Unbound Deathlord_Obliteration

by Edward Castle

  Or so I rationalized.

  "I'll pledge," a mage was the first to speak, rousing me from my musings. "I, Bullson, pledge myself to... What's milord's name?"

  "It's Your Majesty, not milord," I corrected him. "And I'm Jack Thorn."

  "I beg your forgiveness, Your Majesty." He didn't sound apologetic. "I, Bullson, pledge myself to His Majesty, Jack Thorn."

  "I accept your pledge," I said.

  Instantly, another mage spoke. "I, Skybull, pledge myself..."

  In the end, none chose death.

  After accepting the pledge of the last of them, I pointed to the elite who had sounded the least insincere. "You're the new Guard Captain. You can take the equipment of the last one's corpse."

  "Thank you, Your Majesty," he said.

  "Listen well, all of you." I said as I stood from the throne. "I have one supreme law, which is above all others: my word is the law. No one but me may change this rule. No one. Do you understand?"

  I established that rule first to prevent Manhart from turning them against me in the future. I guessed I'd have to give him authority over the castle, but I would ultimately have control of the minotaurs.

  "Yes, Your Majesty," they replied.

  "Good. Remember it well. If anyone else gives you an order, it should only be carried out if it doesn't contradict the supreme law." I remained silent for a few moments to let that sink in. "Now, a new rule: slavery is forbidden and those who enslave others should be executed on sight."

  "What?"

  "No!"

  "What is he saying?"

  The minotaurs started murmuring among themselves.

  "Silence!" I commanded. "I don't care about this custom of yours. I order it and I order you, Guard Captain, to see that my will is obeyed."

  "Your Majesty..." The new Captain said. "This will cause a big commotion..."

  "I know," I said. "But that is my order. Do you understand?"

  "Yes," he said unwillingly.

  "Good. You're all dismissed. Oxfiend, please stay." I waved my hand in dismissal.

  They all left, the new Guard Captain carrying Terrorlord's body with him.

  I wanted to do more; I had a lot of manpower now, and I admit I was interested in managing the castle. However, my time was short; when Manhart got here, he could worry about making the minotaurs more civilized.

  To avoid being tempted to stay, I wouldn't even go out in the city. Even though grandfather had shown me clear evidence that no official investigation was taking place, that didn't mean there couldn't be something he couldn't detect. He wasn't omniscient after all, and destroying V-Soft had undoubtedly had probably pissed off every big fish in the sea. Also, grandfather would not have called me to his mansion if he also didn't entertain his doubts. Before something happened, I still had to take care of business in Ter'nodril.

  "Oxfiend," I said, "unless I, the Blackguard, or this zombie tell you otherwise..." I pointed to Bear, "...you're to protect the Armory and the lightsteel mine. No one is allowed inside either. Do you understand?"

  "I do." He nodded.

  "Good. You can go," I said and he obeyed.

  Finally, I leaned back on the throne and sighed. There was a lot of work to be done, from establishing laws to training a military. If Daggers had been able to whip the zombies into shape, given time she could turn these minotaurs into real killing machines.

  Alas, it was time to go. I focused on the Communication Crystal and called Manhart.

  he said as soon as he picked up the call.

 

 

 

  Silence.

 

  he said and hung up.

  "That's it, people. Time for you all to meet the old lich." I stood up and started moving.

  "Hold on, Ugly-face," Bear said. "Maybe we should stay a few days, check the city outside, meet more minotaurs."

  "You can stay if you want," I said. "Daggers needs to check in on the Dark Temple and I'm accompanying her."

  "I do?" She asked. "I do," she then repeated without any conviction.

  "See?" I asked. "She does. Even if you all decide to stay here, you should still come with me to meet Manhart."

  "I guess," Bear said.

  I leaned in near Bear and quietly asked. "Hey, man... About Ted... Did she leave Valia for good?"

  "Dunno, man. She has been ignoring my calls and didn't even allow me into her house when I went there. Our common friends aren't having any more luck, and that's worrying me."

  "I see. I'll try to call her and see what happens." I wouldn't, but I wanted the gratitude that I knew my words would bring.

  "Thanks. I appreciate it."

  "No problem."

  We went to the Magic Garden, only to get a big surprise: the Garden was gone. Where it had been, now only the bare metal floor of the castle remained.

  I didn't mind it. I doubted the minotaurs would be capable of caring for plants anyway.

  I approached the secret entrance, I touched the wall with the green stone and it started opening.

  I turned to take a last look at the castle. I would come back someday. Probably. If my plans in real life succeeded and I survived. At least V-Soft's Headquarters were located in a state that didn't have the death penalty; I just hoped they didn't make an exception just for me.

  Yeah, right. I laughed bitterly to myself.

  After walking through the secret passage, we found Manhart already waiting.

  His skeletal face, his silver crown with black details, his medallions, his rings, and his black and gold robe were all the same.

  And I knew for a fact that it wasn't him.

