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Lightbringer
Chapter 4
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"I'm sorry Lucifer, please forgive me! That was so rude of me to say!" exclaimed Cheshire, who was now burying her face into her hands in embarrassment.
Still somewhat taken aback by the bluntness of her question, though also amused, Lucifer slowly put down his tea and got to his feet without a word, making his way over to the kitchen counter. He grabbed a cloth towel and proceeded to wipe away traces of the tea that he had unceremoniously sprayed everywhere.
Quiet settled into the room, broken only by the sounds of him wiping away at the table.
Lucifer watched Cheshire from the corner of his eye while he cleaned, still not reacting as the silence between them stretched on.
She still had her face in her hands and was clearly taken aback by her own forwardness, but she appeared to be more embarrassed than scared. Maybe that was because she had already subconsciously trusted him not to harm her given their interactions since they had met. Or maybe the [Charm] passive was helping affect her. He wasn't really sure, it wasn't like there was an obvious way to really check if it was working on someone or not.
He did think though that if he had been a real monster pretending to be a human, and she had accosted him like that, she'd likely be dead or dying by now. She should count herself lucky that he was no such monster.
"You really ought to be careful what you say to people," he finally said, chastising her gently. Then, in a neutral tone, he said, "What makes you think I'm not human anyway? Do I not look human to you?"
She parted her fingers so that she could peek out at him from between them, her eyes studying him briefly as the words stumbled out of her mouth. "Yes? No... Not really... Well I... I really don't know." She was as confused as she was uncertain. Her shoulders sagged and she covered up her face again.
Then it dawned on him. The reason why she wasn't sure whether he was really human or not. It had taken him longer than he'd care to admit to realize it, but at least now he knew. At first he thought that maybe she had noticed something strange while he was eating, or even while he had been sleeping, but no. This was all due to the simple fact that she had seen his wings, however briefly that had been.
Even an idiot would know that humans don't normally have wings. Not that he considered her to be an idiot.
Those white wings of his were engraved in her memory now, and he felt a pang of guilt that it was associated with fear. Perhaps this was a good time to practice using memory magic, though he was wary about it since he wasn't sure how it would work in this new world. He didn't want to accidentally mess with any of her other memories in the process.
"I understand," he said. "You're wondering about my wings, aren't you?"
She nodded slowly. That was one reason. She didn't tell him that she thought his eyes also seemed to glow at times. Unnaturally so. But in an awe-inducing way. She didn't tell him because maybe she was just imagining that part. Maybe it was just a trick of the light.
Lucifer was actually kind of proud of himself that he had hit the nail on the head. He didn't really want word getting around that there was a non-human flying around, especially considering the hostility that Svar seemed to have towards demi-humans. Svar seemed to be a reasonably peaceful fellow, one that he had managed to befriend. There had to be other people out there who would have more aggressive reactions if they found out.
Not that he didn't have confidence in his abilities to fight, but avoiding unnecessary ones was paramount right now. Not until he gathered more information about this world.
"It's quite simple really," Lucifer started to explain, thinking quickly, "It's a spell. You know about how some magic casters can fly, right?" She nodded. "Well, my flying magic gives me wings. It's quite advanced magic, actually, and not many people can do it."
She nodded to indicate that she understood, her hands slowly dropping from her face as she looked at him with something akin to wonder and guilt.
"You need not worry," he smiled reassuringly, "I'm human. I just happen to know some advanced magic. That's all there is to it."
Thank goodness for the passive [Charm] spell. He was sure it wouldn't have been that easy to convince her without it. Though, was it wrong to be using it all the time like this? Should he shut it off? It technically only worked on the subject he was talking to, or subjects if it was a group, so it wasn't like it was working on everyone around him all the time. Plus the effects weren't that strong, or at least they weren't supposed to be. But this wasn't YGGDRASIL anymore so there was a chance that it worked a little differently here. He'd have to look into this further later on.
"That means you're very strong then, right?" she asked.
Lucifer started rubbing the back of his neck, "Well, I don't know about that. Let's just say I can handle myself in a fight if I need to and leave it at that. Although..."
"Yes?"
"I would really appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone about the wings in the first place. People might get the wrong idea, and I'd rather not have to explain my magic again and again. It would be quite troublesome. Do you think you can do that for me?"
Cheshire gave him an earnest look and nodded vigorously. "I understand! I don't want to cause you any trouble, Lucifer." She got to her feet and bowed deeply, apologizing. "I'm sorry again for being so rude!"
Lucifer was well aware that the girl before him had a lovely form, and the way she was bowing with the loose blouse she was wearing... He averted his gaze quickly enough as she raised herself back up.
"Ahem... It's fine. In fact, I think it was better that we got that cleared up now rather than later. I'm sure you must have been worrying to find out the truth. I wouldn't want to have you terrified of me again."
