Chapter 26 - Escorting The Captives

Before going to bed for the night, I hurry over to the village. True to its word, World Knowledge has left a perimeter of around a kilometer around the village clear of the forest. The road leading into it is also spared my Lairs expansion.

I should probably see if I can prevent the forest from expanding like this again. Covering the plains in forest is just going to upset the ecosystem, I fear. I announce myself to the guard, and before long I have an audience with the village leader, Myra. I explain the situation to her.

"Hm... We currently don't have the manpower to escort them to the capital." Her face wrinkles in thought. "Besides, if it is true they are of the Aurellium, then they will no doubt be sprung free by their comrades." "I know that, but what if I escorted them?" Myra pauses to consider my suggestion.

"What would you do with their comrades?" She asks, looking me in the eyes. I can feel her Skill poking about. Is this what it's like to be inspected? "If possible, capture them as well. The more captives, the harder it will be for the Middle to get them all free without outing themselves." The old woman smiles. "Then we will prepare another cart for you to put them in. Bring them here tomorrow, and we will be ready to send them off."

I say my goodbyes. As I leave, I overhear (through a nearby companion monster) Myra muttering something about "Finally, a decent blow to those vermin.". Seems she has history with the Aurellium. Though if their reach is as widespread as I suspect, most families would have some beef with them.

Now, for the escort. It would seem odd if there was just an empty prisoner cart. It would definitively tip them off that something is up. Therefore, some trickery should be employed. As I walk through the forest, I call out to the Draugr. Shambling out of the darkness, a few humanoid shapes fall in line behind me. More follow.

Before long, I have a trail of Undead following me. Fifteen in total. I wonder how this World has interpreted the attributes of the Draugr...

*Answer: The Skills Size-Change and Rotten Luck have been created to fit the characteristics of the Draugr. In addition, the Skill Ethereal Phase has been re-labeled from Unique(Yurei) to Unique(Undead)*

Ah, they did change size, and could curse people with luck bad enough to cause death. Some were even able to walk through stone like it was nothing. I'm not noticing the stench of decay. I'm guessing since Undead live until killed, their bodies don't rot in this World.

*Correct.*

Draugr, the reanimated corpse of a greedy or jealous person. Usually haunting their graves, they sometimes also wandered around the countryside to prey upon anyone and anything that they came across. Their aquatic counterpart is the Gast; who, instead of bringing bad luck, could foretell death.

My plan is simple. Disguise the Draugr as captives, place them in the extra cart, and have them aid in the capture of the potential waylayers.

I arrive back home. Fearful cries are quickly shushed as the captives notice my entourage. I mean, they look... less than friendly.

Looking like the typical corpse, some of them have exposed teeth since their lips are gone. All of them possess an unhealthy pallor, a mix of bruised blues and milky white. A saggy, distended abdomen would give an impression of someone out of shape if it wasn't for the rippling muscles covering every inch of their bodies.

Also, they seem, for a lack of a better term; brain-dead? The Draugr from the fairytales would be straining against my control in order to attack the humanoids. These ones emit no thoughts that I can detect, and unless commanded, they stand or sit around, a vacant stare in their glassy eyes.

*These Draugr are formed of the corpses that were already in your Lair. As such, the Soul that would animate it is long since returned to the Cycle. They are little more than puppets for you to order around. This will of course not hold true for any newly formed Draugr, as the process would be properly completed then.*

I see. These ones are more like prototypes? "Here's what they'll look like" kind of deal? Though this suits me just fine. The more control I can have over them, the less chance of an accident happening. I should see if I can find the Gasts', I bet they're just bobbing in a lake or stuck on a river-rock somewhere.

I return my attention to my prisoners. "Here's what will happen. I'm going to undo your bindings for a moment so you can eat. After that, you will go into the cave over there to sleep. I will re-apply the bindings, but in a more comfortable way." As I mention eating, their eyes light up.

I have the Alberger tortoise shell brought over to them. It is filled to the brim with boiled Cave Spider legs. I ended up using up most of it, all that remains is the slightly squished torso. "I needn't remind you that any who try to run will be killed." I tell them as I quickly move from person to person, undoing the silk bindings.

Almost on cue to this threat, the "boulders" behind us start moving. Slowly they stop looking like boulders, and more like giant humanoids. The Northern Trolls are awake. The captives hide behind me, trying their best to wiggle into my shadow.

