Ogre Tyrant

Ogre Tyrant: Chapter 74 – Power and privilege – Part Two

Ogre Tyrant: Chapter 74 - Power and privilege - Part Two

Except for Keith, the other finalists were presented the opportunity to fight against a projection of one of the Ainsleys to earn a place amongst them as my champion.

Gnar had declined, content with the prizes and prestige from the tournament. Becoming my champion would raise his status amongst his kind, but it would also carry additional risks. Gnar was one of the handful of Gnolls that had fought alongside Rikit and nearly starved to death within the undead-infested city of Mournbrent. Compelled by his Slave Collar to defend the grounds of the tannery workshop while his Masters fled the city.

I respected Gnar’s choice and dismissed his projection.

Itzal had requested time to consider her options. Given she was still the monster equivalent of a teenager, I had no problems accepting her deferment. However, I didn’t dismiss her projection right away.

Trask and Brok accepted the instant they were asked and chose to fight Randle and Faine respectively.

Under normal circumstances, Randle would have fared far worse than Keith had done against Trask. However, Thundering Strikes proved more than capable of bypassing Trask’s natural defences, inflicting a heavy toll in the opening exchanges of their duel. Randle didn’t emerge unscathed, but once Trask made the mistake of going on the defensive, it was all over.

Brok fared a little better against Faine but was ultimately defeated when the terrain was reshaped to imprison him. Allowing Faine to execute him at his leisure.

Randle and Faine had both been at an Evolutionary disadvantage. Possessing significantly less Strength, Toughness and combat Racial Abilities. However, their specialised Class and access to my Spells proved more than capable of compensating for their fundamental disadvantages.

“They can both casst Sspellss?” Itzal’s tail undulated with what I assumed was an expression of intense interest. Most of her face was hidden behind a soft leather veil, so it was difficult to be certain without seeing her face.

“It is a boon granted to all my champions,” I replied evenly, pretending not to notice Keith’s mounting frustration.

Itzal’s serpentine eyes widened briefly in surprise before taking on a hungry predatory intensity.

“Each Spell I learn through my Ability is shared with my champions, making them more formidable and able to counter a wider range of threats,” I added, baiting the hook.

Itzal’s long forked tongue darted from beneath her veil, tasting the air as she silently studied Randle and Faine’s projections. After several minutes had passed, Itzal humbly lowered her head. “My Tyrant, it would be my honour to sseerve you ass your champion,” Itzal hissed in supplication. She raised her head and then pointed determinedly at Randle and Faine. “To prove my ssinsserity, I would fasse them both!”

Itzal’s request caught me off guard for a moment. “Are you certain?” I asked, allowing her to alter her request.

Itzal nodded determinedly. “I am ssertain, my Tyrant!” Her tail lashed the ground violently and her eyes flashed with anticipation.

I dismissed Randle and Faine’s damaged projections and then replaced them, dividing my MP between them.

Without needing to be asked, Randle and Faine made their way over to an open space and began planning their means of attack.

Already gathering her MP, Itzal took her place a few dozen feet away from them and loosed the cord holding up one end of her veil, revealing her face.

Mostly human in appearance, the rounded mound and slits where her nose should have been immediately set her apart. However, as Itzal unhinged her jaw, her face took on an altogether monstrous appearance that banished any passing resemblance she had shared with humanity.

Arriving at some form of silent agreement, both sides began to move at the same time.

With his spear set in front of him, Faine charged forward.

Standing his ground, Randle raised a wall of stone at Itzal’s back to cut off her line of retreat and began encircling her from both sides.

Itzal continued gathering her MP and held her ground while throwing bone javelins at Faine.

Dodging and knocking aside the javelins with his spear, Faine slowed his advance but didn’t stop. Eyes glowing under the effects of the Enhanced Senses Spell, he showed no signs of struggling to predict where the javelins would land and ignored several that otherwise overshot or came up short of his advancing position.

All the while, Itzal continued expending her dwindling store of javelins, seemingly unperturbed by their lack of effect. Coiling her tail, she began slowly bobbing from side to side, anticipating Faine’s final approach.

With Itzal cornered, Randle began advancing to support his cousin more directly, gathering MP and making sure to keep his focus firmly fixed on Itzal.

Just as Faine was about to enter striking distance, Itzal suddenly sprang two dozen feet into the air, narrowly avoiding Randle’s prepared Fire Lance.

With a loud hiss, Itzal expelled a stream of pale shimmering amber liquid from her mouth. As a direct consequence of her flailing movements, the stream turned into a mist and quickly blanketed the surrounding area.

Randle fired several more Fire Lances in rapid succession. However, Itzal’s unpredictable flailing prevented all but one Fire Lance from accomplishing anything more than a glancing strike.