  31. Heading Off

  Perhaps it was that he wasn't exuding an aura of arrogance, or the fact that his crown was just the tiniest bit crooked on his skull, but the lack of morbs floating above his head was also telling; no mage would allow himself to be that vulnerable in any unfamiliar place.

  Or maybe my perception was just too good.

  Whatever the case, I had no doubt that this wasn't Manhart.

  "Hello, stranger," I said. "I have a Blackguard and twenty-six zombies. Please, don't do anything stupid; I have places to be."

  The lich stood silently for a short time before blurring and becoming a man with short brown hair, brown eyes, and a beard that needed to be trimmed. He wore loose, expensive-looking silk clothes, clearly not on his way to a job interview.

  "How did you know?" He asked.

  "There were plenty of clues," I said. "So, you here to pick a fight with us or what?"

  He crossed his arms. "I have not decided yet. You cheated, in the fight against my Boss."

  I frowned and my mind raced to the most probable conclusion. "Edward? The god?"

  "That's me." He nodded.

  I raised my hands. "Lets not fight then. I'm not ready to fight gods yet."

  He smiled. "Yet? Bold. But it has been done before. None of the previous challengers won, but there's a first time for everything in this life."

  "Yeah."

  An awkward silence ensued.

  "So," I said. "What now?"

  "You cheated," he repeated.

  "I heard you the first time," I replied.

  "I want an explanation," he insisted.

  I rolled my eyes. "Have you looked at us? There's no way we could have won that fight. It was either cheat or die. I suppose the others could have ran away, but after you declared your little trial, I didn't have that option anymore. Plus, you never said I had to play by the rules."

  "No, I didn't. Very well, you live. Here it goes-"

  "Wait!" I interrupted him. "Could you remove this Blessing thing instead of giving me extra Approval?"


  He smiled. "I could."

  Before I could say anything, a golden beam shot from his body and hit me. The light swirled around my body for a few seconds before disappearing.

  Status effect received: Divine Approval (level 3)

  You have passed Edward's test and received his Approval.

  » +20 Faithful

  Adept Faithful increased to 21 (+10)

  You keep progressing in your quest for becoming a Sovereign Paladin.

  » +21 charisma when dealing with gods (prayers included)

  » +12% bonus to status effects received from gods

  Level up!

  Current level: 38

  HP, MP and stamina restored

  That's when I lost it. "What's wrong with you bastards?! Why are you so fixated on forcing me down this path? I'm not interested in becoming a damn Paladin, but even if I was, I wouldn't want to be tested by you assholes with my life constantly on the line!"

  Edward's smile widened. "You speak as if I should care. I heard you're going to Ter'nodril. Good luck with the Devourer, he's never Approved anyone before." A golden light surrounded his whole body as he faded from sight.

  I let out a growl of aggravation. Damn gods. I almost converted to Christianity right there and then, just so I could ask that the plagues visited upon the Egyptians be sent to torment Valia's gods.

  "My condolences, sir," Daggers said.

  We had to wait half an hour before a humanoid sized golden light appeared and Manhart materialized from within it. This time, he had five morbs floating above his head; four smoky dark gray morbs and one purple one — death and gravity elements.

  "Finally here, huh?" I said and threw him the green stone. "By my power as the Master of Edward's Castle, I name Manhart my second-in-command. Have fun. Now, give me gravity magic, a way through the specter's army, and information."

  He took the stone and his eyes traveled across each of the zombies and Daggers before settling on me.

  "It seems it's time to negotiate," he said. I would be lying if I said I hadn't expected it.

  "If you say so. But only after you complete my quest. I won't stand for any changes to it."

  "Don't play games with me, Thorn," he said threateningly.

  "No, Manhart, don't you play games with me. I completed your goddamn quest, and until I confirmed it, you weren't even sure the castle existed!

  "I'll not give it to you for free even if you kill me," I continued my rant. "But if you so much as attack me, you'll lose your miracle-worker General who can conquer an entire castle of dubious existence with less than fifty people."

  I paused, sighed, and showed him the palms of my hands. Look, I'm not saying we can't negotiate. All I'm saying is that I won't negotiate the quest completion, since I gave you what you requested, to the letter. I want the rewards for completing an A rank quest, and I want it now." I crossed my arms.

  Although I was pissed with Manhart, pissed with Edward, and pissed about having to wait, to a large degree I kept my temper in check.

  Yes, the lich might not like it, he may even even consider it too much, but compared to how angry I was, my tirade had been mild.

  He stared at me with flickering flames in his eyes. "So be it."

  Quest completed: Conquer the Castle

  Random attribute points received:

  » +1 strength

  » +1 dexterity

  » +1 perception

  » +1 charisma

  » +1 intelligence

  MP: 2900 (+165)

  (Items disregarded)

  Level up!

  Current level: 39

  HP, MP and stamina restored

  Five attribute points, but I only cared about one, intelligence.

  At least I had received double rewards: five points for completing the raid itself and another five for Manhart's quest. Gotta cherish the little things in life.

