Chapter 48

Eva Lemuria

It has been a few days since I fought shadow and in this time he has not awoken yet. His condition hasn't been getting worse and in fact he seems to be improving but he has not regained conscious yet. I hope he wakes up soon and I can ask if he knows who put that nail in him so I can hunt them down. I think this time I will try to capture them so I can find whoever is messing with the world behind the scenes. I can't figure out their goal because so far they have just started wars for no reason and other chaotic things. I don't even know what they have done in other kingdoms because we don't have any close relations with any other kingdom. Hopefully that will change with the assembly Father is trying to organize. Father hasn't gotten into any details but it does seem like several kingdoms have agreed to meet and that includes the Elven Kingdom, Dwarven Kingdom, and even the Anerris Kingdom. This will be good since its all the biggest kingdoms and it means they at least recognize that something is happening in the world right now.

Right now I am getting out of bed and stretching my body out. It is no longer sore so I am happy I can move around again. I am barely dressed right now since I have become used to sleeping with little clothes so my windows are covered right now. If the blushing dragon in the corner tells me anything its that it's a good idea I have covered the window. At first she had tried to help me change, but I quickly shot her down because I do not want to go back to having someone else dress me. After I stretch out I begin putting on my clothes and getting ready for my day. Except my door is blown open with a bang. My mother barges into my room once again and I feel a headache because of my mother's lack of privacy. She didn't even knock at all and just kicked open my door. It wasn't locked or anything so she could have opened it. Father yelled at me a couple of days ago about destroying so much of the castle so I have been behaving, but Mother just goes and ruins my door.

“Eva we have something for you that I think you will like.” Mother

“Mother why did you ruin my door. Father just yelled at me for things like that. I will not take the blame for that since you are the one that did it. Mother you also don't have to come and tell me this first thing in the morning. I was just about to head to the dining room.”

“Eva who is the mother and who is the daughter here? Anyway I have something for you. It had arrived from one of the shadow guards in the Dwarven Kingdom. I think you will really like it and it will definitely be useful for you. Here it is.” Mother

Behind Mother Julie walks in with a large box in her arms and I must admit to myself that I am curious, but I wont give the satisfaction to Mother so I keep a blank face. Julie sets the box onto the table and I approach the box. I notice that Julie is standing really close and I can actually feel her practically hugging my back. I look back at her and she just has a bright smile on her face. I point to Saras and tell Julie.

“Go stay in the corner with the other one. Just stay over there you perverted maid.”

Julie instantly goes from smiling face to a heartbroken one and then walks with her head down towards where Saras is. Saras was just giving her a very strange look, but I don't think I can mentally afford to pay attention to them anymore. I open the box and look at its contents. At the top is a letter and underneath looks like a piece of armor. I decide I will read the letter first for an explanation.

Hello Princess,

I am sure you don't want to hear from me since I seem to have upset you. Even if you may hate me I am still loyal to you and the rest of the royal family. I have to follow orders so that is why I had captured you, but I am not writing you to make excuses. Princess I have seen your body so I know why you hide yourself and I can understand that you have not had a pleasant experience while you have been missing. After you had helped me and the other shadow guards escape the Dwarven Capital we all went our separate ways to find new places to set up at.

I made my way towards the second biggest city and while I was there I had this made for you. This will still hide your arm, but it will also allow you to live without people thinking you are a cripple. Most shadow guards understand your personality very well Princess so we know that you hate others pity so please accept this gift.

I had this design from my limited memory of your arm so it might not be a perfect fit. I did have it made from a black steel and some mithril similar to your halberd. It was enchanted so that you can wear it and it will feel natural. It wont even feel like a glove because it will be like your own arm. It also has very strong defense enchantments so it will not break on you even in your fights. There is a limit so when you fight stronger opponents it will be more likely to break. The armor also had mithril infused with it so that you can use all your magic the same as before. I hope you will use this Princess. Not for me, but for yourself so you can go a little bit closer to normal.

Sincerely

Shadow Guard 37

Currently Mira

I finish the short letter and do feel a little conflicted. I do hate what Mira had done to me, but I don't think I really hate her. I have trouble hating any of the shadow guards because they truly care about the royal family, but have to follow orders. After my fight with Shadow it was quickly figured out that he was the one who made the order to capture me. We are still trying to figure out what other orders Shadow gave before he was controlled and after so we can stop anything suspicious. The worst thing about the nails is that they control someone almost perfectly. They have even all there small habits so its hard to tell who's being controlled.

