Chapter 13
Title: Bloodlines
Lace and I gathered the mana crystals in silence, the red sun casting a golden sheen across the blood-soaked castle yard. In the reflection of a pool of blood Lace could be seen leaning on my shoulder, still favoring his ribs as they made their way back toward the gate.
"You know," I said casually as we walked, "if you like her, you should just let her know. Pretty sure she feels the same way, but thinks you don't."
Lace groaned. "What the hell are you rambling about now?"
"Gyra, obviously." I elbowed him with a grin. "I can see it. You've got that puppy-eyed look whenever your around her. Just be a man and say something before someone else does."
"Shut the hell up." Lace turned his face away, red creeping up his neck. "Besides, like you'd know anything about women. You're probably still a virgin."
I let out a hearty laugh. "Ha! Back in my day, I had all types of women. But one girl- oof. She was horrible at expressing affection but an absolute demon in the sheets." I whistled wistfully. "I wonder if she's still around… she did say her species lived absurdly long lives."
Lace rolled his eyes. "Sure. I'll believe that when Hell freezes over."
My smile faded, and my voice turned softer. "Listen, kid. I really did love that woman. But I ran. I was scared of commitment, of her dad tearing me apart if he found out. So I left, and now I'm pretty sure she hates my guts. You don't wanna end up like me. So here's the deal: you tell Gyra how you feel when we get back, and I'll let you off the hook. No 'master' nonsense."
"Fine, whatever," Lace muttered. "Let's just get out of here. This place reeks like wet demon ass."
We walked in silence for a while, the air thick with rot and swamp gas.
"So… why daggers and a sword?" I asked, glancing sideways.
"My mother taught me daggers. She was one of the original Guardians, an (S)-rank. I was hooked from the moment I held one." Lace's voice softened with the memory. "The daggers I carry now, she had them made for me on my 150th birthday. Dragon scale and demon tooth handles."
"Sentimental guy, huh? So, what about the sword?"
"That's from my father," Lace said, frowning. "Never met the bastard. But being born of two Guardians meant I inherited skills from both. I got my mom's speed, but none of her dagger skills. Instead, I got sword skills, from him. And whoever he was… he wasn't weak. Even with only inherited stats, I ended up (S)-rank when I was born. Meaning, with only half of my moms I would've barely been (B)-rank if my father was average. So I use daggers when the opponent isn't too strong, to honor my mother and use the sword as a last resort since I don't really like my father."
"Wait, hold on…" I squinted at him. "Did you just say 150?"
Lace blinked. "Yeah? Gyra didn't tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
"We're royal blooded dragons, or at least she is. I'm only half. left home around four years ago. So… I'm 589 years old, I guess?"
I stopped walking. My face paled. "Who's your mother?"
"Illyria. Queen of the dragons. Why?"
I choked on a laugh. "She's a queen now? damn it all…" I mumbled to myself.
"Why are you looking like you've seen a ghost?"
I scratched the back of my head, eyes darting. "Did… uh, did your mom ever mention your father's name?"
Lace tilted his head. "Nope. She only ever called him things like 'bastard', 'narcissist', or 'bag of dicks .' Though 'bastard narcissist' was her favorite. Always used them together for some reason."
My face turned a shade paler. "Ha… yeah, sounds like a real piece of work…"
"You're acting weird, man." He said looking up at me with concern written on his face.
"Would you look at that! There's the exit!" I said, speed-walking ahead. "Let's hurry, shall we?"
We exited the gate just as the sun danced above the treetops, putting on a show for any observer who watched as it strutted through leaves and limbs. Waiting outside were Adian and a squad of executioners.
"Captain Lace!" Adian called out, rushing forward. "Are you alright?"
"Just some bruised pride," Lace said, stepping off My shoulder and catching the health potion Adian tossed him.
"I heard you two were invading a (B)-rank gate alone. I rushed here thinking you'd need backup, because sir, with all due respect, that's suicide!"
Lace raised a brow. "Have I ever walked into something I couldn't handle, Lieutenant?"
Adian looked down. "No, sir."
Lace dropped a heavy sack of mana crystals onto the dirt. "We handled it. Besides, you wouldn't have been able to enter anyways. The 6 man limit was reached once me and Basil crossed the gate. Two anomalies, both generals. The investigation team… we were too late. Take these crystals and get them exchanged for GC at the guild and then give it all to their families."
"Two generals? But the report only mentioned a regular demon…" Adian trailed off, wide-eyed.
"Yeah," I said, rubbing the back of my neck. "There was a general from the 48th floor hiding there too. Tough bastard."
Adian blinked, stunned. "But… how?"
Lace mounted his horse. "That's Basil's story to tell. He killed both of them. I'm going back to the church to write the report about what happened and to let the higher ups know that generals are moving between floors now."
"Impossible," Adian whispered, glancing at me like he was looking at a god.
I shrugged. "He's just being modest. Lace softened the 48th general up for me."
Lace rolled his eyes. "You're stronger than I expected. More than you let on. Also those skills of yours, they're extraordinary"
"By the way, sir!" Adian called out. "We found the individual you were investigating.A woman named Gyra bailed him out of jail. We think he's staying with her."
Lace turned in his saddle and looked directly at me with a stern look. "…I'll see you at the tavern in two hours."
Without another word, he kicked his horse and galloped away.
