《The Other - a (man) called Ted》Chaptah Hoo-doo-mah-roo
Advertisement
“So how is our guest doing?” The Other asks Fleur over a simple breakfast.
“Surprisingly adept at finding the most expensive, mundane things in your Armory. Tillman knows the limits on what we should be allowing out into the world at large. He was a bit put off initially about the vocals you activated on his golem though.”
“We can’t have just anyone figure out your secrets after all. Any little thing helps, even with my reputation, people get suspicious when something too miraculous happens.”
“More people should be more suspicious of things you do because of your reputation though.”
“Ironically, it seems that in most circles it is deemed wise to ignore the things I do. Or, at the very least nobody ever asks me about them.”
“Isn’t it about time you accidentally obliterate a mountain or something? Remind people you aren’t to be meddled with?”
“Only about two weeks away actually. I have a couple of dragons to meet up with, enact a glorious battle, rampage for a while. Wait… Actually it will be a bit longer, I think I can use that as a distribution system for Dust… And I want it to be the final version as well… Decisions. Anyway, how did you know I was going to blow up a mountain?”
Fleur just stares at the Other for a moment before answering in complete monotone, “It’s not like you had half of the R&D department working on fault line data and magical drilling explosives for the last year to create or simulate a volcanic explosion. On a normal mountain. And the copious amount of material you brought back ten hours ago to build those devices.”
“Ah, see, it’s that type of deductive reasoning why we can’t have Tillman give away anything with his tone or inflections! Why did he volunteer for the job anyway?”
Fleur shakes her head slightly at the re-direction, and glosses over the fact Tillman had Gear cards he had wanted to use for a while.
“He used to teach, so he’s been starved for new intellectual stimulation for a while.”
“I see. And how is Saidel doing?”
“She seems to be happy, being able to move around with the sheepkin. She was singing about being a teapot while getting some tea ready for our guest this morning.”
“I’m honestly surprised she doesn’t use the golem more.”
“Unlimited vacation, remember? And strangely enough there’s enough variety being the not-quite-undead-abominations that we are to keep her occupied. Though I suspect she may start living in a castle of pillows after the girl’s demonstration last night.”
“Let me know if I need to head back north to see Thunderhammer Bladebill for more down if she believes she needs more pillows. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him.”
Advertisement
“I still can’t believe that is his name. My husband told me about his great-great-granduncle Belacard trying to fight it. How did it even get that big anyway?”
“Promise you won’t get mad,” the Other says, sipping from his glass and looking sideways at Fleur.
“What can I do, yell at you? What happened? Clearly you’re implying it’s your fault there’s a thousand year old titanic duck floating around the North seas, so get on with it.”
“Well… The short version is he used to be a normal duck, until he told about all the trouble with weather and poachers the flock was having, and he accepted my proposal to become a floating mobile fortress of, well, ducks. That feeds and runs on magic. I had part of an island or three carved out so he could settle down in bad weather out of most of the wind. It’s not my fault he went on a rampage and walked through that port town and quacked at everybody as soon as I got done with him!”
Fleur sighs and says, “It’s a surprise you haven’t actually doomed life on this planet by now. And for the record, I was told it was several ports.”
The Other waves her comments away and finishes his drink. “He had to be big enough to fight off dragons and leviathans after he got to a certain size anyway so I just kept going. Once he reaches Ancient status everything should still be fine. Besides, he hasn’t rampaged for 500 years or so. If it weren’t for the sailors bringing back stories every few years he would be entirely forgotten in those lands. I will admit he has gotten superb at creating selective barriers, which would be a terrible thing for any who waged war with him.”
“A different Drake of War. Do we need to do anything while you’re gone this time?”
“Tell R&D to stop production of those devices, let them know I want to include Dust distribution into the calculations so the initial plans may need to be modified. Heavily. I think I may need to find a different location as well. Ask around and see if anyone knows of volcanic eruptions in any stories they’ve heard, the bigger the better.”
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
“My dear lady Fontine! Welcome back!” says Fennec in a suspiciously warm manner.
Fontine responds while putting her left hand on her hip and waving with her right, “What’s with you? It was an extra day is all, I’m back in one piece, and nothing happened that was more outrageous than ripping open holes in space-time or seeing a very enrapturing charm.”
Advertisement
“Ah…” Fennec replies, with an eyebrow twitch and slightly dark complexion.
“I think that what our fine Foxman is concerned about is any additional compensation you received from this old turtle,” Bertha, Fontine’s supervisor says.
“Yes, yes, paranoid as ever I see,” the Other begins, handing over a sheet of paper to Fennec. “These are the only things I had any type of influence in creating.”
