Chương 108: Patience

"Look! Isn't that…?"

"Yes, from the recordings."

"Doesn't look like anything special. Are you sure?"

"Yes. See the armor? It has to be him."

"Eh, I could take him."

"Pff, as if. Didn't he take down like twenty disciples of the Descending star sect."

"It was only twelve."" Only might not be the best word to use here."

"Well, I could still take him."

"Then please, go and challenge him and see how that turns out."

"What? No."

"Didn't you say you could take him?"

"Why, yes. But there is a surge going on, if you hadn't noticed. Can't just delay our contracts."

"I am sure there is only heroic altruism involved in that decision. You know, having seen the recording, I would say that it isn't for nothing that people are calling him-" The half-whispered conversation between a pair of local bronze-rankers was abruptly cut off as the plaza of the Adventure Society campus in Gilded disappeared from view, the levitating platform carrying Kite and his group downward toward the city streets below, where the group was to head for the First peak and the palace of Will's family.

"They were definitely speaking of me," Kite noted, concern and a bit of pride warring inside him as he wondered where the pair had managed to view what he assumed was parts of the recordings of his grand clash with the disciples of the sect.

"I heard them as well," Will confirmed, instead looking excited.

"It is no more than right that such a deed should be told far and wide. Oh, maybe there has even started to circulate names or titles. You know, like how Dragonfly's master got hers. I wondered what it would be? Walks with Victory? Disciple's bane?"

"Wouldn't just 'Kite the Undefeated' or something be better?" Dragonfly asked as she decided to join the conversation.

"What?" she continued at Will's aghast look.

"Dragonfly, it has to be more than a title. It needs a certain delicate balance of poetry and epicness. Please promise me that you would never participate in the making of any titles meant for me."

"I don't know, 'Will the Penetrator' does paint you a picture-" Dragonfly began, but Kite decided to try and end this line of conversation before he risked finding himself officiating a clash of paths between his friends then and there.

"I would say that whatever speculations we heard above are of less consequence than our actual purpose here," Kite said, relieved that the group was not hard to nudge back to the looming task to which they had agreed to participate.

"Kite speaks truth," Serene added.

"If things are as the contract said, we might find ourselves witnessing the fall of another sect. And with just over a decade since the fall of the Unbreakable Chains sect - the public fall at least - it is hard to grasp what this will mean for the region."

"If your father can even manage," Dragonfly said, looking to Will.

"Not meant as an insult, but how many adventurers would he even be able to hire? Doesn't the surge mean that any and all will be too busy?" As they spoke, the elevating platform reached the ground and the group continued onto the city streets, their conversation continuing unhindered and private thanks to Serene deftly keeping any of their voices from being heard.

"I would have assumed that as well," Will said, "but knowing my father, he surely has something planned. And the director would have to be in on it, at least on some level. While he can't just drag too many adventurers away from their contracts, I am sure there are solutions."

"I suppose that we will just have to wait and see," Kite said, looking towards the First peak in the distance.

"Sister?" Will's surprised exclamation caused many of those gathered to look towards the new arrivals. Kite and his group had just arrived to one of the courtyards-turned-garden up at the first peak, noticing the many groups of essence-users gathered. Like theirs, most of the groups seemed to have at least one member from more affluent families, given away by both equipment and how the members positioned themselves around their charge.

But Will hadn't focused on any of them, instead making a line straight towards an elven woman. As the rest trailed after their friend, Kite quickly noted the familiar resemblance even if Will was the one looking more like their father.

"Young brother," the woman responded courteously, her somber gaze sweeping over the rest of the group as if sizing them up. Or more likely, judging them. Turning back to Will, she continued.

"I heard that you finally started your climb towards the heavens in earnest. And that you continued with your foolish path, even after all that the family has done for you." Kite halted a bit at the harsh words, but Will seemed to just shrug it off as he took it in stride.

"Ah, but there you are mistaken, sister. If anything, my path has proven even more satisfying and full of meaning than I initially thought. So far, I have no regrets!" His words and aura were both rather light-hearted and cheerful, which only seemed to further annoy the silver-ranker. But before she could retort, Will continued.

