Onyx, the leader of the shadow guards, watched as his lord walked into his study late at the night.
He was an elite who had been by the side of Lord Nightshade from the moment of his awakening. That was ten years ago. While mere ten years watching from the shadows was not enough to glean the thoughts of his lord, he knew that his lord was a very diligent man.
It was three hours to sunrise and the lord had woken up earlier by two hours.
Following that he commanded the chamberlain to bring him food at this hour, just as the kitchen had prepared the breakfast before the army woke. Onyx approached the lord when he noticed him exiting his bedchambers only to get a cryptic command to bring him the food he had already asked for.
The Duke never asks for his shadow guards unless he has a deeper purpose.
That meant that…
"Holden."
"Sire." His lieutenant stepped out of his stealth and nodded in acknowledgement.
"Secure the parameters. No one is to leave the camp without our notice." Onyx paused. "And delegate two shadows to the kitchen and food reservoirs."
"Yes."
Holden left immediately and Onyx watched the watchtower grimly before standing guard at lord's tent. As soon as the chamberlain appeared holding the silver tray, he stepped out of stealth to intercept him.
"His Grace has instructed me to deliver him his food."
The chamberlain hesitated before placing the tray in Onyx's arms. He watched the chamberlain leave before casting his spell.
"[Detect Poison]"
The magic runes turned red and his face sank.
His lord had managed to figure out conspiracy within his turf before he himself did. It was a shame to his position as the captain of shadow guard.
"[Extract Poison]"
A cloud of black miasma lifted from the breakfast and collected itself into an orb before dispersing. Onyx turned to his side.
"Wolf, Varien and Pamist. Execute anyone who had handled the Lord's food. Find and interrogate the chief of resources and his subordinates."
Three shadows sped past him and vanished into the night. It wasn't long before Holden appeared again.
"We found two suspicious kitchen staff and four guards who were assigned night duty today. They managed to put some staff and soldiers under hypnotizing spells. Apprehended them, one of them committed suicide. The food ration for today morning has been tampered with hiacingia."
"There must be enemies trying to fish in troubled waters by disarming the army and Lord Nightshade." Onyx analyzed gravely. "Gather the mages to perform cleansing and dispose any of the rations that cannot be used anymore."
"Yes."
Holden vanished as well.
Now, all what was left was for him to do his job.
That was to apologize to his lord for such an oversight.
*
I sat staring at the papers with disbelief.
Or specifically at the stylized, cursive signature at the bottom that I can replicate with terrifying precision relying on my muscle memory.
Lucien Maximilian Nightshade.
Archduke of Vanehiem Duchy, vassal to Helios Empire.
A name I know very well. One might even say, too well.
Lucien Nightshade, the SSS tier final boss from the Sun Scripture expansion in War of Victors.
It took me a long time to adjust to the fact that I somehow got transmigrated into a RPG game of all things and never mind the whole ghost possession horror fic starring me that I conjured up in my head. But that was much better than the iron clad evidence staring at my face right now.
War of Victors is a strategy game where war and bloodshed prevails, all punctuated with magic and sword auras. Men capable of tearing opening the entire skies with their bare fists. Beast people who can crush you with their supernaturally durable bodies. Elves who can summon spirits and lay waste to you and the land you stand on.
War torn, chaotic and dangerous.
And now that was the reality I was in. As the fucking final boss.
I should have realized it when I saw my eyes. The unique, icy shade of narrow eyes were part of the advertisement for the expansion and I remember Lucien Nightshade gaining a cult of fans in the gaming forums.
Other than that advertisement, I don't remember seeing this mysterious Archduke.
But that doesn't mean I don't know of him.
I know too much of him, infact.
Infiltrating and defeating the Vanehiem lord was notoriously difficult. Even establishing an information network in his domain was an uphill battle. In part due to his private assassin army called the shadow guards and another part due to his insane stats. This prompted slews of threads, posts and groups dedicated especially for Lord Nightshade.
Even me, who was interested solely on information and items and Jun who had a mercenary guild knew of the hype.
I even tried many routes suggested to install a spy network and sell the insider info like hot cakes, failed. Even before meeting the final boss himself.
I was yet to hear of anyone beating this monster and met many who whined and moaned about how the developers introduced him to make sure that the Helios Empire is present for their next event.
And I think they were right, because the next expansion was the Heretical Inquisition where the Helios Empire fell… because Lord Nightshade chose to abandon them when the Empire's inner turmoil reached its peak. Anyone who invested in the opposing camps reaped benefits in the upcoming series of war and annexations. I remember even the Imperial palace was looted by a guild of thieves who had polished up their trust index with a vassal of Vanehiem.
Not to mention, Vanehiem stood tall while all this chaos went on and even accepted war refugees bringing a headache to merchant guilds like mine.
So basically, it was this one man alone who held together one of the largest Empire in continent.
Who is now… me.
What Lucien Nightshade did before, I had to do it now.
Me.