Following Itzal’s movements, Faine began stalking toward her anticipated landing site, spear at the ready. Then, without warning, he stumbled and began to scream. Discarding his spear, Faine threw off his helmet.

The skin of his face was blistered and inflamed, his eyes raw and bloody.

I immediately dismissed Faine’s projection and a second later did the same for Randle. They had already lost. Allowing the battle to continue would only serve to generate additional suffering.

They were only Human, and without the right Synergies, they didn’t stand a chance against Itzal’s potent airborne venom.

She hadn’t used this tactic in the tournament, so I could only assume Itzal had kept it in reserve intending to use it as a trump card. That, or she had been afraid of being disqualified.

If the venomous mist had spread to the crowd, Itzal would have potentially faced serious consequences.

Using my authority, I dispersed the mist and returned Itzal’s projection to the group, sharing her Venom Resistance with Keith before he experienced similar symptoms.

Itzal slowly and somewhat stiffly slithered across the large swathe of dead grass. Despite her pain, she wore an unmistakably smug smile as she considered her handiwork. However, Itzal’s smile quickly disappeared as she fixed her veil back into place.

“That was very impressive, if somewhat unconventional,” I commented, appreciating the unexpected upset.

Itzal bowed her head respectfully. “Thank you, my Tyrant. I only ssought to prove my true worth.”

I nodded in approval and then Summoned several projections.

Faine stared grimly at Itzal for several moments before giving her a terse nod of approval.

Randle chuckled nervously and looked quite relieved, while Jayne, who had been absent until this point, appeared quite understandably confused.

“Trask, Brok and Itzal, you have proven your strength in combat, but now you must prove your strength of mind and character.” I motioned to the Ainsleys. “Each of you will apprentice under a champion so they can determine your worthiness to join their ranks. During this apprenticeship, you will have access to the same Spells and Class. However, if you fail to meet our expectations, they will be taken from you.” I paused and waved Faine forward. “You may choose first,” I commanded.

Faine bowed obediently and considered his options. “I will take Brok,” he decided after a short deliberation. He spared a moment to smile apologetically at Itzal, “There are no hard feelings between us, but I do not want others to think my final decision will be motivated by bias.”

“I undersstand,” Itzal replied calmly.

Jayne gave her cousin a questioning look but said nothing.

Positively brimming with pride, Brok joined Faine and they both stood off to the side.

I waved Randle forward.

Randle gave Itzal an apologetic shrug. “Sorry, but I think Trask is a better fit.” He gave Trask a welcoming nod and they both moved off to the side.

“I guess that just leaves the two of us,” Jayne declared, stepping forward of her own accord. “I am sure my cousins have simply failed to appreciate your talents.”

Randle snickered quietly before catching Faine’s eye and falling silent.

“I am grateful for your undersstanding,” Itzal replied appreciatively.

I reshuffled the aspirants into my personal Faction and promoted the Ainsleys to the Lord rank, allowing them to Summon the projections of the aspirants through the Summon Servant Spell. After giving them all a few minutes to make arrangements amongst themselves, I dismissed their projections and turned my undivided attention toward Keith.

Keith had remained silent throughout, despite his evident frustration.

I gave Keith an appraising look and waited until I was certain he was in control of himself. “I’m going to give you a chance, Keith.” I ignored the stunned look of surprise on his scarred face. “Your trial is going to be different than the others. Not just because you would fail otherwise, but because I think it will help you by gaining perspective.”

Keith frowned slightly but remained silent.

“I am going to make you Gric’s temporary assistant, and resident ambassador to the Cultivators.” I could tell by the obvious confusion in his eyes, that Keith had no idea who or what the Cultivators were, and knew I needed to explain things. “They are humans with a different kind of magic, from a completely different world.”

Keith scowled darkly but reined in his emotions with visible effort.

“Gric will check in on you from time to time and assess your progress. However, you will be free to terminate the test at any time,” I explained patiently, keenly aware that he would need time to think things over to appreciate the opportunity for what it was.

Sure enough, Keith remained silent for quite some time. “I’ll do it,” Keith agreed stiffly, fists firmly clenched at his sides and struggling to meet my gaze.

I nodded to express my approval and appreciation for his internal struggles. “Just the same as the others, you will be given the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the Spells and Class during your assessment. However-” I fixed Keith with an icy glare, “If you abuse these gifts, you will be punished. Am I clear?”

Ashen-faced, Keith stiffly nodded, “I understand...”

Attacking other citizens would cause the Oaths to exact a punishment automatically. However, these protections did not extend to others. If Gric required his assistance outside of my realm, I wanted Keith to know that he was not free to indulge in wanton sadism.

