Siegbald and I had a very long and fruitful conversation on the mountainside. He answered every question that I had with a slight smile.
Especially when we talked about why he had to take over the Otihame Kingdom before the war of the three Kingdoms. Siegbald seemed to know more than he let on during the entire conversation. He knew that the King, his father, had miscalculated something recently and paid dearly for it.
Siegbald even told me something that I didn't even know and that was the fact that his father, the King, wasn't just crippled. He had permanently damaged his core and was slowly losing his strength.
It was slow but, by the time the war with the three Kingdoms started he would have dropped by at least three full Ranks in power!
And when it came to 'cleaning house', Siegbald had started since the time of the summoning. And the reason why was simply because of me.
While for anything that I could do to help Siegbald, he just smiled as we finished off the bottle while saying that I would later know during the party.
"There is a reason why I am throwing this so-called party. But since we have a little over ten minutes before the party officially starts. Do you have anything else you wish to ask or discuss?" Siegbald asked as he leaned back into his chair and rested his head in his fist.
"Yeah actually, have you ever heard of an elevator or a hoist…?"
…
…
Siegbald seemed quite interested in the idea of an elevator or a hoist throughout. He even said that he felt like he should delay or even cancel the whole party just so we could talk about it more. He even said that he would have one of his people start working on a first draft and asked if I wanted anything for an award. I just told him that I need as many corpses that I could possibly get.
"Done. Oh, and don't worry about those three moronic sisters, even though they are at the party they wouldn't think of doing anything personally. But as for the other Barons you are on your own." Siegbald said as he stood up and put his sword back on his hip. "But from what Livina told me, you should be fine. Just wait for Nondor to come and pick you up, which will be shortly after I leave."
Siegbald smiled mysteriously as he pulled something out of the air, tossed it over, and then disappeared.
I caught what Siegbald threw as I noticed that it was a pitch black plain looking full face mask, with slots only to see and breathe. I could only laugh as I put the mask on as it started to perfectly form my face. It almost felt like it wasn't even there.
"Huh, it feels nice." I said as I smiled under the mask as it changed my voice to a rough and deep voice. "Now there is only one reason why Siegbald is doing this and I honestly don't mind as it'll make the party become more interesting."
I stood up from my seat as I started to enjoy the view of the mountainside. Just from looking and feeling the mountain wind I felt myself starting to calm down while entering a relaxed state.
"Ah, he gave you a mask. So it seems he is choosing that route then, interesting." Nondor spoke with slight praise in his voice as he continued. "Time to start the party our dear Baron of the Graves."
A light laughter escaped my throat as I nodded my head and followed after Nondor the Damned as he escorted me to the party.
"The announcement of the guests is almost over. Siegbald had decided to leave your announcement for last. Then after your announcement has been made all the Barons will probably mingle, gossip, drink, boast, or anything to make themselves seem big. That'll last for about thirty minutes to an hour." Nondor explained as we started nearing the party. "Then after you all mingled the dancing will commence. So I hope you know how to dance."
I could only chuckle as I responded. "Nondor, if I told you that I was the best dancer in my Otherworld would you believe me?"
"No, absolutely not."
"Thought so, yeah I can't really dance."
Nondor could only laugh as we entered the Manor as he started to lead me to where I could hear multiple hushed and muffled voices.
"Well if anything you should be fine, Siegbald has made sure to instruct the band to play simple music throughout the party. So I was joking earlier about dancing." Nondor stopped as he smiled as we arrived where the voices were coming from. "After mingling Siegbald will have something to announce to move the party forward."
Nondor finished as he opened the door as someone announced my entrance in a loud and powerful voice.
"Introducing! The special guest, invited by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince! The Baron of the Graves!!"
I just nodded my head towards Nondor as I entered the hall with my hands behind my back as I waited for the reaction of the crowd.
Which didn't disappoint.
Silence, total silence. After the announcer introduced me to the party. I even smiled mentally as I noticed multiple looks of disdain, contempt, and even jealousy.
'Ah, now I know why Siegbald said what he said earlier.' I mentally started to smile as I slowly scanned the crowd. 'I've noticed that I'm able to kinda sense the strength of others. The Trail of Demons seemed to be quite beneficial, the only downside is that it kills most who attempt it.'
Weak, so many of them were weak, so many of them only seemed to be in the Human - 1 level!
The crowd's interest quickly changed as everyone went back to mingling with those they were with earlier. I was only able to notice a few lingering gazes from the crowd.
But there were four gazes that never seemed to have never left as I slowly walked down the steps as I started to move through the crowd and headed into the direction of the one gaze that I didn't find familiar.
But, just as I was nearing the fourth gaze a short and chubby Baron with small beady eyes, three chins, and seemed to have trouble breathing stood before me.
"So, you're the special guest invite, I don't see anything special. Just another small, brown nosing noble, ruining our glorious kingdom." The chubby Baron had to take multiple breaths to mock me as he tried to make himself look intimidating while speaking in a loud tone.
"I don't see anything, special about you, I mean you're, even wearing a mask, must be quite the ugly one. Nothing like my handsome self. You should do, us all, a favor, and save, the Crown Prince, the embarrassment. Leave."
The chubby Baron waved his fat hand then proceeded to laugh as many other barons joined him as well.
But when I started to join in with their laughter they stopped as looks of disgust, anger, and confusion formed on their faces. Which turned to one of shock and panic as I lifted the short and chubby Baron off his feet.
"No, I think I'll stay. You, on the other hand, should leave." I spoke in an emotionless voice as I threw the chubby Baron out an open window as I proceeded to head toward the fourth gaze.