Seraphel watched Cara and Kevin leave the breakfast table. She wanted to follow. It was hard to sit and remain [Princess]-like when she knew the secret that everyone else was discussing.

Not with her, of course. She was no longer relevant as far as Noelictus and Afiele were concerned. Now that the undead army had been eliminated as a threat, she had no reason to remain. She'd be sent away to Ovela before making a journey to a port city. From there, she would head back to Calanfer.

She didn't bother to look interested in the rampant speculation going on all around her. Instead she watched the food gradually vanishing from everyone else's plates as they slowly ate. Seraphel matched their progress. It would be uncouth to finish before everyone else, and it would put her in the awkward position of having to sit and do nothing.

She still represented Calanfer. She couldn't just leave the dining table early, like the two visitors from other worlds had. At the same time, since no one was speaking with her, she couldn't finish and then chat until the meal was over.

Dead Gods, she really hated being a [Princess] at times.

...Finally, after more than an hour, she stood up to leave. Of course, she couldn't be seen in the servant's quarters they'd given Kevin. So she retired to her room and sent Ser Dalimont to invite her guests to join her. She was sure there were already rumors going around of an illicit affair between Cara and Kevin. Bringing them to her room would only cause the rumors to increase in both made-up detail and how well-known they were.

Seraphel chuckled to herself. It was as if she was inadvertently helping Kevin assume the identity of a [Playboy] - just like the Men of Iron or Bats.

It took a while for Ser Dalimont to return with her two guests in tow. Once he did, Dame Leana activated an anti-eavesdropping skill, and Seraphel was at last able to speak her mind.

"What the Dead Gods was THAT last night?" She glared at Kevin. "Do you know how worried we were? Also, why did you not confront the army away from the city if you decided to decline the spotlight afterwards?" She got up and started pacing back and forth. "It makes no sense to advertise that level of power and not capitalize on it later!" The [Wanderer] started to speak, but fell silent when she turned and pointed a finger at him. "I realize you are not from around here, and have different customs, but believe me when I say that I am well acquainted with politics." Kevin tried to say something, but Seraphel wasn't finished unleashing her pent up frustrations yet. "I know we are only recent acquaintances, but it is only a common courtesy to let your allies know of your plans, if for no other reason than they won't panic and make a mistake out of ignorance!" Seraphel flopped into a chair and continued to glare at Kevin. She felt better after getting that off her chest, and she supposed she should let the Name-Rank or higher man speak.

Cara smiled. She was too used to Seraphel's temper. Kevin looked... bored. Well, she supposed he was used to dealing with the royalty of his world. It was no surprise he was so calm.

"I did confront the army when I first found them, but they had a type of undead that caught me by surprise."

Cara turned to look at him. "Oh?"

Kevin nodded. "It was a ghost or something. Several transparent people flew at me. They screamed, and I then lost my sight and hearing."

Seraphel frowned. That sounded like... "Banshees?" She muttered. "That cannot be."

Kevin shrugged. "I can show you."

"What?" "What?"

"Here." Kevin's arm rippled as his appendage was covered in part by his strange outfit. Below it, on the floor, a scene appeared. It showed Kevin, or rather 'Pixel' staring down the army. A bright light shot out of the miniature figure and cut down every undead monster shown. The image showed Pixel taking off and flying over the still moving remains of the monsters he'd just attacked. The landscape scrolled across the floor. Undead remains vanished at one end of the area while intact ones appeared at the other. "I'm going to zoom in for this part." Kevin spoke as the image of Pixel froze and grew larger. Once it was the size of a Fraeling, it started moving again - but slower. Five ghostly women emerged from the ground that Pixel was hovering over. They had long, flowing hair and robes. They also looked quite attractive - before they opened their mouths unnaturally wide.

The image vanished. "I can't show any more since I lost my sight when they screamed."

"Yeah." Cara nodded. "Looks like banshees to me." She frowned. "I thought they permanently blinded people?"

Seraphel tried to remember her briefings on the undead she might encounter within Noelictus. "I [Recall] that they are known to do so." She didn't wish to imply that Kevin was lying so she quickly amended. "However, there are few first hand accounts of them. They are rare, and few who cross paths with one live."