After Summoning Gric and explaining matters in more detail, I dismissed them both and set about fulfilling my end of things.

Two days passed in relative calm, requiring only minimal involvement on my end to assign newly Conquered territories to requested regions of the realm.

Almost exclusively nocturnal, the Deep Ogres from the Hurst Labyrinth were slow in establishing connections with the other residents of Sanctuary. However, they had found common ground, quite literally, with Lash’s people and seemed quite happy with their new lives.

The Deep Ogres’ weight and inability to swim made the swamp too dangerous for them to hunt for their food. However, the stone caverns beneath Sanctuary provided an ample hunting ground which they were uniquely equipped to exploit. Furthermore, being able to destroy the Stone Dolls with a casual backhand swipe awarded them the opportunity to trade iron ingots for other commodities.

The Ogres still within the Labyrinth were receiving training from my expeditionary forces. After proving they could be trusted, and receiving some discipline, they would be allowed to settle in my realm permanently. Somewhat curiously, more of the wild Ogres had independently approached the fortress and after being cowed into submission by the larger Ogres, they had sworn oaths of loyalty and obedience.

It was for this reason that I had decided to accept the Semenovians’ petition and would direct the Ogres their way once the Ogres earned their full rights of citizenship. I had concerns regarding what may amount to inbreeding in future generations due to the wild Ogres' complete absence of genetic diversity. However, I ultimately decided that it would be the Semenovians' problem to sort out.

While they were less technologically developed than the people of Earth, the natives were not complete idiots. Even the primitive peoples of Earth had recognised the dangers of inbreeding and taken steps to mitigate them. At least, whenever they weren’t deliberately encouraging it.

Voicing my concerns to Sebet, I was only mildly surprised by the fact that she already had a potential solution to the problem.

The Sculpt Flesh Spell.

With Gric’s assistance, Sebet was confident that she could not only change a wild Ogre’s appearance but introduce genetic diversity that was otherwise lacking. Provided the procedure worked as intended, there would be no difference between the altered Ogre and a variant besides a limited Evolutionary potential.

With the understanding that it could be extended to wild monsters of all Species, I decided to give the matter a great deal of thought before coming to a decision.

As great as the opportunity may be for the wild monsters already under my protection, the procedure would introduce a host of ethical ramifications when dealing with wild monsters in the future. Just by existing as a hypothetical, it now meant that I had to consider every sapient monster the same as I would a human being.

The razor-thin line that had divided them was gone, and I wasn't sure I could handle the moral implications of what that entailed.

With hundreds of wild Orcs, Goblins and Gnolls already settled within my realm, there was no shortage of volunteers for Sebet’s experimental operation. However, Gric had insisted Wraithe take his place, arguing that she was more suited to medical matters.

Despite the obvious move to distance himself from Sebet, Gric did have a point. As a Daemon, Wraithe was just as capable of intuitively decoding genetic structures, and her medical knowledge provided an insight Gric would otherwise lack. Furthermore, the Sculpt Flesh Spell could easily be imprinted into an object for her use, only requiring Sebet’s input to determine aesthetic variation.

Aesthetics were not a consideration for most Daemons. In fact, Gric was the only one who appeared to have made an effort to ‘fit in’ by mimicking the general appearance of the Elves. Every other Daemon seemed perfectly content with their utterly chimaeric appearance.

The first subject to volunteer for the procedure was a Gnoll that had been liberated during the great Asrusian withdrawal.

Truth be told, beyond the colouration in his fur, I had great difficulty in identifying how much of a difference the procedure had made. However, the Gnoll himself seemed quite shocked when presented with his reflection in a mirror.

I had a much easier time noticing the changes in the Orcs and Goblins.

As word spread, a line began to form outside of the hospital. When I came back in the evening, the line had extended around the side of the hospital and wrapped around several of the towering trees that served as residential apartments.

Just as I was headed back to The Grove, I sensed Yi Gim’s token attempt to establish a connection.

I accepted the connection and waited to see what Yi Gim wanted.

<Greetings!> Yi Gim announced cheerily. <I have fortuitous news regarding your request!>

<Oh? I thought you would need more time.> I admitted.

<As did I.> Yi Gim agreed in good humour. <In truth, I had no luck in recruiting an instructor from within my realm. However, an incident within the realm of a close ally has provided an opportunity.>

<I’m listening.> I pressed, trying not to sound too eager.

