Save, Succesful!

There's this certain book of a peculiar boy from a very BORING novel that I read a long time ago when I was kid. It was for a class assignment, so I was forced to read the stupid thing- and of the stupid boy and his stupid problems.

This annoying, bratty kid, came from a private boy's school somewhere on the east coast of America, and in his infinite bratty-attitude and obvious spoiled upbringing- he decides to leave from the institution and go off on an 'adventure'.

He was fourteen or something (maybe, couldn't be bothered) by the way, but it was a different time when the novel had been written, so maybe what he got away with doing was possible for a runaway kid then?

But the reason why I'm bringing this up now- is because even though I really, and I mean REALLY don't like the boy and the dumb things that he did in his pursuit of a narcissistic ego trip- I more or less did understand what he was trying to aim for in doing whatever that he had done.

The kind of freedom you get in going out there and doing whatever you want- even if society itself would otherwise crush you under its weight of real-world platitudes.

And why am I thinking about this escape of responsibilities right now you ask? Why, it's because of the god-awful situation I've been put into right now with being the center of attention for three people in a room.

Unlike the boy, I don't like seeing myself as the main character of my measly life! I mean, sure, maybe right now I am kind of living a cool, and more or less interesting life being in this new world- but it's not like I'm TRYING to do that.

I just can't catch a break.

I've got tons of things on my mind, too many to count especially as I don't even have a clipboard on me or an agenda to keep track of it all.

As I had said before, I may be really strong now- but I'm not smarter!! No, I am NOT smarter.

With Ahriman's advice on how Ryul can help me find out what the Terminal Gates are, to the currency crisis, the fact that I'm suddenly an official suitor for royalty, and that I have to uphold my end of the terrible bargain to become said royalty's assistant to save the stupid kingdom as well!

I could just NOT uphold my end of the deal- the thought has crossed my mind. But I've got a really bad feeling about that Belial, and that I should definitely not cross him if I can help it.

Also, as someone who's dropped thousands of hours into real time strategy games and visual novels that could make your eyes bleed from the sheer word count that'll make your brain rot from literal months' worth of playtime- I'd find it self-defeating to give up at the get go without trying, almost like I'd be taking a steamy 'pool-dip' on any self-worth I have left not only as who I am now, but also as the person I was before I had died.

Call it a completionist's pride, maybe?

Eh, I dunno- I think I'm just rambling on at this point.

Plus, I don't think I can keep ignoring them like this, otherwise Flaur really will throw a bigger tantrum.

Back to reality (unfortunately)!

...

"W-Wuh?" Waking up from my self-imposed daydream, I find myself back in the Warmaster's room, Flaur sitting on the chair behind the Warmaster's desk with Aim to her side and Levii to mine.

"So that explains it- if it is as you say, then I must humbly apologize to both the young man and to you your Majesty." Aim graciously bowed to Flaur and me as he took of his tricorne and held it his chest with a great humble gravitas.

"Uhhhh...apology accepted?" Being lost in my own thoughts has made me lose track of the situation and what was being said- I snuck a glance at Levii for a clue.

But she looked just the same as before, with the look of confusion over what she had really done during the whole fight we had before.

So, in short, she couldn't help me over what I should know as to what has been said so far.

"I am glad you are so forgiving, young Lord." Oh no, please- don't buy into this whole damn thing THAT easily!

"F-Flaur- erh, could you tell me what you just said to Warmaster Aim over our situation?"

"Hmph!" She pouted as she crossed her arms and tilted her head away from me snidely-

Ah, yeah, that.

"Look- uhh, you see-"

She continued to not look at me as she kept her eyes closed, but I could see that her ears were definitely perked into my direction.

I couldn't use the amnesia trope to get me out of this, as I had made it clear that I had only lost my memories of what had happened before the fight; so that was a no-go to rely on.

But the issue is- I don't exactly know the situation on over calling yourself a likely reincarnation of said race's primary super god; it's not something I can just casually mention like gossip over coffee.

What if they think I'm crazy? And it's not like I've told Levii about it either- all she really knows about me is the fact that I had killed the paladins with a crazy blast of energy (and not that I simply reflected it) and that I'm responsible for the changes of her body.

