Death Has Come (3/7)

"Luciel, where should we go now?" asked Sanguis.

"Well first we'll do what Typher told us, let's try to find the Civil Affairs office to get some identification cards." I explained.

"Sure, but won't we seem menacing with all these undead?"

"I don't think so." I answered while staring at the road from the carriage, despite being a floating city, this place had wide streets and more people crowding the shopping areas than my undead, which compared to them seemed like a drop of water in the ocean. This city probably has around 10 million people, considering just about 10 thousand are roaming the streets at this moment.

Despite getting some weird stares from people which were filled with disgust, amazement or envy most still continued on with their day. Although necromancers were a rare sight due to their peculiar abilities, undead weren't so much of a rare sight as they could be found all over the world.

No-one really knows what powers them to move but some undead have managed to gain intelligence and even live with human society as normal people, except the decaying part of course.

Thus the ride through the wide streets with my 600 or so undead was rather uneventful. Although, I couldn't find the Civil Affairs office.

"Hm, let's just ask for directions." I said to Sanguis.

"S-sure... sorry I couldn't be helpful, I just can't remember where it is.. it's been a long time since I was here."

"No, it's not your fault." I said while patting her head "Undead, halt." The carriage came to a halt and I got out of the carriage, the undead making way like proper soldiers.

"Hey, miss, do you know where the Civil Affairs Office is? I'm kind of lost here."

"Uh sur- HUH?! W-What are those undead... I mean sure, I'll tell you. You need to head straight for a little bit more and turn right on the first right turn, and then continue forqard until you find a 3 story building in front of the town's most famous inn." The lady I asked explained, although a bit startled by the undead.

"Thank you for your help." I said to the lady, gave her a nod and hopped back inside.

"Go forward, and then turn right at the first turn," I commanded the undead and they moved.

Soon, we found ourselves in front of a 3 story building, although this street was a bit thinner it was plenty wide enough to fit around 30 people per line, which was my exact formation. I got off the carriage with Sanguis and commanded the undead to stay and guard the carriage as we headed inside.

The inside of the building was rather better looking than the outside, with beautiful wood making up most of the interior as three desks seperated by wood stood at the end of the room. As we walked to the desks the middle attendant who was very bored welcomed us in a monotonous voice.

"Welcome to the Civil Affairs Office, how may I help you-" The attendant said as she looked up.

'Wow... he's handsome.' The attendant thought. It was clear in her eyes, she was like a tiger in the jungle and I was the helpless delicious prey she laid her eyes upon.

"Oh my, sorry for my voice, welcome kind sir and miss, how may I help you?" The attendant fixed her voice as she stood up.

"We'd like to get some identification cards. We lost them in battle." I lied through my teeth, I didn't want to bother explaining private matters.

"Oh I see, sure I'll prepare them for you right away. Let's start with the miss first, what is your name little miss?"

"Sanguis Kete" Sanguis answered.

"Alright, and your birthday?"

"5th of Yellowfallen, Year 3561"

"Mkay, that makes you 11 years old. What a big girl. And you sir?"

"Luciel." I answered coldly. It was clear this attendant had eyes for me, but I only had eyes for Natalie.

"O-Okay, and your last name?" The attendant asked awkwardly.

"I don't have a last name."

"Oh... do i just write it as Luciel?"

"Yes."

"And your birthday?"

"Hm, Sanguis, how many months are there?" I whispered to Sanguis.

"There are 12, going from Wintercrest, Shortsill, Venus, Cherryblossom, Peakral, Edustrin, Flamecred, Lionmane, Tallsill, Yellowfallen, Ninukat, Snowfall. Each month has 30 days." Sanguis whispered back.

"My birthday is 8th of Lionmane, Year 3540" I used my real birthday as reference to the order of months. And according to Sanguis' birthday and age, it should be year 3572 currently.

"Oh alright, thank you."

As the girl seemed to have engraved the information with some sort of magic tool, she then said

"I'll have to take an image of your faces for authenticity, please excuse me." The girl went to the back of the wooden desks and opened a door to some type of storage and came out with a weird transparent metallic plate that shined with silver linings on the side.

