After the kingdom of Catros declared war to the kingdom of Astel, Nrowe begun to ready their forces on the orders from her master.
From an outsider's point of view, one could say that if the kingdom of Desafit helps Astel their chances of winning would be higher but reality is not always fair.
The kingdom of Catros can always ask for shipments from the central continent while Astel can't as they do not have the means to contact them since Catros controls all the ships going to the central continent and vice versa.
With the orders coming from her master, Nrowe have also begun to make preparations for the upcoming battle. She had called all those who are needed.
In the meeting room Nrowe, Jinx, Maximos, May, Talep, Zel and Alister discuss their plans. With a round table, each one was seated on their respective seats. The meeting room was prepared by their master with a seven layered runic barrier to ensure no one from the outside can listen on what is happening on the inside.
"For now we will lay low and observe while we gather more information. While we do so, please train the guys as much as you can" Nrowe look at Talep.
"You can count on me"
"As for the gathering of information; It will be the leader of the shadow squad, May"
May raise her hand in confusion.
"Why am I the leader when the phantom king is a lot better than I am?"
Though May meant it as a logical explanation Max misunderstood it as her complimenting him.
He blush slightly.
"The reason for that is because you are more familiar in the northern continent yourself than the phantom king. As you are more familiar than he is you'd be able to move more efficiently since you already have an idea where to go"
"I understand" May replied
"What about us in Desafit? The base is quite near the border between the three kingdoms after all" Alister ask.
"You'll maintain to lay low as you observe whether there are any individuals from the Catros. With master's barrier no one shouldn't be able to infiltrate the facility there but the baron's land may be infiltrated or an army may march which is why I would like for uncle Zel to go there in case someone strong appears"
Zel was a bit annoyed that he was called an 'uncle' but what they currently are doing are important so he let it slide, for now.
"I understand. I will prepare some monster corpses so that I can be ready if they ever appear there"
Nrowe nodded.
Each one of them had their own missions given by the one who was left in charge by their master. None of them questioned her decisions as they all thought that what she had ordered is downright simple and perfect.
After their meeting ended, only three were left inside the meeting room.
"Can you please tell me what the shadow squad is?" Alister ask.
"Right, all this time you were at Desafit. Well, the shadow squad was formed just last week. They are composed of former assassins who used to work for the black market. After sister May taught them to be more efficient they became the shadow squad that specialize in that field"
"Ehehe, I see. But it sure is amazing that one of the seven kings, the phantom kings is here"
"I was also surprise at first, honestly"
The two chuckled.
Little did they know that the phantom king was turn into a slave by their own master.
"We should get going now, no?" Zel interrupted them.
Alister quickly went out and after saying goodbye to Nrowe. Zel and Alister went back to the base on Desafit while riding Alister's partner, Lele.
(Note: Lele is the name of Alister's wyvern)
Talep had assemble most of the workers to train them even more in case the Catros' advance reach their location.
Those who were part of the training, their labor time was cut to half giving them more time to rest after training. No one complaint since the allotted time was reasonable.
They would do their work in the early morning after eating breakfast. Rest for some time and eat lunch. Do their training in the afternoon. Rest again. And have some combat training in the evening and eat their dinner right after wards.
Food wasn't scarce, they only needed to hunt monsters that can be eaten and have their fill. When they hunt the monsters in the area decreases making it safer for the villagers to live more peacefully with having to fear about the monsters.
...
Nrowe and her secretary/bodyguard Jinx, the two would process the documents regarding finances, coming up with strategies for the upcoming war, and other miscellaneous works that involves the facility.
The management was divided by sector manager but in the end, it was the two who would go over to the papers to make sure nothing is incorrect.
"Milady"
"Yes, Jinx?"
"Since the kingdom of Catros declared war to Astel, Astel won't have the means to gather food for their people won't they?"
"Are you talking about the food import?"
"Yes"
"That is true but master said that he already have a plan regarding that. We only need to last for about two weeks. And if the provisions runs out we can buy food from the magic kingdom and sell it. We just need to wait for two weeks"
Jinx nodded.
...
Michael finish reconstructing the soul he was working on before sunrise. He put runes all over the room, a multi-layered one to block any eyes that might look at what he is about to do.
He put the seven souls that reconstructed in the middle of the magic circle he created.
"Kaota"
The demon cat appeared before him.
"If there are any excess mana, make sure to absorb every last drop of it"
"Understood"
Michael went into position.
