Bab 44: Encounter with the Local Tyrant

Vecna's eyebrow raised in curiosity, but his expression remained composed. "Oh? Right now?"

"Yeah, you can use your Blood Magic to make a Chess Board. Come. Are you afraid of my Punishment? If you lose now, you might actually like it."

"Mmm. Interesting proposal. However."

"Not now. I don't feel like playing chess against an amateur. Why should I? Still, if you wait patiently like a good lady that you are, I will give you your match."

"Ohh, and it's about time you get off my lap. You've had too much skin-skip bonding with me for a whole lifetime. Too much flesh and meat wrapping around my body."

It was at the moment that Elysia started waking up from her struggling sleep that Vecna pushed Maribel as if he was a horse kicking someone trying to mount him, in doing so the mature woman felt something hard touching her private parts.

She released a sensual sound, not expecting his rod to be so precise in poking her.

As Elysia's eyes fluttered open, the blurry world gradually came into focus. Her surroundings solidified, revealing Maribel and Vecna in the midst of a playful tussle. Maribel, caught off guard by Vecna's push, fell headfirst to the ground, her ample bosom cushioning her fall. Elysia's eyes widened at the unexpected scene before her.

With a comical expression of mock indignation, Maribel shot Vecna an irate look, her voice laced with feigned annoyance. "What was that for? I thought we got closer!"

Vecna's features remained calm, but there was a flicker of amusement in his crimson eyes. He seemed unfazed by Maribel's response, as if he had anticipated her reaction. Elysia couldn't help but smile at their antics.

Despite the gravity of the journey they faced, moments like these brought a touch of lightheartedness to their dynamic.

Elysia finally sat up, her golden hair cascading down her shoulders as she stretched her arms, the last traces of sleep dissipating.

As she watched the exchange, Elysia's lips curved into a grin. "Good morning to you both. I see Maribel's up to her usual tricks again."

Vecna's response was a nonchalant nod, a hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Seems like Maribel's antics caught up with her once more. You'd think she'd learn her lesson by now."

"You think I'm easy to deal with? Think again. I'm not losing against some breasts or ass."

Maribel's expression shifted from annoyance to playful pouting as she got up from the ground, her nightgown slightly disheveled from the fall. "Oh, hush, Vecna. Can't a girl have a little fun?"

With a soft chuckle, Elysia swung her legs over the side of the bed, rising to her feet. "Of course, Maribel. But you better be careful," ended the young elven woman as her purple eyes got chilly.

As they each got ready for the day ahead, the trio eventually made their way down to the inn's common area to enjoy a meal before resuming their journey.

The tavern was bustling with activity, the aroma of freshly cooked food filling the air. Elysia's stomach rumbled in response, a reminder of the hunger that had been temporarily forgotten in the midst of their charade.

They found a table near a window, the sunlight streaming in and casting a warm glow across the wooden surfaces. The Inn Lady greeted them warmly, and they placed their orders, their conversations mainly focused on their upcoming journey.

After savoring the hearty meal and bidding farewell to the Innkeeper, the trio emerged from the cozy atmosphere of the tavern to the chaotic mess that was Como City. The morning sun tried to paint the city in a better light, but the Rulers of this place were casting its rays down.

Vecna's keen eyes swept over the scene, his instincts attuned to any potential threats.

Elysia, with her Elven grace, navigated through the crowds with ease, her presence commanding respect even in this tumultuous environment. Maribel, ever the spirited one, had shifted from her playful persona into a more regal and Empress-like demeanor.

Her expression was composed, her posture radiating authority as she surveyed the chaotic surroundings. The once-teasing glint in her eyes had been replaced with a thoughtful and calculating gaze.

Their horses awaited them just outside the inn, standing tall and ready for the journey ahead.

Vecna's Black Stallion, named Huginn after one of the ravens of the god Odin, seemed to react with a sense of pleased recognition as its master approached. Vecna's hand gently brushed over the stallion's sleek coat, his touch reassuring.

"You weren't mistreated, right, Huginn?" Vecna's voice held a hint of concern, his bond with the horse evident in the way he spoke. "The stable boys took good care of you, I hope.".

"Well, that kid would have been kicked by you if not."

The stallion snorted at his remark, nuzzling against Vecna's hand as if to reassure him. Vecna's lips curled into an evil grin.

After checking in with his beloved Black Stallion, Vecna turned his attention to his companions, both girls checking-in with their respective horses, making sure they didn't lack the necessary care for the long mountain journey.

With a final glance around the city, not bothered by the first incident at the City Gates, Vecna mounted Huginn, his presence commanding attention as people nearby paused to watch the handsome blonde man.

Their hushed whispers and sidelong glances which attracted more people to the scene, some that maybe should be kept away from the affairs of the City.

As their group gathered near the inn's entrance, a sudden shift in the crowd caught their attention. An entourage of men, clad in knightly attire, accompanied a figure of portly stature adorned in opulent aristocratic garments.

The air seemed to change as the crowd hushed, a mixture of fear and trepidation replacing their previous idle chatter.

"It's Lord Vernell!" a whisper swept through the people, carrying a note of warning, "Don't utter a word or he might take your tongue for sport."

