章 201: ov3
The horses were starting to tire from the long trode. Aldeloll didn't hold it against them; it was impressive that they had covered so much ground without any breaks to recoup.
And to think he had been so vocal against the purchase of those magical trinkets.
He touched the item positioned on the horse's neck and felt it warm. It would take about half a dozen hours for it to regain its effectiveness. Adjusting the reins, he steered his steed towards his leader, who stood at the front with his back against the rest.
'Ever the shield,' he thought, giving his head a slight shake.
He doubted the man intended for his actions to be perceived as such. Perhaps that was why so many had flocked to him, instead of seeking recognition from the warring houses and the opportunity for knighthood, especially with their talent for theArts giving them a leg up.
Then again, they also learned those after joining up with the Wandering Hearts.
Gazef remained loyal to his words and generous with his protection. Yet, he was also trusting and forgiving, perhaps more than he should be. It was why Aldeloll and the rest of his companions could never leave.
Much rested on their leader's shoulders, and his downfall would bring the greed of those self-serving nobles to Freygrove and its numerous villages.
"Captain Stronoff, we should set up camp. The horses are beginning to slow down," Aldeloll alerted, his voice also laced with fatigue.
The thrill of riding a horse could only last for so long, and he had grown tired of it several hours ago.
Gazef nodded, his gaze shifting into the distance.
"Agreed, we'll set up camp down yonder. There's a fresh water stream we could use."
They arrived at the destination after several minutes and began with the set up, the day still shone but the light had turned golden in its luminescence…
'Guess it's bread and cheese again.' He lamented.
Stale food and watered-down wine—this was precisely why he disliked long journeys. Why couldn't the client have been someone nearby? Aldeloll occasionally wished they had one of those magic flying stands.
A week and half living like this, the coin for this job better be generous.
"…heard the Lyttons are engaged in another skirmish with the Faneals," one of the men he was patrolling with mentioned, in a conversation held slightly out of earshot.
They were establishing a perimeter and eliminating the predators that relied on the cover of the earth to ambush prey and catch their victims off guard. Though such creatures were rare in locations frequented by humans…
An arrow whistled through the air before it imbedded itself into the forehead of a greyish green short creature that had been looking at them up on a tree…scouting.
…but goblins weren't, especially on forested lands like Hastara.
'It seems Mayron's aim hasn't seen diminishment by the year of inactiveness.' Aldeloll mused, watching as a unit of new recruits rushed over to harvest the creature's organs — some alchemist used them in their brews — and its ear for reward.
The damned creatures were annoying pests, constantly plundering, ambushing, and mercilessly attacking villagers and merchants alike.
And they'd seen more abundance after the abolition of the Adventurer's Association…
He gave a yawn, placing an alerting bell a few distance away from the camp before moving towards the discussing pair.
"The Lyttons have been a nuisance ever since they seceded from the Maquis. Really don't know what they were thinkin—"
"—would you two stop gossiping like a bunch of village girls and be on with your work."
The two didn't quite startle, but their shoulders did tense at his voice. He noted that! After the returned from this job he was going to increase the intensity of the training.
They couldn't afford to have that lack of awareness within their ranks. There lied death by arrow, and they didn't prefer heavy armour.
"Aye, sir."
They quickly replied, feigning attentiveness, before hastening away.
"Sod off!"
Mayron came behind him after the pair had left, bow in hand.
"Be gentle on the lads." He said, "Allow them these briefs of innocence before the harsh revelations of war stain their hearts."
Aldeloll scoffed, but said nothing.
War had become common in recent years, erupting in all the neighboring nations. Theirs was a fractured kingdom ever since the death of the royal family and most of its supporters a century ago during the Demon Wars.
The remaining nobles had ever since tried to claim the title for themselves. And it seemed the Lyttons had decided to throw their hat into the race.
Morons!
He wondered if the Templars would pay the Count a visit just to make sure he wasn'tCharmed by one of them Pleasure Demons, as had been the case with Count Iselk.
After all, they hadn't been able to slay all the Diabolists and the suspected during the last crusade.
"What do you think this job is about?"
He found himself asking Mayron, who had been walking along with him as he placed the alerters.
Mayron shrugged, "It's from E-Rantel, so probably monsters near the Great Forest."
Aldeloll didn't know how he felt about that. Tob was a cesspool of terrifying monsters and magical creatures alike. The last they heard, a hamster monster had eliminated a bunch of Workers equivalent to Adamantite... and then there was that dragon a few months back.
Gazef was strong and all, but…
Everyone knew you didn't mess with the scaly crazies.
"Is it from the Duke's daughter?"
Mayron nodded, giving him a big grin…
"I heard the lass is yet to find a suitable man," he said, bumping Aldeloll lightly. "Maybe if you give an impressive showing, Duke Vaiself would consider giving you her hand."
Aldeloll scoffed, "Sometimes I wonder if your head works right, Mayron."
It wasn't that he didn't desire her—the girl was the most beautiful woman this side of Re-Stize—but the difference, not just in status but in appeal and interest, was just too great.
"C'mon, I mean Unglaus did it, didn't he? Bedded the Duke's first daughter and seeded her for good measure." The archer shared, "The Duke had no choice but to wed them, and now they have six children and land down E-Asenaru, Losbrot I think it's named."
