nagpurpolice Chapter 124: A Sense of Wounder
Chapter 124: A Sense of Wounder
Chapter 124: A Sense of Wounder
Enforcer Lisana, the Watchful Captain greeted them, pulling his spear into a salute, How may I be of assistance today?
Armorer Nel. Im investigating a trollish. What do we have available?
Is that so? Guisals would be ideal if the trollish is a troll or hydra. Instantly cauterizes anything.
I recall that one. Guisal was the Eternal Forgemaster, yes?
Astute as always, Lady Enforcer. The Tornblade would be preferable if the trollish is limited in regrowth.
Edwin, what do you know of your friends regeneration?
Um, he hesitated, Its strong? Or at least fast. Alchemically based? Probably has something to do with his blood and potions given what I know about his speciality. Not sure if fire would be effective against him.
The Tornblade then.
As you wish, Enforcer Lisana.
Sorry, Im confused. Whats going on? Dont you just conjure your sword out of the same Skill you use for your armor?
Well, it is always better to be prepared for eventualities, and while our armory possesses nothing close to the variety of the Capital ah, thank you Armorer Nel. Tara accepted a sheathed dagger positively brimming with Skills. Edwin spotted some sort of repair ability in constant flux with a Skill trying to break it, and half a dozen other pairs of Skills fighting for dominance but locked in stasis between the two of them. Thus, to prepare to fight a trollish, we require proper tools.
Ah, I got it. So trollish means someone has the healing powers of a troll, then these weapons have Skills imbued into them by their creators- Deadly Blade, or maybe Eternally Hot, something like that, which cover abilities you might not have on your own but persist with the object because yeah. I think I follow, at least for the most part.
Tara gave a terse nod hidden behind her shining silver helmet as she led them back out, Astute reasoning.
They started traversing the labyrinthine route back to the surface, which made Edwin start to wonder why they bothered making everything so hard to get to. Was it about defense? Defense from what? They had some truly absurdly powerful people working to protect the Empire, and actually, now that he thought about it...New novel chapters are published on
So something Ive kind of been wondering, Edwin softly prompted, Is why doesnt Emperor Xares do something about this sort of thing.
This sort of thing regarding what, exactly?
Well, like your job. If he can see everything everywhere, why cant he just swoop through the continent and kill every single monster and bandit in one go, or intercept criminals like Niall before they start to prey on people?
Hmm. The simplest answer is that he chooses not to, that we might be challenged and grow ourselves. He is still but one avior, for all that he hears and sees all, and rules far too much to patrol it all.
Really? Edwin asked incredulously, The guy practically seemed like a demigod when I spoke with him. For one, I spoke to him for hours but it was only like seconds in reality. If hes that fast, surely he could be anywhere pretty much whenever.
Registrars are capable of something similar, yet do you think Registrar Rizzali ought to come visit you?
Wait, they do? Actually, that makes sense. How did I not notice that?
How would that work? Is it like some sort of time dilation, or is it more like a speed-up effect? Whats the trigger for it? How-
Tara said something.
What was that? Sorry, I was distracted.
Clearly. Regardless, even so, you should not consider your experience with the Emperor to be typical. He simply does not intervene save for against direct treason, disloyalty, or disobedience.
And a governor threatening an Ally of the Empire counts?
Correct. Do not expect him to save you from your own stupidity, merely from the stupidity of his direct inferiors.
Why does he even leave stupid people in charge?
When I asked that same question, I was informed it was due to the alternatives not working as hoped when attempted previously.
Fair enough? I dont know, it still seems kind of strange to me. But then again, Im not a three thousand year old god-emperor, so maybe Ill leave it to the experts.
Correct. That is indeed what is most effective, Tara said pointedly.
Okay, sheesh. I was just asking. No need to be so sharp.
Tara didnt respond, and Edwin frowned slightly, Sorry if that cut a bit close? Or are you glad I blade it?
Just stop.
Rillah was blessedly easy to find. Enormous green magical wings were obvious on multiple senses, and all it took was a tug from Unbound Tether to get his Rillahs attention.
