《Capital of Greed [DROPPED]》 Chapter 1 - Prologue: John Doe (1/3) Pzzsht! The static sound of a hand-held radio hissed fiercely. It crackled with the discordant sounds of radio chatter for a few seconds before clearing up. Pzzsht! This is Alpha Leader, over. We have secured the perimeter. I repeat. We have secured the perimeter, over. A deep masculine voice rang out. This is Bravo Leader. Pzzsht! The decoy has been stationed in the newspaper stand. Awaiting the targets arrival, over. This is Charlie Leader, over. My men have surrounded the coffee shop. The staff inside had been instructed to remain calm and act as usual. We are ready to nab the target the instant he arrives. Pzzsht! An aged hand, deep-set with wrinkles reached out onto the dimly lit table. Grabbing onto the buzzing hand-held radio, the hand brought it near its owners lips. Pressing on the talk button on its side, a strict, grand voice instructed. This is Team Leader The strict voice took a moment to inhale a breath of fresh, cool air. Exhaling a heavy sigh, he continued. May the Lord bless all of us in this mission. Removing his hold on the button, he quietly mumbled. heaven knows we need it. ---------- Pzzsht! May the Lord bless all of us in this mission. Pzzsht! Hearing the radio turn silent after those words, Alpha Leader, a suave, middle-aged man in his mid-forties, sheathed the hand-held radio into his pocket and sighed. Ive never heard our director sound so glum. Just who is the target, Captain? A young voice curiously quipped. Hearing his young corporals query, the suave Captain let out a weary sigh and asked, Did you seriously not read the mission dossier, Walter? You know I didnt, Captain! the young man cheerfully responded. Haa! Exhaling another long, drawn-out sigh, the Captain seriously briefed, Our target is a 5 11, Caucasian man in his fifties. Other notable features include graying hair and sky-blue eyes. This is the target that was deemed Extremely Dangerous in the mission report? A grandpa!? The young corporal speechlessly exclaimed. Hes John Doe! the suave Captain barked at his impatient corporal. John Doe! Hearing that name, the young corporals body fiercely trembled. In an instant, he immediately understood why the target was deemed Extremely Dangerous and why the old Director sounded so morose. Ca-Captain! Are you sure that our target is THAT John Doe? The one which the media calls the Bloody Tyrant? Do you know of another one with the same name?If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. The Captain rolled his eyes at his trembling corporal and turned to face the front. The duo were currently standing on the roof of a 15-storey building, overlooking a quiet and peaceful neighborhood. Taking a quick look at his watch, he noted the time. [07:01:03] Removing the set of binoculars that was hanging around his neck, the Captain held it over his eyes and peered through. With his vision greatly enhanced, he scanned across the neighborhood and mentally noted down the details. Owing to the early time of the day and the fact that today was a Sunday, the streets were quiet and void of any pedestrian traffic. Cars stood lined up against the sides of the street and the gates to the residential houses remained shut. Just as the Captain was scanning through the neighborhood looking for abnormalities, his body suddenly stiffened. His eyes narrowed into the binoculars and deeply set wrinkles began to appear on his forehead. Looking at the scene through the binoculars, he grimly mumbled. He finally showed up ---------- Running his fingers through the ends of his shoe, John caught hold of that impeding edge that refused entry to his feet. Pulling on its leathery corner, he slipped in the back of his foot and stood up. Tapping his feet against the ground to confirm its proper fitting, John showed a victorious smile on his handsome, aging face. Finally in, you little bastard He then turned around and opened the first drawer in the chest of drawers by his side. Grabbing some loose change and putting it inside the right pocket of his long overcoat, he then grabbed a dark-blue mask and put it on. Wearing a mask while going outside had become a deeply-ingrained habit of Johns. With his years piling and his health slowly waning, he couldnt afford to take a risk against the virus which seemed to have a new variant every six months. Its been three years already. Why was it still not gone? After adjusting the mask to properly cover his face, John then reached out to grab his leather gloves. The weather had been turning cold recently and the gloves provided the warmth that he needed for his hands. Moreover, John simply liked the warm, silky feeling on his hands. Walking up to the main door, he pushed down on the handle and pulled it open. Immediately, a gust of cool air and a ray of warm sunlight struck him squarely on his face. Taking a deep breath, John appreciated the fresh feel of the morning. Truly, there was no better feeling than going out for a walk after being cooped up inside your house for weeks. Man was a social animal, not a caged one after all. Stepping outside his door, John promptly turned around and closed it. After mentally confirming that he hadnt forgotten to take anything for his outing, he turned the key and locked the door. Pushing down on the handle and seeing that it didnt move, John pocketed the key into his left pocket. He had a particular way to keep things inside his pocket. Valuables such as money, phones, and cards would go into his right pocket, while other stuff like keys, bills, and the like would go into his left pocket. Some might argue that the key to ones house was valuable, but to such arguments, John scoffed at them. Keys that are lost can simply be remade but phones cannot. Plus, if he had to choose between losing his key and losing his phone, John would unhesitantly choose the first option. Briskly walking up to the small gate, John smoothly exited and closed it behind him. Stepping into the street, John deeply inhaled once more, puffed out his chest, and embarked on his journey to his favorite coffee shop. Nothing improves the quality of a morning like a cup of fresh, hot coffee. Period. Those who say otherwise, clearly lack the necessary intelligence to be classified as a human. John thought to himself with a smile. The smile continued to remain plastered on his face throughout the duration of his morning walk. The cool breeze of the morning wind, the fresh scent of wet grass, and absence of the general hubbub, and noise from traffic and other pedestrians, all served to complement Johns excellent morning. He was not a loner who preferred silence in the least. In fact, John was someone who loved and thrived in chaos and disharmony. He had built and lived his life around this after all. However, rare bouts of silence and calmness were something that he much appreciated. I can almost feel my soul being cleansed. Enjoying this feeling of his soul being cleansed, or at least thats how he described his current feeling, John soon arrived at the entrance to his street. Coming here, he suddenly stopped. One more step and he knew that his peace would be broken. One more step and he would be greeted by the sounds of civilization. If only this peace could last forever. After thinking as such, John took that step. He turned a corner and was immediately greeted by the sound of cars honking, people chattering, pets barking, babies cryingcivilization as a whole, moving. Against this sudden influx of chaos, the previous scene of peace and tranquility almost seemed like a lie. But this is good too. Chaos can be fulfilling on its own. Taking another step, John joined the chaos. Chapter 2 - Prologue: John Doe (2/3) While watching the cars zoom-by on the road beside him, John quickly arrived at his first stop; a small newspaper stand. Stepping up to the small shack lined with papers and books published by different printing houses, John quietly read through their headlines. [This CELEBRITY said WHAT!? You will not believe] [The Psi variant is deadly and heres 10 REASONS why you should take it seriously!] [New Autumn Collection. Heres how YOU can make a FASHION statement in 2024.] [Left-wing activists have done it AGAIN! Right-wingers DEMAND for resolution.] Discarding the obviously extraneous and useless news reports, John picked up a few that managed to catch his attention. Picking them up from the stand, just as he was about to open the pages to read the articles in detail, he was interrupted by the stand owner. Youll have to pay before you read it, sir. A voice softly demanded. Ah, apologies, John immediately apologized and reached into his pocket of change. Passing over a few coins, he kindly looked towards the stand owner and asked, Is Joe not running the stand today? A-ah, Uncle Joe is out sick today. Im running the stand in his place. A young woman cautiously replied. I see, John nodded his head and opened the newspaper in his hands. I never knew that Joe had a young niece like yourself. Hes always prattling on about how much he hates his family and how hes on bad terms with everyone. John absent-mindedly monologued while hiding his face behind the newspaper. Especially with his sister he spoke with a mysterious tone. Hearing his words, the young woman seated inside the newspaper stall with her face covered with a mask trembled. Her hands discreetly reached for a button hidden underneath the table in front of her. Just as her finger was about to push down on the button, she heard John speak again. But hey! Good for him. Ive always told him to make amends with his family and reunite with them. Seeing you here today, Im glad that my words got through that big, dumb head of his. Hahaha!~ Haha The young woman nervously chuckled and removed her finger from the button. She then lowered her head and did not dare to look at Johns face hidden behind the newspaper. Behind the newspaper, John put aside the matter of Joes family and carefully read through the newspaper article. He then repeated the same with the other newspapers that he had purchased. Finally putting them down, he carefully folded them up and sighed. Seems like those countries cant hold it in any longer. Peaceful days like this will soon come to an end and tranquility will escape. He shook his head. Listening to his words, the young woman couldnt help but grow interested. Although her mission Captain had warned her multiple times to not engage in a conversation with the target unless absolutely necessary, her growing curiosity made her decide to throw wind to caution. What do you mean by those words, sir? Taking a deep breath, John heavily stated with utmost certainty in his tone. War. It means that war is upon us. He then shook his head and continued, And youd think that with all the trouble that I caused them, theyd keep their tails tucked in for at least a few years. But nooo~ Welp, I can only hope that my final act will scare them enough to stay put. A war right now would be very wasteful, you see. Moreso, when this war could very well be the sequel to the Big Two.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. He shrugged his shoulders and pocketed the newspaper. Turning around, John began to walk away. Just as he was about to leave the newspaper stands earshot range, he spoke. You be careful too, Joes Niece. As someone whos been there and done that, take it from me. You might want to quit while youre head, lest you end up as someone elses cannon fodder. He then completely disappeared into the crowd. Meanwhile, inside the newspaper stand, the young woman managed to hear his advice. With her head lowered, he carefully pondered on his words. Pzzsht This is Bravo Leader, over. Did you make contact with the target, Bessie? A voice crackled within her ears. Awakening from her thoughts, Bessie touched the earpiece lodged inside her left ear and replied. This is Bessie. I have confirmed that he is indeed your target. Good. Do you think he was alerted to our presence? Bessies eyes suddenly glazed over. She absent-mindedly stared into space for a second before regaining her bearings. Negative. Target has no idea about our presence. She pressed into her earpiece and confidently replied. ---------- Joes niece, huh. She seems like a good girl. John thought to himself as he arrived on the other side of an intersection. He faintly smiled as he recalled how the young girl had taken an interest when he had spoken about the worlds political climate. As someone who had dabbled, or so he calls it, in the world of politics himself, nothing brought John more joy than having someone to discuss the topic with. Shaking his head, John cleared his mind and continued his journey towards his favorite coffee shop. On the way there, he continued to quietly appreciate the life and energy that filled his surroundings with a faint smile on his face. Dak! Ah!~ Im sorry, mister! Amidst his wistful appreciation, John accidently crashed against a teenage boys side. Looking down towards the apologetic youth, John kindly replied. Dont worry. It was my fault too. He then inwardly remarked at how incredibly handsome this youth was. Damn, this guy is hot! Is that his girlfriend by his side? Wow, what an incredibly good-looking couple! He then tried his hardest to not turn around and gawk as the young couple passed him. Stop pulling me while you run, Ollie! I nearly crashed right into that old uncle! Then run faster! At this rate, were going to miss our train! I will not have our long-weekend date-trip cancelled just because you were a little slow in running, Lu! Ah, young love. How envious. John inwardly remarked to himself, before continuing with his own trip. After walking for a dozen or so minutes, he finally arrived at his destination; a coffee shop that had the logo of a white angel holding her arms up against a green background. Pushing aside the glass entry doors, he quickly found the line queuing up before the counter and joined them. Three other people were standing before John in the line and each seemed to be intently focusing on their phones. As such, John quietly waited for his turn to come. After exactly eight minutes and forty-two seconds, he knew this because he counted, Johns turn finally arrived. Hi! Welcome to A fixed luminous point in the night sky which is a large, remote incandescent body like the sun-bucks! How may I help you? Yes, I would like a John then placed his order at the counter. After taking down his order, the lady at the counter told him the payable amount and his name. Oh, its John Doe. Immediately, John could see the womans body stiffen. Her facial expression which was forcibly maintained to be plain could not hide the internal conflict within her eyes. Smiling at this, John politely asked, Is there something wrong? N-no. No-nothing wrong! The ladys reply almost turned into a scream. However, she managed to hold it together and left the counter to prepare Johns order. As he whistled while waiting for his order to be readied, John faintly noticed his surroundings become quieter and more desolate. At this change, he did not react too excessively but instead continued to whistle with a wider smile on his face. After waiting for around two minutes, he finally received his order. He-here is y-your order. H-have a-a nice day! The lady handed over his cup with trembling hands. Graciously receiving the cup with his hands, John looked up and met the ladys eyes with a kind gaze. Thank you. You too, have a wonderful day. He then turned around and started to walk. Lowering his mask, John brought the cup closer towards his lips and gently blew into the small opening. After inhaling the freshly prepared coffees energizing scent, he took a sip while simultaneously exiting the store. The instant he came out, John was hit by a flash of intense white light and found himself blinded. John Doe! For your crimes against humanity, you are under arrest!! Someone loudly proclaimed and in the next instant, John felt a sharp force strike against his neck. He felt his limbs growing increasingly powerless. Unable to hold the coffee cup in his hands, he dropped it to the floor. Feeling his vision swirl and his body grow weak to the point of falling at the slightest touch of the wind, John thought to himself. Ah, fu*k. I didnt even get to take a proper sip of the coffee. All I got was the foam. Darkness claimed him. Chapter 3 - Prologue: John Doe (3/3) Pain. The first thought that appeared inside Johns mind the instant he woke up was just how much his body hurt. It wasnt the sharp, piercing ache that one would feel on getting a cut or being stabbed. Rather, it was the dull, persistent ache that one would feel after being beaten up. Biting down on his teeth to not let out any cries of pain, John slowly opened his eyes. Light! Bright light flooded his vision, blinding him momentarily. He rapidly blinked and struggled through his tearing eyes before he managed to get used to the brightness in front of him. Properly opening his eyes, John peered at his surroundings. He found himself sitting on a chair, wearing a straitjacket inside a plain 3x3m room built solely of concrete. He then tried to struggle with his body, only to realize that his legs and the rear of his restraint had been cuffed to the ground. Sighing out loudly at this discovery, John raised his head and stared at the only object of interest within this room; a speaker. Hey! Can you hear me? Hello! There was no response from the speaker. Undaunted, John continued to speak. Can you at least tell me which agency got to me first? Is it the CIA? MI6? KGB? Or is it the Mossad? His eyes then suddenly lit up with understanding. Is it my friends from the east? Its not. An androgynous, obviously disguised voice replied through the speaker. Its not, huh? Well, can you tell me why Im here? John asked. You should very well know the answer to that, Mr. John Doe. Hearing that reply, John lowered his head and contemplated. After a few seconds, he let out a heavy sigh and replied. Is this about last week when I parked my car incorrectly in the Disabled-only Parking? Cause if it is indeed that, then Ive got a reason for you. A serious look appeared on Johns face as he continued. For you see! In the eyes of a superiorly intellectual person such as myself, all of you normal people have no difference from those society considers as retards. Now, the last time I checked, a mentally-deficit can be considered to be Disabled. Going by that logic, if everyone is the same, there is little point in there being separate parking spaces, right? So, technically John was abruptly interrupted by an enraged scream originating from the speaker. Im talking about your crimes against humanity! Oh A look of belated realization appeared on Johns face. Youre talking about that. Now that you say that, I do recall someone screaming something like that before I was tranquilized and knocked unconscious. Which, if you mind me saying, was a very rude thing to do! John declared with righteous anger. Leaning back onto his chair, he wriggled a little to adjust his hands that were restrained inside the straitjacket into a more comfortable position. He then continued. Seriously, Miranda. If you wanted to meet me so bad, you couldve just called me, you know? John languidly looked at the speaker with a knowing smile. Haa A long, heavy sigh was heard from the speaker. ...How did you know that it was me? I had my voice disguised and was even speaking with an accent different from my own. Easy thing, really. John casually shrugged his shoulder, to the best of his ability given his circumstances, and explained. Your word choice, tone, unconscious speaking habits, sentence formation, and deliverancethere were tons of clues hidden inside your speech. All I had to do to find out who was talking was to simply look. Well, listen actually. I cant look at sounds. Not without synesthesia, at least. He quickly corrected himself. Hearing his explanation there was a prolonged silence on the other end of the speaker. Your intellect continues to surpass the boundaries of human understanding. You truly are a different kind altogether, John. Im flattered. Now, tell me why Im here. John asked with a satisfied smile plastered on his face. Youve run out of time, John. For too long your deeds have gone unpunished. The people cannot stay quiet any longer and weI, in good conscience, cannot allow you to roam free anymore. The time has come for you to pay for your sins, John. Miranda grimly declared through the speaker. I see John replied and lowered his head. His face showed no expression and his body showed no movement. After what seemed like an eternity, the heavy silence parted. So Im being sacrificed to justify the meaningless war youre going to start, huh? Looking up, John had an expression of exhilaration plastered on his face.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Bravo! Miranda. Bra-freaking-vo!! As expected of someone who served as my adjutant for two years! You sure learned well from me, didnt you? Seriously, if not for this straitjacket restricting me, I would be giving you a standing ovation right now! Brilliantly done. His words of appreciation, however, seemed to go unnoticed by Miranda. With shock apparent even in her disguised voice, she asked. H-how did you know about the war!!? Oh, you know he languidly laid back on his chair and lackadaisically answered, through the newspaper. Silence reigned for the following few minutes as neither of the two talked. John continued to be very casual about the entire affair, seemingly without the slightest care in the world. After a solid ten minutes of painful silence, Miranda strictly declared. John Doe, you have been charged, tried, and found guilty for your vile crimes against humanity. Said crimes are numerous in quantity and sinister in nature, the most egregious of these to be cited herewith: first-degree murder, arson, kidnapping, targeted assassination A long list of crimes that took three-full minutes to fully read was read. no one person in the history of law and perhaps Mankind itself has had so many crimes stacked against his name. As such, there isnt one punishment out there which can fully bear upon you the weight of the law. An instant of silence later, she continued. That being said, the meritorious deeds that you have conferred upon Mankind are almost equal to the crimes that youve committed. The weight of which would usually be enough to forgive a number of your transgressions. Still, your continued disregard for the value of a human life and the fact that you feel no guilt, whatsoever, towards your actions, you have been sentenced to be, on this day, Please be the chairplease be the chairplease be the chair John continuously mumbled under his breath, the expectation within his voice being tangible. hung by the neck until dead. OH, COME ON!! John bellowed, the rage within his voice unfiltered. You intentionally did this to me, even though you knew just how much I wanted the chair!! I hate you, Miranda! I HATE YOU!!! Unconcerned with his curses, Miranda piously declared. May God have mercy on your soul. The sudden sound of something cutting through the air was heard and John felt a familiar ache on his neck. Feeling himself losing strength in his limbs once again, John cursed. Ah, fu*k! Not again!! ---------- Waking up one again, John felt a cool breeze strike him against his face. He could smell the distinct scent of the sea as its salty shares lingered around his nose. Opening his eyes with difficulty, John found himself greeted by the endless expanse of the Pacific Ocean. Looking at this scene, a smile appeared on his face as he hoarsely mumbled. Not bad, Miranda. Ill cut you some slack for securing me this excellent view. He then felt his body being secured differently. He looked down and caught sight of the coir noose around his neck. His hands seemed to be tied behind his back and his legs seemed to be resting on a wooden platform of sorts. Directing his gaze towards the sides, John immediately discovered multiple drones attached with cameras flying around him and filming him from a distance. Ah, Im being recorded and broadcasted too. How nice. He then smiled with his aging face towards the cameras and loudly greeted them. Hello, people of the world! Hows it hanging? He then chuckled to himself and continued. More like, who is it hanging? Shaking his head, he then stared straight towards the endlessly blue expanse. The sky had been cloudy for some time and rain seemed to finally fall. Feeling the droplets strike against his body, John muttered. How poetic, even the sky seems to cry for me. If only His words came to an abrupt halt as the floor beneath his feet gave way. John plunged towards the earth and the noose around his neck almost immediately caught him. Feeling the air escape his lungs and darkness slowly cease him, a peaceful smile appeared on his face as he closed his eyes. Quietly, he muttered. So longFarewellauf Wiederse..hengoo His words came to an abrupt pause. With the final twitch of his legs, Johns body came to a complete stop. ---------- Seated behind an elaborate marble desk, a quaintly-dressed middle-aged lady watched the large TV screen before her. Hearing his final words and seeing the final twitch of his legs, she softly replied. Goodbye to you too, John. Exhaling a sigh, she reached out for the TVs remote. Holding it in her hands, just as she was about to turn it off, the picture within the screen suddenly flickeredbefore changing entirely! On the screen was John dressed in a long, loose white robe. Hello everyone! Did you miss me? At the same moment, every single device around the entire world that was tuned into the broadcast saw the same video. The only difference was the language that came out of Johns mouth. Konichiwa!... Namaste!... Guten Tag!... Inside Mirandas office, she continued to watch the screen with an expression of shock plastered on her face. Did you really think that I died that easily? Well, guess whatI really did die that easily. Yep! Im completely and totally dead. Good riddance, am I right? Anyway, what youre watching now is a pre-recorded message that I made months before my death. Calculating and planning for my exact date of death was a little hard but here we are. If everything went according to plan, you should be seeing this broadcast, just moments after my death. Widening his arms, he continued casually. I originally wanted to broadcast this worldwide three days later, you know? Jesus-style. He gestured at his dress. However, I couldnt secure a broadcast time for three days later so well have to make do with today! Now, lets get to the point. John faked an expression of pondering and folded his arms. Resting his chin on the plan of his right hand, he spoke. You might be thinking, What is the point of making this? It cant be that he simply wanted to talk on world TV, right? If youre thinking this, then you are correct, my friend! The reason Im making this recording is because I have an exciting new game for all of you to play! A game that can be played by anybody, irrespective of age, gender, and class. Whats the name of this game, you ask? Well, its called Find the Bomb before the timer runs out! I kept it simple, you see. Now then, rules of the game. Its pretty self-explanatory, actually. All you good people have to do; is to find the twenty-four terrible, terrible bombs that Ive hidden throughout the world! Oh, I should also mention that the bombs may or may not be nuclear! All of the bombs will exactly do off in SEVEN years from this instant, so everyone, you better start setting your clocks. Clapping his hands, John smiled. I believe that I dont have to tell you what will happen if you fail in finding these bombs. Rest assured, unless all of you good people participate in the search, you will not have any chance at finding them. So you better get off our lazy asses and get to work! I wish you all good luck and godspeed! BANG! Miranda threw the remote towards the large TV in her office causing it to fall and break. Visible fumes could be seen exiting her nostrils as she irately declared. JOHN DOE, YOU SON OF A Her enraged screams were quickly drowned by the sounds of multiple phones ringing at the same time. Suffice to say, Miranda was not in the mood to pick them up and answer them. And that is how the story of a man called John Doe came to an end. ---------- At the same time that Johns Final Act of Malice, as the media called it, broadcasted, the eyes of a small, malnourished youth chained against the walls of a dark, wet dungeon opened his eyes. His sky-blue eyes which twinkled with irresistible charm and intelligence blinked with confusion. Imnot dead? Chapter 4 - Transmigration and Atlas Imnot dead? That certainly didnt seem to be the case. The sharp pain within his throat, the dull ache across his body, the piercing headache upon his temple, all of these factors told John that he wasnt dead. If Im not dead, then where am I? And why does my throat hurt so much? He reflexively reached for his throat only to find his arms immovable. He then lowered his gaze towards his arms and was hit by a wave of astonishment. These are my arms!? Well, seeing as how they were connected to his body, those were certainly his arms. However, to his confusion, John discovered his arms to be too short andslender. Calling it slender would be an understatement. All that he could see were toothpick-like bones and a very thin layer of bruised, pallid skin. There was no mass or muscle. While finding this sudden change strange, Johns gaze quickly fell upon something else. The reason why he was unable to move his arms. Chains!? Quickly lifting his head, John looked at his surroundings. Cold, damp, dark, makeshift bars built out of wooden logs. It is a dungeon. Fu*k! Its a dungeon! He immediately panicked. He panicked to a degree that he hadnt reached even when he was facing death in his previous life. And who could blame him? Can you imagine waking up and finding yourself chained up to some dark basement? Who knows what kind of pervert is running this place? Wait! Thats it! Previous life! I died once and now Im DID I TRANSMIGRATE!?! He screamed at the top of his lungs. In fact, he screamed so loud that he coughed up some blood. No, really. He really did cough up blood. Cough! Cough! Ar-cough-gh! Da-amn it. M-my thr-roat. My throat is very dry. I should avoid straining it until I drink some water. Just as he had decided on that, John heard a weak, feeble voice. Atlas? Are you okay, my son? Is he talking to me? Atlas? Son? Is that mythis bodys name? Since he was severely lacking in information about who he was, where he was, and why he was being chained up in the bottom of someones basement, John decided to do the most rational thing that he could. Assume character and fish for information.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. I-Im fine, father. He weakly replied and for the first time noticed the sound of his voice. Atlas seems to be very young. I see. Hearing your scream, I was afraid that those monsters got to you, my son. Monsters? Is that literal or metaphorical? No, judging from the tone of his voice, fear was his most prominent emotion. Monstershe might mean that literally. This was bad. Possessing a young, weak body, chained up in a dungeon inside a den of monstersthis was the worst possible start to a transmigration journey. God is really not making it easy for me, huh? I-I cant lose you too, son. The voice from the other side began once more. This time, he seemed to be sobbing. A-after watching your mother being dragged away a-and he-hearing her screams a-as t-they feasted on her, I cant bear to relive that once again!! Forgive me, my son! D-due to my incompetence, Ive led our family and our kingdom to this dire situation. I-I BANG! The sudden sound of something being blasted open was heard, abruptly cutting off Atlas fathers repentance. [Grab him!] AAARGHH! NOO!! LET GO!! LET GO OF ME, YOU MONSTERS!!! John heard the heavy footsteps of his capturers, their yell, the subsequent struggle, and the blood-curdling screams of his father. It was frankly a disquieting and wildly uncomfortable experience for the man who had come from the modern era. NO! NO! NO! LET ME GO!! AAARGGHH--! The screams abruptly cut. John heard the loud snap of what he definitely knew to be bone-breaking. The loud snap was soon followed by the sounds of crunching and munching. [Good flesh.] [Very meaty.] Listening to the capturers bone-chilling remarks, he heard their footsteps gradually grow fainter. Unable to hold it in any longer, John hurriedly leaned over to the side and hurled his guts out. His vomit did not contain any substance other than his yellow-colored gastric juice. In the quiet, dark dungeon John continued to audibly vomit. --- After what felt like an hour, but was definitely just a few minutes, of hurling his guts out, John finally calmed down. He took deep breaths to calm himself down and placated his chaotic emotions. That wasunpleasant. Man, those screams reminded me of the time I played Ev*nicle. He tried to make a little joke to lighten his mood. It seemed to work as his mouth struggled to form a smile. Ah, screw this. Lets just put that aside for now and sort the information that I obtained. First things first, I, John Doe, the fifty-nine years old genius politician who earned the title of Bloody Tyrant have now transmigrated into the body of a prepubescent young boy called Atlas [last name still unknown]. How did this happen? I dont know. How will this information help me? I dont know that either. Where is the influx of memories that people usually get after undergoing such a thing? Error 404, file not found. However, since this HAS happened and I get to have a second shot at life, might as well make full use of it. I still dont know where I am, how I ended up in such a situation, or what this world even is. However, if popular media from my previous life is anything to go with, then this is probably a world of magic and other fantastical stuff. I mean, my fathwell, I suppose its late father now, did mention the word monsters and was then subsequently eaten by those monsters a few seconds later. It wouldnt be a stretch to consider this a fantastical world with magic, right? Maybe, Tolkien style? Moving on, Im currently chained within a dungeon inside what is definitely a den of man-eating monsters. Not the start that I wouldve hoped for, but I guess I have no choice but to work with what Ive got. Getting out of this place, alive, is priority number one. On the bright side, my father did mention something about a kingdom. So maybe, its smooth sailing after getting out of here? Hopes and dreams were very important concepts for a confined/imprisoned person to have. Not only did it give them a goal to work towards, but it also filled them with motivation. After arranging the information inside his head, John exhaled a breath of bad air. John Doe is dead. Starting today, my name is Atlas. And my first goal is to get out of this place. He solemnly declared and quietened down. Preferably, alive. He quietly added after some consideration. Chapter 5 - Human, come. Meet Chief Having decided on his short-term goals, Atlas did not waste a single moment and immediately got to work. Every second he spent inside this monster den was a second spent away from the luxuries of his royal, kingdom life. He was also approaching dangerously close to his mental tolerance limits. The damp dungeon, the stale air, the pool of vomit beside himfor a neat-freak like Atlas, this situation was his worst nightmare. Firstly, he properly investigated the condition of his own body. The only asset that he currently had was his own body. No matter how malnourished or sickly it seemed to be. Was this kid even fed as a child? Wow! There is nothing but bones and skin making up this body. To clarify, Atlas was no muscle-obsessed junkie that hit the gym three times a day for dem gains. In fact, he disdained to have large body-builder-like muscles since he found it ungentlemanly and barbaric. He also found it to be a waste considering that he wasnt any fighter or physically active person. He was a politician. The only muscle he needed was his tongue. That being said, its not like he wanted to lose all his muscles either. Walking, running, climbingany physical action required adequate muscles to perform them. And seeing as to how his current body possessed none of the adequate amount of muscles, Atlas found it very worrying. Well, heroically fighting my way out of this place is out of consideration. He jokingly thought. At least, I dont seem to have any major injuries or open wounds. A lot of bad bruises, sure. But nothing that requires immediate action. He then slowly tried moving each and every one of his fingers, toes (to his best ability), tongue, eyelids, facial muscles, etc. Everything seems to be in order. Theres no problem here, Captain! He then lightly pulled on the rusty, metal chains and quickly found their point of origin. Tied to the other end of his chains were two heavy balls of iron. He then exerted force and tried to pull on them, to no avail. Fantastic. Atlas sarcastically remarked. Abandoning that line of thought, he then proceeded to scour his surroundings. Due to the inherent darkness present within the dungeon, Atlas wasnt able to see all that much. However, his captors didnt seem to be entirely heartless as they hung a flame torch just outside his cell. The flickering flame illuminated his cell to some extent whilst casting numerous long shadows. Is it my imagination or has my eyesight improved by a lot? Atlas narrowed his eyes and focused on his surroundings. He found himself adapting better to the low-lit area and was able to make out a greater amount of details in his surroundings. Unfortunately, these details were nothing more than floor cracks, crawling insects, and more filth. Perhaps, the only item worth mentioning was a bone that quietly rotted on the opposite left corner. Great. No conveniently forgotten key, broken link on my chains, or some sort of starter cheat-item that will help me get out of this cell. In other words, he was back to square one. Well, not exactly. All this thinking and doing had awakened the slumbering hunger within his body causing his stomach to grumbleEnjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Atlas was now in square negative one. He was dirty, trapped, and was now hungry as an added bonus. This truly was a very fantastical way to start his fantasy journey. Now I want to personally thank whichever sadist God that placed me in my current situation. Truly, you are the voice of the people. Sighing out aloud, Atlas closed his eyes and curled up his body. With the current hand he was dealt, there was nothing he could do to overcome this situation. All that he could do now was wait and see if fate deals him with new cards. Worst case scenario, his man-eating captors get to him first and he has to work from there. They were capable of speech, so maybe, negotiation is possible. While he told himself this, Atlas inwardly knew how hopeful his words were. Having worked as a politician, he deeply understood that negotiations only occurred when there were benefits to be exchanged. In his current state, what benefits did he possess to exchange? I really hope something completely unexpected happens. Something that can aid me in my escape. Time quietly passed on as Atlas patiently waited. --- Well, Ill be damned. Atlas resentfully thought to himself. Hours had passed and literally nothing, expected or unexpected, had happened. Everything was exactly the same as it had been a few hours ago. The reason Atlas had opened his eyes and had cursed within his mind was because he heard the heavy, familiar footsteps return. Their weighty legs thudded against the damp floor and caused audible sounds alongside vibration. Curling up like a snail, Atlas retreated to the far corner of his cell and held his breath. All he could do now was hide and pray that his captors were not here for him. Click! Right. I never prayed before because it has never once worked. The lock to his cell was opened and the large, wooden bars were shoved aside. With his eyes wide-open, Atlas unflinchingly stared as he watched two, enormous creatures enter his cell. Red eyes, small nose, slightly stooped back, needle-like teeth which extended out of their closed mouths, bulging belly, and rippling muscles. Seeing two creatures possessing the above-mentioned characteristics, Atlas outwardly yelled. Hobgoblins! Or at least, thats what he knew them as, owing to his vast knowledge of novels and video games. [Tiny human hiding. Come out!] [No hiding!] The two creatures simultaneously yelled their respective lines. One of them, who was slightly in front of the other, walked forth and extended its hand to grab Atlas. [Ah!~ Please dont eat me! Ill do anything!] Atlas cowered and cried out. The hand approaching his figure suddenly stopped. The hobgoblin turned around and looked at its partner with confusion plastered on its monstrous face. After staring at its equally confused partner for a while, it then turned around and stared at Atlas once again. [You talk?] Hearing that question, Atlas slightly peered open his eyes and dubiously stared at his captor. Seeing the expression of impatience growing on its green, warty face, he hurriedly replied. [Yes!] The hobgoblin immediately retracted its hands and stepped back. Arriving next to its partner, it spoke with hushed whispers. [This creature human?] [It talk.] [What do now?] [I no know.] Atlas intently listened in on their basic, grammatically-lacking conversation. With his sharp eyes, he quickly noticed something. The way their mouths move does not match the words that theyre talking. Being a polyglot and a master of linguistics, Atlas immediately figured out the answer. For some reason, their speech is being automatically translated inside my head when I hear it! While watching a translated dubbing, the viewer can almost certainly spot the dissonance between the movement of the speakers lips and the word that they are hearing. Atlas was currently experiencing such a thing. However, before he could investigate further on this topic, one of the hobgoblins spoke. [Human, come. Meet chief.] It then stepped forth, fished out a key from within its beast hide pants, and unlocked the restraints on Atlas. Without giving Atlas a moment to rejoice at his release, the two hobgoblins caught either of his hands and raised him into the air. [Wai-Wait! I can walk!] Uncaring of his statement, the two monsters efficiently carried Atlas and brought him to meet their chief. Chapter 6 - Sacrifice Held by his two monster captors, Atlas was towed to meet the Chief of these monsters. His pleas to allow him to walk were completely ignored by his captors. Unable to walk and not wanting to struggle away the final bits of his strength, Atlas let himself be carried. Instead, he used this opportunity to properly study his surroundings and his captors. As they traversed from the dimly-lit dungeon area to a somewhat moderately-lit tunnel, Atlas noticed a few details about his captors that he had initially missed. The two hobgoblin captors had some shapes and lines drawn on their bodies using natural paint. Looking at this, Atlas was reminded of the tribalistic groups which he had seen in his previous life. Could it be that this den of monsters isnt some random congregation of monsters but an actual tribalistic society with proper order and hierarchies? Taking a deep breath, he continued, If that is the case, I might still have a chance to get out of here safely. If the monsters within this den were intelligent enough to set up a functioning idea of society, albeit rudimentary, it would mean that they were advanced enough to engage in trade and negotiations. He might not have anything to offer to them right now. But if the words of his father were anything to be relied upon, then he had a kingdom out there. If it could guarantee his life, Atlas did not mind trading his entire kingdom and everyone within it to these monsters. And whos to say that I must honor my side of the deal. I could always make promises to secure benefits now and completely ignore them later. If he really was a Prince with a kingdom, he could always return with his forces and raze this place to the ground; deals and promises be damned. About these two hobgoblinsif my knowledge regarding tribal societies of my previous world is correct, then these two captors of mine are what they call Honored Warriors. In other words, their identity and reputation within the tribe must be quite high, second only to the Chief and Advisor. This is good news for me. At least, for as long as I am in their hands, I dont have to worry about being eaten by other monsters. Speaking of which Atlas curiously looked around at his vicinity. Apart from the narrowly excavated tunnels with tall ceilings, lit wooden torches placed evenly to illuminate the area, and the occasional bones and blood splotches found on the walls, he hadnt seen a single other monster. Oh, never mind. Speak of the devil. He could faintly hear noises coming up from in front of him. Turning a corner, Atlas was immediately met with another fantasy staple. The lesser evolved cousins of the hobgoblins; a green-skinned creature possessing a small body, disproportionate head, shifty eyes, and sharp chins. A creature that was as vile as it was dumb. It was GAAAWWWBLINSSS!! Upon seeing their mightier cousins approach with a human prisoner in tow, the goblins immediately scurried aside and hid within the shadows cast by the torches. Their beady eyes stared voraciously at Atlas with drool dripping down their half-agape mouths.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. Being stared at by dozens of goblins with gazes of ravenous hunger, Atlas felt widely uncomfortable; an experience that he had seen depicted in popular media many times but was personally experiencing for the first time. Turning his face to stare downwards, Atlas did his best to ignore them. His skin crawled and his stomach churned as he felt violated by those gazes. However, there was nothing that he could do at this point. Closing his eyes, Atlas committed his mind to memorize the routes that they had taken and compiled them into a mental map. With the inhuman calculative prowess of his brain combined with his perfect eidetic memory, doing so was a piece of cake. As he immersed himself into doing this duty, Atlas felt the time slip by and was soon brought to his destination. --- Arriving at a brightly-lit room, the first thing that came into Atlas notice was the strong, pungent smell of herbs. The chaotic mixture of smells assaulted his nose and faintly dizzied him. [Chief! Brought last human did. Human talk.] The hobgoblin captors harshly threw Atlas to the ground. Hitting the floor with a dull thud, the pain from his knees brought Atlas out of his dizziness and allowed him to focus. In front of him, seated in a bone throne was a shadowy figure. He couldnt observe the exact features of the figure, apart from its rough silhouette, due to the heavy mist of incense veiling the room. Breathing in the pungent-smelling incense mist, Atlas was starting to feel light-headed and weak. [Talk?] The figure sitting on the bone throne asked inquisitively. [Yes. Talk.] The hobgoblin captors replied with a nod. One of them then turned towards Atlas and slapped him on the back of his head. [Talk!] The sharp pain at the back of his head returned focus into Atlas eyes. He immediately understood that the incense mist had hallucinogenic properties commonly found in psychedelic drugs. Dammit! Captured, imprisoned, abused, and now drugged? Whats next? Sexual assault? This is shaping up to be the most amazing transmigration start in the history of transmigration starts, Atlas sarcastically intoned. Outwardly, however, he put on the model face of respect and gratuitously spoke. [Yes, Respected Chief, King of All Monsters. I can talk.] No intelligent creature was immune to the wiles of flattery. More importantly, it cost him nothing to flatter the other. Was it effective against the Chief? It was super effective! [King? Me?] The shadowy figure pointed at itself. Bowing with both his hands and forehead touching the ground, Atlas piously spoke. [Indeed, O Mighty One! No one other than your Radiant Self is worthy of this title!] [Ra-di-ent? S-alf?] The shadowy figure disseminated the words in a confused tone. Shit! Looks like I used some big words and accidently confused this guy. Realizing that, he hurriedly corrected himself. [I-it means you are big and strong, Respected Chief.] [Big and strong?] [Yes! There is none bigger and stronger than you, Respected Chief. You are the biggest and strongest of them all!!] Silence descended upon the room. Having rested his head against the floor, Atlas couldnt carelessly lift it to gauge the reactions of the members inside the room. From his angle, he could just barely see the shadowy figure from the corner of his eyes. However, with the latter veiled in mist, Atlas couldnt read his expression. Too much? Too little? Did it work? Atlas nervously wondered. Please tell me that it worked. The silence is killing me! Thankfully, his query did not last very long. [Hahaha! Good Human! You talk well!] The shadowy figure slapped its hands against the armrest of its chair and jovially laughed. YEESSS!! Atlas let out tears of joy after hearing the praise. Things seemed to be finally looking up in his transmigration, fantasy journey. [Before. I want eat you. But now I not eat you.] Excellent. My life is secured for now. The next step would be to convince this creature to let me go. I suppose I could [Now I sacrifice you. Excellent sacrifice. Deity be happy with me!] Atlas felt his heart drop and shatter. Chapter 7 - Encountering a Mysterious Voice Inside a Cave [Wa-wai-wait! Put me down! We can talk about this! PUT ME DOWN!!] Atlas cried and struggled to the best of his ability. Unfortunately, his struggles did not account for much when he was roped to a long wooden totem pole that required four hobgoblins to support its weight. Drums echoed within the cavern, drowning out any semblance of Atlas cries. A mighty fire raged at the center of the room, growing larger by the second as the Chief, a Goblin Shamanas Atlas came to realize belatedlydanced around the pit, waving his bone staff while throwing accelerants into the fire. The massive horde of monsters stood on either side of the pit of fire and enthusiastically danced. In this era where entertainment was hard to come by and lives were short-lived, ritualistic sacrifice was a rare occasion where everyone came together to be merry. It was a time to put down your differences with your fellow monster folk and have a good time. All while watching a live creature being sacrificed to your patron God. Need I say more? [Wait! Wait! Time out! Guys, please! Hey you, dude. Psst! Psst!] Atlas desperately psst-ed towards the nearest hobgoblin and tried his best to draw his attention. The carrier did not so much as twitch his neck hair in response and completely ignored Atlas. Not wanting to give up lightly, Atlas tried his best with the three other carriesto no avail. Moments later, the group arrived and stopped at the edge of the pit of fire. At the moment, the blazing fire had grown so large that it reached all the way up to the 10m high ceiling from the bottom of the pit. Seeing this blazing pit of inferno, the madly cackling Chief who chanted with zeal, and the horde of monsters that danced with utter joy, Atlas had a revelation. Now I get it! I wasnt transmigratedI simply arrived in Hell! With this revelation, his panicking mind came strangely to ease. It was understandable really, after all the things that he had done in his previous world it would be strange if he didnt end up in Hell. Satan really does live up to his name. Giving me the sweet hope of release before casting me into the flames of an inferno. Bravo. Closing his eyes, Atlas ceased his struggles. It was hopeless. There was nothing that he could do at this point. It was better to gently go into the night. On the bright side, I get to die twice. Once by hanging and once by burning. I wonder how many others can boast such a rich and varied experience. That reminds me. I wonder if the good people back home received my message. He suddenly smirked and let out a chuckle. I wonder how their faces will look when they realize that there are no bombs. That the entire game was a hoax from the start. Ah~, the peoples trust in governmental bodies around the world will suffer tremendously. There wont be any war for a good few decades at least. Atlas felt himself being hoisted up and thrown in the next instant. For a second, he felt free and weightless. Like a bird that had been freed from its cage. Sadly, the respite of death lasted for less than a second.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. He was almost immediately dragged down and headed into the pit of the roaring inferno. The cackling chants of a maddened Chief, the fierce drumming of the beast-hide drums, and the laughter of the monstersAtlas heard it all with great clarity. Well, they seem to be enjoying it very much. Cant be too mad at that, I suppose. Darkness claimed him, as John Doe died for a second time. Child. Atlas snapped his eyes open and yelled. Oh, come on! Whats with this blue-balling!? Either just kill me or let me live! Make up your mind, idiot!! Uhmmlet you live, I suppose? A voice hesitantly answered. Whoa! Whos that!?! Atlas abruptly sat up and hurriedly looked around. He found himself to be lying against the rock floor of a dry, empty cavern. Pointy rocks and gravel filled the ground around him while the ceiling had a large open skylight, in the form of a hole, at the far side. Blue moonlight entered the musty cavern through this skylight and illuminated its interiors. Turning his head around to the other side, Atlas instantly discovered the shimmering pond which rested still with nary a single ripple. This discovery promptly brought back the burning sensation within his throat, reminding him of how utterly dry it was. Still, Atlas held back his desire to immediately rush towards the pond of water. Instead, he hoarsely asked. Could I take a sip of that water before we engage in conversation? Youre welcome to do so, child. It is within your right and instinct to do so. An ancient, wizened old voice replied. Having received the mysterious voices approval, Atlas promptly moved. He half-ran and half-crawled his way towards the pond of water and dunked his head into it. Immersing his entire head into the water, Atlas then began to take large gulps of it. He scarcely cared about the water threatening to enter through his nose and instead single-mindedly focused on filling his stomach with water. After doing so for fifteen seconds, he pulled his head out of the water and harshly coughed. Taking a few seconds to calm down, he then parted the wet hair covering his face and patted it down. Facing the bleak moonlight-lit cave, he asked. Are you God? Whatever gave you that impression? asked the voice, curious. Unhesitantly, Atlas answered, Your voice, primarily. Youve got this whole deep and ancient thing going on. I dont know if youre God, but you definitely sound godly. Also the fact that you keep calling me Child. That too gives me the God vibes. I see, the voice seemed to be momentarily surprised. Heaving a heavy sigh, it replied, Well, I will have to disappoint you. Im not God. Oh. Atlas neutrally voiced, unsure how to really reply there. Well, I suppose I must thank you for saving me from that pit of fire. How did you manage to do that, if you dont mind me asking? I dont, the voice generously answered. It was but a simple application of shadow magic. Just as your body was about to fall into the pit of flames, I manipulated the shadows in the surroundings to warp you and transport you to this place. The monsters that live in the mountain den above suspect nothing and still think that you were sacrificed to the Gods. I see. The mysterious voices explanation had answered a lot of questions within Atlas mind. While he wore a calm and pondering expression on the outsideinwardly, he was anything but that. Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! OH MY GOD! I HIT THE JACKPOT!! THIS IS A TRANSMIGRATION INTO A FANTASY WORLD AFTER ALL!! YAAAASSS!!! His face continued to maintain its stoic expression as his hands rubbed his chin. Monsters! Magic! A mysterious old mans voice inside a cave!! Watch out world! The legend of Atlas whatever-my-last-name is about to begin! Heeheeehehehe!~ He stopped rubbing his chin and replaced the stoic expression on his face with a solemn one. Putting his arms by his side, Atlas performed the most perfect bow that he had ever performed in his life, and spoke, May I ask Sir for the name of my savior? The mysterious voice had been watching Atlas calm demeanor and was even immensely surprised by the young boys mental strength. Its expectation of having found a possible successor after hundreds of years of waiting only continued to climb as it witnessed the boys politeness and caution. Hearing his question, the mysterious voice let out a light chuckle and replied, Name? I havent had one in a long time. But titles, I have many. Mortal Realms Brightest born in the Era of the Griffin! The Dark Wizard that Single-Handedly Slew an Army of Ten-Thousand! The Only Magician to achieve DemiGod Rank in recent history! But the title, by which Im known far and wide and the one that I want you to address me by isShadow Monarch! Hearing that awe-inspiring title, Atlas grew absentminded for a second. He then unconsciously muttered. Jinwoo? Chapter 8 - Never Seen Before in History! Who? The mysterious voices baffled reply awoke Atlas from his minds thoughtless meanderings. He then hurriedly performed another bow and explained. Please take no notice of that, Sir! I accidentally referenced a name from a tale that Im familiar with. O-oh, okay. The voice still sounded confused but did not stay on this accidental slipup for long. Coughing twice to regain its regality, it continued, As I was saying, you may refer to me as the Shadow Monarch. Now, let me tell you the reason why I spent my precious reserves of remaining energy and saved you. The voice paused for a moment before continuing with immense authority in its tone. Child! Are you willing to enter the path of a magician? To wield power beyond your wildest imagination? To be looked up to and revered by every denizen of the Mortal Realm!? I AM! Having waited for this question, Atlas puffed up his chest and answered with unparalleled zeal. Inwardly, he was laughing with smugness. Hell yeah, I am! Thats why Im here, after all! This is the proper start to a story! Good! Then stand still and receive my inheritance! The wizened voice proclaimed and shot a beam of saturated light at Atlas. Atlas refused to cower or retreat in the slightest and faced that harmless beam with a straight back, taut shoulders, and puffed-out chest. He still had to close his eyes, though, seeing as to how bright the beam of light was. This--! How is this possible!? The mysterious voice cried out ever so suddenly. Hearing the shock inherent within its voice, Atlas could no longer hold back his smug smile. Smiling unreservedly, he thought to himself. Ah, yes! Be shocked! Be appalled! Witness the mighty talent of a transmigrator! How could you not have any affinity towards any element at all!?! Say what? Atlas snapped his eyes open. He quickly noticed that the beam of light had disappeared from the cavern. Hurriedly looking at the air, he asked. Sir Shadow Monarch! Whats wrong? Why did the beam of light disappear? His question did not receive an immediate answer. Silence continued to linger within the air. S-sir Shadow Monarch, what did you mean by not having any affinity towards any element at all? After a minute of continued silence, the wizened voice released a heavy, tired sigh. Do you really want to know? I have the right to! Alright, then. It is exactly as I said, the old voice limply explained. You do not possess any affinity towards any of the six elements blessing this world. Wha-what!? Atlas visibly staggered back. His face sported the expression of disbelief while his eyes carried the expression of betrayal. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Holding his heaving chest with his hands, he stuttered, Th-that cant be right! This cant happen!! Y-you, check again! Facing the young boys desperate and somewhat disrespectful request, Shadow Monarch heaved another sigh and obeyed. Seeing as to how youre the only, and probably the final person ever to step into this place before I disperse forever, I might as well grant you this request. In all honesty, the mysterious voice also hoped for the result of his talent scrying to be incorrect. After all, how a person without any affinity towards the elements be born in a world filled with magic!?! Thats like giving birth to a child with the inability to breathe air! The very notion of it sounded ridiculous. Inwardly chanting the spell for the magics casting, the Shadow Monarch released another beam of light towards the young boy. This time, it even noticed the young boy face the powerful beam of light with his eyes open. How gallant! Sadly, Atlas actions were to no avail. The final result remained unchanged. The boy possessed zero affinity towards the six elements of the world. In fact, he seemed to have no affinity towards magic itself! With its powerful perception, the Shadow Monarch quickly discovered a detail that it had missed during the previous scrying. The young boys body seemed to passively neutralize the magic present within the surrounding air. This neutralization was so quiet and unnoticeable, that if not for it intently observing the boy and his surroundings, it wouldve definitely missed it! How ridiculous it remarked. Argh, fu*k! My eyes! Atlas cries of pain brought the Shadow Monarch out of its introspection. It saw the boy furiously rub at his eyes, rush towards the pond of water and dunk his head into it. His actions did not demean his image within the Shadow Monarchs heart but instead increased the pity it felt towards the boy. Such a poor child. To be fated to live his life as a magic-less cripple. I pray he has the will to continue living. Heaving a heavy sigh, it called, Child. Pulling his face out of the water, Atlas rapidly blinked his eyes. Feeling the burning pain lessen, he quickly turned around and faced the empty air within the cave with much expectation. The previous result was wrong, right!? Seeing the boys hope-filled face, the thought of lying to him crossed the mind of the Shadow Monarch. No. Giving him false hope is the cruelest thing that anyone could do, given his situation. Im afraid not, my child. It then continued with a slightly hopeful tone. You seem to be fated to walk an untreaded road. It let him down gently. Unfortunately, the careful words of the Shadow Monarch did nothing to lessen the blow Atlas felt to his psyche and his ego. I-I, a noble otherworlder, a talentless, affinity-lacking runt? Th-there mustve been others like me, right? I cant be the first person with this affliction! Theres got to be some sort of remedy to this! Atlas couldnt bring himself to lose all hope or to call it a lack of talent on his part. Instead, he called it an affliction of his body, dumping all blame into the malnourished body of Atlas whatever-his-last-name-was. I fear not, my child. You are the first person that Ive seen, or even heard of really, with this condition. Also The Shadow Monarch paused for a second before continuing. What you have is no affliction that can be cured. Its a condition that seems inherent to you. It is something that youre born with. A part of you and can never be removed. Hearing its explanation was the final blow to Atlas psyche. Losing power in his legs, he collapsed onto the floor. The light within his eyes dimmed and his head slumped to stare at the floor with depression. Seeing him like this, the Shadow Monarch hurriedly mumbled. Do-dont lose hope, child. Why? Are you telling me that I still have a chance? Atlas listlessly asked. Grinding his non-existent teeth, the Shadow Monarch replied after a long time of silence. No It then closed its eyes and thought to itself. The young boy is probably done for. He seems to have lost all hope and interest in living. Hell probably kill himself soon. It then closed its eyes, not wanting to watch a prepubescent boy kill himself. After a few minutes, it heard some shuffling sounds and then a voice. Can you tell me where I am and what exactly IS magic, Sir Shadow Monarch? Atlas stood with a normal expression on his face and a curious gaze within his eyes. No signs of his prior depression were found anywhere on his countenance. Chapter 9 - The World and Magic Shadow Monarch felt baffled at the young boys sudden change and worriedly asked, A-are you okay child? Hearing those words of worry, Atlas answered with a smile. Yeah. Not to lie, but I was very disappointed at the result of your scrying. But then I thought about it for a moment and realized that its not the end of the world! Nothings changed! I have lived my entire life without the ability to do any magic and I shall continue living the same. So instead of clinging onto what I do not have, I might as well focus on what I do have. Also, its not like the inability to do magic is going to severely hinder me from living my life, right? His voice possessed certain confidence and his face possessed a brilliant smile. Shadow Monarch felt tears appear on his non-existent face. To think that such a brave, strong-hearted child was condemned to bear such a curseOh fate, how cruel are you? He inwardly wept in Atlas steed. Never before in his long, eventful life had he come across a person like this young child; a person who was able to view the brighter side of life during its darkest. While Atlas might not have gained the Shadow Monarchs inheritance, he succeeded in winning the old entitys heart. This childI must assist this child somehow! While the Shadow Monarch thought as such and was full of praise for young Atlas heart, the boy in question had a heart brim with complaints. Humanitys Brightest, my ass! Some demigod, you are! You must be blind to identify how obviously special I am! Im a freaking transmigrator for fu*ks sake! How could I be lacking in cheats and/or power-ups!?! Lacking affinity and talentmore like, you cant properly quantify my overflowing talent! That must be it!! My gift must be so awesome and so great that its way beyond your realm of understanding! For a person as vain, petty, and narcissistic as Atlas to be told that he was inferior to the others in any way, shape, or form was something blasphemous and intolerable. He would rather dismiss every single talented person in existence than admit that he himself lacked talent. As such, while the Shadow Monarch considered the young boy to possess a heart of gold, Atlas constantly derided and cursed the old entity for being incompetent and stupid. In reality, the Shadow Monarch had told a white-lie in order to avoid excessively hurting the young boy. The old entity had withheld a simple yet crucial truth from him; the fact that for some godforsaken reason, Atlas body neutralized the magic around him. Being a transmigrator, that is a person originating from a different world, Atlas soul was not attuned to the laws of his current world. This being the case, it was natural for him to be unable to wield or sense any magic. In other words, his special identitythe very fact which filled Atlas with his excessive confidence and pridewas the very reason why he lacked the ability to wield any magic. This would be a truth that Atlas will come to learn much later in his life. Yet, it wouldnt stop him from continuing his fruitless attempts at seeking the mystic path. Soyou want to learn about your place in the world and what magic is, huh? Shadow Monarch asked with a tone that was noticeably softer than the one he used at the start.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. Yes, please. Everything that youre able to share with me. Atlas wore a pious expression on his face and cupped his hands, simultaneously performing a bow. He wasnt sure what gestures were considered polite within this world and so performed everything that he believed would convey his sincerity. Where do I begin The wizened voice pondered longingly. Alright. The world that we live in is called Avaritia. It consists of three different realms, namely the Cosmic Realm, Infernal Realm, and the Mortal Realm. I cant tell you much about the Cosmic and the Infernal Realm for I lack knowledge about them myself. However, I do know that the Three Realms were split apart during the ancient age. Split apart? Why? Atlas curiously intoned. No one knows exactly why. All that remains from those times are stories and legends. The wizened voice pessimistically replied. Drawing a short breath, it then continued, The land that we currently reside in, belongs to the continent of Epirus. For our exact location, it is in the southernmost corner of Epirus, beyond the Copper Hills. It roughly spans across 245,000 sq. km. of area with nearly half of it occupied by the Brooding Dark Forest. Originally, when I came here to set up my inheritance hundreds of years ago, there were no human settlements to speak of. However, seeing that youre here now, I believe that has changed, yes? Oh, yes. Theres even a human kingdom now. Atlas enthusiastically nodded his head and replied with a lie. He then immediately followed that with a question of his own in order to move away from this topic. May I ask Sir, why have you set up your inheritance in such a desolate location? At that question, the Shadow Monarch exhaled a heavy, tangibly disappointed sigh. After staying quiet for a few moments, he slowly spoke, There were two reasons why I set up my inheritance at this place. Firstly, the mana concentration within this land is suited towards my element; Darkness. Mana? Atlas asked. It is the essence of magic. The proverbial fuel to light the flame that is magic. The ancient voice off-handedly explained before continuing with a dismissive tone. The second reason was that I wanted to give the supposed inheritor a real challenge. I wanted to be different from the rest of those old fogies who pass down everything to their students or their families, speaking till here, the voice suddenly became quiet as it muttered, the worst mistake of my life. What was that, Sir? Atlas asked as he was unable to catch the old entitys mutters. Nothing! Anyhow, that should do it in regards to this world. I will now tell you some of the basics of magic. While it pained the Shadow Monarch for being unable to pass down his inheritance to Atlasdue to the latters impotency (in magic)he wanted the young, golden-hearted boy to possess at least a basic understanding of the topic. Humans fear what is unknown. The wizened voice did not want the young lad to fear the wonderful world of magic. Magic is the lifeblood of Avaritia. It has been around since the dawn of time, birthed from the chaos of the worlds creation. Magic is widely split into six schools of study and represented by the Six Central Gods. The name of the Gods and the element that they represent are as follows; Agni - God of Elemental Fire. Voda - Goddess of Elemental Water. Ilma - God of Elemental Wind. Erd - God of Elemental Earth. Aotrom C Goddess of Elemental Light. Tema C God of Elemental Darkness. Apart from these Six Central Gods, there exist the Seven Pillars of the Mortal Pantheon. These are Gods who came into existence much later than the Six Central Gods and are thus weaker than the latter. Their influence in the Mortal Realm, however, is equal if not greater than the Six Central Gods. Their respective churches are also not in conflict with the human powers, unlike the churches of the Six Central Gods. I wont touch too much upon these topics as it is unlikely that youll understand or come across this conflict in your life. It is sufficient for you to know their names and understand that youre not to slight any of the churches or their followers. Trust me; nothing good comes out of doing so. Now, on the matter of wizards Shadow Monarch patiently explained to Atlas about magic, its practitioners, its effects, influence, subsets, etc. Atlas carefully listened to the ancient voices rambles and jotted it down within his memory. Thanks to his perfect eidetic memory, it was a task that took no effort. The conversation continued and the moonlight entering the cavern grew dimmer and dimmer, signifying the arrival of the next day. Chapter 10 - The Desperation of a Hungry Man Scattered rays of sunlight peeked through the dense canopy and fell atop the floor of the forest. The morning sun did little to ward off the dampness and darkness within the forest and only served as a visual reminder to the mark of the day. At the very least, the sunlight served to illuminate the otherwise impossible to navigate paths within the forest. While light did come easy, Atlas couldnt say the same about food. I hate this world. I hate the Shadow Monarch. I hate the monsters that tried to throw me into a pit of fire. I hate the air within this forest. I hate the Trekking listlessly through the forest, Atlas mouth continued to unceasingly flap while muttering out an endless string of complaints. Stupid magic. Stupid transmigration. I was happy in my previous world. I was happy to die. Why did I have to be thrown into this place and left out to suffer His steps had no sense of direction and his eyes did not contain the light of surety. He simply meandered aimlessly after being thrown out by the Shadow Monarch. Well, not exactly thrown out. The wizened, ancient entity was kind enough to answer all of Atlas questions, provide him a water pouch to fill it with water, and even give him a map detailing the location of its inheritance underneath the hill serving as the Monster Den; in hopes that Atlas would share its location with another human, to whom the wizened voice would be able to pass down its inheritance before its passing. The map also highlighted the places to avoid, classifying them as danger zones. Yet, nothing was ever enough for Atlas. He was an insufferable, ungrateful person who would ask for a mile when given an inch and then proceed to ask for the world when given a mile. Having quenched his thirst for water and knowledge, Atlas was struck by his next need Food. It had been more than a day since his souls transfer into the body of the young, malnourished Atlas still-have-no-idea-about-his-last-name, and he had yet to eat. Ravenous hunger was tearing apart at his stomach and was making young Atlas spiteful and filled with resentment. Useless Shadow Monarch! How could you possess waterskins, books, and maps, but not a single grain of food!?! Did you ever think about what your inheritor would eat after arriving at God-knows-where!? What were you thinking when you set this stupid inheritance up, you thick-headed numbskull!! Atlas shrieked out and tore at his hair. Dropping to his knees, he threw the leather knapsack that the Shadow Monarch had graciously provided to the young boy to help him carry his items, and laid prone on the ground. I hate this. I hate every second of this. I just want to dieee!~ Atlas buried his head into the damp ground and cried. Looking at this scene, some might say that Atlas was being disrespectful, whiny, and/or spoiled. To these people, Atlas says Why dont you try getting up your engineered-for-comfort bed, leave your air-conditioned room, get kidnapped out of the blue by a horde of flesh-eating monsters while being in a body of an impoverished twelve/thirteen-year-old, get abused, almost be sacrificed to a never-heard-before patron deity, survive thanks to bullsh*t reasons and luck, be demeaned by the consciousness of an already dead man, listen to an hours-long explanation on a topic that you were explicitly told to have no future in, be given a waterskin and a map, and then thrown into a random spot inside a forest bare feet with no idea on where you are or where you are going. Oh, also, try doing all of the above with an empty stomach. Tried it? No? Then stop judging my reactions. Honestly, Atlas was no soldier or athlete. He wasnt a person that had lived in poverty or struggled for daily bread. He was a man from the modern era who was used to the luxuries and comfort provided by the modern world. Additionally, he was quite rich too. Asking a rich, modern man used to having a hardship-free life to trek through a forest filled with numerous unknowns and thorns, all with an empty stomach was honestly too much.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. The reaction that Atlas was having was the honest reaction that most people from the civilized world would have, given the situation. If you say otherwise, then youre either definitely a liar, or a person suffering from some sort of psychological issue. As he wallowed in his tears and the muddy ground, Atlas'' ears suddenly perked as he heard a sound. Waterfalls? WATERFALLS!! His tired body instantly regained its motivation. Jumping up to his feet, Atlas grabbed the knapsack which he had flung to the side and rushed in the direction that his ears were pointing at. His bare feet pricked and stumbled against the forest floor accumulating bruises and injuries. Alas, Atlas was far too excited at a possible oasis to mind such matters. Waterfalls! Waterfalls mean rivers! River equals fish! Fish equals food!! I CAN FINALLY EAT!! One must never underestimate two things in life; a rabbit backed against the wall with no way out, and a man suffering from an empty stomach with nothing to lose. Underestimate either of the two, and you WILL end up facing a loss. Traversing the bramble-filled path filled with twists and turns and hindrances, Atlas arrived at the scene of the waterfall in record time. It was glorious. The waterfall, I mean. Not the record. Stopping at the edge of the forest line, Atlas looked at the scene of surging waters with awe. It almost seemed like a crack had formed in the heavens and water was surging from within. A curtain of thundering white covered a three-hundred-meter expanse and fell with vicious rage, the sound of which filled Atlas with dangerous awe and dread. Words failed to accurately explain the feeling one would have upon catching sight of a waterfall. It was an experience that could only be described asindescribable. From the base of the waterfall that was at least half a kilometer away from Lucius, a mighty river stemmed. Unlike its thunderous progenitor, the river itself was quite mellow and quiet-flowing. Its body was crystal clear, allowing Atlas to peer at its depths. Not too deep. I can step into this river. Atlas inwardly estimated. He then recalled his memory of the map provided by the Shadow Monarch and cross-referenced it with his current location. Atlas was no stranger at reading maps and thus had no problems doing so. His previous complaints were simply spoken with spite. There is no waterfall or river detailed in the map. There is, however, a massive lake some dozen kilometers the other way. I suppose this waterfall and river were formed as a result of that lake flooding. The hows and whys of this rivers formation were of no importance to Atlas. He was only here to eat. FISH!! And sighted did he, the future resident of his stomach. Throwing the leather knapsack by the riverside bank, Atlas rolled up his largely torn pants and stepped into the river. Oooh!~ Cold. Very cold! But the desperate seekings of a hungry man wouldnt be thwarted by mere chillness. Even if said chillness was bone-deep. Ow!~ Ow!~ Argh!~ Ow!