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Chapter 365: Unfinished Grudges
🕑 Added 2021-12-10 17:00:10 +0000 UTCValen’s fist snapped out in a sharp jab at Seth’s nose. Instead of stumbling away as he once would have, the thin boy moved into the blow, sapping it of any strength. His knee came up into Valen’s ribs, but Valen blocked with a palm before leaning forward and throwing his shoulder into Seth’s chest, sending him reeling backwards.
A spinning sweep at Seth’s legs—already poorly positioned for balance—sent Seth crashing hard to the mat.
“Well done you two,” Aphene was saying, and I turned my attention back to the papers in front of me with a sigh.
Each attending professor had been provided with documents explaining the Victoriad. Due to the nature of the event, adherence to tradition and protocol was of extreme importance, and so the information provided was thorough to the point of tedium. I knew it was necessary to commit this to memory, but my mind kept wandering back to my own plans for the event.
I was stronger now than I had been as a white core Lance, even if I’d lost some of the weapons in my arsenal. Still, I wanted to use this event to gauge my strength against that of my enemies—without giving away my identity if at all possible.
With the reputation that I’d built here as both a professor and ascender, I wanted to test my strength—if not against a Scythe, then at least against a retainer. Both Caera and Kayden mentioned that it was uncommon for even retainers to receive a challenge, but after reading this document, it became increasingly clear just how rare it was.
Nevermind challenging a Scythe, even requesting a duel from a retainer required the consent of their Scythe beforehand. Caera had mentioned that since there were two open retainer positions this time, people speculated there would be many more prospects than normal.
And since both Scythes and retainers could refuse a challenger if they found such a contest to be beneath them, it would be difficult for me to even fight against a retainer.
Worst case, if none of the retainers accepted my challenge, I’d have to watch the duels from afar.
Normally, this is where Regis would have interjected with some blunt but annoyingly accurate assessment of this situation, but no such response came.
It was quiet in my head without the sardonic flaming wolf. Although I could still feel him, connected to me by a thin thread that stretched high up the slope of the closest mountain range, his thoughts were shielded from me, his focus entirely on himself. But brief pulses of excitement or frustration that weren’t my own flared up occasionally, and I knew he was growing. I could sense his strength.
I had gotten used to having my mind to myself, but that didn’t mean it was peaceful. I had forgotten how much my brain spun without Regis to cut me short.
Realizing I had completely lost the thread of what I had been reading, I set down the parchment to watch the next training bout.
Aphene had brought two more students up to spar while Briar led the rest of the class in a series of exercises. Marcus and Sloane were exchanging a brutal series of punches and kicks as the classroom doors opened and several armored men stepped inside.
Sloane saw them first and missed a block, taking an elbow into his chin that laid him out flat. This drew the rest of the class’s attention, and the students burst into a round of surprised chatter. Briar and Aphene were quick to stamp it out, their eyes turning questioningly in my direction.
“Can I help you?” I said, standing from my seat at the training platform control panel and ascending halfway up the stairs toward the intruders. “We’re in the middle of class.”
A familiar figure strode forward, scratching his trimmed beard and giving me an awkward smile. “Sorry, Grey, but I’m afraid you’re going to have to come with us.”
I scowled at Sulla, head of the Ascenders Association in Cargidan. “Can this wait until—”
“I’m afraid not,” he said firmly.
My mind began to race as I considered what they could be there for.
Sulla’s grim expression made it clear his visit wasn’t social in nature. But since this was the Ascenders Association and not academy guards or local law enforcement, I wasn’t sure what the issue could be. If my identity had been compromised—a possibility I was always conscious of—then it would have been Nico or Cadell knocking down my door.
So what, then?
I turned and met Briar’s eye. “You and Aphene finish class. I won’t be gone long.”
Ascending the stairs, I watched the group’s hands and eyes for any sign they were prepared to attack. The men were tense and watchful, maybe even a little nervous, but I also sensed a mutinous kind of frustration in their matching frowns. “Sorry about this,” one of them muttered, quieting immediately when Sulla shot him a warning glare.
The head ascender himself had the stiff, awkward look of a man doing something against his will. Whatever was going on, these ascenders weren’t thrilled about it.
And so I didn’t resist, but let them march me out of the building and across campus. They took up positions around me, but no one drew a weapon or prepared any spells—at least that I could detect. Most of the students were in class, but we still passed many dozens of people on our way out of campus, and I could already sense my name at the heart of a hundred whispered conversations behind me.
Thankfully, the Ascenders Association Hall was close by.
I followed Sulla up into his office, which overlooked the building’s main floor. The other ascenders posted up outside the doors, which Sulla closed behind us.
