Chapter 15

"How were the casualties…?" (Remorth)

"218 dead, only 27 were alive, but in a terrible state even with the miracle healer's help…." (officer)

After telling this, the officer left the room with a bow. We had return to the fort from the Dungeon area after buried the dead, among them were Karin, the knight leader of our temporary party yesterday. Right now, Remorth asked me to follow him around to avoid suspicion towards my true identity. I accompany him as a guard replacing the now dead Dort. Sara and Risia was helping the survivors of Reed's ruthless killings on the emergency triage on the fort courtyard. Most of the surviving victim were female and only a hand full of males. But even so, their condition cant be said that they'll have a normal life even after recovering.

"Riel… this matter, regarding Reed… I hope that you will lend me your strength in fighting that monster…" (Remorth)

He said those while gripping his palm in rage.

"Thats what I was planning on… that bastard killed my friend in cold blood, I'll make him regret his actions."

Thus, our sworn oath was born with this exchange. Not long after we talked, the door was open all of a sudden.

"Riel…! She's awake! Galia's awoken!" (Saraha)

Galia was Karin's niece. She also one of the survivors that we managed to saved back at the Dungeon entrance. But she was heavily injured and had her left limbs were severed from the elbow and knee. Since both me and Sara was acquainted with her, Sara ask to looked after her while Elise heals the other survivors.

Both me and Sara rushed towards the emergency triage while Remorth stayed in his room to await further information from the head teacher and the fort commander.

"Did she spoked anything to you, Sara?"

I ask Sara while we rushed on the hallway.

"She… I don't know what to say… her condition is worse than I expected it will be. She keep telling me to get away and cursed me, saying that I'm with the monster…." (Saraha)

She said those words with a sullen tone. It seems that Galia got out of control because she's was Reed's friend, when I was still that bastard. After the conversation went sour, I stop asking her then continue towards the triage in haste.

We reached the triage in the fort courtyard not long after. There were many injured survivors thats still incapacitated but some that was awoken, seems to acts as they had lost their minds. I ignored the screams and shouting and press towards Galia who was consulted with another female priest.

"Can I have a word with this person?"

I ask the female ferlien priest. She nod then lets go of Galia who looks like a mad woman from my perspective.

"Miss Galia…? I'm Riel, his Highness attendant. I apologized for asking this but-…"

(push!)

"G-get away!!! You m-monster!!! Get away!!!" (Galia)

She pushed me aside then screamed as if she had lost her sanity. Her beauty from before, now withers from her face…. Seeing the situation, the female priest rushed towards the rampaging Galia to hold her down. Taking advantages of the situation, I touched Galia's head then apply the 'Calm' spell to eased her mind. The female priest were surprised as to my act but she didn't question my method to control Galia. After conforming her condition, the female priest lays Galia on her bed.

"Can you hear me, Galia?"

"... yes…" (Galia)

Like how Risia acted when I casted this spell on her, Galia too reacted as such. Answering my question with a robot tone like while in a state of trance.

"Could you tell me what happen to the soldiers that was on the entrance of the Dungeon, yesterday?"

"..... It was horrible… we were about 200 men strong but the monster Reed just slaughter all of us like grass… its… its…" (Galia)

Even with the calm, she still shuddering when she spoked of the incident. I hold her right hand tightly to calm her down.

"Its alright… I'm here… I will not let the incident happen again, you have my word."

She looked to me in silence, then about a moment after, she continues.

"after we separated from him and Sara, aunt rushed us to the fort to report the situation to the command. With the support of the lord commander, our squad was accompany with several elite knights and about 200 soldiers to provide support for the both of them. But after reaching the area where Lord Borfus left their friends, a scout reported a sighting of a strange phenomena happened not far from where the bloodied scene was. Worrying about Reed's safety, aunt rushed our squad to the place where the scout reported the sighting were, followed by the others not long after. But we were shocked when we saw the dungeon and the leader of the rescue operation gives the order to make camp while we investigated the dungeon." (Galia)

This may happened after a few hours after we entered the dungeon. I didn't voiced my mind and let her continue to tell the story.

