Chapter 24: A Party Ends

Chapter 24: A Party Ends

Nathan watched Faline leave. She slipped out of the heart of Halsmet like a ghost, without a single person acknowledging her presence. It wasnt a matter of rudeness, just that her stealth skills were so advanced that nobodycould see her.

She cant sneak past enchantments. She has to exploit the human element for that.

It was a struggle to keep track of her, even with multiple skills boosting his perception and resistance to mental effects. Nathans [Notice] skill was capped out at High-Tier and he didnt have an Insight to develop it further. Hed need to think about that, and watch out for the appropriate circumstances.

Nathan walked back towards the room where hed left the Heirs, keeping an eye out for Brox. He didnt want to run into the Questor without warning. Everybody said that he needed to be careful of the man.

Doing that for days on end sounds exhausting. It almost seems like I should just treat him like a senior colleague with a short temper or something, but his temper doesn't seem like the problem. Its him getting bored.

No Questors ambushed Nathan on the way back to the room, and he gently knocked on the door. The spell holding it shut frayed at his touch, and when Dalo tried to open the door with his magic it only cracked open.

The white-haired man got to his feet, grumbling. Hear me, thats blasphemously annoying. Spells should stay put!

Nathan smirked as the older man recast the spell to seal the room.

Dalo glowered at the expression, before sitting back down. No wonder Giantsrest hates you. Magic is their worth and deed. I expect many of the mages you kill just stare with horror as their spells unravel.

A few of them, yeah. Nathan remembered the mage on top of the walls, whod watched motionless as Nathan climbed up towards him, shedding spells like water. But not all of them. That old artisan mage decided to do as much damage as he could before I got to him. L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Ñøv€l--B1n.

Khachi raised a glass to Nathan, recalling his own experience with the man who'd taken impromptu command of the Giantsrest forces in the main square. My thanks - his spell carried a weight I could not hold for long.

Nathan nodded in response then swept his gaze around the room. Everybody was at least a few drinks in and it looked like they'd gotten more food from the kitchens. It seemed like they were all trying to enjoy quality time together.

As if on cue Kia slid another glass of Umna towards Nathan and waved him to a seat.

He picked it up and sat, flopping into the comfortable chair and closing his eyes with a groan. But the moment of relaxation was short-lived, because he could literally feel eyes upon him with his new skill. He looked around to see Kullal and Stella studying him with identical inquisitive expressions. Do you want something? he asked.

Stella has mentioned interference Kullal let the word trail off. I would hear of this concept from the master of the mountain.

Dalo scoffed. Please, hes the master of a hillock at best.

Aarl and Sarah both chuckled quietly, and Nathan just rolled his eyes and took another sip, confident he didnt need to respond to the jibe.

Its so nice to feel comfortable in this group. I dont need to worry about my standing here.

Stanel held up his hands placatingly. Lets just relax for a bit. The Guildmistress said their tally of deeds deserves a time of relaxation - and its been a busy day.

Not for us. Kia said. Weve been drinking for hours. Its a divine blessing that my healing can cure drunkeness, and that Nathan has his own methods. We are on duty, but not on watch. Lets drink enough to kill a Siegeboar.

Stella elbowed her mother, who sighed heavily. Very well. I will ask to learn the secrets of the universe later.

Nathan didnt wake up the next morning with a hangover, which he very much should have.

How much alcohol do they have in those dimensional bags? One of the advantages to being a powerful adventurer I guess. You get to carry your whole liquor cabinet with you if you want.

He was back in their rooms, with the Heirs sleeping around him. It wasnt too late, but Nathan needed to pee. He slipped out of their rooms and once more found a pair of Halsmet elites standing outside the door.

One of them was Turbang, who raised an eyebrow at Nathan. Have a fun night?

Nathan nodded, yawning. Yep. How are you folks doing? Sorry for losing you yesterday. The Questor...

Turbangs expression lifted. What a dragon. He sparred with us yesterday and set a dozen of us on our asses. Hes getting along well with Olad, though I hear youre going on patrol with the man tomorrow?

Yup. Should be interesting. I think you folks can finally go back to more important things. I shouldnt need a guard in the wild. Nathan took a few steps down the hall, trying to disengage so he could get to the bathroom.

Turbang sighed dreamily. Not with Brox Thastus weaving the same color.

