Chapter 96.

CHAPTER 96.

A deafening silence befell the meeting room after two figures manifested, and it only made sense, because they were Primordial Spirits.

What is a Primordial Spirit?

In the world of Vir, it was universal knowledge ⁠— they are the gods of the world, the true rulers that changed and reshaped the world. All mighty and all powerful. Most humans knew of them through rumors and gossip, through legends and myths; they were targets of worship, targets of zealotry, and rarely targets of fear.

Their actions shaped the world of Vir into what it is now. And their actions could very well spell the end of the world. Their power was unmatched, their wills were absolute, and their wishes were reality. And even though it was a fact of the world, many intelligent beings regarded them as nothing more than concepts. Facts of the world they would never encounter, just mere beings belonging to history books.

And yet, two of them had appeared in the chambers belonging to a king, inside one of numerous kingdom. While fairly rare, it wasn’t completely unordinary for rulers to have some form of connections to the gods of the world, or even in more extremely rare cases, for individuals to form connections of friendship; in both cases, in the grand majority of scenarios, the gods were always the ones to be sought out, for gods would never act or show up before them.

But this time around, the second thing happened. An event that was practically unheard of, and such an event was, of course, of extreme importance given it not only caused one Primordial Spirit to act, but two of them.

An event of such magnitude could decide the fate of multiple continents, it would change the world as a whole. Such a thing happened was unprecedented in history books, and yet in this kingdom, in this room, it had happened.

Two Primordial Spirits had shown up, because something of extreme importance had occurred. And the regular people present in the room knew it, for over half of them begged for forgiveness immediately given they were the target of the gods’ anger.

“Primordial Stars, forgive me I swear I didn’t know!”

“T-That’s right, Aveline roped me into this Great Ones!”

“We bow before you, Bringers of the System!”

“Pardon me Great Primordials!”

“I-I’m sorry, spare me!”

…

And to cause such a reaction, these individuals must have done something unforgivable, something heinous, something completely heretic that changed the fate of the world itself. For, in the history of humanity, no such event had ever been recorded.

And the reason for the gods’ anger was…

Sid’fril, the purple Primordial Spirit glared at them. “You people want to exile my friend from her home, huh?”

Val’leri nodded. “You people disappoint me.”

…the humans in question were trying to exile Amber the Cursed Berserker; the hero of Cytel; the Demonkiller; the otherworlder; the friend of the Primordial Spirit of Lightning, of the Primordial Spirit of Life, and the Primordial Spirit of Perseverance.

And such transgression had incurred the anger of three gods, only two of whom could manifest.

“So, how do you people wish we do this, the bad way or the extremely bad way?” Sid’fril continued, this time with evident annoyance in his voice.

And at that, the group of humans shrieked and screamed.

* * *

“So, how do you people wish we do this, the bad way or the extremely bad way?”

The words of the purple Primordial Spirit were like a boom in everyone’s ears, like a being grasped in the heart, like being mauled by a dog. They sent shocks through everyone, itches of pain, ones that triggered a single reaction from everyone that had those words directed at them.

Primal fear.

Aveline Dawnriver recoiled, almost falling from her seat, and she wasn’t the only one; numerous nobles did, and some did fall. However, what was near shared by everyone in common was: screaming. The majority of nobles immediately bolted from their seats and rushed towards the double doors in terror, Aveline however, was frozen.

Who is this Primordial Spirit…? A bead of sweat was trailing down the side of her head. She had heard of the fact that a Primordial Spirit was connected to the kingdom itself, but that Primordial Spirit was female⁠— and she was here too. But this primordial? He was male, and evidently he was angry at what had happened with Amber.

But… how? How did Amber know two Primordial Spirits?!

“You people are lucky, blessed, that the spirit of the Artha forest isn’t here, or he’d be just as angry as Sid,” the red Primoridial Spirit added.

Three?! Aveline found herself hyperventilating as her vision began to cloud. It was within the realm of impossibility⁠, no⁠— it was impossibility. How did a human woman have three Primordial Spirits as their friend, let alone friend as closely as to care about this!?

“It’s for the best,” the purple spirit said simply before turning to those trying to open the door. He regarded them for a moment before speaking. “It’s fruitless humans, you are trapped here, and won’t leave this room unless you agree to life binding contracts.”

Aveline gasped, Life binding? That was terrible. Even the king ⁠— who had his mouth wide open in shock ⁠— finally spoke, turning to the red spirit.

“Val, what is the meaning of this?!”

Val, the god, shrugged. “Octavius it’s a simple thing really, one that is straightforward, the information that has been found here cannot leave to the outside world. After all, the Arcane Council would be quite eager to come after Amber if they found out not only does she know our secrets, but that she also has our powers.”

