13: Bloodlines
Basil and Lace gathered the mana crystals in silence, the red sun casting a golden sheen across the blood-soaked castle yard. Lace leaned on Basil's shoulder, still favoring his ribs as they made their way back toward the gate.
"You know," Basil said casually, "if you like her, you should just tell her. Pretty sure she feels the same way, but thinks you don't."
Lace groaned. "What the hell are you rambling about now?"
"Gyra, obviously." Basil elbowed him with a grin. "I can see it. You've got that puppy-eyed look whenever her name comes up. Just be a man and say something before someone else does."
"Shut the hell up." Lace turned his face away, red creeping up his neck. "Besides, like you'd know anything about women. You're probably still a virgin."
Basil let out a hearty laugh. "Ha! Back in my day, I had all types of women. But one girl—oof. She was horrible at expressing affection but an absolute demon in the sheets." He smirked wistfully. "I wonder if she's still around… she did say her species lived absurdly long lives."
Lace rolled his eyes. "Sure. I'll believe that when Hell freezes over."
Basil's smile faded, and his voice turned softer. "Listen, kid. I really did love that woman. But I ran. I was scared—of commitment, of her dad tearing me apart if he found out. So I left, and now I'm pretty sure she hates my guts. You don't wanna end up like me. So here's the deal: you tell Gyra how you feel when we get back, and I'll let you off the hook. No 'master' nonsense."
"Fine, whatever," Lace muttered. "Let's just get out of here. This place reeks like wet demon ass."
They walked in silence for a while, the air thick with rot and swamp gas.
"So… why daggers and a sword?" Basil asked, glancing sideways.
"My mother taught me daggers. She was a Guardian—an (S)-rank. I was hooked from the moment I held one." Lace's voice softened with the memory. "The daggers I carry now, she had them made for me on my 150th birthday. Dragon scale and demon tooth handles."
"Sentimental guy, huh? So, what about the sword?"
"That's from my father," Lace said, frowning. "Never met the bastard. But being born of two Guardians meant I inherited skills from both. I got my mom's speed, but none of her dagger abilities. Instead, I got sword skills—from him. And whoever he was… he wasn't weak. Even with only half of his stats, I ended up (S)-rank. With only half of my moms I would've barely been (B)-rank. So I use daggers when the opponent isn't to strong to to honor my mother and use the sword as a last resort since I don't really like my father."
"Wait, hold on…" Basil squinted at him. "Did you just say 150?"
Lace blinked. "Yeah? Gyra didn't tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
"We're royal blooded dragons, or at least she is. I'm only half. I incubated for fifty years, then left home around four years ago. So… I'm 589 years old, I guess?"
Basil stopped walking. His face paled. "What's your mother's name?"
"Illyria. Queen of the dragons. Why?"
Basil choked on a laugh. "She's a queen now? damn it all…" he mumbled to himself
"Why are you looking like you've seen a ghost?"
Basil scratched the back of his head, eyes darting. "Did… uh, did your mom ever mention your father's name?"
Lace tilted his head. "Nope. She only ever called him things like 'bastard', 'narcissist', or 'sack of meat.' Though 'bastard narcissist' was her favorite. Always used them together."
Basil's face turned a shade paler. "Ha… yeah, sounds like a real piece of work…"
"You're acting weird, man."
"Would you look at that! There's the gate!" Basil said, speed-walking ahead. "Let's hurry, shall we?"
They exited the gate just as the sun dipped below the treetops. Waiting outside were Adian and a squad of executioners.
"Captain Lace!" Adian called out, rushing forward. "Are you alright?"
"Just some bruised pride," Lace said, stepping off Basil's shoulder and catching the health potion Adian tossed him.
"I heard you two were invading a (B)-rank gate alone. I rushed here thinking you'd need backup—because sir, with all due respect, that's suicide!"
Lace raised a brow. "Have I ever walked into something I couldn't handle, Lieutenant?"
Adian looked down. "No, sir."
Lace dropped a heavy sack of mana crystals onto the dirt. "We handled it. Two anomalies—both generals. The investigation team… didn't make it. Take these crystals and get them exchanged for GC at the guild and then give it all to Basileus here."
"Two generals? But the report only mentioned one anamoly…" Adian trailed off, wide-eyed.
"Yeah," Basil said, rubbing the back of his neck. "There was a general from the 48th floor hiding there too. Tough bastard."
Adian blinked, stunned. "But… how?"
Lace mounted his horse. "That's Basil's story to tell. He killed both of them. I'm going back to the church to write the report about what happened and to let the higher ups know that generals are moving between floors now."
"Impossible," Adian whispered, glancing at Basil like he was looking at a god.
Basil shrugged. "He's just being modest. Lace softened the 48th general up for me."
Lace rolled his eyes. "You're stronger than I expected. More than you let on. Also those skills of yours, they're extraordinary"
"By the way, sir!" Adian called out. "We found the individual you were investigating. Gyra bailed him out of jail. We think he's staying with her."
Lace turned in his saddle and looked directly at Basil. "…I'll see you at the tavern in two hours."
Without another word, he kicked his horse and galloped away.
"Well, that wasn't ominous," Basil muttered.
Adian and the others stared.
"So," Basil said, grinning. "You boys thirsty?"
"Actually…" Adian began, uncertain.
"Perfect. I know just the place."
⸻
Back in town, Gyra's tavern was lively as Basil walked in with his new entourage. Gyra looked up from the bar and smiled.
"Basileus! You're back—I was getting worried." Her smile faltered slightly when she saw the executioners. She leaned in and whispered, "You're not in trouble again, are you?"