I hope its not a problem that the elites are starting to worship Brox. I mostly worry that hell get them all killed. But thats why were taking him on patrol. The Heirs wont fall sway to his bullshit. Though I worry about Stella, since she's the only one without a mental resistance skill. I think some of her mental techniques are supposed to Develop to do that, but they havent yet.

Resolving to bring that issue up later, Nathan cast back through his memory of last night. He smiled. It had been a good time. Theyd ended up talking about magic after all, with some amount of Nathan complaining about how bullshit magic was, while Dalo and Kullal responded that antimagic was the real stalker shit.

Then theyd chatted about Earth a fair amount, but not in specifics. He hadnt talked about the quantum nature of light very much. Instead he'd found himself describing the history and mythology of his home. Much of it had been things that the Heirs had heard before, and theyd prompted Nathan for the things they thought their parents would find the most interesting.

They loved the few Japanese myths I mentioned. Especially Kullal, for a reason that couldn't possibly relate to the kitsune.

The night had ended on more of a downer, as the Guardians told more of their adventuring stories. Theyd described the events with Brox in very vague strokes, clarifying even less than Faline had.

Nathan returned from his business to find Neta knocking on the door, the knuld's dark orange skin standing out against the blue of her robes.

What occurs? Nathan asked as he walked up.

She turned to him, jumping slightly. Oh. Nathan. Sudraiel asked me to fetch the Heirs. She wants to brief you for your patrol. Brox will be there, since hes going with you.

Right. Thanks. Ill get my team moving. How long do we have?

The short woman shrugged. The guildmistress is busy, but its probably more dependent on Brox than you. Hes not filled with patience.

Nathan snorted. Thanks Neta. He stopped before he opened the door, looking at her seriously. Im sorry about Delric.

She gave him a sad smile. Thanks. When we were coming to Halsmet he said your flame was worth following. She gestured around at Exeas mansion, and the city beyond. He was right. Even with what happened, I am free of regret.

More people dead because of my plans. Nothing I can do about it but honor them and what they died for.

Nathan returned the smile. Well be out in a few minutes. He entered the room to find the Heirs in various states of readiness. He clapped his hands together loudly. Rise and shine! Time to get briefed on our patrol!

At least its not a patrol through old Gemore. Those were boring, sprinkled with the occasional ambush, Stella groused as she pulled on her socks.

Aarl groaned. Now this patrol is marked by a prophecy of death.

I think we are beyond prophecys hold, Khachi said in a droll tone. With a Questor along this patrol will have its share of smoke and blood no matter our desires.

Brox nodded, then waved at the Heirs. I will see you all at dawn in the courtyard for our Patrol. Be prepared for a race. I am off to find Olad for some more company.

The Questor jerked the door open and vanished, the speed of his movement kicking up a breeze that scattered papers around the room.

Everybody watched the open door for a moment to see if the Questor was gone.

Dragons breath. Hes great. With him along well make Giantsrest fart ice! Stella said excitedly.

Sudraiel shook her head, meeting Nathan and Khachis worried looks, and then looking up to see a harried-looking Liluce approaching. Go. You know your mission. Dont die.

The Heirs left the Guildmistress office as Liluce started going over issues with the process of training newly freed volunteers to fight.

Sarah shook herself as if snapping out of a [Daze] spell. Brox is dangerous.

Aarl looked at her strangely. No, hes just He trailed off.

Dangerous. Nathan and Khachi spoke together.

Aarl swallowed and sighed. Yeah.

Stella just looked confused. What do you mean?

Status of Nathan Lark:

Permanent Talent 1: Aura of Antimagic 6

Permanent Talent 2: Perfected Body 7

Talent 3: High-tier Slow Fall 10

Class: Implacable Antimage level 210

Deepened Stamina: 6428/6600

Antimages Impassivity

Antimagic Momentum

Raging Thrill

Implacable Inertia

Unarmored Resilience

Improved Antimagic

Strenuous Agility

Hand-to-hand Expertise

Class: Assassin of Gemore level76

Regenerative Focus: 860/860

Catastrophic Blows

Stealthy Movement

Infiltration

Forgettable

Unsuspecting Strike

Utility skills:

Battle Meditation 8

Leadership 5

High-tier Sprinting 7

Magical Perception 6

High-tier Notice 10

Magical Intuition 3

High-tier Dodging Footwork 9

Mental Fortress 3

High-tier Lecturing 2

High-tier Tumbling 7

Mid-tier Noticeability 7

Low-tier Quiet Movement 4

Low-tier Disguise 4

Mid-tier Battle Cry 1