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Chapter 60 (2 of 2) The Judge of Tartarus and an Authorizer regretting his life choices.
🕑 Added 2024-01-24 12:40:00 +0000 UTCThe boy studied her in silence for a moment, his smile still present. Then he nodded.
Lucy took that as him accepting her greeting and she straightened up, gesturing to a couch. “Please, take a seat.”
Vessel nodded and sat on a couch opposite hers.
She sat down and crossed one leg over the other, placing her intertwined fingers on her knee. She smiled at the boy. “To my understanding, nothing else needs to happen, but is there anything you want me to arrange for the meeting?”
The dark-haired boy’s smile grew wider and he tilted his head slightly. He opened his mouth to speak…
“No use asking the boy, girl. He’s as mute as an elf who broke the fae speech pacts.”
An old, refined, masculine voice echoed in the room, resonating within her head. Thick death mana began to billow out of the eyes, mouth, and ears of the boy, spreading across half the room. Some of the death mana solidified to form the vague figure of a standing, robed man with a long beard in front of Vessel’s couch. A hood covered the top of his head.
Vessel stayed still, sitting on the couch with a smile as if nothing had happened. The new figure stroked his beard as he observed Lucille, darkness forming a wall of mist behind them.
“The Court requires nothing more. A Vessel is all we have ever needed, and all we will ever need.” He let out a hum as he placed a hand behind his back. “But never has the Court convened to converse with a lone individual. With our long history, it is no mean feat to introduce us to a new situation."
Lucille smiled and dipped her head. “Then I hope this meeting is worthwhile, Death Sage Udotior of the Eradication Towers.”
The figure’s hand dropped from his beard as he fixed his gaze on her. “Oh?”
Before he could say anything else, a light, musical laughter sang through the room. More death mana pooled to coalesce into the form of a uniquely dressed woman, holding a fan. Her long flowing hair reached the ground and upon her head was a headdress that appeared to have a deer’s skull with antlers on top. As with the other figure, everything about her was pitch-black but pointed ears extended from either side of her head.
“To see Udotior surprised after two hundred thousand years, what a delight.” The woman faced Lucille and smiled as she closed her fan. “This day is sure to be enjoyable. Tell me, child, do you perhaps know who I am?”
“Pale Lady Acalypha of the Sleeping Lake,” Lucy calmly replied. “I’ve read many books containing your story.” She nodded to Death Sage Udotior. “As have I read about you, Lord Udotior.”
Acalypha laughed again as the Death Sage chuckled. The elven figure opened her fan and waved it. “Oh, I’m sure you have, child. Perhaps a few mentioned how I tempted the Fae King of Winter and stole his power of darkness? Or perhaps how I was tasked to summon an Ice Spirit Queen by a ruler and instead destroyed his kingdom?”
Lucy smiled. “There may have been. Although I was more interested in your prowess in understanding fae and spirit magic.”
“Aha, a researcher.” The Death Sage nodded. “I like your kind. Yes, let us move on from discussing the trifling details of Acalypha’s mortal past and converse about the wonders of magic…”
“’Trifling’? How insulting.” Acalypha waved her fan and shook her head. “It is my mortal past I am most well-known for, Udotior. It is only fair that I correct a few details the Mystical Realm has misconstrued while I have the chance.” She looked at Lucy. “The Winter Fae King offered me the power first but tricked me and I couldn’t obtain it. As such, I slayed him and gained the title of ‘The Fae Damned Elven Sorceress’. Besides, the Fae King wasn’t even my type.”
Acalypha paused and added something else. “Although, I will admit to destroying that kingdom. The prince of the foreign kingdom was aesthetically pleasing and it would’ve been a shame if the bloodline died out.”
“Bah. You and your superficial whims.” Death Sage Udotior turned to Lucy. “It is just as I said, trifling. Surely you can see that?”
“Are you still time-wasting, or can the meeting begin?” a low voice rumbled. A third figure materialised from the death mana, tall and broad-shouldered and wearing heavy plate armour over his whole body. Between his hands was a menacing black sword, planted on the ground. “The rest of us must listen to your petty bickering as you’re both taking advantage of the materialisation. Your voices can be heard by our host without a visual representative.”
