MM - Chapter 171 - NOT YOURS TO COMMAND

Princess Selena's haughty superiority at being the only one on a mount didn't last long. Mounts didn't have their own Discipline pool. They pulled from their rider, and at more than a trot, that drain was significant. It was she who called for the first break, and the second, and the third. There could be no doubt as to the authenticity of her need; sweat coated her skin, while heavy breaths and a vacant gaze completed the picture of exhaustion for both her and the mount. Each rest, Lyale and Raine remained steadfast in their duty, scanning the night’s deepening darkness for threats, neither overly affected by the brutal pace. Were it possible for the Vaaterrans to fly, Raine certainly would have preferred it. Lacking a Connection attribute and not yet fourth-tier classes capable of flight, his companions were grounded by gravity's inexorable forces.

Twelve hours later, the morning sun was making its appearance on the horizon. By this point, Raine had a rudimentary grasp of his companions’ builds. Selena was geared toward short but intense bursts of fighting, rather than drawn-out conflict. Her build made perfect sense for a royal who had to counter a sudden assault by assassins, and would likely only see open combat in brief spurts when the front lines were broken. In any engagement that lasted longer than thirty seconds, she would struggle.

On the other hand, Lyale was what many referred to as a one-trick. He had chosen a single skill and amplified it to the extreme with bonuses from gear, support skills, and passive abilities. From what Raine had seen, the cooldown on his Crescent Slash was roughly two seconds. Its damage, range, area of effect, and accuracy were top-notch, making it an obvious choice for constructing a build around. Lyale certainly had other skills up his sleeve, but there were likely few opportunities where he would need them.

If all three of them were entering the Mystic Realm together, there would be little reason for concern. As it was, Raine had no idea how he was going to bring the nearly useless princess out alive. Mystic Realms were notorious for their demanding, subsequent battles that tested the depths of a person’s ability to focus through exhaustion. Selena’s thousand-kilometer stare after such an easy jog was the opposite of comforting. There was no chance her family didn’t have a firm understanding of what she would face inside, leaving Raine utterly puzzled as to why they would allow her to maintain such a weakness.

“Okay… I’m ready.” Selena was still breathing hard, looking anything but.

Lyale’s thoughtful frown made it clear that this desire to push herself was something new. “Your Highness, surely we can spare a few more minutes.”

“Perhaps if a certain someone had not decided to vanish for two hands after we first met…” Selena’s venomous glare glanced off Raine’s impenetrable mental fortitude.

“You could have chosen someone else instead of waiting for me.”

The fact she didn’t have a backup contender right up to the last minute is… forerunner quests are something else. Even if I ignore them, they could blow up in my face. Lesson learned.

Selena harrumphed, “As if another would do after your demonstration. You keeping up with Lyale all night is further proof that I was correct to insist it be you, or none at all. Besides, you’ve got mother’s favor draped around your shoulders like a fine cloak. Name one superior candidate amongst your kind, I dare you.”

Not having a suitable response, Raine started walking. “Seems like you’ve caught your breath. Shall we?”

For the first time since exhaustion set in, Selena wore a smile as she mounted up and galloped after him.

Lyale streaked by, quickly gaining the lead. Comparing the higher-level guardsman and Raine's stamina wasn't fair. Raine had Connection to thin the air, allowing him to match their speed with less effort. Not to mention, his attributes were significantly higher than a normal level 40, leading to impressive Discipline regeneration. Thoughts of builds and regeneration led Raine back to the conundrum he'd been picking at all night. He still hadn’t decided which unique skill to choose, and his three unused general skill points were burning a hole in his status sheet. 

Entering the Mystic Realm without choosing was a terrible idea, as they often had odd rules or events that made some skills more useful than others. For instance, if maximum Discipline was cut to 10% inside, then Fluency of the Mind’s 300% regeneration would be a godsend, but would that skill also be best in the next dangerous situation? Unlikely. Allowing random circumstances from a dungeon to sway such an important choice was idiotic.

