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The Calamitous Bob 231: The Slayer
🕑 Added 2025-02-07 17:11:14 +0000 UTC“What the fuck are you doing? Are you mad?”
Celerin Crest pulled his hair — what else was he supposed to do? He ignored the gasps, the glares, the ‘oh!’ of consternation. This was too much. Too much!
“Nero I swear to Maranor!”
“Do not.”
A monstrous aura swept the tent, quieting the courtiers and generals under a cloak of cold control. Even Crest’s fury was quenched from a raging fire to dull embers of simmering resentment.
“Do not pronounce Her name in vain.”
“You can stop me from swearing all you want.”
“Enough!”
Crest’s mouth shut with a painful click. This was it: the price of obedience, the consequences of his choices. He was no longer someone to be listened to, and he only had himself to blame.
Not for being unconvincing, for not leaving back in the Shadowlands when Nero had started to hang entire families. Throwing his hands up, he turned away.
“Do not turn your back on me,”
The wave grabbed his shoulders, but Crest pulled away. It took every bit of his considerable willpower to even oppose it, but in the end, he could not. He had already bowed. Now, the power wouldn’t let him go, so he did the next best thing.
He turned half way and let his obedience serve as a platform for one last act of defiance.
“Your hubris is going to kill us all,” he spat.
“It is necessary. Param will belong to mankind. All three continents will, eventually.”
There was much Crest could reply to this. It would be a waste of his time. Oleander no longer took any counsel, from anyone. He had spent too much time rushing ahead of the consequences of his decisions, and now, he believed himself to be immune.
The man who used to be the mastermind of their adventures had disappeared, replaced by absolute conviction.
Crest left the tent. The worst thing was, he would go with his lord to a stupid and unnecessary confrontation because what else was he going to do? Switch sides? After all the horrors they’d committed together? It would be a betrayal of all the efforts he’d made until now. No. He was going to be a coward and commit.
His gaze went right towards Enoria’s central massif. Only a fraction of the army stayed on the slope while the rest traveled west, always west, pillaging granaries as they went. It was barely enough to sustain their numbers, with most of the grain taken away and hidden before they came. Crest ought to be at the fore, opening portals to make them progress faster instead of here on a vainglorious errand. But here it was, in the distance, the scorched ruins of Aristan. A place of memories and revenge.
“We shouldn’t have come here,” he whispered.
Deep inside, he suspected that this was a destiny thing. Divine magic and the like. So far, the witch had been ahead of them every step of the way, turning the populace against them as Maranor’s Kingdom had turned from liberators into locusts. Oleander had lost all the credibility and benefits he might have had from allies in a matter of weeks. He desperately needed a win. This… was not it. They could have rebuilt a city, or slain a perilous monster instead. But no.
They were going to tempt fate instead.
Crest shuddered. He’d seen Oleander kill a dragon before, and that was before he pathed up, but surely… and the consequences…
His confidence cracked.
**
Nero was in control. He had been praised for his sangfroid back home where sky ships and pneumatic guns ruled war. Warbands had followed him even in the days of old Enoria, before the civil war even started, because nothing could make him lose his calm. He was no different now.
“Milady, I ask for your light.”
The tent around him faded, the familiar object dissolving like shadows. He was standing in a room of impossible proportion, facing a noble throne upon which sat a tall figure. She was striking with raven hair and a robe that started white, then darkened and bloodied near the hem. Shadows of dying warriors could be seen, perishing in the skirmishes that played at the periphery of his great push.
“My champion. Speak.”
“I require advice for the fight ahead.”
The goddess’ expression didn’t change, yet somehow, it still radiated disapproval.
“You should have asked before committing. Your decision is correct, but terribly mistimed. Your quarry is not to be taken lightly.”
“Should he perish, the other dragons will fear me.”
“Yes,” the figure said, leaning forward. “And they might have fled the continent, but you have left a flame of revolt to burn in our splintered mankind. A few will rally around her rather than observe. It was a foolish decision.”
She sat back, still radiating annoyance.
“Your overconfidence will cost you.”
“I must be victorious. I must prove myself to her, and to the world.”
“And you will be. Your success is fated, but you might pay a heavy price for it.”
She shrugged.
“It will depend upon your ability. Remind yourself that if you are only faced with bad options, the fault for the situation often lies in your own past. I dare hope you will prove more… insightful in the future.”
“I will. Success might have made me complacent but I will expiate with my soul if I have to. May I have your blessing in this endeavor?”
“You always do, my champion.”
Nero hesitated, then asked what he always wanted to know.
“Why have you not cursed her for opposing me?” he finally asked.
“Because she is following the rules of the great game, Nero, and because, like it or not, she too is a face of civilization. Now go, and be victorious, one way or another.”
“Thank you, milady.”
“One last thing.”
Nero didn’t dare meet the goddess’ eyes, now that a warning had seeped in her words.
“Do not waste any more time for it is not on our side. You are cornered. Win now, or it will forever slip through your fingers.”
“We will go to her immediately afterward.”
“See that you do. This victory will not offset weeks of plunder and starvation.”
**
Outside of Aristan, nature had reclaimed the land once dominated by mankind. Roots had broken the cobblestone, and branches emerged from the collapsed roofs like limbs reaching for the sunlight. It was still dreadfully cold on the slope of the mountain. The breaths of the vanguard came out in small puffs as they waited in their assigned positions just above the city in that fateful spot where the devastation had begun. They were the best of the best, the only ones capable of even affecting the battle to come — if battle there would be. To be honest, Celerin Crest had no idea if their would-be foe would deign to take the field. It was probably a question of pride.
