I lumbered through the streets aimlessly, looking for signs of anyone at all. Looking at the desecrated city, I was relieved to see that there wasn't a lot of damage. Most of the damage had been caused during my fight with the Apostles.
There was a small group of assailants trying to flee, and I turned to face them. They looked me up and down and smiled maliciously as they raced towards me and spotted my missing arm. Thankfully, it had been around an hour since my big fight, and I'd regained some mana.
Sighing, I conjured a sword of shimmering purple energy and let it point towards the ground slightly. Half a dozen men leapt at me with raging eyes and hands filled with fire, ice, and lightning alike. I assessed them and activated {Destructive Aura II}, as much as they were worth, and they all dropped to the floor.
"What... is this?!" One shouted through a choked throat.
"Who... is this... guy?!"
"Are we going to die?!"
"They never said anything about him!"
"Quiet," I said, using mana to amplify my voice. They instantly stopped talking and nodded their heads from where they were kneeling on the floor.
"Who is your leader?" I asked. They all looked at one another, and as the person closest to me was about to speak, one from the rear shouted, "Go to hell, we'll never talk!"
"Is that right? Then I assume you want to leave?" I replied. The man grinned smugly and nodded before answering back, "Yeah... this is some trick. Our masters will end you in the blink of - "
A flash of purple. Then, a thin line appeared across his neck, and his head rolled off his shoulders and hit the floor with a quiet thud. The others looked at his headless body and then back at me. I shrugged slightly.
"He said he wanted to leave, didn't he?"
"You... you killed him..."
"I did. Now, want to give me the right answers?" I said in a deeper and darker tone this time. They nodded frantically. After a few minutes of talking, I released the spell, and they scrambled away and disappeared out of the city and into the distance.
I'd gathered enough info for now. Their system was a complex one but quite easy to follow in a sense:
At the top were the Gods, of course. Then followed by the Apostles that I'd fought. It was apparent that each God had their own apostle. Following the Apostles were the Archbishops. They were the people who followed and served directly under the Apostles, and each led a unit of 'Knights'.
The knights were the grunts of the system and were the people I'd just interrogated.
Willing mana into the ring, I used {Fade} and vanished into thin air. Why didn't I use this during my fight with the Apostles? It was a pointless thought since the fight was over.
Leaping from building to building, I searched for everyone and spotted some residents tending to the wounded and helping to put out fires and melt the ice.
It would take weeks, maybe months, to recover from this. Although that would have been a few hundred years ago when magic and artefacts didn't exist. This amount of damage would likely be fixed in a week, maybe just under that if people worked hard enough.
I reached Aurora University and looked out to the city. My face paralysed and drained of colour when I saw the flattened area that I'd launched nearly a hundred meteors at.
"They can make that into... a lake, right?" I said wryly. Orebrul exited the ring and floated beside my head. His red eyes looked over the city, and I heard him sigh.
"Lough... I'm afraid your motto of going unnoticed is about to be broken," he stated with a heavy breath.
"You think?" I quipped sarcastically with a grin as I cocked a brow.
"Is that really something to joke about?" He replied with an equally raised, albeit thin brow. I shrugged at his response and responded back.
"Is it not? I mean, it was going to happen eventually. Maybe this will save me time."
"Are you trying to speedrun life or something?"
"No. I don't particularly want to die sooner. Would you?" I retorted with a small smile.
"I agree. I don't want to die. So let's not die. Simple."
I rolled my eyes, "You make our lives sound so simple and easy." Orebrul laughed and continued to float by my head as I entered the university's training hall, and my invisibility spell wavered away. It was busy everywhere. People were running around looking for medical supplies, chatting and gossiping about the event and such. The commotion wasn't as big as I thought it would be. I felt the presence of many people rushing towards the university, and Orebrul felt it, too.
A hoarde of guards rushed in and surrounded the perimeter of the large building. "Is there a Lough Freed here?!" A guard shouted above the chaos. Everyone went silent, and I could feel the gazes of everyone trying to look away from me. I sighed and stepped forward.
"Yeah, that's me."
"Good... come with us, we would like to escort you to - "
"To the castle, right?" I interjected. The guard looked quite surprised and was about to argue against me when another guard, this one much bulkier and clearly a physical type, stepped between us and nodded, "Yes, that's right. If you would?"
I stuffed my hands in my pockets and walked out with two rows of escorting guards.
Well, isn't this something? I said to Orebrul silently.
