Transcendence?

by Andur

  A familiar godlike smell enters my nose and I open my eyes again. It's chocolate! God I love chocolate! And the smell is coming from the box under my nose. Chocolate is my favourite food! Oh how I hated this world when I found out that there are no cacao beans!

  I lunge into the box and a piece of chocolate wanders into my mouth. Oh! How I longed for this! Twenty three years without chocolate! I think there may be even some tears in my eyes.

  Then the memory from the kitchen strikes me like a sledge hammer! And it's the box from earlier! “You didn't poison it or something like that?”

  “Why should I?”

  Celestial sets the box aside. Then she leans down and presses her bust into my face. “Do you feel something?”

  “No?”

  I just have to think about your personality! That's more than enough! Take that hahaha....

  “Sigh... It may take a little longer than expected. I didn't have the right equipment. Well, we will simply wait for a while.” She leans down on my chest while supporting her head with one hand and pouts while looking at me.

  >“What did you do!?”

  “Just a little aphrodisiac.” She grins at me and I swear that I could imagine two horns sprouting from her head!

  Then a shudder runs down my spine and I feel something moving between my legs. Damn! “I... If you would excuse me. I have to step out for a second.”

  I wriggle out from under her and leave the bed.

  “Are you sure you don't want me to ~help~ with that?”

  By looking back I see her irresistibly writhing around on the bed and freeze for a second.

  “You know. I already deduced that you are quite addicted to chocolate. I doubt that you could find anyone in this world who is able to create a substitute. Of course I could be your supplier. If... you... would make..... ~some~...... ~concessions~.” She picks a piece of chocolate and eats it while grinning at me.

  Grah! Witch!

  I turn and lock the door. This could take a while.

  Then I rip the clothes from my body and mount her while pressing her down in the bed. She starts to answer my kisses and I lose myself in her embrace while our bodies begin to move on their own.

  An eternity later I lie panting on top of her while we embrace each other. “That stuff is too strong. It felt like a heart attack.”

  “I didn't want you to run off and relieve yourself.” She smiles under me while she starts to move again. “Can you go another round?”

  “I still don't get why you are doing this.”

  “~Sometimes you have to put the cart before the horse.~”

  20 - Choosing clothes.

  Norfolk, Fellmar

  “This is unacceptable!”

  I am trying the sixteenth ball gown while Ascathon is looking at me with a bored expression. We are inside an exquisite shop for clothing in Fellmar.

  “Could you decide soon? The Ball of Fellmar is going to start soon.” He points at an antique hourglass in a corner of the shop.

  “I can't go like this! This looks … like... like...”

  “A bikini?”

  “Thanks. That's the nice word for it. Get me a decent ball gown!” I snap at the saleswoman who seems utterly confused.

  “But... I don't understand the problem. That's the best traditional gown we have.” The saleswoman seems honestly confused.

  Ascathon starts to chuckle in the background. He has no problems with the traditional clothing for men of Norfolk. It looks like a strange combination of a smoking and a robe.

  The traditional clothing for women on a big festivity seems to be nothing more than a bad joke. I smile at the saleswoman. “I won't show off my entire body to lecherous old men. So get me something that doesn't freeze me to death.”

  “How about going with traditional clothing from Jamaian.” Ascathon waves at another row of clothing which is meant for festivities. Unfortunately Jamaian tradition is the polar opposite of Norfolk clothing.

  “I don't even understand the logic behind it. Is it to torture the female population? The warm country dresses you up for winter and the cold country dresses you for summer?” I start mumbling while I look at the ski suits from Jamaian.

  That's when the saleswoman comes back with something like a china dress. It's a set with a fan and a big hair needle. “Here! That's the latest fashion from the Academy. It shouldn't be a taboo to wear it on the Ball of Fellmar.”

  Ascathon just raises an eyebrow. “You have to cut the walking slit higher.”

  Sometimes I really want to know what's going on in his head. I guess that's the best compromise between swimming suits and ski suits.

  “Why? It should fit fine.” The saleswoman looks sceptical at Ascathon.

  “If she kicks someone it will rip!”

  Hooh... nice thinking.

  “Why should you kick someone at the Ball of Fellmar!?” The saleswoman is shocked.

  “Cut it higher. I may have to kick my husband.” I wave for the saleswoman to do as ordered.

  “Haah.... so it's that kind of relationship.... and they looked so good together....” The disillusioned saleswoman leaves the room again.

  I guess our relationship isn't really the best. After the issue at the island I decided to try it inverted. Physical relationship first. Then acceptance. Then love.... maybe. Haaah... I hope I don't make a big mistake with this.

  Well I guess a stable and secure life is better than love. All my other options are worse.

  “That reminds me. Why didn't you object at all when I wanted to join you?” I look at Ascathon who is loafing on a chair in the corner.

  “Mmh... It's required for noble landlords to bring their own companionship. If you come alone it either means that you have some kind of problem or you are some powerless nobody. Not that I would care. But the other indication is that you are single and willing to take everyone who offers himself.” He signals me a very obscene gesture to emphasize his point.

