章 8: The Plans of a Royal

There are many races on the world of Grinmal, but none is quite as adaptive as humans. The human race is not inherently strong, or good at Magic. They do however, seem to possess an immense adaptability and propensity towards change. They also seem to be the one race that can quite easily be enlightened towards rituals designed to make a new race, with roughly half of the races on Grinmal being able to have their lineage traced all the way back to humans in various ways, mostly with their progenitors being who rumans who were enlightened of a ritual to turn into their race. Even beyond their seeming propensity for creating new races however, their adaptability remains the most astonishing fact.

They can easily attune their Mana to almost any concept, theoretically allowing them to master all forms of Magic (If they had infinite lifespan). They can easily survive within most environments without the use of magic, allowing them to spread across Grinmal easily. Due to the Human Race being one of the oldest races on Grinmal (At least according to the knowledge of the Western Hemisphere), They have several clear and mapped out systems of power allowing any Human with enough connections to find a way to gain power that is most compatible for them. In short, Humans, while at the start weaker than most species, are not to be underestimated as given enough time they can easily kill many species that are considered by the majority to be stronger than them.

- Thesis on Humanity (Author Unkown), Page 6

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After finishing his rant to Hades about the New Species they both are, Charon looked at Hades only to realize he was still naked and quickly turned around and shook his head mumbling something about 'Getting too caught up in his scholarly interests again'.

"By the way, Hades, We can shapeshift. You should really shapeshift yourself some clothes, I'm sorry to say that I don't see you that way." Charon still looking away was shaking his head as if sorry to break the news.

"Shut the fuck up asshole. You're just mad that no one will ever love you that way. I'll have you know that I am not into scholars who will lock themselves in their room for months at a time." Hades then closed his eyes for a second before opening them and looking down to see his skin rapidly expand and shrink to reveal the clothes he was wearing before the ritual.

"Got some clothes on now?" Charon asked with his back still facing Hades.

"Is this stuff made out of my skin or something?" Hades began feeling the clothes which felt the same as the clothes he wore before which were now ashes on the wind.

"Technically, its made from the same material as your old clothes, that material is just new parts of your body which have changed into what you see now. It's quite convenient since we no longer need to pay for clothes and can just imagine what we would like to wear." Charon chuckled before remembering what Hades had said at the barracks, "Anyways, you said you saw something on your last patrol?"

"Oh yeah, I noticed a strange increase in monsters of various strength seeming to gather on the Gharn Forest's edge. When I realized how strange that was, especially with the fact that the necromancers loyal to the four kings also have undead patrolling the forest, I searched further only to find several herbs which are known for attracting monsters spread out along the edge of the forest almost as if someone did this on purpose." Hades got serious immediately, staring straight at Charon.

"Hmm, the few people who patrol that forest are mostly freelancers, and the undead. Most merchants tend to go around that forest since it's already got monsters with high strength in the middle of it. The Necromancers are unlikely to do this, having been supported directly and raised indirectly by the Four Kings. It's most likely to be a freelancer, either one of our newly hired ones or one that has recently arrived. How long have you noticed an increase in monsters along the edge of the forest?" Charon looked at Hades, thinking of the Dregh Empire and the Atlea Kingdom, both of whom border the Nekronis Kingdom locking it out of the rest of the Alsheira Continent while the Nekronis Kingdom has the shortest path across the sea to the Brindwal Continent.

"It was around the time you locked yourself away six months ago. I am sure you know the implications if it was done on purpose though." Hades looked at Charon with a grim look on his face.

"Yes, one the two countries which border us are making their move on us, possibly the both of them. I suppose they wish to boost their economy as we have been from many freelancers deciding to explore the Brindwal continent." Hades thought about his father, who told him that he will be exploring Brindwal until he gets bored.

"Hah! Greedy bastards are deciding to kick off a continental war. Since our allies won't be able to react in time if they catch us off guard." Charon paused as he thought about what the next move should be, "I want you to look into each of the new recruits, stay disguised as a freelancer if you can for now. I want you to start following each of them when they patrol the forest to see if you can find out which of them is doing it. If you can't find the one doing this after a week, then I want you to report to me and help me find out which freelancers entered our city six months to a year ago. Increase your patrols to twice a day, once early in the morning and once at night, and after your night patrol you will report to me so that others don't find out about your oath of brotherhood." Charon went deep into thought as he planned for what must be done.

"Understood brother." Hades responded as the obvious changes to him began to revert back to what they looked like before he left behind his humanity, "What shall you be doing while I do this?"

"Hmm, Firstly I will inform Adam of this development. Then I suppose I must learn more about this new race of ours, After your reports each night we shall work together to learn what we can of our race while also attempting to merge our consciousness and subconsciousness together." Charon closed his eyes as he already looked forward to a new topic of research.

"Got it. I will also try to learn what we are capable of in combat and against other beings not of our race, I'm curious to see someone else's soul even if you already told me what it looks like." Hades said as he himself wanted to see such an esoteric concept as a soul in person.

"Hahaha, now you are beginning to see the truth behind why research is the best. Now, some rats have infested this lovely home of ours, lets begin laying the traps to catch such pests." Charon began to grin as Hades did the same.

They both nodded towards each other before separating and running full speed towards seperate locations, both of their speeds were so high that those who didn't train themselves would find their figures seeming to appear in and out of existence across the large distance they were rapidly crossing. After they left, A man dressed as a butler slowly floated up from a shadow which had nothing that could be casting it on the ground.

"I see that young Charon is as indulgent as ever in his research habits. Well I suppose I should inform the other Three Kings of the rats in our home. I shall also do what I can to help young Hades. Afterall, isn't it a butlers duty to remove pests from the house?" The Butler gave a menacing grin before nodding to himself and slowly sinking back into his own shadow.

After this, many forces across Nekronis Kingdom began making their moves. Some of those forces loyal to the Four Kings, and some were loyal to others. Slowly but surely the fate of the Nekronis Kingdom was being decided by those factions. More importantly however, was the fate of a young progenitor who had finally reached the castle of his family.