<The Oba clan, five hundred and seventy-two souls, including its faithful servants and retainers, has been displaced in the wake of a confrontation with another clan.> Yi Gim explained in the same tone someone else might discuss the weather. Albeit with an undercurrent of anticipation. <Assuming you still intend to offer land for resettlement, the clan, in its entirety, is willing to swear the Oaths you require!>

<Five hundred and seventy-two people?> It took me a few moments to adjust my expectations to fit the new scale of the arrangement. <How many are capable of serving as instructors?>

Yi Gim remained silent for a few moments and I could sense that his attention was elsewhere. <According to the interviews conducted by my servants, the clan has fifty-three qualified and experienced instructors. However, the clan leader and elders have made it known that they are also willing to serve as instructors for students seeking advanced guidance. Which would bring the total number of instructors to sixty-four...>

<That is sixty-three more instructors than I expected.> I admitted with wry amusement. <But you are right, this is a great opportunity. I will take the whole clan.>

<Excellent!> Yi Gim replied excitedly. <How do you wish to proceed?>

<I will provide another magic item to facilitate the transfer.> I replied after giving the matter some thought. While I didn’t want to disparage my ally, committing to a Challenge on such a scale was a risk I was not willing to take.

<You possess the means to cross realms?...> Yi Gim asked hesitantly, sounding more than a little troubled.

Aware that Yi Gim had the same access to impressions through the link as myself, I knew that lying would probably make things worse. <Under certain conditions, yes.>

Yi Gim remained silent for quite some time. <Would this treasure allow travel to other realms?> There was a hidden intensity to his question, but I felt no ill will directed towards me.

<No, it wouldn’t. But I might be able to arrange one that could...> I hedged, curious to learn what Yi Gim wanted the capability for.

<Would you be willing to sell such a treasure to me?> Yi Gim asked bluntly. <I can offer more territories in exchange.>

My hairless brow rose in surprise despite myself. A Summoning Spell would require minimal effort on my part, and the costs would be practically nothing. The only true risks lay in exposing Gric to potential harm through projections.

Provided Gric was Summoned to Yi Gim’s realm, and then Summoned to the realm in question, he would be able to open a Spatial Breach. Although that was assuming such Spells weren’t blocked by the authority of other Monarchs.

I had assumed that Yi Gim would allow a Breach to migrate the clan of Cultivators. But there was something in his tone, a sense of alarm, that made me wonder whether other Monarchs were capable of barring entry to their realms via teleportation magic.

<That depends.> I replied warily. <What do you intend to use it for?>

<Vengeance...> Yi Gim replied bluntly, hiding nothing. <I would enter the realm of my enemy and take her head.>

<Your enemy would let you enter their realm?> I asked, surprised that Yi Gim would provide an answer to my question without needing me to broach the subject without justifiable cause. <Wouldn’t she simply deny your entry?>

<The Demon has no such treasures that I know of.> Yi Gim replied flatly.

<And you’re confident she will fight you, and not just flee to a far corner of her realm? Or banish you into a prison?> I pressed, struggling not to sound over-eager.

<I do not intend to announce my intentions.> Yi Gim replied darkly. <When I strike, it shall be without warning. The Demon of the Fog will only learn of my presence when my sword pierces her vile heart!...>

It wasn’t the cut-and-dry answer I had wanted, but it was definitely worth investigating further.

<How do the merchants cross realms?> I asked, changing the subject slightly. <Why not use the same method?>

<Teleportation Arrays and Formations are heavily regulated and well-guarded.> Yi Gim stated matter of factly. <And gaining access to the Demon’s realm in such a manner would require passing through the realms of several other Monarchs, including those of her allies...>

It made sense that Yi Gim wouldn’t consider that an option.

<Assuming I am willing...> I hedged somewhat hesitantly. <The magic item will still need to pass through those realms...>

<I can make arrangements.> Yi Gim replied flatly, refusing to elaborate.

<Half.> I replied in kind.

<Half?> Yi Gim asked uncertainly.

<When you kill your enemy, I want half the library and anything else you manage to lay hands on before leaving.> I elaborated.

<I agree to these terms!> Yi Gim agreed. <When do you wish to make the trade?>

I gave the matter some thought. <I will need at least an hour.> I hedged, allowing enough time to discuss the matter with Sebet.

I had initially intended to use Gric as the target for the Summons and opening a Breach to Yi Gim’s realm. However, Sebet would be much better suited for entering enemy territory.

<I will wait for your word then.> Yi Gim agreed and then terminated the connection.

Explaining things to Sebet took almost no time at all. She was already aware of Yi Gim’s situation and unsurprisingly, was fully on board with exploiting the situation for our advantage.

“With all due respect, Great One, this opportunity is just too good to pass up!” Sebet insisted excitedly. “Gaining access to an established teleportation network, as disjointed as it may be, would open up all manner of possibilities!”

“Are you referring to access through Yi Gim’s realm? Or the Demon’s?” I asked.