I took a seat without being invited to do so, then waited. Sulla picked up a leather satchel from behind his desk, watching me carefully. Then, with a sudden surge of frustrated anger, he slammed the satchel on his desk and slumped into his chair.
“Damn it, Grey, do you even understand how close to death you’ve come?”
I turned my head slightly to the side and made a show of looking around the office. “I don’t seem to have a knife to my neck, so no, I really don’t.”
Sulla gave a humorless scoff. “It seems unlikely you worry about little things like knives.” Grabbing the bottom of the satchel, he upended it, spilling a stack of parchment out across his desk. “Do you know what these are?”
Still watching Sulla, I picked up a loose page that had fluttered across the desk toward me. It contained a bracket with each of my own students paired up against an unfamiliar name. The Victoriad tournament, I realized.
“I don’t understand the problem,” I said, feigning nonchalance and tossing the page back into the pile on Sulla’s desk.
His left eye twitched. Through gritted teeth, he said, “Then please allow me to educate you, Professor.” He had to take a moment before continuing, during which he riffled through the pages. When he found what he was looking for, he held it up for me to see. “This is a report on the Victoriad combatants from Bloodrock Academy in Vechor—or at least, those who will be competing specifically in the non-magical, unarmed duels.” He set it down hard and picked up another page. “This provides some very specific details on one of Bloodrock’s top fighters. Lists of runes, type of mage, prefered combat styles…Vritra’s horns, Grey, it even names which members of her blood could be threatened or bribed to influence her performance.”
He proceeded to go through a handful more pages, which all contained similar details regarding other top performing fighters from a variety of academies.
“Great, this seems like some very thorough research,” I said finally, interrupting him as he started explaining yet another page. “But what does it have to do with me? This stuff isn’t mine.”
Sulla sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Then why has a reliable witness come forward and asserted that you are attempting to cheat in the Victoriad, using these documents as proof.”
I stared at the pile of papers for a moment, then let out a surprised laugh. “You’re kidding, right?”
Sulla sat back in his chair and stared at me like a horn had sprouted from the middle of my forehead. “Do you deny that you are leading an effort to give your students unfair advantage in the Victoriad?”
“If my students have an advantage, it’ll be because they’ve worked for it, not because I bullied some teenage girl’s mom,” I snapped, irritated to have been bothered with this nonsense. “No, I really do have more important things to do—”
Sulla placed both hands on his desk, knocking a few pieces of parment to the floor, and leaned toward me. “Then someone is trying to get you killed, Grey.”
I eyed the veteran ascender curiously, waiting for him to continue.
“Cheating at, tampering with, or otherwise disrupting the events of the Victoriad will result in your execution as part of the Victoriad ‘entertainment’,” he proclaimed ominously. “So if you didn’t order all this information collected—information which makes it clear you intend to threaten harm to several members of important highbloods—then someone else did, and purely to get you accused of a crime that could end your life.”
I was listening more seriously now, but something about what Sulla was saying didn’t make sense. “You said you had a witness? Someone who claimed they were working with me or for me or something?”
He squinted thoughtfully before replying. “Yes. They came to us of their own accord, claiming they were forced to make several contacts between you and academy staff all over Alacrya. When they intercepted this satchel of documents—supposedly intended for you—they realized what you were up to and felt compelled to turn in the evidence.”
Sulla paused. “You should know, a handful of people are corroborating this statement, confirming that they received threatening letters from you to provide all this.” He gestured at the papers. “The best case scenario is that you are banned from attending the Victoriad. The worse, well, I’ve already told you.”
Even from the moment Sulla and his enforcers had arrived in my classroom, he had seemed uncomfortable. Now the reason was clear. “Why are you so certain I didn’t do it?”
He scoffed again. “Anyone who’d actually met you would know you wouldn’t need to cheat. I’ve heard about your students’ bestowals, too. No, this smelled like a setup from the beginning.”
Nodding, I rested my elbows on my knees and leaned forward. “Then tell me who the ‘witness’ is.”
Sulla hesitated, looking uncomfortable. “I could—but if you kill him, this will be out of my hands. Right now, it’s only been reported to the Ascenders Association. If Central Academy or any of these highbloods get involved…”
“I won’t kill him, but I will figure out—”
I was interrupted by a device on Sulla’s desk lighting up and beginning to hum softly.
He stared at it like it was a demon leech for several seconds, then reached out and touched it.
A familiar voice boomed out of the device: “This is Corbett of Highblood Denoir, contacting Sulla of Blood Drusus. Sulla?”
