Wreath of Lilies, Cauldron of Poison

Chapter 187

The Unorthodox Way

When they returned to the Fifth Floor where the Gate Rune was, Lihua bowed slightly before Connie. “Mistress, this one implores you to wait a bit before you exit the Dungeon. This one need to prepare something to celebrate your return.”

“Hmm?” Connie eyed Illumca quizzically. Her answer was a short shake of her head.

“Well, sure.”

“This one thanks you. Please give this one five minutes.”

With that, the graceful Lihua vanished into the Gate Rune. And as she had promised, Connie waited until a full five minutes before exiting the Dungeon.

Once outside, they found no one nearby. Illumca advised that they should head to the camp.

When they made it there, all the Dark Elves that were there turned towards her in one swift motion and quickly fell into fifty neat rows before kneeling on their left knee; left hand firmly clasped behind their right. The genuflection was done with such speed and power as if they had done this a thousand times.

“Lhong lhive! Lhong Lhive! Lhong Lhive, the Heavenly Phoison Khing!!” Hundreds of voices boomed at the same time, causing the birds of the Untouchable Marshes to fly away in surprise.

The Dark Elves tried their best to sound normal, even with their slightly slurred pronunciation. The unnatural way they spoke lent to the guttural result that grated in the ear, but Connie grinned at the sound. It was heavy, and desperate. Just like them.

“Lihua…did you do this?” Connie asked to the grinning Madame, who was standing to the side.

“Indeed. This is the result of this one’s teachings. If they are to be taught the Raksha Blood Palm Arts, then they should be taught the proper way,” The elegant woman said with conviction. “With the discipline, and the ruthlessness of the Shadow Guards.”

Connie looked at the change on the once disorganized assassins and felt old memories coming back, while Illumca looked on the still kneeling Dark Elves with a mixed feeling.

“Did you know about this?”

Illumca and Akula shook their heads. “Well, I know that the Madame was teaching them, but I don’t know what they are doing,” Akula answered. “So, er what exactly is this?”

“You’ll know in due time,” Lihua said mysteriously. “I still have much to teach you all. But that’s for later.”

“You may all raise your head,” Connie spoke, exuding the grace of her old self.

Once they did raise their head, the Dark Elves were suddenly assaulted by a sensation that struck them to the very core. When they saw Connie for the first time, back when she revealed herself, all they had in their mind was fear. Fear for the might of the one that was able to kill their nemesis. There was also thankfulness. But fear, nevertheless, was the main one.

Yet now, there was awe.

With the new body Connie was in now, her essence had also returned to the state of harmonizing with nature. And as creatures who lived close to nature, that feeling became something more…palpable.

While they were transfixed, Connie noticed something interesting.

“What is this?” Connie saw that Arryn, who was at the foremost of the line, was wearing a fearsome mask that covered the lower part of her face.

“Do you like it? The design came from the Elven folktales about a spirit named Taruk who visits unsuspecting Elves at the night hours, and took their last breaths in their sleep,” Lihua explained. “This is the first time this one had ever seen a race whose members are all beautiful. Even the least beautiful of them have a striking face. So, this one ordered some of the Dark Elves experienced with metalworking to create this mask to obscure their faces.”

Connie looked at the elaborate demonic face with sharp, hook like teeth, and gave it back to Arryn. “Excellent job, Lihua.”

“Thank you, Mistress,” the Madame bowed politely before gesturing towards the largest tent in the camp. “Come this way, please. Let us refresh our weary bodies with some wine.”

Inside the tent, a large mound of snow had been placed there to stave off the humid heat of the marshes. A large carpet had been set in the tent to prevent the dirt from dirtying their feet. Not long after, a couple of young Dark Elves came inside bearing goblets made of wood and a skin of wine. Another one came in bearing plates of simple biscuits filled with dried fruits and herbs. After placing them on the table, they excused themselves with deep bows.

The wine was middling, but after a long day in the Dungeon, it tasted exceptionally wonderful.

“What are we going to do after this, Connie?” Akula asked after downing her wine in one gulp. “I can’t bear this idling around any longer.”

“We just finished raided a Dungeon barely an hour ago, Akula,” Illumca commented. “And I seem to recall that you’ve run wild on the eighth floor.”

“You know what I mean,” the Centaur said hurriedly. “I need a proper, natural, sky. Not this hot and humid place in the middle of winter. It just ain’t right!”

“Mmm…you’ve got a point,” Connie agreed. “We’ve done what we needed to do here. It’s time we return to Greyvault. I also have some things that I must do. Plans to make,” Connie placed her wine aside and sat back. The leather on the chair felt smooth on her back. “We should return within the week.”

“Mistress,” the Madame suddenly spoke out, “This one has something to ask of you. Though this also has something to do with young Illumca here.”

“What is it?”

“While this one was drilling these…Dark Elves under your order, I found out that these people are more gifted than I imagined. Gifts that could be of use to us in the long term.”

“…that’s high praise coming from you, Lihua. Let’s not beat around the bush. What is it that you want?”

“This one would like to ask your permission to begin their re-education.”

“Re-education?” Illumca asked. It was a word foreign to her ears.

“Yes. Currently, the only thing this one did was training them physically. But that is all. What this one proposes is…doing things the unorthodox way.”

Lihua began to explain, a smile that chilled one’s spine appeared on her sublime countenance.

“Re-education, in this one’s hand, is not simply a physical change. But one of the psyches. This one is going to slowly erode their sense of belonging to their Clan, from their thought processes down to the gestures they perform. Teaching them our way to do things. The Jianghu way.”