A male and a female Troll blink at me with beady eyes, set deep in an incredibly ugly face. Both of them have long, mossy dreadlocks, reminding me of "old mans' beard" lichen. Their noses are large and the tip reaches well below their mouth. Wide mouths hide rows of teeth that look less like teeth and more like someone threw a bunch of stones at their gums and called it good.

"F-foood~?" The male inspects the cowering humanoids. His voice in my head is deep and slow, with a distinct rock-like clatter to it. "Humanoids aren't food. Unless they are dead when you find them. Hunt and eat the monsters of this forest." I instruct. "Hooo~ No fuuuun~" He pouts before the pair of them make their way into the woods.

As the tremors of their steps fade, I return to undoing the bindings on my prisoners. "Now, eat. I'm not sure what or when they will feed you next." I notice some hesitant looks. "Don't worry, it is boiled Cave Spider." I demonstrate it is safe by taking a piece and eating it. Seemingly reassured, they start eating.

Once they actually taste it, exclamations of awe and joy are heard. Is it that good?

*The monster that closest resembles your Crabs is the Armored Cannoneer, a monster hunted almost to extinction due to its prized meat. Analyzing the taste of Grand Whip Cave Spider meat, it is almost identical to that of the Armored Cannoneer.*

Oh. So I accidentally gave these criminals something that tastes of luxury. Oh well.

I notice a swing in their mood after the meal. They willingly went into the cave beneath the giant tree, and even held out their hands to be restrained again when inside. I fashion makeshift handcuffs on both their legs and arms, the leg ones being long enough to move about, without being able to run. It's a bit difficult to handcuff the Ayvin man though, on account of me destroying his hand. I make it work, somehow.

I position the Draugr at the mouth of the cave. Just in case.

I change into my true form before getting down to sleep. Judging by their reactions, the Ayvin male has already told them of my true nature. The Jotun and Gyger are huddled in a group between me and the exit, whilst the Huldr snuggles up to me to sleep.

The night passes quietly, and in the morning I prepare the disguises for the Draugr. I roughly recreate the helmets I broke yesterday and place them on their heads. They look... almost sad, to be wearing them. Either that or the helmets restrict their vision, so they have to look down to not stumble when they walk.

I decide to have the helmets off them until they board the carriage. The armor fits loosely, but some adjusting with Size-Change and you couldn't tell the armor was custom fitted for someone else. I nod in satisfaction.

"I'm not sure for how long I will be gone, but please behave in the meanwhile, okay?" I tell my Servants. The Huldr looks sad. I can guess why. Ever since she's been born she's been with me. But it's good to have to be on your own a little! Also, the Jotun and Gyger will look after her, I'm sure.

I lead the prisoners to the village. Alarm spreads when the Draugr are spotted, but I manage to calm them long enough to explain the plan. After some discussing with Myra, the six soldiers that have been selected to escort the carriages with me agree.

Loading up the captives in the first carriage, I then instruct the Draugr to sit in the spare one. The carriages are drawn by strange, cow-like monsters. I inspect them.

*Catoblepas

A rare Evolution of the Bihorn, this Mammaloid monster is protected by a thick, metal-like hide that not even the claws of a Dreadtail could pierce. Its heavy head carries two great poison sacks which enable it to create a poisonous mist. Most often seen in captivity as the Evolution of a tame Bihorn, these docile herbivores are often used to draw carriages due to their great strength and stamina. Their only drawback is their great weight and heavy head, which makes them unable to traverse rivers or marshy terrain without drowning or getting stuck. Their hide is often used as the base for armor.*

*Rank: 3 Stars (Tame) 5 Stars (Wild)*

Even they are under my Minion Status. I should pay attention to how long that lasts once we're out of my Lair...

With the final touches on the disguises of the Draugr done, we head off towards the capital B'dur. The driver of the first carriage explains that we will be stopping for the night in various towns and villages along the way. The estimated travel time would be about a week.

Hm, don't feel comfortable leaving my Lair for that long, but I should be able to get back the moment I deliver them at the capital, so it should be fine? I hope so, anyway.

The caravan is set up such that two people sit in front, steering the Catoblepas, with two sitting at the back of the cart to keep an eye on the captives. One of the guards is substituted with a Draugr in guard disguise, as they couldn't spare enough people to have it fully manned.

