Knights and Nobles (4)

When he heard the definite answer that Kleio would use his magic, Tasserton released the power of his grasp. Kleio took a deep breath, still wary of the blade, as Tasserton carefully placed Pytons onyx into Melchiors hand.

It feels like theres some favoritism going on here.

With that thought, Kleio opened his circle. More blood flowed out of his nose, but he barely noticed it anymore. The circle that barely covered Kleio and Melchior was dimmer than a candle. Anyone who had seen Kleios circle before would immediately notice the difference.

If you leave a bottle of alcohol alone for a few minutes, then shake it, you can get a drop or two more of alcohol out of it. Thats about how much ether I have left.

He would be saving the crown prince with that energy, so it would be a card he could use against Melchior later. Kleio wanted to laugh, feeling the dissonance between the usual sight of the prince and the weak body lying before him.

Hes hardly human normally.

Tasserton was silently watching Kleio with a mixture of hope and anxiety. Kleio could barely move his body due to his exhaustion; as he partially fell onto the onyx he was trying to use. Perhaps due to the desperate situation, a mantra suddenly came to him like a revelation. Normally, finding a single line was tedious, but as the level of narrative involvement increased, quotations seemed to come more naturally to his mind. Memory summoned the sentences he had read in his life as Jungjin. He whispered them out in a weak voice.

[Let down, I say, the wings of the wind fade away

The gentle leaves cover the stinging sunlight.

Lie still, in the warm sea, the wind is sleeping.

Even that wind will not be quieter than you.] 1)

Essentially, Kleios job was to read the quotes to summon this worlds magic. The medium that used to be Jungjins only refuge was now his medium for magic. The magic formula traced its outlines around the prince that seemed to be made of marble and the deathly-pale wizard. Under their hands, the onyx began to crumble, alleviating Melchiors pain.

It can save a person from suffering and protect others. Yes, it really is magic.

And Jungjin couldnt resist the authors will to make such magic exist. His temperament was one that could never be a revolutionary that defied the powers that dominated the world. His ether dried up, and Arthur moved in to catch him. This kid was behaving like he was dying. He wanted to tell him not to worry, but no more sounds could be made from his dry throat. The author still needed Melchior and Kleio; todays development was accidental. Promise shimmered before his eyes as his magic was squeezed out.

[Users narrative involvement has increased.

Cumulative rate: 37.5%]

[The total amount of ether has increased.]

[You have reached ether level 5.]

[The magic slot has increased to 5.]

[Unique skill: The time limit for the Editors Authority(2/3) has been increased.

Time limit: 00:05:00]

Ether exploded inside of him, lighting up the night. A storm of energy that resembled a volcanic eruption shook his etheric vessel and those around him. However, Arthur wouldnt let go of him until the end.

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After killing Pyton, Mietsu ran along the walls solidifying the defenses weak points. The shadow spiders werent strong, but there were too many of them. Tristeins knights numbered only forty, which wasnt enough to deal with them all. Only after saving those knights was he able to look for Arthur. Mietsu felt a terrible ethereal reaction as he crossed the castle, Isiel following closely behind. Their vision was briefly blotted out by a tremendous explosion of light.

.

.

.

Hmm, what is this?!

Trude, who was supporting the soldiers on the north wall, stood by awkwardly after slaying the other Pyton. The shadow spiders melted and shattered as if pushed by the light bursting out. The ones pushing up from behind seemed to slow down as the glow of ether lessened.

Brother! All the mana stones melted!

At first, Trude was cheering, but as the black crystals that served as the core of the spiders broke down into some unknown ether, that cheer turned to a scream.

Well, it wasnt worth that much, but why is it melting?!

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Kleio held onto consciousness by a thin string. His cheeks felt like they were freezing, but one of his arms felt like it was boiling. Kleios ether bowl, now that he had just become a level 5 wizard, was shaking as he lacked the power even to turn his head. In that turmoil, the prince began to wake up, with a slight look of reverence in his eyes. Melchior stood silently as the light faded. At the same time, his charm also awakened. Kleio had to squint, overwhelmed by the successive messages appearing.

