The next morning, I approach Julius' office as planned. A comfortable interior mixed with a scent of soothing incense. The sweet and warm smell eases the tension when I see a stranger beside Julius.
He smiles and says "Do you like it? It's sandalwood and lavender incense."
I nod as I glance at the stranger. Her long silky hair is carefully styled and drenched in chestnut brown adorned with ornate hairpins. Together with her striking emerald green gaze framed by long lashes, her elegance and beauty befits a high young lady of nobility. A finely tailored gown of velvet blue and jewellery embroidery running along the edges flaunt the air around her, my eyes can't seem to escape the awe.
Julius places his hand on her shoulder. "This is Kate Evenial, Young lady of Duke Evenial Haziel, The Iron Lady, and a good friend of mine. I've known her since I was young, and I can confirm her immense ability and loyalty. She will be helping with your endeavours."
!?
"Kate, this is my best aide, Masked One," says Julius.
Kate looks at me with an emotionless stare and nods.
I lower my head to acknowledge her.
This feels wrong. A noble helping a commoner? I can feel the sweat down my neck.
"She will be working closely with me for your administration and requests. Try to get along with her!"
Julius leaves quickly after to attend the academy graduation banquet, patting my back on the way out and leaving Kate and me basking in the awkward air.
Kate is the first to move and heads for the desk. She pulls out the drawer and slips out some papers. Those are documents of a mercenary hiring notice. Overall summary resides under the pretext of working for Prince Julius but I have full authority over the organisation.
"Ma'am...miss?" I try to initiate a conversation but am unsure of how to address her. "Iron Lady, may I request something?"
She nods.
"I want profiles of powerful or extremely talented people, regardless of gender, age, or citizenship. Secondly, I need to establish a connection with an informant. While the Dark Pearl Guild, infamous for information, seems appealing, it's best to absorb them into our organisation rather than partnership," I attempt to discuss ideas in my head.
Although I have the picture, it's hard to convey it with plausibility.
"I understand," Kate says. "I will find people for you. Focus on growing stronger for the sake of the Prince." Her tone suddenly changes. "Also, refrain from speaking informally in the presence of your liege."
...
"Understood..." I say and leave.
I decided not to think about her remarks and think about my schedule for the day.
I've approached gradual stagnant progress with my sword and need to extract more fate and talent to quicken my growth. I'm almost at the grandmaster realm yet it seems so far...
It's currently more efficient to work on Morja's techniques, but there are these irritating headaches and shivers...
...
My trains of thought end when I reach my room. I take off the mask and sigh.
"Fine...let's rest today," I mumble in defeat and drop onto the bed, falling asleep immediately.
...
...
...
I sense something familiar. Movements engraved in my body. Interesting.
Beside the bed, a wave of shadow spikes into the figure of a man holding a knife. The intruder dives the tip of the blade onto my body, only to realise he stabbed the bed painted with darkness.
!!
Shocked at my disappearance, the assassin looks around for my presence. When the assassin fails to determine my location, he quickly escapes back into the shadows, which move and slide across the room to the window. He slips past the gaps and meticulously blends into the city's darkness cast by the moonlight.
His slithery movements sweep from alley to alley, avoiding the eyes of the masses. The light of life from buildings, ironically, masks the scent of death as every person attempts to live their lives despite troubles and tensions from the obvious conflicts.
The assassin heads to the corner of the capital, a section undeveloped and not many frequents, a place where illegal and the homeless gather.
He takes out a steel plate engraved with magic and whispers "The mission is a failure, the target noticed and disappeared-"
His report is interrupted by several whips of shadow wrapping his body.
"No-"
The steel plate drops to the ground.
The assassin is pulled into the sea of darkness beneath him without a chance of escape. No sound of resistance or agony. His existence is wiped clean.
After a while, bloody remains erupt across the dark alleyway. I emerge from the shadow and find strips of ragged cloth among the corpse. Poor quality and dirty.
I pick up the steel plate. "He's dead. Send someone stronger," I boldly say and toss the plate away.
Hm...
Morja, anything to comment?
I look back at the human mess.
"...Yeah. He was using shadow arts of similar principles. I don't recall having any disciples." Morja says.
Who did you learn shadow arts from?
"...I don't remember. Besides, my master is dead. Killed by the Martial Masters."
It doesn't matter. I will find out when more comes.
Looking at the sky, I just realised how dark it is. How long did I sleep for the night to kick the sun out?
At that moment, perhaps it's fate at work again, I see a young girl from a distance. She stands there soulless, facing in my direction. About half my height, she looks older than my sister. She perfectly blends in the dark and has zero presence. I can't see her features.
...
Ominous attacks my curiosity. I feel like I shouldn't use my powers on..."That".
Yet, I'm drawn towards her, the comfort that her darkness offers.
"Do you need...anything?" I say.
She doesn't reply but the sound of rumbling escapes.
...
"Uhm..." I look around. "Want to get some food?"
She steps out of the shadows into the moonlight, seemingly absorbing the light. Her black messy hair covers most of her body. However, the eerie part is her dark eyes showing a gateway to the abyss.
YOU ARE READING
A Background Character's Fate
Fantasy"In war, commoners are the victims in victory or defeat." Struck by poverty amidst a long and devastating war, an ordinary mercenary dies among the countless corpses on a snowy battlefield. Yet by a stroke of luck, he regressed to his younger self...
