Chapter 1619 (2/2)

“...as you are undoubtedly aware, our relationship has shifted,” Randidly began slowly. Over a thousand Lancers looked over him uneasily as he spoke. “Before, you were my summons; existences that depended on me for life and energy. That reliance has waned as you have grown stronger, but a thread of energy tied us together. With the most recent evolution… it is now possible to sever that binding.”

An imperceptible shiver ran through the Lancers. For the first time in their existence, these Lancers possessed fear about their own futures. They realized abruptly that now that such a binding was isolated, Randidly Ghosthound could cast them aside if he wished. After living as part of a collective for so long, even the most independent amongst the collective felt existential dread when they realized they might someday be alone.

To walk along on your Path requires experiencing loneliness, but it also fuels growth. Randidly reflected rather sadly. I need to strike before that fear begins to warp them in unwanted ways…

Randidly cleared his throat. “I want to reassure you that this ability is only held by you; I cannot sever the connection between us from my end. Only you hold the reins to your future.”

A wave of relief swept through the assembled Lancers just as the shiver had gone through them. But privately, Randidly could only shake his head in resignation. It seems like none of you understand how much harder it is to have control in situations like this. The temptation will always be there, in the back of your mind. Well, you will soon learn…

One of the Lancers stepped forward, the leader of the Legion of Impenetrable Bulwark, who rode armored rhinos. He bowed. “Rest assured, my liege, that if any Lancer dares defy you, we will hunt them down-”

“Thank you for your enthusiasm,” Randidly said with a soft smile, “But I am here to tell you to do exactly the opposite. Going alone is difficult enough without fearing the repercussions of your former family… So don’t hunt down those that decide to go on their own. In fact, please support them when you can, when it doesn’t detract from your own mission. Don’t forget that you come from the same source… and also don’t forget that although the severing is permanent, I can always use capable helpers. You can follow me, even as an independent being.”

The leader of the Legion of the Impenetrable Bulwark looked at Randidly in shock. From the expressions on the other Lancers, it was clear that they also didn’t expect this sort of generous attitude from Randidly.

Even the Eagle Lancer, who stood a little bit off at the head of a group of the 100 or so Lancers with unique growth Paths, who Randidly privately believed would be the first of the group to split off, seemed bewildered by Randidly’s reaction.

Randidly just smiled at them all. Ah… is this the feeling of growing older? In terms of time this body has experienced… with the shaft, it’s been almost ten years within the System. That makes me… thirty-two? Heh. I’ve got the Vulpis Squad and now my Lancers to guide…

Shaking his head, Randidly dismissed those pointless thoughts. Instead, he looked around once more and got to the point of his visit. “And the reason I am here today… is to ask if any of you would like to go independent. I’m probably going to anger some powerful factions in the recent future. Following me will become increasingly dangerous; these people will definitely seek revenge. Only now by having unilateral control lives will you understand what you stand to lose by your association with me. If you want to separate yourself from me… you had best do it now.”

“A Lancer would NEVER back down in your time of need, my Liege!” The leader of the Legion of Moist Bounds urged his mount to hop forward with a self-righteous expression on his face. “To do so would be to cast aside all honor-”

“Enough,” Randidly said quietly. “Are my words so light that you can hear them and ignore them? Don’t look down on those who go alone. Each of you Lancers are now individuals; you have your own concerns.”

The leader of the Legion of Moist Bounds blinked rapidly. Perhaps if they had this conversation had occurred in the future, the Lancer would have been filled with embarrassment and hidden fury. Likely the Lancer would have buried that reaction, but it might have festered there. But at the moment, all these independent emotions were too fresh. The Lancer could only look at Randidly with the hopeless regret of a misbehaving puppy, all instinct and shame.

Randidly walked forward and put his hand on the Lancer’s shoulder. “A childhood friend of mine once told me something very wise that I’ll share with you now: never combine being assured in your own decision with being dismissive of another’s. Live your own life to the fullest and respect the decisions of your fellows…

“Which brings me back to my main point.” Randidly turned away from the frog-riding Lancer and looked across the assembled ranks in front of the Lancers. “Does anyone wish to become independent?”

By heading off the issue, Randidly hoped both to speed up the shift in the emotional maturity of the Lancers and also keep the peace between them. Especially since Randidly wasn’t sure how dueling for Fangs would work once one became independent, creating an amicable relationship between the groups was important.

Even if he took steps to prevent it, Randidly believed the chances of him being able to prevent any Lancers from cutting ties with him was small. As long as there was a Path, there was always going to be someone who followed it.

The Lancers in front of him shifted uncomfortably and looked at the ground in front of them. But they were clearly monitoring their surroundings, waiting to see if there was anyone who would dare to abandon their liege. Even if Randidly had made his attitude clear, he couldn’t force the Lancers to be friendly toward someone who abandoned their creator; with the evolution of the Skill, he had lost that capability.

Randidly glanced over toward the Eagle Lancer. But even that individual had a tense expression on his face and only looked at the ground. It seemed it was a bit too early. Randidly sighed inwardly and turned away from his Lancers. But just as he had refocused, someone spoke up behind him.

“If… if it’s really alright…” Randidly paused and turned around to see that a Lancer really had stepped forward. “Then… I would like to be independent, Liege- err, sir.”

Randidly blinked. The Lancer in front of him wasn’t one of the leaders of the various Legions or one of the unique growth paths. He was just a normal Lancer from Legion of Marching Cadence, whose mounts most closely resembled camels. The camel huffed out a breath, staring blankly ahead while its Lancer squirmed.

“But I do have a request,” The Lancer continued. He reached up and scratched his cheek. “Can I… have a job?”