Author's Preface
It was a hard-fought battle.
The air still carried the stench of burnt flesh. Soldiers moved like ghosts through the remnants of the town square- tending to the wounded.
While the town center was quarantined until further notice, not a single human died during the attack on Saranhell. It was nothing short of a miracle that we could suppress the malevolent figure, though there were more pressing matters at our disposal.
I leaned against a shattered column, the throbbing pain a dull companion to the now silent city.
Then I heard his voice.
“You...”
I looked up.
Xerxes approached me, his gait fixed and regal despite his injuries. He stopped before me, his countenance ever unreadable. That eternal sternness was not dulled, but tempered.
“You didn’t have to take that blow.”
I turned my head to him. “I suppose that is correct.”
“So what made you do it?”
“She was on an active battlefield. Protecting the lives of the innocent is a core component in any war.”
“So that’s it?” Xerxes said, his gaze on the ever-imposing monolith.
He was quite the persistent man indeed. Why did he care so much? A life was saved, and the monster defeated. What more could he ask for from such a fruitful scenario?
“What is it that you gain from this conversation, Xerxes of the Seventh Seat?”
His eyes narrowed, as though sifting through a web of lies- something deeper than the logic I presented. “Everything about you is anomalous and bizarre. In body and mind, you are merely a machine, a tool executing its programming, yet you deliberately saved a life when it wasn’t convenient for you. Just what are you?”
“I have already told you this before, Divine General. I am an automaton - a pretender seeking to reach and usurp its original. That is all I am.”
“A pretender couldn’t manifest a uniqueness.”
“...”
“You also didn’t seriously injure my men early.”
“...”
“Your silence is a sufficient answer.”
He then turned his gaze to the ruined square. “You imitate us, even when it hurts. One may call it foolhardy, while some may call it sympathetic. I will take neither side.”
“You are a difficult person.”
“Haha! Perhaps you are not wrong in that assessment, though you are no different.”
He said with a gentle smile, “What is your name, boy?” Xerxes extended his hand to me, proposing a handshake. “I am willing to overlook your crimes, given your acts of heroism against the Demon Child.”
I accepted the offer, shaking his hand. “Ereth. My name is Ereth.”
“Ereth, boy. Come with me to the Capital. A man with your skill is rare. You will be an imperative asset in the coming war.”
“Very well, though you must understand that I have no loyalties to any creed, country, or faith. I operate with necessity and purpose. If you can provide me with both, I will be of great assistance to you.”
He released my hand and gave me a nod of approval. “Good! I’d rather take an honest soldier over a loyal dog.”
Near the outskirts of Saranhell, the sky is a gentle lavender, muted but peaceful.
Freid was tying some supplies to the wagon while Surt approached the vehicle with a clay jar in one hand and two cups in the other.
“You forgot the spices,” said Surt, bumping his brother lightly with an elbow. “A good stew hides all impurities, even the burnt rice.”
Freid scoffed, accepting one of the cups, “Do you think I don’t know how to cook you, oaf?”
“I know you don’t.”
They sat beside each other, drinking the herbal, sour mixture. It was a recipe inherited from their mother, promising vitality and good fortune.
Whether they believed it was the genuine article or not had hardly mattered- it was still a valuable fragment in time.
Not far from their location, Xerxes and Ereth stood. The boy’s posture was awkward and as stiff as ever, as though he were trying to “mimic” ordinary human posture. He accepted the soldier’s handshake without an ounce of visible uncertainty. He certainly had the makings of a soldier.
Freid inquired with a gentle tone, “He doesn’t understand why we’re proud of him, does he?”
“Of course not,” Surt said, taking another sip of his drink. “He’s as green as Xian tea.”
Silence fell, the brothers observing their compatriot, their friend, as he prepared for his departure to the Capital.
“He was the worst at haggling. Remember that one lady from Harlan? Sold him fake pearls and a smile.”
Freid laughed, “Hah! The boy even thanked her! Said he appreciated her efforts of deception. ”
Surt laughed alongside his brother. “He really is a kid, through and through. You think he’ll survive in the Capital? That’s a lot of responsibility for an Outworlder.”
Finishing his cup, Freid put down his drink and remarked, “He certainly isn’t like us, that’s for sure, but that’s why he needs to leave. We can’t stifle him like doting parents.”
“Hmph, I suppose that’s true. He’s going to change...and I don’t know how I feel about that.”
“Should we write to him?”
“Nah, let’s send him something instead. A receipt, a report, even a law abolishing merchant tax.”
“I’d frame that.”
Ereth approached the caravan, his expression as unreadable as usual. Despite his stiffness, his eyes lingered more than usual on both of them.
“I... don’t know what to say,” Ereth said, his tone flat but not cold. “It appears this is the end of our transaction, yet something feels incomplete.”
