The Conciege
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ROTLE- Chapter 59- The Church's Gift
🕑 Added 2024-10-06 16:57:34 +0000 UTCWhen Aiden brought the axe down, the tension in the room came down with it. Emotions crashed into their owners. A few eyes looked away, faces turning away for one reason or the other. A few gasps filled the room.
The blade of the axe cut through the tension and embedded itself in the ground, right next to Belle’s head.
The woman had tears in swollen eyes and her breaths came from her mouth and nostrils in a way that seemed very painful.
In everything, she was crying.
A calm settled on the room as Aiden stepped away from Belle. When there was enough of a space between her, he turned his attention to the [Saint].
The man must’ve understood what was happening because he looked away from him and walked up to Belle. Where he’d been standing, Aiden noticed an enchantment on the ground. It was a modified version of a shield enchantment.
He already knew the enchantment, so he didn’t bother trying to commit it to memory. There was a high chance that his level was currently too low for his mind to be able to recreate it. But it was there, hiding in a part of his brain that knew almost every enchantment but could currently not bring them to bear due to his level.
The [Saint] came to a stop and stood next to Belle. He looked down at her and Aiden thought he saw a touch of disgust on the man’s face. If he had, it was gone as if it had never been.
“Is the current state of the duel to the satisfaction of the challenger?” the [Saint] asked.
Belle’s head twitched. Her mouth moved as if she tried to speak but only blood came.
“A nod will suffice for an answer,” the [Saint] said.
Belle nodded.
The [Saint] turned to Aiden. “Is the challenged satisfied with the current state of the duel?”
Aiden nodded. “The challenged is.”
The man looked back down at Belle. “Does the challenger concede defeat?”
Belle nodded.
“The challenger requested a duel to the death. Is the challenger waiving their demand to die as the conclusion of this duel?”
Belle nodded and the [Saint] sighed.
“Does the challenger wish to live?”
Belle nodded again.
“Is the challenged, young lord Aiden Lacheart, satisfied with his victory in this manner?”
“Yes,” Aiden answered.
At this point, Belle was choking on her own blood. The [Saint] had to know that, but he continued to take his time, as if time was not of the essence.
“Then in my authority as regulator accepted by the church,” the [Saint] said. “I have judged that in all fairness, the challenged, young lord Aiden Lacheart, has proven himself within his complete capability of taking the life of the challenger. As such, he has been judged the rightful winner of this duel.”
All the tension eased out of the room and a slow rise of mutterings came to life. People shared their opinions on the duel, none loud enough to stand out.
But the [Saint] was not done.
“In lieu of any deaths,” he continued. “The church will take charge of the outcome and aftermath of this event. We will take the defeated into our care and pray for her until her possible recovery. The gods bear witness.”
A few people blessed themselves with the sign of the church and the golden dome eased away. It did not disappear or collapse in on itself. Instead, it was drawn to the side, pulled back. Aiden followed its path and watched it get drawn into the enchantment that was where the [Saint] had been standing for most of the duel.
Once it was gone, the priests were the first to intrude upon the space. The High priest led two others until they stood next to the [Saint]. They exchanged a few words, and one of the priests bent and picked Belle up. Without a word, he turned and proceeded out of the hall. No one stopped him and no one got in his way.
Aiden caught a sad look on Lord Naranoff’s face when it happened. The Lord was clearly unhappy with how the party had turned out.
“Young Lord, Lacheart.”
Aiden turned at his name to find the High priest standing in front of him. The man was surprisingly tall up close. He had soft eyes, pulled at the edges by age. He looked like a disappointed loving grandfather, without the bent back and slacked jaws.
“This,” the man raised his hand, offering him Belle’s axe. “Is for you.”
Aiden took the axe by the handle, but the priest did not release it.
“You have earned it,” the priest said. “You were challenged with the reward of a life, but in your show of wrathful mercy, you have taken only a weapon that had not even been strong enough to best you. May the gods look upon your actions and reward you with greater gifts in the years to come.”
