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Merriheim

7th Muriel, 1093

While Kashi slept, somewhere in Merriheim, several menacing guards escorted a masonian lady wearing a headdress that only allowed one to see a pair of tired brown eyes. Her hands were bound with charmed shackles, which sapped her of energy as she walked. The lady gazed at the polished corridor, every few steps an artwork of some kind placed on glazed walls. If she were not a part of this organization, she would never have believed they were underground.

The group stopped ahead of a massive fifteen-feet door made of tempered gold. A mural of a man encased in flames jeered mockingly at all visitors. The door, which was at least twenty centimeters thick, was impossibly heavy. However, two guards by the door identified the group, then and easily pushed each side of the door.

A guard by the lady's side pulled down the headdress to reveal Zaram Karim, the first person Kashi had made contact with after entering Merriheim. Zaram winced as she was pushed into a magnificent hall.

A magnificent long table, carved from the most expensive wood, sat at the center of the hall. Several young women stood a few meters from the table, all observing the red-haired man who sat at the head.

The man was not shy of showing off his opulence, garbed in a golden robe made from griffin's hide and phoenix feathers.

Ruse looked up as Zaram entered the room. A momentary flash burned in his eyes before he pointed at the closest chair to his left. "Sit."

Zaram's gaze held a mixture of fear and stubborn pride as she shook off the guard's hand and then took a seat as ordered. She bowed her head in reverence as she greeted, "My lord—"

Ruse raised a hand to cut her short.

Stray beads of sweat pooled on Zaram's face as she realized she was in real trouble. Ruse never stopped someone from greeting or praising him except when he was furious.

Ruse reclined on his chair, his eyes never leaving Zaram's. "The daeben." A shiver ran down Zaram's spine at Ruse's cold tone. Anyone who had met the man knew it was far better when he exploded with rage, compared to when his anger quietly simmered. "I received a report claiming you were the first to encounter him?"

Zaram did not know if she was allowed to speak or not, so she weakly nodded.

Ruse's brows furrowed. "Speak."

"Yes, my Lord Prime," Zaram hurriedly complied. "My team was a few kilometers away from Suvron's Gate when it ro—"

"Hmph, Suvron's Gate," Ruse sneered. "That brat even dared to name the tower after a dead god." He paused for a second then glared at Zaram. "Who told you to stop!?"

Zaram, of course, did not dare point out the absurdity of that question. She immediately apologized then continued with her report. "I decided to check on the tower to search for clues as to why it rose."

Ruse's eyes narrowed. "You met the daeben on the way?"

"Yes, My Lord, I did."

Ruse's countenance instantly grew cold. His eyes were like cold, blood jewels as he asked, "Why did you not kill him then?"

Zaram breathed heavily. She knew the next few dialogues would ultimately decide her fate. She chose her words carefully as she replied, "We did try, but we never expected that he had a method of blocking out the effects of our songs. Before we could recover, he injured my subordinates."

"... How did he find Meilfour?"

Zaram's breath hooked in her throat. "I... I led him there."

Ruse's tone was overbearingly even, his glare like a smoldering flame on the verge of exploding. "Why"

"My men were held captive," Zaram said. "If I did not take him, he would have killed them."

A large vein bulged on Ruse's forehead. If it wasn't before, now it was clear he was holding his rising rage in check. "These men?" He coolly inquired as he waved his left hand.

Zaram's heart lurched as four heavily bruised Masonians were dragged into the hall. Large purple swellings all over their half-naked bodies revealed the brutal punishment they had suffered the past weeks.

Zaram suppressed her panicked, and pained cries deep within the recesses of her heart. Try as she might, she could not stop the train of tears that leaked from guilt-ridden eyes. She did not dare move in the slightest, as she feared that with Ruse's temper, he might just kill them altogether. Enduring the agony, she weakly replied in a hoarse voice, "Y-Yes, these are my men."

Ruse's lips curled in disdain. "So for this trash," he spat as he motioned for the guards to bring the men closer. "You would dare to betray me?"

Betray? Zaram's heartbeat quickened as her eyes went pale with fright. She knew better than most how serious this accusation was. And what's worse, it even came from the Primate himself. Who would dare seek justice on her behalf? "M-my Lord! I have never betrayed—BANG!" Zaram nearly jumped in fright as a flaming fist slammed onto the table.

"You still dare deny!" Flames erupted from Ruse's eyes and mouth as he roared with rage! "Why then did you lead the damned elf to Meilfour! Leading someone unfamiliar with these regions into a trap should have been easy for you, right!?"

