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A Soldier's Life - 359 - The State of the Empire
🕑 Added 2025-03-15 03:45:49 +0000 UTCI rewrote the second half of this chapter with a minor cliff. The next chapter will bring back in the Ignis interaction as I sort out the book mess. I had the elven chain mail as a part of the larger plot but as people pointed out, the book was not in his possession. I am going to read the comments again and then delete the first iteration of this chapter. Chapter 360 will be posted tomorrow, hoefully with a World Sphere Chapter
Chapter 359: The State of the Empire
Castile turned the apex channeling essence in her hand with longing on her face. The glossy black sphere acted like a mirror, and I was certain she was gazing at her own reflection and thinking about the relief it could offer her. “Thank you,” she whispered. “It will help ease the pain.”
Konstantin appeared to collect himself, diverting his gaze from the nursing babe. “Go ahead and consume it, Castile,” he urged. Castile examined the sphere briefly before letting it rest on her tongue. Her expression contorted with pleasure as she closed her mouth, and the sphere melted away. She started breathing heavily as the essence worked through her.
Viridia giggled, “Do you want to be by yourself to enjoy that?”
It was not the first female mage who I saw take pleasure in an essence. Zyna was one of a kind, though. The moment passed all too quickly for Castile. “Thank you, Eryk and Konstantin. I also want to thank the lesser channeling essence delivered by Blaze, Mateo, and Benito.”
I smirked, “Looks like you enjoyed that. Want another?” Another black apex essence appeared in my palm, and her eyes widened. Konstantin, visibly upset, stormed over to Castile, snatching the manticore sack and shoving his hand inside, turning it inside out.
He turned to me and said, “Not the time. Stop playing games and give them all to her.” I had thought my plot to keep producing one at a time would be funny when I thought it up, but after learning of Lirkin’s death, Konstantin was right. It was not the time.
I took the black sack from him, corrected it, and dropped the essences inside one by one, totaling twelve apex essences, including the one in my hand, followed by twelve major channeling essences. Even Viridia’s breath was caught in surprise at the enormity of the wealth they represented.
Benito exclaimed jubilantly, “Hahaha! I told you he would do it, Blaze! Now Castile can join us when we go hunt Firth!”
Castile turned on Benito, and Blaze cursed under his breath. “I told you that none of you are leaving to pursue him! Let it be for now!” Benito’s eyes widened, realizing he had told Castile of their apparent secret plans to hunt Firth. Castile eyes were no longer happy about the essences but burning holes through Blaze.
“Why wouldn’t we go after Firth?” Konstantin asserted into the conversation. Blaze took the opportunity to extract himself from the gardens, taking the young Marius with him for sword lessons elsewhere rather than remain under Castile’s gaze.
Castile and Viridia exchanged glances, and it was Castile who broke the silence. “The Empire is crumbling from within. Emperor Octavius is the worst kind of ruler. While Octavius has focused on consolidating his power by removing threats among the First Citizens, the goblinoids have entrenched themselves in the south, even going so far as erecting walls and founding a city.” Konstantin’s jaw dropped. “That is not all. The orcs in the west continue to seize more and more territory unopposed. Additionally, Octavius signed a treaty with Esenhem that he will have to break or risk losing the support of the First Citizens who currently back him.”
Viridia swaddled the babe as it fell asleep, “I have been undercutting prices for the Empire’s exports abroad, eating the profits for some of the Emperor’s few allies. We hope that soon they will turn on him when their gold starts drying up.”
It seemed the pair were waging a silent war over coins. “You didn’t answer my question,” Konstantin growled.
Castile exhaled, getting exasperated with the veteran. She was used to her men listening to her orders. “Firth slithered back to the Empire. His time will come,” Castile said harshly. She clutched the manticore sack tighter as if it might suddenly fly away. “I am not your mage commander any longer,” she softened. “You do not need to obey me, but if you moved openly within the Empire’s borders, you would draw unnecessary attention to us and our machinations.”
“They tried to kill you, Castile,” Konstantin spat. “They killed a good man. Many good men.”