  "Alright," I said. "Now, tell me what you want."

  I felt displeasure radiate from Manhart; he wasn't happy about me taking a firm stance with him. "I want the castle."

  "Sure," I said. "Last time I checked, it was worth a million gold coins. I'll give you a ten percent discount because we're pals."

  His displeasure increased. "I said no games."

  I sighed. "Can't take a hint, can you? I'm telling you the castle is worth about a million gold coins to me. Now, this is the part where you try to give me something equally valuable. Just to be clear, the gravity magic, a way past the specter's army, and information that you already promised doesn't count."

  His anger intensified. "I won't pay for something I told you to go and take. If it wasn't for me, you would never find this place."

  "True. Hence, the ten percent discount. So, do you have nine hundred thousand gold or not?"

  Pressure descended on me as Manhart manifested his power, in an attempt to intimidate me. He practically growled, "Thorn."

  I crossed my arms. "Manhart. Stop playing around. You never expected me to give you the castle. Just tell me what you really want so we can get on with it."

  There were a few things which had led me to that conclusion. First, I found out I had been overestimating Manhart as a strategist. Second, the quest itself never said I had to give my position as the Castle's Master to him. Third, the lich wasn't even sure the castle existed, so it couldn't be a central part of his original plan.

  He was asking for something impossible so that when we "negotiated" more agreeable terms, I would jump at the opportunity. That was a pretty common negotiation tactic: setting the bar too high initially so the next offer would feel reasonable; regardless of whether it was or not.

  The biggest giveaway however, was that in granting me my rewards he'd already begun to negotiate. If he had a way to take what he wanted by force he already would have. Even if I was mistaken and he wanted the castle, he was prepared to negotiate for it.

  The pressure disappeared instantly. "So be it," he said. "I want your men."

  "Which ones?" I asked.

  "All of them. The zombies, the minotaurs, and the Blackguard."

  It didn't surprise me that he knew about the minotaurs; I was his subordinate after all and I bet he had access to a management window similar to mine.

  He didn't say it, but it was obvious what he was offering in return: fulfillment of his previous promises.

  I crossed my arms. "You can have the minotaurs and you can try to convince the zombies to stay with you; they know what coming with me means, so I'm not even interested in trying to convince them to follow me there. Daggers, however, comes with me."

  Manhart thought for a moment. "Very well." He turned to the zombies. "Colonel Bear, ready the men; we're going back."

  "Huh... Sure?" Bear told Manhart. He said on the mind chat.

  I told him.

  he said and and turned back to the other zombies without even asking if I needed anything. Typical mercenary, always jumping at the next chance for profit.

  I didn't blame the zombies. Our ride this time had been wild and even I would love some rest before moving on to the next part of my crazy plan, if only I were sure I had the time.

  At least they could watch Manhart for me. Maybe I could even finally get some real intel on Manhart's plans or other forces under his command. Taking the zombies with me would be nearly useless, however, having them become familiar with the castle, the town and minotaurs could only be beneficial to me when I got back.

  Not to mention it seemed Bear had forgotten about our promised rematch. The sooner I was away from him, the less chance there was I'd have to see him sulk after I kicked his ass again.

  I had nothing to gain but a cheap laugh, but stood to lose a lot if it made him angry
enough to leave my service.

  "Is that all?" I asked Manhart. "Can I have my stuff now?"

  The lich turned back to me. "Yes."

  In the next moment, the only sensation any of my senses reported was pain.

  Skill-tree unlocked: Universe's Pull

  New skill unlocked in the Universe's Pull skill-tree:

  Gravity Attunement (level 1)

  You learn to attune yourself to the gravitational pull of the world, making it harder for enemies to knock you off balance.

  » Passive Spell

  » Element: Gravity

  » Range: Self

  » Knockdown resistance: 20%

  I could think of few things more useless. Worse still, how did I even train in that?

  "Do I need to ask Daggers to keep pushing me in order to level this up?" I asked when the pain went away.

  "Not necessarily," Manhart spoke with amusement in his voice. "You can ask anyone to do that for you." I swear, his skull looked even more like it was grinning than it usually did.

  Asshole.

  "Alright," I said. "Now, how do we get through the specters?"

  "I insist that you forget about going there," he said. "I have better uses for you here."

  I didn't even answer that. He sighed, took off one of his medallions, and threw at me. It was silver, with a single black circle in the middle.

  Manhart's Identity Medallion

  Unique

  Can be used to prove you are acting under Manhart's authority.

  "Show this to any specter and they'll allow you free passage," Manhart said.

  I took it. "I doubt it'll be that simple."

  "Is anything ever simple in the world?" He argued.

  I rolled my eyes. "Now, the information about Valia's politics."

  "No," he replied firmly. "Not now, at least."

  "What?!" I raised my voice. "We had a deal!"

  His flaming eyes flickered in amusement. "I never specified when, I only said it would be after you completed the quest. It could be today or in five years."

  Shit.