my power and return to me what I¡ª¡± Rowan¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Bram had never heard such a pained sound escape her lips before. Not in all the time that he¡¯d known her. ¡°Rowan¡­?¡± The trickster gasped aloud and then stumbled. She might have fallen to her knees if Bram wasn¡¯t still holding her other hand. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?!¡± ¡°Too much power¡­all at once¡­ I can¡¯t¡­¡± As more ribbons of dark energy flowed into her, traveling the length of her arm like poison veins spreading over her flesh, Rowan began to convulse.
WARNING! The dark energy emanating from the [Shard of the Midnight Stone] will affect you as well if you continue to stay next to [Rowan Wolfe].
¡°Don¡¯t tell me what I already know, dammit!¡± Bram snapped. ¡°Tell me how to help her!¡±
¡­
¡°If she dies, I die ¡ª and it¡¯ll be the end of you!¡±
¡­
This time, Rowan did fall to her knees, and she brought Bram down with her. To her credit, the trickster didn¡¯t cry aloud. Even now, she was attempting to gain mastery over the shard¡­but Bram didn¡¯t think she could do it alone, and the Loom agreed with him.
You may attempt to siphon off some of its energy to ease her burden¡­
It was the first time that the Loom had spoken to him as if it were addressing him directly. Bram had no time to ponder this strange occurrence, however, for with Rowan¡¯s strength diminishing, the maddening snakes were once again beginning to slither inside his head. ¡°How¡­do¡­I¡ª¡±
For the blood is the life¡­
It was all the hint he needed. He didn¡¯t have fangs to bite her with, but with the Midnight Stone¡¯s shard wreaking havoc on her insides, wounds were beginning to appear on Rowan¡¯s body. ¡°Hold on.¡± A tendril of dark energy lashed at her neck, cutting deep into the flesh. ¡°I¡¯m here.¡± With no hesitation, Bram dived in and pressed his lips to her throat¡­ The pain that followed was overwhelming¡­
An announcement post will arrive in 30 minutes with details for the Character Creation Event! Readers will get to be part of the story with their created characters who will appear once the Loom of Ill Fates launches on Earth. Read the details in the post later! Volume 1 Event: Character Creation for the Looms Launch on Earth Note: First, there''s also a new chapter out right now, so read that first before checking this event out! Greetings, Fellow Otherworlders! Now is the hour ¡ª you can be a part of the story too! WARNING for Royal Road readers. Very minor spoilers below! --- --- --- --- --- You''ve been warned! So, read on!
With the Loom of Ill Fate''s alpha test set to begin on the Feast of Travelers, a hundred alpha testers will be arriving on Aarde ¡ª and I need your help in bringing these hundred brave souls to life! To have your character (player) become an alpha, you can do the following: 1. Comment on the current Royal Road chapter''s comments: guaranteed 10 to 15 participants will be chosen. 2. Join the Discord server (LINK HERE) and comment on channel #advice_from_the_loom: guaranteed 20 participants will be chosen. 3. Become a Patron on Patreon (LINK HERE) and comment on the Patreon post (open to the public): guaranteed 30 participants will be chosen. Patron-made characters will get priority and will play a much larger role in the story! Some of them may even join Bram''s adventuring team or guild later on or possibly affect the plot in unique ways! For the first round of this event, 60 characters will be created. All created characters will show up somewhere in the novel, with many of them arriving in Volume 2: F&%##s of R%#e&%i&%!
Guidelines for character creation: The following should be included in your comments. Real name: Player name:Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Age: Gender: Appearance: (Take note that their appearance in real life will also be their appearance in-game. Cosmetics still aren''t an available feature during the alpha testing phase.) Job in-game: (Currently Squire or Arcane Novice, but I want to hear your thoughts on what they can advance into!) Brief backstory: (one-to-two-paragraph backstory about the character''s life before becoming an alpha. You can add more if you want. I don''t mind. They can be a paraplegic who can finally walk again in Aarde, a student struggling with social anxiety, a serial killer getting their fix in another world, or even an actress trying to be someone else for a few hours. Go wild!) Status points (Optional): You can dictate your character''s strengths and weaknesses. You can skip this part if you think it''s too annoying to do. Just go past stat explanations!
STAT EXPLANATION: The six base stats are Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Willpower. A brief explanation of stats for readers who don''t play RPGs much. Let''s say someone throws an apple... Dexterity shows how easily you can catch the apple. Strength shows how easily you can crush the apple. Constitution indicates how you can eat a rotten apple without getting sick. High Intelligence indicates that you know an apple is a fruit and not a vegetable. High Wisdom tells you that just because an apple is a fruit doesn''t mean it can go into a random fruit shake. Some fruits pair well with an apple and others don''t so knowing what pairs best with an apple gives you the best combination flavor. High Willpower helps you endure not eating an apple right before a meal and ruining your appetite. Apples are best after meals or during. Also, the Strength score directly affects Stamina PointsS. So, Squire hopefuls should increase this to 12 or higher. Intelligence score directly affects Magic Points. So, characters hoping to be Arcane Novices should have this above 12. Finally, the Constitution score directly affects health points. High HP is good for survivability, and in Aarde, you need survivability. The other stats also affect how I write a character''s abilities and actions, so bear that in mind while thinking about how you want your character to act in the story or interact with the world of Aarde.
STAT ALLOCATION: All stats start at 8. You have 25 points to add to these stats. You can also remove points from the original 8 of each stat, but please take note that anything below 8 is negative, and a 6 in any stat will give your character a debilitating weakness. For example: a 6 in intelligence means your character can''t read regardless of the Gift of Tongues. How you want to distribute the stat points is up to you though ¡ª so enjoy!
Okay, that''s all you need to create a character who will appear in the story as a player of the Loom. In the future, we''ll do a second round of character creation event, as well as a loot box creation event. Hajime did mention his hate for Loot boxes, didn''t he? Well, help him out when the time comes. All participants will receive a shoutout in future chapters where their character first arrives, along with a shoutout after the event ends. Lastly, you have my heartfelt gratitude for continuing to read the story, and I thank you in advance for participating in this event. I look forward to bringing your characters to life with the written word. To more TGTES and more fun in Aarde! Warmest regards, G.D. Cruz P.S. To become shapers of a story that spans two worlds, ''tis quite an opportunity given to you, My Beloved... I hope you do well. - Rowan P.P.S. I''m writing a song for when the Feast of Travelers begins. I''ll be sure to mention your hardwork in it. - Bram Chapter 41: Glimpsing the Dark Side Note: I noticed that some readers might have missed Chapter 40 since it came out at the same time as the event announcement. Highly recommend you read it first in case you haven''t yet. Also, the event is still ongoing. So, put your idea hats on and check out the previous post! CHAPTER FORTY-ONE Glimpsing the Dark Side
Every time Bram tasted Rowan¡¯s blood, he felt a sense of bliss better than cloud weed or any other poison offered by the drug dens of the capital¡­but this time it was vastly different. Instead of setting his body aflame with pleasure, the blood he drank now was like freezing ice rushing into his veins.
