Chapter 490 – Now You See Me
Before leaving the Town Hall, Asterios checked in with a few members of the Committee who were present in their offices. To avoid distracting them too much, he only briefly consulted everyone about the preparations for the upcoming event in Glimmervale. The celebration was just around the corner and he knew the town’s forces from every sector were working hard to make it into one of the most memorable things in the history of Dragon Valley.
The main concern was the scope of the actual challenge.
But, Ulyssen assured him that his team was tackling the issue alongside Danny and Keenu. After long days of measuring and research, they had chosen to host the main part right in the Heart of the Dragon that was Glimmervale. And that meant the main market where Venuzathor resided.
Esotvi had already finalized her plans on how to set up all the relocated traders in the streets all around the inner section. Rows of stalls and booths were going to create a charming and festive atmosphere that led straight to the arena that would be raised in the epicenter of the challenge. This decision aimed to encourage taking pleasant walks, not just for commercial reasons but also to sightsee the town.
Any transfer gates would be moved to other selected locations while Queen Civienne’s elves and Patriarch Grotger’s dwarves built the bleachers with a combination of Nature Magic and dwarven talent for construction and similar aspects. The demons volunteered to help with assuring that the audience was safe and weaving powerful barriers and seals over the fighting pit in the middle of the audience rows.
Multiple other details were being acted upon, but Asterios had full trust in his counselors and didn’t feel the need to bother them too much. He was aware of the final meeting the next day, where everything would be summed up and revised before the heaviest and most complex work started up early the next morning. Knowing they would reach for him or the ladies when in need, he thanked them and excused himself to begin his next task.
Having an important talk with a certain short receptionist.
Truvi had already joined his entourage not that long ago, so he could simply let her know ahead of time, but the topic was better discussed in person. Using his bond to locate the peculiar dwarf girl, he made the trip to the local Adventurer’s Guild on foot, greeting people he met on the way, taking his time to think about the upcoming conversation.
As usual, the adventuring headquarters were packed to the brim with a plethora of different individuals and groups. Not as much as the always-expanding field base near the dungeon, but the main establishment still experienced a constant stream of brave delvers and monster hunters. And those of lower ranks who participated in slightly less dangerous jobs, like finding a missing cat or aiding an older man in moving homes.
At times like these, Asterios really wished he had a simple invisibility skill or ability that didn’t require him to whip out his massive Spellslinger. Sure, he could move through the shadows basically wherever he wanted to, but that didn’t affect his visibility whenever he came out of the shadows. Under Umbra’s tutelage, he was still practicing residing in darkness like a familiar could hide in its master’s shade. It was a little creepy and unnerving without someone serving as his eyes, however.
Nevertheless, trying not to garner too much attention, he located Truvi behind one of the counters and inserted himself into the line, letting anyone who came after him know that this window was closing in a moment. When his turn arrived, she greeted him with an adorable smile, but raised a curious brow at the empty space behind him.
“Did ya scare all mah pupils, Mah Lord?” Truvi snickered. “It’s already hard bein’ an advisor in this place without ya parading around.”
Asterios chuckled warmly. “I guess you could say that. There’s no point in anyone waiting out there when I’m going to steal you from your post anyway. I would like to talk in private.”
She huffed at him when a few nearby adventurers glanced their way. “Why don’t ya say that louder, eh? Like it’s not already impossible to beat all the allegations of me bein’ yer side chick.”
“My apologies. I didn’t know such rumors were going around.” He smiled ruefully. “Hopefully it’s not making your everyday life too troublesome?”
“I don’t even care what idiots think. Just yankin’ yer cord a little as usual.” Truvi waved him off with a grin, then slammed her palms into the counter when someone snorted nearby. “Not that cord ya perverts! Get back to yer business before I ensure yer advisors give ya only sewer cleanin’ for da next week!”
A few guys scrambled to get away while Asterios watched her with intrigue. “You can do that?”
“Pshhht. I’m one of da Chief Receptionists here. Of course I can.” She squinted at the crowd in search of any more troublemakers. “Mah shift doesn’t end for da next two hours though, milord.”
“Your replacement is already here, as I have messaged the guildmaster about this matter. You won’t have to return to work today. And you most likely won’t want or even have a chance to after we finish here,” he explained.
“Sounds ominous.” Truvi observed him for a while, then shrugged. “Yer da boss. Ye say jump, I ask how high.”
“Just don’t jump from your stepladder. Don’t want you getting hurt from the fall.” Asterios smirked.
The dwarf girl snickered and did exactly that, showcasing her acceptable agility. Closing her station, she led them to one of the conference rooms for the patrons. Locking the door and activating all the magical arrays, she relaxed and threw herself onto one of the couches with a deep sigh. He followed suit, taking the opposite one.
