46 Shifting Paradigm

It appears I have been mostly unconscious for most of the trip back to the western garrison. That being said, I don't feel particularly weak after presumable days of without water or food. When I asked about that, it appears that I've been regularly fed and rehydrated. Apparently, rations were dissolved in water and slowly it would be fed to me through my mouth. Seems sensible enough, but when I expressed surprised over the fact that I did not choke however, the princess starts to flush and asked me to not mind the details. I have a bad feeling about that.

So, with that bothering me, I decided to go visit Toto. She is apparently conscious during the journey back, and since I doubt Merida will give me the truth, Toto make the obvious choice to go probing for information.

With my weak body, I stumble across the camp grounds. There appears to be fewer soldiers here now. With the [World Devourer Woods] gone, most have been called to reinforce the north, leaving but a minimal number of troops here to keep watch. It's a little underwhelming and somewhat melancholic. I mean, it took a great deal to take down the [Demonic Tree], we gave everything we've got and some even gave their lives, but the world moves on as if nothing much had happened. It's only natural, I know, after all there's something urgent to attend to, but a feast would have been nice I suppose, something to punctuate all of the hardship. Well, I suppose we can have one after the trouble up north is deal with.

"Aurelius, good to see you up. Though, are you sure you should be moving about?"

From behind, the garrison commander approaches me. Thinking about it, we've been through a good lot haven't we? I still recall the hours of us two sitting in the war room with Cecilia, the princess, and the garrison captains, going back and forth trying to come up with plans. It was such a stressful time my head hurts just thinking about it.

"I'm afraid being stuck in a tent with little to do isn't doing too well for me. I'll just be having a light walk though, so there's no need to worry."

"If you say so. At any rate, there's still a few things I need to take care of, mostly to do with the transferring of personnel to the north, so if you'll excuse me."

"Yeah, don't let me keep you."

The commander, he too, seems a little melancholic. I suppose after being stationed here for such a long time he'd feel lonely if so many of his men were to leave at once. And then there are those who never came back from the last operation. It can't feel good to lose man. I'm speaking only for myself here, but when playing a strategy game, even when it's across the screen, I tend to feel distressed when my own units are lost. For the commander, being here in person, personally know each of those men, it must weigh heavily on him more than I can ever imagine.

I sigh silently. At least we've won, at least I'm alive and so are those I care about. I don't dare to ask for more.

***

"... and then she got flustered and left you see, which got me suspicious."

"Well, if you have to know, I'd say it's akin to how a bird feeds its young."

"That... is not the image I want in my head."

"Then you shouldn't have asked."

"Leaving that aside, how are you feeling Toto?"

"I'm fine, thanks for asking... is what I'd like to say, but having you mention it so offhandedly somehow pisses me off."

"Well, I've already heard that you're fine for the most part."

"For the most part, yes, I'm quite fine, aside from the fact that I can't quite move on my own. It's like every joint in my body is on fire when I try."

"Sounds terrible. Did you have it this bad last time?"

"No, at least, I don't think so. The healers told me that it's best that I refrain from casting for a while."

"How long?"

"A month at the minimum..."

"I guess you won't be joining the rest up north then."

"I guess not..."

"Well, you just take your time and leave the rest to us. You've done more than enough this time around. Without you, we probably wouldn't make it."

For once, Toto's drowsy looking eyes widen, mixed with both a feeling to surprise and relief.

"You're not mad?"

Mad? Why would she think that? Did I get THAT mad last time?

"No, you made the right call. Even that other time, I think you're not wrong either. I should have trusted you more, both you and Cecilia."

"Trusts... I see... Then..."

"Then? Then what?"

"No, it's nothing."

It's not nothing, at least, that how it feels like. Something is definitely on her mind. I would like to probe her for more, see if I can't get at least a hint out of her, but I doubt that'll go as well as I see it in my head. Besides, I feel my mind dulling. I'm getting tired again. I'm getting tired far more easily these past few days. They say it's a side effect of mana drain.

"Well then I should let you rest. I'm getting plenty tired myself."

"Alright then, see you later, Aurelius."

"Yeah, I'll see you soon."

