Chương 23: Transference of Power

It rained during Jason's "triumph." There were people out in the streets, screaming, "There's the Hero!" at the top of their lungs, but Jason knew they didn't mean it. These were paid actors. Had to be. Jason wasn't a rockstar. No one even knew him or what he did. And even if they did, no one was gonna risk hypothermia or a bad fever to see him.

Of course, such things could be healed with magic, but most people couldn't afford a healer, and those who did had to pay twice as much, as they had to shut down their little shops for a week. Assuming they didn't have children, and who could afford children in this world of famine and disease? No, these people were here because the King wanted to congratulate him as if he were responsible for the quest.

Sure, he killed about a hundred or two spiders after regaining magic somehow, but everyone would've died if it weren't for— (Sara) —showing up. Sara, it was always Sara. Now, he was getting praise for the victory—and that didn't set right. Because he knew full damn well that the real treasure was whatever was in that cave. The lake. Jason dreamed of it. Dreamed that he was in the lake, sucking in refined mana like a torrent. That was the reward.

Instead, Sara showed up, saved the day, and when Jason reclaimed his magic, she ran off to collect the reward and collapse the cavern. But that was okay. So, he didn't complain.

"I thought you'd be angry that we didn't get to check out that cavern," Raul remarked.

"Oh, I am," Jason replied.

"But that's okay. True power comes from leadership. Getting thousands of people better at things than you to work for you. This triumph? This'll cement us as leaders." Raul grimaced.

"What was that look for?"

"Nothing."

"That wasn't nothing." Jason turned away.

"Whatever. Point is, we have clout now. And that's good. This place needs some serious change." Raul's wince deepened.

"Stop doing that," Jason snapped.

"And what's wrong with change? This place is literally a feudal hellscape. Public education wouldn't be so bad."

"Yeah, but people here rely upon their children to do work," Raul said.

"You can only make changes you can afford to make."

"And that mindset is the exact reason you shouldn't be a leader." Raul frowned and looked away. Jason hated it. It was so obvious that Raul had a thing for Sara, and took her side for everything. He wished he'd just stop talking. Unfortunately, King Escar just gave him a commendatory pin that made him second in command for all future ventures, personal or military. (Once I'm king…) Somewhere in the dark void of his mind, an intrusive thought popped up.

A thought that one day he would be king—by force, if necessary. But it was just a thought. He was loyal to his king, obviously. He wasn't gonna murder anyone for the throne. It was just a stray thought, so he let it pass, focusing instead on the role that he would obtain no matter what: Grand General. Jason thought about that as his monta, covered in a rain barrier, clopped past the grand fountain. It was a marvelous structure with six sculptures of legendary figures holding a single bowl that poured water.

It wasn't running that day. It was raining. What a shitty day for a celebration.

"You should also join Sara," Jason said.

"I don't want you to be here."

"I'll ask, but only if Emma—""Don't you dare." Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Dude, I'm not leaving without Emma. I've had the dream, Jason. So has Emma. If I leave, Emma leaves. Otherwise"—Raul showed off his pin—"You're stuck with me hombre. Estás atrapado conmigo en la vida y en la muerte." Jason didn't need to speak Barrio to understand that Raul was saying, you're stuck with me, asshole. Jason thought through it. Emma was the ultimate healer, an invaluable asset. At the same time, so long as Raul and Emma were around, he wouldn't be able to take over the kingdom.

Jason had raw force—that was enough. If he wanted to stay ahead of Sara, who was clearly skilled, he needed to obtain resources—fast, and clear crypts. He could do that with an army and a dozen healers standing around. He didn't need Emma, so he said:"Fine. If Emma wants to go she can go. I don't need either of you."

"Okay, man. We'll ask to transfer tomorrow. You'll have to be there."

"Done." —Sara Reece— Dear Kye, I've finally reached Nariko's manor. I'm about to eat with him and tell him that I'm the actual owner of his dukedom and army. I'm sure it'll make for a grand story. I'm sure selling those herbs I bought you will bring a better story. Can't wait to hear about it. Two more weeks. I can't wait to see you! I can't wait to see you! Love, Sara Sara opened a spatial portal with a ring on her ring finger. It opened up in a room within in Kyritus's tavern.

She had another ring that allowed her to access a space his letters went into. That allowed them to write daily letters in private. Kyritus would join the southernlands soon, but he couldn't leave immediately. He needed his Heian to take over The Harvest tavern first. Sara had enough gold every pay period to buy the place out, so there would be no shortage of gold. That said, she was having Lilikan pick up rare herbs for Kyritus and Heian to "find" and sell legally to obtain a solid supply of gold.

'Til then, the two would just communicate with letters, and if necessary, use the teleportation array. Kyritus had enough zinconia to teleport him and Tiber to the southernlands at any point in time. Sara had to establish herself as the rightful owner of the dukedom, as Duke Nariko was about to insist that her title was purely honorary. She would tell him it wasn't. Then, he would argue and look for something to control her with: Kyritus and Tiber. She wouldn't let that happen. Not yet.

That said, she didn't want to leave them in Helscope when Daniel knew where they were. She had to act fast. So, she changed into one of the dresses she brought from Earth. It was a white wrap dress with a slit down the side. It looked a hell of a lot more "ravishing" than the gaudy dresses in the Escaran Kingdom. Then, she did her own makeup, making her the most beautiful person in the manor. Looks complete, she heaved a sheathed sword onto her shoulder.

A transfership of power in Veridia was the same as it was on Earth. If someone didn't abdicate a title, there would be violence to solve the dispute. It was the tried and truest method of doing things throughout history, and she wanted to make sure he knew the stakes before he said one word. That's why when she walked into the dining room and saw Nariko's lecherous eyes move from her dress's thigh slit to her chest to the sword, she threw it on the table with a shattering clack of porcelain dishes.

A wine glass shattered along with a quailish dish that the maids had brought in.

"W-What are you doing?" Duke Nariko demanded, standing up.

"Ending this conversation before it starts," Sara said.

"I was bequeathed this manor, along with the southernlands army. There's no room for negotiations." Nariko laughed.

"Can you not see the difference between an honorary title and a real one?"

"Can you not see the sword on your table?" Sara asked.

"That's what you'll get if you do not agree to the transference of power."

"You can't harm me."

"Me? Execute a baron under me?" She pursed her lips.

"I'm pretty sure that's legal." He curled his lip.

"Okay. I'll get out of this manor. It's not even mine. That said, if there's war—I'm in control. That's the duty I swore to uphold."

"I made that vow as well," Sara said.

"That said, I wrote King Escar, and said that you may retain control of the march and its army so long as you remain competent in your duties." Nariko glanced between the sword and Sara's face.

"You come in here, threaten me, and then declare that I can retain full control of the march?"

"No. I've declared that I control both the march and the army, but you may retain your current power and privileges, so long as you answer to your margravine." He snorted.

"So, what you're saying is that you wish to be lazy?"

"If that's how you interpret it, so be it." Sara sat down and motioned to the table.

"Now that we've established my position, please, eat. My chef went through painstaking effort to make this food for you." Sara slid a knife across the table and then used it to meticulously slice through the roasted bird. Baron Nariko didn't say another word.