“Huh?!” Liz Starkell jolted from afar.

“It seems that I underestimated her genius…” William Bankal lamented.

And a lot of people gasped, even Aveline was shocked. It was a revelation that shook everyone to their core, and for good reason, it meant that Amber would ⁠— if she didn’t die ⁠— become a future god. Or at least, that’s what Aveline assumed since she had absolutely no frame of reference.

And she gasped, still on her seat, whispering at a realization she had. “Did I just try to exile a future god…?”

“Probably,” an ethereal voice whispered next to her in response.

Aveline jolted and she saw the red Primordial Spirit standing next to her, who continued.

“We won’t help Amber if she is getting killed, but we will give her guidance. After all, Ax believes her to be extraordinary.”

She blinked. “You… you are helping her because another spirit believes in her?”

The spirit frowned. “I’m helping her, assisting her, because I believe in her as well, but I also don’t expect humans to understand how trust in our relationships work.”

With those words she vanished and reappeared back at the center of the room, then snapping her fingers⁠— everyone was teleported. Aveline found herself on the ground, every noble that had been testifying against Amber was there, and both of the spirits stood with their arms crossed.

“So⁠—”

“I’ll deal with this, you can go talk to Amber,” the purple Primordial Spirit interrupted his companion.

There was a pause before the female god disappeared, but as soon as she did, a heavy atmosphere descended on all the nobles as they trembled.

“I-I swear on the stars that I⁠…”

“...spare me…”

“I have a daughter⁠—”

“Silence.”

His voice cut through everyone, and the voices ceased, yet even with the silence the nobles were thrashing, and Aveline could have sworn she saw Marquess Nueville wet himself, but she didn’t have time to do any of that. Instead, she was jolted as a shiver went down her spine, and that was because the purple Primordial Spirit had his face not too far away from hers.

It happened in a blink, something she hadn’t been able to even sense of. But what happened next scared her.

“You should explain to me your whole argument about using words rather than power, maybe if you convince me I’ll mend my ways. Since the strong rule the weak after all.”

He smiled.

“Maybe then I’ll only imprison you rather than torture you.”

At his chilling words, she shivered.

* * *

King Octavius III had lived a very long life, in fact, he was over a hundred years old, and he had succeeded the throne from his father King Octavius II around sixty years ago, before that his father ruled for over two hundred years, and his grandfather had had a near four hundred year rule. He was, after all, the strongest Octavius there had ever been.

The Kingdom of Cytel had a history that was over half a millennia, and each king documented what they encountered and information they learned. A big part of this information was on Val’leri, the friend of the kingdom and the Primordial Spirit that helped the original Octavius, however there was other information that pertained to other primordial spirits. None of their names were mentioned, not even Val’leri’s, however, he still knew who the purple Primordial Spirit was.

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“The one that you should never befriend or socialize with. The Primordial Spirit of the Great Dungeon of Torl; arrogant, resentful, brash and unforgiving.”

Yet, this same Primordial Spirit who had numerous harsh notes about them, was here in this room.

“What made you think it was a good idea to exile her anyway?”

Duke Giana struggled. “We couldn’t⁠—”

“It was a rhetorical question, you people are stupid. Anyone with two eyes can see how much of an asset Amber is for any nation.”

And he was on Amber’s side.

King Octavius III massaged his wrinkled forehead. Sure, he held Amber in great esteem, but this? This wasn’t something he had ever contemplated or expected. He did have a hunch about her having one more Primordial Spirit friend, but based on context clues she had three of them. The Primordial Spirit of the Artha forest, Val’leri and the one of the Great Desert.

It’s like everywhere she travels… Octavius III focused on Amber, who was talking with the Val’leri. She befriends them…

Amber had a good personality, but he still didn’t understand something like that. Normally talking with a Primordial Spirit would be difficult, let alone befriend them. And yet, she had gone beyond that.

“You people choose to weaken your kingdom when she hasn’t even acted in an unruly way. Are you trying to get Cytel destroyed?”

Aveline gritted her teeth. “We were just⁠—”

“It’s once more, a rhetorical question, you people really are dumb…”

She not only had gotten to befriend the primordials, but they were truly on her side. Sure, befriending a Primordial Spirit made befriending the next one easy simply because of the nature of who they were and the trust they had between one another, but even then⁠— the Primordial Spirit of the Great Desert was in extremely bad terms with Val’leri. So Amber’s feat was nothing less than stellar.

In the end, as a king he was always forced to make hard choices. And today was no exception.

He looked deeply at the nobles that were being lectured.

Punishment after this was due, and it would be harsh.

As for him not placing his foot down and telling the nobles to fuck off earlier? He had learned his lesson. King Octavius III smiled.