It's incredibly boring to travel on foot. I lazily gaze at the landscape slowly drifting by. Making notes of things in the distance I should check out later, spotting monster shapes in the clouds, anything to entertain me. I should have brought the loom, but I left that with the Huldr along with a few spools of my silk for her to work on. (The spools are just silk wrapped around a branch to keep it from wadding up)

Finally, in the distance, we see the village we will be staying the night in. Deciding it would be much safer for everyone involved, I order the Draugr out of the carriage. I then guide them around the village, far enough away so that they aren't spotted. Once we are near the road we will follow out of the village, I have them use Ethereal Phase to hide in the ground. As long as they don't move, it won't cost them SP due to their Undead Stamina Skill.

Leaving them there for the night, I hurry to rejoin the caravan. Although the empty cart nets us some stares, we're let into the village. Securing the prisoners in the local jail for the night, I go to the room I've been given as a guard of the caravan.

The only issue is, it's got windows at ground level. I can't sleep here! What if someone sees! Ugh, stupid "I show my true nature when asleep". I guess it's a good enough time as any to practice that meditation thing. I sit down on the floor and try to focus. First on my breath, then on my heartbeat.

I feel something else. Beating behind my heart. I focus deeper inward. I feel myself being sucked into my own mind. Is this meditation?

I look around. I'm... in the cave I was born in? I feel something Else here. It disturbs me so much I lose focus. The ground opens up beneath me, and I wake with a start.

Whoah! Okay. I didn't revert, so I wasn't asleep, but it felt like a dream. Definitively not doing that again anytime soon, nope! My heart is beating out my chest, and I'm slightly nauseous. I decide to pass the time until sunrise making more Octopus Cloth for my Servants instead.

Morning comes once again, and I get ready to depart. A quick breakfast of bread with dried meat, and we're off. Once we reach the point in the road where I left the Draugr, I call upon them. Like ghosts, they rise from the earth. Quickly giving them an once-over, just in case, they seem to not have taken ill effect of spending the night below ground.

The prisoners have been co-operative so far. Sitting quietly in the carriage, they are quite well behaved. It might also have something to do with the fact that I'm here. Maybe.

Another day pass by. God, this is boring. I can't imagine what it's like do this as a living. Or maybe I'm biased as I could have gone from the Lair to the Capital and back twice in the time it takes us to just get to the capital.

We do experience some tension when we pass through a lightly wooded area. The trees are spaced far enough apart that there isn't shadows or brush to mount an ambush from, but the guards tense up all the same. We pass through without incident.

Repeating the procedure with the Draugr for the next town as well, we safely arrive before nightfall. I can feel my energy flagging though, so I specifically request a second story room. I sleep lightly through the night, often being woken by the smallest of noises.

The captives seem uneasy today. Maybe it's a sign that the ambush isn't far off? Everyone is tense in the carts, even the Draugr seem on edge. Around halfway through the day, I sense something.

A field of magic? I scan the area we're passing through. Off to the left of us, near the edge of a forest, I can see several blobs of magic slowly walking towards us. I see! Since the undoing of the Dungeon Heart, I've been able to more easily sense magic. Sometimes I don't even need to focus to see it.

"Over there." I quietly point to the approaching blobs. "Probably using some sort of invisibility magic" I tell the guard when he returns a confused look. "How many?" The guard asks. "Ten to fifteen, they're huddled together, so it's difficult to count properly."

A quiet murmur comes over the prisoners. What do they plan on doing if a fight breaks out? Try to run, and risk my wrath, or stay, and surely be put in prison for many years. Some of them are doomed if the Aurellium gets its hand on them again...

"Do I engage them?" I ask the guard. It is his call. Either we wait for them to attack, or I go in preemptively. He considers for a moment. "How close are they?" "Within range of my attacks, I don't know if they are close enough to attack yet though." "Let them reveal themselves first. State their intentions. Even the Aurellium tries to limit bloodshed in these cases." I nod, I will wait.

"Here they are." The magic field surrounding the bandits flickers and vanishes. The guards halt their carriages. "Greetings, I'm sure you are all aware of our reason to stop you." A man steps forward. His face and voice is obscured by a mask. It's made of porcelain, white, with gold and silver markings, giving the look of a jester.