ALERT! The purest form of dark elemental energy has entered your body, threatening to rip you apart from within!
Bram had become familiar with the taste of power flowing inside him, but this was too much of it. Far too much, and all at once. The pain was immediate and excruciating. It was like imbibing venom that was melting him from within. It crashed against his mind like a tidal wave threatening to drown him in depths so dark no light could penetrate it. His consciousness dwindled. His mind was unraveling. Rowan was right. Humans weren¡¯t meant for the dark. ¡®Ping!¡¯ A bright blue radiance flashed to life within the darkness enveloping his mind. It spread enough dwindling light to bring him back from the brink.
ALERT! Darkness has touched your soul. It is attempting to corrupt you. The Loom recommends that you don¡¯t let it.
Tell me something I don¡¯t know! The Loom¡¯s message was like a breath of fresh air to a drowning man, and with that breath came a desire to live. So, unbearable as the pain was, Bram¡¯s stubbornness kept him up while anger allowed him to regain his focus. A band of dark energy flowing out of the Midnight Shard whipped against the back of his left hand, drawing blood that seemed too dark to be his.
WARNING! Your health is being rapidly drained. You will lose [1] HP for each second you maintain contact with [Rowan Wolfe].
Bram wasn¡¯t sure, but the constant messages from the Loom seemed to be staving off the darkness in his mind almost as if the system was providing him with a source of light to hold onto. I cannot surrender! Humans may not be built to harness dark elemental energy, but somehow, Bram managed to roll with it. He continued to drain Rowan¡¯s blood as if he were drawing poison from a wound, and with that poison came rippling bands of darkness, which, surprisingly, started to taste familiar to him. Soon enough, he became certain that this flavor of power wasn¡¯t new. Not to him. As realization dawned on him, Rowan¡¯s strained voice reached his ears. ¡°Get away¡­Bram.¡± Calling him by his given name, that¡¯s how he knew how hard a time she must be having. He had two reasons not to listen to her though. Firstly, Bram could see the change in Rowan¡¯s status. Slowly, but surely, the dark veins that spread across her skin were receding to the point that a rosy tinge was returning to her cheeks. Besides, more and more of this dark elemental energy was being transferred onto Bram who managed to siphon it with lesser difficulty than in the beginning because of reason number two; this alien energy he consumed wasn¡¯t so alien after all. Indeed, he¡¯d tasted it less than an hour ago when he¡¯d fought Loveless as a blood champion. Yes, it seemed the source of Rowan¡¯s magic was finally revealed to him. While the Dawnlight Stone¡¯s radiance empowered the imperium¡¯s founding sorcery, the trickster¡¯s magic might be fueled by darkness. Bram pulled away from her neck briefly so he could insist, ¡°I¡¯m all right¡­ You¡¯ve already¡­inoculated me¡­to the darkness.¡± ¡°Have I¡­?¡± ¡°It¡¯s your turn¡­to trust me¡­¡± Rowan didn¡¯t fight him off when his lips returned to brush against her skin. She fell into his arms in a kind of surrender and then matched her breathing to his. Together, they attempted to achieve what she couldn¡¯t do alone; to take the power of darkness and make it theirs¡ªand they had help.
ALERT! The Loom will attempt to transmute the pure dark elemental energy flowing into you, turning it into a more suitable form to help your growth.
WARNING! Transmuting dark energy has failed.
WARNING! You¡¯ve taken in too much dark energy. Your body is deteriorating.
Don¡¯t give up! Bram screamed inwardly. Try again!
¡­
¡­
ALERT! A second attempt will be performed.
At this point, Bram was feeling quite feverish. His attempt to relieve the pressure from Rowan¡¯s body raised the pressure on him. The bands of dark energy racing through his insides wracked his entire body, forcing the prince in and out of consciousness. On the other hand, Rowan had stopped shaking. She was regaining control of herself. This belief kept Bram from completely blacking out. Thank you, My Prince, she whispered into his mind. You¡¯ve drained enough of the energy in me that I¡¯m able to absorb it more comfortably now¡­ Rowan twisted around in his arms so that they were face-to-face. Then, to Bram¡¯s surprise, she pressed her lips to his neck and began to drain him of blood too. Allow me to return the favor.
ALERT! [Rowan Wolfe] is attempting to siphon off your body''s excess dark elemental energy, cleansing it of the taint seeking to corrupt you. This may aid the Loom¡¯s attempt to transmute the lesser amount of dark elemental energy that remains within you.
Brilliant, Bram whispered. They were quite a pair, each trying to lessen the burden on the other so they could do what neither could achieve alone. Because of this show of devotion, fortune chose to smile at them once more.
ALERT! The Loom has successfully transfigured the dark elemental energy you¡¯ve absorbed into a more refined state suitable to aid your growth.
CONGRATULATIONS! You have received [20] attribute points!
With the pain inside of him dwindling considerably, a new notification arrived to bring a smile to Bram¡¯s face.
CONGRATULATIONS! The continuous drinking of the blood of [Rowan Wolfe] has allowed you to inherit an ability belonging to her.
ALERT! You have permanently learned [Blood Drinking Lv.1]. You no longer need to become a [Blood Champion] to wield this ability.
Bram recalled how Chris had a similar achievement; repeatedly bashing his opponents with his shield earned him the ¡®Shield Bash¡¯ spell. It seemed the Loom took experience and training into account more than the prince first realized. If so, then this was truly a welcome boon. One that might even allow Bram to compete with a dream walker like Hajime. Speaking of Hajime, Bram, whose mind had calmed down, finally noticed that he and Bridget were standing nearby. They must have made their way into the pith when the power of the Midnight Shard disappeared. They didn¡¯t come any closer though. Instead, they gave him the thumbs up. Bram didn¡¯t understand the gesture nor the wide grins on their faces until he realized what they must be looking at. He and Rowan were wrapped in a tight embrace with their lips still pressed to each other¡¯s necks though they¡¯d both stopped drinking the other¡¯s blood. Bloody hell¡­ Embarrassed, the prince pulled away from her. For her part, the trickster didn¡¯t seem to mind. She looked to still be in a daze much like Alkaid had looked when they first encountered the young woman Loveless had enthralled. ¡°Rowan,¡± Bram called, ¡°are you¡­ all right?¡±Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. ¡°Yes,¡± she whispered, sounding wistful. ¡°I¡¯d forgotten what it¡¯s like¡­the touch of darkness flowing through me.¡±
CONGRATULATIONS! You¡¯ve helped the Rebel Trickster of Legend regain some of her lost power!
