Chapter 14: To The Capitol
Gyra stepped into the back alley behind her tavern, gripping the rim of a wooden barrel filled to the brim with ale. The cool night air brushed against her skin, carrying the faint scent of spilled drink and distant fire smoke. As she set the barrel down with a grunt, the sound of boots crunching against gravel drew her attention.
Five men emerged from the shadows, smirking.
"Well, well," one of them sneered, licking his lips. "What kinda luck is this, boys?"
"She's all alone," another chuckled. "Back alley, no witnesses."
"For your own sakes," Gyra said, calmly rolling up her sleeves, "I suggest you walk away."
One of the men grabbed her arm with a leer. "What're you gonna do, sweetheart? It's five against one."
"Let. Go." Gyra's voice dropped an octave, her tone as sharp as a blade.
When he didn't, she wrapped her fist in matter magic—a force that shimmered with faint distortions—and drove it straight into his jaw. The man flew backward, colliding with the opposite wall and slumping to the ground.
The other four froze, eyes wide with terror. One turned to flee and backed straight into a wall of muscle—and murderous intent.
"Good evening, gentlemen," Basil said, his voice like velvet dipped in venom.
"And goodnight," Lace added coldly, appearing beside him. A blur of motion followed, and within seconds the would-be assailants were crumpled on the ground, groaning and twitching.
Basil whistled, rounding them up with ease. "I'll be escorting these worms to the city jailhouse. Don't wait up." He gave Lace a cheeky elbow as he passed, dragging the men by their collars like sacks of spoiled grain.
Lace watched him go before turning to Gyra. "You alright?"
She smiled and dusted her hands off. "I'm fine. Thanks." She picked up the barrel and offered it to him. "Figured you could help me carry this one."
He took it without hesitation. "Gyra, Basil and I… we're leaving tomorrow. The Empress requested his help. She wants him to teach her and before I go there's something I want to tell you—"
"You're leaving?" she interrupted, her expression falling. "Already, Basil hasn't been here that long?"
Lace hesitated, his words dying on his tongue.
"Then I'm coming with you," Gyra said firmly.
"What? No—you can't just—what about the tavern? And what if something happens and I'm not there to protect you?"
Gyra rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Lace, I'm not a porcelain doll. I've been through more battles than most men in this town. I'm plenty strong. Besides, Basil's coming too. And I'll ask Sabet to watch over the tavern while I'm gone."
"But—"
"We are coming back, right?"
"Well… yeah," Lace said reluctantly.
"Then it's settled!" Gyra grinned. "I'll start packing."
Lace scratched the back of his neck. "Are you sure about this? It's not just going to be a walk through the countryside."
"Things haven't been this exciting since you and I used to raid gates together," she said, her voice softening. "And with Basil around… it's like we've picked up right where we left off. I miss those days, just me and you!"
Lace's cheeks tinged pink. "I… I guess it wouldn't hurt."
Gyra leaned in. "What were you about to say earlier?"
"Oh, nothing," Lace said quickly. "Just… I was worried about you when I heard you scream. You're… important to me. I'd kill anyone who tried to take you away."
Gyra blinked, heat rushing to her cheeks. "Thanks, Lace," she whispered. "Let's go back inside."
⸻
Basil dropped the men off at the jailhouse, casually tossing them at the guards' feet. The prisoners tried to plead innocence, but one glare from Basil and they sang like canaries—confessing everything, including the bribe they'd accepted from Garthen.
Basil whistled as he strolled through a quiet street, the moonlight painting silver patterns across cobblestone. A flicker of movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention.
SWOOSH.
A figure emerged from the shadows behind him.
"Hello, sir," the woman said, her voice like silk wrapped around steel.
Basil didn't even flinch. "Ah. You again. The one spying from the rooftops earlier."
"You noticed?" she said, slightly impressed. "Then I assume you also know who I am."
"Not really," Basil shrugged. "Just know you're not strong enough to be a threat."
Her eye twitched. In a flash, she was in front of him, a dagger pressed to his throat.
"Is that right?" she purred.
Without missing a beat, Basil tapped a mana blade—small as a dagger—against her stomach. It had appeared in his hand without a single visible movement.
She blinked. "When did you—?"
"Doesn't matter," Basil said with a smile.
The woman stepped back, sheathing her weapon. "I'm Nella, the Empress's messenger and head of her elite assassins."
"A pleasure," Basil said, his tone completely unserious.
"I came to verify that you'll be honoring your agreement to assist Her Majesty," Nella continued. "And to test your trustworthiness."
"I don't intend to harm the girl, if that's what you're worried about."
Her eye twitched again. "The girl? You mean Her Majesty Mirian Althanis, rightful ruler of the empire?"
"Ah, so her name's Mirian. Got it."
"You're incredibly unpleasant to deal with," Nella muttered. "Regardless, you seem sincere. I'll inform her that you're en route."
"Before you go," Basil said, "do me a favor."
Nella turned, arching a brow.
"Find a way for Lace to come with me. I'd rather not do this alone."
She stared at him a moment longer, then vanished without a word.
Basil sighed. "Hope this Mirian chick isn't as tightly wound."
⸻
Basil returned to the tavern to find Lace sitting alone at the bar, depressed and eating pie.
