Chapter 85

“Why show me that?” Jack

“I want to see that event happen, in person.” Oracle

“That still doesn’t answer my question, why me?” Jack

“You have a small hand in bringing that about, you are not important, but your legacy is.” Oracle

“My legacy?” Jack

“Yes, the things you leave behind and the impact you have on the important people are important” Oracle

“And what is my legacy?” Jack

“Perhaps I’ll explain when you die.” Oracle

“Speaking of my death, what is my ending?” Jack

“There are many different possibilities still; I can’t go over them yet. At least not in a way you would understand.” Oracle

I find myself silent for a while, thinking. Thinking about what I have seen and heard.

“I assume you have a reason to tell me all this.” Jack

“More like there is no reason not to, this won’t impact your actions in a way that I care about.” Oracle

After a moment of thought I get an idea, I pull out Alfred’s journals and put them on the table.

“Would these qualify to be part of the library?” Jack

In response to that oracle waves his hand over the books, and there are two copies of each. Picking them up I look them over, finding that they are completely identical.

“yes, they do.” Oracle

you have made a contribution to The Library that has been accepted. +500 contribution points with The Library

I put the originals away and oracle sends the copies to the front desk, likely to be sorted latter.

The discussion turns to the soul and I learn much, going so far as getting a two point increase to spirit through the conversation. I find myself wanting to be able to just reflect on what I have learned, without any responsibilities, again.

“I want to be a librarian” Jack

“No you don’t” Oracle

“What?” Jack

“The Library wants you, but you don’t truly want it. You still want to rule, to finish what you have started.” Oracle

“Is there any ending where I do become a librarian?” Jack

“Yes, there is.” Oracle

“One last thing, what is Cloak of Flames?” Jack

“You think I know everything don’t you?” Oracle

“Don’t you know everything? I mean with your abilities you could figure literally anything out, I have to assume that the only reason you don’t rule the world is because you don’t want too.” Jack

“You’re not wrong. Anyway, Cloak of Flames is a soul based ability that you have.” Oracle

“That confirms one theory of mine” Jack

“Let me finish, it only activates when you are fighting a creature you ordinarily would never be able to beat, meaning it is pretty much useless for anything other than spiting someone much stronger than you. It has several different effects, not the least of which being almost completely removing any defenses your opponent has. It also boosts all of your physical stats while also causing you damage while it’s active, meaning even if you win using this skill your liable to die. The same damage also applies to your opponent, truly a very spiteful ability.” Oracle

“I see, well I really must go. Things to do, wars to plan. I’ll see you around.” Jack

“Yes, you will.” Oracle

I pick up hunter, who has begun to stir, and leave the library. It is halfway between noon and sunset. I head back home and on the way I think about the things I have learned during these last couple hours. Watching that dream of the future has actually been incredibly enlightening on military strategy, even with that there are many people under my control that are better than I can hope to be. I have never liked large scale battles, preferring the simplicity of an assassination or a duel.

When I make it to the big house I see Johanna in the living room. I turn to her to speak.

“Hey, can you gather up all the leadership in the village, I think it is time to start planning some things.” Jack

“What type of plans?” Johanna

“I don’t know, maybe we can conquer a city or two.” Jack

A spark ignites in her eyes and she runs off, grinning. It doesn’t take long several people to have gathered in a room we dubbed the war room a while ago. There are roughly ten people present, myself, Johanna, uncle, The head Trainer, Dryad, or Erica Kron, Asmodeus, and Four other very well respected members of the community. Also the military brothers are using a phone to listen in and talk. The old man and merry didn’t join us because ‘we were serious when we said we were retiring, if one of you gets kidnapped or dies then maybe, but not till then’.

We are all standing around a table with a map of our continent on it.

“Why were we gathered here today?”

I look at the speaker, a dragoon that is a veteran of hundreds of wars and thousands of battles.

“I figure it’s about time we get this show on the road, I’ve grown restless with this relentless training, and I’m sure you all have too.” Jack

There is a murmuring of agreements around the room.

“But that doesn’t explain what we’re doing here” Dragoon

Ignoring him I point to the map.

“This is where we are, and this is the closest city too us.”

I move my hand to hover over the city the military brothers took over under my directions.

“It is already in our control. This city over here is in a perfect position for a pincer attack from our two cities.” Jack

I move my hand again to hover over another city, this one between the two cities and a little ways east. At this point everyone’s eyes light up, apparently realizing what I was suggesting.

“I have been in this city, studied it. I’m sure many of us have. Their army is skilled but it relies very heavily on a strict chain of command to function properly. Without it their discipline falls considerably. In addition it is incredibly easy to get a small number of people into the city, it only costs ten jaers for a week long pass in and out after all.” Jack

“I think I see where you’re going with this. We can’t get an army in easily because the influx of immigrants would be very suspicious, but we could get a couple assassins in and take out anyone they can in a leadership position. Then we can siege the city from two different sides, further disorienting the soldiers. We could take the city within the week.” Head trainer

“Exactly, and we’re already prepared, we could move out tomorrow if we wanted. Cath and Mathew have been keeping their men and women in marching condition, correct?” Jack

“Affirmative” Cath

“And we are always prepared for a fight” Jack

“No arguments there. Now the question is, who should we send to assassinate the leadership. I estimate around ten of our best assassins for the job, there are a lot of people to remove in a beurocracy, even one that has a king at the top with the final say on everything.” Dragoon

There is a rather lengthy discussion after which everyone agrees on who to send. I am on that list, while not the best assassin in the village, I am definitely in the top ten. In addition to me is Lynda, because her skill with chains is particularly useful in a city, Lucy, her skill with magic is second to none here, Uncle, it is amazing how many people you can kill with some well placed poisons, Asmodeus, because who is going to argue with a prince of hell. The last five consist of people that have made a name for themselves are very successful assassins, one of them is already in this room.

All of the chosen assassins are brought to this room, if they weren’t here already, and briefed. There is only one question.

“When do we leave?”

“Tomorrow” Jack

End Chapter