"….. But, when it was night time, the ground suddenly shaking and our commander told us to be alerted for any signs of enemies. Thats when… the… he…." (Galia)

She started to stuttered again… it seems what happen to soldiers near the entrance was a horrific memory for her. I once again tried to console her by giving her an embrace.

"He…" (Galia)

"Shh… relax… just said it slowly… I will protect you… you can wipers to me if you had to… alright?"

After hearing my remarks, she went silent for a moment then continues.

"She… aunt… that monster Reed… she was worried about him when he suddenly appeared out of nowhere near the Dungeon entrance, heavily wounded… aunt run towards him while in tears… but the monster cut her in half… he killed aunt…" (Galia)

I stayed silent as to hear her words. Karin… its all my fault! if only I kill him back then…

"Aunt had fallen for that monster… she wanted to help him… but that monster just kills her like she was nothing… we were shocked by aunt's death and charged towards the monster… even though he was wounded, he kills us like we were a bug to be stamp on… after he kills the males, he went towards the female and amputated one of their legs and arm… and then…. He… he ravages us like an animal…! He didn't even cared if the person is already dead! He keeps on defiling their body… mine also!" (Galia)

His actions is really sickening! I knew his character was scum, but he's more than that! That bastard should be destroyed!

After casting yet another 'calm' spell on Galia, I ask the female priest to looked after her and went back to Remorth's Room along with Sara and Risia. Elise stayed on the triage to aid the other priests to tend the survivors.

"He… Riel… what he did to Galia…" (Saraha)

"I know… he will pay for what he has done. I'll make sure of it…!"

I clench my fist in rage about the chaos Reed had made. I will kill that bastard when we finds him in the future, this I swear!

..................…

After we reached Remorth's Room, we began to discuss about the matter involving my future. As I suspected, it seems that Remorth was hard on with his decision before by making me his retainer. But theres new addition for this deal, that was to tutor him in magic combat, considering that I'm looked older than the rest of them. After its been agreed upon, Risia will be my partner while Sara will continue as a student in the academy along with Elise.

We rested for the night after our discussion later on. Because I was an unknown person in the fort, Risia lets me sleep on her room where she stayed with Dort, next to Remorth's. Though I was quite curious as to her past relationship with Dort, I kept it inside me because of the things that happens back in the day. But before we get some shut eyes, she confessed to me that she had slept with Dort several times before. After her confession, she seems quite dejected because of the fact that she did the deeds with Dort, though I was quite bothered by it, I assured her that whats past, had already happened. And I respect that she came to me with honesty.

The morning of the next day, I was called along with Risia to accompany Remorth to meet with the high command of the fort. Inside the lord commander's office were the man himself, Lord Varos and his secretary, Ser Carste the elfien male. On the couch, there were Alain. While sitting adjacent to the two across the table were Trysia and a man in a hooded cloak. The air inside the office was pretty intense with these peoples having sour expression on their faces.

"Thank you for attending this meeting, your Highness. Your attendants can excused themselves for now." (Varos)

Is it me, or the people inside this room were giving me the suspicious gazes? And the most obvious were those two, Trysia and Alain. Did they-…

"Forgive me for my rudeness, My Lord. But these two are my trusted attendants. Theres no need for secrecy amongst them." (Remorth)

"I support his Highness wishes to let these two hears the news as well. Particularly that man…" (Trysia)

Why did she…? Did she knows about me…? This woman is seriously scary…

"I too was curious for this man who 'claimed' to be a wonderer…" (Alain)

The hell!? The old man also? Just how did those two see through me? Aren't I had a different face right now?

Having the two remarks, the lord commander lets me and Risia to stay in the room while they are having the meeting.

