Chapter 38: ORPHANS
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Jon donned a plush purple robe and tied a leather belt with compartments around his waist. He led me through the keep.
The mess hall was large, with long wooden tables and benches arranged in neat rows. Quiet now, most workers had retired for the night, but a few stragglers shared drinks by the fire. Jon pulled out a bottle of spiced wine from a cabinet. He poured a drink for me, pushing the goblet across the table.
“Welcome to the beginning of my empire,” he said. He sat down, taking a long sip from his drink. I didn’t touch mine.
“The family business is treating you quite well,” I said.
“It’s not what you think it is.”
“What is it then? Your family was in the magic oil business. Or did you concoct a lie about that, too?”
“First, I’ve never lied to you. Next, everybody thinks my family is in the magic oils business. But it’s a cover. We stole the oils and ran black market deals, and I was tired of it. Tired of looking over my shoulder.”
He paused, swirling the wine in his goblet as if lost in thought.
“I’ve done terrible things in my life, things I’m not proud of. But I’m done with that.” He looked up, his eyes thoughtful.
“Okay, I’ll bite,” I said, though I didn’t believe him at all. “How does all of this work—metal Golems as slaves?”
Jon shook his head, pouring more wine.
“Nothing shady. This time, it’s real. I’m building a proper magic oil business with the bounty from the Emperor, but instead of stealing the materials, they’re gathered by adventurers in my employ—mostly orphans who have nothing and no one. I give them a chance to make something of themselves. The Golems naturally want to help. It’s in their nature.” He leaned forward. “Come with me. I’ll show you.”
I studied his face, searching for a tell.
* * *
We entered a smaller private chamber furnished with a heavy wooden desk cluttered with papers and vials. Jon sat behind the desk while I remained at a distance.
The man from before stood by Jon’s side. Jon introduced him as Dorian, his right-hand man, a tall and wiry figure with bushy eyebrows and a long black braided beard.
Name: Dorian Whitehollow [Divine Dealer]
Tier: II [Bronze]
Faction: Emperor [Lord]
The metal Demi-Golem, Sentinax, watched from the corner.
Name: Sentinax [Divine Dealer]
Tier: II [Bronze]
Faction: Golem [Demi]
A young girl, no older than fourteen, stepped into the room. She carried a small bundle—a flower glowing with soft, ethereal light, its petals glittering with sparkles of blue and violet.
“Congratulations, Lucia,” Jon said. “You’ve done well. This will make a fine addition to our collection. You look like you could use a proper meal.” He handed her a small bag of coins. “Now, get some rest. You earned it.”
The girl’s face lit up, and with a nod from Jon, she turned to leave.
“Lucia,” Jon called. “Before you go, my crimson friend here wants to hear your story.”
Lucia looked up at me with wide eyes.
“I was only six when the raiders came to our village,” she began. “They burned everything—our homes, the fields, even the old Monk temple where we prayed. My father tried to fight them off, but they cut him down in front of me. My mother… She hid me in a barrel in our cellar and told me to stay quiet, no matter what. I remember her screams when they found her and my big sister. I stayed hidden until the fire drove me out, but by then… everyone was gone. I wandered for days until a family took me in and made me work the pens, feeding their pigs. I lived with pigs, too. Last month, I ran away. Lord Jon took me in and gave me a job with food and a place to sleep. But I still hear my family’s screams at night… and I can’t forget.”
Without another word, she left the room. Dorian and Sentinax followed her out, the door closing behind them. Jon leaned back in his chair, holding the flower to the light, its glow reflecting in his eyes.
I watched the door close behind Lucia. The girl''s story was heart-wrenching, and I believed every word. But something about the delivery felt off, almost rehearsed—from Lucia''s timely entrance with the flower to her tragic tale.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
I glanced at Jon, who was still admiring the flower. His expression flickered between compassion and determination. In poker, when a player exudes strength, they''re usually weak. The opposite was true. In his case, he was… conflicted, and so was I.
Still, I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. After all, even if the presentation was a bit theatrical, it didn''t necessarily mean the underlying cause wasn''t genuine. Maybe Jon really was trying to help these orphans, even if he couldn''t resist turning it into a show.
“This flower is called a Loominyara,” he explained. “It’s scarce, found only in the depths of certain enchanted forests. Alchemists use it to create some of the most potent magical oils. The kind that can heal wounds, enhance abilities, or even prolong life.” He set the flower down on the desk. “I don’t have my full operations up and running yet, but I’m gathering raw materials right now.”
He turned his gaze back to me. I nodded, choosing to play along for now. Whatever game Jon was playing, I needed his help to reach the Emperor. And if he was actually doing some good along the way, who was I to judge his methods?
“Now that business is done, tell me, my dear," he continued. "What do you need with the Emperor? After all, I do owe you for all this good fortune.”
“I need to know how Edric killed the Shogun.”
He sat back, contemplating my request.
“All right,” he said. “Overlord Edric beat the Shogun in a Jingozi match to the death, decreed by the Jingozi.”
“A fair and square match? He didn’t cheat?”
“Not at all. But he did have an advantage. At that level, Jingozi matches can last days, even weeks. You become vulnerable if you’re not prepared, in mind and spirit. And if it is a match to the death, well, you get the picture.”
“Why would the Shogun risk it?”