For all intents and purposes, to them, I could likely just really be a powerful mage or something- never mind an incarnation of well, what I said, a super god.

But... Flaur had mentioned the history of previous incarnations of Ahriman before- with the story of the origin of the Sanguidicium.

I think I should just come clean.

"I... don't know exactly how I managed to change Levii's appearance." Or not, yeah, I'm just a wimp.

"But!" I managed to cut in before Flaur looked like she was about to leave the room.

How do I save this? Um, um.... ah, I think 'that' can work.

"Uoooghh- my, my- my forehead!!" I stumble to one knee as I grip my forehead where my pentagram tattoo was.

"I- I remember!!" My eyes sparkle with the feigned revelation as everyone in the room looked on at me with curiosity.

"Milord!? Kai, are you okay!?" Levii was the only one to run up to me- aghhh, my laundry list of things to apologize for to tell her someday just keep growing.

"*Gasp* Y-yes, I'm... okay... I, I just- remember- I remember 'some' of my memories now." I tried to make my eyes tear up for dramatic effect with focusing on a nasty memory of losing a mech model kit to the mail system a year ago, but no dice; fake tears are hard to do!

"Kai...?" Flaur spoke up, her demeanor had softened from the anger she had shown earlier.

"S-Sorry, I don't know what triggered that- but that isn't important right now, I've remembered something crucial about myself..."

Now think- I have two choices to go from this.

Either I tell them I'm an incarnation of Ahriman, or... I tell them that I was made by Faustus. Well, technically they're both a part of the same thing being me- but whatever.

If I tell them I'm an incarnation, there a tons of possible game enders for me.

One being that what if Ahriman's incarnation isn't exactly a good thing? What if he acts like a death plague or something for the Demons, he definitely gave that impression in my dream.

And for Faustus- well, I feel as though that is a little more manageable.

Additionally- I don't want Ryul knowing that I'm an incarnation.

"I'm- I'm, a homunculus."

"!" Everyone in the room jumped back from me as if I had just vomited on the floor; talk about being over dramatic.

"A-" "A Mana Eater!?"

A what's-it? I wasn't expecting this kind of reaction!

"The sweet smell- Ry- Err, nevermind!!" Flaur wrinkled her nose as she abruptly shut herself up.

"My changes- oh, I understand now!" Levii flexed her biceps- I don't think I was responsible for those Levii.

"Hm!" Aim took a defensive stance in front of Flaur, but even though she had jumped away from me- she didn't look scared or at all angry from my true nature.

"Please- Aim calm yourself, if Kai-"

"Your Majesty, do not call that 'thing' by its name- it has no right to be called so other than it's despicable profession, a Mana Eater."

"Uh guys, I don't really know what you're talking about- I don't think I'm eating anyone's mana." I said as I opened up my mouth, baring my regular looking teeth to them; yep, no mana in there.

"Milord- Err...-" Levii looked conflicted, was what Aim had said getting to her; did I make the wrong choice?

"Do you remember anything else about being a Homunculus- or as we call them by their traditional name, a Mana Eater?'

Mmmm- with how things are going, I'm pretty glad that I didn't also mention that Faustus had made me. Otherwise, to them I'm just a Mana Eater, whatever that means.

"No, no- all I remember is that I'm a Homunculus- or a Mana Eater, as you call them; what does that even mean?"

Levii gave a small sigh as she knit her eyebrows, she fidgeted her thumbs together as she began to explain.

"A Mana Eater is exactly that- they eat mana. They can eat the mana of magic that is cast at them and completely nullify it."

"As well as use that mana to their own benefit." She gave a tight-lipped frown.

"Cursed abominations made to be war machines, their sole purpose is to cause as much havoc as possible for the world at large." Aim interrupted.

"Now having a closer look at the insignia on your forehead, it as you say 'thing', you're no doubtedly one of those Sowers of Chaos."

Sowers of Chaos?... Why does that kind of ring a bell, hmmmm-

I mentally focus on Levii, and I have her information appear.