~ Breathing through his teeth and bearing the assault of coldness upon his legs, Atlas soon waded his way to the center of the river. While the waterfall did spawn a massive river, the one that Atlas was nearest to was a small portion of the larger whole, also called a rivulet. This rivulet was only a couple meters wide and knee-length deep. Nonetheless, it did contain enough fish to feed one man, and that was all that Atlas asked for. Standing with his legs wide apart and his arms ready for action, Atlas waited for an unfortunate member of the aquatic to wander into his grasp. Shaping his fingers akin to an eagles talon, Atlas waitedand waited... and waited He kept waitingfor fifteen minutes. DAMN IT!~ EVEN A MERE FISH DARES TO DISRESPECT ME NOW! Why dont you obediently swim your way into my hands!?! Atlas yelled towards the sky, his eyes turning red from starvation. He then looked towards the closest gathering of fish, a few feet away. He had been intently observing this very same group of fish and had been waiting for them to enter his range. Unfortunately for him, they never once entered his range and were content with swimming around him, teasing him endlessly in the process. Unable to hold back his rage any longer, Atlas finally descended into madness as he saw, hallucinated in reality, the school of fish taunt him with smug smiles on their faces. Roaring out a warriors yell, Atlas leapt towards the group staking everything into this one action. His body soared through the air and covered the distance while the fish remained motionless, shocked at his sudden actions. Hehe! Come to papa!~ he deliriously thought. Halfway through his flight, however, Atlas felt his body suddenly drop in altitude. He was falling. Wha-what!? How!?! He had forgotten to account for the numbing in his legs after standing in ice-cold water for fifteen minutes. His numbed legs, unfortunately, did not deliver him with enough power to complete the jump. Splashing into the water mid-way through his jump, Atlas hit his head against a blunt rock. An immense sense of pain followed by intense dizziness assaulted his mind. Darkness then claimed him. Atlas lost his consciousness for the fourth time in the span of forty-eight hours. It seemed that the generic transmigration experience which many boys and girls dream of was simply unsuitable for him. Chapter 11 - Prophecy (1/2) Land of Gods. Gathering of the Pantheon. Tapping away impatiently on his gilded armrest, Los looked around at the empty seats of the round table and huffed, Calling forth a gathering yet none are present? Is it not already past the assigned time!? What has ruffled your feathers, Los? You seem more pettish than usual. A voice that sounded like a skylark lightly laughed, following which a woman robed with white-gold chiffon entered the room. What have you called me for, woman!? Los immediately barked upon her entry. His pure-white eyes shone with a threatening red. Seeing Los combative stance, the woman helplessly raised her hands and softly replied. I did not call anyone for any gathering, she sat upon one of the gilded thrones around the round table and continued, Conversely, I too received an invite for the gathering. Her passive answer seemed to barely placate Los smoldering impatience, as he leaned back onto his seat with a huff. Crossing his arms across his chest, he then closed his eyes. My, my, arent you going to greet me, Los? the woman sang with a feathery voice and leaned forward onto the table. Her abundant breasts spilled forth and pressed against the opulent table, creating a deep, dangerous valley. Hearing her words, the creases on Los forehead increased as he spitefully spat out, Dont you dare try to use your charm on me, Ampherea! I shall not react kindly! Humph! Ampherea retreated into her seat and crossed her arms with a pout. Youll never make any friends with that attitude, Los! I dont need any friends, woman! Los rebutted. Oh? A radiant and carefree smile appeared on Amphereas face as she asked, Perhaps. A partner then? YouC! Los almost jumped up from being incensed, when a cold voice interrupted his eruption. Could you two lovebirds continue this some other time? We have important things to discuss today. A tall woman, wearing a full-cover golden mask entered the room. Her slender body was draped in the finest tapestries and accessories one could imagine. She radiated an oppressive pressure of wealth and dignity. Seeing this woman enter, Los and Ampherea rose from their seats and performed a cursory bow. Caifu. They greeted each other in unison. God of Craft. Goddess of Love. Caifu, the Goddess of Wealth, greeted her colleagues in response. The three Gods then took their respective seats. After spending a few seconds to properly settle, Los, The God of Craft, took the initiative. Why have you called us here today? he curtly asked, impatience and arrogance apparent in his tone. Caifu took no offense at his tone for she knew that this colleague of hers did not mean it. Los, being the God of Craft, was known to be brusque and impatient. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. Resting her elbows on the table before her, Caifu locked her fingers together and rested her chin atop it. Leaning forward, she spoke, The Sea of Antiquity vanished. Her words were cryptic and quite nonsensical from a certain perspective. However, to these two Gods whose knowledge matched their divine status, the meaning in her sentence was apparent. For the Sea of Antiquity had a lesser-known name; Ausars Tears. A grim expression immediately appeared on Los stoic face, while Ampherea covered her agape mouth and faced forward with widened eyes. The two Gods took a few moments to process this shocking information. Gulping a few times, Los quietly and cautiously asked, ...is it time forC The prophecy, Caifu finished his sentence. The wheels of change have already begun their motion. There is nothing for us to do other than watch on and support our Chosen Champions. Do the others know? the Goddess of Love timidly asked, to which Caifu nodded her head. Even the Six Old Ones? Ampherea continued. They have already chosen their Champions and staked their bets. Im afraid that we have already been beaten to the start, Caifu replied, grimly. How do our odds look? Los asked. Not good, the Goddess of Wealth leaned back on her gilded throne and continued, The seeds within the Cosmic Realm and the Infernal Realm that are of any real worth, have already been snatched up by those old senile recluses. Investing there will only draw you their ire while returning pittance. Taking a deep breath to pause, she then continued. I was personally thinking of staking my bets in the Mortal Realm. Heavens! The Goddess of Love jerked within her seat. All of it? Caifu nodded her head which only served to increase the shock within the Goddess of Loves face. Hurriedly rising from her seat, she protested, You must not!! The Mortal Realm, while full of promise, cannot match the two other Realms in power! Were you to lose, you willyou will Tears appeared within the Goddess of Loves eyes. Her hands fiercely trembled and her lips stuttered. Eternally disappear. Caifu completed the timid Goddess sentence with a bitter smile. If I were to lose this bet, I will face a True Death and eternally disappear from this world. However, the Goddess of Wealth tightly clenched her gloved hands; determination apparent within her tone, I would rather face a True Death than beg those old recluses for scraps. Bu-butC! Ampherea tried to argue but was instantly silenced by Caifu. Ampherea. She called out the Goddess name with a serious tone. Are you satisfied with living like this? Hiding within the walls of our Pantheon, watching our every move and action in order to avoid slighting those fogies. Do you not yearn for freedom? Have you forgotten the reason why you ascended into Godhood!? The Goddess of Wealth, Prosperity, and Businesses exclamation silenced the tearful sobs of the Goddess of Love. Even Los, who had watched quietly from the sidelines, was shaken by this display. I know the risks! I understand what my actions entail! But Im willing to stake my all on it! I would rather be buried seeking my freedom than remain another day in the servitude of another! Caifu impassionately declared. She then looked at her closest colleagues and asked with a demanding tone, Would you? The two Gods did not immediately reply. Los hung his head down and stared at his quivering fists while Ampeherea sobbed quietly. Ill leave it to the two of you to decide. No matter your choices, I will not judge you. I will not be changing my mind either. She then stormed out of the room. Walking through white-marble corridors dressed with crystal chandeliers, priceless art pieces, artefacts, and statuettes, Caifu lowered her head and stared at the crystal orb within her hand. Staring at the holographic map of the Mortal Realm, she hesitantly looked at the five points of light that shone within. The points of light were greatly scattered and were located within different kingdoms and emirates that lay sprawled throughout the Mortal Realm. Am I doing the right thing? She questioned herself. What a cruel game Sighing with resignation, Ciafu pocketed the crystal orb and disappeared. Chapter 12 - Prophecy (2/2) Land of Gods. Divine Domain of Voda, Goddess of Water. A woman with pale-blue eyes reminiscent of the stormy seas sat in front of a water mirror. The mirror reflected a birds-eye view of a ship outfitted with purple sails and flying a black flag with a certain symbol embossed on it. The ship sailed through stormy seas, its men fighting against the hurricanes and sea monsters that threatened their downfall. The eyes of the Goddess stared unerringly at the man helming the vessel. His porcelain face, weathered under the salts and hardships of the seas, faced the challenges before it with a determined expression. Is that your Champion? A voice as light and airy as the wind peeked behind the Goddess ears and curiously asked. Turning her head, Voda came face-to-face with her inquirer and replied, Indeed. Strong build. Good magic too. Good choice. The voice of the wind praised her friends selection. Is he a descendent of one of your ancient sea clans? The blood of the Fallen Emperor flows through him, albeit thinly. Voda nodded. Ah. That explains his calmness while facing the sea. Good seed. After looking in the mirror for a few more seconds, Voda, the Goddess of Elemental Water, waved her hand and disappeared the screen. She then turned around and faced her old friend. What brings you to my domain, Ilma? she asked. Nothing but my desire to check up on an old friend, the air chuckled in response. Say, have you finished selecting your Champions? Not all of them, Voda stoically replied, Ive yet to choose two more. Anyone particular catch your eyes? Ilma, Goddess of Elemental Wind asked to which her friend answered, None exceptional. I have my eyes on a few pawns but Ive yet to make my selection. She then stared coldly at her friend and inquired once again, Youve yet to answer my query, Ilma. What brings you to MY domain? The air within the room started to get heavy. The faint smell of salt and the seas appeared within as a faint illusion of the endless ocean flickered behind Voda. This was the nature of water; soft and tamable at times, hard and absolute at others. At one moment they are approachable and friendly while in a blink of an eye they become combative and hostile. Seeing her dear friends reaction, Ilma simply chuckled and spoke her motives. I came here to profess a trade? A trade? For what? Voda asked, turning docile once again. For a Champion of yours. Ilma pointed at the Goddess of Water and declared. Hearing her request, the brows upon the Goddess face furrowed. However, she managed to retain her calmness this time around and asked, What are you willing to offer?This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Of course, a Champion can only be traded in kind, Ilma bartered. Or if you so wish, Im willing to trade away my two remaining chances. She snapped her fingers, prompting the arrival of two dots of light near her hands. The two dots of light shone with a unique glow like the stars. A milky radiance leaked from their bodies festering a unique, radiant presence. Seeing her dear friends eyes drawn to the two dots of light, Ilma advised, You should know that investing multiple chances on a single Champion will increase their blessings and fortune. It will also increase my stake, thereby heightening the risks, Voda corrected her friend. I want to see your Champions. The Goddess demanded. Shaking her head, Ilma snapped her fingers once more and made the two dots of light disappear. She then lightly clapped her airy hands, prompting a screen to appear in the air before her. The screen was split into multiple smaller screens, each of which showed a different image. At first glance, there shouldve been at least two dozen smaller screens within that one large screen. Voda carefully eyed the smaller images and felt the information pertaining to those Champions enter her head. Of course, the information was brief and did not go into detail about the Champions and their histories. After studying the screens for a while, Voda pointed towards a certain image and said, I want that one. I havent even told which Champion Im requesting you, Ilma helplessly voiced. No need, The Goddess of Water lightly declared and made a screen of her own, appear. The screen showed the image of a young, bare-chested teen thrusting his spear at a boulder nearly fifty times his size. Ilma immediately flashed a breezy smile at this image and said, You truly know me the best, Voda. Its a deal. The two Goddesses extended their respective hands and shook each other. Instantly, a transcendent energy exchanged through their hands, completing the deal. The screens before Voda and Ilma interchanged their spots and the Champions now answered to their new patrons. Disengaging their handshake, the two Goddesses looked at each other. Any news regarding the Pantheon? Voda asked her friend who was more social than her. The Lesser Ones have caught wind of the news. Unfortunately, they were too late. Ilma shook her head with pity. All noteworthy individuals within the Cosmic and Infernal Realms have been snatched up by us. That brute Agni even went as far as threatening the poor fellows to keep their claims off the two Realms. In short, only the Mortal Realm is available for their selection. The Goddess of Elemental Wind concluded. Hearing the news, Voda nodded her head and asked, I remember hearing something about some new toys within the Mortal Realm. Do you know anything about that? Oh! The toys, yes! Ilma clapped her hands. I remember my servants within the Mortal Realm making a fuss about it too. Curious, I took a peek at them through a vessel. How are they? Voda asked, suddenly impatient. Marvelous. They dont work together with our magic but for something borne out of the humans, they are simply fascinating, Ilma spoke with honest appreciation. Sadly, her tone suddenly dropped, they are but toys. They might work wonders amongst the humans but against our children of the Cosmic and Infernal Realm, they are simply trinkets. Voda simply nodded her head at her friends conjecture. The Mortal Realm, home to the weak humans, held no interest in the eyes of the Six Council Gods. It was disregarded as the battlefield where the two Higher Realms; Cosmic and Infernal, will compete for an eventual victor. The weak humans werent as strong-bodied, long-living, or magically-attuned as their children from the Higher Realms. In fact, they were weaker and lesser than their children in all areas and aspects; not worthy to even serve as their slaves. Humankind from the beginning was doomed to serve as cannon fodder for the conflict of the two Higher Realms. Their Champions, while exalted amongst their kin, were but dirt for the Champions of the two Higher Realms to step on. The very notion of a human Champion besting his superiors and coming out on top of the contest was deemed a hilarious joke by the Six Council Gods. It had never happened before and it will never happen in the future. History deemed it so. How unfortunate, for the ensuing contest was nothing like the ones in history. It would be a contest different enough to shock the Higher Realms and startle the Elder Gods. Chapter 13 - Chosen by the Gods Cosmic Realm Main Manor of the House of Hestia. Congratulations, Lord Marcus. With this change in fortune, the rise of the House of Hestia is a matter of course. A mustached middle-aged man wearing fine noble clothing leaned forward and presented an elaborately-decorated long box to his counterpart. Please accept this gift from the Silia Clan. Many thanks, Sir Ambassador, A handsome-faced man in his mid-thirties returned the bow and accepted the present. Flashing a reserved smile, he said, It is my familys fortune to give birth to a daughter and of hers to be chosen as a Champion by the Gods. Looking down, he saw the subject in question; a young girl, eleven or twelve years of age, with a headful of fine abyssal-black hair, was clutching onto his robes and hiding behind his back. Seeing his daughter, his pride, the Champion of the Gods who would lead the House of Hestia in its rise, a warm smile filled the handsome hosts face. Gently lowering his freed hand, he slowly patted her head. Feeling her fathers warm touch, the shy little girl showed a simple smile on her face. Her eyes closed and her head lowered, relishing the feeling of warmth. Her hands tightly clutching her fathers robes, loosened. To tell the truth, she had been feeling quite alien and scared in recent days. Ever since that day when a voice spoke to her in a dream and a ray of light descended upon her body in the middle of the night, the little girl had been subject to numerous new experiences. Her father, whom she previously only met once every week, was always beside her. Strange uncles and aunties arrived from distant lands and showered her with gifts and praise. The servants had suddenly dropped their indifferent attitudes and answered to her every want and need. All because a strange voice has told her these words within a dream; You are the Chosen Champion of Aotrom. Do nothing but prevail in the Contest. The young girl had no idea who spoke those words or even of what half the words meant. Nonetheless, she was glad that it had happened. Looking at the shy girls face of happiness, the Ambassador of Silia and the many others who stood behind him sported warm expressions themselves. This smile, however, did not reach their eyes. More importantly, it did not lessen the envy inside their heart. That will be all, yes? Sir Ambassador of Silia Clan? their host, Marcus de Hestia, patriarch of the House of Hestia and the father of Chosen Champion, coldly asked. Taking the hint present within his tone, the middle-aged Ambassador quickly nodded his head. Of course, Lord Marcus. I was simply enthralled by the young Champions presence. He performed a perfunctory bow and retreated. Just before he fully left, however, he said his final lines. I do hope you consider our proposal with greater interest. The benefits it represents will help both our sides. I shall consider your Clans marriage proposal to my daughter with just as much interest as I would do with the rest. Do not fret too much and simply enjoy the banquet, Sir Ambassador, Marcus politely replied. His answer earned a forced smile from the Ambassador of Silia and approving nods from the rest of the ambassadors waiting in line for their turn to greet the Champion. The incident quickly passed and the procession continued. Food was endlessly served and music was endlessly played. More ambassadors continued to arrive at the Main Manor of the Hestia Family to greet the young prodigy and participate in the banquet, bearing gifts and veiled threats. It was a calamitous yet opportune time for the noble House of Hestia which was on the verge of falling from grace. Were they to grasp this opportunity, they would have the honor of leading the new millennium at the very front. If they were to fail, however, they would simply become another group of fools that grasped at what they could not possess.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. --- Within the same grounds, inside a closed training ground far away from the sounds of the banquet halls, another young girl, fifteen or so years in age, smacked at a metal training dummy with a blunted iron sword. Her body was clad in a white training uniform and her abyssal-black hair was tied into a ponytail. Her stoic face, which closely resembled the young Champions own, was set with determination and beaded with sweat. Blood dripped from the young girls hands as she tightly dripped the iron sword and smacked away at the metal dummy. Her undeveloped chest rose and fell with exhaustion, yet her movements showed no signs of resting. Minerva. A firm voice called out to her, yet was unheard of by the girl. Minvera. The firm voice repeated, this time introducing power into its tone. Still, the young girl failed to notice it as she single-mindedly focused on reducing the metal dummy into a pile of scrap. Lunging forward for another strike, the young girl was just about to land another powerful blow when she felt strength draining from her legs. Losing her balance, she crashed onto the floor with her blunted sword flying from her hands. The sword continued to fly through the air before it was caught by a tanned, muscular hand. Working yourself to death isnt going to earn you a Blessing. Minerva saw a strong pair of feet covered in leather boots arrive before her. Her lowered head did not possess the strength to lift itself and identify the owner, however, she did not need to do so. For the man who firmly chided her was her master. Why wasnt it me? Minerva spoke while listless staring at the ground. Why was my sister chosen, but not me? What did I fail to do? Have I not trained my magic since before I could walk? Have I not held the sword and trained in its ways, not missing a single days practice since I was seven? Have I not been faithful to the Gods or filial to my family? What have I not done that has failed me to earn my qualifications, master? The girl asked, withholding her tears. Exhaling a heavy sigh, her master gently kneeled before the young girl and enveloped her inside a warm hug. Patting the heartbroken girls head gently, he spoke. You have done everything that you can, child. It is the Gods that are fickle and cruel. His warm words and enveloping hug finally seemed to break the young girls fragile resistance. Tears fell from her eyes continuously as she cried. Her master, a man who had known more war than peace in his life, did not know how to comfort the heartbroken girl. And even if he did, he wasnt sure that it would help her. Cry, child. Cry your heart out and your eyes dry. Minerva tightly hugged the man and bawled. He, a stranger, was more family to her than her real family ever was; he had provided her with the strictness of her absent father and the love of her deceased mother. After crying her heart out for nearly an hour, young Minerva finally raised her head. Meeting her masters warm, earth-brown eyes, she asked. What should I do now, master? This had been the question that had been haunting her for the past week. With her younger sister rising to the rank of a Chosen Champion, Minerva, the firstborn and previous heir candidate of the House of Hestia, was automatically ousted from the line of succession; the very thing that she had been desperately working towards. She no longer had any place or status amongst her expansive family. She could stay and continue her training, yeshowever, she would no longer receive assistance or funding from her family to aid her growth. Not because the family did not want to do so, but because it could not do so. The House of Hestia was poor and on its last legs. Cultivating one Champion with the assistance of its alliance was tough enough, but to cultivate another descendant, one who no longer served any purpose within the family It was a simple question of profit and loss. And even IF, by some herculean leap in logic, the young successor managed to gain the familys assistance to cultivate, what would she be doing it for? At best she would become her Champion sisters retainer. At worst, a glorified maid to be sold off as someones concubine. You know the answer to that question, child. Her master gently answered, his words sending tremors down her body. Indeed, like always her master had once again been right. She DID know the answer to her questions. I will run away. Minerva quietly yet firmly declared. Hearing his beloved and only students resolute tone, he sighed once again and spoke, The Cosmic Realm is vast. You might not have earned Gods Grace, but even They cannot deny you of your opportunities. Explore the world, child. Seek yourself the opportunities that will allow you to control your fate. B-but, my family the young girl timidly asked. Running away to grow on her own was no different from deserting her blood and kin. It was a crime that would not be lightly looked at. I will buy you time. Her master resolutely answered. I will buy you all the time you need. So run, child. Run as far away as you can. Rising to his feet, he towered over the young girl and coldly declared, his voice brim with violence. Do not stop and do not return. Not unless your family throws themselves at your feet and begs you to. Chapter 14 - New Servant Acquired Mortal Realm Fringes of the Brooding Dark Forest With practiced ease, Atlas snapped open his eyes. Turbidity gave way to clarity which was soon replaced by the light of intelligence. Staring directly at the poorly constructed wooden excuse of a ceiling, Atlas thought to himself. I cant breathe. It was not a matter of NOT being able to, but a matter of ease. Atlas could not breathe with his usual ease. Moving his gaze away from the ceiling, he set out to find the source of his discomfort. His line of sight quickly landed on the space above his chest and discovered the source. An egg-shaped head, large, bulbous ears, and excessively fatty skin that seeped with oil. It seemed that an enormous pig was resting its head atop his chest, weighing heavily on the malnourished boy. Hafufufurest easy, my liegeI shallprotect you, the pig muttered in its sleep. Oh, its a person, Atlas belatedly corrected himself. Still, he wasnt exactly wrong in his assumption either. This person resembled a pig more than an actual human. Oh well, human or beast, the matter of his discomfort remained to be solved. Fortunately, Atlas wasnt one to discriminate. He simply disliked everyone equally. Raising his freed right hand which surprisingly wasnt chained or bound, Atlas tapped on the piggish mans bald head. Hello? Wake up, humpty dumpty. Im being crushed under your weight here. The natural oils produced from the mans walrus-like skin were unnaturally viscous and sticky. Atlas had to suppress his disgust and wipe his hands against the white sheets of his bed. Fortunately, his adhesive endeavor wasnt without results as the man showed signs of awakening. W-ho? M-me?... Of course, its you! MOVE ASIDE, MAN!! As the final bits of air left his lungs, Atlas lost his patience and slapped the mans head alongside a scream. The actions bore results as the man jerked up with a sudden startle causing the wooden stool he was sitting on to give way. Losing his seat, the man fell to the ground. Ouch! A man gave out a pained cry as he rubbed his bum. Atlas could not care in the least about the mans pains as he was busily relieving the pain upon his chest. However, a coughing fit followed by long, deep breaths seemed to do the trick as the pain lessened and his breathing eased. Having recovered his right to breathe air after a long last, he turned his gaze towards the man fallen by his bedside. And who are you? he asked. Hearing Atlas voice drew the portly mans attention to the youth. His large eyes, which once again reminded Atlas of eggs for some reason, widened to the size of actual eggs and were filled with astonishment. Yo-youC! The man suddenly moved with speeds unexpected of his portly body and crashed onto Atlas. Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Feeling for the first time what being stuck by a boulder feels like, the air within Atlas lungs was forced out once again. Before the young protagonist could mount a resistance he was restrained by the mans bear-like hug. MY LIEGE!! You have finally awoken!! The man cried. And it was not any simple cry, nothe man full-out bawled while entrapping Atlas with the tightest hug that the latter had ever had the pleasure of knowing. So this is how I die. Not by the wiles of a worthy foe, but by the hands of a hog-shaped human. Atlas thought to himself in resignation. Feeling the final remnants of air leave his lungs, Atlas was claimed by darkness. Again. This is getting old now. --- My liege! I pray that you can forgive your clumsy servant! I-I did not intend to asphyxiate you! The portly man with an egg-shaped egg kneeled beside Atlas bedside and profusely apologized. His face shimmered against the dim light of the rooms oil lantern, owing to a mixture of sweat and oil. His eyelids were half-closed and his pupils were shifty, however, with his experience in dealing with people Atlas knew that apologies were sincere in nature. If anything, the man seemed to be profoundly used to apologizing. You have yet to answer my question. Who are you? Atlas asked, his throat dry and hoarse. As for the matter of the accidental asphyxiation, it is best that some matters be left alone. Perhaps, sensing the subtlety behind his lieges words, the portly man quickly stopped apologizing and answered his demands. It is natural that my liege does not know about this lowly one. After all, we have not directly met and have only sighted each other from a distance a few times. Kneeling with only one of his knees, the portly man put his right fist against his left breast and answered. This one is surnamed Helm. Georg Helm is my full name, my liege. Im a lowly Baron of the illustrious Constantine kingdom and a retainer of your father. He then hung his head in subservience. I see Atlas rubbed his bandaged chin with his right hand. So, thats the name of my kingdom; Constantine. Atlas Constantine does have a nice ring to it. Atlas nodded his head with satisfaction. It sure did have a grander, more majestic sound to it when compared to his previous name. How did you find me, Baron Helm? About that, my liege, the Barons eyes shifted with increased intensity while his lips stuttered. Seeing the mans hesitance, Atlas regally demanded. Spare me no details, Baron Helm. Rest assured, Atlas had no qualms or difficulties assuming his new position. In fact, he greatly enjoyed his station. Ye-yes, my liege! The Baron hurriedly complied and quickly spat out the truth. A truth that made Atlas regret his question. A few men of mine foraging in an area beside a small stream found your nude highness escorted by schools of fish. They were greatly surprised to see a young child be nibbled at by dozens of fish, while a particular eel crawled underneath your legs and tried toC Stop it! STOP SPEAKING!! Atlas screamed out loud. Alas, the words had already been spoken and the image had formed inside his head. Owing to his special condition, Atlas was cursed to remember this memory forever. (AN: Some context required here; Atlas has a mental condition called hyperthymesia. It is a mental abilityCor disability however you call itCto accurately recall and never forget their memories. This is one of many mental abilities/disabilities that Atlas possesses.) Yes, my liege! Baron Helm loyally yelled out and promptly shut his mouth. This was the reason he had hesitated answering his liege. The truth was simply, too embarrassing. Baron Helm still recalled the raucous laughter of his men who had safely recovered the young highness and told him the tale. Much to his chagrin, the Baron himself also found the entire situation, ludicrous and funny. Fortunately, none other than me knew His Highness, the Princes true identity. As long as I carry this secret to my grave, none will be wiser about my lieges loss of honor. Baron Georg Helm, while clumsy and incompetent was a fiercely loyal man. Nothing happened, do you understand? Baron Helm? Atlas warned with a low tone. I have no idea what youre talking about, my liege, the servant faithfully played his part in this farce. Satisfied at his servants mortal wisdom, Atlas nodded his head. He then remained quiet for a few moments before proceeding to open his mouth. I suppose you have some questions for me, Baron Helm? Particularly about how I arrived and where my father and the rest of my family are? Indeed. The Baron had been waiting to ask the young prince the same question. Could you enlighten me, my liege? Chapter 15 - Manipulation Taking a deep breath, Atlas averted his eyes and showed a pained look on his face. His lips opened and closed multiple times producing low sounds. Yet, not a single proper word came out. He looked to be in pain. Seeing his reaction, Baron Helm immediately felt a dark feeling seize his heart. Tears brimmed up to his eyes. N-no, it-it cant be!! Casting a saddened glance at his new servant, Atlas quietly answered, Im afraid its true. My parents have died. The large-bodied Baron felt power drain from his limbs. His kneeled knee fell to the ground while his shoulders slumped to his front. A part of the man always knew the truth. He knew it from the second the Royal Family and their retinue failed to arrive at this reclusive town, a week ago. However, being the soft-hearted, dedicated man that he was, the Baron could never come to listen to the voice of reason within his heart. He would rather blind himself to the obvious than face the truth with his own eyes. But! Hearing the truth from the mouth of the Prince, the only son of his late master and mistress, the Baron could not run from it any longer. Ma-may I as-ask, the man paused for a moment before continuing with a hoarse voice, May I be so audacious as to ask what happened, my liege? His dark eyes held a final flicker of hope as he stared at the young, bed-ridden prince. I-I remember it as clear as day, receiving his cue, Atlas began his performance. I was sitting in the main carriage with my Royal mother and father. Mother held me as she always did, her warm fingers twirling my hair. The Divine had blessed John with many things at his birth. A rich family, handsome looks, a great mentorhowever, the deadliest amongst all his numerous gifts were his brilliant mind and glib tongue. Father, his face as set and stern as ever, watched us with a faint smile. He tried to mask it but I could see that he was secretly feeling happy at our actions. Atlas effortlessly lied. It was natural to him and more importantly, he was good at it. Disgustingly good at it. It happened after we had stopped the carriages to break for lunch. Ever-everything happened so fast that it still feels surreal to me! He grabbed his bandaged head with both hands and showed the textbook recreation of anguish. The pain within his eyes and the tremor within his voice felt too real to be faked. They came, the young prince heavily spat out. Our guards did not stand a chance. Like the wind, it was instant. One moment they were complete men and in the next, they were headless corpses. Tears dripped down the boys eyes, tracing the crevices on his fingers, and staining the white sheet below. The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. Father tried to fight back, but they claimed him. Mother left the carriage to save him, they claimed her too. IConly I, a coward who hid within the secret carriage compartment, survived. I-I HATE MYC! Atlas woeful scream was interrupted by the large-bodied, warm-hearted man who enveloped the young prince in another hug. No! Please do not blame yourself, my liege. It is by divine providence that you managed to survive! Enveloping the sobbing boy into a closer, gentler hug, he continued, To live after watching your parents beCpass on takes more courage than what I or any brave soldier in your fathers army possesses. You have done nothing wrong. The gentle giant then quietened and allowed the young prince to wrap his hands around his chubby body. The princes arms could not even cover a fourth of the large Baron yet it meant the same. Feeling the young boys trembling gradually decrease, the Baron reminded himself, I must not break down! My benevolent king has passed on, but I cant let that break me. I must remain unbroken, not for me but the prince. For who will this young boy have to rely upon, if not an elder like me? Patting the young boys back, Baron Helm faced the sky beyond the shoddy wooden ceiling and prayed. I thank the Almighties up above for allowing our prince to return to sanctuary. He then bowed down and softly vowed, I vow to protect the prince and serve him with my every breath. No harm or hardship may fall upon him for as long as I am around. Atlas heard this solemn vow and cuddled further into the large mans grasp. His eyes that were plastered against layers of clothing were completely dry and calculative. I suppose that was a success. Man, at first I was resenting the fact that I was a little kid, but now! This is perfect! I can manipulate people with greater ease since everyone lets down their guards against children. After all, what harm can a little kid do, right? A smirk appeared on his face. --- After having manipulated Baron Georg Helm into accepting him as his new master, Atlas engaged in a full-length conversation with his latest retainer. The Shadow Monarch had taught Atlas of the wonderful and dangerous world of magic yet nothing about human society. Now, Atlas might not have any talent with magic, but regarding humans No one would dare claim first if he declared himself as the second. Of course, while the Baron had bought the boys tales and brilliant performance, he still had a few questions like what exactly was it that attacked them? and how the boy had escaped? Atlas had obviously prepared himself to be investigated on these subjects, and hence already prepared his answers. Wolves for the first question, and luck in regards to the second one. Add on a little dressing of heartbroken stammers and heart-rending sobs, and the Baron did not question what he ingested. He simply ate it up. He could have told the truth but that would invite a new round of questioning to which Atlas was not prepared to answer. He had his plans regarding the Shadow Monarchs inheritance after all. It was then Atlas turn of questioning. This part was infinitely more difficult than his previous bout of acting and lying since Atlas had to be careful. He had to be careful not to expose his obvious dearth of knowledge regardingwell, everything while asking his questions. While such a situation might have left any average person sweating and grasping at straws, Atlas felt it akin to a brain teaser. He also employed his recently acquiredCchildish innocence shattered by watching his parents get murdered before his eyes causing him to awaken from his profligate ways and make something out of himselfCcharm to increase his guardians affection for him causing the latter to be more verbose. After nearly three hours of conversational back-and-forths. Atlas came face to face with a horrifying truth. One terrifying enough for him to almost break character. WHAT!?! THE CONSTANTINE KINGDOM HAS FALLEN!! Baron Georg Helm gravely nodded his head. Chapter 16 - The Three Kingdoms The Baron gravely nodded his head. Pinching the bridge of his nose, Atlas lowered his head and grimly ordered, Explain. It started three months ago, my liege. The frontlines bordering the Conlis Kingdom suddenly came under attack and in just a single night, it collapsed! Conlis Kingdom? Thats the kingdom northeast to us, right? They have the Copper Hills to their back, Atlas asked. Nodding his head, the Baron confirmed, Indeed. We have the Conlis Kingdom to our northeast, behind which lies the Copper Hills; the natural wall that keeps us separated from the rest of the continent. The Conlixions have always been hostile to the two other nations within this plateau; us and the Kingdom of Morros which shares its lands with the Brooding Dark Forest. Its just thatno one ever thought that the Conlixions would actually go through with their threats. They have always been all bark and no bite after all. You must never doubt the biting nature of a dog, Baron Helm. It mightve become old, but it never once lost its teeth. Atlas sighed and shook his head. Piecing together the bits of information that he had received from the Baron, Atlas could see the big picture to some small extent. The 245,000 sq. km. of unnamed, abandoned land which the Shadow Monarch had spoken of now housed three kingdoms upon its stretches. These kingdoms, ranked in the order of their territory sizes, were the Kingdom of Morros, the Conlis Kingdom, and the Constantine Kingdom. However, if one were to rank these kingdoms according to their livable land and population it would be the Conlis Kingdom, followed by the Constatine Kingdom, and finally the Kingdom of Morros. This was because the Kingdom of Morros shared its lands with the Brooding Dark Forest and its denizens. The Baron did not know the exact time period of when the three Kingdoms were founded or by whom. Atlas wasnt aware of it either. However, the two of them could agree that the three kingdoms had occupied these lands for at least three hundred years; six or seven human generations were you to calculate by the average lifespan. In short, the three kingdoms were relatively new in their founding. However, this does not mean that the times have been peaceful. The Kingdom of Morros was always at war with the monstrous inhabitants of the Brooding Dark Forest. Life for its citizens was a constant struggle between protecting their current livable lands while contesting for more to house their growing population. It was a matter of survival for them. Unfortunately, the monsters of the forest werent very compliant. With the majority of their attention taken away by the Brooding Dark Forest, they generally left its two neighbouring kingdoms to their own devices. The neighbours were also sensible enough to not attack them, after all, attacking the Kingdom of Morros was akin to throwing away the free shield which kept the monsters at bay. Of course, with the Kingdom of Morros out of the picture, it didnt mean that the two other kingdoms; Constatine Kingdom and the Conlis Kingdom, broke bread and shared wine single-handedly. It was the opposite as the two kingdoms annually engaged in wars for their borders, each one trying to take away more land from the other. Within this abandoned plateau that saw darkness, eight months out of a total of thirteen (Thats correct, there are thirteen months in this world.), the land was a precious commodity. Food was never enough while the human population continued to grow. The lands were barely fertile enough to grow the bare minimum of necessities and there hadnt been any revolutionary invention or discovery to change this fact. As such, there was only one answer to this question of food production; more land. And the more land that one possessed, the lesser would be the number of citizens starving.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. That being said, things had been going quite well for the Constantine Kingdom so far. They havent lost any sizable portions of their territory in the past and have even won some minor victories in the present. Unfortunately, the Conlis Kingdom seemed to have been hiding its strength and biding its time. All for that one sharp counter-attack which would deal fatal damage to their enemy. And that time did come. The counterattack was made in a time that the Constatinte Kingdom did not expect. So sharp and fatal had been that attack, that frontline after frontline had collapsed, leading to the Constatinte Kingdom losing an enormous portion of its land. However, this didnt seem to quell the greed of the Conlins Kingdom as they continued onwards with their attack, reaching the Kingdoms Capital. And then, they attacked it. Men and boulders rushed towards the tall walls and laid siege to the capital. Their maddened charge saw no rest and was even vitalized by the presence of magic. Victory had been a matter of course. Wait a second! Magic? How was that the turning point for victory? Do we not have magic users of our own? Atlas asked, baffled. According to the Shadow Monarch almost everyone, even if not skilled in it, used magic. Why then, was he hearing the Baron tell that magic was something legendary that single-handedly turned the tides of battle. Hearing Atlas baffling question, the Baron looked at the young prince oddly. He then took a deep breath and explained. My liege, I do not know what youve heard or read in your adventure books but magic is something of a legend. After all, there hasnt been a single magic-user in the history of the three kingdoms! And if there had ever been such a person, there wouldnt have been three kingdoms! Atlas felt his mind explode. Not a single magic-user in the history of the three kingdoms, excepting the most recent one within the Conlins Kingdom. How is this possible? Didnt that old thing say that only I was affected with this magic-less affliction? The light of hope appeared within Atlas heart. If there were more people with similar affliction, then his original prognosis would be correct. He might have talent after all! It was the Shadow Monarch who was wrong! Unfortunately, Atlas hopes were almost immediately dashed. Ive heard our wise king tell us that beyond the Copper Hills where the large continent lies, everyone, be he/she a peasant or a king, could use magic! That, the only reason that we and the other two kingdoms sharing these lands are unable to use magic is because we lack the knowledge required for it. The large Baron spoke with desire and reminisce within his eyes. Motherfu*ker! Atlas cursed inwardly. Why would you present me with hope only to ruthlessly snatch it away from me!?! One could not do math without learning how to count. Similarly, even the most talented human could not use magic without learning the requisite knowledge. Taking multiple breaths to calm himself, Atlas then asked. How do people fight wars then? With swords and shields and bows, of course, the Baron spoke with a tone that said, why are you asking me this? Isnt that obvious? Thankfully, Atlas was sharp enough to note these cues leading him to immediately change the topic. After all the lying and acting that he had done, it would suck to lose the Barons trust and draw suspicion onto himself. Anyway, where was I? Ah! Now I understand why father and mother were in such a hurry to leave our home and why I saw the grim expression on all the soldiers faces. He then clenched his fists and continued, Those Conlixion bastards dared to attack my homeland! How dare they!? I will never rest until I have my revenge! He passionately declared while raising his fists to the sky. Seeing this scene, tears of joy and pride fell from the Barons eyes. An expression of profound happiness appeared on his face. He looked at the young prince with a smile and thought to himself. Your majesty, you can rest easy. Your spawn looks to have inherited the Constantine spirit; the spirit to fight for the people. He then clenched his fists and vowed to himself. I shall also not rest until the young prince seeks his revenge. I shall assist him with every fiber of my being until that moment! The loyal, warm-hearted Baron thought that Atlas vowed to seek revenge in order to reclaim the honor of the Constantine Kingdom and its people. This was a grave misunderstanding. Those Conlixion bastards! How dare they steal MY transmigration benefits and enjoy it themselves! I was meant to enjoy that luxury you know!? You shall all dearly pay for this!~ A kingdom! Yeah, that would suffice. Only by giving me YOUR kingdom will this debt be repaid! That is fair. Atlas wasnt honorable in the least. He WAS, however, incredibly possessive and greedy. What belonged to him, belonged only to him. What belonged to others, also belonged to him. Atlas wouldnt stop until the entire world belonged to him. Chapter 17 - The Pains of Illiteracy The revenge and repayment would come in the future. For now, Atlas decided to focus on the present. Tell me, Baron Helm. What is this place? What are you doing here? And why was my family heading to this place? he asked. He had intentionally avoided talking about this topic during their conversation as Atlas wanted to first gather as much information as possible. Being thrust into a random body without any knowledge of the setting or plot has been a frustrating experience for him. All his words and actions had to be carefully measured, being careful of not exposing himself through his ignorance. Now, after judging that he had gained sufficient understanding of his identity and the world, Atlas finally broached onto this topic. I was hoping that you would ask me that, my liege. The large-bodied man replied, his face turning pensive. He then began his narration. The territories of my Helm Family are neither large nor rich. It rests on the very borders of the Brooding Dark Forest, adjacent to a repulsive swamp. All in all, it is unremarkable and unimportant. A bitter smile appeared on his face as he continued, However, it was also these very same properties that made the invaders overlook this place and spare the lands. Getting up from his chair, the Baron rushed towards a shoddy wooden drawer adjacent to the door. Opening it, he brought out a letter. Last month, three days before the capitals fall, our wise king sent me this letter. He handed it over to the young prince for his perusal. Atlas received the white envelope with his hands. He noticed that the cover was unmarked before turning to its back. Noticing the elaborate wax seal, he ran his fingers over its surface, noting its ridges and peaks. An elaborate symbol. Is this the Constantine Familys emblem? Atlas thought to himself. Honestly, he couldnt garner much from the broken wax seals image. All that he saw was an overly complex symbol. Mentally shrugging, Atlas opened the envelope and pulled out the carefully folded letter within. He immediately noted the rough feel of the paper. Not as smooth or white as modern paper. Looks like the paper/printing industry is very backward in this world. Well, there at least seemed to be an industry. Imagine him finding out that everything within this world ran with magic and magic devices without the slightest mechanical innovation. That would be a nightmare for a person originating from a non-magic world. Fortunately, that was not the case with this world as Atlas had learned from the Shadow Monarch. While magic still dominated humanitys study, there were also developments on the sciences and mechanics side. Of course, many years had passed since the Shadow Monarchs passing leading Atlas to hope that the field hadnt been a passing fad. Opening the folded sheets, Atlas laid his eyes on the foreign language of the alien world for the first time. The result Was unexpected. What the fu*k!? What are these symbols? Are they the alphabets of this world? Why cant I read it!?! Atlas felt his face stiffen. This was bad. Very, very bad. Not being able to read and write would severely impact his abilities. Why can I talk and understand the language just fine then!? Who the fu*k was in charge of my transmigration? What is this!? Why are you doing such a sloppy job? If youre giving me a cheat, give it to me fully!! It seemed that God had given him the ability to translate the alien language while speaking but failed to extend this service to his reading and writing. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. God must be a sadistic pervert. How else can you explain everything that has happened to me so far? My liege? Is something wrong? Even the Baron seemed to have noticed Atlas distress. Hearing his question, Atlas knew that he had to answer. More importantly, he had to make a choice. A choice that might potentially lower all of his built-up favorability with the Baron. I need to do this! Dammit! Atlas gritted his teeth and decided to come clean. I-I cant read. I havent been taught yet. Ah? Ah! The Baron took a moment to process his answer. B-but, youre already thirteen years old, my liege! Pity and uncertainty filled the large Barons eyes. This is one thing that I wouldnt be able to lie out of. Better come clean. I-I know. Its just that Ive always found the process of learningboring. Father and Mother were also compliant to my demands. A crestfallen expression appeared on his face. B-but now Ive realized its importance. Youll teach me right, Sir Baron? Atlas could only show the best ''sad puppy dog expression that he could make and hope that the Baron took pity on his character. His gaze unflinchingly stared at the flustered Barons face, praying that the larger man would concede. O-of course I would, my liege! To teach a prince would be this ones honor!! He passionately declared, thumping at his chest. That worked!? So quickly too? Atlas felt baffled. Honestly, he was expecting a lot of verbal back-and-forths followed by pleading and crying. Surprisingly, it had taken him nothing to get the intended result. Is my charm that high? Now that I think about it, I have yet to check my looks in this world? Seeing as how Im a Prince and all, it should be very high, right? He sure hoped that it would be high. The narcissist he was, Atlas couldnt imagine life having an ugly face. Could Sir Baron tell me whats written on this letter? Thoughts about his appearance could wait. There were more important things in hand now. Yes, my liege! The letter details the current state of the war, and how our wise king was unsure of our Kingdoms victory. He then asks me to gather the inhabitants of my fief and establish a small recluse within the forest. Somewhere that is hidden so that His Majesty and his family could stay hidden from the invaders. The moment I received the letter, I did just that. I packed the necessities, gathered my servants and citizens, and found a place where a simple town could be established, hidden from the outside and not easily found. So that is where we are, huh? Atlas absentmindedly asked. He stared at the poorly-constructed ceiling and felt the facts click within his mind. That explains why a Baron would be willing to stay in such piss-poor conditions. I wouldnt be surprised if this house is one of the best-constructed buildings within this town. Noticing the young prince blankly staring at the ceiling, the Baron scratched the back of his head and embarrassedly said, I understand this isnt much compared to what my liege is used to. But this is the best that the town has to offer. I want to see the town. Atlas suddenly spoke. My liege? the Baron blankly stared. He then immediately shook his head and said, Definitely not, my liege! Your body was terribly bruised when you were brought here. You have to rest! Baron Helm. Atlas spoke with an unnatural firmness in his voice. I want to see the town. ...as you wish, my liege. The Baron heeded the young princes orders. --- The young princes tour had to be delayed by a few dozen minutes. After gladly getting up from the hard bed, Atlas noticed the article clothing his body; it consisted of a single oversized shirt, gladly donated by the Baron. His previous set of clothing had been lost in the river stream. Releasing that he couldnt leave the house like this, Atlas demanded the Baron for a new set of clothes. This proved to be difficult as the Baron himself did not have children or family to call his own; a fact that frankly surprised the prince. With how gently his bear-like physique hugged the prince, Atlas automatically assumed that the man had children. However, an instants thinking bore him the answer to why this man was yet unmarried. His bear-like physique and piggish face. Atlas couldnt imagine any woman assenting to marrying that. After waiting for some time for a servant to go and borrow a set of clean clothes from one of the families settled in the town, Atlas wore a coarse set of pants and starched, baggy shirt, and finally began on his tour. The large-bodied Baron guided him. Leaving the confines of the Barons house, Atlas was immediately struck with the realization of why the Baron chose the words repulsive swamp to describe this place. It was literally a repulsive swamp. Chapter 18 - Tour and Problems Stepping on the unsteady, dirty wooden panes that served as the floor, Atlas pinched his nose with a handkerchief and looked around. He saw dozens of people, dressed in coarse, dirty clothes moving in and out of poorly set-up tents. The men tussled with the murky swamp mud, struggling to set foundations for the wooden floors and the tents. The woman, on the other hand, either stayed within their tents to occupy their children or help with other menial jobs. As for the children, they either played in the dirty swamp waters or fussed around their mothers. Shaking his head with blatant dissatisfaction, Atlas turned around and left for another spot. Guided by the Baron he soon arrived in the vicinity of a shack-like building. Pointing towards the shack and the long queue of women who stood outside, the Baron spoke, This is where we distribute rations to the families. Hmm. How frequently? the prince asked. Frequency? Its always open. Families can come whenever they wish to collect rations. the Baron proudly declared. Hearing his declaration, Atlas shot a baffled look at the piggish-looking man. Had it not been for the handkerchief covering the lower portion of his face, his agape mouth couldve been seen by the Baron. Is there a limit set on the number of times a family can collect their rations per day? Nope. They can come whenever and however many ever times that they wish. I believe that a full belly guarantees a persons happiness and pushes them to work harder. Is there a daily inflow to the stock of rations? Inflow? The Baron quizzed, confused. Rations coming in. Do you have a source to replenish the spent rations? To increase your current stock? No, my liege. There is no such thing, the Baron answered, confused as to why the young prince was asking such questions. We packed all available rations from the fief and transported them here. So far, it has survived us this month. When was the last time you checked the stock? No, actually, where have you stored the rations? Atlas asked, closing his eyes. An expression of pain had already started to surface on his face. Hearing this question, an ominous feeling surfaced inside the Barons heart. He quickly went through his memories and answered honestly. I believe that I havent checked the stock since we got here, my liege. As for its storage, its kept in the large building next to my house. That large one with fist-sizes holes on its walls? Yes, my liege. How does this shack get restocked then? Atlas asked, pointing towards the construct with a queue. It cant be that the people running the shack simply walk into that building and take what they want, right? The Baron did not answer. Right? Atlas repeated once again, turning to meet the large mans eyes. The Baron flinched and looked away. Wow, Atlas said flatly. I want to go and take a look at the stockroom. My liege, you do not have to burden yourself with such menial tasks. I will send a servaC Baron Helm. I want to go take a look at the stockroom, the young prince sternly repeated once again and immediately turned around to walk. Having a vague feeling that he had committed some kind of massive blunder, the Baron hurriedly followed the prince. --- Inside a poorly-built, dimly lit, wet, and humid building, Atlas sat at the center of a circle of large sacks. One of the sacks, made from some kind of fiber, lay open with the young princes right hand reaching into it. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Pulling out a fistful of the sacks contents, Atlas brought it close to his source of light; an oil lantern held by the large-bodied Baron. Inspecting the grains with close scrutiny, Atlas immediately identified the whitish layer covering the grain. Bringing it closer to his nose, he then sniffed at it. Finally, he roughly estimated the weight of the grains by shaking them atop his plans. Definitely lighter. And then theres the smell, Atlas lightly commented and then proceeded to look at the Baron. Meeting the young princes gaze, the man immediately flinched. His bald head immediately lowered in shame. How long have you been a Baron, Sir Helm? the prince asked. Almost ten years, my liege. The man answered. Unlike how he looked, the Baron was only thirty-two years of age. How did you run your fief for those ten years? I-I had servants and aides to help me, my liege. Help you or to do your work? M-my liegeC Answer my question, Sir Helm, Atlas eyes narrowed. At this moment he couldnt care less if his identity was exposed. The Constantine Kingdom, its people, its lands, its wealtheverything belonged to Atlas. And to see HIS wealth be mismanaged by an incompetent manager, irked him to no small degree. T-they did the work, my liege. the man admitted. Where are these aides of yours? I didnt see them anywhere, the young prince looked around in rhetoric. T-they w-were sent to assist the kingdom during the war, my liege. They didnt return. I see. Atlas dropped the fistful of grains on the ground and rose to his feet. He then dusted his hands and turned around to walk towards the exit. The Baron did not move but continued to stand with his head lowered in shame. He was a good and loyal man with a warm heart that had descended from a kind family. But he was no leader. His incompetence at leading this town was apparent for Atlas to see. I do not blame you, Baron Helm, the prince stopped at the entrance of the storehouse and spoke. You have a kind heart and warm personality that cares a lot for others. He then shook his head. Unfortunately, such people arent suited to become leaders. Inspirers and idols, yes. But never leaders. He shrugged his shoulders and finished. None worth remembering at least. He then left. The Baron remained as still as a statue. His head was lowered but his mind spun at full speed. His abilities were lacking but he was no fool. The young prince had shown him the problem and it was his duty to solve it. The stocked rations predominantly consist of grains. However, with the prince showing me now, Im afraid at least half, if not all of the grains have spoilt. They are not fit for human consumption. He took a look around the hundreds of sacks that lay sprawling around the storehouse. Originally, the rations that we brought with us were enough to last us for months. With the current situation, however, I can only pray that there is enough food to last us for the week. But that still doesnt solve the root issue; we are desperately in need of fresh rations! Then theres the issue of storing it. Where do we store it? These accursed swamps are dark, wet, and extremely humid for the majority of the day. There is also the issue of lacking sunlight and warmth. This reminded the Baron of another issue. Right! I had some of the people come up to me yesterday and ask me for a solution to the cold. If I dont come up with a solution soon, more people will start feeling the cold and more importantly, they might start falling sick! The large Baron, strong enough to rival four full men, felt utterly powerless against the current situation. The more he thought, the more problems he saw with the town. Worst of all, the Baron had no idea what to do. Oh, your majesty. If only you were here. You wouldve resolved this situation in the blink of an eye. Unfortunately, the ex-king of Constantine Kingdom wasnt here. He was rotting inside the stomach of a wolf (Atlas version of the truth). Hey! Baron Helm. I thought I asked you to follow me! A voice suddenly sounded from the entrance. Raising his head, the Baron saw the small, skinny figure of the young prince. His golden hair was coarse, unkempt, and was sticking against his forehead due to sweat and the dampness in the air. His bright, sapphire-colored eyes shined like glittering gems at the center of a perfectly shaped eye. His pink lips, though chapped and dry, were perfectly sized and complemented his sharp nose. Then there was his face, fair and oval. The childs features perfectly complemented and even elevated each other. The Baron had to admit. The young prince was the most beautiful child that he had ever met. He was simply the embodiment of perfection. There was no doubt that the young boy would grow up to be a stunningly handsome man who would be the dream of every woman and the target of every man. Such an entity was the Barons new master and the future ruler of the Constantine Kingdom. Such a person was now Chop, chop! We got a lot of work to do! Theres no time to waste! Move! Move! MOVE! Calling him in an extremely strange manner. Chapter 19 - Learning the Native Language My liege, are you sure that this is alright? The Baron nervously gulped and hesitantly asked. Oh, its fine. I can take it. Just keep going and dont stop. The young prince casually answered. Hesitantly nodding his head, the Baron lowered his head and started to move his mouth. Mhmmm. Wow!~ Its so big! And it curves upwards too! the prince blissfully intoned. Ive never seen one so big. How do you fit it in? I lack the elegance of a gentleman, my liege. I just cram it in. The Baron replied, embarrassed. He then continued to move his mouth while adding his fingers into the play. I see. I get it now! So thats how you write the word environment. You start with land and expand from there. Interesting. This language is very interesting! Atlas joyfully declared. Currently, the young prince and the Baron were sitting around a table within the latters office. Multiple course parchments lay scattered on the table before them, with the two men holding onto quills dipped in ink. The Baron had a leatherbound book in his left hand. He read it out aloud and wrote down the characters for new words on the sheet of paper before him. On the other side of the table, Atlas sat before a parchment of his own and wrote down the words which the Baron read from the book. Are you sure you can understand this, my liege? Usually, it takes one a full year of learning to reach basic proficiency in reading and writing, The Baron worriedly said. He still couldnt quite grasp this learning that the young prince was doing. Traditionally, when learning a language, a person would start by learning the basic characters. After learning the shapes and the sounds of the various characters, they would move on to words. Words would then lead to combining multiple words, after which came grammar, sentence formation, tense, clause, etc. All in all, learning a new language was not an easy task. This was common sense and the Baron, having gone through this process himself, knew fully well of how difficult it was. However, the young prince seemed to have thrown tradition and standards out of the window. His method of speed learning, or so he called it, did not follow any rhyme or rhythm. This is how Atlas did it; he asked the Baron to read the words from an ordinary fables book and to write down the new words that appeared each time. Atlas would then copy these characters once into his sheet of paper andthat was it. While the Baron was dubious of this method, the young prince seemed extremely confident of his approach. The older man had tried to dissuade the young prince multiple times yet the latter never listened. Indeed. If I were to follow the traditional way, it normally would take me a full year to grasp all the characters, the way they are written, their sounds, etc. After that, it would take me another few years of learning before I reach any sort of proficiency in reading and writing. It is due to the enormous time involved that noble children are educated from a young age. Atlas agreed with the Barons perspective. Right. Thats why my liege, we mustC Thinking that he had finally gotten through to the young prince, the Baron started to passionately advise him. However, he was almost immediately interrupted by Atlas. But we dont have a year do we, Baron Helm? Atlas snidely asked. No, we have only a week before the people out there begin starving. He pointed out the window. The Baron lowered his head. After inspecting the ration storehouse, Atlas had ordered the Baron to send some servants into the building to separate the good from the bad. The result wasworrying, to say the least. Almost 90% of the entire stock had gone bad from poor storage, extreme humidity, and the wet weather of the swamps. The surviving 10% would only last this colony of humans for a week. In other words, the Baron had to secure a fresh source of rations if he did not want his people to starve.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. Still, the bad news did not end there. People have begun to fall sick. Due to the lack of readily available freshwater, the people had been neglecting their hygiene for the past month. This, combined with the daily tussling in the swamps mud, the poor insulation of their tents, the general coldness of the weather, and extreme humidity, sickness was a matter of course. Honestly, Atlas was surprised that it had even taken so long. What with the children being taken into consideration. Sickness was not something that could be taken lightly. Even something like the common cold was deadly enough to kill a person during this backward era. If the Baron were not to immediately take steps to resolve this problem, more people will continue falling sick which would eventually lead to death. It was a truly worrying state of affairs. Worst of all, the Baron was unsure how to handle this. This only served to pain the warm-hearted man all the more. The enormous weight of responsibility burdened him immensely and the Baron felt the world closing in on him. Just as darkness seemed to surround him, filling him with despair and guilt for the future, a ray of light entered the stage. Atlas Constantine; a thirteen-year-old boy with the mind of a sixty-year-old politician. Atlas was no fighter, but he was a damn good leader. Even when presented with this hopeless scenario, the boy didnt flinch. Instead, he greeted the challenge with enthusiasm. Dont worry too much about it, Baron Helm. You did aokay job in leading these people here. And it is quite obvious that anything more than this is beyond you. Thankfully, Im here. I got this. So just rest easy, and follow my orders. Atlas confidently declared and the Baron listened. It was the young prince who had opened his eyes to the problems growing within this town. It might be that he had solutions for them, right? The Baron prayed that such was the case. As for my method of learning, Atlas went back to the primary topic. Is it odd? Yes. Unconventional? Very. Downright confusing? For you, maybe. He took a pause and started scratching something on the parchment before him. While he scratched away, he continued his speech. You see, Baron Helm, it would traditionally take a normal person a full year to learn the language. But Im neither traditional nor normal. Im a genius. Stopping his hands and removing the quill, Atlas turned the sheet of parchment to make it face the Baron. On it, written with perfect handwriting was the sentence. Would you not agree? The Barons eyes widened to the size of eggs. His bald head turned pallid as his eyes scanned the words written perfectly using the native language with proper language. It had to be known that the Baron had been teaching the young prince for less than five hours! Atlas simply smiled in response. I told you. I got this. Just relax and obey my orders. I shall handle everything. He then turned to face his parchment once again and said, Lets continue for some more time. I believe we can start with complex sentences, variant speech, and other difficult topics while we wait for your servant to arrive. The Baron stiffly nodded his head and complied. The two of them then continued to immerse themselves into the art of language while waiting for the Barons servant to arrive. Atlas had previously asked the Baron to send the man on duty. --- Two-hundred and forty-seven (247), is it? Atlas asked, sitting behind a desk and holding a parchment in his hand. Indeed. Of which, there are a hundred and nine men (109), eighty women (80), and forty-five children (45), the Baron faithfully replied. There are also thirteen men (13) who claim to be educated. As per your wish, these men were recorded separately. The Baron handed another parchment to Atlas. Holding in hands were two sets of parchments separately. In one set, was the name, age, and specialty of every single resident within this small swamp town. While detailed on the other was the name, age, previous occupation, and basic history of the thirteen, supposedly educated men, living within the town. The duty that Atlas had entrusted the Baron was to conduct a proper survey of the town. He had originally thought that the Baron already had a list of names and was eager to get to work. However, the young prince underestimated the complacency and incompetence of the large man for he did not even have this. When Atlas had questioned about the towns population, the Baron had replied, around three hundred, I think. Definitely not more than five hundred. Two hundred and forty-seven (247)... Atlas repeated. In other words, we have to find rations to feed two hundred and forty-seven hungry mouths every day after a week. ...yes, my liege, Baron Helm replied with guilt. Shaking his head, Atlas asked, Did you pass down my orders? The one where the Feeding Shack is to be closed down? Yes, my liege! It has already been done. It seems that the people have already noticed it, with a few coming up here to ask me about it, the Baron explained. Just as you told me, I had my servant send them away at the front door. Good. Now for my next order The young prince coldly declared. The Feeding Shack will only open once per day. Rations will be limited and the amount will be dependent on the number of members of the family. No more of eat all you want, whenever you want business. This will be effective, immediately. Chapter 20 - Rationing the Rations Baron Helms face paled at Atlas instructions. My liege! Thats madness! We cannot impose restrictions on the supply of food. The people will complain! He hurriedly advised the young prince. I know. Atlas raised his hand and continued, But I dont care. You know as well as me how precarious the stock of our rations is, Baron Helm. If we are to solve this situation we, and I mean us all, have to tighten our belts. Atlas pointed towards the large mans bulging belly. A faint red rose to the Barons face as he tried to hide his fat body. Also, I dont think our people will have the time to complain, the young prince said with a smile. Its about time that they did some real work. Getting up from his seat, Atlas put down the stack of parchments detailing the two hundred and thirty-four (234) common, uneducated workers. He only carried the stack detailing the information of the educated workforce and spoke. After youre done passing down that order, tell these men to arrive here. Lets have a test to see how educated they really are. Atlas walked towards the entrance of the room. Oh and also, bring me this man He shared a name and left the room. Baron Helm continued to stand inside the empty office for some time. He then released a sigh and walked out of the room. The young prince is more cut-throat than I expected. But, hes not wrong. We need to take drastic measures if we are to survive these problems. --- Unnamed Town. Feeding Shack. The Feeding shack, or as Atlas had named it, was an establishment that handed out rations to the people of this fledgling swamp town. It was run by two of the Barons closest servants; Axel Lynch and Marvin Serra. Two young chaps in their mid-twenties. The two chaps always ran the shack in alternating shifts. Today, however, Axel had to work three shifts worth of time all by himself as Marvin had been missing since the morning. Seated behind the shoddy wooden counter, Axel slumped on the countertop and day-dreamed as usual. Looking at the gloomy sky with the scattered formation of clouds, the young chap supposed that it was mid-day. Mid-day was a period when time seemed to creep by the slowest. No one arrived at the shack during this time as the queue of housewives usually came by the morning to collect their rations. They wouldnt return until the evening, leaving Axel bored and without any work. Oi, Axel! Stop yer daydreamin! A hand slapped against the wooden countertop. Startled by the sudden yelling, Axel woke up from his daydreams and looked at the newcomer. It was Mrs. Linda, little Gails mother. Ello, Mrs. Linda. Whatre ye doing here at this time? I thought you came by the mornin? Axel asked the dirty-looking middle-aged lady. Whats it to you, brat! the lady promptly bit back. She then let out a sigh, leaned against the wooden countertop, and answered. Li Gail is down with a ragin fever. Hes been sweatin crazy since the mornin.