"Did you tell her?" Basil asked, sliding into the seat next to him.
"She's coming with us, mAstER" Lace muttered. "Also, I've never had pie before… but this one's surprisingly good."
Basil laughed and slapped him on the back. "Well, now that she's coming with you'll have plenty of time to confess. Consider it an extended opportunity."
"Hey Basil, how'd it go?" Gyra asked as she emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron.
"Smooth as butter," Basil said. "Turns out Garthen sent those guys."
Gyra scowled. "That bastard just won't quit."
The three of them stayed up chatting until they retired for the night. All sleeping at Gyras place.
⸻
Gyra woke to an empty house. Basil and Lace were gone.
She began packing, then walked to Sabet's forge to ask him to keep an eye on the tavern and to see if he'd seen Basil or Lace. The dwarf agreed, albeit with grumbling, and mentioned that he'd seen Lace heading toward the church. No sign of Basil.
Assuming Basil was running errands, Gyra returned home and began making lunch.
⸻
At the Church of Death, Lace stood before his commander's office.
"Sir, I have a request."
General Zaren barely looked up from his paperwork. "If it's about going to the capital, save your breath."
He handed Lace a scroll.
"To General Zaren,
You are hereby ordered to relieve Captain Lace of his duties and send him to the capital immediately with sufficient supplies and a carriage for the journey.
– Mirian Althanis."
Lace exhaled slowly. 'That guy pulled it off somehow.' he thought to himself.
"It's been an honor serving under you, sir."
Zaren stood and extended a hand. "No, Lace. The honor's been mine. You were one of the finest Captains I've ever commanded."
He smirked. "I'm sending Adian with you. Kid's been driving me up the wall lately."
⸻
Adian sat cheerfully in the driver's seat of a well-stocked carriage when Lace stepped outside.
"Captain! Ready when you are!"
They rode to Gyra's home, arriving just as she stepped out with a basket of packed provisions.
"What's all this?" she asked.
"Our ride. You and Basil ready?" lace replied through a window on the carriage.
"I am, but I haven't seen him all day."
As if on cue, Basil appeared at the end of the street, waving. "Sorry for the wait! Just had a few loose ends to tie up."
Gyra raised a brow. "Doing what, exactly?"
"Wouldn't you like to know," he grinned.
The three boarded the carriage and departed. As they reached the city gates, a familiar figure ran up to them, panting.
Garthen.
He stopped beside the carriage and bowed.
"My apologies, Lady Gyra. I regret my past behavior and will ensure the tavern is well protected in your absence."
He turned to Basil, bowing even lower. "And to you, Master Basileus, I offer my deepest thanks for your mercy. I will remember it for the rest of my days."
Gyra turned slowly. "Basil… what did you do?"
"Me?" Basil blinked innocently. "Nothing. Just said goodbye, that's all."
Lace sighed. "This is gonna be one hell of a trip."
⸻
They traveled two days by carriage, stopping once at an inn before camping on the third night.
Around a crackling campfire, meat sizzling over open flame, the group sat exchanging stories.
"So, Sir Basileus," Adian asked, "where are you from originally?"
Gyra and Lace were lost in their own quiet conversation nearby.
"I'm from the Dale Kingdom. Doubt it exists anymore. I was a duke—once. Beautiful land. Peaceful."
Lace glanced over, surprised. "You? A duke?"
"That explains the posture and that weird way you talk," Gyra added with a smile.
Basil laughed. "Long time ago. Now I'm just a Guardian."
Lace leaned forward. "So… how did you end up in that cube?"
"Keep this between us," Basil said. Then, over the next hour, he shared the shortened version of his tale—goddesses, the King of Hell, the box, and more.
Adian's eyes sparkled. "You met the King of Hell?! And two of the goddesses! That's incredible."
Gyra gasped. "Wait… then you're the Guardian of Lukeauh! The hero from the bedtime stories!"
Basil blinked. "The what-now?"
"Every person in the Lukeauh continenthears tales about you," she said, eyes wide. "The Guardian who sacrificed himself to buy the world time, and gathered the most knowledge about the gates! That was you."
Basil scratched his head. "Huh. Maybe."
Lace said nothing, simply staring at the fire, thoughts swirling.
Gyra leaned against Lace and yawned. "Whatever you are, I'm just glad you're on our side."
⸻
In the imperial capital, Mirian Althanis stood in the training grounds, her sword a blur of steel as she sparred with four of her elite guards. After dispatching them, she wiped sweat from her brow and turned.
"Welcome back, Nella."
Nella released her stealth skill. "Your majesty, the man with the skills you asked for is on his way. A Captain Lace was the one that found him so I sent a letter to the church of darkness in your name to have him relived of his dutys in order to bring that man here. He's odd, but… powerful. I believe he'll make a suitable teacher."
Mirian smiled. "Excellent. Good work. I'll reward you later."
"No need, my Queen. Serving you is reward enough."
Nella vanished into shadow once again.
Mirian sheathed her sword, her heart thudding with anticipation. I wonder what kind of man he is… please let him be a wise, patient master—not another cocky young Guardian full of himself.
She turned to her guards. "Again!"
And charged them with renewed vigor.
[]
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: 33,000/33,000
- 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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