In front and above, Oleander walked up at a sedate pace. The small cavern where the eggs used to be lay abandoned, barely visible between brambles on a background of glassy stone, black and pitted by ancient fire. It was a hellish landscape that reminded Crest of the flanks of Old Red Light, the volcano that turned the Shaded Lands into the Shadowlands. The region was still scarred and blighted after all these years. It certainly brought back memories. Oleander was older now, comparatively more powerful. In a way, Crest understood. His old friend had never let go of his regrets. His guilt. So they had returned. Oleander cut an impressive figure, Celerin had to admit, with his white armor stained with bloody figures at the bottom, but it was the crimson wings fully deployed from his shoulder blades that made him other, more than human. A messenger from another world carrying fate on his back. Celerin could only pray that it would be enough.
“You know we’re here. Come on out,” Oleander said.
Crest looked at the cavern although he knew, absolutely knew that there was no way the dragon would fit into something that could barely accommodate three men abreast. That might be why his breath caught in his throat when the landscape moved. What he had assumed to be a craggy cliff moved, sliding out of the mountain in a delicate landslide. Yellow eyes as large as plates opened. The dragon was massive, but he was so large and since the light seemed to blur around his edge, it was difficult to exactly say when the dragon stopped, and the mountain started.
The thoughts aimed at Nero made him wince. Some of the vanguards fell to their knees, hands on their ears as if it would make a difference.
I was out all along, Champion of maranor.
I sincerely hope you will prove a better conversationalist.
“There is nothing to discuss, Desolation of Aristan.”
I go by… Judgment.
The weight of the dragon’s attention fell on Crest’s shoulder. The beast was ancient, and immensely powerful. Oleander looked like a child in comparison.
“I have come back after all those years to make you pay for this… this slaughter!”
It had been so long since Nero had shown any emotion. Anger was not a surprise.
Oh?
Are you going to stand and flight properly, this time, o judge?
“You are trying to provoke me, dragon, but it will not work. You have slain countless humans and now you will pay the price. You said your name was Judgment? Today, I am the judge.”
Ironic, coming from an egg thief.
The thoughts sharpened to a painful edge with those last two words.
A supposed judge and guardian of order and your first action is to take revenge upon the one who punished your vile theft.
Fitting, for a servant of Maranor. Hypocrisy has never stopped any of you.
“There is no crime against an enemy of mankind!”
The dragon smiled like it knew how it would reveal swords-length fangs.
Then why did you scurry like a scared rat, thief, if you did not take the measure of your terrible transgression?
“Enough! I am beyond doubts!”
The dragon almost looked… sad.
So you are. Well then. Shall we begin?
Nero struck with his sword, a powerful artefact in its own right. His intent carried through the blade in a visible wave that could cut through armor like butter. Even from here, Crest could feel the pressure. The dragon swiped it with a hand the size of a cart. It dissipated. And then all hell broke loose.
Dozens of spells, arrows, and stones crossed the air at great speed, aiming slightly up but the dragon didn’t fly as expected. Instead, he punched forward, a blow blocked by Nero but he was still sent flying. Other vanguards engaged. Jar’ko was the first to die again, cleaved in two. The dragon rampaged on the ground while the many projectiles pinged against scales as hard as diamond.
“Nets!”
Crest watched Eran the Mousey die. He managed to teleport Sarya of the Six out of the way before she could be crushed. The dragon leapt forward, the net traps mostly missing him. For such a large creature he was so impossibly fast, a whirlwind of death and claws, strangely silent.
Nero was back into the fight. A shot by Aragan of the One Breath aimed for the eye and Crest was certain it ought to have hit, but light blurred and the javelin-sized arrow bounced on a horn as thick as a trunk. A shield blocked some of the nastier spells. Crest was done casting. He opened a portal over the dragon. Magma from a nearby volcano fell in a shower of incandescent stone. The dragon shook his massive frame, rolling to get rid of them while a tail swipe struck Nero true, smashing him into the mountain’s flank. He grabbed Jar’ko and spoke for the first time.
Have I not killed you? Ah, such an unfortunate path you picked.
He pressed the man’s skull, but not enough to kill him. Crest swore. Someone would need to finish Jar’ko off so he could regenerate. Nero and the others pushed the dragon, or they tried to. Sila Blade and the Hammer of Old Ash died.
“Now!”
Only Nero stayed while the others ran. The Immortal unleashed a flurry of monstrous strikes, each one carving the ground and taking the dragon’s full attention. The monstrous entity blocked and parried every shattering blow with a skill and grace that made Crest realize that the dragon wasn’t relying on his strength. He was beating Nero on technique. But the others were ready. The earth trap they’d spent days preparing unleashed all at once.
A cataclysmic volley of stones filled the valley, enough to darken everything, enough to blunt even the body of an old dragon, but Judgment moved into the last flurry, grabbed Nero, and swung him into the incoming devastation, then Crest saw colorless mana gather in a monstrous ball around the dragon’s head. He pulled his wing back, jumped, and roared at the same time.
The sound wave would have deafened Crest if he hadn’t shielded at the last possible moment. An instant later, the dragon exploded through a small hole he’d made in the vast assault, no worse for wear. He was virtually unharmed.
