Chapter 34 - Onwards to Krigi

"Five days have passed, the situation in the north has gotten pretty bad. Thanks to Rose and her informant's gathering info throughout the kingdom my knowledge of the state of things is up to date. Not to mention this invention of mine, I built it on the nights when I couldn't sleep. Based off an idea my dad told me once, 'war would be easier won if we could communicate faster and efficiently.' Using the same principle of the device I used back for the trial and some bits and pieces, I've made something that can transmit sound over quite a distance. The signal doesn't die out because I've attached the vacuum spell manuscript onto it as well, so the message doesn't die out halfway. Thanks to this, I've managed to get what I wanted. A car, at last, two seats in the front three at the back and a lot of space behind for four or more. Looks like a truck but smaller with the features of a car mixed in; it's new and people call it the pick-up truck, sounds stupid but it's worth it. Hey… UNDRAR, I haven't been speaking to myself for all this time, have I?"

"Yawn, no, I'm listening."

"Don't yawn telepathically. Tell the girls to get ready, I'll head to the bank and visit the guild, I've never been there before. With all this cash lying around, have to store it somewhere."

"Alright, what about the pick-up truck thing and the voice stuff,"

"You didn't pay attention; the voice stuff is like telepathy but for people without the magic, I'll call it radio or something. Pick-up truck is our new means of travel, it looks expensive and menacing, perfect for my look."

"You just want to show off, fine, I'll get some supplies with Adelana."

"See you later, gothic sis."

"Die,"

Having picked up a new means of travel, Staxius had to go around the forest as opposed to just crossing it. From the Thunderstain hideout till Dundee if you took the long route, it would take about three to four hours. However, with him driving, he stepped on the gas like there was no tomorrow. He reached town in less than two hours. Parked outside, given that the town hasn't gotten any road for him to drive on, he walked into the northern district. First stop was the bank, the building wasn't that far off from the town square. Everyone walking or strolling casually in that district wore expensive and dignified clothes. For once, with the bloodied suit gone, he looked like a noble, given that he was one thanks to the crest, and not by blood. The bank itself had three floors, made with stone, and reinforced with metal; guards secured the entrance as well as the bank itself. Thinking the guard might stop him, he put on the persona of a very rich noble. He walked slowly in an exalted way; the guards could not but just look away from his splendor. Internally, he laughed. Once inside, there wasn't that much, two girls stood at a counter directly facing the door. Thankfully, this bank wasn't ruled by the country but by the guild who was totally independent. "Welcome sir, how may I be of service?"

"Thank you for the courteous welcome, is this where I may leave my earnings?"

"Yes sir, we are the bank, where we can give as well as take money from you, of course we keep it

safe and sound, placing gold coins or other valuables in our safe room will ensure that you can use that amount of gold where ever you are as long as a guild or bank is present in that area. Which means over the whole kingdom."

"Lovely, how much is the limit if I dare ask?"

"Limit to how much you can take out or leave in?"

"Both,"

"First of all, if your choosing to take out a loan, then, we'll have to take something with the same value as collateral. It's standard procedure, this is a new system and people rather not like it. And for the deposit amount, that's up to you. For now, we have policies for both nobles and commoners. You know how the kingdom is ruled, nobles are given priority, however, the guild leader despises that and said disparities are nullified."

"What do the noble have to say about that?"

"Nothing, the guild is the second most powerful entity after the king, even the duke and SSS-

ranked mages can't lift a finger at how we rule our association."

"Thanks for explaining all that, now then, I'd like to deposit some cash."

"First of all, you'll have to register both with the guild and the bank as well. We can start the procedures here, all we require is a sample of your blood."

"Very well, but will this be required too?" Taking his crest out of the watch pocket, it was beautiful.

The dragon crest glowed in its full golden color as the purple lightning insignia added more power and increased the overall beauty.

For a second, the girl was out of breath, the crest took her by surprise. Her hands trembled slightly, invisible to the n.a.k.e.d eye, but Staxius caught on. "Excuse my rudeness, I'm Boron Staxius Haggard, an A-rank mage." He smiled.

*Cough,* "We'll still require your blood for the registration with the guild."

"Can I also sign up to be an adventurer as well?"

"I apologize for speaking out of line, but an adventurer my lord?"

"Do I have to repeat myself?"

"S-sorry…"

Minutes turned into hours; all the registrations were completed. "My lord, how much money will you be depositing?" *Snap,* Hidden by a basic concealment spell, the massive bag containing his wealth appeared. "I'd like to deposit ten-thousand gold."

Hearing so much money, everyone present, nearly choked to death. "Are you sure my lord?"

"Yes, this is just change to me, please make it quick, I don't have all day to entertain you." Which was an obvious lie, "I hope the nobles here caught on."

"Done, with that card we gave you sir, you can see your total amount of cash. There's no risk of foul play, the magic we use is ancient, hence none has an idea about how it works."

"Thank you very much," He left. "Except I know how it works, you basically form a blood contract with your money and it's assigned to a given number. Then by throwing it into the void or a separate dimension of ours, it can be accessed from where ever. I do wonder if I can somehow fake my identity and access other people's stuff. All I need is a drop of their blood and some imagination; that's a quest for another time."

