SelkieMyth
patreon
Chapter 611 - Overthrowing the Tyrants IV
🕑 Added 2024-12-11 15:00:10 +0000 UTC“I’m realizing I’m missing a critical skill.” I pushed down my embarrassment. There just had never been a need to learn this skill, it just wasn’t important. Culturally, it was barely a thing. Remus had expected me to be a house wife, my parents figuring things out for me. At the School, everyone knew the path their life would take. Either they had wealthy sponsors, or were nobility themselves. Then I’d worked on a combination of being self employed, or a Sentinel. At no time had I ever needed the skill, and it was a rare one in the first place, most children’s lives being laid out for them by their parents.
The Legions were always recruiting, and would take anyone.
“Which skill is that?” Arachne asked with her usual grace and aplomb. All the while, I was learning on 20 different thought processes, learning all manner of skills as Arachne’s threads twisted and weaved, like letters in a book. I wanted an icepack for my head, just for the dramatic look.
“Getting a job.” I freely admitted. “I’ve always just stumbled into them or done it myself. I have no idea how I’d get hired in the first place, and I just… I know nothing about the whole process.”
Apart from vaguely being on the receiving end now and then. Nix asking me to take on his grandson as an [Apprentice] was a good example. That looped back to ‘who you know’ and ‘parents making arrangements for the children’s future’.
Arachne’s lips quirked in amusement.
“A problem far more people than you realize have had. I will add it to the curriculum. For this particular job, with your background, we’ve identified a few targets of opportunity. You will be walking up to the front door with a letter and a hope, just as they are needing more manpower. However, it would not do for you to be inexperienced in the endeavor, and as such, you will need to know more. We are about to be driven past a supply drop point. Can I trouble you to teleport an addition to our lunch in?”
I tasked one of my minds to scanning around me, awed by the endless industry toiling away under Pallos’s surface. This was all the work of a single Classer!? My gods, it was insane.
Part of me wondered what would happen if everyone had access to technology and methods like this, but the cynical, beaten-down part of me knew the answer. We’d use it to better murder each other.
I spotted the supply depot Arachne was talking about, the last Pekari soldier carefully placing down a jug of fresh blood.
“Got it.” I [Teleported] it all into the train car, the blood barely rippling as it landed on one of the tables. A half-dozen freshly baked loaves were still steaming, the cookies were still gooey, and the lettuce looked fresh and crispy. The amount was perfectly calculated as well, filling up the tables and storage without overflowing to the chairs or floor.
Arachne and I got into the briefest of races, each trying to out-hospitality each other. I arranged a glass of milk, and a sandwich next to a pair of cookies on one table, while Susan prepared something similar at her place. I placed the blood next to her, letting her season her food personally.
Skills tended not to have a wind up. Will and instant effect. Many skills did need to travel from the origination point, but some skills, like Mirages, could immediately snap into existence a large distance from the caster. Light was another element that could do something similar. One moment nothing, the next moment blinding white killing my vision and giving me spots in my eyes to blink out.
Spatial could rarely cause a similar effect. Namely, when someone in a pocket or alternative dimension returned to Pallos. There wasn’t a big, slow, dramatic reveal - it just happened. Not there one moment, there the next. I used it all the time when I had to teleport into and out of my [Tower]. From an outsider’s point of view, I just popped back into existence.
Which, naturally, was when Amber slipped back into existence. She slammed back into the padded chair as the difference in velocity caught up with her, but of course it was at the right angle to sink deep into the plush, velvety goodness.
Susan and I locked eyes and rolled them together. She’d met Amber before, and had seen enough utter bullshit from her by now to just run with it. The threads did fall back down, our lessons clearly at a temporary pause.
Amber looked a little frazzled. Dirt and dried blood where she’d scraped her knees, along with a slightly torn tunic. Her gem-studded braid had bits of hair sticking out, and she was holding an amulet with one of the largest gems I’d ever seen. She blinked around owlishly as she settled into her chair. My former apprentice cracked a wide smile at the feast laid out in front of her.
“Oooh! Elaine! You brought cookies, thank you! You don’t mind, do you? I’m starving.” Amber had already unceremoniously dropped the multi-million arc piece of jewelry to the ground like it was nothing, letting it bounce and roll around on the floor.
I waved my hand at her.
“Go for it! And what have you been up to these last few years?” I asked.