It certainly is. I don't think I need to tell you what their motives are, do I? He responded. His red eyes glanced at me before he shot into the ring.
No... I don't intend to be a dog again...
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We arrived at the castle. Castle Laexanad was much like the castle belonging to the dragons. But this one was a lot less... flashy.
6 tall spires were evenly spread out and encircled the giant structure. It was nighttime, and the windows and outside lights were all lit up, shining out like stars and illuminating the castle in a beautiful golden glow. The walls had no blemishes and were regularly maintained, it seemed, and the grey and blue palate of colours made its royalty vibe stand out more. Balconies dotted along the walls and were connected by sleek silver metal and had large double doors where the room would be. All the glass was clean and smooth, invisible almost, to the naked eye.
After gawking for a while, I was nudged slightly, and my mind returned to the present moment. "There will be time later, sir," the bulky guard said.
"Sir? Is that what I'm supposed to be called?" I asked.
"Yes. We were ordered to make you a high priority and make sure you were unharmed at all costs." He responded.
That's obvious, isn't it? Orebrul mentioned to me.
Ordinarily, yes. But I was responsible for flattening the entire district... so, for me? I doubt I'll be getting a medal and a knighthood. I answered back with a small grin and laugh, which caused a few curious and confused looks to be pointed at me. Awkwardly, I assured the others that nothing was of concern and we entered the castle.
The corridors, if you could call them that, were lit up nicely by similar golden lights and chandeliers hung with hundreds of jewels of all kinds of shapes, colours and sizes, shining above us, basking the floor in a myriad of colours.
This reminds me of the cave I found you in. I thought to Orebrul
Actually... you're right... He responded, entranced by the colours.
I was led down a few more spacious hallways, and then we arrived at a set of giant oak doors. "We have arrived, Sir Freed. Allow me to present to you... King and Queen Laexanad," the bulky guard announced as he moved to open the doors. There was a click, followed by the sound of metal dropping, and then the doors began to swing open slowly.
Such grandeur... what's with the entrance anyway? I questioned as the doors creaked apart.
Who knows. Who cares? You look like a homeless person right now.
My eyes widened at Orebrul's remark, and I looked at myself. He was right. I was missing the brown cloak that I'd taken off before my fight, and my tunic and trousers had been ripped and stained with blood. Shit.
Orebrul's laugh echoed in my head even as I walked through into the throne room, and I rolled my eyes. All of a sudden, I felt cold metal being pressed against my throat, and instinctively, my hand flashed and grabbed the spear and, using {Apply}, I ripped the spear from the guard and pointed it at him.
The hall was silent, and all eyes were on me, making me realise where I was and what I was currently doing. I handed the spear back to the guard, my face red from embarrassment, and walked towards the King and Queen.
"Your Highness... I give you... Lough Freed!"
I knelt on the red carpet, my face having returned to its natural colour, and my expression was flat and emotionless.
"You majesty the King and Queen... It is an honour to be here," I said in a respectful tone. This was the one family I wasn't quite prepared to piss off just yet.
"Lough Freed. I have but one question for you," King Laexanad demanded. I remained still and nodded slightly. The King rose to his feet and drew a silver blade from the side of his throne. "Are you an enemy to this kingdom?"
My brows furrowed. Is this guy high?!
Orebrul started laughing, and it was a contagious one. Unfortunately, this led to me stifling a laugh before breaking out into a fit of laughing. I grasped at my chest, which was pained from the level of laughing I was doing, but I quickly calmed myself at the sight of horror on everyone's faces.
Clearing my throat, I finally responded, "Your Majesty... forgive my momentary disrespect... as for your question, my answer is that I am most definitely an ally of this kingdom. I have been, am currently, and always will be, a part of the Laexanad Empire."
"Then, was it not you who caused the destruction of an entire city district?" He asked harshly. I'd expected this to come.
"It was." I stated matter-of-factly. There was a huge uproar from this. People began to talk and murmur. There were protests of rage in favour of my execution, and some went as far as to say to kill me on the spot, right then and there. However, they were silenced by the King immediately.
"So it was you. And you claim you are an ally?!" He grunted through gritted teeth. I could tell he was really trying to be careful with his words whilst still acting as the king. If he had seen what I'd done, I doubted he'd try and make an enemy out of me. Although, I wouldn't attack, even if I was deemed an outcast and banished from this country.
"I am an ally. I'll pose a question to you, and then you can decide for yourselves," I said calmly, standing up. The King's assistant moved to lower me, but the King halted him. I looked the King and Queen in the eyes and asked, "Would you rather deal with me? Or the guys who carry the power of actual Gods?"