Fennec looks over the sheet briefly before shaking his head. “One pillow, two blankets, five sets of clothes, one hat, a ‘small’ sized bag, and twenty other things. That tells me almost nothing. How much is all of that worth? Didn’t you tell us you were having money problems?”
“Now, now, don’t worry, there’s nothing world ending in what she picked out, I made sure of that. Even if she combines all of them there’s no way she should wipe out a small city with just their effects. And as far as the problems go, it’s too much trouble trying to get them appraised then sold, it’s far easier to just thrash a few people in a coliseum.”
“How. Much.”
Fontine looks over at the Other now, a bit more closely than before as she is also interested.
“Hmmm….” the Other begins, while looking nervous under the glares of both Fennec and Bertha. “If I rounded a bit and said a King’s ransom would that be sufficient?”
As he continues to get glared at, he finally breaks down and sighs in resignation.
“I can only tell you what they originally sold for since, well, you still don’t trust my estimates for materials and labor. Based on materials and labor for the coliseum when we built it, I could rebuild the city of Fluria twice and finance the government in both for a year.”
Silence ensues.
“But!” the Other says, raising a pointed finger into the air, “I believe 80% of that pricing is due to emotional components tied into the value of the items themselves! For instance, that pillow-“
“It’s fine,” Fennec says while Bertha is rubbing her temples. “Can she actually use them or will they just rot away in storage?”
“Unless things have changed, it would currently take Hellspring himself to realize what the enchantments do, and for the two most ancient clothiers for nobles and royalty on two continents to figure out how supposedly rare the materials are. She should be fine.”
“Great!” Fennec says, clapping his hands with a genuine smile this time. Bertha still looks slightly off-put, and just shakes her head. “Now, is there anything else we need to know about between now and whenever our descendants see you next?”
“Not much really. Though, now that I think about it, you may want to start preparing for a decade of cold weather at some point.”
That causes Fennec and Bertha to pause a moment while they both try to figure out how to ask a specific enough question to avoid unnecessary collusion.
“As an old friend, can you give me and Hellspring three years notice? Or is this the notice?” Fennec says.
“Oh no, not now, but once we finish stage two of the project, I suppose that will be acceptable, unless the planet itself decides to accelerate the plans,” the Other says, then mumbles, “After all, what’s a couple of extra years at that point…”
“You are as generous as you are magnanimous,” Fennec says with a slight but exaggerated bow.
“Clearly a poor attempt at flattery but I’ll allow it. If perchance I am unable to contact you at that time, I’ll make sure your people know. Actually, how would you like a global oracle, at 3 years just saying ‘Winter is coming’ and at the time of the event saying ‘Winter is here?’ I can’t guarantee a specific date, but will try and get it close.”
While Bertha is internally swearing up a storm, Fennec has a blank look to his face before saying in a soft monotone, “Yes, I suppose that would work.”
A few short words later, the Other exits the room in a surprisingly normal manner. Fennec motions for Fontine to stay a moment longer however.
“Miss Fontine, I do need to check one last thing since you mentioned it,” Fennec begins with his fingers laced in a bridge across his mouth so she can’t see his lips. He glances at the door, making sure it is closed and the Other has indeed left the room. “You said something about a charm, and I would like to know what you were speaking of.”
“Oh, that?” Fontine says with a mischievous smile. “When we were out and about the first day, he mentioned he used a charm to appear as a wendigo, that he had modified from the Ideal Woman charm, and he immediately proceeded to demonstrate the Ideal Woman charm. With various outfits as well.”
Narrowing his eyes even further, Fennec leaves a brief moment of silence hanging in the air before declaring to Fontine, “Very well, let us never speak of this charm again, especially to Hellspring. Leave and enjoy your pillow and other ill-gotten goods. And take the next week off.”
Advertisement
- In Serial638 Chapters
Konjiki no Moji Tsukai
Five people are summoned to another world to battle the demon lord who threatens that world. However, there were only supposed to be four heroes that were summoned; the other was an innocent bystander. What will the innocent bystander do next?Thank you for reading updated novel Konjiki no Moji Tsukai @ReadWebNovels.net
8 749 - In Serial8 Chapters
RWBY: Side Story Vol.1 (Upcoming Revision)
Reka Thorn is a 13 year old boy who resides in a research camp together with his father who is a huntsman, tasked with protecting the scientists from the Grimm. Reka is someone with no aura, which makes it impossible for him to ever achieve a semblance. When Reka was a toddler his mom died protecting the scientists to a mysterious Grimm never seen before. As one day a Grimm attack happened at the camp, which made him force to escape towards City of Vale together with his 2 friends, but on there way there a lot of strange events happen. This story takes place mid way Vol.3 of RWBY so I would advice to start reading this after you have at least seen Vol.1 till 3. RWBY is created by Monty Oum and owned by Rooster Teeth.
