Chapter 70: The Law of the Stronger

  Pheww… what a day, Tessa thought after she left her master, and she kept walking along the big main street toward Government Square.

  She was glad that she finally had a bit of time for herself to think, even if it was only while walking. It was still overwhelming how much her life had changed in such a short time. Not only had she basically died and become undead, but she had also finally cut ties with her mother, a woman whom Tessa had perceived as a burden her entire life.

  Ahhww… yesterday was better when I didn’t have the memories of my old life, she grumbled inwardly.

  Sometimes oblivion really was a blessing, and that was even more true now, since she had some kind of freaking perfect memory. It wasn’t even useful most of the time, because it didn’t only give her important details. No, it wasn’t selective, and it didn’t care what she wanted to forget. She just remembered everything.

  For example, she could tell the temperature on her second birthday, and she could remember the exact sting of the cut on her knees from when she fell that day. She had run clumsily toward her mother, because her mother had just come back home from outside, and little Tessa had wanted to greet her, full of hope, full of that stupid belief that being good would be enough.

  And there was more she hadn’t remembered before, and now did. Her mother hadn’t come back from work. She had come back from a date. And when the man had learned that her mother already had a child, he had left her. So, her mother had come home on Tessa’s birthday, angry and humiliated, and she hadn’t comforted her when she fell. No… She had complained instead. About how it was Tessa’s fault that the date was ruined. About how Tessa had ruined her life. About how the little, innocent girl Tessa had been was somehow at fault for the life her mother hated. Slowly, anger rose inside Tessa.

  Gods, fucking damn, why do I have to remember that… she whispered, and then she forced herself to stop thinking about it, because if she didn’t, she feared she might just turn around, search for her mother, and end up doing something really stupid.

  Then she got distracted, and it was almost a relief. A lonely snowflake drifted down in front of her, slow and quiet, descending toward the street as if it had all the time in the world. Tessa watched it with a strange fascination.

  Wondrous, she thought, and then she frowned a little.

  Isn’t it a bit early for winter?

  Only then did she realize how cold it truly was. It was a strange feeling, because the air bit at her skin, and she could feel it. It was cold, but somehow not, and it didn’t hurt. It just bothered her.

  Maybe because I’m undead? she wondered. But then why can I feel the cold in the first place?

  It didn’t help. She sighed and looked around the street. It was already evening, and night would begin soon. Some shops were still open, and warm light spilled out onto the stone, standing in quiet contrast to the cold creeping through the air.

  Does Master have winter clothes? Tessa wondered.

  Most people didn’t know how harsh their winters were, and outsiders always underestimated it. Well, she probably has, Tessa told herself, but still.

  Her hand moved to the pouch where the platinum crowns Lilithia had given her earlier were. She grabbed it more firmly and looked toward a clothing store.

  It’s basically her money, isn’t it? she thought, because her master had given it to her for safety, and this was clearly not an emergency.

  Her mind drifted back to the scene with her mother earlier that day. And to her new master. Maybe Lilithia was out of touch with the world somehow. Maybe she really was a Demon Princess. Maybe she was even more than that. Tessa didn’t know. But she know one thing for certain. After her new master had scared the shit out of her, when Tessa first realized she was more than an elf and something closer to an eldritch horror, Lilithia had been nothing but kind to her. And that was all that mattered, right?

  …Okay, that was maybe a stretch.

  Tessa was still afraid of her, at least a little. After all, she couldn’t quite pinpoint who Lilithia really was, or what she truly was. She only knew that she was probably some kind of ancient monster from the past, now roaming the world again. But even that felt wrong. Monster wasn’t the right word. No, Tessa couldn’t help herself, because if she was honest with herself, she liked her. The Princess, or whatever she was, was… caring.

  Even though Tessa had hated the idea at first that Lilithia would meet her mother, she was truly glad in the end that she had been with her. She couldn’t say what would have happened if Lilithia hadn’t been there. And once again, she found herself thankful for her presence. And even though her new master was really suspicious when she looked at all the facts, if Tessa had one weakness in her life, it was that she got attached quickly to people who treated her with kindness. Because kindness was everything she had wanted for so long, and someone who would understand her. So, she decided to trust her.

