Chapter 45: Expect Visitors

Chapter 45: Expect Visitors

Ira adjusted his black long coat as it was slightly uncomfortable. The coat had a banded collar and four silver buttons that ran down the middle. It was overall an uncharacteristically formal piece of clothing.

The coat seemed to sense he was uncomfortable and turned into a liquid metal before adjusting again. It was apparent that his coat wasnt ordinary and that was because it was the Formless Armor that was previously worn by King Dietrich. The armor, while in its current form, wouldnt be as strong as the infinite metal variations Ira couldve chosen.

As Ira looked out of the carriage window, he noticed the expedition team had long since collected everything of value from the ruins and the first teams were heading back while most of the researchers, alchemists, and Mages stayed. The body of King Dietrich was being brought to the capital for lengthier examination, it wasnt every day that one could view a body that was more than one thousand years old.

Ira had very little interest in any of that stuff, he was more concerned with his new abilities. The ability to use the potential energy of the sword was dubbed Kinetic Swordsmanship by Charles, who was currently mumbling in the corner of the carriage. Another ability Ira had unlocked was using his sword swings to alter gravity. It was a close combat ability that allowed him to place gravity wells in his immediate vicinity. Of course, it had its flaws such as being highly noticeable, short-ranged, and able to even affect Ira. For example, if Ira was to use it to increase gravity, a small crater would appear on the ground even if gravity was invisible, anyone could see his attack. Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

You got anything, Charlie? Ira asked as he rested his chin on his hand.

Incredible...I cant even begin to comprehend the principles behind such a thing. Charles murmured to himself.

Ira just shook his head, Charles didn't even seem to be fully aware at the moment so it was no point of asking about anything else.

The expedition team was a week away from the Capital, it took nearly three weeks to get to the ruins and two weeks to get back. The team would miss the New Year's festival, but no one minded it because they had stumbled upon a jackpot. More than half the Mercenaries would retire, but the others would buy expensive weapons. It had to be noted, weapons could go up to hundreds of thousands of Gre depending on the attributes. So in order to make money as a Mercenary, one would have to spend money.

As evening arrived, the caravan stopped. The expedition Guide told everyone to rest but kept heavy security on the artifacts and indexes. That security happened to include Ira, though his interspatial storage caused him to be placed quite a distance away from the actual things he was supposed to protect. Rhys was allowed to stand closer, but she approached Ira who sat on a tree branch. She dragged her legs through the knee-high snow and arrived at the base of the tree. She then looked at Ira before writing on a notepad.

[How is your physical condition?]

Ira read it and chuckled, What are you worried?

Rhys eyes emitted seriousness as she looked at him.

Seeing her continue to maintain a stern temperament, Ira shook his head. Im fine, remind me who was the one who broke their ribs? He responded with a bit of sarcasm.

Rhys suffered significant damage in the fight against Dietrich, but the healers on hand helped to repair most of it.

[Im sorry about your friends.] She wrote.

What for? Ira asked out of genuine curiosity. Their deaths were avoidable and he wouldve prevented them if he could. Well, he attempted to by telling them not to push forward, but they continued on anyway.

[Doesnt it upset you?] She asked.

...Im not sure. Ira looked off into the distance as he exhaled a visible breath. Looking back on it, their deaths were inevitable unless they broke the limits of humans. Though, Nihility wasnt a valid excuse to the lives of humans. Not many people held the mentality of Im going to die anyway so nothing matters. even if they did, there would always be an innate fear of dying.

Ira had lacked that fear that all living beings had. In fact, he lacked several qualities of living beings that stretched beyond just his bloodline. If one were to peek into his head they would immediately be alarmed by his dangerous mentality.

He killed people to establish himself in what he thought was the natural order. Morality and other constructs of honor and justice werent things he was concerned with, not just that, but they didnt register wholly in the first place.

Rhys stared at Ira while wondering what pushed him to be the way he is.

Its just one a little girl! Kill her! A murky shadow yelled at a man dressed in black robes.

Kevser, the Naiad, one of the races with the highest affinity with water spoke, If we find him we may have a chance to open the Storm Wall. I went to investigate and its gaining more and more power.

The mention of the storm wall caused them to look grim. The fact that they could be the last of their races caused them to feel incredibly pressured. If any of them died it would be considered extinction for the race as a whole. Not only that but most of them had families before the collapse. They wanted to know if they were safe after all the chaos.

Perhaps in a few decades it would collapse in on itself, but if there are any on the other side they may not even have that long to live, Lyra said.

Silence pervaded the room at the statement. Eventually, Gicae spoke up.

There are two important things I need to tell you all. One, there are traces of Valkyries among the ranks of the lesser races. He said solemnly.

The three Valkyries immediately stood up and their leader, Ustia, spoke hastily, Tell us where and well meet with them.

Let him finish, Thessia said cooly. Ustia gave her a sharp glance before sitting down.

Gicae nodded before continuing, In less than a month the races will convene and something troublesome may happen. I couldnt see any details due to the rest being distorted. Clairvoyance was an amazing ability, but it had its restrictions, if it didnt it would be omnipotent. There are countless alternatives to any given situation and they could change at any given time, just by knowing of them. By looking at the future it would be altered in some way. That alteration usually occurred after the whole event was seen. Gicaes ability was hindered due to the fact that the end scenario was constantly changing because of the appearance of one person.

That person will appear there? Lyras eyes widened.

I have to assume so. Gicae responded, After I attempted to see what the summit would lead to, I was stopped by the presence of that person and took some damage. I wont be able to see into the future for a few weeks.

Without your ability, how will we find him? Lyra asked.

No need to worry, Im confident Ill have my abilities restored before the time for that comes, Gicae said with an assured tone.

Now what of the Valkyries? Ustia asked impatiently.

I suspect they are of Karas blood since she was the only one to go to that continent.

Disgraceful. To abandon her own kind and lay with lesser races. A Valkyrie near Ustia complained.

Gicae made a weird expression, but continued, There is a Kingdom which is centered in the Midwest of the continent. Thats where they should be.

Well go, Ustia said. It came across as a declaration rather than her volunteering.

Ustia Lyra started, Even if youre upset with Kara you shouldnt harm her kin. In addition to that, they may have information on the person were looking for.

I understand, Ustia said, but it didnt sound convincing.

Pure-blooded Valkyries were fiercely combative by nature. Their origins stemmed from virgin females dying in battle. With every death, it was an incredibly small possibility their bodies would be reborn and inhabited by a spirit of war, which would then produce a Valkyrie. Though, there were a set of nearly impossible conditions that needed to be fulfilled before that could happen. So as one would expect, the total number Valkyries was always low, when compared to other races, and never seemed to go past 100 over the entire history of the world.

Their cooperation may be key to breaking the Storm Wall, I urge you to consider that fact well, Lyra warned once again with the indication of a subtle threat. It was a threat she could definitely carry out since she was apart of what was arguably the strongest race in the history of the entire world. If it was 1000 years ago, she wouldve shown superiority through force, but being reduced to the same level as the so called lesser races after the collapse had a way of humbling her. She was no longer idiotic enough to believe that just by being alive she could overcome anything.

Ustia nodded before she left with the two other Valkyries in tow. As they exited the cave one of the Valkyries spoke, Do you plan on following through with her wishes?

Ill show appropriate consideration, Ustia said as wings emerged from the back of her armor. Her answer was too cryptic to be considered acceptable, but she didnt elaborate. One of the Valkyries gave a cold smirk in response.

After a few moments, they all flew away, heading towards The Grenitian Kingdom.