The dragon spread his wing before falling on a group of archers. The Northbay sisters died. Azith the Swift died. Powerful skills rained on the dragon, but what he didn’t block with horns, claws, or tails, he just ignored and the ancient scales on his body held true. Arrin the Hurricane died. Crest kept casting. He managed to save three more vanguards including the Hopecrusher while the rest fell like flies. Sur the Arena Champion died. Vil Vinetree died. But the dragon had moved closer to the hidden ballistas. Nero returned, always fighting, always kept at bay with maddening ease while the dragon chewed through their elites. Crest saw an opportunity. He portaled to the second balistas group. Nero was somehow pushing the dragon back with another skill.
An opening.
The first group of ballistas fired. Nero struck at the same time, but the dragon let the blade clang against his horn. He growled in pain. The bolts of the ballistas flew at the same time, straight for him.
The dragon moved his claw. A thick earthen wall rose to block them. Most of them pierced but they lost so much speed, they would be useless. At the same time, Crest was done opening his own portal. The second group of ballast shot through it, and down towards the dragon’s back. In his blind spot.
Crest felt the dragon’s mana touch his portal, fighting him for control. He winced but resisted.
His eyes traveled to the dragon’s gaze firmly on him.
And the opening maw.
“Oh SHI—”
Only his acuity reflex skill saved him as he opened a portal in front of him and pushed himself through it. Right behind, the world turned into a second sun. Dragonfire ate through the projectiles, through the siege engines, through their servants, through the rocks, and trees, and the air, and even Crest’s portal themselves. Dragonfire devoured everything and nothing resisted.
Crest looked back from the promontory he’d fled to, watching the dragon grab Nero by the boot, then stomping him.
They’d used three parts of their plan and Aragan’s special skill she had to charge in advance, and they had nothing to show for it. The dragon wasn’t even wounded.
They were being demolished. Even Nero was being toyed with. Perhaps seeing the futility of their efforts, Maranor’s champion fell on his knees, arms spread wide.
***
Silence reigned over the massive room. If Maranor was disappointed, she showed no signs of it.
“I warned you that there would be a price to pay,” she said.
Her champion looked beaten and bloodied, not the best look even if it wouldn’t really matter. He was The Immortal.
“Anything for victory,” Nero replied.
“It will not intimidate all of the dragons. Some will pull back and wait, moved by self-preservation, but others will fight you.”
“And I shall kill them too. There can be only one dominant race on the three continents.”
Maranor nodded. It was order. It was sacrifice. It was everything she embodied.
“Then,” she said, “Wield it well.”
She stood. Her hand reached the hilt of the sword suddenly hanging at her side. It was on the short side, for her, dull and aged and made with more care than talent. As she pulled it from its hilt, whispers spread through the room. Yells. Cries of pain and of disbelief. The blade danced with the soul shards of all the creatures it had killed, even those that believed themselves beyond the reach of mortality. It was the God-ender. The single most powerful artefact ever forged by mankind’s deeds. It was the Slayer. She handed it to Nero guard first. He screamed when his fingers closed around it. His soul fissured when he struck.
***
Viv watched Rosea walk away from the meeting with a hidden smile, the last of her advisor holding the council room’s door open for her. The Queen of Baran had agreed to her terms in less than two hours of discussion, pleasantly surprised, from her expression. Viv imagined the woman had come expecting Viv to bring Baran to his knees. After all, the archwitch had the better army, if she included herself, and scary assassins. What Baran had was land, people, and money, all things that could be bargained for.
But Viv hadn’t. She had only asked for teeny tiny trade concessions: tariffs so low they were basically a disguised income tax, free circulation of people, the ability for Harrakan citizens to create guilds. It felt like a boon, but of course, Viv had an ulterior motive. She wouldn’t be a conqueror by force. It was so 1900’s and she was a modern girl at heart. No, Harrak would grow economically thanks to sweeping social reforms and technological innovations thanks to yries and her own budding university. By the time the other sovereigns realized what she was doing, all their economies would be so enmeshed and Harrak’s presence so widespread, going to war would be the same as going to ruin. Arthur was already on the case.
“I never thanked you for starving the Maranorians so cleverly, by the way,” Viv told the large dragoness.
My pleasure.
Arthur uncoiled, her body so large they had to rebuild the gates to most important rooms. Even half again as tall as Viv at the neck, she remained lithe and sinuous but it was a bus-length kind of sinuous. She would always lack Meadow’s girth. That one was a unit.
The Enorian army is on the move.
They will cross the Deadshield woods in a week, with Crest assisting them.
I still believe we should assassinate him.
“We want their army to come quickly now. If we resist their advance too much, they might reconsider it. Right now, they’re right where we want them… and Crest is a survivor. Oleander keeps a close eye on him. Killing him might be riskier than we can afford. I need Irao in the battle. With that said, we have enough supplies for weeks. The trains can now carry shells. I will give the order.”
The edge villages to the east and west still need to be evacuated.
“Oh, right. Yeah.”
Arthur rose to her feet, the heat of her body basking the council room in a toasty aura. She smelled the air.
Do you feel that?
Viv did. Fate magic, and powerful too. Both of them were out of the room in moments. A group of civil servants yelped when they raced by, dodging the stacks of papers. It was coming from the throne room! At least nothing was on fire just quite yet.
I recognize that mana but… it is strange. Nobody is there?