“But what poor substitute for true interaction would that be, Gylbarde?” Acalypha said with mock astonishment. “It would be a dishonour for the Court to treat our host in such a way.”
“Come now, Gylbarde,” Death Sage Udotior appealed, spreading his hands. “It is not often that we meet individuals of the Mystical Realm in person… well, at least in a way we can see and hear them, and they us. Let us have our fun.”
The Death Knight Lord of the Legion of the Abandoned, as Lucille knew he was, Gylbarde, eyed them both and then huffed. “Take as little time as possible. It would be a disgrace for you to keep our lord waiting if he were here.” The armoured figure dematerialised.
Acalypha snapped her fan shut and shook her head. “Our lord is too busy to participate in these matters, and neither should any disturb him. Have no fear that he may join us, child,” she said to Lucy.
Lucille nodded, not expecting in the slightest that the Court’s ruler would participate. His status was too high. But in place of the Death Knight Gylbarde, another figure appeared. This time, their limbs were thin and skeletal, their body covered in tattered robes that showed signs of once being luxurious. A broken crown rested upon its bony head and hollow eye sockets gazed at Lucy.
The lich chuckled, a scratchy, eerie sound. “You should've told me our host was so well versed in the matters of the soul, Udotior. I would’ve arrived to greet her sooner if I had.” The skeletal figure placed a bony hand on his chest and bowed. “Skok'shilaadh, Lich King of the Blighted. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Count Goldcroft.” The lich then looked at the two other Court members. “Unfortunately, I manifested to inform you two that the Court is ready to begin. I will have to ask you both to demanifest.”
Acalypha and Death Sage Udotior both nodded and turned to Lucy.
“Then I will say my farewells. It is unlikely that we will have time afterwards to make conversation, but if the opportunity arises in the future, then I will gladly discuss my studies of fae and spirit magic with you,” Acalypha said to Lucy, curtseying. She disappeared with a scatter of death mana.
Death Sage Udotior dipped his head. “A pleasure, Lucille Goldcroft.” He too disappeared, leaving only the Lich King in their wake.
Lich King Skok'shilaadh clasped his hands behind his back and began to pace in front of Lucy, death mana trailing from his body. “The Court convening to speak to a singular individual is uncommon, to say the least, and so there are no formalities we can follow in this situation. Therefore, on behalf of the Court as one of its senior members,” he told her, “I will begin by asking for your introduction.”
Lucille stood up and bowed as she had for Vessel, fully meaning the respect her position was meant to show. She straightened up. “My name is Lucille Adrienne Goldcroft. I am the current Head of the Aurelian Commission, the largest merchant Faction of the Mystical Realm,” she informed him. “I come from an unassimilated world, and while I am physically eighteen years old, my soul age is approaching two hundred and fifty this July.”
The Lich King nodded, accepting her introduction. “As we have known. Now, it was a very large surprise to hear from one of our many thousands of captains for the Formless… what was his name?” A whisper sounded through the death mana and Skok'shilaadh raised a bony finger. “-Kozzazan, yes. Thank you, Thyrekon – that one of our hideouts had apparently been compromised by a girl. One that knew his name and intended to work with us.”
He tilted his head as he stopped to look at her, the eyeless voids of his skull boring into her. “As such, we want to ask you where exactly you learnt-” His immaterial body locked up, completely still. Lucy blinked as he turned his head to study her for a few seconds, seemingly for no reason. Eventually, he murmured, “…no, I won’t. Instead, I’d rather move on to what you wish to do to the Malediction Society.”
All of a sudden, a cold wind seemed to blow as many whispers filled the room, echoing out from Vessel, who sat on the couch. The lich shook his head. “Silence amongst you, please. As the chosen representative I have made the decision not to ask. We will discuss this later.” He turned back to her. “My apologies. As I stated, we want to know how you will aid us when it comes to that Heretic cesspit.”
Lucille nodded and finally began to discuss her plan in detail. Many of the minor aspects were regarding the exchange of information, but the main theme of her plan was that she would use her political leverage to affect the Olden nobles the Wordless Observers couldn’t, or remove the support of the Olden nobles from the Malediction Society. When the nobles were essentially no longer connected to that branch of the Society, then the Wordless Observers would make their move to destroy the branch. It would be a long process before the entire Malediction Society could be destroyed, as Lucy had to keep gaining strength and working her way up to eventually cut off the Malediction Society’s connection to the high-level nobility, such as Dukes and Marquesses.