On this cue, the other men aim their crossbows at us. "If you'd be so kind as to release our men, we will be happy to let you on your way." I cast a glance at the captives. Their faces are grim with determination. They do not move.

"These captives are to be delivered to B'dur city. Any interference with this transport will be met with harsh punishment." The guard next to me states. I'm impressed his voice didn't quiver, his entire body is tensed up, his hands shaking from gripping the reins to tightly.

"Ah, I see. In that case." The masked jester raises a silk-gloved hand. At this command, thirteen bolts come flying at us. Quickly ordering the Draugr to shield the guards in their carriage, I cast Barrier on the two guards in the back of my cart, before getting up to take the bolts for the guard next to me.

Seeing this, the masked jester falters slightly. "What are you doing?! Shielding the enemy?! Fools!" He yells as his cohorts reload for another shot. One bolt managed to knock the helmet off of one of the Draugr, and when he sees this, he explodes with fury.

"Trickery! Disguised monsters! Undead!?" His rage turns to shock-mixed horror as the Draugr shamble towards the group. I order Rotten Luck to be used on the crossbows. As the bandits scramble to reload, one after another, the string snaps, a part breaks off, it's loaded but immediately fires into the ground, etc.

"H-hah! Defend me! Don't let them touch me!" The jester cowers in the middle of the group as they draw their swords. A scuffle breaks out between the bandits and the Draugr. The panicked men slash and cut at random. That's not gonna work though, is it? Undead Vigor greatly reduces any damage not dealt to the head, after all.

Before long the bandits are restrained by the Draugr. That just leaves the jester. "Ah! A-a Duel! I challenge the female Hunter there to a Duel!" He shouts, pointing to me as he simultaneously shrinks away from the approaching undead.

A Duel? The way he says that word...

*A Duel is a rule-bound match between two representatives of two disagreeing parties. In this case the hope is probably to escape with your captives should they win.*

I look to the guard next to me. He shrugs. "It's the law. If anyone, even a criminal, calls for a Duel, the call must be answered." I pinch my nose in response to this. Ugh, what a stupid law. Probably some layover from a previous era or something. Quickly, the Rules.

*Rules of Duelling:

- The answering combatant picks the style of battle. The accepted styles are: Magic, Swords, Archery and Fisticuffs.

- In any style other than Magic, offensive magic is forbidden, whilst passive magic is allowed. Spells that do not cause direct damage or apply damaging statuses to the target is considered passive.

- The calling combatant picks the win-condition. Accepted Win-conditions are: One or both combatants dead, Lethal advantage (the next move would end in the death of one of the combatants) or Knockout.

- The stakes are to be set before the match starts.

- Once the match starts, only by reaching the win-condition set by the calling combatant does the match end.

- Abandoning the match for any reason before the win-condition is met automatically awards the win to the opposing combatant.

- In the case of knockout and lethal advantage, The accidental death of one of the combatants counts as a win to the party whose combatant died.*

"I answer your call to Duel. I chose Fisticuffs." I say as I hop down from the cart and approach the jester.

*Duel Style Set: Fisticuffs*

I hesitate for a moment. Did- did the World just speak out loud? "T-the stakes?" I continue. "Obviously, if I win, you let my comrades go free. If you win, I and my cohorts give ourselves up to the authorities."

*Stakes Set. Please state Win-Condition.*

I look to the jester. He is clearly weighing his options. "Lethal Advantage." he says.

*Warning, setting the Win-Condition to Lethal Advantage awards an automatic win to the answering combatant.*

"Wh-what!? Uh, then, Knockout, I guess?" I cannot tell the expression on his face, but his body language betrays his shock.

*Win-Condition Set: Knockout.*

*Duel preparations complete. Please clear the area, non-combatants. May the Divine bless this Match.*

The Draugr drag the bandits out of the way. I get in front of the jester, who seems slightly perturbed. "To think you're so strong you'd automatically win at lethal advantage..." he mumbles. "BUT! I will not be defeated so easily! I have won my place in this World via Duels!" He shouts.

*Duel: Start!*

"Let's see if you can handle this!" His body glows slightly. After-Image. Why are there suddenly so many illusion users? Well, to be fair, this is the only humanoid I've seen use it, anyway. I dodge early, easily sidestepping his fist. I mean, it's not like he'd be able to harm me, but let's play along.