Viv didn’t, but when they sprinted from behind the throne, they figured out why. Under the massive, painted dome of Sinur’s Gate’s throne room sat a black dragon so massive he took all the room where seats ought to be. Guards stood paralyzed at a distance, their spears hopelessly pointing forward. He shouldn't even be able to get in there…
“Judgment?”
Hello, Viviane.
The guards stumbled and fell as whatever aura kept them from sounding the alarm released them. Viv thanked them and sent them on their way while Arthur approached the ancient creature. Hope warmed Viv’s chest. If he joined them, if he attacked Nero’s army, then victory must be hers. Judgment was just too strong. That hope evaporated almost immediately. It wasn’t just that it would go against everything he said he would do. Something strange was going on. It almost felt like his existence was …wan.
She couldn’t feel his soul. What was going on? She took a step back. Arthur looked confused as well.
Do not be alarmed.
As you can tell, I am not really here.
A peculiar fate spell allows me to, shall we say, manifest what could have been had I picked a different path. Temporarily.
“Judgment, you never come unless something really important happens. What is going on?”
I am currently fighting Oleander, who is fueled by revenge and the fate-driven need to claim a victory you have denied him so far.
He is going to kill me.
“No fucking way.”
Arthur jumped as if startled. A pained roar escaped her maw.
Noooooooooo!
The old dragon remained much calmer.
It is the fate I have decided for myself.
“Dying?” Viv erupted. “How? Why?”
The old dragon’s yellow gaze found hers. They were so disturbingly calm.
When you’re as old as me, you will realize that the ultimate freedom is choosing how you go.
My death is not a failure to me.
It is a necessity so that the future I see comes to pass.
“But there must have been another way!”
He looked away, out of the windows.
There are always other ways.
They are just… not as good.
I accept that my life would be a price to pay to steer the species of Nyil on a better path.
Returning his attention to them, he snorted, and a puff of hot smoke pushed Viv’s hair away. Arthur let out a terrible, keening sound. Her claws raked the stone. Viv didn’t give a shit; she just didn’t want the old fucker to die. He was too old and too wise and there was such a dearth of not-assholes… and they’d already lost Dean Tallit and who knew how many other people?
“Come on, man, just fly here.”
I appreciate the pain in your heart, for me.
Now be quiet. My time is short.
In order to slay me, Maranor will grant her servant a boon: her sword.
Once drawn, it will kill its opponent without fail. Only a god could resist such an attack, and even then, it can still end them.
“Can’t you have the dragon god shield you then?”
No. I will not trigger a godly war over this.
Your battle plans must take the Slayer into consideration.
Drawing the blade will crack Oleander’s soul. Doing so again in a short time will crack it even more. He will only use it as a last resort.
“So…”
For the best outcome, you must push him into that last resort. Do your best to kill him.
“Ok I can live with that.”
And that is all. My time is almost up…
He breathed out in what Viv interpreted as a bitter smile. Arthur trotted up to the much larger dragon, bumping her head against his jaw. She was still keening a bit. Viv’s tear ducts were getting a little ticklish. Fuck.
You have hadals, yries, kark, merls, dragons, and humans fighting for you, Viviane the traveler. This is the first such instance in the history of this world. It will remember that such a thing is possible. The people will remember. So, win.
“I will. I promise.”
I will be counting on you. One last thing… show me that shield of yours.
The cumbersome implement was lying against her throne. She grabbed it, feeling the familiar, slightly damaged leather of the brace against her skin. Judgment had a look at it. It was nothing special, still, just a big piece of layered metal.
He plucked a small scale from his chest. It reddened as it approached the object, then melted itself in between three half-submerged sigils.
You carry more than my hopes.
Judgment’s voice faded at the end. With the last word, he disappeared as if he had never been there. Even the displaced seats were back where they belonged.
The only traces of his passage were the cooling scale and Arthur’s sobs.
Comments
Eifer
Don't read the comment by Hiddenmaster, it's full of spoilers.
Dennis
Wow. Massive spoilers
HiddenMaster
ItWasIDIO!!
Damn I love an author who knows how to let go of characters even if they're fan favorites o7
Tiffany Miller
Such bullshit why haven't yhr other gods killed that evil bitch yet? Maranor is NOT a light god and every single one of her temples and priests needs to die. Taking out her priesthood should have been first move. Viv failed there
Tiffany Miller
Mistake every pure league city should have been burned period no racist should be left alive period these people are scum allowing them to live is evil
ManguKing
I mean... sounds like by there not being a war among the Gods, one God could wipe out all the others
KnightRider007
“The Enorian army is on the move. They will cross the Deadshield woods in a week, with Crest assisting them.” The Enorian army specifically and in particular? Or is that supposed to be “The Maranorian army”?
Angela Roberts
@MattCannon, I think so too especially bc of Octas.
Matt Cannon
Probably the same thing that happened to Octas when she lost on Sardanal's Cradel: her essence shattered and rendered all but powerless for at least decades. Maranor has more followers right now, though people might stop worshiping her over this. And most of her followers might die in this war.
Caitlin
Oh no :( why is this the one I ended on? I liked grumpy old man judgment, ah my heart!
Elaine
good chappie
James Faulkner
Also will likely unite more dragons behind Viv so they can use more fate magic collectively to swat Nero
Hussar L
It could be possible to force it with more damage to his soul, as Judgement said
Albedo's Ahoge
:(
James Faulkner
That scale better be what Viv needs for a dragon transformation. Nothing would be better than her killing Oleander as a giant black dragon with green eyes and death magic
FuriousDee
I think she was always order, power and war
Sæþór
Tftc!