So, um, yeah. Tara, this is Rillah, Rillah this is Tara Lisana you guys know each other, dont you?
Rillah gave a momentary, shallow bow, Rillah DeLariss, at your disposal.
Adventurer DeLariss. Ah, of course. Were you the one involved in Sheraith earlier this year? I never did hear who your replacement was, did Lord Forsiths girl emerge victorious? I do believe Ive heard of you beyond that as well, though I cannot recall
That was me, yes. I dont actually know who my replacement was, because they hadnt picked one when I left. Id actually still be there, but Edwin helped me fulfill my responsibilities another way. And call me Rillah, please. And I wouldnt be surprised, your predecessor certainly loved throwing Lefi in a cell for a few days whenever we passed through, and whether or not I was tossed in as well, it was always memorable.
He did have his oddities.
Dont approve, eh? I think Ill like you.
It is not my place to judge the wisdom or judgment of my predecessor.
Really? Whose is it, then? Like, wouldnt you be the perfect person to do just that because youre the closest to being in his exact position as anyone could be?
Tara glared at Edwin, who raised his hands defensively, Look, Im just asking. How else will you do better, if you dont try to improve?
Regardless of my thoughts on the matter, whats done is done and I do believe time is precious in this, is it not?
Yes! Edwins brain snapped back on track, Yes it is. And we really should be working on that. How fast can you go?
It is part of an Enforcers duty to be ready for immediate deployment wherever in the province they may be required, and Rhothos is no Smo. I can keep up with you, whatever odd flight Skill you may possess.
Edwin was skeptical but didnt say anything out loud, instead just shrugging, Well, are we ready then? Rillah. Anything left for you here? Do you want a hand with your flight speed?
She shook her head, which Edwin took to mean she did want to leave and didnt want his help.
A scowl flickered on his face. Stamina Manipulation wasnt working the way he wanted it to. He just couldnt get the proper volume behind his will to properly enact his will. It was like trying to put out a campfire with a teaspoon- one that leaked, even. It was almost frustrating how snappy his Mana was. For all that it was strictly rate-limited by his System, he could still build up an impressive amount beforehand and use it all in one go. That was from a certain point of view the basic idea behind his potions, after all.
Hm.
Could he do something similar with his stamina? It wasnt totally outside the realm of possibility. Stamina was kind of like his movement after all, and with his Unbound Tether charging, he definitely moved in the wait, wait, move camp. Heck, his Overcharge worked not that dissimilarly he needed to focus.
With his new strategy in mind, he accumulated stamina as fast as he could, ready to be unleashed at a moments notice. A bit of experimenting found that his lungs were an ideal place to store Stamina; they were, after all, already intimately tied to the Attribute.
Breathe in, breathe out. Each breath brought more Stamina to where he wanted it, and all too soon what he could properly hold back was eclipsed by the amount he was trying to control. Just before it lost all cohesion, Edwin pushed it at his shoulder.
The tide of energy washed through the wound, washing away bits and pieces of Taras Skills. It wasnt going to be enough, though; he could see that clearly. It was just too undirected, and didnt have enough punch behind it. Using Overcharge wouldnt work either, the uncontrolled flood of energy would probably hurt him more than it helped
Oh, right.
Edwin Infused his Stamina Manipulation.
The Mana permeating his body woke up, and started pouring into the Skill structure he guided his Stamina with, filling it with a second wind of strength and power. Even a bit of Health got caught up in the new torrent of internal energy, but not enough to unlock an associated Skill quite yet.
Edwins magical physique was more than enough to overwhelm the barely-hanging-on invading Skills, their light and structure being snuffed out in the blink of an eye, broken into pieces and ruined.
Only then did Edwins health potion and Rillahs continuous stream of new Health and Stamina finally get the chance to fully do their job, and his bleeding slowed and stopped.
Numeracy helpfully informed him it had been seventy-four seconds since hed started, and Tara was looking at him with something. He hoped it was some flavor of admiration, particularly given the number of tricks hed had to pull out.