“Octavius has more things to worry about than me,” she raised her voice slightly, asserting her will. “He came after me for two reasons. One, because I know that he was part of the conspiracy to assassinate the Emperor. And the second for petty revenge. Anyone who would have cared about the first is now dead or has fled the Empire. As for the second, he already attempted to scrape the bottom of the barrel and sent Firth.”
“You can’t be sure he will not try again,” Konstantin growled, still not letting go of his thirst for revenge.
Castile conceded his point. “No, I cannot. Firth was sent without our knowledge, but we have made—moves—to ensure if he sends someone else, we will know about it. We have allies—if you hunted Firth now, that could be in jeopardy.”
Konstantin remained heated, but relented. “Fine, but it is my blade that will end him when the time comes.” Castile looked relieved as she gave him a slight nod.
A thought occurred to me that might break the tension. “Whatever happened to the mage I left with you? Selena? Did she leave with her legionaries?” I looked to Konstantin as he had told me that the two legionnaires I had let live, Helena and Sylvia, had traveled with him. They had returned to serving as Mage Selena’s guards.
“Selena is guarding the olive orchards and stirring up trouble with the Empire’s agents to the south. She still has a debt to repay to you,” Viridia said mischievously as the child woke and promptly vomited up the milk it had just consumed. Viridia didn’t seem upset; she just stood and walked into the villa with the fussy babe to clean her robes.
After she left, Konstantin asked Castile in a whisper, “What is the child’s name?”
“Dominic,” Benito blurted.
“A son?” Konstantin said more to himself than as a question. Castile nodded, smiling at the aging man.
“We will feast tonight and drink to our lost comrades,” Castile said, standing. “Viridia only has one cook and maid, so do not be too messy. I am sure Eryk is wondering where the baths are in the upper city.”
“I recall where,” I said reflexively while grinning.
“I will go with him!” Benito yelped. After revealing their plans to leave and hunt Firth in the Empire, I could tell he was seeking my protection. I nodded, not minding the company.
When we settled into the tubs of the rather expensive baths, I asked Benito, “How did it happen?”
“Firth?” He guessed. “We had spotters at all the city gates. Blaze thinks Firth and the Hounds climbed the walls at night, or the spotters just missed them. Wylie was with him.” Blaze said, a little downtrodden. The company was Benito’s family, and I was sure this betrayal was tearing him apart. “I could have saved him. Lirkin, I mean. He told me to save Mateo’s woman instead.”
I then listened to Benito’s confession. I did my best to absolve him of his perceived sins. “You did what Lirkin wanted. He sacrificed himself so a child could have a mother, and Mateo wouldn’t have to live with the guilt of it. We will reopen the inn, and things will return to how they were,” I reassured him, but I knew that was going to be difficult.
“Did Raelia go home? You know she likes you. I don’t understand why, but she does.” Benito chided me. “You should have been nicer to her.” He just assumed I had continued to needle the elf woman and pushed her away.
“She did go home, but she should be joining me here in a few months,” I replied. “I like her too,” I admitted, and I longed to see her.
Benito sat up, splashing water. “Is she bringing Baldo? I told the kids I knew a griffin rider, but they didn’t believe me,” Benito asked excitedly.
“Yes, she will bring Baldo,” I replied, and Benito started to get excited. “What kids?”
Benito had a big smile. “Mateo’s. Well, Mateo’s woman’s. You will like them. Their mother, Clarissa, is the one who almost died. They are all under ten and fun to play with.”
“What about you? Do you find anyone?” I asked the young man.
Benito flushed a little, “I spent most of my silver from our travels on a woman, but when it ran out, so did she.”
“Don’t worry Benito, there will be other women and more silver,” I said.
“Are we going adventuring again?” He asked excitedly.
“No. It is time to rest some, but I might try to gain entry into the local dungeon. And yes. You are welcome to join me,” I said to the already nodding man.
After I was sufficiently pruned, I took my damp clothes and walked into the city, with Benito. I think he was hiding from Blaze, but I think I helped ease his conscience a bit. We wandered the city for a while before returning to the villa to celebrate.
