Macronomicon
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Chapter 148: The Reception
🕑 Added 2020-04-19 21:32:44 +0000 UTCFreeform mode is dangerous. One day Goob was testing it while we were still working out the kinks, and his concentration slipped for just a second, creating a horrific monster that was half attractive yandere next door, half grilled cheese sandwich.
The girlfriend/sandwich monster was born.
Now it seeks to finish what it started, suffocating Goob in an avalanche of scalding hot cheese and kisses. Unfortunately for us, it wised up after the first couple times we nearly killed it, so its learned to be more stealthy and judicious about when it strikes.
And thats why Goob isnt invited to the wedding, Calvin said with a shrug.
That tracks, Kala said, nodding as she sat beside him on the bed. Wouldnt want it to be interrupted by a giant cheese monster.
At this point, Calvin said with a wave of his hand. We should probably focus more on a wedding capable of recovering from interruptions. Everybody knows theres going to be some kind of huge distruption, like an assassination attempt or kidnapping. Which is why we should have plainclothes ministers standing by in case the one at the podium gets vaporized.
How about body doubles? Sign the paperwork the night before and have stand-ins.
That could work Calvin said, rubbing his chin. Was it something worth the existential dread of ceasing to exist over? Maybe not. Effective for dodging the bureaucracy of the wedding and inevitable disruption, though.
We would have a lot of free time, Kala said, tapping her lips thoughtfully. I wonder what we would do with it all.
Yep, lets do it.
Kala whooped, spinning around in her golden robe, causing a miniature cyclone to manifest around her, scattering Calvins letters from Uleis.
You seem to be wearing that a lot.
Its my favorite present, Kala said with a wicked grin.
Whaaat? I thought I was the winner.
How on Marconen does being able to summon a measly squad of terminally ill veterans desperate for a last stand compare to the joy of being able to fly? she asked, her feet floating up and off the ground as she leaned forward to kiss him on the forehead.
You try convincing people to get into a bottle that renders you down into sludge. Calvin said with a snort.
Prefab objects were mostly limited to simple inanimate objects. Even castles were simple, as they were just stone organized into a repetitive shape. Living things well, the accuracy of Calvins prefabs werent high enough to create something living, or particularly molecularly complex for that matter.
Then there were the ethical questions of having prefab human soldiers. What would happen if Calvin took Steve the Soldier, brother of Paul, husband of Amy and supporter of his children, staunch supporter of XYZ, and gooped down a forest and made several thousand more Steves?
The way Calvin had managed to store living things at all was by piggybacking on his own mutation that allowed blade storage, using Abyssal Alchemy to extract the Warped Mutation from his blood.
Youre Warped, Too: Users Mutations may be (correction) more easily be distilled from the Users own flesh and blood.
Theyd gotten it to work on things other than knives, but the problem was the manner it stored the blueprint was such that reading the blueprint effectively destroyed it, and any attempt to change that to allow re-using a blueprint led to a drastic drop in fidelity. Not enough to bother a simple sword or building, but it only took tiny, imperceptible changes to make a living creature into a corpse.
I literally bled to make you that present, and youre scorning it. I feel scorned.
Daww, Kala said, pinching his cheek.
Calvin glanced at the robe again, then back up to Kala.
That reminds me, whats going to happen to Tzen? The guy was a bit of a prick and I want to indulge in some schadenfreude.
Thats a Bolesian noble for you. Theyre pricks by default, Kala said, rolling her eyes. But no, hes probably not going to get more than a slap on the wrist. It obviously wasnt his intention to try to kill me. More likely it was a brother of his who arranged the whole thing to remove his brother from consideration as heir. The servant already killed himself, so were left with nothing. We cant afford to make enemies of Boles, so were keeping him in house arrest.
House arrest? Calvin asked with a frown. I assume in some palatial estate surrounded by maids.
Pretty much.
Boo. Thats more like a vacation, Calvin said, kicking his heels as Kala floated up to the ceiling, cloak fluttering around her naked body like an aura. What about Dorian? I hope I didnt crush his expectations too hard. He seemed alright.
