Seeking Legacy
Everything had gone very well for Edrick since his return from Eltysia–But after two months of training, it was time to return and handle some business once and for all.
Anoteros smoked from his wooden pipe at the window of his bedchambers. A piece of cloth was attached around his waist, as his wives were left tired and well-fed on the bed. Their chests heaving from an intense session of marital activities with their husband. The scion was stocking up on excess energy. He had also been hoping to gain a boon from his fifth wife, but as expected, he still hadn’t bedded her enough times for that to happen.
It wasn’t of tremendous importance anyway…
He felt ready to confront the challenges that awaited him within the land of Eltysia. His ultimate objective was clear: Make Eltysia, the physical avatar of the realm itself, submit to him. He intended to claim control of the secret realm in the most supreme manner possible–By placing a crest upon her directly. There was no greater way of taking ownership of the land than this.
In a sense, this would make him a literal god to the Underwood Elves as well. He would become the consort of their divinity, after all. Not just that, but also the dominant party of the relationship.
Of course, he needed to take care of some business beforehand. Namely, he needed to pay a visit to the descendant of the Paraceratherium Magus Lord’s lord... Not just because Eltysia wanted him to do it to ‘prove his worthiness’, but because there was something to gain from doing so. Besides, he would be foolish not to seek it out before the grand finale…
…The grand finale was obviously going to be his fight against the Red Guardian.
The Blutgar had once seemed like an insurmountable obstacle, but since then, Anoteros had grown a lot. He also already knew many of the realm defender’s tricks as well... It certainly wasn’t going to be a beatdown like what he had inflicted upon Linfeng, though.
Speaking of which, his Alrinir–Fingmi–Was an obedient, submissive little thing. Even without a crest, she followed orders and commands without any problem. No matter what was asked of her, she would do it without complaint. She hadn’t even tried to escape once. Not that there was even a sliver of a chance for her to succeed, even if she did try… Regardless, the noble had made her polish his sword and pommels several times now. She was getting better at it and would cry less about it during and after the session.
The problem could be solved with a little bit of physical correction, but... Her sobbing was like music to his ears. He couldn’t wait to hear how she would beg, kick, and scream when he decided to take things to the next level… But it wasn’t for now. He was keeping her on edge–Letting the fear within marinate. He would sometimes trick her into believing that the time had come, only to pull a bait-and-switch.
With every instance of relief came further anxiety about the day when this wouldn’t be an act.
The way she squirmed was a feast for the eyes. He was going to enjoy fully breaking her… It was going to be his treat when he returned victorious from Eltysia.
Linfeng was going to be in for a surprise when he finally decided to show up.
In any case, Anoteros got dressed and prepared himself for yet another trip. He and his bestial companions travelled using the Lodestone, and soon found themselves breathing into the energy-rich air once more.
He did not encounter the Blutgar or stop by any Underwood Elf village. He headed directly for the area where he had been informed the special Paraceratherium Magus was to be found–And luckily, Edrick found what he was looking for rather quickly.
Hidden amidst a dense forest with trees taller than the norm, he found an ancient temple that was unlike any other he had discovered until now... It was far removed from the architectural style of the orange temples. This one was like a large block of stone which had been hollowed out and polished. Rather than being overrun by nature, it seemed to instead coexist with it, like a symbiote and its host.
…The area surrounding it was deserted. The only living being around was a single Paraceratherium Magus. In appearance, it resembled the rest of its kind, but the strength and presence this one emitted was unmistakably much higher than anything the noble had seen from other beasts of this species. He wasn’t confident in his chances to survive a fight with the average member of this species in the first place…
He felt a bit more confident about his chances to run away if necessary, though. As such, he told his followers to wait for him a distance away, as he approached the beast lying down on the ground and peacefully basking in the sun.
This was the Allina of a great Paraceratherium Magus. It might even be appropriate to refer to her as a princess…
She sensed the human’s presence from a great distance away. Anoteros had not been trying to hide himself. He was trying to approach peacefully–And being so far away from the Cradled Region, the beast had never seen a human before, yet…
“You look like a human”
…She recognised him for what he was.
“Indeed, I am Edrick Lucien Anoteros. May I ask for your name, Miss?”
The Paraceratherium Magus rose. She was more imposing than the rest of her kind as well… She was five meters tall at the withers, was eight meters in length, had a skull two meters in length, and possessed twenty-five tons of weight–All packed into a compact, powerful frame and accompanied by a natural knowledge and mastery of wild spellcasting… She may be classified as a beast, but she could comfortably be referred to as a monster with ease.
She did not appear immediately aggressive, merely a bit curious.
“I am Deladeri, Heir of Magus-King Daladerium. You must be seeking his inheritance, right? Fret not, I do not intend to block your path if such is the case. The Magus-King was clear in the instructions he left behind: Any and all can attempt to claim what he left behind”
“I would be lying if I claimed not to be interested in what was left by the Magus-King… But I was also lured here after hearing about you, Miss Deladeri. I can not help but notice that your beauty is unrivalled amongst your kind”
The beast shifted.
“...Are you courting me, Human?”
“I indeed am”
“I was unaware that humans could be attracted to beasts… I appreciate the attention, but my answers to such a declaration purely depend on whether you can succeed in claiming the Magus-King’s treasure for yourself. The one who can do so will become the new Magus-King–And from there, I will naturally follow whoever that is”
“I see. Then, I shall do my best”
Edrick gave an elegant bow to Deladeri and then proceeded to step into the temple. It was time to see what this treasure was all about.