Chapter 246: Interlude, Meeting a [Druid]

Chapter 246: Interlude, Meeting a [Druid]

Whats the weight of a lifetime of slaughter? How does it affect the soul and how much more can you go before your brain decides to clock out?

A man sat on the ground, lost. He wasnt a [Beggar] for [Kings] retain dignity even at their lowest. He was simply lost, maybe a hairline away from a cursed class, a red title spelling his doom. That he had not gotten one until now spoke volumes about his fortitude. For the sake of not having the atrocities he committed have an effect on his class, whatever had moved him had to be made of diamond. Or, simply, he knew what he was doing. Great knowledge is subject to the whims of the powerful, to rulers, tyrants, and monsters. Less so to [Heroes]. A [Hero] moves with his instincts, whereas a [King] has to move with cunning.

Now, the once [Druid] stared at his hands. His last companion had died of old age after almost a century of peace. There had been few battles he had needed to meddle with. But even those carried more blood than he was now able to shoulder. He had eluded old age thanks to skills that let him absorb life from nature, virtually giving him the gift of immortality something that many sought, but few actually loved once they got their hands on it.

As far as his own preference went, he didnt mind the immortality as much as the lack of a goal. His people werent up for another war, nor were his descendants. The new [King] was a good one, but fit for peace. The country was flourishing and, beside the lack of great levels, peace was good for everything else. Children could play without the looming threat of pillage, without having to fear [Assassins] coming to exact the price they would pay in place of their fathers.

But now, in a peaceful country, he was nothing. He was no more. He was bitter and angry. Lost.

He had considered running to Teiko, sowing chaos in their country as long as he could stay hidden, sniping a few [Generals]. Maybe even royals. But then, sloth had took over.

At his age, few considered ever stopping. It was too late to rest. And if you tried, there was the risk of never getting up again. Rest had killed more people in Immortality than any other monster or [Slayer].

He had once lain down in his cave in a fit of grief when the last [Druid] beside him had died. A [Druid] with [Bloodlust], like him. But no one had come to visit him for a long time, and he was slowly starving to death, unable to eat a single animal. Now, he sat on the ground and stared at his own lifeless body.

A [Beastlord] came and stared at him, the man, the [King], and realized he could do nothing about his condition. Getting angry would be a mistake. Instead, he stared at the dying man, thinking.

Slowly, a plan emerged. He had a [King] to unmake. And not just any [King]. The last [Druid] sat up, glaring at the [Beastlord].

So it is true, the last [Druid] asked.

The [Beastlord] went still. At least he hadnt run away.

The [Druid] class is gone, the [Beastlord] told the [King].

The man was [Doom]. A [Doom Druid], and the last of the whole general class. He was not just any [King] as well.

The [Beastlord] stared at the man.

You call yourself a [King], Tiberius?The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

The [Doom Druid] didnt answer.

The [Beastlord] took a step forward.

Is that filth supposed to be a throne? Is this an impregnable palace? Can you not summon a [General] with but a flick of your fingers? You are worth more than half of your entire army. Why are you not out there?

The [Beastlord] gestured at his animal companions to wait outside the cave and took a step forward. The [Beastlord] had tried to gain the [Druid] class, but to no avail. The last [Druids] had tainted it, made it impossible for others to get it.

How do you call yourself a [King]?

The [Doom Druid] froze. His eyes filled with fury.

How do you dare insult me? Im more [Druid] than you will ever be, he snarled, you cannot be a [Druid]. No one else can, now! And what was it all for? Nothing!

The [Beastlord] shrugged.

No, Im not from Teiko, you bloody idiot! Is the dog dying? Can we rescue the pup?

We need to extract it. The mother will die soon. I can

Before he could say anything, she took out a strange knife, flipped the dog, and opened its belly, wading through the gore with a firm and expert hand. She made another cut, and before he could even realize, the pup was out.

But it was barely moving. The mother, instead, had stopped breathing. The sudden loss of blood had stopped her heart.

Good pupper, she said, gently caressing the dog and sighing.

If you are not from Teiko, where are you from, then? he asked.

Oh, bugger off, will you? Is this pupper going to be okay?

[King] Tiberius approached and put a hand over the little thing, using a skill to make sure the little animal would survive.

Yes, he deadpanned.

Arent you an arsehole? the Human woman told him. We just saved a little pupper and you act like a cow that has to plow ten fields? Cheer up.

The woman affectionately caressed the pup, smiling sadly at the sight of the mother.

Dig a ditch for the mother, the Human woman said. When he didnt answer, she added: Did you hear me? Dig, chop-chop.

Begrudgingly, not having anything better to do, he simply manipulated the ground apart to swallow the dog. A litter lost and a female dog. It wasnt nearly enough to move him in any way. He just wanted to resume his wallowing and self-commiserating.

Nice trick. Lets go have a pint before it gets dark. I have some business in town. Here, take him. We need to go wash him, first.

Tiberius did not know what was up with him today, but he simply followed the instructions of the woman.

Tiberius looked at the woman. She was a strikingly beautiful young Human. She had a weird class, [Surgeon], something he had rarely seen in his entire life. He had seen some of her type trying to stitch people together, but that was it.

So, whats your name, again?

Tiberius shrugged.

Dont have one.

Oh, sod off. What do you mean you dont have one? Everyone has a name.

I dont, that was his decision. Throwing away his old life.

Well, you know what, you look like a Stanley. Ill call you Stan. What do you do, Stan?

Im a [Beggar], he mused, not having completely lost his sense of humor.

Oh, a [Beggar], she said, nodding at his dirty [Druid] clothes. That explains the smell, doesnt it? Well, do you have a family or are you alone?

Alone, Stan took his beer and gently sipped it.