“So? What’s this about?” Truvi asked.
“How often do you receive news from your family back in the mountains?” Asterios fired right away.
“Depends. Neither mahself nor Papi are important to them since, as ya know, we chose da bigger world rather than da clan life.” She stroked her chin. “For which we are still very grateful. I’m glad Papi was offered a job here so we can stay close. He even got himself a cute assistant. But, with how that old geezer looks at da lass, Truvi might one day have a new sister if she doesn’t watch them closely.”
“As long as he isn’t abusing his position as her employer, maybe that wouldn’t be so bad.” He spread his hands thoughtfully. “Anyway, how long would it take for their message to reach you if they did have a reason to want your attention?”
“Between a few weeks and a month. They don’t trust other races and their ways too much and would most likely rely on a dwarf courier.” Truvi shook her head. “Why?”
“The Clash of Forges has been delayed by a week,” Asterios informed her.
“Ah, it was supposed to take place in four days, right after yer own big clash.” His short friend’s eyes widened a little. “That’s highly unusual… I don’t remember such a thing in mah time…”
“There’s been an accident.” He joined his hands together and assumed a serious expression. “After an explosion in a warehouse, part of the shelf upholding that district crumbled and slid down the slope.”
“WHAT?!” Truvi jumped to her feet. “That’s impossible! Da foundations of da entire Wintercrown are so thorough that it should be almost impervious to any external damage!”
“From what my people gathered, it wasn’t an accident.” Asterios held her gaze.
She stared at him in confusion for a few seconds, then her brows rose a tiny bit. “Frick… Those guys finally went mental…”
“Is your clan connected with the local resistance?” he asked.
“Resistance is a big word.” Truvi ran her palm down her face. “And I don’t think so… At least we weren’t back when me and Papi lived with everyone… But…”
Getting up, Asterios walked around the coffee table and reached his old advisor’s side, helping the slightly unsteady girl sit down with him. “You are still worried they might have gotten caught in this accident, aren’t you?”
“Yeah…” She glanced down at her hands, which were grasping her uniform hard. “Especially since there had to be casualties…”
“Well, that brings us to what I mentioned earlier. Would you like to return home and check on them?” He placed his palm over hers, giving it a cordial squeeze.
“Really?” Truvi looked up at him in shock. “I mean… What if somethin’ did happen and I’ll need to stay… Maybe it’s better not to know and focus on work… Da Remembrance Day is coming soon…”
“One receptionist less won’t ruin everything.” Asterios let out a gentle chuckle. “And I’ll bring you back for the show if you don’t want to miss it.”
“Then…” She swallowed lightly. “I would like to go… With mah father…”
“Request granted.” He ruffled through her hair with a smile. “It’s not like I’m doing this completely selflessly anyway. Does your family participate in the Clash of Forges?”
Blinking at him owlishly, Truvi grimaced a bit. “Sometimes, but our clan is small… And even a genius can’t make somethin’ out of nothin’… Our household does hold one of da minor titles, giving us a chance to compete, but we are usually eliminated early, so no one bothers...”
“I don’t need a lot, so this much should be fine.” Asterios hummed. “Could you do me a small favor and introduce me to your peers? I might have an offer for them that they might find interesting.”
“Errr… Fer sure?” The sweet girl appeared quite perplexed. “Albeit, it might be difficult. Someone as tall as ya, Mah Lord, will be extremely eye-catchin’ on the streets. And da current government doesn’t like others snoopin’ around. Gettin’ an entry permit takes ages.”
A summoning gate opened to their side, and a certain raven-haired beauty with a sharp gaze stepped into the room.
“He just needs to remain unseen, right?” Noir rested her hands on her sides and tilted her head. “I can help with that.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be helping Grea, though?” Asterios frowned.
The Dragon girl tensed. “She… is doing more than fine on her own. Won’t even notice me gone for a while.”
Observing her still figure for a moment, he snorted quietly. A good thing they hadn’t made bets on how long she would last. His guess would have been much longer than this. But, it looked like even the most aggressive True Dragons had their limits tested by Grea’s unique nature.
Closing the gate to assure his draconic partner that he wasn’t sending her back, Asterios got up to meet her. “What did you mean by that?”
Clear relief washed over her frame as she walked closer. “Have you perhaps already mastered the Cloak of Shadows?”
“The what?” He gawked at her incredulously.
The tiniest hint of a smile tugged at the corner of Noir’s lips. “One of the advanced abilities from our lineage’s repertoire. If you would like, I could teach you how to make proper use of it. This is how it works.”
