Half of Simon's proposed terms made sense to Lucia. They were what she'd expected.
The other half had her re-reading the paper again and again, asking for repeated clarification, more disbelief creeping into her tone with every assurance he gave.
It took Katarina's intervention to smooth things over. "This is just how he is," she had remarked, with an exasperated sigh. "Accept his offer before he changes his mind."
Preparations moved swiftly after that.
The first thing Simon requested was spare Warding Orbs. Powerful as this Fell Beast may be, it still possessed the same vulnerability to sacred mana as its brethren – otherwise it wouldn't have taken the trouble to bypass Springwater's perimeter by burrowing underground. When combined with Inventory, having Wards-on-command could prove invaluable against it.
Mayor Evergreen denied his petition, although not out of scorn or malice. Springwater's only Warding Orbs were all firmly embedded into a reinforced barricade surrounding the village border. It was designed to prevent any would-be thieves from deciding that making some quick coin was more important than ensuring the safety of thousands. Deconstructing the barricade to allow removal of the Wards would take days of time that they didn't have.
...Or so she thought. At Simon's insistence, Lucia had the barricade examined – and soon found that its infrastructure had degraded to the point where ten Warding Orbs could be easily removed. No one in Springwater had even noticed.
Someone's getting fired, the transmigrator thought. He chose not to comment on Lucia's understated embarrassment and fury. Watching the mayor direct her ire at others was far more entertaining.
There was risk involved with weakening the perimeter's Warding aura, but it should be fine as long as he returned the Orbs within the next few hours. Dealing with the enemy within was of greater importance than worrying over the enemies without.
While Lucia's people gathered the spare Wards for him, Simon took several minutes to peruse his Character Sheet. Specifically, he looked at his Unspent Points, wondering how to spend them.
Simon
Class: Fledgling
Attributes: Transmigrator, Fell-Touched
Level: 6
HP: 90 / 90
MP: 70 / 70
Strength: 18
Dexterity: 16
Vitality: 9
Intelligence: 7
Unspent Points: 5
One option was to scope out the Fell Beast before deciding...but he didn't want to get into the habit of hoarding Unspent Points. Choosing how to allocate stats required analysis, which required careful thought, which was a distraction. Distractions on the battlefield typically resulted in fresh corpses.
Nothing would be more humiliating than having his head lopped off because he'd been busy waffling over whether to put points into Strength or Dexterity.
Simon went for neither. He slotted 3 points into Vitality and 2 into Intelligence, bringing them up to 12 and 9 respectively.
Simon
Class: Fledgling
Attributes: Transmigrator, Fell-Touched
Level: 6
HP: 120 / 120
MP: 90 / 90
Strength: 18
Dexterity: 16
Vitality: 12
Intelligence: 9
Unspent Points: 0
Vitality and Intelligence were chosen mostly because they were lagging behind. Level-ups automatically assigned points based on recent life experiences, and he'd naturally acquired plenty of Strength and Dexterity through his various endeavors. Vitality and Intelligence seemed more difficult to earn.
Intelligence might start accruing points now that he'd figured out how to use demon magic, but Vitality hadn't gotten a boost even after Lucette barbecued and stabbed him. Most of his Unspent Points would probably be going towards it – at least until he'd achieved a measure of balance within his stat spread.
My HP increased by 30, Simon noted, and my MP increased by 20. Each point of Vitality and Intelligence is equivalent to 10 HP or MP.
Although...how does HP work in a real-world setting? It's not like I'm growing protective scales; my body can apparently just take more of a beating. What does that entail, exactly? Would a 100 HP Simon die from getting his heart ripped out, while a 1000 HP Simon would laugh it off?
It wasn't something he intended to test anytime soon.
Simon also considered asking for backup to accompany him, but decided against that for multiple reasons. Firstly, Springwater's best fighters were already out of commission. His 'backup' – charitably speaking – would likely consist of the five overeager warriors who'd fled with their tail between their legs when an Artifact failed to harm him. No thanks.
Additionally, if the people here watched him fight, they might realize that their mysterious, enigmatic Demon ally was no stronger than a common soldier. His victory would be much more impressive if none of them saw how it happened.
Lastly, he possessed serious doubts about whether even Springwater's best fighters would be able to contribute as anything other than glorified meat shields. A mob of dozens should've overwhelmed the Fell Beast through sheer attrition if nothing else, yet it had easily repelled them nonetheless. Springwater clearly lacked the means to wound it in any major capacity.
His theory was confirmed when he questioned one of the survivors of the Beast's rampage. They immediately took on a haunted look, shrinking into their cot as if hiding from the monster's unseen gaze.
"Just kept healing," the patient had muttered. "We stabbed it, filled it with arrows, but it didn't care. Used the Water Artifact's stolen mana to fix itself."
The Fell Beast's primary strength didn't appear to be...well, Strength. While it was still dangerously fast and powerful, those factors weren't as concerning as its boundless regeneration. It could take a licking and keep on ticking.
Perhaps an elite warrior could've slain the Beast anyway, but Springwater didn't have elite warriors, and requesting help from the nearest city would take too long – assuming it helped at all. Outside assistance always came with heavy strings attached. Springwater would be lucky to retain the barest sliver of autonomy afterwards.
Simon's presence complicated matters even further. If the nobility discovered that unwashed, rural lessers had been cavorting with a Demon, that...could pose a problem. They may very well put the entire village to the sword. Like pulling weeds from a ruined garden, clearing space so they could begin planting anew.
No. Springwater was on its own. And with the village as it was now, victory over the Fell Beast wouldn't be possible in a fair fight.
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Good thing, then, that Simon didn't believe in fairness. If you weren't strolling into battle with the deck hideously stacked in your favor...what was the point, really?