Kevin shrugged. "I can heal myself, but it did take a long time to do so."

"Then I think I owe you an apology." Seraphel bowed her head. "There obviously was a good reason for your actions, and I should have assumed as much." She'd been genuinely angry, but swallowing one's pride and conceding that you were wrong was a common political ploy.

Kevin smiled and waved his hand as the arm of his suit vanished. "It's fine. I did mess up after all."

Cara began to ask him about the projection, but Seraphel thoughts focused on something else. Banshees were high-level undead. All incorporeal ones were. Az'kerash, THE [Necromancer], didn't even make use of them. No ghosts, apparitions, or phantoms. Banshees were beyond even that. It took magic or skills to fight what couldn't be physically hurt. That made any incorporeal undead a Gold-ranked threat. Probably. Seraphel wasn't an adventurer, so she could be mistaken. Still, a banshee could blind everyone who heard her scream. That sounded like a Name-ranked threat.

So why did the [Necromancer] that attacked them not have any other powerful undead at his command? Revenants, Bone Lords, or even other incorporeal undead should have appeared during the siege if he was that high of level. She supposed the [Necromancer] might have been holding them in reserve. Or that they HAD been there, and been wiped out alongside everything else. She wasn't a [Battle Commander]. She wasn't privy to the details of what had happened during the night.

But... "What if he had in his posession a relic that had allowed him to summon the banshees?"

Cara turned and looked at her. "Who?"

Seraphel's eyes gleamed with greed. "The [Necromancer]."

I walked through the first wall's gate with Ser Dalimont. Searching for a magical artifact that could summon banshees seemed like a good use of our time.

"Now, the city's undoubtedly already searching through the remains." The [Knight] paused. "I, of course, don't mean remains as in bodies, but rather, er, the clothing that the undead had worn." He paused before asking. "How did you accomplish that, if I might ask? It seems a very, unusual spell." He stroked his mustache. "Not that I can't see how useful it is. I must imagine it's exceedingly helpful in recovering your opponents relics."

I looked around as we were walking. I couldn't sense anyone looking at us - at least not for the split second that normally happens when your part of a crowd. Everyone was buzzing with excitement after last night, not that I could blame them.

"You don't need to be so vigilant." Dalimont smiled at me. "This is a [Private Conversation]."

Ah. "I see." I nodded. "I did not think about loot. I merely adjusted my... attack to target non-plant based biological matter." Threat sense let me know that someone was looking at me, but when I turned there was no one I could see in the crowd that was paying attention.

"It's my understanding that some undead parts are useful in various ways." Dalimont chuckled. "I dare say that avoiding the cleanup and disposal of the corpses is a far better deal."

Threat Sense activated again. I reviewed my Inventory. The last time I walked around, a pick pocket had managed to steal my Golden Gun. A futile action, as I could sense its location anywhere in the world. Still, someone focusing on me was cause for concern.

"Then it's possible that no one is looting the clothing." I glanced over at Dalimont.

He nodded. "I agree. There are bound to be people investigating and using information gathering spells and skills, but that's more out of curiosity than greed."

I felt someone looking at me again. Then again. I couldn't pinpoint who was doing it. Should I release a drone or plant a camera somewhere to watch myself? I might be able to see who's so interested.

No, that was excessive. Besides, it wasn't one person - not unless they were invisible and could teleport to different sides of the street. Threat Sense might only give a vague direction, but it was still good enough to let me know that more than one person was focused on me.

"We're being watched." I whispered.

Dalimont looked from side to side. "Are you certain?"

I nodded. "Yes, I have a skill." It was true enough. Perk, skill, they were the same thing really.

The [Knight]'s hand moved to rest on the pommel of his sword. "I fear I am not as good in a fight as you are [Mage] Kevin. However, you may rest assured that if someone wishes you ill, I will help in any way that I can."

"I think there's more than one of them. The sensation keeps on moving."

"I see." We walked in silence for several minutes before Dalimont spoke again. "Are they still there?"

