Transcendence?

by Andur

  I turn to Wynne, but she shows no reaction and stares at the globe. I wave my hand in front of her eyes, but I get no reaction. “Wynne? Wake up? Come on, those guys were assholes anyway? Did you ever watch what they did in their free time?”

  Suddenly Wynne snaps to attention and screams at Aneth. “You ruined my island! Again!”

  Aaah... now I remember. Didn't this whole story start because Aneth destroyed one of Wynne's gardening Islands?

  71 - Recruiting.

  Island Nation of Mist

  Ascathon

  Our fleet is retreating and I grumble while I watch the island vanishing in the ocean. The eruption of the volcano happened at a very convenient time. Too convenient! At least almost everyone who survived the fight could get away. But that's just because I decided to run a little earlier than necessary.

  There are fourteen enemy ships left and in pursuit, but they are no threat because we are flying too high and are faster than them. The new strategy of using a carrier for attack planes was a full success from my perspective. The planes are too fast for slow moving magical projectiles and their shields are sufficient to defend against weaker spells. We lost just fourteen planes.

  “I will teach them a lesson when I find them!” I pound the railing of my flagship in anger.

  “So you think that a certain someone had his hand in this.” Celestial is also watching the island and the fleet from the Nation of Mist, which is following us.

  “Oh, please! A mysterious power of self regeneration? New attack magic? Unbelievable magic power? A lightning out of nowhere from a clear, blue sky with not a single cloud? A WHOLE island going up in flames just as we are fighting on it?” I gesture at the rising cloud of ash behind us. “They overdid it this time, whoever they are.”

  Celestial nods. “But at least one of them seems to be on our side.”

  I shake my head. “There is no way to tell if that's a good or a bad thing! Hell, maybe they even switch roles from time to time.”

  “We should think about our guest for now. All our speculations are in vain, as long as we don't have more information.” Celestial turns and I follow her.

  “It just means that we aren't strong enough. Yet!” I place my hand on the crystal in my chest plate. “And I already have an idea on how to accomplish that.”

  “I am looking forward to it.” Celestial enters the ship and we follow the main corridor to the living quarters.

  The screams of a woman lead us directly to our destination and we find Den in front of a door to a private room. The screams don't sound terrified, they have a more complaining tone to them. And they are coming from behind the door.

  “Are there any problems?” I ask Den, who doesn't look happy at all.

  “She is a fury. I don't understand how anyone would marry such a woman. We needed four people, just to get her out of the house.” He opens the door and I find a blonde woman screaming at the guards who are inside the room.

  “I demand that we are freed immediately!” She screams. Fingulf is lying in a bed and doesn't look happy at all. A small boy is sitting beside him, the child is at most four years old.

  I signal the guards to leave the room. They leave and close the door behind them. Then I turn to Fingulf and his wife and smile. “How are you doing?”

  “How am I doing? I am a cripple. The council forced me to retire. Then I and my family are put under the guard of several warships! And a few days later a certain someone kills the guards and abducts me!” He grasps his blanket tightly.

  Celestial nods. “I see, our methods seem a little rude, but times of war demand violence from time to time.”

  “War!?” Fingulf's wife calls out.

  “We don't know of any war, besides with the Phenex Empire.” Fingulf calls out.

  I shrug my shoulders. “But your Nation attacked my...”“MY!”“... her country.” I point at Celestial, who corrected me. “So we are technically at war with each other and you are prisoners of war from now on.”

  “Why should the proud Nation of Mist attack Norfolk? Aaah... I see. It must have been the elders. But they alone shouldn't be able to mobilize the army. Did the king collaborate with them?” Fingulf's expression becomes disgusted.

  “I think the current leaders of the army are loyal to the elders. At least that's what the new sky general told me before he died. I wonder if the next Sky General is a little bit better.” I explain.

  “Haaah. How did you even get past the council's dolls?” Fingulf looks from me to Celestial.

  “Dolls?” I arch an eyebrow.