Clarke
Yries started the shield in book 2.
Clarke
So this is an interesting thought. I just started a re-read because the audio book came out, and in book 1 Viv was told she couldn’t contact the gods as long as she had soul damage. If Oleander just cracked his soul, does this mean he can no longer reach out to Maranor? Does this impact her ability to support her champion?
Angela Roberts
Yes, I know but Maranor is completely invested in this world view. What happens when he fails and dies?
Jeanean
Its Nero's Soul that will crack from using Slayer.
Diego Rossi
"He had already bowed. Now, the power wouldn’t let him go, so he did the next best thing." It is possible that, at this point, Crest can't refuse Nero orders. He has accepted them too many times in the past, and Noro and Marador now have their claws in his soul.
Angela Roberts
Well damn. I hate that Judgement is gone but his wisdom and foresight will be the turning point for Nyil. I wonder if Maranor will go completely dark or if she'll actually crack and die?
Marc Schneider
I do believe the description of ascender mentioned you got to be a god at the end of it. And IIRC when Oleander was introduced and both he and Viv got a level, they said that whoever won would level again and immediately become a god, which means no more interfering in mortal affairs. Maybe I misunderstood, or maybe they can wait a bit before ascending into godhood, but the impression I got is that they wouldn't get to stay.
D
Vivian has a god slayer weapon too. Honestly, at this point she, should have just nuked the guy and called it a day.
Clifton
I don't believe Nous said anything about using causality - that was all interpreation by readers. He just gave us an emoji and told Viv to run.
Benjamin Mages
This is a reasonable assessment based on what we know of the gods, but also makes no sense. Nobody, not Nero, not Viv, not the gods, not anyone is treating this situation like "if Nero wins, he's going to just fuck off and we don't have to deal with him anymore." If he wins, he's not going anywhere and everything will be assimilated into his empire.
FuriousDee
Crest went out of his way to learn the name of everyone fourth step and above so they don't have to be the very best but yes they would all count as elites.
FuriousDee
Remember Dragon meet gets more magical as it ages so one meal from judgement might be enough. It was for the sandsong.
ThreeWater
it takes about 2 pounds of food per day per person and for an army matching likely more than that, but let’s use that, 50,000 people is about 100,000 pounds (50 tones US) per day. They could get meat for 1 meal from his corpse, more than that does not seem realistic. Seems like the delay to kill him cost more than it will gain as far as food goes.
Thomas Todd
Solfis needs to ascend to become an eldritch being of sure spite that watches over harrak
Thomas Todd
Fate wise it's possible this will count as a pointless victory and push the narrative of his hubris. This making the campaign one of vanity and empty victories which fail when it matters
Aram Ibrahim Camps
even if oleander loses I bet there's gonna be problems with the dragons, though they may be lessened by the fact that viv is a mothe of dragons
Mantarok1205
Jolly good!
Einhander
im betting lich bro will take one for the team, then will be shown in the epilogue hanging out with his waifu death goddess, who looks very pleased with herself. Since lich bro handles all the laws and what not, you could possibly say the inevitable pair is as easy as death and taxes.
bob semple
No he took it from Viv because she forgot to moisturize.
Angus Losier
I very much enjoyed the fact that for all Nero's power, Judgement was whooping him and his elites while not even breaking a sweat. Until Nero pulled out the cheat sword, it was clear it wasn't even close. Beating a tier 6 blademaster in single combat by surpassing him on technique? *chef's kiss*
RandomPerson
"He plucked a small scale from her chest. It reddened as it approached the object, then melted itself in between three half-submerged sigils." is that a typo or did he take a scale from Arthur?
BenjiVoid
I like the implication with the names that there a parallel story for Nero and this is a "Irao and lak tak and solfis and ..." Moment for them, all the important named characters.
InLucidReverie
"He plucked a small scale from her chest." His,surely
Clifton
Is Ban still with the army? His son leads the one hundred now, right?
Clifton
It would depend how early on this happened. If it was shortly after arriving on this world he would have the excuse if still thinking only humans mattered carried over from his own world. Clearly no one thought to tell him there were other sentient races. Instead of rethinking the situation over the years it seems he committed to the human supremacy. Either way, clearly he's not a great person.
AzureMaiden
“It is the fate I have decided for myself.” Interesting because it almost sounds like Judgment is manipulating the ‘story’ of the battle so that it doesn’t actually count as Oleander’s ‘win’ in the tapestry of Fate. Either because it was a Pyrrhic victory, or if Judgment ‘chose to lose’—in either case, if Oleander wielded fate magic he could bend the story back to suit him, but since he can’t manipulate fate, the story got flipped on its head, and he may have just painted himself into an even worse corner
AzureMaiden
Remember, too, that she started as the Goddess of War and nothing else—more akin to Ares than Athena, driven by an attribute that, without a higher purpose, embodies many horrors and few virtues. After her husband left, she changed to become the Goddess of Power—again, an attribute which, without some other purpose, enables many evils and precious few goods. Then, at some unknown point, she changed once again to value Order. Again, an attribute devoid of inherent purpose, and on its own the progenitor of many ills and few cures. She has always straddled the line between the Light gods and the Dark—not by necessity, but by choice. And thus did her followers
Nicholas Williams Chamarro
It would actually be kinda hilarious if ALL dragons ended up joining Vi
The Bandersnatch
Yeah seems like he was an arrogant asshole right from the get go. No wonder he ended up Maranor's champion (he's too self-righteous to have gone to a dark god)
Robert Rosenthal
I don’t think this was fate magic. I think Nero is just trying to heal his ego from fleeing desolation before. Mara or has been violent and stupid from the beginning and Nero has been consumed by ego and stupidity if he had a good intention he sacrificed it years ago
Senko
Remember she was given that title for cracking a world anchor when she was weaker than she is now.