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. I came by to collect a few xtra portions. Something to help with the fever, ya know. I see. Axel nodded his head and turned around to fetch the packaged rations. I went and herd that poor Bess been down with a fever too. The chap spoke while scrounging through the shelves. It dont bode well, ye hear me. These forests be cursed, Mrs. Linda softly whispered. We don messed up movin into these woods. Well, it was ether this or the war, ol woman. And if ye ask me, Ill take the accursed woods over the war any day, Axel replied back. The sound of something heavy falling to the ground resounded as Axel accidently knocked something from the shelf. Grumbling out loud to himself, he spent a few more seconds searching before yelling out. Got it! Arriving out of the darkness, he walked up to the counter and said, I swear tat Ima kick that Marvins arse. How dare he leave me to run the shack all by meself today? Be careful not to get yer arse kicked insead. Mrs. Linda replied before reaching out to collect the ration. Just as the package was about to change hands, a voice yelled. HOLD IT THERE!! Marvin ran up to the shack covered in sweat and dirt. He stopped before the befuddled duo and heavily panted. Looking at him, Axel laughed and teased. Whats the matter, o guy? You look like yur runnin from the town gards or somethin. Raising his heavily sweating head, Marvin shot an annoyed look at Axel before speaking. By the Order of the Baron, all ration exchange activities are to be suspended for today. Additionally, starting tomorrow, rations will only be given out once in the morning and only one time per family. Madness! Yer crazy, ol guy!? Mrs. Linda and Axel cried out in unison. Marvin simply shrugged his shoulders in response. Im just sayin what the good Baron told me. He then ignored the dirty-looking lady and turned to face Axel. LEaning closer, he whispered. We need to transport the rations within the shop to the Barons manor. Now? Axel asked back, no longer speaking lightly. Marvin solemnly nodded his head. Well, ye heard him, Mrs. Linda. I cant give it to ye now. Come back tomrrow mornin, Axel politely told the lady so and turned back to start packing. Entering the shack, Marvin began to help his friend with the duty. Mrs. Linda continued to remain outside for a few minutes. After watching the two young lads busily move about their duty, she then shook her head and walked away. Well, therer yet some rations stocked in the tent. I wasnt lookin to use it this soon but, oh well. She began to return to her tent. The new order did not bode well and she was looking forward to discussing this with her husband. --- Unnamed Town. Barons Manor As youve ordered, the rations are being transported and stocked inside this house, my liege. I also informed the townsmen of the new rule, Baron helm reported to the young prince. Their reaction? Atlas asked, attacking a bowl of hot gruel with his wooden spoon. They werent happy, my liege. Did they raise their voices or try to attack you? No, my liege! I dont believe my townsmen would do something like that! They are patient and understanding people. Atlas mentally scoffed at the Barons naive answer. Putting down the wooden spoon inside the half-empty bowl, the young prince replied. Patience and understanding wont fill your belly, Baron Helm. They might be patient now, but the moment you fail to fill their bellies, they WILL blame you. Raising his gaze to look at the piggish Baron, he continued. Keep pushing them and they might even take up arms against you. But, my liegeC We must ensure that it doesnt come down to that, Atlas interrupted the Baron. He then wore a saddened look on his face and said. Believe me. It saddens me too to resort to such measures. Unfortunately, we have no choice. The young prince shook his head in pity. Seeing his expression and hearing his words, the Baron felt the guilt within his heart flare up once again. Right. Its because of me that we are in this situation in the first place. Its because of my incompetence and complacency. Did you call those thirteen men as I asked you to? Atlas asked, finishing his bowl of gruel. Yes, my liege. They have arrived and are waiting inside my office. Wiping his hands and mouth against a piece of cloth, Atlas said, Good. Heres what you should do The young prince then began to relay a series of instructions to the Baron. Chapter 21 - Standardized Testing A group of thirteen men sat on the damp wooden floors of Baron Helms manor. Their faces were twisted with puzzlement and frustration as their hands held onto a feathered quill and scratched away at the paper before them. The ages and appearances of these thirteen men greatly varied. A few looked old and wizened; others were young and inexperienced; there was even one middle-aged man who was extremely brawny and bulky. Nonetheless, the one common aspect between all of them was their attire; coarse, filthy, and covered with the repulsive stink that filled the swamps outside. You have five minutes left, Baron Georg Helm, who acted as the questioner/investigator for the test, reminded the participants. His piggish face contained an imperceptible smile on it, while his egg-shaped eyes squinted with happiness. Such an ingenious idea! The young prince truly is a genius! The man sang praise of our young protagonist within his mind. The idea of conducting a standard written test to judge the education levels of these participants was an idea that sounded so alien yet brilliant to the large Baron. The idea was so sensible and easy that the Baron wondered why such a thing wasnt popular around the realm already. Perhaps, it was already the case beyond the Copper Hills. However, it certainly wasnt the case within the three kingdoms. Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Times up, put your quills down, the Baron barked. At his instruction, these thirteen men who had already been informed of the general idea and concept of the test promptly rested their quills. Running their eyes over the test sheet one final time, they raised their sheets and handed it to the large Baron. After collecting the test sheets from the thirteen participants, the Baron asked them to leave the office room and wait for the results in the manors hall. After closing the door to the office, the Baron turned around and called out. My liege, you can come out now. His words rung within the empty office room. A few seconds of silence answered, soon followed by complaining grumbles. God! The stink from their bodies almost killed me! Atlas appeared from inside a large cupboard that stood flush against the wall. His hand was holding onto a handkerchief which he used to cover his nose and mouth with. Here are their test papers, my liege, The Baron quickly arrived before the young prince and handed him the parchments. Receiving the papers with his free hand, Atlas walked toward the large office, one that he had recently claimed as his own, and sat down. Putting the papers in front of him, he removed a quill from an inkpot at the side and started marking them. The standardized test that Atlas had given these thirteen men was exceedingly simple; from the standard of modern-day Earth that is. It consisted mainly of simple math problems such as addition, multiplication, division, and the likes; a few questions to test their grasp of grammar and writing; and finally, a few questions regarding themselves, their expertise in whatever field they professed in, and basic information. Going through the papers written in a language that he learned the basics of a few hours ago, Atlas got a grasp over the participants levels of education.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. This is surprising. All thirteen of them do possess some form of education. Not a single one of them lied. Hmm 2+2 = 4-1 = 3, that is correct 9+10 is indeed 19 and not 21 not bad. Not bad at all! These people have performed better than I expected. Not bad, Atlas remarked out loud. Turning to face the expectant-looking Baron, he continued, These men can be used. Especially this one Atlas separated a single parchment and showed it to the Baron. Douglas Wootz. Aged 47. Hes a blacksmith and a metalworker. The young prince explained. Baron Helm peered closer and read the mans test sheet. His brows furrowed a little as he saw the middle-aged blacksmiths answer. My liege, this person, his scores arent that good. Especially in the language part. Does a blacksmith need to be a poet, Baron Helm? Atlas snidely asked. As far as Im concerned, he has fair experience working the irons and can count decently enough. That is enough. The young prince shrugged. Putting down the sheet of parchments on the table before him, he ordered, Tell them that theyve passed the test. Send them home for today and ask them to report here tomorrow morning. For what reason, my liege? Theyll be informed of that tomorrow, Atlas then waved the Baron away. Just as the large gentleman was about to exit the office, the young prince added, Oh, and tell them that they dont have to work in the stinking mud starting tomorrow. That should motivate them. He then ignored the Baron and returned his gaze to his desk. Putting away the test sheets, Atlas opened a drawer and brought out empty sheets to write on. Spreading the sheets before him, Atlas reached for the feathered quill and carefully dipped it in the inkpot. Draining the excess against the side, he then started to write. Symbols and characters belonging to a language that did not originate on Earth started to fill out the sheets. This was the language that he was writing with currently was native to the three kingdoms and was called, Krinis. The Krinis Language consisted of a combination of dots and squiggly lines. There were a total of 42 characters in the language, with the shape and size of each character differing from the rest. One particular fact that fascinated Atlas was that in this language, every word, no matter its origin, meaning, or nomenclature was only four characters long! To explain this concept in its Earth-ly equivalent; the words air and perception while having 3 and 10 English characters respectively, were both written with only four characters in the language of Krinis! While the number of characters remained the same between the two words, the size of the words differed. The first word occupied a two-line limit while the second word occupied nearly six! (AN: By line limit, I mean their heights. The first word occupied two lines of height while the second word occupied six.) Facing this comical yet utterly fascinating language, Atlas was full of intrigue. The language of Krinis broadened this worldview on languages and how they could be written, structured, and interpreted. He was stricken with the desire to incorporate this system into those of his previous world and give birth to a brand new system. The possibilities were endless! There is also the matter of my language. All these years, I had been unable to improve it, having hit a wall in its conception. However, with this new system of writing, I think I see a way forward to improve it. I might even be able to perfect it. An expression of true seriousness colored the young princes face while his eyes glinted with the light of genius. For too long, he had been stuck at an impasse unable to improve his language. He had exhausted every available material regarding languages on Earth; old ones, now ones, extinct ones, etc. Yet, nothing came out of it. His language had been polished to the limits of Earths standards, however, it was still far from perfection. Unable to find a way forward, he had given up. That has now changed. Arriving in this new world filled with new cultures, new orders, new systems, the young prince saw hope to improve his language. Maybe even complete it to perfection. Ah, now I really want to see what it will look like once it reaches perfection. Will it live up to my mentors claims? He didnt know, but he would find out. Until then, Atlas wouldnt stop trying. Having ordered the Baron to not disturb him for a few hours, or until the arrival of that person, Atlas busily scribbled away at his papers. The ink atop the quills tip never dried for a single moment as the young prince kept at it. Sheet after sheet of poorly made parchment was soon filled with characters and words of the Krinis language. He digested his learnings from the Barons lessons and improved in real-time. A trace of Atlas true intellectual and computational power was slowly being revealed. Chapter 22 - Planning for an Expedition Hours passed by with Atlas immersing himself into Krinis Language when someone knocked on the offices doors. The young prince initially missed the knockings as he sat fully concentrated on his study. However, the subsequent banging quickly caught his attention. Come in, Atlas raised his head and called out. He then gathered the scattered sheets before him, arranged them into a pile, and threw them into the drawer. Having received his permission, the door to the office opened wide and the large-bodied Baron walked in with a mysterious smile on his face. Atlas quickly ran his eyes over this man before turning to look behind him. His gaze suddenly lit up as he saw a genial-looking, middle-aged man with scars covering his face, hesitantly walk in. The newcomer arrived at the office and looked around with caution. His eyes scanned his surroundings, looking for interesting things worthy of notice, before landing upon the small, golden-haired child sitting behind a large table. The utter difference in size between the table and the child looked ridiculous from his perspective. Just as he was about to leak a peal of laughter, his eyes suddenly widened as he recognized the boy. I know you! Yer that kid who washed up with a fish up yer arsC The middle-aged newcomer abruptly cut his words short as he felt an iron-like death grip land on his shoulder. Baron Goerg Helm looked at his guest with a quiet smile that did not extend to his eyes. Watch what you say, Captain. You are in the presence of my liege. The Baron politely threatened. The newcomer, Scout Captain Reudem Boreat, looked a little lost after hearing that threat. His limpid eyes then suddenly widened with shock as he turned to face the young prince. Looking at Atlas, who sat with a strained smile on his face, the Captain carefully looked at the boys features. Comparing them with information and rumors inside his head, something seemed to click in place within his mind. Immediately striking his left chest with his right hand, he dropped to the ground on a single knee and bowed. Reudem Boreat greets His Hiness. I apologize fo me words and pray that Sir can forive me, he spoke with a slight lisp. Atlas noted the Scout Captain tone to be a little impolite and crude. He attributed it to the mans common upbringing and did not mind it much. Oh, not at all, Captain, the prince casually waved his hand. Youve just mistaken me for someone else. It happens. Atlas words werent a suggestion but a direction. The prince then quietly stared at the Captain and awaited his reaction. Reudem inwardly cursed his mouth for not knowing when to shut up. Hearing the princes words, he stared at the ground blankly for a few seconds before suddenly understanding its meaning. His Hiness wants us to foret about that incident. Reudem didnt earn the position of Scout Captain under the Barons rule by mere luck; he did with his ability and a good mind on his shoulder. Ah, its my fault, your hiness. Ive mistaken you for someone else! the man crudely admitted. At his reply, the gazes of both Atlas and Baron Helm became kinder. Though, the meaning of their gazes differed a lot. Im glad that youve evaded your death flag, Scout Captain Reudem Boreat, Atlas scoffed. Your position has gone up from Disposable Cannon Fodder to Somewhat Useful Lackey. Respect and reputation were powerful tools for leaders to make use of. To protect his current authority, Atlas couldnt afford to lose any of them. That being said, while the mans impression had certainly improved in the young princes eyes, it had not yet improved to the point where Atlas would allow the man civility.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. For disrespecting the ruler, he would pay by kneeling for the rest of their conversation. Do you know why Ive called you here, Captain? the young prince asked. The expression of relief on the Reudems face immediately faded, replaced by a look of solemnity. Indeed, he knew why he was called here. The good Baron had explained it to him after all. Taking a deep breath, he answered, I heard that wer facing some issus rerding the ration, my lord. Atlas shot a look towards the Baron, before nodding his head. That is correct. We are facing a serious shortchange of rations. Do you think you can help us with this, Captain? I think I can, my lord. The man answered nervously. You think or you can? I dont need doubt infecting your answer, Captain. Atlas narrowed his eyes and heavily intoned. I can, my lord! Reudem exclaimed with a gulp. If I got the resources, I can! The small prince did not immediately answer but continued to solemnly stare at the middle-aged Captain. After what seemed like an eternity, he exhaled a heavy breath and spoke. Good answer, Captain. How and what resources do you require? Scout Captain Reudem did not waste a single second and quickly answered. You miht not know this, my lord, but I come from a family of hunters. My pops, and his pops, and his pops were all hunters before me. The craft was inrained into me body since birth! Taking a breath, he continued, These forests that surround us are filled with life, my lord. And like my pops, and his pops, and his pops before him used to say, Where there is life, there is food. Plants or wildlife? The prince interrupted with a question. Definitely both, my lord. These forests are filled with them. You only need the riht man for the job. And you are that man, are you? The prince weighed. I thiCI am, my lord! Scout Captain Reudem confidently intoned. A smile finally appeared on Atlas face. Fools cannot be led, only ordered. Thankfully, Reudem did not seem to be a fool. Grabbing a new sheet of parchment from his drawer, Atlas dipped the quill into the inkpot. Bringing the pen to a hover above the paper, he asked. What resources do you need? The Captain lowered his head and mentally considered. After a few minutes of silence, he raised his head and replied. Wooden boards, ropes, wires, scraps of metal, knapsacks the man began to list items which Atlas quickly wrote down. The Baron looked at the princes fluid writing and was full of awe and praise for the latter. ...nets, and of course, some men and some rations. The Scout Captain finished and looked at the prince with nervousness. Truthfully, the items that he had listed were the bare minimum required to go on a foraging expedition. He wouldve liked to have more proper equipment but knew that this fledgling town lacked it. Hunting for a single person was easy. Hunting for a town of two hundred and fifty people was a different game. All of this can be provided to you. Additionally, I will also give you a few tents and clean blankets to keep you and your men company. Speaking of men, I can assign you five of them. Will that suffice? Certainly, my lord! Reudem beamed. It seemed that the young prince was full of compassion seeing how he provided tents and blankets for the expedition. Do you rejoice too soon, Captain, Atlas raised his hands and continued, I will also hand you three days worth of rations. But youll have to promise me results within the same time. If the Almithy above smiles on us, you can expect results in half as much time, my lord. A smile appeared on Atlas face. Im starting to like you, Captain Reudem. Good, Ill hold you to your word then. Lets hope that the Gods above bless us on this endeavor. Ill et workin riht now, my lord! We shall leave in tmorrow mornin. Reudem shot up to his feet and hurriedly. Getting the items required for the expedition was one thing, but preparing for it was another. The sooner he got working, the faster the work would be completed, and the greater the time to rest before they get started tomorrow morning. Having made a promise to the prince, Reudem would hate to disappoint the young ruler. Even a child barely the tables heith is working to save this town. How can I slack? The young princes beautiful face, serious demeanor, and compassionate heart seemed to have charmed the Scout Captain into servility. Hey, hey! Wait a minute! Were not done yet! Atlas hurriedly interrupted when he saw the Captain jump to his feet and run towards the door. My lord? the man turned around and asked. Is there somethn else? I want you to prepare another group of 10 men. People quick on their feet and sharp in their minds. The Captain shot a puzzled glance towards the young prince and asked, May I ask their purpose, my lord? Taking a deep breath, Atlas replied. To scout and map the surrounding area. To understand our terrain and look for exploitable resources. The Scout Captain gazed at the young prince deeply. After a few seconds of consideration, he replied with a smile. Aye, I could do that, my lord. Chapter 23 - Grim Reaper After sending Reudem away to begin his preparations, Atlas asked the Baron to leave him alone. He then spent the next few hours holed up inside the office, practicing his language, going through the profiles of his citizens, deciding on how to efficiently exploit them, etc. He finally stopped when the traces of light coming into the office through the gaps between the wooden planks turned dark. The complete absence of any brightness signified the arrival of dusk within this swamp town. Gathering the sheets of parchments and stacking them up, the young prince then put them inside one of the drawers. Resting his quill in its stand, he then got up from his seat and walked out of the darkened room. Moving through the small connecting passageway, Atlas came into the living room. Oil lanterns were kept on the tops of the various flat surfaces sprawled across the rooms, providing light to combat the darkness while casting long, eerie shadows. It was after seeing this sight that Atlas was hit by palpable realization; he really had been transmigrated into a fantasy world. Not even the monsters, the encounter with a centuries-old magical being, or his multiple brushes with near-certain death drove home this fact. Atlas felt reality at the realization that this world, or this town at least, had no light bulbs or electricity. So many hectic things have happened in quick succession since my arrival here that I glossed over many things. But man, it truly is a medieval century life here, huh? Atlas thought to himself with a smile. Sure, he might not have his electricity or his fancy bed or televisionor nothing actually. The medieval century was a barren time with almost no easily available entertainment to speak of. I mean, I can always accuse someone and watch them be stoned to death. Do they do it here? I wonder if they do it here. That sounds like it would be something fun to watch. Perhaps it could wait until he solidifies his power a little more. Right now, Atlas was relying on the goodwill of the Baron and he would rather not test the mans limits. Speaking of the Baron, where is he? Atlas looked around. The manor was oddly quiet and no one seemed to be present in it. Baron Helm? Are you here? He called out and received no answer. Hello? Is anyone here? My lord. ARGH! Atlas jumped back with fright and quickly turned around. Within the dim shadows, he saw a tall, proper-looking silhouette of a man. The shadow moved its hands to grab a lantern kept on a table near it. Brining it nearer, the light finally illuminated the shadowy figure. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. It was Butler Rohm, the Barons chief of staff and aide. Oh, its you, Atlas deadpanned while resting his palm over his thumping chest. It took him no shame to admit that he was genuinely freaked. Where is Baron Helm? The master has gone out to address the people outside, Butler Rohm politely replied. Unlike his polite tone, however, his face maintained a stoic, indifferent expression. Nodding his head in response, Atlas lowered his hand, having calmed down. He then walked over to a long wooden bench furnishing the living room and sat on it. He then leaned his tired, petite body against the backrest and closed his eyes. Maintaining a neutral expression on his face, Atlas thought to himself. Hes still staring at me. Indeed. Butler Rohm was unflinchingly staring at him. I dont feel any hostile intent from his gaze, but it isnt friendly either. Hes staring at me with exact indifference. This wasnt Atlas first encounter with Butler Rohm. To be precise, this was his second time. The first time was when the butler had brought him a clean set of clothes to wear. Atlas wasnt exactly sure why, but he felt an unnerving presence from the fifty-something-year-old butler; there was just something about this stoic expression, unblinking eyelids, and prim demeanor that greatly unsettled the young prince. Ugh. It doesnt seem like hes going to move away. Hes STILL gazing at me. Unable to bear this stressful gaze any longer, the prince opened his eyes. Turning to face the stoic butler, whose straight figure held the oil lantern with an unshaken grip, Atlas was suddenly reminded of the grim reaper who comes in the dearth of the day to claim lost souls. Well, he does look grim enough to be the reaper. Do you have anything to say to me, Butler Rohm? the young prince asked. I do, my lord. Its a message from the master, the servant promptly replied. Well, why didnt you just say that instead of staring at me? What a weirdo. Atlas thought within his mind but showed a smile on his face. What is it? he asked. Master informed me that it would take him a while to get back from meeting with the peasants. He asks you to have dinner without him and rest for the day. He fears that Your Highness overworking might have some adverse effects on your ill body. Thank the Gods! I was just cursing the man for not being here when I arrived. This is great. I can eat and go to sleep. The day had been exhausting for Atlas. Hunger had been gnawing at him for some time and the bruises around his body were starting to act up. The fact that everything smelled like the interiors of a public latrine didnt help either. Lets do just that then, Atlas happily intoned. Please follow me, my lord, Butler Rohm mechanically replied and led Atlas towards the dining room. Dinner wasnt anything special. It was just more of the same gruel that he had eaten in the evening. After slogging through the meal, all while mentally complaining about how bland and tasteless the food was. There seemed to be an absence of salt in the Barons pantry. I should ask him about that. How can you not have any salt? He was then led to his room where Atlas retired on the wooden bed laid with a coarse animal hide mattress for the night. Closing his eyes, he almost instantly fell asleep. And that marked the end of the first full-day in Atlas life as a leader to the masses. It would be the first in, hopefully, many long years to come. Chapter 24 - Public Announcement Public Gathering Platform Unnamed Town While Atlas had his tasteless meal and retired to his bed, a large crowd gathered around a brightly lit pavilion. Atop the wooden pavilion, Baron Helm stood to address the crowd with a solemn expression on his face. My people, Im sure that by now all of you have heard about the most recent order that Ive passed down. The piggish Barons voice was unusually deep and chock-full of emotions. How ould ya do dis to us!?! Yea! Wats with de sudden mandate!? Areve gonna die!? O Lords! I new comin to this place was a terrible desion! The forests are cursed!! Even the wars got etter prosects! The crowd clamored, some more than the others. Everyone, please! Calm down! The Baron thundered, silencing the crowds. I understand that this change is rather sudden. But please know that I HAVE to do this because there is no other choice. His face had an expression of apology on it, while his waist bent at a full. For this, I sincerely apologize to every one of you! He suddenly bowed. Everyone within the crowd was shocked into silence. This was the first time that these peasants have seen their noble lord apologize to them. It was the first not because he refused to do it in the past, but because there had been no need to; the peasants had never faced any issues which required their noble lord to apologize. Baron Helm was a good man. This notion wasnt known only to his household or to the king but to the entire fief. These citizens who populated his lands knew better than any other, the extent of the Barons goodness. There has been an issue with our grain storage, leading to a shortage in our rations. What was previously enough to last us for months will now only last us for a week, if consumed in consideration. This problem was caused solely by me and my lack of foresight. Now, I know that I make for an incompetent ruler, The Baron despondently said, Im not a Lord who is worthy of being followed by two-hundred and forty-seven citizens of the kingdom into this dismal forest. But please, I ask younay, I beg you to not lose hope! Not on your lives, not on this town, and not on this kingdom! He raised his head and cried. His eyes possessed a glittering light to them. The Almighty put you through many challenges and even burdened you with my presence. But! He did not leave you to suffer! For where Im lacking, He has sent another to lead you! To guide all of you, and me, through these turbid times and into the light of prosperity! Favored by the Gods and with the blood of royalty flowing through his veins, he is! Atlas Constantine! The Prince of the Constantine Kingdom and the Final Remnant of the Royal Family! Our Leader!! Baron Helm vivaciously preached while the crowd listened in a stupor. The large-bodied, hog-faced man then proceeded to list out the young princes decisions, why he had done so, and the reasoning behind them, since his arrival in this quaint, reclusive town. The Baron also narrated the tale of the young princes heroic struggle with life and death and how he had overcome a pack of wolves. While the crowd remained dubious at first, they slowly began to take up an interest in the young princes story. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. By the end of it, most of them looked convinced by the little successors genius and ingenuity. They were looking forward to meeting the young prince tomorrow and personally seeing how much of his glory was true. If the Barons words were true, perhaps this young teenager would be their salvation within this accursed forest. --- Im sorry. Would you mind repeating that? You did what? Rubbing the back of his sore neck, Atlas sat up on his rickety bed and sleepily questioned the piggish Baron standing in front of him. The night had passed and morning had arrived. The young prince, who had just been woken up by the excited Baron, had a little trouble processing the latters words. Everyone within the town is very eager to meet you, my liege! You are to address the residents in a morning assembly upon the public pavilion! Baron Helm excitedly repeated. It was true. The Barons pseudo-religious proclamation about the young prince to the masses had its intended effect. Everyone was looking forward to personally meeting the young prince and seeing whether he really was the dragon or phoenix that the Baron shaped him up to be. How would they know about me? The star of the show, however, had a little trouble understanding the Barons words. I dont even think its been a full twenty-four hours since my arrival in this town. How does everyone know about me already? Who told them? I told them, my liege! What the fu*k? Atlas reflexively cursed. Y-your Highness! Someone of your royal stature mustnt speak such foul words! The Baron scolded, caught off-guard by his lieges cursing. Atlas did not care for his words. In fact, the Barons words did not even enter his mind and were left unprocessed in the air. He was shocked. Well, shocked wasnt a word powerful enough to describe the emotion he was feeling right now. Lets see No, a single word could not accurately condense and reflect the intensity of the young boys feelings. What he felt wasnt one single emotion but a cluster of extremely powerful feelings. Atlas felt like someone stomped on his balls, spit in his mouth, pissed all over his body, and left him to dry out in the sun in the middle of nowhere. That was how he felt. And to tell the truth, he wasnt sure how to process it. Staring unflinchingly at the funny-looking Baron, Atlas thought to himself. What a curious creature. I wonder what it really is. Is it a man looking like a pig while secretly being one inside, or is it a pig acting like a man, hoping to recreate the utter disappointment and scathing failure that he is? How? Just how? Atlas wondered, anger now having passed him. I genuinely curious how his brain works? What was his leap in logic that said Hey! Do you know whats a good idea? Telling everyone that the Royal Blood is not fully dead and that a remnant, a prince mind you, still survives! What more? Hes also going to lead the citizens on an uprising against the invading power. Whats next? Sending a beacon into the air to inform the invading forces to show them our location? That would help with our situation, right? I mean, whats hunger and sickness going to do when were all dead. Its a good solution. My liege! Is something the matter!? Why arent you responding to my words!?! Are you okay? Are you sick or perhaps, hurting somewhere? The young prince had his monologue interrupted by the Baron; the latter grabbed onto the frail princes shoulder and fiercely shook him. The previously excited face of Baron Helm was now colored with pensive worry. Exhaling a deep sigh, one that originated from the depths of his very existence, Atlas replied, I dont deserve you, Baron Helm. You truly are a priceless individual. The Barons face blushed with embarrassment. Oh! My liege. This servant isnt deserving of such praise. I simply did what I must have this man sire a few children for me to study. Is idiocy genetic or a fixed characteristic of an individual? I must know. Not a single word of the Barons modesty went heard as Atlas sunk into a new field of thought himself. Word had gotten out about him. Circumstances had forced his hand. There was no point in hiding within the manor and using the Baron as his proxy. Atlas had to face his people. All I can hope is that whoever sold my family out, isnt amongst the citizens of this town. And if they are, I need to be ahead of them. Coincidentally captured by monsters? Yeah, right. There was no way Atlas was going to believe such an obvious lie. Someone knew about the routes and the timing of the Royal Familys departure. And it wasnt some vague knowledge either, but precise details of their travel. With a little elementary thinking, Atlas came up with two possibilities; either someone close on his fathers side had betrayed the king by leading them into the den of monsters, or someone on the Barons side had seen the kings letter and led the monsters to them. If it was the first possibility, Atlas was safe for now. However, if it was the second The young prince was out in the open while the enemy lurked in the shadows. Chapter 25 - Black Gold The damage was done. Words were said. All that he could do right now with his tasks and face whatever it was that fate had in store for him. After getting the Baron to unhand him, Atlas loosely dressed up and followed the large-bodied man as the latter led him to the bathroom. While the sun had yet to come up and the day had yet to begin, the prince did not find it within him to continue sleeping. I mean, could you sleep peacefully when an assassin could be prowling about your house? Yeah, Atlas didnt think so either. Now that my identity is out in the open, I have to operate under the assumption that that assassin could reach me at any time. A difficult challenge but none that was alien to Atlas. Leading a group of people in an uprising while being under the threat of assassination was not something that many people could boast of having done. Atlas, however, had earned that very right to boast. Its South America all over again. And this time, no one can stop me from being a fascist. the young prince darkly joked. Anyways, the first thing that I have to do is earn the peoples trust and recognition. I have to establish my royal authority and make the people adore me. The more people that adored Atlas, the less likely were the chances of him being struck by an assassin. It also meant a greater quantity of cannon fodder for Atlas to make use of. This shouldnt be too difficult for me. All I have to do is resolve the two seemingly unresolvable problems and everyone should be falling at my feet. He came up with a solid plan. I suppose all things having been said and done, not everything about the Mediaeval Ages is bad. Depending on how you look at it, the vast force of uneducated laborers is a good thing; exploitation and what-not. What is the purpose of a man, if not to work? And what greater honor could there be for a man, than working under Atlas Constantine. That should be it for now. I should just be careful enough to not wander anywhere alone and keep the Baron beside me as frequently as possible. I should also take care of what I eat and drink. Poison was a very real thing that existed since the dawn of society. While sneaking a tasteless, scentless poison into his food could very well be a difficult task to accomplish within this barren town, Atlas wasnt willing to take any chances. Underestimating an enemy was as good as declaring defeat. Know yourself and know thy enemy, and you will winwait, why are we still walking? Where are we going? Baron Helm? I asked to be led into the bathroom. Why are we out of the manor? The young prince asked seeing that they had left the manor and stepped into the backyard. Against the cold morning breeze, his loosely worn clothes werent providing much protection. Oh, we are, my liege! In fact, we have arrived, The Baron cheerfully replied and came to a stop. Atlas stopped beside the man and looked around. He didnt see any bathroom. I dont see any bathroom, he informed his servant. You jest, my liege. Its right there! The Baron caught the young princes head and turned it to face the bathroom. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. It was a semi-constructed wooden stall, roughly the size of one adult person. A metal sheet covered the roof of the structure while a janky door guarded the entrance. Through the half-open door, Atlas could see a shallow pit dug into the muddy ground. Inside this pit, a pool of dirty water rested with barely discernible chunks of semi-solid waste. And then there was the smell. The god-awful, repugnant, abominable smell. There you are, my liege, The Baron intoned. Oh, and do be careful not to fall into the latrine pit. I''ll take it back. The young prince suddenly chimed. Hmm? Gritting his teeth, Atlas walked towards the stall, grabbed the wooden handle, and yanked it open. Stepping inside, he then slammed it close and screamed. THIS IS THE WORST ERA TO LIVE IN!! Gods, he missed the bidet. --- Some people say that the morning sets the rhythm to ones day. Have a great morning and chances are, youll probably have a great day. Do the opposite, and well My liege! You cannot lock yourself inside your room! Your people are waiting for your address! Please come out! Baron Helm knocked upon the door of the young prince. A mix of anxiety and worry could be seen on his face, as he repeatedly coaxed the young boy. My liege, you cannot do this! Please come out! I CAN AND I WILL! Go away, Baron Helm!! A childish voice replied from within. Sighing loudly, the Baron stopped his knocking and softly asked, Could your highness at least tell me whats wrong? Perhaps, I can help. NO!~ Atlas suddenly screeched. There was a short bout of silence following the screech after which a voice quietly replied, You have no idea of the horrors, Baron. Unspeakable events have transpired that have forever traumatized me. I dont think I can recover from this. Just what are these events, my liege? the Baron nervously asked. Just what could scare his genius master to such an extent? Did you not hear what I just said!?! They are UNSPEAKABLE!! the young prince screamed and then fell silent. The Baron was unmarried, not to mention childless. Facing a stubborn young prince, he wasnt sure of how to proceed. Sir Baron! Here you are! A voice suddenly called out. The Baron turned around and saw a ruddy-faced Reudem run towards him with an eager expression and a coarse pouch in his hand. Scout Captain? What are you doing here? The Baron asked, confused. If memory did not fail him, this man was supposed to be leaving on an expedition this morning. A miracle! Its a miracle, Sir Baron! the man arrived before the Baron and declared through panting breaths. Whats a miracle? What happened? The young princes arrival, my lord! His Hihness presence has blessed the people of this town. Reudem then opened the pouch within his hand and took out its contents. Look here, Sir! This!! The Baron exclaimed, holding the item within his palms. The door to the princes room opened with a loud bang. The two men quickly turned back with astonishment and saw a grumpy-looking Atlas. The young prince was drawn out of his hideout by their incessant chatter and their ceaseless exclamations. Just as he was about to go off on a rant, his eyes landed upon the object within the Barons grasp. Atlas eyes widened and the words within his mouth disappeared. Closing his agape mouth, he pointed at the mysterious object and asked. Where did you get this? Reudem quickly answered. I was putin a team toether for that second job, my lord, when a man came to me and showed me this! Did you confirm it? the young prince skeptically asked. I sure did, my lord! Its real. And theres more of it, Reudem could not hide the smugness within his voice as he continued. A lot more of it. Where? And how much? I need a better estimate than a lot more. Atlas took the item into his hand and carefully observed it. Hearing his question, Reudem took a few breaths to calm himself before answering. Accordin to what the man said, about three hours journey into the forest. As for how much, he said its more than hes ever seen. So you havent seen it yourself? No, my lord. But you can trust this mans words. Ill see that for myself. Lead the way, Atlas quickly barked and returned the item to Reudem. The Scout Captain quickly nodded his head and led the young prince. Baron Helm followed. As they walked, Atlas didnt hide the beaming smile on his face. I was just thinking about where I was going to employ all the people. The answer just arrived at my doorstep. Staring down at his blackened hands, Atlas smirked. This item was going to lead the changes around this town. For he had found Coal. Chapter 26 - A Model Citizen Led by the Scout Captain, Atlas, followed by the Baron, arrived at the manors foyer where an unkempt man with a soot-covered face waited for them. Hearing their footsteps and seeing the trio arrive, the man immediately turned around and nervously greeted them. L-L-Lord Baron! he shrieked and hurriedly bowed his head. His eye then landed upon the golden-haired child beside the Baron. T-t-thatsyour majesty! Baron Helm, Your Hihness, this is the man I told you about, Reudem introduced the soot-faced man. Jason Porlicks. Atlas gazed at the Scout Captain with an appreciative glance. He inwardly praised his foresight in bringing along the discoverer of the coal deposit while coming to meet them. Settling his gaze on the nervous-looking, soot-faced man, Atlas spoke, Please dont be so nervous, Mr. Porlicks. J-J-Jason will do, my lord, the man nervously answered, cowering further. Alright then, Atlas showed a warm smile, You dont have to be so nervous, Jason. Im not here to question you, but to reward you. The word reward seemed to have gripped his attention as the discoverer raised his head and looked at the young prince. While a trace of nervousness still remained within his eyes, a greater part of it was replaced with desire and greed. Excitement. Greed. Praisea variety of emotions. Doubt and fear, however, are not part of them. Atlas internally evaluated as he read the man. This man isnt lying about the coal deposit. Hes fully sure of both its existence and location. Reading was a skill that had been taught to Atlas (John) at a young age. Much like reading from a book to understand and learn its contents, Atlas read a person to understand and learn their thoughts, motives, and emotions. It was a difficult skill to learn and one that was much harder to master. Fortunately, Atlas had both the genius and the time to master and refine this ability. Tell me, Jason, the young prince asked, how much coal would you say remains in the deposit. I-I cant say the exact measure, your majesty, Jason honestly confessed. Im unlearned and not good with numbers. A rough estimate would do, the Baron prompted. Hmm, I would say that its enough to fill three times the size of this house, Jason replied after some thought. There may be more if we were to dig deeper. Jackpot! Atlas exclaimed within his mind. While his heart brimmed with excitement, the prince was wise enough to not show it on his face. During a negotiation, one must never show how muchCand how badlyCone needed something from the other party. Only then could one guarantee the best prices for their wares. Three times the size of his house, huh? the young prince wore a thoughtful expression. Rubbing his chin, he continued, It might be enough for a town butdifficult. Seeing the princes thoughtful expression dampened the excitement on the faces of the adults around him. The Baron for one, deeply understood just how much smarter the prince was when compared to him. He then began to ponder this matter deeply, wanting to relieve the prince of the burden. Reudem, on the other hand, was aware of how far-reaching the princes mind was and concluded that this matter wasnt as simple as his poor mind thought it to be. Wanting to improve himself he also started to deeply ponder. Jason, the discoverer of the coal deposit, grew increasingly worried as he saw the faces of the others turning grimmer. Having discovered the deposit first, he was hoping to exchange its location in return for some benefits for himself and his family. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. At first, he believed the matter to be of some significant worth. While he wasnt an advisor, treasurer, or even an educated sod, he vaguely understood the value of coal. His family and dozens of others used it every day after all. Now, however, he wasnt very sure of it. Do you have a family, Jason? Atlas suddenly asked. Y-yes, your majesty. He then took a deep breath and nervously replied, A wife and a son. I see. The prince lowered his head and pondered for a few more seconds. A wifea soncoalrewardhouse? Jason keenly heard the small childs thoughtful mutters and quietly gulped. From what he heard, the young prince seemed to be deeply pondering about his rewards. After what seemed like an eternity, Atlas exhaled a deep sigh and faced the soot-faced peasant nervously sweating buckets. Jason. the young prince heavily voiced. Y-yes, your majesty, the man nervously replied. Its about your reward. Ive thought deeply about this and Im afraid He intentionally stalled for a dramatic pause while walking closer to the peasant. No amount of monetary wealth or food rations will accurately represent the sheer scale of your contribution. You havent simply discovered a deposit of coal, nay, youve saved this town, Jason. Jason Porlicks. You are a hero. The prince declared with eyes full of solemn praise and appreciation. Jasons mind went white. He was unable to hear or process anything. Opening and closing his mouth a few times, he hoarsely asked, ...a hero? A hero, the prince repeated. A champion of the people. Your contributions to this town, by discovering this small deposit of coal, isnt something that can be summed by mere physical rewards. Nay, I refuse to sully your achievement by rewarding you with cheap trinkets. Atlas passionately began his speech. Your contributions are far more sacred. For where you see coal, I see the hopes and lives of two-hundred and forty-seven of our fellow citizens. You, Jason, are a model citizen and a paragon of virtue. As such, I believe that a man of your character must be rewarded with something that mere money cannot buy. Fortunately, with my limited ability, I see a solution. Grabbing both of Jasons hands, Atlas looked the befuddled, frozen peasant in the eyes and spoke. Mr. Jason Prolicks, would you do this humble Prince the honor of accepting the Foreman position and lead your fellow brethren in securing this towns future? ICIC Jason helplessly stuttered as he stared at the large, watery eyes of the young prince. He looked and saw the unequaled trust and faith that the young prince showed him. The young prince, a person favored by the Gods and a possessor of Royal Blood, looked at him, a mere peasant, with such trust and belief. Jason looked through his memories and tried to find another person who had looked at him with such a gaze. His own parents called him a failure and a waste of air. His friends and workmates refused to socialize with him and called him a bother. His wife always looked at him with a disappointed gaze and frequently sighed at his presence. Hell, even his son, his very own flesh and blood, refused to play with his father and was always out playing with the neighbors kids and their fathers. But here he was, showered with trust, sincerity, and faith by the Prince, a person who he considered the closest to the Almighty God. Would he do the Prince the honor by accepting this reward of honor? MY LORD! Jason immediately dropped to his knees and hugged the young princes legs. With tears streaming down his face, he yelled, I DO NOT DESERVE SUCH HONOR!! Nonsense. Atlas immediately replied, If you arent, then who is? Jason choked at the reply and then proceeded to loudly cry while hugging the young princes legs. His mouth moved to speak multiple times but the words which came out were entirely gibberish. Reudem and Baron Helm looked at this heartwarming scene from the sides with tears in their eyes. What was a true master-servant bond? This right here was a true master-servant bond! A servant doing his utmost in service to his master and the master justly rewarding his servant. While the adults cried tears of joy at the young princes wisdom and generosity, Atlas inwardly shed tears of his own. Expect his tears were different andignoble. Ah!~ I love this place! All the people are so easy and gullible and are absolutely fu*king stupid! Holy shit! What a sucker! Ahhhow nostalgic this feeling is. Ive missed doing this. Atlas stared at the crying Jason and continued. One person down. Only two-hundred and forty-six to go. Its time for me to reward my precious citizens with real work. That coal isnt going to mine itself, you know. Hahahaha! An evil laugh played out. Chapter 27 - Town Planning TrickinCI mean, rewarding one person with the honorable task of mining coal was one thing. Convincing the entire town to do the same, that was a challenge. Thankfully, Atlas loved challenges. Pitting his intellect against a problem and coming out on top boosted both; his dopamine levels and his ego. After asking the Baron to dress Jason in better clothes, Atlas sent away the Scout Captain on his expedition. While Reudem deeply regretted that he would be missing the princes soon-to-come address, he understood the importance of discovering a new source of food. Left alone, Atlas retreated to his office where he closed the door and settled on the chair. Pinching his forehead, he thought out aloud. Reudem and his team have left for their expedition. At a minimum, it will take them at least two days to secure a new source. While I hope for them to return successfully as soon as possible, I must account for a possible failure. The chances of not finding anything or for the Scout Team to not return were very, very low, but never zero. Atlas, being a realist, had the habit of accounting to both extreme scenarios. The other team, lets call them Scout Team #2, have already left this morning to scout and map the surrounding areas. They will return tonight to report their progress before leaving again tomorrow morning. Excluding these men from the population count, I have ninety-three (93) men remaining. If I were to include the womenfolk, the total workforce available within this town is one hundred and seventy-three (173). A hundred and seventy-three uneducated peasants, or simply put, Workers. Atlas currently possessed a hundred and seventy-three Workers. It was a small number. However, considering the size of this town and the resources that he currently held, it would make do. Mining the coal, now that we have it, takes priority. The heat from the coals can be used to warm up the homes and drive away the wet moisture and the cold. Just having warm homes should significantly reduce the chances of people falling sick. From what he had heard from the Baron, the sickness afflicting a select few of the populace stemmed from the cold. Having a warm bed to sleep in would make a world of difference. On that note, I should separate the sick from the healthy and put them in a separate ward. A Health Center, if you will. This should further reduce the chances of the sickness spreading. Atlas then searched the drawer for a specific parchment. After shuffling through a few dozen sheets he finally found it and spread it atop the table. Here it is. The stock of materials that we have in possession. Alphabetical and numerical symbols written in the local language filled a neat table arranged into numerous rows and columns. Scanning through the sheet, Atlas read the data and compiled it into a simpler form. In short, this is what it read. Coal - 0 units. Wood - 83 units. Metal - 36 units. Raw Food - 129 units. Food Rations - 440 units. The units that he used here were something that he called the Atlas Standard. Essentially, 1 unit equaled 10kg of Coal/ 5 sq.m. of wood/ 5 kg of metal ingots. The unit used for food differs as 1 unit of Raw Food can be used to prepare 10 units of Food Rations. Each unit of Food Ration can serve 1 person. (1 Raw Food = 10 Food Rations = 10 Citizens Fed)Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. The Food Rations have to be prepared as needed, for it is susceptible to spoilage. Raw Food, however, can last for long periods of time granted they are stored properly. Tapping his fingers against the table, Atlas continued. The amount of Wood and Metal in stock is also worrying. According to the Baron, it takes 8 units of Wood to construct that Tent-like dwelling. However, that building needs to be improvised since its shoddy as hell. I need to discuss this with that Blacksmith. Lets just say for arguments sake that it takes 10 units of wood to construct a Tent-like dwelling. 1 Tent can house 10 citizens comfortably. In short, we would require 25 Tents to house the entire population. 250 units of Wood approximately. (10 units of Wood = 1 Tent = 10 Citizens Housed) However, they only had 83 units of Wood currently. In other words We need to harvest the trees surrounding us, Atlas quietly proposed. He had to divide a portion of the populace to cut down the trees and harvest the wood. In this world without mechanical supplements, people had to work the old-fashioned way; using axes and saws. We could do it manually. We have to do it manually. However, it will consume a lot of time and effort. Not his effort, of course, but it did consume his time. Atlas searched through his memories to try and remember if there was some sort of machine that he could build to quicken the process. Some sort of machine or tool that could reduce labor while increasing the yield. Unfortunately, while Atlas did possess Perfect Eidetic Memory, most of his knowledge was in regards to diplomacy, economics, administration, politics, literature, etc. He was no engineer or scientist with precise knowledge of machines. In other words, his knowledge from modern Earth served little use in his current situation. Well, cant help it. A person cant be an all-knowing, omniscient God after all. We all have our limitations and specialties. Atlas shrugged his shoulders. It sucked that he wasnt familiar with how machines worked, or how engines functioned, or how guns and gunpowder were made. But it didnt matter. Atlas was a leader and a politician. While he couldnt create guns to fight his enemies Cnotwithstanding how effective such weapons would be in a world of magicC he could always deal with them through the power of diplomacy. Im going on a tangent here. Back to topic, Atlas lightly tapped his cheeks. We need more Wood and I have to assign workers to harvest that wood. The Wood can then be used to improve the infrastructure around the town. Building proper residences and facilities will not only reduce the chances of people falling sick but improve the quality of life within the town. It will reduce discontent and motivate the people to live and work here. Metal shall be set aside for now. There is no sourceCthat we know ofC to harvest it, nor is there any point in doing so. The town doesnt need it right now. The implements required to mine the coal, chope the trees, dig the ditches, and many more were already available to the peasantry. Atlas didnt see any use for the resource right now. No, wait! Actually, we might have some use for metal after all! An idea suddenly struck Atlas. He wasnt sure how solid his idea was and required an expert of the field to consult with. Fortunately, he knew such a person. The blacksmith, Douglas Wootz. I need to ask him about this idea. The young prince considered. Im scheduled to meet him today, so might as well ask him then. He then reached for a new sheet of parchment and started writing down his plans. The allocation of the Human resource was just as important as the other material resources. With a hundred and seventy-three people in his arsenal, Atlas needed to carefully plan their distribution. A portion of workers to mine the coal, another portion to harvest the wood, a small team to tear down and restructure the current facilities, a few to handle the children, so on and so forth. Time passed and before long, a knock resounded on his door. Come in, Atlas replied without stopping his writing hand or lifting his head. What is it, Baron Helm? he asked, guessing the entrant from the sound of his footsteps. My liege, its time. The Baron solemnly announced. Atlas stopped his writing and raised his head. Seeing the Baron and reading his expression, Atlas arrived at the answer and heavily exhaled. Time to address my people, huh? Putting down the quill, he arranged the papers scattered on his desk and moved away from the table. Walking up to the Baron, Atlas looked the pig-faced man squarely in the eyes and spoke. Lead the way, Baron Helm. Its time that my people saw their leader. Right this way, my liege. Baron Helm showed a warm smile and led the young prince. The excitement on his face was palpable. Chapter 28 - Opening Salvo Axel Lynch wasnt a creature of the morning. He found it immensely tiring to wake up at dawn and always tried to stay in bed as much as he could. Usually, this meant an extra fifteen minutes of sleep before being rudely dragged away by his friend Marvin to do their community duties; running the Feeding Shack. Every day was the same, and the young adult had grown used to this routine since his arrival in this god-forsaken town. Today, however, was a bit different. Young Axel was wide awake well before the crack of dawn. He had already gone about and finished his morning routines before arriving at the towns square. He first looked at the raised wooden platform, which was currently empty, and then at the small crowds of people around it. While he had come early, it appeared that some people were even earlier. Oi, Axel! A voice called out to him, causing Axel to turn towards the speaker. Seeing that it was his dear frenemy, Marvin, he waved his hands and replied, Youre early. Look whos sayin that, Marvin teased. I just dropped by your home cause I thought that someone would need good, old mes assistance to wake up. Haha, Axel monotonously laughed before proceeding to ignore his friend. Marvin let out a chuckle before walking up to him and putting his hairy arms around his shoulder. Someones awfully cranky. Did the morning child get to ya? he teased, only to have his arm shoved away and receive a curt reply. Go nd bother somebody else, Marvin. Sensing the strangeness in his friends tone, Marvin asked with a face full of worry, Whats wrong, Axel? He then respectfully took a step back to create some distance and waited. Its jusCIm just worried, Axel honestly spoke his thoughts. Worried about what? Marvin asked, unable to comprehend his partners thoughts. About the dwindilin food rations, the new PrinceIm just worried about the future, I guess. Axel faced Marvin and bitterly said. Truth be told, ever since the Barons announcement last night, worry and anxiety had been gnawing at the young adults mind. He had begun to doubt his decision of coming to this place and started to second guess every choice that he had made. His doubts were so great that he found himself unable to sleep last night; part of the reason behind his early arrival. And looking at the rapidly ballooning crowd, Axel was willing to wager his life savings that he wasnt the only one with such doubts. Facing his friends deep question, Marvin breathed deeply before asking, Do you trust Sir Baron? Of course, I trust Sir Baron. He was the one who gave me this job and saved me from starvation after my parents died. I owe him my life. Axel faced Marvin as if he was facing some idiot. And not just you. I reckon that at least half the people within this town are indebted to Sir Baron one way or another, Marvin pointed out a fact while gesturing at the crowd. He then continued, I owe the Baron my life too.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. What does that have to do with anythiC Therefore, Im willing to follow the Baron till death, Marvin declared, interrupting Axel. He then solemnly stared at his friend and spoke. Look Axel, I agree that we havent had the greatest of beginnings with this town as far as beginnings are concerned. Its only been a month and things are already looking very grim. Still, I willingly followed Sir Baron while knowing the risks. Sure, I couldve survived by myself by choosing to run away or surrender to those invaders. But, I chose not to. Marvin paused for a second before concluding. My life and my future are with Sir Baron. Where he goes, I go. What he tells me, I do. It was never a matter of survival for me. It was a matter of repaying a life debt. And until I do so, I shall go nowhere. Axel processed his dear friends words. Marvin was right. He hadnt followed the Baron into these swamps to survive; that couldve been done easily by surrendering to the enemies. No, he had followed that gentleman because he hoped to repay him for everything that he had done. For somone as stupid as you, you sure speak some wise words, ol fool, Axel joked. You calling me a fool, mate? You know that Im more educated than you, right? Marvin rebutted, but Axel wasnt impressed. The two young adults argued back and forth, soon breaking into a fit of laughter. Marvins hairy arm recovered its rightful place over Axels shoulder. The latter superficially struggled before letting the former do as he pleased. After being silent for a few moments, Axel quietly spoke, Thanks, Marvin. Anytime, replied the good-natured youth. At that moment, the crowds filling up the public square suddenly stirred. Raising his head, Axel saw the large, hog-faced Baron make his way through the crowd and climb up the elevated platform. Following behind him was a young child with dirty golden hair and dressed in coarse peasant clothing. Looking at the child, Axel, and many others like him were struck with a profound sense of sympathy. His terribly malnourished figure, short stature, and slumped shoulders combined with his youthful age immediately invoked the protective instinct amongst many adults and most mothers. The young prince, named Atlas Constantine, looked less like the haughty, arrogant, self-entitled brat that they imagined him to be and more like a precious, hurt doe seen in the wild. Suffice to say, Atlas Charisma stats were off the charts. Just by appearing before the crowd, he had reduced their discontent by seventy percent and caused even the harshest of skeptics to reconsider their views. This beautiful child is the one burdened with the responsibility of leading the town? Axel thought to himself and felt his face burn with shame. Even a pitiful child stood up to shoulder a responsibility far, far greater than what his shoulders allowed him to carry. And here he was, a grown adult, doubting his choices and thinking about running away. Axel wasnt the only one with such thoughts as more than half the people within the crowd lowered their heads with shame. What a beautiful-looking lad, Marvin muttered absentmindedly. Axel found himself agreeing with his friend, for he had never seen a lad quite like the young prince. Atlas Constantine, even in his unkempt state, was the most beautiful child that he had ever seen. There was little doubt within his mind that the young prince would grow up to be an absolutely handsome man. Order! Order! Hiss Royal Highness, Prince Atlas Constantine is about to begin his address. Baron Helm loyally announced, quieting the crowd and giving the young prince the stage. Axel watched as the little prince stepped forward, blinked his watery, doe-like eyes at the crowdCinstantly melting the hearts of most mothers with his cutenessCopened his small mouth and spoke. Everything is meaningless and we are all going to die. What? Axels mind, and the minds of every single one of the two-hundred and something people gathered around the square blanked and did a double-take. You heard right. Everything is meaningless and we are all going to die! Of all the things that he, and everyone else, expected the young prince to open his address with, this was not one of them. Chapter 29 - Addressing the Public (1/2) Any aspiring leader who is seeking to enthral his new subjects into doing manual labor or to garner votes for him must include three important concepts in their all-important public speech. The first concept was called The Hook. Aptly named, the purpose of the hook was to capture the unwavering attention of the crowd, be it good or bad. The trick to doing this was to open your address with a highly controversial, popularly debated, extremely opinionated, or outright weird topic/one-liner. Not only would this grab the unilateral attention of the crowd, but it will also get them thinking, and hence provide emphasis to your ensuing words. Atlas, being the self-proclaimed inventor of this technique, did exactly that. Everything is meaningless and we are all going to die. He declared evenly, shocking both the peasantry crowd and the kind-hearted Baron standing behind him. He then surveyed the crowd, reading their expressions and gauging their thoughts. Seeing that his words had the intended effect, Atlas repeated the sentence to drive home the fact. You heard right. Everything is meaningless and we are all going to die! This time around, he could visibly see the shock on their faces. Their widened eyes, dilated pupils, and agape mouthssuffice to say, his words had gotten their mental gears to turn. He then graciously gave the crowd a few seconds to process his words. It was only after seeing the emotion of confusion appear on their faces did he proceed with his words. I believe most of you are confused by my words. What senseless words is this child yelling? you might wonder. But Im afraid that I speak the truth. Atlas took a deep breath. For if things continue heading the way they currently are, everyone within this town, be they adult or child, is doomed to die. These words, I speak not with ignorance but with experience. The young prince grimly prophesied, inducing doubt and spreading nervousness within the populace down below. With these words, the opening salvo was complete. The first concept, of the three important concepts, was successfully executed. All that he had to do now was wait. Go on. Take the bait. Bite the hook and take the bait. Atlas inwardly chanted. You can do it. I believe in you. Wat experience? Wat makes you say that!? Your just a little runt that had barely moved on from sucklin his mamas teat!! A brave citizen Cspeaking with a slight lispC yelled out from within the crowd. Bingpot! Atlas inwardly screamed with joy. There it was; the brave fish which grabbed onto his hook. Things had proceeded exactly like the young prince had wanted it to. Unfortunately, not everyone seemed to share the princes joy. Shut up! I will not stand by and watch as you insult the royal heir! Baron Helm stepped forward and threateningly barked. His furious voice immediately frightened the brave fish, and the majority of the crowd, into submission. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Baron Helm, please! Calm down and step back, Atlas hurriedly said, tugging on the large mans sleeves. But my liege! That man is insulting your honor! How can I stand by and watC Baron Helm tried to justify himself, only to be interrupted by the prince. Do you find me offended, Baron Helm? Atlas asked with a serious voice. Facing the rare seriousness of the young prince, Baron Helm faltered. N-no, my liege. Then please, stand back. His question was aimed towards me and me alone. As such, it is my duty to answer his query. The prince replied with a voice that was just loud enough to be heard by the people below. He then continued with a louder tone. Also, he isnt wrong you know. Taking a step forward, Atlas faced the crowd with a straight back and asked, Indeed! What experience do I, a young fledgling, have to utter such words? For you see, loyal citizens of the Constantine Kingdom, Ive seen and heard it happen before. A noble and his loyal servants escaping the flames of war, to hide in a distant, foreign land, living each day in anxiety and fear towards the future and what it holds in store for themthis town is but the last, in a long line of similar cases that Ive had the misfortune of witnessing. Atlas voice went quiet and a pained expression appeared on his face. His eyes even teared up a little. Seeing his expression, the crowd, Baron Helm included, felt a slight pain and overwhelming pity within their heart. What had the little boy witnessed to make such a pained expression? They wouldnt know. They could, however, tell that it certainly wasnt anything nice. Withholding his tears, Atlas bravely faced the crowd and narrated his story. My journey to arrive in this town was one that was filled with hardships and fueled by luck. Were it not for the Almighty Gods looking out for me, I would have certainly not made it here. This got me thinking. Why me? Why was I lucky enough to arrive at this town, alive and well, while hundreds, nay, thousands of people facing a similar situation did not make it? How am I different? Ever since I first woke up within the warm comfort of the kind Barons home, Ive pondered on his question. And it was only seeing you people, did I find my answer. Widening his arms, Atlas looked towards the sky and loudly declared. The Gods protected me, not to save my life, but to save yours! He made me witness the sight of burning towns and listen to the voices of the starving people not to burden me with sadness, but in order to prepare me to serve you! To lead you! It was not luck and chance that brought me here, but the will of the Ones Up Above!! His resounding declaration shocked the crowds into silence once again. Only this time, it was different. The second important concept, of the three important concepts, was called Empathize and Elevate. In this step, a leader must empathize with the feelings of the crowd. This is done in order to one, relate with them, and two, find a common ground with them. To reinforce this concept, he must not address himself as superior to them but as one amongst them. As such, he must elevate them. A variety of means can be used to complete this step. Atlas simply took the one with the greatest effect and the highest possibility for success. Firstly, he referred to himself as not a prince of a nation, but as a fellow citizen. Additionally, he even intentionally used his young age as another chip to elevate their lowly statuses. After that, Atlas found his common talking ground; they were both survivors of hardships and victors of struggles. He then narrated his story to raise sympathy amongst the populace. And finally, to legitimize his claims and provide purpose to his position, Atlas used the winning card. He summoned God! (not literally, of course. More in the metaphorical sense.) In this era where education was not widespread and the study of science was non-existent, the one overarching concept that every man, woman, and child was intimately familiar with was religion. Everyone believed in a God. Atlas used this to his advantage. He made himself out to be the carrier of Gods will; his purpose was to guide the people and warn them about their grim future. Was it the truth? Obviously not. Was it moral? Hell no. It was, however, incredibly, incredibly effective. And that was all that mattered to Atlas. My fellow people, I ask you to trust my words as I carry out the Almightys will! I request you to follow my words so that we can walk out of this dark future together and head towards the light, as intended by the Gods!! What say you!?! He roaringly asked. Chapter 30 - Addressing the Public (2/2) Silence followed the young princes resounding question. The crowd kept its head lowered as its eyes wandered in thoughtful ponder. And while the prolonged silence felt oppressive, Atlas didnt back away. He kept his arms widened with the intent of guiding these lost sheep onto the rightful path as its one, true Shepard. His face kept its holistic smile that gave the most devout believer of God, a run for his money. He was confident. Excessively, even. He did not doubt for a single moment that these people would stray away from his wishes. Why? Because he was Atlas Constantine. A genius. And he was correct. Makes sense! Only the Almighty could protect us within this cursed forest! Hes our shepherd and we are his sheep! Your Majesty Atlas! Please guide me and my family through these sinister times!! Hes the One! The One chosen by the gods! One after the other, the crowd cheered for its new leader. Their eyes were mired with a passionate glow, one that bordered on obsession. Their legs moved towards the wooden platform by instinct while their arms reached out towards the prince. The crowds mood rose to a fervent pitch. Words had power. If used correctly, they could create nations or destroy empires. Whoa! That worked a little too well, Atlas mumbled quietly and moved to hide behind the stiff Baron. He then raised his little head, stared at the pig-faced man, and said, Baron Helm, I think the people need to be calmed a bit. Snapping out of his daze, the Baron immediately raised his voice and thundered. Move back! Do not push each other! It took a little while Cand a lot of effort, mostly by the BaronC for the crowd to be cowed in silence. They calmed down and the majority came to respect the new leader. If they had any doubts, they did not show it. Respect or doubt, Atlas had convinced the people to take him seriously. As far as first impressions went, his was a resounding success. And now for the final step, Atlas smirked. The Hook had been cast, he had empathized and the crowd had been elevated. It was time for the final move, one that Atlas personally referred to as The Fun Part. Exhaling a breath of chill air, he spoke, It gladdens me to see everyone come to accept me. I can feel it in my heart. The Almighty Gods are also pleased with this outcome. The smile on his face suddenly disappeared. But, my humble sheep, our work has just begun! The road to the promised land is a long and arduous one. Our journey has just begun! Tell me, are you willing to follow me, as I lead you to paradise!? YES, WE ARE!! The crowd returned. Then let us waste no time and begin! Starting today, your duties will be as follows! Atlas began to recite names from his memory, calling out one citizen after the other, and assigning them with a duty. These duties, mainly requiring manual labor, ranged from coal mining, woodcutting, item transportation, and construction. Atlas did not discriminate. One fact that noticed during his tour around the town yesterday was that the physical conditions of both men and women were excellent and were in fact identical. While Atlas did not understand the reason why this was soCwas it their lifestyle, genetics, or maybe because this was a magic worldC he was glad.