Chereads / Falling Star of Evolution / Chapter 5 - Chapter 6

Chapter 5 - Chapter 6

Back in the fortress city Mount Earthernvale in the present time -

The King Julius Ironspine, Former King Julian, Medical Saint Renissa and Nightmaster Duke after the children left they made their way to a private room in the Mansion to have a discussion. This private room was located near the dining room, where the would afterward meet up with the children so it was much convenient for them.

[Julius, I know what you're thinking about. However we can't! This kid can't die for our causes! He has the greatest potential for combat in a youngling I've ever witnessed and to lose him over something sentimental is not something I would ever approve of] -Former King Julian

[Father I'm not so short sighted and also I wouldn't rely on a fledgling to get my revenge for me. It's just that he meets the necessary qualifications. I've never met someone who's met the criteria as much as he has. Still, no matter how much he meets the qualifications, I would never bring this up to him. This kid must feel like he owes us, If I bring this up to him it would sound like a death sentence and it would definitely scare him off] -King Ironspine

[Good! It's something too unreasonable to ask anyone after all..even I regret..] -Former King

[That's wrong!! That's not it!!] -Nightmaster Duke

Upon recognizing his rudeness Nightmaster Duke immediately came to his senses

[U-uh sorry for my outburst your majesty, please forget what I said and please forgive this old fool] -Nightmaster Duke

That was the one and only thing the Nightmaster had said all night, he bowed deeply as he said it and went deep into thought. The Nightmaster was deeply brooding and even had a bit of an unpleasant face which was rare.

[H-Husband? What's wrong?] -Renissa

[Nightmaster? What's wrong?] -Former King

[???] -King

Everyone looked at the Nightmaster with a bit of a confused expression. He hesitated before he opened his mouth once more-

[Permission to speak freely, your majesty!] -Nightmaster Duke

[We do not need such formality Duke. Please speak your mind!] -King

The King and Former King had never heard the Nightmaster let out an outburst like that before and they were curious as to what could have caused such a reaction from the latter.

[Your majesty I may not be much of a smart man.. but I have eyes and a heart! I've watched younglings I raised myself like my own sons and daughters die before my very eyes! I have a good grasp of the mental worries that plague most of these young soldiers and the one that is the most prominent is survivor's guilt your majesty!] -Nightmaster Duke

[This boy...his eyes are the same as the soldiers from that time! He survived the destruction of his world, he survived because of the sacrifice of his parents, even now he survives because of our hospitality! Sure he may not remember his parents now, but his body hasn't forgotten! A body as complicated and superior as that can't forget the flesh and bones it came from!

Don't tell me when you look in his eyes none of you have noticed that huge crack in his heart! If we continue to shield him it will become even bigger until it cannot be undone! I'm afraid if you keep this away from him and never give him a chance to repay you, sure he may not find it in his warm heart to resent you his benefactor but he will certainly resent everything else!

I've seen it happen too many times already and this boy is showing it more clearly than anyone else! Not only that, but until he bets his life for the sake of this city he will never feel as though he would belong here] -Nightmaster Duke

[Are you suggesting...we tell him?] -Former King

[H-Husband you can't be serious right..even he will..Surely you can find a less slightly dangerous method for him to-] -Renissa

[NO! It must be this! If the deed he does to repay you means nothing at all to you, it won't mean anything to him! I much like everyone else want to see this little tiger grow up and see what his future would be without risking his safety but if he doesn't bet his life now for the sake of someone else his future will be crippled!] -Nightmaster Duke

Nightmaster Duke's voice rung out which was filled with distraught emotions and inner turmoil. It was obvious he truly cared about the youth's future and the urgency in his voice people could not ignore.

[Just think about it! From the first day you've awoken you've had no memories and everything you learned thus far was how many people your life is indebted to. This is a pressing matter that needs serious attention!] -Nightmaster Duke

[If you ask him and he declines then I will pay any punishment necessary even with my life! Even so I believe with all of my heart that he absolutely will never decline this even if he dies! I've seen those lifeless eyes too many times not to recognize them!] -Nightmaster Duke

Nightmaster Duke's words made them all silent, they hadn't thought about this sort of aspect. The more they thought about it, the more sense it made and they wouldn't disregard Nightmaster Duke's years of experience taking care of soldiers. However they were still too hesitant to ask.