"And I will have to introduce you to my boon-companions. Sister, meet Kite Flown in on Winds of Fortune; staunch defender, valiant friend, conqueror of the Jade-Sky gate and, most recently, humiliator of sect disciples. The woman next to him is Dragonfly over Sun's Reflection, passion incarnate, flamebringer, shatterer of the hordes and enjoyer of all delicious things.

And finally, we have Serene Breeze; priestess of Song, survivor of the Unbreakable Chains sect, the guardian wind and the one who sings for a better tomorrow." As Will made the introductions, the gaze of his sister flattened slightly as she suffered through his enthusiastic titling of his companions.

"And my friends, allow me to introduce Calm of the Indomitable Beyond, my oldest sister and priestess of Death." Kite and his friends each bowed in turns, hands cupped in the traditional greeting, before Dragonfly couldn't contain herself.

"Will, that was amazing. I totally understand now what you meant with there needing to be a certain bit of poetry." At her words, Will straightened in pride, but it was his sister who spoke with disapproval heavy in her voice.

"And I assume, brother, that you have given them leave to address you so?"

"Why, of course sister dear," Will retorted.

"My friends calling me 'young master' all the time would be most tedious. And they have taught me a lot of the customs which people of the land live by. Quite enlightening, I must say."

"I am sure that I cannot even imagine," she replied in a flat tone.

"Does our dear governess know of this then? That you are frolicking with the commoners?"

"I- ehm," Will began, before looking off to the side with a relieved expression.

"It would seem like our father means to address us now. We'd best not tarry." With that, he dragged his companions off to the side. While the city lord had indeed made his appearance, it seemed that him addressing those gathered was still a ways off. Will's sister, Calm, had no doubt noticed as well, and through his expanded vision Kite saw the closest thing he had seen to an amused expression on her during their brief meeting.

Gesturing to ask Serene to erect her sound-proofing barriers, Will turned to his friends.

"I must admit, I am surprised that my father managed to call my older sister back. That must have cost him both funds and clout."

"I…" Kite began, trying to find the right words.

"Will, you and your sister seem to be quite… different."

"If by different you mean that she felt even more frosty than mistress Dew," Dragonfly noted.

"You don't seem to get along too well."

"That is… complicated," Will said, voice more somber.

"We have very different outlooks on things, true, but I believe that the burden of being the oldest child has weighed my sister down quite a lot. So I have made it my mission to try and act her counterpoint in many ways, lest her somber gravitas cause the mood to become heavy enough to tear a hole in the world."

"Has it worked so far?" Dragonfly asked, glancing back towards the silver-ranker.

"Probably not," Will admitted.

"But maybe one day, further along the path towards the heavens, we can meet on more equal footing. I do hope though that she doesn't mention too much to our governess. That would not be a conversation which I would enjoy."

"My lord, I believe it is time," Grim said politely from where he stood next to the city lord, looking out over those gathered.

"If you forgive my presumptuousness, do you think that those gathered here are enough?" March of Indomitable Glaciers looked out over the members of his extended family who walked the combatants path, as well as their allies and would-be supporters with similar skill sets. Many young scions and their respective entourages had gathered, varying between iron and bronze rank. They were all armed and armored, and wore expressions varying from excitement and nervousness to boredom or wariness.

Meridian and many of her followers as well as a contingent from families affiliated with the Victorious Sunset sect were also present, the latter having proven a lot more amenable since lord Indomitable's opposition of the actions of the Descending Star sect became more publicly known.

"While I know it may not look like too many," the city lord said, "it is honestly more than I expected with the criterion we set up. All of the groups have members more grounded in politics than the Adventure Society, and with myself, my daughter and mistress Meridian present as silver rankers, it should be more than enough. While any of the hawks in the heartlands may try to take offense, it should be the right balance to keep it at the level of grumbling and posturing.