"I, the ruler of souls, Michael. I divide one into all and all into one"
[The Gods and Demons are paying close attention to you]
The magic circle glowed and the seven souls begun to encircle Michael.
"All shall be under my command. All shall be the witness of the truth"
The seven souls began to glow brilliantly.
"With an unbreakable bond, all shall be connected with each other. Dead or alive, all shall be my men who delivers my judgement and spread my words"
Mana accumulated causing everything inside the room to quake.
[The Master of the Souls is interested on what you are about to do]
"With this vessel, infinite knowledge shall be stored. With this vessel, all will do my bidding"
Kaota have begun to stealthily absorb the mana that started to leak out from the room.
"Forbidden magic, creation: Pandora's box"
The seven souls merge along with all the mana, forming a tiny box. The box was dense despite being small. Michael had adjusted the size of the box, it then became one centimeter in all sides.
Michael reach out for the box while panting.
"A success!"
He celebrated for the success of his work.
[You have a created your own original forbidden magic
[The Gods and Demons are surprise that you have attained such a feat]
[The God of Chaos is very interested towards you]
Ignoring the system's notifications, he slowly absorb the tiny box. After several minutes, the box had safely resided within him with no problems whatsoever. Pandora's box was placed on the inside of his brain.
It was painful for him to put it inside his own head. Pandora's box may be small but that doesn't change the fact that it is still a materialize object.
The only reason why he had put it inside his own head is that because if anyone were to touch Pandora's box other than him, whoever that person, that person would be able to freely manipulate him as well. A deadly double-edge sword that will absolutely help him in his work and at the same time threaten him of being manipulated by someone else.
He can't put it inside his 'Inventory' since Pandora's box will only activate if the creator of it makes contact. Thus he put it inside of his head with the help of divine healing.
For security purposes, he decided to inscribed the Pandora's box with powerful runes.
Kaota went back to his master.
"Master, what did you do?"
"I created another brain"
I say that but it's not even a tenth of what it is supposed to be. Right now, its the same thing as saying that I have a general idea of what a house would look like without having drawn the blue prints yet. I'm still lacking in terms of formula creation and technical precision. The slightest bit of mistake and I have to start things all over again.
But still it is a good thing that I made some progress. I at least know that my efforts are showing its results.
Pandora's box, a soul type forbidden spell which contains the user's will. After separating, merging, and reconstructing souls again and again, he succeeded on creating a form of artificial intelligence. Despite the small appearance of the box, the box itself contains over thirty thousand soul cores. The soul energy that he have been collecting were all put evenly into the seven soul cores he used in the ritual.
With this he would be able to freely control anyone bounded to him via soul link. Additionally, the soul link would be indestructible because of Pandora's box.
The idea itself came from Gwen's library and some memories from the demon lord Vepar on how she was able to control so many sea monsters by herself.
With this, he would be able to remotely control anyone and anything with ease. Be it hundreds or thousands, he is now capable of controlling them.
After getting his rest, he quickly erase all of the runes he put in the room so that no one would think he did anything suspicious.
Shortly after, an elf maid came to his room to deliver his breakfast.
Along with the tray there was an envelope with it.
He then open the envelop after putting the tray aside.
"Fours hours from now, please head to the training grounds you went to yesterday. The match shall take place there. For many reasons, there will be a lot of people who will attend so I ask of you to understand"
Four hours from now. Hmm, I get that there will be people watching us since they can't just leave their queen alone fighting a stranger. The only reason why they trust me is because of my affinity towards spirits.
...
Four hours later, Michael went to the training grounds. Before entering he already felt dozens of strong individuals.
The enormous door opened and all the high elves and fairies look towards the human.
The training ground he entered was the same but it became bigger, at least ten times than yesterday's size. Through elven methods, they increased the space inside for efficiency when the battle takes place.
The spectators were seated in an orderly fashion. Eight high ranking mages were in position to cast a powerful barrier when the fight begins. And in the center of the training ground, a woman in light armor was sitting on a chair.
Based on the mana she has she must be the fairy queen. In terms of power level she is comparable to Hasshule and the Eliahiree's fairy queen.
The envelop said "Four hours from now..." so why are they already here when I came ten minutes earlier than the time given?
While thinking for an answer to his own question, Michael kept on walking towards the woman.
"I am the fairy queen, Ferowhena Artoreseseo"
As she stood up, the leaf chair she was sitting on vanish. A wand appeared in her left hand.
