The Armed Nation of Dwargon is governed by the High Council, which enacts laws, oversees trade and defense, and manages diplomatic relations with other nations.
The High Council comprises representatives from the major noble houses, influential guilds, and scholars. The highest member of the High Council is the High Chancellor, a position elected from among the council members.
The Armed Nation of Dwargon is divided into several Noble Houses, each controlling specific regions and resources. However, four houses are the most influential and capable of producing the High Chancellor: House Stoneforge, House Ironfist, House Balmoral, and the ruling house, House Dougor.
Lord Dougor is the High Chancellor of the Armed Nation of Dwargon. He holds the highest power over the High Council members, nobles, merchants, artisans, and commoners. He succeeded his father and took the title of Lord Dougor. Despite having more enemies than allies, he is respected by every citizen in the Armed Nation of Dwargon. He has ruled for twenty years, and under his rule, the nation has prospered.
House Stoneforge was supposed to be the next ruling body after the demise of the previous Lord Dougor twenty years ago, but it couldn't provide an heir. Sir Stoneforge, a good friend of the late Lord Dougor, supported his son, the current Lord Dougor, in taking the position of High Chancellor and has been backing him ever since.
The Armed Nation of Dwargon formed a treaty with neighboring nations, including the Elvarin Kingdom. Sir Stoneforge is the oldest member of the High Council, and his decisions hold supreme authority. Lord Dougor always seeks his advice, which has proved useful, making him a target of envy and animosity.
There have been several unsuccessful attempts on Sir Stoneforge's life, but he has always been lucky. He is guarded by the Elite Guards of the Armed Nation of Dwargon and is also one of the wealthiest men in the nation, if not the world.
Kael Stoneforge plans to steal from this man. He has read extensively about the nation's intricate political alliances, its noble houses, and the power struggles that shaped its current state.
It's nightfall, and the darkness is complete because the moon has refused to show itself. It is as if the moon is aware of Kael's devious plan and has decided to aid him.
Kael stands a few feet away from the mansion, a multi-story building. Although it is night, lights are on both inside and outside the building. The name "STONEFORGE" is boldly inscribed at the top of the building. The most surprising thing is the Elite Guards securing the mansion—about ten of them, which gives Kael mixed feelings.
The Armed Nation of Dwargon boasts a well-organized and formidable army, including regular soldiers, Elite Guards, and specialized units. Kael was hoping to encounter regular soldiers, not Elite Guards.
"Alexa, what's the next line of action?"
[Mission Impossible. Abort.]
Kael sighs at Alexa's systematic voice. "I can't abort this mission. I need money for some ramen, new clothes, and a house in this clan. Stealing from this house is the best solution."
Stealing from the Stoneforge mansion is like fetching a pail of water from a stream. House Stoneforge of the Armed Nation of Dwargon is known for its excellence in blacksmithing, producing the finest weapons and armor. But currently, they have a major opponent: House GoldVein.
[You can get all this by working for the vendor or as a miner in the Armed Nation of Dwargon.]
"That's ridiculous. I didn't leave Ralix Empire to come and work as an errand boy here. What do you take me for, Alexa?" Kael flares up, shouting at the system.
Luckily, his voice isn't deep, and where he stands beside a tree, he can't be spotted by the Elite Guards parading the frontage of the Stoneforge Mansion.
[It's just a suggestion, Sir. Should I activate the Ultimate Predator Skill?]
"Don't tell me you're suggesting again that I should devour the Elite Guards?"
[No. The mansion as a whole.]
"Alexa, how can I devour the whole mansion? That will put the entire nation in turmoil." Kael cries out, hugging the tree. "Alexa isn't useful. I must find a way myself." He thinks when a figure emerges from his shadow, startling him.
The figure instantly kneels with his head bowed to Kael, and he realizes it's the Red King Dire.
"I want to be useful to you, My Lord," Red King Dire says, and Kael's face widens. He can't ask this curse to steal from the mansion, although he doesn't know what he's capable of, but he's afraid the Newborn Curse King will cause calamity.
But come to think of it, Red King Dire stole one of his unique skills—the Shadow Manipulation Skill, which he got from a dwarf in the Loctrum Cave.
The Armed Nation of Dwargon is the nation of the dwarf race, but most of its inhabitants are not dwarves. Lord Dougor is a tall, muscular, bearded man with a body-built frame, but Sir Stoneforge is a short, fat old man with a protruding stomach. He's the true definition of a dwarf.
"You can be useful to me, Red King Dire," Kael smiles broadly as he loosens his hold on the tree. "You can serve as a distraction to these guards, but don't kill anyone."
"I'm glad I'm useful to you, My Lord. I won't kill any of those pests, and I'll fulfill my duty beyond your expectations," Red King Dire replies while still on his knees.
"And mind you, avoid being seen. It's an undercover mission," Kael warns sternly as Red King Dire stands up.