He released the axe and Aiden took it.
“As a gift from the church,” the priest continued. “In your show of mercy, we have decided to grant you a boon. Should you ever be challenged again with the gods called upon as witnesses to your duel, it is within my privilege as a [High Priest] to grant you this.”
The man blessed Aiden with a holy sign, performing it on the space between them. Aiden’s interface lit up.
[Congratulations! You have received a boon from the holy church]
[You have received A Way Out]
[A Way Out]
When challenged to a duel with the gods as witness, the bearer is allowed to opt out of this duel or modify the nature of the duel. The gods bless this, and all present must obey or suffer a wrath.
“As long as there is a member of the church present,” the priest said. “Know that you will be protected from the challenger and all who seek to stand in the way of this boon by them, be they alone or not.”
Curious, Aiden asked, “And what if they do not come to my aid?”
“Then they shall suffer the wrath of the gods. And should you come out alive, and the punishment inflicted upon them is not to your satisfaction, you can also report them at the nearest church and be sure that an acceptable punishment—one chosen to your satisfaction—will be meted out.”
Aiden nodded once. If the church had such a boon, he had a feeling that kingdoms would have something similar.
“Thank you,” he said, accepting the boon.
Anything could happen in life. It would be ironic if he ended up using such a boon against a man of the frock.
As ironic as it felt, he did not pose the possibility of such a situation to the priest. The man turned away from him and Aiden let him go.
Only then did the party encroach on the space.
Jen Vilion was the first person to get to Aiden, meeting him as if he had rushed to do so. When he got to Aiden, he gave him a disapproving look.
Jen was probably a year or two younger than Belle. Thus, he was older than Aiden.
“You should not have done that,” he said.
Aiden raised a brow at him. “Explain.”
The boy bristled at the request.
“You should’ve taken her life,” he said. “If the idea of killing makes you so squirmy then you should’ve taken something. A limb, maybe. So that she knows never to challenge you again. You have shown weakness tonight. You, Aiden Lacheart, are weak.”
Aiden’s brows drew together in a frown, and he stepped forward so that their faces were mere inches away. “Weakness? I have shown weakness, Jennifer?”
Jen turned confused. “Jennifer? My name is Jen.”
“It does not matter.” Aiden let his disapproval show on his face. “Challenge me to a duel to the death, Jen. Before all that is present, give me the chance to show you that mercy is not always weakness.”
Jen said nothing but Aiden saw his hand clench into a fist.
“Are you scared, child?” Aiden asked him. “Is this fear? Is it weakness?”
Jen’s face hardened. “Far from it. One such as myself cannot be seen challenging one such as yourself.”
The group was already gathering. The only reason Aiden and Jen had not been overrun by them was because they were polite enough to await the conclusion of their conversation.
Aiden made a show of moving only his eyes to take in their audience.
“One such as yourself should not be caught challenging one such as myself?” A wry smile touched his lips. “Then, tell me, child. Would you like me to challenge you—to put your life on the line in the name of honor.”
Jen’s jaw tightened. His shoulder twitched very slightly.
Aiden watched it all. “Go on, Jen. Give me a reason.”
Before anything else happened, Aiden sensed the boy’s father beside him followed by a hand landing on each of their shoulders.
The heavily bearded man let out a rumble of a laugh. It came from his stomach and threatened to swallow the room.
Aiden let his attention on Jen relax but did not look away from the man.
“A beautiful display,” Jaga Vilion said in a voice low enough to be simple. “And yet, my son comes to tarnish it with his concept of victors and vanquished.” His hand tightened on Jen’s shoulder and the man winced. “He will apologize for dishonoring your victory like a child that has never left his mother’s teat and does not know the wicked ways of the world.”
His hand tightened more, and Jen’s legs shook beneath him.
Jen clenched his teeth harder, and his jaw ticked. “I apologize for my dishonor, young lord Lacheart. I should’ve known better.”
Aiden dismissed the apology as if it was unnecessary. “It is not a problem. We all have our opinions on right and wrong. All we can do is learn as we are taught so that they continue to evolve for the better.”
