Chapter 13: Ch 13 - 1 Year of power rising (2)
I first bowed deeply, "Your Majesty, the Dwarf King, I am Luca Ashford. It is an honor to meet you."
One notable aspect of Gazel Dwargo was his infuriatingly unique skill known as 『Dictator』 . This skill endowed him with the ability to perceive everything, including the thoughts of others. While I possessed similar abilities through magical perception, Dictator went further by allowing its user to amplify and integrate their energy, thereby enhancing the power of their attacks. This dual capability made him a formidable force to contend with, both intellectually and in combat prowess.
At least that's what Court Jester says.
So how do I counter this? Well, it's quite simple. Little did anyone know, Magic perception has long been used to read minds. The catch is that those with this ability also have the power to block it, ensuring that only higher beings capable of mastering their perception can successfully lie. Well, what if you want to look like you can't lie?
Of course, letting him read my scripted thoughts would be even more advantageous. My technique to deceive magic perception was already highly refined, enough to make every master in the Murim think I was merely a novice the first time they encountered me.
"Luca Ashford... We've traced your origins to Falmuth. Now, explain what a disowned son of the Ashford County has to do with the Hao clan?"
That's a lie, you didn't trace anything. In reality, I simply scripted in my thoughts, 'Wow, His Majesty is certainly imposing up close. That aura is quite intimidating. It feels so different from my time in Ashford County, well even though I feel bad about being disowned, I get to experience this, the outside world.' --- That's what he heard, he read it effortlessly, as if flipping through a book with pages glued together, masking the true narrative with my scripts.
"Firstly, I would like to thank you for accepting my request, and secondly... I would like to give this to you." I opened my suitcase. The king remained composed, but his two followers stood alert. If it were a bomb, my head would be sent flying in an instant. Not that I would allow that to happen.
I carefully pulled out a stack of papers, straightening them meticulously before finally passing them to Dorf. He scrutinized the documents for any hidden magical runes, then, satisfied, handed them over to his liege. His liege not only read the papers but also delved into the scripted thoughts I had poured into them.
Scripted thoughts: 'Hopefully, he grasps the situation. He's reviewing the chapters where our clan successfully halted the war between Sarion and the other western states, and liberated demi-human slaves without incident. If he views this favorably, he might understand our commitment to pacifism... Even now, we carefully manage and modify information to maintain peace.'
He raised an eyebrow at my scripted thoughts, and it was clear I needed to step up my game. To gain his trust, he had to know the owner of the Hao Clan, at least by name. Of course, I wouldn't use my real name. Instead, I'd give him the name I was known by in murim. No, not Namgoong Hajin, but the name I held when I ruled over the demon faction.
Scripted thoughts: 'Rulers are certainly different~ I thought my father and King Edmarin were intimidating enough, but then King Gazel Dwargo appeared before me... Well, regardless of what they say, none of them are as handsome, kind, compassionate, and gentlemanly as our clan head!'
...There wasn't any response to that. Inside me, my grin of mischief grew.
Scripted thoughts: 'Umu umu, the Clan head is definitely the best of the best! he is not only handsome, kind, compassionate, and gentlemanly... Hm? have I say he's kind? Oh anyway, he's very kind! And funny too!'
The king's right eye began to twitch...
Scripted thoughts: 'Oh and not only that! not only he is handsome, kind, compassionate, and gentlemanly, and funny, but Clan-head-sama is also caring, positively infectious, thoughtful, very courageous, has a Big heart generous, and also a great listener!'
"💢--" And finally a vein almost bursts itself as he tries to focus on reading the documents.
And then...
Scripted thoughts: 'OH! OH! And also... He is a wise and beautiful soul, incrediblytalentedwithinspiringcreativity.Anaturalleader,heisalsoanexcellentcookwithanamazingsingingvoice,andabrilliantartist.Hisfantasticworkethicismatchedbyhisarticulatenature,greatproblem-solvingskills,andaknackformakingpeoplefeelcomfortable---'
Thud It was then that the king almost slammed his armored hand to the table. Dorf on the spectating side was curious, "...Is something alright, your majesty?"
But the king didn't respond to him.
Fufu, You're regretting having that unique skill now aren't you? At least you know how I felt back when I was the heavenly demon lord. Well then, it's time to up my game...
Scripted thoughts: 'Hmm, looks like I ended up bringing it after all...' I mused, glancing at my suitcase where the rest stack of papers lay neatly arranged.
It caught the king's attention, but he still turned the pages just to make sure he read all of it.