As she finished speaking, thick black fog crawled up her feet and continued on, slowly coating her entire body with a layer of darkness. Bit by bit, it reached her head, swallowing the Dragon girl whole, leaving behind a shape vaguely resembling a person. Spreading her arms to the sides, she stood like that for a few seconds, then suddenly winked out of existence.
“Da frick?!” Truvi jumped in her seat. “Where did she go?”
Nowhere, Asterios wanted to answer. Even if neither of them could see Noir, he still sensed her in the room thanks to their bonds. Whatever she had done, it even masked her aura and spiritual signature. This Cloak of Shadows allowed her to silently walk around, position herself behind the sofa, and…
“Ah!” The unexpecting dwarf lady released a girlish squeak. “Somethin’ is happenin’! Help! I’m bein’ kidnapped!”
It was almost impossible not to laugh as the small woman frantically kicked her legs and waved her arms in panic, clearly upheld by her armpits. For those unaware, it looked like she was floating in the air for no apparent reason, locked in the air by some unknown evil force. That force soon revealed itself as Noir when her camouflage disappeared, bringing back the cheeky female into view.
Truvi noticed her fingers immediately and stopped wriggling. “Oh, ya let me down right now, ya nasty skank, or I’m goin’ to shove my foot so deep in yer arse that whoever manages to pull it out will be crowned da next Supreme Sovereign of all clans!”
Noir granted her wish and set the petite woman on the floor, still proud of herself even while receiving heated glares from the victim of her prank.
“Was that really necessary?” Asterios raised an amused brow at her.
“She’s a dwarf,” the dragon girl answered, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “They are always so fun to tease.”
“I’ll show ya what fun is with mah fist up yer cunt!” Their short companion bristled. “And not da pleasant way!”
“Can you even reach that high, kiddo?” Noir giggled, making Truvi even redder.
“Enough.” Asterios cut them off before it turned into a curse-slinging competition. “We are discussing important matters here. If you want to mess around, get back to Grea. She’ll certainly appreciate this kind of humor.”
The smirk disappeared from the Dragon girl’s face in a blink. “I only wanted to show you how good this technique is. She didn’t even notice I was coming, right? Isn’t that what you need? I can explain how to do this. Without any more jokes.”
“Yer lucky that does seem useful.” The dwarf lady clicked her tongue.
“Granted, it’s something I’m able to pick up relatively quickly.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “What do I need to do to be able to do this?”
Noir cleared her throat. “Do you know how the eyes of most living creatures work?”
“That’s a question as broad as a barn.” Asterios peered at her dryly.
“Right. Most people think we need a source of light to illuminate things so that we can see them with our sight, but that’s not completely correct. Basically, it’s all about the light itself and how it enters our eyes. That light actually bounces off everything and then slips into our pupils. We see shadows in places where the light reflects less due to various obstructions,” she explained while gesticulating energetically. “Does that sound logical so far?”
“I think I’m fairly familiar with the concept, yes.” He nodded slowly. “And?”
“Darkness has an inherent trait of absorbing light, that’s why it’s dark. Also why you most likely saw me as a black shape before I disappeared. I was able to do that by focusing on the light that fell upon my shadowy shell, letting it travel through the thick carapace, and releasing it directly on the other side. When done successfully, you turn practically invisible to the naked eye, because the light doesn’t bounce off you, instead passing through to enter the eyes of those around undisturbed,” the smart girl elaborated. “There are a few other advantages you can weave into the cloak if you are proficient with your shadow manipulation, like muting your footsteps and such.”
“That sounds easier said than done.” Asterios scrunched his lips. “It definitely involves a lot of calculations, or the perception of the user is going to end up distorted.”
“For any normal user, that might be true. But we have darkness in our blood. This comes as naturally as breathing to our kind. After a little bit of practice, of course,” Noir reassured him. “You should give it a try. I’ll point out what you are doing wrong and where you should improve.”
“Fine.” Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes to focus. “Let’s do this.”
Opening himself to his Onyx Heart, he pulled the darkness from his shadow and imagined it coiling around him tightly. The coating had to be at least about two fingers wide to make the whole process of transporting the light easier. It was his first time attempting this technique, so it was a valid choice giving himself more leeway.
Finished with forming the black shell, Asterios attempted to sense all the light that fell into the clutches of his shadowy barrier. In the beginning, the sheer amount of it overwhelmed him as an uncountable number of almost imperceptible needles stabbed into the dark layer from all sides. But, realizing that he didn’t have to be aware of every single one, simply focusing on letting them pass freely, made things much easier to handle.
Quick arithmetics weren’t anything new to him, as keeping track of many variables was a crucial part of Summoning Magic. Therefore, Ast’s brain was more than used to this task, picking up the similarities right away. A few hundred trajectories were more tolerable than thousands, if not millions. Spending a minute or two on adjusting himself to the flow, he then heard a faint gasp at a certain point.