"You're... you're too nice, Lucifer."
With a shrug, he looked out one of the kitchen windows. "Say... what would you have done if I said I wasn't human?"
"Eh?" She looked surprised at his question.
I'm no longer human... am I? he thought as he looked at her.
It hadn't sunk in yet until she had asked him that question earlier, forcing him to think about his own humanity. His mind was still his, a human mind with all his experiences from his previous human self, and yet it also felt different. He couldn't quite put a finger on exactly what differences those were yet, but he knew that even though he was consciously aware that his mind was the one he had before, something had changed within it.
Was that different feeling coming from his new ability to control and perform magic?
His golden eyes drifted to look at her. "If I had told you I wasn't human, would you have been scared of me again? Would you have tried to run away from me?"
More importantly, his body was completely different now. If he truly was in the body of his YGGDRASIL avatar, then that would mean he was now an immortal angel. He would never age or die of natural causes. He had superhuman strength, reflexes, and agility, combined with the power to manipulate magic. Heck, even if he died he could technically be brought back to life. His old human form couldn't even begin to fathom doing a fraction of those feats.
What does it mean... to be human? The question was so deep that he was immediately at a loss as to how to even begin to answer it. Especially in this setting, in his situation.
Cheshire cast her gaze down, looking deep in thought. "No," she finally said, her voice firm and her expression one of determination. Of certainty. "I wouldn't have been scared of you even if you said that you weren't human."
"Really now?" Lucifer raised an eyebrow at her. If he had been in her shoes, he might've been frightened to hear that this strange magical being in front of her wasn't human after all.
"Even if... even if you weren't human. I think you're nice and kind at heart, and I don't think you would harm me." She paused for a moment, then continued, "Yes. I'm sure of it. I wouldn't be afraid even if you weren't actually human."
"How can you be so certain? You've known me for less than a day," he pointed out.
She nodded her head slowly. "You may be right, but this... this is how I feel. This is what my instincts are telling me about you."
That was interesting. But being nice and kind all the time... sounded kind of boring. In his past life, he was well aware that he was too nice. Far too nice. So nice that people would often take advantage of him and walk all over him at times, and though he didn't really appreciate them doing so and he was well aware of what they were doing, he couldn't really do anything about it.
He was powerless to stop them because he didn't want to make any trouble for anyone so he went along with it. He was never a fighter, at least outside of video games, but now...
No longer wishing to dwell on the subject, he smiled and said, "Well, I guess we'll never really know since I am human, so let's stop talking about that nonsense. How about we go meet this village chief of yours?"
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Baron Anoch's estate was a half day's journey from where Prince Jircniv was currently residing, a nearby estate that was one of the many Imperial Family holdings across the Empire.
Like most barons, Baron Anoch's lands were quite small and his influence limited, being that the baronies were technically at the bottom of the nobility totem pole of power. That being said, some of the higher-ranking nobility – like dukes, earls, and viscounts – would often show up to the functions and events they would hold. Sometimes they went because they were bored and had nothing else to do, other times they attended for political or social purposes, and a few of those times were due to family relations and obligations.
On very rare occasions, a member of the Imperial Family might even attend one of these events.
Situated on a hill overlooking a small town of a few thousand people sat the Anoch Family mansion. It was a small collection of buildings built almost entirely of stone and hard timber, with the main house built fairly large. A low stone wall surrounded the perimeter, and while one could technically call it a castle, it was not quite up to standards for that designation to be meaningful in any way that mattered.
The Anoch Family was middling, bordering on higher end, in both power and wealth among the baronies, largely able to keep out of the worst of the power struggles in the court thanks to the deft political maneuverings of the baron. He had some strong allies and no enemies, which was quite a feat given the nature of the court.
The upcoming wedding of the eldest daughter of the family would definitely increase their standing somewhat, as she was being married off to a Viscount's second son, but it was a relatively minor event in the grand scheme of the Empire. Perhaps in a generation or two, the result of this union might help to shift the Anochs into the upper tier of nobility. That is, if all went well.
While the Anoch Family had no real enemies to speak of, they had some rivals in their fellow noble families as they all sought to improve their position in the court, sometimes at the expense of others. These rivals would no doubt take notice of the Anochs's rise and respond somehow. Whether the response was friendly or not was of course still to be determined.
For tonight's festivities, there would be a few dozen nobles and their retinues in attendance, but only a handful were of a higher status than Baron Anoch. That included the Viscount and his family.
Lady Swift Anoch was definitely a pretty woman, with a gentle heart and a good head on her shoulders. With flowing brown hair and lively blue eyes, she was the only one of the four children who totally took after the baroness, who was a beautiful woman herself. The Viscount's son was lucky to have her as his betrothed.