A seventeen year old high school student who slept in class.
I felt like crying but I held it together.
Objectively speaking, it was not so bad. Since I was inside what I assume is a war tent, this must be predating the Sun Scripture expansion. That means the church haven't started their evil schemes, the Imperial family is relatively doing okay and Vanehiem is being looked after well by the predecessor.
I mean at least I can fall back on this body's monstrous stats as an escape plan if I cannot manage to keep Vanehiem like how he did.
And if the forums were right, Lucien did have a butler who was like Alfred to Batman. As long as I can convince him and brush up on all the information that I already possess, maybe I can take a shot at this.
I put down the document and rested my head on my interlinked hands.
All that I can remember I should write them down before reaching my territory and I should kick start a spy network like how I used to have. Maybe even better because I am rich and collecting trinkets was not my priority now.
Well, maybe I should still collect a few. Some of them have very powerful effects and they may come in handy.
Also maybe try and save the Empire from dissolving so that Vanehiem doesn't have to establish itself as a minor kingdom. That way, I can leave all the unpleasant diplomacy and paranoia to the Imperials and kick back to relax as a rich guy.
Maybe even get a girlfriend? Hehehe.
"Lord Nightshade, I brought the food you requested." Came a familiar voice.
It was magic man!
Otherwise known as the head of shadow guards, one of Lucien's sidekicks. It was now that I managed to recall his information from the time I scoured the forums. He is a level 85 assassin who is proficient in information gathering, spywork, intelligence and assasinations. But unfortunately, despite the slew of information I know about him I do not know his name. That was because no one managed to figure it out in game and it was speculated that only Lucien knew it.
So, me without Lucien's memory is at quite a disadvantage if he decides to enquire about it.
I push down all my nervousness into a small ball in my chest.
I sat upright the decided to slightly lean backwards to give an impression that I was casual and not at all scared to interact with him.
"Come in."
I picked up a few documents to seem busy as magic man entered the room, like a normal person this time. He moved unnervingly silently and placed the large tray on my table. I glanced at the tray and my disgraceful stomach almost growled.
Almost!
But Lucien had great control over his body so that didn't happen.
Otherwise I would have just self-detonated my mana core as an act of suicide to escape my embarrassment.
Coming back to the food, there was mushroom and chicken soup, stir-fried vegetable, really fragrant bread, berries, cheese and a tall glass of juice.
I couldn't wait to dig in but I restrained myself and methodically cleaned my table. But my eyes, heart, soul and every inch of attention was on the breakfast tray.
"My Lord."
I didn't pause my actions at magic man's interference.
"Mm? Do you wish to say something?"
"The rats were apprehended from the kitchen. Holden should bring back the information after interrogation."
Who is this Holden?
Wait a minute, did he just say rats?! There are rats in the kitchen where you got this food from?
My mind was thunderstruck and my actions paused.
Of course there would be rat problems, the technology advancement is at Middle Ages at best and there were instances of plague breaking out at certain times in game. I bet nobody pays attention to such details during war.
Suddenly, I didn't feel like the food was appetizing anymore.
But hunger is a truth of life and I am a big shot now so magic man would probably not dare to bring rat infested food to me. He was just letting me know of the general food situation, maybe.
I resumed my actions after the brief pause.
"Are they cleaned up?" I asked.
"Yes, I cleaned them up right away, My Lord."
"And the other contaminated food?"
"I had instructed the mages to purify them."
I heaved a sigh of relief internally. Looked like magic man is very capable, he did all that as soon as he saw the rodent problem.
But I felt like as a superior I must warn him to watch out for rats and other pests from food lest they bring plague to Vanehiem.
One must avoid death flags as soon as you spot them.
"Let this be a lesson to you and the rest of the shadow guards." I spoke with a deep tone to sound serious. "Do not grow complacent during war. These rodents and pests look for such opportunities to bring greater harm to whole. They must be eradicated as soon as they are spotted. Am I clear?"
"Understood, My Lord." Magic man kneeled. "It was this servant's fault that this incident occurred. I swear on my allegiance to House of Nightshade that this negligence will never happen. I am ready to receive any punishment on behalf of shadow guards that Your Grace deem fit."
I was a little spooked at how he made it seem like a big deal but I don't want to come off as too lax either.
Food safety is important after all~
"I will not be censuring you this time. The bigger fault lies with those who oversee the resources. Make sure they are informed of their shortcomings and let their masters know of the consequences of such actions."
Magic man seemed to make a face of realization and then bowed deeper.
"Yes, the shadow guards will make sure that those that are responsible know their misdeeds. Please rest assured, My Lord. I, Onyx, will personally make sure that the road ahead is smooth as possible."
Oooh, I finally got his name.
"Good. You may withdraw, Onyx." I nodded in satisfaction.
"Thank you for your magnanimity, Lord Nightshade."
He vanished in a puff and I was done with cleaning up.
All that was left was to polish off the food that had suddenly turned back to being appetizing again.