Chapter 44 - The King Oplethius perils
The final day before the break out started well. The weather looked decent. When Vlad was out while training his blood powers, as usual, using his [Blood Manipulation] to turn his blood in various sizes of projectiles. He checked at times the clouds to see if it would be a bad day or not. Surprisingly the clouds were clear, which made him guess that it was bound to be a good day, but who knew those types of weather changes could shift suddenly.
His last training before testing his powers in real action ended without him having to spend too many resources, conversing everything he had for the last moment. He knew what he could do and not do, so he didn't stress about this problem anymore. With time, he would have a decent mastery to command blood like its true master.
As of now, he could summon his blood in small amounts to assist him in the fight. However, his powers had a limit to how long they would last because they were taxing on his body and mind. The most valuable part of this power was its property to enhance his overall capabilities, from strength to speed, from senses to vision. He could be far stronger than his initial state when using his blood powers on himself, almost as if he didn't resemble the normal state.
Along those days, he tried to figure out how to use his dark energies that seemed to be generated from the black birthmark-like sign on his chest close to his heart. But whenever he tried to feel that energy, it felt like it never existed, yet he still tried. Nothing happened whenever he attempted to like he got ignored.
Not minding this, he tried to figure out the Conqueror's Haki that old Nius was speaking. In that aspect, compared to the dark energies inside of him, he could feel a certain type of energy different from the darkness inside his body lingering inside of him. He could feel it, but whenever he tried to muster its forces, such as how Nius did, it would suddenly disappear.
'Damn, not even this one likes me. Sigh, I'll have to stick with the Blood Powers, I hope it will be enough for me in the fight with Belpel.'
"The preparations are done. Let's hope those idiots don't get suspicious of anything, or else I'll just have to force my exit. Blood is bound to be spilled on this cursed ground, and at the same time, souls are doomed to reach Hades for their afterlife. Sigh, how much I would just wish not to have to spill blood, but that's just how this world is"
"I need to say my goodbyes to the old man and hope he stays strong until we meet again in 3 years for the final counter-attack."
"Now I should check those three lazy asses, wake them and prepare to end our working hour to have more time to prepare for the escape. I'll also inform that boy Robert of our plan. He probably had guessed something from how we behaved around him. It's not something I have control over it if the boy is smart.
Surprisingly he didn't ask me anything about our plan. Instead, he did his training diligently without asking back why, truly like how old Nius said, a good child. I'll keep him around me together with that little gryphon. It will fill my pass time with something to do except training."
"I can teach little Robert my swordmanship, while the little guy Aerius will learn assassination and spying techniques. He will be perfect for gathering information, at least until he grows in his adult form."
With that in mind, Vlad went back inside the shack and started seeing the rest waking up. Nodding to them, he said to the still half-awake boys and Aerius, who was sleeping soundly on his bed. "Wake up already guys. This day is bound to be a long one. Go eat, prepare yourself and let's move out for the job. Got it?"
Murmuring reached his ears, getting pissed, he frowned a bit. The atmosphere around the room chilled a bit, and instantly the boys woke up. Without commenting anything this time, they went to wash first and later got to the storage for some food, like all of them were possessed, even small Robert was in some kind of trance.
Robert, when feeling that chill pass by him, his initial thought was. 'Damn, why come so early, Vlad? I'm so tired from all the training, and yet you want to execute myself now? Fuck, he's pissed. I better do what he said right away. Ahh, my body hurts like hell. Damn, how can he train so much and still look so dandy?' Questioned Robert relentlessly in his head, how could Vlad be so fine after training himself always to his limits? (A/N: He's on steroids, that's why small Robert. How can you compare to a steroid user?~Same old joke)
When Aerius woke up, he quickly arrived at the table and gave Vlad a stare as if to ask for some meat.
"Sure, I'll give you some food, but you have to stay here until we get back. After that we'll do as I told you. Also, if you really can't resist the temptation of eating from the storage, eat less meat, you'll get fat."
Aerius's golden eyes enlarged while his black tail started swinging in excitement. "There will be no sound coming from me while I stay here. I'll protect the storage with my life on the line."
"Hmph, I heard that gryphons are good at sniffing gold and protecting it so much that they are closely related to dragons. That food storage is your gold treasure? Haha, such a gryphon." chuckled Vlad when remembering some tales from his first life about the gryphons. About how they can smell the gold, and they are always nesting nearby to the gold source.
