' ' Huff.. ' '
Nathaniel huffed and panted as sweat dripped down his body, his legs were shaking and his vision blurry
Being barely able to stand he forced himself up using his sword's scabbard as a cane
'This might damage it but I made sure to take the sword out so it doesn't dull..'
With a resigned sigh he came to Eulysess and asked his master a question
' ' Master.. May I ask why I must train speed when my attacks are more damage oriented? ' '
' ' Oh thats because.. You have to be able to run away if you screw up. This is a relatively safe spot inside the forest with only B-class beasts roaming at the best. ' '
She answered before eyeing Nathaniel up and down, seeing his condition she couldn't help but smile inside but she was afraid if she were to show any sign of pride he may start slacking
' ' Decent at best. But you have potential. Keep it up. Rest, we'll return to this training in 5 hours ' '
' ' ... ' '
Nathaniel absentmindedly looked at her, bewildered and utterly devastated by what she said
'In the middle of the night.. What did I get myself into.. Sigh.. If this is a relatively safe spot I wonder what it's like in the deeper areas..'
Nathaniel pondered rubbing his chin with his thumb as he took a moment to glance at his master who was creating some sort of.. "Nutritional paste"
'My question is.. How could she know?.. There's no doubt that her strength is far from B-rank.. Maybe the upper echelons of A-rank.'
His eyes narrowed as a thoight crossed his mind before settling to one last hypothesis
'Could it be.. A sovereign?'
Sovereigns
The title given to not just the strongest adventurers to exist, but the strongest in general. the S-ranks. Each sovereign commands a certain aspect, an idea. An authority.
To become a sovereign you have to understand this aspect to an ubsurd amount to create an authority out of your will..
'From what I can gather.. She may not be placed that high among the 72 Sovereigns.. Well considering quite a few seats are empty she might be in the middle of the ladder..'
With a resigned sigh he relaxed his back before deciding to do extra training to clear his mind
He climbed a tree to preform pull ups, leg ups and all sorts of excercises whilst making sure he was also consuming the mana around him
'But that would not mean I could win, even the weakest sovereign has the capability of destroying armies.. From what I know the Sovereign of Metalurgy could use his authority to dismantle armor and weapons his enemies were wearing as long as he understood how it worked..'
A shiver ran down Nathaniel's spine causing him to instictively get down the tree until a voice interrupted his wariness
' ' The Pup was getting quite depressed without you around so I decided to bring him to you. ' '
Eulysess said as she gave Nathaniel Fenris, the small black cub excitingly licking his owner, the man who saved him
' ' Right.. I forgot he was in my bag.. ' '
He exhaled loudly as he picked up the small black cub, smiling ear to ear.. Even in the middle of the forest canine friend managed to give Nathaniel some sort of ease and comfort
With a smile he gently dropped Fenris to the floor before turning to Eulysess who was watching with her usual stoic and unreadable face
' ' Thank you.. For keeping him safe, thank you. ' '
He said with a smile, a simple gesture yet the elf who was normally quiet, unreadable and even emotionless nodded, it was barely something but it was something.
' ' Get some rest. We'll be repeating this training again and again until I find you suitable enough.. ' '
Eulysess commanded, flinging her wrist as a a show of the regal elf she was, of how noble she was..
With a sigh Nathaniel merely nodded without any resistence gesturing for Fenris to follow him as the three went back to their temporary resting place
...
Soon the days, passed, turning into weeks.. It had been 3 month since Nathaniel began training under Eulysess
Nathaniel had slowly gotten stronger and stronger, climbing mountains, hunting beasts and in secret devouring magic stones..
...
In an undisclosed region of the forbiddwn forest, dark, cursed and forsaken powers lay awake.. This was their time of gathering.. For power.. For knowledge..
' ' Your grace... The preparations are complete ' '
A figure cloaked in darkness greeted someone atop a hill of corpses, the figure, supposedly their leader spoke.. As malavolent and benevolent as words could be described..
' ' Let the ceremony begin.. ' '
To the fools who were fated to die, it was the most malevolent command, spewing death and destruction to wherever it goes
To the fools who decided to follow, it was as benevolent as their deity's own words..
' ' Saguinem Notrus Untera.. ' '
"Let the sky fall as the world turns crimson."
Sovereign's Authority; Crimson Chapel
Ring!-
The church's bell tolls as the world around them changes.. Blood soaked land.. The sun turned crimson..
' ' B- beautiful! ' '
' ' Oh-! Beautiful! ' '
The cultists erupted into praise as they were slowly consumed by the red sea of crimson liquid.. The sacrifices.. Devoured by the figure in darkness..
' ' All for his Majesty.. ' '
He stated as he turned to leave..
???, Sovereign of Blood, 21st seat of the 72 Sovereigns.
' ' We shall await your return, your grace. ' '
The cultists bowed in reverance as their leader slowly dipped back into the shadows, dissapearing into a pool of blood.. But.. As he dissapeared the sacrifices they gave worked..
They were stronger.
To be continued