¡°Like the caress of an old lover whose hand I hadn¡¯t felt in many years¡­¡± Bram didn¡¯t like this strange comparison. Even more, he didn¡¯t like the Loom¡¯s next message.
WARNING! [Rowan Wolfe] has absorbed pure dark elemental energy into herself, skewing her alignment out of balance and drawing the trickster closer to the dark side.
¡°Rowan¡­¡± ¡°I read it as well.¡± ¡°What does this mean¡­?¡±
ALERT! Your growing bond with [Rowan Wolfe] has blossomed into a new system; Alignment.
Light and darkness are ever at war within oneself. One¡¯s [Alignment] is determined not by the red string of fate, but by the actions and choices one makes on their path to true growth. With the arrival of such a choice, your star can grow brighter or darker, opening the way to new possibilities while closing doors to others. But be warned, stray too far in one direction and your path will narrow, changing you in ways you may not like.
¡°I say this often, but the Loom is truly an ingenious tool¡­ Perhaps I should rely on it more.¡± ¡°You do have access to it¡­¡± Bram recalled one of their older experiments where Rowan grafted the Loom onto her soul after she¡¯d finished the formula that combined the summoning ritual with the ritual that gifted the Loom to otherworlders. It was proof that Aarders could also receive this tool of otherworldly self-improvement. Only, at least in Rowan¡¯s case, the Loom refused to share any details of her status with Bram. It was the first time since the system became useful that it denied him information. ¡°But what does this mean for you¡­?¡± he asked. ¡°I think it means Rowan has to watch what she eats,¡± Bridget deduced. As administrators, she and Hajime could also see the messages that appeared for Bram. ¡°She¡¯ll need a balance of dark and light food to ensure her alignment doesn¡¯t go too far in either direction.¡± Bridget looked like she understood Rowan¡¯s new struggle. ¡°I can help. We Earth women have plenty of practice watching our diet.¡± ¡°Yes, ¡®tis an affliction for women here on Aarde as well,¡± Rowan replied cynically. Both women shared a laugh, with Bram and Hajime looking on in confusion. ¡°Would it be so bad?¡± Hajime asked as he helped Bram to his feet. ¡°If Rowan-sama chooses only the light from now on¡ª¡± ¡°¡ªThen I would be no better than the gods I abhor,¡± Rowan cut in. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Hajime asked. ¡°There is no benefit to being unbendingly lawful. Nor is it better to be an uncaring creature of darkness,¡± Rowan insisted, further explaining, ¡°I would see things only as black and white, choosing the most extreme of choices while ignoring other possibilities that could ensure better results and lesser heartache.¡± ¡°We live in a world of gray¡­things shouldn¡¯t be so clear-cut,¡± Bram agreed. Rowan flashed him an impish smile. ¡°It¡¯ll be best you find me something with a divine flavor for my next meal¡­ You wouldn¡¯t want me to get too dark. Aarde might not survive it¡­¡± ¡°Next time, let¡¯s go raid a temple that hasn¡¯t been abandoned,¡± Bridget said spiritedly. ¡°It¡¯s not just Rowan either. We¡¯re all affected by this alignment system.¡± She¡¯d finished helping the trickster to her feet and was now inspecting the shard in Rowan¡¯s hands. ¡°Stuff like being unable to learn spells that require you to have a darker alignment or maybe get penalties for being too good,¡± she added, frowning afterward. ¡°This isn¡¯t a normal piece of sorcerite, is it?¡± ¡°I believe it¡¯s deifacted sorcerite,¡± Bram explained. ¡°Deifacted?¡± Bridget repeated. ¡°Is that even a word?¡± Bram plucked the shard from Rowan¡¯s hand¡ªand nothing happened. The Midnight Shard had lost the tendrils of darkness cloying inside of it, though this chunk of rough-hewn crystal no larger than his hand still had an otherworldly luster to it as if it had trapped starlight within its depths. ¡°It¡¯s sorcerite fashioned by the gods¡­they¡¯re powerful sources of magic different from the one borne from nature,¡± Bram explained. ¡°That thing held darkness inside it¡­shouldn¡¯t we throw it away?¡± Bridget asked. The prince shook his head. ¡°We may be able to use this again in the future. Possibly sell it for enough griffins to fuel Reise¡¯s development¡­ Things touched by the power of divinity don¡¯t remain unscathed.¡± ¡°This is true for more than just sorcerite,¡± Rowan added. She grabbed Bram¡¯s left arm and raised it to eye level. The tendril of dark energy that had snapped the back of his hand left behind a scar that trailed down to his wrist like a lightning bolt falling to the earth. One that was as black as the veins that had appeared on Rowan¡¯s skin earlier. ¡°You touched pure darkness, and it¡¯s left its mark on you.¡± Hajime, whose eyes glittered at the sight of the lightning-bolt-shaped scar, asked, ¡°Will you be able to summon the power of darkness now?¡± ¡°Maybe you¡¯re cursed now,¡± Bridget proposed. Bram couldn¡¯t help sighing. His companions seemed too excited over the fact that he might have just been cursed. Not that this would be a new experience for him. He¡¯d been cursed all his life. ¡°Maybe a black dragon¡¯s living inside your arm now!¡± Hajime said excitedly, though this comment made no sense to the others. Their enthusiasm was infectious though, and Bram couldn¡¯t help wondering if something did change inside of him thanks to this scar. Interestingly, the otherworlders were correct, something had changed inside of Bram. Apart from the twenty attribute points he¡¯d earned earlier, there were a few new updates on his status screen.
ALIGNMENT: Still in progress¡­
And a new spell, Bram¡¯s first¡­
TIER 3 [????]
Though it seemed even the Loom didn¡¯t know what to make of it, Bram couldn¡¯t help but imagine this [????] was connected to his recent brush with true darkness. Funnily enough, earning his first-ever spell wasn¡¯t the update that caused Bram¡¯s jaw to drop. No, that honor belonged to another equally shocking thing.
