Chapter 15: Chapter 14 – Preparations

"So this is how they've done it. Impressive." Jacob says, as he takes a look a Mulong's notes.

"What? Let me see!" Patricia leans towards him, sheepishly taking the opportunity to invade his personal space.

"Yes. The research they based their work on was an experiment to create artificial Warlocks. In theory, it would be a lot easier just to transplant artificial spiritual seas. The survival of the test subjects would be much higher in the initial stages. But it's less practical on the battlefield." the Engraving Gradmanster explains.

"Why is that?" Patricia maintains body contact with Jacob, acting as she's trying to make sense of Mulong's brief summary of the prisoner's body.

"Because it takes a greater toll on the user's body." the butler makes an educated guess while pushing the notebook towards her, to get her off him.

"Oh.." Patricia backs up a little bit, but you can see on her face that she's not pleased by his gesture.

"I see. It's quality over quantity." the silent Cebalus makes a short observation.

"Exactly. An artificially created Warlock has more explosive power, but it's extremely unstable. You would require a subject who has perfect control over mana. Even then, this type of soldier is almost like a one time use item. To some degree, using an Artifact is more efficient. But things would be different if you can find a way to balance and control a foreign amount of mana. Then the test subject would not be much different than a natural Warlock." Mulong says with a glint of passion in his eyes.

"That's quite scary actually!" Patricia concludes.

"Indeed, only Gods can share their blessings like that. But Arpagos has come very close with this new project of theirs. The Empire realized it is a lot easier to create an artificial Knight. Knights have less mana, but their mana is more pure. They take in small amounts of mana and refine it into the pure energy called aura. By circulating aura in their own body, their physical capabilities grow exponentially. And that process happens gradually, making it more stable."

"That's not an easy feat either." Cebalus adds.

"So how exactly have they managed to do that" Patricia asks, while closing the notebook. She's not that interested in those technical notes, now that she can't use that pretext to suffocate Jacob with her presence.

"Simple. They have transplanted several artifacts into Jackal's body. One high grade Artifact that's hosting a tiny portion of high grade aura, and five other low grade Artifacts that are used for mana circulation. The high grade Artifact is placed in his torso, right above the navel, and is strong enough to host the aura long term. The low grade Artifacts are placed at the extremities of his body: palms, feet and skull. Those are not strong enough to host the transplanted aura for a long time, but they are good enough to temporarily receive it during the circulation process. The aura passes through his body, making a short stop at every Artifact. That way the Artifacts act like checkpoints for the turbulent energy, and it lessens the burden on the subject's body." Mulong fully explains the process.

"But that means..."

*Knock Knock*

Patricia's words are interrupted as someone knocked on the door. A blond haired young man enters the hall and closes the door behind him. He didn't barge in unannounced, he was specially summoned here for a very important affair.

"Sirs, My Lady... What can I help you with?" Karl says, as he does a short military salute in front of the pillars of the Rosevind Family that are all gathered in one room.

"The reason we called you here, lad, is 'cause we have a little dilemma. You know the affairs of the North-West Governmental Region better than anyone, so maybe you can help us." Mulong says with a smile.

"Please ask away, Grandmaster. I dare say there are very few things that I do not know about the North-West Region." he responds.

"Let me ask you this, how much is Stones' death affecting the administration of the Region?" the old man doesn't take much time to ask the important question.

"Administrative wise, not that much. In the short term, we can manage even without our Commander. But I have no doubt Florenti will be able to take that role eventually. He's a smart boy, it won't take him long before he can fill in his father's role. That being said, our military strength is severely affected..." Karl admits.

"See? I told you he's more than decent. He went straight to the point." Mulong says, as he turns his head back towards Jacob.

"Yes. Stones trusted him a lot and he proved himself worthy of that trust. He's perfect for the job." Jacobs responds.

"First thing first, we'll take care of the most imminent problem. Cebalus has agreed to send a few of his soldiers to bolster your local military. Two Rank 7 and three Rank 6 warriors from his personal guard will be deployed to join your forces in the following days."

"Forgive me Grandmaster, but won't that leave the Eastern flank too exposed?" Karl says, worried about the bigger picture.

"That's not an issue." Cebalus says, while his body releases the golden glint of a Rank 9 Knight.

"H-He's a Rank 9?" Karl says to himself, as he takes a big gulp.

Even though the bald Nordic didn't mean to be menacing and has good control of his mana, the realization of his high Rank still gave the young man sharp and sweaty chills.

"We need to be on guard here in the West too. Just the Seni Mountains won't be enough to protect us from Arpagos Empire's plots." Mulong explains without being much bothered by the northman's aura.

"T-Thank you, Sir!" Karl bows towards Cebalus, as tries his best to look unfazed.

"Don't worry about it." Cebalus doesn't speak much, as usual.

"That's settled then. Now that we have dealt with the power vacuum. We can talk about the administrative issue. Sure, there's no immediate pressure on that, but we have to deal with some ceremonial matters." the old Engraver says.