  My expression drops a little. “I see. So you see me as an insecticide against all those lonely feme sole.”

  “It's in your interest to ward off any pushy characters.” He smiles at me.

  I purse my lips when the saleswoman enters the room again. She has the china dress in her hands and I start to change myself. They were really fast with adjusting it!

  This world has almost no sense of shame in regards of nudity in certain areas. If you would ask a salesman for a changing room, they would look at you with big unintelligible eyes.

  I grab the fan and the saleswoman helps me with the matching hairpin. I wish this world would have acceptable mirrors. But the most you can find even in high-spec stores like this are polished copper plates. So i turn to look into the biggest one at the wall.

  Hooh...? I could get used to having my hair like that. It's out of the way and i don't have to cut it. And the hair needle could have ~other~ uses.

  Anyway. Those copper mirrors distort the image and the colours. So it's always good to have a second opinion. When I am done I look at Ascathon. “Stand up. How do I look.”

  “Why? You look fine. Like a real ~sugar cat~.” His expression becomes lecherous but he quickly follows my order when I start to smile.

  “~Stand still. I have to test this dress.~”

  *Swish*

  I place a perfect Mawashi geri at the point where his head had been a second ago. But I strike just air because he ducked away at the last moment. It all happened in a split second.

  “Ohoho... You got faster ~honey bear.~”

  “I already expected violence ~sugar cat~. Please don't use lethal force next time. If I hadn't dodged my head would have popped like a melon.” He straightens his jacket.

  “Of course I would have stopped. I would never harm the provider for the family.” Maybe..... But a little bump on your head would have been a suitable punishment for that creepy grin of yours.

  Then I look at the saleswoman who turned pale at our exchange. Or was it my usage of the expensive dress
? “I will take it. My honey will pay.” I snap the fan in front of my grinning face and leave the room.

  The store is subdivided in different compartments. There is the one for festivities which I was in. Then there are other doors which lead to different ones. All are connected by a central sales area.

  I take a look out of the window and watch the snow-storm. What a depressing country. I wish there would be more sunny days.

  A minute later Ascathon joins me while mumbling to himself. “I don't understand why a piece of cloth is that expensive.”

  He walks towards the exit and I quickly catch up and link arms with him. “Don't forget to cast environmental protection honey.”

  “Hahah... I would never forget that.” He grabs the handle of the door and leads me outside while a blue shimmering bubble encloses us to form a shield against the snowstorm and the cold.

  I wouldn't really need it because of my new skill. It's a perfect protection against any harm. But my dress would suffer without Ascathon's help.

  We silently walk down the streets of the biggest seaport of the continent. Fellmar is known for it's size and the amount of ships which are coming and going.

  It was chosen by the Jarl because the journey to this city is the easiest for most nobles. He wants to create good relationships with other nations after all.

  “When will you start to introduce the new techniques and greenhouses to your principality by the way? I am of the opinion that we should move faster.” I strike a conversation with him to kill time.

  “You think? I thought of changing everything slowly and little by little to draw as little attention as possible.” He grabs my hand and interfolds his fingers with mine. I guess that's meant to be an intimate gesture?

  I smile and draw closer. “But the more time others have to get aware of the new techniques and machines, the more attention our principality will get. They hear about a new machine. So they will take a closer look. Then they see the lenient ruling. So they will sent the inquisition of the Academy. Then they find even more strange things. Maybe they will want to take a look at the source of all those new things.” I take a deep breath.

  “All our changes and laws shouldn't draw any attention by themselves. But all the new techniques together with all those changes on how our normal population is treated will surely activate some red lights in their heads. News travel slow in this world if they aren't carried by nobles or merchants.” We start closing in on a big shimmering palace. The Jarl hasn't feared any cost to make the Ball of Fellmar a spectacle.

  “So I think it would be nice if we wouldn't have to worry about a hypothetical inspector if he turns up in two years from now.” I end my train of thoughts and Ascathon starts to hum in thoughts.

  Then he shrugs his shoulders. “It's a nice opinion. The question is if we really have that much time until an investigation starts. Or if we just trigger it earlier by following such a path.”

  “That's why we have to control the trigger.” I start to grin.

  “Controlling the trigger!?” Ascathon arches an eyebrow while thinking about my words.

  “Do you think the Jarl would be willing to grant you a little more freedom and a little protection in exchange for your intelligence about the Phenex Empire? A war is coming and your principality could be a decisive factor in the coming war if left alone.” I snuggle a little closer once more. “And a war can be long and gruesome.”

  Ascathon starts to grin while we approach the big entrance door to the Ball of Fellmar.

  “And who knows? In the end? Maybe they will find out that the puppy which was left off the leash can't be controlled any more?”

  21 - The autumn of the Immortal Empress.

  Great Sea, Ocean of God

  “Great Sky-General! Our scouting group has spotted the Phenex-fleet just a few miles ahead. They have a huge ship in the centre of their formation.” One of my officers informs me of the situation while pointing out a spot on the map.