Mateo was there talking with Konstantin. He broke away to enclose me in a hug, grinning, “Eryk, glad you came back to us. Konstantin was telling me about your adventures. When you have time, you should come meet Clarissa. The children would love to meet a true hero.”
“Hero?” I coughed.
“That is how you sound in all the stories Bentio and I tell them,” he said, chuckling. Just do some magic for them and tell them how you killed a wyvern alone, and they will be your adoring fans for life.”
“Tell them about Maveith,” Benito interrupted. “They have never seen a goliath. Or a griffin. Do you have a griffin in your magic space?”
“No, just a horse, two demons, and a lot of figs,” I said, making two figs appear in my hand and giving each one.
As he ate the juicy fig, Mateo asked, “Ginger?” I nodded, and he chuckled. “You see the irony in it. Horses are supposed to carry you around, yet you are carrying your horse around.”
“Mateo, would you like to run the inn?” I asked, and he looked shocked. He eyed Castile across the room.
“I don’t think so. Clarrisa almost died there, and Mable witnessed it. With Lirkin…” He sighed, “Not many good memories.”
I nodded to my friend in sympathy. “I understand. I will talk to Castile and find someone to manage it.”
Konstantin had been close enough to overhear. “I will do it.” We all looked at him, shocked. None of us could believe the man would settle down. My eyes drifted to Domonic in his mother’s arms, and I understood why. Although Viridia was wealthy, Konstantin’s pride would require him to make his own coin.
I didn’t hesitate. “Agreed. We can work out the details with Castile. Lirkin and her were the registered owners.” I wasn’t sure if Konstantin’s gruff mannerisms would run the inn into the ground, but he had enough silver to keep it afloat for years.
I produced some elven ambrosia, and the party began. I hadn’t found a use for the chalice, but it might be something Konstantin could utilize to make the inn successful. I could ask him to set aside some bottles for me. The issue with storing the black jade chalice in my dimensional space was that the artifact couldn’t reset to function again since my space put it in stasis.
The food was rich, but it was the spirits that were consumed liberally as we celebrated our past companions and our futures. Even though I drank with my friends, I kept myself sober with purify self as the others reveled in the reunion. The dancing was atrocious, but the joyful energy made up for it.
Castile found her way to my side later in the evening. We stood near an open window, letting in cool air. “Thank you, Eryk.”
I smirked, “Well, if you have any essences left over after your channels are healed, don’t hesitate to return them.” I said it cheekily, but I actually meant it. Channeling essences, like all magical attributes, are difficult to procure.
“Of course,” she said with a slight slur. We watched the others for a time. Viridia had forced Dominic into Konstantin’s arms, and he was mesmerized by the babe, who was screaming at the top of his lungs. I could already tell it was a perfect match. Castile asked softly, “What did I do to deserve your devotion?”
“What?” I turned to her, having heard her question clearly. “You tried to keep us all alive.”
Castile looked about to tear up, “So many have fallen in service to me, Eryk—so many. Lirkin was just the latest, and still, I push, and more will die.”
“Then abandon it. You said it yourself. The Empire will collapse on itself,” I retorted. “You don’t need to fight every battle.”
Castile bit her cheek, holding something back. “It is not easy. It is my nature now, especially now that we are close to cleansing the Empire. Maybe it could be something better for the people.”
I didn’t have the heart to tell her it was a cycle. All Empires eventually rotted from within. My cynical view was even if she purged the Telhian Empire, it would eventually return to what it was. “What are you going to do now?” Castile asked, breaking my thoughts.
“I will go see Ignis tomorrow. Find somewhere to practice my alchemy and maybe delve into the local dungeon if I can,” I replied. “I am waiting for the elf.”
Castile frowned. She was too intoxicated not to give me advice. “Human and elf relationships do not last. There will always be pain of loss watching your partner grow old.”