The dark-haired ascender’s eyes went wide at the mention of Corbett’s name, and he looked at me with something akin to panic. “Y-yes, Highlord Denoir, this is—”
“You’ve just apprehended a Central Academy professor named Grey. The foolish charges against him are false, and I have information that will help to prove it.” Corbett’s voice echoed with a slight distortion from the communication artifact, but it still effectively conveyed the weight of his authority. “I demand he be released immediately.”
I couldn’t help the surprised smirk that crept onto my face listening to the highlord speak. Though he maintained a noble air, there was a subtle threat to his words as well.
Did Caera put him up to this? I asked myself. Or did our conversation make more of an impression than I thought…
Sulla quickly regained his composure. Although the Denoirs must have outranked Blood Drusus by several times over, he didn’t seem like a man to be cowed by the nobility. “You say you have information pertinent to this investigation?” he asked, his tone all business.
“The Granbehls are behind it,” Corbett said firmly. “They’ve made false claims against Grey before, and they are at it again. I believe a thorough interrogation of Janusz of Blood Graeme, currently a professor at Center Academy, will reveal that he was paid—and very well—to deliver false evidence against Grey. Now, confirm that Grey will be released immediately, or I will be forced to personally visit the Ascenders Association.”
Sulla glowered at the communication artifact, his face reddening slightly. “There will be no need for that, Highlord Denoir. I am equally assured of Grey’s innocence, and will not be charging him. He is here with me now, as a matter of fact, to discuss how best to deal with this situation.”
“Oh,” Corbett said, his noble mannerisms slipping for just an instant. “Very well then. I’ve heard good things about your fairness and wisdom, and it seems these rumors are not unfounded. Grey, meet me at Goldeberry’s Throne on High Street in two hours. Good day then.”
“Good day, Highlord…” Sulla said, his expression caught somewhere between frustration and relief.
When the artifact dimmed, his attention turned back to me. “So, you really do have friends in high places…”
“A recent acquaintance,” I said with a shrug. “So, Professor Graeme…”
Sulla winced. “Like I said—”
“Oh, don’t worry. I won’t kill him.” Standing, I gave him a questioning look. “Am I free to leave?”
“For the moment, yes,” he said with a humorless smile. “But this situation will need to be dealt with, Grey.”
I nodded, a certain drunk uncle coming to mind. "Then could you get in contact with someone for me?"
***
Two hours later, I was walking briskly along High Street, home to many ostentatious businesses that catered to the highbloods.
Various scenarios whirled in my mind like clips from different movies as I thought about what I had learned. If what Professor Graeme had so kindly informed me was true, then it changed everything.
My thoughts were interrupted as I was forced to step out of the way for a pair of young highbloods walking side by side down the middle of the path, but before I could spare them a second thought, I was brought up short by the sight of the place I was supposed to be meeting Corbett, a highblood cafe named Goldberry’s Throne.
The building looked more like a temple than a cafe. Gold-capped marble pillars wrapped around an open air gallery at the front of the building and around one side, and the carved entablatures that rested atop the pillars gleamed with inlaid gold and a dozen colors of gemstones, making the roof glitter like a crown. Multi-colored flames rose from ever-burning braziers affixed to the pillars, giving the place a distinct mystical quality and giving off a mixture of sweet scents that made my mouth water and stomach rumble.
Several sets of eyes followed me as I entered the cafe, likely because my attire was not up to the standards at Goldberry’s. Inside, the warm aroma of coffee and freshly baked bread mixed with a dozen different colognes and perfumes to make the air uncomfortably heavy.
A matronly woman dressed in black with a maroon vest was working behind a short bar carved of some kind of opaque crystal. She dipped at her waist into a respectful bow as I approached, her expression flawlessly masked aside from the quick twitch of her eyes as she scanned me from head to toe.
“I’m here to meet Highlord Denoir,” I said, feeling the attention of a handful of the cafe’s patrons turn in my direction. “Has he arrived yet?”
The woman motioned to her right, her gaze still lowered. “Highlord Denoir’s private room is located around the corner there, third door.”
I nodded and turned my back on her, just catching it as the patrons—many of whom had been staring at my back only a second before—looked away and pretended to mind their own business.
The indicated door was cracked, and swung slowly open when I knocked lightly on it. Corbett looked up from a leatherbound journal full of cramped writing. “Close the door behind you,” he said as he stashed the journal.
I did, and a series of wards that ran along the edge of the door lit up briefly. “Sound proofing?” I mused aloud.
“Among other things. Goldberry’s is not successful with the highbloods simply for the pretentious decor,” he said, gesturing to a seat across from him.
The room wasn’t large, but it’s high ceiling gave it a sense of grandeur. A low table made of some dark wood and engraved with a realistic depiction of the Basilisk Fang Mountains took up the center, with a wraparound couch on one side and two lounge chairs on the other. I sat in one of these, sinking into the soft cushioning.