He moved into the diplomats mansion and hasnt been seen since. Kala said. Her brows furrowed thoughtfully. Although I will admit that the shipment of raw materials from Iletha has been helpful in easing shortages around the city, gaining him a lot of public approval.
Nadia? What do you make of it? Calvin thought.
I didnt spend a lot of time with Dorian growing up, but Id bet you damn near anything the nice-guy act is just that.
Well, of course it is, this is politics, after all. Calvin reminded himself to not get reeled in by the princes easygoing ways. Calvin hadnt felt anything untoward from the young mans gaze, but he knew his mutations werent infallible.
Well figure it out sooner or later. Preferably sooner.
Calvin mentally checked his itinerary.
1. Get married.
2. Build wizard kingdom
3. Profit.
Am I going to have to take on any administration duties after we get married? The gods knew Calvin wasnt well suited to it.
No, youll be my consort, not my king. Ill technically be your wife and your boss.
Why dont you float down here and say that to my face? Calvin asked, making Kalas mischievous smile break into a wide grin. She did not, however, float down and say that to his face. Ever since his Strength had begun to match hers, shed enjoyed baiting him into tussles.
The minor issue of Kala dangling in midair wasnt too much of an impediment.
Shifting.
34/35 Bent remaining.
Calvin leapt up and plucked a squawking Kala out of the air, pinning the wriggling princess up against the ceiling, his fingers digging into the wooden support beams as he felt her warmth radiate through the clothes between them.
Say that again. Calvin said, feeling a smile growing on his face.
Im your boss, Kala said, her breath tickling Calvins face, brown eyes locked with his, radiating desire like a red-hot furnace.
On paper. Calvin said, smothering her retort with a kiss.
***
Oddly enough, the wedding went on without incident. Calvin had long since learned to expect high-stress, high drama situations, but strangely, there was no man in black swooping in from the rafters to liberate the princess, nor was there a peasant rebellion, or monster attack, sudden declaration of war, death in the family or ill-omened eclipse.
Nothing other than the stress of a pompous ceremony, followed by sitting at a table being silently judged by distant relatives and offered awkward conversation.
Most awkward being the conversation between Calvin and his new Father-in-law.
Calvin was halfway through lifting his cup into the air when it stopped, something seizing it and holding it in place with irresistible strength.
Thats odd, Calvin thought as he glanced at his locked-in-place cup, giving it an experimental tug. That was when he noticed the silence, glancing up to take in the sight of the room around him.
Everyone else in the room was similarly frozen in place. A few people were even locked into positions impossible to support. The light in the room seemed to have dimmed as well, dropping the light level from a brilliant banquet hall to a gloomy shadow of its former self.
Calvin eyed the chandeliers, which were still burning just as lively as they had been a while ago, just darker.
Motion attracted Calvins attention to Kalas father, who delicately slid out of his seat and literally swam through the air towards Calvin. The Hashmajes arms worked like paddles as he pulled himself through the air, his eyes narrowed, face deforming as though he were moving against a hurricane wind.
Thats interesting. Calvin thought to himself, not particularly worried. If the man wanted to kill him, hed probably be frozen too.
Dont move, The HashMaje said as he glided to a halt in front of Calvin. You might hurt someone. He glanced at Calvins cup suspended in midair with a hint of amusement before locking his gaze on Calvins face.
I wanted to make some time to have an unchaperoned talk with you. Tell you a few things and give you some advice.
First off, The HashMaje said, picking up a spoon and scooping out a ball of wine from the cup next to Calvins and biting down on it. If you ever betray my daughter Ill snuff you out like a candle.
As is tradition, Calvin said with a nod.
Indeed. Second. if Kala wasnt in your corner I would have let Andra kill you a long time ago. There are people out there who could take you down if they had to.
I see.
Now the advice. The HashMaje turned in midair and pointed at the prince of Boles, who sat by himself in the corner, looking incredibly bored and frustrated.
Do you know why we didnt kill him?
Fallout from his country. Calvin said.
Exactly. If prince Tzen dies, his kingdom continues to function, and they take punitive action.
And? Calvin asked,
What happens if you die? The HashMaje asked, turning back to him.
I come back to life as an undead and terrorize the living. Calvin said.
Im not kidding.