“Either? Both?” Sebet shrugged indifferently, “It doesn’t make much of a difference.”

“I suppose it doesn’t,” I agreed.

“Have you considered establishing a permanent connection?” Sebet asked, redirecting the flow of the conversation. “Allowing for more direct trade would make infiltrating other realms less obvious.”

“Assuming you could pass as a Cultivator, which I am fairly certain you can’t,” I replied somewhat offhandedly.

“Perhaps,” Sebet agreed and then shrugged, “Perhaps not. In either case, I do not doubt that other Monarchs would attempt sending their spies in turn. Spies that would be caught and could be ‘persuaded’ to serve your interests.”

“That...Is a good idea...” I agreed after giving it some thought. “Assuming Cultivators aren’t somehow immune to the effects of my authority.”

“Of course,” Sebet agreed emphatically. “The new migrants will serve as a perfect test.”

I grunted in agreement and then informed Yi Gim that I was ready.

Accepting the Challenge that came a few moments later, I found myself standing on a familiar sandy island.

Bathed in the moonlight, the sand shone like pale silver.

Limited to two subordinates, Yi Gim approached with his grand-niece at his side and a portly balding man in expensive robes trailing a short distance behind.

<I will handle the trade negotiations.> Sebet volunteered with a predatory smile as she sized up the merchant.

Trusting in her ability to secure a good price, gave her a small nod of approval.

Accepting the large jade crate from Gric, Sebet moved a discreet distance away and waited.

With a small dismissive wave of his hand, Yi Gim sent the merchant scurrying after her.

“It is good to see you again,” Yi Gim tilted his head slightly in greeting and his grand-niece bowed respectfully.

“I’m glad to see you are both doing well,” I replied, lowering my head slightly in return before offering Yi Gim a large jade pot. “A bonus as compensation for your efforts,” I explained in answer to his obvious surprise.

Accepting the pot, Yi Gim bowed his head in thanks. Withdrawing a large table from his Storage Ring, he set the pot down on the table and withdrew the lid. Eyes wide, he staggered backward a step before catching himself. “Your gift...It is much appreciated!”

The pot contained several of Hana’s more potent hybrids with the Water Affinity. Not the most successful specimens of her experiments, but more than enough to serve as a gift to express my gratitude.

I removed the long steel pole from my belt and set it against the table. “This is the ‘other item’ we discussed earlier,” I explained while keeping a careful eye on the merchant, unsure of who Yi Gim had trusted with the knowledge of our earlier conversation.

Glancing sidelong at the merchant, Yi Gim nodded in understanding and took the staff into his Storage Ring.

“It works the same,” I added, trusting in Yi Gim’s common sense to discern the rest.

“I am incredibly grateful for your generosity and understanding,” Yi Gim bowed in appreciation, his voice heavy with genuine sincerity. “If there is anything I can do to repay this kindness, you need but ask.”

“If you are sure?” I feigned indecisively.

“What is it?” Yi Gim asked attentively.

“I have been approached with a request to establish a more permanent trading arrangement,” I explained and motioned toward Sebet and the merchant. “Would you be open to establishing a formal trade alliance facilitated by Teleportation Formation?”

Whatever Yi Gim had expected, it quickly became obvious that hadn’t been it. “Of course!” He agreed excitedly. “I will have preparations made immediately!”

“One moment,” I raised my hands and motioned for him to wait. “I had not expected an answer so soon,” I lied. “I have other subjects who must have their concerns addressed first, lest I show undue favour.”

“Ah, I understand,” Yi Gim nodded in understanding, concealing the lion’s share of his disappointment.

“When I am ready, and assuming there are no further complications, I will be sure to let you know,” I promised. “At such a time, I would insist that only those you trust be allowed the use of the Formation.” It was a largely unnecessary requirement, given Yi Gim was incredibly unlikely to share such an opportunity with his rivals or those out of favour. However, it did encourage the idea that I was not in full support of the trading through the Formations.

“Of course,” Yi Gim agreed solemnly, “I would not dream of allowing malcontents to sully the honour of my family and Realm.”

But you would traffic an item of dubious purpose through an ally's realm to fulfil your revenge.

Keeping my thoughts to myself I smiled and nodded in appreciation for his understanding. “Has your grand-niece made any progress in acquiring the Water Affinity?” I asked, curious that I could barely sense the faintest trace of the Affinity within her.

“Unfortunately, no,” Yi Gim replied soberly and gently patted his grand-niece’s shoulder. “Hae’er was unlucky and the last pill failed to imprint the Affinity on her Dantian.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, more confused than I had been before. I could definitely sense something.

Yi Gim stared at his grand-niece for a few moments and then nodded. Although now he seemed less certain. “Might I ask why you believe otherwise?” He asked politely.