"Now, I will begin… dark tides has reached to our kingdom's sovereignty, gentlemen. News of Dungeon had appeared all over the lands, plaguing us with unknown monsters that sprung from the Dungeons en mass. Safe to say that we are facing a calamity in our era." (Trysia)

"Adding more oil to the fire, even the Empire had reported the appearance of the Dungeons and its has plunged the Empire into chaos." (Cloaked man)

The cloaked man had a soothing voice for a male. Its kinda strange…

"Hmm… thats quite alarming to hear. What makes matters worse, the betrayal of Reed Forham from what I heard from His Highness. This is quite troubling… I thought that boy had change for the better when I saw him before. Its quite saddening to heard the news of my good friend son became a killer…" (Varos)

The room fell into silence for a moment after Varos remarks.

"Its really a shame that he did so, My Lord… but I think that he became like that because of the Dungeon's effect." (Remorth)

He said this because of our plan to pinned the blame to the Dungeon to make Reed's sick actions more reasonable.

"I see… to bad for that brat… but returning to the matter at hand. Can your Highness tells us what really happened back in the Dungeon, on how did you managed to subjugated it…?" (Alain)

He said this while rubbing his chin.

"Oh that? Its thanks to my newly appointed attendant here, Riel." (Remorth)

.....(everyone staring in awkward silence toward Riel)

You idiot… I told you to take all the credits didn't I!? Now they direct their attention towards me after hearing that fool's remarks…! Stupid!

"Did he now…? I do sense an energy from him since earlier…" (cloaked man)

He then stands up then takes out a Crystal Connector from his hidden pocket. Shit! This is all the fool's mouth! I glared towards the stupid prince who was sweating a cold sweat after his foolish remarked about me subjugating the Dungeon. Risia's on the other hand, puts her palm on her face while sighing….

"Hmm… oh my… what a monster you are, my good Ser…!" (Cloaked man)

Shit! He appraised me with the Crystal Connector. The other who heard his remarks, quickly takes their own Crystal Connector to appraised me as well.

"Gods above!? This is…? What kind of magical beast are you…!?" (Alain)

"..." (Trysia)

Just what the fuck is happening!!?

..................…

I explained them with the background I come up with on our discussion yesterday, on how I was a secluded from civilization from child till in his 20's, deep inside the forest since my parents passed. With the Prince supporting my words, the others came to a conclusion that my story was believable, for now.

"But those numbers just ridiculous…. Are you sure that you are human?" (Alain)

"Hundred percent sure that I'm human. I still need to eat and sleep, you know…?"

I said to the curious old man. But the strange one was Trysia. She haven't said a word since earlier. She just shoots a suspicious gazes towards me and it scares me with her behaving like that!

"Hmm… then, will you explained to us on how did you manages to subjugated the dungeon?" (Varos)

To avoid the suspicious gazes from Trysia, I started to tell them how I shut the dungeon down, by touching the Dungeon core after defeating the Dungeon Boss, Reed who 'turned' evil. After hearing my stories, they went into a deep thoughts to process the information that they had heard from me.

While I relaxed myself, the cloaked man suddenly approach me slowly.

"You look like you can be of used for the Empire, My good Ser… wont you join me when I return to the Empire, together?" (cloaked man)

I was surprised when I heard his remarks, Risia who were next to me reacted the same as I am. Who is this man, exactly? I heard him saying that the Empire was also having the Dungeon problems right now. Is he a spy…?

"Oh… please don't be alarm, Ser…" (cloaked man)

(takes off his hood)

Noticing my agitation, the man takes of his…. Holy hell!!!!? The hell!? What!!!? Why is he…? That light blue hair color and light green pupils… why did he looks like-….