"Yes." I nodded again. "It's multiple people and they aren't moving to follow. They're just watching."

"Do you suppose it's that [Pickpocket] that accosted you the other day? You did give him a reason to hold a grudge."

"I suppose." My observer switched again. "You are more familiar with this city than I am, could he have friends?"

"Undoubtedly." Dalimont's fist tightened. "But I doubt any gang would seek retribution with a [Mage] of your caliber after you let the child go."

No, but it is cold. What if he had died of exposure? What if his corpse had reanimated and killed someone else?

Dalimont smiled. "Come, we are almost to the outer gate. It won't be so easy to escape our notice without a crowd to hide in."

"You're right."

There wasn't much of a line. A tall guard motioned us through. "Be careful out there. We haven't seen any undead, or any bodies, but that doesn't mean there aren't any." He nodded to each of us. "Keep your wits about you."

Dalimont smiled at him. "Rest assured we will remain ever vigilant, my good sir!"

The area surrounding Afiele was eerie. The undead, like all poor people in Noelictus wore black clothes. That, combined with the black grass and soil, led to a monochromatic landscape that didn't even have the familiar 'texture' of most of the countryside.

"This way." I motioned to Dalimont. "I saw them appear in this part of the massed undead."

"Then that is where we'll start looking." The [Knight] strolled alongside me. "Is your skill still informing you of onlookers?"

"Yes." I motioned towards the wall with my head. "The guards are watching us." I then turned towards some of the other figures sorting through the debris. "So are them, them, and... him."

Dalimont glanced around us. "It is to be expected. We are not the sort that one would expect to see in such a place."

We walked in silence around the wall until we came to the place where the banshees had briefly appeared. The guards of this section looked down on us, as did a man who was slowly walking away with a stiff gait.

"Hail, and well met." The man smiled widely at us. There was something... odd about the way he looked at us. No, about how he looked at me. He was focused on my face and hadn't paid the Thronebearer in golden armor so much as a glance.

Even stranger, Threat Sense flickered - from him looking at me, to him looking at me. That... made no sense.

"Hello." I nodded at him.

"Would you like to have a discussion?" The man continued to smile at us as he approached.

"A discussion?"

"Yes." He nodded back. "You are new to these lands. I can tell. I would like to speak with you."

As he got closer, Dalimont interposed himself between us. "I'm afraid we're on important business, and do not have time for you. If you want to speak with anyone in the palace, I suggest you [Make an Appointment]."

The stranger stopped smiling, and his gaze shifted towards the knight. "Very well. I shall." He smiled as he faced me again. "Good day and well met." He then turned and started limping away.

"I say, that was an odd fellow." Dalimont moved to keep himself as a barrier between me and the stranger. "He looks like a farmer. Do you think he knew somebody that died? Grief can do strange things to the mind."

"I don't know." I watched, but the man didn't even glance towards us as he moved away. "He looks vaguely familiar."

"Someone you met before?"

"No." I shook my head. "I'm sure we've never met. It's more like he looks like a brother or father of someone."

"Who?"

I let out a sigh. "I don't know. Not someone I know well." I frowned. "It's more like a face in a crowd."

"I will stand guard while you search the area."

I clapped Dalimont on his shoulder. "That sounds like a plan to me."

We both stood still.

"[Mage] Kevin." Dalimont glanced over his shoulder at me. "Please to not delay on my account."

"Don't worry. I'm searching with a skill."

Expansion slowly extended my range as I started Inventorying everything around me before immediately returning it to the same position. While I couldn't use one of my oldest powers to scan my environment directly, my trick was effective at letting me sort through small objects. Once they were in my Inventory, I could see what they were as if I was holding them in my hands.

Cloth, cloth, cloth, a wooden cudgel, cloth, a dagger, cloth, cloth, cloth, cloth, cloth, a broken metal sword, cloth, cloth, cloth, and empty glass vial, cloth, another vial, something I couldn't Inventory!

"There." I pointed.

Dalimont's gaze followed my finger. "Well done! The stranger with the limp is out of sight, so shall we investigate?"

