28 Grand Master of the Blood Rose (1/2)
With the last beast's surrender, peace returned to Ostria. Kilian had his soldiers gather the corpses and remains of the deceased and store them in the castle's undergrounds. Of the 60,000 victims, only 200 were nobility. The rest managed to survive beneath the comfort of their massive walls. Half of Ostria's population decimated in less than 24 hours. Once they emerged from seclusion, the magnitude of the slaughter left even the most aloof of nobles quivering in fright.
At first, many wondered how the city prevailed over the seemingly invincible insurgents. News then passed that a mysterious man managed to take control of the fehl beasts and tame them to the last. Now, they took residence within the viscount's castle, with their ”monster lord” serving as the true power and shadow master of Ostria.
With 3,000 fehl beasts at his command, Kilian took absolute control of the city, placing his ”men” in key positions to maintain control over the city's information channels and resources. At the same time, Kilian had the 3,500 remaining soldiers, and the 42 golems at Olaf's disposal, destroy the slums to prepare it for the Celestial Garden project.
Meanwhile, in the comfort of Olaf's study, Jezebel posed for Kilian. She lounged on the sofa, resting her cheek in her right palm while his brush moved in swift yet meticulous arcs—painting a flawless picture of her divine beauty. But as she watched the passionate focus within Kilian's eyes, Jezebel couldn't stop her smile from growing brighter.
To make this perfect representation of Jezebel, Kilian infused his every stroke with dra and guided his hand with the Eye of Revelation.
”The average net worth of a count is 5,000 qraftas. Yet that Olaf hoarded more than 7,000. In the arts of fraud and embezzlement, I'm afraid that throughout Arcadia, not many can contend with him,” Jezebel jested while Kilian added the finishing touch of the painting.
”But now that you not only have his wealth and resources at your disposal, are you still going through the original plan?” She asked.
”But of course. Ostria has just experienced the darkest moment of its history. The whales are still waiting for me to provide them with entertainment. How can I disappoint them? More than a source of revenue, the Celestial Garden is my gate to information and remote control of Olroth's various forces.
Once we open Ostria's gates and spread the news of the Celestial Garden, nobles of nearby towns and cities will undoubtedly make the trip to experiment the fairy tale. If our advertisment campaign is efficient enough, reaching the entirety of Orloth is quite feasible.
Who knows, we might even cater to royalty,” Kilian stated, and lowered his brush to appraise his work. Vanishing in a crimson haze, Jezebel reappeared on Kilian's thigh, appraising the painting alongside him. Startled by the enrapturing sight, her eyes widened, and she blinked in disbelief.
”Impressive skills. My Lothario is indeed the master of all trades. Well done! The number one painter of Orloth would be honored to call you brother.” The art of using dra in drawings, paintings or sculptures was a trick reserved for magi. Commoners couldn't have access to it, and therefore could never compare to those magi that took the arts as their hobby.
But even among arcane-gifted artists, Kilian's representation of Jezebel would appear as a marvel. The strokes were so lifelike that the onlookers would find themselves drawn into the painting and experiencing the scene through Kilian's eyes and senses.
”My skills are ordinary. It's my feelings that held the brush,” Kilian whispered, and kissed the right corner of Jezebel's lips. But having grown accustomed to his teasing, Jezebel merely lowered her temple onto his.
”By the way, the number one painter of Orltoh calls me son.” Taken aback by the statement, Jezebel arched her eyebrow and turned to face Kilian.
”Klaus von Karsten is your father?” She asked.
Jezebel was on a leisure trip within the Wailing Sea when Ashera made her part of the contract, and summoned her to assist Kilian. She'd only received brief information and knew nothing of his past circumstances. However, her knowledge of Arcadia's various powers would lose to none.
”Indeed. I suppose it's time we discuss the in-laws,” Kilian leisurely replied.