Senko
I don't think he'd be going anywhere if he won. Viv is headed towards godhood but he seems more champion of the God. That is he'll always remain as a physical servant of Maranor ruling the empire of humanity in her name.
Senko
I believe it's the difference between the original Oleander who explored the world and united the Shadowlands vs the current one who's trapped as Maranors champion. The old one could have played this smarter but now he must be human order even when that is the worse choice because it's all Maranor can accept. Judgement destroyed Avistan and he fled from a fight that he might have seen as justice, now he must punish the beast for its crime to prove humanity superior.
Senko
Soo now we know and I can't help wondering how Vivs fate magic can use the fact "Justice fell at Nero's hand." Some dragons will move to aid her who would have stayed neutral now showing again Nero's all or nothing mindsets weakness.
Diego Rossi
I think that Bran will die. It seem the right time for him, having raised a new generation ready to replace him. Dying in glory and surrounded by his people seems the right end for him, even if we all wish for him to die of ripe old age instead.
Diego Rossi
Thanks for the chapter. Judgment death was a sad moment.
Diego Rossi
It seems evident that Oleander hated non-humans from the start. He thought nothinbg of stealing the children of a sentient race to raise them as slaves.
Diego Rossi
Yes, yries and golems should be included. Yiries are already on the shield. I don't recall if there is something for the golems, but don't think so. Until recently the weren't a "race".
Diego Rossi
Great point about Oleander name. Never thought of that.
Diego Rossi
Maranor probably is in a damaging loop with her followers. Followers belief affect gods, as a consequence gods tend to chose the same kind of people that has affected them. Positive feedback isn't a good way to control something.
Desert Yeti
You're thinking that regular people matter to Oleander. They don't. His army had two purposes, suppress the weak and show his dominance. And that's what he got by going after Judgement. Oleander showed he was superior and dominant. Oleander knows his massive army could be ripped apart by a few powerful individuals. He believed that the conflict is only between him and Viv. Everyone else is expendable or meaningless. Who cares about ants?
Diego Rossi
And he ended needing to get Maranor weapon to win. So, not his win. His Fate is to get a chance to win only if he borrow his god power. But borrowing his god power weaken him further. I doubt Fate will see it as a real win. Maranor is limited in how she can act. She can't dominate her Champion. She can guide him, but he should chose how he act. And he decided to get a "win" by defeating a old foe and "correctin" one of his old misdeed. Crest was against it and Maranor was against it (but she was asked only after Oleander had alredy committed). Oleander at this point isn't exactly stupid, but he is a religious fanatic, so he is unable to see some thing and interpreters other through a narrow viewpoint.
Jaws2015
Hail the Omnissiah!
Moatdog
I believe he’s trying to counter Viv’s fate magic. If he gets to her and has nothing bot loses by the law of the world he will lost to her at every turn. He NEEDED a win to establish himself as still a player and not a loser. Instead of trying to earn back the populace trust he decided to attack an old foe he lost too. Not only someone he ran from, an ally of Harraks princess, and a message to all dragons. Perfect for fate fuckery
SDCard
My bet is on Solfis, he's her true first ally, and dying to protect the future of Harak seems fitting - though I still hope no one dies, this story isn't really dark enough to require it
anonymous wildfire
Bets on Maruk, starts as Viv’s defender, ends as it too.
anonymous wildfire
It can’t be a guaranteed thing, but… nothing saying it can’t happen on its own through random chance? Or Fate magic hijinks?
anonymous wildfire
I assume it’s Fate related. Mostly because most things that don’t fully make sense are fate related. Nero definitely isn’t doing the best thing under the circumstances, even Maranor said so, but I’m sure there was *some* purpose she even allowed it to happen at all. Maybe something like “I beat Judgement, so I can beat you”?
Marc Schneider
The fact is that Oleander (and Maranor, to a lesser extent) comes off as a huge idiot. After all, his whole thing is to create an Empire uniting humanity, except that win or lose, Nero will go away right afterwards (either dead or a God forbidden from interfering). And without him, it's obvious his empire won't last more than a few days (Crest will leave, therefore destroying their logistics, while the other elites will fight each other to see who's top dog). Meanwhile, the dragons will be free to retaliate against humanity. Honestly, far from putting humanity on top, it's obvious that Oleander's idiocy can only end with it in a far worse position overall.
SDCard
Thanks for the chapter! So first the Dean, and now Judgement dying... if the mentors are dying it seems like either Solfis, Irao or Maruk will die as well, seems like it would be the obvious choice to create more stakes. Let's hope that's not the case, they deserve a happier ending
Marc Schneider
Judgment may be huge, but I don't think he's huge enough to feed a 50k army for weeks. Besides, even if it works, the loss of so many elites may be worse in terms of combat effectiveness than his army being half-starved. Second, there's a huge difference between killing off dragons one-by-one once he's won and has nothing else to do, and fighting them all at once, possibly along his current enemy's army. Third, even he got some fate "mojo" on his side by killing Judgment (doubtful imo, killing a dragon with an OP weapon doesn't imply anything about his army beating another), he still can't manipulate it so what's the point?
