Ryn
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Chapter 265
🕑 Added 2025-01-25 19:00:03 +0000 UTCCrane POV
What the hell is going on? He groaned to himself as his emergency healing item worked its magic.
Defeating his student was one thing, but kicking his ass? That was something else.
He liked to pride himself as a person who was quite skilled for his rank. Nothing like some of the nobles who pay their way to Tier 4, but someone who was capable.
What kind of kid was this?
Tier 3? He was highly doubtful of that. Hell, he was debating whether or not he was really a kid. By the way, he fought and how handled Crane with such skill, it was more likely that the guy was a few decades old. It was just as likely that he was a Tier 4 who had some kind of tier-obscuring item that allowed him to present himself as a Tier 3.
There was no other explanation for how this ‘boy’ was so powerful. He hit like a truck, his speed, while not as fast as his own, was capable of keeping up, he was skilled in mana control, and to top it all off, he had some kind of brutal aura.
He mentally slapped himself as he tried to come up with more and more reasons that would make his situation less bitter on his tongue. Crane knew the truth. He was simply just making excuses for his current dilemma and why he was lying in a pool of his own blood.
There was one hint that made him believe the boy was still a Tier 3. Authority. Or rather the lack of it.
The boy didn’t have a single wisp of his own Authority. He still had an Emblem, and while strong, wasn’t a true Authority.
How ridiculous, he grunted to himself as the powerful healing item kept him alive and wove his flesh back together painfully.
Crane was half hoping that the boy would think he had killed him and go on his way. While it was a bit embarrassing to think that way against a person who was a full tier below him, he didn’t like his chances of that happening.
The boy had some kind of powerful perception skill. There was no other way he could have predicted his teleportation with such accuracy and sneak attacks so easily. Not even Godfrey could do that with such precision.
Just as his item was halfway done with healing him, he felt an incoming attack made out of insanely compressed mana. With how injured he was, he couldn’t do anything but throw up a shield made with plain mana. There was nothing else he could do.
His shield was ripped through like wet paper and he was struck with another explosion. But he couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. This time, it would seem that the boy had been going after his legs. And in a flash of light, they were shredded apart and he let out an ear-piercing scream.
He writhed in pain as the shock of losing his limbs overwhelmed his senses and he felt his hold over the rest of his skills falter. Then to make things even worse, that boy’s brutal aura seeped through the opening and ravaged what was left.
His Authority wasn’t even able to put up a proud fight. It was swept away with a simple bash of aura and he was subjected to even more pain. This time it was physical. It was a soul-crushing pain that had him desperately wishing for it to end.
He was suddenly regretting not training his willpower like many had advised him to. He relied too much on tricks and subtlety and was paying the price.
However, as fate would have it, his wish came true. The pain slowly subsided as it was replaced with a feeling of heavy shackles being placed on his soul. It wasn’t just his soul either, it was his entire body. The boy had used some kind of skill to imprison him in place and there was nothing Crane could do but resignedly thrash at these chains.
He sensed the approaching steps of the boy and for some reason, they felt much louder than they should have. An ice-chilling needle went through his spine as he opened his eyes to stare at the young boy who was giving him a soft smile.
But make no mistake, this wasn’t a comforting smile. There was no joy or warmth in these eyes. All he saw when he looked in them, was nothing but blackness and the slightest hints of crimson red flashing through them like little stars.
When the boy got to where he was lying on his back, he bent down and took a knee.
“So… about my previous question. Would you like to rethink your answer?” He heard the boy ask in that same calm and arrogant tone.
“Screw you,” Crane grunted through clenched teeth. His missing legs were still radiating pain from where they should have been still attached.
“That’s not very nice. I am sparing your life right now, but that is only in exchange for answering some questions I have,” the boy said with a mocking frown.
“If I tell you anything, I am going to wish you had killed me when the Conclave gets their hands on me.”
“Oh, they are that scary?” The boy asked this time a genuine smile gracing his lips.
“If you were smart, you wouldn’t find that so amusing. No matter how strong you are for your tier, you won’t be able to do anything when some of the more powerful people in the organization get their hands on you,” Crane said to him with a bloody smile of his own.
He watched nervously as the smile faded from the boy’s face and he was looked directly in his eyes. “I don’t care about all of the influential people within the Conclave and I don’t even care about what House Easton wants to ask you. I only really care if a certain House is a part of it. And if you can tell me that if that one small House is, I will let you live.”