"Let's."

We moved to the spot where there was something too heavy for me to store, or more likely too magical. I hadn't tested if Inventory could work on Magical items, but it wasn't unexpected that it couldn't.

Dalimont held my arm as I bent down. "Do not touch anything with your hands. There could be poison or dark magic lingering as a final trap." He pulled his sword out of its scabbard and used the tip to move the dark robe on the ground.

There was nothing underneath it.

"There are some glass vials inside."

"Do you detect any other magic?" Dalimont asked me.

I nodded. "Some in the pockets, but I can't say anything more."

"Well, if the robe itself isn't enchanted." Dalimont grabbed it from the end of his sword, bunched up the garment, and then turned it over and shook it. Several vials, some empty, some filled with colored liquids fell to the ground with a slight tinkling. "I would say this is the [Necromancer]'s robe. No undead would need health or mana potions." He turned to me. "Is there nothing else?"

I shook my head. "No, that's all."

Dalimont shrugged. "Let us gather them, then. I suggest we hand them over the guards. It's best to have an [Alchemist] examine them."

I nodded. "I'm fine with that." If potions are a thing, then I'd want to examine them and see why I can't Inventory them. I'd also like to compare them to what I can make - but not potentially cursed potions.

Dalimont followed behind Kevin, both to keep an eye out for the people apparently trailing them, and to observe the foreign [Archmage] more closely.

The pair returned to the main gate without incident. Dalimont approached the head [Guard]. "Excuse me, good Sir, but my companion and I found something that will be of interest to the Hunter's Guild."

The guard eyed him. "So? Take it there yourselves."

Dalimont coughed into his fist. "You see, it is sensitive material and we would prefer to have an escort to prevent any nefarious individuals from waylaying us."

The guard smirked. "Is that so? What's so 'sensitive' that we have to escort a foreign [Knight]?"

Dalimont held up his other hand and the robe. "We believe we found the [Necromancer]'s remains. While there is naught but a robe and various potions, we wished to perform our civic duty and inform the appropriate people as soon as possible."

The guard glanced down at a truth stone, which was glowing blue. Dalimont hadn't spoken a single lie, but apparently being a [Knight] still didn't count for much in these lands. "Rob!" The guard turned and shouted. "Gather up your squad, you have escort duty!"

A burly looking man with a scarred face exited the barracks with two other people in tow. "What is it?"

The guard motioned at Dalimont and Kevin. "These two found the [Necromancer]'s gear. Escort them to the Hunter's Guild and make sure nothing funny happens."

Rob looked them over before grunting. "This way. Keith, Aras, flank us. Keep your eyes peeled for any [Rogues]. [Form up]!"

The five men walked through the city with ease as everyone gave the [Guards] a wide berth. Dalimont glanced at Kevin. The [Archmage] was still twisting his head every few seconds - focusing on something that only he could see.

The Hunter's Guild was located behind the 2nd wall, so it took a short while to arrive. Dalimont felt nervous despite Kevin's calmness and the [Guards] clear boredom. He had felt something from that limping man. He didn't know what, but he feared what the outcome might've been if the stranger hadn't relented.

They arrived after an uneventful journey. Dalimont explained the situation to the [Secretary], who also had a truth stone confirming the veracity of his words. The bundle of robes and potions was taken from him to a back room where an [Alchemist] and a [Curse Breaker] would work on it.

Rob nodded to them. "If that's all?"

Dalimont smiled and offered a handshake, which was ignored. Undaunted, he replied. "Yes, that is all. Thank you for your assistance."

Rob grunted in reply before he and his two subordinates turned and left.

Dalimont shrugged and sat down next to Kevin. "You seem preoccupied. Is there anything amiss?"

The boy shook his head. "No. I'm just trying to understand the... local culture better."

"Such as?"

"Well, you seem to place a lot of confidence in those stones?"

Stones? "Oh, you mean the truth stones." Dalimont narrowed his eyes. "Why wouldn't we?"

Kevin looked at him. "Well, they aren't absolute arbiters of the truth, are they?"