I look back to the armor and undo my right arm that I have had bound already. I let that part of my clothes drop and then I grab the armor to start putting it on. My mother had come over to assist me with it since it does seem to be a two person job. The armor is relatively simple, but it still has a menacing look. Its black with some dark blue timing so I feel that it matches my halberd well. It also has slight clawed fingers because my natural nails are similar to claws, but still short. Once the armor is on I move my arm around to get a good feel for the armor. I move it in any angle I can and the arm follows perfectly. I grab my halberd and swing it around and It truly feels as if I am not wearing anything. I channel my mana through my mana heart and feel it pass through the armor easily. I then shift to the side and feel the armor shift with me naturally. I then stick out my arm and begin adding more pressure onto the armor. I keep adding to the pressure until my arm is completely covered in a dense black haze. I can't see my arm, but I can feel the Armor start to shake so I disperse the mana. The armor doesn't have any cracks or dents in it even with that concentrated mana pressure that could probably crush a person. I truly am satisfied with this and I don't have to unbind my arm anymore to fight. I put my halberd on my back and look towards my mother.

“It looks good Eva. I hope you like it and use it. It does make me wonder how that shadow guard was able to measure you so well, but it's not something to worry about now because we are late for breakfast. Come now everyone else is waiting. Don't forget your maid again.” Mother

I nod to Mother and follow her out the room while thinking of how Mira got the measurements of my arm so well. I decided it would best for my peace of mind not to think about it too deeply. I look over at Munin that appeared on my shoulder and is now looking at my armored arm. She then looks away from it with what feels like a snort of disgust. She doesn't seem to like the armor, but thats probably because she was basically born into my right hand. She does seem to be having more and more human like emotions and expressions. I really wish she could use some magic besides my shifting ability, but she doesn't seem to have picked anything else up.

Soon we reach the dining hall and everyone is here including Lora. She doesn't have much time with us it seems so she has been spending it all with us. I sit down between Mother and Lora and then I feel tiny hands tugging on my pants. Without even looking I reach down and then set Anne on my lap. She has become very attached to me and Lora is glaring at her a little bit.

“Big sis whats with your arm. I was under the assumption that you lost it, but Mother would never clarify and you would avoid the question. What exactly happened? Even Anne said she knows earlier, but she wouldn't tell me no matter what I offered her.” Lora

When Lora mention this I looked at my arm and realized I was tightly hugging myself like how my arm was when it was still hidden. I guess it has become a habit that I will have to break. I then look down at Anne who is usually very quiet but seems to have shown off to Lora earlier for some reason. My little sisters seem to be very petty. I sigh before answering Lora so she doesn't cry.

“I did injure my arm a while ago and have kept it hidden within my clothes. I wont go into details about what happened or what my arm looks like. One of the shadow guards sent me this armored arm because they know about my injury. I will at least be able to use my arm now. Father any news on Shadow or the assembly?”

“Yes, several kingdoms have agreed to send people. The academy and adventures guild have also agreed to send some people to the assembly. It will be in two weeks so until then keep an eye out for any problems that can arise. Also Lora you're going back to the academy in one week. It will be safer with you there since the academy has many powerful figures protecting it. Anne you will always stay with your siblings or mother. As for Shadow, I haven't gotten word of his awakening yet, but apparently he has shown signs of awakening soon.” Father

“The main guest wing has been damaged, but it's mostly still usable. I have had the damaged area blocked off and have ordered everyone to explain to the coming ambassadors that an assassin was caught there and it led to a fight. I don't know if the servants will stick to this story considering who is involved.” George

George has become a good leader and even took action without any orders. He seems to be growing up, but still seems to like taking jabs at me with his words. At least he hasn't tried fighting me. The rest of the meal we continued talking about preparations and everyone plans. I was mostly free to do as I wish as long as I keep an eye out for anything like the white nails. With everything talked about everyone began leaving one by one. I left by myself because I plan on going to the adventures guild to hopefully rank up. I don't really need the adventures guild anymore, but I am sure it will be good to understand my own strength.