Jaga nodded. “Aptly put, young lord Lacheart.”
He took his hand from his son’s shoulder and Jen took it as his cue to leave. When he left, it was in such a hurry that you would think he was running from something.
Then Jaga turned his complete attention on Aiden as the rest of the crowd closed in to congratulate him on his victory.
The congratulations were quick and simple. Through them all, Jaga Vilion stood next to Aiden with a hand on his shoulder, as if he was somehow his guardian or benefactor.
A few people made mention of how they’d seen him during his spar against the envoy of Nel Quan. Some complimented his decision to show mercy. Others came to offer their advice on what he should’ve done differently. There were some that felt he had faced the duel with a hand that was too heavy.
Aiden took all their words with a placid expression. Their words did not matter to him. It never had and it never would. So, he stood there, Jaga standing beside him, and an axe in his hand, listening and nodding.
When the greetings were finally done and the people moved on to whatever else interested them, Aiden was left with Jaga and Valdan and Estabel and Nella and Elaswit.
“Useless wimps with no knowledge of what strength truly is,” Jaga spat in annoyance. “I swear sometimes the king should just send them beyond the boarders so that they see what the world really looks like outside their cozy duels.”
Aiden eyed the man. Maybe he wasn’t so terrible as a person.
“Anyway,” Jaga turned and took Aiden’s shoulders in both hands. “You did good, boy. To show mercy to the weak is never a bad thing. Although,” his expression softened. “I cannot say for certain that what you did was a good thing. You may have shown her mercy, but you have crippled whatever potential she may have ever had. I doubt she will ever hold a weapon with as much confidence as she did before meeting you. She might be ruined as a soldier.”
Aiden had considered that. He hadn’t just taken away her confidence, he had taken it away and shattered it right in front of her. It would take far more than just an iron will to gain it back.
“Still,” Jaga said. “You did a good thing. With your actions, there will be those who would think you weak, but mark my words, even in your perceived weakness, they will not challenge you. Because while they know that they will not lose their lives, those with half a brain will fear the humiliation you may bring upon them. And those with a complete brain will fear having their wills crushed so blatantly.”
Aiden shook his head in disappointment. “And who said that they will not lose their lives?”
Jaga looked at him in stunned silence, then burst into laughter.
“Your father must be proud,” he said, laughing.
It reminded Aiden of the part where he was some noble’s bastard.
“He is a fool for not claiming you.” Jaga sighed. “Men have always been foolish. And so what if he bedded some woman he should not have? That is the sin of him and the woman. It does not fall upon you that he should refuse to acknowledge you. I have bedded my fair share of women and my sons continue to be my sons to this day. And my daughter remain my daughters. They hold no right of succession, clearly. But they are mine in blood and name as long as they wish it.”
“I can’t see that going very well with your wife,” Aiden said.
Around them, Valdan and the others were silent.
“Women will always bicker,” Jaga said. “Ultimately, I am the lord. All decisions of importance fall to me. If my wife does not agree with my choices, she is always welcome to leave.”
Aiden said nothing to that. Cheating always rubbed him the wrong way. And it was also not his place to comment on the man’s way of life.
Nella opened her mouth but Jaga spoke again.
“A thought just occurred to me,” he said suddenly. “If your father continues to drag his feet under him in making a decision, what do you say to traveling with me beyond the borders? You will gain strength and fame. You will gain the possibility of legal adoption into the Vilion family. It does not sound like a bad deal.”
Valdan gave Aiden a look.
“A generous offer,” Aiden said in response. “But I was born to only one father, and I intend on having only one father until the day I die.”
His response wrinkled Jaga’s lips and the lord frowned. “Loyalty to blood even when it is not deserved in a type of loyalty I envy.”
He took his hands from Aiden’s shoulders and scratched the back of his head. “If you ever change your mind, just find your way to the Vilion territory and ask for an audience with me. If I am not around, just enlist as a soldier. We are always looking for the powerful. I assure you that as long as you survive long enough to see me on my return, my offer still stands.” Then he looked around. “Now where’s that son of mine?”
