Altura

I took a deep breath in as I adjusted to my new reality. The air seemed awfully thin now, the world strange. Any movement at all had me cowering under an onslaught of dizziness as a buzz took over my head. The worst of headaches. Emerged, making me clutch my head as the pain rendered me useless.

I do not know why. I do not know how. But I was able to bear through the pain. Somehow. And then emerge on the other side, still staring at an unfamiliar world. System, what happened?

The host experienced the negative effects of gaining stats too fast. The mental stats take longer to increase than physical ones, causing the period in between to be filled with pain as the mental stats attempt to reconcile with physical ones.

So my brain was overwhelmed? Huh.

“Are you alright, your grace?” Argus asked from beside me.

“Yes, Argus. I just had a little stat problem that has been solved now. Just remember to never gain too many stats in one sitting, and you’'ll be okay.” I replied. “How long was I out for?”

“No longer than a minute, your grace. But you were out for three days before that. The fifth wave was beaten just a few hours ago.” Aswelth said. The fifth wave?! That was a lot of waves!

“I think I might need a recap of what happened while I was asleep.” I said.

“Nothing much your grace. I had to take charge of killing the Plants and the like, but nothing more than that. The fortress has held well. But I would like to know why you felt the need to cover a large part of the forest in ice.” Aswelth answered.

“Typhoon sloths. That was the enemy I faced.”- Aswelth’s face suddenly turned grave- “I was able to kill them all, and gain a bounty to boot, but that was why I was in such a dilapidated state.” I replied.

“Perhaps it would be prudent to inform the King of this matter.” Aswelth remarked. Yes, I was sure it would be.

“Then I suppose I should contact him.” I replied.

“I would suggest getting a bit ready, your grace, your ah, new complexion might draw a few doubts.” Aswelth said. What new complexion? I conjured an ice mirror to check on me and was shocked by what I found. I no longer held the same hair color. Or eye color.

Auburn hair had been replaced with brownish-pink, and the eyes were now a clear shade of emerald rather than the more witchy green. Even my skin had turned lighter, likely due to whatever genes I was ‘reforged’ with being more of the Caucasian variety. Or at least that's what I thought. I was not exactly aware what fell under the Caucasian umbrella, only that they had lighter skin, hair, and eyes.

I wondered if there would be any problem with people recognizing me. I hoped not, but you never knew. And I had changed a bit, even if every other feature on my face remained the same. Though I was sure that Aswelth meant more along the lines of the black goo that covered me.

I got up on shaky feet, taking a second to balance myself, and then cast a water spell to clear black goo from my body. After I was presentable, I got the pebble and called up the King.

“Altura. I am sorry to say that I will not be providing any aid to you-” The King began as soon as the call connected. I already knew why he would not be providing any aid.

“Because as per the Kingdom charter, each duchy is responsible for the protection of their own borders and may only ask the Kingdom for aid in matters that threaten the safety of the entire Kingdom. I am aware of that stipulation, your majesty. Though I will inform you that the threat from the forest threatened the entirety of the Kingdom.”

“I recently had to deal with a group of Typhoon sloths. No need to worry, I was able to kill the Mother sloth and the typhoon sloths, so the Kingdom will not be in any danger any time soon.” I said, interrupting him. Lady Illiana had basically said it to me as I was leaving, though it was not as if I did not know this already.

‘The state of the Kingdom is such that it is so involved in its own internal politicking that it lacks the ability to function as a singular, independent, sovereign state on a more international scale. The Treelings have taken to demanding unreasonable compensations for their services which the Kingdom cannot deny for fear of the Jade Sect taking advantage.’

“I take it that the Duchy of Merden and the rest are completely against the Kingdom providing any support at all?” I asked.

“Yes, they have raised an objection to any aid given to your duchy. I must also note that you have not yet submitted a name to the Royal records and I must institute a fee-” The King began speaking before I interrupted him.

“Yes, the duchy will pay whatever fee you want me to. What we won’t be doing is hurrying up choosing our name. Because make no mistake, your majesty, this duchy is here to stay. And while we are on the subject of other duchies, I would like the Royal Court to take note of my words.” I said as I began what I hoped would be ‘an iconic statement’. Because if I survived, I would make sure it was one.

‘I would like to issue a warning to those that conspire to get rid of this duchy. I do hereby state, in the strongest of terms, that if I discover that any force, no matter how old, powerful or prestigious, had anything at all to do with this unrequited and unjustified attack on my people, then I shall do whatever is in my power to completely and utterly destroy it.”

“And that promise shall hold true not just now, but in the future. And I will ignore all accords, treaties, and agreements that block me from doing so.’ I finished.

Silence was the only thing that answered me. “The Royal Court notes your statement and holds it in contempt. The accords are an ancient part of the Kingdoms' policy that have served to maintain the peace.”

“But it notes that if a force within the duchy was responsible for this attack, then that would count as a breach of the accords.” The King said in a monotonous manner.

“I stand by my statement.” I replied.

“The Court also notes that it has received the courtier sent by the Archduchess, and he has been sent to the royal lands to level up. The Court also acknowledges that the Archduchess has broken the ancestral pact and gained the ability of numeration.”

“The Royal Inquisition shall begin an investigation once conditions become favorable.” The King stated. Oh, you mean after a horde of beasts stops invading the duchy?

“The duchy welcomes the Inquisition any time they find it convenient. In fact, there are multiple cases that require its attention, over a thousand cases by the amount of former slaves that have flocked to the duchy.”

“And the duchy has full confidence in its courtiers' ability to level up with or without the Kingdom’s help in the matter. After all, didn’t he reach the level he has without it?” I said, betting that since Kerrin had arrived way ahead of schedule, his cultivation was going to be way ahead of schedule too.

“The Court acknowledges the courtier’s capability. And also notes a particular lack of ancestry within the Kingdom’s core borders.” The King answered back. Wanting the last word, huh. Well sorry, I can be petty too.

“The duchy notes that the courtier is a retainer and is held in great esteem within the duchy’s borders. And the Court is welcome to send its agents to try to discover the courtiers’ family history. Though the duchy is sure that it shall be revealed to be little more than a long line of loyal family members residing within the duchy’s borders.” I countered. No, King, you do not get to win this argument.

“The Court holds that the duchy is being argumentative and has wasted its time. The duchy shall be fined for the same.” the King said.

“The duchy notes that the Court has no better reply and that the argument was started by the Court itself. And all fines will be paid by the saboteurs treasury.” I said as the pebble switched off. Oops, I just destroyed relations with the King, didn’t I?

But what should I have done? Not threaten the ones that were behind this and let them try again? Or just accept whatever the King wanted me to do? That might have been what I was doing for a long time, but I wasn’t about to sacrifice the duchy’s security.

Xianxia people would never stop, that is why you killed them. And I was going to do just that if it came down to it. And the Duchy of Merden was looking like a likely target.