The Blight Queen spoke while twirling within the lofted attic. The prior owners had made the location into a bedroom. Nate stood near the doorway watching as she twirled and pranced. Seemingly her refined grace was only a show while in the Tyrant’s store.
Nate leaned against the wall by the steps down to the lower floor. At the bottom stood both Lupita and Karah. Their curious eyes watched fixedly from below. Next to Nate the Blightling Vassal sat on the ground. Flushed red cheeks colored her soft features, every few seconds she would glance up at Nate. Each time she would quickly look away. Slowly her hand reached up to a loose piece of hair and began to twirl it.
“Honestly, it's the only room that I have that would accommodate you. This spirit house is only a basic building technique. If I had known beforehand that I would need a different method for a higher level I would have changed it.”
“This place is more than adequate. I of course shall be renovating once our contract is formed. Worry not for my power shall be reflected within these very walls.”
Within a spirit house the placement of rooms and who could live on what floor varied greatly. Nate’s empty first floor was due to his complete lack of second grade spirits. On the other hand when he signs the contract with the Vassal it will fill up his second floor completely. He only had one remaining room there.
Each level of a standard style spirit house technique determined the power of those that can live on the floor. The basement was left for the spirits that were grade one or lower. Cramped as it was, they often completely lost their sense of self when being absorbed.
The first floor and one scale in grade going up only by one each time. First floor spirits once he obtained some fell between the basement and the second floor in how they were housed. The first floor lacked a bedroom but instead was a more open space. Second grade spirits could then occupy or overlap within a room. This gave a higher access to the number of second grades a necromancer could possess.
Nate’s house could still take in any number of first grade, and second grade spirits. Anything higher now would have to use alternate methods to be contained. The only remaining room was the tower. It was a single floor higher and held a single window. A Grade five could live there if they could get their hands on one.
“I cannot wait for my new court to blossom within this room. How wonderful will that be? To have a retinue of knights once more.” The Queen said.
“Will you really have enough room for that?”
“Worry not. For when one becomes such a power as myself. You will find our spaces warped and broken. Like a landed spirit.”
The Queen’s voice rang out sweet and light. For something that was an embodiment of corruption she was far from an improper lady. Instead she attempted to look as fine and
high class as she could possibly present herself.
“Then what are your terms?”
She paused for a moment looking at the space. Grand plans did not lie in her future. Being tossed out from her previous home and being unable to corrupt the rest of her people was a true pity. A playful smile crossed her face.
“Given the state of your housing a palace or castle is off the table?”
“It could be my next one if that's what interests you. I could make enough floors for higher level spirits. Not a bad idea.”
She stopped and looked at him with an odd look. As if to ask what he meant by another building. Of course to her who’d been around for sometime it was unheard of for there to be multiple buildings. Unbeknownst to her, that was only for those that lay outside of the Grandmasters' practices.
“Next Building?”
“It’s my spirit building technique, I can have multiple. I’m just not sure how to make the next one yet.” Nate smiled kindly.
“Then we should do that if we can. A palace or a proper castle would be wonderful. If you do too much you're going to spoil me rotten.”
“More rotten then you already are?”
It came out of his mouth reflexively and he felt he might have made a mistake. After a moment the Queen's dignified appearance burst into a happy peel of laughter. Clutching at her sides and supporting herself by resting a hand onto Nate’s chest.
“Fufufufufu, Oh my and you're funny. How nice. Yes, very nice.”
“AHEM.”
The Vassal cleared her throat and stomped her foot. With a long stride she closed on the two. At first Nate thought she was upset with him, due to the joke or his casualness with her Queen. To his surprise she extracted the queen’s wandering hand and planted herself in front of him protectively.
“Oh, come now dear. He’s contracting both of us. Don’t protect him like I’m some predator. You just did that to get close to him didn’t you?”
Nate didn’t have to see her face to know the Vassal was bright red. The color had rounded her neck and reached up to her ears. She was stun locked as the two began to talk about the important part.
“So if that's what you demand, a palace or castle? We should make things as clear as possible before finalizing."
“Apologies, I made that offer in jest. Before we came up here you allowed me some time to speak with your other servants.”
“I would prefer to call them family.”
“Oh, is that so? Either way you were made to be quite the generous partner. Possibly too generous. You should be careful not to be swindled.”
“I’ll take that under advisement."
The Queen glanced briefly at the Vassal and let out a small hurmph. The girl despite the embarrassment was keeping clued to his front blocking her advancement. He would have been easier to negotiate with if she could get her hands on him. Clearly the Vassal had seen that coming and put a stop to it.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
“Fine, my former servant won’t let you be worked over. Personally I am hurt that after all that time together she jumps ship so easily. Ah, so is the life of a mother. Souls, that is what I ask for. Plucked from the grade ones and lower. I want the right to take one for every two that you capture.”
“Do I still get to use them?”
“That is without question. What is mine shall be yours. I simply desire to have the pick of the litter.”
“Every five, it's optional so you can choose not to take any and you won’t use them to harm me in any way.”
“Already taking my advice? Good, if you can learn this quickly, who knows how far we might go. The contract is struck. I, Queen Theodora agree.”
The room shifted and changed. Extravagant curtains flowed out and draped over the windows. The bed within the room shifted into a grand King size with posts at each corner a canopy hanging down with lavender hues. In the corner of the room a gilded makeup table formed with a large mirror overlooking the bed. The Queen immediately seemed to glow and she went to lounge upon her bed.