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Assigning a woman to mine coal wouldve been pointless and counter-productive in his previous world, owing to their weaker statures and whatnot. But here, it was different. The women could do the same amount of work as the men and achieve similar results. It was simply fantastic. Now he had twice the amount of manual laborers to exploit. With the discovery of the natural, not to mention exposed, coal deposit, Atlas made it the towns priority to mine it and transport it. While unrefined coal was rather inefficient to use, it would serve well for now. He assigned nearly half the available workforce, eighty-five (85) workers to be exact, into the coal mining efforts; mining, gathering and transporting. This left him with exactly 88 workers, discounting the children, the Scout Team that had left, and the educated. He then dumped forty (40) workers in the woodcutting sector. Another fifteen (15) to demolish the existing, poorly constructed structures, while twenty-five (25) workers were made to work in reconstructing the town. Atlas had drawn up the construction plans himself and put an educated peasant Ca masonC in charge of the team. He sent off these people to start with their duties. He then assigned five workers CwomenC to take care of and manage the children. A whole forty-five of them. The last thing he wanted was a bunch of snot-nosed brats running around, getting injured, and laying waste to the town. And then there were three. Axel Lynch, Marvin Serra, and Mrs. Linda. You three will be in charge of portioning and distributing the food rations starting this afternoon. Be sure to do a stellar job since the survival of the town depends on it, the young prince smilingly instructed. He even patted Axel on his arm. Being this close to this pseudo-legendary being, the three of them were lost of words. They dumbly nodded their heads, words refusing to escape their throats. Oh, and also, Atlas reminded. I want to institute a little change to how food rations will be distributed. Another change, my liege? Baron Helm, who stood by the princes side as always, nervously asked. Im not going to reduce it further, Baron Helm. Atlas rolled his eyes. I want the food rations to be cooked into meals, and then distributed to the populace. Theres nothing like a bowl of hot gruel after an honest days work. Our people deserve this much luxury. He puffed out his chest and sincerely declared with a blooming smile on his face. Oh, my liege, Baron Helm felt touched. And so did the three others around him. The sincerity and care that you show towards the humble peasants bring tears to my eyes. Who wouldnt like to come home to a bowl of steaming hot gruel after a full days work? Was there any greater comfort in a persons life than this? If Atlas address hadnt won them over already, this single move would surely do so. While Atlas order might seem full of honest consideration and kindness at first glance, it had a far sinister truth below it. Hah! Only an extremely retarded fool would hand out rations for the peasants to take home. The last thing that I want is the illegal circulation of food packets within the town. By controlling the supply of food, Atlas indirectly controlled the lives of every person within this town. Currently, it was his only available method of maintaining his power and authority. Picture this; a man was given a standard amount of food rations to take home. He decides hes not very hungry and saves a portion of it. Tomorrow, he learns that his friend/fellow worker hadnt had enough to eat yesterday. So the man decides to trade his saved portion for a little favor from his friend/fellow worker. Friend/fellow worker gets food in return for taking on the mans duties for a day. The man gets to have an easy day. Get it? Now imagine if this were to happen en masse. By handing out the food rations, Atlas is effectively crippling his own power and authority. People will be able to trade amongst themselves, massively reducing their reliance on the government, which was Atlas in this case. Whats more? This might even result in strikes, rebellions, and possibly a coup detat. Granted that the chances of such a thing happening were very, very low and it was Atlas who was simply being too cynical in his thoughts. But it paid to be prepared. One could never be too careful. Sending the three Feeding Shack workers away, Atlas heaved a sigh and massaged his face with his fingers. It had been an early and rather hectic start for the day, and not his most ideal one either. Not to toot my own horn but I think I handled this rather well. It wasnt the way I imagined things to take off, but well, it aint too bad either. Well then, lowering his hands, Atlas opened his eyes and turned around. A sizeable group stood there waiting for their turn to speak with him. It was the educated bunch. Chapter 31 - The Humble Brick You three; Erasthmus, Joycle, andLukin, yes, Lukin. I remember that the three of you had the most decent handwriting amongst everyone here, the young prince said. I want you to rewrite the citizen profiles; tabulate their names, ages, gender, and profession; bind it into a singular book; make five copies of said book; and oh, arrange everything in alphabetical and numerical order. Got that? The three learned peasants who were called out blankly stared at the prince. His highness asked you for a reply, Baron Helm forcefully repeated. His large eyes pierced into the three peasants. The three peasants hurriedly nodded their heads. What are you waiting for then? Chop. Chop! I want it done by tonight, Atlas clapped his hands. Erasthmus, Joycle, and Lukin quickly rushed to start working. Their faces were sweaty and their palms felt clammy. It was a mountain load of work to do and if they wanted to meet the deadline, they had to start immediately. You can use the Barons home as your workplace! the prince shouted out. He then turned to face the ten peasants remaining and handed out duties in a similar manner. You. Coordinate with the people from the Feeding Shack and ensure that everything goes smoothly. You are also in charge of keeping and maintaining the record. I want you to submit a report of todays expenditure, tonight on my desk. You two will be in charge of overseeing the demolition teams. Ensure that the tents are properly cleared and vacated before they begin work and try to save as much material as possible. You also need to submit a report detailing the number of resources lost and salvaged. You. Yeah, you with the pudgy face. If I recall correctly, you worked as a clerk or a bookkeeper for an inn, tavern, or something, right? No, dont bother replying. I know that Im right. Youll report to the mining site, immediately. Ill tell your duties there. Guy in the back, you will.. The tasks that he handed out were mainly administrative and supervisory. Most of it was dull, repetitive work but it beat physically toiling with your body by a long shot. Rather convenient when you took into consideration that most of the educated peasants were too lean, or too fat. They were certainly no coal miner material. As such, the young prince systematically chipped away at the group. He left not a single person unemployed for two reasons; one, because he hated seeing people not doing any work, and two, he hated seeing people not doing any work. Except him, of course. In an ideal world, everyone under Atlas will be employed while he enjoyed the fruits of their labor. Unfortunately, this is not an ideal world, the boy mumbled under his breath. What was that, my liege? Baron Helm, as sharp as ever, vaguely heard the young prince whisper something. Nothing. Anyways, he shifted the topic, arriving at the final person present before him. It was learned blacksmith, Douglas Wootz. Douglas Wootz, right? he asked. Righto, milord, the tall, brawn man soberly replied. His stature was the largest that Atlas had seen since his arrival in this world, rivaling Baron Helms own Cwho himself rivaled an orc. Right. Mr. Wootz, I wanted to asCThis book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Dougie or Douglas ould be fine, milord. I dont like this Mista or Missus business, the blacksmith interrupted the prince. His tone remained as serious as his face. O-okay, Douglas, Atlas awkwardly intoned. I read that you were a proficient metalworker cum blacksmith. Is that correct? Righto, milord. Its the faa~mily business. Ma pops been workin me since I was a wee, little lad. Im the best in the business in the hole barony, milord. Thats great! Confident. I like that, the prince remarked. So, anyway, I had this idea that I wanted to run byC Ma mom was a tailor, milord. Daughter of a pub owner she was. Met ma pops when he came to get drunk in the pub, the man interrupted Atlas once again and went on a rant. D-Douglas, Dougie, I dont see how this information is helpful to mC They then gone ran away to get married. Hitched a ride on a carriage to the neighboring town. That was when Uncaring of Atlas interest, Douglas continued to ramble on and on. The young prince tried his best to interrupt and get this conversation back on track, away from this weird tangent. Unfortunately, he remained unsuccessful. After a few minutes, Atlas even tried to get the Baron Cwho was eagerly listening to this story, mind youC to silence the man. It did not help. Having lost all initiative and feeling a tiny bit intimidated by the large man, Atlas chose to hold his silence. He learned a new thing about the middle-aged blacksmith today. The man loved to talk and equally loved to gossip. Imagine that; 65 tall, middle-aged man with tanned skin with burns and scars all over his body, has the body equivalent to the H*lk who loves to gossip about his neighbors and teenagers in his locality, Atlas sighed. Ill never be able to get this image out of my head. Such was the curse of having a perfect memory. --- Twenty Minutes Later. ...and thats about it, milord. What did ya wanna talk to me about? Huh? Atlas intoned dumbly, his eyes weary and face blank. It took him a second to recover his bearings. Youre done? Youre done! Holy hell, youre done!! Right! I had something to tell you. What was it, what was it, what was itthats it! Douglas, youve worked a furnace, right? Only me whole life, milord. Douglas puffed out his chest and proudly declared. Can you fashion a furnace for the town? A furnace for the town? Douglas lowered his head in thought. What for, milord. Some metal casting, wood drying, tool making if thats possible, but most importantly, it must be able to fire bricks. Lots of bricks. Quickly. He then began to explain his rationale to the middle-aged blacksmith with Baron Helm listening in tow. The two main problems that this town faced, namely, improper grain storage and population sickness were problems that would not get better with time. Rather, these problems will continue to exacerbate into the future. While the two issues seemed largely unrelated to each other, their root cause was one and the same: the environment. The damp, dark, humid environment of the stinking swamp and the absence of proper sunlight caused the food to rot faster, for people to get sick easier, and was largely unpleasant. While it wasnt apparent now, Atlas could say that morale Cpeoples hope on the town and towards the futureC was gradually diminishing. This could not stand. If ignored, it would become a HUGE problem in the future. Having just begun his journey as royalty, Atlas would be damned if he failed before enjoying the benefits that came with the title. How to solve this issue then? Simple. Build better infrastructure. While wooden walls and cloth tents would serve their purposes, for now, Atlas wanted to nail a more permanent solution. While he currently had no plans to retake his country from the invaders, he would certainly have some in the future. This town would serve as his starting point. Bricks built sturdy buildings. Bricks blocked the cold and damp better. Bricks could retain heat better than wood. Bricks could be used to build bathhouses, wells, aqueducts, Cnot exactly, but some manner of sewer facilityC pavements, roads, houses, and finally, walls! The possibilities were simply endless. And that is why we need a furnace, kiln, whatever you call it. To produce copious amounts of bricks. Atlas concluded his inspiring presentation. Douglas Wootz inhaled deeply. He kept his head lowered but closed his eyes in thought. After a minute or so of serious consideration, he said. Milord, about your pla~n, I believe its Chapter 32 - Never Judge a Book by its Cover ...workable. Was the pregnant pause really necessary? Atlas internally rolled his eyes. Externally, he kept his perfectly agreeable demeanor and ecstatically replied. Perfect! I ask you to get working on the plans immediately then. Bring it to me in the Barons manor after youre done and we shall see about proceeding from there. Taking a few steps forward, the young prince looked up at the blacksmith with an earnest expression. Remember Douglas, this towns future rests upon reliable shoulders. We are all counting on you. Im counting on you. Douglas expression underwent a change. His easy-going, prideful features became extra serious and solemn. Staring down at the little prince, the middle-aged, gossip-loving, blacksmith exhaled heavily before slamming his right hand against his left chest. Thud! The sudden, heavy thud startled Atlas and made him flinch a step back. You can count on me, milord! Douglas Wootz screamed. Ill build the best darn forge this townCno, this worlds ever seen!! Definitely a boast but I like your spirit! I wish you luck, Dougie. Atlas gestured with a balled fist. Douglas took the regard in stride, nodded his head, turned around, and walked away. He had a noticeable pep in his step as he went away, signifying his eagerness and excitement to start working. I like that man. Hes got heart, Baron Helm commented. If only he talked less, Atlas quietly mumbled before turning to look at the Baron. That should be it for my morning appointments, right? Baron Helm? Hearing his lieges question, the Baron shot a quick look around before nodding his head in answer. Indeed, my liege. Although, I have to say. I wasnt expecting my liege to address the citizens with such intimacy. Hearing your words brought tears to my eyes and stirred the long-forgotten faith within my heart. Faith is a good thing, Baron Helm. It gives us hope even in the most hopeless of times. Besides, Atlas casually shrugged his shoulders. I simply spoke the truth. That was a lie. Ive always considered my survival and arrival to this town as an act of the divine. Today, I simply voiced my thanks to my benefactor. The young prince looked up and regarded the sky with a distant look. His beautiful features and earnest expression combined to give him a pious, God-loving look. And as if to respond, a lone ray of pure, golden sunlight broke past the barrier of clouds and landed on the young princes face. His unkempt, golden hair and sky-blue eyes glimmered with unworldly resplendence. Looking at this scene, Baron Helm could not help but wonder. My liege really is the Son of Heaven. A blessed child of the gods. Meanwhile, Atlas flinched from the sudden sunlight attack and cursed up a storm. Sh*t! My eyes!! It burns! This fu*king ray of sunlight! God-fu*king-ARGH! Remember children, never stare directly at sunlight without wearing some form of visual protection. It burns. A lot. Baron Helm! Water! I need some water to put in my eyes!! --- Dining Room. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.Baron Helms Manor. Are you sure youre feeling better, my liege? Heres another bowl of cool water if you need it, the pig-looking Baron asked in a worried tone, holding a wooden bowl filled with clean water. His tall, obese body towered next to a small, scrawny, prepubescent youth who had his face immersed in a similar-looking bowl. ...glugluglug, ah! Removing his face from within the bowl, the young prince blinked multiple times with great frequency. It took him a few seconds to grow comfortable at which point he replied, Oh, sweet, painless vision. How Ive missed you. Rubbing his eyes, the bridge of his nose, and other areas of his face with his hands, Atlas was interrupted for a moment by the Baron. Oh, Ive brought a clean towel, my liege. Baron Helm offered. Ah, perfect. Taking the dry, coarse towel from the Barons hand, Atlas started to dry his face. With the proper device employed for the job, the process ended quickly and smoothly. Well, not smoothly for This towels very rough. Its chafing against my skin, Atlas complained. Is this what we use now? When did we resort to becoming animals? S-sorry, my liege, Baron Helm profusely apologized. I-I think I have a satin handkerchief given to me by my mother before her passing that you could use toC Tutut, too late, Baron Helm, the young prince interrupted. You shouldve given it to me before you gave me this animal hide to wipe my face with. Its too late now. Lets just forget it. Atlas threw the towel back to the shamed Baron and pushed aside the bowl of water on the table in front of him. It was an early start today and Im feeling hungry. Lets first eat something before we do anything else. O-of course, my liege. The Baron hurriedly replied and scampered off with the wet towel and the extra bowl of water. A few seconds later, Atlas heard a yell. Rohm! Serve me and his highness breakfast at the dining table! Understood, master. Baron Helm reentered the room and took a seat at the opposite end of the table. He then looked at the young prince, who was patting down his slightly wet hair and awkwardly initiated a conversation. S-so, my liege. May I ask what plans you have for today? At his question, Atlas stopped styling his hair and shot the Baron an annoyed gaze. Baron Helm felt his heart seize and immediately wondered what he had done wrong. Before he could arrive at a conclusion, Atlas let out an exaggerated sigh and spoke. After we finish eating breakfast, we have to head up to the coal mining spot and address the people there. The coal is very important for what I have planned for this town and we cant have any problems with its mining. After thats over, I guess we will return here and continue with my lessons. A few hours of that and then well head out into the town and ensure that the tearing down and reconstruction of facilities is going smoothly. Then some supervising, some management, resolving some problems that are inevitably going to occur, some of this, some of that, and then finally, return back here and wait for the reports to arrive. I-I see, Baron Helm nervously gulped. He looked overwhelmed by the amount of work the young prince had planned to do during the day. Butler Rohm entered the room just then, holding a tray filled with two bowls of steaming gruel. He placed the bowls in front of their respective diners and retreated. After whiffing twice at the odorless meal and wincing at the severely decreased quantity Cnot even the Baron was free from Atlas rationingC the Baron looked up only to find the young prince staring at him. My liege? Arent you going to eat? The Baron asked, seeing that the prince hadnt yet picked up his spoon. You first, Baron Helm. You first. The young prince replied with a serene smile. Hot tears gushed to the Barons eyes. An expression showing that he felt incredibly moved appeared on his face. The prince is giving me, his servant, the honor of eating first! It was common, noble courtesy for the younger members of a household to wait until their elders had taken the first bite at a meal. Of course, this courtesy only applied to individuals of the same standing. Atlas Constantine, by the virtue of being born a prince, did not have to wait for the Baron to have the first bite. And yet he still did! The meaning behind his actions was clear. I have his highness respect. Although Im clearly unworthy of holding his respect, it would be terribly rude of me to refuse him. Baron Helm mouthed the first spoonful with tears streaming down his face. My liege! Your servant is unworthy of such honor! Yet, satisfaction and contentment filled and overflowed from the Barons heart. If previously, his respect and adoration for the young prince had been at a full hundred, it had now broken through such flimsy concepts and arrived at an unquantifiable stage. Meanwhile, Atlas watched the Baron happily shove down spoonfuls of hot gruel down his throat and thought to himself. Good. The food doesnt seem to be poisoned. Satisfied, he took his first bite. Still taste like sh*t though. Chapter 33 - A Walk Through the Forest After finishing breakfast, the Baron and Atlas left the manor and headed towards the mining site. While he had already relayed instructions to the appropriate people and assigned leaders for the task, the young prince wanted to visit the site for a final check and ensure that everything proceeded smoothly. Walking alongside the crowds of boisterous people already having begun their respective work for the day, the duo quickly reached the edge of the town. A line of tall, thick trees marked the beginning of the uncharted forest beyond the town. Their crowns branched out abundantly, blocking the already diminished sunlight and darkening the area underneath the trees. The faint morning mist and the overreaching chillness that pervaded the entire area cast a sufficiently mystical and eerie feeling to the entire forest. Looking at this sight, Atlas finally understood why the forest was named, the Dark Brooding Forest, by the aboriginals. Oh, its definitely dark enough alright. he thought to himself. And its making me brood too. They really got the name right. After staring at the eerie tree line for a few more seconds, Atlas was shaken out of his thoughts by the noisy clamor coming from a distance. "Oi! Watch it!" "Don''t stand in the middle if ya don''t want to get your head knocked!" "Look at this hairless pig! Oi! Are ya gonna do some work, or stand there like an idiot!" Workers, or woodcutters to be more specific, had already arrived at the forests edge. Atlas has asked them to start their work in the direction of the coal deposit and gradually head inward. This would allow them to break into the forest and create a proper road towards the mine, cutting down on traveling time and increasing productivity. The workers gathered in groups of twos and threes, with each group hacking away at a single tree. The work was still in its initial stages as not a single tree had been felled yet. However, looking at the general progress of work, it wouldnt be long before the team of woodcutters started showing results. Theyve already begun work, the Baron commented, impressed. It had been nearly a month since he had arrived here with this group of people yet never before had he seen such energy and motivations amongst the townspeople. My lieges speech seems to have struck a chord with the townspeople. Ive never seen them so motivated before. Thats because you didnt know how to properly lead them, Baron Helm, Atlas replied. People work harder and are naturally motivated when there is a tangible result to look forward to. To spark activity, it is important to set an appropriate goal. Your servant lacks your wisdom, my liege. Baron Helm bowed slightly, honest appreciation and awe filling his heart. Enough bootlicking, Atlas waved his hands, annoyed. Lets not disturb the people here and catch up with the coal miners. Due to being wildly engrossed in their work and the noble duo being slightly away, the woodcutters hadnt noticed the arrival of the Baron and the prince. Not wanting to deal with the group of overzealous townspeople once again, Atlas wanted to leave this place and catch up with the coal miners who had already left the town. Of course, my liege, The Baron consented and the duo entered the dark forest. Having learned of the general location of the coal deposit from its discoverer, Jason Porlciks, earlier, the Baron led while the little prince followed. Thick coats covered the duos backs and warded them against the dampness and the cold. A single oil lantern hung from the Barons hand, providing illumination for the party. Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. As they walked for a few minutes, Atlas noticed a peculiarity. Baron Helm. Hmm? What is it, my liege? Is it just me or is there a disturbing lack of sounds around us, Atlas whispered. It was only now that he noticed the strange, oppressive silence of the forest. It was quiet. Too quiet even. Atlas couldnt hear the rustling of the leaves, the cracking of branches, or even the annoying chatter from birds and critters. The forest was simply quiet. This isnt normal. Forests arent quiet. They are supposed to have all these sounds. Granted, I havent ever been to a real forest during the entirety of my life, but Ive seen enough National G*ographic to know that they are supposed to make sounds! Lots of sounds Atlas panicked. Oh, thats normal, my liege. Baron Helm turned around and reassured the little prince with a smile. Not only is this forest dark all year round, but these trees also seem to have some strange, magical property that blocks all sounds from traveling far. It was one of the reasons why we decided to build the town this far within the forest. I see, Atlas nodded his head feeling partially reassured. Does this apply only to humans, or is it the same with monsters and beasts? I dont know about any monsters living within this forest, my liege. The Baron confirmed his ignorance regarding the den of monsters inhabiting the forest. However, the beasts are also affected by the silence. In fact, the oppressive silence keeps most of them out of the woods. This was new information for Atlas. Although, when he thought about it, it made sense. Living within such oppressive silence would be uncomfortable for humans, not to mention unintelligible beasts. Then the wolf pack that attacked my family? the prince asked. An outlier, my liege. The forest keeps out most, but not all. The tragedy that befell the Royal Family must be the work of a pack that managed to adapt to the strange forest. He answered in a bitter tone. Clenching his fists, the Baron stared severely at the young prince for a moment and spoke, You neednt worry, my liege. While the chances are slight for a beast pack to appear, I vow on my life that I shall not let a single scratch land upon your highness. You shall and will remain absolutely safe. This, I swear! The Baron spoke these words with such intensity that even Atlas found himself a little speechless and lost. Staring into the Barons eyes which were inches away from his own, Atlas gulped and replied, O-okay. The Baron showed a full smile on his ugly, pig-like face before turning around and continuing his walk. Do keep close to me, my liege. This servant will protect you from all harm. Atlas quietly nodded his head and followed the Baron. His face, hung low and hidden from sight, sported a confused expression. Did I just receive a knights oath of protection from a middle-aged, bald, pig-looking dude? Atlas wondered. What the fu*k? He had seen and heard similar lines being spoken in movies, books, and other media. However, those cases usually revolved around a handsome young lad and a stunning young lass. A giant, middle-aged dude and a short, prepubescent kid? That sounds like a whole different story without context. --- Thirty minutes later. I cant I cant anymore, Baron Helm, Atlas huffed and wheezed. He weakly raised his slumped head and stared at the panicking Baron, the light of life slowly fading from his eyes. His body leaned against the damp trunk of a tree, bruised and battered by the forest. His spirit, previously so vibrant and exuberant, now lay broken. Opening his cracked lips, he softly spoke, I feel cold No! My liege! Dont say that! ...and weak. My liege! You must get up! You need to fight this! Tears fell from his eyes as the older man begged. You promised me, Baron Helm You promised to protect me. My liege, butC! Yet here I lie harmed and broken Saying those final words, Atlas closed his eyes. My liege! You cannot rest in the middle of the forest! Please get up!~ Chapter 34 - The Mining Site Two hours and thirty minutes later. I dont understand why we didnt do this from the start, Atlas cheerfully intoned, swinging his legs back and forth. This is much more enjoyable. Huff. Huff. The large-bodied Baron huffed with difficulty as he struggled to maintain a straight back. Keeping his shoulders from trembling too hard, he tiredly replied, Im glad youre feeling comfortable, my liege. Look, Baron Helm, Atlas rapped on the Barons bald head, pointing towards a specific spot. I can see a clearing just upfront. It seems that weve arrived! Oh, thank god, Baron Helm quietly mumbled underneath his breath, being careful to avoid the princes ears. He was, quite frankly, on the verge of collapsing onto the ground. Two and something hours of trekking through a forest while carrying someone on your shoulders was a hellish ordeal. It was difficult enough to carry someone on your shoulders through a flat path, not to mention doing so in uneven, sludgy terrain. The fact that the prince liked to frequently rock back and forth, swing his legs wildly, and tap against his bald head only served to increase the ordeals difficulty. As much as it pained the Baron to admit, a part of him was glad that their destination had arrived. He, or to be precise his neck and back, sorely needed a break. What was that? Did you say something, Baron Helm? Atlas piqued. Its nothing, my liege. Oh look, weve arrived! Baron Helm hurriedly deflected. While wondering what that was about, Atlas shifted his attention to the scene before him. The encroaching darkness of the forest had finally retreated to expose light and space. A 50 sq. m. clearing chockful with people and activity presented itself before the young prince. It was the mining site. Whoa Atlas absentmindedly remarked, his eyes glittering with light. The base of a tall mountain rested at the back of the clearing, extending as far as the eye could see in both height and width. At its face, a man-sized crevice spilled ashy-black rocks, covering a quarter of the clearing. Shrubs, moss, and undergrowth plagued the walls of the mountain and much of the crevice. Line up accordin to the groups the little prince assigned to ya! Weve already lost much time getting to this place, so lets make the most use of the remaining daylight! Remember not to push or swing too wide, folks! We dont want anyone getting hurt here. Dump the mined coal over here, ya hear me! Also, dont break it too much when ya mine it! Atlas invested the majority of the towns populace into the mining efforts. The result of it was evident to see. Jason Porlicks, the hero of the town, seemed to have adapted well to his posting of Foreman. Sitting atop the Barons shoulder, Atlas could clearly see the man standing in the middle of the busy crowd of workers barking orders. Nervousness, tenseness, and slight timidness were still present and plain to see on his face, however, the newly awarded promotion seemed to have put some color and confidence into the man. Oi! Oi! Oi! Dont justCah! Jasons eyes landed on the newly arrived figures of the Baron and the prince. Lord Baron! My Lord! Jasons scream drew the attention of the other workers as they immediately paused their work and turned to look at the newcomers. It''s Lord Baron! The little prince is with im too! Ah!~ Looking at is highness cute face fills this maidens heart. Maiden? What rubbish! Yer old enough to be my mother! Ya old coot! Just cause Im old, doesnt mean I cant be a maiden! Im still unmarried for gods sake!! Oi, both of you! Stop bickering like pantless children! Yer bringing us others a bad name. Ignoring the nonsense from the crowd, Atlas dismounted the Barons shoulders with the latters help Cthe latter releasing a short moan from the reliefC and walked a few steps forward. He then met Jason, who had made his way towards the prince. My lord! Jason immediately greeted, moving to get on his knees to greet the prince. Atlas hurriedly stopped him. Oh, dont do that! Its not required here. He waved in denial. He then peeked at the bickering crowd behind Jason. They seemed to be in an argument. Foreman Porlicks. Please ask the workers to continue with their work. Im only here to see if everyone has arrived safely with no issues and to meet with you. Atlas ordered. Jason foolishly chuckled after hearing the prince address him as Foreman Porlicks. Fortunately, he was quick to snap out of his fantasy and carry out his order. Turning around to face the crowd, he loudly barked, Enough with your silly chats! Get yer arse back to work!If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. His order was met with a few annoying comebacks. However, the majority stopped their silly argument and returned to work. The prince had arrived to check up on them and it would only be right of them to leave a good impression. Who knows, perhaps they might score a promotion too. Seeing Jasons words not being met with any dissent or insubordination, Atlas inwardly nodded his head with satisfaction. It seemed that the new foreman had established his authority with relative effectiveness. How had he managed to do it? Atlas did not care. The result was all that mattered. Jason was feeling quite satisfied too. The feeling of power and authority was quite addicting. Fortunately, he had no intentions of contesting against the young prince for his position. The man was pleased with his current title and position. It was a position that was previously unthinkable for a mere peasant farmer to possess. Also, seeing the look of surprise from his wife, and harmless jealousy from his friends had been completely worth it. Jason Porlicks felt indebted and grateful towards the young prince. I hope you didnt have any troubles reaching this place, Foreman Porlicks? Atlas began the questioning. Not at all, my lord. The people here have experience with the forest. There were no troubles. I see. Thats good. Atlas replied. He then asked a series of questions ascertaining the things he wanted to ascertain. After the rounds of questioning, the young prince then took a tour of the mining site. Led by the foreman and followed by the Baron, the prince went over the mining arrangements. All of the townspeople greeted him enthusiastically and the young prince responded in kind. It went without saying how important image was to a politician or leader. Image was everything. How the people viewed you defined what type of a leader you were. It also defined the level of control and authority you had over the people and controlled the odds of a rebellion occurring. In his speech earlier today, Atlas showed himself off as a virtuous, sincere, holistic, and capable leader. Touring around the mining site, he was reinforcing this image into the minds of the people. Ah, I miss having the media. Doing this manually is really tiring. But well, what had to be done, had to be done. Sparing some effort today might spare him from a coup tomorrow. After finishing his tour, Atlas then inspected the coal deposit and the coal itself. He had no idea what he was looking at and holding in his hands, but the Baron assured him that the coal was quite high in quality. As for the deposit, without proper tools to measure it, Atlas couldnt say exactly how much coal was present. However, the foremen and the workers answered him with this. There is enough coal in here to power the kingdom, my lord! Yeah, right. Atlas was going to take that with a grain of salt. Almost an hour later, Atlas was finally done with his tour. He arrived near the freshly built wooden shack Cto be used for storing the mined coalC and spoke with Jason. You seem to have a good grip of the works here, Foreman Prolicks. I trust in your ability and leave you in charge of this operation. I-Im honored, my lord! Jason replied with tears streaming from his eyes. Hearing praise from the person he held with the highest of regards moved him beyond comprehension. This wooden storage shack looks good too, Atlas commented, tapping his hand against the walls. It was amazing what people could build given the appropriate knowledge and materials. This wooden storage shack alone had cost 20 units of wood to construct, and it looked much sturdier than that barn they used for storing the food stock. Atlas sent an accusatory glance towards the Baron, who immediately ducked his head in shame. Anyway, he faced Jason once again. How much coal do you estimate you can mine per day. Well, my lord. Jason bowed his head in consideration. His face showed a mixture of struggle, difficulty, shame, and a variety of other emotions. Atlas was confused at this reaction but quickly realized something. Jason wasnt a learned man. My apologies, Foreman Porlicks, Atlas apologized. Just answer using whatever standard you are comfortable with. My lord! You dont have to apologize to an unlearned peasant like me! Jason hurriedly refused, but inwardly felt validated. His respect for the prince soared even higher. Rubbing his coarse beard, the man answered, With the number of people we have working here, I would say 5 cartfuls, my lord. 5 cartfuls? Atlas turned around and looked at the Baron for conversion. The man soon replied. That should be 50 units per day, my liege. The Baron replied. ( 1 unit = 10 kg. 50 units = 500 kg) Thats a lot, Atlas honestly remarked. Not bad. Not bad at all. However, my lord, there is a little issue, Porlicks nervously inserted. Oh? Atlas looked at the foreman. Please do tell, Foreman Porlicks. We wont be able to transport that much coal back to the town, my lord. Ah! Atlas felt enlightened. I completely glossed over the issue of logistics. Indeed, without a proper road, trekking through the forest while carrying that much coal would be impossible, Baron Helm agreed. The workers can only carry a little on-person while returning safely. Righto, my lord. Jason intoned. How much would this little be? Atlas asked. About this much, my lord, Jason gestured with his hands. It was roughly the size of a basket. Around two, two and a half sacks worth of coal, my lord. Thats two and a half kilos (2.5 kg), my liege. Baron Helm translated. Atlas calculated inwardly. 2.5kg per person over eighty-five (85) people, that comes up to 21 units? Roughly half of the daily mined amount, huh? Atlas vocalized. Well, its a start. I suppose there is nothing else we can do for now. Thatll be fine then, Foreman Porlicks. I shall leave now. Remember to come to the Barons manor after you return this evening to give me your report. Of course, my lord. Jason bowed; his fist on his chest. Lets go, Baron Helm. Atlas exited the storage shack and the Baron followed. The two walked over to the edge of the clearing and disengaged themselves from Jason. Entering the forest, Atlas immediately walked over to the Baron and spoke. We need to return soon, Baron Helm. Ill have to ask you to make quick work of your feet. He then widened his hands, clearly showing his intention of wanting to be carried. A variety of emotions flashed across the Barons face before finally landing on resignation. Of course, my lord. He sighed and mounted the young prince on his shoulders. After making sure that the prince was seated comfortably, the large-bodied man began his jog back towards the town. Chapter 35 - The Test of Faith The journey back to the town was largely uneventful, Atlas sat on the Barons back with his eyes closed and his mouth shut, immersed in internal ponder. Baron Helm, on the other hand, was pushed both mentally and physically to the very edge. This trek back was the most difficult task that he had ever done in his life. Yet. Arriving at the edge of the town, the Baron, teetering on the verge of collapsing onto the ground, hoarsely said, M-my liege, w-we have arrived. The mans voice resembled the final grunts of a dying horse. Oh. Youre right, Atlas flatly replied. Tapping on the bald mans head, he continued. Well then, why did we stop? Lets hurry up and return to the manor. The young prince gestured by pointing his arm forward. His tone and actions showed no intention of getting down from the Barons shoulder and relieving the middle-aged man from the burden. He sat as firmly as one could sit. M-my liege bu-butC Baron Helm felt like crying. Pain radiated from every inch of his body, his muscles feeling like they were being torn apart. He couldnt feel his neck, shoulders, and most of his back from quite some time ago, the features having grown completely numb. Would you look at the sky? It looks like it''s already noon! Atlas exclaimed. He then kicked with his feet. Hurry up, Baron Helm! Weve already lost so much time! Y-yes, my liege! The teetering, aching, sweating, pig-faced man painfully replied. His face settled on the expression of resignation. Biting his teeth with such force that he involuntarily drew blood from his gums, the man performed a short snort before taking a step forward. He immediately lost balance. Whoa! Whoa! WHOA!! Due to the sudden imbalance, Atlas instantly lost his seating. His failure to hold onto the Barons body Cit irked the prince on a spiritual level to touch the filthy, sweaty headC caused him to fall from his human throne. Before he could make sense of the situation, Atlas saw the sky and the ground interchange their respective positions and felt his body hurtling to the ground. The suddenness of the situation made it difficult for him to comprehend it. Ah, sh*t! Im going to hit my head against the ground! Atlas cursed, his thoughts accelerating moments before the impact. At this instant, a thought crossed his mind. Is this karma? If it was, it sucked. Just as he was inches away from heading the ground, Atlas felt a secondary force crash against him from the side. His descent was immediately thwarted, and a strong crushing force enveloped his entire body. MY LIEGE!! Baron Helm caught him in the nick of the time. --- You dont have to be so depressed, Baron Helm. I told you, its my fault, Atlas patted against the Barons side while gently consoling the large man. The two of them sat behind one of the trees lining against the edge of the town. They hadnt entered the town yet, for well, they couldnt enter it yet. The large-bodied, obesely-built, pig-headed Baron held his face with his large hands and cried. Thats right. He cried. It was quite the spectacle, watching a fully-grown man cry uncontrollably while blaming himself for failing his duty. Atlas wore a half-amused, half-annoyed expression. It wasnt his first time watching the man cry. But that didnt mean that he felt comfortable, or equipped, to deal with his situation. We cant go into town with this guy looking like this. Any measure of trust and respect that the townspeople have in their leadership will completely disappear! And so, they would wait. Well, this at least confirms one thing. Atlas thought to himself while absentmindedly patting the Baron. The Baron is definitely not the traitor.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. Baron Georg Helm was definitely not the traitor that betrayed and backstabbed the Royal Family. Atlas was finally sure of it. How? I took a risk today. Exposing myself to certain unknown, unavoidable levels of danger to confirm something. It had already been established beyond doubt that someone had betrayed the Royal Family of the Constantine Kingdom; the entire family being captured by monsters was no coincidence. Someone, probably from the invading enemy camp, wanted them dead. The trap had been perfect. The Royal Family was captured with its escorts killed. The King and the Queen had perished. The final member and remaining heir wouldve also died, if not for the transmigration. By pure chance, Atlas had managed to survive that near-death ordeal. As such, the enemys motive Cthe annihilation of the Royal FamilyC still remained incomplete. And if the enemy force leader possessed even marginal intelligence, he would know better than to leave this matter unattended. What this meant for Atlas was that the threat for his life remained. Now, ideally, the matter of his unexpected survival would remain hidden and wouldnt reach the enemys ears. It could be that no traitor existed amongst the townspeople, and that Atlas was just being overly paranoid. However, the youth, possessing sixty years of life experience, knew better than to gamble with his life. Atlas would never leave matters to chance and sit still hoping for the best. In his mind, a traitor definitely existed amongst the townspeople. Someone was hidden within the shadows, awaiting the perfect moment to reap his life. Question was, who could this be? With some logical reasoning, a few concrete facts could be garnered from this complex situation.
  1. Whoever this traitor was, they were skilled enough to flawlessly murder the Royal Family while leaving behind little to no evidence. If it were not for Atlas unexpected survival, the matter of their demise wouldnt have been exposed until a much, much later date.
  2. The traitor somehow possessed access to sensitive and highly accurate information. To have orchestrated that monster attack, they mustve known the exact route, timing, composition, and strength of the Royal Familys escort.
  3. The traitor was intelligent enough to not expose themselves lightly. This meant one of two things; either their mission wasnt limited to the annihilation of the Royal Family and that they had more targets, or that there was a greater, long-term scheme that required them to hide and stay put for now.
  4. The traitor was quite cautious and not suicidal. This could be garnered from how no one attacked him outright. Atlas had made sure to deliberately expose himself several times.
With the broad classification established, it was a matter of looking for the individual(s) themselves. But before he did that, Atlas had to establish a trustworthy group that he could rely on first. What was the point in discovering the traitor if he couldnt aptly deal with them? Searching for the traitors before gathering power of his own would be like putting the cart before the horse. And so, Atlas began with looking for a trustworthy person whom he could rely upon. And owing to situational constraints, he had no choice but to begin with Baron Georg Helm. For if Baron Helm was the traitor Calthough his initial impression suggested otherwiseC Atlas life was as good as forfeit. The testing began from the moment Atlas finished dealing with the townspeople. He intentionally pushed the Baron, a member of the nobility, into performing menial chores and treating him in a degrading manner: bringing him washbowls to wash his face, towels to dry it but then complaining at the lacking quality, acting whiny and annoyed towards the Baron, etc. Atlas undertook immense risk when he traveled alone with the Baron through the Brooding Dark Forest. During the trek, he presented the man with every opportunity to attack. Atlas constant complaining, spoiled attitude, forcing the Baron to act as a means of transport The young prince did his very best to cultivate negativity and irk within the Barons heart, forcing him to act. This continued until their return to the town. Yet the Baron never did anything to harm the prince in the least. Even in the end, when Atlas accidently fell from the Barons back, the large man immediately threw himself to catch the prince, injuring himself in the process, but ensuring that not the slightest scratch befell the prince. The Baron acted true to the promise he had made earlier. He remained as steadfast and loyal as ever, not having the slightest of dissatisfaction towards the prince no matter what he did or how low he treated him. I can see why the late king trusted the man with his life. Atlas smiled to himself. Even the most cynical part of him couldnt speak anything against the Barons behavior. This man, Atlas looked up at the Baron, who had finished crying and was now busy wiping his face, can be relied upon. Are you done, Baron Helm? Atlas asked to which the large man nodded his head. His face flushed red as he realized how unsightly a behavior he had exposed before his liege. My liege! I beg you to wipe away this memory from your mind. Please forgive my unsightly behavior! Baron Helm bowed in shame. Im afraid I can''t do that, Baron Helm. I, never forget anything, Atlas shook his head with pity. Horrified, the Baron immediately moved to apologize even more profusely. He was, however, immediately stopped by the prince. However! Atlas exclaimed. I will promise to never mention this embarrassing display ever again. I do owe you a favor for keeping a secret of mine after all. Baron Helm wore a confused expression at the princes bargain. Moments later, a look of realization flashed across his face as he spoke. Oh, my liege! Do you perhaps mean what happened when we found you in the river with a fish crawling up yourC Atlas immediately moved to strangle the Baron to death. Chapter 36 - Medical Center Knowing that there was a person whom he could trust Cto a certain extentC and rely upon cast off an enormous mental burden from Atlas mind. Walking through the shoddy wooden pathways alongside the Baron, there was a definite pep in the princes step. While heading towards the manor, the duo came across multiple scenes of activities with the townspeople going about their assigned jobs. Atlas saw houses being torn down and new residences being set up in their place, trenches being dug, new pathways being properly laid there was a certain life and buzz about the town. Determination was evident in the townspeoples gaits and motivation was apparent in their faces. The town was rapidly changing for the better. After walking for a couple of minutes, the duo came across one of the larger construction teams. Lord Baron! His Highness! By the Gods, youve come at the perfect time! A man cheerfully exclaimed as he excitedly walked up towards the duo. Looking at the mans broad forehead, coarse facial hair, and the obvious birthmark on his right cheek, Atlas instantly recalled his name. Mr. Wilkins, the prince greeted. Whats gotten you all excited? Hahaha! Im glad you asked, your highness! The man happily scratched his head. We just finished buildin that Medical Center you told us to build!! Already? Atlas asked, surprised. Its been what five, six hours since they couldve begun work? How were they done already? Oh, it was hard, back-breaking work, your highness. But we still managed to get it done! Wilkins cheered. Please, follow me. He then led the prince and the Baron towards the newly-constructed Medical Center. Arriving quickly, they met the eight-man construction crew lounging around before the new construct. From the looks of it, they seemed to be taking a break while admiring the efforts of their hard work. Shes a beauty, aint she? Marla. Thats what Ima call her. Thick walls, warm ceiling, reinforced beams, interior padding, shes as fine a building as Ive ever seen. I say, I wish I would fall sick so that I get away from my bickering wife, you hear me? Aye, aye. Me too. Me three! Count me in too! You aint two! Youre well, you can come in after us. Respect the order! Looking at these chatting while sitting on wooden stumps and leftover material, Atlas thought that the only thing missing from this scene was beer. Were each worker to hold a bottle in their hand, the image of a stereotypical construction crew would be complete. I wonder if theres beer in this world. Atlas absentmindedly thought. It would be interesting to see beer, or at least this worlds equivalent of it. While the prince was lost in his thoughts, Wilkins, the supervisor of this crew, barked at the crew. Get off your arses, ya lazy butts! The prince and Lord Baron are here to inspect our work! The workers snapped out of their discussion and hurriedly greeted the newcomers. After returning the greeting, Atlas and the Baron entered the building. The building was well, it was empty. Dark wood composed the floor, walls, and ceiling, with thick, heavy fabric insulating the ceiling and the walls. The building contained only a single level but was large enough to fit 15-20 people within without crowding. The interiors were noticeably warmer and dryer than the outside, proving Atlas point that properly constructed structures were vastly different from shoddy, hastily built ones. This is certainly nice. A few coal stoves spread out within this place, and the chillness will completely disappear. It would be warm, cozy, and a perfect recuperation center for the sick. Separating the infected from the healthy was the first order of business to combat sickness. With a dedicated facility to combat the problem, not only would the sick be treated faster and safer, but the sickened people would also have no qualms about coming to the facility. What do you think, Baron Helm? Atlas asked.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. The Baron had to crouch a little to fit inside the building. He was a tall person, and his above-average height meant that he couldnt stand comfortably within this structure without knocking his head on the ceiling. Well, the ceiling seems a bit low, my liege. The Baron replied. Its you who is too tall, Baron Helm. The ceiling is fine considering the other townspeople, Atlas replied. What do you think about this place, apart from the ceiling? The prince turned and stared at his vassal. Wilkin also nervously stared at the Baron as the responsibility of the construction lay with him. Its quite nice, my liege. Very well built and sturdy, The Baron remarked. Wilkins felt relief flood his heart. Atlas simply nodded his head at the Barons answer. Turning to face Wilkins, he ordered. Prepare the cots, beddings, covers, whatever is required as soon as possible. This building must be ready to be used by tonight. Got it, your highness! It will be done! Wilkins saluted. The prince and the Baron then left the building and continued on their way to the Barons manor. Baron Helm, have the sick separated and admitted to this facility as soon as its construction finished. Also, appoint a few workers to take care of the sick. But. my liege, we do not have any free workers to assign. The Baron pointed out. I know, Atlas replied. Reassign people from these places: 1 from the Feeding Shack, 2 from the Children Care House, and 1 from the Deconstruction Team. Atlas ordered these reassignments knowing that it would not result in reduced efficiency with the other tasks. Knowing how to distribute your workforce to maintain overall efficiency was an integral skill to possess for every manager and leader. Atlas had already maxed out on this skill. Baron Helm mentally noted the order and prepared to carry it out as soon as he got back to the manor. Oh, and also, Atlas belatedly added. Assign Butler Rohm to the Medical Center. He will be leading the team. His medical knowledge will come in handy in dealing with the patients. The person who had patched up Atlas after his arrival at the town had been Butler Rohm. Seeing as to how Atlas was roaming around without any overt problems the very next day, it was clear that he had done a good job. His experience with medicine would surely come in handy while dealing with sick patients in the Medical Center. Rohm!? But, my liegeC Baron Helm tried to protest but was immediately shut down by the little prince. That was an order, Baron Helm. Atlas sharply replied. Besides. His presence is currently required in the Medical Center for it to function to a greater effect. ...Understood, my liege. The Baron quietly replied. He saw reason in his lieges words and understood that it was the most sensible choice in light of their situation. A few moments later, the duo arrived at the Barons Manor. The time was an hour or two past noon. Atlas retired to his office, while the Baron went to deal with the tasks given to him. Inside the office, Atlas took out a few parchments of paper from the drawer and resumed learning the Krinis language. Thirty minutes later, the Baron entered the office and the duo then started with their daily language lessons. Time ticked by and darkness consumed the town. Lamps illuminating the darkness were rare and scarcely spread out around the town. With the day being over, the workers returned from their posts and retired to their residences. Sometime later, they crowded towards the Feeding Shack where bowls of hot gruel were served, much to the delight of the townspeople. After dinner, most of the townspeople returned to their residences and called it a day. Inside the Barons manor, however, the day was not over yet. Oil lamps illuminated the gathering hall and the office with around a dozen people waiting inside the hall. Each person wore a tired yet satisfied expression on their face while holding sheets of parchments in their hands. They looked akin to little children who were nervous yet excited to show off their paintings to their parents. Next! A cry came from within the closed office room. Soon, the door to the office opened and a worker hurried out of the room with an excited expression. The next person in the queue, Vivian Bradley, immediately rushed into the office room and closed the door behind her. Inside the room, the cute, little prince, Atlas Constatine, sat behind the enormous desk. Two oil lamps were placed on the table to provide him with light. Dozens of parchments were scattered around the desk-top, each sheet filled to the corners with neat and ordered writings. The prince himself seemed to be lost within his work as the quill in his hand busily scratched away at the paper before him. His adorably gorgeous face wore a mask of seriousness and concentration as his eyes read through another parchment that he held in his free hand. Just a moment. Vivian heard the cute prince say. The middle-aged woman with a pockmarked face did not mind waiting. After taking another sneaky peek at his gorgeous face, she turned her head to curiously look around the office. It was her first time here after all. She immediately spotted the large-bodied Baron sitting on a couch towards her left. He also seemed intensely focused as he busily dealt with another dozen or so sheets of paper on the table before him. Her curious searches did not net her anything as the office was as plain as they came. There were no expensive rugs, artworks, or vases decorating the place. Foreman Bradley. She heard her name being called and immediately turned to face the prince. Yas, milord! She greeted him with a heavy accent. Thats your report on todays wood harvest, I assume? Atlas questioned. Vivian Bradley, Foreman of the Woodcutting Division, nodded her head and offered it to the prince. Receiving the sheets of paper from her hand, Atlas read through the report. Lets see oh? He unconsciously raised his eyebrows. Chapter 37 - Atlas Regime You didnt write this report by yourself did you, Foreman Bradley? Atlas questioned. No, milord. Im not learned enough for such a task, Vivian honestly answered. It was my husband who wrote this report. Your husband Thomas Bradley, correct? That is correct, milord. Hes a fine man, Vivian replied while wearing a smile on her face. Im sure he is, Atlas perfunctorily replied. Inwardly, however, he was quaking with complaints. What the hell is written here? Atlas looked at the indecipherable writing that he held in his hands. The handwriting was simply horrendous. How can anyone be expected to read whats written here? This is the worst handwriting that Ive ever seen! Its worse than a monkeys, and Ive seen a monkey write!! The worst thing was that Atlas couldnt even fully express the feeling inside his heart. He had to maintain a perfectly amiable smile on his face in order to reinforce his image. Let me first put this away. Looking at this god-awful writing is only causing my stress to increase. Atlas was afraid that he would shed his persona and do something drastic if he spent another second looking at the paper. Is anything wrong, milord? Vivian asked nervously, seeing the prince put down her report. Oh, not at all, Foreman Bradley, the prince amiably replied. Its just that a report can only tell me so much. I would much rather hear the facts from you. He flashed her a smile. Seeing the cute princes tooth-full smile was akin to seeing a flower bloom at the beginning of spring. The middle-aged womans heart instantly melted at the sight. What an adorable, little boy! I just wanna snatch him up and take him home! Vivian dreamily thought to herself. Reading the dangerous flash of light in the middle-aged womans eyes, Atlas hurriedly removed his smile and distracted her. Please do begin your report, Foreman Bradley, he urged. Ah, yes, milord. She then began her exposition on the days events. Listening to her narration, Atlas filtered out most of the unnecessary, useless details, focusing only on the meat of her report. He mentally noted down the important bits and asked questions whenever he felt it was necessary. It had to be noted that Foreman Vivian Bradley had a habit of sidetracking into unnecessary tangents while talking at length. Much like a certain blacksmith, whom Atlas was scheduled to meet later tonight. Fortunately, unlike that gossip-monger blacksmith, Atlas was able to steer the middle-aged woman back onto track with a little effort. The conversation lasted for ten minutes and its summary was this: one hundred and twenty (120) trees were cut down, seventy-five (75) of these trees were processed and turned into lumber. These numbers, when converted into the Atlas Standard Unit, measured a hundred and fifty (150) units. (1 tree = 2 units of Wood) After thanking the woman and sending her out, Atlas reached into the stack of parchments laid before him and entered the numbers. Wood - 150 units. Did you finish calculating todays Wood expenditure, Baron Helm? Atlas asked. Yes, my liege. The Baron raised his head and read the report that he was writing. Of the original eighty-three (83) units, twenty (20) units were spent in the construction of the Coal Shed, twenty-five (25) units were spent in the construction of the Medical Center and its accompaniments, and a whole thirty-five (35) units were spent in the reconstruction of the shared residences and pathways. This leaves us with only one (1) unit of wood remaining in storage if we dont account for todays gains, my liege. The Baron finished. Counting todays gains, we have 151 units of Wood in storage. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it How many homes were reconstructed today? Four, my liege. The Baron replied after checking his report. Nodding his head, Atlas pulled another sheet from the stack of roughly strewn sheets and entered the number. Houses Built - 4/25. Forty (40) people have proper residences now. Good. Proper homes mean a better rest which in turn equals higher efficiency in their workplace the next day. In the end, what mattered to Atlas wasnt the well-being or the comfort of his people, but how much work they could get done. And of course, the more they work, the better. I mean really, what purpose do people have if not for work? Has the Medical Center been fully constructed and equipped? Yes, my liege. The assigned people have already reported to the building and have begun their work. The sick have been separated from the healthy. How many of the sick are inside the facility now? Thirteen (13), my liege. Atlas raised his head at that number. Thirteen? He stared at the Baron. That seems distinctly higher than the number you told me yesterday, Baron Helm. If he recalled correctly, the number of sick people yesterday was still in the single digits. It is indeed higher, my liege. The Baron replied with a sour face. A few of the workers got sick today. How many? Atlas asked, his face grim. Manpower was already short as it was. Having workers ending up sick and not reporting to work would begin to impact work efficiency. Seven (7), my liege. Three (3) from the Deconstruction Team, and four (4) from the Woodcutting Team. The Baron then took a peek at another report and continued. It seems that workers who were infected were in close contact with the six (6) children who were already sick. A single day and the sick people have already doubled in numbers. Atlas sighed. It was unavoidable. In this era where healthcare and proper hygiene practices were still in their infancy, it was inevitable for disease to spread quickly. Take the Bubonic Plague from Atlas previous worlds history for example. It had occurred during a period similar to the one that Atlas was currently in. That single plague alone had killed roughly a third of the European population in a mere seven years! Millions upon millions of people died due to lacking healthcare and improper hygiene practices. Rubbing his forehead in exasperation, Atlas instructed, Ensure that the sick are properly quarantined and treated. We cannot have anyone dying from the sickness. Understood, my liege, The Baron enthusiastically replied. Inwardly, he thought to himself, His Highness truly cares about the peasants. Look how worried he is towards a person whom he has never met before. Truly, hes the model of virtue. Meanwhile, Atlass ponderings were in a different direction. I cant have these peasants falling sick and dying on me! Do they not understand how short-staffed we are!? I still need them to work for me dammit! Capitalistic exploitation knew no bottom lines. Having finished their discussion, the duo returned to their duties. Atlas yelled out next and another person entered with his report. Overall, the first day under Atlas regime had been quite good. Moral was high. There wasn''t any budding discontent. Everything had gone smoothly for the most part. Old buildings were torn down, new facilities were propped up. Wood had been harvested, coal had been mined. It was quite a productive day. In the end, this was the refreshed resource list. Coal - 17 units. (+17) Wood - 151 units. (+150) Metal - 36 units. () Raw Food - 129 units. () Food Rations - 203 units. (-237) A small fact to note here was that although 21 units of Coal were brought back by the coal miners, after washing the coal to rid it of dirt and impurities, the effectual amount Ci.e. the usable amountC only came to 17 units. In other words, the rate of gain of coal was 17 units/per day. Whew, Atlas slumped back on his seat and let out a tired exhale. That was exhausting. He then looked at the oil remaining on his lanterns and roughly judged the passage of time. Its almost midnight, huh? He spoke to himself. He then looked up to check up on the Baron, only to find the man missing. Where did he go? Atlas asked himself. Just as he was about to yell out the Barons name, a loud crashing sound startled Atlas. It sounded as if someone or something had smashed through a wall! It was uproarious and deafening. Immediately blowing at the lanterns, the young prince put out flames and sunk the room into darkness. He then dropped to the ground from his chair and hid underneath the large desk. Curling himself up, Atlas covered his nose and mouth with his hands to stifle the sound of his breathing. He then quietly sat. The office room was almost entirely dark, save for the beam of moonlight that entered the room through the solitary window. Silence hung heavily in the air, turning the previously peaceful room into an oppressive den. Creak. The sound of wood squeaking from just outside the rooms door was heard. Atlas immediately stopped breathing. Chapter 38 - Taking Things Seriously Screech! The door to the office room opened with a screeching haunt. The sound of dense breathing resounded within the chilly, silent air, and was soon followed by heavy footsteps. Creak. Squeak. The roughy, wooden floors of the office creaked and squeaked from the pressure. From his hiding position underneath the table, Atlas managed to keep himself still and quiet. The rough breathing, heavy footsteps, the squeaks of the floor, all combined and put an untold amount of pressure on the princes mind. Who is it? Could it be that the traitor has come to finish his job? Atlas thoughts raced. He knew for certain that it wasnt the Baron who had entered the office at this instant for he knew the sounds produced by the mans walking by memory. This intruder, whoever he was, was someone with a lighter gait and firmer step than the Baron. What do I do? What do I DO?! Panic and trepidation plagued his mind. Do I run for it? No! Thats idiotic! Not only will I face the intruder on the way out, but he is closer to the exit than I am! What about the window! Atlas immediately raised his eyes to look at the window. It was certainly closer to him than the door was, however, there was a slight problem. ITS FU*KING CLOSED!! And there certainly wasnt any time to fumble about, trying to open it. Calm down, Atlas! Think! He hyped himself. Think carefully! What can you do? Who can you call for help? How can you survive this damned encounter!? Physical quarrel? Forget it. Atlas was shorter than a fencepost and weighed less than a sack of grains. Scream for help? That would only alert the intruder of his hiding position. Instead, he might as well come out now and offer himself to the assassin. Continue hiding and wait for help to come? Who knew how long that was going to take! More importantly, would anyone even come?! Sure, the deafening crash earlier was loud enough to alert everyone within the manor and there was a definite chance that the Baron shouldve heard it. HOWEVER! What if the Baron was already dealt with? Then Im truly and completely fu*ked. Atlas bemoaned. Ive been in this world for less than five days and Ive already faced more death flags than the friend character in a second-rate horror movie. Then again, he probably maybe deserved such a fate considering everything he had done in his previous world. Im sure that the reason all this bad stuff is happening to me is cause someone up there got really jealous of my godly, never-seen-before talent and whatnot. How else can you explain everything thats been happening to me? Atlas would never admit to the evils that he had done. Not even in death. Your Highness? A voice rasped. Atlas curled in even further and held his breath in harder. Squeak! Creak. The creaking turned sharper as they approached closer to the desk. Where are you? The voice continued. Im here to taa~lk to you. Yeah right. Like Im gonna fall for that. Atlas snorted inwardly. He possessed enough worldly experience Cas in, having watched enough moviesC to know that was a trap. At this point, Atlas pale face had grown unnaturally red from having held in his breath for an extended period of time. His arms and chest had also begun to imperceptibly tremble from the forceful effort. Your Highness~? Ive come for you. Are ya hiding? The voice hoarsely said. There it was. The admittance. Straight from the mouth of the intruder himself. AHA! He admitted! He has indeed come for me! Atlas roaringly cheered. He felt extremely glad that his guess at the intruders identity had been validated and that this wasnt another case of paranoia. There had been many cases where Atlas was called out for being overly paranoid. Others might call such behavior negativistic and cowardly, Atlas called it being cautious and prudent. In any case, his bout of happiness was short-lived. His sudden cheering had caused Atlas to accidentally intake a noseful of air. This little unfortunate event resulted in ACHOO!! Atlas sneezed. Oh! Youre here, milord! The voice immediately identified his positions and rushed towards the desk. AH! Atlas let out a sharp cry and leaped out of his hiding spot. The suddenly ballooned feelings of panic and anxiety within his mind caused him to be muddled and resulted in him not thinking clearly at the moment. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. His sudden prance caused him to crash head-first into the rear wall of the office. Clutching to his head in pain, Atlas closed his eyes, curled his body into a ball, and screamed at the top of his lungs. Go on! Take my life! Thats what you are here for, arent you?! DO IT!! ...err, no? Im here to show ya the plans, milord, The voice dumbfoundedly replied. Now that the voice could be heard clearly, it seemed rather familiar. Wait? Is thaC Before Atlas could finish wording his question, another voice interrupted him. Whats happening here? Why is the room so dark? Hmm? MY LIEGE! Whats happened to you!? Why are you on the floor? The next thing that Atlas managed to see was a large-bodied, bald man dropping a bowl of hot gruel from his hands and diving towards him with his arms stretched out. Darkness and suffocation quickly engulfed him --- ...So to summarize; You left to cook us dinner, saw Mr. Wootz coming towards the manor from the kitchen window, opened the door, ushered the man in and made conversation with him, realize that you left the stove on and that our dinner was burning, rushed to save it, knocking down multiple furniture in the process, crashed against the edge of the kitchen door and broke it in the process. That was the cause of the great noise, my liege, Baron Helm guilty answered. Well, something allowed me to come to the same conclusion, Baron Helm, Atlas snarked. He then turned his head to face the blacksmith. During this time, you, Mr. Wootz, ignored the Barons blunders and made your way to my office. You then proceeded to invite yourself into my office without permission, did not proceed to announce yourself, and acted in the shadiest manner possible. Am I correct in saying that? Milord, IC Douglas tried to explain himself, but a sharp, scathing look from the furious prince immediately shut down his resistance. Ha. Atlas sighed with resignation. Why do I have such incompeCargh! Hey! He cried out in pain and turned to look at the third member present. Butler Rohm. Neatly tying a bow to finish up the sling carrying Atlas left hand, Butler Rohm calmly said, The sling is done. It was only a minor fracture. A few days of rest should heal it. How can you be sure? Atlas spitefully asked, holding the base of his left elbow. The pain earlier had originated from here; in the spot where Butler Rohm had finished tying the knot. Because Im the person in-charge of the Medical Center, Butler Rohm unflinchingly replied. To quote your highness, You are the most capable medical professional currently available in town. You will be the pillar of our community, and will be of better effect nursing the townspeople as opposed to serving the Baron. This was the speech that Atlas had given to the man when he had come to his office to contest his reassignment earlier. Hearing his words repeated to him, Atlas uninspiredly replied, Touche. Inwardly, he thought to himself. This Butler Rohm definitely dislikes me. Could he be the hidden traitor? No, that wouldnt make any sense. Hes had ample opportunity to deal with me, yet here I am. Butler Rohm was the person who had tended to Atlas during his weakest moments. If the man was a traitor with unkind intentions towards the prince, he couldve killed Atlas during his period of unconsciousness and simply blamed it on failed resuscitation. Atlas still living was proof of the mans innocence. Still, a mutual dislike existed amongst both parties. The two of them continued to stare at each other through narrowed eyes. This standoff lasted for a few seconds before being broken by Butler Rohm, who turned his gaze away. Packing the bag containing some basic medicine, spare gauze, and the likes, the man advised. Try not to make any drastic movements with your left hand during this period. Guess Ill lay off from my coal shoveling job for a few days then, Atlas sarcastically answered. Butler Rohm simply sighed and did not engage the young prince in his banter. Ignoring him, he turned to face his master, Baron Helm, and spoke. You do not have to engage yourself into servant duties, master. I shall take care of the chores around the house before heading to the Medical Center. Rohm, but you Baron Helm tried to protest but was shot down by the butler. Its no trouble, master. Serving you is my duty and my highest honor. You will not deny me of my honor will you, master? Butler Rohm sharply asked. Facing his servant, a man who had accompanied and taken care of him since his birth, Baron Rohm did not have the heart to deny him his earnest request. Sighing out loud, Baron Helm replied, ...Do as you wish. Butler Rohm bowed and left the room. Throughout the entire conversation, Butler Rohms expression changed not one time. He remained as strict and expressionless as ever. Atlas noted his point and inwardly remarked to himself, This is a man of strict principles and morals. He is fiercely loyal to the Baron and only to the Baron. I suppose I can understand where his dislike for me comes from. To see his master being servile to a little brat Ceven if said brat was the First Prince of the kingdomC was quite the frustrating experience for Butler Rohm. Nevertheless, he was still mindful of their difference in statuses and hence observed proper decorum. In any case, as long as I dont overly mistreat the Baron, Im not under any threat from the butler. I can even rely on him to a certain extent. Closing his eyes, Atlas recalled the fear and dread he had felt an hour ago. The whole situation with the would-be assassin was a great misunderstanding and seemed like a comical situation at first glance. However, that didnt discount the fear and trepidation that Atlas felt in those few minutes of misunderstanding at all. If anything, this event only served to remind him of a crucial fact. I am alone and I am weak. I shine brightly atop the stage while the enemy lurks in the shadows. Todays event might have been born out of a misunderstanding, however, if it had been real; if an assassin had actually come for me I couldve died. While Atlas liked to frequently joke about death and dying, he did not desire it at all. He craved to live a long life and prosper, just like every other living organism inhabiting this world. He needed to survive. He needed to prosper. He needed to win. Im Atlas Constantine, a genius. How can I be satisfied with dying an early death in the middle of nowhere to some nobody? Im Atlas Constantine, the main character of this world. And I will settle nothing less than the greatest of glories. When I die, I will die a legend. A mighty figure of the likes that this world has never seen before. Im Atlas Constantine and I need to take this seriously. Relaxation is the luxury of those in power. And right now, I cannot afford them. The only thing greater than a peerless genius was a peerless genius with motivation and the determination to work hard. Opening his eyes, Atlas settled his calm gaze on the blacksmith and asked. Are you done with the task I have given you? Grinning, Douglas spoke, I was waiting for ya to ask me, milord. He then handed over the bundle of parchments that he was carrying in his hands. Chapter 39 - A Changed Town Opening the bundle, Atlas eyes scanned through its contents. The first thing that caught his eyes was the crude diagram of an ancient-looking kiln that occupied a majority of the first page. The subsequent pages were also filled with more diagrams, blocks of text explaining the device, and a frightening number of failed calculations that were stricken and rewritten. What am I looking at, Douglas? Atlas asked, lowering the bundle in his hand and meeting the blacksmiths eyes. Its the drawings for a kiln I came up with, milord! Douglas answered with barely suppressed excitement. Leaning forward, he reached in with his fingers to point to the drawings in the bundle and explained. Ya see, milord, normally kilns are built larger, thicker, and narrower in order to heat metals to the point where they can be shaped. The smaller space causes the kiln to burn hotter. He pointed to a drawing of a kiln on the third page. However! Such a kiln is hardly suitable for milords tasks. What with we needing a large number of bricks and all. That is correct, Atlas agreed. And thats why I came up with this design, milord! Douglas did not disguise the pride in his voice. Pointing to a drawing on the fifth sheet, he continued, Its like a kiln but is far different from anything youve ever seen. It can be built to be as large as this room, even larger! The inside will be firmly sealed to trap inside, the heat and the air. There will be a coal pit in the center that will be continuously burning, The unfired bricks will be placed inside this room whereupon theyll be left until they are cooked. Oh, and this part Atlas continued to patiently listen as Douglas enthusiastically explained his creation to the prince. Halfway through his explanations, the blacksmith removed a few writing materials from his pockets and started to redraw the designs piece by piece to explain with greater effect. Intermittently, the prince replied with nods, a few I see-s, some Is that so?