Raine came no closer to discovering the optimal solution as Lyale led them over hills and around sparse forests that were quicker to circumvent than charge through. He never once allowed Selena or Raine a chance to fight, cleaving each beast that dared show itself with a lightning-fast crescent. Despite a few of them being worth decent Superiority, Raine didn't contradict the man's choice for several reasons, chief among them that it was always smart to keep your cards close to your chest. The less he had to reveal to Lyale and Selena about his capabilities, the better.

The landscape gradually changed from hills to gently sloping flatlands. They didn't slow until nearing a vast canyon that blocked their path—its weathered yet straight course across the land revealed its origin as a remnant of some ancient battle between high-tier mages. Whatever skill was used to so dramatically dissect the land was a mystery to Raine.

“Halfway there.” Serena panted, wiping sweat with the back of a gloved hand.

“Is there a bridge?” Raine questioned, already knowing the answer. He eyed the gap that was much too large to jump, knowing from experience that the walls weren’t easy to climb. They were more gravel ready to collapse than hard rock with viable purchase.

“There is a pass east. However, it is treacherous precisely due to being the only way across for fifty leagues.”

Raine had spent considerable time in the pass, as it was a great leveling spot for recruits. The Torkits and Morkits that had claimed the sunken strip of land were prolific breeders. The tunnels they dug went deep underground, making their complete removal all but impossible. The beasts could be beaten back for a time, but would always return.

There was no more need for words. The trio turned ninety degrees, resuming the march at half speed. Lyale’s caution was warranted. They were ambushed much more consistently this close to the canyon. The guardsman maintained his one-sided slaughter until, without warning, the monster stopped appearing. The pass came into view, and Raine’s eyes narrowed at Lyale’s back.

If he wanted to get us there faster, he would have brought us directly to the pass instead of making us run along the canyon… Couldn’t have been a mistake, could it? Vaaterrans don’t have a built-in map, and he probably doesn’t get out of the palace much.

Whatever reason Lyale had for his actions, it remained a mystery. Raine’s focus was pulled to the princess riding beside him. So far, she had gotten away with keeping her skills hidden. What they were about to face would force her hand, which was perfect for Raine. He needed to know what she was capable of before they entered the Mystic Realm.

Lyale called another halt when they reached a downward slope that was a straight shot into the canyon’s depths. The ground was smoothed by tens of thousands of feet over years of travel, making the set of deep wagon ruts stand out all the more. Typically, convoys refused to go this way without several hundred guards; the canyon floor, teeming with a river of muscly flesh, made it apparent why.

Lyale’s voice cracked like a whip. “Alaric, take point. The princess must have a chance to see what you are capable of before her girding.”

Wow. Couldn’t have said it better myself.

“Sure thing.” Raine winked, jumping into the air. Connection and Lunge brought him higher, an impossible sight that had both their eyes widening. “See you on the other side! Don’t take too long, we’re on a tight timetable!”

“What?!” Selena screeched. At the same moment, Lyale jumped after Raine without the use of a skill. He rocketed into the air, but had no way to adjust as another Lunge brought his quarry far to the side. Selena’s Voice of Command blasted into their ears. “Return to my side this instant!” With a smile and a wave, Raine vanished from sight.

Thanks for triggering One Man Army, Lyale. You’re a real friend.

Instead of heading directly across, Raine circled high above the duo, amusedly observing their frustrated body language as they hatched a plan to push through the numerous beasts. There was no way Lyale could keep the many Torkits away from her alone, and they were the easy ones. The Morkits were bigger and nastier in every way. Being just over level 50, they would be Lyale’s primary focus, leaving Selena to open a path through the nasty little Torkits.

Raine doubted the princess could take down more than one or two Morkits, and only then with the help of the powerful accessories gifted by her family. Even Raine wasn't interested in attempting to fight the Morkits head-on. The level 50 threshold was not to be underestimated. Not only did beasts gain a tripling in their attributes between 49 and 50, but their combat standards also took a leap forward. Essentially, they evolved from a Class 3 martial to a Class 4: not the current world’s idea of a Class 4, but Raine’s. For 99% of Travelers, the wall at level 50 would take months, if not years, to cross.

Raine examined the gathered beasts, glad to see they weren't yet at the numbers needed to embark on a raid. So long as the royals played it smart, getting across would be possible. The Torkits were a stout breed, only rising to a grown man’s waist. They had powerful, thick bodies with olive-green and brown skin. Otherwise, they appeared to be short humans with disfigured faces.