"How do I look, father?" Swift twirled as soon as the three maids stepped away from helping her put her striking azure blue gown on.
"Simply stunning, my dear," replied the baron from across the fitting room, his lips parting in a wide smile. He made a note to personally thank the tailors he had hired to make his daughter's gown just for this occasion, and he would be sure to talk them up to his fellow nobles. They had done a marvelous job and deserved credit for it.
"You're only saying that because I'm your daughter," she stated with a slight frown as she studied herself in the three full length mirrors beside her. She was not convinced.
He walked closer, causing the maids to bow and take a couple of steps back as they stared at the ground subserviently.
"I'm only saying that because it's the truth, and not simply because I'm your father. Or are you calling me a liar, my dear?"
She glanced at him and gave him a warm smile as her frown quickly evaporated. "Thank you, father," she said sincerely.
"Hm. What jewelry will you be wearing? You must be careful not to wear too much, but also not to wear too little. It is a delicate balance and must be done right."
Swift sighed. "I honestly haven't even decided yet. I was going to have mother help me pick some pieces out whenever she has a moment."
Baron Anoch nodded, stroking his mustache with a thumb and index finger. "Well, your mother would have a better eye for such matters."
The young lady sighed as she leaned to either side, testing the dress. "I know she's busy getting the household ready for the banquet, but I wish she was here to give her opinion on this dress as well."
"I'm certain your mother would agree with me, dearest daughter," responded the baron without hesitation. There was no doubt in his mind.
"Dearest daughter?" repeated Swift in mock surprise, "Don't let Adroit (pronounced: A-dwah) hear you say that," she teased as she continued to pose in front of the mirrors, finally admiring herself. She had to admit that she did look good, but how good? Was it good enough?
"Hear who say what, dear sister?" said the young girl in question. Apparently the little girl had snuck into the room, judging from the half-open door that they all hadn't noticed until now.
Lady Adroit Anoch. The youngest of the baron's four children at the age of ten. She had her blonde hair done up with baby blue ribbons into pigtails and carried around a rather bizarre-looking green doll of a frog in a suit.
"Father!" she cried gleefully, not waiting for her sister to respond as she launched herself into the open arms of the baron, who had gotten down to one knee to greet her.
"You're as lively as ever, little one," said the baron, hugging her close with a look of pure joy on his face. "I thought you were taking a nap."
"I just woke up!" she exclaimed proudly, raising her froggy as if she had won some prize.
"Wonderful," the baron said. He had a soft spot for all his children, but if he really thought about it, he knew that he cared for Adroit the most. She was the baby of the family after all. She was so innocent, loving, and carefree. He wanted to protect her from the real nasty world out there for as long as he could.
Adroit's expression changed to one of concern as she looked straight into her father's eyes. "Do I really have to leave Mister Froggy in my room tonight?"
The baron gave her a pointed look. "Yes, my dear. You can't have Mister Froggy at the banquet. He might get lost or dirtied since there will be so many people there. You wouldn't want that to happen, would you?"
The young girl considered his words carefully, frowning as she did so, but then she bobbed her head slowly. "I guess not..." she admitted reluctantly. Even the thought of losing her frog nearly brought tears to her eyes, and the baron was about to try and cheer her up when his other daughter sprung to action.
"Adroit! Father was just telling me how stunning I look in this dress. What do you think?" interjected Swift in the hopes of distracting the girl. The older girl turned and posed for her younger sibling's judgement. Her poses were serious at first, but then turned a bit silly once Adroit started paying attention.
Blinking away the wetness in her eyes, the little girl craned to see around her father and after a moment gave a satisfied nod and a smile. Then a giggle at her sister's antics. "Well I think you look really pretty, big sis! Besides, father's always right!" As soon as she said that she started squealing gleefully as the baron picked her up and spun around as he hugged her tight.
"See? Your sister agrees, Swift. She speaks the truth just as I do. The matter is most definitely settled. You are stunning, dear."
"I can't breathe!" Adroit cried in mock helplessness as she giggled and weakly attempted to escape her father's grasp.
"If you cannot breathe, then how are you speaking, child?" mused the baron, eliciting more giggles from the little girl in his arms.
While the two had their fun, the older girl took a deep breath as she twirled for what seemed like the hundredth time, her eyes shifting between all the mirrors. "I suppose it'll have to do for now. I hope my darling Levi will love it. And his family. Ugh. I just think I look a bit too pudgy today, that's all," she pouted.
The baron and his youngest shared a look, causing him to burst into an eye-squinting smile and the little girl to start giggling uncontrollably once again.
Before Swift could ask what they were so amused about, a young man in an elegant tailored suit entered the room with a purpose, his back straight and chin up. He looked very much the younger version of their father, though the young man's nose wasn't as pronounced. And he was maybe trying a little too hard to act like a proud noble with his chest puffed up a little too much.