***

That night, news arrived that the king's condition has worsen since princess' absence. Upon receiving the news, the princess immediately sets off towards the capital and accompanying her was Toto, Merida, and me. Once the princess is safely in the capital, I'll be heading for the northern frontlines to join up with Cecilia and Six. That was the plan, at least.

"Hey you two, glad to see you well!"

Greeting us as we get off the carriage is Cecilia, looking haggard and beaten, but still managing to put on a smile.

"Cecilia?"

Toto is visible surprised, almost stumbling as she sluggishly climbs off the carriage.

"Missed me? And Aurelius, what happened to your hair, it's all white."

"Nothing much, I just pushed myself a bit too hard, we all did. And you? What are you doing here, is everything up north taken care of?"

Bitterly, Cecilia shakes her head.

"We have bad news."

"Then please, let us hear it."

The princess emerges from the carriage, her now white hair a mess. She was taking a nap on our journey back as she had been busy nursing both Toto and me, leaving little time for herself to rest.

"I'll get straight to the point then. The northern front, it has fallen."

We moved from the castle courtyard and into a private room. Here, there are Cecilia, Toto, Six, and finally, yours truly. The princess had moved on to see the king and then the meeting scheduled to have with her ministers, expecting to hear the rest of the situation there.

In regard to the north, it is where the Land of the Beastkins borders the Land of the Dragonbroods. The terrain is made up of mainly flatlands though further north into the Dragonbrood territory, one may find great mountains and valleys where the Dragonbrood make their homes. Cutting across the plains, there is a great river flowing from the west, dividing the north form the south, and before this river the Beastkin had built a great city that has been converted into a fortress against the north. With the great walls of this fortress city as well as the rapid torrent of the great river, it made an all out invasion difficult for the Dragonbroods. So far, only those bearing the abilities of limited flight and those capably of swimming against the currents may cross the river. That being said, the Dragonbroods are strong, a small number of them may easily wipe out a town. The [Demons] I've encountered when I first arrive upon this world and those that I've fought at the eastern fortress, those were apparently of the Dragonbroods.

Strong as they were, however, they are not invulnerable. With the walls as well and the river, there was one more thing keeping the Dragonbroods at bay at the fortress city, weapons stolen from the eastern lands, the Land of Mankind: Cannons. While arrows and swords have difficulty piercing the Dragonbroods' hide, a shot from the cannon can easily shatter the bones and crush and organs underneath. For the sake of holding the Dragonbroods at bay, all cannons the Beastkin has in possession are installed within the fortress city. As such, the Dragonbroods, the small numbers capable of crossing the great river, tends to circle around the fortress and attacking instead the villages nearby, hoping to cut off supply to the fortress. Prior to being called to the western front, those were the [Demons] I've been dealing up north.

A few days ago, however, thing changed. All of the sudden, the Dragonbroods launch an all out assault on the fortress. They had with them a large numbers of winged dragons, aquatic dragons, and even boats were prepared. It seemed as if they fully intend to take the fortress city. At first, with the help of Cecilia, Six, and the priestess of the Holy Beast, Stella, they held them off with far less trouble than anticipated, but a few days into the defensive, a change occur, the flow of the great river, all of a sudden, had slowed down, to the point in which the Dragonbroods, those unable to fly or swim, were able to cross safely on their boats, and with their vast numbers, they quickly overwhelmed the fortress city and forced a retreat. Only few were able to get out in time, and amongst those that were left behind, the Holy Beast's priestess, Stella, was one of them. The day this happens, is but a day after the fall of the [Demonic Tree].

"The river's flow... Don't tell me-"

"The river flowed from the west, all the way up from the land of the Faefolks. I think it's possible that the defeat of the World Devourer has affected it somehow."

It sounds absurd, but I am afraid that Cecilia's words may have some truth to it. Soon after the fall of the [Demonic Tree], the leaves of the trees within Faefolk lands, they began to turn yellow out of season. The Holy Beast had also said that once a Keeper is slain, the land in which the Keeper presides will no longer be able to bear life and will become barren. If that is true, then it makes sense that of the most essential things necessary to sustain life, water, would be the first to go.

"It looks like taking out the World Devourer backfired on us."

I turn my eyes away, not daring to meet Cecilia's gaze. I was the one who insisted that we have to deal with the World Devourer. I was responsible for this defeat. This is my fault.