  “Three guys with masks? High class magic and almost indestructible? Homunculi? A good magician can take one over to use it as a proxy?” He drops a bomb on me.

  “What!? Those things were just dolls? How many of them can you guys make? They gave us a lot of trouble until the island blew up!” I call out.

  “The island blew up?”“My house!” Fingulf and his wife call out in unison.

  “That explains how they were able to heal up so fast and survive lethal blows.” Celestial smiles. “One mystery less.”

  “But that also means that we have to fight them again! How troublesome.” I mumble.

  “The dolls are given to the council, so that they can supervise the nation without having to leave the capital. I think each council member has at least three of them throughout the Nation of Mist. But they shouldn't be strong fighters. The council was chosen because of their wise decisions and not based on their fighting power.” Fingulf's wife explains.

  “How strange, didn't she just tell us valuable military information?” Celestial squints her eyes.

  Fingulf makes a dismissive gesture. “It's common knowledge that the Council has those dolls and how they look. How would they be able to give commands through their proxies otherwise?”

  “Well, there is enough time to talk about everything. For the moment I would like to know if you want to join us?” I ask.

  “Hah? Why should I? I would never betray my country.” Fingulf is shocked.

  I raise my right hand and start to count. “Your country tried to get rid of you to give someone your position. Your country is now waging war against Norfolk, just because we built some nice items and trade with them. If you would join us, Celestial could heal you. You would get to command your own fleet of sky ships.” I point out of the window, where one of the other ships is visible. “And finally, I would give you a nice house to live in, instead of a cell.”

  “Why would you do this?” Fingulf asks. He doesn't even question my ability to fulfil my promises.

  “Because we have something against the guys who tried to kill you.” Celestial smiles.

  “That doesn't sound like a bad idea.” The boy besides Fingulf suddenly joins the conversation.

  Celestial gasps. “Don't tell me!”

  Fingulf sighs. “Let me introduce you. This is Fergus, my son. And that's Lahandra, my wife. It's not surprising that you are a little shocked, but we from the Nation of Mist age a little slower. Despite looking like this, Fergus is actually twelve. Even so, he is still a genius and I am very proud of him.”

  Both Celestial and me sigh in relief. Another Immortal would have been more than strange.

  “Then he'll find someone to talk to back at our home. Our kids are a little ahead of their age.” Celestial smiles at Fergus, who has a doubtful expression.

  Norfolk, Sarn-Valley

  Arran

  We are sitting on the floor in the living room. Sera is reading a book while Fergus eyes her with interest. I am training my telekinesis according to Sera's instructions. Since my mother is from a very old and strong magical bloodline, I should have the ability too. So I decided to give my everything in order to hone this power.

  I didn't have the chance to do so very often till now. In most of my reincarnations I became something more akin to a warrior. So I am trying to use all of my potential. I don't want to look bad compared to my future wife. Maybe I'll manage to become something
like a magical swordsman!

  Though it's very hard to concentrate on my exercise while another guy is eyeing Sera. “Hey, you! Stop ogling my woman!”

  Fergus's eyes widen and he turns his gaze towards me. “I wasn't ogling her! I was just interested in the book. We are far too young to think about stuff like this! Are you some kind of barbarian? You talk like she belongs to you.”

  “Liar! I know how lecherous glances look! So stop it. I have every right to complain, because she is my fiancee!” There take that!

  “Wah? Mother was right, the mainlanders are really a bunch of barbarians. Pre arranged marriages? How barbaric!” Fergus starts talking to himself.

  “So you admit it! Otherwise you wouldn't look so troubled!” I see through this fellow.

  “And what if!? Do you want to fight me? Hah! You can't even walk yet.” Fergus smiles in triumph.

  “~Kya!~ I always wanted to be a princess and have men fight for me. This is truly a thrilling reincarnation! Go on! I'll root for both of you! No, wait a moment! I will get dad's camera! Then I'll have a memento of my first time!” She gets up and runs out of the room.