Theodora had before looked nearly identical to her Vassal. Long purple hair that mingled and mixed into her dress. With a refined posture. The only difference being in the crown of flowers she wore. Now golden bands interwove within her dress making delicate patterns. Her hair now darkened to nearly black. The crown was now no longer made from flower and thorn but a golden metal.
“Amazing, I didn’t think you would change so much.”
“Thus, is the power of a Necromancer.” Theodora said.
“Uh, um, sir.” A small voice came from the Vassal who still stood turned away from him.
“Yes?”
“That is, she is strong, sir. As my Queen is of the fourth grade she is not like the others here.”
“So your grade has that big of an effect? Interesting. Thank you for telling me. What was your name?”
“Uh, my name?”
“Yes, the Queen, Theodora, She never told me your name. I will need it for our contract. Along with your terms.”
Sheepishly she turned to glance at his face before snapping back looking forward. She was trying very hard to keep any amount of breath in her lungs. From the bottom of the steps Lupita and Karah stood next to each other. Giving a resigned look at the newcomers.
“Damn stinky wolf, you seeing this shit?”
“It appears our family is expanding. Isn’t that wonderful? This won’t be temporary like the dryad.” Lupita said.
“You have to be fucking kidding me. No, that smitten as hell Vassal. Even that Queen was batting her eyes at him. He’s mine, what the hell are they doing?”
“Is that so? I don’t know that Vassal is cute. She might take his heart.”
“Oh so she’s cuter than me? I look cuter. Small, dainty and wielding the power to crush anything. Completely different from that muscular tomboy.”
“Is that so? Wow, I never realized that was the case. But what if she requests his love? Did you think about that? Could steal him away just like that.”
“Yeah, you make a point I should do some… Wait a minute he wouldn’t fall for that. You stinking fox, were you trying to make me look bad in front of Nate?”
Karah was genuinely shocked as she looked at Lupita. She was in her human form and then shifted into her fluffy faced body. Not the great big towering werewolf but how she was when they’d first found her. Within the spirit house it gave her increased strength though not as much as being a full werewolf.
“Dang, you were able to think for once. That's amazing.”
“You're trying to change the subject! Damn, Fox.”
The two women tumbled down the steps crashing into the walls as they went. Nate cast them only a passing glance. Lupita was chalking up to be quite the provocateur. The Vassal looked more blatantly, protectively at the stairs. Finally her face was pointed in Nate’s direction. As their eyes met she froze once more.
“My name is Boudica. I always wanted to be a knight. Before my lady corrupted me it was impossible for me to achieve. Once I had the power I had a realization."
“What was that?”
“What I wanted was not to be a knight but instead to protect those I hold dear. Now I can never go back. My wish is to become your knight to serve at your side and destroy your enemies.”
“That is good you shall do that no matter what. However, isn't there more that you would want? I wouldn't want to take advantage of you.”
“It wouldn’t be that bad if you did.” She bravely looked up into his eyes.
“It would not be responsible. From now on your very life and existence will be bound to me. Don’t you think you should charge me a decent price for it?”
“If you put it that way. Then I suppose you are correct. Such things can wait till later. I do have one wish. It would go against my lady.”
“It is fine my dear. Even if you were to ask me for my life I would give it to you. After all you have done to keep me safe.” The Queen spoke languidly from the bed.
“Right, Yes, Right. I want to become an Empress. Not just a Queen but a higher being. One that is capable of making flesh.”
The Queen sat up shocked as she looked over at the two. She had expected her to claim the man, or wish to be a Queen. It was normal for their race when not under servitude to their superiors. Their link had been forcefully removed but they had maintained an inherent closeness.
“That is your wish? Truly?” The Queen said.
The Boudica knit her fingers together and nodded solemnly at the queen before turning once more to gaze up at Nate. He did not know what this process would require but he did not see a reason to deny growing someone's strength. Especially if that strength would become his own.
“I know not the way to do it, but I shall complete your wish. We will find the way together.”
“Together? Yes, that would be wonderful.”
The Queen rolled her eyes at her love struck Vassal. So what if the man was carrying that delicious rotten core. He was a necromancer; it was in his nature to have it, even if it was outside of what she knew to be normal. No she willed herself not to give into thoughts of further corrupting the man. Not for now at least.
“Nate.”
The voice of a man brought everyone’s attention to the floor below. Blain Cotton stood leaned against the wall with a smile on his face. Nate nearly ran to him right away but held himself back. He needed to finish the task at hand.
“Then let the contract state that I shall help you become an Empress, and that you will fight by my side. In return you shall be placed within my service.”
“I agree.”
Nate didn’t notice any of the rooms moving but felt his connection snap into place with Boudica. Surprisingly as the contract came into full effect her purple hair blazed and red stripes cascaded amongst the purple. Her uniform shifted into looser flowing robes. A hidden lethality lay just beyond their folds.
“I will take a moment to look over my changes. Thank you. Nate.”
She leaned up, tall though she was for a woman she was not Nate’s equal. A light kiss graced his cheek before she turned around quickly. Red now flushed everywhere she had skin. Robotrically she walked away to the queen's bed. He smiled lightly at her antics before heading downstairs.
He approached his father. The man still appeared weak but life or unlife had returned to his body. With power he brought his son into a hug. Holding the position for sometime they finally let go. Smiles coming to both of their faces.
“I am sorry it took me so long to recover.”
“It’s ok dad. I just didn’t think I would see you again.”
“Come, we have much to discuss.”
[LitRPG] [Cultivation] [Crafting] [Smart MC]
Synopsis (Click to Expand)
To transcend the heavens, one must first forge the ladder.
He is a Cultivator who values volume over speed.
He is a Chronicler who will not stop at the sky.