"Forgive me for being soo secretive with my appearance… I am Prince Elgard Far Ravatiol… the 4th Prince of the Great Empire of Ravatoil… please to make your acquaintance…" (Elgard)

Why is he here…..!!!? Its the Empire's Prince and also Ellusia's big brother!? The hell!? If I recall back in the game, he didn't appeared anywhere… he just a side character that Ellusia had talked about. But seeing the similarity of their faces, that cool ice stern face of a true royalty, he's telling the truth!

"My Prince… is it wise to let your identity known by this suspicious man…?" (shadow)

Hiii…!!! The heck is that thing behind him suddenly appeared and talks!!?

"Quiet now, Rufus… I know what I'm doing. Continue to watch me in the shadows for now, alright?" (Elgard)

"Certainly My Prince…" (shadow)

The swelling shadow behind him dissipated after being told by the Prince. Just what did-…

"Now thats out of the way, will you consider my offer, My good Ser… and I didn't catch your name…?" (Elgard)

The dude's smile gave me the chills. Why did he smile like that…? I don't know what his characters was because I never met him while playing the game, but the way he smiled to me felts creepy, even though Risia was quite charmed by it.

"I uh… I don't know… I have to ask-…"

"Thats a no…! You had promised me you will tutors me aren't you, Riel!?" (Remorth)

Uwaaa…. This is all your fault you stupid bastard! If only you kept your mouth shut earlier! This is troubling…

"Riel is it…? It seems that his Highness Prince Remorth holds you in high regard as well… now I want you more…" (Elgard)

Ugh… creepy way to stated that. I should get them in tracks.

"W-we still need to disused about the matter at hand, Your Highness Prince… can we-…"

"Thats why I rushed here when I heard that the Kingdom managed to subjugated a Dungeon. Now, please gave me your reply. I can appoint you as an Centurion and your own personal men to lead, if you accepted my invitation." (Elgard)

Wha…? Did he just-…

"No! He already promised to became my Retainer. please stop tempting him further, Your Highness Prince Elgard…" (Remorth)

Wait.. I haven't-….

"Sigh… thats a shame… well, at least I tried." (Elgard)

Wait! I haven't… sigh… nevermind…

The meetings continue after that brief interruption. After having the info regarding the Dungeon subjugation, Prince Elgard left the office with his shadows. Just how many people were in that shadows. Scary…

Returning to the matter at hand, the Lord Commander with both Trysia and Alain continues their meeting related to Reed's sudden betrayal. It didn't take them long to brand Reed as an enemy of the Kingdom and handed the matter to the Royal Family. Though Remorth seems to be honored with this task, I in the other hand had a different opinion on how to deal with Reed. But since it was decided, I don't had nothing to say for that matter.

"You. I need to talk with you, alone." (Trysia)

Crap! Before we manages to exit the office, Trysia blocked my way while looking overly suspicious towards my face. Seeing this, the stupid prince lets Trysia had a talk with me though Risia seems quite reluctant to leave me with Trysia. But since she need to guard Remorth, she left while grumbling in silence.

The room was tensed as I sat on the couch while surrounded by the suspicious looking people all around.

"Explain." (Trysia)

"Explain wha-…"

"Don't you play dumb with me… I knew that strain the moment I saw it when I appraised you earlier… you the person that was reincarnated inside Reed, were you?" (Trysia)

Dammit! Is she a detective or some sort!? Just how much intuition skills did she has!? This is unfair!

"Now that you mention it, his strain does seems similar to the ones you showed me back then." (Alain)

He said to Trysia. The Lord Commander and his secretary was puzzled by the two exchange and voiced their thoughts.

"Just what in the world are you two talking about…!?" (Varos)

"P-please enlighten us with the matter, great heroes…" (Carste)

Great heroes…? Who is he pointing at-…

(grab)

"Hiii!!!"

Trysia suddenly grab my collar while bringing her face closed to mine with our noses almost touched with each others. But she's only giving me the danger vibe, rather than romantic scene… she's scary!