  “Somehow I just lost my interest in her... such a character... take her... she is all yours. I can't imagine what you see in someone who gets excited over a fight.” Fergus has a depressed expression and looks at the book which was left behind.

  I snort and nod. “Then we don't have to fight. Stupid pointy ears. If you can't see her true beauty, there is no need for further discussions.” That's right. Did you even take a look at her mother? She is bound to become a top class woman. Who cares about her character? Everything is fine as long as she doesn't try to kill you.

  Just stay in this mansion for a while! Then you will understand her pains! She is just misunderstood. Nobody who grows up in a place like this is without scars!

  Fergus looks up. “What did you call me?”

  Ooops... Are the ears a weak point of his? “Celestial could cut them shorter. She is a good...” I don't get to talk any further as Fergus throws himself onto me and I use telekinesis to block him.

  *klick* *klick*

  “~Yes!~ To the left! Harder! More action! ~Nyahahaha.~”

  72 - Again.

  Norfolk, Fellmar

  Celestial

  “I can't believe that it's already that time of the year again. Why are we even participating in this stupid event? There aren't even enough guests here. What a giant waste of money. We invited the whole world to the party and just our people show up!” Ascathon is grumbling beside me.

  “The Ball of Fellmar is a long tradition. The previous Jarl held at in regular intervals to maintain the good relationships with other countries. I have to do at least that much, or there will be an uproar from the nobles.” It's an unfortunate necessity.

  “But there aren't any guests! Jamaian is gone, Mislow and the Nation of Mist are at war with us and the Academy is controlled by Phenex.” He guides me to our table in the great hall. Everyone steps aside and holds a respectful distance to us. A sea of people is parting before us, how amusing.

  “On top I have bad memories of my last visit here. I got stabbed!” He complains.

  I grin. “But you looked like you enjoyed it? And you shouldn't be so pessimistic. I invited everyone and I have high hopes that at least one party shows up.”

  His head turns sharply. “It can't be. You wouldn't. Did you invite Phenex too?”

  “Sure. The previous Jarl always invited everyone. Our nobles can't complain if we invite her to this festival. And once they see that nobody besides Phenex is willing to talk to us, they have to change their attitude.” It's a devious plan to change their opinion.

  “Indeed.” Ascathon tilts his heads and thinks about something.

  So I take a seat at our table and order the best available food. The previous Jarl's cook is a genius, no wonder that he looked like a balloon. I take a look around the dining hall and admire the expensive chandelier. There are many guests around, though all of them are from Norfolk.

  “Say, Celestial? Isn't it strange that you changed your opinion of her? This is quite sudden.” He scratches his chest with an uneasy expression. “It can't be that you plan to lure her in to ...”

  “What are you thinking? Of course not.” Well, at least not immediately. “You know that I am very practical. After thinking about this for a while, I came to the conclusion that I have to control my personal feelings in this matter. It's the only path that's left open for this country. And we can't deal with Mislow and the Nation of Mist on our own.”

  I make a pause to order my thoughts. “There is something fishy going on. Someone is playing a game with us and we don't know the rules, nor are we sure of the number of participants, or their goals. So it's necessary to proceed with maximum caution, while not wasting any opportunities. If we have the possibility to have one enemy less, we should take it.”

  Ascathon nods. “I see. I guess I just didn't expect that you would be able to overcome your feelings.”

  I smile. “Don't have too high hopes. I may still tear her to pieces if she provokes me. Nor will I forget that Sera was abducted by one of her servants.”

  My secretary Natasha approaches us from the crowd of people and I turn my attention to her. “A delegation from Phenex arrived as anticipated. They want to speak to you.” She bows to Ascathon and me.

  “You may tell them that we await them.” I smile at Natasha and she leaves.

  “You still treat her very formally.” Ascathon states while looking after Natasha and I don't fail to notice his eyes, which are fixed on a certain spot.

  “Dear husband?” I smile at him.

  “Yes?” His eyes are still somewhere else.