The young man inclined his head and bowed at the waist ever so slightly as he greeted them. "Father. Sisters."
"Goodness! Is the whole family except for mother going to end up in this room?" asked Swift as she gestured to her maids to help her out of the gown. No need to wear it yet since the banquet was still several hours from starting. Beside, she risked dirtying or damaging it if she kept wearing it now.
"Hi Agile!" greeted Adroit, who was placed back on her feet as her father put her down gently. She hugged her froggy doll and leaned against her father's leg as she eyed her brother.
"How's my favorite little sister doing?" Agile smiled warmly at her.
Adroit beamed, but then her smile faltered as she realized something. "But I'm your only little sister!"
Agile gave her a cheeky smirk and winked at her as she pouted while the rest of their family laughed.
Standing up straight, the baron regarded his eldest son with a look of curiosity. "What brings you here, Agile?" He placed a hand on the little girl's head, rubbing it affectionately.
"I've just received word that we will be having a very special guest for tonight's banquet. Apparently it was a last minute decision to attend," he grinned slowly as he spoke, not saying who it was just yet. His eyes scanned the room, taking in their looks of curiosity. He did always have a flair for the dramatic.
"Well, spit it out then! Who's this special guest?" asked Swift impatiently, pausing from taking off the gown and causing the maids to stop as well. She had taken the words right out of her father's mouth, which he closed since she had beaten him to it.
Everyone in the room waited for him to reveal this mysterious special guest. Even the maids seemed to be holding their collective breaths. Clearly it was someone important enough for him to bring it up this way.
"Tonight, we will be graced by the presence of His Royal Highness, Prince Jircniv Rune Farlord El Nix!"
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Chief Thomas Sprigg turned out to be a lot younger than Lucifer thought. He had been expecting the chief to be like the stereotypical village elder normally found in villages like this in all the games and media that he was exposed to in his original world. He imagined an old, bent-over man with long flowing robes and thinning white hair, a weathered and wrinkled stern face, and eyes that shone with wisdom. Everything he said would be taken as sage advice, and he might even speak in riddles.
That was not the case here in Woodhaven. Chief Sprigg looked to be no older than forty, had good posture, and wore a floral-patterned shirt that kind of reminded Lucifer of Hawaiian shirts back in his previous world. His brown pants looked thin and breathable, which was understandable given how nice and warm it was today. He was standing outside his house, basking in the sunlight, when Cheshire and Lucifer walked up to him.
The chief was far shorter than Lucifer, though taller than Cheshire, with a thick mane of curly dark green hair that kind of poofed up almost like an afro. Or an impressive dark green bird's nest. His eyebrows and the stubble on his face were dark brown though, and his eyes were the color of auburn.
There were some lines on his forehead and around his eyes and mouth that showed he was certainly no spring chicken. His eyes did have a glint to them, but one of mischief rather than wisdom. He was dark-skinned, though some of it seemed to have been from sun exposure, and was a bit on the chubby side. He appeared to be eating quite well.
"Well isn't this a surprise? I thought this beautiful day couldn't get any prettier, and yet here you are Cheshire!" said the chief with a friendly tone. He seemed to be in good spirits.
Damn, that was a nice line... I think I'm going to steal it, thought Lucifer, nodding his head approvingly.
"Ohhh, stop teasing me, Chief! Especially in front of a guest," pouted the redhead, crossing her arms and looking embarrassed. Though from the way she took his words, it seemed to be a normal exchange between the two.
With a laugh and a big smile, the chief pulled her into a warm hug that she begrudgingly reciprocated, still pouting. Pulling apart, he asked, "So what brings you and your guest here to me on such a fine day?"
"My father and I met this traveler last night and we thought it would be good to introduce you two. He's from very far away, and he was hoping that you'd be able to help him and answer some questions that we couldn't," answered Cheshire.
"A traveler from very far away?" The chief's eyes pointedly fell on Lucifer. "You seem like you'd be an adventurer, but I see that you're not. Well how do you do, good sir? Welcome to Woodhaven! You've probably already been told, but my name is Thomas Sprigg and I'm the chief of our humble village."
"A pleasure to meet you, Chief Sprigg," Lucifer dipped his head and bowed slightly, "My name is Lucifer Morningstar, but you may call me Lucifer."
Beaming at him, the chief said, "Well, you've definitely got some manners on you. Lucifer, was it? Hmm... Please, call me Chief. Everyone else here does. Now come on inside and I'll serve us some refreshments. I have a feeling we'll be talking for a while."
Similar to the Ingolde household, the interior was sparsely furnished. For the most part there were only the bare necessities. Although the chief's home was definitely bigger, and thus had a more spacious interior, it was more evident that there just wasn't enough stuff to fill the space adequately. There was a lot of room to add more things, that was for sure.