Scripted thoughts: 'I still contemplated whether to present this to the king or not, It could end up either good or bad, after all... It contains information that might cause him to declare war against Falmuth'
That was when his eyes widened, his aura surged, magicules radiating everywhere, sending a palpable wave of pressure unleashed by his 『Hero's Haki』. Everyone in the room was shocked. Dorf and Anrietta looked at their liege with wide eyes and gaping mouths. As for me? I feigned being overwhelmed. Dropping to one knee, I wore a pained expression, meeting his gaze as anger flashed in his eyes.
"Y-your Majesty??" My voice echoed with confusion.
Scripted thoughts: 'W-what is making him so angry all of the sudden--!?'
Actual thoughts: Bruh, u mad bro?
His 'Hero's Haki' subsided, and with commanding authority in his voice, he declared, "The rest of these documents, hand it over to me."
My mouth gaped as I began to tremble, my hand hesitating to reach for the suitcase. Oh, I do have great acting skills, and I know a few qi flow techniques to produce sweat and even tears. My hand grew damp with sweat as I swiftly closed the suitcase. "T-there seems to be a misunderstanding here, Your Majesty," I stammered. "T-those documents are already everything."
Scripted thoughts: 'This is bad. I should never have brought it. No matter how just the Dwarf King may be, he's still a king. If he learns of his people's suffering, he might resort to war...'
He glanced at me sharply, then commanded, "Restrain him!" Instantly responding to his order, "W-WOAH?!" Dorf drew his sword and aimed it at my neck, while a dagger pressed threateningly against my throat, wielded by Anrietta's slender, tan hand.
Instinctively (acting), I threw my hands up in surrender, the universal gesture, "Step away from that suitcase," the female dwarf warned in a low, menacing voice.
Thud Thud Thud Thud The Dwar king stood and approaches me. Calmly Dorf opened the suitcase and handed it over to the Gazel. And finally, read it.
Ha, checkmate.
In the Kingdom of Falmuth, there was a renowned magic researcher known as Razen, the Chief Sorcerer. Razen was a brilliant sorcerer who had served for many years as a Court Mage, his longevity owed in part to his mastery of the Possession Spell—a magic that allowed him to steal another's body. He typically targeted Otherworlders summoned by the kingdom for this sinister practice.
In reality, if all he needed was a body, a homunculus from the Sarion dynasty would suffice. But what if they could create something new? Something more powerful? Something... as formidable as a Demon Lord?
The document revealed a research paper crafted in the shadows of Falmuth, with Razen clearly identified as the lead researcher. The experiment aimed to fuse the genetic codes of 21 different species into a single body, creating a chimera. Curiously, dwarves were listed among the test subjects.
Who in the world inspired Razen to do such a thing?
Obviously... ✨Me~✨
I adopted another identity as a researcher, even participating in the summoning of an Otherworlder to maintain my cover. Now, don't get too upset—I was specifically in charge of the dwarf testing. I continually reported that there were no significant changes in any dwarf subjects.
In fact, it was my insistence that led to experimenting on dwarves in the first place. Razen himself warned me to be ready for any consequences should something go awry. But all the dwarves were fine, none of them were dissected like the otherworlders that I summoned or even the prisoners.
The aura that had subsided suddenly flared back to life.
"I never liked the king of that country," he said, his words laced with bloodlust.
That's when my next dialogue comes in, "THE HAO CLAN-!!!" I exclaimed loudly to catch his attention when he looked back "The Hao clan is looking into this... they already began to sneak and kidnapped all 21 species of monsters and demi-humans to release them from captivity!! So... the war---"
Scripted thoughts: 'I should stop him, at all cost! By this time, Clan head-sama should have broken in and rescued them...! Then we can simply bring this up to Ingrassia's Free Guild to resolve it peacefully---!!!'
And there it is, the act of a peace-loving organization has finally been done.
However, the king did something unexpected, "Does the Hao clan accept assassination requests?"
With his laced words, if I could smile in this situation... I would have laughed hysterically like a madman. Why? Because what he suggested is even better! He won't even bother investigating who insisted on using dwarfs, and despite his reservations, he's overwhelmed by his emotions.
I stand straight, determination plastered itself on my face even though it's just a fake one, "If it's for world peace, we would."
That day marked the brutal slaughter of Falmuth's court magician. No one knew exactly what transpired, but few survived to tell the tale. Among the most grisly deaths was Razen's—his head was gruesomely decapitated and preserved with salt, displayed in a wooden box. Unbeknownst to most, the dwarf-king had taken it as a gift during the opening of the Hao clan's official branch.
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To be continued.
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