Chapter 109: Shifting fate

Back in the Mine where the mansion stood, horrid cries can be heard in Boss Boru's three story home.

"Please, have mercy on me. I apologize for my subordinate misbehavior, I only mean to stop you from barging in! It wasn't my order to harm you." Boru pleaded pathetically, tears running down his plump cheeks.

In the face of Scarlet wrath, the self proclaimed king of the mountain every slave feared was reduced to his knees. Begging frantically for mercy before Scarlet.

His previous arrogance was gone for the guards his so proud of was slaughtered by the hateful princess. Their corpses laid messily in the hallway, their blood painting parts of Scarlet cloak.

However, no matter how much he begged. Scarlet advance didn't stop, her steady steps sounding like drums of dread. Her beautiful face was calm, yet her crimson eyes emanate overwhelming rage and extreme killing intent.

Boru crawled back in horror, soon hitting a wall behind him.

"I'm begging you, your highness. Whatever I did to offend you, please forgive me!"

He pleaded and pleaded, but it was all futile. Scarlet may appear beautiful, graceful and innocent like a princess supposed to be. However, akin to his relic which is both poison and cure. She hid a chilling side beneath that pleasant facade, and Boru was experiencing her terrifying grace.

Scarlet pointed her bloody saber at him, then thrust with incredible speed of an expert pincer. Her blade tip poking Boru's fat leg, going through his flesh and bones. He screamed and tried to fight back, only to realize his paralyzed from foot to head. For some indescribable reason, he felt his blood flow which had always been constant changed. Restraining his body from obeying his commands.

Motionless to do a thing, Boru can't even scream as Scarlet put agonizing punctures on his limbs. With only his flowing tears to express his suffering.

Scarlet watched it feeling darkly satisfied to see Boru, the man who caused them to leave which led to their miserable end suffering.

Eventually, Scarlet stopped her onslaught and looked at Boru. His limbs were full of holes, she made sure to break the bones rendering him incapable of walking or using his hand for life. Her fencing was merciless, causing Boru to pass out due to excessive pain.

It's sad, from start to finished. She didn't even speak to him, deeming the pig undeserving of her words. Hence, the poor man didn't even know the reason behind her wrath. Or perhaps it's too painful to say it.

That Zyro and Pert died because of him.

Suddenly, someone spoke amidst that gloomy silence.

"I must say, you are more ruthless than I thought. Well, considering your future self, I think it's fitting."

Scarlet tensed up, glaring at the extremely old person in tattered robe with disheveled white hair falling down their shoulder, their skin was wrinkled beyond belief. This person was the oldest person she had ever saw, she didn't even know one could age to this extent.

The mysterious elder raises an arm apolitically.

"Oh, pardon my intrusion, how rude of me. I've been in isolation for so long I've forgotten basic etiquettes. But believe me, I have come to great lengths just to meet you, young lady. You're more beautiful than I expected."

She raised an eyebrow, her bloody saber already manifested while dozens of red needles floated above her. All pointing to the old intruder.

The sight of her holding a sharp saber with a dozen pointy needles hovering above, ready to strike anytime was chillingly beautiful. Her crimson eyes glinted in bloodlust, emanating lethality.

She smiled, treating the potential enemy with royal courtesy which hid hostility.

"I'm flattered. But who are you, kind sir?"

Despite knowing the ancient person had sneaked in unnoticed all this time, hinting the difference between their strength. All the while, aware that no allies would come to her aid if battle occurred. The Princess remains unnaturally calm in the face of such adversity that may very well be her end.

Such bravery and resolve was rare for young ladies.

The person laughed, finding her traits promising.

"Me? Good question. I foresee long lasting cooperation between us, so there's no point in lying... I'm Deris, her Goddess trusted handmaiden, commander of light keepers and one of history's greatest Sage. So please, don't refer to me as a man, if you would be so kind unlike a certain knight. Old as I may be, I'm still a woman nonetheless."

Scarlet lips twitched, discovering that the seemingly old man before her was actually a woman of extreme age. How is she supposed to know? Deris youth had deteriorated so much to the point it can no longer be differentiated whether she's an elder man or woman. Even Zyro's sharp eyes were fooled.

Not knowing what to say to Debris, the old woman took the initiative.

"You seemed unconvinced. Perhaps this might ease your doubts."

Her speak was steady and confident, as she showed the back of her right hand, where a mark appeared... It's a tribal 'K'

Scarlet usually calm eyes widened, her crimson ires shrunk by fright.

If she's not mistaken, that's the tenth Mark. It may not seem much, but as an ascended herself. She knew the difficulties of climbing higher after passing the lower Marks. Because the gap between mark-bearers would only grow as the power they gain became more evident with every step. In return, advancing further become harder.