Dalimont chuckled. "Like everything, there's a spell or a skill that counters them, but that doesn't diminish their effectiveness. Not every [Thief] has a skill that allows them to bypass them."

Kevin nodded. "But the possibility exists, so reliance on them seems foolish."

Dalimont shrugged. "And what is the alternative? To not use them? A hoe or a plow can break. A sword can fail to cut the thickest of hides. That does not mean we abandon them out of some fear that they MIGHT fail us at an inopportune time." He shook his head. "Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."

Kevin nodded with a small smile. "I suppose you're correct."

They sat in silence for an hour. Kevin was apparently content to just watch the comings and goings of the Hunter's Guild. Dalimont supposed he couldn't blame him. It was a hub for colorful people - far different from Calanfer. While there was no [Hunter] uniform, it was still easy to tell them apart from other people. While their individual outfits might be different, they all shared a common trait: they showed no skin.

In a way, it was full plate, but made of leather. Less capable of turning a blade, but it still left no exposed skin for an undead to touch.

It was also more flexible, and probably much hotter, but that was a benefit in the cold north.

Eventually the [Secretary] came up to them. "Georgios will see you now."

Dalimont stood. "Lead the way." Kevin followed behind them.

Georgios turned out to be an older man with a soot covered smock and gloves. He looked up from a boiling flask as they entered. "Are you the ones that brought in the potions?"

Dalimont nodded. "That we are. What can you tell us about them?"

Georgios shrugged. "Not much. No curses, poisons, or anything else out of the ordinary. They are simply health and mana potions, albeit of uncommonly high potency."

"How so?" Dalimont's eyes narrowed. "Any clues might be invaluable in hunting down his origin." The [Knight] then remembered that such a task was no longer any concern of his. He would soon no longer be associated with this city or Noelictus.

Georgios shook his head. "I'm sure the [Hunters] will ask the same questions, but all I can say for certainty is that he was not poor."

"Can we get the potions back?" Kevin said from behind them.

"I'm afraid not. You'll have to speak to the higher ups, but I was told to keep them as part of the investigation."

"I see." The foreigner nodded, seemingly uncaring of the final outcome.

"I say, that doesn't seem-" Dalimont decided that it was time for some negotiations, but Kevin stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

"Let's go."

The [Knight] turned to him. "As you say."

As we walked back to the palace, I didn't notice anyone paying attention to us. Or at least, more attention than was normal on a busy street. Dalimont got us past the inner wall again and we headed upstairs towards Seraphel's rooms.

We had just reached the [Princess]'s doors when a scream echoed throughout the hallway.

Dalimont whirled around as his hand went to his sword again. He looked down the hall and then over his shoulder at the door. He leaned back and knocked with his left hand, while still facing away.

"Who is it?" Dame Leana's muffled voice came through the door.

"It is I, Ser Dalimont." The [Knight] turned his head, but kept his gaze towards where the scream had come from. "Is her Highness all right?"

"Yes."

Dalimont exhaled. "Then I will stand guard on this side of the door. Do not open it until I give the word."

"Understood."

I wished Instant Dungeon was working. This was the perfect time to use it. However, since it wasn't, I instead started strolling down the hallway. "I'll investigate."

"Take care, [Mage] Kevin." Dalimont warned me. "It is most likely an untimely death compounded with a reanimated body, but the timing strikes me as odd."

I turned and nodded before moving away. Servants had already rushed ahead of me to one of the doors that were spaced every ten feet. They were normally pressed against the sides of the corridor and disguised as decorations. Now, the one around the corner had been pulled shut with a thick plank of wood locking it in place.

"What's going on?"

A man with silver hair and a dark black suit turned to me. "Nothing to worry about, I'm sure." He nodded at the door. "No lesser undead can breach that, and the Hunter's Guild has already been contacted. They will send someone shortly."

My eyes narrowed. "What about the woman that screamed?"

The man bowed. "I hope that she is unharmed, but we cannot take any risks. Outbreaks must be contained, lest we all fall."

I grunted. "Makes sense." I turned and looked at the door. "However, I'll go and handle the situation myself."

