Chapter 33.2: Beneath one’s mercy

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‘amplexus tenebrae’: An upgrade version of ‘mitis tenebrae’. Healing plunges one’s whole being into darkness, to be “reborn” in darkness; all vitality and injuries are healed at a fast rate (except for a fatal one). If used on light mana-based creatures (mostly angelic attributes), they will experience pain as if being ripped to shreds and make whole again; it will only cause mental damage since it is a healing spell.

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[Andromalius’s view]

I go outside to settle down after hearing that monstrous fact about Mikhail. To have swallowed one's soul, I would not consider remorse, but rather justify such a feat with an unfazed façade. I'm not sure whether to call it frightening or impressive. I'll have to find the right words to describe their mindset.

When I return to the room, I see they are eating and drinking the chai quietly. They find nothing unusual in their train of thought, as I predicted. That child has also calmed down enough to face them. The comical fear of the unknown of whether they will combust in the near future is in front of us.

"Can we talk normally, Mikhail?" Concerningly, I say. They simply sigh, as if they have seen through the tremble in my voice.

"Am I behaving erratically here?" Instead of disappointing Mikhail, they wear a curious expressions. They fan the flames by raising the source of our apprehension. It's an honor to refer to them as my sovereign.

"I mean, when I was fighting with you, you seemed so docile and playful, but you're so decisive when it comes to killing." I brought up the first battle I was in...no, I shouldn't be remembered as such; I was simply at their mercy. At the end of it all, they were healing my kin and soothing my soul by sacrificing themselves.

"You’re correct, Andromalius," Mikhail confirms with a sip of tea.

"Wait, you went up against them?" Ragnorr grasps, and I can see the child's surprised expression. I was astounded as well when considering a reason for their mercy, possibly because my actions did not directly oppose them.

"Perhaps you can say that, or rather I was at their mercy at the time," I explain of the first battle, minus the part where they died. I don't want them to know I was aware of their death. Mikhail may have been a benevolent sovereign, but their recent actions show that they don't shy away from getting blood on their hands when it is justified.

“To think you were so agitated about our trip to the world table. I have never thought of you as such.” Ragnorr continues, truly fearless against the monster in front of us. While I don’t think badly of their majesty, I still fear for my existence if I ever angered them.

“Well you have seen my fight with the dragon alliance’s leader, what do you think, Ragnorr?” Mikhail mentions a fight before. Against that young one huh? By the gossip of that crow, the white flame Tanwen wasn’t something to scoff about; she was about pierce through a mountain when she was still a dragonkin.

“I have heard, not seen it. But the guards seem to be a little startled after the sparring. Given their reaction, it must have been horrific.” Ragnorr comments.

“Well I decide to exercise myself a little before fighting Kushiel so as lady Tanwen has asked, I have been serious the whole fight.” Mikhail sighs, waving their hand in tiredness.

“But I couldn’t bring myself to destroy something that someone holds dear so I tried very hard to tip that heirloom from lady Tanwen's hand.” So they were able to overpower someone that pierce mountains with ease? Here I thought their petit physique, so those dance-like movements weren’t for fun and play, were they?

“In short, you overpower a dragon, wasn’t it? Another strange mindset of yours. But I can revalue after this.” Ragnorr sighs taking a sip of tea.

I bring myself trying the tea again. It wasn’t so throat-clearing as I was planned, it was because of their inexperience in pouring such, huh? Cough...what is this, a clump of sugar, so it was too sweet then. It explains their taste is different from others and why I have been always seeing them with baked goods.

“What was happening before I return, sir Andromalius? I have been seeing so many nobles going forth the palace since outside the entrance.” Mikhail suddenly asks. It was a few days since they left Saudade in my hand, so a regular catch-up session would be in order but won’t that child need to leave in the midst of this?

“It was the commerce and agriculture schemes of flourishing Saudade again with vast support from old deserters,” I explain of their schemes, boasting and festering about how the sovereign’s miracle may flourish more as they will punish those who turned their back against Saudade at time of need.

“It will be a headache to meet ends. Were you appraise them to be worth the standard?” Mikhail sighs thinking of solutions for this. I may never understand what they are thinking, but I only find the advantage of using those deserters.

“Most empty promises of loyalty as they were deserters, not many trust them to be worth so they like beggars returning here,” I say, looking for those papers lock in the king’s desk.

“If you deemed them so, I would need to see such worth of them through a series of test regards of their asking,” Mikhail says.

