Beneath the Crimson's domain.

Who spoke wasn't really important to Norris. The question, though sharp, had come at the right time. If nobody asked, the atmosphere would have been very awkward, even if Norris tried to reason. It had set a stage for Norris, and Norris was happy to seize it, as he gave an impromptu speech. "In a war, you can never be too prepared," he began, his voice steady and confident. A deep, burning blue soul flame flickered steadily in his eyes, echoing the intensity of his words.

"I hope everyone can put aside their prejudice and think more rationally. In this territory, my kind is a minority, too sparse to provide any real help. But that's exactly why our unique skills are crucial." Norris's words dripped with conviction as he continued, "A lot of factors that could prove fatal for large armies could be alleviated by mages. Abomination tides could be redirected, the martial spirit formed could be better controlled and utilized. The destructive power of magic, released at the full cost of a mage's mana and energy from other sources, could also change the tide at critical moments."

As he emphasized his points, the blue flame in his eyes pulsed slightly, showing his passion and conviction. His gaze swept the room, meeting the eyes of his skeptics. "And let's not forget, we're not the only ones who can wield magic. Most of our enemies will use it against us. Why put ourselves at a disadvantage?"

As soon as Norris finished his speech, the Noble nodded in agreement, "Well said, Norris," he declared, his voice carrying across the room. "I agree. Mages can play a crucial role in our war efforts. Their unique skills can indeed turn the tide of battle in our favor. Norris our magical advisor will be given the chance to decide how the mages in our territory will help us".

Norris's soul fire narrowed slightly as he watched the noble's reaction. It was almost too quick, too rehearsed. He suspected that the noble might have been the one who asked the question, or perhaps one of his closest allies. The whole exchange felt orchestrated, as if Norris was being manipulated into making his point.

But Norris didn't really care. As he saw it, this was a win-win situation. He had made his case, and the noble's agreement would carry significant weight.

The warriors instinctively tensed, wary of the mage organization which might breed ambition and power, making them lose some of their interest. Yeah, they relaxed as if reminded of something. Norris noted this reaction but remained silent. He couldn't help but inwardly muse about how dumb the mages could be. After they were sidelined so much in this city they still kept their solitary lifestyle becoming easy pickings. Or perhaps they were too smart and knew that resisting might be in vain so they simply disdained to play politics. Arrogance to other practitioners, this is the mage.

The reactions that flashed briefly though was silently noted by Norris and buried deep within his mind. He will consciously and unconsciously look for the source of confidence of the warrior interest groups against the mages. He couldn't care less about the political implications but what if it was a weapon specifically targeting the mages. He couldn't afford to gamble.

"Now we have discussed an extra countermeasures and means. This brings us one step closer to victory. How are the arrangements of the troops into a military organisation...…..". Norris soul fire showed focus while his mind had drifted to thinking about magic. The meeting was over for him.

***

"Well Mage Norris we meet again. Now you're the Magic advisor you have joined the administrative core of the territory. You'll be living in the Administrative block. May I guide you to where you'll be staying. I can also recommend places that might interest you.", A familiar wraith came over to guide Norris.

Norris noticed the change in attitude that tried to come closer but he didn't mind. The world operates on profit. As an adult who would like to be your friend for no reason?

"Well take me around the administrative area. It'll be good to know where I'll be staying. Who knows there might be a raid and I'd be at loss when fleeing", Norris got up from the chair in the meeting room and followed the wraith out. They both left not even acknowledging the humour Norris had tried to spark.

As they walked through the grand hall, Norris's gaze fell upon the ancient tapestries that adorned the walls. The steward, noticing his interest, approached him.

As they walked through the grand hall, Norris's gaze fell upon the ancient tapestries that adorned the walls. The steward, noticing his interest, approached him.

"Ah, yes. These tapestries depict the history of the Crimson Domain," the steward said, his voice low and reverent.

Norris's eye socket scanned the tapestries, taking in the intricate details. "They're beautifully crafted," he said, his voice filled with genuine admiration.

The steward smiled, pleased with Norris's interest. "Yes! Each of them are treasures of the crimson domain. They each tell a part of the history of the Crimson domain. This one, for example, shows the Noble's journey in the Death Realm," he said, pointing to a scene of a warrior on horseback, surrounded by three other figures.

Norris followed the steward's pointing finger, his eye socket narrowing as he studied the scene. "The Noble was a warrior and cavalryman in his previous life, the others are around him all became nobles that are in charge of the areas around us" the steward explained.

"His nightmare horse is unusually close to him,"Norris added, eye socket locked on the horse in the tapestry. "It's said that the horse was his mount when he lived and followed him to the Death Realm?", Norris asked knowing the question wasn't too sensitive.

The steward nodded, impressed with Norris's knowledge. "No one knows for sure." As they moved to the next tapestry, the steward continued, "The Noble and his three companions stumbled upon this land, which was rare in the Death Realm."

"The Death Realm is known for its sparse, magical trees," Norris said, his eyes…. soul fire, scanning the tapestry. "The fact that a forest was in the Death Realm meant that there was treasure, the land itself or an artifact."

The steward's soul fire gleamed with a hint of pride. "Yes, exactly. They decided to rule this land together, and thus the Crimson Domain was born from the one quarter of the land owned by the Noble. Of course there have been battles big and small. The four nobles united to fight outsiders and when there's no outsider the other despicable nobles will try to attack each other. Our noble have to join to avoid been seen as weakness".

Norris listened seriously agreeing with the steward but inwardly he was grumbling. "Unite against outsiders and if there's non it's time to blow hard internally. The way the steward removed the noble and put on a hat of righteousness was funny."

The steward led Norris through the winding paths of the Crimson Domain, the air growing thick with an eerie, unnatural silence. They crested a hill, Norris feeling something looked up and saw an array he had never seen or designed. It was hidden from him last time. Norris felt the presence of these hidden arrays when he was repairing the array of the territory but he didn't try to pry. Norris however didn't have time to think about the barrier as his eye sockets fell upon a sight that made his blood run cold....or in his case his mana. This gave him consolation about the decision to seal his mom's soul.

Below them, a sea of undead. They were being herded, driven forward by some unseen force. Norris's eyes narrowed as he took in the scene.

"They're being herded to make it easier for them to evolve," the steward said, his voice low and detached. Norris's gaze snapped back to the undead, and he noticed something strange.