You could have heard a pin drop. It was comical how silent it was. This kind of silence was only achievable in the presence of something high in a hierarchy like a king... or a God. King Laexanad stood frozen, and his sharp brown eyes looked conflicted in so many ways. Long black hair fell down his back and was circled by a silver crown. This crown had a gem of every colour embedded within it, and I could sense the magical power emanating from it. I activated {Miracle Eye} and looked at the King. His mana flowed from his chest to every part of his body. But, there was a higher concentration of mana flowing to his head and the hand that held his sword. So they're both artefacts then... fascinating... I thought to myself.
The king had a muscular build and was a little taller than I was, which must have been around 5 foot 9. There were no marks of impurity on his face, and his skin was smooth. His hands had calloused, and I smiled gently, knowing that in this world, even those at the top of power were still working hard.
I deactivated the skill and looked at the king through my normal eyes rather than the magical lens that {Miracle Eye} provided me with.
"Are you... telling the truth?" He finally asked me. I nodded and pointed to the window.
"You see all the other destruction in the ruined district? Yeah, all that was their work. Not mine."
Everyone looked out the window and scoured the battlefield I was on less than 2 hours ago. They all confirmed there was damage beyond the craters and rubble.
"While it's a possibility, it has come to my attention that you can use more than one type of skill set. How is that?" The Queen spoke for the first time.
I regarded her with curious eyes. Like her husbands, her skin was smooth. Long, black hair fell to her waist, and it was a silky smooth kind of hair, and her face was alive with colour. Green eyes peered at me with a harsh cold but also with curiosity and interest mixed in. Her legs were crossed, and her dress fell down to her ankles, a glittering dress embroidered with silver, gold, and emerald. It was fair to say that she was indeed one of the most beautiful people within the kingdom. More than Jess, though? Well, I'm biased, but still...
Woah. Don't be cheating on your girlfriend just after you get back! Orebrul shouted to me.
Piss off. I wasn't going to cheat. Besides, I just said Jess is better looking. Not to mention, I bet Jess has a better personality, too. I shot back quickly.
"That's... something I will have to regrettably keep a secret." I responded quietly.
"You claim you are an ally and then hide your abilities?!" The King's assistant was the one to holler me this time. He was a skinny, but clearly not timid, man. His nose was crooked and pointed. A long gown-like robe fitted him and draped along the floor like a cloak. Short blond hair matted his head, and I clenched my jaw at the nerve of this guy.
"I think this is enough... don't you?" I muttered, irritated.
"Enough?! You expect us to believe a boy of your age can do the impossible, and then you hide away your powers?!" He screamed.
My fist clenched and crackled with a purple streak of lightning. He yelped, and the King interjected by holding his sword to my throat. "I do not think that would be wise." He said calmly.
"I don't think it's wise to leave that at my throat," I hissed. The King's eyes narrowed at me, but he kept the sword at my flesh. I felt the biting cold of the blade and noticed it was a lot colder than average steel was.
There was a disturbance within the floor, and Orebrul shouted to me. Jump!
I leapt up and from the ground sprouted a sharp pillar of ice where I'd just been stood. My eyes darted around and landed on the assistant. His eyes focused on me, and his face contorted into a look of rage and anger. He fired a barrage of ice at me, and I'd had enough of it at that point.
"Dimitrius, what are you - " The King yelled, but he paused as a gust of wind blew through the room from my speed. Within moments, I was at the assistant's, Dimitrius', side and had my conjured purple sword in my hand, held right by his heart. A small trickle of blood flowed along my blade and dripped to the floor. I hadn't impaled him. I'd pierced the outer layers of his skin and caused a small volume of blood to escape. His face was frozen, and his eyes couldn't even move to look at me or the small cut above his heart.
"You're lucky," I snarled at him, "lucky that I actually give a damn about this place."
His eyes glazed over, and he passed out unconscious. The Queen rushed over to him and checked his vitals. I saw a golden light escape her palm, and Dimitrius' wound closed quickly. The corners of my lips tugged upwards slightly, and I wanted that spell.
It wouldn't be able to heal my missing arm. But, it would serve to be extremely useful in the future.
This castle... it has everything I need right now...
I could feel a bubbling sense of excitement well within me. They may have seen me as an enemy then, but I was determined to climb as high as I could. Even if I had to sacrifice all the artefacts I could get my hands on.
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