“I am not sure,” I admitted and extended my senses outward with fewer reservations. “She has no Inheritance?” I asked somewhat distractedly, having located the traces of Affinity I had sensed earlier and now in the process of attempting to identify it.

“None that we know of,” Yi Gim looked to his grand-niece for confirmation and she stiffly nodded her head in agreement.

Hu Hae had grown tense under my scrutiny and her nervousness was impairing my ability to observe the traces of Affinity.

I looked at Gric and nodded toward the young woman, “Do you sense it too?”

Gric frowned slightly and stared at her for several moments before slowly nodding his head. “There is a parasite lodged within her abdomen,” he explained with all the passion of a dead fish.

“Parasite?!” Yi Gim stared at his Grand-niece in alarm.

Hu Hae’s face grew ashen and she looked like she was going to be sick.

“It does not appear to be attached or otherwise anchored to her flesh or internal organs. I could remove it,” Gric continued before shrugging indifferently. “Although, perhaps someone else would prove better suited?”

Hu Hae clutched at her stomach and looked at Yi Gim with pleading eyes. “I want it out!” She whispered hoarsely, “I’ll cut it out if I have to!...”

Yi Gim held her shoulders and remained silent as he scanned her abdomen. “It is true...There is something there...However, its true presence evades me...” Still holding Hu Hae’s shoulders, Yi Gim turned to face Gric. “You are certain you can remove it without hurting her?”

Gric tilted his head slightly to one side, like a curious bird. “There will be no lasting physical impairment,” he replied with what they no doubt assumed had to be deliberately evasive specificity. However, I knew Gric well enough to understand that he was just accounting for the effects of the Sculpt Flesh Spell.

Not that Yi Gim or his grand-niece were to know that.

“It is just his way,” I explained, avoiding referring to Gric by name. I was uncertain whether the effect that obscured his true name would work with Cultivators and had not had the mind to test it at an earlier opportunity.

I really should have considered the matter before volunteering Wraithe’s services. But what was done was done.

“You vouch for his skill?” Yi Gim pressed.

“I do,” I replied with absolute confidence. “He would not claim to be capable of something outside of his abilities.”

“I want it out!...” Hu Hae hissed through clenched teeth.

“Very well...” Yi Gim agreed and stepped aside.

Gric looked to me for permission.

I waved him forward.

Removing his right gauntlet, Gric stepped forward and then knelt on one knee so he was closest to eye level with her abdomen. “This will feel...unpleasant...” He announced to no one in particular and then pressed his bare palm against Hu Hae’s stomach.

There was a slight delay and then Hu Hae retched, spitting up a mouthful of bile that narrowly missed striking Gric’s arm. Seemingly unable to pull away from Gric’s hand, she retched four more times before Gric released her.

Plucking at one of the pools of bile, Gric rose to his feet and held up a dark grey mass the size of a small grape. “The parasite,” Gric declared dispassionately.

The grey mass writhed in Gric’s grasp, but proved no more able to escape than Hu Hae.

“Are you familiar with this?” I asked, looking to Yi Gim for answers.

Yi Gim slowly shook his head and looked deeply concerned.

No longer able to camouflage itself within Hu Hae’s insides, the Affinity within it had become more readily recognisable.

“The parasite has a Water Affinity,” I observed aloud, mostly for Gric’s benefit. “Is it possible that the parasite somehow diverted the effects of the pill?”

Yi Gim froze for a few moments and then scowled. “It is not impossible,” he replied quietly. “However, I am far more concerned with learning how my niece was exposed to the parasite.”

“It is less than five days old,” Gric interjected calmly, holding the parasite less than an inch in front of his face so he could study it more closely. <Wraithe has spoken of this female before, and she would not have missed a parasite of this size.>

“The healer would have noticed it,” I explained for Yi Gim’s benefit.

“That narrows things down quite considerably considerably. Thank you,” Yi Gim bowed his head respectfully and then returned his attention to his grand-niece.

<I might be able to narrow the list of potential suspects.> Gric offered helpfully. <I detected recent scarring in the female’s digestive tract. It is most likely that the dormant parasite was hidden within her food. However, there is a slim possibility that the parasite was ingested through alternative means.>

Not quite certain what Gric was talking about, I noticed that he was no longer staring at the parasite, but at Hu Hae and Yi Gim. Specifically, the small porcelain jar and grape-sized pill in Yi Gim’s hands.

“The pills.” I was momentarily taken aback after realising I had spoken aloud and gained Yi Gim’s undivided attention.

Initially confused, Yi Gim’s expression hardened and his eyes took on a murderous intensity. “The pills...” He echoed quietly, trembling with anger as he withdrew a token from his Spatial Ring and clutched it tightly in his fist.

