Always mistrust a subordinate who never finds fault with his superior.
Zane had taken Xavier under his team, subordinate as the system called it.
Not wanting to become just another lord, Zane feared he stole Xavier's right of making choices and his potential.
He feared the Commoner would kneel after the process was over but forget about kneeling, Xavier grinned and said:
"I feel like my constipation is finally cured!"
Zane's brows twitched.
He seems the same carefree man. I was afraid for nothing.
Zane shook his head and smiled.
The next moment, just after Xavier's first words to Zane after the completion of the process, he felt a sting in his mind.
He concentrated on it and saw a thin red thread tangled with itself.
He didn't know if he was seeing inside his brain or somewhere else entirely as there was only darkness around the thread.
Nevertheless, the sting went away but the thread remained and Zane figured it had something to do with Xavier.
He put the thought at the back of his mind and focused on Xavier's constipation remark.
"That's good news…" He said and he would have said more if not for…
"Ughh.."
His knees wobbling.
He almost fell forward but Xavier caught him.
"Wh-what happened?"
I want to know too.
Zane had no answer for this sudden weakness, his hands were jelly and his eyes drooped as if he hadn't slept for decades, something was wrong and there was only place he would get the answer from.
So he asked and it replied.
[ Due to the subordinate bonus, Xavier received 10% addition to all his physical stats by staying within 50 meters of the Host. ]
What does that have to do with me feeling weak?
[ He is the Host's subordinate. ]
The system kept its words short and Zane ruminated over them.
Then he realized…
His bonus comes at the expense of mine?
[ Positive. ]
I don't have enough strength to distribute. I don't even have enough strength for myself. I would die if this goes on.
[ Does the Host want to activate Trait Siphoning on Xavier? ]
Do whatever you want. I will pass out at this rate.
[ Ding! ]
[ Trait Siphoning (Passive): Host will get 10% of his subordinate's strongest stat. For example, if they are fast, the Host's base speed increases. ]
No windows appeared after that and the next second, Zane felt blood inside his body again.
His knees came back to their original form of bones instead of cotton and he felt his hands again.
His breath steadied and he finally stopped resting on Xavier.
"I am fine now. Thank you."
"No problem."
Xavier patted Zane's shoulder and they both started walking again.
The bell of the church had rang but they were away enough to not attend the prayer and far enough to visit a peripheral shrine. They won't be executed for not praying this time.
Finally feeling like himself, Zane asked some of his questions to Conflux.
So I took ten percent of his strength and he took ten percent of mine. We cancelled each other out. Is that it?
[ Positive. But in future, the host have to increase his strength otherwise he won't be able to carry the burden for his subordinates. ]
Zane nodded.
Talking about strength. Will Xavier progress normally or no matter how hard he tries he can't become stronger than me even if he had the potential because he is a subordinate?
[ Negative. The moment the Host chose Xavier to become an Ashbearer, he already exceeded his potential hundred times. He can try to become stronger than the Host but that would not be possible because he doesn't have the means like the host. ]
I see. Good to know. And he won't start treating me like a lord, right? He won't just obey every command of mine, I hope?
[ Negative. The host will not be called a lord but by his ten Ashbearers only. Though, they can refer to the host as lord if they want to but it is not compulsory. Moreover, only these ten will remain the same as before. They would still help the Host by going out of their way but they will not act like a different person. They can question the Host's decisions and orders. And Xavier is the friend of Host and he will remain like that unless his loyalty decreases. ]
Only the Ashbearers? What about the normal subordinates? And how will the Ashbearers get a battalion or a Phalanx, as you call it, of their own?
[ Those who reach out their hand to the Host are eligible to become his subordinate. The subordinates who are not chosen as Ashbearers will become a part of a Phalanx of any Ashbearers the host will assign them to and these subordinates might call the host as a lord depending on their loyalty.
In addition, the Ashbearers can also make individuals join their Phalanx themselves if that individual and the Ashbearer accept each other as allies. ]
How will my subordinates know they are my subordinates? Do they also get a mark like this?
Zane glanced at his ashen gray band on his wrist. And by the looks of it, Xavier didn't get it because, well, he showed no reaction to the burning sensation the mark creates when it manifests so it meant it didn't appear.
But Conflux said otherwise.
[ They also have a mark on their wrist. It will only be visible when they will feel extreme desire to protect the host, like willing to die for the Host. Until then, it will stay hidden in case they felt dread because of a sudden mark on their wrist. When the mark appears, the Host could tell them the truth. ]
What if I tell them the truth right away? I don't like the idea of keeping them in the dark.
[ If the Host tells them the truth instantly, then there is a risk of losing their loyalty as they might feel scared and doubtful, if that happened the host had to start the quest from scratch. The mark will only appear when the subordinates are willing to die or kill for the Host, meaning their loyalty must have already reached its peak. Hence, telling them the truth then is a reasonable choice. ]
That sounds about right. How come you are speaking more than usual? Is it because of the Synchronization?
[ Affirmative. ]
Zane nodded inwardly.
What is the name of this Legion I am creating?
[ The host can decide its name himself. Now or in future. Whenever he wants. ]
I see. So the name of the Legion I can decide. Then why did you decide the title Ashbearers, their Phalanx yourself? How did you even come up with that?
Nothing happened.
Zane exhaled.
Alright. If they are called the Ashbearers, then what is my title? There must be something for me too, right?
[ Positive. ]
What is it?
Zane's heart picked up speed.
He waited for a second.
He waited more.
Five more seconds passed and he finally got it.
Now you decided to shut your mouth?
He shook his head.
The system talked more than usual and he had to stay content with that for now.
Just then, Zane saw something from the corner of his eyes.
He looked there and then stopped walking.
Xavier stopped as well.
"What happened now?" He asked.
Zane looked at him.
"What happened? It's your house. You almost missed it."
They were standing in front but far away from the Lumen Reservoir, the place where the rich could store their money and valuable items by making an account. One such reservoir existed in every big city of Dwarkam. People like Zane only heard about it from rumors, as he had nothing to do with it. People like him would be charged just for closely walking past it.
But Zane stopped here because he remembers Xavier's address.
He had told it to Horum.
Grover street. House number 2. Beside the Lumen Reservoir.
Zane watched the house with a sense of unattainable dream as the house appeared to have two floors, white doors and walls, flowers hanging and placed around the door. It might be modest for most of them but for Zane, it wasn't less than a palace.
Xavier's eyes were also glued to the place.
"Right. My home."
"Yes. You should go. I'll be on my way too."
Zane faced Xavier and reached out his hand.
Xavier did the same.
Both men shook their hands and…
"You can leave it, you know." Zane said as Xavier didn't let go of Zane.
What's with his fetish of grabbing hands?
Zane didn't force it as now he wasn't afraid of Xavier.
He waited for the Commoner to say something.
"Tell me," he said.
Zane nodded, ready to answer whatever Xavier had to say.
"Is it wrong to feel sad about your parents' death—"
"Not at all. That's only human."
Xavier sighed. He gave a serious gaze at Zane.
"You weren't finished. I get it."
I just want to reach home.
Zane was eager to leave the city but he figured he could spare a few more seconds for Xavier.
Xavier inhaled deeply and Zane tensed.
Xavier lost his usual expressions and in his orderly voice, he finally finished his question in one breath.
"Is it wrong to feel sad about your parents' death because you weren't able to kill them yourself?"