Amber had already taken a ravenous bite out of the sandwich when she froze. She tried to answer, realized her mouth was full, shrugged, and furiously chewed before answering.
“Wait, what do you mean, years?” She asked. Arachne was eyeing the onyx gem like it was a poisonous spider - lovingly - and I was debating where I could [Teleport] it to. Skills in gems were generally a one-shot thing, but Amber had a recharging skill, and there were always more shenanigans around her.
A quick conversation got us roughly on the same page as the greedy merchant systematically demolished our supply run. Susan and I both snagged some vittles for ourselves, contently munching away while we all got caught up. We went first, explaining everything we’d been through. The war, picking up the pieces, and now the New Remus Empire facing off against the Demon Kingdom.
Frankly, it was a good thing I had extensive exposure to Amber already. My jaw would’ve dropped open and I would’ve lost all my food otherwise.
“My lucky coin led me to the gem right as everything started to go badly.” Amber explained. “I activated the skill, trusting it would help me out, and ended up right here! Nice place by the way, where are we?”
“Hang on, you were in stasis for decades, and you got repositioned at the end of it?” I asked in utter disbelief. This threatened to take the metaphorical cake, right as Amber was eating the literal cookies.
“From what you’re telling me… yes?” Amber cheekily smiled. “You haven’t done too badly for yourself from the sound of it! Tell me more about how everyone’s doing, I just heard about you.”
My smile wavered as my mind flashed over everyone I knew, and how many people weren’t around.
Julius.
Arachne smoothly stepped in and defused the situation. Amber rubbed her hands, the two of them changing the topic and tone of the conversation. I appreciated them for it.
“Hey Susan, I bet you’ve got something great for me to do. Something only a cunning, lucky merchant who happens to be a fantastic healer can pull off. From that look in your eye I know you’ve got just the thing. Fat profits for me, twisting the world around your finger for you, what’s there not to like? Let’s talk!”
“I do have such a scheme…” Arachne said slowly, starting to outline a plan. Operational Security said I shouldn’t be listening in or knowing it, but it was kinda hard to not know it, not with Amber almost literally dropping into my lap.
I spent a few minutes consolidating and reorganizing everything I’d been learning in Arachne’s crash course. It had been a lot, and the minor headache I’d had the whole time was starting to fade with the reprieve Amber’s arrival had brought.
I had a suddenly realization, and I grinned wildly.
“Hey Amber, guess what!” I asked, interrupting a bit. I shot a quick apology look to Arachne, but was too excited by my realization.
“What?” Amber asked, dutifully playing along.
“Money’s practically meaningless now! Need a little more civilization than what we currently have. It’s allll barter right now.”
Oh, how I wish I had the skills to perfectly preserve moments and share them with others. The stupified look on Amber’s face was priceless, and the way her jaw moved silently without saying anything was worth ten thousand arcs. Or deerskin, as it may be.
“What!” She finally squeaked out. Susan was trying hard not to laugh. Amber’s eyes went wide, and her stunned look was replaced with a cunning one.
Oh no. She’d just figured out how to make more money off the whole thing. Somehow. When money didn’t exist.
“Wait, this is perfect.” She said. “I can pick up a ton of things now, while they’re dead cheap, and simply sit back and wait for them to become valuable again! This is great!”
Susan couldn’t resist anymore, and started laughing. Clotho wrote out a big “NO” in spider silk, although I had no idea if Amber could read it.
“Deary, as much as I applaud your initiative and enthusiasm, entire fortunes have been made and lost speculating on what will be considered valuable in the new era we find ourselves in. It’s entirely possible that even Elaine’s Immortality gems will be considered worthless! I have my doubts on that one, wealthy mortals have always desired more time, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility. Metals most precious in one time are worthless in another, and food will never be valued more than it is today. A question of logistics, of which I am sure I don’t need to lecture you on. However, I do have a few tips on areas of interest…” Arachne trailed off, knowing the hook was set.
Amber gleefully bit it.
“Please! Tell me more!”
Damn Arachne was scary. Always giving people exactly what they wanted. The two plotted in rapid jargon, all ‘return on investment’ and ‘accounting methods’ and currency. I was just happy to see my friend again, alive and well.
[*ding!* Galdir, God of Softly Glowing Lights, has been slain. His domain is once again available.]