Me neither.
When you die, The Hashmaje said, swimming closer until they were inches apart. Everything youve built unravels. Uleis is held together by shoestring and a song. Two of your most capable advisors, the ones administrating over half of the citys affairs literally die when you do, another is a corrupt businessman who will use the opportunity to seize as much control as he can during the confusion. Kala has to focus on succeeding me, she doesnt have time to seek vengeance.
That leaves those willing to avenge you a genosian savage and an archer. Maybe you have an army, but with the support of Uleis gone, theyd gradually be forced to seek answers to more practical concerns, such as feeding themselves and their families. Life trumps lofty goals, almost every time.
So is your advice dont die? Calvin asked. Because Ill be honest, thats pretty good advice.
Plan on dying, so that you can avoid it. he said, his brown eyes boring into Calvins with a turbulent mix of emotions.
That seems counter intuitive.
If the result of your death is that your threat goes away, thats incentive. If the result is retribution on a national level, then its armor.
He grabbed Calvins face.
Armor. Do you understand?
There are dozens of people who want to see you dead, Andra included, for rising so far above your station.
He cocked his head to the side. Well, Andra wants you dead because she thinks youre an unstable, chaotic liability. Not so much the station thing.
It warms my hear to know its not for a petty reason, Calvin said.
Until you establish a legacy, there will be no reason for these people not to seek your death. After this wedding is over, I want you to immediately go to your lands and make something that will last long after your death. Thats the best way for you to stay alive.
I think I understand, Calvin said, nodding.
Good. I can tell people to lay off you, but what I say and what people do are never the same thing.
I thought you were the HashMaje. Dont people have to do what you say? Calvin asked.
Kalas father scoffed, floating backwards as he broke into guffaws, laughing until he began to cry, wiping tears out of his eyes.
When theyre in eyeshot, sure. But dont think for a moment that people dont do whatever the Abyss they want when theyre in private.
Calvin considered the advice and boiled it down into the key elements.
Make insurance policy. Remove target on back.
Thank you for your kind advice. Calvin said, nodding.
You better treat my daughter well.
After that the leader of Gadvera swam back through the air, carefully gliding into place in his chair, straightening his rumpled clothes.
Without warning, everything unfroze. The lights brightened again, the chatter flooded in. Calvins wineglass flew upward, shattering on the ceiling along with a gust of wind that that slammed through the room, blowing ladies skirts up, causing a commotion.
My apologies, Calvin said to the staring nobles, wiping his face. I was unable to keep the sneeze in check.
What the hell just happened? Elliot asked.
Kalas dad can stop time. Calvin thought.
Cool.
No worries, I understand how difficult it is to get used to high Strength, Kalas father said jovially. I remember when I first broke twenty and kept tearing off my buttons.
Through the murmur of polite laughter, Calvin noticed Kala giving her father a suspicious look. So, it looks like Kala knows about her dads Ability.
So, Marquis Gadsint, Or I suppose I should call you Prince Consort, What do you plan on doing after this? the withered Duchess, Lady Estaine asked, her neck wobbling under her chin like a waddle as she spoke.
Now that the situation in Gadvera is beginning to calm down, Ill be visiting my lands for the first time. I intend to return to them for the forseeable future and throw myself into developing them.
Calvin leaned forward, matching the Duchesss gaze. I understand that part of that territory belonged to your husband, and forgive me if this is tactless, but I think I can provide more value to your remaining lands than letting them lie fallow.
More direct than tactless, The duchess said, gently sawing at the slab of Grik larvae steak on her plate. Nothing was more tender than grik larvae, but they provided a lot more meat if they were allowed to grow, so larvae was a food for the nobility. Common for your age, really.
Kala painted a promising picture of the opportunity for trade between your new land and Sevela, my town.
Barges, Calvin said, nodding. I intend to follow the Garavel river to the southeast until it meets with Juntai land and establish a three way trade route between Juntai to the east, Uleis to the north, and Gadvera to the west.
And these goods you intend to get from Juntai, what exactly are they?
I guess Ill have to go find out.
The duchess chuckled and gave him a conspiratorial whisper.