Lucifer surmised that while the town of Woodhaven was likely self-sufficient and was, as Svar had mentioned, safe from danger, it was not a very prosperous village. He wondered how other settlements were like compared to Woodhaven, and he also wondered how many villagers there were and what the main source of income was for everyone here.
Looking around, there were a few things that indicated the Spriggs were slightly more wealthy than the Ingoldes. Like a big fur rug in the living room and some interesting artwork on the walls – the Ingoldes had no artwork on the walls at all. The furniture was of a higher quality too, among other things.
Chief Sprigg served tea, water, and some bread and fresh fruits as they sat down at the sizable dining table in the dining room next to the kitchen.
"So tell me, what would you like to know?" the chief asked, staring straight at Lucifer.
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There was a moment of complete silence as everyone watched with baited breath.
She settled into her stance, knees slightly bent, balance perfectly on the balls of her feet. Her lime green eyes narrowed, focusing solely on her targets. With a breath, she thrust forward and back in one smooth motion with the spear she had been holding firmly in her hands.
She did this three consecutive times, each move almost too quick to follow with the naked eye. It pierced the air in front of her with frightening speed, slicing through the two apples on each shoulder and the one on top of the head of the man bravely, and perhaps a little foolishly, standing in front of her.
Each apple exploded as the spear made contact, and the man who stood there shaking in his boots was left largely unscathed. His cloak had some minor tears on his shoulders, and a few strands of stray hair had been sliced in half, but otherwise he was fine.
Drenched in sweat, he collapsed to his knees in relief as his friends came to congratulate him on surviving the ordeal. Thankfully, he had managed not to piss himself.
The crowd around her roared and the blonde warrior allowed herself a smile as she bathed in the cheers and adulation of the onlookers. She raised a triumphant fist in the air, eliciting another roar of approval.
Cries of how amazing she was rang through the air, along with the odd marriage proposal, all of it accompanied by joyful grins and roaring laughter. Everyone's spirits were high and the camp echoed with the sounds of toasts and merrymaking.
"I know I've said this before, but you certainly are amazing, Lady Leinas!" said a familiar cheery voice from behind her.
"She wasn't even trying that hard, Jethro," another familiar voice added in a matter-of-fact tone. "She didn't even use any martial arts, you know."
Turning around, Leinas grinned as she beheld two of her closest and most trusted subordinates, Jethro and Triston. For the last three years they had fought numerous battles together against all sorts of foul beasts across the Rockbruise family lands, which pressed up against the northern edge of the Beliore Mountains. It was in and around the edges of these mountains that the monsters were appearing, and there were more of them than normal in recent months.
Anytime monsters decided to show themselves, it was Leinas and her soldiers who were sent to dispatch them. Her exploits were already making her name known across the Empire and there were whispers of her martial prowess at the capital. Her faithful lieutenants knew it was only a matter of time before she was called up by the capital to serve a higher purpose, and they were happy to be there to support her through it all.
As she was out there slaying monsters and spreading her fame, her family gained influence and wealth thanks to her efforts, which was to be expected of every member of the Rockbruise family. It would not be boastful of her to say that she was lifting up the family name the most out of her entire family at this point in time, not that her family would openly acknowledge such a fact.
Particularly her father, the Viscount Linus Rockbruise.
"Hey you two," she greeted them, accepting a mug of ale that Jethro had brought her and taking a quick sip.
"Honestly, my lady, I don't understand why you put on such shows. It's a waste of your energy and talents if you ask me," said Triston disapprovingly and crossing his arms.
His jet black hair was cut short and well-kept like a proper soldier, and even though the camp was currently in the middle of a feast, he still had his full uniform on as well as his armor. His weapon, a giant two-handed battle ax that looked almost too unwieldy to use, was strapped across his back.
"Relax, big guy," answered Jethro with a wave of his hand at the soldier, "It's good for morale, team building, and inspiration. Plus, it's just super cool. Ain't that right, Lady Leinas?" He raised his mug to salute her.
With wavy brown hair, a rugged and tanned complexion, and dark eyes, Jethro was a hit with the ladies in the looks department alone. His laid-back and cool attitude was simply icing on a very nice cake for most women.
Unlike Triston, Jethro did not have a weapon in sight and only wore his undershirt and pants as if he were simply relaxing at home, which technically the camp was their home. Though he did keep his armored boots on.
"It does seem to make the men happy," conceded Leinas as she admired the revelries of the camp around her.
"Tch... like I said, I don't understand," Triston repeated, "They should be happy just to be in the mere presence of Lady Leinas, let alone fighting alongside her. They shouldn't need paltry tricks that make our lady look like some show animal."