Jaga Vilion left them, grumbling about what no one understood as he went in search of his son.
When he was gone Aiden’s mind went back to Belle. In a duel such as this, if the church was not involved, it would be left to the host to provide medical assistance in treating the parties that had been involved in the duel. But with the church present, there was no way of knowing what would happen.
The church had its combat units besides the [Saints]. In fact, the [Saints] were not necessarily a combat unit. They were simply people said to have been blessed by the gods. The church’s military actually consisted of normal soldiers that they kept on their payroll, and those who played the role of adventurers and knights and the likes.
Their adventurers, those who went out into the world dealing with whatever problems were called Inquisitors, and they always had an ordained priest with them. Then they had those graced with the title of [Paladin]. Those were powerful and where mostly sent out in situations that required the assistance of the strong.
Then there were the [Apostles]. Most people avoided them, and their presence was never a good sign. They always moved in a group of twelve and were raised with the primary purpose of stopping what was termed a rampaging [Saint].
In summary, there was no way that the priests present did not know that Belle needed immediate attention.
It was one thing to spit up blood when you’ve been punched in the face. But a blow to the chest that cracked ribs was a terrible thing. It was worse when it was the reason you were coughing up blood. It was a blow that could kill you if left unattended.
“What do you intend to do with your new weapon?” Elaswit asked, drawing Aiden’s attention. “If I remember correctly, you are more accustomed to the sword.”
Aiden raised the weapon. It wasn’t too heavy, but its weight was definitely not something he could ignore. It was a large thing.
“If you’re trying to sell it, I would go with auctioning,” Nella suggested.
“Why?” Estabel asked, genuinely curious.
“Because then I would be able to get it for more than it’s price,” Aiden answered absently. “The rich have a thing for novelty. If I sell it on the market, it would go for its normal price, very possibly less. But if I sell it at an auction, then the rich can fight over it.”
Estabel frowned. “That sounds stupid. Does it have any special features?”
Aiden looked at the weapon and activated [Detect].
[Battle Axe]
A heavy weapon designed for those who have dedicated their lives to the path of war using the axe. It is a deadly weapon designed for slaughter.
[Durability: 89/110]
Aiden shook his head. “Nothing stands out.”
“Then why will they fight over it?” Estabel asked, unable to comprehend the reasoning behind it.
“It’s about the novelty,” Nella was happy to explain. “As Lord Lacheart had said in the room, stories and songs will be told of tonight. With the church being a part of this, there is a very high chance that these stories will be famous. They would even give it some great name to make it stand out.”
“I still don’t see what that has to do with anything,” Estabel said.
“Novelty, Magus,” Aiden said. “They would be more than happy to have the simple honor of being able to brag to their peers that they have the famous axe from the legends hanging on some wall collecting dust. It might not go for some exorbitant price, but it will at least go for twice the price.”
“So, you’re auctioning it?” Estabel asked.
Aiden lowered the weapon. “I don’t know.”
He had other possible uses for it. Judging from the look Valdan had just given him when he’d replied, the knight definitely knew what he had in mind.
You did have plans of getting the axe skill after all.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to have a weapon to train with.
“You non-mages will always confound me.” Estabel shook her head, adjusting her glasses.
Aiden knew for a fact that she didn’t have them on for the sake of some bad vision or the other. They most definitely had some spell or enchantment attached to them that granted her an advantage in whatever she wanted to do.
“So you don’t have auctions amongst the Mage Radiants?” Elaswit asked, voice a little sour.
Aiden assumed the sourness of her tone came from her general dislike for the institute.
“Of course we do, princess,” Estabel was more than happy to answer. “We just auction things worthy of auctioning. An orb that significantly increases mana output. Things like that. You know, things with actual benefits that aren’t common, and everyone wants.”
“There are a lot of items that increase mana output,” Elaswit pointed out.
