章 7: Dead Man Rising
I slowly woke up from the plush bed I found myself in as I was met with pure darkness. Recalling everything that had happened before my bout of unconsciousness. No matter what I were to tell myself everything was undoubtedly real. Even if it wasn't the lasting effects of the supposed illusion where. Looking around the grandiose room I had found myself in I rose out the rather large, oversized canopy bed I found myself in.
Grabbing a candle on the bedside in a movement that felt far to familiar to myself I moved towards a softly crackling fireplace. Lighting the candle I obversed how the room spoke of wealth as I was greeted with opulent furniture, stylish carpets and walls that seemed to be carved in intrinsic patterns with paintings that brought an air of sophistication, accentuated by every visible brush stroke.
I've seen better.
It was certainly impressive no doubt, but the time for the colour scheme exhibited on the walls and carpets to be artistic had long passed. Examining the room beyond a cursory glance I spotted a journal of sorts on the bedside table next to me. I reached out feeling the leather texture of its cover before I stopped. Remembering the [System] and its supposed existence I mentally reached out to it in the same manner that had come naturally in that space before I was thrusted in the void. Not a second later I found myself staring at what looked like a menu with buttons saying-
[Status] [Faction Overview] [Summons]
[Loyalty] [Quests] [Authorization]
Curious as to what "[Authorization]" was I went to select it but was instead met with a notification.
[Notice: Congradulations on your transference]
Due to unexpected interference your arrival was delayed. As such it has been decided for you to receive compensation for your troubles, alongside the normal [Traits] and [System] functions you would receive from having a physical body once more. Unfortunately due to the spontaneous nature of your arrival and meddling of forces beyond our control you will not receive the previous memories of the body you inhabit, though ingrained muscle memory and fragments may persist.
A secondary side effect of this unforseen complication is the time and whereabouts of your arrival. As a result certain summons such as the [Experienced Mercenary Company] will use items and be people of your current time that fit the descriptor. Those that may not fit have been changed positively in quality to do so.
We are sorry for any difficulties that may occur as a result.
Sincerely,
Management
I don't know what to think.
To know that the torture I suffered was a result of some outsiders meddling was infuriating beyond belief. To know that even before I had a chance to start my new life I wasn't safe was frightening. I would make sure it would never happen again, and to do so I would have to be powerful. I looked to the notifications to see what this "compensation" was.
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[Race Changed: Shadow Walker]
An unknown race that continually walks the earth in small numbers, a parody of the human race copying their manurisms while hiding their true nature. Little is known due to their mysteriousness and infamy to avoid those they do not wish to see and the manner in which they hide their features through cloaking them in shadows when their masquerade is revealed.
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[Trait Gained: Perfect Body]
You have been gifted the perfect array of genetic traits by your forefathers in such a way that you are simply beyond the average human.
+50% Physical and mental potential
+25% Physical and mental improvement speed
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[Title Gained: Spectral Observer]
A both equally rewarding and forboding experience.
+50% Understanding of realms beyond your own
+ [Trait: Insight]
Reality is but a veil to hide the irrealities that unnoticably effect the "real" world. Those who have such a gift are often sought out for their abilities and potential to effect the world around them. Your experienced allows you to peer beyond the veil and directly affect it.
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Upon closing the popped up windows I felt the changes take place. I felt as something I could only now feel compressed into itself before spreading along my body. A shadowy blackness seemingly on fire grew across my skin. I watched it all with fascination, surprisingly calm at such a demonstration, welcoming, even, feeling as though it was meant to be. My heaetbeat stopped as I no longer had one and I no longer breathed due to not having a mouth. Despite it all I hadn't the single worry, as it simply felt right.