He let out a sigh of exasperation at Mayron's logic and reasoning…
Citing Unglaus as an example was like saying a soldier could kill an Archdemon just because the Mercenary King did so centuries ago.
Other than the fact that Brain Unglaus was a martial monster and the champion of the last tournament, Aldeloll was sure that the whole thing was planned, and the Duke was attempting to bring Unglaus's martial genes into the Vaiself house.
The Half-Emperor had once tried to sell her sister to Gazef after all. Trading her hand in exchange for the captain joining his elite imperial guard.
'Is noble cunt really that insane?'
Maybe it was a different kind of taste than village girl or whore cunt.
But…
"Pass!"
Cunt was cunt, it didn't matter which was which, they all bled the balls just as well.
"Man, you're a stinker!"
"Fuck off!"
He said with a laugh.
Listening to the complaints of greedy merchants was always a chore on the mind, even more so than enduring the flattery of noble sycophants. She had once wondered if the Magician's Guild could create an item that would alleviate her mental strain and soothe her aches.
That was the day she learned that the mages of the association didn't deal in Light Magic, and that the sacred art was exclusive to the fanatics of the churches.
Though Lakyus didn't look like a fanatic. A bit crazy at times, but certainly not fanatical.
It befuddled her how it had taken her so long to come across this information. Was the suppression of magical knowledge within the kingdom really that deep? Or had she come about the same thinking as the rest of them?
She hoped not…to both of them.
Her item was ultimately created, and even the temple of the Water God acknowledged it as quite an ingenious idea. However, she believed their praise stemmed from the fact that they were the only ones capable of creating such an item.
Crown of Lucidity!
As she placed it on her head, the soothing rush of its ethereal energy alleviated her mind of worries and strains, leaving her clear-minded and peaceful.
The rush was rather addictive in its clarity, though she used it sparingly to limit her reliance on it. She wasn't lost on how such items could easily turn too cursed artefact if subjected to so much negative emotions. And as a noble, she dealt with those quite a lot.
It was unfortunate, but it seemed magic was not easily deceived by facades as people did.
The moment she had been allowed, she indulged herself in a bit of tea and biscuits. She preferred such a luxury in the gardens of the villa, but she supposed this would do.
It wasn't long until her maid came to inform her of the upcoming meeting.
"The men have all gathered, Lady Renner."
Norhi said, voice light and sweet… She was a bit quiet with her steps again, it seemed there was still a ways to go until she could pose as a hidden knife.
'Maybe I waited a bit too long in her rescue.' She contemplated, though the thoughts didn't touch her exterior as she nodded in understanding…
"I will be there in a few minutes, have the guards come escort me." Her voice was sweeter, more innocent and gentle.
This persona wasn't hard to pull, did she even need to pretend anymore? It felt far too real. Norhi gave a hesitant bow after inspecting her face for any trace of strain or illness.
…no matter, Barrett should be able to rectify her of those mishaps. Until then, she would remain in the villa.
The girl was a hybrid of both human and beastmen— Renner had yet to figure out how such a combination even happened, because it was certainly not natural. She was to be an assassin of the syndicate, slowly groomed and trained. But Renner caught whiff of her existence through her spies— Vain's spies, but Vain wasn't a real person.
A command here and there, a sack of coins in someone's hands, and a lifeless body down the sewer exits.
Within half a year, Renner found herself ordering the rescue of an horrifically abused demi-beastman during a coincidental encounter. A tinge of kindness and compassion birthed a profound sense of loyalty within another victim of her own make.
Not the greatest way to cultivate undying loyalty, but she found no better method as of yet. Thus she'd continue to do so.
Plus it also helped with her image.
People loved benevolent actions, especially those done by people of power and influence. They didn't need to be grand, just simple and consistent.
Abolishment of slavery, the duchy no longer allowed the practice. Providing aid to stricken lands, her father shared the same views as hers about the commoners. Low taxes during good years.
And now E-Rantel also benefits from those decrees.
Charities and orphanages and low cost healing from those greedy churches.
All she needed was an academy and magical institution like the Baharuth had to birth loyal mages to shield her against her brothers' ambitions and idiocies.
Her father was determined to extend the succession as much as possible; he might even consider giving the position to Edric, considering how much he had taken a liking to the boy. Edric possessed strength, talent, and a compassionate nature, combined with an emerging intelligence.
Though she felt favouritism might be colouring her own image of her half-sister's offsprings.
If only dear Elenor didn't squeeze one of the monsters each year.
Oh well, maybe she might find herself doing the same one day. And surprisingly, the thought did not scare her.
Getting up, she prepared to head toward the meeting hall to address the issue concerning the rampaging undead and the extinction of villages near Tob.
Although Renner had an inkling of who—or what organisation was responsible. Hopefully the Workers and Mercenaries could halt the problem in its infancy, or else they were going to suffer another visit from the Theocracy.
The Saint: A glimpse into the "new" New World. I will try to keep as many original characters as possible but history is going to be a shitstorm. For those who noticed, the demon wars weren't in any way similar to the events of canon and the history and layout of kingdoms will be even more interesting. I will take liberties with characters and magic: like no permanent summons from items (this shit's broken as hell and i ain't having non of it) and the existence of karmic creatures like demons and angels (though they won't be ever-present).
Yes, the Natives called Succubus as Pleasure Demons and they hate the shit out of anything demonic.
Remember to comment and criticise— point out plot holes and suggest things of interest.
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