“Hubris, my dear. The Shogun was crumbling under the weight of his entire faction. And Edric knew it. The Emperor possessed only a sliver of an advantage, but that’s all he needed. The Shogun was drawn into a fight and fell into the trap because his pride couldn’t resist.”
“But the Shogun was alive the last I heard.”
“It’s a fate worse than death,” he said. “The Jingozi sent him to another dimension—a purgatory of the soul. The rumor is that the Shogun had been plotting against the Jingozi for some time now.”
“Then I have no choice. You have to take me to the Emperor.”
“Edric would have killed you in Raishoto if not for your escape. You’re already hunted as the Shogun’s assassin. Why give him another prize? He’ll hand you over to the Samurai faction as a political pawn or torture and kill you himself to seal his secret.”
“How do I turn myself in?”
“And how did that work out for you the last time?”
“Exactly, and you’re going to say you captured me.”
“And why in the world would I do that?”
“Come on, Jon. Think of the reward and how many orphan mouths you can feed while they fetch you flowers.”
Jon wasn’t as amused as I expected.
“Come on, you owe me,” I said.
He let out a long, heavy sigh, rubbing his temples.
“You win, love,” he said. “There’s a fishing village due north of here on the river with a broken windmill. Meet me there in three days. I’ll secure your transport to the capital city.”
“How will I find you?”
“Oh, my dear, you’ll know when I arrive.”
“You better be there, Jon, or I’ll come back,” I tossed Aric’s bag of coins on the desk. “I’ll see myself out.”
“What’s this?”
“Consider it a charitable donation to your cause. Use some of it to get a new bedroom door. Oh, and Seraphina wants you to call her.”
* * *
“Do you trust him?” Cragmarr asked.
“Hell, no. But I trust the orphans,” I said. “I know what it’s like. They''re just pawns. But Jon wouldn’t be going through all the trouble if he wasn’t at least trying to turn a new leaf. At least that''s what I''m telling myself for now.”
“I see.”
“Listen, Crag. I have to do this alone. You’re a fugitive, just like me. I won’t risk your life, too.”
“No, Ember.”
“Why not?”
“I am your ward.”
“Cragmarr, by the power vested in me by the Jingozi, I release you from being my ward. You are absolved of all obligations, starting now.”
“It does not work like that.”
“Crag, you said you’d always support me, no matter what.”
“I did.”
“Then please trust me and support me now.”
There was an awkward pause while he thought about it.
“I will support you,” he nodded. “How will I find you after?”
“Wait for me at Radiant Temple.”
He nodded again.
“Thanks, Crag. But before I go, show me your Jingozi deck.”
He untied a large leather belt with a compartment reinforced by metal plates and a lock. Using a Zii coin, he unlocked it and produced a small ornate orange box about twice the size of a pack of poker cards.
“I never realized that’s how it worked. Jon wore something similar. But you can''t access your cards if you’re not wearing it, right?”
“Correct. It must be within reach to summon the cards into your hand.”
“And your Zii is the key?”
“Yes, when the compartment is empty, you can attune your Zii to lock and unlock it.”
“Can I have yours?”
“I do not understand. You do not need it.”
“You know that, and I know that, but nobody else knows it unless they’ve watched me use my inventory ability. Nobody pays attention anyway. Everybody always assumes I have deep pockets or something.”
“True,” he handed me the empty belt.
I hugged him and climbed onto my thunderhorn.
“Thanks, Crag, I’ll see you soon.”
* * *
The landscape blurred by as I rode along the riverbank. I reflected on the orphans I’d met—Hikari, Kaito, Sora, and Jon. Fresh in my mind, Lucia reminded me of where I was a lifetime ago. Yet, no stigma was attached to being an orphan in this world. Here, they were warriors, adventurers, and survivors.
Something in the vicinity shifted—a slight but undeniable presence. I slowed the thunderhorn to a stop and scoured the area. In the river rainbow colors shimmered and swirled beneath the surface, a translucent shape catching the light like an oil slick.
Dismounting, I stepped toward the water, drawn toward the mysterious shape. My feet touched the river’s surface, but it held me up instead of sinking. The surface beneath me was a sheet of solid glass, the current flowing beneath it.
Reaching the center, I felt the urge to practice Zii-Kata, except it was a new pattern.
LEVEL UPDATE
Name: Ember [Doctrine Dealer]
Tier: II [Bronze] Rank 7
FEAT COMPLETE: EXPLORE THE NEXUS
Visit 3 nexus locations.
Bonus: Additional rewards are granted for every nexus you find from this point.
4th nexus found: Water Walker
FEAT REWARD: WATER WALKER ABILITY
Walk on any liquid surface without sinking.
The crystalline formation undulated under me, rocking in a mesmerizing rhythm. Then, it suddenly shot downstream in a flash of motion, leaving me atop the flowing water.
I strolled across the liquid surface back to shore. This is absolutely incredible.
STATUS:
Name: Ember [Doctrine Dealer]
Tier: II [Bronze] Rank 7
Faction: Ninja [Field]
Zii: 100/100
Cards: 36/36
Deck Upgrades:
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<li>
Defend/Reward +2 Buff
</li>
<li>
Auto Dodge [Ninja] [Defense Meta]
</li>
</ul>
Meta: Defense
Attack: -
Defense: +2
Buff: -
Special:
<ul>
<li>
Shuriken Technique [Ninja]
</li>
<li>
Water Walker Ability
</li>
</ul>