Crane saw a flicker of anger flash through the boy’s eyes and swallowed the bloody saliva that was filling his mouth, the copper taste coating his tongue.
“Just one House?” He asked hesitantly.
“Just one,” the boy said, openly showing his sincerity through his aura.
That was honestly a better offer than he was expecting. There were hundreds of noble families who were in some way a part of their operations. He didn’t know every one of course, but he knew that there were plenty of Houses involved.
If all he had to do was share the involvement of a single House in return for his life, he was more than willing to share. Even if it meant risking the Conclave finding out about it. Plus, if it would give someone time to come rescue him, even better. The boy was unlikely to live through the night anyway, but whether or not he decides to kill Crane before that happened was still up in the air for debate
Besides, there were always leaks. Letting something slip like what House was involved was different than telling him the exact location of their safe houses and details of their current missions or plans.
The odds of someone already having leaked a House’s involvement were pretty high, so he doubted the Conclave would care that much even if they found out he had betrayed that information.
“Actually, maybe two,” the boy interjected with an apologetic scratch of his head.
Crane was about to protest but held himself back. Okay, two still isn’t that bad, he thought to himself.
He really only had two choices in front of him. One was the tell the boy what he wanted to know and hope someone came to help him. The other was to keep his mouth shut and likely be killed. He took the time to weigh the pros and cons to both of the choices and ultimately came to a decision.
It was the most obvious one considering he very much liked his life and wished to continue living.
“I can’t promise you that I know every House involved, okay?” Crane tried to temper the boy’s expectations in the chance that he didn’t like the answer.
“I understand,” the boy said with a reassuring nod, still letting his sincerity show through his aura but it honestly came off as more threatening and scary than anything else.
Crane swallowed nervously as he stared into the flickering red eyes of the boy and nodded his head defeatedly. “What do you want to know?”
He was surprised when he saw the boy actually hesitate. During their fight the boy had not shown such weakness, he had been brutally decisive and cool-headed. However, for the very first time Crane was seeing the boy for what he was… a boy.
But that moment passed by in an instant and was replaced by firm resolve.
“What is House Greyson’s association with the Conclave?”
Crane couldn’t help but be surprised by the boy’s question and took a moment to regain his composure.
“You said ‘small house’,” he said with a scoff.
The boy didn’t respond and simply stared intensely at him. He didn’t know if the boy was doing it on purpose but his aura was pressing against him in a very threatening way. But a part of him doubted it, it didn’t have the same level of control he had seen so far from the boy. It was wild and savage. Which made him even more uncomfortable.
Crane swallowed nervously and looked around, hoping that someone from their side had noticed what was going on. Unfortunately, everyone else was way too distracted with their own battles.
“What is their association with them?” The boy asked again, this time holding a large blade up of way too much mana over his head.
Crane didn’t know if he could answer now. House Greyson was definitely not a house he could easily offend. A small lord’s house was nothing, but a Ducal House? One that was vital in their operations activities? That was something else.
“So they are associated,” the boy seemed to come to a conclusion without Crane answering.
Crane nervously tried to avoid his eye contact.
“What about House Townsen?” The boy thankfully switched topics.
“Yes, they are one our main contacts in Blumand,” Crane easily replied. He was much less worried about giving House Townsen up. It was even easier considering there was already a lot of scrutiny on Lord Townsen.
“And who else is working alongside House Townsen? I want everyone you can think of.”
Crane bravely put his foot down. “That wasn’t our deal. You said only two Houses.”
“Yes, but you never answered my first question. I came to that conclusion myself, you didn’t say a single thing. Consider this my compensation.”
He glanced at the terrifying blade of mana that was getting closer to his neck. At this distance he could hear the humming noise it made, indicating just how much mana was being packed into this thing. He had no doubt that with a thought the boy could decapitate him. He was also still trying to stall.
So he did the only thing he could do. He told the boy all of the groups associated with House Townsen.
“Hold on,” the boy raised a hand to him. Halfway through his reveal, the boy took out a piece of paper. “Okay, start from the beginning”
He did as he was told, all the while desperately praying that one of the others noticed his absence and came to check up on him.
Once the boy was done writing, he showed him the paper. “Are all of the names correct?”
Crane could only bitterly nod his head. He didn’t correct the boy on a few names he noticed were spelled wrong, but that was his only way to spite him.
