89 Blood on the Walls (2/2)
Kellaria opened his eyes, glancing once to the list, apparently responsible for such magic.
”He truly gave you all these for free?”
Ele nodded, understanding the skepticism.
”And it was not a declaration of intent?” Kellaria asked, running a hand through his white hair, though it still shared the slightest hint of raven blue that his granddaughter's black hair currently had.
”No. It was given to me as an Ambassador, not as myself.”
”Who else is aware of this?”
”Only you and I. Though I told the Lord Magus I would present his gifts at the Leadership gathering in a week.”
”Can a meeting with him, prior to it, be arranged?” he said, coughing in between his words.
Ele raised an eyebrow at her grandfather, her usual mask dropped with him. He never made a decision so quickly. Not even as his life was coming to an end did he do anything except in a slow and plodding manner.
”He is currently hunting in the mountains, but I shall have him contacted the moment he returns.”
”I will see if I need to delay the leadership meeting. Thank you for bringing this to me Ele.”
”Of course, grandfather,” she said, bowing before leaving.
Numerous Void-walks later, Rainer collapsed into his bed, Gunthar standing by his side.
”I apologize for my failure, Sorcerer.”
”What, you screwed up one time? Big deal. Besides, now we know for sure.”
”Know what?”
”That this is the way forward. For a brief moment you cost nearly twice as much to maintain as usual. I have no doubt had you been able to absorb the full Soul, you'd have advanced. We just need to find a monster a bit weaker.”
”It will take me some time to recover, but I should be ready soon,” Gunthar said. Tiamat came out from Rainer's coat and looked over to Gunthar who happily took the young dragon into his arms. It was easy to tell his mood was restored.
Rainer nodded. ”It'll be harder to find another monster like that. We got lucky, or I suppose unlucky. Well, nothing for it. Once Kara comes here in a few weeks we can hunt with her help too,” Rainer added before wondering if the Wolf King would allow his sister and Lilia to continue training with their sensors. He didn't want to pull Lilia away from the library earlier than he had to.
”Get some rest, Sorcerer. I am still fit to stand guard.”
Rainer woke up after a short nap, realizing he hadn't even used [Sleep Learning] prior to it. Overusing his Void Will was never pleasant. A knocking at the door and a faint voice told him Ele was here for some reason. He knew he hadn't spent a week up in the mountains, rather barely half a day, so he wondered why she came back so soon.
”Come in,” he said.
Ele entered, briefly glancing at the stationary undead that stood outside his door. Of course, with his disguise, few would realize his nature. Momentarily pausing as she saw the company Rainer had with him, Ele continued the same as usual.
”I do not recall ever seeing such a beautiful woman in this city, but I see you work quickly,” she commented, before laughing lightly.
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Rainer glanced to his side before he realized Luna's head was resting on his chest. He pushed down his panic as he understood there was nothing to discern Luna as a Fae besides her ears that were longer than elves', though even that was mostly hidden by her silver hair. Reminding himself he was strong enough to protect her now calmed him down.
”I was a bit out of it, apologies,” he said, referencing his state of dress as he sat up, though a blanket covered Luna completely along with his lower half.
”I suppose it's only fair given what you have seen of mine. As soon as you are ready, I came with an offer from my grandfather for a meeting. He is one of the founding heads of the city, even if he no longer holds any official office,” Ele said.
”I'll be ready in a minute.”
Rainer followed Ele as she led him to the meeting place. Apart from some glances that seemed more amorous and envious rather than scrutinizing, he went largely unnoticed as he entered the Blood Moon Mansion alongside her. Unlike most mansions he's seen, this one was more of a grouping of towers, with the main house only having a single floor.
”Anything I should know going in?” Rainer didn't think she'd give him an advantage over a family member, but [Mana Reading] meant he'd only need her to talk about him. Knowing a lie was a lie could sometimes be just as useful or more so than the truth.
”Kellaria of the Blood Moon is a stickler for certain etiquette, but given the setting I doubt he will care. You are lucky in that way.”
”Why?”
”He once made a visiting diplomat wait three days after their initial meeting because he drank the offered tea too fast. Well, then again, this is one of the reasons the rest of the family was glad to push him away from the more political offices, though they'd never admit how much effort and luck such a thing took. Kellaria is a rarity among the strong as someone who actually cares for any sort of decorum. Most that are of his strength disdain politicking and etiquette as the tools of the weak.”
Rainer could see how someone of power actually being a skilled politician on top of that could prove an annoying opponent. Not only was he capable of cutting off your head with little more than a look, he could also out-negotiate you. A troublesome combination, especially the possible crossover of a strategic mind in battle.
From the Wolf King's daughter, Alaya, Rainer had gotten some basic information of the three clans of the Neutral City, including the clan of the man he'd be meeting with.
The Blood Moon Elves were a family that specialized in Magical Swordsmanship, Blood, and Mind Magic. The founding head was considered one of the greatest sword users in the world during his prime, and based on his planned participation in the Dungeon Meet alongside one of the strongest Hunter parties, including the Hunter's Guildmaster Matheus himself, it seemed he still had enough of that strength left.
The Hammerfell Dwarves were strong Aura users on top of having a naturally high Constitution from their race, being a mix of Dwarves who survived in harsh desert conditions and living under the mountains. Their secondary advantage was both their craftsmanship and Aura inscription.
And finally, the Lamia of the Everlasting Grove. They were once a forest-bound race of enchanters and archers, known for killing even the strongest of targets before they even knew they were under attack. Their powerful single-use enchanted arrows, a unique creation, certainly played a large role.
