CHAPTER 9: SHEPHERD
A building rose in layers, each platform adorned with gardens, cypress trees, and ornamental shrubs, bleeding seamlessly into the rocky cliffs that cradled its marble steps. Siah sighed heavily at the sight of the majestic structure.
"It's amazing, isn't it? Let's go — my mother and uncle must be waiting." Asha ran up the long steps.
"Why are they so welcoming to me? Something doesn't feel right. That bastard Theal's decision to send me here doesn't add up," Siah grumbled inwardly, his unease gnawing at him.
Reaching the top of the steps and entering through the large door, they were met with a grand hall stretching forward into a long, majestic corridor lined with towering Corinthian columns, the gilded capitals adorned with intricate carvings.
"Let's go up to my mother's chamber."
Siah paused in surprise. "I am allowed to enter her chamber?"
Asha chuckled. "You are a special case."
Siah's brows furrowed in suspicion. I have no way of fleeing or defending myself. Why would Theal put me in this situation? Tsk… if I die a painful death, I will haunt that bastard.
They climbed the stairs unhurried, Siah deep in thought.
"This is the room. Whatever you do, keep your eyes on the ground, no matter what they say — don't look into Mother and Uncle's eyes." Siah tensed up, his gaze fixed firmly on the floor.
"Asha, why are you making us out to be monsters?"
A sweet voice sounded from inside the room, soothing Siah's mind.
He forced himself to keep his eyes down as Asha opened the door and stepped inside. But the moment Siah entered, his gaze was caught by a woman with short, sleek white hair that framed her face with slightly tousled strands.
Her golden, narrow eyes, accentuated by thin rectangular glasses, glinted sharply.
"See, Asha? Your friend is still breathing," the woman said, her index finger gently lifting Siah's chin as she stared into his eyes.
"Ohh my… such beautiful eyes. But a woman my age shouldn't desire such a raw sight — Asha and her peers would curse me."
The woman chuckled lightly, her gaze drifting to the corner of the room where a man sat slumped in a chair, idly playing with an object made of interlocking gold and blue rings with a central blue compass.
His long, flowing white hair, with soft silver undertones, cascaded loosely over his shoulders. His pale skin and refined, elegant features — the straight, narrow nose, his almond-shaped eyes of a reddish-brown hue — radiated an unnerving composure.
"Don't be scared. Go to Asha's uncle."
Siah stood rooted to the spot, his feet refusing to move.
"Mother, what are you doing to him? You promised not to hurt him," Asha said sharply.
The man rose from his chair, walking towards the door. "It's not him. The status two Code Black totem didn't react."
He stepped out, closing the door behind him.
Siah's racing heart began to slow as the woman's warm hand rested on his chest.
"It's alright, child. You are not in any danger. Asha's uncle and I mistook your friend for someone else. Your friend has no interest in meeting with us so we won't force him."
Asha removed her mother's hand from Siah's chest.
"Little Asha… you are growing up. Take your friend to your uncle. He will help him resolve his matters with House Gullet."
Siah's mind returned to him ."I need to leave this place are they going to send me to House Gullet."
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Outskirts of Gourmand City
A castle loomed like a jagged fang on the horizon. Inside the keep, Theal sat upright in his chair, his face buried deep within a book.
"Sending that boy to House Ardour was wise. It will buy us some time."
Theal frowned. "Cael Ardour is not a foolish man, or else he wouldn't be the leading the Eidolon Pantheon."
He closed the book.
"Who is the evil spirit siding with that thing? It's impossible to resist Cael Ardour a Status Two Stillness armed with a status two Code Black totem for anyone who isn't a status one singularity God of the Acme Echelon."Theal fell deep into thought.
"Hahaha… that boy must have his own secrets."
His brow furrowed again. "That thing can't even comprehend what's going on around it. I doubt it's even aware of its current predicament."
Theal stood, tossing the book onto the table.
"Hahaha… you are no different from him. Whoever is with him clearly knows about us and your actions — yet he didn't interfere."
Theal frowned. "The key players are about to make their moves. His knowledge means nothing if he's not invested in the game."
A knock came from the door.
Theal opened it and bowed. "Sir Gael, I have decided to reconsider."
Sir Gael frowned, gripping Theal's shoulders firmly. "Lift your head. The opponent you picked out is waiting for you." He took a deep breath, his eyes scanning Theal's tense form. "I've found a solution for you. We don't need a bestowment anymore."
He stepped back slightly, pacing a few steps as if to steady himself before continuing. "I staked my life to request a Status Three Code Red Totem for you. It will grant you a fixed-level status—an incredibly powerful stillness ability of fracture its capabilities surpasses both the physical and the Ethereal planes, giving you access to the low astral plane. That's the power of the High Marshals of the Pantheon."
His grip on Theal's shoulders loosened. "The only downside… it's eye implants. You'll have to keep your eyes closed at all times to prevent its activation. But don't worry—you won't fight blind. When the Status Three Code Red Totem eyes are implanted, your Hue will awaken and your senses will be heightened."
Sir Gael's expression darkened, concern etched in every line of his face. "The issue is… your Status Ten Nits of Hue aren't enough to handle the activation requirement of a Status Three Totem. If you open your eyes without an external source of Hue supplying the required Nits of Hue, your consciousness will run dry of Hue and turn still eaten by your thirsty stillness ability. You'll die instantly."
Theal's expression turned sorrowful. "Captain, you don't have to go so far for my sake. I cannot bear to trouble the Pantheon with my matters, and even endanger your life."
Sir Gael shook his head. "It is my choice to help you. Someone of your talent and dedication will be a great help to the Grelon Empire and an irreplaceable servant of the Eidolon Pantheon."
Theal bowed deeply. "I will definitely repay this kindness."
Sir Gael nodded with a smile. "I expect to receive the payment in blood but first you need to beat your opponent and become a knight."
Theal nodded. "Indeed… debts have to be paid in blood."