The Former King thought to himself

(Oh ho ho, well we'll see if you're right Nightmaster Duke. This kid heard a part of our conversation....but he's still hidden himself. Let's see if he'll show himself and be the man you make him out to be or If he'll run away from it. Still I have to praise him either that or I must be getting old...I didn't notice when he arrived at all, to pull this kind of feat on me at such a young age.)

Suddenly a voice surprised them all, and even though the Former King knew he was there he thought maybe Sol would wait till they made their decision for him to make his. He had not expected Sol to show himself the instant the conversation took this turn.

[Please tell me how I can help. I apologize I did not mean to eavesdrop I was trying to find the dining room and I made a wrong turn somewhere and ended up here. Once I recognized you all were having a private discussion I turned to leave but once I heard my name...my instincts told me to stay] -Sol

Even though Sol said instincts, he was wasn't wrong nor was he right. The martial arts knowledge inside of his brain that had any sort of background that was tied to deceit, investigation and analytical skills had begun layering and layering themselves inside of Sol's thinking pattern and made his abilities of deduction amplified by several folds.

It wouldn't be incorrect to say Sol's view of the world had become like a predator's, not because of any sort of bloodlusting tendencies or because of an ill personality but because the information inside his brain had rewired his thinking patterns. Just by calmly glancing at someone he would be able to tell if they were lying or if they were expecting something, if a person disliked him, if someone was trying to hide their killing intent, there were few things that could escape his perception.

Just by looking at someone he felt like he could correctly guess their age, how much they weigh, how much energy they have, how strong they are. The experience of every master that was uploaded into his brain became his experience without the memories, this was "Black Technology" and why it was feared.

These eyes of Sol, had seen through the eyes of many experts who had seen through the lies of every eyes.

Earlier Sol was led to a changing room by a maid, the Prince and Princesses who were going to accompany him in the end were rebuked by Renissa. They all reluctantly went to the dining room of the mansion where a group of people were already present to await him there. Sol had changed quickly and didn't want to keep them waiting long and hurriedly went over not noticing he went the wrong way and stumbling across their conversation.

[Boy do you even know what you are asking for?] -King Ironspine

[That's fine, I'll do it] -Sol

[Then it's settled] -Former King Julian

The King and Former King begun speaking about their circumstances, the more and more they spoke of the dangers of this task, the more and more resolute Sol's eyes became. This was a fine chance to prove himself, it was a task only he was capable of because of his special physique. The group expected at least some negative reactions from Sol but got nothing but a serious expression and resolute eyes with a hint of excitement.

Judging by what the King told Sol, it would appear that Liore's mother was taken by a swarm of Bloodmana Wasps nine years ago. The Bloodmana Wasp has a special feature where it takes the prey of it's victims and uses their Dantians as a mana source to power their hive and promote the growth of their young. Human mages with advanced Dantians make perfect energy for them and as such these wasps like targeting humans.

These Bloodmana Wasps use a special Isolation method in their hives to preserve the lives of it's prey. The growth of these Wasps are what determines the power of it's isolation method. Some are able to keep their prey alive for decades, but what makes these Wasps frightful is their natural number. It must be known that hive beasts and pack beasts were treated as a natural calamity in this world, Magnolia.

Entering a hive base to rescue one person, is something considered impossible because Bloodmana Wasps don't have eyes the only way they can see their prey is by sensing a network of mana otherwise called "Dantian". For Sol who has no Dantian, this mission would be like walking into a village of blind people.

However, with this in mind the King had tried hiring a few normal people to attempt the task by offering them incredible wealth and luxury and thought he may have had a chance. However, this brought about a disturbing new piece of knowledge.

When some of the courageous normal humans tried, they had been killed by a Variant Guardian species of Bloodmana Wasp that were never seen before. These Variant Guardian Wasps never left the hive and were of the D rank, strong enough to repel regular humans no matter how many of them there would be.

