Life Reset: Conquest (New Era Online Book 5)

by Kuznits, Shemer

  I felt a bolt of anger run through my cloned body. I’d already figured it was Akzar that had sent the corrupted goblin I’d encountered and killed. Now I knew Terdamesh was behind it. “It seems like dying once wasn’t enough for him,” I said coldly. “He will need to be further educated. But what does that have to do with my Viridium?”

  “I was getting to that,” Ted said. ”About two weeks ago, you made a large purchase of Viridium, and I had to order more from the tower to renew my supply. That drew Terdamesh’s attention. When he discovered it was you who was buying his Viridium …” The not-halfling shuddered. “His anger was terrible. He tried to dissolve my vow, and when that failed, he restricted all Viridium sales his tower manufactures.”

  “ I see. It looks like I’ll have to teach him that lesson soon too.”

  Ted shrugged. “I’ll leave that to you. As soon as the tower opens its gates, Viridium trade will continue.”

  “Very well, I will leave you,” I said then lowered my voice menacingly. “For now.”

  Ted opened the door for me, and I stepped outside.

  There were several squads of guards patrolling the ring’s square, all carrying torches that marked them clearly against the darkness of night.

  I swam through the shadows again, hurtling toward the mayor’s manor. Up close, the building was even more impressive. It was much larger than my Chief’s Haunt and richly decorated.

  The repelling pressure of the wards became tangible as I approached the building. These wards weren’t Runecrafted, so I couldn’t simply use my skill to disable them. I circled the house and inspected every unobstructed window I could find. Most of the rooms were dark at this time, though my shadow-made eyes easily pierced the night. There were meeting rooms, dining rooms, and staircases. I willed myself upwards, gliding along the shadows to the second floor, and looked for more windows. From what I could tell, this floor was similarly empty. I found a source of light on the third floor and watched several servants milling around, doing some last-minute cleaning. The fourth floor was the smallest, and I spotted only a single window that wasn’t shuttered. I looked inside, seeing nothing but an empty room.

  A large figure moved inside an inner corridor. It stopped abruptly as it reached the entrance to the room I was looking at. Then it turned its head toward me.

  I inhaled in surprise, instantly cutting the mana flow and dismissing the clone.

  Back at my physical body, I forced myself to regulate my breathing. Something about that figure radiated unbelievable strength. It didn’t notice me, did it?

  Vic said.

  I think I caught a glimpse of the mayor’s bodyguard, I thought back at him and got to my feet. It was just for an instant. I didn’t analyze him, but I could feel overwhelming power radiating off of him.

 

  I need to find a way to get him away from the mayor.

 

  I need to find a way of getting them all together. And somehow lure that bodyguard away.

  Vic asked as I walked out of the small room at the back of the cathedral.

  “Reiner,” I said when I located the bearded goblin.

  “Dire Totem?”

  “I need more information on the mayor’s daily routine and that of the city’s commanders. Do we have some believers who can be trusted that can share this information?”

  The goblin tugged at his beard. “Hmm, I believe so, but it’s curfew time. I won’t be able to get word to them until morning.”

  I didn’t like the idea of wasting more time. Almost a full day had passed without any real progress. But there was no helping that. “Alright, I want to see them first thing tomorrow.”

  “Yes, Dire Totem.”

  ***

  I woke up the next morning in my small room at the cathedral, having decided not to teleport back to Goblin’s Gorge for the night. I had a difficult mission ahead of me, and I needed to stay focused.

  Stepping outside the room, I discovered a goblin standing by my door. “Hello.”

  The goblin stared at me stupidly. With an inward sigh, I realized it was an unnamed NPC warrior. It had been a while since I saw one of those.

  Reiner appeared in the corridor with Lirian close by. “Good morning, Dread Totem.”

  “Father,” my daughter greeted me.

  “Morning, Lirian.” I stifled a yawn. “Reiner, have the people I asked for arrived?”

  “Not yet. But I’ve taken the liberty to have the workers prepare a meal for you. If you will follow me …”

  I trailed after the bearded goblin, entering the cathedral’s open hall where a table laden with food awaited us. “Not bad,” I said, eyeing unfamiliar dishes and vegetables.

  While Lirian and I dug into the selection, several of the church’s patrons started appearing. Reiner excused himself and tapped some of them on the shoulder, directing them to an alcove.

  A few minutes later, he returned. “I’ve done as you asked, Dread Totem. They are waiting for you below. Please follow me.”

  I popped another grape into my mouth and followed the goblin to the alcove that led down to the cellar.

  Mya and three nervous-looking hobs were waiting downstairs. Apart from the disfigured shaman, all three were low-level, and their clothes hinted that they belonged to the worker caste. The three bowed as I approached while Mya merely nodded at me.

  I knew the shaman could be trusted, but the others were unknown. “I am told you might be able to help me with something,” I began. “I’m preparing a … gift … for the mayor and Akzar’s three commanders, but it’s a very special surprise that has to be delivered in person. All four of them need to receive it around the same time so as not to learn of it in advance.”