MAGIC POINTS (MP): 15
It took him a long while¡ªto the point that his friends thought he might have become comatose¡ªbut Bram eventually managed to say, ¡°Rowan¡­I¡­I¡ª¡± ¡°You¡¯ve grown,¡± she finished for him. Technically, this wasn¡¯t a guess since she was privy to his emotions and probably knew the one thing that could shock the prince in such a manner. ¡°And you?¡± Bram couldn¡¯t help asking. ¡°What changes are you undergoing¡­?¡± ¡°You¡¯ll see it soon enough,¡± she promised. ¡°But first¡­¡± Rowan drew everyone¡¯s attention to the center of the spongy ground right where the Midnight Shard had been floating earlier. Half-buried on the pith was a red pinecone. ¡°I believe there¡¯s one more treasure for you to collect.¡± As soon as Bram picked it up, several new notifications popped up in front of him.
CONGRATULATIONS! You have received a [Nymph Seed].
¡°Interesting,¡± Rowan whispered. ¡°Very interesting.¡± The Loom seemed to agree with her because it classified the nymph seed as an ¡®Elemental Egg¡¯, which Hajime and Bridget guessed might mean Bram just earned something future Earth users would covet¡­a pet. ¡°A pet¡­?¡± Bram frowned. This seemed a little insulting considering what Loveless had been. ¡°It¡¯s just what we call a rare summon exclusive to the summoner¡¯s account,¡± Bridget explained. Bram didn¡¯t hate the idea of an ¡®exclusive¡¯ summoned creature, though he wasn¡¯t sure he could think of the nymph¡¯s egg in this manner. He recalled the tragedy of Loveless¡¯ life, how she¡¯d been used by the gods and thrown away once they¡¯d finished with her. ¡°I won¡¯t do the same¡­¡± From what he knew of nymphs, reincarnation was possible so long as one seed survived. The Loom verified this on the seed¡¯s status screen; that the nymph who¡¯d died could be born again in a new life. But Bram doubted she¡¯d keep the memories she possessed in her previous life. At least he hoped she wouldn¡¯t. He patted the seed in his hand. ¡°Your next life will be more fun¡­happier too.¡± ¡°How are you going to hatch it?¡± Hajime asked. It was a question neither the Loom nor Rowan knew the answer to. ¡°Ravi might know how to hatch it. He is a summoner,¡± Bridget suggested. ¡°We¡¯ll ask him,¡± Bram agreed. ¡°Before that, there¡¯s something else we need to finish.¡± Bram turned to the other notification that arrived alongside the one about the nymph¡¯s seed.
ALERT! The dungeon [Red Ruin] has been abandoned by its original owner and no longer has a caretaker. It is now possible for the Loom to absorb the dungeon, turning it into a resource the system can manage. Doing so will provide the administrators with many benefits alongside new responsibilities.
ALERT! Accepting responsibility for [Red Ruin] will unlock the system¡¯s Dungeon Manager feature.
Would you like to take over the management of [Red Ruin]?
YES NO
¡°Yes,¡± Bram, Hajime, and Bridget answered together.
ALERT! You are unable to gain control of the dungeon [Red Ruin] while enemies are gathered outside of it.
¡°By the Loom,¡± Bridget sighed, ¡°this quest is way too long¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s a chain quest. They¡¯re supposed to be long,¡± Hajime answered knowingly. ¡°This is probably the last one, Bridget-san.¡± ¡°How do you figure that?¡± ¡°We¡¯re running out of enemies.¡± Right on cue.
ALERT! A new quest has arrived!
URGENT QUEST: Defeat the Invaders of the Red Ruin!
Oh, hazy eye of the blue moon above, bestow me the fortune of lovers and go~~old! And should your red twin fill the night with death and cold, keep these troubles far from my weary so~~oul¡­ I hope you enjoyed my performance. I hear it''s a special occasion for you Earthers. So, in the spirit of cooperation between our worlds, allow me to congratulate you on surviving the past year... From my found family to yours, from across two worlds, Happy New Year! -Bram Lothaire of House Attilan P.S. May fortune smile on you this 2025! -Rowan of House Wolf Chapter 42: Battle of the Red Ruin CHAPTER FORTY-TWO Battle of the Red Ruin
¡°Hajime,¡± Bridget sighed exaggeratedly, ¡°why¡¯d you have to tempt fate?¡± ¡°Eh?¡± Hajime cocked his head to the side. ¡°When did I do that?¡± ¡°You said we were running out of enemies,¡± Bridget reminded him. ¡°What about now, huh?¡± The party was gathered at the mouth of the Red Ruin¡¯s entrance, though they¡¯d yet to step outside because they weren¡¯t sure if there was anything they could do. ¡°I didn¡¯t make this happen?!¡± Hajime protested. ¡°You tempted fate.¡± Bridget pointed a finger outside. ¡°This is fate showing off!¡± A battle raged beyond the steps of the Red Ruin. One so bloody that remnants of it were present even in the passage the party had just come through. The dead bodies they¡¯d passed along the way belonged to House von Galen¡ªsoldiers whose leather jackets were torn apart by savage claws and ravenous fangs. Surprisingly, not a single wearg had fallen inside the Red Ruin. In this, Scarfang kept his word. On the other hand, the opposite was occurring outside the dungeon for the roar of dying weargs grated on the party¡¯s ears. In the hours since they¡¯d last seen them, von Galen¡¯s forces seemed to have doubled. Over a hundred soldiers were now locked in battle against the Flametail Tribe throughout one side of the verdant clearing beyond the dungeon¡¯s front steps. ¡®Boom!¡¯ ¡®Boom!¡¯ ¡®Boom!¡¯ A round of explosions struck the clearing, causing an elemental storm to wreak havoc on the ground. Weargs unprepared for the assault were devoured by elements driven wild by cannons¡¯ sorcery. Those who managed to escape the bombardment struggled against the swords and spears of soldiers seemingly more seasoned than the ones Bram had slain in the fog. ¡°This adventure¡¯s starting to feel like a day at Biosoft,¡± Chris chuckled tiredly. ¡°It¡¯s one crisis after another¡­¡± ¡°We didn¡¯t even have time to rest¡­not really,¡± Bridget commented. It wasn¡¯t just Bram feeling the fatigue. His friends had used up their magic and abilities in the many phases of their battle with Loveless. They were running on fumes. Still, the prince, who watched the death of future allies with a grim face, couldn¡¯t help but turn the cogs of his brain. ¡°Ravi,¡± he called, ¡°do you have enough magic for one more Falling Star?¡± He calculated that a chunk of burning rock crashing onto the deck of a brigantine could help turn the tide, but Ravi dashed Bram¡¯s hopes with a shake of his head. ¡°I no longer have enough magic to cast a fifth-level spell,¡± the Shamvalan admitted. Then, as if he guessed what the prince would ask next, Ravi added, ¡°And I don¡¯t have a summon that can deal with that¡­¡± Ravi¡¯s gaze was fixed on a second skyship that had arrived to reinforce the one already patrolling the sky. This second skyship was a slightly larger brigantine with its hull painted in the pale blue colors of House von Galen. ¡°I cannot stop the skyship either,¡± said Master Mina, her voice stronger now, ¡°but I can help the weargs defeat the army on the ground.