  And since she was also grateful for her support with her mother, Tessa wanted to give her master something back. So she walked into a clothing store where warm light still spilled out onto the street and cleared her throat.

  “Hey, still open?” she asked.

  An old man behind the counter looked up from his work, and smiled at her.

  “Young lady,” he said warmly, “take your time. I’m not in a rush.”

  Tessa nodded, and began to look through the store.

  The Kingdom of Burm was in the north of Pangrea, and Tiara was in the north of Burm. So, it was no wonder the store already had winter clothing for sale, even though winter would normally begin a month later. The winters in Tiara were some of the coldest and harshest in all of Pangrea, because if you went further north, after a hundred miles or a bit more, the Frost Mountains began. They were the only region in Pangrea where it was cold all year, and where snow never truly left.

  After browsing for a bit, she found a wonderful winter coat in dark blue, with a beautiful pelt trim. She took it and walked over to the old man.

  “Oh, you found something,” he said, and his smile widened. “Ah, yes. A wonderful piece. It’s midnight wool infused with icy sheen, and the fur is from a Moonshadow Fox, hunted in the Frost Mountains. You’ve got a keen eye to pick something like this, young lady.”

  Tessa nodded along.

  “Yeah,” she said. “It’s wonderful. How much is it?”

  “For you, young lady,” the man said without hesitation, “twelve gold crowns.”

  Tessa gulped inwardly. Twelve gold crowns would normally have been an insane amount for her, and even in the noble district it wasn’t small. But seeing Lilithia toss her money around today, and the fact that she had given Tessa five platinum crowns for some weird emergency, made it easier to ignore the price.

  “All right,” she said. “Can you pack it as a present, and also change a platinum?”

  The old man’s eyes beamed.

  “Of course, my lady,” he said quickly. “Of course.”

  After the old man carefully packed the coat as a present and placed it into a sturdy bag for her, Tessa handed him one of the platinum crowns. He nodded with a huge grin and disappeared behind the counter for a short moment. When he returned, he counted eighty-eight gold crowns onto the counter in neat stacks.

  “I hope the Asara Bank will open again soon,” he said while handing her the bag. “I probably shouldn’t say this, but not only exchanging money will become a problem. Having too much wealth stored attracts the wrong kind of people.”

  Tessa listened quietly.

  “You should take care of yourself when you head home, young lady,” he continued, lowering his voice slightly. “I can’t really say I trust the guards in Tiara these days.”

  She nodded and offered him a small smile.

  “Thank you,” she said. “There won’t be a problem. I don’t think it’s more unsafe than before. And…” She hesitated for a moment, then added, “Isn’t it exciting to be part of an empire now?”

  The old man laughed.

  “You know, young lady,” he said, shaking his head, “when you get as old as I am, you see nobles come and go all the time. I’m too old to care which country I live in, as long as my home here in Tiara stays the same.”

  Tessa nodded along, then thanked him again and said her goodbye.

  Back on the street, the cold had deepened, and the snow had begun to fall in earnest, covering the stone in a thin, quiet white. It was getting late now, and it was really time to meet Vessikar. She adjusted her grip on the bag and picked up her pace toward Government Square. She had already lost enough time.

  The Aetherlamps placed along the main street, and on other important roads in Tiara, began to shine with a soft, warm glow, illuminating the street below them. At this point, Tessa was alone, walking toward the church. For her, the switch from day to night didn’t change much. Her vision remained as clear as daylight.

  But instead of the light, something else changed for her. The slight fatigue she had felt all day, which she had ignored because she assumed it was leftover tiredness from being woken early by her master, began to fade. With every step, she felt more awake. More present, and more refreshed. It was almost as if a burden had been lifted from her the moment the last sunlight was gone.

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  When she reached Government Square, the snowfall changed again. It was no longer drifting gently. Now it blew around her in sharp, swirling patterns.