// [Name: Levii] [Race: Wind-Deity Imp]

[Class: True Lancer]

[Skills:

Lesser Evasion lvl 7

Lesser Strength lvl 9

Greater Stamina lvl 1

Speechcraft lvl 2

Leadership lvl 6

Seed of Chaos lvl 1

Wind-Deity's Dance lvl 1

Wind-Deity's Grace lvl 1 --> lvl 2 ]

[Traits:

Survivor

Enduring Princess

Pure Maiden

Battle Maniac

Rural Beauty

Misfortune Magnet]

---

[Relationship: Highly Favorable --> Moderately Favorable]

[Servant: <Bounded by Fate>]

Expend Mana to Upgrade Unit? [Yes] or [No]//

I see it, it's the [Seed of Chaos] skill.

Ah and she's had her [Wind-Deity's Grace] skill go up a level, neat.

And for her relationsh-

MODERATELY FAVORABLE!?!?

IT WENT DOWN!!!???

Was it because of what I said? Me being a Mana Eater?? Or is it- because of that red-headed asshole!! AHH! I can't tell because it doesn't tell me when it had happened...

Ugh whatever, I need to get my thoughts back in track, the [Seed of Chaos] thing. I think this is what he was talking about.

"Oh- oh no." Aim looked like he was about to pass out.

"Your healing... y-you healed me- I- I know how you did it now..."

"Your Majesty, please allow me to kill myself." Aim took off his black glove- and revealed a long set of sharp nails on his hand; he readied them against his throat.

"D-Don't be hasty! Look I don't know what you think I've done to you, but I swear it's not that bad!!"

"SILENCE! DAMNABLE MANA EATER!" He cried out as he pushed his hand readied hand closer to his throat; some blood began to leak from where the nails and his throat met.

"I WILL NOT BECOME YOUR DETESTABLE THRA- OOPH!" A heavy-handed backward blow was dealt to Aim's midriff, making the old Demon double-over.

"*Siiiigh* Kai, look- with what you've told us about yourself, about your true nature of being A Homunculus; it puts you in a tight spot." Flaur's face tensed seriously.

"Homunculi, also known as 'Mana Eaters' were used extensively by the previous king, my late-father, to fight my right to rule."

"As Aim had said, they're 'Sowers of Chaos' as they're capable of indoctrinating others into fighting for them through forced magical conscription- their sole magical ability." She glanced at Levii.

"Once conscripted by a Mana Eater, said 'thralls' would be under the Mana Eater's control, as they're physically and magically improved by the Mana Eater's stolen mana."

Flaur went silent for a moment.

"It's how a majority of the royal army had been subjugated by the previous king." She had a deeply troubled look as she recounted that terrible memory.

"But- But I promise I'm not one of them!" No seriously, Assmold made me like roughly three weeks ago.

But she only gave me a wary eye as I said that.

"Did you come to my v-village for... 'that'?" Levii spoke up, her eyes were wet.

// [Servant: Levii] Relationship Wavering Dangerously Low - Information Access Will Be Restricted If Favorability Is Lost. //

!!!

"NOO! I did not, believe me!! I was wandering the steppe, just trying to find someone or anything out there!" I mean yeah, I'm not lying with that one- I really was lost, can't really say following the sun's path is considered knowing where you're going.

"You're just trying to save your hide abomination." Aim spoke up, a growing, resentful anger was boiling out of his every word.

"Do you have any idea how much strife your 'kind' has brought upon to her Majesty's kingdom!?" He dug his ungloved hand deeply into his table, his razor-sharp nails punctured the wood effortlessly.

"No- No, please listen to me-"

As I said that, both Levii and Aim flashed a fearful look at me- as if what I had just said was something worse than death.

"D-Damn you!" Aim shouted.

"Please, Kai, please don't say that!" Levii cried.

"W-What!?"

Oh- I see.

They think I'm going to control them or something with me saying that.

I guess, that'd be an understandable fear.

"..." I didn't know what to do anymore, this went from a bad situation to something abysmal.

But I wasn't going to give up just yet- I still had a few good cards to play.

"Look- look, okay, I won't say something like that again. So please, relax, I'm asking not commanding." I said as I motioned my hands to ease down the situation

Levii eased up but Aim still looked like he was about to either slice my throat open or his; likely at the same time if he could help it.