A low fire burned in a small fireplace in the corner behind me, and a window let in diffused light behind Corbett. I frowned at the window, unsure why it seemed so out of place, then realized there couldn’t be a window in this room, which was in the center of the cafe with no outside-facing walls. Looking more closely, I realized it was a pane-shaped light artifact that acted as a faux window.
“Nice place,” I commented.
“Good for thinking, or having a conversation that should not be overheard,” he said meaningfully. “Were you able to locate Professor Graeme?”
“Graeme is still alive, though I can’t say the same for his dignity,” I answered nonchalantly. “But that’s beside the point.”
The highlord nodded. “I figured as much, which is why I wished for us to meet here.”
“I need to know what kind of retaliation I can get away with,” I said without preamble. “What kind of trouble could I be in if I go after the Granbehls?”
He eyed me critically, clearly weighing his words. “Well, if you were a highblood—or even a named blood equal to the Granbehls in stature—you would be entirely within your right to strike back.” He put on a knowing smile. “But as an unblooded, you are without recourse outside of the court, and you already know well how just the halls of justice truly are.”
A ‘feature’ implemented by highbloods like yourself, I wanted to say.
“The Granbehls understand and manipulate the system like a true highblood,” he continued. “They have launched an all out assault on several rival named bloods, but so far have not crossed any lines that would see them stripped of their titles or executed—at least not in broad daylight. Their enemies seem to die under suspicious and convenient circumstances, including a recent fire that killed both the lord and lady of Named Blood Rothkeller.”
“Why do you think these rivals haven’t struck back?”
Corbett tapped the side of his nose. “That is the question, isn’t it? But not every question comes with an answer. In this case, I have only speculation based on rumor. However, it appears that they have somehow acquired the patronage of a powerful benefactor, someone whose protection has allowed them to maneuver more or less uninhibited.”
When a person like Corbett Denoir called someone powerful, it really shortened the list of suspects. Only another ranking highblood could offer that kind of protection—or even someone above the normal constructs of Alacryan society, like a Scythe.
“That doesn’t change what I need to do,” I replied, my expression hidden from Corbett.
“Do you have some plan in mind, then?” he asked. His hand moved to the couch cushion beside him, and I noticed a velvet bag that was half hidden in his shadow.
My lips twitched. “Yes, but it’s not very subtle.”
“I thought as much,” he said, lifting the bag and reaching inside it. He pulled out a metal emblem and set it on the table between us.
The black metal was stained, and when I bent down over it I realized it had been scorched by fire. The emblem itself appeared to be a grapevine set before a rising sun, once brightly colored but now blackened and robbed of the small details.
“Named Blood Rothkeller?” I asked.
Corbett nodded. “If one of the few remaining members of that blood sought retribution for the burning of their estate—”
“No one would bat an eye,” I finished, lifting the emblem and turning it over in my hand. With my thumb, I rubbed the soot off the sun, revealing a cracked and faded red coloring. “Would the Rothkeller blood be likely to deny it?”
Corbetts eyes gleamed with cold calculation. “If their emblem was planted like a flag of victory in the wreckage of their enemy’s estate? What would you do in their place?”
“Fair point,” I conceded before putting the emblem back down on the table. “My only question is why are you willing to do all of this for me?”
They gained nothing from helping me aside from my own compliance in the future, but if things went poorly with the Denoirs, I couldn’t exactly kill them all, considering their relation to Caera. Allowing Corbett to have such a dangerous secret was certainly a problem, but with no proof, it would only be his word against mine.
“Curiosity? Intrigue?” Corbett mused. “You’re a man with many layers, Grey. And these circumstances allow me to uncover some of them.”
“Well, whatever I choose to do, I wouldn’t have been able to do it without your help,” I said, holding the emblem like I was making a toast. “So here’s to a lasting bond built from mutually assured destruction, Corbett.”
The highlord sat up a little straighter, but a smile slipped through his guarded demeanor. “Of course. After all, there is still this mysterious benefactor to be concerned about.”
My thoughts cycled through everything Professor Graeme had told me yet again, but I didn’t confirm anything else with Corbett. Instead, I asked, “Is it possible whoever is backing the Granbehls would go after the remaining Rothkellers?”
He nodded, his expression unchanged. “Entirely, but even if they die, they would do so with pride knowing that their blood has been avenged. You offer their blood redemption, while avoiding any personal entanglement, legal or otherwise.”
I didn’t agree with the highblood view on pride over life, but empathizing wasn’t hard. In the face of gods as rulers, sometimes, pride was the only thing left in their control.
With a plan in place and all of the pieces in my head now coming together, I bid him farewell and made my way out onto High Street.