Naturally no one had ever made it inside of a Bloodmana Wasp hive before, it was an unthinkable situation. People who possessed a Dantian, never saw the entrance of it's hive willingly and folks who didn't possess mana were never in the forest. It was safe to safe, this Bloodmana Wasp Hive territory was unexplored terrain!

(Liore huh...no wonder why...) -Sol

[This ordeal, I accept] -Sol

**

Inside of the dining room at Nightmaster Duke's mansion, a crowd of people sat having a hearty meal. The prince and princesses were present, a woman with long red hair and red eyes and judging by her actions seemed to be Regius and Salina's mother. Next to Sophia was an extremely elegant black-haired woman with purple eyes, who seemed to possess the gentle aura similar to Sophia as well as her looks it was obvious that this was her mother.

Liore sat quietly and said nothing, even though both women were nice she seemed to be agitated by their actions. One could even see a bit of envy in her cold eyes, she looked at the empty chair beside her and her eyes became red and moist. However, she still said nothing and remained quiet.

Dorian had a slight smile as stood guard in the dining room at the table.

(He's only a fake nobleman and a brat, how can he possibly compare to me? In the end the princess shouldn't visit such a filthy lowlife especially in the changing room! Grandmother totally understands me it's a good thing she stopped the princess from going to the changing room, as expected of my Grandmother! My bloodline is distinguished in battle and he's just some nobody without a home! Hmph! He's even using my bloodline as his own and dares to pretend to be a noble and approach the princess!) -Dorian

Dorian was currently having a battle of his own inside of his mind, he didn't believe the words he spoke but it still did not stop him from speaking them to himself. After cursing to himself for some time he finally calmed down and began to brood over the things he thought and let out a bitter laugh.

(It's insecurity isn't it....?) -Dorian

Indeed Dorian understood he was feeling insecure and that Sol's battle prowess had greatly shocked him. He didn't know how to feel about it, sure right now he believed he could best Sol, but what about later? If Sol became a real nobleman what's to stop him from proposing to the princess?

(Damn since when did I become this low?...is this all I can think about? I bet that kid doesn't even think a damned thing about me!! That's what makes me so mad!! Argh!! Calm down...Calm down. Is he a love rival or not?....Chh) -Dorian

In truth Dorian wasn't really much of a bad guy, he just never had anyone that he felt could compete with him for Sophia's hand in marriage and then Sol popped up out of nowhere, literally. Under this new guise of pressure he obviously felt threatened and acted much aggressively than his usual disposition.

However there was one thing he started to realize, Sol didn't show any signs of him having those sort of feelings towards Sophia! Obviously this was something he could recognize because it would have infuriated him even more had it been this way.

On the way to the Mansion while the group had engaged in conversation with Sol. Whenever Sophia would pay attention to Sol or talk to him and comfort him, he would reply kindly and respectfully but somehow his mind felt distant. Which made Dorian angry for another reason.

(You dare ignore the princess! How can you ignore the beauty that rivals even the stars and the moon when she's showing such warm affection to you! It seems your planet wasn't advanced as I thought if you can't recognize something so simple! Trash! Lowlife! Glowing Golden Bug!) -Dorian

No one was aware of Dorian's one man war, and fortunately so.

**

Inside of the private room near the dining room.

[Then if you're going to go, when should I be prepared to escort you?] -Nightmaster Duke

[I'd like to leave as soon as possible] -Sol

[Child....] -Renissa

[What? At least wait until you have a better grasp on the situation. If you die a meaningless death because you weren't prepared enough we would've lost again to those damn pests!] -King

[Your majesty..Can you guarantee that a month or so from now Liore's mother will be alive?] -Sol

The King clenched his fists and didn't meet Sol's bright eyes on this question.

[...No...A Blood Mana Wasp's isolation can last anywhere from 5-10 years depending on the breed itself. The one that took Liore's mother was a Queen variant, so I estimate soon it will fade] -King Ironspine

[Then I leave after dinner your majesty] -Sol

[I understand, however you must promise me that your life is a top priority! If you encounter unknown circumstances retreat immediately!] -King Ironspine

[Yes your majesty] -Sol

(Everything is an unknown circumstance to an amnesiac....) -Sol

Sol couldn't help but chuckle as he thought of it like this.