19.
After being sent back, I opened my eyes and realized that the sun was already up. Seeing that my alarm clock, going by the name of Felicia, didn't show up to wake me. I felt a little distressed.
"Looks like she's really worried and didn't want to bother me." I softly murmured.
I raised my body up and realized that my arms have regained their function. I started putting pressure in my arms little by little to see if they still hurt or not.
'Did Lucifer do it or is the medicine that Wilhelm made for me is that good?' I thought for a second before taking a look at my right hand. I saw the tattoo that symbolizes my pact with Vasavi Shakti.
"Looks like you'll be my new partner." Although I was sad to lose Gae Bulg, not only because it was my partner from the last run, but also because I already knew some of the abilities it have. But, I was also scared of the consequences of the curse it have. The reason why I agreed to return back in time was because I want to do it differently this time. And if the people close to me are hurt because of the curse of the spear, then what's the point of returning?
Although I was sad, I am happy at the same time. Vasavi Shakti is a new spear to me and I have to explore its uses one by one. I like the feeling of uncovering its powers one by one. Its like being given a new toy to play with and it doesn't have the curse that will harm those around me. (A/N: Insert toy story "I don't want to play with you anymore." meme here.)
Vasavi Shakti might be a nice replacement but I also knew that it has its downsides. A weapon of a God being wielded by a mortal, there should be a consequence for using its power, I just don't know it. Moreover, what I want to know is how Vasavi Shakti will acknowledge me to let me call out its true name in reality.
Since I don't have any idea about it, I shelved the idea of having it acknowledge me as its owner. I'm sure that it will happen when the time is ripe.
I dressed up and went down. Wilhelm is carrying a tray and was about to go up when he saw me walking down as if what happened yesterday was nothing.
"Aegis, you should be resting. Your arm is still broken and you need to let the paste take root in your bone to heal you." Wilhelm said to me seriously.
"Uncle, I'm fine already. Looks like your medicine did wonders." I said sincerely and I showed him that my arms are alright by moving it around.
'Looks like my arms healed with the work of Lucifer and Wilhelm.' I thought as I continued walking down the stairs.
"But how? I thought it would take you at least 3 days before it heals up." Wilhelm said and made way for me.
"I don't know, when I woke up, I can already move my arms freely." I shrugged and Wilhelm didn't pursue it anymore.
I went to the dining table and saw Felicia being fed by Melissa. Hearing the commotion, Felicia turned her head and saw me getting closer to the table, she jumped down and startled Melissa a little bit.
"Big bro!" She ran while tearing up and hugged me.
"Alright alright. Sorry for worrying my little sis." I said to her while patting her head.
"Felicia, Big bro is alright, okay? Look, I can move my hands already. See?" I said to her to coax her.
"Are you really alright?" She asked me while sniffing her snot.
"I'm alright. Big bro is sorry, okay? Big bro won't do it anymore, so don't cry. Look you haven't finished eating your food. Go on and eat." I said to her with a smile.
"You won't do it again? Promise?" She asked me, teary-eyed.
"I won't do it again. I promise." I said to her and she held out her pinky and I tied it with my pinky to seal the promise.
After that, I carried Felicia and returned her to her seat and instead of asking Melissa to feed her, I am the one who continued feeding Felicia.
"Uncle Wilhelm, please bring my food upstairs. I have something I would like to discuss with you." I said without turning my head towards Wilhelm who acknowledged my order.
"What are you going to talk about with grandpa, big bro?" Felicia asked me.
"I will talk to Uncle on when we should return home." I said to her and she looked at me with a confused face.
"Isn't this our home?" She asked me.
"It is our home in the Royal Capital. What I mean is our true home, in my territory." I said to her which confused her even more.
"Don't worry about it. I'm sure you'll love that place." I patted her head and continued feeding her.
After saying that she was full, I told her I will bring her somewhere after my talk with her grandfather.
I returned to my room and saw Wilhelm waiting for me at the door. I opened the door and he followed me inside. I sat down in front of my study table and started eating.
"Uncle, now that we've secured our territory. Its time to gather some allies. Allies who will have our back, not just for profits. We need real allies." I said as I grabbed a piece of bread and shoved it in my mouth.
"What do you mean? Blackwood Dukedom is already strong, isn't it?" He asked me, probing for my intentions.
"Yes, we are strong inside the Empire, but that doesn't mean we are unstoppable. Its time for us to capitalize on our strength and reputation to gather allies under our banner." I said to him with a serious face and shoved a piece of steak in my mouth.
"I see. Its about Western Coalition of Kingdoms, isn't it?" Wilhelm had a look of realization on his face.
'He might not be as sharp compared to Wilhelm of the past run, but he understood what I'm wary of.' I thought as I gulped the meat down.
"Yes, our Empire has just finished a civil war. They won't pass up on an opportunity like this to ruin us further.
Now that we have made a few enemies here and there, they shouldn't be a problem at the moment. The problem will be the four Duke's stand on it.
They are an unstable variable so let's cross them out. I doubt that they will help us so much to repel the invaders aiming to get our lands." I said to him and he nodded as he understood the gravity of the situation.
There's a reason why our family crest is a tower shield. My family's territory, borders the Western Coalition of Kingdoms, and from my ancestor, down to my father, they acted as the shield of Hebrion Empire from the Western Coalition invaders.
"Who do you think should we ally first?" I asked Wilhelm since his influence within the Empire is way greater than mine at the moment. I just proved that I'm a capable ruler but Wilhelm was a renowned person. He's a person whom the current Emperor acknowledged as his mentor.
"Hm. I suggest the Cheringer family would be a feasible option." Wilhelm suggested while I realized who the Cheringer family is.
'Earl Cheringer, who produced the man with the alias of 'The Strongest Shield' in the Empire, Raphaello Cheringer.' I thought as I remembered the silly Raphaello in the past run. He is the main tank in the party who always faced the enemy head on. He would never let go of his shield even if it costs him with his life.(A/N: Earl as in noble title, not the name. Its counterpart is a Countess for women.)
'He's also a close friend of mine and we would always banter when it comes to which is better, the shield or the spear. Though we would argue a lot, when it comes to battling, he's the person that I worked best with.' I thought as I remembered our smooth offense and defense shift.
"Great. I'll have to trouble you on this one Uncle Wilhelm." I said to him and nodded. Wilhelm then bowed before leaving. With a clear idea on what my goal is, Wilhelm started forming a plan on how to gather allies under our banner.
He also knew that if we had allies, our influence within the noble circle would increase massively and our say in Empire's matter will be considered.
He had a few conversations with her granddaughter and transferred some of his duties before leaving silently.
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I would like to point out that even though I changed the MC's spear to Vasavi Shakti, it doesn't mean that its only power is when the MC invokes its true name. I will add my own spin on Vasavi Shakti.
MC will unlock Vasavi Shakti's power as he grows with the spear. Can't have MC shout Vasavi Shakti every time to finish a fight or it would be bland.