  One of the hobs raised his hand hesitantly. “Why not simply invite them over here and give them your gifts all at once?”

  “My clan isn’t exactly in the best standing with the city’s authorities at the moment,” I said lightly. “I doubt they’d agree to come.”

  “He’s right,” another hob said. “And besides, I’ve seen our commander plenty of times, as I’m managing district three’s arena pens. The three are rivals. They only meet when there’s a war to plan or during one of the city’s major events.”

  “What sort of events?” I asked.

  He shrugged. “The birth or death of a noble, celebration of an especially lucrative raid.”

  The first hob chuckled. “Or to watch one of the arena champions attempt to challenge Bonecruncher. That’s a cause for celebration. None of the other champions have dared to try it for years.”

  Now that was interesting. Yulli and I had both won the Ranged Championship, dethroning Barbwire, the previous Ranged champion. Though Yulli wasn’t here to take advantage of her prestigious title of ‘Champion,’ this information still offered an interesting avenue to explore. “What about the mayor?” I asked. “Will he come to watch the fight as well?”

  “Most definitely,” Mya said. “Pretty much everyone in the city will come to see The Champion crush a new challenger. My master included.”

  I frowned. That meant the arena would be packed full of elite warriors and bosses. Not a good thing for me. Still, it seemed like the best opportunity to strike against the three commanders and the mayor all at once. “Do you know where they’ll be seated?”

  The first hob spoke up. “I can answer that. I’m a junior scribe in one of the barracks. The hosting commander, Darok, will keep his other two guests entertained in separate rooms during the warm-up duels. It’s his chance to demonstrate his wealth and superiority. They’ll only come out to watch the final fight from the hosting commander’s booth.”

  “That’s good to know,” I said, rubbi
ng my chin as a plan started formulating. “I can probably approach all three there for … the gift.”

  Mya snickered.

  “What about the mayor?” I asked.

  “He’ll come when he pleases,” the scribe said. “Though he’ll definitely be there for the final match.”

  “Can I approach him along the way?”

  “Not likely. He’ll be heavily guarded until he reaches his private booth above the arena, and only a select few are allowed inside.”

  “Anything else you can tell me about the mayor?”

  “He doesn’t like surprises, so be careful,” Mya said. “That bodyguard of his is not a normal hob. Even Terdamesh fears him. He’s the only reason our weakling mayor has retained his position of power for so long.”

  The other two hobs shifted uncomfortably but didn’t dispute her words.

  “Thank you, I think I’ve learned all I need.” I looked at the second hob. “You said you’re in charge of the arena pens. Do you happen to know Glaive?”

  “The arena master? Of course.”

  “Can you send him a message for me?”

  “Anything for our dark lord’s high priest.”

  I stifled a smile. Titles had their perks. “Tell him I want to talk with him and that I invite him over at his earliest convenience. Tell him I have an idea for an … unforgettable event.”

  The hob nodded. “I’ll relay your message, high priest.”

  I indicated for Mya and Reiner to remain behind while the other hobs left.

  "What are your plans, Father?” Lirian asked.

  “I’m going to talk Glaive into letting me challenge Bonecruncher, The Champion,” I explained.

  Reiner winced. “Didn’t he … nearly kill you last time?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t have to kill him; I just need the match to be advertised to draw out the three commanders. Once they’re all in the same building, I can lead the kobold assassins against them.”

  “What about the mayor?” Mya asked.

  I rubbed my forehead. “That’s a problem,” I admitted. “Being present in the arena pit, hunting the commanders, and going after the mayor requires me to be in three places at once, and I can only do two.”

  The shaman raised an eyebrow at that but didn’t press the matter.

  “I can help,” Lirian said.

  “It’s way too dangerous,” I objected. “You heard the others. The mayor’s bodyguard is too powerful; even The Champion won’t cross him.”

  The cunning goblinette smiled at me. “As the wise chief pointed out earlier, I don’t have to kill the guard. Our clan has a long and glorified history of using distractions. Can’t we use one now?”

  My eyes widened at the idea, and I looked at her with new appreciation. “When did you get so smart?”

  “Since I began watching you, Father.”

  “This just might work …” I said slowly. “Alright, here’s the plan …”

  9 - Assassins

  It was close to midday by the time the lean and tough-looking hob arrived at the cathedral. I was going to have to talk fast and persuasively. In two days the human army would reach my forces, and I had to capture Akzar beforehand to reinforce them with the local hob army.

  “I’m surprised to see you,” Glaive said calmly as I moved to meet him. “Your clan is not welcome in Akzar.”

  I winked at him. “I’ve got diplomatic immunity. Well, as long as I stay here, at least. One of the benefits of being a priest of a known church.”

  “Why have you called me here?”

  “I want to challenge Bonecruncher,” I stated calmly.

  Glaive stared at me then burst out laughing. “You? A mere goblin? Ridiculous.”