The man put his hand on my shoulder. "Sir, while I applaud your bravery, you are but a guest. Please allow the professionals to handle the situation."

I turned my head towards him and glared. "One is handling it." I glanced down at his hand. "Please release me."

He shook his head. "I cannot allow you to open the door. Please understand it is for everyone's sake."

I gently brushed his arm away. "I'll not touch the door." I then focused on the camera outside my room. It should give me a view of where the scream had come from. I saw a [Maid] huddled in a corner. Her hands were clasped together and her eyes were wide with fear. I subtly un-Inventoried a camera behind me. "Excuse me."

I then teleported to where the scream had come from.

**Maid is panicked.

The [Maid] let out another shriek at my sudden appearance, but it was shorter and quieter. I slowly walked towards her. "Are you injured?" She shook her head. I extended my hand. "Grab on, I'll get you out of here."

She looked from my hand to my face and back again before tentatively nodding. Her hand was shaking as she reached for me, but she still held mine tightly. I smiled and nodded before teleporting both of us back behind the closed door.

The old man gave a gasp of surprise as we appeared. "What?"

I looked around, another door behind us was being closed by another pair of [Maids]. Looks like they're serious about locking the place down in an emergency. The old man, to his credit, didn't seem to be trying to run away. Instead he'd let himself be locked in. I guessed it was so he could help barricade the door if necessary.

I kneeled down and looked the [Maid] in her eyes. "Everything is okay now." I nodded my head and got one in return. "Can you tell me what happened?"

She stared blankly at me before letting out a small gasp. "It's you!"

"Me?"

She shook her head. "Your room. There was... something in there..." She shuddered. "Strands... Blood... The voice..." She hugged herself and tried to compress her body into a smaller ball. "I... I..."

**Maid is frightened.

I stood up. "That's alright. You're safe now."

Plus, if it was in my room, I already had a camera in place to view it. I used Ears of Babel to switch to the other feed.

Nothing.

Something was obstructing the camera lens. There was no light and no picture.

I frowned. "I'll go take a look in person then."

The man puffed up at my announcement. "Sir, I really must insist for your own safety to do no more. I am very pleased that you rescued Panisa, but it is foolish to risk yourself!"

"Don't worry." I shook my head. "I'm just going to have a look."

I then teleported back before he could waste more time arguing. I paused in the hallway in front of my room. The old man did have a point, but I suspected I was at the center of whatever this was. It couldn't be so bad if the [Maid], Pansia, hadn't been hurt.

Still, an ounce of precaution might save my ass.

I un-Inventoried the Cawthorne around me and used its force field generator to layer several screens between the door and myself. I then reached out with Inventory. It would allow me to open, and close, the door with a thought.

The door vanished and I saw... hell.

It was strangely nostalgic.

It was like something Riley would've done when she'd been Bonesaw. In fact, it was something I'd seen her do plenty of times, but it had always been mid-operation. She'd never leave someone like this anymore.

A body had been cut apart and strewn around my room. However, it was still in one piece. Gore and viscera were connected in a single mass that hung from one wall to another.

It looked like a bloody spider web.

At the center of the strands was the only part that looked intact. A face looked at me. A face I recognized.

It was the [Thief] that had tried to steal my Golden Gun the day I'd arrived in Afiele.

The head moved, but it wasn't alive. There was no pulse, no breathing. Unlike Riley's work, he was definitely dead. Or at least, undead - which wasn't a surprise really. It was recently done. Rigor Mortis hadn't set in yet, and his eyes were capable of focusing.

And they did. At me.

His mouth moved and he croaked out a single word. "Hail."

[Temporary Skill – Thread of Fate assigned!]

A temporary skill? I stepped back as I heard the voice. I thought you had to be sleeping to level up. I also hadn't gained any classes, just a skill - another change from the norm.

I un-Inventoried the door back into place, and took another step back.

There was one final oddity. The skill had sounded... different in the same way [Famous Deed] and [Divided Reputation] did. It was strange in a way that I couldn't really describe. Like it was hearing a different 'color'.