"I am Michael Santiago, an aide to the her Lucas. The apostle of the master of the souls"
He bowed slightly with his right hand in his chest. He then made distance to prepare for his own moves.
"We'll talk later on as to why you have come here. If you do want to have a talk with me, show me your mettle"
The fairy queen raised her hand, signaling the eight high ranking mages. The eight high ranking mages erected a powerful barrier which will protect the spectators.
And the match between the fairy queen of the dark elves and Michael begins.
"Let's start this with something fun, okay?"
Along with those words, the fairy queen casted the
Michael quickly fended it off using his 'Phantom world: Void'. The pseudo black hole suck the winds into nothingness that was created by the fairy queen, surprising everyone who was watching.
Most of them have heard of Michael was capable of using "space magic" without using mana from yesterday's spar with the second prince. Then again, seeing it personally while knowing it still surprised them.
I can't use any defensive spell because it will only get cut into pieces or take any evasive actions since the range of the spell is wide. I also can't use
With one of the world tree giving her endless amount of mana, Michael already knew that he won't win against the fairy queen unless he use 'world creation' or 'null'.
The fairy queen waved her wand, "Wind elemental: Sylph"
The wind spirit created violent winds. Without aura supporting Michael's lower body he would have already been sent to air.
I just have to show my mettle, right!
Spirit synchronization: Inosi
Doing hand signals, lightning crackled in his hands.
"Grand magic: Raging thunder palace"
Thirteen columns made of blue lightning, encircling the fairy queen and Michael were created. Each columns connected with each other creating a dome of lightning.
Lightning strikes were fired from all angles, negating the violent winds created by the wind spirit in the process. The fairy queen was forced to protect herself with thick plants.
Man, synchronizing with Inosi always consumes a lot of mana.
"Four seasons: Spring"
With those words, all kinds of flowers and plants grew from the tiled floor. Each and every plant were bursting with mana. The lightning strikes prove ineffective against the plants that were created by the fairy queen.
(Did he not said that he was serving the 'Master of the Souls'? And yet he hasn't even use any soul-based spell since we started. Fine, I guess I will need to put a little more effort into it)
"Grand magic: Everlasting"
The plants made from the spell earlier kept growing and multiplying.
What is up with these plants growth rate? I knew that the two fairy queens have absolute control over their kingdoms' nature but isn't using a grand magic this way a bit... waste?
The plants and flowers kept on growing and multiplying but they didn't possess any thing that can possibly harm Michael. So for him it was extremely annoying. And the fairy queen found it entertaining.
Fire or ice won't work, these damn plants have too much mana on them.
"She wants to see you using any soul-based spell" (Loki)
She does? Let's go with that then. I'm not too sure about this one since this is the first time I am going to use it.
"World soul bank, store away all the soul energy within range"
[Executing command]
A giant silver gate that glowed dimly appeared in front of Michael. The gate opened and started to siphon the life force that was coming from the plants. Instantly, the plants withered as the
This was a part of his additional skill that he haven't use yet. Within a hundred meter radius the
A skill that can be use to kill any and every low leveled monsters even in hordes in a flash.
(So this is what that apostle can do)
The fairy queen raised her hand.
"This is quite dull, don't you think so? If you want to appeal to me then you better show something better"
If she is going to provoke me, why do it so blatantly.
"I'm sorry I was just warming up" I replied.
"That's what I want to hear"
The fairy queen gathered mana onto her hands while Michael accumulates aura into his hands. The amount of mana made the ground vibrate. The spectators eyes widened in anticipation.
"Four seasons: Winter"
"Phantom World: Offset"
With the fairy queen's move everything turned to ice, is what was supposed to happen. But Michael had cancelled it out with his own move. Mana and aura's ratio is 1:1.
With pure aura, he negated the fairy queen's spell right before it happened. This means that the amount of aura he use was proportional to the amount of mana the fairy queen use.
Using the
Even though I just created it I will have to know just what it is capable of.
Michael activated the
"Grand magic: Kaquero"
"Grand magic: Symphony of storm"
"Grand magic: Flame cannon"
Although there were three grand magic that was casted simultaneously, two of them were casted by Michael and the other one was casted by
Not knowing this information, everyone who was watching including the fairy queen herself was stupefied by Michael's abilities. Even if someone have the rare skill
"Now that is indeed amazing"
All the spectators were worried but the fairy queen was smiling happily. Someone who can entertain the fairy queen Ferowhena Artoreseseo who is also known as "The Bloody fairy" appeared before her.
