Forgotten Conqueror Book Two - From RoyalRoad.com by Za1d3

Chapter 45 - Fool's Errand

  The glow of the ring pierced through his pocket, pulsing and emitting more mana than usual. With a thought, he released his own into the ring, fusing with the newly present mana and undoing the seal.
"Apologies Master! I- ug-"
A man's panicked voice and the sound of splashing water came through the ring. With a confident stride, Kaidus stepped through the hole in the wall.

"-ive me, but this is an emergen-" The voice suddenly went quiet. "By the gods... what in-"

Below him, the drenched man was watching his descent. The man had stopped talking, and was looking up with confusion. Landing upon the ground, Kaidus took out the glowing ring and tossed it over to the man.

"What- no... that- this can't be." The man—Krain Olivas—muttered in disbelief, as his own voice echoed from the glowing ring on the ground.

"Why not?" Revealing the other rings, he threw them all into the air. The one that was still glowing on the ground jerked upward to join the others around him, and visible fear manifested on the man's face. "You should understand what this means."

"W-who are you? What do you want?!"

"Now that is amusing. Why is it that each and every one of you are curious as to who I am? Do all of Tal'hrus go about spouting their names and objectives when slaughtering the helpless?" He calmly replied, stepping toward the man.

"How do you know of us? Who sent you!? W-was it that ingrate Luraj?!? That- MMMM!!!"

With a thought, the man's mouth locked up. "You had your chance earlier, but you chose to attack me and flee. It is now my turn." He willed it, and one of the rings zipped over to him. "Here's two easy questions. What is the unsealing incantation for the rings, and how many of you are left in this city? Tell me, and I will make this painless."

"Kuh!" The man grunted upon being able to move his mouth again. "Asiran! Vor-!" Instead of answering, he hastily began a spell. Yet, "-GRUuaaaah!?!" A translucent spear burst through his chest. *Cough!*. From behind, a torrent of water had risen up from the pond, solidified into ice, and impaled him through the right side of his body.

"Over here!" The sound of yelling came from across the yard, along with the burning glow of a torch.

"Such loyalty is worthy of praise." Unsheathing his xeberite sword, Kaidus stepped forward to stand face to face with the man. "If you don't wish to answer, that's fine with me too."

"N- *Kuhak!* ug-" The Lord tried to speak, but could not as another spear of ice pierced him through the neck. Eyes welling with tears, the man attempted to retaliate by flailing an arm but failed miserably.

"Assassin!! Help!" Someone shouted from behind.

Turning around, a guard was standing there with a torch in one hand and sword in the other. "Stay your hands. My business is not with you or anyone else."

"Murderer!" The guard screamed, edging closer without looking way.

Illuminated by the light of the torch, he saw that the guard's faces was filled with shock and fear. Instead of watching him, the man was staring at the body suspended upon an ever flowing spire of water—rising from the pond and into the lord's back. Catching the guard's eyes, he could see that the man knew he was a mage.

"R-release the Lord right now!!" The man ordered, moving forward hesitantly while holding his weapon with unsteady hands.

"This is not your fight. Do not be so eager to throw your life away." Kaidus replied, turning back to the dying man. Ignoring the guard, he leaned closer to the agent. "With this, you will serve a new purpose." With a single motion, he thrust his sword into the man's heart.

"Noo!!" The guard screamed.
"Lord Olivas?!" Others shouted, having just arrived. The dozen new guards quickly readied their weapons and surrounded Kaidus. "Don't let him escape!" Someone shouted, yet upon seeing the state of their lord, many froze as whispers of terror shot through the chaotic atmosphere.

With a silent calmness, Kaidus reached down and removed the ring around the dead man's finger before taking steps back onto the pond. Without any parting words, he surged upward into the air. The rings that were still floating about swiftly followed behind, along with a piercing howl that caused the guards to cover their ears.

The deed was done, and all that was left, was to allow for words of what transpired to reach the ears of those who mattered. With their watchdog on the king gone, it might possibly force the remnants of Tal'hrus to start moving, to seek their master's commands.

...

By the time the residents of Maverus awoke to greet the new day, he was already back in his room at the Golden Leaf Inn.
The seven metal rings swirled around the room, keeping Zirus busy while he stared at the map sprawled out on the table. Five rings he had taken from the man who called himself Eril the Frozen Blade, one from the Countess Belinde, and the seventh from the man he had just slain—the king's advisor.

"Dolas Egregin..." The name rolled out of his mouth as Kaidus scanned the map before him. Of the three he was informed about, two were no more, and he was trying to ascertain as to which of the marks to the south of Maverus, was the slave town of Garnikul.

'Master.' A voice dutifully resounded in his mind.

"Where is it?" He questioned, not taking his eyes off the map.

The air ignited in the center of the room, and an entity of pure white manifested.

Upon Vishan's appearance, Zirus quickly darted over to him, slithering up his arms to hide inside his shirt.

"The Shard Lies To The West. Unconcealed, But Hidden Behind Powerful Magic." The spirit answered with a disembodied voice that resonated through the room, causing the dawn's light to shimmer and vibrate. "Shall I Retrieve It?" It questioned.

"No. I will do that myself. Thank you."

"By your will, Master." As quickly as it emerged, Vishan dissipated and vanished.

He had ordered the spirit to seek out Eril's piece of the Nyzacus Mirror upon their arrival in Maverus, and as expected, it did not take long for the spirit to locate the shard.

"Kuurrrr..." Zirus growled softly and cautiously, before slithering out from the opening in the front of his over shirt.

"There is no need to do that every time you see them."

"Shrra!" It hissed as if to refute the statement, then yawned and launched itself off the table, flying up to the floating rings once more.

Feeling his own fatigue setting in, he quickly folded the map and tucked it away before moving to the bed. Seeing him do so, Zirus quickly flew over and nestled itself beside him. Morning has arrived, but it's been a long night for the both of them.