"Are you saying my tricks are paltry, Triston? And that I'm a show animal?" Leinas raised one of her thin eyebrows as she looked at him menacingly.
Sweat seemed to form almost instantly on Triston's forehead as he looked away, unable to meet her gaze. "Well, uh... no. Of course not, Lady Leinas. It... It was not my intent to insult you in such a manner, and I deeply apologize for my poor choice of words."
Jethro placed a hand on Triston's shoulder guard. "You know, it sounds to me like your panties are all up in a wad and you need to let off some steam. Why don't you go do something useful and swing that big ax of yours far away from camp? Maybe cut us up some more firewood while you're at it. Chop chop!"
Triston shrugged the man's hand off, glaring at him. "How about I swing my ax here and cut you down instead?"
"You would attack a defenseless man."
"W-What?! What are you implying?!" Triston growled and reached a hand back to grip the handle of his ax as he stepped menacingly towards Jethro, who had a bemused expression that further infuriated the armored man.
"Me? I wouldn't dare imp-"
"Come on now boys," she rapped them both on the head with the butt of her spear, tiring of their bickering. "Play nice. I'm in a good mood right now. Try not to ruin that with your antics."
"Ow!" they both said, rubbing their heads and sharing one last glare at each other before they bowed their heads in obedience.
"Yes ma'am," they said in near-perfect unison.
Their interactions were often like this, since their personalities were so different, but despite their arguing there was no doubt that they respected and cared for each other as true comrades-in-arms should.
"Alright good. Now then, let's get drunk!" Leinas cried as she chugged the rest of her ale, Jethro following suit with enthusiasm.
With a heavy sigh, Triston bowed to Leinas and then walked off since he had no interest in drinking or merrymaking at the moment.
"I'll be checking the perimeter," he said as he moved away, waving a hand back towards them in parting.
Jethro waved back at the armored soldier's retreating form, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Is it me, or is he extra grumpy today?"
"Leave him be, Jethro. You know how he is. It's just his nature to be more serious. Now, be a good boy and get me some more ale," replied the blonde as she shoved her empty mug into his hands.
"Right away, my lady!" Jethro said with a grin.
Holding her spear to the side, she rested the butt of it on the ground as she surveyed her troops once again.
They would probably need to take tomorrow off as well to recover from today's libations, but she believed that they deserved it. The most recent battle resulted in some minor casualties, but they had been the first casualties since the operation to clear this area of monsters began four days ago, which was something to be commended. There had been a lot of monsters here. More than they had expected. But they took care of them all the same.
Still, it rankled her that three soldiers had been killed and fifteen more wounded. Four of them grievous enough that she dispatched them to the nearest Temple with the utmost haste since the healers she had in her troop weren't skilled enough to do a proper job.
She figured the casualties were the result of them pushing themselves so hard the last few days. Maybe they had also gotten a bit reckless due to overconfidence since they had been doing very well with no casualties up to that point. They were going to need to be more cautious going forward, especially since their numbers had now been diminished somewhat.
Gripping her spear tighter, she prayed to the Four Gods that there wouldn't be any more deaths before this operation was finished.
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"Your highness," the voice called, echoing in the darkness, "Your highness, please wake up." It was a soothing, gentle voice from far away. So very far away. It called him repeatedly, patiently, never fluctuating in tone. There was neither panic nor anger present in this voice. Only duty.
Once more it called, closer this time, and finally, the prince stirred from his slumber.
"My apologies, your highness," said the butler, Peter, placing his arm across his chest and bowing. "We are almost at the Anoch Estate."
With a yawn, the prince sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Blinking, his gaze scanned the room.
The carriage they were riding in was luxurious, as befitting a prince like him, with a plush interior designed for maximum comfort and opulence. The dominant color was red, but there was plenty of gold present as well. Real gold. There were two benches opposite each other in the carriage, and the prince had been reclining on the one facing forward. The other bench, facing the rear of the carriage, was occupied by two people.
There was Peter, the old butler who had served Prince Jircniv for as long as he could remember, wearing his usual black and white suit. His dark brown eyes observed his master with keen interest, as if trying to read his thoughts in the hopes that he could serve him without needing to be told what to do. It actually worked about half the time.
The third occupant of the carriage was a knight clad in full plate armor that was dyed black with gold and red outlines. Closer examination of the armor would reveal it to be made of reinforced adamantite. In fact, all of the knight's equipment were adamantite works of the highest quality. Even though it had cost a small fortune, the Emperor spared no expense to protect the young prince and the money had flowed freely and without regret.
His name was Baziwood Peshmel. He cut an imposing figure even without his armor, with his large frame and finely toned thick muscles. He had long blonde hair slicked back and tied into a ponytail behind him, with a blonde goatee on his wide, chiseled face. Steady deep blue eyes looked out into the world with a mixture of mirth and danger.