“Significantly, princess.” Estabel put a lot of emphasis on the first word. “What can your items do? Grant you the mana stat at what; five points when you use it? I’m speaking of orbs that can grant you as much as twenty points when you use it.”
Everyone’s eyes went to the orb trapped at the top of her staff and she smirked.
“We,” she said, “don’t focus on novelty. We focus on usefulness. Lord Lacheart, I will leave you to celebrate your victory with your friends. However, I will come looking for you at a later time to know more about your experience within the cave.”
Her words said, she twirled away from them and made her way back into the crowd. The first person to meet her was her servant. Then some of the entourage she’d come with from the institute flocked to her. Finally, she was approached by different lords.
“She’s so condescending,” Elaswit complained. “I wanted to wipe that smirk off her face.”
“You would strike a [Mage] with plus twenty stat points in mana?” Nella chuckled lightly. “You’ve got bigger balls than your brother. I’ll give you that.”
Elaswit pouted but said nothing further.
On Nastild, the [Mana] stat was like the [Vitality] stat. Not many people had it. But unlike the [Vitality] stat, a handful of people gained it over time and there were items that granted it for the duration of its use.
Nella stepped up to Aiden, surprising Elaswit. She looked him curiously in the eye. Aiden stood where he was, unbothered by her. He would’ve been more than happy to have her step away, though.
“You are young,” she said after a moment. “And you continue to keep the secret of who your father is. Yet you are powerful.”
Her tone was deathly serious. All the joviality she’d had from talking with the princess was gone.
“A child as powerful as you would be claimed by their father in the blink of an eye,” she continued. “Yet your father refuses to claim you. And you have turned down Lord Vilion’s offer. Young, powerful, and answering to nobody. You continue to prove just how dangerous you are, Lord Lacheart.”
Aiden shrugged. “If it’s any consolation, I answer to Sir Valdan.”
Valdan made a gesture with his hand that insinuated that Aiden’s words weren’t entirely truly. “You answer to me… debatably.”
Nella’s seriousness did not change. “And you travel with the princess and have a [Knight of the Crown] as a friend. You carry too many secrets, Lord Lacheart.” Then her voice turned cheerful. “If you wouldn’t mind, Elly. May you accompany me in dealing with the many young lords who fancy themselves to be my suitors tonight. I would be more than happy for the company.”
Elaswit gave Aiden a worried look before following Nella.
Left alone with Valdan, no one said anything for a while. As if their personal silence was too much, Valdan broke it.
“You cannot expect me to believe that you intend on getting the axe skill,” he said. “It would be unreasonable.”
Aiden gave him a wry smile. “So was getting the spear skill. Yet here I am.”
“If those back at the palace hear of this, they would lose their minds.”
Aiden made a gesture with his hand in dismissal. “They’ll be fine.”
Another silence settled between the both of them. Someone passed them, congratulating Aiden on his victory. Only when the person was gone did Valdan speak again.
“You did the right thing,” he said.
“I didn’t do it for the reason you think, Valdan,” Aiden answered casually, then turned and started walking towards a table.
Valdan followed him and Aiden was beginning to realize that the knight always seemed to follow without question. While it was an interesting thing to note, he wasn’t entirely sure of how he felt about it.
“Then why did you do it?” Valdan asked as they arrived at a table and took their seats.
Aiden placed the axe on the table. “She was weak. Then she became pitiful. Broken. The only reason for killing her was to make sure she does not come back. I realized that she wouldn’t be coming back when I stood over her.”
“You would have sent a clearer message to others if you had killed her,” Valdan pointed out.
Aiden frowned. “Perhaps. But you do not kill a child to make an example to other children. You just do enough.”
Valdan’s brows furrowed in thought and he adjusted on his chair. “I’ve got two questions.”
Aiden looked around, hoping to find someone passing with a tray of drinks. He did not. “Go for it.”
“First,” Valdan said. “What is it with you and calling people children. They are all older than you? Or is it some cultural thing from where you come from?”