-s, and other similar responses that showed his participation. Outwardly, Atlas expression of intense concentration and repeated engagement made it look like the prince followed along and kept up with everything that the blacksmith spewed out. In reality, however, Atlas was clueless. What is this man saying? Brick limits? Refuel cycles? I have no idea what these words mean. For all his strengths and advantages of coming from a more advanced, modern world, Atlas could not, for the life of him, understand Douglas explanations. While he did keep up at the beginning, he left the train somewhere along the middle. The passionate explanation came to an end after forty-five grueling minutes. While wearing the mask of an intellectual, Atlas shot off three questions. Are you certain that it will work? As certain as the hair growing neath my arm, milord. How many bricks can you create in a day using this apparatus? At least a thousand. At most, three thousand. How soon can you build it and get it working? If I have some people helping me, a week, milord. Alright, that works for me, Atlas rose from his seat and extended his hand towards Douglas. The chatterbox blacksmith stared at the princes open palm for a few moments before directing a questioning look towards the youth. Milord? He rasped. Atlas simply sighed in response and took back his hand. He then faced the blacksmith and said, You will begin construction starting tomorrow. Joycle and Lukin will join you in your efforts. After that, Atlas sent Douglas out of the manor. The blacksmith obediently left and did not create a fuss. It had been a long day and not even he had the energy to sit down and discuss gossip with the prince. This came for you, my liege, Baron Helm started and handed Atlas another bundle of parchments. These are todays gains from the scouting group that you had sent out. While receiving the bundle from the Baron, Atlas mind wandered towards Scouting Group #2. He had sent them to scout the surrounding lands and draw up a map for him to peruse. They were supposed to meet up with him at the end of the day, but Atlas didnt see them during his other meetings. Stolen story; please report. Looking at the map detailing the town and a small perimeter beyond it, Atlas thought, Seems like they came through. Its a small addition and a good start. I didnt meet with them tonight. When did they come, Baron Helm? Atlas questioned. Roughly an hour ago, my liege. When you were being treated by Rohm, the Baron replied. He then stared at Atlas arm which was in a sling and sheepishly scratched his head. My liege, about thatC Just forget it. I dont want to talk about it. Atlas shook his head. What do you suppose the time is? Its around two past midnight, my liege. I suppose thats it for today then. Did we miss anything, Baron Helm? Not that I recall of, my liege. Lets call it a day then. Bring me my meal. I shall have it before heading off to sleep. Oh, we are going to sleep in here, Baron Helm. Atlas casually said Here, in the living room? But thats The Barons speech trailed away as a look of realization appeared on his face. I understand. he suddenly said. Hmm? Atlas grew confused at this sudden answer. He looked at the Baron and found the man sporting the expressions of pity, kindness, and understanding. What is going on inside his mind? he wondered but soon gave up as he felt too tired to pursue his suspicions. It had been a long day and Atlas was exhausted. He only wanted to hit the bed as soon as possible. Dont bother heating the meal. Just bring it to me, Atlas ordered and Baron conceded after little resistance. The duo ate together in silence CAtlas once again had the Baron take the first bite to check for poisonC and hit the bed thirty minutes later. Good night, Baron Helm. Atlas released a weary yawn and closed his eyes. Good night, my little prince, Baron Helm replied softly and put out the final lamp illuminating the room. Darkness descended soon. Atlas descended into sleep even sooner. --- The following days proceeded normally. The townspeople busied themselves with their assigned jobs, causing the work around the town to progress smoothly and by a large degree. The Child Shelter was the second facility following the Medical Center to be built. The Feeding Shack was also expanded to become a proper Canteen that could better serve the townspeople. The Tent-like shared residences of the townspeople had also seen improvements with another fourteen (14) such constructs having been built. Combined with the four (4) that were built on the first day, the new total stood at eighteen (18) Tents, properly housing a hundred and eighty people (180). The wooden walkways around the town had also been largely reconstructed. They were no longer shaky and damp but instead were firmer and dry, serving their initial purpose of separating the townspeople from the sludgy, wet mud making up the swamp. In a newly cleared patch of land to the north of the town, a construction crew led by Douglas Wootz went about creating the large-scale kiln that was to be used for firing bricks. Smaller kilns that continuously spewed out black smoke and dished out fresh, even bricks neatly lined up by the sides and provided the crew with the material to build the blacksmiths masterpiece. A tall mound of clay and silt Cconveniently gathered from the nearby riverC sat on one side of the smaller kilns while on the other side, sat a mound of freshly gathered coal. Currently, nearly ninety percent of the mined coal was being funneled into this project. The remaining ten percent was rationed between serving as fuel for cooking in the Feeding Shack and serving as fuel for stoves inside the Medical Center. Speaking of the Medical Center, the project was a resounding success. After the initial sick peasants, numbering thirteen were contained, quarantined, and treated, only three more townspeople fell prey to the sickness. After that, there were no more cases of sickness within the town. As for the admitted, more than half the patients had already recovered and went about their daily tasks! This single endeavor had earned the Baron and the Prince an untold amount of fame and respect. The townspeople even heralded the young prince as the Representative of Heaven, slapping the moniker Son of the Gods on him. Suffice to say, his popularity and importance within the little town peaked. The Woodcutting Division performed their jobs with spectacular efficiency and made significant headway into the forest; almost halfway towards the mining site. Their excellent skills resulted in the production of excess lumber even after discounting its usage. Having more lumber than what they could store and use, Atlas decided to cut down on its production and reassigned more than half of its workers towards other tasks. As they possessed a large surplus of wood, this temporary drop in production wouldnt hurt the towns interest or expenditure. And finally, the mining site. Atlas bumped up the number of miners to a whopping ninety (90), an addition of five to the initial number. The mining site had also seen its fair amount of construction these following days, with emphasis placed on safety and increasing efficiency. Support Beams to support the mine and prevent accidental cave-ins, shafts to increase ventilation within the mine, check-posts, and gathering points to act as emergency escape routes were some of the safety structures that were built in the mining site. Apart from this, gathering posts, storage sheds, and a field kitchen were the constructions aimed towards increasing efficiency at the mining site. If one were to calculate the number of resources spent to improve the mining site alone, these would be the numbers; eighty-five (85) units of Wood, and twenty (20) units of Raw Food (Field Kitchen). A negligible amount of coal was also used. All in all, in just four days Cfive since Atlas arrival to the townC the town had changed beyond recognition. Morale and Hope were bursting through their limits. Motivation was at an all-time high. The townspeople were happy and satisfied, beyond any and all doubt. And the cause of all these changes was a single boy. Atlas Constantine. Chapter 40 - When it Rains, It Pours Tent #12 Unnamed Town Gunter Abel woke from his sleep. He vacantly stared at the warm wooden ceiling and spent a moment gathering himself. Are you up, my love? A sweet voice called out from his side. Turning his head, a content smile filled Gunters face as he saw the figure of his wife busily folding some clothes. Aye. I am now, love, Gunter replied and rose from his bed. Stretching his stiff limbs and legs, he then walked over towards his wife and gave her a little kiss on her forehead. Scrunching her brows in revulsion, she complained, Your breath stinks. Go and wash up. She handed him an empty wooden bucket containing a towel. After receiving the items, Gunter gave her a quick peck on her lips and quickly ran out of the clothed partition. He was immediately greeted with the sight of four or five other people busily moving about as they got ready for the day. Oi, Gunter! Youre up! A man greeted seeing Gunter walk out of his section of the shared residence. Aye. Good mornin to you too, Adrian. Gunter replied and nodded to the others along the way as he headed out of the shared residence. A draft of cold, morning wind hit Gunter the moment he walked out of the tent-like structure. Pulling in his woolen coat to guard against the weather, he quickly walked around the corner of the structure and arrived at its back. There, he came across a wooden barrel containing water from the river. Walking up to it and filling his wooden bowl with the water, Gunter then headed off towards one of the many wooden shacks lined up near. Entering one of the empty ones, he closed its door and went about his morning duty. Fifteen minutes later, Gunter opened the door to the shack and came out enlivened and spirited. The wooden bowl in his hand was once again empty, but the towel hung wet against his shoulder. As he walked back towards the entrance of the shared residence, he encountered his good friend, Lloyd Hearth. Good mornin, Lloyd, Gunter greeted. Ah? Gunter! Just the man I wanted to see! Lloyd returned his greeting uproariously. Ya still remember yer promise, right? He asked. Rolling his eyes at the question, Gunter replied, Yes, yes. Ill help you move out your stuff. Llyods home was scheduled for dismantling and reconstruction today. Earlier, he had extracted a promise from Gunter to help him in moving out his and his familys items from the house before the construction crew could begin their work. Now that he thought about it and the amount of effort that would be involved in doing it, Gunter slightly regretted his choice to offer help. Thanks! I owe ya one for the help! Now that sweetened the deal a bit. Just a little bit. Do we head over now? Lloyd asked. He was a little anxious to start moving since he didnt want to turn up late for his job. Heaven knows that the foreman wouldnt appreciate it. Wait a moment. Ill change my clothes first and then we can leave, Gunter explained and entered the residence after receiving Lloyds reply. He passed by the walls of curtains once more before entering one of his own. Inside, he found his wife in the process of changing her clothes. Close the curtain quickly! You dont want the others to see me, do you? His wife urged anxiously. Not like this, I dont, Gunter laughed in response and quickly closed the curtain behind him. He then changed his own clothes while being subject to snarky teases from his wife. Five minutes later, the couple left the shared residence. Gunters wife upon seeing Llyod greeted him. Hello, Lloyd! Hows Beatrice? Gosh, I havent seen her in some time. Shes doing well. Kept complaining about her back hurt from shoveling dirt and clay all day, Lloyd answered. He then turned to face Gunter and asked, Shall we go? Go where? Gunters wife asked curiously. To help him move his stuff, Gunter blandly replied. Oh, your houses are finally up for reconstruction, huh? It finally is! And let me tell ya, Im glad that it''s happening, Lloyd immediately replied. Playfully punching Gunter on the shoulder, he continued, Now I can finally show up to work all fresh and spirited like this guy. Thats going to be a bit hard with Beatrice around, Gunter joked, earning a pinching from his wife. Hahaha! Thats so true!! Lloyd didnt seem to mind the joke and laughed roaringly. The three then continued to make conversation while heading towards their destinations. Before long, they separated. Ill see you in the evening then? Gunter asked his wife to which she replied. Right. She then clenched her fists and heroically spoke, Todays going to be the day that I finally put some manners into that Jacob brat! For too long hes gone unspanked! Dont terrorize the children too much, Gunter helplessly replied. His advice was almost immediately disregarded by his wife. Be careful while moving the stuff, ya hear me? You dont wanna put out your back, Gunters wife warned and the group separated. Shes a fun one, yer wife, Lloyd commented. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. That she is, Gunter smilingly agreed. When are ya having some kids? Lloyd asked. This time, Gunters reply wasnt very quick. A pained, disappointed look flashed across his face but was quickly hidden by a fake mask of indifference. While trying his best to maintain a stable tone, Gunter replied, After things properly settle down. Right now, it isnt the proper time to have kids. That is true, Lloyd agreed with him. Although, things have been looking up ever since that little prince arrived. This town is truly blessed to have him, Ill tell ya that. Gunter didnt reply but instead nodded. His mood seemed to have soured a bit after the conversation as he kept his replies to a minimum after that. Sensing his dear friends sour mood, Lloyd wisely decided to stay quiet. The duo arrived at Lloyds shoddy residence where they were met with his wife, Beatrice. After some small talk, they quickly got to work. The moving smoothly ensued. After an hour of back-breaking work, Gunter waved goodbye to Llyod and his wife and left the scene. The majority of the work had been completed and the remaining tasks did not require his presence. The hard work had also cleared up his mood, wiping away that previous feeling of sourness almost entirely. After looking at the sky, Gunter noted that he had around an hour or less before he had to begin his work at the mining site. He quickly rushed to the mostly-empty Feeding Shack and received his daily allowance of hot food. The weathers a bit chilly today, isnt it? Gunther made some small talk with the serving staff while waiting for his bowl to be filled. Havent noticed. Its warm where I am, replied the server, pointing to the multiple burning stoves before him. He then filled up a bowl with steaming hot gruel and handed it over to Guter. Here ya go. Thank you, Gunter thanked the man. After receiving the bowl, he walked towards a random, empty bench and sat down. Placing the bowl on the crude table before him, he muttered a small prayer before digging into the bowl with a spoon. Thats odd. He thought to himself as the first spoonful of gruel slid down his throat. It feels a bit chalky and coarse. The taste is also a bit odd. It tasted bland and was a bit hard to swallow down his throat. After thinking it over for a few seconds, Gunter shrugged his shoulders and quickly chugged the contents down his throat. He figured that he was thinking too much and threw away his suspicions. After finishing his meal, he returned the bowl to the canteen worker and quickly rushed out. He now had only about fifteen minutes or so before which he had to report to work in the eastern part of the town. The mining team did a headcount in the town every day before they headed towards the mining site. Getting to the eastern part from the Feeding Shack would take him ten minutes on a good day. Gunter ran like hell. He barely made it in time. Alright. Just about everyone seems to beC Jason, Foreman of the Coal Mine, was just about to tally his count when he was suddenly interrupted. IM HERE! IM HERE! Lloyd arrived while crying at the top of his lungs. Join the lines, Jason coldly ordered before finishing his tally. Meanwhile, Lloyd made his way through the lines and arrived next to Gunter. His face was beaded with sweat and his back was almost entirely drenched. His chest heaved with exhaustion causing him to huff and puff. Are you okay? Gunter concernedly asked. Lloyd simply waved at him signifying that he was fine. He was simply a little out of breath. Did you eat? Gunter followed with another question. Nah, Lloyd replied, straightening his back and stretching out his waist. If I''d stopped by to eat, I wouldve definitely been late. The foreman wouldve chewed me and spat me out like a dogs bone. Gunter chuckled at his friends reply and the two continued their good-natured conversation. A few minutes later, the group of coal miners began their march towards the mining site under the foremans lead. After working there for the last five days, everyone was more or less familiar with the route hence there was little tension within the group. The march lasted for just under an hour and a half Ccourtesy of having half the route cleared by the woodcuttersC and the miners arrived without any incident. Being familiar with their duty, they neatly entered the tool sheds in proper lines, retrieved their tools, changed their clothes into something more appropriate for the work, and entered the mines. Work began. The day passed monotonously and the only break was for lunch at the Field Kitchen. This time, Gunter found nothing unordinary about his food, hence reinforcing the idea that his meal in the morning was a fluke. After lunch, the miners resumed their duties once again and the working day soon came to an end. After retiring their tools, changing their clothes, and resting for half an hour, the time came for the workers to return to the town. Once again, all workers lined up and they began their march back to the town. Thirty minutes into the walk, Gunter suddenly flinched. Whats wrong? Lloyd, who walked next to him, questioned his friend on his sudden startlement. I think a drop of water just hit my nose, Gunter replied unsurely. You think a drop of water hit your nose? Lloyd frowned. Just as he was about to continue with his question, he also flinched. A drop of water just hit my nose! Lloyd exclaimed. Thats what I said! Gunter rebuked. Clamour soon spread amongst the miners as more and more people started noticing the falling rain. The interval between the falling raindrops rapidly shortened and before long, it had begun to rain. And then, it started to pour. F*CK! Jason cursed at the sudden change in weather. All day long there had been no signs of bad weather. It had come suddenly and caught everyone unprepared. Quiet down, lads! Lets continue onward Jason roared at the clamoring crowd. Due to the pouring rain, his voice traveled only so far before being drowned out by the weather. Fortunately, the miners were sensible people who quickly repeated his instruction to the rest of the workers. Having received their order, the group began to trudge on forward through the pouring rain. It was difficult, especially since they carried a small load of coal on-person, but it wasnt all that impossible. Couldnt this accursed weather come a little later? I wouldve been home by then, Lloyd complained. Look on the bright side, Gunter encouraged. You make it through this weather, you have a nice, warm bed waiting for you back in town. Right! Lloyd slapped his head. I forgot about the new houses! Strength seemed to have entered his body as he straightened his back and trudged forward. Gunter chuckled at his behavior and continued to walk in measured steps. He wasnt as strong or well-built as his friend and therefore needed to be smart in order to conserve his stamina. Ten minutes later, the rain intensified yet again. Now, it was a proper downpour. While others complained and cursed at the weather, Gunter kept his silence. Not because he didnt feel any grievances towards the weather, but because he was too tired to waste any energy complaining. With his head lowered and back slouched, Gunter continued to march forward. His tiredness was becoming more and more noticeable. I need to distract myself. In order to stop thinking about his tiredness, Gunter shifted his attention elsewhere. He really didnt have any energy to engage in conversation with his coworkers Cneither did theyC and thus settled on looking closely at his surroundings. As he peered into the dark, rainy forest, Gunter soon noticed something. Is there something moving in there? He couldve sworn that he saw something move behind the trees! Just as he was about to consult his query with his friend, Gunter suddenly froze in his tracks. His pupils widened and his heart skipped a beat in shock. A clear pair of eyes stared at him from within the forest. Eyes that were filled with coldness and brutality. Howl! WOLVES!! THERE ARE WOLVES WITHIN THE FOREST! Chapter 41 - The Weight of Responsibility WOLVES!! THERE ARE WOLVES WITHIN THE FOREST! No one knew who screamed those words out first but the glaring warning was heard by almost everyone. Not even the blasting rain could drown it out. The message was clear. There were wolves within the forest around them. Who? What? Wolves? Who said that!? Where are they!?! Oh, Gods! Wolves! RUUUNN!!! Panic and fear festered through the crowd akin to a fire spreading over a pool of kerosene. The workers, anxious in their movements to get as far away as possible from the wolves, pushed their neighbors and frantically ran. Fear rendered them unable to think rationally. Their actions thus were even more irrational. Men pushed other men and stepped over the fallen in their escape. Women dropped the baskets of coal in their hands and screamed. Even the foreman froze in his tracks the moment he saw the group of wolves gathered before him. They didnt know what to do. They didnt know how to act. They were completely lost and scared. Somewhere else, Gunter was in a world of his own. He wasnt alone, however, for a solitary wolf accompanied him. This wolf, its gait treacherous, eyes cold, and head wary, cautiously stepped out of the tree cover and appeared in full splendor for Gunter to see. Its grey-colored coat of fur grimly shined with wetness against the dim layer of light illuminating the forest. Its sapphire-colored eyes stared at Gunter with a fevered passion, while its long, sharp canines growled expectantly at the sight of a possible meal. However, it wasnt rash as it closely evaluated the man before it. Gunter, for his part, did not look a single bit as threatening as the wolf. His body was completely frozen from shock and fear, refusing to move in the least. His eyes narrowed to the extreme from the sight of the wolf and wandered frantically trying to look for an escape. Sweat poured from within every pore in his body. As either was unsure on how to proceed, a strange peace settled between man and beast, both locked in a stare-off. Growl! Growing tired of waiting, the wolf acted first. It growled out in a low, threatening pitch intending it as a test for the man before it. St-stay back! Gunter cried while reflexively taking a step back. He failed spectacularly. Growling in victory, the grey wolf cast aside all reservation towards the man and pounced at him. Its long body cut through the pouring rain and neared Gunter in almost an instant. AH! Gunter let out a startled cry at the wolfs sudden movement. The instinct to flee immediately appeared, freeing his body from the immobilization cast by fear. Turning around, he immediately ran. Right foot first, left foot next. Right foot out, left foot next. Just as he was about to take his fifth step, Gunters right foot suddenly slipped from the wet mud underneath it. He immediately lost his balance and crashed against the ground. GROWL! The wolfs cry sounded out one more time, only this time it was closer. Instinctively turning around to look behind him, Gunter saw the wolfs long, sharp canines close in on him. Unable to escape, he could only use his hands to shield his face. With a sharp snap, the wolfs teeth bit down on Gunters arms. Feeling the bone hitting against its teeth, the wolf reflexively bit down harder and jerked its head. ARGH! FU*K!! An unimaginable amount of pain assaulted Gunter causing him to nearly pass out. Tears and snot fell down his face while blood poured down his arms. He could feel the beasts teeth grinding against his bones and tearing at his flesh. Let go! Let GO! LET GO!! Gunter continuously cried, forcing his hand out of the beasts mouth and trying to overpower it. Unfortunately, the beast possessed the upper hand. The man and beast struggled for a few seconds longer when the beast suddenly kicked off the ground with its hind legs and toppled the man. The wolf was now above him. Finding himself unable to extricate himself from the beasts jaws, Gunter felt hopelessness set in. The feeling of pain started to fade away and his vision was beginning to get blurrier by the second. Soon, Gunter began to feel light-headed and drained. Am I going to die? The thought came to him. Following it, were images of his wife and memories of the precious time he spent with her. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. Im sorry, my love. I dont think Ill be able to come home tonight. Gunter rested his head to the side and felt the cold waters of heaven fall upon his face. His eyes reflected the scene of panicking workers running away in fear. Just as darkness was about to claim him, he suddenly saw the faint figure of a man rush towards him. Why are you coming here? Run away, fool. GET YER FILTHY PAWS OFF HIM, VILE BEAST! Lloyd screamed at the top of his lungs before smashing the heavy basket of coal against the wolfs head. Unable to evade the attack, the wolf bore the full brunt of the impact, letting go of Gunters arms in the process. Back off, beast! Lloyd yelled threateningly one more time before quickly pulling Gunter away. He then raised him up and carried him in his hands. Dont doze off, ya hear me! Dont ya dare doze off!! Lloyd nervously urged. His eyes then landed on Gunters mangled arms. Oh Gods He pallidly mumbled. Resolve appeared within his eyes, as he firmly looked towards the front and ran in retreat while carrying the injured Gunter. Stop running like headless chickens and gather yer balls! Throw yer baskets at the damn wolves and run toward the mine! Quit pushing each other, ya daft c*nts! Head towards the mines! Argh! My legs! They got my legs! Watch the ground while ya run! Dont step on anybody! Bring the injured to the front! Men! Act like proper men for once and guard the back! Women! Outdo the men! William! William, where are ya!? This blasted rain! I cant see anything! Neither can the beasts! So stop complaining and get yer arse to the mine! Screams and howls echoed back and forth inside the forest. It had taken a minute but the workers had finally managed to gather their bearings. The experienced and the elderly workers stepped in and took the reins, organizing a somewhat orderly retreat towards the mines. While they would love nothing more than returning to the town, it was currently impossible to do so. An unknown number of wolves had appeared in their path, blocking their route. Forcing through the pack would be suicide and result in an untold amount of deaths. Everyone more or less knew everyone else and did not want anyone to die. And since they were trained fighters or militia, tussling with the wolves amidst pouring rain was plain insensible. After the leaders stepped up, the situation improved a lot. The pouring rain acted as a double-edged sword; making the retreat difficult and laborious Cthe rain softened the earth turning it sludge-like and muddyC whilst also providing a natural cover against the wolves. As terrible as their field of vision was in the rain, it was doubly so for the wolves. Adrenaline pumped through their veins filling their bodies with limitless strength. Those that were young and able, both man and woman, stood in the back and covered their retreat, while those that were injured or unconscious were pushed to the front of the retreat. Nevertheless, the wolves showed no signs of letting them go. Throughout the retreat, the beasts came forth in groups of twos and threes and tussled with the humans. Fortunately, the workers were able to hold them off albeit bearing a few injuries. With the threat of death pushing them from the back, the workers made quick work of the retreat and arrived back at the mines in record time. Quick! Go into the tool shed and grab some shovels! Someone advised and the others quickly acted. Equipping themselves with the mining tools seemed to infuse courage into their blood as the workers repelled the wolves with greater ferocity. After a group of three wolves was repelled, a piercing howl sounded from somewhere within the forest. The wolves immediately perked their heads and uniformly retreated into the forest. Not letting their guard down, the workers stood in defense. Some braver ones yelled towards the forest and taunted the wolves to attack them. Alas, nothing happened. The wolves had seemed to have retreated into the forest. What now? Somebody asked. Did they leave? Nonsense! Somebody else bit back. Wolves are cunning hunters. I guarantee you that they are hiding within the forest, waitin for a chance to pounce at us! What do we do now? Jason, the foreman that had overcome his fear and fought back valiantly, faced this elder and asked. He understood that he was completely out of his depth and craved any advice or help that could save them. What else but wait? The elder shrugged his shoulder, resting the shovel on his shoulder. We cant do piss-all against the wolves. Certainly not in this blasted weather. I suggest we rest, someone else intoned. We can retreat into the mines and rest up. Its surrounded by rock, so we dont have to worry about wolves ganging up on us. Right. Get some people to act as lookouts near the entrance. This lads suggestion makes sense, the elder agreed with the suggestion. Yer the leader, Mr. Foremen. Whatever ya say, well listen. He added. Jason nodded his head at his answer. He then carried out the arrangements and had the people settle down inside the mines. He also sent a few people Csurrounded by workers acting as guardsC and gathered the remaining food and water from within the Field Kitchen, adjacent to the mines entrance. I reckon this should be enough to last us a day or two, the elder commented after seeing the gathered rations. He then warned Jason. Have someone guard this. Or better yet, stay here yourself. Ya dont need me tellin ya what people can do when they are afraid and pressured. The last thing we want is people stealing food or worse. Jason grimly nodded his head in reply. Alright then, Im headin off now, the elder excused himself. This aged body of mine has had too much action for a single day. He chuckled and disappeared into the mines. Jason remained still for a few minutes before asking someone to temporarily watch for the rations until he returned. He then walked through the tunnels and arrived at the spacious clearing, filled with the injured workers. Seeing the mangled limbs, torn bodies and hearing the cries of grief and pain, Jason felt the reality of the situation sink in. Here they were isolated and trapped within a mine while being surrounded by wolves. They only possessed a limited amount of rations and freshwater. To add to their problems, they had dozens of injured workers with varying degrees of injuries that, if not treated properly, might very well result in them losing their lives. Feeling the pressure of responsibility thrust upon his shoulders, Jason immediately felt his stomach sink and threw up. He was not cut out for this. Chapter 42 - Modified Meals Barons Manor Unnamed Town A few hours before the wolf attack. ...that lying, c*cksucking, devious spawn of an ungrateful wh*re, motherf*cker! An endless spiel of horrible curse words was uttered by Atlas. His sunken face and bloodshot eyes held an expression of unquenchable rage. Holding a quill within his hand, he furiously scratched away at a sheet of parchment before him. His handwriting did not possess the calm, intellectual feel that it usually possessed but was instead ferocious and wrathful. Atlas was angry nay, he was livid. Six days had passed since he had first taken reins of this town. In this period, he had implemented many changes in various aspects of the town. Some were direct and visible, while others were indirect and invisible. All changes, however, were beneficial to the town and its people. If one were to take a look around the town now, they would find its scene vastly different from the one six days ago. The paths around the town were sturdy and wide. The buildings and residences were proper and weather-proof. There were even new facilities such as the Medical Center, Child Shelter, the Public Canteen, and the new Kiln, which was still under construction, spread around the town. The mood of the townspeople was also positive, and their attitudes were at an all-time high. Many, if not most, had already professed their gratitude and allegiance to him, and some even went as far as to worship him, calling him the Son of the Gods/ Divine Child. So, what then was the reason for his anger? The answer was plain and simple; there were no more food rations. The initial stock of food after the Barons careless mistake had shrunk down to a fraction of the total amount. This fraction, after proper rationing, was expected to last the town for a week. How long was a week? Seven Days. Today was the sixth. In other words, their stock of food rations was going to run out tomorrow. And if the food were to run out, then scratch out every positive thing mentioned in the paragraphs above. There was a saying in the world from which Atlas came. It went like this, Hunger could drive the most rational of men insane. Its meaning was quite self-explanatory. If Atlas was to suddenly stop providing food for the residents of this town, they would immediately turn on him. Sensible, rational humans would turn into murderous, thieving beasts that clawed at each other for the smallest morsels of food. And while it sounded cynical and grim, such was human nature. Now, fortunately, Atlas has foreseen such a problem the minute he discovered the shortage of food. And being the genius leader he was, immediately took measures to prevent such a grim outcome. His plan was simple; gather the most capable hunter-gatherers in town and send them on an expedition to procure food. With some luck and effort, he managed to find such a group and sent them on an expedition on the very first day. Atlas foresaw the problem and immediately took action to combat it. All was good then, right? Wrong! It was day six, and there was no Scout Team #1 returning viciously from their expedition in sight. His only hope towards solving the food crisis was missing. Even now, when Atlas thought back to that day, he still recalled the promise that the leader of that scout team, Scout Captain Reudem, had given him. When the prince had asked him to bring back results in three days, the man had replied, You can expect results in half as much time, my lord. What a bunch of bullsh*t! Atlas cursed out loud, the fires of rage burning fiercely within his heart. If you aren''t capable of doing something, just admit that you arent capable of doing it! Whats the point in making bullsh*t promises!? Atlas huffed, releasing all the pent-up anger inside his heart. However, after doing so, he leaned back into his chair and visibly deflated like a spent balloon. His hands massaged his tired eyes, while an intense headache pounded at his mind. Atlas face was paler than usual and thick dark circles plagued his eyes. Ever since Scout Team #1 failed to show up in their promised time, and then continued to remain missing in double that period, Atlas had to confront a terrifying possibility. We might run out of food. This issue weighed heavily on his mind, rendering him unable to sleep properly in these past few days. Of course, the issue that bothered him wasnt the certainty that his people would starve. Atlas wasnt nearly sympathetic or kind enough to consider this issue. No, the issue that troubled him was something far more important than the lives of two hundred and forty-seven (247) people. It was an issue of pride. This is ridiculous. I cant have these people dying from hunger and lose this town while its under me! It would ruin my perfect record!! As an accomplished politician and self-acclaimed genius manager, Atlas boasted an excellent record of managing the people and assets under him. Throughout his life, he had always guaranteed profits and never once suffered a true loss.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. As such, the possibility that he might lose this town and the people in it was, quite frankly, a frightening proposition for Atlas. It would stain his impeccable record, ruin his perfect streak, and deal a massive blow to his ego. Atlas would rather suffer bodily injuries than suffer a strike to his ego. Hence, the loss of sleep. Unwilling to accept such an outcome, Atlas pitted his genius mind against this problem. He thought and pondered, spending hours upon hours in search of a solution. And the result of all this thinking was there was no solution. Well, its not like there arent any solutions whatsoever, Atlas thought of a certain answer that could help him out of this mess. However, as immoral and vile as he was, there were certain ethical boundaries that not even Atlas would carelessly cross. After all, these boundaries were the lines dividing humans from mindless beasts. Helpless and without an ultimate solution, Atlas could only act to implement minor solutions. These implements, while not solving the root issue, would buy him precious time to wade out of this crisis. These implements were; decreasing the amount of food being served, diluting the meals with extra water, and finally adding sawdust into the meals. Milord A haggard and spiritless Baron wandered into Atlas office. His eyes looked grim and his head hung with shame. Clenching his fists tightly and biting his lips sharply, he quietly reported, ...Ive finished adding it to all the stored ration bags. Ive also mixed the contents of the bags well, making it near-impossible to identify the change. You did well, Baron, Atlas tiredly replied. By it, he knew that the Baron referred to the sawdust that he had instructed the man to add into the remaining bags of rations. Is this necessary, milord? Baron Helm asked. The guilt from performing such a vile action was continuously gnawing at his heart. Ah Atlas loudly sighed and leaned forward. Staring into the Barons similarly tired eyes, he softly spoke, Our situation forces us to choose between two choices, Baron Helm. We can either continue with the current state of things and watch as our people starve tomorrow, or we can do something to delay their suffering. I only chose the lesser of the two evils. But still, milord. Addingsawdust to the rations? Baron Helm had to forcibly spit out the word when he spoke. It was evident in his speech and on his face, how much it pained him to do such a vile action. The addition of sawdust into the meals makes it more filling, Atlas explained. Although its not exactly tasty or healthy He inwardly added in his mind. The Baron was no idiot, however, for he too knew this fact. But alas, the situation had forced them to make such a choice. He agreed with the prince in saying that this choice was indeed the lesser of the two evils. That was why he had followed through with the princes orders without mounting much resistance. Anyway, Atlas looked at the piece of parchment before him and asked, Theyve begun eating the modified meals since yesterday afternoon, correct? That is true, milord, he answered. Did you hear any news or complaints regarding this? No one seems to have noticed the changes, milord. I took care to handle the matter with the utmost discretion. No one, other than you and I, knows of this matter. Good. And it will stay that way, Atlas replied. He then faced the Baron and continued, I understand it pains you, Baron Helm. Truth be told, it pains me too. However, this is something that we MUST do! I hope that you can appease the guilt in your heart. Iwill try, milord, Baron Helm hesitantly replied. However, the conflict in his face had seemed to have lessened when he had heard the princes words. Thats right. With the kindness that the prince possesses, how could such an act not hurt him? Compared to the guilt that Im feeling, his young heart must be suffering ten times more! Thinking such, the Baron loosened the grip of his hands. Atlas scratched away at the parchment before him. The quill in his hand moved rhythmically and with great practice. At this point, Atlas could be called a master in the local language and its writing. The act of mastering a language that would usually take other years or even dozens of years to accomplish was accomplished by Atlas to the same effect in a mere five days. He was a monstrous talent whose intellect was grossly inhuman. Alright then. With the new calculations, the modified meals will last us for an additional three days. After that, we will completely and utterly run out of food rations, Atlas calmly stated. Hopefully, Scout Team #1 returns victoriously from their hunt before then, Baron Helm prayed. Atlas, however, inwardly shook his head at this remark. He was not one to let things remain in the hands of chance and was the type to do everything that he could to personally grasp a solution. I need to come up with a solution and I need to do it fast! Atas urged himself. Thatll be it for now, Baron Helm. Please take some rest. While your heart may not feel like it, your mind and body desperately need it, the prince advised to which the Baron nodded his head. It was then Tap. Tap. Tap. The sound of something knocking against the window was heard. Curious about the sudden noise, Atlas turned around and looked at the closed window. He saw droplets of rain. Is it raining? No sooner than his voice left his mouth, the falling droplets increased. Before long, Atlas could visibly see the curtain of rain falling over the town. This is rather sudden, Baron Helm absentmindedly spoke out. Just as Atlas was about to question him why this was so, he heard a faint scream from a distance. My lords! My lo~oords! The voice screamed. Feeling an ominous feeling settle within their hearts, the Baron and Atlas immediately faced each other with grim expressions and dashed out of the office room in unison. Before long, they arrived at the manors front entrance where a haggard-looking man ran towards them frantically through the pouring rain. Terrible news! I bring terrible news, my lords! The man screamed at the top of his lungs as he ran towards them. Stop screaming and come in here quickly! Atlas urgently yelled. He recognized the man to be a member of Scout Team #2, the group in charge of scouting and mapping the towns surroundings. Seeing him like this, the feeling of ominousness intensified within his heart. Ordering the Baron to close the door, Atlas neared the man and hurriedly asked, Tell us. Whats gotten you so shaken? With heaving breath and fear-apparent in his eyes, the man suddenly grabbed Atlas by his vest, pulled the young prince closer, and screamed at the top of his lungs. WOLVES! Weve found wolf tracks, my lord! And they are heading towards the town! And as if enjoying this new predicament the heavens responded with a flash of lightning and a rumble of thunder. Chapter 43 - Still Human Wolves!? Baron Helm screamed out, horrified. Are you certain!? Letting go of the young princes vest with shaky hands, the man turned around to face the Baron. His pallid face, pale as a sheet of paper, and fear-stricken eyes still held the horror from his grim realization. Looking into the Barons eyes, he slowly nodded his head. By the Gods Baron Helm mumbled with fear. Atlas, who had been quiet all this while, suddenly asked, Who discovered the wolf tracks? Was it just you or was it your team? I-it was my team, my lord, the man replied with a shaky voice. The discovery had left him shaken to the core. Wheres the team? Where are the rest of your team members? Why arent they here with you? Atlas pressed forth with his questioning, his tone turning more serious by the second. ICtheyCwe, the man stumbled. He wasnt in the right state of mind since the discovery. Atlas rapid-fire questions only left him more confused. WHERE. IS. THE. REST. OF. THE. TEAM? Atlas tone grew harsh. Answer me! He yelled. Theyre on their way back to the town, my lord! The man screamed in reply, cowering in the process. Th-they sent me first to inform my lords since I was the fastest runner in the group! At that answer, Atlas immediately turned to look at the Baron and ordered, Baron Helm, please bring the rest of that team to the manor immediately. They are not to make contact with the other townspeople. My liege, but whyC Baron Helm tried to ask but was immediately shut down by Atlas. Just do what I tell you and save the questions for later! Atlas urged. Go immediately! Take this man to help you! Y-yes, my liege, Baron Helm hurriedly bowed in response, and grabbed the man before leaving the manor. Standing alone in the empty foyer, Atlas stared at the closed entrance door with a piercing gaze. Lightning and thunder flashed and rumbled in the background, while the room sunk into total darkness. The falling rain provided a sharp staccato to suit the declining atmosphere. Sigh. Heaving a heavy sigh, the young prince then looked towards the ceiling. Inhaling a mouthful of the cold, humid air, he opened his mouth and screamed! CAN I NOT CATCH A BREAK?! WHO UP THERE IS GETTING OFF TO THIS!? It seemed that the lack of sleep had finally gotten to him. --- Living Room, Barons Manor. Ten minutes later. A group of ten adult men stood lined up against the wall. These were the members of Scout Team #2. The faces and expressions of the ten men varied greatly, but the common factor amongst them was the look of fear and uncertainty within their fear. Their throats moved in an intermittent sequence as each gulped fearfully. Their dry lips, rough and chapped, mumbled quietly while their eyes wandered against the ground. Ill ask you one more time, Atlas spoke as he walked before the lined-up men with his hands behind his back. And this time, I want all of you to really think about your answers. Did you, at any given point since your arrival to the town, speak to or tell anyone, and I mean anyone, about the wolf den and wolf tracks discovery? He stopped his walk and turned around to intensely stare at the line of adults. Atlas, while very young and of short stature, had a piercing gaze that seemed to look into the very soul of the men. His ice-blue eyes radiated terrifying chillness and solemnity. Burdened by the heavy atmosphere, none of the gathered adults dared so much as to even breathe loudly. Even Baron Helm, the large-bodied, naturally intimidating-looking man had retreated to the side and watched on quietly, not interrupting the princes interrogation in the least. A few seconds passed accompanied by the heavy, pitter-patter sounds of the downpour outside. This noise gradually increased in pitch as the rainfall outside turned heavier, subtly pressuring the men and giving them an illusion of time running out. Take all the time you need and think carefully. I would hate for you men to rush answering me, giving me an incorrect or incomplete answer in the process. He added paradoxically. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. This subtle mental pressure was by no means a simple coincidence but a deliberate usage of his surroundings by Atlas to increase the power of his authority and to boost the effects of his interrogation. Every small action of his; such as lining them against the wall, walking in a heavy, rhythmic pattern, repeatedly asking the same questions but using different words and tones, every little action of his was a deliberate ploy aimed at interrogation. Having lived a successful life in the world of politics, Atlas knew better than most about human nature and about how to influence thoughts in order to achieve an intended result. And achieve the intended result, he did. Actully, milord. Now that I properly think about it, I think I mightve accidentlly said something to ma wife Me too, my lord. My aunt was botherin me, asking a terrible number of questions. I was muddled from the discovery and mightve slipped something I warned my sister and her friend One by one, the men started to tell the truth. Originally, when Atlas had asked them the same question when they had just arrived, each person denied telling anything about the discovery to the townspeople. The scene now, however, was the complete opposite. Just as I had guessed. Atlas sighed and shook his head. Truth be told, the moment these men had lied to him in the beginning, he had already read them and ascertained that they were lying. His subsequent actions and ploy to force a confession were not for his direct benefit or validation but were meant for the Baron and in preparation for his next series of actions. After listening patiently to their confessions, Atlas turned around and faced the Baron with a grim expression. The latter looked at the prince with a similar expression. Baron Helm was a smart and educated man. While initially confused at the princes motives, he quickly formed a vague guess as he observed the interrogation process. Now that he had heard the confession, he arrived at the same conclusion as the prince. My liege, Baron Helm opened his mouth to speak but was quickly interrupted by the prince. Before we discuss anything further, Baron Helm, why dont you settle these men first. A warm bath and a fresh set of clothes would do them a lot of good, dont you think? Atlas suggested. Hearing his suggestion, the eyes of the ten men immediately widened and their mouths went agape. With disbelief shining in their eyes, they hesitantly asked, M-my lord, we peasants wouldnt dare to trouble you or the Baron in your home. Please excuse us, and we shall return to our homes. The most eloquent person in the group intoned. Return in this weather? Nonsense. Atlas immediately shut down their proposal. Turning to face the group of adults, he wore an expression of kindness and pride and spoke, I cannot stress enough, how large of a contribution your group has contributed to this town. You ten men, by risking your very lives, have discovered a threat, nay a calamity that very much concerns the future of this town and the lives of everyone in it. Pausing to catch his breath, Atlas continued with a smile on his face. Not only did you discover it, but you risked injury and rushed back to the town in this perilous weather to deliver news of the calamity, forewarning us of its arrival and giving us time to prepare against it. You have done this town a great favor, gentlemen. All of us owe you for your contribution. I have yet to decide on your rewards, and I have to tell you, it is not going to be an easy one. Until then, the least that the Baron and I could do for you, considering your contribution, is play the part of a gratuitous host. Please, in my honor, dont refuse this gesture. Atlas finished his speech. His smooth words filled with sincerity and gratitude moved the hearts of the ten adult men. With tears in their eyes, they continuously thanked the prince for recognizing their hard work before following the Baron out of the living room. The moment they left the living room, the smile on Atlas face disappeared. Sporting a stony expression and half-lidded eyes, Atlas sunk into contemplation. With this, I have retained these loose-lipped idiots to the manor. The spreading of information regarding the wolves should be mostly contained now. Atlas'' kindhearted gesture to the ten scouts was by no means kind or hearted. Rather, it was filled with hidden implications that went way over what their pitiful minds could infer. By keeping these men in house arrest, he held primary control on the information and could control how it would be shared. It was a pity that he wasnt able to move fast enough, resulting in the news leaking to a few of their respective family members. Still, it wasnt too bad considering the circumstances. I guess the heavy downpour helps me out here. There wont be any gatherings in this weather. The townspeople will be restricted to their residences. This should greatly slow down the spread of information. Why was Atlas so keen on controlling and delaying the spread of the information involving the wolf tracks and the wolf den? Well, let me word it like this; how would you feel if you lived in an unguarded, unfenced town, in the middle of an eerie forest, and were to learn that there was a pack of wolves in the neighborhood heading towards you? Not too great, I imagine. Spreading the news regarding the wolves will result in a huge blow to morale, and have unease and panic fester within the minds of the people. While it wont be the extent of an immediate collapse of order and rampant spreading of chaos Cthanks to my recent efforts to increase motivation and foster a sense of belonging within the townspeopleC it will still greatly affect day-to-day operations. The town hadnt reached a state of surplus yet. Hell, it hadnt even reached the state of total self-sufficiency. On that note Have the miners returned yet? It should be about time, right? Atlas wondered. He then shrugged his shoulders and pushed the matter to the back of his mind, Oh well, they must be delayed due to the weather. He then returned to his office and waited for the Baron to arrive. He had a lot of matters to discuss with the older man. First the sickness, then the shortage of food, and now this? Atlas rubbed his forehead. I havent even finished dealing with the food shortage crisis yet. How am I supposed to deal with a pack of wolves? Even as a genius with decades of experience in dealing with greatly difficult, life-threatening situations, he still felt greatly pressured. For all his gifts and abilities, Atlas was still human. Chapter 44 - Death and Demon Coal Mines A few hours after the wolf attack. The interiors of the newly-excavated coal mine consisted of three main clearings and dozens of small, branching paths. Each clearing was formed from a natural cavity found within the mountain and could comfortably house anywhere between eighty to a hundred people. Coal ores scarcely decorated these clearings, and due to the miners'' efforts these past few days, these scarce pockets were already wiped clean. The majority of the coal mining occurred inside dozens of branching paths. These paths were narrow and artificial and could only house ten to twelve people at a time. However, the walls and earth within these paths were rich in coal and contributed to a large portion of the production. As such, the natural clearings served as the break/rest area for the miners and were natural gathering zones. The branching paths were the place where most of the mining was done. This was how the mine usually functioned. Today, however, the scene within the mine was completely different. Argh!~ My leg! MY LEGG!! Stop strugglin! Hold him down! Oi, help me wrap this cloth around his thigh to stop the bleeding! Move! Move! Move! Ive got boling hot water in ma hands! Get out of ma way! Im going to die! Im going to die!~ Inside the second clearing, which was the largest clearing and was situated in a central position within the mine, a great number of miners frantically moved about, as they tended to the few dozen injured miners. Despairing sobs and painful cries echoed inside this grim cavern alongside other shouts and screams for help. Facing the wolf attack from earlier was by no means an effortless task. Even though the miners had not engaged the wolves in a battle and had sensibly retreated in the shortest time possible, many of the miners had suffered varying degrees of injuries. Miraculously enough, not a single person had died! A few that were lucky enough to get away and not face the brunt of the attacks and mishaps only suffered a few bruises and cuts from the hurried retreat. Most, however, suffered considerably with injuries ranging from single or multiple fractures and/or breakage to grievous cuts and bites. And then there were the select few people who teetered on the very edge of death, barely clinging onto their lives. These people were unlucky enough to directly face a wolf, incurring great, life-threatening injuries as a result. One such person was Gunter Abel, one of the very first people to spot the wolf pack and one of the select, unlucky few to suffer a serious attack. Lying on a temporary, roughly-strewn-together mattress, Gunter could barely make sense of his surroundings and frequently slipped in and out of consciousness. His body lay powerless and limp, and his arms lay affixed to his chest, wrapped in a bloody cast. Torn clothes covered a part of him with small cuts, claw marks, and scratches covering the rest. Lying immobile on the mattress with no one around him, Gunter was accompanied by only pain and agony. The pain originated from his body, while agony originated from his heart. Lying here, Gunter knew death was coming for him. He knew that there was nothing he could do to stop it. There was a popular legend shared in the small hamlet where Gunter was born. This legend spoke of a man, a virtuous man, who had spent his entire life doing good to those around him. Every day he helped his family, his neighbors, his community, he helped everyone who needed his help. Spending his life like this, the man remained unmarried and childless. Day after day, week after week, year after year time unceasingly passed as he spent his entire life helping other people. On his final day, as he lay on his deathbed, alone and with an empty heart, Death came to visit him. O Human, Ive come to claim your life, the grim reaper professed. Staring at his grim figure, flaming eyes, and claiming scythe, the virtuous man opened his mouth and weakly confessed, O mighty Death, Im still owed a reward. A reward? the grim one repeated. What for? For being virtuous. For spending my entire life in service to those around me and to those who required my service. For living a sinless life, The man answered. Feeling his breath grow weaker with each passing second, the man hurried, O mighty Death, please hurry in granting my reward. I do not have any time to spare. Facing such a man, Death openly scoffed. Not hiding his mocking tone, he replied to the dying man, O foolish Human, you are not without sin. You do not deserve a reward from me? Hearing this reply, the man became shocked and furious. However, feeling his rapidly nearing end, he did not want to spend the remainder of his time arguing with the grim reaper. Still, he wanted to know. What is this sin of mine, mighty Death? he asked, genuinely unsure of his shortcomings. Laughing at his question, Death replied, To spend a lifetime in service of others is a lifetime spent in the disservice of your own. This, foolish Human, is your greatest sin. Hearing its reply, realization dawned upon the dying man. With trembling lips, he muttered, Life is the greatest gift that humans receive from the world, and Ive squandered it in service of others. I understand my sin. Speaking so, he closed his eyes and the final embers of life slipped away from him. Staring coldly at the dead humans corpse, Death sighed after some time. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. O foolish human, even after facing death, you still failed to understand. It then shook its head and walked away. The legend ended here. It was a short and simple story, and had been told and retold in Gunters birthplace for eons. While the exact words of the story had changed, its content and meaning remained the same. Due to its rather abrupt and confusing ending, many people pondered why the dying mans understanding was false and why Death still considered him a fool in death. Wasnt his answer the same as Death? Truth be told, none knew why. They simply listened to the story, pondered on its meaning for some time, and then forgot about it. Maybe they would return to it sometime later, and perhaps someone would form their own conclusion to the legend. All in all, each persons interpretation of the legend varied. And now, as he lay on his deathbed, Gunter naturally recalled this legend. His diminishing thoughts repeated the story within his mind while forming his conclusion. It is not a sin to serve others. Death called it a sin because the dying man had spent his entire life doing it while expecting compensation. It was not out of his hearts volition that he decided to service the others, but out of greed. This was his sin. Gunter concluded. His conclusion could be the right one, or perhaps it could be wrong. No one knew. However, it was his own. It was a conclusion that came from the crystalization of his understanding towards life and living. I suppose Im a sinner too, Gunter thought to himself. Selfishly dying and leaving behind my family, friends, and my lord to face the dangers. Feeling weakness set upon him, Gunter slowly closed his eyes. Just as he was about to pass off peacefully, he heard someone whisper into his ears. Dont go to sleep. You will die. This person spoke with a low, quiet tone. A few seconds of silence later, he whispered once more, Hold still. This will hurt. The next instant, Gunter vaguely heard a resolute chop following which immense pain flooded his mind. ARGH! Gunter screamed at the top of his lungs. His eyes were wide open. --- Oi, Lloyd! Wheredya get that food from? A miner pointed to the steaming boils in his hands and asked. The foreman is distributing them in the next clearing. Ya better queue up now if youre hungry, Lloyd replied, earning a grateful nod from the miner. Lloyd was currently in the middlemost clearing, which was now the Treatment Zone, and was heading towards his old friend Gunter. He had left some time back to request the foreman for some rations when he had noticed Gunters situation quickly declining. Hoping that putting some food into his body would revitalize him, Lloyd quickly went and received two bowls Cone for him and the other for GunterC and was now returning to feed Gunter both the bowls. Like my mama used to say; A hot bowl of food will cure almost anything! Llyod was a simple-minded but deeply caring person. His selfless act of braving danger to rescue his friend from the wolf and carrying him back to the mine was proof of his character. Hot gruel! Comin through! Lloyd loudly warned while carefully making his way through the Treatment Zone. This area was filled with injured townspeople and people frantically tending to their injuries that even though the clearing was large enough to house almost a hundred people, it still felt cramped. Focusing his attention on the bowls of hot soup in his hands, Lloyd took careful care to not drop or spill it. The foreman had repeatedly reminded him of their limited rations and warned him that there would be no refills in the event of accidental spills. Almost there. The moment he made it past this huge rock outgrowth blocking his path and vision, he would be reunited with his friend. Just as Llyod was about to go around the rocky outgrowth, he heard a terrible scream. ARRGGHH!!! Gunter! Llyod yelled, recognizing his dear friends voice. He immediately dropped the two bowls in his hands and rushed towards the origin of the voice. Weaving past the rocky outgrowth, Lloyd came to the small corner where he found Gunter writing on the ground with pain and a pale-looking young man sitting next to him and sawing away at Gunters arms with a saw-like tool. Seeing the youths indifferent face as he heartlessly sawed away at Gunters arms, rage rushed towards Llyods head. Oi, sick bastard! Get away from him!! Lloyd screamed with a red face and rushed towards the youth. Cocking back his arm, he heaved a mighty yell and swung his fist towards the youths face. Caught off-guard, the youth barely saw the fist heading towards him before it made contact with his head. Tremendous force bared down on the youth, snapping his head back and flinging him away. A short scream escaped his mouth. Argh, fu*k! Lloyd winced as he felt immense pain in his fist. However, his eyes quickly landed on the writing Gunter causing him to forget his pain and quickly approach him. Gunter! Lloyd yelled, putting his hands over his struggling friend. His eyes gazed down at his tear-filled face before heading down towards his arms. Lloyd immediately paled from horror. Blood poured from Gunters right arm as a deep cut penetrated past his skin, muscles, and halfway into his bone! The incomplete cut was performed at his elbow, just above the sections mauled by the wolf. Seeing his human-inflicted injury, Llyod snapped his head towards the young man whom he had punched and stared at him with hatred in his eyes. What the fu*k is wrong with you, ya bastard! What kinda sick fu*k would cut his fellow mans arms with a cleaver!? His screams echoed within the limited cavern space, drawing the attention of the other miners. Whats happenin here? Is that Loud-Mouth Lloyd? Whos that in his arms? There blood pouring from that guy? Eh? Whys there a kid near them? Hes bleedin from his head too. The commotion had grown so large that it had brought most of the miners to the scene. Even Foreman Jason, who had originally come to announce the distribution of rations, was drawn to the scene due to the commotion. Forcing his way past the crowd, Jason arrived at the front and saw the scene. Whats happening here!? He demanded an answer. With anger coloring his face and tears streaming down his eyes, Lloyd pointed to the youth in the corner, struggling to get up to his feet after being punched by him. I found that sick bastard cutting away at my friends arm with a cleaver! Lloyd roared. He then proceeded to explain the story from his viewpoint. The faces of the crowd grew darker and darker, and some of them looked at the youth in the corner with horror and disgust in their eyes. By the time Lloyd had finished narrating his story, which was a minute or two later, the crowd was mostly quiet with most staring at Gunter with pity and the rest staring at the youth with hate. Jason looked at the youth in the corner. By now, he had struggled up to his feet and sat atop a small rock in the corner with his head turned up and his hand clutching onto his bleeding forehead. Is it true? Jason asked. Is it true what hes saying? Did you cut at that mans arm with a cleaver? The youth mumbled quietly in response. ANSWER LOUDLY DAMMIT! Jason bellowed. DID YOU DO IT!? His roaring caused the youth to flinch. The youth then turned to face the foreman Cand the crowd behind himC and answered. I was saving him from death, the young, pale-faced youth indifferently said. His voice was absent of the slightest trace of remorse and his face remained apathetic. Chapter 45 - Amputation Jason looked at the stone-faced youth before him with alarm and horror. The youths cold, dark pupils, unkempt hair, and the blood trailing down his face combined to give him the look of a demon. Just as he was about to open his quivering lips to speak, the youth before him spoke first. You have to let me tend to him. At this rate, hell die of blood loss, the youth apathetically worded, his eyes staring at Gunter. There was no warmth to his voice and his tone was distant. This motherfu*ker! Lloyd exploded upon hearing the youths words. Staring at him with bloodshot eyes and a twisted face, he roared, Ya still want to continue with yer sick act even after being caught red-handed!? Turning to face the foreman, he continued, Foreman Jason! I ask you to catch this sick bastard and throw him out to the wolves! He made a shocking request. Currently, Lloyds rage was boundless. He wanted nothing more than to bash that pale-faced youth to death using his own hands. However, he couldn''t recklessly act. Not because he feared the consequences of his actions, but because he still held his dear friend within his arms. While Jason and the rest of the crowd heard Llyods roaring request with certain clarity, it seemed to have gone unheard by the pale-faced youth. The latter continued to maintain the indifferent expression on his face and focused his attention on the pouch on his waist. He dug through the contents of his pouch while ignoring everything else in his surroundings. Look! LOOK! This bastarCno, this demon! Hes got no remorse for his actions! Lloyd screamed once again. Foreman Jason, I beg ya! PleaseC WILL YOU SHUT YER MOUTH!! Jason bellowed, shutting up Llyod. He then turned to look at the pale-faced youth and carefully observed him. He quickly noticed that the youths body and, more evidently, his hands were faintly trembling. Hes afraid, Jason immediately concluded. While he wasnt an expert Reader like Atlas, who could accurately conclude the thoughts and motives of a person from simply observing them, he possessed enough worldly experience to conclude a few things. One such conclusion was the fact that the pale-faced, bloody youth before him was feeling afraid. Jason was by no means a terrible or a cruel person, and seeing the youth being afraid evoked some compassion within his heart. With his tone no longer as confrontational as in the beginning, Jason asked him in a low voice. Do you want to explain yerself? He was still unclear about the truth of the situation and wanted to give the young man an opportunity to explain his actions. Hearing the foremans question, the youth turned to face him and nodded his head. While still searching through his pouch with trembling hands, he explained. The injury on his arms has turned infectious and shows signs of being poisoned. To prevent the poison from spreading to the rest of his body, it is required that his hands be amputated. He then paused and quietly mumbled, Found it, while pulling out a strange pill-like object from his pouch. He then ignored the reactions of the others and walked towards Gunter. Get away, demon! I dont believe yer lies! Lloyd screamed while lashing out with his free hand. Evading his frantic attacks, the youth continued to speak, If you dont allow me to treat your friend, he will die prematurely from blood loss. Move, I need to feed this to him. He showed the pill-like object in his hands.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Im not gonna let ya feed him anything! Foreman! Why havent ya captured this demon yet!? He cried, The youth did not speak anything further and also turned to look at Jason. At this point, even the surrounding crowd turned their attention towards the foreman and quietly gazed at him. The emotions and thoughts behind each of their eyes varied greatly. Some felt that the youths words made sense, while others sympathized with Lloyd. However, they did not senselessly speak out their thoughts and instead looked towards Jason for his decision. Instantly, Jason felt the pressure that he was feeling compound. His barely calmed stomach once again hurled with nervousness and uncertainty. While he was not formally educated, the middle-aged foreman knew that he was at a crossroads. He had two choices. On one side, he had Llyod and Gunter, a pair that showcased peak camaraderie and humanity; one friend was injured and on the verge of death, while the other did everything that he could to preserve the formers life. It was a moving tale and choosing this side would stoke sympathy within the hearts of the miners, temporarily increasing their morale and hope during this trying period. It was a sensible choice that ensured maximum benefits that would ensure and even elevate his authority while doing little in the way of sacrifice. While Gunter would unfortunately die, he could simply blame his death on the pale-faced youth. On the other hand, he had the pale-faced youth. An unfortunate lad that did not seem to have any unkind or devious intentions. While he certainly looked fishy and, by some standards, demonic, Jason guessed that the boy was simply unable to properly express himself. However, this feeling may or may not be shared by the others in the crowd. This was a risky choice. While the youths words were logical and consistent, there was still the matter of ability. Does he really have the ability to save the dying Gunter? Jason certainly hoped so but didnt dare to rely on it. The consequences of backing up the youth will also greatly depend on the result of the boys ability. If he were to succeed, Jason would be heralded as a man with great foresight. His authority and reliability would explode and a life would be saved. However, if the boy were to fail in saving Gunterwell, the consequences were obvious. In the end, it boiled down to a simple question: What kind of a person was Foreman Jason? Was he the cautious type that would take the sure-fire method out of this situation, sacrificing two people and a part of his morality? Or was he the betting type that would stake it all while hoping for the best outcome? The answer was Jason was no betting man. However, he also wasnt heartless and unscrupulous enough to throw a young man under the bus to ensure his benefit. And as such, he chose to trust the boy. Just as he was about to open his mouth to announce his decision, the pale-faced youth, once again, spoke first. If you dont believe my words, you can look at his arms. He pointed to Gunters bandaged arms. Look at his right arm, in the area just below the bandage. You can see the blackened veins and the spread of the poison. Due to the position that Gunter lay in, the majority of the people within the crowd were unable to view his body, much less confirm the youths words. And while Lloyd was the last person in this world to trust the words of youth, he couldnt help but check his friends right arm. Sure enough, he could clearly see the blackened veins and infected areas present just below the bandages. Lloyd immediately felt uncertainty bloom within his heart. Gritting his teeth, he looked at his dear friend, whose condition was growing hopeless with each passing second, and at the pale-faced youth. After repeating this action a few times, he turned to face the youth and spoke, This once, Ill choose to trust you! He then moved his body, making way for the youth. Using his opportunity, Foreman Jason also spoke up. I also trust this lad. I choose to believe in his ability. His choice earned him some nods and a few shakes. Most, however, chose to keep their silence and wait for the result to appear before making a decision. Also gritting his teeth, Jason looked at the pale-faced youth and spoke, Were counting on ya, boy. Dont fu*k this up! The youth simply nodded his head. Walking closer to Gunter, he sat next to the partially amputated arm that was barely hanging onto his body. After staring at the bleeding wound for a few seconds, he raised his hands and fed Gunter the oddly-shaped pill. A few moments after the pill entered his system, Gunters painful moans and bodily struggles were visibly reduced. Lloyd, who was holding his friend closely, even felt his heartbeat reduce and stabilize. Retrieving the blood saw that was cast aside, the youth positioned himself over the half-amputated arm and quietly instructed Llyod. Hold him tight. He then began to cut. Chapter 46 - Shattered Hope Unable to watch the brutal scene, Lloyd looked away and closed his eyes. Still, he couldn''t block the painful cries of his friend, or of the sharp sound of bone being sawed. Whats worse was that he could distinctly feel his friend struggle within his arms. Hold on, old boy! Its almost done. It was unknown whether these words were meant for Gunter or himself. The others in the crowd, however, were more vocal towards this visceral sight. Oh my! I cant watch this. So much blood Eugh! Most turned their gazes away after watching for a few seconds. A few amongst them could not keep their calm and threw up in revulsion. As for Foreman Jason, he was amongst the former but was dangerously nearing the latter stage. As for the person performing the barbaric act, the young man wore a mask of quiet confidence and calmness. There was not a trace of repulsion within his eyes and his demeanor was entirely still. Operating the crude saw with his hands, the young man exhibited a sort of graceful aura. With neither a shake nor a tremble in his hands, he moved the saw with utter certainty and acute precision. Rather than say hacking a body, the youth looked like he was performing a craft. And perform well, he did. In just a few minutes, he cut through the remaining bone and successfully amputated Gunters right arm. He then immediately put down his saw, clutched the open wound tightly with his left hand, and used his right hand to tie a tourniquet over the elbow. He had already tied a tourniquet earlier to greatly limit the blood flow but was now doing it once more to ensure that no accidents occurred. After properly finishing tying up the tourniquet, he then immediately moved to inspect, disinfect, and bandage the wound. The pouch near the youths waist provided him with most of the articles required to bandage the wound making him almost entirely self-sufficient in his duty. The only time he ever stopped to request the others for something, was when he required a bowl of boiling water to disinfect the wound. By now, the apprehensions and doubts present within the hearts of the onlookers had diminished by a large extent. Seeing Gunters body gradually relax was proof of the young mans competence. The crowd gradually felt a budding sense of appreciation and respect grow toward the young man. Of course, most still stood on the fence and were of uncertain opinions. The young mans unnatural and eerie behavior made most view him in a less than positive light. After spending almost ten minutes bandaging the amputated elbow and stopping the blood loss, the young man finally stopped his hands and wiped the sweat gathered on his forehead. His bloody hands, however, resulted in blood-stained smears on his forehead. Is it over? Lloyd asked after seeing the young man stop. He still held an expression of uncertainty on his face as he was unsure of how to treat the youth, given their prior conflict. Raising his gaze to meet Lloyd, the youth first nodded his head and then immediately shook it. Lloyd immediately felt his heart sink to the bottom of his chest leading him to hurriedly ask. Whats that mean? I successfully finished the amputation and properly dressed with some medicinal herbs to prevent infection and boost recovery. While saying so, he raised the amputated, infected arm and put it aside. Unfortunately The young man pointed to Gunters extremely pale complexion and finished. It seems like hes lost too much blood. He then paused in thought for a second before correcting his sentence. Correction. He has lost too much blood. If left as is, he will die. Pin-drop silence immediately descended around the scene. Wh-what? Lloyd dumbly stuttered with disbelief. He couldnt comprehend the words that he had just heard. Hell die? B-but the poison was stopped! How can he die!? Llyod was unable, or to be specific, unable to accept the truth. The bloodstained young man continued to speak with a neutral tone, This wouldnt have happened if you hadnt interrupted me. By delaying the treatment he was harmed. Lloyds body quaked seemingly as though he had suffered a blow. He looked at the youth with a face of disbelief before turning back to look at his dear friends unnaturally pale face. He was immediately overwhelmed with the feeling of guilt. With tears pouring from his eyes, he thought to himself. I-Ive harmed you? Wh-what have I done? Ca-can ya help him? Lloyd turned towards the youth, desperation evident in his eyes. Please help him! I BEG YA! PLEASE SAVE MY FRIEND!! Lloyds desperate howls echoed within the quiet cavernous chamber. Looking at this pitiful scene and hearing his piercing cry doused the rising embers of hope within the hearts of the people within the crowd. A few of them couldnt take the depressing scene any longer and left, while the majority shook their heads and clicked their tongues in pity. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Soon, Lloyds resounding cries quietened into light sobs. Tears and snot trailed down his face as he hung his head with despondence and shame. No no no He quietly muttered. Why? Why must this happen to us? What did we do wrong? While spoken with a low voice, his question echoed within this quiet atmosphere, striking at the crowds heart. It was true. Why did they deserve such a fate? Who or what did they wrong to deserve this? Werent they also people looking to live during these trying times? The life of these people has truly been depressing in this past year. Eight months ago, it had been announced that their home country, the Constantine Kingdom, was at war with its neighbor. This not only caused general worry to descend but also halted trade and caused the price of general commodities to rise. Still, it wasnt anything new. War wasnt a concept unfamiliar to these people. They simply went about their daily lives and hoped for the best. Six months ago, news spread that the enemy had broken past the kingdoms borders. The frontlines had fallen, and the north-eastern lands were being subject to invasion. The kingdoms forces were trying their best to push back the invaders, but the enemy was too strong. The situation didnt seem very favorable for their side. Still, the people did not easily lose hope and kept their faith in their country. While continuing to hope for the best, they did their best to contribute to the war efforts. However, only two months later, this hope was crushed. Four months ago, it was announced that the north-eastern lands were completely lost to the enemy forces. The lords of those parts had largely been executed or had surrendered to the enemy. Just like that, the Constantine Kingdom had lost a third of its total land to the enemy. Just when the people thought it couldnt become any worse, the invading force, i.e. the Conlixions, spread news that they would not stop until the entire kingdom of Constatine had been invaded. This news caused the morale within the kingdom to sink to an all-time low. Seeing no hope for the future of the kingdom, many deserters and traitors appeared within the military and political ranks of the country. Its people openly and covertly betrayed the kingdom and caused the invasion to proceed smoothly and with greater effect. Territories were being lost by the day and people were found surrendering en masse. Towns were pillaged, forts were burned, and cities were destroyed. The armies of the Conlis Kingdom marched ahead fearlessly. And finally, just over a month ago, the people belonging to House Helms barony were called to vacate. Thousands felt their final hope shatter and deserted the barony, turning traitors and surrendering to the enemy forces. Only a portion, less than three hundred answered the Barons call. And so, Baron Helm personally helmed the retreat and led two hundred and forty-seven of his willing subjects deep into the cursed, Brooding Dark Forest. They then established the quaint, unnamed town and passed their days in trepidation and fear. I knew it I knew coming to this forest was a horrible idea!! WE SHOULDVE STAYED HOME AND SURRENDERED!! Unable to bear the pressure, someone within the crowd finally snapped. We shouldve stayed away from this forest! Look at what its done to us! Sob. Sob. My wife, my child Ill never see them again! Im gonna die!