“So sir Andromalius, I ask you to filter them into three categories of wishes: simple wealth,  restored honors, or high-end employment.” Wealth is for the low end that will be populated as common soldiers or troops, honors are those who wishful for knighthood and one day will become earl someday.

Lastly, purposed employment, they are asking me for something that befits my eyes of becoming subordinate or trying themselves as marquises or even dukes.

“As you wish, my liege.” I bow accepting the task weighs heavy at hand. This is my first task as their caretaker or rather this time…second in command? I see my title getting broader every day.

“Just for today, I wish to rest but so do you to rest of such responsibilities as my replacement, sir Andromalius.” Mikhail closes their eyes and leans backward.

Speaking so authorial yet remaining so close to their subordinates. Many times, they have asked me to speak informally with them, while others speak formally at the same time. It’s confusing whether they want both at the same time.

I think they have thought of their servants or at least me as friends. For that, I am honored, to have someone like them as a comrade at the very least…not that I am fearing for my life when facing them as enemies as I will evaporate quickly after the battle started.

“Well then, it was done of my current duties. Ragnorr, are you forgetting something?” Mikhail asks with a gleeful gesture.

“Of course, I know Mikhail. My end of the bet.” Ragnorr answer flusteredly.

Bringing out a pile of paper coming from the sub-space, he hands them all over to Mikhail. I am unsure what kind of bet they were dotting at, but it seems not that serious with both demeanors at hand.

“It was rigged just so you know. I was lacking information to judge your fighting capabilities.” Ragnorr pouts, what a cute display of anger.

“If only you weren’t flustered about death and life, you wouldn’t sign a bet with me, Ragnorr.” Mikhail chuckles back.

They are bickering like children, seeing them like this you would forget both of them are concerningly powerful individuals. One is capable of creating apocalypses with ease, the other is the direct descendant of a demon monarch.

“Ah, I almost forget. Andromalius won’t you want something?” Mikhail turns when things are about to end. It is almost dusk at this time, and both of them look tired now.

“Whatever do you mean, Mikhail?” I inquire about their intention, it’s unknown what kind of something are they talking about. Materials for some tasks? Pieces of information for instruction?

“You were doing good work in my absence. I was meant to bring you back some crystal as a souvenir but I was so tired of dealing with so I am asking you whether you want something as a reward.” Mikhail says with a gleeful tone as before, as for this generosity I can’t ask more.

“I am merely-“ Before my denial, Mikhail speaks again with those serious before

“I won’t accept such denial as duty goes. Just so you know, I find your work valuable in trying times so if you’ve undermined yourself, it would also mean you don’t value my insight.”

Thinking of an escape route, I suddenly think of the battle that they mention before. They have been teaching my kin their battle style, I want to observe it directly of their fighting with seeing through a youthful mind.

“Then I wish also a test of strength like you was having with Tanwen.” I proclaim my wish.

“I would want to see that also before returning.” Ragnorr suddenly burst with the vitality to continue this chatting, I thought he was tired from observing this monstrous normalcy

“Understandable, just give me some time as I need to change to something before going to the change field.” Mikhail smiles going out the door first. I follow after getting rid of this weary coat. Although it was very warm, I need to be agile enough to parry those blows from Mikhail.

Walking along the corridor, I am being followed by that child. Constantly questioning or doubting questions, not until we have reached the training ground when I start replying.

“Well then, lord Andromalius. How will you face that living catastrophe alone? With or without intention, they will render you worthless when they try “their best” “  Ragnorr says once more, this time with a more respectful tone. To think of it, this is the first time I have heard calling me lord.

“It’s a sparring no more no less, child of Abaddon. I will face it with my might even when I perish in doing so.” I assure that child of my honor. As I thought the young one would never understand the honor of old, as he makes one more idiotic comment.

“That thoughtless bravery of yours, might I say lord Andromalius quite idiotic,” Ragnorr says.

“As their majesty’s caretaker, I will hone myself to befitting their status,” I vow solemnly.

“In short, you want me to test the might of my shield and spear.”  The voice comes from my behind, such an entrance they make.

Walking out of the dim-lit corridor, Mikhail daunts themselves with a knee-high white robe with noticeable features. The footwear is a pair of sandals, weave from dry grass and thorn strings. I can’t sense any mana from the equipment of them. Weren’t they going to give their all?