From this day forth, Cytel will stand behind Amber no matter what.

* * *

Amber raised her brow at Sid’fril who evidently was having his fun with the nobles, but something kind of confused her.

“Why is he mad anyway?”

Val’leri crossed her arms. “He is constantly annoyed by my presence, that coupled with seeing nobles plot stupid things against you over and over and you finally relenting probably sent him over the edge.”

“It only makes sense I give up though, I’m not that much of an asshole,” Amber sighed.

“But he wants you to be just like him.” Val’leri flashed her a smile. “That’s why he is disappointed.”

Amber shuddered at the thought ⁠she in fact did not want to hold grudges for thousands of years and imprison her enemies. Thankfully, the spirit laughed.

“Just kidding, it’s related to our past.”

“What even happened between all of you if he hates your mere presence?”

At that, the red Primordial Spirit pursed her lips. “Well, let’s just say that it’s very justified. And it is also because of that past that he is sticking around to help you. You… remind him of…”

Amber blinked. “Of?”

And the spirit smiled, but it wasn’t her usual one. “I’ll just say to not disappoint him, or he might actually kill you.”

“Huh?”

Amber cocked her head, and then heard the noble girl that had started everything begin to cry. She turned only to see Sid’fril.

“He’s an asshole though…”

“I can hear both of you, shut up already,” he replied.

“I don’t care.” Amber immediately scowled.

Sid’fril grunted as people looked at her with wide eyes but no punishment came. In the end, that was the nature of their odd friendship.

Marquess Nueville raised his head, “Great God, even if she is your friend⁠—”

“Silence, I didn’t tell you to speak, do you want to die?”

“N-No…”

“Also, weren’t you the one that harassed my favorite Demonkiller?” he asked.

The marequess panicked. “That is merely a misunderstanding!”

“I think the abyssal monsters inside the Grand Dungeon would beg to differ, you can join the nation of Ofril’s fruitless efforts in dealing with them if you’d like.”

“I-I could never⁠—”

Sid’fril scoffed, displeasure in his voice, “Because you are weak, just like your ideas and resolution. If you at least were so deadset in talking it out, you’d put your life on the line, but you aren’t because even your will is weak…”

“W-We beg you!”

There was a silence between the two of them as Amber and Val’leri observed Sid’fril thoroughly lecture the nobles on how weak and dumb their ideas are. And that no wonder they are at such a low level, quoting how Amber had been in Vir for a year and she was at this level already. Amber sighed as people that overheard looked at her incredulously.

Nevertheless, the lecture continued about how strength was everything. And while it was an idea that that Amber didn’t agree with, she didn’t say anything. In fact; she quite agreed with the idea of reasoning first. After all, she wasn’t an asshole, but it was also important to judge things on a case by case basis. Though after a few seconds she stopped paying attention.

And as she was about to turn ot Val’leri, a voice called out to her, a familiar one.

“Amber…” It was Liz, and she looked slightly unsettled. “Do you think you could explain to all of us what is happening?”

She gestured towards the people that had been on her side, and almost every single one was cowering in fear, and those that weren’t still looked extremely uncomfortable. Except for William, he was just grinning and taking satisfaction in Sid’fril’s overboard actions. But it was clear that Amber had to explain her connections.

And so she did, she explained that she met the spirit in the Arthra forest by chance, waking up in his tower after a particularly bad hangover ⁠— she didn’t even drink, it was one of the few things she completely steered away from ⁠— and that after that, the Arcane Council attacked him.

She explained her adventure, meeting Val’leri, she explained how Sid’fril had almost killed her and wanted to use her for ransom ⁠— something that completely shocked Liz ⁠who was unaware of the information but had more context than anyone ⁠— and finally she explained that she had a deep connection with the primordials and had advancements related to them.

By the time she was done, everyone had their mouths wide open.

Then, Sid’fril proceeded to force everyone in the room to shake his hand with Liz and the king himself being the exception, and herself. It was an Essence Pact, or so Val’leri told her.

* * *

Aveline Dawnriver sighed in relief, it was over. She was the last one to swear on her life, and much to her despair the Primordial Spirit seemed to have taken an extreme dislike to her. But at last they had left, and now the meeting will conclude⁠. Everyone looked over at the king, fully knowing he was still the leader and ruler of this kingdom.

All there was left were parting words and they could leave.

“Today I have made a great mistake,” King Octavius III began, his voice booming as he stood up. “Which is why I will amend it immediately.”

Hearing that, Aveline Dawnriver swallowed, many nobles did. It wasn’t something they had expected. Meanwhile, Amber and the rest of her party looked over at the king with rather curious looks.

The king continued.