He looked every bit the warrior that he actually was.
"Your highness," greeted the knight with a bow of his head, fist going up to his chest in salute. His voice was like granite, deep and strong.
The young prince nodded to him in acknowledgement. "How much longer?"
"About ten minutes, your highness. The sun is already beginning to set," replied the butler without hesitation, as if he had been expecting the question.
The prince glanced towards the door closest to him, the red and gold curtains covering it up.
Taking his cue, Peter reached forward and pulled the curtains aside, revealing the door with a window facing the sunset.
A shaft of orange-gold light entered the room, and it brightened considerably inside, causing everyone present to blink as their eyes adjusted.
Prince Jircniv leaned forward to get a better view, placing his elbow on the armrest next to him and resting his chin on the knuckles of his upright fist. He liked to watch the sunset from his room at the estate, which faced west. All the different colors in the sky made it seem like there was a celebration going on in the heavens, as if rejoicing that another day had come and gone. With the radiant and shining sun going to rest for a while before returning to once again give life and warmth to the world.
His father once told him that he wanted Jircniv to be like the sun to the Empire. A beacon of hope and a shining example of strength that brought life and warmth to all its citizens. A light to guide the Empire into a better, brighter future.
No pressure at all, he mused.
Speaking of his father, Jircniv hadn't seen him in almost six weeks. The prince hardly left the estate, even when his father wasn't ill, since the Emperor would come to visit him instead. While he was not expressly forbidden from leaving, it was implied that he should remain on the estate grounds unless called on. However, ever since his father had gotten sick, the young prince had been journeying every couple of weeks back-and-forth to the palace to visit.
Every time Jircniv left the estate, the more he wanted to explore his country. To see for himself the Empire that his father had built, and the one that he, Prince Jircniv Rune Farlord el Nix, was meant to rule.
A few large bumps in the road caused them all to stumble a little, breaking the young prince out of his reverie. With the barest of scowls, he spoke, "The state of these roads is completely unacceptable."
The two other servants could only nod their agreement. While the prince had been sleeping, they had encountered several other rough patches of road, which thankfully the prince managed to sleep through, almost impressively actually.
The upkeep and maintenance of the roads were the responsibility of the nobles whose lands they passed through. Some of them simply couldn't afford to maintain all their roads, instead focusing on the ones that were used the most, while other nobles blatantly didn't care.
With a sigh, the feeling of irritation quickly passed and the prince's face relaxed. His purple eyes landed on Baziwood, who had closed his eyes as if to sleep. Not that he actually would in the presence of the prince. The knight was there to protect him after all.
"Tell me, Bazi. If you had not become a knight in my service, would you have registered as an adventurer?" asked Jircniv.
Normally, knighthoods were only granted to the ranks of the nobility or those soldiers in the Imperial Army who truly distinguished themselves in service to the Empire, but the Emperor made a special exception at the insistence of the young prince for the talented warrior that sitting in front of him.
Prince Jircniv, unlike many of the nobility, was well aware that the status of one's birth did not define their talents, skills, or potential. He had learned that lesson not only from books, but from seeing it for himself in the ranks of the adventurers or even the merchants of the Empire, many of whom had no trace of noble blood in their veins and yet were successful in their fields. And there were many examples of these commoners being superior to a noble in an equivalent situation or position.
Not to mention there were many advances in technology and magic brought about by scholars and magicians who were also of common birth. The Imperial Court Wizard and Headmaster of the Imperial Magic Academy, Fluder Paradyne, was one such example. As a genius spellcaster who could wield magic of the Fifth Tier, he was arguably the most powerful man in the known world, and he was born a commoner.
Baziwood had been born and raised in the back alleys and shadowy parts of Oldaven. Growing up in those rough streets was what taught him how to survive and fight, and over time he discovered that he had a talent for it. Seeing an opportunity to escape his life of hardship on the streets, he honed his skills until he became a gladiator in the arena of that city, where his abilities drew attention and even sponsorship from some minor nobles.
The Arenas operated in all the major cities of the Empire, with the Grand Arena in the capital city of Arwintar being the biggest and most prestigious of them all. It was there that the Martial Lord, the champion of the Grand Arena and mightiest of gladiators, defended their title from any would-be challengers. And the current champion, Kullervo Palantyen, also known as "Corrosive Wolf," was so far undefeated for the last three years.
In the Arena, warriors fought each other or against captured beasts for the entertainment of both the masses and the nobility that observed them. Gambling on the fights was expected and totally legal, and many fortunes were made or lost. While barbaric, the Arena served the dual purpose of distracting the plebeians with blood sport and entertaining the nobles with something interesting and exciting, while also providing a way for warriors of notable skill to be noticed.