*Creak*

The door opens and nanny Matilda comes in, holding baby Andrew in her arms, as she was requested.

"The next part requires the presence of the Rosevind Lord. However, since that brat is dead, his direct blood line will do. We have concluded that Florenti is still too young to take his father's position. That being said, we would like you to be the new regent North-West Commander of the Rosevid family, until Stones's blood will be of age! Do you accept the responsibility, lad?" Mulong adds.

"Y-Yes, Grandmaster. It will be my greatest honor!" Karl responds, after a short momentary shock.

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"In the presence of the Lord of our Family, with his blessing and for his sake, as his acting hands and eyes, we name you the new North-West Regional Commander! Now swear your allegiance to the Young Lord!" the previously silent Jacob says, as things get more serious.

"I, Karl, although unworthy... once again pledge my undying allegiance to the Rosevind Family and its Young Lord as the regent North-West Regional Commander!"

Mulong smiles while he glances at Jacob. Karl's choice of words pleased him very much, as the lad reminded everyone the pledge he made to Stones and his family was in its nature still a pledge for the Rosevind House. Even though the Regional Commanders are Lords in their own region, that enjoy a huge degree of autonomy and their position is inherited by their bloodlines, they are still the most loyal retainers of the Rosevind Family.

***

AKABIA CONTINENT, HORK ORDE TRIBAL ALLIANCE, RUSHI TRIBE

*Snore*

A tribal man in his late thirties is sleeping inside a tent, covered in several layers of furs. His loud snoring can be heard even from outside the tent.

*Fsssh*

An aged hand pulls open the curtain of the tent. As he glances inside at the snoring individual, Banciov's sole remaining eye stares daggers at him.

"Wake up, you fool!" the Rushi Klaka screams at the man.

"Back off, fool. She's my girl now!" the seeping beauty jumps on his feet as he just woke from his dream, mumbling nonsense.

Banciov gives him a weird look, as a smile is about to blossom on his old face. 

"Hmm?" the sleeping man comes to his senses and takes a few glances around.

"Hmph!" Banciov suppresses his smile and gives him a stern look.

"Oh. It's you, old man. You really got me, I though someone wanted to put his hands on my loot." the man scratches his cross-shaped scar on the right side of his head. His read mohawk hair shakes slightly.

"Enough with your nonsense, Padirov! The Duma has called for you, go see him before you leave!" the Rushi Klaka says, as he turns his back and leaves the tent.

A few moments later, Padirov, the Klaka of the Jiki Tribe, has come to visit Rutin. He might be a disobedient rogue most of the time, but the only person he can't mess with is this man.

"Here I am, Chief Rutin." Padirov says, as he enters Rutin's tent.

"Good. Come sit down." Rutin says to him, as he puts down the fur scroll he had in his hand. This time he wasn't sitting in the wooded fur chair, but directly on the fur floor of the tent.

"Thank you." the Jiki Tribe Leader parts his lips, revealing a smile jagged by two missing teeth. Then he sits down next to him. His appearances is so goofy that even Rutin can't help not to smile when he looks at him.

"Can I trust you with this?" Rutin says, keeping his serious tone despite his smiling face.

"Yes, Chief. Leave it to me!" Padirov says, raising his clenched fist in the air.

"All you have to do is listen to Hedvev. He is the commander on this mission. Don't mess it up this time. It's important! Remember that you're there just to show them how strong we are. Be sure to show some moderation, I don't want a wasteland!" Rutin further explains, as he wants to make sure this trouble maker would stay in line.

"Don't worry. As long as they don't provoke me..."

"Hmm?" Rutin raises his eyebrow at him, when he sees him placing conditions of his own.

"A-As you say, Chief!" Padirov tries his best not to piss him off with any further slips of tongue.

"If I found out you messed up, I will not be so forgiving this time! Anything goes wrong, I will hold you responsible, even if it's not your fault! So treat carefully!" Chief Rutin says as he continues to smile casually.

"I understand, Chief! I'm thankful for everything you've done for me!" Padirov tries to look as serious as he can. He knows very well how dangerous the man before him is, even if he hides it behind his smile. If anything, his casual tone gives him the chills every time.

"Good. Then take your guys and go join Hedvev at the coast. It won't be long until departure. He will need to sort out the logistics." Rutin says as he gets back to his fur scroll.

2 DAYS LATER

Inside the cabin of a giant flagship, a man in his late forties, with a goatee beard and a nose bone ring, spreads open a fur scroll with the Ghece Continent map. 

This man is Hedvev, the Klaka of the Chepi Tribe. The bulk of the Chepi Tribe has been tasked with this mission in the Nordic Continent and, as their Leader, Hedvev is the supreme commander of the expedition force. Alongside them, a few elites of the Jiki Tribe lead by Padirov are deployed as auxiliaries.

Padirov and a few other commanding tribesmen gather around the map for a better look.

"Here, this is where we'll go." Hedvev says, as he puts his finger on the Iskan Society.

"Meh! Isn't that the weakest of all four Societies?" Padirov says.