Then she moved the plate close to our faces and injected mana into it. The plate shined and then protrayed a mirror of our faces. She quickly connected the card with the metal plate and the image got portrayed on the corner of the card.

She repeated the process with Sanguis and gave us our cards.

"Here you go, please be careful and don't lose them again, have a good day!" She said while bowing.

"There's no need for any type of payment?" I asked.

"Oh, there is, but the first time that you re-engrave a card it is free. There is no records of you ever re-engraving a card so there is no need for a payment."

"Alright, thank you. Let's go, Sanguis." I told Sanguis as I walked out and she followed.

------

"*Yawn* Luciel, what are we going to do now?"

"You're tired, and we haven't eaten for two whole days, let's go to that inn the lady told us about, the one opposite of the office."

"Hm? But.. we need money to buy a room and get food..."

"Don't worry about it, that fat man had 2 pouches of coins in his carriage, they're all Silver too."

"Wow! Even my Mom only made 2 silver per travel!"

"Seems like we fell in luck, come on, let's go."

"Undead, follow me but don't enter the inn."

We moved towards the inn with the undead and carriage following us. I set the carriage and horses in the horse stables and let the Undead form a protective perimeter around the inn.

"W-Welcome sir!" An old butler standing outside tending to some clients turned towards us when he noticed the bodyguard of the strongest undead I had following me like skillful soldiers.

"I have a.. 'lot' of undead with me, but I've set most of them outside to act as a guard for this area, while these 5 are my bodyguards, I'm sure there's no problem right?"

"O-Of course not sir, please, head inside." The butler bowed and directed us to the entrance.

As we entered with the 5 undead in tow, a lot of eyes turned their attention to us, it wasn't everyday you see a young miss and a man being guarded by 5 undead in heavy armor and good weapons.

*Click Clack* The sound of the iron boots of the undead surrounded the inner reception area where most of the clients were either drinking or eating. The sound was rather loud as everyone fell quiet.

We walked to the receptionist, a young girl, seemingly 18 with striking features like emerald hair and grey-emerald eyes, with a well-toned body through battle. In terms of appearance she could even rival some of the best models back in my world.

"Welcome, esteemed guests. How may I help you?" Said the girl in a calm tone.

"We'd like a room for 5 nights, as well as food and water." I said in my usual cold voice. I didn't bother being fake nice to people I didn't even know. It's a dog eat dog world from first impressions and I'm not planning on being eaten.

"As for the undead-"

"3 Undead will stay guard in front of my room and 2 will be inside. They listen to my every command so you do not need to worry about me disturbing other guests."

"Very well. 5 nights will be 5 silver and food and water will be 25 copper. In total 5 Silver and 25 copper. If you want room service you have to pay an additional 5 coppers."

I gave the girl 6 silvers, "I won't be taking room service, I'll pay for the 5 silver and 25 copper."

"Very well, here you go," The girl said as she handed me 75 Coppers, it seems like 1 Silver is 100 Coppers.

"This is your room key, your assigned room is room 14, it is located upstairs in the 2nd floor."

"Thank you, let's go Sanguis" I said as I walked towards the stairs.

We climbed up and reached room 14, as I opened the door with the key, to my surprise there was only 1 bed inside.

"Wh-What, there's only one bed?"

"Don't worry, Luciel, I can sleep on the floor."

"No, no way, you'll be sleeping on the bed."

"But-"

"No buts, we'll be cleaning up first and then leaving for dinner, you two, come inside and guard the room at the entrance of the door." I commanded two undead as they stood guard inside.

"I didn't mention this but, our clothes are completely in tatters.. they're even ripped in some places, we're getting new clothes too."

"Oh right... My dress is... really dirty."

"You go clean up and have a bath in the bathroom first, I'll clean up afterwards." I said to Sanguis as she listened and went in the bathroom.