  “Dear husband, Natasha is lesbian. That's why I am wary of her. And if you don't look at me, I will poke them out.” I grab a knife from the table.

  He changes his focus of attention. “No way?” His eyes wander to the knife in my hand and he realizes what he just did. “I was just looking! Of course you are the only one for me. You can't blame a man for looking! That's the same as forbidding me to breathe!”

  I sigh. “Haven't you learnt to do it discreetly during your many lifes?”

  He nods. “Of course, but you can't savour the view if you do that. Men don't have such a good peripheral vision compared to women.”

  Then I purse my lips. “That's still no excuse. You will have to make up for it.”

  He squints his eyes. “How?”

  “I am sure you'll find a solution. Otherwise you will sleep alone tonight.” I avert my eyes, but he grabs my hand and kisses it.

  “I am not sure if there is a proper method to apologize for looking at other women.” He scratches his cheek and gives off an impression of being deep in thought.

  I give up. “Haah... I understand. An old man like you can't lower himself to flatter an old woman like me. I guess we will simply forget about the matter and continue with our work. Such a pity, there may be no time to cook chocolate.”

  Then he smiles at me like a gentleman. “Sugar cat, I love you. There is nobody else for me. I would pick the stars from the sky if you wish it.”

  A shudder runs down my spine at his sudden change and I smirk. “So you can act like that if you want to.”

  “You are the one who gives me sweet dreams.” He focuses on my eyes and comes closer.

  “I see...” So he just doesn't want to have nightmares.

  “You are the provider of the thing which I need the most.” His hands wander farther up my arm.

  “So that's the reason...” He would do everything for chocolate! But I can't find a hint of lying in his face.

  “You are the perfect match for me, as you do the bothersome work for me.” Now his face comes too close!

  “Stop it. I can't take it any more! You won!” I shy away. There is only so much I can take. He immediately returns to his usual self and I ask, “Such frightening skills. Were you an actor at some point? Why didn't you disp
lay those skills earlier?”

  “Those skills are reserved for dire situations.” He lifts his glass and takes a sip.

  Then we are interrupted by a group of people with a dazzling white haired beauty in their midst. Both of us stand up to greet the Immortal Empress. “It's pleasure to meet you again, even if our first meeting wasn't that happy. I am the Jarl, Celestial Asceron. And this is my husband, Ascathon Asceron.”

  The Immortal Empress smiles and nods. “You may call me Jazira. This is my aid, Tjena.” She gestures at a familiar face. I knew that person for a short while as my babysitter. Tjena bows fast and steps behind Jazira after taking a look at Ascathon. He just smiled at her and she immediately paled.

  “And this is my old friend, Sagittarius. The headmaster of the Academy. I convinced him to join hands with me.” The old man beside her nods.

  “It's a pleasure to meet you for real this time?” She looks at Ascathon with curiosity.

  “Yeah, the real thing is quite a disappointment, isn't it?” Ascathon chuckles.

  Jazira shrugs her shoulders. “I don't know what I expected. May I take a seat?”

  I gesture for them to continue and sit down again. The rest of Jazira's staff leaves, or backs off to give us privacy. “Please do. What's spoken on this table shall remain between us. There is a warding spell against sound on every table. Nobody who is farther away than a metre can overhear us."

  “So? How did your little distraction for Mislow look like?” Ascathon smiles and asks Jazira about her part in our secret plan.

  She shrugs. “I marched my army to their borders and crushed one of their outposts. That was enough to trigger a massive reaction from them. They intercepted me with a huge army and we had a stand off for a few days. Then I retreated. At least I know now that they can mobilize very fast within their own land.”

  “Mislow and Jamaian were always in conflict with each other. Even if they didn't have an open war, there were still small scale conflicts and both countries kept their military in top condition.” Sagittarius explains the situation.

  “~Yes, Yes.~ That's all very nice, but before we continue. Do you have the certain item, which I requested.” She looks at Ascathon with shining eyes.