A frigid smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I stretched my neck. Regis, get back here. It’s time for a little reunion with the Granbehls.
A/N: FOR DISCORD USERS, PLEASE DO NOT DISCUSS THIS IN CHANNEL #NOVEL-TALK AND KEEP TO PATREON-ONLY CHANNELS UNTIL THE CHAPTER IS RELEASED ON TAPAS TO PREVENT SPOILERS. THANK YOU. <3
Comments
Ya know when he's talking about having his mind to himself it makes sense why its so weird for him now. The last time he truly had no one in his mind constantly being able to talk to him whenever was when he was 8 just before Sylvie hatched. Side note his head is gonna have three voices once sylv is back.
FeyOne
They, (the Granbehls), were warned. Now, they will find out exactly how disastrous of an idea it was to ignore that warning. Likewise, a number of other people throughout the halls of power will discover that there is a lot more danger in their world than they thought as well.
Aakash Agrawal
ahhhhh
Jennie (Eirine)
Daaaa~aaark! I love it! And YES, POWERED UP REGIS INBOUND!!
I love this story
CJ Virginelli
I wonder if the benefactor is nico or some random ass retainer. I doubt nico would use such a roundabout way to get revenge on grey so I think we about to see grey body some retainer.
Edd R
Wow, half tempted to go up some tiers to see where this goes. curious on regis's growth as well, guessing nico or one if the retainers is behind blood granbehl
Sean Defrank
Gotta feel bad for Ada, she's going to have to see her entire family get ripped apart In front of her, I wonder If Arthur Is going to like, adopt her or something cause she literally won't have anything after he burns It all down.
I think it is dreneev the house burned to ashes and he has high fire magic
Bro true
carson
Smart money says, based on recent events, that this mysterious benefactor is Nico, and he's trying to lure Grey into what from his perspective seems like a trap. Not realizing that if Grey get's within striking distance, Nico's a dead man.
dr yeet
yea i agrree
Can we please get the Quintin boy on the way to the Granbehls? He's the false witness in the trial, certainly that deserves some consequences
Corbett Corbett
I knew that this "beloved" family would be back in the story in somehow...🤦♂️Now i think that either he's gonna keep the promise he made them and kick the asses of the ones that are backing them up or he could "do the job",god stepping,leaving the real masterminds behind this plan untouched and speechless without no explanation on the happened,coming back to play the role of professor in the immediately following moment,creating even more mistery,doubts and fear around his figure.I think that in both the cases,as a precautionary measure,he might hide his real identity with a mask for example,like he did when he impersonated "Note".
AJS
I believe the Scythe who is backing Granbehls is not Nico, and I don’t think Corbett set it up either. In fact, I think Corbett is putting his own family’s name on the line by assisting Grey. He must have been following his gut feeling that whatever Scythe Seris took interest in Grey, it must be something big, something he has been waiting for this whole time (he decided Denoirs not to participate in Dicathen war, so he clearly wants / searching something else in return). I’m guessing the plot will be something like this: - Grey destroys the Granbehls - the Scythe behind Granbehls found out it was Grey - the Scythe will then accept Grey’s challenge in the Victoriad event Remember, it was said that a Scythe is allowed not to accept a challenge, leaving the challenger to just sit tight and nicely all through the event. Now, we all know that won’t happen, are we? We all love a duel by Grey, and TurtleMe always delivers. 🙂
Aaron
Why hasnt grey made a new mana core? He never had one to begin with until he spent 2 years guiding the fireflies(or whatever the line was) to his abdomen and the core formed. No reason has been given on why a person cant do it again.(although i dont think he has 2 years this time)
Love the last line. It gets me thinking. What kind of training can Regis do when he's away from Arthur? I'm thinking he can probably feed off mana as well as aether and maybe he can absorb it even faster than aether? Along with that, he could feed off beast cores or like normal wolves, just by devouring prey whole and gaining mana and aetheric abilities of the things he devours?
Leadslinger2019
37th!!!
Happy birthday
Homer L Sanchez
Thanks for the birthday gift.
361? The sparring with the crystal lady. He came out saying it's a good feeling to have a real sword in hand
Parker
Did Arthur/Grey get a new sword thought I saw someone mention that?
Personally I think the author will have a sort of compromise. Not mana core and mana arts again but maybe a stronger Realmheart and Aether techniques that govern mana too? Something like that?
Art suspects something but either way the Granbehl blood goes. And he never fully trusted the Deniors, not blindly at least
Completely agree except the risks if he wasn't strong enough. But that's unlikely that she doesn't know seeing as Ceara left little unsaid
I feel like this probably isn't whats happening tbh but it would be really cool if Seris was the one behind this pulling the strings on her own. I could definitely see her trying to instigate Grey into doing something so she can see how capable he is first hand to learn more about him.