Not liking what Vlad said about him, Aerius said a bit angry, "Hey, don't put me in the same group as those brutes that only think of shining stones. We gryphons are more noble than dragons."
"Sure, sure. Little guy, if you find me a gold source inside the kingdom, I'll be damned if I don't treat you with a bunch of meat that will keep you feeded for years."
When hearing that, Aerius changed the intensity of his eyes, making them start shining, and pleased by the offer, he kept nodding his head. "No problem, if I sniff something I'll make sure to tell you. You profit, but to not forget my profit is bigger, hehe." ended Aerius while laughing as if he was the one profiting over this exchange.
"Go on, finish your meals guys." said Vlad while sitting by the window and focusing on the plans ahead for his little soldiers.
The three finished eating without much disturbance around. Everything went in silence. Soon the four started heading for the mine. Strolling around the chaotic zone, hearing the prostitutes and men animalistic moans and sounds, turned the slow walk a bit comical. Vlad was fine. He didn't get bothered by the sounds of some animals in heat that let their animalistic instincts run wild.
He didn't even think of judging the women who sold themselves for some coins here, in this cursed place. Kipset and Inorra were also fine. After so many years inside the camp, they got used to this view and sounds. It felt like an everyday activity for them to stare at those idiots indulging themselves in their animalistic traits. Women walking almost butt naked or even orgies happening in the zone, what didn't they see all this time? But for Robert, who was fresh blood here, it was hard not to have his cheeks turn blushing from the women's pleasure moans. Seeing Robert like that, Inorra laughed a bit at him but still said.
"Don't worry, man, you'll get used to it as you grow, even I had a hard time with those whores roaming around naked. But damn, to be honest, they really make this zone a bit fascinating to look at. I mean, what men wouldn't want to bang one of them? They don't look entirely bad, but it's better to not touch them. They are whores, after all. I still remember the time most adults got some disease because of some prostitutes. Bad shit happened. The guards had to kill most of those sick guys not to spread the disease around. The reason? A fucking whore."
"Enough, Inor, stop spewing your shit view of those women. Listen here, Robert, don't judge those women for what they seem. Some of those women don't have anything else to do for quick money to put food on the table for their kids. Imagine being left alone because your husband died or left you all alone with a kid to raise.
What do you do if you don't know to do what's required for you at a job? You think of selling something that could sell well. So what if you let some men fuck you? If it is for the survival of your child and yourself, you just do it. Hmph, this is the oldest job in the world, selling sex. So you better stop judging those women. Who knows in history how many of those types of ruthless women that would even go as far as selling themselves to feed their child turned out to be successful women? Probably many."
"Ahh, sure, sure. Think of what you want, Vlad, but I still think that they are just wenches that are incapable of looking for something nobler to do for a living." They started arguing back Inorra to Vlad's view on the matter of prostitutes.
"Hmph, you'll find out as you grow that judging people with that mentality will bite you in the ass." snorted Vlad while continuing to walk, looking around the chaotic zone.
"Sure, it's how one views them, you Vlad or Inor have your own point of view. I myself wouldn't mind having a relation with one of those women if deep down they still have that sparkle of life to go on and abandon their way of life", said Kipset, while looking at a woman passing by who had some clothes on her, covering her most intimate zones.
"Yea sure Kip, I hope you really get one and get cuckolded by some fucker." scoffed Inorra at what Kipset said about his views on the hookers.
"Hmph, maybe you would get this fate dumbfuck. I'm proud of my arsenal, so there's no need to worry about that." mocked Kipset without bothering to look at Inorra.
Robert's view after hearing his three roommates enlarged a bit, but Vlad's perspective stuck the most to his heart. He felt his neutrality on the aspect of prostitutes. He didn't hate them nor liked them per se because they did this for a deeper reason.
Like this, the group, after conversing around on their way to the mine, split while inside. Since being marked by Mayer, Vlad and Robert got to the deepest site, while Inorra and Kipset were around the middle parts.
While deep down, Vlad could see the miners preparing to start their new day. He has also seen Robert greet his bucket teammate that he shared the burden with. Like this, Vlad was alone, looking around, he couldn't find the old man.