~ Shut up! Everyone! SHUT UP!! Foreman Jason snapped and lashed back at the crowd. Taking a few steps forward, he turned around and faced the crowd. What da hell is wrong with all of you!? When did y''all turn into such cowards!? He roared. With a livid expression and bloodshot eyes, he continued to scream. Tell me! Were any of ya forced to come here!? Huh!? He waited for a response and only received a few head shakes from the crowd. Thats right! Nothing! The good Baron forced not a single one of ya to follow him! Even when hundreds of those traitorous, cowards scurried away like gutless rats, abandonin their Lord and betrayin their country, he never stopped them or denounced them! No, the good Baron had us gather and leave behind an enormous amount of rations so that if they ever decided to come back, they wouldnt have to starve! Say, you stay behind and surrender? What do ya think ill happen to ya!? Do ya think that everythinll be fine and dandy? That the invaders will simply let ya be? NO! Theyll burn yer lands, pillage yer wealth, rape yer wives and daughters, kill yer sons, and force yer toddlers to join them! As for you, well he scoffed, I dont have to tell whatll happen to ya. Speaking until here, Jason halted his speech to give the crowd a moment to ponder his words. After a few seconds of restless silence, he continued once again. This time, his tone was much softer and his words were much less confrontational. Look, all of ya have got to stop thinkin about the past. Comin to this town may or may not have been the best choice, but its the one that we made! Every one of us made it! He appealed. Things might look terrible right now, but you gotta look at the good things that happened too! Didnt we have His Highness, the Blessed Child of the Heavens, arrive in our town? Didnt he guide us and lead us to a better tomorrow? For Gods sake, look around you! Jason motioned at the cavern and at the various wooden structures that held it stable. Look at all this! He emphasized. In just a week since His Highness arrival, he had us accomplish all of this! Could ya imagine the state of the town without him!? Can ya honestly touch yer heart and tell me, that if you hadnt come to this place, youd have a warm bed to sleep in every night and warm gruel to fill yer belly when hungry? Can ya!? Silence filled the cavern once again, and more people answered him by shaking their heads. The expressions of the people within the crowd were much brighter than before, some even possessing smiles on their faces. Even those naysayers who were crying and complaining about their situation possessed ponderous expressions on their faces. Thats right! So stop complain and cryin, and get to work! Weve got wolves waiting for us outside! Our food and water are quickly runnin out! Many of our friends and brothers are suffering in pain! Lets do somethin about this instead of complainin to the sky!! YA HEAR ME!? YEAH!! The crowd replied with a deafening roar. Thats more like it! Jason roared back with a grin. He then turned around and faced the pale-faced youth. Whats yer name, boy? He asked. Heinrich. Well, listen, Heinrich. Ive had a miracle happen and havent lost a single man of mine. And I dont plan on starting anytime soon. He then pointed towards Gunter and asked, Can ya save him? Heinrich lowered his head and quietly pondered. After a few seconds of thought, he looked up at the foreman once again and replied, Maybe. But its risky and will depend on his luck. Jason nodded his head at this answer. Do it, and dont spare a single effort! He then turned around and walked away. What''re ya buffoons standin here for!? I told ya to get to work! Meanwhile, Heinrich started to dig through his pouch one more time. His face once again wore the mask of indifference and concentration as he searched through his belongings. Found it, he mumbled and took out a certain object. Turning to look at Lloyd, who was looking at him with an expectant gaze, Heinrich spoke. Give me your hand. Im going to transfer some of your blood to your friend. Heinrich was going to attempt a blind blood transfusion to save Gunter. Chapter 47 - Second Miracle Lloyd stared dumbly upon hearing his request. What? he asked, dazedly. Your hand. We dont have much time to waste, Heinrich repeated. Hearing the words we dont have much time to waste, Lloyd flinched like a feral cat and immediately offered his right arm to the youth. Take ma blood. Take how much ever ya need and then some more! Please just save my friend, Lloyd begged. Heinrich did not reply but simply nodded his head. Taking Lloyds right arm into his hands, he felt it around for a suitable vein. A few seconds of searching yielded him a suitable target, finding which Heinrich immediately acted. Using the crude needle-like object that he had scrounged out from within his pouch, Heinrich inserted it into Lloyds veins with a smooth motion. An intense burst of pain assaulted Lloyds mind but he gritted his teeth and kept himself from shouting. The instant the crude needle was inserted into Lloyds arm, Heinrich bent down and placed his mouth on the exposed end of the needle. Holding the other end with his mouth, he then sucked, drawing out the blood from Lloyds body. The needle insertion seemed to be successful as the youth immediately tasted a copper-metallic flavor within his mouth. Removing his mouth from the needles end, he then grabbed the other pre-prepared object, a long string-like item with its other end attached to another similar needle used on Lloyd. Grabbing the strings free end, Heinrich brought it towards the needle on Lloyds arm and expertly affixed it. He then grabbed onto the other end of the string and inserted it into Gunters arm. After finishing the insertion and ensuring the connections and the like, Gunter quietly sat next to the duo and watched the transfusion process unfold. Blood unceasingly poured out of the needle on Llyods arm, entered the string-like device connecting him and the injured Gunter, traveled through it, and exited from the other end and into the latters body. Whats this? In a bid to distract himself from the long, continuous pain, Lloyd asked Heinrich while pointing to the string-like device. Animal gut, Heinrich blandly replied. This? He asked, pointing to the needle. A needle with a hole going through its center, the youth replied. Did ya make this? Heinrich nodded his head, causing Lloyd to be surprised. How old are ya? He pressed on with another question. Nineteen, the boy replied. Where did ya learn to do all of this? Lloyds hatred for the boy seemed to have significantly lessened after realizing that he truly meant no harm to his best friend. Like Foreman Jason, Lloyd concluded that Heinrich only seemed dodgy because the youth was unable to properly express himself. After seeing everything that he did to help him and his best friend, Lloyd came to trust Heinrich and no longer denounced him. Of course, the boys skill played a huge part in his change of mind. With his hatred gone, Lloyd felt naturally curious about the boy. Hearing the older mans question, Heinrich frowned and lowered his head. After staring at his feet for a few moments, he opened his mouth and said, I learned them myself. He then quietened. Sensing that the youth was unwilling to talk about this topic, Lloyd asked him another question. Who are yer mom and pops? What do they do? My father is a butcher. He ran away when the Baron announced the order to vacate the barony. I did not want to go with him so I snuck out and followed the Baron to this place. Heinrich answered giving his most detailed answer yet. My mother My mother died when I was young. I dont know much about her.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. Oh, ah, Im sorry, Lloyd awkwardly replied, his face sporting an uncomfortable expression. Im terribly sorry. I didnt think yer mum Its fine, Heinrich stopped him and the two sunk into silence. After passing a few minutes in uncomfortable silence, Lloyd started to speak. Me and this old guy here ave been best pals for a long time. We came from the same village, played and grew up together, and even fell in love and married our wives at similar times. I know just about everthin about him. Seein him like this I guess, somethin just blew up inside me. He then looked at Heinrich with an apologetic expression and apologized, Im really sorry bout hitting ya. Its okay, the youth calmly replied. That being said, he was reminded of the minor injury on his head and acted to treat it, while continuing to listen to Llyods story. Ya know a secret? I might look like this, he pointed to his large, muscular body, but Im actlly a coward. Im terrified by the littlest of things! This old guy, however, is the opposite. Hes very brave. Hes the one that convinced me and ma family to come here, ya know? Lloyd stared at Gunters face with a proud smile. Ive nver seen him dreading the future, nver seen him afraid of tomorrow. This bastard is always so positive and sure to an annoyin degree. But thats what makes him so amazin, I guess. Thats why I respect him so much. He continued to quietly stare at Gunter. After a few minutes, he looked up at Heinrich and said. Thank you. His words were filled to the brim with gratitude and sincerity. There was not a trace of deceit or a shadow of pretense. Lloyds words of thanks were as honest and bright as the man himself. IC uh yes, Heinrich replied. His body squirmed from discomfort while his face, for the first time since their meeting, showed an expression of awkwardness. He was unprepared to meet with such gratitude and was unsure about how to deal with it. In the end, he settled for silence. Lloyd, however, knew that the boy had accepted his gratitude. The two, three if the unconscious Gunter was to be included, stayed together for nearly twenty more minutes at which point Heinrich stopped the transfusion and removed the crude devices. He then checked up on Gunter one final time before declaring the results of the treatment. Fortunately, your friend seems to have taken well to your blood. He should survive, Heinrich concluded. Hell live? Lloyd asked, hope and excitement shining within his eyes. Heinrich nodded his head. HELL LIVE!! Lloyd burst out, exclaiming with excitement. His excited scream drew the attention of other people inside the Treatment Zone once again causing them to gather around. After seeing and hearing that the procedure was a success, they collectively wished Lloyd while praising Heinrich to the high heavens. The youth Cleft to fend for himselfC reacted with intense discomfort and awkwardness. He tried to get away but failed due to being surrounded by the crowd. A few minutes later, Foreman Jason arrived at the scene once again and saw the situation. After appreciating Heinrich for his excellent work, he turned serious and asked. Tell me, lad. Can ya check up on the others that suffered similar injuries and save them? Ill need to see them first, Heinrich flatly replied. But I will be able to keep them from dying if their injuries are less severe than this. Thats better than anything I hoped for, Jason replied and led the way. Come with me. Lets get ya somethin to eat before we start working ya. As such, Heinrich got to work around the Treatment Zone after shoving down a bowl of soup. He efficiently and expertly went around checking up on the people and did his best to help them. His self-made pills, herbal remedies that he had invented himself, were especially effective in dealing with the patients. Not only did the pills dull their sense of pain, lessening their suffering and making the injuries more bearable, but they also helped stabilize their heart rate and reduce their blood pressure. Fortunately, none of the other patients within the Treatment Zone were affected with injuries that were as serious as Gunters. Most only suffered from tears and small bites that did not warrant treatment beyond disinfection and bandaging. There was one case where a man suddenly started to cough and choke mysteriously. Heinrich, however, was able to quickly spot the problem, fluid filling up his chest, and treated the man on the spot by inserting his crude needle into the mans chest cavity and drawing out the fluids. This act further elevated his reputation amongst the miners hearts and melted away any remaining feelings of dissatisfaction or revulsion towards the youth. A few of the elders even started calling him the Second Miracle referring to how he was the second person to mysteriously appear and save the townspeople from harm. Meanwhile, time continued to trudge onwards, bringing forward Day 7. The good news was that the night had finally passed and the unnamed town hadnt lost a single one of its people. The bad news was that the sky outside remained dark and the rain had still not let up. The sky continued to pour its fury on the earth. Chapter 48 - Answers Tent #12 Unnamed Town A woman wearing a dull-grey attire stood by the entrance of the shared residence and watched the downpour outside. Her youthful, pretty face carried an expression of worry while her mouth continually uttered prayers. The Lords, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom Her eyes stayed unblinking as she stared into the misty darkness veiled by the rain. She seemed to be awaiting someones arrival through the storm. Anna. A voice called her name. The woman, however, did not react. The loud drumming of the rain and the muttering of prayers from her lips were the only sounds entering the womans ears. Anna! The voice repeated, this time with increased intensity. It seemed to have worked as Annas shoulders trembled slightly. Stopping her prayer, Anna turned around and replied to the caller, Yes? Her snappy tone showed her dissatisfaction at being interrupted. Lass the voice, a middle-aged woman, heaved a heavy sigh. Shaking her head, she asked, Did ya go to bed last night, dear? Not until my husband comes back, Anna shortly replied and turned around to continue her earlier practice. You standing by the door isnt gonna do anything, ya know It keeps my heart from worrying too much, Anna replied, unfazed. Ah, you The middle-aged lady heaved another sigh and shook her head. While she couldnt approve of Annas methods, she more or less understood and shared her worries. An entire night had passed and none of the miners had returned. Their shared residence, which could comfortably house ten people at full capacity, was currently half empty. The middle-aged lady walked up to her bed and removed the blanket covering it. She then went up to Anna and draped the young woman with the blanket. At least cover yerself with something. You wouldnt your husband to come home and find ya sick now, would you? The lady half-angrily, half-caringly rebuked. Better? She asked after she finished draping Anna. The young woman nodded her head and showed gratitude on her face. She never stopped muttering her prayers though and continued to speak them with renewed vigor. The middle-aged woman sat at her bed and watched the young lady. She then looked around their shared residence, finding the three other people immersed in their own activities. While each did something different to keep their mind from worrying, the expression of distress on their faces was all the same. The middle-aged lady sighed once again. Truth be told, she was worried about her husband and her son, the former being a miner that hadnt returned the previous night and the latter being a patient at the Medical Center. Being separated from the two of them with little to no information about their conditions greatly distressed her heart. If only this cursed rain would let up. Id at least be able to visit Lil Gail and see how hes doin. But alas, the pouring rain made it very difficult for her to travel through half the town to the Medical Center. Shed make the journey easily in her youth. However, with old age came old age problems. Her legs werent quite what they used to be. Time crept by with unbearable slowness while the rain outside continued to pour with unceasing fury. If anything, it slowly turned heavier as time went by. As she continued to stand by the entrance and watch the outside through the half-open door, Anna suddenly exclaimed, Gunter! She saw a dark figure, roughly her husbands height and stature, make their way through the rain and towards their tent. The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Her rising hope quickly turned into disappointment when she realized that the dark figure wasn''t her husband as he approached closer. It was a familiar youth. Running towards Tent #12, the youth quickly entered the door and slammed it behind him. Rapidly shaking his head to get rid of the water on his hair, he then proceeded to squeeze at his clothes to get rid of the dripping wetness. Of course, he remembered to mumble curses during the entire process. His arrival, however, seemed to have roused the spirits of the people within the residence as they quickly gathered before him. The middle-aged woman also arrived and recognized the youth upon seeing him. Axel? Whatdya come here for? The newcomer was Axel Lynch, one of the Feeding Shack/Canteen workers. Mrs. Linda? Axel also recognized the middle-aged woman and smilingly greeted her. Fancy seein you here! Ya havent answered my question, silly boy, Mrs. Linda spoke with increasing intensity. What''re ya doin running around in this weather? Do ya wanna fall sick and put yer mother through more work? Calm yer fury, ol woman! Im here by the Barons orders! Axel hurriedly replied. Sweeping up his wet hair, he then recited with a deeper tone. Lord Baron and his highness, the Prince, hav decreed that all the townspeople remain inside their tents for tday! Work will be on hold til this damned weather goes away. Yer rations will be delivered to yer tents. Axel then stopped and looked at the people. Ya get that? Everyone nodded their heads. Great, Ill be goin then. Got five more tents to visit. He turned around and prepared to leave. Just a moment! Anna suddenly yelled and stopped him from leaving. She then looked at him without concealing the worry in her face and asked, Did the lords say anything about the miners? Bout why they havent come back yet? Are ya crazy, Anna!? How can anybody come back in this weather? Another resident of the tent scoffed. Oi, watch yer mouth, Mrs. Linda immediately bit back. She then looked at Axel and repeated Annas query. Have ya heard anything, brat? Well Axels face suddenly turned awkward at her question. His eyes began darting around while his fingers began to uncomfortably shuffle. Err, no. I havent heard anything. Saying so, he quickly turned around and sought to leave the tent. Hold yer horses! Mrs. Linda exclaimed and grabbed him by his collar. I hear ya lying! Let me go, crazy ol woman! Axel screamed yet the middle-aged lady showed no signs of letting him go. For a middle-aged woman, she seemed to have an unnatural amount of strength. Pulling him closer, Mrs. Linda menacingly stared into the eyes and spoke, Ya better tell me what you know, brat. Lse, Ill make good on my threats! She then balled up her right fist and squeezed tightly. Terrified by her low tone, Axel stared into the eyes before looking at her balled fists. He then alternated between the two for a few seconds, before taking a huge gulp and submitting. Okay, Ill tell ya! Let me off first! Axel cried while struggling. Mrs. Linda immediately let go of his collar but continued to stare threateningly into the eyes. Adjusting his wet clothes which had wrinkled uncomfortably, Axel then lowered his voice before speaking, Now, I cant tell ya if this is true. I havent herd anythin from the lords. But. Ya kno that I like Jess, right? Yesterday, I eard from here that He spilled everything he knew. To summarize his confession; Axels crush, Jess, was the workmate of another young lady, who was neighbors with one of the relatives of the returned scouts (Scout Team #2). Through this connection, Axel had learned some broken, incomplete information about the wolf den and the wolf tracks. Heavens! Theres wolves!? The residents of the tent gasped in unison. The worry on their faces immediately compounded. Are ya certain of this, brat? Mrs. Linda cautiously asked to which Axel shook his head. He was certainly not sure of the information since it had passed through many ears before being heard by him. Do the lords know bout this? They musve, right? Axel replied with uncertainty. I eard that the scouts were called to the Barons manor fter they arrived. The group then sunk into silence as each pondered their thoughts. Their expression cycled through worry, uneasiness, uncertainty, and confusion. After a dozen or so minutes of silence, Anna suddenly stood up. Im going to go see the lords. Announcing as such, she immediately threw away the blanket draping her and walked towards the open door. Whatreya goin to ask the good lords about? A resident asked. The truth, she replied. Staring into the pouring rain, she reaffirmed her thoughts and stepped out. Why was the news about the wolves not shared? Why were the scouts kept within the manor? Why were they asked to remain inside their tents without going out? What had happened to the miners? These were just some of the questions that Anna wanted to ask the lords. And she wasn''t alone. At a similar time to her venture through the rain towards the manor, a dozen or so other townspeople also began their journey through the hellish downpour. All of them wanted to hear some answers. Chapter 49 - Two-Faced. (HIATUS OVER) The overcast sky allowed not a single ray of sunlight to pass through its dense foliage, plunging the Barons office into near-complete darkness. A single wick of flame loosely danced within the old, grease-covered oil lantern and scarcely illuminated its surroundings. Pitter-patter. Pitter-patter. Droplets of rain crashed against the thick, iron-grilled windows producing a somber cacophony. Standing against this and looking into the foggy outside was a shadowed figure. His height was short and his back was slumped. His face, pallid and sunken, was veiled in shadowy darkness. His arms, loosely covered in garments, were dainty and folded. Atlas Constantine stood beside the window of his office, overlooking the dense, rainy darkness outside, His eyelids, half-open and half-conscious, slid down to cover his drowsy eyes when My liege!~ The door to the office slammed open and the large-bodied Baron walked in. Snapping his eyes open, Atlas furiously turned around and barked, What you egg!? My liege!? The Baron recoiled back in horror, his eyes colored with confusion. The young princes thorn-filled insult was rather sudden andbizarre for the older man to comprehend. Still, recognizing that he had erred by accidentally disturbing his liege, the large man apologized. Im terribly sorry, my liege. It was impudent of me to disturb your calm. Please punish me as you see fit! The Baron loudly asked for punishment and awaited fierce rebukes. Stop yelling! Please, just stop yelling! I cant take it anymore. Just shut up. Contrary to what he expected, the young prince replied not with rebukes but with earnest appeals. Raising his lowered head, the Baron found the prince covering his face with his hands and furiously rubbing his forehead. Gods, this headache is killing me! Why doesnt this stupid world have some aspirin!? Atlas asked, only to be met with confused silence. Ass-pie-ren? What is that, my liege!? Please tell me so that this servant can find it and bring it to you! Baron Helm, water gathered within the princes large eyes, please, lower your voice. His earnest pleas were not sincere begs. Please stop talking for some time. The large-bodied man opened his mouth to say something, but wisely shut his mouth when he saw the princes tear-filled expression. His soft heart folded from seeing the princes appearance. This is all my fault. He even began to inwardly blame himself. His Highness is still a child lacking in experience after all. It was inevitable for him to break down into tears facing this difficult situation. I-I have failed my liege. My incompetence is to blame. He bit his lips, clenched his fists, and lowered his head with shame. Meanwhile, on the other side, Atlas was desperately holding himself back from hitting his head against the tables surface. No matter how bad he wanted to counter the internal pain by using some external force, he couldnt bring himself to break character. Banging ones head against a table was a very un-princely thing to do. Fortunately, the few minutes of silence afforded to him brought him some much-needed respite. The headache receded into manageable levels, and the prince finally brought his attention to the matter at hand. I really need to sleep soon. Headaches are the bane of my existence, Atlas softly muttered. Bringing his hands back to the table, he noticed a few strands of golden hair within his palms. Hair? I mustve accidently pulled some when I was rubbing my forehead. Cool, looks like this bodys got blonde hair. This discovery reminded Atlas once more that he had yet to check out his features in a mirror. I sure hope Im still as handsome as my previous self. Charisma goes a long way in the ruling business. Pushing extraneous matters to the corner of his mind, he looked at his loyal, utterly incapable servant and asked, What brought you here in such a hurry, Baron Helm? He then saw the older man nervously twitch without giving him a reply. Quickly realizing the reason, he continued, You may speak again. Just take care to keep your voice to a minimum. You scream again and Im ordering you to sleep outside. ...understood, my liege, the Baron replied. He then gazed at the tired-faced prince and apologized. Im sorry, my liege. Its due to my incompetence that you suffer. Wouldchya look at that. Hes self-aware. Thats rare. Atlas flashed a warm smile and replied, I appreciate the sentiments, Baron Helm. However, Im not so petty as to blame my subordinates for every difficulty encountered. He finished sincerely. Indeed. If you had truly held me back and caused trouble for me, I wouldve already thrown you under the bus. Count your blessings for not having slighted me. My liege!! Baron Helms eyes oozed with tears and loyalty(?). He appeared to have been incredibly moved by the young princes words. Rubbing his red eyes with his sleeves, he then took a few deep breaths before quietly speaking. My liege, a few of the townspeople have arrived at the manor and have requested a meeting with you. They appear to have some questions. While saying this out loud, the Baron inwardly thought, Things happened exactly as the prince had said last night. Some townspeople did arrive the next day, holding questions in their hearts. Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Just as I had guessed, Atlas nodded his head, seemingly having expected this. How many have come? Eight, my liege, Baron Helm replied. And as you had guessed, they are all family members or close relatives of the coal miners. Eight, huh? Thats less than I thought. Atlas casually remarked. Looks like the faith that the townspeople have in me is a lot higher than what I previously thought. All things considered, this is an excellent outcome. The higher the peoples trust in him, the more sneaky things he could get away with. I can rest easy knowing that the modified meals arent going to be discovered anytime soon. This revelation released a huge burden from his back. Exhaling a sigh of relief, Atlas rose to his feet, dusted his humble clothing, and spoke, Lets not keep our guests waiting then. Baron Helm nodded his head and led the prince towards the manors parlor. C-- The duo quickly arrived at their destination and found a group of adults anxiously pacing around the parlor. Seeing the Baron and the little prince walk in, they hurriedly stopped and paid their respects. Your Highness, Lord Baron, thank you for meeting with us, one of the more eloquent townspeople announced his thanks. To soothe what ails his citizens is but the duty of a prince. Please take a seat, my fellowmen. Atlas greeted them in response. Meeting with the princes calm and noble bearing immediately soothed over half of their initial worries. We couldnt take a seat in the presence of his noble highness and Lord Baron. Please allow us to stand. Oh, but I insist that you gentlemen and lady take a seat, Atlas paused his eyes over Anna for a second. He noticed that she was the only woman amongst the eight arrivals. It mustve been rather troublesome to come seeking me in this horrid weather. Please grant me this honor of comforting you and have a seat. The prince firmly and politely stated, giving no room for a rebuke. Faced without any options, the townspeople reluctantly took their seats. Soon, a portion of their tension blood from their faces as their taut bodies relaxed against the soft cushioning of the seats. The anxiety in their hearts lessened further. Atlas took a seat himself and the Baron stood behind him, acting like an aide. After giving a couple of seconds for the townspeople to settle in, he then continued with their conversation. May I ask your selves, what brings you here in spite of this terrible weather? Just as the eloquent townsperson who had initially greeted Atlas was about to open his mouth, Anna, Gunters wife, intervened and asked directly, Is it true that there is a pack of wolves roaming in the forest outside the town, milord? The others within the room glared at Anna for rudely hijacking the conversation. However, they didnt hold any grudge against her as this question was the reason for their arrival at the Barons manor. Hearing this question, Atlas did not show any outward reaction. He showed neither surprise nor shock, but simply directed his gaze towards the ground. As expected. The damage was already done. By the time I reacted to control it, it was already too late. The news regarding the wolves leaking to the townspeople was something that Atlas had already expected. It was an inevitable conclusion given the facts. It was just that he was a little disappointed at how soon the people had reacted. I wouldve definitely liked it if they had come a day or two later. Then again, thats simply wishful thinking. While Atlas was silent and lost in his thoughts, Anna, the speaker of the question, clenched the hem of her humble dress in trepidation. Her simple, pretty face was overcome with anxiety and fear towards the state of her beloved. Just as the passing seconds seemed to grow unbearable for her, she heard the youth before her, the gorgeous, doll-like prince, reply. Im afraid it is true, Mrs. Abel, Atlas replied, recognizing the woman from her features recorded in the Citizens Registry kept in his office. (Atlas had asked two scholars to document everyone in the town and compile it into a book. His unnatural memory allowed him to correlate the woman before her with the information recorded in the book.) Our town is under the risk of being besieged by a pack of wolves. I offer my sincerest apologies for hiding this matter from you and the other townspeople. I simply did not want to spread fear and fester panic in the hearts of my citizens, while the truth of the situation remains unknown. Please accept my apologies. Atlas stood up and bowed towards the eight seated adults. I would also like to offer my apologies. Baron Helm, who remained standing behind the prince, also offered a bow. The truth of the matter hit the gathered townspeople like a metaphorical truck and caught them off-guard. Before they could process his new information, however, they found their two noble leaders bowing to them. Your Highness! Lord Baron! The townspeople immediately jumped up to their feet and hurriedly dissuaded the noble leaders from bowing. Their hearts collectively thumped with both excitement and fear as they answered their apology. Please raise up your head, Your Highness. It isnt natural for a noble to bow before a peasant. It is only natural for the wrongdoer to ask for forgiveness while admitting his wrongs, Atlas sternly replied to that remark. Blast! All this shouting and moving is causing my headache to return. What I would kill for an aspirin Still, please raise your head, Your Highness! We dont dare accept your apologies. Just knowing that Your Highness heart was with our townspeople already serves as an apology. You have done nothing wrong. Indeed. Please lift yer head, milord. Yere simply lookin out for us. To know our lord worries about us peasants is apology enough, please raise your head, milord! One by one the peasants voiced their replies and soon, even Anna joined in. I wouldnt dare accept your apology nor was it my reason for coming here, milord! I came here to seek your counsel regarding the situation and she paused here and clenched the hem of her skirt once again, is my lord knowledgeable about the situation of the miners? More than the situation with the wolves, Anna was worried about the situation of her beloved. About that, Mrs. Abel, Atlas was just about to reply when a shout drew his attention. My lord! You were right! The tracks do lead away from the town and towards the mines! The scout whom Atlas had sent out a few hours ago, promptly arrived with information. Chapter 50 - Map My lord! You were right! The tracks do lead away from the town and head towards the mines! Talk about perfect timing, Atlas inwardly commented to himself, feeling pleased with the scouts perfectly timed arrival. Outwardly, he donned a mask of seriousness as he ordered the scout to report his findings. Come in and explain to me your findings. The scout compiled and walked into the parlor. His body, wet from the heavy downpour outside, drenched the carpets inside the parlor. Fortunately, no one paid any attention to this transgression. With nine adults (including the Baron) and one child staring at him with worry and anxiety coloring their faces, the scout swallowed a large gulp and began explaining. In summary, he and his team left in the morning to search for the wolf tracks that they had found yesterday. Much to their dismay, they found that the unceasing rainstorm had destroyed most of the tracks, rendering their search meaningless. With their primary objective having fallen through, the team placed their focus on their secondary objective; searching the miners route. Before they had left, Atlas had asked the scouts to check on the miners route and see if they could find any information as to why they hadnt yet returned. He had also instructed them to remain cautious as, while the chances were low, it was possible that the wolf pack had changed their target from the town to the miners. Lo and behold, his guesses turned true. Of course, it turned out to be true. Im a goddamn genius, that''s what I am! Atlas felt his overinflated ego swell further when he heard that his prediction came true. Filing aside his narcissistic thoughts, for now, he turned around and ordered the Baron. Baron Helm, please bring me the map from my office table. Certainly, my liege, the older man complied and hurriedly left towards the office. Meanwhile, Atlas thanked and praised the scout for his efforts and asked him to take a seat. He then looked at other guests in the parlor and noted that half of them had their expression pale from the revelation while the other half kept their heads lowered with anxious expressions on their faces. Most notable amongst them was Anna who looked like she had lost her soul. She slumped against a chair and stared emptily into the void of space. The young prince himself wore an anxious, nervous expression for the people around him to see and to sympathize with. His heart and thoughts, however, continued to remain cold and rational. Cant say I didnt expect this outcome. But Gods, this only serves to complicate the situation further. Truth be told, when he noticed that the miners had failed to return after their daily shift and then later heard that a pack of wolves was prowling around in the forest, he immediately assumed the worst. And as fate would have it, his assumption came true. Rubbing his weary face with his hands, he thought to himself, Why cant I have an easy life? Why must there be a But to every situation? While his mind thought so, a distinctly noticeable smile appeared on his face, hidden beneath his palms. A few dozen seconds later, Baron Helm returned to the parlor holding a stack of neatly folded parchments in his hand. Here, my liege, he said and put down the folded stack on the largest table available within the parlor. Atlas immediately arrived by the table and carefully unfolded the map. Sprawling on the lacquered wooden table was a hand-drawn, birds-eye view map of the town and its surroundings. The map was put together by piecing together multiple, different-sized parchments to create a single, larger unit of paper. The map, drawn with delicate, precise lines, included the various buildings within the town, its roads, details on the immediate forest surrounding the town, a drawing of the nearby river and its path, and of course, the miners road and the coal mine itself. If one had to ask Atlas, which task he was most heavily involved in since his arrival in this world, he would undoubtedly reply with this; the map. Alright now, lets see, After carefully stretching out the map, Atlas immediately placed his index finger on the line depicting the miners route and called for the scout. Was it around here that you found the wolf tracks? He asked, circling a specific region.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. The scout arrived next to the young prince and replied, A bit further, my lord. Around here. He was intimately familiar with the map as he played a huge part in its construction. I see, Atlas replied and stretched his right hand towards the Baron. The large-bodied man, having grown familiar to the little prince, wordlessly handed an inked quill to the prince. Receiving the apparatus, Atlas immediately began marking. He drew dotted lines along the miners route and at some other places. A few seconds later, he finished and handed the quill back to the Baron. Does this look right? he asked the scout, pointing to the newly drawn dotted lines. This! This is precisely the route we traveled following the wolf tracks my lord! The scout replied with astonishment. How did my lord know? He turned around and stared at the little prince. Feeling their amazed gazes gather on him, Atlas remained quiet and continued to soak in the feeling for a few additional seconds, before furnishing them with a reply. Im no wolf expert, but I simply predicted their behavior and route after considering the human factor. The human factor? Baron Helm ventured. Correct. It should be quite apparent by now that the wolf pack abandoned their route towards the town and instead turned around and headed towards the mines. Now, of course, we cant exactly know when this change occurred especially since this damned weather has destroyed all the tracks. But, if we were to venture a guess, he pointed to the newly updated map, we can assume that the change occurred in the evening when the miners were returning to the town. This will not only provide us with a reason for the sudden change in the packs path but will also explain the reason behind the miners absence. Adopting a serious expression he concluded, Im afraid that the miners have faced an attack by the wolves. If Im correct, and I desperately pray that I am not, they might even be trapped in the mines itself with the wolf pack surrounding them. Shocked gasps rang out from the people around him. Their reactions required no explanation. Why do you say that the miners are trapped in the mines, my liege? If they were attacked all the same, why would they return to the mines instead of escaping back to the town? Baron Helm asked, noticing a peculiarity. Perhaps they were blocked by the wolves. Perhaps they did not want to lead the pack into the town. Perhaps they were injured and not in any state to make it back to the town. We can say with certainty why they didnt return to the town, Baron Helm. All we can do is assume an appropriate answer given the evidence. Atlas replied. If I was in their situation, I would go back to the mines. Its because the route back to the mines is known and safe while the route towards the town is filled with uncertainty and danger. Who knows how many wolves there are within the pack? In any case, we now know the approximate locations of both the wolf pack and the miners. What comes next is to confirm our guesses and make appropriate plans to rescue them. We also need to act quickly for there might be injured people amongst the miners. Food and drinkable water are also a concern. Atlas then turned around to face the scout and asked, Where is your team? They are resting near the edge of the town, my lord. We await your orders. Nodding his head, Atlas ordered, I request your team to follow along the miners route to see if you can find any tracks or signs of the miners. It would be best if you could make it all the way up to the mine itself and confirm the situation. Place your safety first and be extremely careful. Its highly likely that the wolves are hiding near the mines. Understood, my lord. I shall take my leave then. Saying so, the scout immediately saluted and left to carry out his duties. Atlas then turned around to face the townspeople and spoke. I hope this answers all the questions that you came seeking. I also trust you to keep this information secret in order to protect the peace and avoid chaos and fear from spreading. When the time comes to send a rescue party towards the mines, I will be sure to inform you first before informing the town. Is that alright with you? Atlas asked. Of course, Your Highness! His Highness wisdom and ease with which you handled this situation greatly comforts us. The eloquent guy replied. Yes, yes! Rest assured, well keep our mouths shut, yer highness! Please call me when ya organize the rescue party, my lord! I offer my body for your service. After a few verbal back-and-forths Atlas finally had his guests sent out with the help of the Baron. His eyes then landed on the final resident of the parlor; Anna Abel. Mrs. Abel? Atlas gently called out to her. The latter showed no signs of reacting and continued to emptily stare into space. Looking at her empty, unfocused eyes, Atlas quietly clicked his tongue and inwardly shook his head. He then walked away from the parlor and met with the Baron who was returning from sending the other guests off, Baron Helm, Mrs. Abel doesnt seem to be in any state to return back to her quarters. Keep her here and give her something to eat. Saying so, Atlas immediately continued, not giving the Baron the chance to refuse his order. Ill be returning to the office. Call me when the scouts return. Thats all. He then quickly scampered off to the office. Baron Helm stiffly stood in the empty hallway, his eyes darting back and forth between the parlor and the closed office. He then stared at the entrance to the parlor with an awkward expression before sighing and resigning himself to fate. Chapter 51 - Rescue Planning Hours passed inside the office as Atlas lazed around on the sofa while combating the killer headache that was annoying him endlessly. He had lunch, a bowl of proper gruel, of course Cthe sawdust added meals were for the poorC admired the map that he had made, played a few games of tic tac toe with himself being the opponent, and won all of them, spent some time drawing against the misted windows, and spent an hour or so practicing his language. Slumber did arrive a few times to try and claim him, however, the young hero proved too difficult an opponent to win against. Bloodshot eyes staring at the flickering flame, Atlas thought out loud, I wonder if Ill become insomniac due to forcibly keeping myself awake? Insomnia Insomnia-Man. Tagline, Justice Never Sleeps. Finishing his dramatic, narrator-like monologue, Atlas blankly stared at the dark ceiling. His eyes emptily traced the flickering shadows produced by the single wisp of light. By the Gods, Im bored. Kicking his feet up in frustration, he yelled, Move forward with the plot! Knock! Knock! The door to his office was knocked. Atlas froze for a second before hurriedly sitting up and patting the creases on his clothes. Ahem. Ahem. Come in. He regally replied after composing himself. The door to the office opened with a satisfying click and a large-bodied man entered. He looked at the empty desk first and then turned towards Atlas upon noticing the little prince from the corner of his eyes. My liege, the Scout Team #2 has arrived, he reported. Un. Bring them here, Atlas replied, before getting up and walking towards his desk. He seated himself just in time for the Baron to come back with the scouts. My lord, the men greeted with a uniform salute. Atlas simply waved them off. So? How bad is it? Atlas directly got to the point. Judging from the ashen expressions of the scouts, the news didnt seem to be good. Wed returned halfway through the route, my lord, the captain of the scout group reported. A massive fallen tree is blocking the damned road. Cant you simply go around it? Atlas asked, dumbly. We could, but then wed have to enter the forest, my lord. Taking a detour into the forest is not advised on the best of days. Doing so in this sorta weather, especially with danger lurking around us is a fools gamble. The captain explained. How about over it? Like climbing over the fallen tree? We did try doing that, my lord. However, there is a problem, the scout captain paused to take in a breath and explained, The trees of the Brooding Dark Forest have a sorta slick coating on their surfaces. It makes em harder to grip and even harder to climb. While we could make past it with some trouble, we still have to remove the tree and clear the path, if we want to save the poor bastards stuck on the other side. Oh? So you confirmed that the miners are stuck in the mines? Atlas questioned with a raised eyebrow, noticing the nuance in the mans sentence. Aye, The scout captain replied. We found some washed traces of a struggle, and more traces leading back towards the mines. Any casualties? This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. By the grace of the Gods, we didnt find any bodies. However, we cant be too sure, the man somberly replied. No bodies at the initial point of struggle is a good sign. It means they managed to retreat while avoiding death. While his mouth spoke such optimistic words of relief, his mind thought differently. Thank Gods there are no casualties. Manpower is stretched thin as it is and I cant afford to lose anyone. Having finished his report, the scout captain turned silent. Turning to face Baron Helm, Atlas asked, What do you suggest we do, Baron Helm? We have to rescue the miners, my liege. Baron Helm unhesitatingly replied. That goes without saying, Atlas immediately replied. They are trapped within the mines with no food, no water, and a pack of wolves surrounding their exit. Worse yet, their only route to the town now remains blocked. Sitting up straight, he slowly spoke, Question is, how do we go about doing it? The room sunk into silence as each man pondered the issue. Seeing no harm in doing so, Atlas habitually thought out loud. The issue of the fallen tree blocking the road is not very significant. We can simply ask Mrs. Bradley (Foreman Vivian) to lead a team of woodcutters to clear the route. The real issue is regarding the wolf pack and evacuating the miners safely. How do we do that efficiently? Err, about that, one of the scouts suddenly spoke up. Having his attention drawn, Atlas looked towards the speaker with interest. Yes? I think I might haf a solution for it, milord. the scout nervously said. He then slowly explained his idea. Hearing his method, Atlass face slowly got brighter and brighter. By the time the scout was finished explaining his idea, a faint smile hung on his face. Wow. Thats an interesting tidbit of information that I never knew, Atlas spoke a word of genuine praise. What do you think about this idea, Baron Helm? he turned and asked his retainer. The idea is ingenious and has a high chance of succeeding, my liege. I think we should do as he says. Baron Helm spoke in support. Alright. Its settled then, Atlas stood up and clapped his hands. We shall proceed according to this plan. Brilliant idea, Mr. Timmons. The prince praised the timid scout one more time. I-I-hehehe. Mr. Timmons shyly laughed while hiding his face. Never had he expected that he would be personally praised by the Son of the Heavens! Atlas then detailed the plan one more time and handed over specific instructions to each man in the room. After he finished doing so, he looked at the scouts and spoke, Then I shall be troubling you gents once again. Leave it to us, my lord. Serving you is our duty. Each scout replied in kind before saluting and leaving the office to carry out their respective tasks. After seeing them leave, Atlas lazily collapsed back into his chair once again and grabbed his forehead. The damned headache was back. My lieges exceptional talent repeatedly leaves me in awe, Baron Helm whole-heartedly spoke words of praise as he recalled how quickly the little prince had adapted the ingenious idea and had shaped a plan around it. Had it been him in that situation, he would still be clutching at his head unable to think of a solution. Enough with the bootlicking, Baron Helm. I got another job for you, Atlas interrupted his wishful thoughts. Bootlicking? Baron Helm absentmindedly wondered about this foreign term for a moment before wiping it out of his head and placing his full attention on the princes words. As he heard the prince pass his instructions, his joyful expression soon turned into that of horror. My liege you cannot do this! No! You mustnt do this! Baron Helm screamed with fright. Oh, relax. I have a reason for doing this. Plus, you have no reason to worry. I naturally have thought of a backup, Atlas replied with a mysterious smile and explained his backup. Upon hearing it, Baron Helm finally seemed to lose the apprehensions in his heart as the expression on his face softened. Although I have no idea why my liege is taking such an unnecessary risk, I shall obey you. Baron Helm replied with a wholehearted salute and left the office. Sitting alone in the now-empty office, Atlas stared into the dancing strand of flamelight. He stared emptily into it for a few seconds before suddenly bursting into laughter. Hahahaha! Gods, Im such an unparalleled genius! Machiavelli? More like, Machia-loser! Hahaha. His laughter soon came to a stop as he buried his face into the desk before him. That was such a shit line. I really need some rest. Im slowly losing my mind here. He soon quietened down and rested against the desk while waiting for the Baron to return and wake him up. Time was of the essence, and they had to work fast if they wanted to rescue the miners. Chapter 52 - And so They Marched Away. Did you have a good sleep, my liege? I had sufficient, replied Atlas. He then looked at the drizzling rain outside and said, The weather seems to have calmed a bit. A good omen considering what is to come, my liege, Baron Helm remarked. He then advised the little prince, Careful with your steps, my liege, the ground ahead is slippery. He extended the lantern within his hand to better illuminate the path. Atlas noticed the puddle of water before him and carefully sidestepped it. With Baron Helm intently guiding him, the young prince did not have much difficulty navigating the paths. Its been raining for an entire day now, huh? Atlas casually asked. The downpour had begun in the evening of Day 6. It was currently the evening of Day 7. Is it normal for it to rain this long? I couldnt say, my liege. The Brooding Dark forest is home to many unusual phenomena. Perhaps such sustained rains are a normal occurrence here. Baron Helm explained. Isnt there someone to record such things? The forests are part of our domain, are they not? It certainly is, my liege. However, due to the lack of arable soil in and around the forests, this territory is largely ignored. The lack of other valuable resources also contributes to this disregard. We found a whole coal lode though, Atlas rebuked. Not to mention the abundant timber. To say that it baffled him to know that the Constantine Kingdom ignored the territory of the Brooding Dark forest would be an understatement. It was straight-up nonsensical to Atlas. The coal vein was certainly a surprise to me, my liege. In regards to the timber, there are more easily accessible locations to the east of the kingdom. While the Brooding Dark Forest is certainly rich in timber, the superstitions and the perceived danger surrounding it makes it difficult to organize workers to come and work here. The rick noble education instilled into the Baron shone through in moments like this. While Baron Georg Helm was a little dull and naive, he was certainly not dumb. The fact that our people are currently cutting away at the trees inside the forest here can be said to be a result born out of desperation rather than convenience. Baron Helm concluded. While the modern-er side of Atlas scoffed at this answer, the rational part couldnt help but agree that the Barons reasoning made sense. It was true that the peasants were very susceptible to stories and superstitions during this era. The lack of formal education and intellectual self-reasoning only served to add fuel to this flame of ignorance. As the Baron stated, the only reason the townspeople were chipping away at the dreary forest and harvesting lumber was due to the current situation forcing their hands. They had to choose between surviving inside this nightmare-inducing forest or believing in superstitious rumors that may or may not be true. Undoubtedly, they chose the first option. Still, that didnt mean that the townspeople were suddenly all that much wiser for it. Their beliefs had certainly not left them but were simply hiding within their hearts. Although I understand this thought, the sight of such a large, juicy piece of natural resource not being exploited greatly pains my capitalistic heart. The second Im outta this town, chased away those rebellious invaders, and reclaimed my birthright as the rightful ruler of this nation, Im sending an expedition here to claim the forest. If such a large coal vein was hiding in plain sight, who knows what other resource we might find deeper. The thought of finding large amounts of precious resources caused Atlas to unconsciously salivate. My liege, watch your step! Baron Helm immediately swooped down with his hand and caught Atlas seconds before he was about to step into a large sludgy puddle. The Barons shout jerked Atlas back into reality. Whoa!~ Atlas exclaimed, stopping himself in time. He then corrected his footing and then continued with his journey with some added caution. Something troubling your mind, my liege? Baron Helm asked, having noticed the lost expression on the young princes face. Simply pondering on the future of my kingdom, Baron Helm, Atlas off-handedly replied. Just imagining the fat stacks that Im gonna make by exploiting this forest is causing this cold, world-weary heart of mine to burn with excitement! Sustainable development? Nature conservation? Yeah, that was a problem for the future generation to worry about, cause right now, Atlas Constantine did not give two cents about them. While the young prince was fantasizing about how rich he would become, Baron Helms mood was drowned in worry and sympathy. My poor liege, he must be worried about those traitorous invaders. While he doesnt show it, Im sure his heart is burdened by the weight of responsibility and duty towards his kingdom and his people. A young child being burdened by such worries when he should be experiencing the spring of his life Im ashamed. Im ashamed to be so incompetent. I-Ill try better, my liege! I shall work harder to become more suitable for you! Baron Helm roared. Snapped out of his fanciful delusion once again, Atlas was rather caught off-guard by his sudden statement. O-okay. he unsurely nodded his head. What the hell is this bald fool suddenly screaming for? Goddammit, my headaches coming back. He fought his urge to rub his forehead.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Fortunately, Atlas did not have to fight back his urges for long as mere moments later, the duo arrived at their intended destination; the Public Square. The recently refurbished platform stood tall (get it?), glistening from the rain. Oil lamps decorated the posts surrounding it providing ample illumination for the stage and its supposed speaker. The area around the Public platform had also been recently renovated. Not only was it larger and formed the center of the unnamed town, but the floor was also fitted with proper sheets of wood making it grander and more comfortable for the townspeople to gather. There were also fire pits equally spaced and scattered through the square. Atlas had requested for them to be put in, to prepare heating spaces for assemblies during the winterC which according to Baron Helm was a few months away. Unfortunately, due to the recent turn in the weather, they were currently unusable. Right now, throngs of people had gathered around the tall Public Platform. Most of their expressions were a mixture of confusion, anxiety, and mild unease. The slightly drizzling rain did not serve to improve their moods either. One group of people stood out amongst this crowd. Their bodies were covered in makeshift raincoats and their arms carried woodcutting equipment. Their faces wore a stern, determined expression while their bodies exuded an aura of duty. Walking up to the raised platform, Atlas stood amidst the spotlight and raised his hand. This action of his immediately drew the attention of the gathered people and quietened their discussions. Raising his voice to the utmost, Atlas began his prepared speech, The current weather does not make for a congenial gathering, therefore skipping all formalities, I shall get to the point. Im sure by now, most of you have heard about the wolf pack. For those who arent knowledgeable about this matter and to prevent any uncertain rumors from spreading, let me address this issue. Taking in a deep breath, Atlas continued, Yesterday evening, the diligent gents of Scout Team #2 delivered news to me about a pack of wolves heading towards the town, risking their lives in the process. Their contribution towards the town and their dedication to their duty is highly commendable. They are real heroes. Saying so, Atlas turned towards the group CScout Team #2C hidden within the large crowd and gestured a salute and a smile. Cheers and applause immediately filled the public square. The members of the scout team who were greeted with this unexpected gesture puffed out their chests with pride. After waiting for a few seconds, the smile on the young princes face immediately disappeared. He then continued with his address. The presence of a wolf pack in such proximity to the town is certainly worrying. However, without exacting information on the size of the wolf pack and location, the extent of this threat remained unknown. The torrid weather did not do any favors towards the situation either. While I spent a night worrying about the safety of my people and trying to come up with a solution to this threat, the heroic gents of Scout Team #2 stepped forward once more. Risking their lives, this time to greater effect, they stepped into the domain of the beasts in hopes of bringing back more information. Information that could help deliver us from this evil. And fortunately, with the will of the Gods looking out for us from the heavens, they managed to succeed once again. They discovered the tracks of those vile beasts. But as fate would have it, these tracks were largely washed-out due to the rain and barely discernible. The track ran cold once again. Speaking up to here, Atlas suddenly brought together his two hands and conjoined them, clasping his palms in a sign of prayer. But not all hope was lost, for the Lord Gods were gracious with their blessings. Before these heroic, self-sacrificial men had left, I was struck with a rather sudden epiphany, prompting me to pass on some additional information. And it was this exact epiphany that led us towards the truth of the matter. For you see, these insipid beasts, their kind treacherous and evil, abandoned their pursuit of our town in their cowardice and pointed their ravenous jaws towards the party of weary miners returning from a hard days duty. These infernal beasts dared to point their claws at our industrious workers and attacked them! Atlas passionate narration enamored most of the townspeople into his story-telling and drew out not a small number of gasps. But our men and women arent cowards! Nay, they people whove dedicated their lives towards the reprisal of the invaders and revitalization of our glorious kingdom! They fought back those vile, vermin-like beasts. But, how is a beast to know the honor of man? Their kind, deceptive and cunning, attacked our men with greater effect. While our people staved off those evil beasts from claiming lives, they couldnt come out fully victorious either. Surrounded by danger both known and unknown, they retreated towards the mines. The beasts following their beastly ways gave chase and have now trapped our men inside the mines. The moment I learned of this news, delivered to me a few hours ago by our resident heroes, rage spilled out of my heart and fire threatened to pour from my mouth. Immediately, I moved to organize a rescue party, members of which have gathered here. Atlas pointed to the group wearing the raincoats. Forty members constituted this rescue group and included woodcutters, the scouts of Scout Team #2, the seven guests who had shown up at the Barons Manor CAnna had passed out in the parlor and was currently recuperating in the Medical CenterC and a few other able volunteers. These forty people are about to set forth immediately and bring home our trapped fathers, our husbands, our wives, our brothers, our sisters, our children, and rescue them from those degenerate beasts! This group of heroes will set forth immediately, and will be led by the noble and knightly Baron Georg Helm! Atlas roared at the top of his lungs, before retreating into the shadows and gesturing for Baron Helm to walk into the spotlight. The older mans appearance immediately prompted earth-shattering cheers and heaven-shaking cries. The already good image of Baron Helm further elevated to an absurd degree within the peasants hearts. After waiting for the cheers to die down a little, Baron Helm spoke. His noble highness, the prince, has already spoken everything that needs to be said. I only request the people whore staying back, to assist the prince and prepare in welcoming the heroes. While Im confident in our people, there are bound to be those who are seriously injured, or those requiring immediate treatment amongst the miners. Without further ado then, the rescue party will now set forth! His shout prompted the forty gathered members to gather below the platform. After shooting one last, worried look towards the prince, Baron Helm jumped from the elevated platform and landed before the rescue party. Shooting them a stern look, he then turned around and yelled. Let us set forth! And so began the mission to rescue the trapped miners. Chapter 53 - The Choice of Those in Desperation Halt! Baron Helm yelled, raising his clenched fist and signing the others to stop. He then turned around and warned, We are leaving the boundaries of the town now. Be alert and keep your wits about you. After confirming that everyone behind him had heeded his warning, he turned to the scout captain and said, Take the lead, captain. Aye. Follow me, my lord, The captain replied and took the lead. Baron Helm and the rest of the rescue team followed. The route to the coal mine, until about the halfway point, was broad and largely cleared of the trees from the forest. It was both faster and safer to travel through the cleared route rather than to trek through the wild forest. Be careful of where you step, my lord. The recent rains have ruined the ground beneath our feet by softening the mud, turning it all to sludge and filth, the scout captain kindly reminded the Baron. Baron Helm nodded his head at his warning and took care to watch where he stepped. He first carefully illuminated the area before him using the lantern in his hand, noted where the scouts before him had already stepped, and then carefully followed their steps. It was a difficult task considering that it was currently night time and that the trickling rain continued to discomfort them. At least it isnt pourin. Can ya imagine making this trip if it was pourin like this mornin? Shut yer mouth ya fool. Do ya want to jinx us all? Someone from the back rebuked the earlier mans comment. Ya gotta be thanking the heavens for cooperatin with us and lessenin its fury. Aye. Rightly said. That so. A cluster of replies agreeing to this sentiment followed. With everyone being alert and careful, the journey proceeded without any complication albeit with some difficulty. Almost an hour later, the party finally arrived at the spot where the massive tree had fallen. The scout captain, who was leading the party, stopped and raised a clenched hand signifying the others behind him to also stop. We have arrived, my lord, he announced. With his towering physique, Baron Helm could easily see in front of him. Noticing the massive dark wall blocking their path, he nodded his head in confirmation. Foreman Bradley, he called to the person responsible for the next part of their journey. Aye-aye, milord, came the reply, and a middle-aged woman. Vivian Bradley, foreman of the woodcutters and a member of the rescue party arrived before the Baron. She then confirmed the massive fallen tree in the path and immediately gave out her orders without any prompt from the Baron. Take out the posts and tools from the carts and get to work, ya lazy cows! She hollered and joined the woodcutters in retrieving the equipment. Apart from the raincoats and some smaller equipment that the members of the rescue party carried on their selves, they also brought along two handcarts that contained a variety of larger items. These items included wooden posts that could be temporarily affixed on the ground and used either as support or as lamp posts, two-man saws that required two workers to operate, a few wooden boards that could be used as gurneys, axes, saws, and finally, half-a-dozen sealed vats. Amongst all the items within the two handcarts, these vats were undoubtedly the most mysterious passengers. With every single woodcutter within the rescue party being an experienced logger, the work to clear the hindrance before them smoothly proceeded. First, the workers affixed the wooden posts around the fallen tree and hung lanterns on their tops to better illuminate the dark area. Then, they lightly carved on the massive tree, drawing lines and dividing them into different portions before assigning each portion to a member. The largest portion of course required the use of the two-man saw. However, there was still a way to go before they could use it. Clearing the smaller branches and more troublesome sections came first. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. As the Baron, the scouts, and a dozen other members of the rescue party watched, the twenty-five or so woodcutters began their work. It was expected to take an hour, or maybe even two, for the tree to be cleared from their path. Staring at the dark, cloudy sky, Baron Helm thought to himself. Hopefully, the weather continues to remain the same. Matters would become troublesome if it were to suddenly begin pouring. It was unknown how the situation with the miners was proceeding. The sooner the rescue party got to them, the lesser would be the variables threatening their survival. Please stay put and wait for us to arrive, Baron Helm quietly wished. --- At the entrance of the coal mine. Day 7. Night. (Second night after the wolf attack.) Die, vile beast! Along with his roar, Lloyd swung the shovel in his hand downwards and smashed it against a wolfs head. The carnivorous beast, caught in surprise, was unable to react in time and helplessly succumbed to the attack. With a dying whimper, it dropped to the ground, dead as dead can be. Take that! Thump! Delivering another blow to the head, just to make sure that the beast was truly dead and wasnt simply playing dead, Lloyd recovered his shovel and stepped back. His racing heart thumped against his heaving chest while sweat poured from his body. A mixture of excitement, satisfaction, and exhaustion covered his hazel-colored eyes. Seeing that the fallen wolf had stopped all signs of movement, Lloyd, for the third and final time, confirmed the death of the beast. Flicking the shovel to get rid of the blood and brain matter stuck to its tip, he then turned around and gazed at his partner. Are you okay? His voice dripped with worry. Carrying the shovel in his hand, he quickly arrived near his partner who sat against a wooden beam with three large claw marks slashing across his abdomen. Cough, cough, Ill live, the man wearily replied. His hands clutched at his wound, stopping his blood from pouring out. Are those curCcough, coughC beasts dead? Yes, yes. Now, please, quit talking, Lloyd hurriedly replied and tore the hem of his shirt. He then rolled that piece of cloth into a rag and hurriedly used it to stave off the other mans bleeding. Here. Use this to stop yer bleeding. Ive already rung the bell. Help should be arriving soon. Thats good, the man replied, his head slowly drooping in the process. Oi, oi! Dont die on me! Lloyd slapped the other mans cheeks. Stay awake! That boy Heinrich can save ya, only if ya stay awake! Were here! Whats wrong!? Just then, a group of four miners armed with various mining implements arrived at the scene. Their eyes briefly scanned Lloyd and his injured partner, before landing on the wolf corpse lying at the center of the scene. Good heavens! Another attack? This is the fourth one in the past hour! One of the newly arrived gasped with shock. Oi! Quit yer gawking at the dead beast! Weve got a dying man here! Lloyd roared with frustration. His roar quickly awakened the newly arrived from their stupor, prompting them to help out. Two of them hurriedly carried the injured man back into the mines, while one of the others said to Lloyd. Yeve done a fine job today. Head back inside and get some shut-eye. Well take it from here. Tiredly nodding his head, Lloyd turned around and returned inside the mines. Exhaustion poured in leaving behind a sore body and an aching mind. Trudging onward with much difficulty, he arrived at the rest area, found an empty corner to occupy, and quickly fell asleep. Having spent nearly an entire day fending off multiple wolf attacks, he was tired beyond reason. C-- At the temporarily assigned meeting room inside the coal mine. Day 7. Night. We cannot stay put and foolishly wait for help to arrive. We need to fight back! An older miner banged the wooden post next to him and cried out in anger. Chapter 54 - Daring Counterattack. An older miner sporting a cross-shaped scar on his right cheek slammed his fist against a support beam and yelled, We cannot stay put and foolishly wait for help to arrive. We need to fight back! Fight back? Have ya finally lost yer marbles!? Were farmers! Those things are monsters! We cannot fight against those things. Theyll tear us apart! If we stay here, theyre still gonna tear us up anyway! Im with Uncle, we must fight back! Have ya seen what those beasts have done to my boy!? Hes missing half his hand! If I hadnt arrived in time, h-he wouldve lost his life! I say we wait. The lords back in the town must be comin up with somethin to rescue us. Going out riht now will be suicide! Foreman Jason stood at the far end of the room and quietly watched the scene before him. Both of his arms were crossed before his chest while his head hung down in contemplation. Lord this! Lord that! Wouldya grow some balls!? Our lives are the ones in line here! We should be the ones to decide whether we fight for it or give up and watch ourselves get slaughtered. I agree with im. The little Lords done a lot for the town. But hes still a little kid thats wet behind his ears! Youre telling me to wait and put my life in his hands? Heavens no! Oi. A sharp sound left Jasons mouth, cutting across the heated room. In that instant, the people arguing within felt a shiver pass down their spines. Lifting his head to stare at the one who had spoken earlier, Jason grimly said, Argue all ya want, but I wont allow anyone to slander my lords name in my presence. Saying so, he then stared down at everyone else present inside the room. None of us will ever know the depths of wisdom contained within that tiny body. Jason Porlicks was normally a brash, indecisive, and timid person who never watched the way he spoke or thought about the way he lived. It was only recently, just after his promotion to Foreman, did he begin to lose his traits of indecisiveness and timidity. The recent wolf attack hastened this transformation, turning him from another unknown background character to a somewhat important side character Cif Atlas words were used to evaluate him. Jason, who was aware of his changes, attributed it to the recognition of the young prince and directed all of his feelings of gratitude towards the youth. If Baron Helm was said to be Atlas number one most loyal supporter, Foreman Jason would undoubtedly be number two. As such, he wouldnt allow anyone, be they a king or an emperor, to badmouth his lord. Unfortunately, some of the miners here with him did not share his sentiment. Hearing Jasons hostile rebuke, the middle-aged miner who had previously spoken badly about the young prince felt as though his pride and dignity were trampled upon by the foreman. With veins throbbing at his forehead, the man exploded into anger into a storm of curses. What would you know, ya filthy son of a sow! The only reason youre here is cause you got to meet that little pipsqueak fore I could. Foreman? What a joke! I shouldve been the one to become a foreman! It is famously said that a persons true nature showed when they were thrust into a hopeless situation. While our protagonist would insist on how laughably untrue that statement was, it still held an ounce of truth. For instance, this moment Pushed to wits end and facing an uncertain death, the middle-aged man, Caleb Zain being his name, showed his true nature. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. And dont even get me started on the pig-headed fool that led us into this damned forest! That pig deserves to beC A fist arrived and smashed against Cabels cheek. An audible twak was heard as his teeth came loose and blood spilled from his mouth. Cabels eyes rolled up to expose his whites, as his body slammed against the ground unconscious. Silence. Utter silence resounded throughout the room. Holding onto his bloody clenched fist with his other hand, Jason huffed with exhaustion. Wearing a blank face void of all emotions, he turned around and stared at the others who stood dumbfounded and lost. Anybody else wanna agree with him? He slowly said, enunciating every single word in that sentence. The others hurriedly shook their heads. Straightening his back, Jason let go of his hand. He then shook it back and forth a few times to get rid of the blood staining it as though it were some filth that was too disgusting to touch. Tie up this bastard and put him away. Well give him to the lords to deal with. Jason walked away from the unconscious body and neared the exit. About the wolf pack His face hardened with resolve as he decided, Well fight. Their attacks are getting too frequent and costing us too much to keep ignoring them. Four attacks within the hour and who knows how much more to come? Tell the others this. He took a deep breath and continued, Im putting together twenty, twenty-five men who can fight in a team. Together, well rush outta these mines and make our way to the town. There, if the lords arent already aware of our situation here, well inform them and rush back here with extra support. What about the people here? An elder, one of the oldest miners trapped here, asked. Surely we cant leave them to fend for themselves. Those bloody wolves will tear em apart in a heartbeat. Thats why were gonna block the entrance, Jason replied. Block the entrance? Good Gods, lad. If we couldve blocked the entrance wed have already done it. But we havent! Cause we have nothing strong enough to block it and keep it blocked! Another miner intervened. How do you suggest we block the entrance? The previous elder stared straight at Jason and asked. Taking a deep breath, Jason looked at the low, dimly lit ceiling of the mine and replied, Were gonna collapse the entrance. Shocked gasps and shouts rang out. With a mountains worth of rubble blocking the entrance, those wolves have got no chance of making it in. Start preparing. Were leaving in an hour. Jason left the meeting room. The people that stayed within still wore expressions of disbelief and shock on their faces. They then stared at each other before staring at the unconscious body on the ground. Finally, they looked at each other one more time, this time with bitter smiles on their faces. The elder stared at the ceiling with reminiscence and spoke, Kids these days sure are brash and impulsive. Collapse the entrance? Does he want the people inside to suffocate and die? Madness? People inside? Think about the twenty, twenty-five sods who are going outside. Its suicide Im telling you. The speaker shook his head. Oh? I can hear yer mouth disagree, but see a smile climbing up to yer lips, The elder miner looked at the previous speaker with a suggestive glance. Alright, alright. I can hear what youre saying, old man. The man rubbed his fists together, excitement showing on his cross-shaped scared face. But ya gotta admit. Sticking it to those beasts, now that sounds like a helluva thing to do! Turning around, he also proceeded to walk towards the entrance while speaking, Im gonna go and join our foreman in his preparations. Ya fools better join us. He exited the meeting room. This old mans in no shape to join the attack, but I might as well do my best in handling the situation here. The elder swung his arms around while saying so. Which one of ya younguns is gonna carry this traitor? His eyes radiated chillness as he gazed at the unconscious body on the ground. After a round of silence, a reluctant volunteer eventually stepped up to carry the unconscious Caleb after being silently pressured by the group. He didnt bother putting any real effort into the task and simply moved him by pulling his legs, dragging the body against the dirty ground in the process. Faced with this sight, not a single one of the people within the room felt the slightest bit of sympathy. When they passed him, the oldest miner went as far as to spit on the unconscious body Some gall he has to insult the noble lords like that. That lad went easy on this scum. The rest mirrored his sentiments and soon all of them left the meeting room. Time passed quickly and soon it was time. Time for the daring counterattack. Chapter 55 - Foolish Men. Why are ve gathered here? Is it nother attack? I dont know. I just woke up a few minutes ago. I thought youd know somethin about it. Say, whos that guy, all bloody and all, tied up to a post over there? Whats he done? Ive heard that he tried to rebel. Said somethin about the baron and the little prince. Something about the lords? Whatd he say? Somethin about how hed make a better leader. Tell ya what, hed make the best scum. Pooch! Were here facin uncertain death with no food and no water, and then theres scum like this tryin to stir up the situation and cause trouble. What a bastard. Scum like that should rot in hell! Hear, hear. Rightly said. Say, Barnes, hows the leg? Its comin along. Havent felt the pain since this mornin. Gotta thank that Heinrich kid when I find him. Good, good. I really thought youd be a goner when I saw that beast clutch onto yer leg. I cant die this soon. It hasnt even been that long since I got married! Dont worry, pal. Ill take care of ya wifey if you ever pass on. Now this is a real bastard thats got to be tied to that post over there. The man hasnt even died, yet youre already laying claims to his wife. Hahaha. Heinrich heard the crowd of soot-faced, injury-ridden, crude-looking miners vulgarly joke about. Hiding his face under a simple cowl, he stood near the group and quietly kept to himself. Socially awkward as he was, he did not find it within himself to casually interact with the group. Not that he even wanted to. While keeping his face hidden, Heinrich turned around and looked at the unconscious man tied to a wooden post at the center of their large cave. His face, bruised and bloody, hung limply while his body hung bare, stripped of its clothes and belongings. Hanging from around his neck was a crude wooden board, written upon which were the characters of the word spelling, Traitor. It seemed that whoever was responsible for tying him up, also went through the trouble of branding him. Not that it mattered, for almost 99% of the miners gathered here couldnt read it. Heinrich and the person who had written it were the only exceptions. Being a smart lad, Heinrich immediately realized the purpose behind such a display. Whoever did this, did it to impress the lords. Smart. Who knows, mayhaps the lords of the town might be impressed by this display and reward the person behind it. It seemed unlikely, but nevertheless represented a chance. Putting that aside, Henrich turned his attention toward the crowd of miners that had gathered. An order to assemble had been announced ten minutes ago, and presently, nearly all the miners Cthose that were ableC had gathered. Some distance away, a crude platform, constructed out of stacked boxes and barrels, was prepared to serve as the stage for whatever was about to come. Heinrich did not know what was to come but didnt have to wait too long either. Foreman Jason Porlicks had taken the stage. C-- Climbing up the stage, Jason could feel his heart thump resoundingly. Sweat poured from every pore in his body and a definite feeling of light-headedness struck him. The feelings of nervousness and angst had made him slip up more than once during his climb, each accident only serving to bolster his panic. If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Sure, he had done some public speaking before. Increasingly so in recent days. But never before had he appeared before a crowd like this while carrying such a weight upon his shoulders. How does the little lord do it? Im a fully grown man with a wife and two kids, yet my heart feels like its gonna burst at any second! Jasons appreciation and respect for the little prince went up another notch. Finally reaching the shaky top, Jason closed his eyes and took in a few breaths to calm himself. He repeatedly thought up nonsense to lessen the anxiety within his heart, and when he finally calmed down to an agreeable standard, he opened his eyes. He saw the sight of a hundred people unblinkingly staring at him. Jason immediately closed his eyes, his angst returning and reaching a new peak. He repeatedly breathed in and out with increasing successions but did not feel that helping him whatsoever. Jason felt the gazes of the men and women before him, bore into him. He felt naked and afraid. Dont think too much about it, lad. Just open yer mouth and speak yer heart. Youre our leader and were here to listen to you, The elder miner stood just beneath the hastily built stage and whispered words of advice to him. Calm down. Thats right, calm down. Yer the leaders and these people are here to listen to ya. Talk. I just need to tell them the truth. Jason repeated within his heart. A strange calmness descended upon him. Opening his eyes, he looked straight ahead and immediately started talking, My fello brothers and sisters, for the last day-and-half weve stayed trapped, beaten, bloodied, and some of us nearly killed under the maws of those wolves. A day-and-half has passed and we remain. Jasons voice was quiet as he spoke. However, within the silence of the crowd and the sharp walls of the cave, it echoed, reaching all. Our stock of water ran out last night, and our stock of food ran out this morning. Right now, weve got no proper water to drink and no good food to eat. While the initial estimation of their reserves predicted that their field kitchen rations could last them for two days with proper rationing, it did not come to pass. The consumption from a large number of injured miners, and the frequent wolf attacks caused them to burn through their stock prematurely, in a bid to keep up health and morale. The attacks of the wolves have also gotten more and more frequent. There were no attacks last night. This morning, we were attacked every two hours or so. And within the last hour, weve been attacked four times. Six wolves had been killed but nearly thirty miners were mauled in return. Were it not for our Miracle Saviour, they would''ve died. Heinrich felt his face burn and quickly pulled down on the cowl covering his head. He prayed that no one around him would recognize him. Fortunately, none did. Back on the stage, Jason felt his breathing grow easier and a sense of calmness returned to his heart. His eyes, previously covered in panic and angst, were now clear. My fello brothers and sisters, Ive had enough. I cannot sit still and watch those arrogant beasts attack us anymore! I want to do somthin!~ I want to act! I WANT TO KILL THOSE DAMNED BEASTS AND MAKE EM PAY FOR WHAT THEYVE DONE TO US!! Jason roared these words, making them echo endlessly within the cave. Pausing to calm his breath, he then continued, Im not askin you for anythin. I only want you to trust me. Trust me and stay here, while I run over to the town and inform them of our plight. Im dumb and weak. I cannot save us. However, I believe that our lord can! So please, trust me and stay here. Jason earnestly begged and even bowed towards the end. Silence stayed its hand within the cave. Ya know, a voice suddenly rang out. Following its path, Jason discovered that it was the man with a cross-shaped scar on his face. Back when weere talkin about what we should do, that cowardly bastard stepped forward and blamed the heavens for being unfair towards us, He pointed to the unconscious Caleb who was hung from the post. That cowardly bastard had the galls to blame the Gods and our lords for our fate. Traitorous scum, The man with the cross-shaped scar loudly spat against the ground. Not a single word of his was meaningful. This man, he suddenly turned around to point at Jason, our foreman, knocked that whoreson out cold and said Im gonna gather a team of twenty, twenty-five men and make it to the town. I dont know why he didnt tell all that now, but I do agree with somethin else he said, Im tired of sitting still and watching those arrogant beasts attack us. And ya know what, I agree with him. Thats why Im joinin him in the attack. YouC! Jason tried to say something but was immediately interrupted by the man with the cross-shaped scar. Im joinin you, foreman. He wasnt going to back down, no matter what. Jason found himself speechless. Aye. I also agree. Its about time those beasts paid for their actions! Im joinin too, foreman. Ive been wantin to shove it up their arses! Count me in! Lets bash some fu*kin wolf heads! A resounding response with nearly forty miners raising up their hands and stepping forward played out. Each man brimmed with spirit and battle intent. Seeing this scene, tears brimmed up in Jasons eyes. With a shaky voice, he slowly spoke. Youre all idiots And men Im truly proud of. Chapter 56 - Danger, Lloyd [Robinson] Are yall ready? Jason asked, a nervous gulp escaping into his throat. As ready as one can be, foreman, replied the man with the cross-shaped scar on his cheek. A look of nervous excitement colored his face as he tightened his grip over the shovel in his hands. The two dozen-or-so others who had joined Jason in this fateful battle also nodded their heads. While they did not share the excitement felt by the man with the cross-shaped scar they did resonate with his spirit. This was it. This was their battle for survival. Victory or defeat will be decided at the hands of these men. Aright, now remember. Stay together and keep close to the mines. With the mountains to yer backs, ye dont have to fear an attack from behind. Watch over each other and dont do anything stupid, warned Jason. He then turned to see one particular member and said, Watch for an opprtunity with a sharp eye, lad. Were counting on you. Lloyd anxiously nodded his head. Unlike the others, his hands held no weapons of any kind. Unlike the others, he was not here to pit his life against the wolves. He had a different task. Taking one last look at the group of warriors, Jason placed a palm of his over his chest. Strangely enough, he was calm. His heartbeat was relaxed and his breathing was normal. Could it be that pops wasnt kidding? Do we really have warrior blood in our family? He jokingly thought in an attempt to relieve his mental stress. His heart mightve been calm but his mind sure as hell wasnt. Aright then! On my count, we charge out! Jason screamed. Ooo~ne! Lloyd gulped one last time before lowering himself to the ground. No matter what happened, he would complete his task. Twooo~oo!! The warrior with the cross-shaped scar on his cheek flashed a crazy smile on his face. His shovel, its ends sharpened against the rocks within the mine, glimmered grimly and menacingly. NOOOOOWWW!! Jason roared and charged out. RRAAAAWWWGHHH!!! The ragtag group of warrior-men also released an earthshaking roar before dashing out with ferocity. Their feet slammed against the wet, rocky ground echoing like thunder in its wake. --- Simultaneously, at the entrance section of the cave. Do it! Do it now! Someone quickly instructed at the mouth of the cave, seeing the warrior-men rush out. In reply, two men wielding large sledgehammers in their hands swung their implements and crashed them against a wooden support beam. BANG! Hit by the weighty sledgehammer, the support beams immediately gave way and crumbled. A short instance of silence later, the ground, the walls, and the rocky ceiling began to quiver and shake. Its happening! RUN BACK INTO THE MINES!! No later than when he had finished screaming that warning, the man dashed into the interiors of the mine. The two men who were responsible for collapsing the entrance immediately dropped the implements in their hands and joined the screamer in his retreat. The earth quaked and the mountain rumbled. Tremors and roars echoed far and wide, especially within the insides of the mountain mine. Seconds later, the tremors peaked, and soon the ceiling at the entrance came crashing down. It was done. The entrance to the mines had successfully been sealed. --- Outside. The ragtag crew of warriors that had charged out of the mines almost lost their footing and momentum during the eventual shaking of the earth. Fortunately, most of the shaking was contained and amplified within the mountain itself and did not spread outwards. Aside from a momentary stumble, the warriors managed to retain their balance and continue their charge. Spread out! Jason yelled his command. Keep the mountain to yer backs! The men complied and immediately spread out in groups of threes. With twenty-four (24) men joining the mission, eight groups formed and diverged from their initial location. Arriving at the clearing before the mines, the men stopped their charge and intently looked around. Moonlight shined in all its splendor, illuminating the clearing with sufficient light. The rain had already lessened and resembled a mere drizzle, further improving the conditions of their battlefield. With the mountain to their backs and brothers at their sides, the men intently scanned the clearing and the peripheries of the forest, revealing nothing. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. There was nothing. No signs of wolves, no wolf tracks, no sound nothing. The entire clearing was quiet. Eerily quiet. Dont be fooled! The man with the cross-shaped scar bellowed. This is surely a trick by those vile demons! Dont put down your caution. He then pointed his shovel towards the forests tree line, raised it into the air, and roared, COME OUT YA PISS DRINKING SODS! COME OUT HERE AND EAT ME! COME ON! He taunted the wolves. His screams echoed in the quiet clearing and filtered into the forest. Once again, silence was their only reply. COME OUT YA SONS OF WH*RES! TAKE A BITE AT MY FAT ARSE!! COME ON! No reply. Not the slightest shadow was seen moving in response. LOOK AT THESE! LOOK AT MY MEATY BUTTOCKS!! DONT BE A COWARD AND TAKE A BITE! Jason watched the unexpected proceedings with confusion in his eyes. He watched the quiet, dark forest and heard the unfiltered taunts from the man with the cross-shaped scar on his cheek. With every passing minute, the deafening silence of the forest grew more and more unreal while the curses from the man grew more and more vulgar. Whats happenin? Where re the wolves? Jason asked himself. Yet, there was neither a single wolf nor its fart to be sighted. Did they leave? A ludicrous thought appeared in his mind. Jason immediately shook his head to clear it. It was complete nonsense. After all, what sort of hunting beast would leave behind a weaker prey and retreat? Did they sense our will to fight and decide its not worth it? This guess was even more ludicrous than his previous one. No matter how smart and cunning a wolf was, it was still a beast. What sort of beast was capable of rationalizing its thoughts? What should we do? Retreating was no longer an option. Not since the collapse of the mines entrance. Should they walk into the forest? But what if the wolves were still hiding in there, stalking their prey with the hunters patience. Should they just stand here and wait? But then what? Surely, they cant remain here forever. What should I do? Jason asked himself once again. His settled heart began to shake as uneasiness began to grow within. Yet still, there were no signs of the wolves. C-- His face was covered in soot and his body was covered in mud. Lloyd, friend of Gunter Abel, laid prone on the ground, hidden somewhere amidst the battlefield. Watching the situation play out unexpectedly, his mind mirrored Jasons. What should I do? Lloyd asked himself. His job was a little special and different from the rest of the twenty-four miners. For you see, Lloyd was a messenger boy. Lloyds sole duty was to look out for an opportunity within the chaos of the battle and make a break for it towards the town. While the twenty-four others staked their lives in a kill-or-be-killed battle, Lloyd would hide like a rat looking for an opportunity to scamper away safely. He was Cor to be precise, his task wasC Jasons final spurt of inspiration and/or backup plan against wolves. Lloyd would deliver news of the grim affair in the mines to the town while the twenty-four others tied down the wolves in battle. Was it a proud and honorable task? No, not at all. While the other miners fought with their lives on the line, Lloyd would hide like a rat. However, it was a necessary task and of importance that rivaled the others. Why was Lloyd chosen for this task, might you ask? It was because Lloyd was the last of the able men who had volunteered to stake their lives against wolves, while also being the youngest to do so. This, coupled with his strong physique, quick wits, and sharp survival instincts made him a suitable person for the job. While such reasons did sound convincing and flowery enough to convince the young man to take it up, truth be told, the other miners did not want to see a young man like him die to the wolves. Most of the other participants were middle-aged men with children whose ages were around Lloyds own. As fathers and men of great morality, they couldnt allow Lloyd to participate in the battle. Their conscience wouldnt allow them to do so. Hence, while looking for a reason to deny Llyod his participation, Jason was struck by the idea of using a messenger boy as a final backup, should they fail against the wolves. But now, facing the absent wolves, all these plans and strategies went up in smokes. The twenty-four warrior men stood around dazed and confused, and Lloyd was no better. Seconds passed and soon minutes. Still, the wolves were a no-show. Tossing and turning with the question of what to do, Lloyd finally resolved his heart and made up his mind. I will make a run for it. If those damned beasts are hiding within the forest, I will startle them into acting, alerting the others to their presence. If those damned beasts had really left us alone, then I would be able to safely make it to the town while informing the others that it is safe. Lloyds thinking was woefully one-dimensional and full of holes, but alas, he had resolved himself. Beatrice, my love. I-Im sorry. I cannot be a good husband to you. He couldnt sit still and watch while his brothers and elders fought for him. Lloyd was simply not that sort of a man. Jumping up to his feet, just as he was about to dash towards the forest, Lloyd froze. And then, he dropped to the ground just as fast as he had gotten up. His breath, caught in his mouth, refused to come out. His heart, thumping and jumping in anxiety, stopped. His blood, boiling red-hot with spirit and passion, froze. Lloyds instincts warned, nay, they blared at him, screaming at him to bore into the earth and hide. They caused him to lose control of his body, turning it limp and lifeless. As he laid limp and motionless, Lloyds eyes Chaving shrunk to resemble the smallest of pinpricksC locked themselves to a certain spot within the forests tree line. And there, hidden within that tree line, stood a wolf majestically. Its fur, crimson-red and wet from the rain, shined against the soft moonlight. Its eyes, filled with cunning and mockery, stared at the lost and confused miners with sadistic pleasure. It then turned its head towards the sky and howled. Hoooooooowl~!! A wave of wolves jumped out from the forests dark tree line and swarmed towards the crowd of unsuspecting miners. Chapter 57 - The Crimson Beast Hoooooowl~!! That howl. That damned howl. They''re here! Those damned beasts are here! Everyone, watch oC!! A wolf that was a meter-and-half in length threw itself at Jason, rendering him unable to complete his sentence. Hit by a force equivalent to having a boulder thrown at you, Jason immediately stumbled and fell on his back. The wolf followed atop of him. Hitting the ground on his back, Jason had little time to react when he felt a heavy force press down upon his chest. His eyes, wide open from shock, confusion, and a mixture of other emotions, saw the large, salivating maw of the creature atop him. Rows of deadly teeth, yellow and crooked, approached closer and closer as the beast aimed to rip and tear into his throat. Fortunately, Jasons arms were still free. The reality of the moment hit him and adrenaline coursed through his heart. RAAWWRGH!! he let out a mighty roar and slammed the wolfs head using the sharpened shovel in his hands. The shovel, containing the energy of an enraged man struggling for survival, crashed against the wolfs skull. Instead of stopping there, the weapon then dug into the creatures head, causing blood to suddenly spray out from the creature and halting its movements. What shouldve been a simple blunt attack had quickly turned lethal thanks to the shovels sharpness. Having struck the creature, Jason had little time to process the effectiveness of his attack. Pulling at the handle, he realized that the shovel refused to move, having been resolutely stuck inside the creature''s head. Resolutely giving up on the weapon, Jason clenched his fists and punched at the creatures throat. A sad whimper and a painful cry exited the creatures mouth before its body suddenly went limp. It was only when the beast limply fell atop of the foremans body and remained there unmoving for a few seconds, did the man realize the extent of his action. I-I killed it. His first thought was confusion and bafflement. However, it was soon followed by a burst of crazed excitement. I KILLED IT! I KILLED THE DAMNED BEAST!! Jason roared with joy, punching at the gut of the beast a few more times to celebrate his victory. Just as he was about to hurl a few curse words toward the beast, he heard a sharp scream next to him. It wasnt the guttural howl of a dying beast, but the desperate scream of a dying man. Jason immediately turned his head to the side, only to catch the scene of a wolf clawing at his neighbor''s stomach and ripping out his throat with its teeth. Jason watched as a torrent of blood sprayed out of the mans throat, dying the wolfs beastly face and teeth in the process. He watched as the mans body dropped dead on the ground, his entrails spilling out of him. He watched as the mans head coincidently fell with his face facing his own; an expression of utter horror and unwillingness occupied his final expression. Jason saw red, his mind going berserk. DAMNED BEAST! ILL KILL EVERY LAST FU*KING ONE OF YOU!! --- The battle in the clearing outside the mines quickly turned into a scene of chaotic carnage. Man and beast engaged each other in a desperate brawl for survival. The rocky ground within the clearing was dyed red, mere minutes after the wolf packs sudden charge. It was unknown whose blood dyed the greater area. Nonetheless, the very sight of picks meeting claws and shovels meeting teeth was gut-wrenching. Staying hidden in some unknown corner of the battlefield, Lloyd watched the cruel battle unfold. He watched some men emerge victorious while others fell defeated. Foreman Jason and the man with the cross-shaped scar on his cheek particularly stood out on the battlefield. By his counting, each man had claimed the lives of at least three beasts. As for himself, Lloyd was unsure of what he should do. Should I join the battle? Or should I stick to my given task? To abandon his station to join an uncertain battle seemed like a fools gamble. Lloyd wasnt afraid of dying. He was only afraid of dying a fools death. What would the foreman and the other elders feel if I joined the battle? Logic dictated that they wouldnt be too happy about it. He had given them his word to accomplish his task. To go back on his words meant that he wasnt a true man. However, when he recalled the feeling of fear that had coursed through his body when he had first spotted that crimson-fur wolf, Lloyd hesitated. That beast was clearly a cut above the rest, and looking at the battle before him, it hadnt joined its ilk in attacking the miners either. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. The beast seemed to possess some measure of intelligence and was especially cunning. Heading towards the forest when such a beast lurked would result in a guaranteed death on his part. Lloyd was not learned enough to reason out like above. But even he, in all his worldly experience, instinctively knew that rushing into the forest now would result in his death. Hold on, a thought suddenly struck Lloyd, are the others aware of the crimson-fur wolf lurking inside the forest? He had seen the creature but have the others seen it? If they arent aware of that creature, thenC! The outcome would be frightening. Arriving at this thought, Lloyd hesitated no more. The initial, mind-numbing fear from seeing that wolf had already passed. His battle spirit had rekindled and moreover, Lloyd wanted to contribute to the battle. Seeing those elders die such undeserved deaths caused his blood to boil. UWAAA!!! Releasing a warriors roar, Lloyd pounced upon the wolf nearest to him. Said wolf had emerged victorious in its scuffle against its human opponent and was inches away from claiming his life. Just as it was about to sink its teeth into its opponents throat, it noticed a man pounce on it from the side. Unable to react in time, the wolf could only watch as the man dug into its underbelly with a sharp shovel in his hands. A moments worth of disbelief later, pain arrived. Die! Die! Die! Lloyds hands repeatedly moved with great haste and fervor. His eyes had turned bloodshot from the excitement and thrill of the battle. After stabbing the beat before him almost a dozen times, Lloyd finally retreated his weapon when he saw the beast grow limp. After spitting on its face, Lloyd turned towards the direction where the battle was most concentrated and roared. Foreman! Elders! Nother beast is lurking in the foreC!! A paw slapped Lloyd on his back and sent him flying. The battle stilled as both man and beast turned to look in the direction of the earlier shout. And there they found a majestic-looking beast whose crimson fur gleamed against the soft moonlight. The men despaired while the beasts rejoiced for the crimson wolf had joined the battle. --- Where? Where did it all go wrong? Jason asked himself while manically swinging his weapon. His movements were no longer as sharp and incisive as they were at the beginning for his arms felt like they were moments away from falling apart. His steps no longer heroically charged ahead but instead retreated with every step. Accompanying him were no longer twenty-four fearless men but a mere seven; each was moments away from death. Where did it all go horribly wrong? Truth be told, Jason knew the answer. It was when that accursed crimson-furred beast joined their battle. It was at that instant that their chances at victory took a sharp dive downwards and turned impossible. The battle was settled. The damned beasts had won. While the humans hadnt died yet, it was only a matter of time before they did. Retreating step by step, Jason suddenly felt something hard hit his back. A quick glance behind him revealed the rocky wall of the mountains face. To think that the very walls that protected us from attacks from the rear are now responsible for hastening our death. O heavens, how cruel you are. Jason shook his head in regret. The others beside him also thought the same. Gathered before this group of despairing miners, standing some distance away, was the pack of wolves with the crimson-furred one at the lead. Their numbers mirrored that of the miners, coming to a mere seven. Seven versus seven. It had come down to this. It was fair odds some would say, considering that the injuries between the beasts and the men were roughly the same. However, in reality, it wasnt so. Not to mention that the crimson-furred wolf barely had any injuries scratching its coat, the morale of both sides was vastly different. The difference in the latter alone was enough to crush any force. Seeing that death was inevitable, Jason stared at the creature that had brought them this inevitability. The crimson wolf was notably larger than its kin, standing at almost twice their size. Its most notable feature, the crimson fur, was dyed with the blood of his fellow men; the beast alone had claimed six of their lives. Staring into the face of his most hated enemy, Jason found an almost human mockery reflected within its eyes. It was at this moment that Jason understood. This creature, nay, this vile monster wasnt fighting or hunting them. It was toying with them, akin to how a cat would toy with a trapped mouse. It felt immeasurable pleasure from watching its prey sink into despair. Vile to your very bones, Jason quietly huffed. He then exhaled a long stream of air before raising the weapon in his hands. Staring straight into the wolf, he said, I will not give you this satisfaction, beast! He then lunged at the beast. Seeing its prey lunge at it while roaring, the crimson beast felt annoyed at having its moment of pleasure interrupted. Just as it was about to slap this pathetic lifeform for going against its design, the wolf suddenly felt the hair on its back stand up. Giving in to its instincts, the beats immediately sidestepped. Swoosh! A wooden spike whizzed through the air at unnatural speeds. The spike barely missed Jason and slammed into the mountain wall, embedding itself into it! Turning around with great haste, the beast found its attacker. It was a creature similar to the prey from before (a human). This one, however, was significantly larger than the rest. The creature also smelt revolting causing the crimson wolf to be hesitant about attacking. You. the large-bodied man hissed. His fury was akin to a dormant volcano that was moments away from erupting. You will die. He declared. Baro Helm lunged at the crimson-furred wolf wielding two wooden spikes in his hands. Chapter 58 - Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink Unnamed Town. Outside the Barons Manor. Milord! You cant do this to me! I can and I am doing this. B-but, milord, they''re mine! Theyre my children! Okay, first of all, they are NOT your children. Secondly, Atlas stared at the hulk-like man throwing a tantrum beneath him, Let go of my legs! Neva, milord! Ill not be letting go of your legs unless you spare ma children! Enough is enough, Mr. Wootz. Stop throwC Its Douglas or Dougie, milord, the elderly blacksmith corrected the prince. Stop throwing a tantrum and let me enter my manor, Douglas! Atlas yelled with frustration. And stop referring to them as your children! Theyre coal! COAL, for goodness sake! Youre making it sound like Im doing something seriously immoral here. To you, they might simply be coal, milord. But to me, theyre ma precious, wee little things, Douglas replied with a longing look within his eyes. Small, rounded, and black like ma hairy balC Aa~nd, timeout! TMI! I DO NOT need to know that, Atlas immediately interrupted him. Sighing with resignation, he massaged his forehead with both of his hands. The damned headache had returned with a vengeful fury. Alright, listen. Lets come to a compromise. In exchange for using up all the stockpiled coal, I will compensate you with twice the amount when the mines become operational again. Agreed? Agreed! Douglas immediately let go of Atlas legs and shot up. A content smile filled his face, oozing with joy. Not a trace of his previous crying, tantrum-throwing appearance was seen on his face. The change was so sudden and so great that even Atlas was caught off-guard and rendered speechless. Eying the man from top to bottom, Atlas sighed with resignation and frustration one more time, before speaking. All thats left is estimating how large of a stock we have. Then, our deal can be considered comC Two carts worth, milord. Two, just like ma two balC Stop talking about your testicles! Atlas roared, cutting him off. I dont need to know ANYTHING about that! Just get out of here and do your job, man! Understood! You can count on me, milord! Douglas happily replied before heading off to complete his duty. Atlas had given him the task of supervising the transport of coal from the Kiln to the Lumber Yard, where it will be used to warm the makeshift sheds that will serve as a resting/gathering place for the weary miners Cwhen they returnC while another portion of the coal will be used to cook meals en masse at the same place. Douglas, who was in charge of the Kiln and other coal-related businesses, was one of the main coordinators. Watching him happily walk away, Atlas mumbled underneath his breath, The day I get my knight squad/ private force, their first order of business will be to cut that bastard down. Sighing out loud one more time, Atlas turned around and headed into the manor. The manor was quiet and empty while Atlas himself was all alone. Entering the building now, Atlas really felt the loneliness hit him. It was strange. For a man who had lived the latter years of his previous life all alone and away from human company, youd think that hed be used to being alone by now. However, as much as it irked him to admit it, Atlas did miss the constant presence of the gentle giant called the Baron, whom he had lately grown used to. Wait, gentle giant? Atlas froze in horror. Gods, I must really be losing my mind. Calling that pig-headed monster of a man, a gentle giant. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. Walking through the familiar corridors, Atlas entered the room designated as his bedroom. He then closed the door, shuffled around to find a new set of clothes, and then spent a few minutes inside changing into it. A few minutes later, the door to his bedroom opened, and out came Atlas, dressed in another set of clothes. The clothes were woefully simple and unsophisticated leading me to skip their description. Simply put, they were poor man''s clothes. Feeling the scratchy, starchy, slightly damp fabric rub against his smooth skin, Atlas thought with furrowed brows. The clothes of this era really are quite sh*t. Look at this. My poor, flawless skin is being ruthlessly violated by this sh*tty material. That reminds me, I still havent looked at my face. I should do it sometime. Hopefully, he lucked out on the genetic lottery. Resisting the urge to pull at his clothes, Atlas turned around and grabbed the slightly wet blanket that he had placed in the drawer adjacent to this bedroom door. Taking it in his hands, he closed the door and made his way to the office. Arriving at the office, Atlas looked around the room before nodding his head with satisfaction. He then threw the blanket on the sofa adjacent to the door and walked towards the window behind his desk. After fiddling with its lock for a few minutes, he released its latch and swung the window doors wide open. Instantly, a gust of fresh air that smelled of rain entered the room. Taking in a deep breath, Atlas stood by the window for a few minutes before retreating into the room. The rain continued to fall outside, but not to yesterdays extent. It was more gentle and enjoyable. The constant gusts of fresh air entering the room also served to air it out and rid the room of its musty odor. Now this is more like it, Atlas proclaimed out loud, before retreating towards the sofa. On the way, he grabbed the dimly glowing oil lantern from his desk and placed it on the table next to the sofa. He then sat on the sofa, grabbed his blanket, and took one final look around this office before lying down on the sofa and covering his body with the blanket. While the open window did bring in a constant source of fresh air, it also brought with it the coldness and dampness of the outside. One irritable thing that ruined his otherwise perfect napping setup was how damp everything was; his clothes, the blanket, the air, etc. Cant have everything, I guess, Atlas mumbled quietly before laying still and closing his eyes. The rescue team and the rescued miners werent scheduled to return for at least a few more hours. As such, Atlas decided to get as much shut-eye as possible. And so he slept. All alone inside an empty office with an open window. All alone within the large manor that was isolated from the rest of the town. So isolated that even if someone were to scream from inside the manor, it would go unheard by the nearest populated area. (This was discounting the fact that the falling rain already isolated and dampened the sounds being spread.) All alone with no one to protect him and with the large, powerful Baron out of the town in a rescue mission. All alone with everyone within the town knowing that he was all alone. --- Unnamed Town. Tent #24. Standing alone on the fringes of the town was one of the few non-renovated tents. The tent bordered the towns eastern perimeter and was the building that was farthest away from the towns center. Sleeping inside this poorly constructed residence was a family of three. The father, Paul Higgns worked in the construction team and was a man of an affable nature. His family included his wife and his son. Life in the town was pretty simple and straightforward for the affable Paul. He had a great job, good friends, a loving wife, and a naughty son whom he adored with all his heart. Food was always available to fill his and his familys belly and quite soon, they would be assigned to a newly constructed shared residence that would guarantee exponentially better living conditions. He should know. He had built a few of them after all. Midnight passed a little while ago. Paul and his family slept soundly within their residence. The falling rain was kept out by the tents covers. The general dampness and coldness couldnt be helped and was something that they just had to live with. Until the new residence was built that is. As he turned to lie on his side, Paul felt a wetness assault his cheek. Lost within his dreams, he did not pay much attention to this wetness and simply settled to turning to the other side with unconscious familiarity. Minutes later, the wetness assaulted him once again. This time, it even invaded his dreams, turning what was previously a scene of him frolicking across green pastures with his naked body into a scene of roaring storms and rocky boats. With furrowed brows, he eventually woke up, unable to contain his discomfort. What in the heavens, he swore, reaching to the lantern kept by the side. After fiddling around its body, he eventually lit the device and swung it towards his bed covers to find the perpetrator of the wetness. It was water. Lots and lots of water. Oh my Gods! Paul, who was semi-awake and semi-annoyed until this point, immediately shook off his daze and exclaimed with shock. Darlin! Darlin! Wake up quickly! He shook his wife awake. Whats the matter?~ His wife lazily opened her eyes, questioning her husband with an annoyed tone. It cant already be morning, can it? Wake up quickly! Our damned homes flooded! Paul hurriedly explained while jumping off of his bed. Plop! He landed in water that had risen as tall as his waistline. Chapter 59 - A Pyrrhic Victory Seeing the large-bodied creature charge towards it, the crimson wolfs first instinct wasnt to engage but to retreat. The unfamiliar and intensely revolting scent plastered on the large-bodied creature caused the crimson wolf to be hesitant about confrontation. Baron Helm, on the other hand, possessed none of that hesitation. Taking advantage of the beasts hesitance, he quickly aimed with his wooden spike. Cocking his arm back, he took a deep breath, clenched his muscles, and threw the armament with all the force that he could muster. Swoosh! A sharp sound ran out in the air as the spike sliced through the wind and headed towards the crimson beasts head. Overcome by the feeling of fatal danger, the crimson wolf stopped its retreat. It then puckered its limbs and hurriedly leaped to the side, narrowly missing the wooden spike. Landing gracefully, the crimson beast was about to release a growl when it suddenly caught sight of another spike heading towards it. The spike had been perfectly aimed and was heading towards its throat with deadly accuracy. A beast was a beast after all. No matter how intelligent or cunning it was, it could never match a true human in its intelligence. Where the crimson wolf saw one step ahead, Baron Helm saw two. While the beast was fixated on narrowly avoiding his initial attack, Baron Helm had already accounted for his follow-up. By precisely aiming at the beast with his first attack, he forced the beast to dodge in a certain direction, setting up the stage for his next true attack. His first shot was a ruse. A trap that would increase the chances of the second attack succeeding. Having just dodged the first attack, the crimson wolf was in no position to dodge the other one. Leaping away would cost it precious time that it did not have; the attack was almost upon its throat and was inches away from claiming its life. Pushed to the edge, the beasts survival instincts triggered. It hastily moved its throat away, offering its right shoulder instead. The wooden spike struck true, piercing the target. Hooowl!~ The beast howled, bemoaning its injury. Staring at the audacious prey that had managed to injure it with bloodshot eyes, the beast growled. Its slightly parted maw and furrowed brows emanated a suffocating amount of killing intent. Facing such copious amounts of killing intent, a lesser man wouldve folded. Baron Helm did not. In fact, he welcomed it. Killing you using those spikes wouldve been a mercy. How fortunate that my prayers were answered. Baron Helm removed the object that he was carrying on his back. Unwrapping the cloth used to tie it to his back, he held the naked object in his hands and said, Beating you to death would be a fitting justice and would pacify the souls of the fallen. The crimson wolf let out a roar in response to his provocation. Although it could not understand his words, it would more or less understand the underlying intent. This prey dared to provoke it. Such audacity could not be tolerated. Pushing aside its unconscious instinct to retreat, the beast let out another howl to bolster its spirit and charged towards the large-bodied prey. Baron Helm raised the thick club in his hands and replied in kind. Man and beast once again engaged in a fateful battle for survival. --- WeC Were saved! A member of the seven surviving warrior-miners exclaimed when he spotted a throng of people exiting the tree line. These people, led by Scout Team #2, arrived at the blood-soaked clearing, gasped at the cruel battlefield with horror, spotted the remaining wolves, and charged toward them with righteous fury. Wielding spikes, clubs, and a variety of other creative armaments, the crowd cut down the last remaining vestiges of the wolf pack. Not a single wolf mounted any resistance of any sort for they too, like their leader, smelt the revolting scent wafting from the bodies of the newly arrived reinforcements. This scent dampened the fighting spirit of the wolves and made them unconsciously retreat. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Except that there was nowhere to retreat to. The tables had turned on the wolves as in mere moments they went from being the corner-ers to the cornered! Facing an enemy that possessed no fighting spirit and was actively retreating, the reinforcements cut them down with little effort. Not even a minute had passed when the last wolf, excepting the crimson beast, fell. Watching this sight, the seven surviving warrior-miners faced the heavens and let out a resounding roar. Their eyes rained tears as they cackled with a dry mouth, producing an ugly expression of pure joy. They had won. They had survived. They had lived. Khawk! A few of the miners suddenly coughed out blood and collapsed unconscious. The others also felt the energy drain from their bodies as they fell to the ground. The ordeal having passed their strength left them. Gods! Theyve collapsed! Someone quickly get to em. Wheres that lass from the Medical Center!? Someones gotta staunch their blood! Carefully lie em down on those wooden boards that we brought. We gotta get em out of this cursed rain and back to the camp that we set up at the spot where that tree had fallen. You and you, take out those vats that we brought here on the carts and pour the sap around the border of this place. Do it quickly. All this blood might attract some other wild beast from the forest. These fu*king beasts! How many of our people did they kill!? Someone come here and help me gather their remains! Where are the rest of the miners? Does anyone see them? The entrance to the mines looks collapsed! Are those poor fellows stuck in there!? Good Gods, we have to dig em out! Heavens! Look at the lord barons battle! Whichs the beast and whichs the man!? Is this the Barons strength? How frightening! Dont get too close! Getting caught up in the battle is the last thing youre gonna want. After organizing themselves, the rescue workers quickly got to work. They were already instructed prior to leaving on this mission and each person was assigned a dedicated role by the young prince. Some tended to the injured miners while the others gathered the remains of the fallen warriors. Two workers walked around the perimeter of the clearing, pouring out a mysterious liquid from the vat in their hands. A few gathered in front of the collapsed entrance and tried to make sense of the situation there. Most, however, watched the ongoing battle between the crimson wolf and the Baron from the corner of their eyes. They couldnt help it. After all, the Baron was beating the living hell out of the crimson wolf. C-- Smack! Slam! Bang! Strike after strike rained down on the crimson wolf as the club in the Barons hand blurred in and out of sight. Baron Helms footwork was exquisite as he weaved in and out of the wolfs attack range, one-sidedly raining blows on the beast. The crimson wolf had no chance. The crimson wolf stood no chance. All it could do was obediently sit there and get beaten up. And what a beating it got! Bang! Bang! Bang! CRUNCH! The telltale sound of bone being broken echoed in the air. This wasnt the first time that this sound had rang out since the start of the battle, but it marked another step on the wolfs inevitable path to hell. Unlike the untrained, unlearned miners who fought against the wolves while relying purely on their spirit and momentum, Baron Georg Helm was a man who had trained in the ways of a knight since a very young age. His overwhelming physique granted him an unnatural amount of power and stamina, making him an excellent frontline warrior. Even by this worlds standards, Baron Helm was a rare fighting prodigy. The club that he wielded wasnt a normal one either. It had a dense wooden core, constructed from some sort of special tree, and was coated in iron. Normally, such a weapon would prove too heavy for an average club wielder to swing around. However, the Barons physique granted him the strength to easily wield this weapon, making it the perfect tool for the hulk of a man. Swords and spears were simply too brittle in his hands. Smack! Smack! BANG! With a final resounding bang, Baron Helm delivered the finishing blow. While his anger against the beast hadnt been fully sated, the crimson wolf could bear no more. With its head smashed and its skull crushed, the crimson beast, a rare mutant of its kind, fell limply to the ground. Its eyes Cor what was left of it anywaysC held none of the previous expressions of mockery or annoyance. It held pure, unadulterated fear. And the recipient of that fear, stood tall before it. The iron club in his hands dripped blood from the wolf. Neither anger nor joy was found on the Barons face at this moment. His face was filled with regret. I couldve arrived sooner. I should have arrived sooner! His mind repeatedly recalled the scene of the miners remains; the sight that he had seen when he arrived at this clearing. Im not fit to be a leader. Chapter 60 - The Protagonists Cheat Your highness. GWAK! Atlas jolted awake with a strange sound. He then proceeded to immediately kick away his blanket, fell to the ground, grabbed the oil lantern placed on the table by his side, and remarked, Aha! Youve finally revealed yourself assassiCoh, its you. His excitement immediately faded away when he realized the identity of the speaker. That is correct, replied the speaker, Butler Rohm. Taking hold of the blanket that the prince had kicked towards him, Butler Rohm suddenly furrowed his brows. Bringing the blanket closer, he sniffed at the sheet of fabric. Lamp oil? He questioned. Rubbing his neck, which he had accidentally cramped during his fall, Atlas hummed in reply. Lamp oil. Soaked in it too. Why is your sheet soaked in lamp oil? Butler Rohm uncomprehendingly asked. The lamp blanket that he held in his hand, the very same blanket that the little prince had used through the night, was positively soaked in lamp oil. And listening to the prince, it seemed intentional. Cause I soaked it. And not just that, my clothes too, Atlas nonchalantly replied while taking a sniff at his wrist. His face immediately warped with disgust. By the Gods, this stinks. Urgh, Ive got to take a bath now. Unlike the prince, Butler Rohm wasnt very dismissive of the topic. Why would you soak your sheets and clothes in lamp oil? He pressed on. No explanation had to be given about how nonsensical and dangerous such an action was. Obviously to protect myself, The little prince scoffed. Baron Helm is out of the town on a mission, leaving little old me to stay alone in this lonely manor. It is only natural for me to seek security by resorting to such means. But you werent alone, the middle-aged butler couldnt comprehend the young princes thoughts, I was here to protect you. Hiding inside that closet at your request. The butler pointed to the large closet neighboring the desk. He had been there all night keeping an eye on the prince and guarding against potential assailants Cnot that he believed anyone would dare to attack the princeC at the Barons request. I know, the prince pseudo-enthusiastically replied. This was a backup plan. You know, in case someone, whos not addressing his superior using the proper honorifics, slips up and fails to do his job. My sympathies, Butler Rohm dryly replied, unamused. Youre supposed to apologize, Atlas answered, even less amused. The two men then stared at each other with neither blinking their eyes. A few seconds of the staredown later, Butler Rohm acquiesced to defeat. Youre very paranoid, your highness. Its because I have zero faith in you, Butler Rohm, Atlas smilingly replied. He then let out the yawn that had been stifled within his throat and stretched his arms. Wiping the droplets from the corners of his eyes, he asked, Why wake me up? Whats the matter? Its already morning, your highness, obsequiously replied. He neatly folded the trussed-up blanket in his hands and placed it underneath his armpit, making a note to have it washed later. Would you like something to eat, your highness? Ill skip my morning meal. Atlas dared not to put any food inside his body before having it taste tested by another human being; the role usually championed by Baron Helm. Shame for him to be absent. Id like to take a bath instead. I shall prepare it, your highness, alongside a change of clothes. Anything else? Butler Rohm unenthusiastically asked. Yes. Has the rescue party arrived with the miners yet? No, your highness. No messenger arrived announcing their arrival. Looks like something happened over there after all, Atlas mumbled underneath his breath. Delays usually meant that something had gone wrong. I hope not too many people die. There is already a shortage of manpower as it is. Did you say something, your highness? Butler Rohm inquired, seemingly having caught a whiff of the little princes mumbles. Nope. Nothing at all. You can go now. Chop, chop! The early bird gets the worm After spewing some nonsensical drivel and driving the troublesome butler out of the office room, Atlas walked over and sat at his desk. Locking his fingers and placing his hands underneath his chin, he adopted a gaze of dead seriousness and began his ponder. I set up such an excellent stage and the fish still didnt take the bait. This can only mean one thing the traitor/assassin isnt among the town-dwellers. Whilst he was planning the rescue of the miners, Atlas had a sudden bout of inspiration that caused him to come up with a plan that would help him sieve through the townspeople in his search for the traitor. The plan was quite simple; Send away his publicly-known guardian (Baron Helm) under the guise of leading the rescue party. Spent the rest of the day in the company of the townspeople, making preparations for the rescue party that would eventually return, all while spreading the fact that he was alone, guardian-less, and available in the most vulnerable state possible. Since the Barons manor, Atlas place of residence, was isolated from the rest of the town, it would be the perfect setup for the perfect assassination. If an assassin existed amongst the town dwellers, he/she wouldnt be able to resist such an opportunity. After all, what could possibly go wrong in this situation? The target was a little kid who looked like he weighed less than a sack of grains. While that was how the situation appeared from a laymans perspective, Atlas was neither vulnerable nor helpless. Prior to the Barons departure, he had already ordered the man to instruct his faithful servant, Butler Rohm, to hide away inside the closet within his office and protect the prince. This way, should the assassin arrive to assassinate the prince, he/she would be caught unaware and be swiftly taken down by the butler. It went without saying that Atlas never explained the scheme behind his plan to anyone. Had he done so, Baron Helm wouldve never agreed to it. That aside, imagine my surprise when I learned that Butler Rohm was also a Knight. It seems that I have inadvertently gathered two knights around me. Huhuhu~ That protagonist halo really is doing something for me, Atlas gloated for a second, before shaking his head in regret. Unfortunately, neither one is ideal; ones an obsessive crybaby and the other is an unfaithful sociopath. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. (AN: The word Knight here and hereafter refers to the profession/title. They are different from Warriors and Soldiers, and are of a higher level; goes without saying that they are stronger than the two. So when you see the word Knight, think military officer in terms of position, and can beat five regular warriors to death in terms of power.) Of course, Atlas schemes did not stop there. Being the ball of paranoia that he is, he planned a backup plan to supplement the main one. Just in case. As pointed out by Butler Rohm earlier, the backup plan was dousing himself Cclothes and blanketC in lamp oil. This way, should the butler fail in his duty, Atlas would at least have the satisfaction of dragging down the assassin to hell. If Im going down, Im taking you down with me! Atlas did his best impression of the character while repeating those lines. Satisfied, he then turned serious once again. Though, now that I think about it, my Fiery Embrace of Sweet Death-plan is shallow and full of holes. What if I werent able to reach the oil lantern in time? What if the assassin used poison to flood the room? What if he used a crossbow? Wait, do crossbows exist in this era? He would have to look into that later. All in all, the lack of an assassination attempt confirmed that the current town dwellers did not include any traitorous rebels out to claim his head. Atlas had effectively sieved through roughly half of the towns population. They were innocent. That only leaves behind the ones that are not present in the town. Ninety (90) miners, the rescue party members, and of course, Scout Team #1. Atlas had not forgotten about those missing scouts. That dastardly group of liars had yet to return. Leaning back on his chair, Atlas placed his hands behind his head. He immediately moved to regret that action for the strong scent of the lamp oil plastered on his skin and clothes stirred his stomach. A strong sense of nausea immediately assaulted him. How did I sleep through this last night? He would never know. Ignoring his growing sense of vomit, Atlas placed his thoughts on the big picture once again. His scheme had worked. The loyalty of the population was sieved and the search pool for the assassin had tremendously shrunk. To top it all off, he came under no actual harm during the process either. It was a victory, all around. And yet, Atlas wasnt satisfied. A gaping sense of disappointment filled him. To stake your life on such a shoddy, half-assed scheme O Atlas, you disappoint me. Youre better than this. Youre supposed to be better than this. Atlas admonished himself. Youve come out successful in this gamble, but whos to say that youll succeed again? Youre not even a good gambler in the first place. To live life once again, in a magic world, no less. How many others can boast of such an opportunity? Grasping the sides of his armrests, Atlas pressed. I have to do better. I have to take care of this hidden threat. I have to finish growing this town and start reclaiming my kingdom. I have to expand and create an empire! If Im faltering here at beginner town, how am I supposed to face those Demi-Gods and ancient monstrosities out there, in the world explained by that Shadow Monarch? How can I become an emperor, if I cant even deal with one measly assassin? I must grow my power. I need to create a dedicated powerbase. I need subordinates whom I can unreservedly trust, who will never betray me, and faithfully complete all my orders, both moral and immoral! But how could such people exist? Humans are innately unfaithful and sinful creatures after all. Atlas demands for subordinates were impossible to meet. Reaching out with his right hand, Atlas opened a drawer on his desk. Neatly packed inside was a stack of parchments filled to the edges with strange symbols and mysterious writing. The characters written on these sheets looked unworldly and arcane. Looking at this stack of parchments, a wry smile appeared on Atlas face. Ill have to resort to this, huh? When he arrived on this world, Atlas believed that he was denied a cheat that was part and parcel with protagonists like him. His lack of discovery during his self-appraisal and his subsequent meeting with the Shadow Monarch only reinforced this belief. He did not possess the blood of an ancient god Cto his knowledge that is. He did not possess a convenient pocket grandpa Capparently, such things didnt exist in this world. Hell, he was even rudely told that he possessed no talent for wizardry Cthis was blatant nonsense. It was obviously the Shadow Monarch that possessed no talent to test him! The fact that he possessed no cheat was a sore spot for a while. However, that quickly came to pass when he arrived in the town. Atlas DID, in fact, receive a cheat. He was simply too caught up in the other circumstances surrounding his sudden transmigration, causing him to ignore his cheat. What is his cheat, you ask? Why, it was his abnormal comprehension of foreign languages! Meeting monsters for the first time, he automatically spoke their language! Meeting the denizens of this world for the first time, he spoke their language too! Once was a coincidence, but twice that was a pattern. Clearly, there was some strange power at work that allowed him to speak the native languages of this new world without any prior learning. Sure, he couldnt read or write in their languages but those parts could be easily learned with his inhuman brain. To comprehend and speak any and all languages, such a cheat seemed unworthy of the cheat status at first glance. It probably was unworthy of the cheat status. However, for Atlas, this was the most suitable cheat that he couldve received. (Actually, I wouldve taken the Infinite Mana or Can Kill a Literal God in One Punch cheat, if I had been offered them. Honestly, I would''ve even settled for a system or something of that sort.) This cheat allowed Atlas to finally complete a certain language. A language that, if his mentors words were to be believed, would enable him to take control of the world and stand unchallenged at the peak, never to fall and never to be betrayed. A language that will enable you to take control of the entire world. Honestly, when I say it out loud like that, it sounds dumb and full of sh*t. However Atlas reached for the stack of parchments. There is no harm in trying, I guess. Leafing through the sheets, he thought to himself, My mentor handed me the initial script in its incomplete form and asked me to complete it. I spent a lifetime on it, yet never did. It was only after coming to this world and receiving that cheat, combined with learning the script of this world that I managed to improve upon my mentors script and make some tremendous breakthroughs. However is it really complete? How can you even judge a language to be complete? What does it mean to be complete? He had asked these exact same questions to his mentor during their final meeting. To which, his damned mentor had replied, Youll know when its complete. What the hell is that supposed to mean!? Atlas barked. Unfortunately, the opportunity to ask that question had long since passed. Tapping the stack against the desks surface to even them out, he decided. I need to test this out. To see if the claims made by my mentor stand true, or were simply horsecr*p spewed by an insane person. Who should he test it on though? Just as Atlas was pondering this question, the door to his office swung open, revealing Butler Rohm. Your Highness, we have a problem. His face showed a grave expression. Hey, look. This fella can show his emotions on his face. And here I thought that he had facial paralysis or something. Of course, the first thought that popped into Atlas head was pure nonsense. Chapter 61 - Flood in the Town Problem this. Problem that Cant even take a bloody bath these days, Atlas grumbled while putting on his clothes. One day of peace. A single day without any problems. Is that too much to ask? Dont I deserve it? Your highness. A prompt came from outside the bath. Im GETTING DRESSED!! Atlas shouted in response, his irritation growing. Do hurry up, your highness. Or perhaps, do you need my help? Butler Rohm asked. Hell no. Letting that expressionless creep near his naked self was the last thing that Atlas would do. Actually, scratch that. Even if Hell itself boils over, he would never let that expressionless creep near his naked self. Straightening out his vest, Atlas patted his ruffled hair and walked out of the bath. Oh wait, I still havent looked at myself. Almost half a month had passed since his arrival in this world, and he had yet to take a look at his face. Do you have a handheld mirror? The prince asked his unreliable guardian. A mirror? What for? asked Butler Rohm, forgetting once again to add proper honorifics in his reply. You know what? Just forget I ever asked for it. Atlas dropped the matter. He did not want to engage this expressionless creep in a verbal spat first thing in the morning. Besides, there was something important awaiting him. Understood, Butler Rohm professionally replied. He then sneaked a peek at the short prince. The boys golden, naturally-wavy hair perfectly framed his exquisite-looking face. His pearl-like, white skin, still a little pink from having just taken a hot bath, glowed like the first break of dawn. His ice-blue eyes were akin to finely but gems. The boy was simply ethereal. Butler Rohm had to admit, in all his years alive and living on this earth, this wordy little brat was the most gorgeous-looking person that he had ever seen. Even those noble ladies and their prized daughters from the capital were simply incomparable to the little prince. A shame such fine looks are wasted on someone with charcoal for a soul. If the princes looks were said to be the Gods finest creation, then his personality was unquestionably their worst. Butler Rohm shook his head with unspeakable pity. So, whats the problem? Atlas asked. It mightve just been inside his head, but he could swear that he felt the expressionless creeps intense gaze on his back. Again, it could just be his paranoia acting up. Pardon, your highness? Butler Rohm lost himself for a moment. He then hurriedly recovered and immediately began his exposition. Ah, yes. I recall the peasant came reporting about a flood, your highness. [Wait, what?] Atlas stopped and intuitively replied in English. He then quickly caught himself and repeated. Wait, what? A flood. A peasant came reporting a flood, your highness. Butler Rohm stopped a step behind the prince and repeated his answer with a straight face. Where? Atlas asked, replaying the previous lines inside his head, fearing that he had misunderstood or misinterpreted the butlers words. Here. In the town, Butler Rohm drolled. Blinking his doll-like eyes, Atlas faced the man with a straight face and said, Just to be clear. Youre telling me that our town is afflicted by a flood? Not at all, your highness, Butler Rohm replied, eliciting a sigh of relief from Atlas. Unfortunately, that very same sigh was caught halfway out of his throat. Im telling you that a peasant came reporting of a flood afflicting our town. You can hear him yourself. He and a couple of other townspeople are waiting for you outside the manor. Butler Rohm coolly finished. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Atlas stared speechlessly at the man. A couple of seconds of silence later, he asked. How can you be so casual about this? Well, its not my problem, is it? Its the peasants, and I suppose, yours now. Butler Rohm replied. It was at that moment that Atlas learned something. Unlike his kind-hearted master, Butler Rohm was one cold-hearted son of a b*tch who considered the peasants to be lesser than him. Maybe we do have something in common after all. The day just kept on giving him surprises. C-- Milrod! You have to save us! The anger of the Gods has still not been sated! O heavens, whatve we done to deserve such a fate? My home! My items! Everythins been flooded! A wave of cries assaulted Atlas the moment he opened the door to his manors entrance. This is getting old. He wordlessly sighed to himself and took a step outside, stopping just under the manors parapet. The damned rain had still not let go, and Atlas had no intention of getting wet once again. Alright now! Alright now! Everybody just calm down and cease your tears. Atlas then scanned the crowd and pointed toward a random peasant. He then asked, You there, youre Paul, correct? Correct, milord, The man whom Atlas had pointed to, Paul Higgns, stepped forth and replied. Could you explain to me what the problem is, Mr. Higgns? A few seconds of delay is all that Atlas needed to recall the information on Paul that was written on the citizens dossier. I need to find a sketch artist to draw their faces next to their names. Identifying people based solely on their description features is exhausting. Though, Pauls auburn hair was a dead giveaway. Ce-certainly, milord. Caught unprepared by the little princes request, Paul hurriedly gathered himself before explaining the situation. Hearing the situation being slowly detailed, the languidness on Atlas face slowly disappeared, replaced by disquietness. His jaw tightened and his brows furrowed. The situation is way more complicated than I thought. He then imperceptibly shot a glance at the expressionless butler standing next to him and thought, This bastard! He intentionally underplayed the situation to me. This confirms it! Im having this bastard assassinated at the first available moment! Pushing his unnecessary thoughts aside, Atlas took a deep breath and asked the peasant, Where did you say your residence is located, Mr. Higgns? At the eastern end of the town, milord, Paul replied. Eastern end lets see, Atlas quietly mumbled, recalling the map in his head and locating the spot. Hmm, ah! Found it! What couldve caused the issu!! Atlas immediately figured it out. The river, he spoke out loud. The damned river overflowed because of the continuous rains and flooded the town. Immediately turning around, he spoke to the butler. Fetch me Douglas Wootz immediately. Will do, your highness. Butler Rohm lightly bowed and immediately rushed off to fetch the man. Atlas then faced Paul once again and said, You work in the Construction Team, right? Paul furiously nodded his head. Gather the members of your team and bring them here. Fetch the members of the Woodcutting Team whove stayed behind too! Atlas ordered, prompting the man to rush off. He then spent a few minutes placating the crowd before sending them away. Left alone, Atlas thought to himself, We have to solve this problem ASAP. Cause if not, the remainder of the town will be flooded. The flood had only affected the un-renovated parts of the town and had yet to fully spread to the reconstructed portions. If the situation were not to be immediately contained and corrected, the damages that it would bring to the town and the morale of the townspeople would be inestimable. Only eight days in and Im already facing an annihilation-level event, huh? Well, bring it on! Lets see if it''s me or the unstoppable force of nature that comes out on top! Atlas competitive spirit burned at the new challenge. AN: Annihilation Event: Its a sort of do-or-die event that a game forces on you after a fixed interval of time. Succeeding would mean the continuation of the game whilst failure usually meant a game-over. Chapter 62 - The Dammed River. Gods in heaven! This is bloody ridiculous! Douglas Wootz cursed as he saw the scene before him. Tell me about it, remarked Atlas as he perched upon the elderly blacksmiths shoulder. Was it not for the sake of maintaining his image, he wouldve cursed alongside the man. We are what, eight-nine hundred (900) meters from the river? asked the little prince. Aye. Perhaps, more, milord, replied Douglas. And the waters up to my ankle! Its also bloody rising by the second! The waters the least of our problems, stated Atlas, as he spotted filth floating atop the water. Water by itself wasnt very unpleasant. However, when the flood dug up the dirt and the filth buried under the earth, it became very, very, very, unpleasant. We have to solve this soon. Never mind the damages inflicted on the properties. Continued exposure to this filthy water will cause serious sickness. Before you know it, youll have a pandemic on your hands, Atlas mumbled. I do not want another pandemic. Whats a pan-de-mic, milord? questioned the blacksmith. His lacking education was built upon a shaky base resulting in him having access to a very limited vocabulary. It is an evil so great that the entire world was forced to submit to its whims. It imprisoned society and shackled freedom. A terrible, terrible nightmare, Douglas, Atlas explained with a dramatic flair. Hearing the princes dramatized words, Douglas felt himself unconsciously shiver. For the prince to describe it as such, it must be a demon of the highest form! I must keep an eye out for it, and run away should I ever meet it. The elderly blacksmith seemed to share a healthy amount of Atlas paranoia. Turning his head to face his unreliable aid, Atlas asked, Have the building nearby been evacuated of the important stuff and the people? Its happening as we speak, your highness, Butler Rohm replied with perfect courtesy. The rations? Already moved to the refugee camp on the far end of the town. Refugee Camp referred to the area designated for the rehabilitation and aid of the miners. Any news of the miners? Did the rescue party send a messenger? Not yet, your highness. Atlas drily nodded his head. No news was still acceptable. Atlas would rather have the messenger be late than for someone arriving in panic and telling him that the rescue had failed. Now that would truly be a kick to the b*lls. The prince humored. Lets not waste time, Douglas, Atlas tapped the elderly blacksmiths head and ordered. Must you personally set out, your highness? Butler Rohm asked with a perfect rendition of faux concern. His expressionless face even showed a trace of worry. I certainly must, Butler Rohm. Any problem of the peasantry is a personal problem of mine. I refuse to sit back and wait while my people suffer! Atlas thumped his chest with righteousness. When it came to this callousness and acting, these two men truly were two peas in a pod. Set forth, Douglas! Aye, aye, milord! replied the elderly blacksmith, wiping the drop of tears from his eyes. What was true nobility? THIS was true nobility! The young princes words had completely moved his heart. Holding onto the young princes legs, Douglas forged ahead, wading through the filth-ridden waters. Following them was Butler Rohm. And so the party of three headed towards the source of the disaster; the river.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. C-- Twenty minutes later. Milord! Its almost up to my breasts! remarked Douglas, astonished. Chest. Its almost up to your chest. Why do you have to make it weird, Douggie? Why must this man word every innocent conversation in the most vulgar way possible was beyond Atlas. Ah, yes, that! It slipped ma mind, milord. Breasts I know better, Douglas replied with a foolish smile. Atlas was left wordless at his reply. This motherfu*ker! Is he insinuating that the word naturally came out of his mouth cause hes overly familiar with the object!? Are you lording over me cause Im a kid!? Atlas fumed. However, he did not engage further for this was neither the place nor was it his station to discuss this topic. Hold me up properly. If I feel the slightest wetness touch me, Im demoting you from your post as Technical Director, Atlas coldly uttered. Ah! Milord, you cannot! Douglas immediately straightened up. Losing the title wasnt a big deal. However, losing the privileges that came with the title, namely the boat-load of resources that he was given to playC ahem, experiment with, would be a true travesty. Butler Rohm, who was a witness to the exchange, held his silence. A few minutes later, the elderly blacksmith declared, Were here, milord. His face adopted an expression of seriousness. Unlike before, the water current around this part was particularly intense. The slightest slipup and he, alongside the prince, would fall into the water and be swept away. Atlas similarly sported a serious expression. Though the murky river water obscured much of the previous landmarks. Atlas could barely make out the terrain using the distribution of the trees and the current of the water. The river roughly seems to be flowing that way, he motioned with his fingers. Two days of constant rain seems to have overfilled the waterbody leading to spillage. We must act quickly to resolve it. Looking at the sky, the rain seems to have no intention of stopping. At this rate, the problem will only exacerbate, and the whole town will be flooded by midnight. It was a simple estimation calculated from the information that he had gathered on his way to the source. Aye. That be right, milord, Douglas agreed with the princes words. His abundant experience as a craftsperson deepened his impression and understanding of the problem. What do you suggest we do? Butler Rohm asked this question. It seemed that seeing the problem at its source caused him to take an active interest in the problem. Therere only two ways to deal with a flood, Douglas explained. Ya either move the people or drain the river. First option is impossible, Atlas immediately declared. Abandon the town? Yeah, no. How do we drain the river? Usally we create dykes around the river to, ya know, channel the water inta different routes. However, He dragged his answer. Atlas quickly understood why. The terrain around this place makes it impossible to build dykes, he completed the elderly mans words. Dykes required the ground to be dug to create water channels. The swamp made digging the most exhausting and inefficient task to do. Not to mention, to dig dykes when the terrain around the original river was flooded, the water reaching chest level, wasnt exactly ideal or safe. Aye, Douglas agreed and kept quiet. An unusual response when considering the cheery nature of the fellow. Do you have any ideas? Atlas asked the butler. Im not well-versed in this field, your highness, replied the man. The party stood there resisting the current while trying to come up with a way to combat the problem. Atlas scoured the surroundings with his eyes while wracking his brain for a solution. Oh, come on! Youre from the twenty-first century for goodness sake! Surely, you have some solution to this. Unfortunately, Atlass previous career was one that focused on lying, thieving, deceiving, blackmailing, and threatening, not public works. On those topics, with the inclusion of personnel management and territory management, very, very few could equal our protagonist. While he was wracking his brains for a solution, Atlas eyes coincidently landed on the trees that stood tall and resisted the flood. His mind blanked for an instant before being struck by a moment of AHA! Why dont we build a dam? asked Atlas. A dam? Whats that, milord? questioned the elderly blacksmith, hearing that unfamiliar word. Atlas then proceeded to explain the concept to the best of his ability. Right! Right! This is bloody great! Douglas exclaimed. So, can it be done? asked the little prince. Not exactly as yave put it, milord, but the basic idea can be used, Douglas replied. Well still need to create those dykes. Otherwise, itd be impossible to drain this water. Well, let''s return to town, organize a construction crew, and immediately get to work! Atlas spurred on the elderly man. Their goals having met, the party of three promptly turned back and headed towards the town. Atlas, meanwhile, considered another problem; the lack of workers. Chapter 63 - Lacking Manpower? Just add more Men! You want the children to work in this weather!? Are ya mad, lad!!? A middle-aged woman indignantly raged while tightly clutching onto her fourteen-year-old son. The children should be staying indoors! I will not stand for this! We need all available hands to work if we are to overcome this calamity. That includes you, me, and even the children, Atlas coldly replied, his face a stone-cold mask of dispassion. All children over the age of ten WILL work. Thats an order. Not giving the mother a chance to respond, Atlas turned to face Butler Rohm and said, Send them out. The butler complied and ushered the pair out of the princes temporary office. It was called his temporary office because Atlas was currently outside the Barons manor. He had currently taken over one of the better-built tents in the western part of the town, bordering the flooded area. After waiting for the tents flaps to close, Atlas immediately grabbed his head and began his furious massage. The accrued headache had returned once again. It was still morning. Argh, I hate this day already, Atlas moaned. Sure, he appreciated all the challenges that the world threw at him. However, a period of peace every now and then would be greatly encouraged. Shaking away the pounding pain in his forehead, Atlas once again read the sheets of parchment scattered on the table before him. Day 8 Population: 93 (8 sick) Men: 4 Women: 44 Children: 45 Fu*k me. The report detailed the towns current populace. It was beyond severe. Were facing a flood that threatens to submerge the entire town by midnight, and I have barely any workers to throw at the problem. He had a severe manpower shortage issue on his hands. Suppose he were to only employ only healthy adults, the number of workers that he would have available at his disposal would be forty-eight (48). If the sick ones were included, this number would increase to fifty-six (56). Fifty-six people banding together to construct a dam that would alter the path of the river, whilst also simultaneously digging up dykes and gullies in and around the town to drain the water in a deadline of a single day yeah, that wasnt going to happen. The grandness and size of the task coupled with the extremely limited time limit made it an impossible problem to solve. But who was Atlas, if not the solver of impossible problems? And thus, he came up with a solution; Child Labor. What? Its immoral and cruel? Oh, please!~ Well be homeless within a day and dead within a week if we dont address this flood. And Id rather be immoral and cruel, than dead! Desperate times called for desperate measures. The flap to the tent opened up and entered Butler Rohm. Upon entry, he simply stood before the princes table and stared at him. Unable to bear his piercing eyes, Atlas raised his annoyed face and asked, What? Here was another source of his headache. An order forcing the children to work? Even if they are peasant-born, its still wrong. My master wouldnt stand for it, Butler Rohm impassionately said. Though he was an elitist, he seemed to have some clear moral boundaries in his heart. If your master had returned with all the other workers in tow, this decision wouldnt have come to pass, Atlas nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders. Honestly, if he had the choice, he wouldnt have the children put to work either. They were slow, inefficient, and all-round inferior to their adult counterparts. You think Id get the same amount of work done by a snot-nosed brat as compared to his parents? Besides their small bodies and tiny fingers, children are utterly useless as workers. He mentally grumbled. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. That still doesnt make this right, Butler Rohm pressed. Do you have a better solution? No? Then shut up, Atlas shut down the man and returned to his duty. Go out there and join the others in shoveling the filth or moving the lumber or something. Stop bothering me. He waved the man out. Oh, and tell Douglas to report here. Ive got something to ask him. Atlas then quietened and proceeded with his work. Butler Rohm stared at the boy for a few minutes before heaving a sigh and exiting the tent. His face and emotions were inscrutable as always. Sensing the man quietly leave, Atlas released a sigh and released the handful of dirt that he kept clenched and hidden inside his left fist, underneath the table. He felt glad that nothing violent happened. I really need to get on with testing that language. All this lack of safeguards and protections is really driving me insane with paranoia. C-- Ten or so minutes later, the flap to the tent opened up once more and entered the giant, elderly blacksmith. His aged face was colored with dullness, as he stood before the little prince soaked in rain and sweat. Milord Hows the progress? Atlas interrupted the man with a question. Its comin along quite well, milord. The blasted weather finally gave way to clear skies. The rain finally stopped, huh? Thats a good omen. Are we keeping to schedule? According to his internal count, it should currently be around noon. No problems there, milord. The, uh, children theyre working hard, Douglas hesitantly added the second sentence. Thats good. Just make sure to double-check their work, Atlas incuriously replied. You may go now. I just wanted to hear the latest report. Ah? Ah, yes, milord, the elderly man quickly bowed and scuttled out of the tent. Just as he was about to fully exit, Atlas suddenly spoke up. We will make it out of this, Douggie. I will make sure that we all make it out of this. Yes, yes, Douglas noncommittally replied before quickly leaving. Left alone, Atlas released another sigh before burying his face into his hands. Aaa~aaargh He vocalized tiredly. Looks like my popularity and reputation took a serious blow from that decision. Even this simple-minded idiot doesnt dare to look me in the eyes. Atlas reason to invite Douglas to hear his report was simply bullsh*t. His true reason had been to read the man and get a sense of what his current standing and image were. And just like he had guessed, it was pretty low. There is a definite sense of respect, but so is a large amount of discontent. The previous sense of idolisation has disappeared. Though, there is no overt hatred. This should be the relative mood of the people outside. Forcing the children to work seemed to have a harsher backlash than what he expected. It seemed that the people here were more sensitive than the similarly-era people from his previous world. To tell the truth, Atlas did not personally care for others opinions of him. They could dislike him, hate him, or even demonize him. He did not care. There was only one person in this entire world whose opinions that he cared for and that person was himself. Compared to himself, every other person was utterly worthless. That being said, given his current situation, Atlas couldnt afford to ignore the publics sentiments. He had no real power of his now Cneither personal nor militaryC and only possessed an illusory authority that came from his birth. Was he to antagonize the public, or if the publics perception of him were to reach the level of hatred, Atlas would land himself in a situation infinitely more troublesome than mere floods. His forced order was a decision that he had taken after carefully weighing his current status, his image in the public eye, the general mood of the people, and the absence of the traitor. Had it not been for his confirmation of the traitors absence, Atlas wouldve never taken the risky decision to pass the controversial order, no matter how urgently the situation required him to react. If I had forced out this controversial order while a traitor was still present, it wouldve taken him/her but a moment to sink me. At that point, I would have a rebellion in my hands. It was only after vetting out all these factors did Atlas take this calculated risk. And the risk had played out more or less how he had expected it to play out. Sure, the outcome was less ideal than his predictions, but all in all, it was still within his safety margin. Politics is a dangerous game. Hidden dangers and invisible daggers surround you at all times. It is not for everyone and especially NOT for the inexperienced. He remarked while distantly staring at the ceiling. A smirk suddenly appeared on his face as he continued. But Gods, am I a genius at it!~ He then proceeded to pat himself on his back. Chapter 64 - The Boy Crutch! Thrusting the shovel into the shovel earth underneath his feet, Ethan paused for a moment to catch his breath. Wiping the sweat gathered upon his forehead using his dirty hand, he then took a deep breath before kicking the bottom of the shovel. The shovel head was pushed further into the earth, almost entirely disappearing. Huup! A short exhale later, he exerted strength into his forearms and pulled the shovel up, digging up the soft earth in the process. Turning around, he smoothly dumped the load on the wooden through next to him before turning back to repeat the process all over again. Ethan was a dark-skinned, fourteen-year-old boy, and a child worker who had been newly drafted. His notable features included his amber-colored hair, buck teeth, and freckles covering the entire top of his nose. Oi! Ethan! A shout broke the boy out of his working stance. Turning in the direction of the shout, he found his best friend, Dewey, walking towards him with his other best friend, Keiron. Hello, Dewey. Hello, Keiron. Havent seen ya both today, Ethan greeted, affixing his shovel into the ground. Howre ya two faring? Absolutely terrible, I tell ya, Dewey replied. He was a head shorter than Ethan, and a shade lighter. An overtly noticeable birthmark covered the area around his left eye. All this work is making my back break!~ Its my arms and hands that hurt more, Keiron softly added. Also, my palms re all wrinkly for some reason. He held up his hands for the other two to see. Never happened before. Ive seen it before, replied Ethan. Happened to me once when I stayed out too long playing in the rain. My mum went mad when she caught me that day, muddying my clothes. Beat me till I started screamin like a pig in heat. Yea, I remember that day. I was with ya, Dewey informed the pair while laughing. Twas funny seein you scream that loud. Mummy! Please spare me! Im sorry! He did his best to mimic that scene. Feeling unamused at his friends mockery, Ethan quickly added, Now, why do I remember someone else screaming ever louder after their mum showed up? The grin on Deweys face immediately disappeared, his expression becoming downcast. Karma had come to him a little too soon that day. So, Ill be fine? Keiron had paid no attention to the pairs bantering, having been too focused on observing his own hands. You should be fine. Though, if it starts hurting, keep away from water for a while, Ethan kindly advised. Fat chance of that happenin, Dewey scoffed. He then nervously scanned his surroundings with his eyes before leaning in and gesturing to the others to lean closer. Dont be alarmed, but I heard that if they catch us slackin off today, they wont give us any rations. They wont give us rations! Keiron loudly exclaimed, earning his smack on the back of his head. Oi!~ He protested, rubbing the back of his head. What part of dont be alarmed did ya not understand, ya blockhead!? Dewey harped sharply. I dont understand, howre ya such an idiot when ya fathers a learned? Must be cause of you smacking me on ma head all the time, Keiron whispered, indignantly. What was that, lad? Dewey fumed. Keiron and Dewey were cousins leading them to look somewhat similar; although, Keiron was smaller and more slender than Dewey leading the boy to be pushed around by the latter. Whered ya hear this, Dewey? asked Ethan. Though he was of a similar age as the other two, he liked putting on a mature front and frequently talked and acted like an adult. Here and there. I overheard some adults talkin about it, Dewey honestly replied. They were also talking about how the prince was being too severe by makin the children work and all. Even my mum was fumin about it this mornin, when she heard the order. I dont mind working. Its only natural for us to help out when the town is facing a calamity, said Ethan. Hah! Dewey scoffed in reply. You can drop the I am an adult act now. Kids like us are supposed to be playin, not shovelin filth and diggin holes in this water-soaked hell! Pausing for a second, he then continued, Im with my Ma on this. That prince is bein outta line with this order. Ive never seen the prince playin around, Keiron inserted. Thats ''cause youve never been inside the Barons manor, stupid. He should have a ton of fancy toys and other knick-knacks to play around with, Dewey replied with dripping jealousy. I dont think so, Ethan defended the prince. Have ya seen the dark skin around his eyes? My mum told me that it becomes like that when ya work too hard and dont sleep. He couldve just been playin too hard, Dewey rebutted, unwilling to lose the debate. I dont think the prince plays with toys either. Hes too much like the adults, that I cant imagine him doin that, Keiron reinforced the debate with his own opinion. Right, right, Ethan quickly agreed. Hes like the adults, but better than them! My father always praises him like that. Yeah, yeah, whatever! Dewey reluctantly accepted his loss. I still dont like im! He firmly declared. Silence descended on their conversation as the mood turned awkward. Feeling guilty that the mood had soured because of him, Dewey lightly coughed before bringing up a new topic. Thouh, I have to say. The prince is THE most beautiful person that Ive ever seen. Aye, Ethan stared blankly into space and longingly agreed. If I could only marry a wife half as pretty as the prince. Id be laughin for life. Half? Someones bein greedy, isnt he? Dewey derisively laughed. Id feel blessed if I could catch a wife with a face that equals the princes arse! If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. I would like to marry the prince, Keiron whispered, not expecting the two other boys to hear his words. Ethan and Dewey turned around in unison and stared at the boy, shock and horror coloring their faces. Keiron, youC! Heavens! Hes gone mental! Blushing furiously, Keiron shook his head dismissively with enough force and speed to break his neck. No, NO!! He yelled. You didnt hear that! I didnt say anythin!! He waves both his arms to aid in his refusal. Keiron, but youre a man, and hes a man Deweys face mirrored his internal struggle as he failed to come to terms with the concept. The pieces of the puzzle simply didnt fit within his mind. NO! NO! SHUT UP!! Keiron lunged towards Dewey and caught the latter by his collars. Choking the other boy, Keiron continued to deny and defend himself. I DIDNT SAY ANYTHIN!! ALSO! ALSO!! His voice suddenly quietened to an extreme, akin to a mouse squeak. Its not like he must be a man He could be a princess or somethin... Oh Gods! This boy is too far gone! Hes beyond saving! Ethan exclaimed in horror and regret. He even performed the gesture of prayer. Shut up! SHUT UP! Keiron continued to futilely scream. Keiron, my cousin, Dewey slowly spoke up, his words dripping with seriousness and worry. Youve got to purge yer head of that nonsense. You must never go down that path! The two of ya are impossible! He huffed before turning around and ignoring them. Ethan and Dewey wiped the serious expressions off their faces and started to laugh and the smaller boys tantrum. The three friends eventually went on to talk about other causal topics, both vulgar and mundane. They then complained about their violent parents, obsessive mothers, and obnoxious others like usual. After ten minutes or so, Dewey suddenly stopped talking and discreetly nudged Ethans arms. Look oer there. Look whos here. He quietly said. Ethan, and Keiron, who had also heard the other boys words, turned their heads and gazed in the direction of Deweys pointing. Quietly digging into the earth, some distance away, was a similarly-aged boy. His headful of hair was extremely unkempt and pitch-black in color. His arms that held onto the shovel were as pale as a white sheet of paper and bony as a slender twig. His height wasnt all that tall and his build was on the weaker side. Just from sight alone, there was nothing remarkable to see about the boy. If anything, his clothes and body looked and smelled more filthy and the majority of the filth on the ground. Its the freak, Keiron absentmindedly mumbled, his face showing an expression of distaste. Ethans expression was even more pronounced and straight-up hostile, while Dewey held an expression of scorn and ridicule. Didnt I tell that freak that Id kill him if I see him again, Ethan hatefully spat out his words, to which Dewey replied, Ya did. Cant we ust let him go? Keirson nervously prompted, seeing the wrathful expression on Ethans face. Lets not stir up trouble. Oh, have some balls. Therere no adults here, Dewey mocked Keirons passiveness. A look of glee then suddenly appeared within his eyes as he quickly turned around and dug his hands into the trough near them. Watch. He cryptically said after a few seconds. Strutting forward with his chest puffed out and his hands hidden behind his back, Dewey walked towards the filth-covered boy. Oi! Freak! He hollered, prompting the other boy to turn towards him. The instant he saw the other boys face turn towards him, Dewey immediately unsheathed his hands and threw the object hidden within his hands. It was a ball of dirt. The ball whizzed through the air and smacked the other boys face causing him to stumble. He stumbled back a few steps before suddenly bringing his two hands to his face and crouching down. Dewey, and the two other boys, moved in closer. Arriving near the filth-ridden boy, they saw a line of blood drip from the formers forehead. It seemed that Dewey had hidden a stone within the ball of dirt, leading to the injury. Hows that for a greetin? Dewey asked with a smirk. Pride colored his face. Oi, freak! I thought I told ya to never show yer face in the town, Ethan barked, shedding all of his previous mature composure. Children over the age of ten were ordered toC The crouched, filth-ridden boy opened his mouth to explain when he was kicked in the face by Ethan. The boy crashed into the wet earth. I dont give a f*ck what the orders were! Running closer, Ethan began to kick and stomp the fallen boy. I. TOLD. YOU, not to show yer face roud town. That, If I ever saw you again, Id kill you! He continued to be quite liberal with his kicks. Watching his scene, Dewey sadistically laughed for a moment before running up and joining Ethan in his assault. He also began to kick and stomp the fallen boy, and additionally spat on him. Keiron looked away from the violence neither joining the other two boys nor stopping them. The assault continued to fall on the fallen boy with the latter clutching his head and curling up like a shrimp. Apart from intermittent grunts, he produced no other noise. What a f*ckin freak! He doesnt cry or let out a single other noise, Ethan huffed, annoyedly. The boys non-reaction had hurt his pride causing him to intensify his assaults. Ya got a body of a twig, but ya sure can take a beatin, cant ya? Dewey remarked, sweat pouring down his face. Say somethin ya frea! OI! WHATRE YA KIDS DOIN THERE! A voice interrupted their bullying. Sh*t! Its an adult! RUN! Dewey yelled before immediately taking off. Ethan was also spooked by the sudden yell and followed the other boy in his escape. Keiron was no different from the other two. Hurriedly running over to the area of the scene, the adult man looked at the brats that had run away before looking at the fallen boy. He then quickly kneeled next to the beaten boy and checked him through his torn clothes. Oi, kid! Ya awake? He questioned the boy while checking his body. Oh Gods, the man gasped, horrified. Numerous bruises and wounds filled every inch of the boys body. Some of the bruises looked fresh while others looked days, or maybe even, weeks old. It was evident that this was not the first time that this boy was beaten up. Oi, kid! Wake up! Whats your name? Whore yer parents? The man carefully lifted the boys neck and fed him some water from the flask in his hands. Drink this and tell me who did this to ya? Most of the water spilled but some of it managed to enter the boys throat through his chapped and broken lips. A few minutes of nursing later, the boy opened his bruised eyes. A pair of dark, eerily quiet eyes stared at the adult man. No one answered the boy with difficulty. Frowning at his answer, the adult man urged, You can trust me. The three boys that did this to ya, went beyond playin. This is a serious matter. Come on, tell this uncle. No one did this replied the boy, once again. Argh! Ya dont have to defend those pieces of sh*ts, brat! Tell me their names! I dont know The boy maintained his silence. Gods, youre impossible! The man fumed with anger. He then shot another look at the bruised and beaten boy before carefully laying him back on the ground. Well talk bout this later. Stay here. Ill go and find someone to help ya. The man then hurriedly left to fetch some help. Meanwhile, the boy continued to lie on the wet earth. His black, unusually muted eyes stared at the dim, clouded, rainless sky. Blood silently flowed from his forehead and mouth, while bruises and filth covered the rest of his body. It was hard to imagine the pain that he was feeling. Strangely, however, neither his face nor his eyes reflected this pain. Even stranger was the fact that there seemed to be no indignance, anger, hatred, or even fear to be found in the boy. The boy seemed empty and strangely at peace. After lying quietly for a few minutes, the boy bit his lips and dragged his body away. He forced his body up, ignoring the immense amount of pain assaulting his mind. Forcing himself up to his feet, he limped over to where he had dropped his shovel, prior to the assault, and picked it up. Holding the shovel in his left hand, the boy limped away, heading elsewhere. Chapter 65 - Is that... meat? Day 8. Night. In the periphery of the river. A throng of workers, consisting mostly of womenfolk from the town, trudged around busily. Their faces were covered with exhaustion while their bodies were plastered with mud, leaves, and other debris. Their arms, tired and aching from a full day''s workload, carried the final pieces of lumber that would complete the dam. Oi, Douglas! Whered ya want me to put this? A woman in her late thirties arrived near Douglas who was busy coordinating the other workers and yelled. Hmm? Turning around, Douglas saw the bundle of short, cylindrical poles that the woman carried on her waist, and asked, Are these the final locks? Thats what they told me. The woman nodded her head. Great! Give em to Marthas group over there. Shell put those in, Douglas instructed, pointing in the direction of the distant group. The woman with the load nodded her head and quickly proceeded in that direction. Seeing her walk away, Douglas realized that their ambitious project was almost complete. They had built a revolutionary and ingenious Cas far as Douglas was aware that isC contraption in record time! So, this is a dam! Douglas inwardly exclaimed as he saw the wall of lumber in the distance. Logs of lumber were used to construct tall walls, almost double his height, that hindered and blocked the flow of the river, altering its direction. It was a construction that was unlike anything that Douglas had ever seen or heard before. If the direction of rivers could be freely altered like this, then well be able to create fertile lands even in barren lands! The significance of this idea was especially important in the lands of the three kingdoms. It would mean an end to wars fought for the sake of fertile lands! If we could add a gate-like contraption to the walls, something that can be opened and closed at will, then well even be able to regulate the flow of water! Douglas eyes shined at the explosion of ideas and the endless possibilities that they represented in his mind. Sure, the dam that theyd constructed was extremely basic and only served the purpose of blocking the river. But that didnt mean that it had to stay that way! With the right innovation, resources, and manpower, they could bring the idea to new heights. What if we used metal to construct it? Hmm, no. That wouldnt work. Metal rots in water if it isnt processed and maintained properly. What if we use clay? A flash of lightning struck Douglas as he yelled, BRICKS! His shout drew the attention of the workers around him, most of whom looked at him with disdain. If ya got that much strength left? Why dont ya help us carry this stuff? A middle-aged woman asked. Cough, cough, Get to work, Coughing away the embarrassment, Douglas buried his mind into his thoughts. The bricks produced in the kiln can be used to improve the dam! The kiln was almost complete in its construction and could start producing bricks at a moments notice. Were it not for the two days of unexpected downpour that halted all operations, it [kiln] would already be doing so. First the bricks, and now the dam. His Highness truly is a blessed son of the heavens, Douglas thought with pride, but then immediately turned depressed. Still The order forcing the children to work caused Douglas to feel uncomfortable. He soon shook his head. It isn''t my place to judge milord. I should just stick to doing whats asked of me. Douglas exited from his ponders and continued with his duty. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. The dam construction was mostly over. Walls of lumber were bound together and erected along the path of the river, effectively altering the rivers direction. The surging waters no longer flooded towards the town but instead crashed against the walls and were redirected to the opposite side. Of course, this meant that the area on the opposite bank of the river would get submerged in the water. This, however, wasnt really an issue as no settlements or important resource points were located on the other bank. That being said, it still meant that the terrain of the forest would be affected to a certain extent. The rivers changed course would affect the natural environment, bringing about uncertain changes to the Brooding Dark Forest. Changes small or less were changes nonetheless. In any case, it was cause for concern for the future. For now, the town had been saved from disaster. The dam also represented opportunities to exploit in the near future. Time continued to pass and soon it was midnight. The female workers and their minority male counterparts had worked uninterrupted for nearly fourteen hours, the longest in recent times. They received neither breaks to rest nor rations to eat during this period; not due to the lack of availability but due to the lack of opportunity. It went without saying that they were beyond exhausted. Fuu~ Im about to pass out. Dont go passing out here. I aint carrying you back to the town. Gods, my hungers killing me. Say, do ye think that the children wouldve eaten? They have. I noticed my brat spillin his soup all over himself when I had returned to haul a load of the lumber. Wastin food like that, Im gonna beat his arse until it bleeds when I get back! Yer poor boys in for it, huh? Just be careful to not be too heavy-handed, lest he bleeds too much. Itll be fine. That fancy Medical Center can stitch him back up. By the heavens, its already midnight, huh? Does anybody know if the miners have returned? They mustve, right? Its already been a full day since the rescue party left. What if somethin has happened to em? For heavens sake, woman! Wash that mouth of yers! Do ya want somethin to happen to em? My bad! My bad! Im startin to go mad from hunger. Conversation continued to flow as the group of tired women gathered around and gossiped. They were waiting for the final word of confirmation from Douglas confirming that their work here was done. It was only after his approval that they would be able to return to the town. Meanwhile, Douglas checked and rechecked every inch of the walled construct. He patched the areas that required patching, locked the locks that required locking, hammered the nails that required hammering, and so on and so forth. It took him a whole forty minutes to go through the entire structure before he stopped. Its done. The dam was finally done. Of course, it wasnt perfect or complete by any means, but it was sufficient. It would hold until the river calmed down and would protect the town from the danger of flooding. In its final form, the dam was a two-meter tall wall-like construct held together firmly by ropes, nails, and an igneous system of interlocking beams native to this world; as far as Atlas was concerned that was. Dykes ran at uniform intervals perpendicular to the lumber walls, dispersing and draining the surging water from the other side. Additionally, gullies and smaller check dams were also constructed at routine points in order to guard against any unexpected events. The finished dam marked the completion of the first large-scale public works project that concerned and affected the unnamed town as a whole. It also marked the first successful fusion of ideas borne from Atlas previous world, this world, and the ingenuity of the locals talents. And with one successful precedent, it was only time before more such successes followed. Walking over to the area where the tired workers had gathered, Douglas took a deep breath before yelling, Aright, ladies! Works done! Its time to go home! Fu*king finally. With that shared emotion, the workers began their return to the town. --- Arriving at the towns eastern end after a ten-minute journey, the exhausted workers found themselves at a loss. Wheres everyone? Their surroundings were eerily quiet and strangely abandoned. Douglas scanned the surroundings with a sharp gaze. His greying eyebrows scrunched up together as he thought to himself, Wheres milord? Didnt he say that hed be here? Douglas had resolved himself to investigate further when Whats that smell? One of the women sniffed at the air and asked with a perplexed voice. At her prompt, the other workers and Douglas also joined her in sniffing the air. A strange, enticing smell hung in the air. This is meat? Douglas guessed, hesitantly. Chapter 66 - Cleaning Up (1/2) Four hours ago. Atlas temporary office tent. Your Highness, called Butler Rohm as he entered Atlas tent. Atlas let out a sigh before putting down the inked quill in his hand and raising his head to look at the emotionless creep, Why are you here again? Didnt I just send you away? You sent me away at noon, your highness, Butler Rohm corrected him. Its nighttime now. Jesus ChrC Atlas hurriedly caught himself, Its nighttime already? It is. Butler Rohm nodded his head. He seemed to have heard the prince say something else at the start but couldnt catch it in time. He wouldve questioned the boy about it given any other time, however, he had come bearing duty. A messenger has arrived. Hes waiting to meet you, your highness, informed Butler Rohm. From the Baron? asked Atlas. From the Baron, confirmed the butler, before going away to bring the messenger. And he didnt even wait for me to permiss, Atlas mumbled to himself while putting away the writing tools scattered on the table. I swear. That as*hole is growing audacious by the hour. Were entering, your highness, Butler Rohm quickly returned and announced his presence. The flap to the tent opened once again and entered two adults; Butler Rohm and Oh, hey, its one of the scout guys from Scout Team #2. Atlas was sure that he could recall this persons name if he tried to. However, he wasnt going to make an effort. It just wasnt worth it. Milord! The man exclaimed and bowed. Atlas simply nodded his head in reply before asking, Hows the situation in the mines? Its dire, milord, replied the scout. He then began reporting to the prince. Of course, Butler Rohm was also present in the tent. Atlas quietly listened to the man''s long-winded report that was jam-packed with emotion but had little information. His hands remained on the table, clasped, tightening and loosening as the narrative required them to be. His face was the same, switching between righteous anger and sincere pity as and when required. It was a splendid performance. The man narrated for almost ten minutes before finally coming to a stop. Butler Rhom stood against the tents wall, expressionless and unfeeling as ever. Even after hearing about the deaths of the valiant miners, he remained unmoved. Atlas, on the other hand, had his eyes closed and hands covering his face. His upper body leaned slightly into the table, while his shoulders trembled and quivered. Looking from the outside, he seemed to be hiding his face and crying quietly. At least, thats how he looked to the butler and the scout. In reality, however, the little prince was massaging his facial muscles. Phew. Managing all those expressions and micro-expressions sure is tiring. The trembles and quivers of his shoulder were the results of him discreetly moving his palms during the massage. Peeking at the depressed-looking, mourning scout from the little gap between his fingers, Atlas remarked, This guy sure can speak nonsense, huh? The number of superfluous words and unnecessary/unneeded info that he added in that ten-minute report of his was simply mind-boggling. Hell, his talent for bullsh*t might rival my own. That last line was obviously an exaggeration. Lets see, removing all the unnecessary stuff, his report can be boiled down into three whole points. First. Twenty-five (25) miners banded together and fought the wolves. Seven survived, and eighteen (18) died. The survivors have varying degrees of injuries each more severe than the last. It would be difficult for them to survive. Second. The pack of wolves that attacked the miners numbered thirty-four (34). All of them are now dead. There was a mutated variant amongst the wolves, whatever that means, which is believed to have led the attacks. Baron Helm personally took care of that one. Mutated wolf? Now that sounds interesting. I sure hope its corpse is relatively intact. I would love to sneak a peek at it.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. Third. Sixty-five miners are now trapped inside the mines whose entrance has collapsed. Was the collapse intentional or accidental? It is unknown, however, my moneys on the former. Baron Helm is now staying back with the rest of the rescue party, attempting to dig them out. It is unknown how long this effort will take them. This was the actual information contained in the scout guys report. Let''s start off the top. Eighteen deaths. Thats waa~aay over my initial estimation. From the second he heard about the wolf attack, Atlas wasnt expecting the event to be casualty-free. Hearing the actual number of casualties now, he inhaled sharply. What a pity. What a pity. He shook his head. For my first order. Butler Rohm, Atlas called. Yes, your highness? asked the man. You are to immediately set out to the emergency camp set up by the rescue party. You will then try your fullest to save the lives of the seven men on deaths edge. Understood? Understood, your highness, The butler complied with the princes wishes. Great. You can relieve Baron Helm of his duty there and send him back here, Atlas added. Butler Rohm stiffened at that addition. He then discreetly raised his head and shot a vengeful glare aimed at the prince. Atlas, of course, acted like he felt nothing. Now, the matter of the wolf corpses. What should I do with them? Throwing them away would be a waste. Burn them in a community pit as a recompense for the dead? That is also a shameful waste. What should I do As Atlas searched his head for a solution, inspiration struck him. Thats it! I can do that! For my second order; all wolf corpses are to be stripped of their fur and meat, and their bones to be separated. The fur shall be used to make garments to award the families of those valiant warriors that have passed. The bones are to be buried with their slayers, as a trophy of their achievements. As for their meats..., Atlas paused, his eyes gazing piercingly at the scout before him. The meat is to be used as rations. Milord! The scout exclaimed, horrified. Bu-But! He stammered, unable to put his thoughts and emotions into words. To eat the beasts that had killed their men? What kind of sick madness was this? Youre asking me how can we eat the beasts that have murdered our people, are you not? Atlas didnt even have to read the other man in order to guess his thoughts. The scout frantically nodded his head. Atlas turned to face Butler Rohm and asked, Tell me, Butler Rohm. Have you heard of the Beast Eating Festival of the Morrans? [Morrans are the people of Morros, a neighbor of the Constantine Kingdom.] Im afraid I havent had the opportunity to learn about it, your highness, Butler Rohm honestly replied. Inwardly, he was confused at the princes sudden shift in topic and wondered how this was relevant to their discussion. I see, Atlas lowered his head in a thoughtful ponder. He coughed lightly before lifting his head and saying, Allow me to explain then. The Beast Eating Festival is an annual celebration within the country of Morros. It is a very important festival that is celebrated every year without fail and is held at the beginning of the months of Tema. Much like his previous world, this worlds calendar was also split into twelve months. However, unlike in his previous world, each month did not have its own respective name but was instead paired with the subsequent month and is collectively named after one of the six Central Gods. (Agni, Voda, Ilma, Erd, Aotrom, and Tema) The months of Tema, for example, refer to two months at the end of each calendar cycle. (November and December, in other words) [AN: The order of the Gods is not synonymous with the order of the months.] As for why its named as such Well, according to the Shadow Monarch with whom Atlas had shared a conversation at the beginning of his transmigration journey, it had something to do with the worlds creation and the birth of the Gods. However, the Shadow Monarch himself wasnt well versed on this topic since the study of history and popular myths wasnt exactly a hobby of his The calendar, however, was general knowledge amongst the worlds populace. As the name suggests, during this festival, the Morran warriors venture into the Brooding Dark Forest that borders their domain and hunt the foul beasts and monsters that plague its lands. They gather these creatures, dead or alive, bring them back to their cities and towns, offer a prayer to the Gods that grace the heavens, and then proceed to eat the creatures in their name! Atlas narrated with gravitas. Why do you think they eat those foul beasts and vile monsters that kill their friends and families, their brothers and sisters, their fathers and mothers daily? Wouldnt it be more correct to spit on their corpses or burn them at a stake? Atlas paused for a moment, his face prompting for an answer. However, he immediately assumed a stony look and declared, Wrong! For you see, according to the Morrans, there is no greater insult to their enemies Cthe beasts and monstersC than to consume their [enemy''s] flesh and enrich their [Morrans] own warriors! To consume their flesh is considered a form of justice, an avengement, a righteous retribution against the wicked and the foul! It is the ultimate insult that any man could bestow upon a beast! Atlas bellowed. He then quietened, spending a moment to catch his breath. Looking into the eyes of the breathless scout, Atlas asked, Tell me, do you not want those beasts to suffer the ultimate punishment? Do you not want them to pay, even in death, for what they have done to our men? Do you not!? I do! The scout exclaimed with righteous injustice. His eyes were aflame with the fires of justice. Then let it be known! WE SHALL EAT THAT MEAT!! Chapter 67 - Cleaning Up (2/2) Having delivered that blood-boiling proclamation, Atlas quietened down. He wiped the spittle surrounding his lips using his sleeve and politely sat down. Cough, cough, As for my third order; Proceed with excavating the trapped miners. Inform Baron Helm to come back to the town. Butler Rohm will take over his duties over there, Atlas instructed. I thought I was supposed to give my fullest in saving those men, Butler Rohm said in a mirthless tone. You can do both. I believe in you, Atlas smilingly replied. He even gestured pumping up his fists while quietly chanting fight on, fight on! Butler Rohm looked even less amused than usual. Ah!~ Been a while since Ive done that. Its really refreshing. Messing with other people is a time-tested and super effective stress-relieving method. I believe that settles matters for now, Atlas clapped his hands. Turning to face the scout, he asked, You got all of that, right? I think sC Atlas glared at the man. I did, milord! Good, Atlas flashed a gentle smile in response. You may leave now. Take care to deliver the orders properly. The scout nodded his head in earnest affirmation. He then spoke his goodbyes and left to deliver the news to the Baron. Hows the work progressing? The little prince asked the butler. The flooded areas in the eastern part of the town have more or less been cleared. Following your orders, I dismissed the kids and asked them to go to the Child Shelter to receive their meals. Atlas had instructed Butler Rohm to dismiss the children from their work, one hour after sunset. The work was done, hence Atlas had no qualms about releasing them. Hows their work? Its adequate, replied Butler Rohm. Any major incidents? Injuries and the likes? While it was difficult to imagine a child worker sustaining injuries from digging the ground, Atlas decided that he really couldnt take any chances with this world. Who knows what the next RNG event might be? None at all. Butler Rohm shook his head. Thats good, Atlas quietly released a sigh of relief. Hows the Great Barrier Reef coming along? Pardon, your highness? A queer expression appeared on the Butler Rohms face. So dumb. So dumb, Atlas repeated twice and even clicked his tongue. He then gazed at the butler with pitying eyes and asked again, I meant the dam. Hows the dam coming along? Butler Rohm stared at the little princes twitching, mirthful face with stony, unblinking eyes. He held his stare for an entire minute before coldly replying, Fine. Atlas leaked a smile and clapped his hands. Thats fantastic! You may go now, Butler Rohm. I believe you have work to do now. Would you like me to draw a bath, your highness? Butler Rohm weakly rebuked. He normally wouldve said nothing at the little princes attempts to mock him. However, seeing that smug smile on his doll-like face strangely rubbed him the wrong way. No thanks, Butler Rohm. I wouldnt want to trouble an aging elder like you with more work when youre already swamped with a lot of it, answered the prince, kindly. Hearing the words aging and elder, Butler Rohm felt a vein pulse on his forehead. It had to be known that Butler Rohm was a man in his early forties. Sure, he might look two decades older than his actual age, but that had nothing to do with his vigor. I shall thank the prince for his magnanimity, Butler Rohm stonily thanked before turning around to head out of the tent. He did not want to spend a single second more in the presence of that annoying brat for the butler was afraid that he might lose control of himself and smack the brat. Inner peace. Inner peace. Dont let that brat wind you up. You mustnt bring shame to your master, Butler Rohm calmed himself, one step out of the tent. Just as he was about to fully exit the tent, he suddenly stopped himself, turned around, and asked the prince, About the traditional festival of the Morrans is it true? Have I ever lied? Atlas asked with a smile. Butler Rohm stopped himself from calling the prince a two-faced bastard. Replying such was unbecoming of his station and would only bring dishonor to his master. Not to my knowledge, your highness. There you have your answer then, Atlas smiled. He then waved his hands and said, Leave quickly now. People are dying and they need you to save them. Id rather avoid widowing any more wives or orphaning any more children if possible. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Butler Rohm left with a huff. See, now that was hella rejuvenating, Atlas spoke out loud before bursting into a peal of laughter. I gotta do this more often! His gift of the gab was an ability bestowed upon him by God and a skill that he had spent a majority of his life polishing. To not use it as often and as frequently as possible would both be an insult to God and himself. I spent every waking second of my transmigrated life walking a tightrope over an abyss filled with flames that I never had the luxury to let loose a little. Letting it all out now truly relaxes me on a spiritual level. It was good to relax ones mental state every now and then. This went especially true for a person like Atlas. Now then I can finally write off the miner event to be complete. Although the outcome is far from the ideal version that I hoped for, it is what it is. Eighteen deaths should hit us pretty hard, but its still within the acceptable margin. Now, Ive gotta start planning how Im going to break this news. People are NOT going to be pleased. At least, I dont have to worry about sending more of our already diminished rations to those people. That made-up story should make the wolf meat go down easier. Hmm, I wonder what that tastes like? Should Ive asked them to save me some? The miners trapped inside the mines shouldnt be in that much trouble. Though, I suppose theres bound to be a lot of injured amongst them. Maybe even a few deaths? We wouldnt know for sure until we interrogate one of the miners. But boy, I sure hope more people dont end up dead. I cant lose more workers. Speaking of lost workers, now that Ive gotten away with child labor, perhaps, I can push it? Morale is sure to take a huge hit once people hear about the dead miners. Maybe I can use that opportunity to quietly push forward this change? This needs to be thought out in-depth sometime later. People of this world seem to be a little touchy-feely on this matter. I cannot thoughtlessly rush it. The dam is also finally done. Gotta hand it to Douglas. He might be a strange pervert that overly likes to gossip, but hes at least sincere about his duty. I suppose I can reduce his sentence for slighting me. Death would be a terrible waste of that guys talent. Perhaps, a hundred floggings would do? I have to call him over tomorrow and discuss the dam. I poured so many resources into that project that the town is completely drained of all its stockpiled resources. Surely, we can use it for something, right? Right? That reminds me. I also have to get the worker back to working their regular jobs again. A two-day vacation for a mere five days of work? Whats this? A first-world country? Ha! I better increase their working hours to make up for the deficit and the loss sustained in this period. Some may complain at the start, but with clever manipulation and the carrot-and-the-stick tactic, I should be able to push it through. Oh, I almost forgot. Were running dangerously low on rations. If I recall correctly, we barely have enough to cover tomorrow and then thats it! Now that all the major problems had been resolved, Atlas was back to worrying about the minor ones. (To think that hed consider the lack of food as a minor problem, just went to show how major the other problems were.) While rubbing his forehead expecting an incoming headache, Atlas stared at the ceiling. After blankly staring for a while, he decided to try out an idea that had come to him quite some time ago. Ive never done this before, but I guess it cant hurt to try? Putting his hands together, Atlas clasped his fingers. He then closed his eyes, assumed his best pious expression, and began to pray. If youre watching me, Gods, I sure hope that you can help your favored child out and provide me with a care package or something. Nothing too grand. Just a few tonnes of fresh produce would be excellent. Did you get that? Ill repeat just to make it stick. A few tonnes of fresh produce will be very much appreciated! So, how about it? Will it be cloudy with a chance of meatballs? The little prince appealed and then held his silence. A minute or so later, Atlas sneakily opened an eye and searched around. He hoped to find a sign or something that would tell him that the Gods above had heard his prayer and had decided to help him out. Searching for nearly five minutes rendered him no result. There was no sign. A message received would go a long way, you know? Just saying Atlas grumbled, before grabbing onto his head and burying himself into the table. Why did I do that? Its so stupid. Gosh, that was embarrassing. He immediately knew that this moment would forever imprint itself into his mind and would come to haunt him during those late, sleepless nights. After wallowing in self-embarrassment for an unknown period of time, Atlas finally unburied himself. He then held the back of his neck and stretched his neck, trying to get rid of a knot that had formed at the base of his head. Maybe I should stretch. He decided so and exited the tent. Walking out into the moonlight darkness, Atlas stretched the various parts of his body. The moon shone with soft white light, illuminating the earth beneath the cloudless sky. A cool draft gently blew across, bringing with it freshness and the calming scent of nature. The ground underneath his feet gently crunched as Atlas walked over its domain. After doing some of the basic stretches, Atlas rested his hands on his hips and looked around. He was currently alone and surrounded only by nature. The tents and other constructs that previously populated this area had been cleared after their destruction by the flood. I dont think Ive said this, but the air is really fresh around here, huh? It indeed was refreshingly fresh. Far, far better than that polluted smog that he breathed in his previous world. He inhaled another lungful of the fresh air. That feels great, Atlas remarked, sensing his bodys reinvigoration. Is this why people often go camping? To live within the wilderness? It was a question that always befuddled him whenever he saw or heard people talking about the topic. Like, why would you go out of your way, abandon the comforts of the modern world, and live in the forest like an animal? However, now that he was in a similar situation himself, Atlas felt like he had vaguely understood those peoples obsessions. If I was given the choice, I would choose to stick with my modern lifestyle. Clean air is cool and all, but have you heard about the bidet? Atlas words revealed just how much he missed the comforts of a modern toilet. He could live without good food and clean water, but without a proper toilet that was Atlas version of life in hell. Inventing the toilet, thats going to be the next project! Atlas declared to himself. Rustle! Rustle! The sound of leaves rustling suddenly rang out. Immediately turning around, Atlas yelled, WHOS THERE!? Ah! Ive finally found ya, your hiness! A man replied with a lisp and walked out of the treeline. Chapter 68 - Monsters Must Die Ah! Ive finally found ya, your hiness! A man announced his presence as he walked out of the treeline. Alerted to his presence, Atlas body tensed up like a spring. His joints stiffened as his mind went into overdrive. I dont recognize that voice! Could it be the traitorous assassin!? While Atlas was frozen from paranoia, the man walked out into the moonlight exposing his face for the prince to see. Catching a glimpse of his bearded face, Atlas mind lagged for an instant before grinding to a halt. Ive been searchin for ya, your hiness. I went to the manor and found it empty. Afte that, IC Atlas interrupted the mans rambling. You.. He paused, his eyes narrowing to form tiny pinpricks. A visible layer of sweat appeared over his forehead. Youre the [son of a b*tch]! Atlas cursed in English. M-my lord? The man lagged, unable to understand the princes speech. A-are ya sayin somethin to me, my lord? [Of course, Im speaking to you, you c*ckingsucking d*ckwad!~ You motherf*cking, snake of a liar you] Atlas devolved to resemble the roughest of rednecks as he spewed a storm of curses. He even changed languages here and there, subjecting the poor, confused man before him to the complete foulness of the spoken language. Cursing him out for a full TEN minutes, Atlas finally stopped, holding onto his knees and gasping for his breath. After spending some effort to calm himself, he raised his head and coldly asked the man. Its been a good three days, huh? Scout. Captain. Reudem. The man standing in front of Atlas scratched his head in embarrassment and looked away. It was him, the infamous captain of Scout Team #1, the very same team that had been missing for a week. Give me a reason why I shouldnt execute you for brazenly lying to my face and running away for a week, Atlas demanded, folding his arms. M-my lord! Scout Captain Reudem looked terrified at the mention of the word execute. He immediately forgot everything about the princes earlier weirdness and threw himself at the latters feet. My lord! You mustnt excute me! And, pray tell me why? Atlas scoffed, moving away from the man. He did not feel comfortable letting someone close to him in the absence of his protectors. Accident! There was an accident, my lord! Reudem tried to follow the princes feet, but a piercing look from his lord immediately shut down his movements. Did any of you die? N-no, my lord, Reudem shook his head. Not good enough. Then execution it is, Atlas declared and turned around to walk away. WEVE ATEHRED RATIONS, MY LORD! Reudem cried at the top of his lungs, dropping the bundle on his back and presenting it to the prince. It was only now that Atlas discovered that the Scout Captain carried a sizeable bundle on his back. With his life hanging in balance, Reudem did not dare hesitate or delay and immediately unfolded the sack. The contents of the sack came into Atlas sight, following which was a bloody scent. Resting within the sack was a large piece of meat. Its deer meat, your hiness! He frantically explained. Seeing the interest within the princes eyes, he continued. After leavin the town, we set a few small traps and baits and caught a few rabbits and other smaller creatures. It was a decent haul or us five men, but greatly lacking for the town. So we set out to find biger game and on the dawn of the second day, we found it! Found what? asked Atlas growing curious. He temporarily shelved his desire to execute this bastard. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Tracks, my lord! Reudem exclaimed with much excitement. We found deer tracks! And not just one, but a whole pack of em! He then paused to take a breath before continuing, So then, we trailed the tracks and cauht up with the pack on the third day. I wanted to trap em then and there, but then one of my men stopped me. He told me that the pack was acting weird and that we should continue trailing em. And? He was riht, my lord! The pack led us towards this walled-off valley where hunreds and hunreds of deer lived and mated! We hit the mother lode! Scout Captian Reudem then immediately appealed to the prince. Your hiness! You have to put tother another party and set up a camp there! With that much prey, we can feed the town for months! Where is this place? Atlas asked, growing serious. If his words were true Cwhich probably were since Atlas did not find any signs of him lying with his readingC this represented an unprecedented opportunity for the town. They would be able to secure a food source that would allow them to live comfortably for months! Its past theC The Scout Captain opened his mouth to explain only to be quickly interrupted by Atlas. Wait a moment. Atlas then gestured for the man to get up and follow him. Follow me. Scout Captain Reudem nodded his head, bundled the meat once again, and followed the prince. As the two headed to the manor, Atlas asked, I forgot to ask. Wheres the rest of your men? Theyre headed to see their families, my lord, Reudem explained. He was also anxious to meet his wife after having not seen her for over a week. However, he understood that his duty towards his lord came first and came to find Atlas. Oh. They wont find their families at their homes. Weve been facing a little issue you see, Atlas then began to fill in the man on all the details that he had missed during his absence. He kept his exposition very brief and to the point. Of course, Atlas also remembered to assure the man of the safety of his family. He figured that showing such personal concern would net him a few loyalty points from the Scout Captain. It was an effortless task and Atlas did see quite a few benefits to be gained from it. Scout Captain Reudems heart went through a whirlwind of emotions as he heard the little princes narration. He couldnt believe the sheer amount and scale of the events that had taken place in a mere week of his absence. A wolf attack!? Collapsed mines!!? A FLOOD!!??!! Each even sounded more ludicrous ad unbelievable than the last. What surprised him, even more, was the apparent ease and competency with which the prince had handled the different situation. Reudem understood for a fact that had it been him in that position, the town wouldve already fallen to ruin! His Hiness even more amazin than what I took him to be! Reudem gazed at the princes beautiful side profile with intense passion. The two quickly arrived at the Barons manor. Atlas asked for the Scout Captain to remain in the parlor while he went to fetch the map. All the while, Atlas kept quietly grumbling about how he had to do all the menial tasks himself instead of having an assistant upon whom he could push such menial chores. Eventually, he retrieved the map from his office and brought it to the parlor. There, Atlas had the Scout Captain roughly mark the route and location of the hunting ground. Reudem marked the path with little difficulty, all the while praising the prince for his map. All thats left is to fill in the map to scale, Atlas held the item in his hands and spoke to himself. So about two days journey from the town, correct? Riht, your hiness, Scout Captain Reudem nodded his head. He then faintly frowned and continued, Actually, wed be able to get there sooner if it werent for a mountain blocking the route. Cant you just find a way through the mountain? asked Atlas. Looking at the map, he realized that this mountain was the cause for the large detour in their route. Reudem flashed a helpless smile in response. Not this one Im afraid, your hiness. This ones different. Different how? We spotted monsters in its vicinity, Scout Captain Reudem honestly replied, a hint of dread coloring his reply. Atlas took another look at the map in his hands. It was then, that it suddenly clicked within his mind. Right. This is that place. The monster den where he had escaped from at the start of his transmigration journey was the same mountain. The map in his hand synced with the map in his mind; the one that was given to him by the Shadow Monarch. In other words So this is where those fu*kers are hiding! Atlas fumed, his eyes spilling fire. Revenge. He would have his revenge upon those hideous monsters! Not for the unseen father that they had killed. Not for the unknown mother that they had eaten. No. Atlas would have his revenge for one reason and one reason only. Those motherfu*kers will pay for the sh*tty start they gave to my epic journey! Those monsters must die. Chapter 69 - Confession Shelving aside his desire to annihilate a certain monster den, Atlas then proceeded to praise the Scout Captain for his service and contributions. It was the standard case of lip service where he called the man a hero and whatnot. He also proceeded to promote the man to the position of Outpost Manager, assigning him the duties of setting up and managing an outpost in the newly discovered hunting grounds. Suffice to say, Scout Captain I mean, Outpost Manager Reudem was giddy with delight by the end of it. He profusely cried and frantically bowed, thanking the prince with all his heart and swearing loyalty with his soul. The little prince felt relieved after confirming the mans loyalty. At least in the short term, he wouldnt have to fear betrayals from this man. Their discussion finished, Atlas then instructed Reudem to gather his colleagues, all of whom, sure to be overcome with worry, and head to the Cookhouse whereupon they were to prepare meat soups. Where did the meat come from, you ask? It was from the Scout Team #1, of course! Atlas had learned from Reudem that his team had brought back two days'' worth of meat with them on their return. This news caused the little prince to feel genuine relief and happiness, akin to a welcome rain wetting a parched field. After calculating the quantities and consumptions, Atlas decided to be generous and splurge a little. He wanted to use this splurging to repair his reputation which had taken a stark dive. The motion would also serve to increase the low morale amongst the townspeople and prepare them for the news that is to soon come. After sending Reudem away, Atlas took over one of the empty seats in the parlor and sunk into his thoughts. I suppose I can somewhat forgive the man for his transgressions in light of the benefits that he has brought me. The information that they have brought back greatly relieves the pressure from our concerning situation. He felt as though a great weight had been removed from his back. I suppose with the discovery of the hunting ground, the towns basics for development have been more or less secured. Food, power, and labor, given my current situation, I can work with this. This was, of course, dependent on the fact that no other disaster followed. Was another pack of creatures to suddenly attack them, or a shower of meteors was to fall upon them they would be fu*ked! Well, maybe not as endgame as that, but it would certainly land us in even more trouble. What I should aim for now is the smooth, rapid development of the town, while seeking out more opportunities. This place is bound to serve as the foundation for my later conquests. The stronger my foundation is, the more successful my future will be. Atlas leaned back on his chair and relaxed a little. He closed his eyes, emptied his mind, and surrendered himself to the tranquillity of the atmosphere. Grumble~ Atlas stomach suddenly rumbled. Right. I havent eaten anything since this morning. With his levels of paranoia, Atlas wouldnt even dare to drink a glass of water unless it was already tested for poison. Should I go grab a bowl of meat soup? He felt tempted at the suggestion. His stomach grumbled once more, seemingly voicing its agreement. Ah, what the hell! Might as well eat something. Ill just wait for someone else to down a bowl before me before I eat my own. Forcing himself up, he then left the manor and headed towards the Cookhouse. --- Approximately an hour later. Seeing the throng of people arriving from the distance, Atlas waved his hands and shouted, Hey Douglas! Over here! Even from a barely discernible distance, the brick house-like man stood out. Noticing the alit Cookhouse and the gorgeous-looking prince sitting at one of the tables outside, Douglas, followed by the group of exhausted women workers, quickly arrived. Milord, this the elderly blacksmith shot a perplexed glance at the prince before unconsciously sniffing at the air. Smells good, right? asked the prince, smilingly. He then rose from his seat, climbed his table, and turned to address the workers, Everyone, Im sure youre beyond exhausted from the days work. Please grab a seat and relax yourselves. Dinner will be served shortly. What about our kids? A mother, worried about her daughter, asked. Flashing an apologetic smile, Atlas answered, The children have already eaten and are currently sleeping at the Child Shetler. Mr. Tucan is looking after them, so you can rest assured. Please have a meal before reconvening with them. He then performed a bow and continued, I would also like to ask for your forgiveness. I made a questionable decision and passed a rather sensitive order today. Given our impending situation, I believed that I had no choice but to draft your children into the workforce. I understand that it was wrong of me to do so, and sincerely hope that you can forgive me for my limited ability. Atlas finished and maintained his bow. The crowd was silent. After a few seconds of quietness, someone from the crowd spoke up. Its alright, milord. Havin worked all day in solving that disaster, I understand that you ere forced to make that decision. Please raise your head. Righto. Its not yer fault, ladClord. If weve got to blame somethin, well blame our bad luck. Im not petty enough to hold a grudge against a child. Its enough knowin that yer hearts in a good place. Its alright. Might as well teach that loudmouthed boy of mine some discipline. Aye, aye. That lad of mines always about causing trouble. Id rather have him do some meaningful work than laze around all day. More replies followed and soon each mother had more or less pardoned the little prince. The ones that held some grudge within their hearts, felt it lessen or even disappear after landing their eyes on the beautiful boys pitiful appearance. Its true what they say. Having a good appearance really does make life easier for you. Raising his head, Atlas looked at the crowd with tears filling his large, ice-blue eyes. Th-thank you, everyone! His voice cracked a little when he exclaimed. All women Cand the three menC felt their hearts melt at this display. How beautiful!~ So cute!!~~ Hes even prettier than an angel!~ All petty grudges and hidden resentment melted like the snow facing the morning sun. The little princes charisma was simply off the charts. It took a few more minutes for things to settle and for the crowd to take their seats. Atlas occupied a seven-seater table all by himself and invited the elderly blacksmith to join him. Douggie! Grab a seat with me. The elderly blacksmith complied and sat opposite the prince. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Milord, this smell Its meat. Deer meat, to be precise. Scout Team #1 returned from their expedition and brought it with them, Atlas explained even before the elderly blacksmith could complete his sentence. I see, Douglas nodded his head in understanding. He then turned quiet. The little prince stared unflinchingly at the elderly blacksmith. After a few dozen seconds, he asked, So? So? Douglas repeated. Atlas quietly scoffed and leaned back. So wheres my report? You are the supervisor of the dam project, are you not? Right. Right! Douglas immediately perked up. Truth be told, he felt a little awkward in the company of the prince after the recent souring of their relationship. Previously, he felt a tad bit distaste towards the prince after that forced order. However, the sincere apology from the prince quickly rid him of that feeling. His previous feeling of idolization towards the prince slowly returned. At the princes request, Douglas began to report. At the start, his speech was stiff and awkward. However, with some clever interruptions and directions, Atlas melted away the elderly mans awkwardness. Before long, the duo returned to their previous way of gabbing as if nothing had ever changed. While engaging the elderly blacksmith in an animated conversation, the prince thought to himself, That shouldve fixed most of the damage to my image. This perverts back to his old way of talking, and the womenfolk seem to have mostly forgiven me. A few cracks exist here and there, but that should mostly resolve itself. It went without saying, the location, the arrival of the workers, the meaty smell in the air, his apology, everything was part of Atlas setup. His apologies were insincere and his earnestness was a farce. Atlas had a single goal for his schemes, and that was to repair his damaged image. It was a success. That being said, when I forced a tear at the end, the reactions of the gathered women were rather extreme. He was referring to how he had noticed most women having dazed expressions and blushed cheeks. Is this an effect of my appearance ? He absentmindedly touched his face. Somthin wrong, milord? Douglas asked, noticing the princes strangeness. You havent touched yer bowl. He pointed to the bowl of meat soup in front of the little prince. Douglas, tell me the truth, Atlas questioned the elderly blacksmith. How do I look? Douglas suddenly felt his throat cramp up. He spat out the mouthful of meat soup and began to choke and cough heavily. Cough, cough, what, cough, nonsense? Douglas choked. What nonsense are ya asking me, milord? How do I look? Its a simple question, Atlas repeated. Just describe it to me. Is this a trick question? The elderly blacksmith hesitantly asked. Is it a test, milord? Just answer the question, man! Atlas snapped, growing annoyed at the mans wishy-washy demeanor. It was a simple question, wasnt it? Yes, milord! Douglas suddenly sat up straight. His face assumed an expression of dead seriousness. Milord! Y-yeah? For some strange inexplicable reason, Atlas felt nervous. Youre the most beautiful person that Ive ever laid my eyes upon, milord! Douglas replied in perfect grammar. Y-you mean handsome, right? Nay! I meant beautiful, milord! Youre more beautiful than anybody Ive ever seen or fantasized about, milord! Douglas corrected with utmost seriousness. To tell you the truth, me, and most of the townspeople, are confused about yer true gender, milord! Some of us are betting on you being a woman! Atlas simply froze. His brain refused to compute the words that it had heard. Milord? Douglas worriedly asked. The young prince did not answer. A few seconds later, he slowly stood up and walked over to the Cookhouse serving counter. Reudem, he called to the person working within. Yes, your hiness? The man appeared before the prince, Pass me a bowl filled with clear water, will you? A bowl? Did ya mean a glass, milord? Pass. Me. A. DAMN. BOWL! Atlas snapped. Ri-right away, milord! replied the man in a panic. He quickly ran inside and returned with a bowl filled with clear water. He-here, milord! Receiving the bowl, Atlas thanked the man with a smile, Thank you, Reudem. Y-youre welcome, milord. Holding the bowl in his hands, Atlas proceeded to walk over to the table unpopulated by the female workers and away from the rest of the crowd. He then sat the bowl on the table and stood before it. Taking a deep breath. Atlas proceeded to look down and see his reflection. ...!!! --- Day 8. Midnight. At the temporary camp set up by the rescue party. Will you be able to save them, Rohm? Baron Helm asked upon exiting the medical tent with his retainer. It is difficult to say, master, Butler Rohm sported an uncharacteristically serious expression. They''ve suffered too much harm and have lost too much blood. He shook his head. Itll be very difficult. Isnt there something that you can do? Baron Helm asked, his fists unconsciously clenched. Surely, you must know of a method! Isnt there a miracle art or a cure in your studies!? Master, Butler Rohm turned around and gazed into his tall masters eyes. His eyes were apathetic and piercing. They are but peasants. Their lives arent valuable enough to warrant such miraculous methods. Please keep the old masters words in your mind and avoid getting too attached to them. Peasants or not, theyre still people, dammit! Baron Helm slammed his fist against the wooden post by his side. The wood splintered and broke apart from the impact. Master! Butler Rohm jumped and immediately grabbed the barons hand. Youve hurt yourself! The barons hand was hurt as a result of the wood splintering. Retrieving a folded paper packet from the pouch by his waist, Butler Rohm opened the packet, revealing a white medicinal powder within. He carefully brought this power over the Barons bloody hand and sprinkled it upon the wound. Stop that! Baron Helm slapped his hand away, spilling the medicinal contents on the ground. Master! Shut up, Rohm! Baron Helm thundered. He jerked his hand away from his retainers grasp and stared menacingly into the older mans face. Am I not your master!? You are, master. Are you not my servant!? I am, master. Then shut your fu*king mouth and do as I say! Baron Helm bellowed. His shout was loud enough to startle the workers inside the medical tent and those that were some distance away. None dared to come by and disrupt the scene. Is that understood!? Baron Helm roared. His magnificent aura submerged and suppressed the smaller man. IS THAT UNDERSTOOD!? He repeated. Butler Rohm could not retort. Butler Rohm did not dare to retort. This is the first time Ive seen Master being this angry. Lowering his head, he answered, Understood, master. I will do my fullest to save these men. You better! The Baron huffed and turned around to stomp. Just as he had taken a few steps away, he suddenly heard his retainer speak, I almost forgot, master? What? asked the Baron, continuing to walk away. His Highness, the Prince, has requested for your presence back in the town. You must return immediately, Butler Rohm monotonously stated. Butler Rohm froze in his steps. He slowly turned around, gazed deeply at his retainers face, and asked, You are not lying? I will never do anything that violates my duty, master. Why are you only telling me this now? It had almost been an hour since the Butler arrived at this place. The order had slipped my mind, master. I request that you punish me, Butler Rohm immediately kneeled with his head bowed, awaiting his punishment. Baron Helm did not reply. He stared deeply at the kneeling man for a few seconds. Heaving a frustrated sigh, he said, Ill announce your punishment later. For now, go in there and save those men. Understood. I shall immediately do so, master, Butler Rohm stood up and headed into the medical tent. He was a man of his word, and a dutiful person. With him gone, Baron Helm stood alone with a heavy heart. His expression was a complex mixture of anger, frustration, and helplessness. He was conflicted. On one hand, he did not want to leave the workers and the trapped miners, who had yet to be saved. There was also the matter of the thirteen dead bodies. All these factors compelled the Baron to stay. On the other hand, his liege had sent instructions pressing for his return. Not complying with his wishes would be a dereliction of his noble duty, and would be considered a rebellious act. After pondering on his conflicting emotions for a few minutes, Baron Helm finally settled. I will return to the town. He chose duty over honour. Baron Helm wasted not a second more and immediately left. Chapter 70 - A Bishōnen Atlas peered into the bowl of water. An absolute doll of a face peered back. Atlas immediately snapped his head back, and thought to himself, Must be dreaming. Dammit, that old perverts words made my expectations balloon out of control. Patting his cheeks and rubbing his eyes, he quietly said, Be calm. Be sensible. And lets do this again. Remember, no extravagant expectations. Atlas peered into the bowl of water, once again. A porcelain doll with flawless, pale-white skin, big blue eyes, long flitted eyelashes, and sunlight-golden hair peered back. Atlas calmly withdrew his gaze. He pushed aside the bowl of water. His head turned to face the dark, cloudless night sky. He then closed his eyes. A deep inhale followed by a slow exhale exited his mouth. Opening his eyes, Atlas Constantine screamed, [HO! LEY! SHIT! I HIT THE GENETIC JACKPOT!!!] His high-pitched yell was naturally in English, his most frequented language. Frenzied joy rushed through his mind. WHO IS ATLAS CONSTANTINE!?! THAT IS ATLAS CONSTANTINE, MUDAFUCKA!! WOOO-HOOOO!! He immediately dove at the table and grabbed the bowl with both his hands. Breathing heavily, he brought the bowl before him for the third time and peered into it with flushed cheeks. The immediate standouts were his bright ice-blue eyes tapestried by his fine golden eyelashes. They were akin to jewels, two big sapphires sitting in a pool of argent whites and ornamented by the finest of golden threads. The slight wetness on the surface added to its overflowing charm and grace. His eyebrows, again golden in color, were willowy and contrasted sharply against his porcelain-like smooth, white skin. The young princes skin was soft and flawless. Going downwards, there was his cute nose and supple lips, both tender, fresh, and with the right amount of redness. A small crimson tongue hid within his lips, guarded by a wall of pearly, perfect teeth. Atlas Constantine was the very picture of aesthetic perfection. He was flawless and unworldly. Im like a total ikemen!! No, scratch that! Ive gone full bishounen! I am BISHOUNEN!! Atlas squealed in complete delight. No language in this world Cor any otherC could explain the sheer extent of Atlas current feelings of joy. He was quite the good-looking guy in the past. After all, charisma was a very important tool in the arsenal of a politician. However, compared to his current appearance, his previous appearance was akin to a firefly in front of the sun. They simply couldnt be compared on the same scale. Carrying the bowl of water holding his reflection in his hands, Atlas continued to gush over his own appearance. His previously hidden and somewhat manageable trait of narcissism completely blew up with his latest realization. He was now unequaled not only in his wits but also in his looks. Erm, milord. Growing worried at the young lords sudden departure from the table, and his subsequent screaming that didnt make any sense, the elderly blacksmith, Douglas Wootz, arrived at the table where Atlas was squirming and gushing at his reflection. Are ya alright, milord? he asked, his tone dripping with sincere worry. Atlas didnt immediately reply. While holding the bowl of water, as if it was some sort of precious relic, he turned around and flashed a brilliant smile at the elderly blacksmith. The older man felt his heart skip a beat at the sight. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. Im at the top of the world, Douglas. Im at the top of the world, said the prince. On the rarest of occasions, his words were both sincere and honest. There wasnt a shred of deceit in them. Monster kidnapping? Fallen Kingdom? Struggling town? Useless subordinates? No cheats? A series of misfortunes, each more terrible than the last? If this was my prize, I would suffer through all of that a hundred times more and a hundred times again! I-I see, milord, replied Douglas, swallowing the lump that had formed at his throat. Ill get going now, Douggie. Its been great talking to you. Keep up the good word. Saying so, the young prince left the elderly blacksmith and began to make his way to the manor. The bowl of water never left his hands and his head never rose to watch the path before him. --- A few hours later. Sitting at his desk all alone inside the empty office, Atlas sang, Water, water in the bowl~ Tell me, who is the fairest of them all? He then paused for a second before changing his voice and replying, Why of course, its you, my king. Surely you jest, He said, going back to his normal voice. Not at all, my king, replied him in his assumed voice. In all the lands far and wide, none who is fairer than you exists. You are the fairest of them all, my king. Haha, as expected, Atlas replied with his regular voice. Just like how two suns cannot shine over one earth, two people with my level of beauty, simply cannot exist. It makes me wonder though, He suddenly said. Did the Gods of this world deny me power out of jealousy for my talent? Or my appearance? Cause the way I see it, it could be either-or. Gods, he clicked his tongue softly. What a petty bunch. In mere hours after his realization of his appearance, Atlas went from lording over his fellow brethren Chumans, that isC about his inherent superiority, to lording over the Gods! He was so full of himself, that he even dared to admonish the divine! Resting his arm on the desk and leaning his head against his palm, Atlas sighed to himself, To think I went for nearly half a month without realizing my own gifts. What a pity~ What a pity~ He helplessly shook his head. Knock. Knock. A series of heavy knocks echoed from the closed door of his office. Whos there? Atlas immediately straightened up and asked. He had been so deep in appreciating his own beauty that he had forgotten about the world around him. Its me, my liege, replied a gruff, tired voice. Oh, its Baron Helm. He then replied, Come in, Baron Helm. The door to his office opened and in walked a tall man covered in thick clothing. His egg-like head was caked in sweat and grime and his pig-like face looked weary and spent. A sense of tiredness and melancholy radiated from the man. Of course, Atlas didnt notice any of those things. For something else also radiated off the man. Pinching his nose, Atlas said with a frown, You stink, Baron Helm. The smell that wafted off the large Baron was almost as intense as the scent trapped inside the wooden shack behind the manor. That reminds me, I need to talk to Douglas about implementing some sort of sewage system. I cannot spend any more morning soaking in the scent of fresh filth and sh*t! Apologies, my liege. I didnt notice the terrible state I was in, Baron Helm bowed in apology. You seriously need to be more aware of yourself, Baron Helm, Atlas admonished. Wisdom stems from the awareness of oneself and his inadequacies. It is always best to be aware and humble. He quoted wisely. I shall remember, my liege, Baron Helm replied and marked the young princes words in his memory. His downtrodden and heavy heart felt a little relieved after receiving the young lords grace. Sighing quietly to himself, he thought, As expected, my liege is the wisest, most humble lord on this earth. Someone like me doesnt deserve to be placed on the same pedestal as him. It would have been interesting to see how the Barons thoughts would change, had he been witness to the little princes one-man-QnA a few moments ago. Unfortunately, fate did not allow such a thing to take place. What are you waiting for then? Go and get changed immediately. We shall discuss matters upon your return, Atlas instructed. My liege, butC! Baron Helm tried to protest. Given the severity and weight of the matters, it wouldnt be right to delay it. Unfortunately, Atlas wasnt changing his mind. Are you trying to kill me with your scent, man? Atlas looked severe. That was an order. Go immediately! He barked. Understood, my liege, Baron Helm bowed once more and promptly exited the office. His liege had ordered and he would oblige. Seeing the Baron walk out of the office, Atlas went back to admiring himself O water, water, in the bowl. Tell me, who is the fairest