¡± Bram glanced sideways. Under the orange rays of the late afternoon sun peeking in through the entrance, Bram could see a face that seemed to have aged a decade in the short time it took the party to leave the mad nymph¡¯s lair and arrive here at the entrance of the Red Ruin. Of course, the reason for her change was obvious. A while ago, the Stargazers¡¯ coven master and the few survivors of their expedition saw the main hall that had become a tomb for their companions. The young sorcerers had wept and wailed, though fate didn¡¯t give them much time to grieve. Wounded weargs retreating into the Red Ruin had reported the situation outside. ¡°We¡¯re outnumbered and overpowered,¡± reported the tall woman with reddish skin and braided hair who¡¯d been the same one to report when the enemy first invaded. ¡°Our tribe needs aid!¡± ¡°We¡¯ll go reinforce them,¡± Bram had promised. After choosing to leave the young sorcerers behind to tend to the wounded¡ªMaster Mina had begged Bram not to involve them in any more fighting¡ªthe new party of seven raced to the entrance to help prevent a massacre of their future allies. Now, Bram¡¯s gaze drifted back to the battle. A wall of shields kept a line of weargs at bay, leaving their leader, the mighty Scarfang, isolated on the other side of the wall while surrounded by spearmen. To his credit, Scarfang refused to go down. He fought on, his claws tearing through steel and flesh even as sharp blades cut at his hide. ¡°We need him alive,¡± Bram insisted. Without Scarfang, the Flametail Tribe might not honor their verbal agreement of an alliance. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it,¡± Master Mina promised. She then turned to Ravi. ¡°Vice Master, please assist Elder Bashar in protecting the weargs.¡± Not far from the steps leading up to the ruin, Kazem Bashar wielded his wooden staff to erect an arcane shield formed of glowing lines and intricate patterns. He¡¯d raised it over the heads of a wearg cluster like an umbrella that protected them from the cannon fire raining down on the field. ¡°Yes, this I can do,¡± Ravi answered just before he turned to Bram. ¡°The Loom guide your fate, Your Highness.¡± ¡°It guides us all,¡± he responded. Then, before Ravi could leave, Bram added, ¡°Take Chris and Bridget with you.¡±Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. He turned to the two otherworlders and asked them to protect Ravi and Kazem with their lives. ¡°We¡¯ll lose more weargs without their shields¡­¡± Truthfully, neither Chris nor Bridget was in any position to protect anyone. They both looked as tired as Bram felt. Still, neither objected to Bram¡¯s order even though they knew the prince was asking them to die in Ravi¡¯s place if things turned dire. It wasn¡¯t such an inhumane request though. Ravi had only one life to give while the otherworlders could survive a death on Aarde. ¡°I¡¯m still not planning on dying today,¡± Bridget reiterated. ¡°Ditto,¡± Chris agreed. On that encouraging note, the three brave souls left the Red Ruin¡¯s entrance to join the battle outside. ¡°What about me?¡± Hajime asked. While he considered options, Bram¡¯s gaze returned to Master Mina. She looked away from him, and he couldn¡¯t blame her. The guilt she¡¯d had when they first met was still there. Just more prominent now. No doubt, she blamed herself for the death of her coven members. Earlier, after he¡¯d returned from Loveless¡¯ husk, Master Mina had also confessed to Bram that she¡¯d witnessed some of the mad nymph¡¯s atrocities while a prisoner in her own mind, so Bram had little doubt that she had more scars than those physical ones hidden by the pale green sorcerer¡¯s robe Ravi had given her. Bram couldn¡¯t blame Master Mina for feeling the way she did. After all, she¡¯d made choices that led to the expedition¡¯s tragic outcome. Only, as someone who couldn¡¯t do anything but watch Loveless¡¯ past ruin her future, Bram thought Master Mina deserved a chance at redemption. It¡¯s why he offered her his hand now in a symbolic gesture. ¡°Hajime will help you rescue Scarfang, so please show him the power of a true master of the sorcerous arts.¡± A word of encouragement might not seem like much, but it was a gulp of fresh air for a woman drowning in self-pity. When Master Mina¡¯s gaze turned to Bram¡¯s, a small ray of hope was alight in her eyes. ¡°We can¡¯t change the past.¡± Bram placed a hand on her shoulder. ¡°What we can do is make sure the future doesn¡¯t end in tragedy¡­ If not for us, then¡­¡± Bram¡¯s gaze drifted to the outside where Ravi had just finished raising another intricate-looking shield over the heads of more weargs, ensuring they were protected from another bombardment from above. ¡°¡­Perhaps for those who come after.¡± ¡°You possess a wisdom that belies your age, Your Highness¡­¡± Bram didn¡¯t think he was wise at all because what wisdom he had now was earned through the sacrifice of another. This thought made him glance down at the bag slung over his shoulder and the pine cone kept inside it. ¡®Your next life will be a much better one. I promise¡­¡¯ He was so focused on his thoughts Bram didn¡¯t see the expression of expectation flitting across Master Mina¡¯s face. If he had, he would have been quite embarrassed. Only one other Aarder still looked at Bram with hopeful expectation even after most of his former courtiers had abandoned him. ¡°Novice Hajime,¡± she called. ¡°H-Hai!¡± Hajime stood to attention. ¡°Stay within five feet of me,¡± Master Mina instructed. ¡°My Ophiotaurus will protect us as we break through the enemy lines.¡± ¡°Ophiotaurus¡­?¡± Hajime frowned. That frown was quickly replaced by surprise. ¡°M-Maji?! W-We¡¯re going to attack the enemy lines from the front?¡± Master Mina nodded. The hand whose fingers were regrown through Sprite¡¯s healing arts was already twirling in the air, drawing lines of starlight across space¡ªlines that reminded Bram of Rowan¡¯s summoning circle though this was more intricate and detailed. ¡°I-I don¡¯t have enough magic left,¡± Hajime protested. ¡°Isn¡¯t there another way to¡ª¡± Master Mina¡¯s other hand latched onto Hajime¡¯s wrist. ¡°We need to hurry.¡± This was true enough. Scarfang¡¯s life hung in the balance. ¡°After we save the wearg leader, we¡¯ll head for the riverbank,¡± she explained. ¡°If we can make it there, then Ophiotaurus can turn the tide of battle. Literally.