  We were in a state of cold-war with the Phenex Empire for the last decade. They tried to gain the upper hand in naval combat multiple times by now.

  But every time our fleet utterly destroyed them. It's thanks to that weapons-trader that we didn't have to fear for our naval superiority within the recent years.

  I would never admit that openly. The naval force of the Phenex-Empire is on par with the Nation of Mist. If it weren't for the new spells we would have to fight with them on equal terms.

  And I don't rule out the possibility that we could lose such a fight.

  “What's with the big ship in the centre of their formation? They usually don't rely on size....” I start mumbling to myself and the officer starts to interrogate someone from the scouting party with long range communication magic.

  Then I turn to one of my other assistants. “Give orders to our fleet. We disperse and attack them with long range spells. Don't take any risk and stay well away from them.”

  I turn back to the previous officer who immediately starts to give me his report. “There are no obvious abnormalities with the big ship. It has about the same size as our flag-ship... maybe a little bigger. It is showing the Imperial-banner with golden and black colours unlike the normal white and black phoenix.”

  “That means there is someone very high ranking on that ship.” I close my eyes to think. We already faced very high ranking generals from the Empire. None of them had the importance to fly different colours.

  So someone from the imperial family? But the Empress is a single ruler. To our knowledge she has no family and no heirs. Did she come out of her palace to lead the fleet herself?

  But why should she take matters into her own hands after so many years? Is she really as strong as the rumours say?

  Back then when she unified her continent it was said that she took out her biggest opponent with a single spell. Not only that but a sizeable part of the opposing army was wiped out too. The survivors were so terrified that they simply surrendered on the spot.

  Well. From her lifetime alone I can tell that she has to be a monster. The lifetime of any being is determined by it's affinity to mana. If a totally untalented mainlander has a lifetime of about seventy years, someone with average magical power should life for about a hundred to a hundred and twenty years.

  An exceptional mage from the main continent may even manage to scratch two to three hundred years.

  Luckily we people from the Nation of Mist aren't really bound to that rule because everyone of our population has a strong affinity to mana even if they aren't good with magic.

  But the Immortal Empress has already lived for more than six hundred years! We aren't sure if it was always the same Immortal Empress or if someone simply took over her position.

  Though if it's really true, then she has to be a genuine monster. Someone with so much magical power could be a real danger.

  I start to walk up and down on the bridge of my command-ship. Should I call for a temporary retreat? But how can we determine if she is really on that ship? Isn't a battle the only possibility to force her to take action?

  My questions are answered by a bright light on the horizon. The officer who held the communication line with the scouting party drops to his knees and starts panting. Pearls of sweat appear on his forehead and his expression is one of pure pain.

  Magical backlash. I go to one knee beside him and grab his shoulder. “What happened?”

  “The scouting party had just started to use their long range spells when.... . There was just a bright flash of light. And then everything was gone.....” The officer pulls a grimace.

  “Sit down and rest for the time being. You have done well.” I stand up and take another look at the map in front of me.

  I can't believe it. Eight ships. Gone in a split second!

  “Give orders to the whole fleet. They have to attack them from as many directions at once as possible. Everyone has to focus on the big vessel in the centre of their formation. If we can take out the Immortal Empre
ss they will loose their only means of attack! See to it that all ships are splitting up far enough. Don't give her a nice target like the scouting group!” I signal to one of my assistants.

  Then I watch the battle unfolding with a grim expression. It's infuriating but as the commander of a whole fleet you don't have much to do after you decided on a strategy and announced the start of the operation.

  My assistants keep updating the map in front of me as the informations come in. Our ships are represented by small blue stones and the enemy vessels by red ones.

  It's in the hands of the ship captains to fight the battle and carry out my orders to the best of their abilities. I am just here to observe the action and decide if it is necessary to change the strategy or to call for a retreat.

  I watch grimly as the symbols for our ships are taken off the map. From time to time my assistants can announce that an enemy vessel has been sunk. But it happens just in rare cases.

  Those strange flashes of light brighten the horizon even during the entire night as I keep track of the battle action. If my guess is true and the Empress is casting those spells all by herself ….. she is beyond a monster. Maybe a demi-god would be more accurate.

  A naval battle between fleets is usually slow and can take hours or days. But not this time. Our superior magical scouting techniques and the good weather are to our advantage. The imperial fleet is sailing against the wind while our ships are attacking with the wind in our backs.

  That makes it impossible for the imperial fleet to run. Unless they decide to retreat and sail back the way they came.

  On the other hand I have a problem, should I decide to call for a retreat myself. We could sail against the wind ourselves or decide for a breakthrough. There is also the possibility of evading to the sides.

  But that would lead us into strong oceanic currents. The ocean of god is a certain part of the great sea and has its name for a reason. It has very calm waters and it stretches roughly between the two bigger continents.

  If we should decide to sail to the sides, the imperial fleet could follow us to force us into the strong currents which are circulating to both sides of the ocean of god.