Soon after the panel appeared, Aric watched as the room suddenly filled with similar blue screens, more than he had ever seen before. They materialized all around him, painting his entire vision in a glaring blue.
"What is... this?" Aric muttered slowly, pushing his chair back and turning his body slightly to look at the other screens behind him.
Each one had different information displayed, and without thinking much, Aric turned to the closest one to read.
—————————
Masir Genult \\ Human
{Current value: 7}
- Financial advisor to the Lord of Heidz
Accessibility: Medium
Influence: - (You do not have any influence on this)
Expand/?
—————————
"Who the hell is that?" Aric glanced over the screen, moving to read another.
——————————
The Stretch of Miredis \\ Place
{Current value: 86}
- Long stretch of land between Byzeth and the northern river, the only trade path between it and other kingdoms.
Accessibility: Medium
Influence: -
Expand/?
Aric reached a door, stopping as he gripped the handle and pushed it open.
The wooden door swung, revealing Serina, who was in the middle of putting on a night dress. Her breasts were left bare, her hands covering them in a failing attempt at modesty.
"My apologies, I should have knocked. My mind was a bit occupied," Aric broke the silence. He wasn’t flustered or awkward, and his voice remained calm and monotone as always.
"It’s fine. I did tell you to come at around this time," Serina replied, also seemingly unfazed by the situation. She slowly dropped one hand, revealing herself to raise the dress, slipping her hands through the strings as she fully donned the nightgown. "Please, come in," she added.
Aric walked in, looking around the room, reminiscing as he smelled the familiar lingering scent of the home, now mixed with Serina’s.
The mage’s hair was wet, hinting she had just taken a bath. Aric watched as she pulled her dark hair up, and with a deft flick of her wrist, she swiftly tied it atop her head, messily.
"You may sit on the bed, your highness," Serina offered, gesturing towards the queen-size bed in the middle of the room.
"Oh... what are you planning, Miss Marceli?" Aric teased, leaning over to the bed and sitting on its edge.
"Your highness has jokes, I see," Serina smiled, moving to the side as she climbed atop the bed and positioned herself behind Aric.
"I’m quite funny from time to time," Aric clicked his teeth as Serina raised her hand just above the back of his neck, her hand glowing with a green light.
"How long will we have to do this until I’m completely healed?" Aric asked.
"I’m not certain. The current process is slow... this illness seems like some kind of extremely strong virus. Honestly, the fact that you’ve survived it this long is a surprise. I’m able to gather and eliminate it, but not in considerable amounts. But I’m close to advancing to the next circle, and the process will be a hundred times faster then."
Aric sighed. Although he wished for an immediate recovery, he was more than grateful to even have a chance.
"Thank you," Aric whispered.
And though he didn’t see it, Serina smiled at his appreciation.
"You said the old man was your old friend, but he didn’t seem to know you," Serina commented, chainging the conversation.
"I guess he forgot."
"We’re lucky he’s a nice old man and let us stay," she remarked.
"Not at all," Aric laughed. "He’s a murderous, lying, cunning old bastard whose entire life is treason to the kingdom and empire... but that’s why he’s important to us."