--
The Water Artifact was located in a cavern below the central plaza fountain. Its only access point was a winding staircase that led underground, which had been blocked off by Lucia's subordinates the instant that their assault on the Fell Beast ended in catastrophe.
Simon waited patiently as they removed the blockade. He was the only person there who didn't appear nervous. The workers were sweating bullets, Katarina was wringing her hands, and Lucia's leaderly expression had hardened into a mask of forced stoicism.
You would think *they* were the ones about to step into the Beast's den, he mused. Though I suppose their livelihood does depend on my success.
As if she'd read his mind, Lucia approached him. "Is there aught else you require?" the mayor asked, for the fourth time. "We don't have healing potions or more Warding Orbs, but my warriors are ready to assist you."
"That would be like sending toddlers into a wood thresher," Simon replied, for the fourth time – each response having grown slightly less tactful. "I will not needlessly expend lives just to better our chances by a fraction of a percent."
If his plan worked, then he could do it on his own. And if it didn't work...then no amount of extra sword arms would have made a difference.
Lucia frowned, seeming about to argue, before relenting. "As you wish. Best of luck to the both of you."
She walked back to her men, leaving Simon in a state of mild surprise. "The both of us?" He turned to face the red-haired woman standing by his side. "Did you tell her that you're going with me to slay the Beast?"
Katarina clenched, then unclenched her hands. "I did. Because I am."
"News to me." Simon crossed his arms. "You didn't strike me as the hopelessly heroic type. Read one too many stories as a young girl, I'm guessing?"
"This is your fault!" Eyes narrowed, she jabbed an accusing finger into his chest. "Do you have any idea the kind of black stain you've marked me with? These people think I'm allied with a Demon!"
"Well you did offer to pledge loyalty to me once before, so are they that off-base?"
"Don't you start." Katarina groaned, running her hands down her face. "Remember how Mayor Evergreen asked you to show mercy if a resident of Springwater attacked you again? Even though they'd have to be empty-headed imbeciles to try, she knew it was a possibility. Now imagine what those same fools might attempt if you're gone. I'm not a Demon – merely a Demon's 'vassal' or 'lover' or whatever in Helmund's name they think I am."
Her gaze fell to the ground. "Being taken as a hostage is the best I could wish for. A slit throat is far likelier. Executed as a traitor to my own kind."
Simon's mirthful grin was wiped from his face. "I see." He drummed his fingers on his thigh. "Will your father be safe?"
Katarina flinched. "Yes," she answered, without confidence. "I'm putting distance between us for now. Maybe people here will forget we're related. And the zealous types should have enough honor not to knife an unconscious sick man, anyhow."
For several long seconds, Simon remained quiet.
"Lucia." He called out to the mayor, raising his voice. "A word."
She hurried over quickly. "Yes, Simon?"
"You are aware that Katarina and her father Gerold are under my protection." He didn't phrase it like a question.
When Mayor Evergreen nodded, Simon clasped his hands behind his back, eyeing her with a placid stare. "Good. I don't believe I ever made it clear what would happen if they came to harm."
Suppressed panic flashed within Lucia's expression. "Nothing will–"
"No clemency shall be shown to offenders who injure, threaten, or abuse Katarina or Gerold Cartier. That includes impeding Gerold's recovery. All perpetrators involved will be identified with unerring accuracy. When I have found everyone directly responsible, as well as any conspirators hiding behind their pawns, they shall be, to a man, to a woman, slaughtered. I will reach inside their throats, pull out their entrails, then hang them from the village rafters. Their blood and organs will decorate Springwater like vibrant festival ornaments, painting this dreary place with splashes of much-needed color. If you desire for that not to happen, then I suggest you keep your people in line."
Silence.
"Must I repeat myself?"
Alert: Intimidation's Rank has Increased! 1 → 2
Lucia shook her head so rapidly that her neck cracked. Just in case, Simon cashed his chips in, finally using Identify on her. Its Description stated that she would do everything in her power to ensure that there were no oopsies in his absence.
It'll have to do. "That is all," Simon dismissed. To Lucia's credit, she mostly kept her cool, power-walking away before the dignity of her station vanished entirely.
Katarina was staring at him. "Why?" she asked, in a tone he couldn't quite parse.
"Because I'm sorry. When I led the people of Springwater to believe you were allied with me, I didn't properly consider that they might lash out at you or your father. Not to this extent. For now, this is the best form of protection I can offer you."
"...Thanks." She scratched the back of her head. "Should still follow you underground, just as a precaution, but, thanks."
Katarina sounded more befuddled than grateful. Simon preferred it that way. He didn't deserve gratitude for fixing a mess he had caused.
A fix with the potential to cause as many problems as it solved. That overtly evil monologue cost me points with Lucia. Was worth it to make things right with the Cartiers, but now she probably sees me as a monster playing at a veneer of civility.
Memories of Heroic Valor and its indictment echoed faintly in Simon's mind – that at his core, he was much more proficient at threats and deceit than forging sincere connections. He stomped the memory down, holding a sigh in his chest before it could escape.
It's fine. Everything should proceed smoothly as long as people don't act stupid. Simon gazed out into the village. I pray that you don't call my bluff. I'm not sure I'll be able to fulfill it.
At least not the organs-and-entrails part. That was a mite overly grotesque for his taste. Punishing anyone who harmed Gerold was certainly on the table, though. Simon wouldn't have much sympathy for whoever targeted – as Katarina had described – a sick, unconscious man.
No one spoke further. When the passage leading underground had been cleared away, Lucia beckoned Simon and Katarina forward. The mayor nodded to them, and they nodded in turn, venturing into the abyss without a moment's hesitation.
"Good luck," she whispered, before shutting the entrance behind them.