The boy casually placed the list back into his storage ring and gave a more genuine smile at him.
“So, back to what I initially asked. What is House Greyson’s association with the Conclave?”
“I don’t know,” he said.
“You know something.”
“I swear I don’t know anything!” He pleaded.
“What is Wesley Greyson hoping to accomplish?” The boy asked, ignoring his pleas.
“I am not even a Bishop in the organization. All of the important stuff is hidden from people like me. I only know about Blumand because I worked there directly,” he tried to convince the boy to believe him.
He really didn’t know all that much. He knew of their involvement, but that was just about the extent of it.
Seeing a chance to waste even more time he quickly jumped on this. “A Bishop, a position within the organization. They are normally only held by Tier 5s.”
“Oh, so you really are just a grunt then, huh?”
Crane tried not to be offended by that. There was no need to be hasty, he had already sensed a person’s aura who he was very familiar with racing toward their position.
He maintained his act though. “I am technically an officer,” he said, not having to pretend to be somewhat defensive.
“Yes, a very sneaky one it would seem too,” the boy said with a wild grin as he swung the blade of mana over Crane’s head.
However, his target wasn’t Crane at all. The blade passed just right over his head and smashed into Lyn who was just a few feet away from the boy, sword in hand ready to decapitate the boy.
Comments
Corwin
He had an easy time with this T4 since it wasn't a bruiser type of Authority and the guy didn't work on his Willpower. His advantages not withstanding. Having a space concept would allow for better options if he can't go toe to toe with someone. Since he is punching up, it's not terrible that he can't take on all comers. But right now a space concept would increase his combat effectiveness. Since a Space Concept would allow for him to lock down an opponent so they can't flee if he is winning. Or let him run away if they are too strong
Thomas Grimshaw
he's doing pretty well without it! one with no fight left and another that has just taken a "large blade of way too much mana" directly to the face without any warning or time to erect defences. He has plenty of time to get a space concept!
uthr
I'm thinking Bishop is a Chess reference more than a religious one.
gray matter
I completely forgot about the conversation Han had with his subordinate! Interesting.
gray matter
Ah ok the “Empire” I was thinking of is actually called the Alliance of Morning Sun. And their leader is known as the Prime not the Pope. It still sounds a little zealous but doesn’t fit my theory.
gray matter
So Bishop is a position and it looks like it’s a position in a multi noble house shady organization. I feel there’s still a chance the other Empire is still involved somehow. Maybe not a big one, but otherwise I’m not seeing the possible reward for the risk for a Ducal House to open themselves up so much. Even for a power hungry scion. I mean yes he could just get off on this kind of shit and thinks he’s untouchable, but I think a possible promised position and house security in an upcoming war would make more sense. Also the use of religious positions in their organization leads me to believe they have some influence in this. I need to reread chapter 3 or 4 when Edwin is reviewing the reports.
gray matter
Ok now that’s actually an explanation I’ll accept for her being this late.
gray matter
He might be, he could be under orders not to show himself as well. Maybe to kill all his people and leave or something. Hopefully Julius was sending transmissions back when he first started to notice they were there a few nights ago so back-up is super close. Personally I want the back-up to be Aden and have him just start casually talking to Godfrey while the battle is falling apart. Then murderhobo all the ambushers with a wave of his sword
Hamfist
I don't know if Godfrey is t5, but he is apparently strong enough to keep Lyn under control using intimidation
Derek Walker
Possibly, but I’m guessing not. If he’s really tier 5, then he would just routed rolus and stopped Julius from killing a very valuable tier 4. He’s maybe one of the few bishops at tier 4
Readgold2000
so does that mean that Godfrey is tier 5 since he is a bishop?
Zack
A 'truck' can also refer to a horse drawn cart/carriage used for hauling goods. So it's not unreasonable for them to say that. It's just weird for us to hear because we immediately think of a modern truck.
Hamfist
I was thinking the same thing about the hidden defender, except that I had a different idea. What if Godfrey is a strong t5 and when he sees that his forces have lost he decides to go scorched Earth and kills everybody there. The hidden guard pulls Julius into the pocket dimension or whatever it is so he is safe from the t5 but has to watch helpless while his new friends get slaughtered. Then we get the vengeful Julius that Richard and Rebecca were worried about several chapters ago.