Opening his eyes, Asterios could see Truvi glancing around and often looking over her shoulder for any further tricks while Noir’s attention was directed straight at him with a slightly surprised but also somewhat proud smile. Guessing that she was tracking him the same way he had followed her, he decided to conceal himself from their connection for a moment.
The effect was instantaneous.
Her forehead creased as she began roaming her eyes over the meeting chamber too. Smirking a tad, he padded the soles of his shoes with shadows too and made a few testing steps. Neither of the women turned to him, which meant success. Sneaking up behind the black-scaled female, he took a peek at her gorgeous tail. It wasn’t that much different from those he already had the pleasure to work with. Save for a few tiny details.
However, those were rather insignificant in front of all those similarities, which gave him an idea.
Crouching down behind Noir, Asterios brought his hand near the base of the feisty woman’s tail right above her butt. Doing his best not to get hit by it, he positioned his palm underneath, aiming for the softer and more sensitive side. Waiting for a good opportunity, he then brushed his fingertips over its surface with a long, unhurried stroke.
“Mhmmm~” A sensual moan escaped the Dragon girl’s throat before she clamped her mouth shut with her hands.
Truvi spun around to look at her and was met with Noir’s quickly reddening cheeks. She figured out what had happened even before Asterios appeared behind the woman with a playful smile, the female’s tail shooting up involuntarily.
“If that’s how she sings with just a flick, ya might need to reinforce yer silencin’ wards before beddin’ her, milord, or the whole town will hear about it.” The short receptionist snickered.
“Shut your trap, pipsqueak!” Noir snarled at her.
“Not so fun bein’ on the other end of da hammer, eh?” Truvi shook her head mirthfully. “I should go and fetch Papi since ya got it, milord. And perhaps some winter clothes. It’s always snowin’ there.”
“We’ll follow you,” Asterios said. “I would like to practice this new ability in a more crowded space to make sure I can uphold it properly without any risks.”
She waited for them to turn invisible before giving a nod to the empty space and moving out. The technique proved itself right in the guild lobby, where numerous adventurers kept glancing her way since such a small and pretty receptionist was always catching attention. He knew many hearts had been broken by this little spitfire.
Nonetheless, no one seemed to notice either Asterios or Noir. He grazed a few times against someone’s shoulder, but they barely registered it, which wasn’t that surprising considering how often people brushed past each other in such places. Glimmervale’s streets weren’t any different, however, he could register a change in the ability’s strain on his mind and energy. It was much brighter outside, thus much more light to control.
As they trekked down the packed lanes, his draconic partner further expanded on how the ability works and added her own insights gathered over decades of experimentation. The longer they upheld the Cloak of Shadows, the easier it got for him. By the time they arrived in front of the forge owned by Truvi’s dad, Asterios could see Noir behind a thin swirling see-through film of darkness thanks to how synchronised their shadows were. And so could she, naturally.
Their dwarf friend fetched her father, briefly filling him in on the situation, then shooed away the tall and quite lovely elf girl who was more than obvious about her interest in the older smith. If things hadn’t yet happened between them, Truvi had her work cut out for her to keep the two off each other in the foreseeable future. And she most likely was going to fail spectacularly.
With both father and daughter dressed up in impressive furs and ready to depart, Asterios and Noir revealed themselves, spooking the man a tad. Linking their hands just in case, they all formed a circle and plunged into the shadows. A few long seconds later, they emerged out of the darkness into a fairly dark cavern. Powerful wind whistled past its entrance with lots of snowflakes carried through the air.
“Ah. This is da safe spot near the eastern gate. Good choice.” Truvi looked around the simple camping site. “Well, then. Welcome to da coldest place in Kraedorion. Not just in terms of da climate.”
Chuckling to herself, she turned to face Asterios and Noir. Noticing their state, especially that of the Dragon girl, the dwarf lady gaped at her exposed stomach incredulously.
“How are ya not freezin’ yer tits off, ya frickin’ jester?” She snorted. “I can tell ya don’t even believe in bras.”
That was a fact, Asterios noted. One much more apparent in the current temperature.
“Perks of being a Dragon.” The other woman pushed her chest out pompously, emphasizing the effect of the environment on her physique even more. “Plus, it’s not as bad up here as it is near the ground.”
As soon as she finished, she got smacked right in the head with a fistful of snow. Truvi cackled to herself while watching the white dust slide down Noir’s face. It uncovered a vicious sneer beneath, adorned by tongues of mist rising from the Dragon girl’s face due to her manually regulated internal temperature.
Asterios just hoped that bringing a feisty True Dragon female into the den of extremely traditional dwarves wasn’t going to end in another disaster for the small folk.