My wraithlike figure was light, yet gained weight when I embraced the form of the body I inhabited. I could already feel the improvements to my physical form that had grown to better accompany the previous inhabitants efforts. The already strong and fit body becoming more balanced and precise in its movements. Blood flowed, breaths were taken, yet it all felt fake, as if such actions weren't needed. In morbid intrigue I tested such things as I forcibly prevented blood to flow. My skin paled, organs shut down, my flesh called out in painful agony, my limbs weakening as I collapsed unable to hold myself, feeling as my brain shut down.
Yet I felt disconnected to it all as I rose once more, fluidly directing the body as if it was a puppet as shadows seeped into its form. It reformed and inserted itself into the organs, serving to restart their functionality, and blood flowed yet again removing the porcelain like paleness to give way to colourful features once more.
Happy with my discovery I decided to test the newfound sight I acquired. I found my vision tinting as it showed a vast array of light like strands of varying colours that took shape in various forms. They flowed seemingly randomly in the river like formations the colourful strands took. I moved across the room, pushing certain shapes and only nudging others. I attempted to grab and interfere with their shapes and swirls only to find myself unable to interact with their immaterial like form. Undeterred I grabbed a floating, flowing, river like white strand that was loosely woven and seperated at some points of its structure.
Finally finding some sort of interactable structure I pinched the thread, preventing its movement. Upon doing so I felt the temperature around me rapidly decline. The room grew chilly as my breath was visible in the air, the edges of tables and various objects around the room developed frost and my own bodies flesh, blood and eventually bones froze as the cold permeated every inch of my body. I forced myself to release the thread, breaking the bones in my right thumb and middle finger. I let go as the previously stationary, vibrating thread suddenly accelerated.
The strands that made up the thread rocked about on the edges of the path it travelled, poking outwards, disturbing the shape of its form, the trembling caused by its speed. The room as a result was filled by a scorching heat as the frost that permeated to rooms surface evaporated and dried. My physical body at the centre of it all had its skin moderately melted and my blood slightly boiled. But as the heat faded and my body slowly reaffirmed its previous state as my shadows guided its restructuring the room looked the exact same as before.
Now looking as if nothing had occured I looked at the strands once more. The vibrant coloured swirls and flow like structures dissapeared from sight as I deactivated my ability. Upon doing so I felt as though I was missing something, as if some fundemental constant was no longer there, though it was easily ignorable, if a slight inconvenience. Remembering the space in which I had grabbed the strand I reached out with my hand and clasped it closed before releasing my hand. Grabbing back on for noticeably longer than the first attempt I waited.
Nothing happened
Noting down such an occurence, my curiosity fullfilled I moved back to the bed reaching out for the journal now a bit drier at the edges and read. This Reynauld character I was now expected to be was a seemingly morally righteous man. He was virtuous and generous to a fault, known for his fair judgment and uncaring for social status in manners of the law. As such he was a champion of the people. His visits into towns and villages celebrated due to his investments in their livelihood and substantially lower taxes compared to the sorounding duchies no doubt a contributor.
Despite the rest of Brittany being staunch supporters of Catholocism there was a surprising by amount of conflict between the peasants and the catholic church's missionaries and established branches. This was most likely a result of the values held by Reynauld and his popularity from the actions taken from the belief of generosity free of cost that had caused such a conflict. As it directly contradicted the church's demand for 10% of the peasants income via tithes for their service. The only thing keeping a revolt to oust them from out lands was the threat of retaliation, and Reynauld's popularity and efforts to bring about a peacfull resolution. Unfortunately for Reynauld his actions had little to moderate effect and was just barely improving the situation.
The people of note that I could gather from the journal was the general named Perraut, a man at arms who served alongside Reynauld during previous conflicts whose skill in command was only surmmounted by his undying loyalty and friendship. The steward who was at the head of the development taking place in the lands Reynauld governed. They were extremely proficient in managing the funds Reynauld gave, and had even established a policy where the peasants could collectively contribute a portion of their earnings everytime the tax collector come to contribute to the development of their village.