"You, go to the first floor and get a towel." I said to the undead as he quickly walked out and came back after 3 minutes with a towel in hand. Although I didn't necessarily know where he got it, it didn't really matter as it was clearly recently cleaned and dried. Along the way I had been teaching the undead through mental commands about the names and appearances of many daily life items, which is why he understood what a towel is.

After another 20 minutes Sanguis asked for a towel which I gave her and she came out.

"Wheeeww, I really needed a bath. I feel really clean now." Although it was apparent since the beginning, her golden hair really seemed like one of a saintess. Especially now that it shined since it lost the dirt and dust that covered it.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. Sit tight while I go and get some clothes, we can't be wearing these rags anymore." I said as I got up and walked towards the door.

"Alright, make sure you pick pretty dresses." She said with a chuckle.

"Sure." I said while smiling.

---

As I walked out I let the 5 guards remain around the room. I entered out of the inn and spotted 5 undead patrolling around the area per my orders.

"You five, accompany me for a while."

The five undead followed and I walked around the streets. You could see stores, buildings, homes, inns. I came across a children's clothes store and entered inside. To say it was luxurious was an understatement. Every single cloth inside the store gave off a luxurious and royal feeling. As soon as I entered a bell rang and an attendant came to me immediately.

"Welcome, dear client, how may I help you? Are you looking for clothes for your child?"

"Yes, specifically a little girl." I said.

However, due to her rush she had not noticed my clothes, and as she regained composure she looked me up and down, and with a look of disgust and pity in her face, dropping the respectful tone she said,

"Are you sure you can afford dresses like this? I'm warning you this is a high-end store, if you damage any of this you-" as she was about to rant I cut her off.

"I'm pretty sure I can." I said as I pulled out two puches filled to the brim with silver.

"O-Oh... sorry esteemed client, please-" She got her respectful tone back but it was already too late, the undead that followed me came into the store at my mental command and glared at her like she was a pile of meat waiting to be eaten.

"I'd 'really' appreciate another attendant, or maybe your manager." I said to the girl. Although I never enjoyed being that type of person, it was hilarious seeing her scared for her life.

"R-RIGHT AWAY!" The attendant said as she sprinted into the back area where a slightly older lady with a far more respectful look and a dress that seemed many times more expensive than these here.

"Apologies for my employee esteemed client, she has already been fired as per my orders, now how may I help you today?" Said the manager in a somber and calm tone.

"I'm looking for a dress for a little girl."

"Right away." As she snapped her fingers 5 more attendants came out swiftly and bowed down.

"Can you describe her so we can pick a suitable dress and clothes?" Asked the manager.

"Of course, she has long golden hair, black eyes, a petite and short figure with small face. And also, the color of blood red fits her well."

"Understood. You heard the client, go pick some dresses and clothes." The manager said as the attendants swiftly moved out, and after a while they presented me with 10 sets of clothes.

6 dresses and 4 day to day life clothes such as shorts, a short sleeved white shirt, a red skirt, shoes and black long sleeved shirt. Long white pants and a golden yellow color sweater as well as a blood red coat with black fur at the ends that went down to her knees, a white hat and orange-ish red set of skirt and shirt to wear under the coat.

As for the dresses they differed in two sets of designs. Long dresses extending down to her ankles, and short dresses extending down to her knee/thigh. The dresses came in different colors like a primary black dress with hints of red patterns that extended from her knees to her ankles, a gold and white dress with sparkly gems embedded around the ends, as well as a blood red simple long dress with black heels. As for the short dresses they followed along the same pattern but with different designs.

"Well then... this certainly is good. How much for all of them?" I asked the manager.

"Normally it would be 85 silver, however due to our disrespect you can take them all for 65 silver, again, our apologies sir, we've also put undergarments for your daughter." The manager explained and bowed.

"It's okay, and please pack them for me," I said as i handed a pouch of 70 Silver to her.

"The 5 extra silver is for your help and respect while helping me choose clothes." I explained.

"Thank you, sir." The manager said while handing me 5 bags.