In frustration, I ball my hand into a fist, or try to, only to stop when I feel a small weakly hand clasping onto mine.

"There's no way we could have known. We only decided on what we thought was best."

Defending me- no, defending us, is Toto, who forced her weak mana drained body from her seat to stand by me.

"Don't worry, I'm not blaming anyone, and there's no need to. Thanks to you two, the World Devourer is taken out. We now have one less enemy and one step closer to home. Isn't that right, Six."

"She's right. I'd say our gains are greater than our losses."

Feeling as if I've dodged a bullet there, I regain my composure and help Toto back to her seat. As she sits down, she smiles at me, as if saying that she has my back. I nod and return her smile.

"And afterwards, what happens after that?"

"Yes, well, there is one more occurrence. Do you still remember the Champion from the other day, the one that showed up while you were unconscious? It's the one that looks like a Beastkin."

The Bestial Champion. She was the one who suggested to defeat the World Devourer in the first place. In the end, I decided for myself that it was the best course of action to take, but for her to suggest such a thing to me... Did she know this would happen?

"Yes, I've been told of her."

Up till now, I've pretended that I never did get to meet the Bestial Champion in person since I haven't told anyone of my out-of-body experiences, as there just always seems to be more important things going on to just bring this up out of nowhere, though it does make this situation a little awkward.

"Well, she appeared again, and oddly enough, this time she actually helped us. She held back the [Demons] and brought us time to escape."

Six then cuts in.

"I've happened to hear from the Beastkins, that she smells of the [Corruption]. Wonder why she would help us against the [Demons]. Do you think that maybe the [Demons] have their own faction?"

[Demons] with their own factions? I wonder. To begin with, we really have next to no idea what the [Demons] are other than that they are the enemies.

"I don't know, Six, I don't know. And really, I'm more concerned about the Dragonbroods that have taken over the fortress city up north. Have they made their next move yet?"

Cecilia shakes her head.

"We don't know yet, but we're expecting the reconnaissance reports to come in any day now. We'll just have to wait and see."

I do suppose that waiting is all we can do at the moment, not to mention that we will still need time to rest. Rather than being anxious about the lack of information, I feel more relieved. Neither Toto nor I are fully recovered, and I'm sure Cecilia and Six needs their rest as well. The next battle can wait, a least for a little bit.

***

After our little meeting, we went ahead and returned to the rooms we were given in the palace. For convenience's sake, our rooms were right next to one another's.

Entering my room, there a feeling of unfamiliarity. I suppose it's not all that odd, since I've spent most of my nights in this world in tents. I've only ever got to sleep in this room for very few nights in comparison.

Carefully, I lay on my bed, not wanting to mess it up as if it belonged to someone else. Still, it's comfortable, more so then the makeshift beddings used in tents. If I get used to this, I don't think I'll be able to go back to sleeping in tents ever again. This softness, this warmth, my fatigued body is already melting into it. I don't want to move anymore. I think I'll just fall asleep right here... But, I still have to check with the princess. She made mention that she would like to talk to me a little afterwards, mostly in regards to what might happen should her father, the current king, passes away and how to best prepare for the occurrences. I've never been interested in the politics of this world before, but it's thanks to this ignorance that I've been cornered into my marriage with the princess by Merida in the first place. I can't help but think that if I had been more savvy about how things work here, I could have easily side-stepped that. So, partly to ensure that what happened with Merida doesn't occur again, and partly because I am technically the future king now, I am going to have to learn a bit more about how this kingdom is run.

With this in mind, I force myself off the bed. I'm still rather tired, but I'm sure I'll feel better once I've taken a bath.

"Taking a bath, Aurelius?"

In the halls, I run into Six, spare clothing and towel in hand, just like I am.

"Want to soak together? The bathroom here is huge."

"Sure."

"Hmm~ I see you're not the type to get shy."

"It's normal where I'm from. Is that the same for you?"

"Not really, but with this body, I can't say I mind. There's just a bit of a disconnect with me and this body, you know."

"Is it? I'm already used to it."

"I guess you're more adaptable than I am then."

"The being said, this goatee of mine, it's starting to prick."

