Bro, I'm not an Undead!

Genhuis City.

“What a journey,” Oliviana said as she disembarked from the carriage, her short figure stretching out to release the physical tension that had built up in her body from having to sit through a rather long, journey to get here.

A very bright sun that looked almost too close for comfort could be seen directly overhead, almost taking the shine away from the distant, ‘real’ sun that provided limited light and heat to the cold region.

Besides the curiosity over what this phenomenon was, Oliviana couldn’t be happier to be in another environment. One where she could start afresh and not be tied down by the confines of the word ‘small.’

Silrat followed after the female assassin and took a deep breath.

The air was different.

The mana was different

The tension was growing along with great opportunity.

This was his kind of environment and he had a history with it.

Once again, he had created an opportunity for himself to rise, a gamble that had paid off, as opposed to the one he had made a long time ago, netting him a fair share of misery.

“I’d say what a view instead. We’re here. Better not focus on anything else,” Silrat said, his eyes hiding caution and a plethora of plans.

Oliviana gave Silrat a strange look.

“Loosen up, will you? You dodged the heavy duty of having to oversee most of the reconstruction of the Inhone along with dealing with the aftermath of that terrible incident. If I were you I’d do more to celebrate,” she said with a quick punch to Silrat’s arm.

The man didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when dealing with this carefree attitude.

Was this payment he had agreed to for training Festos to Oliviana going to be beneficial?

“Well, I’ve noted that in times of premature celebration… atrocities usually follow. Maybe it’s just that we have different motives. You’re finally free from having to sit burdened by small duty and can see the bigger world while I on the other hand…”

“Have a large role to play,” the voice of Stylla who exited out the side of the carriage reached the two, finishing Silrat’s sentence.

“Precisely,” Silrat said with a shallow smile.

Two guards walked with the young lady as she approached Silrat and Oliviana, joining in on their conversation.

“I’ll leave the option of where you’d like to start with you. You’re welcome to come to our estate with me and formally introduce yourself to my Family as a partner or settle some of your affairs first,” Stylla said.

Silrat nodded.

“How generous. I believe our collusion isn’t going anywhere so I might as well start with the Guilds Association. I have a few records to set straight,” the former Guilds Association head said before turning to Oliviana who was still stretching. “What about you?”

“Hmm? I’m coming with you, of course. Nothing spells freedom quite like the Guilds Association. I’d like to see how I’ll fair in that environment not as some small time tutor with barely anything to do,” Oliviana said while looking with shining eyes at the high structures all around.

This place was huge.

“Good then. I can at least count on some company while my ace is out there probably endangering his life,” Silrat lamented, noticeably causing himself stress.

Stylla partook in that thought as well, wondering when Skullius would arrive.

She had given him a token which would make passage through the strict city security much easier but that was an element she could only focus on when she knew Skullius was alright wherever he was.

She much preferred to have all the pieces she needed under her control but…

“I’m embarrassed to say this but I barely know Festos on a personal level or even on a professional one. Our last meeting made me realise that he’s not the same person I once raided multiple Clusters with and frankly, I’ve had quite the bit of trouble trying to convince myself that this is the only card left for me to play,” the young lady from the Bryne Family said as she emitted a nervous sigh. “Festos is….reliable, right?”

Oliviana and Silrat looked at each other for a bit, the latter giving his honest and most sincere answer.

“Eh…” he shrugged.

***

“To think this day would actually come,” a middle-aged looking man wearing a fine, formal suit said as he looked at the figure standing in front of him.

It was a familiar man with a face he had seen only thrice before. Now, the circumstances were different, literally dictating that both of their forces be rallied together.

The man who had just spoken shook his head while rubbing the monocle on his left eye which seemed to block a fierce reddish gold light that brimmed from the respective socket, his right eye being focused on the Paladin Champion he faced.

“Yes, yes how surprising. The Purity has finally relented. We will be working together to protect this city. Hopefully you don’t mind too much,” the Champion decked in the distinct, shining armour said with a false smile.

“Relented is a strong word, Ruhrees. I wouldn’t even use it to describe the chaotic process that lead to this… collaboration being deemed as valid by the Governor and the emissaries from the Royal Family,” the man with the monocle said with a refined chuckle.

“A bunch of emissaries? Try having to deal with overconfident old crones debating over the fate of the continent by measuring hubris. If the Evenfall and the Green Neolists did not decide to collude, our next meeting would probably be in the Tunatsche.”

“Hahaha. Interesting assessment,” the man with the monocle said with another chuckle. “I am a believer of the gospel of the Deities. Why would you bundle me up with you, a chosen Champion of the Deities who already sees himself being cast aside?”

“We both know why. No matter how good you are, there’s no such a thing as a reward after death. If you don’t mind, I’d like to rest after my journey. I’m sure you won’t need me take over babysitting the great city in your stead this soon.”

“Ha. Glad you’re aware of that fact. What use is a City Guardian if not to be the first line of defence for the city?”

Ruhrees grunted as he walked past the man with the monocle and into a lavish building where a line of guards and maids stood respectfully at the sides.

He was truly serious about resting and lazing off for the day.

For the bright sun in the sky, wasn’t a mere decoration, but a symbol of the might that Genhuis already had, a bastion of hope that he didn’t bother to replace.