Several minutes passed in near-complete silence.

“That ungrateful swine!” Yi Gim cursed viciously. “He dared to betray me?! After everything I have done for his family?!”

“You have found the culprit,” I guessed.

Yi Gim nodded grimly in affirmation. “Chief Alchemist Yeo Moon. The filthy traitor confessed to everything...” He took a deep breath and calmed down somewhat, “My niece was not his intended target...”

<The assassin surrendered himself too easily.> Gric grumbled suspiciously, glancing at Sebet from the corner of his eye while working his jaw in aggravation.

“This man worked alone?” I asked, willing to serve as a proxy to indulge Gric’s suspicions.

“He claimed as much...” Yi Gim answered, his scowl deepening as nodded in understanding. “This is all too...convenient...” With visible effort, Yi Gim returned to a state of calm and control. “I am sorry, but I must attend to this matter in person.”

With that, we cut our meeting short.

Sebet and the merchant had been forced to settle up sooner than she would have preferred, but it didn’t stop Sebet from proudly presenting her earnings afterwards.

“I would have pressed harder,” Sebet crowed triumphantly, passing over a newly acquired Storage Ring. “But I didn’t want to sour future negotiations. The Cultivation resources should serve as excellent reference and training materials for our resident Alchemist. I made sure to secure several of every pill available, just to be safe.”

“That’s good,” I nodded approvingly.

Once Jin had the skill and confidence to begin producing Alchemy products of his own, he could train others. With enough Alchemists, reliance on outside trade would decrease radically, and with recent events occupying the forefront of my mind, securing the services of trustworthy Alchemists had to become a high priority.

The Cultivators were already at risk for psychological instability. The last thing I needed was outside interference exacerbating matters further.

With Gric’s assistance, I turned my attention to preparing the displaced Cultivator city for the imminent arrival of the displaced clan. It was intended to serve as a temporary holding area while Oaths were secured from the new arrivals and a more permanent settlement location was found. However, if the new arrivals decided they wanted to keep the city, they would be welcome to it.

So far as I was concerned, the Cultivator cities held little difference from one another beyond minor elements of architectural preferences. The new arrivals would be free to reshape the city to their needs anyway, so it made no real difference.

I felt the token at my waist attempt to form a connection and after taking a few moments to settle my thoughts I allowed it to do so.

<Please forgive me for forgoing formalities.> Yi Gim apologised anxiously. <And I am aware this goes beyond the intended scope of our alliance...> He established wearily and I could feel the apprehension building in his words. <However, I must ask for your assistance in this matter...”

“Your traitor, the Alchemist, he has sworn an Oath that is protecting the other parties involved?> I guessed, confident that Yi Gim would have little problem extracting an answer otherwise.

There was a common misconception about torture, predominantly held by those who had never experienced true hardship or pain. That somehow, will and bravado alone would be enough to resist the efforts of someone willing to take your body apart piece by piece to get the outcome they wanted. Hundreds of cultures throughout history have given rise to experts in the field, and their success rate speaks for itself. Given enough time, and the skills of a motivated expert, nobody could resist torture for long.

They would either agree to do anything to end the pain or die from the accumulated trauma.

***** Oba Shoji ~ Tim’s Interdimensional Plane ~ City of the Phoenix *****

Leading his clan through the empty streets of the city, Oba Shoji forced down his feelings of unease and put on a brave face to better inspire his juniors. However, no matter where he chose to look, he couldn’t help but find signs of previous occupation.

Sweeping his senses through the city, Oba Shoji was momentarily taken aback upon discovering a lone individual located deeper in the city. Only a first-rank cultivator, the stranger was most likely a servant or some other representative of the clan’s new Monarch.

Eager to make a good impression, even if the representative was just a servant, Oba Shoji left the elders to keep watch over the clan while he moved ahead on his own.

With his injuries healed thanks to medicines provided by the servants of the Azure Shark Monarch, it took Oba Shoji only a handful of seconds to traverse the city and arrive at the city centre. However, he was somewhat surprised to find that the man he believed to be the Monarch’s servant was not alone.

Two tall figures, a man and a woman, armoured in crimson stone armour flanked a heavy-set and dark-skinned man sitting on a bench beside an ornate fountain.

Although he could not see their eyes and could sense no traces of Chi or internal energy within them, Oba Shoji’s instincts warned him not to provoke them. Whoever they were, Cultivators or not, they were incredibly dangerous and he had their undivided attention.

“You must be Oba Shoji, the leader of the Oba clan,” the dark-skinned man commented, rising from the bench and staring back at him with an intense piercing gaze. Despite being barefoot and clothed only in a white skirt fixed to his waist by ornate jewellery, the man gave off an all too familiar aura.