Zaram bit her lower lip. The red liquid that leaked out was already tasteless to her tongue. "I gave him my word. My men for th—"

"What dogshit word!" Ruse burst into flames, no longer able to contain his rage. "You think I give a damn about your word? You goddamned Merrites! Think I give a shit about your fucking honor!?" His hate-filled gaze turned to the four bruised up soldiers. "Are these the men you betrayed me for? Was it worth it?" He roared with a sneer.

Zaram's eyes went wide with horror. "NO!" She rushed from her chair, ignoring the potential consequences, but two guards tackled her to the ground. Tears streamed down her face as she screamed till her voice broke, but she could only watch as undying flames slowly burned their bodies to ash inch, by devastating inch.

Her squad!

These men followed Zaram since they were little beggars on the streets of Drul. Koturot, the adorable coward, would always confirm the details of everything they did a thousand times before they attempted it.

Gulkala had just gotten married! His wife was six months heavy, and his ailing mother would always welcome them with a strange, extremely bitter green soup. No one knew Grinn's real name. They always playfully called him grinny because he was always smiling regardless of how dire the situation as if it was his job to prove to the world that happiness can still be found in despair. See! Even now, his warm eyes were lit by a small smile despite the immense pain. He nodded at Zaram, his lips moving, "Live on..."

Zaram's eyes traveled to the youngest of them, and her heart threatened to shatter to pieces. Unlike the others, Wethu was not a warrior. Even though he was over six years younger, they all respected his intelligence and wit. He had been the one to decide their stealing targets as children, and as adults, he was in charge of the logistics part of their division.

Fate was callous.

On that day, Wethu had only joined them to escape the dull repetitiveness of logistic duties. Who would have imagined they would run into a big shot like Kashi? Just when Wethu considered himself lucky to have survived that, he was immediately sent to prison and beaten for several weeks. Still, he had held a sliver of hope that eventually they would be released.

Yet now...

Blood and tears mixed as Zaram watched this young man die. His screams and reluctant wails haunted her ears till they bled. Blood vessels in her eyes burst as she refused them to shut for even a second. She screamed till her voice was lost entirely, then she cried, but she even ran out tears.

Zaram slammed her head against the ground until it bled, apologizing to her friends over and over.

Regret! Zaram heavily regretted!

Why did she not listen to Wethu when he cautioned her about this organization? She had assured him that as long as they kept their hands clean and climbed up the ranks, they would be safe. In truth, the moment she decided to join, she knew the others would come too. She had taken that for granted! Why!? Why did she not listen!?

Over ten minutes had passed since Ruse set these men on fire, but they were still alive. These flames' special characteristic was their ability to kill slowly, burning the extremities like the hands and legs before slowly encroaching on the heart.

It was designed to give the worst imaginable pain before death. When it reached the critical point, it would pause for about half a second, before consuming the rest of the body in a flash.

These four men, in this terribly short reprieve, forced all their clarity to look at their leader with apologetic, yet proud gazes. Even the comparatively weak Wethu found the strength to muster a soft smile.

Zaram wanted to scream at them that she was the one at fault! They had nothing to feel sorry for!

She should have listened to them!

She should not have gone to that tower!

She should never have joined this organization!

However, notwithstanding that her voice was already gone, Zaram never got the chance. In the very next second, all that remained of her friends were piles of ash.

Ruse snorted and waved his sleeves in disgust. A guard proficient in wind magic immediately mumbled an incantation. A small gale lifted these pieces of ash and tossed them into a nearby hole used to get rid of waste. Several miles below was a vein of lava that conveniently got rid of the trash and provided heating.

Zaram's reason drifted with those ashes, till her very mind had crumbled to the abyss. She didn't even struggle as the guards lifted her, then forcefully sat her down on her designated chair. Revenge? Impossible! Be it, Kashi or Ruse, both were monsters far beyond her. She just sat there, staring at the opulent table before her. Dead eyes examined the wood.

Was it because of this?

Did she trade the lives of her friends for vague promises of riches? Even though life had been hard-living, but at least they had each other and were alive. But now—

"How long do you plan on moping?" Ruse rebuked with a sneer. "You should be thanking me. I've rid you of those pesky chains."

"Ah, yes," Zaram murmured. "I'm free."

"Hmph. What dogshit loyalty." Ruse, although slightly surprised Zaram agreed so readily, had seen men forsake their brethren for less. He elatedly took his seat at the head of the table, pleased he had exposed the hypocrite.

