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The Crime Lord Bard - Chapter 127: Mausoleum
🕑 Added 2025-06-27 22:57:35 +0000 UTCAs they turned to leave, a faint glimmer caught his eye. A translucent message hovering at the edge of his vision:
[You have found the Mausoleum of Lurien - The Goddess of Justice]
"Lurien?" he murmured to himself. "Wasn't there another god... what was the name?" He strained to recollect the name of the God of Justice.
Jamie felt a chill creep up his spine, a primal warning that whatever lay beyond was shrouded in danger.
After a moment of contemplation, he exhaled, taking a step backward. "It's best if you don't mention this to anyone," Jamie advised.
Aldwin nodded beside him. "Agreed," he replied.
"I'll do some research," Jamie continued, casting one last glance at the enigmatic doors. "But for now, make sure no one else stumbles upon this place."
"I understand," Aldwin affirmed, sensing the unspoken weight of Jamie's words. Whatever secrets the mausoleum held were not to be taken lightly.
They left the ancient door and retraced their steps through the maze of tunnels.
As they navigated the winding tunnels, Jamie couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Shadows seemed to flicker at the edge of his vision, and he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. Yet, whenever he turned to look, there was nothing but darkness.
Emerging from the depths, they found themselves back at the entrance beneath the pier. The scent of the sea greeted them.
They moved quietly through the narrow alleys away from the harbor, hidden in the shadows. The city of Hafenstadt was asleep. The streets were empty except for a flicker of lantern in a window or a dog barking.
Jamie pushed open the heavy door of the Golden Fiddle and stepped into the warm tavern. A few people still sat with their drinks, but the lively energy was gone.
He walked across the room, nodding to those who looked up. Climbing the creaky stairs, he passed the hall to his room and went to the small office at the end.
He moved to a locked cabinet nestled against the far wall. Retrieving a key from a chain around his neck, he unlocked it and began to sift through the contents. It was a collection of items he had acquired over time, most of the loot from their past invasions.
His fingers brushed against the leather-bound spine of an old book. "The Gods and the Pantheon," he read aloud.
Jamie carried the tome to the desk, lighting a lantern to cast better light upon the pages. He opened it cautiously, half expecting the brittle parchment to crumble at his touch. Yet, to his surprise, the pages were remarkably well-preserved.
The text was written in archaic English. The magical translation enabled him to read and speak the local language, yet the words seemed to appear in a dialect that felt ancient. Making the translation mimic the same behavior.
"Perhaps to reflect the age of the book," he thought. "Yet it's in such good condition."
He began to leaf through the pages, absorbing snippets of lore and mythology. He recognized some familiar names, such as Nytheris, the Moon Weaver, and Aetheron, the Sun Lord. But many of the gods listed were either unfamiliar or bore names that seemed variations of ones he knew.
As he delved deeper, the entries grew more obscure. Deities of forgotten domains, gods and goddesses whose tales had been lost to the sands of time.
Near the end of the book, he noticed several pages had been torn out. On the adjacent page, a handwritten note caught his eye:
"Gods are born, and gods die."
--
Weeks had passed since they returned to Hafenstadt. The city was busy rebuilding. At any time, some could hear the craftsmen hammering or smell the fresh wood mixing with the sea breeze.
The trial of the captured nobles dragged on. Chained and silent, they refused to reveal their plans or allies. Their defiance frustrated the city's leaders, but they seemed each day closer to breaking.
On the rebuilt walls, Emyr's first cannon stood ready, shining in the sun. Soldiers trained around it, learning its power under her watch.
In the end, the last concern that Jamie still had did not happen.
Despite his unease, Jamie’s fears had not come true. Each day, as he walked to the Imperial Academy, he heard something unexpected. The "Hafenstadt Anthem," which he had written, was now part of daily life. Workers hummed it, merchants whistled it, and children sang it while playing. It had become a quiet symbol of hope for the city.
Approaching the archway of the Academy, Jamie spotted Director Tannenbaum seated on a stone bench near the main gate. His long, snowy beard cascaded over his chest, and a pair of half-moon spectacles perched atop his nose. A folded newspaper rested over his face, rising and falling with each snore.
Jamie suppressed a grin as he closed the distance. "Any interesting news?" he inquired, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.
With a start, Tannenbaum jolted awake, the newspaper sliding to his lap. He blinked, adjusting his spectacles as he peered up at Jamie. "Hm? What's that?" he mumbled before comprehension dawned. "Oh! News? Perhaps, perhaps."
Jamie arched an eyebrow, leaning against the gate's ornate ironwork. "Such as?"