Mana accumulated and started to condensed within the fairy queen. The three grand magic that was fired was getting near her, yet she stood still.
And with a smile, "Four seasons: Eternal oasis"
Except
(A spell with the holy and anti-magic attribute? No wonder it didn't faded away)
Ferowhena clapped her hands gleefully.
"The match is over, you win. Let's have a talk later"
So suddenly? I wonder what made her finish it off like that. Loki won't even tell me, sigh, so much for help.
The eight high ranking magicians disabled the barrier. The audience cheered for Michael's victory.
"Please follow me, it is the order of the fairy queen"
The first princess appeared from Michael's back.
...
After exiting the training ground quietly, the princess led me to a room. I sat down as she reach for a chest. She then pulled out a fruit from the chest.
"This is a fruit from the world tree, and mother, the queen would like to give this to you"
Wait, what? Did I heard that correctly? The fruit from the world tree?
The princess explained the reasons behind these actions. Last night, the fairy queen receive revelation saying that they must trust the apostle inside their kingdom as he is someone who will bring them honor and prosperity.
The fairy queen who is a faithful speaker of the Goddess of Hunt will obviously do anything she says. With that as the basis of her decision, she decided that if the apostle, Michael, can prove his strength which is the style of the dark elves she would give a fruit from the world tree.
"Still, are you guys really sure that it's okay for me receive this?"
"Yes. Besides, it is of no use to us anyway. The fruits of the world tree contains dense mana from the spirits of nature. The fruit can't be used through consumption or alchemy since it is too potent. It will kill anyone who would even dares to do something like that"
"Then why give it to me?"
"Because we believe that it will be very useful to you"
Of course it is useful to me!
Michael quickly stored the fruit in his inventory to preserve it.
I went back to my room after talking with the first princess.
After going back, he drew another multi-layered runic barriers over the whole place. He pulled out the fruit of the world tree from his inventory, and placed it in the center of the magic circle.
"My name is Michael Santiago. At this moment, I now open the gate to the spirit world"
A storm of mana started to form.
"With this fruit of Yggdrasil. Heed my call, guardians of the forest"
The fruit vanish.
"I offer a drop of my blood"
The magic circle glowed brilliantly.
"And here, the Gods shall be the witness of this summoning"
The storm of mana dissipated and was change to smoke. The smoke quickly faded away. Michael saw through the silhouette and finally saw the spirit that he summoned.
"A cub? What does a baby bear like you doing here?"
A cute baby brown bear appeared and answered his call. The cub crawled to Michael's right foot and started to gently rub its face against his ankle.
"You won't do anything weird to this cute-looking cub, right?" Loki ask.
"Of course not. Hmm, does this mean I don't have to fight him anymore?"
"As you can see he likes you, so no"
I carried the cub and smiled as I saw his stats.
[Status information]
Name: Black
Class: None (Unique beast)
Sex: Male
Race: Forest spirit (Mid rank)
Age: 342
Level: 17
HP: 13,600/13,600
MP: 38,000/38,000
Strength: 32
Agility: 17
Stamina: 43
Intelligence: 18
Level cap: 75
Psychological state: Happy
Status: Familiar
Abilities: Earth, plant, wind
Attributes: None
+
What an odd name to have despite having such luscious brown fur. Maybe it's because he have beautiful black eyes? Doesn't really matter, what matters its that this kid have a lot of potential. His stats are so high even though his young. His age is almost 350 but since his only a cub right now it would be correct to assume that this cub is young, right?
"Loki, this guy is still young, right?"
"Of course he is"
Why do I feel like that this guy would take a long time before he becomes bigger.
I should be able to communicate with him but since he is too young he doesn't even know any language to use.
For several hours, Michael and Black sat on the same spot. Michael was busy altering the cub's memories and putting other things Black's brain. With Pandora's box, his connection with Black became stronger than anyone else.
"Black, do you understand me now?"
"Yes, master!"
The child-like voice made Michael happy. It meant that his experiment was a success. Black can now communicate.
"What do you like to eat?"
"Meat! Meat! Meat!"
Michael pulled out a carcass of a minotaur. The cub happily ate the bull as Michael watch him from the back.
As Michael watch the cub eat, a telepathic call came in.
-Master.
-Yes, Mel?
-Should I bring the orphans to location C?
-Hm, no. Bring them to location G.
-Understood.
Looks like things are going well on her side as well.
"What are you planning to do to the orphans?"
