The Wielder of Death Magic

Chapter 960: Pardon of the dead

Marinda, more specifically, Nordway. Streets wined before nicely built lines of blocks, following the eventual road towards the ever-peering Einheim. Amidst the unsteady crowd of bibulous gusts – a table perched on the upper floor of one said, Carod Inn, sat three figures. A table of one gentleman and two ladies – other more fashionably dressed, as in their clothes were made of thick, glossy, overall, expensive material – courted other gatherings. Many threw regards, whispered comments, and carried on their usual business.

Asmodeus wiped his brow, stuck a wink at one of the passing dames, and continued with his drink. Kul sighed, channeling her focus onto Yui. “Something wrong?” said Kul, noticing the tense expression.

“I think so,” she replied, August 30th – weeks had elapsed since the Central sent news of the rebellion, “-look here,” she pointed her phone, “-see here?” a map told of a large area circling the kingdom’s nautical territory.

“Yeah, I see dots, what about it?” The savvy Kul swiped, turning the diagram into a picture, “-this was taken hours ago, it displays the spot where these were spotted. Tell me, doesn’t it strike as weird?”

“Not really,” returned a nonchalant Asmodeus, “-maybe the device is misfunctioning. Besides you and éclair, include master as well, I don’t know other who’d place much faith in experimental tech.”

“The drunken man has a point,” affirmed Kul grudgingly, “-still,” she stood, “-we ought to reinforce visit.”

“Complacency is the mother of failure,” added the prince, “-before we go,” the focus strangely floated leftward, the washroom. Therein waited a dame, her envious flaps and coy side-glances, “-I’m needed elsewhere,” he threw his jacket and walked.

.....

“My lady,” he smiled at the bitter reaction of Kul and Yui.

“Look at him,” they exhaled, “-always the lady hunter,” they shrugged, there was no changing a person’s nature, such as the excuse. Rosespire II was anchored where once resided a prominent dynasty. Minutes elapsed, “-I’m here,” waved a sweaty prince, “-my hands were tied,” exhaled, “-literally.”

“Right,” they narrowed, “-I’d rather not be sentenced to your sexual tales.”

The manor took flight northward, the area in question was a few nautical miles from shore. A place of the sea dubbed, ‘-Old Rey,’ for the mysterious disappearance of various ships. Weather at said part of the ocean was wild. A simple mile offshore of Marinda sufficed for a man to be left at sea – whether one would find their way to the isle or not was subject to luck and the isle’s generosity.

Minutes turned hours – mechanical trouble and personality issues rendered the survey difficult. Once over the beforementioned area, Yui’s gaze scoured the dark-blue floor, dots were underneath, and yet, there laid naught. ‘-What is this?’ she scratched her head, took a step back, and flipped the display, “-can’t make head or tails of this.”

“Could be a bug,” interjected Asmodeus, “-a false report...”

“Possibly not,” gulped Kul, “-guys, we need to go, now,” she leaped and landed, quickly sprinted across the courtyard, and leaped over the walls to a sudden halt. Amidst the dark-blue seascape rose a darker-colored fuselage – a metallic whale surfaced.

“What is that?” asked Asmo leaning for a better look.

“I don’t know,” returned Kul, “-I sense mana, that’s about it.”

Yui immediately ordered a retreat, the slow moving Rosespire II engaged, the interjection sent vibrations across, “-what are you doing?”

“I’ve seen enough movies to know what happens.”

“Right, have you?” flaps toggled, pillars of smoke darted at the isle, *thud,* an explosion threw Asmodeus off-balance, “-careful,” he cried, “-don’t turn the ship so hard, Yui.”

“That wasn’t Yui,” hastened Kul, her arms stretched, multiple magical circles summoned -a barrier rose, *thud,* “-again?” she fell onto her knees, ‘-it went through.’ Singles turned volley – the floating island’s bottom shattered and rained boulders over the dark-blue ground.

‘There,’ the isle faced Marinda, many more projectiles ate at the structure – Asmo and Kul stumbled into the command room, “-we made it,” they said whilst supporting one another, “-Yui?”

“Don’t worry,” said a bloodied smile, “-I got it.”

