Chapter 615 (2/2)

With a half shrug, Ophelia said, “Who can say? It is only by the whims of the fates that we get small glimpses beyond our current time. But after winning the surprise victory in Niergem, I believe it is time to act. My Lieutenant Shal will move to assist the Death School in dealing with the two Witch Kings active there… will goals of eliminating them.”

“Is that…” If it were anyone else, Shal would have interpreted the pause as the speaker searching for a polite way of saying it. As the speaker was Versault, Shal knew it was simply because the bleak man was savoring the hollow sound of his voice. “...likely?”

Shal clenched his fists. These past 8 months had been the toughest of his life. After seeming to reawaken for the first time since the tragedy in his childhood, Shal wandered the world, seeking a challenge. At the end of it, he was a Lieutenant to the most powerful School in the world. He had reached Level 77, and his highest Skill Level was nearing 230. His growth these past months was unbelievable. Even Shal found it difficult to understand.

But he knew the truth. It was because he was a being that straddled two worlds, and drew energy from both. Although everyone else here had stuttered to a stop, Shal’s Wight blood let him hit the ground running. If anyone were to do it, it would be him.

Aylwind scowled over Ophelia’s shoulder at Shal. “I must say I share similar doubts. This is not a man with an established track record.”

“And yet he has my trust,” Ophelia countered. “What more matters?”

An hour later, Shal stood in Ophelia study, waiting for her to speak.

“...what did you think? Are we misled, or are we missing something?” Ophelia said simply.

Shal kept his hands behind his back. “Of the two, being misled seems more likely. This… it is known that infighting is common amongst those of the Death School. I believe you are right to say that our problem is that we don’t understand the game these traitors are playing.”

Ophelia nodded absently. “But Versault would know this as well. And yet he has been able to find nothing. Although I do not like him, he has survived as the Head of the Death School for 40 years. There is no doubt about his capabilities, both as a spear user and as a politician.”

“Then there is one option. The traitor is Versault.” Shal said simply. He knew his role. It had taken much to get here, but sometimes he wondered if it wasn’t all another ploy. For all that he now followed Ophelia, she was just as deft a leader as Versault, if not more so.

Right now, Ophelia wanted him to be the blunt weapon to her needle. So he would be.

Because she was one of the few people who knew the full version of the prophecy about Shal’s life.

She chuckled. “You certainly are enthusiastic. Perhaps it is better not to speak of such things. But when you head into the Death School, keep your eyes open. Have you ever traveled there before?”

Shal shook his head. “No… but I do not believe it likely it is overmuch hard. I am capable.”

“Your confidence is extremely becoming,” Ophelia noted. “But see that no one knows of your true Skills.”

Frowning, Shal asked. “Then how will I kill a Witch King? I believe-”

“The Schools work together, but all are drawing their knives as stealthily as possible. Your story is too well known for me to hide you; it is better for me to treat you as a pawn. But for that to be believable, you must not appear to be a Master. As long as that is concealed, you will be as safe as a man at war can be.”

“...I must ask, is all of this necessary?” Shal asked with a tired voice. “Why don’t the leaders of the Schools move? Due to your age, I have to imagine your Skill Levels-”

“Yes well, there is a bigger problem that Skill Levels. You are young, so you do not yet understand the existential dread of the aging and powerful. But it is enough to say we are scared, Shal. For the elderly have long been fighting against an enemy that cannot be defeated, and you do not recover from meeting such a foe. Your spine will never again stand so straight as before.”

Ophelia dismissed him, and Shal went back to his quarters to prepare for the journey. He considered briefly the option of sending Randidly a message but decided against it. The boy was young and foolish. Let him enjoy the small games of the world for a while.

His reckoning would come in time.