'What happened with that geezer? Did he catch a cold or something? Nah, unlikely, the old man has a body strong like a bull. How could he catch a pathetic cold? Did something happen with the plans against the assassins?'
Still waiting for the old man a bit, seeing him not coming, he sighed and got his pickaxe in hand and started his job of breaking the stone and chiseling. Everyone had their specific job. The sound and smell of stinking men were there. Vlad took a break after 2 hours.
When he stopped, he started seeing an old man walking down the mine. It was Nius. He didn't seem to be in his usual self. His face was frowning for a reason Vlad couldn't guess.
With a pickaxe over his shoulder, he was greeted by everyone working in the mine, Vlad and Robert included. However, he didn't reply to them. Even when Vlad went to check him and ask what was going on, he didn't respond, wearing a cold face. He didn't bother stopping in place and started smashing the stone with his pickaxe. Something was clearly on the old man's mind that bothered him today, and Vlad clearly could feel that.
Leaving the old man alone in his small world, he walked to Robert, tugging his hand to stop him a bit, he said to the confused boy. "Don't bother the old man today, after we're done for today. We'll go meet with the others at the canteen. Understood?"
"Yes, I'll wait for you after I'm done down." replied Robert while pondering a bit about how old Nius was today.
Time passed uninterrupted for the workers, be they slaves or miners, the flow of time passed regardless. Robert seemed to end his work and talked a bit with his teammates and other boys his age. They laughed a bit and said their farewells. The kids' group got split, Robert now alone, started moving towards where Vlad was but could also see him stopped from working.
He was talking with Nius about something. Instead of pushing himself to find more, to drop an ear on their conversation, he chose not to do that.
Nius and Vlad sensed him from a distance but didn't bother themselves with him. Nevertheless, Nius nodded his head slightly, saying to Vlad. "That boy is really smart. He knows when to butt in and when to stay out of trouble, it will make a great advisor for you lad. So what did you want to say to me, lad?"
"Well nothing much, seeing you like this made me want to ask you if something went wrong with our plans. Sigh, come on gramps, there's no need to keep secrets with me. It's better to share your load with someone else, or you'll just get mentally exhausted with time. I tell you, I know how it feels to be the one to shoulder everything on your shoulder, how to lead thousands of people on the battlefield. Do you think I'm still not worthy, a brat? Heh, that's disappointing my marshal."
The old man shook his head and told him. "That's not it, lad, come closer. I'll let you know what I just found out from one of my sources inside the capital. Those traitors are starting to push their agenda even faster, driving his Majesty Orphetius even harder on the corner. They are preparing to remove him for good and turn this kingdom into some sort of republic or whatever the crap they had in their head.
I'm worried about that old friend of mine, he only needs to grit his teeth and try to survive for three years, and once that time comes, everything will get better. It's not that I wish to hide this information. Still, if we two for example, rush our way inside the palace just to get your grandfather, it would alert those nobles yet again, sending their assassins on the hunt. For now, I wish to maintain the status-quo until our guys are prepared.
Believe me, Vlad, that grandfather of yours is not the type to go down without a fight. While the news I received are worrying, that old fox managed to stay alive in harder situations."
Right, I also received another news from one of the guards I planted inside Belpel's faction. The exit will be guarded by fewer guards tonight. Try not to kill so many people, give them a scare or whatever to make them stop chasing you. But mainly kill Belpel. There are some good kids even there that are blinded by what power that arrogant idiot showed them. They might prove to be good soldiers for our army.
Sigh, I told you all that you needed to know, boy, now go, try your luck and see for yourself the world." said Nius with a serious face, but his eyes were a bit saddened while his eyebrows were a bit frowned.
Hearing Nius say that Vlad hugged him and also a bit saddened added. "I understand, gramps, glad that you didn't keep on that secret with me. Maybe if old Opheltius manages to get out from the palace and I find him, I will try to shield him from the assassins and nobles. Until you guys are ready, I'll try to find what's the actual situation inside the kingdom. Ahem, you know that I also got some targets on my killing list. Mayer Loftso, someone called Darrell Graham that managed the underworld auction that sold me to that fat retard and a pirate called Dethel Blokted.