"I'll come again, have a good night."

I stepped out of the store, with the 5 undead following me. I was now in search for a store for men's clothings.

After 4 minutes I found a decent looking store with a serious feel to it.

*Ting*

As I entered the bell rang however no attendant came and I simply looked around, choosing some fitting clothes. And eventually I chose these, a black shirt and black pants with dark blue stitching and snake pattern shoes, however the scales were black too.

I also chose a short sleeve black shirt with navy blue pants and a pair of smokey grey shoes with black stitching. I chose a black and green hat as well as some undergarments, a black top tank, brown shorts. Along with those I picked a blood red thin hoodie with black sweatpants and comfortable boots.

Eventually, an attendant came looking like he just woke up from sleep.

I cut it short and said,

"I'd like to buy these."

"U-uh, sure, sir that will be 20 Silver."

I handed the man 20 Silver and walked out in the direction of the inn. As I neared the inn I told the 5 undead guarding me to resume patrolling and headed up to the second floor. I entered our room and found Sanguis still wearing the towel.

"Welcome back, Luciel."

"I got you some nice clothes, here, check them out."

I said as I left the five bags next to her. Unsurprisingly she was really excited and unpacked everything.

"Wow... these are... so beautiful."

"I'm glad you like them. They'll look even better when you wear them."

"Thank you so much, Luciel!" Sanguis said as she ran and hugged me. I patted her head and told her to pick a dress or some clothes to use so we can go have dinner.

I also took a quick bath, cleansing myself off the blood and dirt that hung around my body.

As I came out,

"Wow, you're really handsome aren't you Luciel?"

"Haha, don't try to flatter me. I'm just average."

"No, you really are handsome, look!" Sanguis said as she picked up the hand mirror from the desk near her and pointed it at me.

In the mirror was my face, although now instead of the chestnut hair I previously had, my hair was pitch black with black eyes, my jawline had sharpened and my eyes became thinner and more fierce. Although my face was very much still the same, simple features had now become well-toned and more developed.

"Wow... I didn't know I had the genetics but.. since when did I change?"

"Maybe it's due to your powers? It isn't strange for people to change due to powers right?"

"I think so.."

"Well, let me get dressed."

I wore my first set of clothing which consisted of the black shirt and black pants with dark blue stitching along with the black snake pattern shoes.

"You look even better with that suit." Sanguis replied.

"Alright alright, let's just get dinner, and did you pick your clothes?"

"Yup, let me wear them!" Sanguis said.

She had picked out the black shirt along with the red skirt and black shoes. She also decided to wear her hat which surprisingly couldn't fit her better.

"Good choice, now let's go down."

"You two, remain here and guard the room." I said to the inner bodyguards while taking with me the three other bodyguards outside the door.

We walked down the stairs and into the inn, the atmosphere was still lively as people were drinking beer and eating meat and singing or playing instruments.

I walked to the receptionist.

"Yes, how may I help you sir?"

"We'd like a full meal for dinner, two people."

"Alright that will be 5 copper and your food will get served at your table." the girl explained.

I gave her 5 copper and sat down at a table.

"Form a circle around our table and guard us, you can let the person with food get through." I ordered the undead as they adopted a protective stance.

Soon, after 10 minutes came plenty of food. Meat, soup, bread, salads and some snacks.

"Can I get you both something to drink?"

"Yes, a beer and a wat-" however as I was about to say water Sanguis cut me off.

"4 beers, two for each of us."

"Uhm..."

"*Sigh* It's fine, make it 4 beers." I gave up, she stared at me with the meaning of 'I'm drinking two beers today and nothing can stop me.'

"Alright, understood." said the waiter as he went off and brought back 4 beers in metal cups.

"Let's eat."

-------

"Whewww, I'm full."

"*Sigh* No you're not full, you're drunk." I said with a tired tone.

"Lucieeeel let's just sleep."

"Fine, sleep will make it better."

I laid on the floor with a blanket and a pillow while Sanguis laid on the bed. It was a peaceful night.