So much for taking a break from [Luminary Mind]. My mind unspooled, two dozen thought processes starting up.
The notification made Amber jump, and a brilliant, fanged smile to cross Arachne’s face. I hadn’t seen her so happy in ages. A moment of pure, unguarded joy. Why would she be so happy at - ah.
Oh.
Another part of me marveled at the fact that gods could die. I’d heard rumors, everyone did, but a cursory look through the records hadn’t revealed any confirmed accounts. Then again, I didn’t think the gods would exactly advertise it, and I’d failed to ask the one person who’d know for sure - Night. Perhaps a deeper search for records would find it! Oh no, an excuse to read thousands of books for research purposes. How terrible. I should start in the fiction section.
I reached out to my divine friend. She was probably getting spammed right now, given the global notification mentioning a deity, but hey, a friendly ear was better than a demanding voice.
Hey Ciriel!
Everyone okay up there? If you need someone to chat with, just drop by! My ears are always open.
There was only silence, but I wasn’t too surprised. If Ciriel was getting more messages than mangos I ate in the average year, she had to be utterly overwhelmed.
Hey Elaine! Ciriel spoke in my ears. Yeah, we’re all fine! A bit shaken. It’s not nearly as hectic as you’d think. There just aren’t that many people to pray right now.
Ouch. That was a stark reminder at how populations had collapsed. Orthus was a large, thriving town… a thousandth of the size Sanguino had been. Another part of the announcement led to another question though. I was thousands of years away from needing an answer, and it could all change, but I was ambitious and curious.
Out of pure curiosity, what other healing related positions are there? I asked.
Ciriel laughed.
Oh, plenty! Healers don’t often make the distance. Either a lack of levels over time, or they’re deliberately hunted down if they’re too close to the fights. But I’m not going to ruin the surprise. Good luck~
Phooey. I crossed my arms. Ciriel would have to see if I was going to share any mangos after that.
=======
Amber’s arrival caused our timeline to get mildly interrupted. After Arachne’s spying lectures, we moved onto practical lessons, where I worked on refining the information into knowledge.
I had to admit, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the change in mindset. Gone was the happy-go-lucky view of the world. Gone too was the harsher “fight for survival” glasses that tried to pare things down to the basic law of the jungle, the great struggle for survival. The levers of people, the manipulation and paranoia, thinking a dozen moves ahead - it wasn’t a great mindset to be in.
Part of me wanted to hit the eject button on the entire thing. Just walk away.
But all of my reasoning for starting this was valid. I’d just need to bury the knowledge and parts of me deep, deep away after, so I didn’t become eternally paranoid.
Arachne was a gem, as always. Part of me could see the manipulation, but was it really manipulation when she was simply giving me everything I wanted? Gods, the ability to read people and align incentives was stupid.
“You don’t need to worry too much about becoming a ruthless manipulator.” Arachne said one day.
“Oh?” I asked, double checking my ‘mask’. No, my face was properly arranged, not showing my inner thoughts. I worked a bit to show mild surprise, the proper emotion for the situation. Always training, always learning.
“Yes. Your wife has the same knowledge and insight, yet you’re unconcerned about manipulation from that direction. Does she seem worried and stressed about knowing the levers people have? Or does she use that knowledge to make friends, defuse disputes, and make sure people are having a good time?”
When she put it like that…
All too soon it was time to say goodbye to Amber.
“You’ve got the map, right? You know where Orthus is? I don’t want you getting lost.”
“I’ve got it memorized.” Amber dutifully replied.
“You stay safe, okay?” I pressed another charged moonstone into her hand. “Don’t be greedy. If the deal sounds too good to be true it probably is.”
“Elaine!” Amber squawked. “I’ve lived for decades! I know this stuff!”
I stepped back - it was so unfair how everyone was taller than me - and straightened out her tunic, ignoring her protests.
“I know,” I said. “but I worry.” I hugged her. “I can’t lose anyone else.”
Amber patted me on the back.
“I’ll come back. I promise.” She said.
With a jaunty wave and a skip to her step, my friend vanished around the corner once again, the onyx gemstone anchoring her braid like a club.
“Are you ready?” Arachne asked.
I wasn’t going directly to Edhallond and starting my spying. I wanted to help and to heal, and my original plan of lurking around battlefields remained. Lives would be saved during the active war that was going on, and in a far second I’d gain levels.