I huffed a laugh. “I know. But at least I can enjoy a few centuries with Raelia before she grows old.” Castile cocked her head in confusion. She thought she misheard me. I hadn’t told anyone but thought maybe it was time. “I have the spell form for slow aging Castile. I will outlive her.” I chuckled again, “Well, as long as I don’t get myself killed before then.”
Castile’s jaw descended, “How…how strong is your affinity in time?”
I smiled at her and as I walked away, replied, “It is never polite to ask a man about his attributes.”
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Comments
daniel dantas
I'll be honest, I hated Castile's reaction. It was very superficial and, to make matters worse, it wasn't even appropriate because Benito changed the subject, taking the attention away from her. Author, Castile went into shock when she believed she would never be cured. She wasn't going to be. The amount was absurd and the monsters were extremely dangerous. Eryk performed a small miracle by gathering so many essences, especially considering that manticores are monsters that require an entire company to slaughter them, and yet he and his small group killed dozens. She should have been moved, at least hugged him, and only then did Benito get in the way. Well, that's my opinion and my feedback (although late, but better late than never)
Adam V
Edits: Selena? Did she leave with her [legionaries]->[legionaires]?” “That is how you sound in all the stories [Bentio]->[Benito] and I tell them,”
HappyNoms
If the author wants readers to admire Eryk for his coming of age into leadership and his struggle against adversity, then Eryk needs to be an adult more often, instead of, analogously give or take, smirking at giving medicine to a cancer patient. Eryk, my guy, read the room and act 27 instead of 15. I can see him opening respectfully playful, sitting beside Castile and rolling an essence orb with his fingers over to her saying he's heard of a marvellously clever commander with a tactic of using essences to influence people... but then moving from a playful lead into everyone taking the overture seriously and giving the moment meaning would do more for demonstrating Eryk's character growth. This is a major moment for him, where he could have double digit gains in a key attribute but has realized that's not the most important value he holds, and we know he's changed because in earlier books we got to read how he was absolutely convinced that he would selfishly hoard essences for himself, and this is incontravertable proof by his actions that he is becoming a different person.
Medhanie Kidane
Can the conversation be a bit mature about the essence, when he hands everything to her? Have more conversation about the essence and how he got them, then Benito conversation can follow.
Dennis Crocker
I believe Mateo would have let Eryk know that Firth learned not only that he was alive, but also learned more about his true strength.
Erick Thiemke
its slow aging
Marten Byl
Darn I wish someone had put what Erik's time attribute was in the comments now I'm going to have to go back thru recent chapters to find it
Apophixas
Lemes is correct, he took the chalice back, and has also used it multiple times since the Titans.
Apophixas
Him and Renna were definitely interesting together, but even regardless of being with child, it really doesn't make sense for Eryk to try to be with anyone that isn't extremely long lived. While he can be impulsive, he is also much too pragmatic to subject himself to trying to love and live with someone who is going to waste away far too soon compared to his near immortal life. So romancing Elves and particularly long lived mages of other species are the only choices that make sense. If he's super lucky, maybe sometime in the far future he'll run into another otherworlder who's female, has a high enough time affinity, AND is interested in him.
NovaZero
That covers it!
Rezking
Really like this edited version. Not sure about this part: “Agreed. We can work out the details with Castile. Lirkin and her were the registered owners.” I remember it as something like: Lirkin and Castile making sure he was also a registered owner.
Tim Qunell
This version is much better. Eryk really needs to tell “the Elf” about his slow aging spell form. I like them together though I also like him and Renna. But the elf is with child. I wanna hear all about it. Though it’s about time someone put a bun in Castile’s oven.
