Legacy Of The Extra-Chapter 41: Grey Phoenix

I made my way up the stairs, each step making a creaking noise in the wood. A tray with hot food in my hands. I stepped into the floor's hallway, making my way towards my room.

Stopping before the room with a wooden plaque that read: "7". I knocked on the door and waited for a few seconds. The door creaked open, with Aeris peeking out her head slightly as she looks at me.

"You're early, Human." She stated, opening the door wide and allowing me to enter the room. I stepped inside with a swift step, after which Aeris locked the door.

"Did you wait too long?" I asked her, setting the tray down on the nearby table.

"No, it was quite faster than I expected." She said, crossing her arms. Her ears were back to normal—Long and sharp. Her shabby clothes were now visible as she had removed her cloak.

"I see." I took off my cloak and then my heavy shirt, leaving my frame with a small and grey tunic. "Let us eat then."

She slowly approached the table, pulled out a chair, and took a seat. I distributed the food appropriately among us and did the same.

Aeris narrowed her eyes at the food, her brows furrowing. "What is this?"

"It's Vension glazed with honey, along with flatbread and a side of mashed potatoes," I replied, gazing down at the delicious supply of protein and carbohydrates.

But nothing can beat Aunt Josephine's cooking. Gosh, do I miss her and Mich—

[Your real feelings are spilling out... NOAH~] Dante's teasing voice interrupted my nostalgia trip.

[It hasn't been too long for a 'Nostalgia Trip']

Do I have to seal your mouth using some ancient magic, Mr. Useless?

[For your kind information, without me tracking this Elf would've been a lot harder.] He shot back, [If not for my ability to sense legacy essence, it would've taken you more than 5 hours just to track her down. So, shut up, little one.]

...

Croft interjected with her usual calm tone.

[And also, I was the one who introduced you to that needle pinch technique.]

[It was you who gave him that title!]

Both of you calm the fuck down and let me eat in peace. Can't I get a single day without two voices fighting inside my head?

"Human?" Aeris's voice cut through our banter, her eyebrows aching. "Are you listening?"

"What were you saying?" I asked her, maintaining my calm exterior. Cutting a piece of the vension meat with a knife.

"I was asking can you properly tell me the reason of your disguise and..." Her voice trailed off as if she was thinking of something. Then she snapped right back in. "How will you cure my condition?"

"It will be a long explanation, with alchemicle studies. You sure you want to hear it now?"

Aeris's ears perked up as soon as she heard the mention of alchemy. Her golden eyes burned with excitement that she tried to hide. But it could be seen.

"Sure, go on."

"Then... First, let me start with my plan and reasons."

As our dinner continued, I filled her in on the details of my plan to start a faction named "The Covenant of Ashes" under the guise of a Mazekin guild. And how I will utilize it to keep an eye on uncertain entities and information.

I did not tell her about my Revenge yet.

The Covenant will also work as a small army of mine, which I can use to hunt down demons and also make them do quests for money. I also told her about the role she will play—The Mage and the brains of the faction.

As for the other two, the warrior is an Ironvale native named Vikram—A normal boy hardened by life in the Ironvale Kingdom. And as for the assassin and my personal informant...

"What?! You are planning to join the Shadow Veils?!" Aeris's voice echoed inside the room, her expression was that of shock, fear and concern. "Are you out of your mind, Human?!"

Of course, it would. That was a normal reaction to the thing I just said.

"Shhh," I put a finger on my lips, telling her to quiet down. "I know this is risky, but I have no other choice."

"You do know what they have done, right?"

"I do."

I did indeed—from the assassination of everyday people to the assassination of Royalty. This faction is infamous, but as I have said, they were wiped out in the second semester.

So, before they are wiped out. I would join their ranks and find a suitable candidate for the assassin role in my faction.

[How are you so sure about that?] Dante interjected this time.

Because not all the members join willingly. They are either forced into a contract by holding their family as hostages or by granting the victim loans which, if they failed to pay—They would kidnap their children and turn them into assassins.

[If they have no children?]

They would sell the borrower's organs as payment.

"That is reckless," Aeris mumbled, her shoulders lowering. "If I remember the incident correctly. These assassins were also the reason for the assassination of Huge Aristocrat in your lands."

"I suppose you are talking about Lady Isolde Von Frostholm, the Duchess of the Frostholm Duchy."

"Yes, that human woman. It was quite an uproar, wasn't it?"

"It sure was..." I replied, my voice dropping slightly.

Isolde Von Frostholm—Duchess of Frostholm Duchy, mother of Felix Von Frostholm and Cynthia Von Frostholm, along with their two other elder siblings—Neil Von Frostholm and Layla Von Frostholm.

In the game, the Shadow Veil extermination story quest was part of Cynthia's heroine route—One of the hardest routes to unlock but also the most rewarding route.

Because you get badass Assassin Gear which I definitely fucking want.

Who cares about the girl as long as I can wear an assassin robe with cloaking effects and stealth effects while I whisper "Requiescat in Pace" to my enemies? Definitely Me.

Updat𝓮d from freewēbnoveℓ.com.

"Let's not go off topic," I said, trying to bring our focus back on the task at hand, and next was...

"Now, I will explain the cure to your problem."

Aeris leaned forward, placing her chin on her hand. Her eyes showed determination, ears were perked up.

Seeing this, a small smile played at my lips. "So, for your Mana Insensitivity... I will need to get the Astral roots."

"What is that?" She asked, her focus increasing by the second.

"It is quite a rare ingredient found in Mazes, and from what I've researched, it can cure Mana Insensitivity."

"How?"

"I will have to make a potion from the liquid extracted from it."

Then, I went on a bit about the recipe and its rareness. But for me, it should be a piece of cake, as I know the exact Maze where it has the highest chance of spawning. And lucky for me, it is in the Frostholm Duchy.

"I see," She replied, rubbing her chin. "Can I really trust you?"

"Of course, we signed a blood contract. So, I will have to complete my side of the bargain." I cracked a knowing smile at her, "While you do yours..."

"Of course, I did not forget about the contract." She stated this in her usual tone, but there was a slight change—A bit of warmth than before, which is a plus for me.

"It is getting late," I stood up from the chair and looked outside the window. "We should sleep."

"You're right but..." Aeris paused, she clasped her hands together. Her frame shifted uncomfortably.

"But what?" I asked.

"W-we have to share a bed?" She averted her gaze, the tips of her long ears burning a hue of red.

"We really don't have to," I stated, climbing on the bed. "You can just sleep on the floor."

Aeris blinked slightly, her lips parting to argue, but she quickly closed them shut. The way she twitched, I knew she was angry, but it really did not matter.

I am the one who is paying the bills.

"You can find the sheets inside that small almera and-" I grabbed a pillow from my bed and threw it towards her. "Here is your pillow."

She grabbed it and simply glared at me, wanting to say something but did not. Instead, she just headed towards the almera.

Seeing that, I rested my head on the soft and cold pillow. The day today was exhausting—Mazekin Test, dealing with those bandits, rescuing Aeris—everything was building up. My eyes gently closed but...

"Hey." Before I could completely delve into my dreams, Aeris's voice woke me up.

"What is it?" I asked, not opening my eyes.

"What is the name of the Guild?"

"You have to ask that now?"

"Yes, just tell me." She urged.

"Fine..." I thought about it. Covenant of Ashes... Ashes... Phoenix?

"So?" She asked again.

"Grey Phoenix..." I mumbled as my mind drifted off to the dream realm.