LadyAlleta
I am also curious if this will point Arthur to regain his Mana abilities again. I really hope so. It was built up so much to just discard
LadyAlleta
Yes he did.
jon whyt
Guys I'm lost. Is it implied that art went back and threatened the other prof? I feel like I'm missing something
LadyAlleta
I think the denoirs are playing double agent here. I bet they gave the grandbels the opportunity and are baiting art
Bernardo De Cabrio
Hmm... Why do I have the feeling that I know what the next comment under this one will be...
Aren't we all. And who wants it to be in that person's POV? So we see the best down through their eyes?
Bernardo De Cabrio
There is the variable of Mordain, the phoenix prince, as well. We still don't know if he already appeared (maybe Alaric, tho I personally doubt it), what his agenda is and if he is even still alive (in the Nico pov there were phoenix wings on the wall)
ariel lima
Arthur X Caera is cannon. Turtle please make it happen.
Carth
I’m hoping we get some sort of beatdown next week
While the chapter was great, it just adds more mystery to this all. I like that, don't get me wrong, but it through off a theory that I had compiled from the bits and pieces of all the events that had occurred, and the characters Arthur had 'coincidentally' encountered and interacted with. I just thought that maybe there was a secret opposition faction in Alacrya that had been started by Sylvia, and other Skyth level supporters, yes, Seris being one of them. In addition to others from Argona's clan, who still never showed up in the story so far. There's also a suspicion that some remants of the djinn are still alive, and taught others, like Rinia some of their arts. Maybe even other asuran clans. Thinking about it more, lots of other humans are involved, like Alaric. It seemed to me that the latter sort of "recognized" Arthur on first sight. But the events with the Deniors last chapter and this, and now the Grambhels make it seem like they're either unaware or all of it unlikely. I'm not a proponent of one hero rules them all; there must be a plot in the making for years, and Arthur was just a "welcomed additional variable".
That is the question. We might find out next week
Looks like the planted seeds are already bearing fruit 😏
For sure the Deniors get 3 things from this move with Grey. They do him a favour in this chapter which involved calling Sulla, gathering info, offering support ish. They get to gauge his strength in person since they're likely to be some of the very few people to know what actually happened to the Granhbels. Then by necessity, Grey ends up owing them one. Like Alaric said, a favour can be more useful than a carriage full of gold. And technically, Grey owes them 2 favours now. Lastly, whatever the process is, the Deniors could have Grey represent them at the Victoriad or sponsor him or whatever... Like to tie their popularity to him or sth so that if he does well they get extra fame, money, influence and all that... That might be their endgame
Yeah boi!! It may be something out of the blue... Like another form or sth
There was a path to heaven but they chose death... I just can't
Interesting, I hadn't thought that there's a chance Grey being played here. However I doubt it just cz. And just for perspective, if he were being played, I bet Alaric will pickup on it. Probably. Also to play with Grey would mean try to get him killed with the rumours. If this is just a test of sorts then the consequences could be too dire if there's a mistep somewhere and Corbett didn't seem to have such motives
True. Honestly a lot of characters can fit into that slot of benefactor and each one brings exciting potential reasons and maybe even a chance for Grey to toy with old friends *wink
Oh.... I'm fine with a retainer. And let it be Dranevee or sth while you're at it... Let's keep Nico for the Victoriad. He's a rare delicacy and it would be a shame to lose him so soon
Soundd Wavess
But didnt the daughter of the granbehls have a change of heart? What motive do they have now? I wonder if this is just corbett manipulating grey or if the granbehls really are brain dead enough to blatantly attack someone who they know is this strong with the connections to gain a professor position at the most prestigious academy in alacrya
Aaron
Some have argued that series could not have been backing the grehnbels within the time mentioned BUT all the information that we the readers have that grey has, has come from the deniors... who are clearly influenced by seris. Considering this, seris can be the instigator whether the info is accurate or not...in addition...it could be nico pressuring the grenbels and seris providing the info. I just think shes involved.
xroninx
If Nico was pushing them then they wouldn’t be going for named bloods as well. They are clearly using the benefit of having a benefactor to push their own agenda as well as his. Nico has shown he has little care for the politics of Alacrya in the past chaps so the likelihood tht he is trying to help a named blood ascend to a high blood outside of killing Grey is unlikely.
I don’t think it would be Nico, im betting on a retainer. Nico had no reason to work with the grandbells until very recently but it sounded like the grandbells have had a backer for a while now.