"So trim it then, if you ask the maidservants I'm sure they'll get you something you can use."

"Yeah, but well, the thing is, I don't know how."

"Just walk up to one of them and ask."

"No, not the maids, I mean I don't know how to shave."

"Oh, you don't?"

"What could I say? I've never been the hairy type."

"So... I suppose you're going to want some help then."

"Yeah, so, um... Could you?"

"Guess it can't be help. Alrighty then, old man Aurelius here will teach you a thing or two about shaving."

After borrowing a razor from a maidservant passing by, we headed on to the bathroom.

"Hey, cast [Greater Protection] on me first."

"Sorry buddy, but I've been told not to use any spell if I can help it, at least until my hair stops being white, so you're out of luck. You're just going to have to be careful as you go."

"Seriously!?"

"Yup, you're out of luck."

"Fine... Here goes nothing I guess."

"That's right, keep the blade as flat as possible."

"Yep... I'm doing that."

"Do it slowly, there's no need to rush."

"I am doing it slowly."

"......"

"......."

"Phew..."

"Not bad for your first time."

"How do I look?"

"Younger, it's like you're a boy again, though I think I'm going to miss the dandy look. It would have been nice to just trim it."

"I think I like this better, feel's more refreshing."

"Well, I suppose if you change your mind you could always grow it back."

"What are we going to do about all this hair though?"

"Just let them wash down the drain."

"Alright."

Having helped Six with his facial hair, I proceed to soak myself in the large bath.

"Ahh~ Finally."

The water feels nice and warm. Good on the maidservants to prepare it for us. I wonder if they boiled it over the fire or just used magic. Might be a bit of a waste to have a Sorcerer on boiler duty though.

"Hm?"

As I am relaxing, all of a sudden, my vision starts spazzing out again. I've been thinking that it hasn't happened for a while but here it is, acting up just when I've forgotten about it. At least it doesn't do so in battle. That would have been disastrous. I'm going to have to get this fixed sometime soon. I wonder if the Holy Beast can do anything about it.

As I settle back down into the warm water, I notice something else in my vision: An exclamation mark blinking red in the corner. In Elysium Online, this indicates that there's something new in the menus, whether it be a message or an alert.

For the first time in a while, I access the menu. For the most part, it has been useless in this world. Not even the most commonly used function, the [Inventory] has a use since I can't for the life of me figure out how to place item in there, or if it's even possible in the first place. Having opened the menu, I can see another exclamation mark clarifying where the alert is from. This time, it's the system's menu. All I have to do is concentrate on it and like so I access the system settings. There, I find a particular option blinking, an option that says "Turn Off HUD". I know this, you can use this when you want a clean screenshot without all the clutter on screen. Why is it blinking now of all times? I guess it's because something is wrong with my "HUD", what with all that spazzing out. I wonder if it would stop if I just turn it off.

Without thinking too deeply into it, I turn off the HUD, just to see what would happen. And then, it's as if a fog has been lifted from my vision, a fog I wish had never left.

The first thing I notice is the smell, a noxious stench, as if there's rot in the water. Looking down, I find the water to be in a disgusting color, looking like a mix of dirt and blood. Immediately, I shoot up from the large tub, standing where I can see just outside the small windows of the bathroom, there to allow steam to escape. What is see, is the sky, not a starry sky with dotted with starts, but one tainted by an unpleasant mix of red, yellow, blue, and green, swirling in the sky.

"____________, ________?"

I hear a voice from behind me, voice speaking in words I cannot understand but definitely heard somewhere before. I think it sounds similar to the language the Warrior Champion spoke to me when we first encounter one another.

I turn towards the voice, towards the space where I vaguely remember Six is hanging around. There, I see a pale skinned creature with parts of his flesh that are turning dark and coarse, like the thick hide of a beast. As he speaks his intelligible language, I find his teeth to be jagged and hideous and his red eyes staring at me to be uncanny and disturbing.

Suddenly having a thought, I turn my gaze downwards. I see my own flesh to be sickly pale with rough black patches growing, and in the reflection on the surface of the putrid water, I see a set of jagged fangs and a pair of red eyes staring back.

It would appear that, somewhere along the line, we have become [Corrupted].

***

End of Chapter 46