"Is there a way to release you from my 'contract' if it'd make you feel better? I mean, it's not like I did it on purpose- as I had just told you, I just found out right now that I'm a Homunculus; this is all new to me." I will admit, I do feel really slimy going along with my lie like this.

"..." "..."

They both stood silent, it was only Flaur who had spoken up instead.

"We don't know- other than what we've told you about Mana Eater's so far, that is all that we know."

"They had all either died or disappeared at the end of the war five years ago before we could 'research' them." I didn't like how she had emphasized research that way.

"You don't know? Um, I mean, I could probably try and remove the contract myself then?"

I looked at Levii, but to my surprise...

"No, Milo- Kai- What you had said earlier, and the time we've spent together- I do believe you're telling the truth."

"That you didn't know- I also say that as the time that you had been unconscious, you didn't force anything onto me- I had just gradually become this while you we're asleep." Flaur rose an eyebrow at her.

"Is what you said true, Levii?"

"I swear on the honor of the Steppe Imp Clan- Kai had never forced the contract upon me."

"What if he's forcing you to say that, girl." Damn it Aim!

"W-Why!" Levii stuttered.

"By all means, you could just be a puppet to his magics- I don't take such chances!"

"Destroy this contract, 'thing', otherwise, for the safety of her Majesty, I will die by my own hand." He jumped away from Flaur trying to land another surprise blow on him, this time he looked like he was really going to do it.

"I- I'll try!" I focused on Aim, but as I did- the display that appeared looked drastically different than the one I have on Levii.

// [Name: Aim Dagon] [Race: War-fiend Asura]

[Class: Blade-of-All-Trades]

[Skills: Inaccessible]

[Traits: Inaccessible]

---

[Relationship: Hated]

[Servant: <Forced Contract>]

Due To Low Relationship, Cannot Expend Mana Into Unit. //

Huh!? I've got next to nothing on his display, it just shows me his Name, Race, Class, and Relationship to me; plus, how I had made the contract with him.

I thought this system was ripped right out of Epoch but looking at this now- this is way different.

Well, not entirely.

The closest thing that this looks like from the game would be the info screen's I'd have for temporary servants or paid mercenaries. But otherwise, this is just looking way too weird.

There has to be way to end this contract with him, what if I just focus really hard on making ending it?

I close my eyes, and focus.

Deep breaths...

Yes...

Focus.

"..."

Focus...?

// End [Forced Contract] With [Servant: Aim Dogan]? [Yes] or [No]? //

// Warning: If Forced Contract Ends, All Mana Expended On Servant Will Be Forcefully Reclaimed. //

"Okay, so, I 'can' end the contract with you, Warmaster Aim." This isn't going to be good.

"But... if I do- all of the healing I had done on you will be taken back."

Aim didn't falter with that grim end of contract deal.

"Do it-"

"Veto." Flaur forcefully interjected.

"Your Majesty!" Aim shouted; his patience was likely nearing thin by now.

"No, I will not allow you to die like such Aim."

"Do you really think the kingdom could take such a heavy toll as losing it's Warmaster, now of all times?"

"With the encroachment of Humans, and their otherwise unknown actions- having you alive is a needed necessity, not a want." She stated it matter of fact- it humbling the supposed chief war strategist.

She placed her hands onto the desk, they we're clasped together as she bore her cold eyes into me.

"End the contract and you will be executed for the crime of murdering a high-ranking official of Modos, Kai."

I reflexively gulped at the sheer intensity Flaur was aiming right at me- I have to play by her game now.

"I promise I won't."

"And- I promise I won't force you, Warmaster, and or, Levii, to do anything for me."

"Lies- pure lies, don't listen to 'it' your Majesty!"

"How can you prove that to me, Kai?" Flaur ignored Aim as she asked me coolly.

"I can't- but I can get you results that'll make me so vital to the kingdom, you'll never be able to get rid of me."

"Oh?"

"If you tell me all you know about the Stolg Crisis- I'll be able to save it, your doomed currency."

"And by the end of the week, before the Sanguidicium, no less."

///