And while the sect's defensive arrays will be a hindrance, they will suffer as much as us from the low ambient mana in regards to powering their defenses." This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Very well, my lord," Grim said, his face the ever-present mask of professionalism. Flaring his aura to get the attention of those gathered, lord Indomitable stepped up and tapped a brooch fastened to his robes, the mana sent into the item enabling his voice to carry.

"Each and every one of you have been chosen to be here today; chosen because of your prowess, but also your loyalty. Not necessarily to me or my family, but to Gilded and its people. While I do not question that you are also here for personal gains, such is merely the path towards the heavens, and I would expect no less of you. We will soon embark, and while the journey will be a short one, it will also be perilous. The Descending Star sect is expecting us, but it will not help them.

What was once an honorable institution of learning and power has been brought low, and it will be up to us to deliver a reckoning. What will remain after we are done, only the heavens truly know. But I know that it will mean change. To the sect, and the whole region. Our blessed companions from Healer's church wanted me to implore you to capture those you can, and accept surrender when possible.

And I will implore you to decisively strike down those who do not allow either of these preferred approaches, because they are now nothing but a danger to the stability of these lands. The assault will be divided-" he continued, going over the general plan, and chain of command.

For Kite and his group, this meant something similar as during the war; to act as people on the ground and handle the lower rankers and stragglers while their side's silver-rankers were the tip of the spear who would also decide much of the outcome.

"It feels like we have done this before," Dragonfly said softly.

"Even though the words are different, the sentiment is the same; prepare to face people. People that have done great wrongs."

"Does it bother you?" Kite asked.

"Do you regret being here?"

"What? Of course not," she said, turning to him. Her excitement was subdued, but palpable.

"Do not get me wrong; monsters are easier, both in battle and conscience. But this is once more history in the making. And unlike during the war, we're bronze rank now. Our impact is greater. And maybe we will one day be where they are," she continued, nodding towards the trio of silver-rankers; the decisive pieces on the proverbial board.

"One day, I want to stand where they stand."

"Many would call you battle-mad for such a sentiment. A glory seeker," Kite teased, putting his arm around her and dragging her closer as she gave him a withering look.

"But at least I know you for what you truly are; passionate and driven. Surely, your axe will split the heavens, my ardent Dragonfly." From her silence and the way she leaned into him, Kite knew her to be blushing, his words having their desired effect. Still, a few mumbled words followed.

"You're damn right it will."

"Sect leader, the arrays have just passed below half strength. While our defenses are doing what they can, we simply lack the numbers or manpower to truly hold them off. It is also probable that they have some kind of dimensional well-formation set up, as our two groups of teleporters have yet to return." Elder Bliss of the Descending Star sect delivered the news with a straight face, head turned down in reverence.

The second day of the siege was nearing its end, and as the situation was already looking grim, there was little in the way of good news to report. Bliss could feel the aura of the sect leader roiling, showing less and less control every day now.

"I can see why the project with the affliction was discontinued in the end," he thought to himself while standing perfectly still. This meant that the chair thrown in frustration just barely missed him, the sect leader's runes all but igniting with his frustrations as he took it out on anyone nearby.

"The spread is not fast enough and it is even less subtle once it has built up properly in more powerful individuaIs. It is good that we have enemies for him to battle soon, lest he might even start doing our foes' work for them."

"This- this cannot be happening!" sect leader Comet roared, reaching for another chair but stopping himself at the last moment, once more turning his gaze to Bliss.

"You- you were supposed to have a strategy ready, elder. I put you in charge of the defense for a reason!"

"I am sorry, sect leader, but I simply cannot do more with the means on hand. Had we not-""Excuses!" This time, Comet marched up to the bowing bronze-ranker and pulled him up by the hem of his robe, his pale blue eyes meeting the bismuth colored ones of the celestine man with but a few centimeters separating them.

"It is clear that my investment in you has been for naught. You weaklings are always a gamble, but you are probably the worst disappointment of them all!"

"Sect leader, please, I-" Bliss began, inwardly congratulating himself of a most convincing look of desperate realization.