A fierce light flashed in Zaram's eyes as she abruptly jerked from her chair. Before either of the guards could react, she had already leaped onto the table. The guard to her right reached for his sword but was shocked to find it missing. He stared in disbelief as the Merrite woman drove his sword into Ruse's chest then pinned into the chair behind.

Zaram's initial jubilee crashed to despair as Ruse slowly stood up. In doing so, the sword cut down to his thighs, but Zaram's fear came from the feeling she got from the sword in her hand. There was no resistance! It felt like cutting through the air!

"Did you think the rank of Primates was just for show?" Ruse mocked as he stepped to the side, allowing the blade to pass through him. "Every Primate must master an element to the point their very beings are the element itself." Ruse's voice instantly grew dark. "Tell me, can you still claim not to have betrayed me now?"

Zaram could only watch on in despair as burning fingers wrapped around her throat. She knew she was going to die. She had failed. Ah, at least she would join her friends—no, her brothers soon.

Just as Ruse was about to release his flames, one of the maids coughed. He frowned as he turned to that maid. "Larsial (Lar-shul), what are you doing here?"

The maid chuckled coquettishly and undid the illusion magic. A pair of laughing purple-blue eyes regarded Zaram's shocked expression. That was because this woman was a daeben!

Pale-blue skin adorned with tattoos, subtly covered by an expensive-looking red and dark-brown leather armor that exposed most of her cleavage. The woman smiled at Zaram before winking at Ruse. "As big boss's trusted right hand, wouldn't it be bad if I ever left your side?"

Ruse ignored her coquettish tone. "What do you want?"

"Don't worry," Larsial said as she walked over. "This time, I just want to give my boss some advice." She pointed at Zaram, "That girl, don't kill her. We still need the local support, and she's a big figurehead amongst them. It's one thing to imprison her, but if we kill her, we lose their trust."

"We can just threaten them!" Ruse spat.

Larsial shook her head. "Sorry boss, I know you're angry." She wrapped her arms around Ruse from behind. To Zaram's surprise, Larsial's arms did not burn. "But you don't want the higher-ups to know you messed too much with the karmic virtue, right?"

"What dogshit karmic virtue! Who believes that shit!" Ruse spat out in rage. But despite his words, his fingers still relaxed around Zaram's throat. Reluctantly, he released her, and she crumpled to the table. Without even glancing at her, he spat, "Get her out of my sight!" When the guards had finally dragged the dull woman out, Ruse turned to Larsial. "So, why did you really have me release her?"

Larsial smiled. "Call it woman's intuition. I have a feeling she would be useful later on."

Ruse rose a brow. "Is that it?"

Larsial only shook her head and pursed her lips with a cute pout. "Women can't reveal all their secrets, you know? How else would we keep the men interested." She pecked Ruse on the cheek, her tone an alluring husk as she added, "Now simmer down, and we'll find creative ways to vent your anger later tonight. Maybe, I might even reveal some of my secrets."

Ruse's right hand rose to meet her face, but she released him and jumped back with a short laugh. "The little wannabe kings are here," she announced, as she disappeared in a whiff of smoke.

Ruse stared at the spot she had just been before gloomily taking his seat at the head of the table.

No sooner had Ruse sat down did the doors swing open, and a total of thirty men and women walked into the room. Walking at the head of the newcomers was a red-haired, middle-aged halben woman Asha would have recognized were she here: Sheri Orthana.

Guided by the maids, the people took their designated chairs at the table. Naturally, Orthana's seat was next to Ruse on the right.

Ruse's eyes scanned over these people with blatant disdain, but none of them dared to object. He then closed his eyes for a moment to adjust his mental state. When he was sure he would not directly melt the next person to annoy him slightly, he announced in an authoritative tone, "We are here to discuss how to prevent that accursed daeben from eating this country. If you do not wish to see this happen, then stay. Otherwise, leave..."

Leave? Who dared to leave at this point? Doing so would be the same as declaring war on the rest—what sinister wording Ruse used.

Sheri Orthana, while respectful, was not as afraid of this man as the others were. She had faced off against far scarier people in the high courts. Her current situation was as a result of losing to one such person. "We would not be here if we did not want the same thing. Speak, please, what exactly do you want?"

Ruse's eye twitched, but then he recalled how he needed this woman to corral the wild herd that was the various chiefs. He suppressed his irritation as he explained, "If we allow the daeben to stay with the dwarfs for longer than necessary, he might convince them to defect to Rosendun."

Orthana frowned. "Surely you jest. The dwarfs have never willingly agreed to live under the rule of another since the beginning of time. Unless you think he'll force them?"

