Общий файл / Does Force Bind to Responsibility?: Глава 2

Chapter 2

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 08:59

In the Dawn City, in addition to the usual residences for 'ordinary mortals', there are several separately built buildings designed to house the guild's most valuable vassals. These vassals vary greatly in rank, strength, and occupation, but they all have one thing in common.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:04

The Lords of Dawn Mist deemed them valuable enough to appoint to positions of responsibility. Most of these vassals were created or summoned by the Lords from oblivion. They were empowered as they were, and initially best suited to their assigned tasks. There were also those who earned their place in the hierarchy by merit, assisting the Lords in their journeys through times and worlds.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:05

Both were justly proud of their part in the lords' greatness. Especially the older vassals, those endowed with the greatest powers and gifts in existence. Six of the most powerful - after the lords - beings created and enlisted in the service by the Prophet Tallarius.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:06

Each of them had a great responsibility, each had a great demand. And each had the highest reward - the right to serve the incomprehensible schemes of the Lords.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:07

Marius is the archilich, the eternal guardian of the guild's borders. The one who took the first blow of any invasion. Lord of the undead hordes, master of terrifying curses, master of time and space. One who kept a tireless vigil at his eternal post, even in the final hour of the world.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:08

Illadria is the mistress of fields, streams, and groves, the lady of storms, and the head of the forest folk. She has accompanied the Lords on their journeys countless times. Her scouts, hunters, assassins, and minor wizards have kept watch beyond the territories of the Dawn Mists. Few adversaries had a chance to slip past her spies, and few events could escape her omnipresent servants.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:09

Warboss is the head of the vanguard forces. The Lords did not take him on their journeys, but no worthwhile battle between the Lords of Dawn Mist and their allies against the lords of the other guilds happened without him. In any new lands, his armies were the first to go into battle, covering themselves in unfading glory.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:11

Wilhelm - by the will of the Lords was given full power over the inner city. The legions that form the backbone of the guild's power obeyed him. While Warboss's orcs took on an unstoppable onslaught, Wilhelm's legionnaires and knights were known for their ability to fight as a single mechanism, maneuvering and adapting to any situation on the battlefield. Outside the war, Wilhelm ruled the provinces, sparing the Lords the need to get involved in the petty hustle and bustle of the world.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:12

The Titan, an automaton that could rightly be called an absolute weapon, guarded the peace of the inner temple and treasury. A weapon so destructive that even the Lords did not invoke its power without critical need. Only twice, when hostile Lords were able to break through to the heart of the guild, did he go into battle. And both times the immortal invaders cursed that day.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:13

All the high vassals were important, necessary servants of the Lords. And when the Lords were gone, leaving only the Prophet and his closest associate, Katsuba-sama, the higher vassals became even more important to the fulfillment of their plans.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:13

EXCEPT YOU.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:14

Drega shrank into a ball, screaming silently, scratching the granite of the pillars in the basement of her tower. The web of darkness that braided the circular hall of the dungeon mocked her and her suffering in a many-voiced whisper.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:15

YOU ARE NOT NEEDED.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:15

Draga was not equal to the others. She was stronger than every one of the elder vassals, the Herald of Darkness, equipped with the best warrior gear in the guild, after Katsuba-sama. In one-on-one combat, she would have cut any of her 'colleagues' to ribbons. Though she had no armies of her own, she was worth more in battles with dragons, monsters, and hostile lords than any of the other elder vassals with all their warriors. But the Lords of Dawn Mist did not take her on their journeys and wars. Her creator, the Prophet Tallarius, summoned her only once. It was a truly terrible massacre, and the victory was theirs. Too hard a victory. After that time, she was never again ordered to leave the confines of the Dawn City

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:17

BECAUSE YOU'RE USELESS.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:17

Her fate was an ignominious existence as an expensive toy. Her status as a elder vassal was unsupported by anything. But she hoped she would get the chance to be useful again. And that chance came.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:18