"The way you acted and spoken really resembles the 'Reed' I know… tell me, are you that man…?" (Trysia)

Seeing that the beans had been spilled, I stared to tell them everything, about me suddenly changes to my old self, and how Reed taking over Dort's body and turned them to his own. After hearing my story, she finally lets go of my collar then sat back to the couch. The others looks bewildered, but not long after, voice their thoughts.

"How can I believe all of that!? You'er saying that Reed takes over a human body with soul alone!? Thats unbelievable! Preposterous!" (Varos)

He said those with anger while confused.

"Thats what he said to us back then, if you don't believe me, you can ask the Prince yourself. And I still retain my memories when I'm still him."

I said to the confused Lord Commander.

"But still… thats quite a lot to take in… did you two Heroes knows what is this man saying?" (Carste)

Again with the heroes…? Did these two really-…

"As absurd as it is. He's probably telling the truth…" (Alain)

"I agree…" (Trysia)

The two lets out a heavy sigh after stating their remarks. Though it took quite a while, I finally been given a leave from the office. But Trysia strangely follows me around after. I ask her why did she do this, but she only gave me vague answers.

I meet up with Mirada shortly after I left the Lord Commander's office in the hallway, with Trysia in towed. Though she looks to me suspiciously, after noticing the strangely looking Trysia, she stopped with her gazes then told me to follow her to her room.

After reaching her room, she invites me inside along with Trysia, reluctantly. After having a seat on the table, she pours me a cup of tea then sat the chair facing towards me.

"Just who are you, the real you…? What did happen to Reed? Why did he suddenly-…" (Mirada)

"Just stop with that, girl." (Trysia)

Mirada stops talking after hearing Trysia's remarks. Did she just calls Mirada 'girl'?

"Reed is a lost cause. Theres no need to chased after him for now." (Trysia)

I felt a little bit of awkwardness as to heard Trysia's remarks. Just why is Mirada acts a bit sullen after hearing those?

"You had fallen for a demon, little girl. That brat slaughter your fellow soldiers in cold bloo-…" (Trysia)

(slam!)

Hiiii!!!! Mirada suddenly slammed the table…! My cup almost got spilled… but thats not the point! Just why did she-….

"Dammit! If only I stopped him that time… if I just… guh!!" (Mirada)

"Now, now… no need to cry over a spilled milk… speaking of which, please drank the tea first, Riel…." (Trysia)

"Oh, alright… I was getting thirsty just now… then, thanks for the treat, your tea was always the best, Mirada…"

"!?" (Mirada)

Oppss… my mouth got slipped there. Shit! She's looked a bit bewildered just a second there. But I'll explain the misunderstanding after I drank this tea first.

(glup)

"Yes…. Drink till you full, Riel… fufufufufu…." (Trysia)

Why is she suddenly acts…. Eh? Why am I suddenly felt light hea-…..

(collapse)

"You did good, girl… it seems that the drug effect is more effective than I hypothesized it would…." (Trysia)

"I-I did as you ask of me, a-aunt… w-what should we do to him, now….?" (Mirada)

"Hmm…? Of course we had our way with him… he is the man you had fallen in loved with." (Trysia)

Wha… what are they talking about…? I cant move my mouth… my body is numb like a limp…. What is going on with my body…? What did they put-….

"I-is he really 'him'…?" (Mirada)

"Of course…! If you don't believe me, then let me show you-…*(audible)….." (Trysia)

I don't even… heard what they….. are talking….. right now… my…eye… sight… ugh….

..................…

"!?"

Ugh! My head… it felt like I'm having a hangover… and my body… ouch! Why did I felt like I was hit by a truck multiple times….? And my groin…

"Ow, ow, ow, ow…. The heck?"

I noticed that I'm still inside Mirada's room, and wasn't this bed her's…? Just why did I slept here with no clothes on me…? What the hell did happen to me earlier…!?