NovaZero
I gave a brief re-read, but I haven't found it yet. Maybe Konstantin? Time's so shot these days 😅
Kingtie
Awesome
Andrew Crews
1st Paragraph: • [“Castile turned the apex channeling essence in her hand with longing on her face.” → “Castile turned the apex channeling essence in her hand, longing etched across her face.”] (More fluid and engaging.) • [“The glossy black sphere acted like a mirror, and I was certain she was gazing at her own reflection and thinking about the relief it could offer her.” → “The glossy black sphere reflected her image, and I was certain she was contemplating the relief it promised.”] (More concise and evocative.) 3rd Paragraph: • [“Her expression contorted with pleasure as she closed her mouth, and the sphere melted away.” → “Her expression twisted in pleasure as the sphere melted away on her tongue.”] (Smoother flow.) 4th Paragraph: • [“It was not the first female mage who I saw take pleasure in an essence.” → “It wasn’t the first time I’d seen a female mage take pleasure in an essence.”] (More natural phrasing.) • [“Zyna was one of a kind, though.” → “But Zyna had been one of a kind.”] (Stronger impact.) 6th Paragraph: • [“Konstantin, visibly upset, stormed over to Castile, snatching the manticore sack and shoving his hand inside, turning it inside out.” → “Visibly upset, Konstantin stormed over to Castile, yanked the manticore sack, and turned it inside out.”] (More dynamic and immediate.) 8th Paragraph: • [“Even Viridia’s breath was caught in surprise at the enormity of the wealth they represented.” → “Even Viridia sucked in a breath at the sheer wealth before her.”] (More natural and immersive.) 12th Paragraph: • [“Castile and Viridia exchanged glances, and it was Castile who broke the silence.” → “Castile and Viridia exchanged a glance before Castile broke the silence.”] (Smoother.) 14th Paragraph: • [“Konstantin remained heated, but relented.” → “Konstantin fumed but relented.”] (Stronger impact.) 16th Paragraph: • [“Selena is guarding the olive orchards and stirring up trouble with the Empire’s agents to the south.” → “Selena’s guarding the olive orchards and making trouble for the Empire’s agents in the south.”] (More fluid.) 21st Paragraph: • [“Benito flushed a little, ‘I spent most of my silver from our travels on a woman, but when it ran out, so did she.’” → “Benito flushed. ‘I spent most of my silver on a woman. When it ran out, so did she.’”] (Cleaner delivery.) 26th Paragraph: • [“Mateo was there talking with Konstantin. He broke away to enclose me in a hug, grinning, ‘Eryk, glad you came back to us.’” → “Mateo was deep in conversation with Konstantin but broke away, grinning, to pull me into a hug. ‘Eryk, glad you’re back with us.’”] (More engaging structure.) 30th Paragraph: • [“Mateo, would you like to run the inn?” I asked, and he looked shocked. He eyed Castile across the room.” → “‘Mateo, would you like to run the inn?’ I asked. He looked shocked, casting a glance at Castile across the room.”] (Tighter flow.) 32nd Paragraph: • [“I didn’t hesitate. ‘Agreed. We can work out the details with Castile. Lirkin and her were the registered owners.’” → “I didn’t hesitate. ‘Agreed. We’ll work out the details with Castile—she and Lirkin were the registered owners.’”] (Smoother phrasing.) 34th Paragraph: • [“The food was rich, but it was the spirits that were consumed liberally as we celebrated our past companions and our futures.” → “The food was rich, but the spirits flowed freely as we celebrated our fallen comrades and our future.”] (More impactful.) 37th Paragraph: • [“Castile found her way to my side later in the evening. We stood near an open window, letting in cool air.” → “Later in the evening, Castile drifted to my side as we stood near an open window, cool air washing over us.”] (More immersive.) 40th Paragraph: • [“Castile looked about to tear up, ‘So many have fallen in service to me, Eryk—so many. Lirkin was just the latest, and still, I push, and more will die.’” → “Castile looked on the verge of tears. ‘So many have fallen in service to me, Eryk—so many. Lirkin was just the latest. And still, I push forward, knowing more will die.’”] (Stronger emotional weight.) 42nd Paragraph: • [“I didn’t have the heart to tell her it was a cycle. All Empires eventually rotted from within.” → “I didn’t have the heart to tell her—Empires always rotted from within.”] (Sharper impact.) 45th Paragraph: • [“Castile frowned. She was too intoxicated not to give me advice.” → “Castile frowned, too intoxicated to hold back her advice.”] (More natural.) 48th Paragraph: • [“Castile’s jaw descended, ‘How…how strong is your affinity in time?’” → “Castile’s jaw slackened. ‘How…how strong is your affinity in time?’”] (More immersive.) Final Line: • [“I smiled at her and as I walked away, replied, ‘It is never polite to ask a man about his attributes.’” → “I smiled as I turned away. ‘It’s never polite to ask a man about his attributes.’”] (Smoother and more fitting tone.)