And he's also better positioned to grow going forward Aether core Asura physique Tons of insights into aether The djinn ruins to go His comrades Sylv and Regis His allies and other companions Dude is also a king. We're calling it now, Grey wins doesn't he 😄
The Granbehls are STILL courting death? Was Grey's last message still not clear enough for them? I mean, if their nee benefactor is truly a Scythe, then I suppose I could forgive their stupidity, but I won't. From What they know about Grey, which is clearly very little, even with the power and influence on their side it's stupid to try and fight an enemy who you know virtually NOTHING about. But if it's Nico who is actually backing them, it's also possible they are being pushed to pursue Grey regardless. Either way, next chapter is sure the be exciting. It's been a while aince Grey completely decimated an enemy. Can't wait to see him do it to a whole High Blooded family. I just KNOW that shit is going to be the talk of the town. He's going to walk in there by himself and bring the whole family to it's knees lmaoooo
Xandralas Chaos
Cause he is not. It was said that they got backup for a while now and Nico only know for a short time of Grey's survive, and he does care non for Ala. politics so i heavenly doubt Nico involved here.
Xandralas Chaos
No he is not, since it was said that they got backup for a while now and Nico only know for a short time of Grey's survive, and he does care non for Ala. politics so i heavenly doubt Nico involved here.
xroninx
Well Grey did just confirm he was stronger then he was as a white core (likely including his final fight wth phase 3 where he was taking on 2 scythes fairly well until the end) so he can probably fight 1v1 against a scythe fairly easily at this point.
Jacob S
I am very curious as to what Graeme told Arthur. What could he have said that “changed everything”? Also, if this plot to get Arthur executed (at the Victoriad) is unsuccessful, as it no doubt will be, and all else fails, will Nico outright challenge Grey at the Victoriad? I suspect that had the aforementioned plot succeeded Nico would have insisted on being the one to finish Arthur (not that he could have given the chance).
Dopesy
What did graeme tell grey?
Jacob S
It’s most definitely not Aldir, or any other asura of Indrath’s faction. For many reasons, foremost of those being, the Asuras wouldn’t feel the need to interfere in the squabbles of the insignificant Alacryan lessers - keep in mind this mysterious backer has been helping the Granbehls for a while - even if they wish to contact Arthur. They wouldn’t go through all the trouble.
Jacob S
Like adopted daughter, like adoptive father. Both liken Arthur to an onion.
Bernardo De Cabrio
I think the real reason for their meet-up might be some plan for the Victoriad. Something along the line of officially announcing the war with the asura of Epheotus or introducing the legacy, and a potential bait for an asura attack. Vechor is the closest dominion to Epheotus if I remember correctly and one of the cities is directly at the coast. Just food for thought.
Jon Chefitz
Yooooo I’m so excited for Art to stir up some chaos. It’s gonna be awesome!!!!
Bernardo De Cabrio
Hold up! The dog stays out of this.
Dragoth? Probably. Yes. Because the Granhbels live in his dominion or sth. Also that'd probably explain the meet-up in 362? Between Agrona and Dragoth and Kiros
I was curious about the keystone though... Maybe we'll see it down the line
Yup, that's actually the better theory, Seris instead of Nico. It just adds up better
True,I think that'd be a nice way to reveal her. And if they had a match and Grey did well that'd solidify his assessment that he can now confidently take on a scythe 1on1
Friendly consumer
Bro, fighting the scythe backer would mean he wouldn't need to fight at the Victoriad
Evankhell
While I agree it seems a bit reckless for Arthur to continue this plan at the Victoriad, one scenario I see with minimal damage would be him challenging Seris. She seems likely to be one of the stronger, if not strongest, scythe and could have the power/authority to somewhat cover Arthur. However, in order for this to happen, he has to prove himself to Seris. I'm just spitballing because I agree this seems a bit reckless, almost as if Arthur is confident he and Regis could take on every scythe and retainer at once. Completely agree that Nico is NOT pulling these strings, it's way too obvious and it doesn't match the timeline given to us.
Friendly consumer
It's not out of hiding, it's to make him grow in strength and challenge him
Probably not, she also backs the Deniors. Unless she's just vicious with the Granhbels lives
Aaron
I think its searis. She talked about devising a plan to force aurther to come out into the open. AND she is a known to have already manipulated aurther several times.