Nopret
There is one more dragon named Mother who is around his strength. Maranor indicates that only a few local dragons will join Viv, but I really hope this causes some big reaction. Underestimating consequences is sort of a theme with Maranor and her followers.
Dietz
Firstly, food for his army. Sucks, but we already know dragon meat is hugely nutritious, and Judgement is huge. Secondly, as he mentions, dragons were already on his to-do list, though almost certainly originally for post-unification. Nero's plan brought them, and by extension Judgement, forward on the list because.. Thirdly, he *needs* a win. Humans can't typically manipulate fate magic, but that's where he's getting beaten, so Nero seemingly jumped Judgement early to get more fate mojo. Othing like slaying a legendary ancient "monster" to boost your narrative relevancy. And of course, as Crest points out, its an excuse to "correct" something that Nero screwed up in the past.
a passing Fnord
Maranor is all about Order Through Might, and Viv is about order through Law, Justice, and Equality. I'd love to see Viv choose not to retaliate against the church of Maranor in an obvious and blatant way, just convince everyone in Param to increase taxes on the church of Maranor after the war ends. Prove that laws and bureaucracy are more powerful than strongman leadership. Show mercy publicly, but tax Maranor's mortal followers out of positions of power and influence.
fennek
Nah, solfis is going to ascend, becoming the machine god
Marc Schneider
What exactly is Oleander trying to accomplish here? He got a good chunk of his elites killed, thus weakening his army right before a major battle. He angered the most powerful race on Nyill, and there's a good chance they'll help his enemy now. He weakened himself by harming his own soul. And on the positive side, he got what? A slight boost to army morale maybe? Frankly, I think Oleander comes across as a bit too incompetent for someone who managed to unite a continent. It rather cheapens this final confrontation, even if Viv obviously needs to be smarter in order to compensate for the power difference.
James Faulkner
Man fuck Nero. Figures the dickhead would try to steal a dragon egg.
Leviathon251
Pov you are maranor - all your followers are awful, power hungry cretins - be more interested in the imagery of heroics than actually helping people - continually empower people who, Through their greed hurt everyone around them - somehow still think you're helping humanity - remain the leader of the light gods despite being a massive hypocrit. - profit Ps. Please don't obliterate little ol' me with your superior meta knowledge. This is a joke O-o
KnightRider007
Eran the Mousey Sila Blade The Hammer of Old Ash The Northbay sisters Azith the Swift Arrin the Hurricane Sur the Arena Champion Vil Vinetree That's a lot dead, *named and titled* Elites. If Crest knows them personally by name, these aren't faceless mooks, these are the core of the army, there simply cannot be that many of them. And they all followed Oleander into a futile and pointless fight. He lives up to his name as a pretty, but highly toxic, flower.
Orange Thistle
Does a sentient golem die if it's body is cut? Could see a marvel Groot (yes, I dislike the analogy as well) type of resurrection. That being said it depends on how the sword kills.
John Anastacio
Interesting and amusing that Judgment decided to do an Obi-Wan Kenobi.
KnightRider007
"Crest ought to be at the fore, opening portals to make them progress faster instead of here on a vainglorious errant" => errand "The second group of ballast shot through it" => ballistae or ballistas, depending on how accurate/pretentious you want Crest to appear
Robert
We've seen that interfering too much with the mortal world puts a strain in the gods, I wonder how big of a strain giving "the most powerful cheat weapon ever" to Oleander put on Maranor. Although I suppose she is already all in at this point. The sword always kills whatever it's swung at, implying that getting Oleander to swing it will result it someone dying. That being said, my money is on Solfis, he already has his children and him going down swinging in defense of Viv is exactly his style. Judgement said it would Crack his soul further, not that it would shatter it. I wonder if that means it would take a third time. My bet is the war getting pushed back to the old Harrakian capital and Viv having to absorb the "super soul energy reactor thing" to win, ramping her up the be slightly stronger than the other gods when she ascends.
Zat
And Crest even realizes it. He knows he should switch but can't do it, and calls himself a coward. (Also, hi Oskatat)
Michael
Did he forget Sir Warcrime, my favorite general? I second this motion.
DAK
It is infuriating, but it’s also like pouring good money after bad IS the Maranor path, and then magic hijinks come into play stopping you from leaving. Basically you are rewarded for leading or tolerated for following, but not both. By its nature, Maranor LLC will be lead by class enforced narcisists and their aura will suck everyone down with them wherever they go. Fortunately, this is not something that ever happens in our world.
Emily Gurnavage
Oleander was overconfident. Theres no way he expected to lose that many elites and he is surely upset about that loss of manpower. They spent a lot of time laying that trap and setting things up for the fight. Oleander thought they had it. Given the consequences of using the sword and how that conversation went, I don't believe he planned on needing to go that far either. He just really underestimated Judgement.
Oskatat
Well, there's a reason it's such a common fallacy. It plays on a lot of human instincts.
Desert Yeti
Judgement's wisdom makes me think that the dragons will actually unite under or with Viv since they've already worked with her once. At this point, I think Viv might get declared as an honorary dragon.
Desert Yeti
Solfis is going to face the Hopecrusher and teach him true despair.