¡± Hajime had just enough time to glance in Bram¡¯s direction, but the prince pretended not to see his plea for help as Master Mina pulled him along. In Bram¡¯s defense, Hajime often complained about things but never failed to step up when needed. The prince didn¡¯t doubt that this time would be no different. Such was the trust that had grown between him and the Japanese man. Chris and Bridget as well. All three otherworlders have exceeded his expectations, repeatedly proving to Bram time and time again that enacting his great undertaking had been the right choice. ¡°We were fortunate,¡± came Rowan¡¯s voice. The trickster who was quietly observing from behind stepped out of the shadows. Rowan cast a dark look on the outside, her gaze fixed on the back of the Stargazers¡¯ coven master. ¡°If Loveless had tapped into Wilhelmina¡¯s true power¡­ You might not have won your duel, My Prince.¡± It didn¡¯t take long for Master Mina to arrive at Scarfang¡¯s side with Hajime in tow, because the soldiers who¡¯d tried to block her way succumbed to a strange malady that caused their bodies to go into shock. ¡°I disagree,¡± Bram said. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have lost.¡± The prince could see the half-visible apparition rampaging at Master Mina¡¯s side. It was a large creature with the top half of a bull and the lower half of a thick python¡¯s trunk. This tail whipped back and forth, passing through the bodies of unsuspecting soldiers, and taking from them the telltale sparks of sorcery that Bram guessed symbolized their magic reserves. ¡°I barely have any magic in me for her to siphon off.¡± Bram¡¯s attempt at a joke earned him a harsh laugh he wasn¡¯t used to hearing from Rowan. He glanced sideways. Rowan¡¯s face seemed strange. There were dark circles under the eyes that glowed like burning coals. She was frowning impatiently too, which wasn¡¯t like the trickster who preferred to smile even when she was vexed. ¡°Are you all right?¡± ¡°A bit of indigestion has me feeling listless¡­¡± ¡°Ah.¡± Though he¡¯d shared her burden earlier, Rowan had taken in more of the Midnight Shard¡¯s dark elemental energy than he did, and that much darkness would give anyone heartburn. Small wonder she hasn¡¯t acted up until now. ¡°I think I know a way to alleviate your discomfort.¡± As a frequent victim of uncontrolled anger and pent-up angst which he often hid under the guise of a smile or a tune, Bram knew just the kind of outlet Rowan needed. He looked up, his gaze drifting to the larger of the two ships, to the baron¡¯s banner billowing alongside its prow. Rowan, who was privy to his mind, couldn¡¯t help giggling, yet even this laughter seemed darker than usual. ¡°I suppose that is why you and I remained here?¡± ¡°I promised I wouldn¡¯t ask you to fight¡­but you look like you need one.¡± He offered her a sheepish grin. ¡°Besides, I can¡¯t foresee our victory without¡ª¡± It happened so quickly that Bram¡¯s jaw barely had time to drop before Rowan had her arms around his waist. ¡°My blood is boiling, and you¡¯ve offered me a chance at release,¡± She whispered into his ears. ¡°You do know how to woo a maiden in heat, My Prince.¡± They gazed at each other for a long moment. Then, before Bram¡¯s inner desires could become reality¡­ ¡°Clench your jaw,¡± Rowan instructed. A blink of an eye later, the Red Ruin was gone, and they were soaring into the sky faster than even a cannon¡¯s shell in flight. The harsh winds buffeted his face while the chill of the late afternoon air seeped into his bones. Bram didn¡¯t mind these inconveniences. Like the first time he¡¯d flown with her, he enjoyed the sensation of flying. The voyage was short though, and soon enough, they touched ground on an unfamiliar deck surrounded by knights clothed in full-bodied plate armor and eyes eager for conflict. Unfortunately for these brave fools, Rowan was hungrier to spill blood¡­and the knights of von Galen were all on the menu now.
Greetings, Fellow Otherworlders, I just wanted to take this moment to wish you all... A Happy and Healthy New Year!!! May 2025 Bring you joy, love, and fortune! - G.D. Cruz P.S. I believe there are a couple of people who want to wish y''all a happy new year too... Chapter 43: Blutm?dchen CHAPTER FORTY-THREE Blutm?dchen
¡°Who are you?!¡± barked a curly-haired knight with a slightly taller build than Bram¡ªa rare thing¡ªthough it might have just been his plate armor giving him the extra bulk. ¡°Declare yourselves!¡± Bram couldn¡¯t answer. He was too busy trying not to puke. ¡°One mo¡ª¡± The narrowed gazes of House von Galen¡¯s elite helped him resist the urge to vomit, but only for a while. In the end, his air sickness won out, and Bram puked the remains of his breakfast on the skyship¡¯s wooden deck. ¡°Oi, I just cleaned that this morning, you Arse!¡± roared one of the knights. His companions seemed equally vexed. They shouted curses at Bram, though he cared not at all. ¡°Call him¡­¡± Despite his rumbling stomach, the prince managed to rise back to his full height. ¡°Tell your master that¡ª¡± Bram puked a second helping of bile onto the wooden floor, earning him more threats of bodily harm and eternal damnation. Again, he didn¡¯t care. Bram got up without missing a beat, and then, after wiping the bile from his mouth, he declared, ¡°Tell your master¡­the Governor of Lotharin¡¯s arrived¡­to see him.¡± At his side, Rowan could only giggle. Clearly, she found his inability to handle flying in her arms more amusing than disgusting, something Bram was secretly thankful for. She was the only one to be amused, though. For at the mention of his title, the mood shifted considerably. ¡°This daft bastard¡¯s the governor?¡± one of the knights asked. At his question, skepticism spread across faces half-veiled by steel helmets. ¡°Can¡¯t be,¡± replied another knight. ¡°The Ill-Fated Prince¡¯s hiding away in Bastille. The coward would be too afraid to step inside this forest to even lick our lord¡¯s arse.¡± ¡°That dandy fool wouldn¡¯t look as filthy either,¡± another knight chimed in. Comments about Bram¡¯s love for luxurious baths and colorful clothes spread among the knights, causing the prince to frown. Obviously, someone in his bastion¡¯s been a little loose with their tongues. In Bram¡¯s defense, it¡¯s not like he wanted to appear in front of von Galen¡¯s knights looking like he¡¯d waded in a bloody swamp, but the signs of his battle with Loveless stained what remained of his gear. ¡°No, you¡¯re not the prince. You wouldn¡¯t be here if you were,¡± claimed one of the knights. ¡°We¡¯ve all seen him cowering whenever the Baron and Vicomte put him in his place.