Aiden paused, giving it a thought before he answered. “Age is just a number, Valdan. A child and an adult are not necessarily differentiated by their size or their age, but,” he tapped the side of his head, “by their mindset. If someone with age on their side decides to behave like a child, then they are a child. It is as simple as that.”
“And that is just a you thing?”
“It is.”
“So your actions tonight were designed to send a message to all the children out there that would wish to step on your toes.”
Aiden nodded. “Correct.”
“Then let me tell you this, child.” Valdan leaned further forward. “You can make excuses and tell yourself the things that you wish to tell yourself. But the simple truth is that what happened tonight was not whatever it is you have just said. What happened tonight was you showing an opponent mercy. You took a lot of lives earlier, and it might have affected you oddly. It might’ve led you to believe that you are a villain. After all, killing a man does that to you. But because you have an iron will, you have chosen the path of calling yourself a morally grey person.”
“Valdan…” Aiden started to stop him only to be silenced by a raised hand.
“I know that you would like to hold onto your position as a person that doesn’t need anyone else,” Valdan said. “But just hear me out. Humans aren’t inherently evil. They are inherently capable of good and evil. To claim that we are inherently evil is to belittle the very nature of our existence. Just as easily as a child is not taught to want to take something, the same child is not taught to want to share something. If a child is not hungry, it would be happy to share with someone that wanted a meal. That is the good in us. All we do as humans is teach them to lean towards good.”
Aiden wasn’t enjoying the lecture. “And you’re saying that…”
“I am saying that you, Aiden Lacheart, are good. You are not an evil man that does good things or a neutral man that does what is necessary. You are a good man that sometimes makes mistakes. I just hope that you will one day be aware of this.”
“Are we going to talk about the power of friendship next?” Aiden joked.
Valdan shook his head. “Not at all. I’ve come to terms with the fact that you will not be friends with your colleagues back at the palace. Besides, most people don’t understand that being truly good is a lonely road. I only suggested that you make friends because I believed you would need them to get stronger in your adventures.”
“And now?”
“Well… I haven’t seen a man gain a second weapon skill as quickly as you have or grow as fast as you have.” Valdan shrugged. “I will admit that it would be good for you to make friends, but now I know that it is not necessary. Regardless, I just want you to know that you did good because you are good, Aiden.”
Aiden held his tongue. The knight was wrong. He hadn’t done good because he was good. He’d done good because the man had requested it of him, and in the end, he had not been able to stop himself from granting a request as simple as that. A request that had been completely within his power.
“What was the second thing?” he asked.
“Oh, that?” Valdan shrugged. “I was just curious as to what the word touché means.”
“It’s nothing big. It’s just what we say when someone drops an argument that makes sense in opposition of what you say. In simpler terms, a clever or better come back.”
Valdan nodded and leaned back on his chair. “Touché,” he muttered to himself. “Tou-ché.” He was like a man trying out a new word. “It’s a bit odd to say but not too bad. Touché.”
Aiden smiled and shook his head. In his past life, Zen had been the one learning earth words from him.
Now I’ve got a knight doing it.
“What language is that?” a voice asked.
Aiden almost jumped out of his seat. He hadn’t even heard the man coming. Worse, he recognized the voice.
Valdan shot up to his feet almost immediately. Aiden, however, took his time getting up. Why? Because it was a touch of defiance from a past life.
The [Saint] stood next to them. His hair fell down his shoulder as beautiful as it had been when he’d walked in. Grey-white eyes watched them.
“Congratulations on your victory once more, young lord,” he said. “You showed proper wrath for the insult of being challenged and proper mercy as a victor. The gods will be proud.”
Aiden nodded. “Thank you.”
“I initially wanted to speak to you tonight,” the man went on. “However, I have judged that it would be in my best interest to speak to you on a different day. Maybe the day after tomorrow.”
“As regards the matter of the duel?” Aiden asked, feigning ignorance.
“No.” the man shook his head. “As regards your time in the cave. I have heard that there is a natural enchantment there. I would’ve liked to pick your brain but I would rather spend some time investigating the cave myself. That way I would look at it with unbiased eyes.”