Still, after I'm gone, take care of yourself, you stinking old man. Don't push yourself around at your age, and stay healthy for our rematch. What will you do now without me to piss you off? What person would keep your cogwheels in function around here? Ahh, old man, such a sad world we live in. Let's hope we meet in our best forms in three years."
"Heh, lad you sure have a list of targets to get rid off, especially that Darrel guy. I remember him, he used to be around same age gap as me, but that guy never liked to serve in the royal army or even become someone to serve so called justice. I heard he was part of a famous pirate crew that was on par with the Pirate King crew. But when he come or how strong he is after all this years, I don't remember, but I hope you'll find him weakened after such a long time of inactivity."
Ending saying that and looking at Vlad's face, he said to him while patting his back.
"Just get moving brat, do as you wish, only be careful to not get found out, what's exactly your identity. Sigh, you clearly want to make me start tearing or something. Hmph, it's still too early for that." yelled a bit Nius, frustrated that he could barely hold his emotions in place.
"Fine, I'll go." With that, the two, old and young, separated, walking on different paths. Vlad found Robert not far from being seated on a flat rock while waiting for him to finish his conversation.
"Wanna say your farewells to the old man? You can go now, but do it for good. After that, I have something important to tell you after gathering Inor and Kip."
Robert was surprised when hearing Vlad say that, but some of his thoughts got confirmed. 'Those guys are really planning an escape break out, as I thought, and Vlad plans to inform me into everything. I see that's best. I finally can escape this hellhole. But first, let's say my goodbyes to the old man, even if I didn't have much interaction with him, that time when he sparred with Vlad, and the last moments with him talking about my home, he doesn't seem so bad.'
"Sure, I'll go now. I'll be back soon." Walking toward where the old man was. He noticed the old man sitting down on a stone, with hands-on his eyes, touching his eyes a bit, like they were itching him. The old man was most likely fighting back from tearing a bit, but sensing someone approaching, he turned to see who he was with a cold face. Seeing that the young man he barely knew for some days, Nius smiled a bit at him and asked. "What have you come, kid? Do you too want to say your farewells? Then you've done so, I appreciate the gesture, can you now go?" asked Nius, still with a fake smile on his face and with his eyes a bit red.
Robert got a bit surprised but still nodded his head, saying, "Farewell, old man, and take care of yourself."
Walking back to Vlad, he said. "It is done. We can go meet the others." while not saying anything else about how Nius was.
The two walked up, exiting the mine without problems from the guards, who seemed to be less with last day's passing. While the two boys walked away from the site, Nius sitting alone, with some tears in his eyes, got out a cigar and walked to a torch to illuminate the place. Lighting his cigar, he took a seat on a flat rock that was initially used by Robert and just stared at the exit of the zone.
Sighing and with some tears coming out, he said. "Lucius, your son might have turned out weird being someone not from here, but he's still your son. My little prince that I have to look after. Pretty soon, we will take revenge on you. Just wait a bit, and everyone that once betrayed you and the royal family will have a worse outcome than death."
"Their soul will be tormented for all their life, being kept alive to feel that pain that we, as the royal guards, felt when we were schemed upon. Me and my lazy ass, if I weren't away at that time or was strong enough to kill all of them, everything would be fine. You and that stubborn father of yours would be fine leading this corrupted and decaying country to its predetermined glory. Yet, there's hope, that lad is our hope to crush those assassins and the noble traitors. The shining star directly sent by the ancestors to lead our country to glory."
"Sigh, how I wish I run my hands in that snake's still-beating heart and crush it in small pieces. To think he would bring out the underworld rats to assist him in his coup. It is good that they still need his majesty alive. Joker, you motherfucker, if I ever find who you are, I swear on my still-beating heart that I will exterminate everything close to you. Do you think you can conquer the Vermilions? Hmph, the Vermilions are not something you rats of the underworld can even comprehend how deep they are.
Just look at the founder king setting up everything for his descendant. A bunch of conspiring rats, to think that they would even succeed in chasing out even his majesty Opheltius. My anger is even stronger than my sorrow. Still, all I can do is wait for all the chess pieces to be placed on the table and clean this kingdom, at last, getting rid of all the rats. From the smallest one to the biggest one, everyone needs to be purged."
As he said that, his face started to grow colder and more frowned. The stones around him even began to turn to powder. The stone walls started to drop stones. However, after calming down his fury, everything turned normal.