"It's the crazy pig!" A hushed murmur spread through the crowd as Vernell Como's entourage approached. People instinctively moved aside, parting like a sea before the imposing figure of the local nobleman.

His portly form was almost comical against the backdrop of the bustling, chaotic city.

Vernell Como, the local tyrant and the pampered son of Baron Aldred Como, had arrived on the scene. His presence was notorious, his reputation preceding him as one who wielded power without restraint.

Vecna's departure had caught Vernell's attention, and his voice, surprisingly high-pitched for a man of his size, boomed through the air. "Halt right there! Who dares to ride through my city without proper identification?" His beady eyes landed on Vecna and the two women by his side.

People nearby immediately stiffened, their gazes avoiding direct contact with Vernell, aware of the volatile nature of the man.

Ignoring the agitated nobleman, Vecna leaned slightly towards Maribel, a playful smile touching his lips. "Did you hear that, Maribel? Sounds like a rather annoying fly buzzing around."

Maribel chuckled softly, the corners of her lips curving upwards. She couldn't help but find the entire situation amusing, even as she whispered a word of caution. "Remember, Vecna, that 'annoying fly' happens to be part of the local nobility."

Vecna's lips curled into a faint, almost amused smile as he continued to disregard the haughty nobleman. Casually, he remarked, "Well, I could end him right here and now if I wished. His entourage's is formed of cannon fodder. Your Automatons seemed more imposing."

"Of course. I made them with that in mind."

Vecna's predatory gaze swept over the approaching NPCs, initially flitting across the corpulent nobleman who managed to elicit an eye-roll from him. He redirected his focus to the Knights accompanying the portly figure, his eyes lingering on the trio of knights that flanked the pampered man.

[Vernell Como - LV. 105] (Silver-Gold)

'Piss off, Pig. You're not worth my time.'

[Knight Denar - LV 151] (Silver) | [Knight Avery - LV. 153] (Silver) | [Knight Elran - LV. 150] | …

Yet it was the visage of a scarred warrior, encased in the dignified armor of a knight, that captured Vecna's attention. This figure stood apart, an air of authority clinging to his scarred form. It was as though he bore the mantle of protector, especially for the rotund nobleman.

[Knight Oto - LV. 155] (Silver-Gold)

'This Oto could give me a run for his money. However, it's risky. There's 6 of those Knights against me. If a fight goes off, I would endanger Elysia who is barely level 50.'

'Provoking these swine further holds little value. This hardly warrants the expenditure of my efforts.'

Vecna's response, a blend of nonchalance and icy resolve, surfaced in the midst of their conversation. "I find no pleasure in a needless confrontation. My gains would be meager, limited to the crimson hue staining the streets of Como."

However, a flicker of introspection unveiled the repercussions that might cascade should the Baron's offspring suffer an unforeseen demise within the city's boundaries. Vecna dismissed this hypothetical with an indifferent wave of his hand, shifting his focus to spur Huginn into motion.

"Get going Huginn. Right, and scare the crap out of the pig you see in front of us."

As the ebony stallion surged forward, an almost otherworldly dynamism enveloped them. Huginn's gallop, guided by an enigmatic force, seemed to veer toward the portly nobleman. Vecna's voice held a frigid edge, infused with a potent mix of disdain and authority, as he addressed the corpulent obstacle.

"Step aside, oaf," he declared with a quiet intensity that carried the weight of his vampiric aura, "I won't be held responsible if you find yourself squashed into the shape of a sausage."

"Ladies, let us remove ourselves from this lamentable scene."

The two women followed suit, reigning in their horses to follow Huginn's lead. Their departure from Como City was marked by the thunderous echoes of hooves on the ground, a stark contrast to the fat nobleman's sputtering protests.

With that, Huginn's pace increased, their departure from Como City marked by the pounding of hooves that was like hammers hitting hot on an anvil. The echoes of their departure lingered, and despite the fat nobleman's sputtering protests, the trio moved forward unimpeded.

Vernell Como's face turned an unpleasant shade of red as he watched Vecna and the two women ride away. His pudgy fingers clenched into fists, and he turned to his knights with a mixture of frustration and rage.

"Did you see that? Did you see what that insolent fool just did?" he hissed, his voice dripping with venom. "He dares to humiliate me in front of everyone!"

The knights exchanged uneasy glances, their loyalty to their lord warring with their understanding of the danger that Vecna represented. Knight Oto, scarred and experienced, stepped forward with a calm yet firm demeanor.

"My lord, it's not wise to provoke him further. The man is no ordinary traveler. His power far exceeds what we might anticipate," Oto cautioned.

Vernell's eyes flickered with a mixture of indignation and stubbornness. "I don't care how powerful he is! He dares to insult me on my own streets. Are we to let him walk away unscathed?"

Despite his bluster, the knights exchanged knowing glances. They were all too aware of the potential disaster that could unfold if they were to engage in a confrontation with Vecna. Knight Avery, with a cautious voice, added, "My lord, perhaps it's best to focus on more pressing matters. We can find another way to assert your authority."

With a reluctant nod, Vernell finally relented, though his eyes remained fixed on the distant figures disappearing from view. "Very well. But mark my words, he won't get away with this."