I knew who I was and what my roots were.
I was Elaine, a healer.
Comments
Adel Lê
The whole reason he became a God was to make her an angel. She was presumably still an angel when he died
Eifer
The granddaughter died. That's the whole reason Galdir went on a slaughter, to ascend fast enough to be the one that had her soul. There was no mention about what he planned to do with it though. I'd assume she ended back up in Samsarah.
Adel Lê
I wonder what happened to Galdir's granddaughter. It's definitely not unlikely that she just got killed in the fight that killed him, Night woudn't go out of his way to do it but he wouldn't hesitate to either. There has to be something in place for 'orphan' angels right? I'd be weird if they just automatically died when their god died. Maybe she was adopted by the God of Normal Light or whotever that was close enough to Galdir.
Logan
Galdir, God of Softly Glowing Lights has died and I feel somewhat conflicted over this. Yes the man was a monster but... what about the kid? Is she ok?
matthew gilley
She technically spend 20 millennia as the apprentice of the mother of modern medicine. (Even if she didn't have the class at the time) That could be black
Fai Bani
amber just Apearing in a Moving train ,thats just meh, like its underground and Moving train we dont know how fast but yeah. She Apearing after 10 years at that exact location at that exact time is a skill a max lvl space/time mage Could have with a black class . thats Trillions points in luck
Dragonboy Smith
I think you might be confused, Autumn was her original name, Amber is the name she has used since the fey deal.
Harry Hirsch
I am so happy that Amber is save. I was starting to worry having not heard from her for so long!
Claas Machens
I think a big part are her successfull trades with the Fae
Robert Fisher
How am I only just noticing 'Autumn' has her name back from the Fae?
Thorium
The extinction notifications are a thing because of a genie wish. Species that went extinct before the wish, such as Fomorians, didn’t get a notification. There was also the “X years have passed since creation” messages though, so who knows.
Simerop
There also were extinction notifications iirc
CringeWorthyStudios
Good for achievements though, probably.
Clinton Walsh
I don't think so. Angels had no levels so I imagine gods have no levels. Zero experience for killing non-leveled things.
Collateral_ink
I think all those global notifications she received were only Genie-related, and nothing else. Kinda a cop-out for why no dead god notifications, but makes a sort of sense.
MadKingMidas
If she had stuck it out longer, and hadn't swapped into a mercantile focus it probably could have been a Black. But I think you're right. First one was probably a purple. But it might have upgraded to black at her first advancement.
enderman
I’m surprised that Elaine didn’t get a notification about a god being killed right after the time travel when she was getting spammed with global notifications
Trevor Mergen
Thanks!
DireGoat
That's defeatist talk. Anything can be killed with enough effort and a bit of elbow grease.
DireGoat
I agree with most of this but it is worth noting that giving a ton of mana an sacrificing a priest is not the only nor guaranteed way to get divine intervention. Its really about catching the gods attention since them intervening is all about their whims. You can do this by giving a billion mana and tossing a hundred virgins into a volcano or you can be a simple low level priest who they happen to find cute and both are equally likely to get results depending on the god.
Typhado
Honesty breaking out the dragons blood would be worth it just to see Ambers reaction to knowing Elaine had parts of a dragon in her storage.
Jonathan
And it might even be worth a few levels, even for an immortal vampire.
CringeWorthyStudios
The notification made Amber jump, and a brilliant, fanged smile to cross Arachne’s face. I hadn’t seen her so happy in ages. A moment of pure, unguarded joy. Why would she be so happy at - ah. Oh. > Night was decidedly unhappy with someone almost killing his wife, I guess… good on him for making his complaints clear, though. Thanks for the chapter!
CringeWorthyStudios
Wouldn’t killing Death just make it more death-ly? Double death? Death^2? I dunno chief, not sure that one’ll stick.
Cirvante
This was already hinted at by Rostellio, Lun'Kat's angel chandelier, thinking about that one dragon who captured him and made a hobby out of baiting gods into fights. And Raito was a T2 god, while Galdir was a fresh T3. Even Lunaris and Selene, two ancient T2 goddesses, had to scram when the big bad lizard showed up. The only question would be how Night got to him.
Roombot
Is it even possible to kill Death herself?
Joshua Little
Thanks for the chapter.