And reaching the tenth was almost impossible for any individual. Her father, the king of vampires himself only achieved the Mark of nine - Iota. Over the years of his ruling, he commanded a hundred thousand vampiric warriors wielding steel weapons, clad in iron armors. Their racial talents are to be dreaded too. The hundred airships they own was no less frightening, as well. The Vampires military force are only second to the Gricks in Foggy Ring. Yet all of that only amounted to ninth Mark for their king.

Of course, such achievements were already impressive among kings. For he had entered the stage beyond Master. Mark one to four is the Warrior stage, with Alpha as the starting point and Delta serving its end. Individuals in this level are mere soldiers with Delta's - full pledged Warriors at their top. After that is another level of power - Master. As the title suggest, whoever entered this stage were Masters of their own right, possessing power incomparable with mere Warriors. However, becoming a tier one Master is a struggle itself, it's the point where most fourth-Mark bearer's gave up ascending.

Throughout history, Master stage was kings average level with few exceptional talents reaching above, namely - Mighty. Whoever climbed there were considered Mighty creature's capable of razing kingdoms themselves. Wielding power equivalent to thousands of soldiers. They are powerful enough to be known as demigods.

And this ancient woman in front of her was on par to a king in terms of individual might. Even rivaling the ruler of Gricks, who's also a 10th Mark-bearer. Actually, if what she claim is correct. Deris, as a Sage armed with countless spells is stronger than the winged race ruler individually without his airborne army, that is.

Scarlet struggles to suppress her fear, preventing her hands from shuddering and voice to show signs of trembling as she asks.

"May I know what business do you have with me?"

For someone as powerful as her to visit a fallen royalty was indeed odd. Scarlet didn't have much now. Most of her family retainers were gone, leaving her a few assets for disposal. In fact, she's not even sure about reclaiming her rights as the heir of the throne with what's left of her authority. Truth be told, she's planning to let go of her rights in exchange for resources which she will then use to repay her loyal companions and live an ordinary life. That's the least she could do for them. But they're gone, leaving her nothing but materialistic possessions.

In a sense, she has nothing left.

However, the proclaimed Sage reply changed everything.

Deris laughed hoarsely.

"Worry not, princess. I mean no harm, rather, the opposite. Because all of mine, I'm willing to offer it to support your ideals."

She frowned, a part of her hoping her words to not be a lie.

"And why?"

Deris ancient eyes glinted with joy, her lips can't help but curl up. Because every sacrifice she made, all these years she waited in extreme solitude was for this very moment.

To tell this seemingly innocent young lady her glorious destiny.

"My lady, the title of princess nor Queen of vampires would not contain your ambitions. You know it yourself. Deep within your heart is hunger... You crave for power like no other, you aspire to conquer even more than anyone in this continent. Although, there's some shift on your fate. I believe your character to be unrivaled as I prophesied."

She voiced with overflowing conviction.

"For you are destined to be the Empress of Blood who'll rule over the Beast continent and save our goddess from the Swords!"

To conquer the entire Beast continent and rule as its Empress? Scarlet doubted anyone could do that, because over the course of history. Many ambitious individuals who aimed for that position are killed by their own greed, while some give up halfway. Yet for some reason, that outrageous statement moved her heart. Her predecessors might have failed, but it's mainly because they don't have what it takes.

And Deris was clearly implying she have what they lack. Scarlet didn't know about that, for all she had right now was inextinguishable hatred and sorrow.

"Tell me... Can you help me destroy my enemies and quench the grief I feel?"

Deris gave her a tender look, understanding her grief. Then said harshly.

"Power is everything in this world. The weak gets trampled by the strong. So follow me, my lady. I'll guide you to supremacy, only then will no one ever harm you."

Indeed, Deris is right. If she wasn't weak, she wouldn't be chased by assassins. If she wasn't weak, maybe their group could have a better outcome.

"I see, lead me then to spite the Gricks... And put the entire Beast continent on their knees!"

***

In the ruined chamber where the ancient Sage are sealed. Zyro who came here to ask about Legends Tales was standing there alone. Depter was nowhere to be seen, his absence left an odd sensation in the cage. Hinting him that the seal was gone, so did its effect on the Broken Sword existence.

Without the caster, there are no spells to illuminate the chamber, drowning the room in utter darkness. In the silence, Zyro was looking at Legends Tales luminous contents it had just conjured.

It read;

"A long time ago, a maiden grief for her Goddess fell. Driven by a longing heart, she touches upon forbidden spells to glimpse into the future in seek of hope. There, she saw an Empress in red leading millions against the Swords, the sky rain blood, the ice dyed red. In that chaos where death is everywhere, the maiden saw hope. She sacrificed all she owned to grasp that light, embracing solitude for years until now... She's free."

Zyro was motionless for a while, before face-palming.

"His... a she? Seriously, what's wrong with people in this world?"

He figured her name, Depter, was false too. Not like his one to talk, Zyro never shared his name to the Sage.