It was in this rare case that the strongest of their clan was no longer the aged founding head, but one of her granddaughters known for her role as a mercenary in the war between the North and the Dragon Isles. She was rumored to have all her classes and subclasses filled entirely with tier 2 ones, something largely unheard of.
”So what exactly is the meeting about,” Rainer asked, brought out of his thoughts as they neared their destination.
”I am afraid I do not know for certain, he did show great interest in the enchantments I demonstrated.”
”Then the meeting is of personal interest? I'm afraid I do not have enough resources with me to leisurely offer free enchantments.” Rainer wasn't completely lying. He did only have enough Mana Crystals for the Mana Control Rune and three enchantments on top of that. There wasn't a chance he'd reveal the Mana Well of course.
”While expensive, Grandfather would have no issue providing what you need. You offering your services free of charge is already enough and likely worth more than the ingredients. Merely, I am not certain the enchantments are the main subject of his interest. Well, here we are,” Ele said, leading him to a room on the first floor.
”No guards?” Rainer asked. No lies thus far...
”It would be quite silly for a pillar of Neutral City's strength to need guards, no?”
”Silly, indeed,” he said, noting over half a dozen guards pinned around the room hiding their Aura or Mana with only the faintest sign of their existence leaking from their Souls. There was no way to tell if she knew about them, given her non-answer to his question. A limitation of [Mana-Reading] to be sure, especially in circles where people never gave clear answers. Any televised interview with the president was always an entertaining reminder of how someone could talk and talk and yet not answer a single question.
”He requested the meeting to be private, so I shall wait out here,” Ele said, before waving him forward.
Rainer stepped in, wondering just how this meeting would go.
The man Rainer assumed was Kellaria sat at a table, a single cup of tea in front of him. He couldn't help but wonder if not serving him tea was a courtesy or a slight. Not having to impolitely reject the drink or otherwise check for poison was frankly a relief. At the very least, Rainer was sure that not standing up to greet him was a universal slight, but once more he couldn't judge.
He inwardly shrugged before taking a seat across from the white-haired man. Even looking quite old, it seemed Elves had an unfair aging advantage. Kellaria, while pale with a decent amount of wrinkles, didn't look particularly unpleasant. Asians also seemed to have such an advantage Rainer mused, thinking it could be either in this case given that Moon Elves seemed to have similar features.
The Elf stood from his seat and, with a slight bow, introduced himself.
”I am Kellaria of the Blood Moon Clan, a pleasure to make your acquaintance Lord Magus of the far North,” he said before sitting back down.
He supposed this could count as a minor etiquette lesson and Rainer mirrored his actions, introducing himself as Rainer Nvos with no specific add-on to his name.
”My granddaughter had told me you are a man who gets to the point, so I believe I shall honor that conduct by doing so myself. I have a trade I wish to pursue.”
”I presented my Body Enchantments more as a gift, even if I could not front the materials for all who desire it. I do not think there is anything that needs to be traded.”
”It is related as such, but I seek something else. Undoubtedly the notion of Body Enhancements and the manner you have provided is of great interest, but yes indeed it would not necessarily be a trade unless we consider which enchantments you have not yet presented upon Elellaria's form, and then there would be...”
Rainer momentarily zoned out as the man kept talking. What part of this was getting to the point? He danced around the point like a 13 year old asking out a girl for the first time.
”So, in truth, what interests me is not the enchantments but where they come from. I wonder what would it take to trade for Fairy Dust from you? I would be quite pleased if you would grant me such a favor.”
The [Archon] briefly tensed, preparing to Void-walk at a moment's notice. Kellaria himself seemed far more an imposing warrior than the old man he previously appeared as, his presence teeming with bloodlust. Rainer got the distinct feeling that no matter the wording, the man's request wasn't a question.
[Moon Elf, Male, Spellsword(2nd) lvl 24, Sanguine Artist(2nd) lvl 24]
[Title: Sword Master]
Was this about Luna? he questioned before stopping himself from jumping to conclusions. It was natural to assume he had contact with the Fae because of his Body Enchantments. Even more so, since that was the truth. He sank into his Void Will and calmed his nerves, letting himself think clearly.
”What is the value of even a single year of life? Let alone four more?” Rainer said, intentionally marking down how many years Fairy Dust gave from its actual ten. He wasn't confident enough in his abilities to outright lie and say he didn't have any.
”Indeed it is priceless,” the Elf agreed.
Out of his Void Will, and still on edge from the potential threat, no matter how subtle, Rainer decided to return the favor. He knew part of him was influenced by the chance this was related to Luna, but no matter. A poor choice for dealing with politicians indeed, he briefly mused but made no notion to stop himself.
[Void Descent]
The room took on a lifeless grey, and the previously invisible guards appeared. Only Kellaria managed to retain his mental faculties as he tensed and prepared for battle. Though not even he could hide his slightly trembling hands nor the sweat forming on his forehead. Moments passed that felt like hours. All of the guards fell to the floor in one way or another, no longer able to bear standing or even looking at the Magus causing this.
”You live in a small world, Sword Master, do not forget the unknown that lies outside the border of your maps,” Rainer spoke before vanishing in a Void-walk.
Kellaria stared at the place where the mage had disappeared from, taking more than a few seconds to collect himself.
He slowly looked around the room before realizing these were not the Magus' guards.
”I see…” He mumbled to himself.
And then the room was painted in blood.