“Why is that outfit, if you don’t mind me asking, Mikhail.” I inquire that they are going to make a fool out of me by going easy to purposely lose. Even as a prey, I have my pride, I will not let it go this easy.

“This was my clothes back in the garden of promise. So I find it fitting when you mention a test of strength.” Mikhail slowly says with a fearsome aura follows after.

“Fair warning for your safety, Andromalius. Even when this is a test, do fight with the intention to kill. It’s for your own safety.” Gently they smile.

A chill sends a shock down my spine so as the cold from the spear they summon after, as the spear is nothing but a concentrated block of ice.

“Ready? Let us begin.” Ragnorr gulps as the battle begins.

Caught off guard, my poison emits into the air causing the monster before me to stagger a little. As they adjust themselves, striking my lance before they gain the ground again. Sadly as it is futile against them as they dodge them with an inch miss. Can’t think I am able to damage themselves so easily.

Those golden eyes stare like an abyss down to my soul. Tightening their movement becomes so agile that it‘s hard to get adjusted. One step, two steps like a tango the frozen keeps on piercing through the poison veil. Each one still aiming for my head. Those eyes…the golden eyes in the green mist.

Amplified by the poison gas, I begin to get affected myself. Swoop the mist and get overwhelmed by the sheer cold of that lance. Swing forth, each cut like frostbite cutting through my flesh. It’s hurting so much, how do they don’t get the effect of the poison like I am with the frost?

It’s so cold…like hell would be frozen over. The blizzard continued with my flesh being cut by the frozen lance. Like dancing, those steps colorate with dance steps. At least…please let me pierce my lance one more…

Fallen to my knee, I find myself in front of them, as I feel the gentle warmth of darkness embrace me once I fall to sleep. Thank you for granting me this honor, your majesty.

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(Bonus the battle from Mikhail’s view)

“Fair warning for your safety, Andromalius. Even when this is a test, do fight with the intention to kill. It’s for your own safety.” I smile to ease the tension not knowing how much panic it will cause him.

In truth, I can’t find myself acting merciful once engage in battle. For me to have survived this long, I have always been finding myself in life or death situations, to the point of the clashing of weapons agitates me greatly.

Tanwen’s battle was calm because of how much concern I put upon her heirloom to be. Since this one, Andromalius asked me to test his strength, I have no such reason for holding back. Pray that he controls my frenzy enough not to injure him greatly.

“Ready? Let us begin.” Ragnorr gulps as the battle begins.

Poisonous gas emitting from the other side has greatly slowed down my movement. In order to adjust myself, a strike I receive from Andromalius. By an inch of hair, it misses…I won’t make such mistakes again.

Locking on Andromalius, those eye grain has gone dried in so I can’t blink so carelessly. I don’t want to get hurt anymore. Piercing through the poison mist, aiming at the most noticeable weak point. THE HEAD

Suffocating on poison gas, the mana getting entangled. In order not to die such a meaningless death, those manas should concentrate on the tip of the lance. With each swing, a frostbite cut is created on his body. So as the poison clears up, so does my frenzy catch on…merciless as always, just falls already.

Swings that cut through the arm, leg, and wrist. Blue blood has fallen just to freeze solid…if you refuse to yield, just bleed to unconscious them. MORE, MORE, MORE don’t stop now you can still stand. FIGHT BACK, holding the spear as you have proclaimed…

A long thump awakes me from my blood lust. Andromalius falls loudly on his knee as his spear falls over. I come to aid his bleeding, cold body, he is still breathing. ‘amplexus tenebrae’ thank goodness my sense has come before I take an ally life. I guess it is my turn to carry him to bed then.

Ah, I almost forget of Ragnorr standing…he has been badly poisoned, and freeze time is over. On the ground shaking, I guess he should have watched our fight from a safer distance.

‘Anti dodimi’ for an antidote, ‘flare’ for warming up, and ‘mitis tenebrae’ for healing since he wasn’t directly injured.

“That was horrifying…the battle of high beings.” Ragnorr musters before going back to the guest chamber. Not even a thank you, I guess it was partly my fault.

Carrying him back to my chamber, I hope he recovers by tomorrow's dawn. Even when healing his physical state, a broken mind isn’t curable without time.

“Sleep well, my caretaker. You have proven your devotion enough.”

The end

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Hear ye who near and far for those

Wishing for rewards hench forth all

From simple wealth to honored titles

Test your ability before the king tasks.