Rosespire II sprinted with a flick of a switch, crossing the dreaded distance between sea and land, “-hold on,” she managed a harsh landing. Furniture, and decorations, were all destroyed in wake of the sudden attack.

Blood on her palms and vision blurred, ‘-escape.’

“Safety,” gasped a wounded Asmo, “-I was wrong.”

“Yeah,” returned Kul, “-we’re under attack,” she cringed, “-by underwater ships.”

“They’ve progressed so much in nautical warfare...” Yui’s arm shook, ‘-Easel Run Gard’s under attack.’

Purple miasma bubbled. Kul rose her weapons; transient reality altering lances and darkened orbs, “-who’s there?”

“Kuthl,” said a semi-transparent figure, “-I heard the crash. Rosespire II is destroyed, yes?

“Yeah,” returned Yui, “-we were ambushed, unfortunately.”

It took a few seconds, and non-verbal arguments and resolution using glances and frowns reached a final crescendo, “-Gustv.”

Return to whence they came, exception – a private audience with the King, “-Kuthl’s relayed the gist,” he said, “-lady Kul, lady Yui, please, I’d like to hear more on the matter.”

“King Gustv,” Yui took charge, “-our detection system picked on anomalies. When crossed checked – there were obvious inconsistencies. We checked and it’s plausible Marinda’s under attack.”

“Under attack?” he openly smiled, “-don’t misunderstand, I don’t mean to come across as arrogant. Marinda takes pride in being invisible. You don’t have to worry.”

“Would his majesty not like to know more about the possible attackers?”

“I can figure a guess. They have underwater warships, yes?”

“...”

“Judging by the silence, I’m right.”

“...”

The king simply stood, respectfully excused himself out the room, ‘-oh my god,’ a childish glee invaded the composed demeanor, ‘-I did it,’ he skipped to a private room, ‘-the joy of knowing things. The Devil always knew and had the confidence to bring scrupulous facts to negotiations, I can safely say that I’d get addicted if I had a superior level of knowledge,’ expression swapped, an altar shone in a dark room wherein a sense of scale and direction faded. He walked; each shuffle resounded until an illuminated circle. A tablet of ancient writings rose – a press brought minute snickers and flicks. Jolts of white, threads of silver – echoes of ether, “-speak thy wish.”

“I wish for our seas to be cleansed and for our enemies to be wiped. No mercy to the uninvited. I, king of our realm, offer souls of the will-be captives with respect. Please, guardians of Marinda, save our realm and take their lives.”

“Granted,” reality itself snuffed – Gustv saw himself outside, ‘-the guardian deities shall make due of our enemies.’

Seas roughened – the tides wailed. Beaches cried – clouds of somber mist materialized above intruders. Chills went down Kul’s back, ‘-I have the feeling something extraordinary’s happening.’ Right she was in every sense of the word. Dauting weather and relentless entities mercilessly swallowed the underwater ships.

A whistling fisherman accidentally discovered metallic wreckage at the northern shore. It told the untold, a story of desperation and panic. A tale known to only the missing seamen. Wasn’t long before an elated group of researchers landed.

“Submarines, who knew the empire had such technology.”

“We did,” yawned Clarise, “-stop yapping and load the trucks already. We’re needed at the lab later this afternoon.”

“Lady Clarise’s uncaring attitude towards the title of a director is refreshing.”

“I know,” returned another recruit, “-here I had imagined a dictator.”

‘Igna’s going to drive me crazy. Ordering me to investigate the matter, how are we going to reverse-engineer their technology. I say we should develop our method...’

“Director, we’ve salvaged the wreckage.”

“Understood, have the others load up. We’re headed home.”

Multiple jets were spotted across the sky that day, one headed to Easel Run Gard and another, Hidros.

“My head,” Igna pressed his forehead, “-it hurts,” the eyes cried for a break – the bundle of reports all but grew. *Notification; Yui,* ‘-Dear master, it’s me, your favorite assistant. I’m rather angry at why you’d keep us out of the loop. Imagine my surprise when one day I get a phone call from Central, ‘-go to Easel Run Gard’, it said I didn’t get it then, I understand now. You’re quite devious – but not so. Our transfer was ordered by General Minerva, I confirmed, and was left speechless. The Goddess of Wisdom and Warcraft is coming on her own. She accurately predicted a would-be attack on Marinda without much to go off of. I’m sure the capital’s singing her praises. Suppose I should end my report. Asmodeus sends his warmest regards to Sathanas. We will resume our duties at Easel Run Gard until we speak again,” signed Yui.