Surt offered a jug, startling Ereth. “A drink, brother. It is a family tradition.”
Ereth accepted, lifting the mug to his lips. Despite its sour taste, he downed it in a single gulp, his face expressing mild confusion.
“A strange drink. It was of a harsher flavor than water, with an herbal aftertaste.”
The brothers stood before him, confused. After a moment of shock, they laughed at the absurdity.
“You really are a unique fellow, brother.”
“That drink would have knocked any normal person out! We aren’t completely immune to it.”
Ereth tilted his head, “It wasn’t bad.” He looked at them both, eyes flickering- not with light, but with something approaching meaning.
“I will send word from the Capital. And I will remember to write down the inventory reports- you always relied on me for those.”
Freid chuckled. “We won’t need those brothers. We relied on you for a lot more than that.”
Ereth bowed slightly, “Understood.”
With that, he turned, heading towards the convoy. Xerxes called him from afar.
“...Think he’ll be alright?” Surt asked with a hint of sadness.
“’ Course he will be,” Freid replied. “That guy is gonna be the Legendary Hero.”
___
The sky radiated a gorgeous blue hue, with tufts of clouds floating amidst the vastness of heaven.
Across the distant horizon lay Wisteria, the Capital of the world, ever verdant and teeming with life. The city encompassed a massive area far wider than the eye could comprehend. Given my automata make, I could estimate that this Capital alone was as massive as a country.
The outer protective wall surrounding the country stood at 150 feet tall, casting a large, dominating shadow over the entrance. The very size of this world had filled me with an ever-present awe that could very well rival the Eternal Twilight.
Xerxes smirked, “Do you enjoy it? This city has served as the bastion of humanity for the past 1000 years. Its grandness is in tribute to our many ancestors who persevered against the forces of evil.”
“It is...beautiful. So utterly resplendent. The stark contrast between civilization and nature creates a sense of discord and harmony between the untamed and the ordered. Such a society is the pinnacle of dualism.”
He nodded proudly, like a child excited to explain their favorite hobby. “You’ve got a good eye. The will of the planet carries within it the instinct to maintain the balance. As residents of Wisteria and servants of the planet’s will, we mustn't overstep our bounds.”
“A system of equivalent exchange?” I inquired.
“Precisely. We must be sure not to take more than what is necessary, and not to be led astray by greed. Such foolishness will only bring the planet’s wrath upon it, endangering many. It is highly advised not to damage the wildlife or do anything unnecessary.”
“Affirmative.”
The Capital was divided into 17 districts, all thriving with life, though with varying characteristics. We were currently within the pampas expanse of districts 17-14. The Capital was not far off, residing in district 8.
As we delved deeper into the kingdom’s hold, signs of life only grew stronger, as mythical creatures soared through the sky, their expressions carefree and at peace. Large land mammals also followed us through our journey, typically in large families. This country was nothing but diverse.
Despite such verdant conditions, the innovative human architecture held its own unique beauty, complementary to the natural world. Buildings were both grand yet humble, featuring intricate artistry while remaining relatively small.
It invoked a sense of divinity- as though such structures were intended to invoke permanence and sanctification in all who approached.
After a few more hours on the caravan, we had reached our destination - District 8.
The Capital, despite looming war, greeted us with thunderous laughter and applause.
Children ran barefoot on the flower-lined alleys. Street musicians plucked away at strange, glowing instruments that sang a rich song. Colored banners swayed from rooftops, each marked with a different crest, creed, or guild symbol- bold and unconcerned with looming catastrophe.
I spoke with a confused, yet flat tone. “They seem...happy.”
Xerxes met my gaze with widened eyes. “Ah, did that come as a surprise? I suppose their cheerfulness is unexpected from an outsider’s perspective.”
“I assume they don’t know of the war, yes?”
“Quite the contrary- they are more than aware of our war against the Great Evils.”
“...?”
Noting my confused countenance, Xerxes let out a small chuckle and ordered the caravan to stop. We arrived in a section of town not too dissimilar to the town center in Saranhell, though the technology was far more advanced.
We stepped out of the caravan and were greeted by many cheerful citizens.
“You may not understand it through mere logistics. It is best if you show your resolve in action.”
Upon our arrival, the heads of the citizenry quickly turned towards us, as though bound by an inescapable magnetism.
Their eyes lit up with an indescribable awe. It soothed the soul, tempered anger, and invigorated the soul.
“Xerxes!” They said, “The Divine General is back!”
With an unspoken charisma, hundreds of citizens gathered to greet the chivalrous knight.
“Welcome home from the expedition!”
“Look, it’s him! Xerxes!”
“Would you like some fruit for your travels?”
Without so much as lifting a finger, the sheer presence of the 7th Seat, Xerxes, had encouraged laughter, love, prosperity, and joy.