“Aveline Dawnriver.”

She tensed, and he continued.

“For conspiring against Amber in an attempt to have her exiled from the kingdom of Cytel, you will be stripped of your nobility and be exiled for ten years.”

Aveline completely paled hearing that. Everyone did. They looked up at the king to beg him to reconsider, but his stone-cold gaze told them everything they needed to know.

He had fully chosen to embrace Amber.

“Failure to comply with this decree will result in immediate execution Aveline, as for the rest, your punishment remains pending, understood? But if I didn’t have other considerations, all of you would be exiled too.”

The rest of the nobles nodded. And Aveline found herself trembling, struggling to keep it together.

In the end… I lost everything…

Finally, he looked towards Amber, closing his eyes with a solemn voice.

“Amber, as an apology to you, I have nothing to offer you but to take my mantle and become the new ruler of my kingdom, given you treat my daughter Aurelia well, that is.”

“Father!”

Aveline Dawnriver looked up, everyone was shocked, but she wasn’t. It only made sense, Amber was that important, and she had failed to see it. Others however, seemed to only be realizing it now.

She looked at Amber who closed her eyes, preparing herself to accept such an important position and finally she spoke simply.

“I respectfully decline, and don’t even think of making me your successor in secret,” she scowled at the end.

At that the king laughed, while the rest of the nobles were shocked one last time.

And with that, the bizarre day came to an end.

* * *

Amber found herself walking back only accompanied with Liz, they were both going towards the Starkell’s residence.

“So, you are from another world…” Liz started.

“Are you hurt that I didn’t tell you?” Amber glanced back.

Liz nodded. “I am, but I’m not entitled to that information either. But now it makes sense, to why you are so good at fighting, the place you come from must have been…”

The blonde duchess shivered thinking about it and that reaction, caused Amber to actually start laughing, hard.

“What? Is it even worse than I thought!?”

“No, no, no, you are very far off.” Amber wiped a tear from her eye. “Not only was my world peaceful, it also didn’t have magic at all. Absolutely none. In fact, it didn’t even have fighting outside of sports with heavy safety measures.”

Liz blinked completely lost. “But then how are you so… insane?!”

Amber smiled deeply. “Because I am me, an Amber-type human.”

Cecile is a good friend.

“That… are the humans from your world all Amber-type?” she asked dubiously.

“Nope, just me.”

“That’s…”

There was a long silence as they walked under the moonlight. In the end, they had met not even a month into her stay in Vir, so such a realization for Liz must have been truly bizarre.

“So, am I one of your first friends?” Liz asked, and Amber in response nodded. “That is… comforting to hear.”

And once more, there was silence, and it wasn’t until the residence could be seen in the distance that Liz decided to speak again.

“Since you are becoming a god, does that mean you’ll lose your eyes and be a near featureless figure of a woman that constantly emanates light?”

She pursed her lips, “I hope not…”

“Yeah, I hope not,” Liz agreed.

Amber looked at the sky. “Vanity to us women is everything, huh?”

“Considering how you dress, I seriously doubt that,” Liz replied.

At that, both of them shared a chuckle, and shortly after that they arrived. They stood in front of one another, and Liz smiled warmly, yet she had bags under her eyes.

“I really am glad that everything worked out.”

Amber smiled. “Thank you.”

Liz paused. “For?”

“Trying to prevent my exile at all costs.”

The mage smiled. “Of course.”

With that, their interactions ended, Liz went off to sleep, and Amber moved to do the same. Even for her, it had been an exhausting day. Still, she thought back on Liz’s words.

I’m glad it worked out too…

She smiled to herself as she grabbed onto the door handle to her room.

“In the end, I really do consider this place my home.”

She opened it and walked inside, before turning the magical light with her mana. Amber began to make herself comfortable, stripping herself of her armor, and just when she sat in bed, she felt it⁠—

A presence.

Amber tensed and immediately spun around only for a hand to grab her shoulder, and she blinked as she saw a man sitting next to her. His cloak was dark like the night, and at his chest there was an insignia of an obsidian rose.

She frowned as a dagger dangled in front of her, relaxed across her chest. It was purple as if made out of crystal and it was poisoned⁠ with a much stronger coating than the one that the source of the plague had.

“Impressive, you are very impressive Amber, I really thought you wouldn’t be able to sense me,” he said, rocking her with a wide smile. “Allow me to introduce myself, I’m one of the head assassins from the Obsidian Rose, a leader of sorts.”

He pointed at himself with the thumb of his free hand and Amber frowned, using Appraisal.

[???. Lvl. ???]

Questionmarks all across, meaning he is above level 264...

“And I’m here to kill you,” he continued, smiling. “But first, I’d like to have a word with you.”