The Director yawned, scratching at his beard. "Well, let's see..." He retrieved the crumpled newspaper, smoothing it out with a few pats. "Ah, yes—the Scourge of the Gods was sighted in a kingdom to the east."
"The Scourge of the Gods?" Jamie echoed, a note of concern threading through his voice.
"Indeed," Tannenbaum affirmed. "It seems the Inquisitors are occupied elsewhere for the time being. They won't be meddling in Hafenstadt's affairs again so soon."
"That's a relief," Jamie remarked.
As he prepared to depart, Tannenbaum tilted his head. "How have the lessons been?" he inquired, a glint of sly curiosity in his gaze.
Jamie met his eyes with a wry smile. "You tell me," he countered.
A rumbling chuckle erupted from the Director, his ample belly quivering. "They've yielded the results I anticipated," he proclaimed. "The nobles are in an uproar!"
"Especially after the last incident, I presume." Jamie's tone was innocuous, but a shared understanding passed between them.
"Precisely!" Tannenbaum's eyes twinkled with mischief. "You have ruffled quite a few feathers. It's been ages since the Academy felt so... invigorated."
Jamie nodded. "Glad to contribute."
He hesitated for a moment before voicing a lingering question. "Director," he began, "why didn't the Academy take part in defending Hafenstadt during the recent attacks?"
Tannenbaum's expression softened, a sigh escaping his lips. "Ah, a fair question," he conceded. "Alas, we are bound by bureaucratic chains. The Imperial Academy is an institution under the strict purview of the Empire. Our mandate confines us to the protection of these walls."
"I suppose it's like the Arcane Tower," Jamie mused.
"Perhaps," Tannenbaum replied. "But not exactly the same."
With that, Jamie turned and began his descent from the steps of the Academy.
Behind him, the tall building reached into the blue sky, while Hafenstadt’s busy streets surrounded him again.
He had spent many hours in the Academy library over the past few days. Reading and researching old books and scrolls had become a hobby. Jamie was searching for clues about the labyrinth beneath the city, the god Lurien, and any information that could aid him.
“Finally, a lead,” Jamie thought, feeling a spark of determination.
Next to him, Jay walked gracefully. A small hat sat on the cat’s head, a gift from one of the girls at the Golden Fiddle.
"It was too safe, you know," Jay grumbled, his voice resonating within Jamie's mind. "When I was incorporeal, I didn't have to worry about the mundane dangers of this world. Now, everywhere I go, I must tread carefully."
'What are you talking about?' Jamie queried silently.
Jay let out a soft huff. "You never pay attention," he retorted. "I never truly felt the adrenaline of adventuring until I lost my ability to become incorporeal. It's quite the experience."
"Is that a good thing?" Jamie asked aloud, genuinely puzzled by the cat's admission.
People glanced at Jamie as he talked to a meowing cat wearing a tiny hat. Some laughed quietly, while others just shook their heads.
“It’s exciting, but also dangerous,” Jay said, his amber eyes showing both excitement and caution.
They walked down the busy street, their steps matching the city’s rhythm.
Vendors shouted about their goods, the air smelled of fresh bread and spices, and children ran between the market stalls.
But today, they weren’t going to the forest where they usually trained. Instead, they walked toward the shoreline.
Awaiting them were four figures seated amidst the sand and stones. Thomas stood first. Aldwin rose next, his half-elven features sharp and perceptive, ever vigilant. Bertram followed, his broad frame and warm demeanor evident. Lastly, Eliza got to her feet, brushing sand from her tunic, her eyes reflecting a blend of curiosity and apprehension.
As Jamie approached, the four gathered, forming a semicircle. Thomas gave Jamie a subtle nod, stepping aside.
"Did anyone follow you?" Jamie asked, his tone measured.
"No one," they assured in unison.
Eliza crossed her arms. "I'm nervous, Jamie. Don't keep us in suspense."
Jamie took a deep breath. "It's quite simple," he began. "Right now, we're weak. Too weak."
Bertram frowned, confusion evident on his face. "But what can we do? We've been training every day, pushing ourselves to the limit."
"With the classes we have, our growth is limited," Eliza added softly, a note of resignation in her words.
"That's exactly what we're going to change," Jamie announced, a spark igniting in his eyes.
Aldwin tilted his head, curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"
Jamie met each of their gazes. "I told you before that I don't have a Re:Spec. But that doesn't mean I don't have a method to enhance your classes."
"How?" they echoed, a mix of hope and skepticism coloring their voices.
A subtle smile played on Jamie's lips. He raised his hand, extending it toward them.
[Crescendo]