¡± ¡°We all know what the little coward¡¯s about,¡± added another knight. ¡°Every bloke and tavern wench in the kingdom knows he soils his breeches whenever real nobles show up.¡± Laughter. It was the same mocking laughter Bram heard whenever he passed a cluster of nobles whispering to each other while hardly hiding the fact that they were gossiping about him. Hearing it now caused the simmering rage at the edge of his consciousness to rise once more. He didn¡¯t even realize that he¡¯d pulled Dusk out until he felt the chill of its handle against his palm. Strangely, he felt something else too. The back of his hand felt hot and seemed to grow hotter along with his rising anger. Bloody hell¡­ Bram glanced down. It might have been just a trick of the light, but he could have sworn the black lightning scar on his hand wiggled just a little. ¡°What have you got there?¡± another knight asked, interrupting Bram¡¯s musings. ¡°You trying to buy your life with that golden stick?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a nice-looking stick, I¡¯ll grant him that,¡± replied another knight. ¡°Just the right size to shove up one¡¯s¡ª¡± ¡®Crack!¡¯ Rowan moved so fast that no one had time to react, and by the time the knight who¡¯d mocked Bram looked down, her hand was already buried in his chest. Silence. It was a silence broken only by the roar of tearing flesh, a muffled cry, and a familiar beating. Steady at first but growing more erratic with each second. When the knight toppled over, the heart in Rowan¡¯s hand also stopped beating. Screams ensued. Anger, fear, confusion¡ªthese emotions rang through the air but were quickly silenced by a new kind of laughter. Low, sultry giggling that made one¡¯s skin crawl to hear and yet evoked a sense of pleasure in one¡¯s ears reverberated around them, forcing the knights back into silence. Fools, Bram thought. If you lacked the courage to fight, then you should have run¡­not stand there like scarecrows waiting to be picked off¡­ He thought these knights were the elite of von Galen¡¯s household, but they were nothing compared to the otherworlders in his party who stood their ground even against a nymph-turned-giantess. ¡®Swoosh!¡¯ With a swing of her hand¡ªone that now held a ¡®Blood Falchion¡¯ between its fingers¡ªthe head of a second knight was severed from its neck. It rolled on the ground, sliding toward the sabatons of the burly, curly-haired knight who¡¯d yelled at Bram to declare his identity. Another long moment went by before he found his voice again. ¡°To battle, you Fools!¡± the curly-haired knight roared. ¡°To battle!¡± New screams began. Blades were drawn. Shields were raised. Helmet visors were pulled down. One by one, the knights of von Galen¡¯s household charged at the intruders. However, Bram was right¡ªthey should have run instead¡­ ¡°In your fight with Loveless¡±¡ªLike a ballerina on stage, Rowan twirled around Bram to cut down a knight who¡¯d rushed at the prince¡¯s back¡ª¡°I saw you wield an interesting sword art.¡± Bram, who didn¡¯t even have the spare health to summon Dusk¡¯s violet-orange blade, could only nod while he marveled at the skill of Rowan¡¯s swordsmanship which he witnessed for the first time. ¡°The Peerless Heart Sword belongs to Ser Anthony. I was only borrowing it.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t act so humble¡­ What you borrow is yours to claim.¡± Like the lead dancer in a play celebrated on the grand stage of the majestic theaters of the Imperium¡¯s capital, Rowan wove and spun her way around Bram while her falchion screeched across space. Its crimson blade sliced through metal and flesh as easily as if they were soft cheese. With this dance of death, she created a perimeter of blood and bodies around the prince that brooked no trespassers. Despite the growing number of dead, however, many more soldiers were arriving from below deck. Quickly, a hundred souls were coming for Rowan. Bram didn¡¯t think their numbers would matter though. Not now that the rebel trickster of legend unleashed the darkness trapped inside her. ¡°You¡¯ve learned to wield¡ª¡± Rowan parried a sword aimed at her bosom and then pushed it aside so her falchion could bite into the chink between the armor of the offending knight¡¯s arm. ¡°¡ªa sword that can cut down¡ª¡± She sliced off his arm right at the shoulder and then moved to strike at the knight lying in wait behind him.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. ¡°¡ªa single powerful foe.¡± The tip of Rowan¡¯s falchion pierced into the slit of the second knight¡¯s visor, causing him to scream in pain. ¡°So, allow me to show you¡ª¡± Her blade sliced through this knight¡¯s helmet on its way to clash with a spear that had been aimed at her neck. ¡°¡ªa sword that¡¯s meant¡ª¡± After a parry came a riposte that dug deep into the spearman¡¯s chest, and the blood had yet to spurt out of him when a smiling Rowan moved on. ¡°¡ªto cut down a host of foes,¡± she finished. Somehow, she¡¯d found her way back to Bram¡¯s side looking like she¡¯d just finished swimming in a sea of blood. Crimson stains coated her hair and gambeson, with splashes of red freckling her pale face. It was a face alight with passion, which, on any other occasion, would have made men and women swoon to see. ¡°Blutm?dchen¡­¡± Here and now, the prince was finally witnessing the trickster who¡¯d slain all those assassins of the White Rose who¡¯d attacked his bedroom while he slept. ¡°This is who you are.¡± Her impish grin flashed for him. Surprisingly, the dark visage of the ¡®Blood Maiden¡¯ before him caused no terror in Bram. Instead, he felt pride at witnessing her strength, though envy also sparked within his mind. How could he not feel jealous when he¡¯d sought power all his life only to be shown what real power looked like and how she used it with such ease? ¡°Bastards!