Bad End

Richard rushed through Dragon Valley until he was at the portal, jumping on the back of a Maranos clone that was heading over to the other side. A few of his followers that were chatting idly nearby saw him and exchanged glances.

Master is in a really good mood today, Zangru commented.

Phaser nodded in agreement, He looks excited. Did he just sleep with some priestess of the goddesses?

Who knows? It isnt really special even if he does. So many of them have been waiting for years; if they dont succeed soon, the goddesses might just punish them.

Why dont you sleep with them? That way, they wont come seduce Master.

Not interested. Dont forget, Im the same as you.

Were nowhere near similar!

Perhaps

Guys Tiramisu suddenly interrupted, Why do I feel like Master just got beaten up?

Zangru froze, Beaten up? Who here can even do that? Dont joke around!

The ogre nodded in agreement, but he still looked confused. While there was no way to fault Zangrus words, his own instincts were telling him otherwise.

I think Boss was beaten too! Medium Rare suddenly agreed. Not as prudent as his brother, he was loud enough for Richard who had just walked back through to hear. Shivering under his Masters glare, he brought up a hand to cover his mouth.

Richard grunted before shaking his head, ignoring them and hurrying back to his room. Not long after, he sent them an announcement that he would be going to Norland for a while. Only minutes afterwards, a cloned brain soared into the skies above Dragon Valley and sped towards Bluewater.

Those followers present watched as he disappeared, the atmosphere stifling. A billion conversations were had between eyes alone, but nobody could actually understand.

Eventually, Zangru spoke up, Was Master really beaten up?

But who did it? Phaser countered, leaving everyone silent once more.

Over 7,000 kilometres away, Bluewater was a long journey even by cloned brain. The broodmother had already arranged for a journey with zero downtime, but it would still take nearly two days to make it all the way.

There were currently four separate logistical convoys moving through the Iron Triangle Empire, seven if the flying chrysalides were included. An enormous and complicated web currently kept the Crimson Army supplied even if it was so far away from home, and the brain of this network was Raymond.

The man had stationed himself in a small town within the Empire, located centrally to the network and allowing him to monitor most of it in real time. He gave out dozens of orders every day, doing a better job than even the Thinker could accomplish. While the Thinker was proficient at handling mundane tasks, Raymond could predict Richards moves to an extent and prepare correspondingly.

Early in the morning, he arrived in his office as always and connected to every cloned brain nearby. He suddenly found a large number of them moving in a strange manner, establishing a route that was not in his plans. Eyeing the map, he quickly realised that they were making a straight line from Dragon Valley to Bluewater, but there was a small detour in the middle that would put his little town on the road.

Slightly startled, a wry smile appeared on his face as he walked to the window and opened it. Far in the distance, a tiny black speck zoomed closer before flying overhead, a familiar figure leaping off and flying to the ground.

Long time no see, Richard. Come in, Raymond said with a forced smile, stepping away from the window. Richard nodded and flew straight in, circling around the room once before occupying his seat.

Scanning through the room once, Richard focused on the former rival who had now become an aide to his plans. Time had flown quickly in Faelor, and Raymond was already in his thirties, now with a little beard and looking very much like a middle-aged man. The delicate handsomeness of years past had turned into a more mature elegance.

Watching Raymond stroke his beard without speaking, Richard eventually sighed, Youre not going to say anything?

I tend to wait for the other party to speak first, it averts unnecessary mistakes.

Fair enough. But youre not going to tell me you dont know about the soul-mending project, will you?

Of course not, Im the one that gave the broodmother access to it.

You You nearly destroyed me.

Unfortunately, it did not work out. No, I should say it didnt work entirely. The broodmother is still completely free, and while youre working together you cant rely on her as much as you did in the past. Youve been weakened greatly. Like Ive said multiple times; never use mana to judge a Scholar.

Richard actually calmed down, looking at him carefully, Youve planned my death ever since I set foot in Faust. You trapped my father and personally led an army into Faelor to kill me, as though you would never be at ease if I dont die. Was I such a huge threat?

That is only a rivalry from generations past. You were the most outstanding of the young Archerons, there was nothing wrong with being hostile to you. I believe circumstances have proved that even my overestimations werent enough.

But that wasnt the only reason, was it? Whatever, its all in the past. Right now, I have to decide how to deal with you. Should I kill you? You dont care either way. Torture is an option, but I believe you have a thousand ways to deal with that. Cant even hurt those close to you, youre an emotionless machine who doesnt care in the slightest. Even the Josephs dont really matter to you, do they?

Raymond went silent for a while before nodding, You are correct.

What I dont understand is the purpose of you Scholars. Whats the significance of your existence?

Our objective has always been clear. We are to explore the mysteries of the world and bring all of Norland up the ladder of evolution.

A bunch of machines with no sense of responsibility like you? Thats such a joke.

Many races grow foolish just because of burden and emotion. We only free ourselves of those fetters.

You mean youre a bunch of lunatics, Richard shook his head.

Were a bunch of clear-headed sages, Raymond corrected him with a smile, So what do you plan on doing? Kill me? That obviously isnt the best choice, the benefits of keeping me still outweigh the hostility Ibe shown you. The soul-mending plan has already been executed, and the broodmother has made a deal with me to keep your war machine running smoothly. In fact, you can just give me Faelor; two Norland years and the plane will be yours. You will be the ruler of every corner of it, from the four cardinals to the divine kingdoms in the sky.

He paused and flashed a flattering smile, Richard, I know your biggest weakness is a lack of leaders. Salwyn and I are the only ones who are fit to be leaders, but he is a local and now an emperor. No matter what you offer, will he truly serve you? Even if

Ah! Raymond was interrupted by a soft shriek as Reyna entered with the breakfast tray, dropping the moment she saw Richard. Richard didnt even look at her, stopping the tray with a thought and having it float back into her hand.

R-Richard My Lord Why are you here? I mean Its so sudden She was quieted down when Richard waved for her to stop speaking, only able to plead with her eyes.

Raymond continued, So, you can see the best option, cant you? Youre someone fated to do big things, and so many rely on you for their lives and livelihoods. Emotions have no part in decisions like these. Isnt it great to leave things as they are? Leave the trivial matters to me, and you take care of the broad strokes. Its a perfect match! You should continue on your way and let me start on breakfast.

Heh, Richard suddenly chuckled, Youre right. Whats happened has happened, and I should consider how to maximise profits.

Exact Raymonds smile suddenly froze, the hand that was stroking his beard stuck in mid-air. He slowly looked down at the dagger that had just been thrust into his heart, following the other end up Richards hands to stare at his face.

You actually Completely shocked, he couldnt even form proper sentences.