DAK
Using a god-level tool to defend from a god-cheat sword would likely trigger a godly war... Yet Judgement doesn't even countenance that Nero/Maranor bringing the sword in to kill the greatest(?) dragon on Nyl might trigger similar all by itself. You really have to admire Dragon restraint. Ridiculous humans with their ridiculous humanish gods. So petty.
Quivo
I'm surprised but I'm not THAT surprised. I can totally imagine some steampunk bro thinking stealing a dragon egg for later dragon riding purposes is something he could get away with.
Adurna
That loophole intervention was already used once. Would have been hilarious though.
JLM
We now know what that city did to make Judgement mad, and who was mainly responsible for doing so. He going to break his soul into pieces before she breaks a sweat.
Grappleshot
Tactical golems are fun and fast and could kill mages.
Grappleshot
Didn't the dead magic god say he used up his causality for it?
Grappleshot
I think the chapter should be edited to include the tries in that sentence.
Nopret
They are clearly being set up as opposites
Nopret
He is also a Parallel to Prince Lacer. Too prideful to think lesser people could be his downfall.
Nopret
There is a mistake in the last chapter, Aristan is called Avistan there
Nopret
And the golems they do have Souls
Nopret
Solfis gave up his original body for his newest son. We don't jet know what his new form is, but I suspect it has something to do with the master core
tr13ze
Thanks for the chapter 😁
steamrick
Calling it here - Solfis will die forcing Nero to crack his soul in half.
Lijwent
If that's not enough to make the shield an artefact...
A
“You have hadals, kark, merls, dragons, and humans fighting for you, Viviane the traveler.” Did Judgement forget about the yries? Lak-Tak would be so offended.
Swinter
"He plucked a small scale from her chest. It reddened as it approached the object, then melted itself in between three half-submerged sigils." I believe this should be "He plucked a small scale from HIS chest." It makes no sense that he'd take it from Arthur or Viv.
BelligerentGnu
Goddamn. It's not often that the noble sacrifice feels sad and real to me. Also, Crest, you utter moron, have you no notion of the sunk cost fallacy? Just *leave*.
TheBotler
Judgment was awesome and will be missed, what a badass.
Brieuc Sauzeat
A certain title of Viv may play a role once again, it would be funny to see the godess reaction when her sword break
Ekko
It's Poetic, Maranor's champion is known for those he killed while Vivian is known for those she protects
Tofol
Oleander not only is THE cause for aristan's massacre since he seemed to have a shining reputation( when he is till wasn't the zealot king) so he never publicly( and probably neither in private) acknowledged his fault. He is also past the point of zealotry by now he IS the cause, a cuerios parallel to the previos mad warlord of the shadowed isles.
FuriousDee
I half expect Mother to show up to attack him when he is weakest so he can't later threaten her children.
TheBotler
Typo, should be "fight" instead of "flight", thank you for the chapter and the hard work! "Are you going to stand and flight properly, this time, o judge?"
Arnon Parenti
Like every other action from Oleander it will have the exact opposite effect, he is a perfect nihilist and absolute narcissist, he wanted to unite the shaded lands and he made them into the shadow lands, he wanted to drive the elementals away and he just united the most selfish bunch of immortals to oppose him. He thinks killing a dragon scares other dragons from fighting him, instead they are too scared to let him live.
Daniel
I nearly cried.
Jackjargon
Probably a French habit, chest (poitrine) is female in French, so it would have been "sa poitrine" .(I'm guessing you're right, and it should have been *his* chest here)
Keifru
Wow, every new thing we learn about Oleander feels like its designed to hate him more. Killed dragon babies -> fled retribution -> Blames dragons for his city being destroyed Like, *many* creatures are protective of their young. What a xenophobic fuckwit. Here's to hoping Judgement's fate-ghost gets to have a pithy 'I-told-you-so' one-liner when he bites the dust
FuriousDee
I like the contrast between the slayer which seems to have a connection to everything killed with it and Viv's shield which has a connection to everyone she defends.
Simon Hoerder
RIP Judgement.
fala
He's apparently from a steampunk world with airships so he knows some of the dangers, just not to the level viv will probably pull
Andrew
Thank you!
FuriousDee
Oleander really is the absolute worst
nicoraven
“I went forward in time, to view alternate futures. To see all the possible outcomes of the-” oops, wrong story
Unwillingmainer
Damn, and I liked Judgement. Are all the old powerful mentor characters going to die by the end of this? How many are even left? Oleander is such an idiot. Even if killing Judgement removes most of the dragons from the upcoming fight, how many elites did he just lose? Is he really that confident in taking Viv, her army, and all her allies along? Or course he is, because he doesn't have much of anything left of himself. And now he's cracking his own soul. Fuck, what a dumbass, while Viv is out here planning for economic domination of the continent.
CherMi
Is that shield fated to block Slayer now?
Red Viking
Fucking. YES. But, also, noooo~
Grumpy Cucumber
I thought it was from Arthur's
Arnon Parenti
I don't think Nero understands what uniting the dragons under someone who understands aerial warfare is going to do to his war efforts.
Julian
"He plucked a small scale from HER chest." Should it perhaps be HIS chest?
Arnon Parenti
Noooooooo I loved Judgement, he was my hero. Oleander must pay for this, his dreams crushed to dust, his vision of humanity crumbled.
Isiah Debarros
So he's the jackass that God that city burned
WarStrider72
Thanks for the chapter boss!