A B
It can reworded howeve, but as it is, it is repetitious. People don't speak like that.
Hamfist
Disagree on the last one since it is ambiguous. If she was attacking "him" then it could have been interpreted as Lyn targeting Crane to punish him for talking and/or to keep him from talking any further. Better to be specific about her target in this case.
Hamfist
Crane was sent to lead his team to attack the support casters in the rear before any of the fighting started. Lyn was not sent to attack Julius until after he launched the mass attack at the beginning of the fight. So Crane had a decent head start. Also, she just now made her appearance known but that does not mean that she just now arrived. Being the half-insane battle junkie that she is, she could have been standing there the whole fight waiting to have Julius all to herself.
Felipe Andrade
he’s a secret transmigrator
A B
Edit suggestions: By the way, he fought and how handled -> By the way he fought and handled One was the tell -> One was to tell decapitate the boy -> decapitate him
CheeseGrater
Because Julius beat cranes disciple. And he wanted to keep him from killing her.
Thaabit Rivertree
I dont get why Crane fought Julius first. Lyn's whole mission was to go after Julius so why is she only showing up now?
Thaabit Rivertree
I got the impression that they are meant to hold off the tier 4s until more help arrives. They are bait afterall. I thought the whole plan was to stall them while more significant forces who had to trail farther behind caught up. Why would they exoext Rolus and Julius to be abke to take on 4 tier 4s and a possible tier 5?
Zach
TFTC! Loving this action and wild Julius POV from others!
nicolas
Lyn is Tier 4. She would have had no chance against Julius at Tier3. (not that she will win at Tier4)
nicolas
House Easton said they would send some Tier 5 to take the prisoners. Their goal was only to stall until the Tier5 came (as the conclave would not have attacked if they saw a tier 5 present. )So the Easton Tier5 might arrive in time to confront Godfrey. (+ Crane said that most Bishop were Tier 5, Godfrey might still be a peak tier 4)
Mitchell Prevost
TFTC!, maybe super secret late Saturday update....=)
Mitchell Prevost
I think Lyn is tier 3, don't quote me lol
Mitchell Prevost
For real
Harpreet Tiara
I mean we know Carriages exist I think . So it could be "felt like I got hit by a carriage" or like if It felt like he got ran over as well thats also similar in a way.
Corwin
Damn. Julius needs a Space Concept so he can play with these T4s easier
Somerito
Trying to keep track of enemy Tier 4's here. So the Tier 4 who Julius just beat was Crane the one handling stealth for the Conclave. Now Julius is being attacked by Lyn the crazy tier 4 woman ordered to go after Julius at the start of the fight. Then there is Fuval another Tier 4 who is either attacking the rest of the caravan or is one of the tier 4's fighting Rolus. So that means there is at least 4 if not 5 Tier 4's with 1 down(Crane) plus Godfrey who based on what was mentioned this chapter is likely a tier 5. To deal with this the Easton's sent an elite Tier 4 and Julius. Not seeming like a great plan. I'm guessing Rolus and Julius take out most if not all the tier 4's, before Godfrey makes his move. They get a quick beating before the subordinate Elder Han sent to shadow Julius saves them.
Voral
The fact that there won't be a chapter tomorrow makes the cliffhanger wayyy worse....
Kevin McKinney
Yepper. Good stuffs
Profile Name
Tyftc
DeltaV
I like to think of it like the disclaimer some stories have, goes something like "the languages used by the people in this story would be meaningless and impossible to understand for the intended readers, and as such have been transcribed to the appropriate english for an enjoyable reading experience". It lets authors have an easier time if they don't want to create a whole repertoire of expressions, idioms, dialects, and tracking their use in the story to not lose immersion
Voral
TFTC!
Raymond Mouton
Thanks for the chapter, good scene. Agree with Xaiden, a different metaphor instead of truck should be used, “rampaging rhino” or “stampeding buffalo” for example… also: This time it was physical. It was a soul-crushing pain that had him desperately wishing for it to end. => This time it wasn’t physical. It was a soul-crushing pain that had him desperately wishing for it to end.
Kevin Jalop
Well he shouldn't. Probably the author breaking the 4th wall
Kevin Jalop
Bruhh that cliff. One day of absence.
brennon Petersen
Tftc!
Xaiden Diep
Question, how does Crane know what a truck is??
Quentin Cozzi
Thanks for the chapter!