“I understand.” Aiden nodded.
The [Saint] turned to leave but Valdan’s words stopped him.
“If I may ask,” he said. “What of the lady that challenged him? How is her condition?”
The man watched him as if gauging his response before offering it. “I will ask the priests. If we see again tonight, I should have an answer. Until then, Lord Lacheart, do enjoy the gift of the church.” He turned again to leave before stopping himself. “By the gods, where are my manners.”
He turned back to Aiden and offered his hand for a handshake. “I have forgotten to introduce myself. I am [Saint] Clerent, canonized a year since.”
“Aiden Lacheart—” Aiden took the man’s hand only to be interrupted by his interface.
He read the first few words and froze.
[Warning!]
[You have just encountered your first Multiverse Agent on this world!]
His heart was suddenly beating too loudly in his ear.
[Saint] Clerent gave him a strange look before releasing his hand and ending the handshake.
Aiden was so terribly reminded of his status as a prisoner to his interface and his title of [Defier].
Did he get a notification, too?
Worry suddenly filled him. His muscles grew tense, prepared itself for combat. At his current level a fight against a person above level hundred would be suicide.
Doesn’t mean I’ll just lie down and be subdued, though.
His mind was running through what enchantments to use when the man spoke again.
“I see, you must’ve received the church’s gift,” he said. “It must feel as though we are in disagreement with your decision, but I assure you, it is not our doing. Merely that of the gods.”
He turned away, leaving Aiden both relieved and confused.
Was Clerent a [Multiverse Agent] or was [Saint] just another title for [Multiverse Agent] just as demonic mana was just another name for dimensional mana?
“What gift?” Valdan asked from beside Aiden.
Aiden shrugged, more than happy to bask in his relief. “I don’t—”
[Congratulations! You have slain Belle Lvl 34]
[You have Leveled up!]
[Level 48 --> 49]
[You are now Level 49!]
Aiden just stared, suddenly sad as the warmth of leveling up filled his heart. When it disappeared, he was still left with the weight of energy that had always been in his heart since killing Voshret, the leader of the poachers.
This was the church’s gift to him. They had taken Belle away, but they had not healed her. They had allowed her wounds take her.
…We will take the defeated into our care and pray for her until her possible recovery. The gods bear witness. The words echoed in his head.
Possible recovery…
They had allowed her to battle her wounds by herself, knowing very well that she would not survive it without medical assistance. Not with her level and her class.
Belle had called on the gods to witness a duel to the death, and the church had ensured that the gods had witnessed the death of one of the duelists.
“Aiden?” Valdan said with a touch of worry.
Aiden simply sat down on his chair, suddenly tired. “Valdan?”
“Yes.”
“I would very much like to return to my room.”
…
Lord Naranoff sat quietly in his study.
Tonight, had not gone the way he’d wanted it to. The church would look at him as a lesser lord now that his own soldier had not trusted him to be a fitting judge for the duel. Then she’d also gone and lost so terribly.
It showed that his soldiers did not know their limits, which was a poor thing for a soldier to be found guilty of.
But as if that was not enough, he may or may not have made an enemy of a powerful young lord in the name of Aiden Lacheart.
And as if that was not enough, he had returned to a letter of importance on his desk. It bore the seal of the crown.
He picked it up and opened it. The title made him grow pale.
It read:
Matters Regarding The Young Lord Aiden Lacheart…
Comments
NerdyBlues
Even if I don't like her, something about the church letting her die is so upsetting. Good work
IdolTrust
Wow that ending had me saying wow One more level till 50. Now how is he going to handle the teleport back home.
Keven Leigh
So much happens per chapter is makes me happy. Reading he who fights with monsters and 3 chapters go by and not much changes other than some talking for no reason. This however just has so much substance
Adam Davies
Cleverly crafted and very enjoyable read. Thanks for the chapter :)
Aaron
This story continues to surprise. Definitely worth the subscription. Well done.