"It's a mission success," he says and vanishes while Kael smiles broadly and starts approaching the mansion. As he leaves, black spots appear on the tree, a sign that it's dead. Kael has drained all its essence.
💥💥💥💥💥💥💥
Black smoke erupts in the garden beside the Stoneforge mansion, alerting the Elite Guards.
"What's happening over there?" one of them asks as they all watch the smoke coil into the air.
Without replying, four of the guards go to check it out, leaving only six. Their attention is diverted, but they remain cautious of their surroundings.
Kael is now closer to the mansion, watching closely for the stunts his Curse Servant is about to pull. He prays for the curse to fail the task assigned to him so that he can dismiss him for incompetence but also prays for the curse to succeed because of the mission's importance.
He's a novice who doesn't know what a curse is capable of doing.
A loud thud is heard, and four of the Elite Guards rush towards the garden, where they see the bodies of the first four guards piled up together. Before they can move, they are surrounded by black flames.
A scorching flame from an unknown source, a flame not even a special soldier of the Armed Nation of Dwargon can pass through. Just a mere touch of this flame can roast them alive, but the doer doesn't want to kill them.
This is the doing of the Newborn Curse, Red King Dire, the Servant of Kael. He's toying with them simply because his Master ordered him not to kill any of them.
His black eyes pierce through the darkness of the night as he awaits the remaining two guards.
"What's happening? Why aren't they back yet?" one of the Elite Guards asks his second. They are the only two present at the front of the mansion.
"Stay here. I'll go check," the other Elite Guard replies, unsheathing his sword and heading towards the garden.
The last guard is watchful, scanning the environment with his eyes.
"This is the perfect moment to strike," Kael smiles to himself, thinking of which skill to use.
"Alexa, what abilities are registered under the Mimic Trolloc Skill?"
[The Poison Breathing Skill, The All-Crushing Skill, Arm Lengthening Skill, Body Enlarge...]
"Activate the Arm Lengthening Skill. I want to give this guard a surprise attack." He giggles and steps out of the shadows.
"Hey," he calls out to the guard, who turns at once. Before he can draw his sword, Kael's arm grows longer as he unleashes a destructive uppercut, sending the guard flying backward into the garden.
"Hehehe..." Both Kael and Red King Dire chuckle simultaneously.
Kael's hands return to normal, and he confidently walks into the mansion. The first step of the mission has been successfully executed; Red King Dire has fulfilled his task.
"My Lord took care of the last one. I won't let anyone leave until My Lord is out," Red King Dire says to himself, watching the door shut behind his Master.
The exterior of the Stoneforge mansion is glamorous, but its interior is on another level. Everywhere exudes wealth, with top-notch designs and otherworldly furniture. Kael can't help but admire the mansion.
[Notice: Two guards are approaching your direction. Should I activate the unique skill - All Crushing Skill?]
He hears Alexa's systematic voice and hides beside the stairs.
"Alexa, when will you realize this is an undercover mission?" he screams in his mind as both guards head outside.
He is confident his Servant Curse, Red King Dire,will take care of the Elite Guards. He quietly ascends the stairs, each step cautious and deliberate. As he reaches the top, he peeks around the corner and sees guards stationed at every doorpost, each holding a sharp sword and standing at attention, ready to thwart any intruders.
"How am I going to bypass these guards? Is there any skill I can make use of?"
[No. There's no unique skill similar to your request.]
Kael's hopeful smile vanishes upon hearing Alexa's response. He feels cornered, realizing he has hit a dead end.
"Alexa, you mentioned something about Body Enlargement earlier?" He arches an eyebrow, recalling the conversation. "Is there a skill that can do the opposite?"
[Unfortunately, no.]
"No again," he mutters in frustration. The sound of his voice draws the guards' attention, and he hears footsteps approaching.
[However, there is a magic art registered under Flower Magic that might be useful. Should I activate it?]
"Do you still need instructions for that?" Kael screams internally, anxiously awaiting the activation of the magic art. Nothing seems to happen at first, and just as the shadow of the approaching guards falls over him, he raises his hands to cover his head—only to realize they are no longer there.
Alexa has already activated the Flower Magic Art, transforming Kael into a small, inconspicuous flower. The guards search around, unable to see him.
One guard shrugs and turns to leave, while Kael, now a flower, jumps onto his left leg, his roots clinging tightly. The guard walks back to his post, unaware of the tiny hitchhiker.
"What did you find?" asks another guard.
"I found nothing," the guard replies, not sparing the others a glance.
Kael detaches from the guard's leg and sneaks behind them, darting down the hallway towards a room at the end. He slips inside the darkened room, where the light has been turned off. He deactivates the Flower Magic Art, returning to his humanoid form, a devilish smirk on his face even in the dark.
Suddenly, the light turns on, and Kael finds himself surrounded by six Elite Guards.
"Mission failed," he mutters, raising his hands in surrender.