  Is that a snowstorm…? she wondered while walking toward the church.

  I really hope I didn’t miss Gideon and the other nobles. I’m getting late…

  Just before she reached the church grounds, a voice called out behind her.

  “Oy, girl. Are you lost in this snow?”

  Tessa turned around. The snow was blowing so thick now that a normal person would barely be able to see a few feet ahead. But she wasn’t normal anymore. Through the swirling white, she saw a rough-looking man wearing a black coat and pieces of worn leather armor. An adventurer, most likely.

  “No, thanks. I’m fine,” she answered calmly as the man came closer.

  “But girl, it isn’t safe out here in the snow,” he said, spreading his arms slightly. “You might not be from around here, but the winters in Tiara are no joke. Come on, let me guide you. Where do you want to go?”

  “I’m fine, really,” Tessa replied. “No need to bother you.”

  The man stopped directly in front of her now. His small, dark eyes scanned her openly.

  “Such a beauty,” he said slowly. “Aren’t you dressed a bit too lightly for this weather…?”

  His gaze dropped to her legs. The gown she still wore, the one she had gotten from Lilithia because her own clothes had been torn to shreds during her hunting trip, left them uncovered between the hem and her boots.

  “No,” Tessa said with a firm voice. “As I said, I’m fine. Thank you for your concern, but I really have to go now.”

  She smiled politely and turned away.

  “Oy, don’t leave me standing here like that, girl!” the man called after her. “Where are you from, huh? I’ve never seen someone like you around here. That’s really unfriendly, you know, leaving after I offered help!”

  Tessa stopped again. She had seen enough now to confirm her suspicion. The man was indeed an adventurer, and the worst kind she knew all too well. That confidence. That matter-of-factness. She had grown up around people like this. And slowly, anger rose inside her.

  It was always the same. Adventurers, or rather people who had the freedom to level up and gain power outside the safety of cities, were privileged enough to believe the rules didn’t really apply to them. Especially when they thought no one was watching. Because in the end, only the law of the stronger mattered to them. They were only afraid of the law when there was a real chance someone would enforce it. Tessa was sick of it.

  She turned back toward him. “I am… unfriendly?” she asked calmly. “You mean I’m rude? Impolite? Is that what you’re saying?”

  She took a step closer, her eyes fixed on his.

  “Catcalling a girl on the street after she politely says she’s fine and wants to go her own way isn’t impolite?” she continued. “What exactly do you want from me?”

  The man looked at her with a dirty grin. “Oh, a feisty one,” he said. “What are you, some sheltered brat spending her parents’ money inside the city?”

  His eyes shifted to the bag she carried, the one she had gotten from the old shopkeeper, and he pointed at it. “What’s in there, huh?”

  Then his demeanor changed as he took a step closer. “I suggest you follow me now, out of the coming snowstorm. You know, before something bad happens. It’s dangerous to be alone in the snow…”

  The way he ignored her words entirely, his casual disregard for everything she had said, told her everything she needed to know. Even though he clearly suspected she might be the child of someone important, he didn’t care.

  A few days ago, Tessa would have done everything the man said. She would have been afraid, would have complied, hoping that if she obeyed, nothing too bad would happen. Ironically, a few days ago, this same man probably wouldn’t have even looked at her.

  She wasn’t naive enough not to know what he wanted. Her gown looked expensive. No, it wasn’t just looking expensive, it definitely was. The shopping bag also carried the branding of a well-known local store, and the man had probably recognized it. On top of that, Tessa was aware of her physical changes. To herself, it still felt strange, but she had worked long enough at the Golden Swan Inn to know that she was exactly the type her former customers were attracted to. It was almost sickening in its own way.

  She also knew something else. If the man really intended to rob her, or worse, he wouldn’t let her live afterward. Because despite his confidence, he was afraid. Afraid she would tell someone what had happened. And if she truly belonged to someone wealthy, then there was no way he would walk away from this unscathed.