However, none have ever been noticed to the extent that they were granted a knighthood until Baziwood, and his was really a special case.
Usually what would happen is that any noteworthy combatants would be sponsored by a noble or a wealthy merchant as an adventurer or worker, or hired privately, or simply be forever remembered in history as stories and songs were told of their deeds. Some even made a career of it, relishing the constant challenge and the ensuing adulation they received from the audiences. If a fighter was good enough, there was decent coin to be made in the Arena after all.
Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, Baziwood never made it to the Grand Arena since, by fate or luck, he was granted knighthood and entered Prince Jircniv's service after the young prince witnessed his battles at the arena in Oldaven, the closest major city to the estate where the prince made his home.
Baziwood scratched his goatee, his gaze drifting upwards as he thought about the question the prince had asked.
"I might've given it a try, your highness. I think I'd make a pretty good adventurer, and their life is truly one of thrill and excitement. But you already know it's been my dream since I was a little kid to become a distinguished knight of the Empire. If your graciousness had not seen fit to grant me such a privilege, I probably would've ended up in the Imperial Military in the hopes of achieving knighthood down that path," he answered honestly and seriously. "And I'm sorry for repeating myself, but know that I'm forever in your debt because you allowed me to achieve my dream." He bowed his head in gratitude after the last statement.
While technically possible, since knighthoods have been granted to distinguished soldiers who had accomplished commendable feats in the name of the Empire before, it would have taken a long time for him to achieve that. Even with a man of Baziwood's talent. Because it was likely that much of his time and efforts would have been wasted in meaningless assignments if he had been in the military.
"I appreciate your honesty, Bazi," the prince replied, pausing for a second to think. "I understand that achieving one's dream is something to be truly happy and proud of, but isn't it also sad? Because then what is next? If you have done what you have always dreamed to do, what more is there? And in accomplishing your dream, did that mean your dream was too easy? Was it somehow too low a bar to set? Conversely, what is the worth in chasing a dream that will always be beyond your reach?"
The knight looked quizzically at his master, turning to Peter for assistance. The butler could only shrug.
"I seem to have waxed a bit too poetic," the prince said with a tinge of humor in his steady voice, "To put it plainly, now that you have achieved your dream of knighthood... what do you dream of achieving next, Bazi? What do you strive for now? Surely you have another dream that you wish to accomplish?"
A look of understanding crossed the warrior's face, and he grinned. "Well that's easy enough to answer. My dream now is to continue to strengthen myself so as to best serve you, your highness. To do what I can to make your dreams come true."
Prince Jircniv actually smiled at that. "I expected no less from my knight." In truth, Baziwood was indeed the first knight in the young prince's service. The other guards that were assigned to him were all loyal Imperial Guards, but none of them were knights.
"Bazi, humor me one more question: what rank do you think you would receive if you were to join the Adventurer's Guild now?"
Again, Baziwood scratched his chin in thought, then with a wolfish grin he said, "Probably Platinum at minimum. I'd say Orichalcum is more likely. Hard to say right now since I haven't done anything to truly test my strength lately."
"Not Adamantite?" The look of surprise on the prince's face passed almost as quickly as it had come, and the two other occupants in the carriage weren't sure if their eyes deceived them or not. It was a rare sight to see the young prince surprised.
Baziwood let out a hearty laugh. "I wouldn't presume to be on par with those fools just yet. To be Adamantite, a warrior must truly distinguish themselves in a feat worthy of legends. Their power is beyond most mortals. While my exploits in the arena were memorable and praise-worthy, and I am confident in my abilities, I know that I have yet to make such a mark on the world. That is why there are so few Adamantite ranked adventurers in the first place, and I respect that. Any warrior worth their salt would."
"I see," the prince said.
Baziwood had a gleam in his eye as he said the next few words, "But if given the chance, I wouldn't hesitate to take my place among them as peers."
Prince Jircniv looked out at the passing landscape, bathed now in the orange glow of the setting sun.
Well Baziwood, he thought, you might get your chance soon enough. I will need your strength in the days to come.
A heavy knocking sound emanated from the front of the carriage, a sign from the carriage driver, which prompted Peter to speak up.
"It seems we are finally arriving, your highness."
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AN: I know there's a lot of talking so far, but I promise that more action will come! In fact, the next chapter is going to be a lot of fun in that regard. Oh, and as you may have noticed we'll be seeing more familiar faces as we go on. Thanks to all who reviewed, I appreciate you :) While I do write for my own entertainment, it does feel good that I am able to entertain others with my writing.
Again, please remember this is AU so there will be familiar characters, but they'll not be quite the same as canon.
*Adroit's name uses the French Pronunciation: Adroit (A-Dwah)
**Agile (A-geel)