"Hah! Not this time," Basil said, grinning. "These guys are my new drinking buddies. First round's on me!"
He slapped some coins onto the bar and leaned back as the men ordered their pints.
"Think you could whip up one of those pies, Gyra?" Basil asked. "Lace is dropping by later. He deserves a treat after the day he's had."
Gyra raised an eyebrow. "So you two are friends now?"
Basil took a long swig. "Something like that."
The men toasted, and Basil launched into the story of Hells Gate 47, hamming it up with flourishes and exaggerated retellings.
⸻
Elsewhere, Lace returned to his office, only to find someone already waiting inside reading his previous investigations and reports.
"Nella," he said flatly, closing the door. "It's been a while. I thought you served the empress now?"
"I'm not here for a reunion," she said coldly, rising from his chair. "This is business. Her Majesty wants someone found—someone who can use these."
She handed him a scroll with a list of bizarre skills: Mana Vision I Guess, Go Away Can't You Tell I'm Busy, and others.
"I know these skills." Lace frowned and mumbled to himself.
"The goddess herself added them to the Book of Skills," Nella confirmed. "And rumor has it the person responsible was spotted near Homedge."
Lace sighed. "You're in luck. I know exactly who you're looking for. But I doubt he'll agree to help."
"Then convince him," Nella said sharply. "If not for me, then for your kingdom. You know what's at stake if the Empress pulls her support."
"…I'll try. Give me two days."
"You have one," she snapped, vanishing into the shadows.
Lace stared at the empty space where she'd stood. "Forgive me, Basil… I have no choice."
⸻
Back at the tavern, Basil raised his mug in a final toast. "To friends! To victories! And to damn good pie!"
The tavern erupted in cheer as Lace finally walked through the door.
"And our hero arrives!" Basil shouted dramatically, pointing at him.
"Captain!" Adian ran up, eyes misty. "Sir, we had no idea you were so noble! Basil told us how you sacrificed yourself to buy him time to escape! What a man!"
Lace stared blankly at Basil.
Basil gave him a wink. "Just playing my part."
"Let's talk," Lace muttered, dragging him outside.
The two walked in the cool night air, moonlight casting pale shadows across the cobbled streets.
"I need another favor," Lace said, serious now. "The Empress is searching for someone with certain skills. She's offering 100,000 GC and one request from the royal treasury. And if my hypothesis is correct your the person who broke out of the containment cube in the cave and the only person who I know that has the skills she's looking for."
Basil stopped walking. "Sounds like a lot of strings."
"It is. But if I don't hand you over… the support to my kingdom gets cut."
"I'll do it," Basil said simply.
Lace blinked. "…Really?"
"Yeah. Let's just say I owe the dragon queen an apology, and this might help. Besides…" Basil looked at him with a soft smile. "If its you asking, how could I say no?"
Lace raised a brow. "Why would that matter?"
"You'll figure it out one day." Basil grinned. "By the way, nice hypothesis back there. You were right—I was the one in the prison cell."
"So then… you're over 600 years old?"
"Give or take."
"And immortal?"
"Unfortunately."
Lace sighed. "I'll arrange a carriage to the capital. You'll need it. And thanks for doing this, it means a great deal to me. I owe you one."
"Oh no, my friend," Basil said, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "You're coming with me."
"No way, the church would—"
"It'll work out," Basil said looking up at a rooftop "and don't worry about Gyra she's strong so she'll be fine."
High above, on a nearby rooftop, Nella watched and listened. When Basil suddenly glanced up at her, she flinched. 'He knew I was here? Impossible' She vanished into the night.
Down below, Basil smirked. "She's gone now."
"Who?" Lace asked with a puzzled expression.
"No one important."
"Im worried about Gyra, even if the church does allow me to go she'll be here all by herself. What is something happens to her." Lace muttered.
They walked on in silence before Basil chuckled.
"And there he goes—Gyra this, Gyra that…"
"Shut up," Lace said.
The two of them laughed together as they walked back toward the tavern, stars twinkling overhead.
[]
End of chapter notes:**
Stats Window:
- Name: Basileus Narciss
- Age: 22 (639)
- Level: 75
- Job: Eldritch knight
- Title: Goddess's Guardian
- HP: 200/200
- Mana: 18,000/33,000
- STR: 205
- VIT: 80
- INT: 170
- AGI: 112
- PER: 60
- XP to Next Level: 25,300/30,000
- stat points available: 62
- Skill Points Available: 10
Skills Window:
Basic:
- Innocence (F)
- The King (A)
- Swordsmanship (S)
- Mana Control (SSS)
- Charisma (F)
- Crafting (B)
- Longsword Mastery (S)
- Mana Manipulation (F)
- Rune Knowledge (B)
- Healing (C)
- Scholar (A)
- Mana Vision I Guess (C)
- phantom step (F)
- mana slash (D)
- Earth spike (B)
- body reinforcement (D)
- Kneel (F)
- nova bomb (A)
- Mana regeneration (S+)
- poison resistance (F)
- GO AWAY CAN'T YOU TELL I'M BUSY' (A)
Unique:
- Immortality (EX)
- Oversight View (EX)
- Haggle (SS)
- Misfortune (D)
Inventory
- HP Potions x1997
- MP Potions x2000
- Winter Clothes (B)
- Summer Clothes (B)
- bread x100
- jerky x100
- piece of Tess
- piece of Rob
- piece of Lark
- abomination horn x10 (S+)
- jagged dagger (?)
- mana sword (?)
Gold: 60,504
GC: 4,800
He made 2,000 GC off of the mana Crystals from the dungeon raid.
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