  That was how the world worked. Even if strength made right, ninety-nine percent of people weren’t strong enough to live completely without repercussions when they angered the wrong person.

  “So…” the man said, the smarmy grin returning to his face as he slowly pulled his cloak aside, just enough to reveal the long dagger at his belt. “Do I need to help you come along?”

  So that was it. He really thought she would be afraid now. That she would finally do what he said. The frustration she had been carrying all her life, the anger at the world, at people like him, rose sharply and tipped over into something else. And in that moment, she felt her body react instinctively to her emotions, without conscious thought.

  Her nails lengthened, growing into sharp, black, claw-like points. Her ruby eyes began to glow from within, an unsettling, predatory light bleeding into them.

  And the man in front of her vanished. Not physically. No, he was still standing there, still grinning, still talking. But Tessa no longer saw him. Her vision cut through his cloak and armor, through the skin and muscles, until all that remained was the structure beneath.

  A construct of veins and sinew, driven by a heart that was suddenly beating faster and faster, forcing blood through its pathways. She could see it all. She could hear the rush of blood in his veins, loud and overwhelming, drowning out his words. She noticed how the construct he now was in her eyes shifted its stance, how the muscles tensed, how the heartbeat spiked as adrenaline flooded his body.

  He was saying something else. She was sure of it.

  But all Tessa could hear was the pounding of his blood.

  ???

  Vessikar had already finished his task hours ago.

  The underground beneath the church had been mapped thoroughly. The tunnels were numerous but manageable, branching and reconnecting in predictable patterns. Nothing about them surprised him. Scouting hostile terrain was something he had done his entire life in the Ashen Lands, where missing a passage or overlooking a fissure meant death. Compared to that, this underground was almost polite. He was confident he had missed nothing.

  With nothing left to do but wait for the Princess to return, he explored the church itself. To his disappointment, it was painfully mundane. Stone, wood, empty halls, and symbols he didn’t knew at all and carried meaning only for mortals.

  So, he had climbed up to the ceiling. He had always loved having an overview, and hanging upside down from the ceiling beams had seemed like an appropriate way to pass the time. The ceiling was absurdly high, far higher than necessary for a gathering place of such fragile beings, and he found himself wondering why mortals built like this. Were they trying to reach something?

  While he waited, he tested the link to his [Hollow Ash Clone]. As expected, it was still out of range, but at least it was still intact.

  After a while, his attention drifted upward, and he noticed the windows. They were set high into the walls, far above where any mortal could reasonably look out. Colorful panes formed strange patterns, fractured images of light that painted the stone beneath them. Some of them were broken, and curiosity took hold of him.

  He slipped through one of the broken windows and emerged onto the roof of the church. From there, the city of Tiara spread out beneath him. He could see the entire Government Square, the streets branching outward like veins, the mortals moving below like insects.

  He remained technically within the bounds of the church, so he saw no issue with waiting there. And as time passed, the square emptied. Mortals retreated indoors, and the city quieted. Then something strange happened…

  White matter began to fall from the sky.

  At first, Vessikar thought it was ash. It moved the same way, drifting and swirling, carried by unseen currents. But when he caught a piece of it between his claws, it vanished instead of settling.

  Then more and more followed, and soon the ground below was covered in it. The rooftops. The streets. The white substance did not burn. It did not choke. It simply accumulated, softening the sharp lines of the city.

  It was snow, though he would only learn that later. He watched it for a long time, fascinated.

  Then he sensed the girl blessed by the god living inside the Demon Moon. She moved across the square below, her presence unmistakable now that he knew what to look for. It was her, Tessa. The first mortal he had ever watched closely. The first he had hunted with.

  He also saw that another mortal was following her. Vessikar, who was always keen on observing things directly, found it suspicious. Every other mortal had fled when the storm worsened, but this one approached instead. Vessikar focused his attention, his muscles coiling in readiness. He was too high to hear their words clearly, but he saw enough.

  The exchange between the two was brief, and after that, Tessa changed. She transformed back into her blessed, more natural form, her beautiful claws emerging once more.