jake
idk i’m thinking nico, but also what if it’s series and she is trying to get grey out of hiding by using lessers
Breamson 𒉭
I have to say it was a really good chapter, but imo it’s a little bit out of Arthur’s character. He has always been really smart when it comes to strategic and everything, but what he currently wants to do is just really stupid. Considering his wording, every Scythe and their respective retainer will attend the Victoriad, which means that Cadell and Nico will be there. Even if he currently suspects that neither Agrona nor Nico knows that he’s alive, he can’t think that they won’t know it after the Victoriad. Like the name „Grey“ would trigger Nico (maybe even Cadell) and if not the name, then certainly the looks. It’s not like he looks completely different. He has different hair and eyes, but like he said at the beginning of book 8, his face looks pretty much the same. So not only would Cadell recognize him if he challenges a Scythe, but at least Nico will as well. And if he hasn’t raised enough attention with the scythes knowing about him, if he really wants to gauge his strength, he would actually have to use his real abilities, which would probably trigger the Vritra. Like I‘m sorry, if Arthur doesn’t have a master plan, then it just seems really stupid. Also, for the Grahnbels, imo it’s too obvious to be Nico. Like someone already said, the Grahnbels have been doing this for a longer period of time and Nico just recently found out about Arthur. Also I think that Nico would do it personally and without making a big fuss about it
Art is about to be a ball of carnage in these next few chapters. Hes gonna test all his new powers on the granbehls then maybe fight the sythe thats backing in which they will die too unless he lets them live, unlikely though. Then at the victoriad hes gonna fight a scythe or retainer but probably concede so he doesnt win cuz if he wins he might have to take the position
I think it would just be strength and maybe his sword since he recently aquired it but its funny to think he wanted to be in the victoriad before he even had the armor or the sword and i think he had just got the dual core if that
Rocco Mangiaterra
Also this have Kai Crestless or Draneeve written all over it! “Unfinished Grudges” hmmm makes you think
He dead for sure. Idk about Ada though, she'll live as per Grey's promise but the High Lord and lady? Highly unlikely. People want this to be Nico and I do too. And as intelligent Nico is from his past life and whatever, how is he so patient in his broken state? Normally he'd go to Art, why scheme stuff?
Rocco Mangiaterra
I hope he SLAUGHTERS every single one of them even their dog!
And then we get a Nico POV of the attack, yowza!
Jesse Gibson
I was thinking it was Nico but apparently they’ve been at this for a while, doing bad shit to other families and getting away with it because of their backer so I’m thinking it might not be him
Given the circumstances, Nico is almost certainly the backer. It could be a red herring, but given Nico's grudge and his knowledge of the trial, I think its nico
Jesse Gibson
I was thinking it was Nico but apparently they’ve been at this for a while, doing bad shit to other families and getting away with it because of their backer so I’m thinking it might not be him. I haven’t had any need for revenge in my life but man I can’t tell you how much I enjoy revenge stories. And getting revenge on that family.. I’m so ready for it. He warned them, WARNED them.. and they just couldn’t let it be. They deserve everything coming to them. Ahhhhh I can’t wait!!!!!!!!
Jonathan Stolle
Arthur doesn't realize Agrona knows (the Vritra don't really care about "lessers"). On an unrelated note, unless a powerful backer shows up when Art, I'm wondering if Seth and Ada might become close due to having similar cirucmstances. I'm hoping that Ada is far from home so that she needn't witness the events. It'd be amusing if Aldir or his delegate/spy were the supporter and Aldir is doing this to get in touch with Arthur. I agree that Nico is a more likely backer though...
Corbett really likes his inlaw.
I love how the Denoirs are starting to like Arthur even more, Maybe to manipulate him and get something from him?, Maybe to just saciate their curiosity?, well we Will know when the time comes, now Art needs to beat the hell out of some trash!!! Edit: also Nico os totally the Big shot backing the granbelhs Thanks for the chapter Turtle!!!
Cant wait to see Regis improvement.
jake ginder
Oh they will learn this time for sure.
Odd that his plan for Victoriad was just to gauge his strength against a retainer or scythe. He wouldn't show his actual abilities there (just like he hesitated to show them in front of others in the Relictombs) so what's the point? Gauging just with augmented strength and Regis?
Reddd
Arthur/grey is actually an onion.
TUXEDO MAN 69
Oml i can't fucking wait... hope the only daughter of the granbehls stays out of this since its only her shitty parents that are doing this
David Harbert
I'm assuming Nico is the benefactor here, as he is aware of Grey's presence. Also VERY happy we're about to see some action. The buildup and hype is real for this tournament
I suspect the granbehls have a certain short-statued, black-haired, raging child backing them… This reeks of Nicos petty grudge.
Kenneth Evans
I’m thinking nico
Yess
AntiMatterDynamite
granbehls might be idiots but i can only assume they have a plan for grey... maybe they think they have what it takes to kill him this time if they have nico on their side
Evankhell
AYOOOOO time to get litty with the Granbehls.
You'd think after the 17th time getting their asses kicked they would stop messing with him
Hi Its Fire!
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