After the main points had been clarified, the room descended into ghostly whispers and murmurs. Lich King Skok'shilaadh waited silently as the Court discussed her proposition. One voice echoed out louder than the others.
“I request to speak, Skok’shilaadh.”
The lich nodded. “Permitted, Reznor.”
The death mana in the room fused to form a tall, lanky figure. Their hair was tied behind their head and they looked normal, if it weren’t for the faint scar-like marks on either side of their mouth that indicated it opened far wider than it should – they were a ghoul.
The ghoul turned to face Lucille. “In return for your aid, you wish for the House to use our private dimensions and resources to train those you select to become part of this ‘internal affairs’ department. I take it you understand how unconventional that is?”
She nodded. It would extend further than just simply teaching the internal affairs members a few skills. They would be taught the abilities and methods of an organisation that had existed for close to a million years.
“I wouldn’t dare ask for even one skill exclusive to the Formless to be taught to the members,” she replied, dipping her head. “I only wish for the basic methodologies of the lowest ranked Formless and ability to cover their tracks to be taught to them.”
Reznor held his chin, seemingly eyeing her in contemplation. The whispers and murmurs of the other Ninety-Nine being channelled by Vessel sounded to Lucy as positive, but it wasn’t a sure thing yet.
The whispers slowly quietened as Lich King Skok’shilaadh glanced at Reznor. “You have yet to leave, Reznor. Is there another point you would like to address?”
“Indeed. An issue I cannot seem to find a way to resolve, so if Count Goldcroft could provide some clarity on this then I would be appreciative.” Reznor paced with his hands behind his back as he revealed his thoughts to them all. “While you refrained from asking her this,” he said, nodding to the lich, “As another senior member of the Court, I feel it mandatory to comment on it. Lucille Goldcroft.”
He paused his pacing and gazed solemnly at her. “Skok’shilaadh briefly mentioned the distinct inability of the Court to determine the origin of your knowledge. I must ask this: why should we, the Court, allow your subordinates and by extension, you, to know more about our internal operations when you have already demonstrated yourself to be a risk factor for the House of Wordless Observers?”
A short moment of silence occurred before the Court’s whispers began again, talking amongst themselves. Lucy nodded, ready to accept that she might not be able to follow through with the plans for the internal affairs department.
“I understand your concerns, Lord Reznor. Unfortunately, I do not have an answer for you unless binding pacts or oaths are involved, which I don’t want to do,” she replied.
Reznor nodded. “Thank you for your honesty, Count Goldcroft. In that case, I believe the Court may need a considerable length of time to consider this.” He turned to the Lich King beside him. “Don’t you agree, Skok-”
“Isn’t this an interesting event?”
Lucille’s eyes widened and froze as the new, low voice resounded throughout the room. Unlike the voices of the other members of the Court, this voice resonated with the very mana in the air, as if the world itself was listening to the individual’s every word. The dark death mana of the room deepened and thickened, becoming nearly palpable.
And Lucy was inwardly panicking when she heard the voice.
I-what, what is he doing here for?! Why would he- would this affect the meeting in a few months? It shouldn’t, but it depends on his reasons for joining in on the Court…
“…my lord,” Lich King Skok’shilaadh murmured. He disappeared, as did Reznor, leaving the lone Vessel on the couch, surrounded by black fog.
“I hope the conversation has all been pleasant,” the voice cheerfully commented, warping the death mana in the room. There was an inexplicably opaque element to the sound of the voice as if a ward preventing any from understanding his true meaning was present.
“It has been very enjoyable, my lord,” the elven voice Lucy recognised as Acalypha said. “Reznor has only brought up the issue of Count Goldcroft’s source of knowledge.”
“I see…”
Lucille held her breath as she instinctively felt the perception of the being focusing on her, the same sensation of complete disparity in predatorial hierarchy she felt when the Demon Emperor pressured her with his power.
Gentle amusement could be heard in the unknown individual’s voice. “I’m slightly curious, Lucille Goldcroft. You seem to have reacted strangely when you heard me speak. Tell me, do you know who I am?”