Kurosov
If she ruled the world then she really would have a bridge to sell you.
Kurosov
From what we've seen the biggest obstacle to killing a God is the level of separation between Pallos proper and where the gods reside. We saw during the formorian war that it takes a lot of a gods umph to be able to interact directly with the world even if that just means sending their angels down to fight. It even required a priest based classer to sacrifice to do so. The Gods of creation likely have far more free reign than some newly minted sparkle god, it's likely he was incapable of returning to Pallos since ascension. Similarly we saw how difficult it is for mortals to acquire and utilise a class that allows for extraplanar travel to even reach some godly realm. Elaine had the option early on solely because she had already made such a journey via reincarnation but the class was impossible for her to level and would have been a dead end. Not enough mana to actually use any skills meant the class couldn't level without 3rd party assistance. Night HAS travelled to another realm in the past but we only know what little he told Elaine after their reunion. If it was a mortal that killed this new God then the list of those capable has to be very short. It could be an existing God, A God that ascended during the immortal war or some extradimensional being. Maybe the existing Gods sent him to the front lines of whatever planar war they're fighting as punishment for causing the loss of so many of all their followers and he died there. Maybe knight has an extradimensional assassin class and offed the light.
Grumlen
I doubt it would offer her black, but purple should be readily available.
Tiffany Miller
Thats my guess yeah and had it coming soo
Tiffany Miller
She already has op faerie bullshit shenanigans you want to add thinker shenanigans she'd wind up ruling the world
MadKingMidas
Close. She arrives precisely when it would be a lucky coincidence that inadvertently also provides an opportunity for massive profit. The God/dess of Fate is not taking questions at this time. The God of Shenanigans was asked for comment, and just started laughing. More at 11.
MadKingMidas
Elaine, Mother of Modern Mangos Domains: (Healing, Mangos, Obliviousness) Most recognized change: Mangos now also function as ridiculously overpowered healing potions.
Adurna
Oh yeah sharing a sip of dragon blood would have made such sense!
Adurna
Or it could be a slightly awkward yet still peppy skip :)
Kennyevilmonkey
Amber is never late, nor is she early, she arrives precisely when she means to.
Anonymous
I really want to know more about Amber’s classes. Is being the Elaine’s first apprentice enough to give her a black class? Her merchant one probably is.
Andrew
Thank you!
Damian Karis
Elaine you’re not fooling anyone, we all know you’re going to be the God of Mangos
DireGoat
There is one even higher target. A certain jealous dove that has cursed him and his people for existing. There is always a greater goal you only need the ambitions to see it.
Rainer
Was the skip in Amber's step metaphorical? Because she should be hobbling with a gimp leg. Or did that miraculously get fixed and Elain just didn't notice?
SwitchBlaze
Highly fascinating Chappie. Thank you.
Markus
Well Night need more ways to improve his class Quality, if you have done everything else hunting gods is the last thing left...
DireGoat
This answers a question about this world I've had for a long time. Mortals can kill gods. I've suspected there isn't that large of a gap between peak Immortals and the lowest tier gods. Plus the way the moon goddesses acted around a certain lizard made me think they could at least be hurt. Also it's really cute to see Arachne so happy at her husband killing a god for her. Night is the best wife guy.
Simerop
I think it was Night. When Galdir sent the relativistic pebble at Sanguino the impact threatened Susan and Night swore to make whoever attacked her pay. Susan's reaction to his death also supports this.
PickledTink
I bet Night got him. Shame Elaine didn't share a bottle of dragons blood with Susan to toast his death with Night.
Kurosov
Imagine the chaos and terror if Amber did have access to a third class and chose a [Thinker].
Octaviaz
Thanks for the chapter! I feel so torn about Galdir; I don't know if I feel bad or good that he died. Definitely deserved, and it makes me wonder what's going on in the heavens. Did the other gods get together to kill him, since he ascended in a messed up way? Or was it those watcher guys? I can't wait to find out
Julian
Amber!
Inv7ctus
Elaine fussing over Amber was just the most precious. Both are old immortals, yet in some part they will always be Master and Apprentice. Also the more screen time Susan gets the more I like her. Night vouching for her would always mean she had a good heart, but I love seeing it. The relentless utilization of wisdom towards the pursuit of bettering the world as much as they can. It just... This story always refreshes my faith in humanity.
