The Legendary Fool

Chapter 110: Powerhouse, Synrak Veralis

110:

“What are you waiting for?” Valeria asked, her tone managing to sound composed even when life had given her ample reason not to.

“My companions,” Tom replied, as his gaze swept across the Nameless District. To Valeria, it probably looked like he was surveying for threats, but he was just taking in what had been his home for the last couple of months— for the last time. “Surely you didn’t expect me to hold off all the assassins by myself?” He rhetorically asked.

“I heard the sounds of battle in the distance,” Valeria admitted, a light quiver to her tone that was almost immediately suppressed. “Your companions, are they as… powerful as you?”

“Nope,” Tom nonchalantly replied. “Though, between the two of them, they could probably come up with a dozen ways to kill me,” He admitted, his tone tinged with what sounded like pride.

“Hey now,” A voice sounded out from behind them.

Valeria was the first to turn, her expression turning to shock as a robed man stepped out of the surroundings itself— the light blue stretching out into the horizon, the texture of the roof, the dance of a falling leaf, the smoke wafting in the air from a nearby chimney.

The masked Zirel stepped through reality itself, as if it were only a curtain to be parted.

“I would never kill someone as interesting as you,” Zirel Covan Nottrakon, estranged fourth prince of the Nottrakon Family, said as he anchored himself in reality.

The surprises didn’t end there as Valeria retreated, having noticed a blur of movement in the periphery of her vision.

A moment later, a masked Aleph was standing next to Zirel, her distinctive hair tied into a bun and concealed by the hooded robes drawn over her head.

She had moved so quickly, her lithe charge had evaded the proprioception stats of dozens of dungeoneers.

While Aleph’s newly acquired Rare remained a mystery to Tom since she was incapable of adding more to her deck until she leveled her Total Recall card past level 1 and thereby lost all her existing stats— the price for using the severance glyph, Zirel’s was fairly obvious.

After the estranged prince had used the Severance Glyph on himself, he had become a terrifying assassin the likes of which even the king ought to fear.

Blending into the environment was a horrifying ability to give someone who already had the Uncommon (M) The Spectre card and it’s paralyzing Phantom Blade ability.

Tom’s own proprioception stat allowed him to keep track of both Zirel and Aleph, but that was only for now. Once they found a way to break through the restrictions of their severance glyphs and Aleph in particular managed to equip two rares, he would not rate his chances in a fight with them favorably.

“I…,” Valeria began, then trailed off, as her eyes widened in realization. “You’re Synrak Veralis and his dungeoneering squad,” She declared, the conviction in his tone heavy.

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“Who’s that?” Tom asked, feigning ignorance to buy time to think. ‘Valeria used my pseudonym instead of naming Zirel, who is much more important to the political landscape of the Syrelore Kingdom. She doesn’t know, then. The Nottrakon Family probably wrote Zirel off as dead after he challenged the final sector and kept it that way after they realized he survived. I guess it would make the princely heir look weak and inept if the truth was to come out.’

“Do not take me for a fool,” Valeria sharply rebuked. “I have never seen or heard of the cards you use, nor have I heard of one so young yet so powerful. You are the only one of your compatriots that does not wear a mask, and Synrak is the only one brazen enough to announce his name to the entire kingdom. It is you. ”

“Looks like she got you, Synrak,” Aleph replied flatly, her tone unmoved by Valeria’s deduction.

“Guess she has,” Tom replied with a shrug. “Well princess, if there was ever a time to throw your royal presence around, it’s now. Get us through the checkpoint without bloodshed and we’ll get you to your father,” Tom proposed.

“What will you do if the Nottrakon Family has already bought out the Royal Knights?” Valeria asked, her tone cold as she gazed upon the tent that served as a checkpoint.

“Incapacitate them,” Tom replied.

Valeria blinked.

“That is quite soft for one of your strength. Did you not promise to deliver me to my father?” Valeria asked, her tone tinged with incredulousness.

“I did and I will,” He replied.

“Why not just kill them?” Valeria asked. “You had no qualms about taking out Professor Neliel, why show mercy to traitors now?” She asked.

“The professor had a fiduciary duty to protect his students. The assassins were unknowingly going to frame the Zenari for the Nottrakon. I do not regret doing what needed to be done, but the Royal Knights are merely pawns embroiled in a game between Nobles. I will not kill them,” Tom firmly replied, making his intentions clear.

“I would call that admirable, if it weren’t likely to get me killed. Very well, I shall negotiate a way through this mess,” Valeria replied, her tone tense but not necessarily ungrateful.

Tom felt countless eyes on him as he walked next to Valeria, followed closely by Aleph and Zirel as they walked towards the entrance of the Noble District.

One look at Valeria’s family insignia was enough dungeoneers milling about to hurriedly part, fearfully stepping aside to avoid the ire of the King’s right hand.

“Halt!” A familiar voice boomed out, before Nvein stepped outside the tent. He was followed by three other Royal Knights that included another person he was familiar with— the kind Serawin, who had allowed him to go back to the Nameless District without trying to imprison him. “No one is allowed into the Noble District for the next seven days, including Nobles. These are orders that I have received directly from Covan Nottrakon I”.

Valeria’s visage was a mask of cold composure as she took a step forward.

“My good knight,” She began, her tone radiating an aura of command. “There has just been an attempt on my life. I have found an insignia on the assassin that indicates a link to one of the Noble Families currently residing in Renovia and my father will report to the king afterwards. Now, you will step aside and let me see him, otherwise my guard here will consider you a traitor and cut you down without hesitation,” Valeria declared, her words drawing silent gasps and wordless exclamations from the crowd of dungeoneers.

“Ms Valeria…,” Nvein trailed off, the astonishment tinging his voice genuine.

In that moment, Tom knew that Nvein wasn’t a traitor.

“I had no idea that there has been an attempt on your life. Please, do accept my heartfelt empathy. However, these orders are directly from the crown…,” Nvein said, his tone warped by stress and confusion.

The Royal Knights were caught between a rock and a hard place.

“How about this,” Tom stepped forward, coming to a stop before Valeria. “All four of you, charge at me in unison. If I repel all of you without breaking a sweat in the presence of so many witnesses, you cannot possibly stop me. Do so and I won’t kill you. I will not so much as harm you if you agree to this, on the Divine System,” Tom proposed, his tone completely at ease.

“I give my permission for the same,” Valeria added, her tone unmoved by the proposal.

She had seen Synrak Veralis’ strength and now the world would, too.