Lucille carefully nodded and lowered her head. “You are the Realm Ruler, the Judge of Tartarus and the Patriarch of all wraiths…” She took another breath and released it slowly. “The Monarch of Death, Azaexabelath.”
An uproar sounded amidst the death mana, the Ninety-Nine expressing varying levels of shock, doubt, and curiosity. The many whispers continued until the new voice spoke again.
“Please, Court of the Ninety-Nine. I understand that you have questions, but the time for them to be answered is not today.”
Silence descended upon them, until with a cough, one of the voices Lucy heard before spoke.
“We apologise, my lord. It is unbefitting of us to make such a fuss,” Gylbarde said. “But if you have come to witness this meeting, I must ask on behalf of the Court: have you chosen to be our Judge this day?”
Lucille waited expectantly for the Death Monarch to reply, as did the rest of the Court.
Death Monarch Azaexabelath made a sound of recognition. “Hmm… indeed, there was a reason for me to make my presence known… Lucille Goldcroft.”
She stiffened for a moment when he addressed her and then bowed her head. “Yes, your lordship.”
“The myths and legends in the Mystical Realm about the Court and myself are divided and conflicting. Some paint us as mythological figures responsible for punishing the mortals who have committed the most heinous crimes, while others depict us as a group with unknown and potentially disastrous motives for the realms,” the Death Monarch announced. “Despite this, you chose to trust us to educate the members of your organisation and bring retribution upon the Malediction Society. Do you understand why we are sceptical, for lack of a better word?”
She nodded her head. “The Court and the wraiths of Tartarus have been involved in the history of the Mystical Realm for aeons. The powerful individuals of the Mystical Realm go on to become figures of Tartarus, with some having been chosen to become your Ninety-Nine, and wraiths have been spreading their tales across the planes,” she replied. “However, the rumours about your potentially disastrous motives stem from knowledge that has been destroyed with the planes they were on. The only fact that has remained consistent over the millennia is that when mortals cannot fight against their adversary, the House steps in.”
Lucille lowered her head again. “For this reason, I believe the Court to be amicable towards mortals of the Mystical Realm, or at least neutral towards them.”
“I see,” the Death Monarch mused. “But I must address the fact that you are the leader of a powerful organisation, Lucille Goldcroft, at least by the Mystical Realm’s standards. You have the County of Ravimoux under your leadership. Could you not have relied on them to educate your staff, or move against the Malediction Society?”
She shook her head. “No, sir. To achieve my goals, the internal affairs members must be separate from the powers of the Commission. As for the Malediction Society… Ravimoux cannot handle them. The House of Wordless Observers is needed.”
“But why are we needed?”
Lucy blinked. “The House of Wordless Observers and the Court has always been needed. To prevent the mortal horrors of the past who have become undead from acting out against the Mystical Realm, to prevent the Empire from being excessively greedy, and to root out the corruption of the realms that might result in the Tower being embroiled in war on all sides. It is only because of the House of Wordless Observers that the Empire has lasted so long.”
“You are correct, and I feel pleased to hear that a mortal understands what we have done for them,” the Death Monarch responded, his voice still calm and collected. “But that is not truly what I am asking. I want to know why you, Lucille Goldcroft, believe we are needed.”
Lucille opened her mouth and then closed it again. It finally occurred to her that this was what the Death Monarch had been leading up to with his questions. There was something about her personally that made him curious enough to involve himself in the meeting. And if she wasn’t careful, then her words could have unintended consequences.
She could only answer as truthfully as she could.
“The realms have always been chaotic,” she slowly replied. “The Tower introduces the assimilated realms to a new realm every hundred thousand years, broadening their minds when faced with the new cultures and lives of the new Users. And now, a realm has accustomed itself to the Tower’s way of life so quickly that the System needs to reveal another one.” She breathed in and shuddered. “But nothing, nothing seen in the realms yet has prepared anyone for what will be coming in the next century. Not even those who have seen the ancient disasters of the past will expect what will come when the ancient monstrosities resurface. Not even the Paragon Anomalies themselves.”