"Well, I just have a soft spot for children which is why I am saving them. Is there something wrong with that, God of Mischief?"
[The Master of the Souls is very happy to hear your heartfelt words]
"I am planning to create a place for them where they can live in peace"
If that happens I can harvest all the positive mana they will create due to their happiness. Win-win situation for everyone.
-Udo.
-Master?
-How are the three doing there?
-Alfred is training diligently while the two lovebirds are training as well.
-Do they seem closer? The two.
-Yes. At first the atmosphere around them was kind of awkward but now it's like they are newlyweds.
-Thanks.
Michael ended the call.
So it already started. I hope Layla can still walk by the time I get back.
The dragon race have three special features on them. The dragon heart which naturally absorbs mana on the surrounding place. Dragonic eyes which sees through mana and spells. And lastly, dragon skin. The scales from a dragon are tough and have high resistance towards physical and magical attacks. But when a dragon transforms into a human and their lover is near them, they unconsciously secretes pheromones. The one they like will be the one who will be affected by the said pheromones. And the pheromones effects are quite similar to drugs.
I pray for your safety, Layla.
...
At midnight, Michael was reconstructing Pandora's box when someone knock on the door.
It was the third princess. The princess said that he must follow her for him to meet the fairy queen in secret. After walking through halls they arrive at the designated location. The third princess left and Michael entered the room after knocking.
"Now tell me, what brings you here?"
"I received a quest directly from the Goddess of Hunt. I will keep my objectives as a secret but I can assure you that I bear no hostility to your kingdom or the other elven kingdom"
"I already know that much. I'm asking what you need for you to be here"
How straightforward of her.
"I need your trust and help. My subordinates reported to me that there will be an outbreak. Between the soaring mountain range and the bull forest, a giant outbreak circle occurred. And someone is planning to take that to their advantage to bring the two kingdoms into chaos"
The Eliahiree kingdom have only hunt on the outer parts of the soaring mountain range, the same thing goes for the Artoreseseo they have only hunt minotaurs on the outer part of the bull forest.
The only reason why I didn't get in trouble facing so many powerful minotaurs while passing by is because I was driving very fast back then that they didn't even have the time to react. Although the two fairy queen's receive infinite amount of mana from the world tree, it is both mentally exhausting and have certain restrictions.
"If that is the case, the multiplied monsters from the bull forest will charged all the way here and the same scenario will happen for Eliahiree"
"Yes and I believe that he won't stop until the two kingdoms reach to an agreement of coexisting with each other"
The fairy queen raise her brows.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Because I am the one who will be causing this chaos, obviously~"
Enraged, the fairy queen gathered mana into her hands.
"Four season: Autumn"
"Abyssal world: Null"
[Due to the world tree, Yggdrasil, the range will be smaller]
So the range can also be affected by outside factors, huh.
Mana completely vanish.
"A skill page from Solomon's grimoire?" She muttered.
"Yes. A fun one don't you think"
"My daughter said that you were only able to partially seal some mana around you"
"Oh, that. Well, I controlled the effects back then so that she would report false information"
To receive false information is deadlier than to have nothing at all.
The fairy queen, Ferowhena Artoreseseo understood Michael's intentions and sat down gloomily.
"So the quest you got is to make the two elven kingdoms to coexist?"
"Yes. Additionally, I didn't said this to the queen of Eliahiree"
"And why is that?"
"Because they want to do things through a calm and gentle manner, while you guys want to do things through fights where one can show their strength and power. So I need the rowdy ones under control, simple right"
"Are you planning on shaming us?"
"What? No, of course not. I told you earlier, I bear no hostility towards either kingdom. What I want is for the two kingdoms to end their unending feud, even if I have to force the queens I will do it"
Michael's speech and tone became different. When he talk with the fairy queen earlier before and while they were fighting his tone was filled with respect and sincerity, but now it was the voice of a dictator. A cold-blooded tyrant.
I stood up.
"This is something that only the two queens will know about. I trust that you won't say anything to anyone. With that said, please ready your army in one week the outbreak will commence"
"Wait, you will still attack both of our countries?"
"Yes. If I don't there will be others who will opposed my plans in the future. You may be the fairy queen however it is not that easy to change tradition. You may accept my proposal for the sake of your people but I don't think everyone will understand"
"It will begin after one week, correct?"
"Yes. Do please try your best. I will be going now"
Michael walk out the door and went out of the palace to go back to where the others are.