[Torkit: (Level 38) (HP ???/???)]

Morkits were nothing like their much smaller brethren. They were huge, the small ones measuring in at 18 meters tall. They looked ready to bodily smash down a castle wall with their hulking muscles, and the thorny spikes jutting from their leathery skin. Disfigured, too-large mouths, giant horns, and beady eyes gave the impression that thinking was never what they were meant to do.

Morkit: (Level 50) (HP ?/?)]

Honestly, neither race could be referred to as intelligent. However, the little Torkits were just innovative enough to craft crude weapons. Each and every fist inside the mob held either a dull, heavy blade or club. Time and again, Raine had witnessed a fresh recruit thinking the small, dumb-looking beasts could never match the refined skills of a martial.

This very pass was often where his recruits learned that it was never wise to assign the limitations of man to beasts. Torkits and Morkits had fully rotational shoulder joints, meaning they could whip those weapons around in ever-faster circles. One hit at maximum speed was enough to blast open a guarded stance, and was always followed an instant later by the same weapon coming around again to spill the idiot recruit’s guts across the soil.

Considering their numbers, zerg tactics, and blender-style fighting, the Torkits often did more harm to each other than their enemies. That was fine with the little bastards. Both the Torkits and Morkits were fanatical battle-maniacs to the core, eager to throw themselves at anything that moved, even if it far outclassed them in levels and size.

Raine had no delusions about being able to solo more than one of the morkits at a time. Even lacking a mental ability, they would push him, and now wasn't the time for that. Five minutes passed without a sign of Raine, and the royals finally decided he wasn’t coming back. Grim-faced, they marched into the depths. The river of flesh halted at their approach. Thousands of creatures turned in unison, quivering in anticipation of a meal, and more importantly, a fight.

Predictably, Lyale led the charge. He thundered down the steeply sloping road, crescents flying true before him. They cut deep into the ranks of Torkits and kept right on going, scoring devastating damage to the larger Morkits. The green river roared. Incensed by the spilled blood, they flooded up slope, arms spinning like living buzzsaws.

Selena had stored her mount and now ran behind the guardsman, sticking tight to his shadow. Lyale's streaking crescents cut down every beast that dared step in their path, and continued right on through to those behind. But they weren't perfect. Due to running downhill toward the flat canyon floor, only those who tried to climb the slope could be so easily cut down. With a 2-second delay, each swing was a precious opportunity to penetrate deep into their lines. Inevitably, each attack eventually reached the ground, falling short of its true potential.

From Raine’s vantage, he could only sigh. It was clear that when the royals reached the bottom, they would immediately be surrounded. He assumed Selena could at least deal with a few Torkits before running out of steam. Lyale wouldn't be able to help. If he didn't draw away the Morkits, she would die in seconds. Worse, at the far end of the canyon was a trap with the potential to claim them both. If Selena made it there alone, Raine's quest would come screeching to an end.

They should have taken their time. She could hold off the Torkits long enough for his ranged attacks to single out the Morkits. Then, they could advance together. This boneheaded strategy... Maybe they aren't as 'awakened' as I thought. Or, they’re trying to drag me down there with weaponized incompetence.

Other than his build, Raine had spent the night picking at a theory about the awakened Vaaterrans he'd encountered. At first, he had thought only the witch, Zoarra, was like the Vaaterrans of the future. It was becoming increasingly clear that wasn't the case. Before Selena and Lyale, Raine had met several others who displayed emotions and actions indistinguishable from humans: There was Grand Marshal Lirik at The Wall, Champion Durant of Sularab Town, the Gromglenns, Mrs. Stonewall, and, likely, her mysterious master, too. It was as if the most important 1% of Vaateaire was conscious, and the rest of its inhabitants were sleepwalking.

Once more, Raine eyed the waiting trap. Where the opposite slope began, cleverly placed boulders blocked sight of two full squads of Morkits that eagerly awaited vulnerable and unsuspecting prey. If Lyale didn’t reunite with Selena shortly after she crossed the halfway point, well, Raine would have a front row seat to witness whatever secrets a royal princess’s build contained.