[Unique skill: Eratos charm]

[Gives users a strong charm to gain love and admiration]

Indeed

Kleio finally could read Melchiors title. Erato, the muse of love and music, supported him. Love was bound to lead to the impulses of passion, and the emotions that it reproduced were extreme. It was also the source of human tragedy. Kleios thoughts couldnt be controlled by his own will as faint memories moved through his mind.

Now two people had stood up. Tasserton, who had used his body to shield Melchior from the etheric storm, also got up on his feet. Kleios vision was blurred as his ears buzzed in the aftermath of the explosion. Melchior and Tasserton were talking, but he could hear little. After confirming his lords safety, Tasserton knelt and bowed his head to the princes feet. Blood was trickling down the knights mouth. He was an excellent 7th level knight, but his actions this night had exceeded that level. He had even used a swordmasters skill in the fight. Now, however, he was offering a strange apology.

I owe you a debt that I cannot pay for with my life.

He was still focused on the prince.

My king This time, I stayed by your side. You Without

But its late.

Please forgive this fools fault.

Kleio, excluded from the twos drama, felt his mind blurring. He didnt have enough power to think now, but he knew one thing: Tassertons terrible regret wasnt something that had been accumulated in one life or one event. This was giving him a bonus clue to what was happening between the two.

What on earth has happened in the past?

All Kleio knew was the eighth version of the manuscript, which hadnt explained their relationship. Tassertons blind devotion was something even the loyal knights couldnt understand. If the basis for it werent in this lifetime, then it would be in a prior one in the erased manuscripts.

Not only Melchior but also Tasserton They remember something about their repeated lives.

If he had the state of mind to be surprised, he would have, but he was too tired. Melchior didnt seem shaken at all as he touched the knights shoulder gently.

Tasserton Tristein. From this moment on, you are my duke.

Melchiors gaze stayed on the remains of Grendel. Tasserton followed Melchiors eye to look at the remains of his father, emotionlessly. He prostrated once more at the feet of his master a second later.

I will take your glorious command, my lord.

Promise exuded warm energy like it was melting as he answered. Kleio grunted even in the midst of his exhaustion.

[Reincarnation has been awarded the title of Lancelot Tristein. [CovenantSimile of Eternity] has satisfied the conditions for resurrection.

Permanent loyalty pledged to the Queen of Lake Nineveh, the duty of the Duke of Tristein has been correctly inherited.]

Ive been waiting for you.

Melchior replied fiercely with an unusual tone.

Hasnt it been long enough? Memories evaporate, the dead forget details, and only commands are held on the tongue to be recounted Thats why you think of this as loyalty.

The messages wandering around the duo were too bright for Kleios weary eyes to bear. It was like a storm around them, flashing brightly. Not too soon, Promise began to cool down as the messages stopped.

Perhaps, that Is it not a message from Promise?

But then what made the text appear? No doubt this nights revelation was for Melchior only, who saw and read everything.

Right. I thought I knew the past, but in reality, I didnt know anything.

Messages Kleio was forbidden to read bloomed like scripture and then was torn apart. Promise continued to emit strange warnings.

[Inconsistent output format of Word. It is outside the output area of Clios Promise. You cannot receive messages.]

Kleio was astonished.

The messages arent mine.

If so, was he not the only one who saw them outside of a dungeon? Tassertons head remained low. It was then

Tasserton, vomiting more dark blood, slowly sank down. Even unconscious, he clung to Melchiors feet. Melchior lightly passed him, picking his way among the ruins. The inside of Kleios ears buzzed as he trembled. The young hero next to him desperately pulled at his limbs, though he couldnt move.

1) A Ballad of Dreamland, Algernon Charles Swinburne.