Erick Thiemke
think i corrected them all
Erick Thiemke
i changed it.... Castile’s jaw descended, “How…how strong is your affinity in time?” I smiled at her and as I walked away, replied, “It is never polite to ask a man about his attributes.”
Dkp2025
I agree that there needs to be some plan set out for him. Is he taking over so he can build an information network? Using Gilda to help hunt down people? Or is he retiring even though his character has never seemed to be heading that way. Especially with him just coming off challenging those sword schools. It seems rushed overall as this is brand new and he immediately jumps into it.
Jackson Hazeltine
I’m not quite sure, but I think Raelia has it. If I’m wrong, then please correct me, I’m curious too.
Jake
Thanks for the chapter looking forward to the next one
SUlex
Have to agree with that. Except if the author plans on killing Konstantins wife and kid and put him on a vengeance arc. Him being an innkeeper feels weird
Lemes
Yes, she also knows that he had no knowledge of magic when he arrived in Desia, which means he only acquired the magical form of slow aging recently. But we can always blame that memory lapse on the alcohol.
Lemes
Eryk managed to recover most of the valuables, the chalice was one of the pieces he took back.
Lemes
Konstantin the Innkeeper? That sounds really weird. The old man's dream has always been to be a teacher. It doesn't make sense to give up on that dream now that he'll have the time, money, and a reason to settle down in life. I think it would be much more logical and in keeping with the character for him to open a school than to become the innkeeper. If it was important to the plot that the inn stay open, this only reinforces the fact that Lyrkin's death was hasty and counterproductive. An innkeeper Konstantin would be completely out of character.
Khress
How old are you? Is strange, what is the factor for the aging? Is better. Castile knows how old he is
Kel
How does he still have elven ambrosia, wasn't it lost to the giants?
Laggmaster
I like the edits
Mark P
Nice update. These might be some edits Viridia giggled, “Do you want to be yourself to enjoy that?” ? "be by yourself" Mateo was there with there talking with Konstantin. ? Mateo was at the villa talking with Konstantin how you killed wyvern alone ? killed a wyvern The food was rich, but it was the spirits flowed freely ? but the spirits flowed freely Channeling essences, like all magical attributes, is difficult to procure. ? are difficult “Well, as long as I don’t get myself before then.” ? get myself killed before then
Chachi
god the cheesy mic drops make me cringe lol
SwiftFate
So what spell forms doesn't he have yet, Worlds is one right? And one of the other high ones I think. I hope he manages to find one for them soon
Andrew
Thank you!
NovaZero
"don’t get myself before then." > killed
Sunto
Also quite looking forward to the reaction of the kids to seeing him.
Shane clark
So much better! Maybe stretch out using the essences a little more. That’s the hi lite I’ve been waiting for after leaving the manticore dungeon.
NovaZero
Where did the belt go again? Because the chalice would reset well in there.
IndyBart
“As long as o don’t get myself “ Did you mean to leave off “killed”? I liked the back half rewrite to settle the previous unpleasantness.
IndyBart
Maybe you can sort it out by having him just hand copy the the information from the book he has in his mind, and just the section on the elven chainmail as part of what he was doing during the boat travels or his free time?
SleepingNight
Really love the rewrite. Before the rewrite everything felt super rushed. Thx for the rewrite and chapter.
Eriach
Good ending sentence 👏
SUlex
Very nice chapter. I really liked that you dedicated the whole chapter for the reunion
Joel
Love the ending, thanks!
PatronTurtle
Of course it'd be a family to finally tame Konst. Hope he can start that school on the side
Mrtotoro
Nice edit, felt like reading a new chapter. Which is always welcomed when am bored out of my mind