Oba Shoji fell to his knees and pressed his head against the ground as fast as he could manage. “The Oba clan pays homage to the Monarch!” Oba Shoji cried with earnest sincerity, hoping the Monarch before him would overlook his rudeness.

“Figures...” The Monarch muttered under his breath. “No point staying like this then...”

There was a sickly series of wet cracking and crunching sounds, and the Monarch’s shadow was engulfed by something considerably larger.

“Rise,” a deep booming voice commanded.

Eyes fixed determinedly on the ground, Oba Shoji obeyed.

“You were not to know,” the voice growled with unmistakable irritation. “But I will make it known to you now. I find the spectacle of my subjects debasing themselves to be extremely distasteful. If you wish to show respect, you will look me in the eyes when we speak with one another and will bow no further than thirty degrees at the waist. Am I understood?”

“Ye-es M-Monarch...” The breath caught in Oba Shoji’s throat as he raised his head and laid eyes on the monster that had taken the place of the dark-skinned man.

Taller than many of the surrounding buildings, Oba Shoji had to crane his neck upward to look the monster in the eyes. The monster’s pale blue-green skin was drawn tight over large hardened muscles and bore scrawling tattoos of unknown origin and purpose.

“Good...This is better,” the monster, Oba Shoji’s new Monarch, rumbled in approval. “I need you to understand something,” the Monarch insisted gravely. “I am a man of my word, and I keep my promises.” He waved a table-sized hand expansively at the surrounding city streets and buildings. “This is just intended as temporary accommodation. I promised that your people would be allowed to choose a suitable location for their resettlement. If you wish to keep the city, that can be arranged.”

“Keep the city?...” Oba Shoji glanced at the buildings around them uncertainly.

The monarch shrugged indifferently, “There are several others, and they hold no value to me. Better they see use than to slowly collapse into disrepair.” He looked pointedly at the large man on his right and then pointed to an open section of the street.

The large man in stone armour bowed his head briefly and then knelt on one knee while resting his right hand on the floor.

The stone surrounding his hand began to flow like water and within less than a minute had taken on a disturbingly realistic three-dimensional representation of a small continent. Small cities and towns dotted the landscape amidst rolling plains and dense forests.

“These territories are unoccupied, so you are free to choose the place you believe is best suited to your people’s needs,” the Monarch rumbled, impressing upon Oba Shoji that making a decision sooner rather than later, would be in his best interests.

“A defensible location, far from the stronger beasts would be best...” Oba Shoji suggested nervously. Only now realising that the underlying motivation for recruiting his clan was almost certainly because the previous inhabitants of the continent had been overrun and consumed by a beast tide.

“The beasts will not be a problem,” the Monarch replied dismissively. “I can guarantee they will not pass beyond the boundaries of any location you choose for your people.” The absolute certainty in his voice gave Oba Shoji pause.

Did the Monarch intend to post protectors to ensure their safety?

“If the beasts are not a concern...” Oba Shoji gathered what remained of his flagging nerve and against his better judgement, decided to take an objectively ill-advisable risk for the sake of his grandson’s future. “A location rich in Wood-aligned Affinity would be best...” Oba Shoji volunteered nervously. “It would let us grow Alchemical ingredients and pay a greater annual tithe!” He added hurriedly, attempting to justify his otherwise indefensible greed and overreach.

“I don’t take tithes, bribes, or taxes,” the Monarch growled disapprovingly. “I have no need for them,” his tone softened and he pointed to a forest at the base of one of the smaller mountains. “That forest should meet your needs.” He stared at Oba Shoji for several long moments, his eyes boring into Shoji’s very soul and his spiritual sense sweeping through Shoji’s body like an unstoppable tide. “Do members of your clan possess the Wood Affinity?” The Monarch asked, all intensity abandoned as quickly as it had arisen.

Oba Shoji felt a sudden surge of fear. He had overreached and now he would pay the price. “No, Monarch...I offer my sincerest-”

The Monarch waved his hand dismissively, pressuring Shoji into silence. “You are not in trouble,” he chuckled darkly, “What I wanted to ask you, is whether you would want them to?”

Stunned beyond words, Oba Shoji could only stare in awe as a wooden bench behind the Monarch sprouted roots and slowly transformed into a tree before his very eyes.

For a Monarch to even consider fostering an Affinity outside of their bloodline was utterly unheard of. It was unprecedented. Unthinkable. However, if the offer was indeed genuine, Oba Shoji couldn’t ignore the fact that instead of being recorded as the clan leader who almost presided over the destruction of the clan, he would instead oversee the greatest expansion in strength the clan had ever known.