¡± roared the curly-haired knight. Tall and swift, he pushed past the two knights who fell to Rowan¡¯s falchion and aimed his broadsword at the prince who seemed dazed and unready for a fight. Unfortunately for him, Bram was always prepared for a fight. With his ¡®Danger Sense¡¯ tingling, the prince slid to the right a half-second before the pointed tip of a broad blade could skewer him in the gut. A half-step later, he kicked out with force, hitting the curly-haired knight¡¯s knee with his boot right where the chinks in the armor were located. His boot dug into his enemy¡¯s knee, causing it to bend at an awkward angle. To his credit, the curly-haired knight didn¡¯t scream. He just gritted his teeth and haphazardly lunged at the prince. It was a foolish choice, however, because Bram had been deftly trained by the duelists of the Delightful Troupe to take advantage of every weakness he found. ¡°Most people think I¡¯m an incompetent brute, and¡ª¡± Bram deftly slid under the curly-haired knight¡¯s wide swing to grab his uninjured leg with both hands. ¡°¡ªthey¡¯d technically be right, but¡ª¡± Caught in a ¡®Single Leg Tackle¡¯, the curly-haired knight lost the foothold to push the stubborn prince off him, leaving him open to being lifted off his feet before he could use his broadsword against Bram¡¯s back. ¡°¡ªI am a brute with style and¡ª¡± After lifting the curly-haired knight high, Bram slammed him onto the wooden deck with all the strength and weight he could muster. ¡°¡ªclass!¡± ¡®Crack!¡¯ Gravity¡¯s aid ensured his attack was a heavy blow, and with the curly-haired knight decked in steel from head to toe, his crash caused the wooden planks beneath him to groan and bend. ¡°I¡¯m also a brute¡ª¡± Bram mounted the curly-haired knight. ¡°¡ªwho¡¯s been trained to hone every inch of my body¡ª¡± Bram¡¯s elbow slammed down on the curly-haired knight¡¯s face, who, by a stroke of luck, had been the only one not to wear a helmet among the knights of von Galen¡¯s household. ¡°¡ªinto a weapon, so that I might¡ª¡± Blood splashed onto Bram¡¯s cheek from the broken nose he¡¯d given the curly-haired knight, but he ignored it because he was already slamming his other elbow into the stunned man¡¯s face. ¡°¡ªbe able to compete with sorcerers¡ª¡± As a final move, Bram¡¯s hands grabbed onto both sides of the curly-haired knight¡¯s head, so he could raise it to meet the prince¡¯s head as it bashed against him. ¡°¡ªin close combat!¡± A sound akin to a ringing gong resounded, and when the headbutting was done, the curly-haired knight fell back, his eyes rolling into the back of his head while he frothed at the mouth. Surely, he wasn¡¯t dead, but he¡¯d be of no further use in the battle. One might wonder how the prince who no longer possessed the sweet boon of ¡®Giant Strengthening¡¯ to empower his body could wield such terrible force against an armored knight. However, only Bram was privy to his status screen which he was looking at now with a satisfied, blood-smeared grin. Right after he¡¯d woken up from surviving his battle against Loveless, Bram had noticed a few notifications he didn¡¯t have time to focus on right then and there. It wasn¡¯t until the lull between one battle and the next that he finally had a chance to view the system¡¯s messages.
ALERT! The users [Christopher Chase], [Hajime Hideo Miyamoto], and [Bridget Fowling] have all reached level five! They are now eligible for a job promotion!
ALERT! Encouraging the players¡¯ job promotions may help to increase the system¡¯s knowledge base.
Bram had thought that it was only natural his companions would rise two levels. Loveless had been a difficult dungeon boss. Of course, he couldn¡¯t help feeling a little envious that they¡¯d been allowed to advance their jobs while he remained a level one administrator. Fortunately, there were more messages to peruse that turned his frown upside down.
CONGRATULATIONS! You survive a harrowing encounter against a powerful foe, increasing your Constitution and Willpower by [+1].
CONGRATULATIONS! You used your wits to outmaneuver a powerful foe, increasing your Wisdom and Intelligence by [+1].
CONGRATULATIONS! You used your natural talents to best a powerful foe, increasing your Strength and Dexterity by [+1].
Bram may not have leveled up, but none of his companions earned a whopping six-point increase in their attributes. Hajime earned two points in Intelligence, Bridget received a point in Dexterity and Strength, while Chris got two points in Constitution and one more in Strength. These boons were earned through effort, repetition, and life-and-death encounters, teaching them that one¡¯s attributes weren¡¯t strictly connected to the rise of one¡¯s level. Here in the present, Bram¡¯s increased status was revealing itself now, though those six points hadn¡¯t been the main reason he dominated his duel with the curly-haired knight. That honor belonged to another growth of his.
STRENGTH: 45
Before he¡¯d stepped out of the Red Ruin, Bram had invested all the points he¡¯d earned from absorbing the Midnight Shard¡¯s dark energy into his Strength stat. He now had half the strength he possessed the first time he¡¯d become a blood champion. It wasn¡¯t much compared to the kind of sorcery that summoned a giant flaming rock down from the heavens, but this boost in strength gave him an advantage against a foe who¡¯d underestimated him. The prince from the floor feeling proud of his accomplishment in defeating the most threatening of the enemy knights only to turn around and be reminded of what real power looked like. More bodies were lying on the ground nearby, and it was obvious from a glance that they¡¯d each been bested with a single swing of a blade. ¡°Blutm?dchen¡­¡± A blood-smeared hand came up to caress Bram¡¯s cheek, drawing his gaze to the ¡®Blood Maiden¡¯ appearing at his side. ¡°You need not be envious,¡± she whispered. ¡°Ours is a partnership of give-and-take¡­ So, take from me what you can when you can.¡± With those words of reassurance, Rowan aimed her ¡®Blood Falchion¡¯ forward, and all who witnessed its shaking tip were forced to pause their march.
WARNING! A [Spray of Blood] is filling the air, causing [Minor Paralysis] to affect all targets within its unseen cloud.
ALERT! You¡¯ve been designated as an ally by [Rowan Wolfe]. You will not be affected by [Spray of Blood].
The shaking of her falchion grew more violent just as a sliver of magic seeped into it. The magic trailed down its blade, causing crimson sparks to pop out of its edges.
ALERT! An opportunity has arrived for you to copy a new ability!
No one could move to stop her for all were caught in Rowan¡¯s trap and were forced to be spectators to their coming demise. ¡°Life is stubborn¡­ It finds a way to bloom even in the harshest of conditions.¡± A blood-red aura spread out of the tip of the falchion¡¯s blade. ¡°The Sword of Life is no different¡­¡± Rowan swung her falchion upward, and the blood pooling on the deck¡¯s floor rose too. ¡°Blossoming into flowers¡ª¡± The rebel trickster of legend flashed her stunned foes with a blood-smeared grin. ¡°¡ªthat dye the world in deepest red!¡± The rising lines of blood formed into hundreds of red blobs that expanded outward, blossoming into flowers whose scarlet petals flew into the sky, engulfing the scenery in a storm of crimson.