Norris observed the unique plant species openly. They fascinated him—a forest in a realm inhospitable to growth.
Having studied them, he came to a conclusion: these plants, beyond being a marvel, were vital to the nobles' purposes.
Nobles in most realms were tasked with organizing their territory's energy circulation, forming order, and driving away chaos. This process required significant time, energy, and resources. The noble of these surrounding domains used the unique forest as a vein, with each tree assisting in energy circulation.
Norris planned to study the plants to understand their importance. Aspiring to be a noble, anything that could be of help was important.
Intelligent beings curbed the influence of the warp (chaos) and the elemental planes (order) on a realm. A realm's existence was a constant battle against the erosion of both chaos and order, while still trying to grow stronger from whatever scraps could be taken from the big bosses.
Intelligent beings helped establish order for their own benefit, while also causing chaos through the changes in their everyday lives. They were the perfect way to conceptually fight against the corrosive warp and elemental planes.
A realm without an intelligent species would eventually die out, making souls extremely valuable. Since most intelligent species were based on the foundation of souls, this emphasized their significance in maintaining the realm's vitality.
Hmmmmm. Norris felt like a noble already.
As Norris helped update the arrays in the noble's territory as a form of service, he had left backdoors for himself, ensuring an escape route if needed. This did not violate the rules set in the contract.
While he was busy, he did not stop gathering information. He was only 50% sure his cooperation would yield and a 99.9% survival rate for anything below the legendary level. For the legendary level and above, it was fate. Highly unlikely, in his opinion.
The 50% though, was within his power. With information, he could leverage his advantage.
The most critical information, however, made him solemn.
Though he didn't know much about legends, from scouring stories and speculations, he observed that legendary melee professionals often required vast expanses of land and large groups of believers before becoming legends. He guessed it was a form of ritual.
Four nobles, one special domain. A grand war.
While not the only way to become a legend, Norris felt he had recognized the essence of this war: to produce a legendary being from among the four nobles.
Norris's thoughts lingered on the map, swirling with the implications. Having a strong partner like the Noble Death Knight had its advantages, but sometimes being too strong could be a liability. The dynamics of their relationship might fall into the Noble's rhythm, leaving Norris with little room to maneuver.
In that moment, Norris made a decision. He would gain what he could from their partnership, but he would not hesitate to cut ties when the time was right.
The Noble Death Knight, oblivious to Norris's thoughts, smiled as he gestured to a nearby room. "I've prepared some specialties of the Death Realm for you, Norris. Please, help yourself."
Norris smiled, his expression a mask of gratitude. "Thank you, Noble. Your generosity is appreciated."
As they shared the meal, Norris savored the sensations, his soul stirred by the unique offerings. The Death Realm's specialties were not meant to tantalize the taste buds, but to awaken the soul. The dishes included energy blocks made from the vitality of various creatures, spectral fruits, and a glass of poisonous wine.
The energy blocks were a rare tonic for knights, providing the necessary energy to forge their bodies. The spectral fruits offered a heightened boost to the souls of mages, enhancing their magical abilities for a period. The real specialty, however, was the poisonous wine. It was deadly to anyone who wasn't undead, but for the undead, it provided a unique pleasure. Norris, being partially assimilated, could afford to take it in small gulps, feeling its effects without succumbing.
The dining room was surprisingly clean and orderly, a stark contrast to the eerie ambiance of the Death Realm. The walls were made of dark stone, polished to a sheen that reflected the dim light from spectral lanterns hanging above. An elongated, obsidian table stood at the center, adorned with intricately carved designs that seemed to pulse with a faint, dark energy. The chairs were sturdy and elegantly designed, made from ancient wood and cushioned with dark velvet.
Shelves lined the walls, holding various utensils, goblets, and other dining paraphernalia, each item meticulously arranged. The room was dimly lit, creating an atmosphere that was both serene and solemn. A faint scent of decay was present, but the room was well-ventilated, maintaining a sense of cleanliness.
The Noble Death Knight, too, seemed to relish the sensation, his empty eyes gleaming with a hint of pleasure. As undead, they were numb to the world, their existence a constant struggle to maintain power and sustain their unnatural lives. The meal temporarily alleviated their numbness, granting them a fleeting connection to their former senses.
"It's no wonder you're willing to go to such great lengths to acquire this," Norris said, his voice measured. "It's a luxury few of your kind can afford."
The Noble Death Knight's expression was unreadable, but Norris sensed a flicker of interest behind his empty eyes. "You would do well to remember that, Norris," he said. "This is a privilege reserved for those who prove themselves worthy."
The Noble Death Knight watched him, his empty eyes gleaming with interest. "You're a peculiar individual, Norris," he said, his voice low and gravelly. "A living being, willing to walk the thin line between life and death."
Norris's gaze remained steady, his expression neutral. "I have my reasons, Noble," he replied. "And I'm willing to take the risks necessary to achieve my goals."
As they shared the meal, Norris kept his thoughts to himself, careful not to reveal his discovery about the four nobles and their impending metamorphosis. He knew that sharing this information could alter the dynamics of their partnership, and Norris preferred to maintain the upper hand…..even if it was an illusion. To gain an advantage, calmness was critical.
The Noble Death Knight, still unaware of Norris's thoughts, leaned forward, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "Norris, I have another task in mind for you," he said. "One that requires your... particular skills."
Norris's interest piqued; he raised an eyebrow, inviting the Noble to continue. The Noble Death Knight handed Norris a worn, leather-bound tome. His slightly pale but otherwise normal hands contrasted eerily with his skull.
"I require your assistance in crafting a soul tool," he said, his voice low and gravelly. "This tome contains the knowledge we need. Study it, and together we can create something truly remarkable."
Norris's eyes widened as he accepted the tome, his fingers tracing the intricate symbols etched into the cover. He felt a shiver run down his spine as he opened the book, revealing pages filled with forbidden knowledge and ancient secrets. The pages seemed to whisper to him, promising power and knowledge beyond his wildest dreams.
"This is... impressive," Norris breathed, his soul flame scanning the pages. "I've never seen anything like it."
While outwardly happy and enthralled, Norris rapidly cooled down, breaking every illusion he had of this co-operation. Bringing something this important at the beginning of our cooperation? That's either too much confidence in the magical contract, or he already treats me as his property—or someone he can dispose of.
The Noble Death Knight's expression remained unreadable, but Norris sensed a hint of anticipation behind his empty eyes. "I'm glad you approve," he said. "Let us begin our work. Together, we can create something truly extraordinary."