Overwhelming Firepower

While Robert was still trying to expel the poison from his body, Lucen continued to look through the skills and traits he had.

He tapped through the plus signs on his status window, reading each new description that popped up.

As he expected, most of them were just as their names implied. Bullet Creation lets him conjure ammo faster now. Gun Kata refined his movement and combat instincts as long as he held a gun. Battle Instinct gave him clearer danger signals.

A few had subtle quirks, but nothing wildly different from what he’d already figured out through trial and error. Still, it was a relief, no more guessing games. Now, he could plan his growth more efficiently.

Some traits, however, offered more than expected, like Acting Adept. It greatly enhanced his ability to assume personas.

When fully immersed in a role, he could temporarily adopt fragments of that character’s mindset, instincts, or even skills, at the cost of slight psychological strain.

Of course, the effect depended on how well he understood the character. The deeper his knowledge, the stronger Acting Adept’s influence was.

’To think Acting Adept was such a skill. Now that I know, I can use this more to my advantage.’

While Lucen was thinking about how to use his skills and traits more effectively now that he had more details on them, Robert, who was on the ground, finally expelled the poison from his body.

”To think that poison was greater than those from the other monsters we have tried eating before. Still, despite my sorry state at the moment, I actually feel quite good. I wonder what kinds of abilities we gained from eating the giant troll’s meat.”

Before Robert could begin theorizing aloud, a knock came at the door.

A maid bowed outside. ”Young master Lucen. A message has arrived from Duke Thornehart. You are to report to his study.”

”Sorry, Robert, but you have to figure out what the effects of the giant troll’s meat are on your own. But I think maybe we gained some of its vitality.”

”I see! That makes sense, since that’s the most distinct ability that giant trolls have, nay, all trolls in general. Hehehe, once I’m able to move again, I’ll test it out.”

Robert once again started mumbling to himself, eyes glazed with inspiration and madness in equal measure.

”See you later, Robert.” Lucen gave a casual wave and stepped out, following the maid down the polished corridor toward his father’s study.

Now that the sun had fully risen, the mansion’s beauty was on full display. Every corner of Caelhart’s ducal estate radiated wealth and tradition, towering windows with velvet drapes, portraits of stoic ancestors, and gilded columns that shimmered faintly with enchantments.

It was completely different from their home back in Ironhold, which was more fortress than a house.

It took a few minutes to reach Vardon’s study. The same as everything else in this mansion, the door to Vardon’s study was quite extravagant. Carved from darkwood, inlaid with silver threads forming the Thornehart crest.

”This is the Duke’s study.” The maid spoke while curtsying.

Lucen opened the door, and there inside was his Father with a sword in hand, unlike his study in Ironhold, where you would see him with paperwork.

This study was more like a training ground with its large open space and just a few chairs and a desk at the side.

Vardon had his eyes closed, he was not moving a single inch, and he was holding his sword relaxed in his hand, but for some reason, it felt like he was about to cut everything in the room.

Lucen’s battle instinct activated, and he quickly created two revolvers in each arm as he unconsciously moved to defend himself.

”It seems that you have once again improved, my son.” The pressure Vardon was emitting had disappeared.

”Was there really a need to test me?” Lucen asked while still in a defensive stance, sweating a little.

”I simply wanted to see how far you have progressed. It would seem that even without an aura mantle, you should be as strong as someone who’s at the peak of the second mantle. I guess the training with Sir Thalos has paid off.”

Lucen showed an awkward smile after hearing his father’s assessment. With just one move that wasn’t really a move, he was able to assess Lucen’s current strength.

”So why have you called for me, Father?”

”... I’ll get straight to the point then. While we’re here in Caelhart, you may do whatever you want, but always remember to keep the honor and pride of a Thornehart. Also, when you go outside, Sir Thalos will be guarding you.”

”... Father, what if I go to the underground arena and participate, will you stop me?” After speaking, Lucen gulped dryly, awaiting Vardon’s response.

”I have already said you may do anything you want. For as long as you uphold the honor and pride of a Thornehart, I will not question where you go or what you do.”

Lucen slowly nodded, the ghost of a smile tugging at his lips. ”I will follow your command, Father.”

***

After a brief conversation with his father, Lucen exited the room, and just outside the room was the knight whose muscles could intimidate just about anybody. Of course, it was none other than Sir Thalos Stonemaul.

”Good morning, young master. I will be your guard for the duration of our stay in Caelhart.” A confident smile appeared on Sir Thalos’s face.

”I will entrust my protection to you, Sir Thalos.”

”You can count on me, young master!” Sir Thalos pounded his chest.

”Okay, now let’s find two more companions and head out.”

***

In one of the grand rooms within the mansion, Harlik and Mark were cleaning their weapons in silence.

”Who would have thought that guys like us would be sleeping in a place like this?” Mark suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.

Harlik chuckled. ”Yeah. Who knew a couple of mercenaries would be in a place like this? Still, sometimes I think this is all a dream, and I would wake up and see myself back on some battlefield, doing anything for coin.”

”I guess we lucked out, didn’t we, boss,” Mark replied with a smile on his face.

”I guess we did, especially you, Mark. If the little leader didn’t forgive you, then you wouldn’t be here at all.”

”No need to remind me. I have sworn to never betray him again and always remain loyal.”

”I hear ya,” Harlik responded with a light chuckle.

Just then, the door creaked open.

”Get ready,” Lucen’s voice called from the hallway. ”We’re heading out.”

Harlik raised a brow. ”Heading out where?”

Lucen stepped in with a sly smile, and Sir Thalos towering behind him like a mobile fortress. ”Somewhere a little more... Interesting.”

”Little leader, anywhere you go becomes a little interesting,” Harlik responded while equipping himself with weapons.

”No need for any weapons... I guess just leave the arquebuses behind and bring a sword.”

Harlik and Mark nodded their heads as they set aside their arquebuses and tightened their sword belts.

Now that the group was formed, Lucen headed out with his three bodyguards.

***

In the distance, watching from the room in the opposite building of the Thornehart estate, and other such places, several spies noted that Lucen came out with three bodyguards.

The group of spies followed the young heir of the Iron Duke. Of course, they kept their distance so that the knight walking beside Lucen wouldn’t notice them. Unfortunately, the second they followed Lucen’s group, Sir Thalos noticed them.

”Young master, should I deal with the flies following us?”

”There’s no need to do that. Who cares what they tell their masters? In fact, I want them to know what we’re doing.”

”If that’s what you want, young master.” Sir Thalos no longer bothered with the ones following them, as long as they didn’t do anything stupid, like attacking Sir Thalos, they would not move against them.

”So, where are we going, little leader? The casino, perhaps, or the auction house?” Harlik asked.

”Neither, we’re going to some place much more fun than those,” Lucen replied with a huge grin on his face.

”A place more fun than the casino?” Harlik asked, trying hard to think about what could be more fun than a casino.

”Yep, we’re going to the underground arena.”

The second Lucen said those words, his three bodyguards had very different reactions.

”Hahaha! I knew you had it in you, young master. Come on then, let’s show the might of the Thornehart house.” Sir Thalos laughed heartily while slapping Lucen’s back, which hurt a bit.

”I think you don’t understand the meaning of fun, little leader,” Harlik responded with a sigh.

”Well, what can I say but as expected of the little leader, always saying the most outrageous things,” Mark responded while shrugging his shoulders.

Now knowing the destination, the group headed to the lower districts of the city, a place where the lights don’t reach, and mercy is a foreign word.