"No more excuses. I will start leading the defense personally. Go down to the outer perimeter and at least make yourself useful. When our enemies have fled before us, we will have words again of your most lacking performance." With that, the sect leader turned from the elder without sparing him as much as another glance, the dismissal clear. Bliss made sure to keep up the facade of dejection in both looks and aura until he was well away from the sect leader's study.

Looking out the windows and up the slopes of the valley in which the sect made its home, the white glow of the defensive arrays were clearly visible. Even while he watched, another salvo of greatly empowered magical projectiles crashed into the defending barrier, causing the intricate lines to flicker and dance.

"I believe that it will soon be time to finally take my leave of this place." Bliss thought, reveling a bit in the joyous thought. Surely he had made the remaining assets in the shape of the Descending Star sect make a big enough impact for senior sister to approve. With what little was left after the war, no one could expect more of him.

"And at least this little seedbed will make enough noise when finally succumbing to ensure that the seeds of Discord get spread throughout the region," he thought, feeling optimistic about the prospects. There should be enough discontent within the city to last years, if not more. And the potential of aggravating things in the heartlands…

"No, I should not get ahead of myself," Bliss thought, focusing once more. Now all that remained would be to make his escape once the defensive arrays fell. If he could just escape the area where the beseiger's rituals drew in every low-ranked attempt at teleportation, it would be as if 'elder' Bliss of the Descending Star sect had never been there.

"If only I had been blessed with a portal power…" Bliss had even sent word to the remnants of the scattered and broken Unbreakable Chains sect, or at least the few cells that he knew to be in the region at his behest, indirect as it may have been. His tracking stone even showed that at least one of the groups should have drawn near.

"One group is less than ideal, but one will have to make do. A shame at the expense of the messenger-constructs, but they will at least be an ample distraction should I need someone to cover my escape. Older sister did tell me that even discarded tools might have a final purpose." Making sure that his aura mask was still in place and intact, Bliss once more took on the look of dejection as he exited out into the compound proper. But in his heart, he felt only gleeful joy of plans reaching their crescendo.

"I'm bored," Dragonfly complained for the third time that very hour, laying sprawled on the ground just outside the tent in which the group spent their nights.

"Patience, dear Dragonfly," Kite once more consoled, not sharing her sentiment.

"It is not like we haven't done some work. The monsters of the surge haven't exactly left this gathering completely alone." Turning away from her grumbling and looking out over the embattled defenses of the Descending Star sect, his heart still thrummed a bit in awe as the ritually amplified spells and attacks of the chosen artillerists crashed into the protective barrier once more.

This was the result of a common practice in the region where essence-users with suitable, potent powers were stationed in protected ritual circles. Feeding mana, or in this case spirit coins, to the ritual meant that the ensuing spell was greatly empowered, allowing the essence-users to act as a kind of siege engine when the scale of the conflict or other situational factors did not allow for actual artifacts of war to be employed. In this case, it was the former.

Will had informed them that, while a defensive array was always a hassle to break through, the one surrounding the sect was not complex or powerful enough to warrant more powerful measures. The low levels of ambient magic in the region tended to make proper magical siege weaponry more costly than effective. And on top of that, the great, crushing chunks of ice from lord Indomitable continued to prove that little else should be needed.

The elven man had tirelessly manned his circle along with mistress Meridian in a circle of her own, with Will's sister employing her powers to defend them. And defense had most assuredly been needed, as the sect compound was not without its own offensive measures. Similar circles were manned from within the barrier, along with some kind of more potent weaponry which took the shape of a volley of glowing star-shaped projectiles.

But so far, Kite had only seen it fired twice during the first day, before probably having been deemed too costly to power and having too limited an effect.

"Will, your father sure is impressive," Kite said, changing the topic from Dragonfly's restlessness.

"From our brief meeting, I did not feel any traces of cores from him. Was he an adventurer?"

"He was indeed," Will said proudly.

"But he desired more than a nomadic life of most adventurers, which made him turn to politics. Seizing the position of city lord of Gilded was but one step in his grand plans."

"But hasn't he been here for decades now?" Serene asked, sitting nearby in calm meditation as she let her powerful aura reach out to cover as much area as possible. Their small campsite was but one of many stretching in a half-circle around the sect compound, just behind the locations of their offensive rituals.