Contrary to what was believed, Igna scowled at another message, one that arrived before Yui’s, “-to the magnanimous king Igna, I, humble Minister of Defense humbly apologize for my mistake. Our department accidentally sent a dispatch order to lady Kul, lord Asmodeus and lady Yui to make for Marinda. I doubt his majesty cares about the details of why such an incident occurred. Fortunately, as many would say, fate brought them to Marinda where important information was uncovered. The ill-timed mistake was a blessing in disguise. I would greatly appreciate if his majesty washes his hand with the problem. I’ll personally make sure proper countermeasures are put in place,” signed Minerva.

‘Are they serious, this is comical. One’s mistake becomes an unprecedented advantage,’ *knock, knock,* “-enter,” he said.

“My lord,” curtsied Midne, “-transport is ready, my liege.”

“I’ll be there in a bit,” he said, “-you’re a lifesaver,” he stood, “-about the suit.”

“Ready to be worn,” she smiled, “-please call if anything goes amiss.”

Mundane task, similar to a worker dressing for work, Igna dawned his suit, tied lavishly soft hair, and exited from the royal wardrobe; a massive room cupped within the inner-castle. ‘-Queen Gallienne’s daughter, Eia’s death,’ plague ridden remains of the ex-queen’s body was brought to the throne-room. Here, a small assembly of nobles and acquaintances, members of branch families, close friends, and what not, a total number of fifteen, were seated in black. No tears were shed nor grief felt. Piers stood hand in hand with Raiden, the boy was mature enough to know why he lived in secrecy. Pope Carrigan II made the dangerous trip from Kreston to Oxshield, the entourage filled with nuns and priests.

“Nicola’s here,” whispered Alta, “-what are your orders, my lord?”

“Bring him forth,” he whispered, “-keep the shackles. Eia causes much grief in life, let her final moments be quiet.” Gagged and tied, the traitorous Nicola, so would the nickname be known; rushed greedily to Eia’s casket. He shed no tears for only resentment and betrayal displayed, the clenched fist, intimidatingly close distance – enough for an intimate kiss and overall indifference. Alta threw the look at a guard, poor chap nearly choked with embarrassment. “We gather today,” said Carrigan, “-to pay homage to lady Eia,” the fanatical Nicola was dragged, “-her life was short-lived. Most of us know of her scrupulous ways, yet, we must remember, Eia was the daughter of the saintly queen Gallienne. Her actions harmed Hidros and caused harm to many. Even so, she always cared tenderly about her family, and I imagine her logic to have been for the betterment of those she cared about. In death, we honor her cause, and per King Igna’s wishes, pardon her soul and excuse her from all the injustice caused. To be shunned is simple, to forgive is courage. I, Pope Carrigan II, with my authority, pardon Eia Riverty and pray for her soul’s freedom.” The private funeral was shortly taken to the familial crypt where her remains were set close to Queen Gallienne.

More people attended the gathering after her funeral, “-seems many haven’t pardoned my foolish daughter,” sniffled at the back of the party.

“My apologies, Piers, I wish I could have done more. We tried but Eia was far too corrupt, beyond saving.”

“Pardoning her in death is all I asked. Thank you for obliging my request,” they exchanged firm hugs, “-I’m glad my wife placed you in charge, Igna. I never imagined my life to be such a trip – it’s unreal at times. Claireville Academy, my youth, it’s so close yet so far.”

“Piers Riverty, I must ask thee for one last assignment.”

“As you order, my lord.”

“Such is my order,” he smiled, “-take care of Raiden Riverty and enjoy your retirement,” laughter and music elevated the mood. To see a man past his prime smile to tears was warm, even to Igna’s cold heart, “-it’s the least I can do.”

“I’m speechless,” gasped Piers, “-t-thank you.”

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