Something tells me the price of copper is going to skyrocket. Iletha is going to be very happy with you.
What?
****
Calvin spent the next half hour talking trade with the duchess, surprised by the insight she had into the interconnectedness of all things. While Calvin wasnt directly establishing a connection to Iletha, the enemy nation produced the most copper on this continent, meaning that if Calvin Calvin established a solid trade route between Juntai and Uleis, Iletha would profit indirectly through demand on their copper rising drastically.
The reception didnt wind down so much as it was declared over by Kalas father and everyone was excused in order of importance, leaving Kala and Calvin there by themselves, listening to the soft clattering of servants cleaning up the banquet hall.
So Calvin said, glancing around the empty room (save for the servants)
So Kala said, biting her lip.
Right here or your room? Calvin asked.
The servants stopped picking up dishes, freezing in place and eyeing the two of them sidelong.
I have no idea what you could possibly mean, Calvin. Kala said. We should discuss this further in my chambers.
Sounds good to me, Calvin said, pushing himself to his feet and taking Kalas delicate-seeming hand as she stood, guiding her around the chair, like a gentleman.
Tomorrow Calvin had to leave for the mosquito-riddled jungle, but tonight it was his solemn duty to do unspeakable things to his childhood crush.
Comments
Jake
It was noted that the kings shadow boxing projection may have noticed that it was a projection and tried to hide somethings... the levels of depth in ehis story is ridiculous haha
Calvin shadowboxed(?) the king multiple times if I remember correctly, and could do again birthday party, is strange for Calvin to not know of the king time stopping ability unless I am missing something
0xFFF1
They're Legends only technically. They haven't completely grown into their stats and skills yet. They're probably barely Veteran tier still. They've also only been in two battles so far, the defense of Gadvera and the defense of Fort Calvin.
levon
No issues. Everything you said is true. Rationally speaking there is no reason to anger someone like the mc. Though I think you kinda misunderstood the conversation as well. The hash wasn't treatening mc. He told he basically didn't kill him for his arrogance earlier because his daugther liked him, and then gave him advice on how to stay alive in politics. Both could be considered leasons
Chris
1. Get married. 2. Build wizard kingdom 3. Profit. It cracks me up when you throw in lines like that.
Lane Heis
Honestly, I feel like this Fiction has gotten too messy. It feels like everything is all over the place, especially the power scaling. For instance, a Legend used to be obscene to encounter. Now it’s basically expected for every random nobody to fucking be one, not to mention he had a fucking army of them and yet the Mae Jae fuck face just acts like that’s not a hugely significant thing? Then you have to take into consideration that Calvin is basically one of those fucking reality breaking monsters with all of his mutations and yet this fucker thinks Andra could kill him? What part of ( He fucking fought his way out of a hole in reality) does he not get? He then returned and fucking single handed broke the fucking siege that “badass” Andra was fucking hiding from. Not to mention when he fought The One the first time it invaded. It’s genuinely annoying me how there’s legitimately no recognition of how freakish Calvin is. The dude comes out of fucking nowhere and starts wrecking shit and proceeds to go from 4 breaks to 8 in basically a year and a half. Covertly invades and seized control of a country ( which in the middle, he proceeded to get chucked in a hole of reality, along with the Fuck Face’s daughter and then fights his way out, Basically by himself). Then in a day kills the thing invading their fucking country. Yet that’s just vaguely impressing? How the fuck does he have to compete to marry Kayla in the first place? It’s very apparent to literally everyone that the only reason he’s fighting for their retarded and apparently obscenely weak country is specifically for her. Then the cocksucker has the balls to make threats and basically degrade his achievements? It would be very obvious to anyone with as much mind as Kayla’s father that Calvin is a fucking freak of nature and he shouldn’t fuck with him. Of course, intelligence and Intuition doesn’t seem to matter even though it’s supposed to actually affect you. Otherwise the Mae Jae wouldn’t have even fucking hinted that they considered killing Calvin, since that would have been a clear political insult and anyone with a bit of intelligence knows you don’t tell someone you consider a threat that you even jokingly considered it. Because that just puts them on guard and turns them against you, which considering Calvin is marrying his daughter and is about to have a shit ton of political (considering his power over the people as a war hero, the backing of Uleis and his status as Prince Consort) basically making him as much of a political juggernaut as the Mae Jae himself ( Keep in mind that the people most likely support Calvin over him, considering he hasn’t done a fucking thing personally to protect them. Not to mention the people know the Royals are powerful and have set builds to maximize their combat ability). Not to mention Calvin’s combat power, which is clearly obscene. Taking into consideration his allies (Over a thousand Legends, Karen, Kayla and even the fucking monster from another reality, which the Mae Jae would have been informed of by Kayla) this scene makes no sense. I’d recommend maybe redoing it and turning the conversation from hostile to friendly. Because the current scene, along with the fact he didn’t automatically give Calvin Kayla’s hand in marriage, sets the Mae Jae Fuck Face up as an antagonist. So probably make the conversation less of him exerting power over Calvin and more a conversation with him warning him not to hurt his daughter and then giving the advice to him in a way that isn’t threatening. Also maybe Rethink about the concept of power creep and how big you want potential power scale to be too. Edit: sorry for the ramble, I’m just hoping that my comment gets seen and my advice gets taken into consideration.