Edwin tried to roll his arm, but Anatomy, his Stamina, and pain receptors alike all screamed at him that he wasnt ready for that. Instead, he settled for stretching his left arm, trying to release some of the built-up tension.
That was so unpleasant. Did you really have to?
You did not inform me that firstly, you knew and were friendly with a fae, and secondly that you were going off to meet her. I arrive and you are not only being grabbed by a fairy but totally nonresistant to the contact. A creature well known for their ability to ensnare the mind. Do you perhaps understand now?
Edwin winced, Oooh. Yeah, when you put it like that, I see what you mean.
After all, if someone he knew said they felt something strange before running off, then next time he saw them they were apparently deeply enthralled by a creature known for mental tricks, hed probably jump to the same conclusions Tara did.
Sorry about that.
I believe you have been punished suitably enough. I have never seen one of my foes ignore a Debilitating Strike so easily, though I suppose it is rare that it both functions and they survive long enough that fighting it off would be viable.
Edwin idly noted that Polyglot flared when Tara had said the name of her Skill, but was more preoccupied trying to parse what his language Skill couldnt help him understand.
That sounds like a compliment. Was that a compliment? he asked Rillah.
She sighed, Yes Edwin, that was a compliment.
Nice to have it confirmed. Anyway, Tara, could you please stop holding my fr- Inion at swordpoint so she can give me a hand with fixing my shoulder? Rillah, no offense, but her healing is way better.
Oh, is it now?
Edwin sighed, and glanced at Tara. Had she sighed as well? He thought hed heard something, but she remained in full armor so he couldnt tell.
Can we just try to get me back on my feet for the time being, please? Edwin gritted his teeth as the much more mundane pain of an injury made itself aware, a dull ache that felt more like a muscle cramp than the sensation of having a big part of his back split open.
Tara reluctantly put down her blade and allowed Inion access to Edwin. As she knelt behind him, her soothing water stinging only slightly as his Health leapt with renewed enthusiasm in its efforts to fix him. Edwin dutifully played along, trying to use his Infused Stamina Manipulation to push around Health. It didnt really work, but it did seem to be enough to get his First Aid skill to start working at fixing him up as well.
It would still be some time before he was back to full form, but at least he was well on his way. Anatomy helpfully informed him that any sudden movements would likely break his scab, but he could avoid those well enough.
So anyway, yes. Tara, this is Inion. Inion, this is Tara.
You allow a fey to count as your friend?
Hey, Inions saved my life several times and helped me find my feet in the Verdant. I almost would say I trust her more than you.
Oh, almost now? Im sorry, would you trust her to heal you better than I would?
Edwin winced.
This was your friend who aided you within the Verdant? Why did you not inform me of what it was?
Look, it didnt cross my mind? I dont know, I dont record every stray thought I have with my Almanac.
Just most of them, Inion quipped.
And besides, youre asking me why I didnt think of something, which was probably just because I didnt think it was important?
Tara sighed, resting an armored hand on her helmet. Behind her, Edwin caught a glance of Rillah holding back a laugh. Then she narrowed her eyes and moved to where Inion was healing him.
What are you doing? You heal him like that, itll scar.
Oh Im sorry, I didnt know you knew how to do it any better.
Well I do, and if you feed the Skill like that on the surface then the skin will heal before the internals will and then as his muscle repairs itself
Enough! Tara snapped, Fix him and be ready to move again soon. I care not how nor what squabbles the two of you have, work together and get him in the air quickly. We do not have time to waste.
That shut up the two girls working on Edwins back, and even just thinking about that made him bark out a quick laugh, only to instantly regret it when it split the tender skin back open, blood running down his back once more.
What? Tara demanded.
Its nothing.
What?
I said, its nothing. Well, okay. Its just that... this isnt exactly how I imagined it would be like to have three girls fighting over me.
Rillah laughed, Inion made no noise but he felt her hands tremble slightly, and Tara just looked to the sky, where he could just about make out a muttered curse.
Adventurers.