AND YOU FAILED.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:18

On the last day of the world, of all the Lords, only the Prophet remained with the guild. Even Katsuba-sama, the closest of the Prophet's friends, did not condescend to their shared brainchild to see it off with dignity into oblivion. And when the Prophet decided that it made sense for Dawn Mist to continue to exist, each of the elder vassals was assigned something important to the guild.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:22

And she alone was entrusted with something important for the Prophet personally. To please him. The highest honor is imaginable. The deepest dream of every female vassal of the Dawn Mists.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:22

After Malikriss' betrayal, the Prophet lost interest in carnal relations and now wished to remind himself of them. And she disappointed her creator. He was bored with her.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:23

YOU'RE NOTHING.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:24

The darkness in the hall was no longer whispering, but shouting with a thousand cursing voices, and there was no way not to hear it. Draga's heart convulsed, her tears dried up, and now blood flowed instead. Instead of tears, though? Trying to numb the inner pain, she clawed her immortal body, bringing tangible pain. But it did not help. She wanted to disfigure, to mutilate herself, but her body was the Prophet's creation, and she could not have such right.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:25

He ordered nothing more, demanded nothing more, and even tried to comfort her. All she deserved from her dream was pity? All she is capable of is suffering? What does she exist for? Oh, how she wished she could go mad or die to drown out this monstrous pain.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:27

But she was not given such an order.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:27

***

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:29

[message]

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:31

"Lady Illadria, this is a scout from the east canyon. On the edge of my line of sight, I see movement, looks like some kind of caravan. No obvious threats."

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:34

"Stand by."

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:34

***

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:34

[message]

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:29

"Prophet, please forgive my impertinence and listen to the report. Scouts from the east canyon report signs of intelligent life. Looks like a caravan, no sign of a threat. What should we do?"

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:36

Hearing the melodious ringing and followed by the soft voice of Illadria, Talik looked around in confusion and reflexively folded his fingers to invoke the menu. It was the first time he had received a [message] since the Event, and it was hard to comprehend that an NPC could use it.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:37

Although there's a lot of things you can't comprehend.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:38

Talik felt like an idiot. [Message], man. It's more convenient than personally running after NPCs, although now they, not NPCs anymore. It just didn't even occur to him that this simple magic could work properly without a target player.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:40

Actually, he needs to deal with magic. Obviously, it works now, but how can he use it without a game console and voice macros? He had, of course, planned to look into the matter, but a little later. Now that he knew for certain that there were other sentient beings here, the question became critical.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:42

"Prophet?"

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:42

"Ah, sorry, I was thinking. Send a 'tail' after them, I want to know the type of creatures, their approximate level, and intended goals. Also, send more scouts to those areas. I want to have as detailed a picture of those territories as you provided this morning."

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:43

"The order is clear, Prophet. I will carry it out."

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:44

"And, Illadria, I want to hold some sort of meeting. After sundown, I'll wait for you in the Prayer Hall, and I'll inform the others myself."

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:46

"In the Hall of Prayer itself?" There was a reverent shock in Illadria's voice.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 13:32

"Yes. That's it, see you tonight."

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 13:33

I'm sorry, Marius, but I have the perfect excuse to postpone my visit to you. Ah, [message], yes... Let's just say "I forgot, forgot". I'm sorry.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 13:34

[message]

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 09:31

"Scout, pursue the caravan, or whatever it is. Scout the lineup and see if you can figure out the levels. If you show yourself, retreat immediately and report back."

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 13:35

The scout was surprised by the strange notes in his mistress' voice, as if she could barely control her happiness.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 13:36

"Copy that, Lady Illadria. I'll keep you informed."

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 13:37

Talik stopped at the door of his office and pondered.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 13:38

Checking the work of skills is not just shouting the name of a spell and seeing what happens. No, of course, you can do that, too. But a good, thoughtful test isn't done that way.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 13:39

He needed a large open space. A city square would be fine, but there were two strong arguments against it.

Camrad_RIP 05.06.21 в 13:40