  The mortal drew a weapon and activated some kind of skill. But it did not matter. One moment Tessa stood still, and the next she was behind him. It was so fast that even Vessikar couldn’t follow the movement. She was far faster than the last time he had seen her.

  “Fascinating…” he murmured.

  Her claws pierced his legs, and when she pulled them free, blood sprayed across the white ground. Red against white. To Vessikar, the contrast was beautiful, like something he hadn’t seen in a very long time. The man collapsed, screaming, slashing wildly behind him.

  But he was too slow again. Tessa was already in front of him once more. Then something strange happened. Around them, the falling snow slowed, and finally stopped. Each flake hovered in the air around them, frozen in place. The mortal activated another skill, trying to overwhelm her with speed, but Tessa simply caught his wrist, twisted it, and broke it cleanly. The mortal’s scream was sharp and satisfying to Vessikar’s ears.

  But Tessa didn’t stop there. She seized his head, pulled it back, and bared her fangs. With one clean motion, she rammed them deep into his neck.

  Vessikar dropped from the roof and landed silently nearby. While the girl was now drinking her prize, he watched her for a while. He truly liked watching her. Not like Thirra, who was generally interested in all mortals. Yes, it was entertaining to study them for a bit, but Vessikar especially enjoyed watching Tessa.

  When she finished, he clapped slowly.

  “Beautiful,” he said, his voice reverent. “Blessed child, you learn quickly. I am certain the Princess will be proud of you.”

  Tessa looked back at him, her ruby-red eyes still glimmering as she whispered softly, “I need more…”

  Vessikar nodded slowly. “The young always need to learn how to handle their hunting instincts. I am glad to help you, blessed child. The Princess will be delighted to hear that you are standing on your own claws now.”

  The girl tilted her head slightly.

  “The Princess… Master… Vessikar?” She closed her eyes, as if forcing herself to concentrate, then opened them again. “Vessikar. Bring me to the house where we first met, okay? I… I can’t control myself for much longer…”

  Vessikar looked at her, genuinely surprised. He had expected her to want to continue the hunt. Still, he nodded. “I thought you wished to hunt,” he said honestly. “But of course.”

  She let the now-dead man slip from her grasp, his body hitting the snow without ceremony. With shaking hands, she picked up the bag lying on the ground and nodded once more. Vessikar led her back through the streets, toward the house where he had first met her.

  He remained surprised that she didn’t want to hunt further after her first successful, real mortal hunt, but he didn’t question her. The blessed child was important, and the Princess’s will mattered above all else.

  When they reached the house, Tessa rushed inside and ran up the stairs. Vessikar followed, entering a tall living area meant for mortals.

  “Into the circle,” she hissed. “Fast. I can’t—”

  Vessikar stepped where she indicated.

  “Activate,” she said.

  He felt mana move, but nothing happened.

  She tried again. And again.

  Then she cursed. “Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck. The teleportation circle must be deactivated from the other side…”

  Her glowing eyes lifted and focused on him, bright like molten lava. “Vessikar. Do you know how to find the Princess?”

  He paused, then shook his head. “No, blessed child. She is too far away. I can’t feel her presence.”

  “Shit…” She closed her eyes, then opened them again, forcing herself to focus. “Vessikar. I know you are far stronger than me, so listen carefully. Don’t let me leave this room until tomorrow. No matter what I say later. Not until the sun rises. Do you understand me?”

  Now it was Vessikar’s turn to look confused. Still, the blessed child was important, and he was certain the Princess would want him to follow her wishes. Besides, this sounded like another strange mortal ritual, perhaps a rite of passage?

  He nodded slowly. “I believe a hunt would be more reasonable,” he said, “but I will do as you ask. On one condition. You confirm now that you truly want this, and that I will not change my mind no matter what you say afterward. Agreed?”

  She nodded without hesitation. “Just don’t let me out. No matter what.”

  Vessikar smiled faintly.

  Another exciting night in the mortal realm had begun, and he realized, not for the first time, that he truly loved this place.