Muffled murmuring occurred amongst the Court members again, but Death Monarch Azaexabelath spoke over them, “You believe that outside of the Realm Rulers that you know what fate lies ahead for the Tower better than anyone else?”
Lucille hesitated for a moment. “I would not dare place myself as an equal in knowledge to the Paragon Anomalies in your presence,” she carefully stated, “But if I was to answer... then yes, I believe I know what will happen better than anyone else alive under the higher races.”
Frenzied mutterings broke out as Court members spoke over each other, arguing about whether she was being arrogant or she knew something they didn’t.
“…equal in knowledge to the Paragon Anomalies…” Lich King Skok’shilaadh murmured.
Then the mutterings halted when a low chuckle was heard. The air vibrated with the sound of the Death Monarch’s amusement. “What will happen… I see.”
The Court went silent as the Death Monarch broke out into loud laughter, the death mana in the room trembling. His laughter continued for some time, and it was only when he began to stop that someone said something.
“…my lord?” Reznor muttered.
“How entertaining. And curious.” The Death Monarch’s perception focused on Lucy once again. “You, Lucille Goldcroft, are a highly intriguing individual. Very well then.”
With a tone that commanded attention, the Death Monarch announced, “The proposal from Count Goldcroft shall proceed. Accept all her terms, and support her if she requests for more aid. Do not hesitate to convene once more if she believes she has something important or urgent to inform you of. This is my verdict as Judge of the Court of Tartarus.”
“We accept your will and obey,” the voices of the Court of Ninety-Nine replied respectfully.
The tone of the Death Monarch’s voice returned to being light-hearted and relaxed. “Good. I hope this order doesn’t cause you all too much issue. You’ve likely all been wondering if your ruler had finally gone insane,” he said jokingly.
“How dare we think such a thing, your lordship,” an unknown voice called out.
“Ah, but I know every little thought running throughout all of your heads. Don’t think you can fool me,” the Death Monarch said teasingly. His perception became fixed on Lucille once more. “I hope this conclusion satisfies you, Lucille Goldcroft. Is there any other matter you would like to address?”
“Not at all.” She stood up and bowed respectfully. “I thank you for honouring me with your presence and verdict, Lord Azaexabelath. It is said that you have not conversed with a mortal since the beginning of the Empire.”
“I will neither confirm nor deny that statement,” he replied cheerfully. His tone became slightly more serious. “Take care, Lucille Goldcroft, that you don’t attempt to alter the realm’s path too much. I believe the resistance will be much greater than you think.”
Her eyes widened for a brief moment but she bowed her head. “I will heed your warning, Lord Azaexabelath.”
“It will do you good if you do.” There was a moment where a few murmurs were exchanged, and then Death Monarch Azaexabelath spoke again, his commanding tone returned. “I must now return to watching over the realm. It has been enjoyable to be in your presence once again, my Court. It has been some time since we have gathered for such an enjoyable purpose, but now we must disperse. As of this moment, I announce this meeting adjourned!”
A frightfully cold gale blew through the room, sending the curtains rippling. The death mana surrounding Vessel was blown away, disappearing instantly. Slowly, the gale died down, leaving only Lucille and Vessel in the room together.
With a smile, Vessel stood up, dipped his head to Lucy, and turned to go.
“Vessel, please wait a moment,” Lucy called out.
The boy turned around curiously, revealing his eyes to have become normal brown-on-white corneas. He blinked as she dropped an object into his hand.
She smiled and gestured to the dark square on his palm. “It’s a sweet called liquorice. You eat it.”
He tilted his head at her, making Lucy grin. “It’s made with a dark element plant. I believe you might like it due to your Constitution as the Vessel. Think of it as my reward for coming out all this way to meet me.”
He curiously held it up, and after a moment’s hesitation, he placed it in his mouth. Then his eyes brightened and he nodded.
“Then I’ll understand that as your thank you,” Lucy said with a smile. “Take care.”
He stepped back and gave her a big wave as he scattered into black mist, disappearing from the room. The minute chill she had been feeling ever since she entered the room went away, and with her perception, she saw all the staff of the Commission lose their chains and awaken from their stupor. With barely a few blinks, they returned to their tasks, as if nothing had ever happened.
