Reading about something and experiencing it are two entirely different things. When I came across a fox spirit's ability to charm people, I waved it off. Like bitch, I can spit fire from my mouth if I want. How can a mere charm skill harm me?
But last night's events got me rethinking my stance on the usefulness.
John tried to follow my orders, but as soon as he left the building, he was attacked by the guards at the gate and stabbed. Unfortunately, it wasn't fatal.
Our guards outside heard his scream, coupled with explosions, and rushed into the building, and a fight broke out. The Lotus family guards were outnumbered and soon subdued.
Apart from John, we didn't have any other casualties on our side. William carried out more investigations on the Lotus family and realized the servants were male too, as well as the guards. He suspected they were a part of one big harem with the only woman in the family; that damned fox.
They never got paid, they just took turns with Mrs. Lotus and sometimes it was a massive orgy.
We soon concluded that she had been using her husband's business to feed off men's lust, allowing her powers to grow fast. According to William, that lady was at the peak of the mortal realm and a step away from the earth realm.
That explains why she got greedy and drew unnecessary attention to herself. The building was surrounded so she couldn't escape. To cover her tracks, she charmed her husband and hung him to make it seem like suicide.
However, William caught her on her way out and a fight ensued. It led to her messy escape which led to our first clash.
Considering that she was at the peak of the mortal realm, but William held an advantage over her, I suspected he must be in the Earth realm already!
To a few supernatural beasts, this man was their greatest nightmare, but in the world of magic, he was mid at best. That's why he is still a Baron and has failed to attain a greater title.
Regardless, I respect the man. His life achievement was the dream of most average people. At one point, it was mine as well. But with this death magic, I realized how much more I could achieve much more.
I can become God.
"Where are we going?" I looked through the window.
We have been in the city since yesterday and even slept in an inn last night. I expected this fox spirit hunt to be straightforward but things don't always go as planned..
"The church. They are the only ones who can help us pinpoint the fox's location." William responded and I blinked in shock.
I have read the story of the church and how it came to be. But Lin claims they are the bad guys but wasn't willing to tell me how.
'It's not time yet,' he would always say.
Our carriage rolled up to the northern parts of Blackwood Thicket, and to my surprise, its towering walls were on par with that of the Blackwood family. I could spot a few watch towers with archers mounted but they weren't wearing the general military attire. Instead, they say black cassock fastened with leather armor.
"The hell?" I mumbled with knitted eyebrows. "Is this allowed?"
Having a second force with a personal army was beyond my expectations and made me feel unsafe.
"The church is the biggest empire and the only force that can combat the Knolls effectively. Not only is every branch scattered across the world and races, but they also recruit our mages into their ranks. It is safe to say the church is the most powerful empire in the world right now." William explained.
The last sentence left me blinking in shock. Lin always ranted about how powerful the church was and I paid no attention because I found nothing threatening about a man in a cassock. I didn't they they would have their own mages and personal army.
After going through the security checkout, the carriage rolled into the vast piece of land, sizable like that of the Blackwood family. I saw barracks for soldiers, living quarters, training fields, a market, and so many more structures. It was like a mini city within a city.
This is treason if you ask me!
Fortunately, I'm not the Lord of the Blackwood family—yet. Killing John instantly became the second thing on my to-do list after I became the patriarch of House Blackwood. Getting the church out of my territory has become the first thing I plan to do.
"Don't you feel threatened by all of this?" I asked to gauge William's opinion of the church and he gave me the 'wtf-are-you-saying' look.
"The church is the savior of not just humanity but all life on this continent. Only their arcane magic is effective against the Knolls and the walls protecting the last three empires in this continent are protected by the church's spell. None of us would survive without them. So why would I be uncomfortable?" William explained and I nodded.
'I can see why you told me to never reveal my ability to anyone.' I mumbled to Lin.
The look in Williams' eyes while he spoke about the church was full of reverence and respect. If this man found out I wielded a power deemed forbidden by the church, he wouldn't hesitate to kill me.
{Survival brings about desperation and desperation builds the basis for fanaticism. The world sees the church as the only reason they have survived this long. They won't hesitate to offer their family as a sacrifice to the church} Lin's voice was laced with disgust and resentment.
I massaged my temples gently with a frown. The complications that came with the death magic always kept me on edge. After the vision of how the last user died, I knew I needed to be careful, or I might end up that way.
"I'll bother about it when the time comes." I decided.
There is no use stressing over something I cannot control or influence. My only focus now should be getting stronger.
Our carriage finally came to a halt in front of a massive cathedral with towering spires and gigantic windows. It felt like the cathedral was home to giants.