"And he is still silver rank? A powerful silver-ranker, to be sure, but still…" Sensing the question in her words, Will shrugged.

"In that regard, I must admit not to know. Many city lords tend to want to seize better, more affluent cities for themselves as they grow, trying to get as close to the capital as possible in the hope of being noticed and assimilated by the factions there. But father has never made such a move, and has always been frustratingly mysterious when asked about it." Kite nodded along with the words of his friend, sharing his confusion.

"The city lord seems to be an ambitious man in many ways. I must admit that I am also curious. Hopefully, we will all live long enough and become powerful enough to see."

"Oh, I aim for more than that," Will said, eyes aglow.

"I am to surpass him. Not in politics, mind you. No, you know I aim for the bigger scene. The world will once more know the Saint of Spears."

"Merely repeating it will not be enough, though," Serene added, breaking into the conversation as she opened her eyes.

"You will soon have to put words into action, I believe."

"What do you-" Will began, but soon fell silent as well. Even from a distance away, they could all see the huge rings which had lined up before the ritual circle of mistress Meridian; each of them shining like a piece of the heavens made manifest. And soon after, there was a ripple of power as a small mote of light was launched, each ring flaring like their respective celestial object as the projectile became but a glowing streak, its afterimage temporarily burned into the vision of every witness.

Then came the wave of dust, leaves and other debris unleashed by the powerful spell. A moment of silence followed before the defensive array dissolved, its magical symmetry unraveled by the prolonged punishment.

"Serene, you impress as always," Kite said, still shielding his eyes from the whirling dust. The only way for her to have been able to make the prediction had to be if she managed to glean it from the auras of those at the front, an impressive feat at this distance.

"And, if you all please, I believe that this wait has come to an end. Time to fulfill our part of the contract." As the group joined the other waiting bronze and iron-rankers on their way towards the agreed upon staging points, Kite couldn't help but smile as he heard Dragonfly grumble.

"Three days to bring down a lousy barrier. When I reach silver, I'll show them…"

"Lord, thank you for teaching me patience and endurance. Pain can truly lead to the bliss of relief." Dancer on the Broken River, disciple of Pain, had barely believed how fortunate she had been these last few days. The trek through the wilderness had been a grueling distraction, but not the true challenge.

No, that had been to actually find a way to enter the compound of the Descending Star sect, where the information that she had been able to gather all had pointed; somewhere behind their walls and arrays, someone was waiting to send out more instructions. Someone who had to know more about what truly was behind the final fall of the Unbreakable Chains sect. But while River had every ounce of confidence in her combat prowess, fooling magical detection systems was an area in which she was quite lacking.

She would need more than just to acquire some membership token, as those were linked to the aura of their owners. This had led to a frustrating week of scouting out every inch of the outer perimeter she could without giving herself away, the work both tedious and fruitless.

River had all but decided to head for more populated areas in search of someone knowledgeable enough in such matters to help and with a mindset mercenary enough not to ask too many questions, a plan which felt like it grated at her very being as she was so close. That was why the changes four days ago had been startling. At first, River had thought them to only mean trouble; with the sect seeming to recall all available members and even further fortifying their defenses.

And then came the second complication in the form of another force of essence users. From far away, River thought she could detect not one but three silver-rankers among them, their very presence putting all of her ambitions at risk. But their arrival had proved to be but a boon, as it did not take long for the attacking force to start the process of breaking through the defenses of the compound. Defenses which were now on the verge of breaking.

"Savor the agony of the wait, child. Soon, it is time for action," Pain whispered, the words sending echoes of agony down River's spine.

"I will, my god," River said, steeling herself.

"Once this barrier breaks, I assure you that your disciple will be the first to enter its borders. And within it, I will find answers." Looking down, River clasped the token she had procured at the very last cell of her former sect members she had tracked down. The tracking stone had remained inactive until she drew close to the sect, making it all but useless unless she had known where to go, but now she could see the small glowing spot on it; the faint light a beacon on her quest.