8 108 - In Serial63 Chapters
Where Titans Fall
I was taken from my home and brought to a distant land, Alone. I arrived a Boy, treated as a Slave, Conscripted as a Soldier, survived as a Huntsman, and claimed my vengeance as a Titan. After decades of fighting a war I had no part in, and having lost all those I hold dear. I returned home, a broken and tired man. Only to find that maybe my war has only just begun. Aleks’Andros Titanos returns home after five decades at war, hoping to find a place to belong and a chance at peace. But fate has a cruel sense of humor and old habits die hard, as he’s faced with the realization that his homeworld may not have been as mundane as he’d once thought. Vampires stalk the night and werewolves roam the countryside, all the while witches barter their craft and covert government organizations scheme. Will he find the life he’s looking for, or will he be forced to regain the powers he left behind and face the demons of his past? Only time will tell.
8 88 - In Serial60 Chapters
Zeroth Knight
Isekai, fantasy, with the core themes of Identity and Fate. Story contains a, mostly, lesbian cast. Just when she was about to confess to the man of her dreams, Eve is taken by a light to another world. Swallowing her up, against her will, eroding her, it demands a life so contrary to her previous one. In a new world with the title of “Zeroth” forced upon her, she must rely on her newfound “friends” to stay sane and navigate her responsibilities. But bit by bit, the world loses sight of the girl inside; seeing only “Zero,” the person she did not desire to be, but the hero that the world needed. Will Eve let the title she bears consume her, or will she become the hero in both body and mind? This is the tale of her struggles, and a star-crossed love destined by Fate to never converge. This is the tale of Zero. This story is a slow-burn, meant to be a few hundred pages or more in length, so the plot isn't the fastest to move. It also has lesbian-themed relationships for the majority of its cast. This story partially falls under, "harem" with the main character being female and gaining the affection of other females, against (at first) the main character's (Eve) will. This first arc will be more focused on the mentality and emotions of the cast with battles spaced intermittently. The second arc will involve a lot more fighting. Arc two will be out in a reasonable timeframe. I have another story up, a short story drama with light yuri and supernatural themes: https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/27010/escape-the-knight I am will continue updating older chapters to make them flow better, and to just be more structurally sound. Follow me at: https://twitter.com/ozefen0 Share the story if you think it's good. And please rate some stars and leave reviews guys. It will help encourage other people to take a chance with the story and get to know this wonderful journey with us. Also, a friend has made a Discord for the "Zeroth Universe" if anyone wants to join and hang out to talk about the stories, theories, or just general fun chats with us! https://discord.gg/f3Bc4TR
8 238 - In Serial36 Chapters
Normal is boring
Alex lives in a foster home. Her mother died when there was fire in the house and her father died in a plane crash. Her brother is the only one left. What will happen when she and her twin brother, Jax, meet their new parents who happen to be soccer players?---------------------------------------------------------------Ashlyn and Ali are one of the best soccer players in the world. After the World Cup in France, that is coming up in a few months, they retire. They want kids and a happy life. But what if the kids came a little sooner than expected? What will they do and how will they handle things?
8 548 - In Serial27 Chapters
Fairy | The Seven Deadly Sins | Estarossa, Zeldris, Meliodas X Reader
[Name] [Last Name]. One of the strongest beings in the fairy realm. If she really tried then she could tsnad her ground in a fight against Meliodas, the dragon sin of wrath. (Y/N)'s a fairy who had been captured by corrupt goddess'. They had riped off her wings and totured her. One day when (Y/N) was just about ready to give up, the area she had been in was being raided by demons. More precisely, Estarossa and a group of demons.This is when Estarossa brought her in, showing the demon king to her. For some odd reason the demon king took a liking to her. He granted her demon like abilities. When (Y/N) met the ten commandment's, she wasn't seen as one of the ten commandments, more as a helper. During her time with slaying and killing goddess', she started to develop feelings for three specific brothers, little did she know that they all had loved her as well.Things are going great until one of (Y/N)'s lovers seems to be a traitor. She ends up joining him and helping him end the holy war. Things are going fine, the demon race being sealed for about 3,000 years old until they get realeased. What will happen once (Y/N) meets these two other lovers of hers? Will she stay with the traitor or will she stay with the ones still loyal to the king?
8 83