Exiting the carriage, a man in a black cassock and a white four-pillar pendant displaying a shield, sword, spear, and bow. The man was in his early thirties and had a unique snow-white hair color.
His spectacles made it hard to see his eyes but his warm smile gave him a kind look.
"Peace be onto you, brother William. It's nice to see you again." This man's voice was kind.
I was in full-blown suspicious mode. Those who act modest the most, always have something to hide. A man who wears a kind image publicly tends to be the most rotten and twisted within.
"Likewise Father Corbin." William approached the man with a smile and they hugged.
Gay!
I felt like throwing up but did well to hide my disgust behind a calm visage. Father Corbin's attention shifted to me, he sized me up before returning his attention to William.
"He is the boy you adopted I have heard so much about?" He asked and William nodded.
"Such a fine addition to your family." Father Corbin smiled and approached me.
He stretched out his hand with a sweet smile that showed his perfect row of teeth, he introduced himself.
"I am Father Corbin. Head priest of the Blackwood Thicket branch. What's your name, young lad?" He asked.
At first, I felt insulted. I wanted to grab this man by the neck and watch him rot but then I remembered I was still 15. Killing ironback boars and hunting fox spirits doesn't make me any older.
It just makes me a kick-ass 15-year-old. Regardless, I am 15 no matter what.
I shelved my annoyance and shook Corbin's hand with a small smile.
"Derek Blackwood." I gave a simple introduction.
William approached and pulled out a handkerchief. He carefully opened it, revealing a comb with some strings of hair attached to it.
"Regarding last night's matter. I need your help to find this creature." He handed the come over to Father Corbin.
The priest nodded and took the come, still maintaining a calm smile. From his reaction, it seemed William had sent word to him, ahead of today.
"Come with me." Father Corbin said before walking into the church.
I followed them into the cathedral and I was impressed—it was unique. Rows of chairs line up in descending order, down to the altar and podium at the bottom where the priest stands. The chairs were arranged in a semicircle arc with the podium backed against a door that led to another room
We walked down the stairs beside the seat rows and made it to the altar, but Father Corbin moved around it and pulled out a key, which he used to unlock the back door.
We followed him in, entering a completely dark room. I could hear the sound of the door locking behind us, and then a double clap followed, and the room lit up by azure blue torches.
The room was empty.
"Pay attention, lad. You are about to witness arcane magic. The power only the church controls." William said with a childish excitement that made me roll my eyes.
Arcane magic? Have you heard of death magic?
{Arcane magic is versatile and unique… It is also a five-star element. This is the power that defeated your predecessors numerous times in the past. So yes, William is right. Pay attention and understand the greatest weapon of your enemy.} Lin scolded.
Buzz!
I frowned and shifted my attention to Father Corbin. The priest was drawing a sigil on the ground using chalk. This made me tilt my head in surprise because I had never seen anything like this before.
He drew a central eye and then four outer runes placed at cardinal points. Tethered spirals linked the central eye to the outer runes. Corbin carefully set the comb in the center of the sigil only after pulling out a few strings of hair.
Snap!
With a snap of his fingers, the hair was caught in azure blue flames and he let them fall off the comb.
Buzz!
Blue flames flared across the ground, spreading far and wide before getting dragged back into the center of the sigil and then processing to spread to other parts of the sigil.
"By thread of fate and bond unseen,
Reveal the path where they have been.
From dust and bone, to trace their way,
Guide my sight, let none betray!
Bloodhound's Beacon, heed my plea,
Show their path and lead to thee!"
Father Corbin chanted in a hushed tone and the central eye within the sigil pulsed. A faint spectral compass appeared spinning anti-clockwise rapidly.
"If the target is stationary, it remains straight, pointing directly toward them. If the target is moving, it flickers and shifts slightly, reacting to their movements and If the target enters a magically shielded area, it weakens and may temporarily vanish." Father Corbin explained as he picked up the spectral compass and passed it over to William.
This was so shocking I was shaken. This spell was too complicated, it was not something that could be created using imagination.
{They are called origin spells. Spells created and ordained by this world. Most of the original spells known to the world are held by the church. The rest lay in the ruins beyond your empire walls. That's why empires and the church fund exploration parties heavily.} Lin explained.
Does something like this exist?
I blinked in confusion, wondering why I hadn't seen anything on origin spells.
"Thank you for your help again!" William received the spectral compass with gratitude.
Father Corbin shook his head and waved off his thanks. "Since you allowed your territory to become a home to the church, we must protect this town in any way we can."