Checking to see if anybody had noticed anything, she nodded to herself and then left the sitting room, heading for Sedric’s workshop so she had an alibi. It wasn’t that she wanted to hide what she had done from Vincent, as she had already told him what she planned on doing in vague terms, but…
Well, it would be a task to explain what had happened. So she didn’t plan on explaining it at all.
Lucy opened the door of the workshop and walked down the stairs, glancing at Sedric as he worked at his bench. All of a sudden, he laughed and raised his arms up.
“I did it!”
Lucy raised an eyebrow. “Did what, exactly?”
Sedric lifted his goggles and turned around. He nodded when he saw her, seemingly unfazed by her presence. “Lucille, great timing. Come look at this.”
When she got to the bottom of the stairs she curiously walked over, his workbench littered with all sorts of metal contraptions and jewels. Self-made lamps lit up his bench, allowing him to see what he was making better.
Sedric excitedly pointed to the largest gem on his bench. “I finally managed to put a spell inside a gemstone! I can now make the rest of the belt!”
Lucy raised an eyebrow and picked it up. She tilted in under the light, observing the miniature mana-circle inside, made of dark blue mana. She looked at Sedric. “Using the energy repulsion spells I taught you?”
He nodded. “I only managed to do it with a single-layered mana-circle, but I did it.”
Lucille smiled. “Well done. It seems you’ll progress quicker than I thought.” She turned back to the table and noticed with amusement that Sedric clenched his fist with a grin behind her. She opened her dimensional bag and took out a new rolled-up piece of parchment. Spreading it, Lucy showed Sedric another blueprint.
“You also had good timing. I have another item I want you to make.”
He hesitated. “…another?”
She smirked. “Don’t worry, this will be simpler than the other three. You could make it in a day if you tried. It’s an accessory to disguise my voice.”
Sedric cocked an eyebrow. “You need something like that?”
“Technically, I don’t, because I can do that through my own efforts. But it’s better to be safer than sorry.”
He glanced at the diagram, studying it to see its complexity. He eventually shrugged. “Sure, I guess. When do you want it by?”
Lucy hesitated and then grimaced. “Ideally before March begins.”
Sedric blinked. “Before March? Why?”
“Because we’ll both be dealing with a certain Prophetess again,” Lucille replied dryly. “Unless you believe you can find a way to avoid her for the entire five days, you won’t have a moment of peace long enough to create the item.”
He considered it and then sighed. “Yeah… okay.” He sighed and turned around. Then Sedric glanced back. “By the way, I’ve been studying the armguard blueprint, and I’ve been wondering… does the stat amplification allow you to increase your strength above the Rank cap?”
Lucille paused to stare at him. Then she smiled. “You’ve definitely made more progress than I expected. Yes, you’re correct.” She gave him a wide shrug. “But unless you have the capability to constantly use the equivalent of multiple extremely delicate and small accessories all at the same time, you’ll struggle to even activate it.”
“Nah, never intended to make on for myself, it’s just…” He hesitated, seemingly struggling to find the words to say. Eventually, he took a breath, and asked, “Did the Dissenters teach you how to make this?”
Lucille gazed silently at him for a long time. She sighed and placed a hand on her hip. “Sedric, we’ve known each other for five months now. Do you still believe that I’m a member of the Dawn Dissenters?”
Sedric gave her a sheepish grin and rubbed his neck. “No, not really. But I had to ask again, just to make sure.”
She nodded and turned away, climbing the stairs.
Sedric watched her with surprise and slight confusion. “You’re not going to ask me anything?”
Lucille glanced back and then shook her head. “Your connections to them don’t affect our arrangement. And besides… I can already guess why you’re so wary of me being a Dissenter. I do not doubt that once they find the inheritor of the Runestarred Arcane Inaugurator class they’ll attempt to take you to the Coalition.”
She left Sedric’s workshop, leaving him contemplating her words. Lucy considered what she would do for the next two weeks before Annaliese arrived again.
I’ll need to send out offers to join the internal affairs department. I’ll ask Vincent to organise some candidates. It’s going to be a tiring time…
Comments
Cassia Taylor
One of my favourite scenes too lol
Orange Thistle
Thank you for the chapter, really looking forward to the next one. I enjoyed how you wrote the Court.