Ruse shook his head. "What I'm about to tell you is a classified secret, very few select people are aware of." He paused, noticing the tension in the room thicken with every passing second. When he was sure everyone was engaged, he said, "The only reason the drakul coexist with the other races is at a result of his design."

There was a collective gasp around the hall, some going as far as to cry out in disbelief. The drakul was not any ordinary tribe. They were notoriously territorial!

If Kashi could find a way for the drakul to serve under humans, who was to say he could not convince the dwarfs to do the same! These people could scarcely believe the words, but since it had come from a man like Ruse, they had no choice to take it as the truth, whether they believed it or not. This was the benefit of power.

Orthana closed her eyes in thought. "If he manages to take control over the region governed by the dwarfs, that would be real trouble." Of course, the dwarven territory encompassed a large area at the direct center of the 'right claw'—such a strategic location. If anyone wished to travel through the right claw, they must either pass through dwarven territory or add at least twenty days to their journey. Her eyes shone with steely determination. "What's your plan?"

Ruse raised two fingers. "A two-pronged attack. To allow easy access, there are two main gates to the dwarven caverns. North and South. My men and I will directly launch an attack head-on from the north. My head alone should serve as a suitable lure for their high ranking fighters. With their best fighters lured towards me, you attack the south with a coalition of your forces."

The men and women could not help but release a gasp of admiration. Usually, the strong leaders would use the weaker players as bait, but in this case, Ruse was more than willing to be the bait! Ruse's plan suggested they would only be fighting impoverished dwarfs who had not fought for decades.

But one amongst them was not so easily impressed. Orthana asked, "How exactly are we supposed to sneak an army ten thousand strong past their territory to attack them from the south?"

Surprisingly Ruse chuckled, clearly amused. "Why are you thinking of land when you can travel by water."

Everybody visibly paled. Travel by water? Them they would have to cross the great divide between Merriheim and Drakase? Are you fucking crazy!? All those rumors that nobody came back alive after entering Drakase? Those were rubbish for tourists. The locals all knew the truth. It was not that no one returned from Drakase. No one ever reached the damned place!

That semicircular canal was like a hook of death. Whoever dared to enter perished to the overwhelming monsters below.

Kraken? Hydra? Any one of these warriors would sooner hug and kiss those guys than be within ten kilometers of the monsters beneath that sea. This asshole wanted them to go across that river on a journey that would take at least three days if they sped like crazy?

Fucker, if you wanted to fish for exquisite creatures, you should have just said so!

Seeing the faces which had turned red with extreme rage, Ruse only chuckled. "Don't worry. I'll gift you a fleet of DarkSpawn ships."

Immediately, the originally red faces turned to a different shade of red as they howled in exaggerated joy!

What were the DarkSpawn ships? These were ships crafted from the carcasses and bones of immensely powerful monsters. These gave off an overwhelming sense of danger to the monsters in the seas, preventing them from daring to probe, much less attack the ship.

If Ruse was gifting them these ships, then he was confident they would work on the monsters.

However, once again, Orthana proved why she led this group of madmen and women. "I assume you will also accompany us?" What DarkSpawn? What if they were made from the bones of thousands of church mice. Wouldn't she and her men die an unjust death for the bards to laugh at for ages?"

'Sheri and her band of Merry,

Set for glory with her gaze imposey,

Built a ship from mice so holy,

They sent her straight to hell, so lonely.'

Naturally, Ruse had no idea what was going on in Sheri's head. "Naturally," Ruse smiled. "Why would I spend weeks crossing with my army, when we can just sail across the river and be there in a few days."

Orthana nodded, her greatest fear allayed. "We will need time to prepare. A week at the least."

Ruse's gaze steeled. "The deadline is eleven days."

"Fine, that is more than enough."

"Alright then!" Ruse exulted in a pleased voice as he clapped his hands twice. Several maids walked into the room with exquisite cuisine that sucked the drool from these poor men and women. "Please, please, enjoy your meal," he said as the maids placed the trays on the table. "Feel free to eat as much as you want." He added with a slight leer, "Of course, the maids are also on the menu." Before the few women could vent their frustrations, Ruse added, "Before I am considered a chauvinist," he clapped again.

This time a bunch of topless guards trooped into the hall and began sparring against each other. Watching those supple muscles glisten with sweat from the strenuous exercise left those women far hungrier than the rare dishes in front of them.

Ruse chuckled as he turned to Orthana. "If you will, my lady, I do believe this is not a place for one, such as yourself."

Orthana nodded as she stood up, then proceeded to exit the room with Ruse.

Unbeknownst to Kashi, he had unwittingly united the forever incompatible Merriheim against himself.