The idea had been extremely popular among the peasants leading to overwhelming support for Reynauld, as the feeling of actually contributing to the community facilitated the gaining of more coin than if they had enforced a standard tax. Which while there was less freely avaliable coin it led to a much more motivated populace and a societal expectation to donate a portion of funds to village development every time the local lords came for money. The only other notable figure was the "Religious Advisor" provided by the church. Who was at this point permanently assigned to try and quell the disgruntled populace and get them to accept the church. Such things where going poorly in their attempts, to such a point as the man being assaulted during a visit to a village that he had visited. The advisor having observed a peasant man donate extra money on the tax for the development of the village "regaled the savage on how the money could better be spent on bettering their souls."
The man, whose name was Yvon, according to the advisor commited heresy upon questioning the lord and how they'd improve their life compared to the material improvement to their village. The advisor then ordered the few militiamen on duty observing the exchanged due to reports on bandits in the area to have the man burned at the stake. Yvon upon hearing such a declaration charged the advisor and had to be forcibly held back after landing a few punches on the holy mans face. The local lord upon hearing of the occurence had Yvon sentenced to pay fines to the church for the damages inflicted. This as a result deepened the peasants hatred and somewhat appeased the church.
What wasn't said to the church however was how the man had decided to endure an alternative punishment. The fine would be doubled, but the entirety of it would be put back in to improving the village. There where other small events and somewhat prominent leaders of the peasantry fanning the flames of hatred, Yvon was reportedly one of them. The only thing realistically preventing a revolution or public hanging of religious leaders in the communities was Reynauld and his calls for non-violence. Due to Reynauld's practically untouchable image the instigators often created rumours and threw the blame at the local lords and barons that lead the land. There was also blame put on the King of Brittany for allowing the catholics in, but was often discussed behind closed doors.
Although interesting I was rather curious on who was getting Reynauld this information. As such a popular figure and the man working closely with the church to try and lessen tensions I knew that such things would come up. However the detail and descriptions in the few "reports" Reynauld received and copied down are rather professional, which obviously ruled out peasants moles amongst the people.
Setting the journal down I listened to the distant sounds of footsteps, looking at the light coming through the windows I noticed how I didn't feel the least bit tired and hadn't missed how I had seen just as well in light than in pitch black darkness. As the footsteps got closer I realized just how disturbing it would be to see someone hunched over a book with a candle burning despite it being day. Leaning over to blow the candle out I then smotherered it with my hand to prevent any smoke from giving away its previous state. The footsteps stopped right outside the room I inhabited as they creaked open. I watched as an older man with greying hair, slightly askew teeth garbed in a blue tunic folded into the neck hole complete with sleeves strode into the room.
As they made there way over to the side of my bed I slowly "woke up" my hand now healed. The man stopped halfway to my bed staring at me in mild surprise before saying, "My Duke it is great to see you awake once more. If I could so please, I wish to examine your condition to be sure whatever had ailed you has truly been purged."
Digesting his words and trying to emulate the manner of speech Reynauld exhibited in his journal I responded. "You may do as you wish."
The physician nodding approaching as he seemed to check my pulse, breathing, range of motion and examinine my various limbs with each and every test seeming to befuddle him. Eventually the physician stopped, took a step back and gave his professional opinion, "My Duke I am happy to say that you are in perfect health. Moreso it is my great pleasure to inform you that your body is in an even better state than before the terrible illness that took hold of you. God has truly blessed you on this day, I will now take my leave."
Knowing that Reynauld was known as a rather immaculate person I said, "Thank you for your efforts." The physician stiffened up, nodded in response then exited with an accepting look on their face. A servant the age of a young man took his place, entering with a green tunic dress and white trousers for me to change out of my nightgown into. As the servant started to leave I called out asking if they could wait outside the door to direct me to the dine hall for breakfast. The servants face flashed with mild confusion before giving out a, "Of course my Duke." Then straightened themselves and exited the room.
Authors Note: I have made an auxiliary chapter showing the Duchies of Brittany and the Duchies of France when Brittany united.
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