“This is what it means to be a Divine General, Ereth. We must become symbols of hope that extinguish despair. As long as we exist, our people have no reason to lament.”
“I see…”
Xerxes waved back at the crowd and replied to their various greetings and inquiries. However, a certain question had broken the knight’s stoic facade.
“Did you finally tie the knot with Adra?”
It utterly stopped him in his tracks. Xerxes choked on his own spit before covering his mouth in a failed attempt to hide his embarrassment.
“T-That is a private matter...”
Ah. Even knights could get embarrassed. You are a truly strange man, Xerxes.
____
It didn’t take much time to reach the Royal Castle. The castle must have been no less than 1000 feet tall, looming across the land like a sleeping giant.
A jagged, demanding, yet endearing silhouette cut across the horizon- its spiraling pillars piercing the very heavens.
The material seemed to be a fine marble, exhibiting a divine gleam.
For no discernible reason, I felt a sudden compulsion to kneel before this monument.
“Mmmm…”
At the bottom of the marbled staircase sat a mysterious woman, her large hat covering the top half of her face, with a cigarette placed in her mouth.
Everything about the woman was uncouth and disorganized. Her crimson hair was split and frizzy, while her outfit was that of a shoddy magician, more akin to cosplay than actual wear.
Xerxes held a disgusted expression. “You...”
“...” She remained unresponsive.
His irritation ever growing, Xerxes shouted, “Get the hell off of the stairs, you slob!”
The woman woke up. She stretched her body and moaned like a house cat before meeting Xerxes’s gaze. “So loud...is it you, Xerxes? You know I hate incorrigible men.”
“As if any man of high esteem would even consider partnership with you.”
The woman yawned once again, smoke curling from the edge of her cigarette like a lazy spirit. “And yet here you are, barking like a jealous ex.”
She flicked the ashes off her coat with a limp wrist and turned her gaze - half-lidded, indifferent - towards me. “Who’s the boy?”
Xerxes’s scowl deepened, “He’s a candidate for the 8th Seat - something entirely unconcerned with you.”
“Sheesh, so harsh today.” She pouted mockingly. “You were always mean to women who knew more than you.”
As the two endlessly bickered, I stepped forward, analyzing the woman. Her appearance was shabby, yes, but there was something else that I could not quite discern.
Typically, all human beings radiate some form of Mang, whether they are conscious of it or not. This woman, however, had not a single drop of Mang leaking from her body. It was almost dense - like a thundercloud pressed into flesh.
“What are you?” I said bluntly. “I can’t see anything.”
She blinked. Then, to my surprise, I laughed- a raspy melodic sound. “What a pervert! You tried to gaze at my Mang, didn’t you? Sorry, but I’m a shy woman by nature. Though the fact that you can see the distortion itself is rather impressive, boy.”
She brushed off the dust from her pants as she stood, grinning from ear to ear. “I like you, boy. What’s your name?”
“Ereth,” I said with a blank expression.
“Cute name. Not a half-bad face either.” She winked, her smoke trailing from her cigarette as she got a bit too close.“Mind if I take him off your hands, Xerxes?”
“Request denied,” Xerxes said flatly, not even looking her way.
“Tch. You’re no fun, eternal virgin.” The shabby woman pouted like a child before turning her gaze back to me.“What about you, boy? Who might you be?
“You just asked.”
“No, no”. She waved lazily.“ My name. I know yours already, Ereth. You’ll need better communication skills to appeal to women.”
“Right..” I said, confused and a bit miffed.
She threw her arms out dramatically like an actress taking the stage.“Wait...do you seriously not know who I am? Me? The most gorgeous, most jaw-dropping woman in all of Wisteria.”
“...”
Silence.
Her expression froze for a moment. Then she burst out laughing, loud and genuine.“You’re the first person to surprise me twice in a single day. I like you even more now.”
She tipped her wide-brimmed hat, revealing sharp crimson eyes that could cut through anything.“Name’s Adra . Divine General Adra of the 4th Seat. ”
The air tightened at the mere utterance of her name. Even with her slouched and lackadaisical tone, something in her Mang shimmers like a dormant volcano, a disaster on the verge of being released.
Xerxes scoffed.“While she is indeed an unprofessional slob unfit for such a title, her skill is genuine. Just make sure to keep some distance from her; she loves toying with others.”
“Hah! You aren’t wrong there, Xerxes. But that doesn’t mean I can’t be interested in him.” She got uncomfortably close to me and grabbed my face, as though analyzing a doll.“You should keep an eye on this one, General. He’s got the eyes of someone who hasn’t decided if he wants to take the path of saints or demons- a lot like Hisuin back then.”
She turned, ascending the staircase with a whistle on her lips.“See ya soon, Ereth,” she called over her shoulder. " Try not to bore me.”