The guild card he was handed was of a silver and golden color which signified how rich he was. That ten-thousand gold immediately put him to the top of the pecking order. The front showed his name alongside how much money he had, and behind, his rank within the guild. Currently, it was C-rank. You can't get high ranks just by being powerful, you need to help people and prove your worth. This card was imbued with mind-reading magic which altered its rank depending on the user's accomplishment. Having caught on to that fact; Staxius used dark-arts to change his persona, and the rank increased. Instantly; he reached SSS-rank but chose to lower it. When magic is involved; no one can best his knowledge. A mystery stands over his head, the magic that the crest's uses, he was clueless.

With everything sorted, he went to the hotel. Everyone waited for him, "Welcome back master," Adelana spoke out. With the incident that happened days prior, Staxius still held a grudge for no apparent reason. "Thanks," He coldly replied. Ignoring the silver guardians; he headed straight for Eira, Fenrir, Undrar, and Millicent. "Hello everyone; it's great to see you Eira, did you mish me," She giggled.

No one caught on, but the silver guardians knew something was up. The night before; Adelana told everyone the truth and it was normal for them. In the eyes of Staxius, that was clearly a betrayal of his authority as master, pride hurt, he decided to ignore them. Or so what they thought.; actually, he was just playing around with their emotions. Another reason given to torment them; deep inside he was having fun.

"Gather your stuff and follow me." Eira in hand; he led them outside of town. The pick-up truck awaited. "Fenrir, Undrar, Eira and Millicent, in the front. The rest of you, get outside. The seats are basically the same, I've done some changes to it, you shouldn't feel cold as we move." The backside was usually opened to the elements, but back at the Thunderstain hideout; with the help of some mages. He added a roof and door, it was short and clean, painted in black and red, the vehicle was amazing. Despite that, the silver guardians felt left out as there was no way to communicate to the people sitting in front.

"Staxius, are you sure it's wise to ignore them like this?" Undrar asked telepathically.

"Of course it's not, but the look on their faces is priceless, I want to see them suffer a bit more. My pride was hurt on that day, I, Staxius Haggard am not a softy. I told them explicitly on the night I said I accepted the allegiance that I'll not use their bodies to get by. But my words fell on deaf ears didn't it. Now suffer, you brats. My blood boiled; I wanted to kill Adelana the instant that tear shed." He sighed.

"Let's head out," Injecting mana into the truck; the engine started up and their trip back to Dorchester began. The ride was smooth at times but rough as well.

"Adelana, I feel like we are going to get abandoned," Ancret spoke out.

"Y-yes, I-I feel that way too," Ayleth added.

"…" Annet nodded.

"You can't blame master for acting like he is. Adelana I'm sorry to say this but you hurt his pride.

I'm sure he was willing to let you do whatever; that uncertainty of doing something against your will is what truly made him this mad."

"Stop it, Alyson," Ancret spoke out infuriated.

"Or else what, the truth is bitter; He explicitly told us that he would not resort to selling our bodies for a quick buck. For the love of God, he made an alliance with Thunderstain just so that we could have some money; at night he stole, but you guys are too blind to see how hard he works to give us a hot meal every day. On top of that; just before we left for Dundee, he hurt himself badly. Bones shattered; his mana was gone, have you forgotten that you were the one who healed him partially?" Ancret's useless revolt was shattered.

"Staxius Haggard is a great man, we are lucky to serve under him. Being a father at his age is hard, on top of that he has like eight mouths to feed. Lastly, he fights for us. Remember the whole incident with Fenrir, you've seen how dark his aura can be. He doesn't care about us, well he does; if we were just pawns, he would have not cared for us. OPEN YOUR EYES ADELANA, YOU SCREWED UP BADLY TRYING TO SHOULDER OUR BURDEN BY YOURSELF." For the first time in her entire life,

Alyson lost her cool and fought for someone.

"Calm down, we get it," Annet spoke.

"I'm s-sorry," Adelana was balling her eyes out.

"NO USE BEING SORRY NOW, HE'S GONNA ABANDONED US," Alyson screamed. The truck stopped instantly. "Would you guys please SHUT THE F.U.C.K UP," Staxius got out and rushed into the outside compartment.

"I care not if you think badly about me; frankly, I am and I will abandon you guys after this trip. I can't have people betraying my words and not follow through with it." His aura began to seep out unconsciously; the frustration was finally coming out. It was so dark, filled with death and malice, everyone began to suffocate. Fearing the worst; Undrar with Eira in hand got out to check on him.

"You silver guardians piss me off SO MUCH, I hate it, I hate you. I can't, I just can't. Enough is enough, I'm done acting like a caring master, you want to see who I truly am, then get out this instant." Single file, they stepped out. He stood in front, "AHHHHHHHHHHHH" *BAM,* An explosion echoed and rattled the ground around them. Staxius's true strength was unleashed; his aura was so thick and immense it looked like a wall of smoke; eyes turned bright red, the writing on his chest burned with flames so hot the ground began to heat up. The silver guardians were petrified by fear; death was staring them in the face. Knowing what fate awaited them; they bowed their heads.

"Papa…"