chapter 40 the shepherd's gambit
Suddenly, a voice spoke up in the crowded meeting room. It belonged to a member of the UCA Story Investigators.
Investigator: "This year has been unprecedented. In the last decade, we have never seen this many Natural Story Bearers. We have processed one hundred twenty-one individuals, and in almost every case, the bearing process aligned perfectly with the old records. Securing them was relatively simple, with a few exceptions—Kaizer, specifically, was a difficult student to manage. However, I must bring your attention to the student known as Fighter."
The room grew quiet as the investigator adjusted his glasses.
Investigator: "He has no System. That is why his bearing process remained unrecorded. Our investigation has found that he became a Story Bearer near the Human Void, shortly after an incident occurred there."
Shadow of the Chancellor: [Are you suggesting that this 'Fighter' could be a Horror?]
Investigator: "No, sir... we have vetted him thoroughly. He is certainly a Story Bearer. However, every recorded human who becomes a Story Bearer possesses a System. The only known exceptions are among other races... and as you know, the Human Void sits directly on the border of the Human Unified Territory."
The investigator was sweating profusely. He was an inexperienced Chapter Two, and reporting directly to a Hero was a terrifying ordeal. Because his seniors were all away on missions or stationed elsewhere, the burden of reporting these unusual activities had fallen to him. The weight of the room's collective gaze felt suffocating.
Shadow of the Chancellor: [Are you saying Fighter could be a spy? Tell me about his abilities.]
To the poor investigator, every word from the Shadow felt like it was slowly draining the life from his body.
Investigator: "According to Fighter's own testimony and our test results, he possesses vision-based abilities, summoning... and the control of insects."
The Shadow of the Chancellor fell into thought. 'Look at this poor man. Even with my presence suppressed, he can barely stand. This Fighter... he has vision abilities similar to Winter Mountain, but his other powers involve insects and control—the trademark of the Shepherd. Fighter must be a pawn in that scheming bug's game. He likely wants a hand inside Winter Mountain.'
Shadow of the Chancellor: [Fighter will not be a problem. He is neither a spy nor a Horror. You are to cease all surveillance on him immediately.]
The Shadow added a silent thought: 'I may dislike that bug's methods, but his work ultimately serves the interests of humanity.'
Investigator: "Yes... Si... Noble Hero!"
The investigator collapsed back into his seat, chest heaving as he gasped for air.
In the Morning: Fighter's Room
Fighter woke with a heavy body. He dragged himself toward the bathroom, still groggy.
'The UCA should be lessening their surveillance by now,' Fighter thought. 'If my knowledge of the novel is accurate, the Chancellor will have concluded that I am a pawn of the Shepherd.'
Rechal: [Then, are you truly his pawn? I still don't understand why Mr. Doll left me with you. Ok.]
Rechal's voice rang out sharply in his mind.
'No, I am clearly not,' Fighter replied through his thoughts, his mental tone sharp. 'And I still don't know why Mr. Doll left you with me either.'
Rechal: [If you aren't his pawn, why pose as one? Why take that risk? Ok.]
Fighter's face twisted into an annoyed grimace. 'You have too many questions for this early in the morning. I'm posing as his pawn because it diverts suspicion. It provides a layer of protection from other Monarchs and Heroes—they'll think twice before interfering with the Shepherd's business.'
Rechal: [What if the Shepherd exposes you? What if he comes to claim you for using his name? Ok.]
Fighter stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, his expression hardening.
'He won't come for me,' Fighter thought coldly. 'Not until I become a Hero.'