"Well, that wasn't ominous," I muttered.
Adian and the others stared at me.
"So," I said, grinning. "You boys thirsty?"
"Actually…" Adian began, uncertain.
"Perfect. I know just the place."
Back in town, Gyra's tavern was lively as I walked in with my new entourage. Gyra looked up from the bar and smiled.
"Basileus! You're back, I was getting worried." Her smile faltered slightly when she saw the executioners. She leaned in and whispered, "You're not in trouble again, are you?"
"Hah! Not this time," I said, grinning. "These guys are my new drinking buddies. First round's on me!"
I slapped some coins onto the bar and leaned back as the men ordered their pints.
"Think you could whip up one of those pies, Gyra?" I asked. "Lace is dropping by later. He deserves a treat after the day he's had."
Gyra raised an eyebrow. "So you two are friends now?"
I took a long swig. "Something like that." I paused for a moment. "You know for being as old as he is, he sure loves to act like a kid."
"Oh so he told you? Then he must trust you, our identity is supposed to be a secret." She said leaning in close to me again. "But I know what you mean, although we're around the same age he does act a little childish sometimes, part of me wonders if it has anything to do with how long it takes the male dragons to mature." Her face went into ponder mode as if this question had been on her mind for some time now.
Our conversation was interrupted by the men as they toasted, after, I launched into the story of Hells Gate 47, hamming it up with flourishes and exaggerated retellings.
****
Elsewhere, Lace returned to his office, only to find someone already waiting inside reading his previous investigations and reports.
"Nella," he said flatly, closing the door. "It's been a while. I thought you served the empress now?"
"I'm not here for a reunion," she said coldly, rising from his chair. "This is business. Her Majesty wants someone found, someone who can use these."
She handed him a scroll with a list of bizarre skills: Mana Vision I Guess, Go Away Can't You Tell I'm Busy, and others.
"I know these skills." Lace frowned and mumbled to himself.
"The goddess herself added them to the Book of Skills," Nella confirmed. "And rumor has it the person responsible was spotted near Homedge."
Lace sighed. "You're in luck. I know exactly who you're looking for. But I doubt he'll agree to serve her majesty."
"Then convince him," Nella said sharply. "If not for me, then for your kingdom." Her voice was now woven with malice. "You know what's at stake if the Empress pulls her support."
"…I'll try. Give me two days."
"You have one," she snapped, vanishing into the shadows.
Lace stared at the empty space where she'd stood. "Forgive me, Basil… I have no choice."
⸻
Back at the tavern, I raised my mug in a final toast. "To friends! To victories! And to damn good pie!"
The tavern erupted in cheer as Lace finally walked through the door.
"And our hero arrives!" I shouted dramatically, pointing at him.
"Captain!" Adian ran up, eyes misty. "Sir, we had no idea you were so noble! Basil told us how you sacrificed yourself to buy him time to escape! What a man!"
Lace stared blankly at me.
I gave him a wink. "Just playing my part."
"Let's talk," Lace muttered, dragging me outside.
We walked in the cool night air, moonlight casting pale shadows across the cobbled streets.
"I need another favor," Lace said, serious now. "The Empress is searching for someone with certain skills. She's offering 100,000 GC and one request from the royal treasury. And if my hypothesis is correct, you're the person who broke out of the 'prision' in the cave and the only person who I know that has the skills she's looking for."
I stopped walking. "Sounds like a lot of strings."
"It is. But if I don't hand you over… the support to my kingdom gets cut."
"I'll do it," I said simply.
Illyria, his mother, was very dear to me in my old life. Although he doesn't know it, I see him as my little brother. So for Illyria's sake, I'll watch over him for now.
Lace blinked. "…Really?"
"Yeah. Let's just say I owe the dragon queen an apology, and this might help. Besides…" I looked at him with a soft smile. "If its you asking, how could I say no?"
Lace raised a brow. "Why would that matter?"
"You'll figure it out one day." I grinned. "By the way, how'd you guess I was the one in the cube?"
"I had some leads that said there was a new guy in town and when I saw your power during our duel and the gate raid it only increased my suspicion?"
Lace stopped walking for a moment and looked at me very smugly. "Also an old friend of mine paid me a visit and told me about a man that the empress wants to recruit, so.. I put two and two together."
"Ah so I basically gave myself away?"
"Unfortunately. Anyways, what were you doing locked up in a prison like that anyways and for how long?"
I sighed "that's a story for another time!" I patted his back and we resumed walking "So when do WE leave?"
Lace rolled his eyes. "I'll arrange a carriage to the capital. You'll need it. And thanks for doing this, it means a great deal to me. I'll pay you back one day."
"Oh no, my friend," I said, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "You're coming with me."
"No way, the church would"
"It'll work out," I said looking up at a rooftop "and don't worry about Gyra she's strong so she'll be fine."
High above, on a nearby rooftop, Nella watched and listened. When Basil suddenly glanced up at her, she flinched. 'He knew I was here? Impossible' She quickly vanished into the night.
I smirked. "She's gone now."
"Who?" Lace asked with a puzzled expression.
"No one important."
"Im worried about Gyra, even if the church does allow me to go she'll be here all by herself. What is something happens to her." Lace muttered.
We walked on while I chuckled.
"And there he goes, Gyra this, Gyra that…"
"Shut up," Lace said.