After putting my clothes that I found lying on the floor next to Mirada's bed, I noticed that the bed seems to be quite mess up and had some liquid that I strangely fear to know what it is. Ignoring all of these thoughts, I walked out from Mirada's room, while holding on my groin, in pain. Though it was hard to walked straight, I forced myself when I met with other peoples by the hallway.

"There you are…! Did you know what the time is now!? Its already pass 10 in the night! Just where did you go after we separated from the Lord Commander's office late this afternoon!?" (Risia)

Upon reaching Risia's room, I was greeted with an angry looking beauty who was on her night gown, sitting down on her bed. After her remarks, I sat down on the floor looking like a guilty man who was caught stealing something. Though she lets me see all of that sexy skin right now, but my rod was limp as it was since I left Mirada's room earlier… just what did those two did to me after I got knock out…?

"I uh… I don't remember… I'm sorry…"

I prostrated towards the angry looking Risia with all fours while apologizing to her for a fault that I also need to know. But after reading the mood, I did it anyway without question.

"Sigh… its fine. Take off your clothes and lets just sleep for the night." (Risia)

She taps on her bed, inviting me to sleep with her. I did as she told me then went beside her with only my birthday suit. Even though this is a quite exciting, my rod still stayed limp as if its already been defeated in battle. But when did I had him go through such activities…? Strange.

"Y-you won't mind if I get in to the mood, wouldn't you….?" (Risia)

She said those words while blushing. I nod to her request and let her went her way with me. But because of her attempt to waken the rod was unsuccessful, we slept on the bed, awkwardly after that. I'm sorry~...!! I don't know whats wrong with me, today~….!

....................

Though last night attempt was a failure, Risia takes her revenge in the morning before the sunlight even touched the glass window. Its really a different experience for me with her steering our intercourse with each other.

But our activities were cut short after the door was knocked by an officer, telling us to wake as soon as we possible to accompany Remorth for the sudden gathering.

"Tch!" (Risia)

It seems that she haven't got her fill and clicks her tongue while putting on her armors. After we set ourselves up, we leave the room and continue towards Remorth's. Risia who still irritated by the abrupt hold on our love making acts, bangs Remorth's door to waken the poor fellow with a loud hit.

After the poor fellow leaves his room, we continue towards the courtyard where the students and teachers were gathered for a briefing like we always do early In the morning in these pass few weeks. Its strange to feel that its only been a month and it felt like I've been in this world in quite a while already.

Many things happened to me when I became Reed. Got hated by everyone, being squandered without proof, and not to mention that Miss Crissy's pregnancy. But not all of it was a terrible experience for me. The time I had with Sei and Kirara really gave me the motivation to went through my hellish life as Reed. Trysia also was a dear friend to me back the academy, though we've been through some rough times.

Oh.. And theres Sara and Elise as well. They became closed to me even though I was hated by everyone else and grouped up with me as a party. But I did had some clash with Sara earlier before the practical examination. But after what we've been through together, she seems attached to me. Though Elise gave a suspicious glances to me right now. But thats alright… I'm not Reed anymore…!

"Students of the Capital Academy…! Its been a full month of exam since you had came to this fort…! Though we've been through a lot in the last week of our examination, I'm glad to say that I'm proud for your students to pass the exam." (Regor)

The head teach spoken on the stage by the podium. His voice was amplified with a magic tool that makes his speeches heard all across the fort.

"But then again, as the head counselor for this year students, I will take responsibilities for our mishaps that caused several of our beloved students and teachers death…!" (Regor)

The students and teachers were shocked by the head teach's remarks. We included…

"I will take the punishment of my expulsion and will handed the role of the counselor to Ser Veltro Harrin…! Thus, I, Regor Torda will step down as a member of the board and will be executed for my inability to handle the task that was given to me…!" (Regor)

Wha…? The head teach walks down from the stage and immediately detained by the soldiers. What is going on!? I looked towards Remorth and he too was puzzled by the scene. Just what is going on…!?

*******************

(END OF VOLUME I)

..................…