Lane Heis
Just wanna say, are you sure you wanna add the ability to stop time into this fiction? Because that seems inherently completely broken, like can you give an example of the cost of bent? Because I can’t imagine the Mae Jae( I cant spell his fucking title) would be able to train it to the point that it would be this useful. Because he could have totally just killed Calvin, who I think is either 8th or 9th break without even a fight. I feel like this ability shouldn’t be able to be used without incurring a serious penalty, I get this is probably a way for Calvin to fight Elliot since it seems to block the him off( doesn’t make sense, since Elliot literally is in Calvin’s mind), but it’s sitting the bar too high tbh.
Instinctz
i want to see what he makes that takes the target off his back!
Deinos
What about his supposedly unbeatable army of legends? That part of the story feels like the unloved bastard son of an affair, continuously neglected and ignored. Aren't they loyal to him and in case of his death ready for retribution? It sounded like they were more or less unbeatable or did that change? The Hash Maje should know about them by now?
Chris
He could make anything with crystal lattice. Even though he could flood the market at any time he shouldn't use that unless he is short on something.
Macronomicon
good point.
Findell
Ah good goob will get an awful yandrey wifeu
BadSnake971
"if Kala wasn’t in your corner I would have let Andra kill you a long time ago" He’s not afraid of Karen’s anger?
Scott Frederiksen
Won't his memories be an issue? She can still continue and conduct things around him without his involvement more easily though... Depending on the difficulty of her getting said skill.
foldedcorners
Nice :) Also I hope Nadia was paying attention to Elliot's remark. It turns out all she needs to do to conspire against him is stop time and continue her discussion with Calvin.
0xFFF1
Being a Wizard-King pretty much requires that, after sufficiently building up his lands he is responsible for as a Marquis, that he go develop some wildlands somewhere on his own and then declare that a country and him as the King, and bring Kala along to legitimize it. (Kings require Queens) Staying as a subject of Gadvera means the best he can hope for is Wizard King-Consort. Kala keeps the power there, and while Calvin might not mind in most senses, because Kala, it still means he's not Wizard King and hasn't reached his ultimate goal in life.
Scott Frederiksen
And hopefully that glance means she heard Elliot and realized her Daddy's skill can allow things that Elliot can't see to happen. Even if that means Calvin (the OG at least,) can't either for to pesky memories.
0xFFF1
The copper thing might be the case, but Calvin has the capabilities to be extremely capable in the field of prospecting. If there are any valuable metals to be found, Knick-Knacks might have the means to find them and build a mine to procure them. Lures also have a good chance of being useful for prospecting. Make a lens that makes everything viewed through it invisible except the substance you desire, and look around below your feet and cycle between the metals to find veins like a Minecraft X-Ray cheat.
Scott Frederiksen
Thank you and looking forward to what Wizard Prince Consort gets up to next. 😅(Closer!)
Macronomicon
Told you guys you were gonna get a weekend chapter. I basically did a half-day Saturday and Sunday so it still felt like a day off, but you still got that chapter I owed ya.