I give him a light tap to the side with my palm, sending him rolling through the grass. I keep a constant eye on his- eh, her health? Their health? They get up, the pristine white of the mask smeared with green and brown. "Why do you go easy on me!?" They yell. Their body glows once, twice?

*Spell learnt: Quicken (Lesser) - Increases the users speed by 25% of their Dex. value. Inverts the effects of After-Image, causing the illusion to move ahead of the user.*

They come at me again. Much faster this time. Looking at their Spells, their Quicken Spell is Normal tier. I put my arms in front of my face to block. I feel the impact of their fist against them, but I sustain no damage.

The jester stumbles backwards, shaking their hand that hit me. "What are you made of?! Fine then! Shield! Empower!" They hop back to ready another attack. With those last Spells, their MP is at less than half. Let me try something.

The reversed After-Image has worn off. They're not bothering re-applying it though. Saving MP? I pretend to block again. Ah, learning, I see; a side attack. I grab their arm before I twist my body, using the momentum of their punch to throw them. I send them skidding through the field, an earthy trail of exposed soil in their wake. Did- did I overdo it?

HP: 35%

Oh good, I didn't kill them. "You good?" I ask them. They don't respond, just lie there. They're not knocked out, so they're... pouting? I walk over and kneel beside them. "Please... just..." They whisper through... tears? I tap them gently in the back of the head.

*Duel Complete! Answering Combatant Wins!*

I quickly heal them up before restraining them and their cohorts. "Well, that was a thing" I mumble as I gather up the crossbow pieces and discarded weaponry. I also "borrow" a bag from one of the bandits. Undressing the Draugr, I have them use Size-Change to become as small as possible.

Before me stands fifteen twenty centimeter (~7.8 inches~) tall undead. I gather them into the bag. It's a bit of a tight fit, but none of their limbs poke out, so its all good. I turn around to see both the new arrivals and the guards looking at me weirdly. "What, I can't have them sitting in your laps, now can I?" I tell them before getting back into my seat.

"Couldn't you have done that earlier?" The guard next to me asks as he starts the Catoblepas walking again. "I didn't have a bag to put them in." I answer. The guard gives me a look before shrugging, deciding against arguing with me further.

I spend the rest of the day in thought. To think Dueling is a system in this World...

*It is, and was, used to settle disputes in the time before the All-War. Once the grievances became too many, the factions too large to be represented by only one person, then war was started. This first war quickly blossomed into a display of brutality and sadism, the different factions competing to see who could come up with the most effective way of slaughtering as many people as possible.*

What happens if a party rejects the call?

*Divine punishment is brought upon those that ignore or violate the Rules of the Duel.*

Oh, so the gods come down and tell you to play nice. I see. I look over to the still unconscious jester. They're laid in the middle of the carriage, their porcelain mask slightly cracked from the impact of my throw. To think someone can "win" their position in this World through Duels.

We arrive at the second to last stop before we get to the capital. The jester is put in a separate cell from the rest, as they are clearly a high-ranking member of the Index. I'm put in charge of guarding them, as interference from the Middle is expected.

"Hey." The jester calls to me through the cell door. "You're not human, are you?" They continue. I ignore them. "You know how I know? No-one's been able to take me on when I go all out before." Their chains, enchanted to prevent magic from being cast, rattle slightly as they remove their mask.

I look at their face. Feminine, slender features, raven black hair, turquoise eyes. "Like what you see? It's impressive what using your body for what it's worth nets you, sometimes." They give me a smile that doesn't reach their eyes. "So, mind telling me why something like you are guarding a transport of Aurellium members?"

I consider it for a moment. Telling them could net me all sorts of trouble. Mainly by letting the Dagger of Aurellium know where to strike. "Can I choose not to answer?" I ask them. "I guess..." They shrug. "I'm just curious, that's all. Way I'm seeing it, the higher ups sent me on this mission just to get me out of the way. Apparently something powerful beat the crap out of the others." They look to me again.

"Something able to withstand a Command Spell from the boss of the Index, even. I just wondered if you knew anything about that." They lie down on their bedding, preparing to sleep. "But I guess not. Good night." They turn over, going to sleep with their back turned to me.

I spend the night pondering the implications of what the jester just told me.