  “I’ve earned the right to challenge The Champion. I won the Ranged championship, after all.”

  The lean hob shook his head. “Yulli earned that title, but she’ll be arrested as soon as she sets foot in the city. You were only her slave. You’re no champion.”

  “I thought you were bored of watching the same battles over and over again,” I reminded him. “You once told me you’d pay a lot to see a battle between champions. Well, here’s your chance.”

  “Hmm …” He mulled over my words for several seconds. “You know, I can’t simply pit you against Bonecruncher as a challenging champion. If you just want to fight him, I can easily arrange for a fodder match.”

  I felt my blood heating up. “I’m no fodder. I’m a champion. And I want to challenge The Champion for his title.” Anything less wouldn’t draw out Akzar’s ruling body.

  “Okay,” Glaive said, “since you’ve proven you have some worth as a gladiator, I’ll allow you to challenge one of the other champions first … if you defeat their contenders first. Defeat both, and I’ll declare you champion and allow you to challenge Bonecruncher. How’s that sound?”

  “Will you arrange all three fights in a row?” That could work better than I’d planned. I could fight the first two fights, making them drag on while the kobolds and my clone infiltrate the barracks and murder the commanders.

  Glaive laughed again. “Feeling confident, are you? I’ll tell you what, I’ll keep Bonecruncher around. He’ll be available … if you win.”

  “Deal,” I said. “Let’s do this now.”

  “Why so hasty to die, goblin? I need time to spread the word, to arrange the arena, and take care of the warm-up acts. The challenge will be held tomorrow. An hour before curfew.”

  That was cutting it a bit close, but I was planning on getting rid of Akzar’s ruling body in one fell swoop, so that still worked.

  “Alright,” I said.

  “So which champion are you going to challenge?” the hob asked. “It’s either the Strength or the Magical one.” His eyes twinkled. “The Ranged champion is currently unavailable, it seems.”

  I frowned. The arena was heavily tweaked to favor the style of battle chosen. Back when we fought Barbwire, the battleground was full of moving pillars that allowed the fighters to maintain their distance while magical crystals drained spells of their mana. I’d be at a considerable disadvantage in a melee-oriented arena, and a champion wasn’t someone to be trifled with.

  “I’ll challenge the Magical champion,” I said. Which meant I’d be facing Terdamesh again; after I defeated his second. It had a sort of poetic justice to it.

  Glaive nodded. “I’ll arrange the matches. I’ll send someone tomorrow to pick you up from here. Be ready.”

  “I will.”

  He grinned. “I’m looking forward to seeing you in a worthy fight. Do not disappoint me.”

  “Don’t worry.” I grinned back at him. “It’ll be a show you’ll never forget.”

  ***

  Everything was set and ready to go.

  The night before had been full of hectic preparations. I snuck everyone around into place, then I sat back and waited to be summoned.

  It didn’t take long. A hob wearing green slaver robes came to collect me from the cathedral.

  I didn’t particularly enjoy being marshaled through the streets like a common slave, but I understood Glaive’s caution. I was a wanted person, and this was the best way to transport me in broad daylight to the arena.

  Vic commented casually.

  We were back in the small underground waiting room that opened into the arena. My shadow clone was already outside, hiding in the barracks’ shadow, keeping an eye out for my targets.

  This time I didn’t have Tenragan at my side to offer advice or explain what I was about to face. But on the other hand, I was much stronger now. I was a whole boss tier and ten levels higher than last time. And I had the complete Dread Totem set to empower my spellcasting. Combined, that made me more than twice as powerful than before. I knew I could take on the Magical champion and his second.

  Vic advised. es, and that’s the important bit. On top of that, these are dedicated fighters. Their whole being orbits around combat effectiveness. While you, well … let’s say you’re more suited to playing around with puppet houses.>

  I pressed my lips together. I’d say I’ve done pretty well so far, Vic.

 

  I could see his point. I had a veritable arsenal of spells to hinder enemies or support allies, while my damaging spells were relatively weak compared to a combat-oriented boss monster. So far, I’d compensated for that fact using my wits. My two main offensive weapons were the synergy I’d developed between Freeze and my dagger’s sacrificial ability, and Direball, which I occasionally used in tandem with my spear-staff to explode my enemies’ insides.

  Thanks for the reminder, I said and meant it.

 

  “And now!” Glaive’s magically amplified voice said, “the renegade champion’s own slave, a goblin chief Totem has been caught and delivered to the arena!”

  A loud cheer from the crowd followed those words.

  Glaive chuckled. “That’s right. Today, justice will be carried out. Since we all know this particular goblin packs quite a punch, the arena’s Magic champion and his second have agreed to step up to … deliver chastisement.”

  The crowd exploded with laughter.

  I had to give Glaive his due. He knew how to play his crowd into accepting my challenge, even though I was considered nothing more than a slave.

  “So without further ado, give a savage roar to the renegade slave. Release the goblin!”

  The portcullis connecting my room to the arena started to rise.