From how animated the Madame was talking about this; it was apparent that she was proud of her suggestion. “This is a tried-and-true method used by many Emperors to create men whose loyalty are unquestioned. Especially if we are to recruit more people to be inducted into the group, we need to take away all sense of race exclusivity from their heads. So that the only home they have, is the Shadow Guard.”

“The Demon called Bet-Zebek were controlling them with fear. Which is a valid method, but is prone to failure. This one intends to mould their thoughts so that their loyalty to the clan will change, so that it will be directed wholly towards the Mistress,” the graceful Lihua waved her arms dramatically. “And judging by how they were looking at you earlier, we can perhaps go even further.”

“…Madame, this sounds very…unheroic,” Akula said.

“Oh? I think it’s very heroic,” Lihua replied. “Think about it. Warriors in the dark, willing to sacrifice their lives to fight for the will and safety of their lord or lady? Can you think of a worthier cause?”

“…uh,” though Lihua framed it so positively, Akula could not put into words the incongruous feeling she had.

“…What do you think, Illlumca?” Connie looked at the Dark Elf, whose expression was hidden from view as she had turned her head was slightly away from them.

“Why…are you asking me? You’re the one who killed Bet-Zebek. You’re their savior. I’m just an avenger. I cannot make that decision.”

Seeing Illumca’s reluctance to answer, Connie spoke. “Akula, Lihua, can the two of you guard outside the tent? Illumca and I need to some space.”

“Of course,” Lihua bowed before opening the tent flap, allowing Akula to step outside before exiting herself.

“We’re alone now,” Connie said. “Be honest with me, is Lihua’s plan bothering you? She is an exceptional caretaker and advisor, but her thought process is very different compared to normal people.”

“No, it’s just…it’s a big decision,” Illumca said. Ever since she met Connie, she was content in following her every words. She felt safe, regardless of how daring Connie’s intent were. And despite how she felt about the Clan, she would be lying if she did not have doubts about Lihua’s plan. Changing the long-standing belief of a clan…is it even possible?

“Like I said, I have given them to you,” Connie said. “It’s only right for me to ask you, then, for your input.”

“…” Illumca turned to her. This decision was a grave one. And she understood that by giving her the final say, it meant that Connie had placed her trust in her. The fate of the Dark Elves of the Liban Clan was in her hand. She poured herself some wine from the skin and took a few deep gulps before wiping her lips with the back of her hand.

“I’ve…made my decision.”

“Alright. I’ll call them in.”

Once Akula and Lihua returned inside, the one-eyed Dark Elf gave her decision.

“Let’s do it,” she exclaimed, a stern look upon her face.

“Spoken like a true disciple of the Heavenly Poison King,” Madame Sui gave her an appreciative nod and continued with her request. “With your consent, Mistress, I will form the Shadow Guards. A true one. To be under your command.”

“Are you sure about this, Illumca?” the Centaur asked, concerned.

“It’s what should be done, Akula. Liban Clan is a tree hollowed by parasites,” Illumca replied as she looked at the empty goblet in her hand. “Its roots had rotted and its people reduced to slaves of the Demons.”

The silver-haired Dark Elf said, her mind momentarily went to the remains of her stepmother. Her emotion flared at the thought and the goblet was suddenly engulfed in flames. “We might as well burn the useless tree and let a new sapling grow in its place.”

Within moments, the powerful flame had turned the goblet into ash. Illumca opened her palm and let the ash fall onto the ground, her eyes burning with vengeance.

“And if that sapling is to be of use to us, the better.”

Seeing the grim determination of her disciple, Connie rubbed her chin thoughtfully.

Well, I did promise that with the power that I gave them, they could save the people from their clan. But whether they will still see themselves as a part of that clan at that time is another thing.

Lihua is…meticulous in her work.

With the final decision made, Illumca and Akula quickly excused themselves. They were in the mood to be alone. Understanding this, Connie let them go; even though she wanted to speak with them longer.

“Mistress. There is another thing that this one need to talk to you about.”

“There’s something else?”

Lihua concentrated to try and detect if there was anyone else nearby. With confidentiality assured, she began to offer her suggestion.

“Yes. Actually, this has something to do with the Shadow Guards,” she began. “Think about it, Mistress. The Shadow Guards is one thing, but we need not only fighters. We also need craftsman, cooks, farmers. Followers who would obey your every will. Not just dim, uncultured, and unlearned people you have as subjects now. But those who are learned of a doctrine,” she exclaimed. “Your doctrine.”

The Madame’s words were simple. But it implied something else. Something that only those who lived in Jianghu could understand. Connie’s intention at the beginning was just to create a hidden organization that she could use, but what the raven-haired Madame was talking about was something different.

“Lihua, if…I’m not mistaken. What you’re talking about is, you want me to start…a sect?”

“A sect, or a cult. Both are valid choices. Though this one prefers the latter. Easier to plant loyalty into worshipers. And much easier to control.”

Connie slunk back with thoughtful gaze. It was actually something that she had been pondering about. Until now, she had given the means of Cultivation to those she deemed useful. But a sect…that’s something big.

“Hmm…that’s…” Connie tapped her finger on the chair’s armrest. “I’ll think about it.”

“That’s all this one asks. I will leave you to rest, Mistress.”

Connie leaned back and watched as Yao-Er crawled up her finger.

“A sect…is it? Such a great undertaking…but perhaps it’s what I need,” she rubbed the head of the lovely little silkworm with her forefinger gently. “Yes…now the question is…how should I start…?”

At the same time, in the forgotten village in Grunewald Village, the strongest S-Rank Hunter in all of Calendia was digging through the snow with his bare hands. After he had dug up to a certain depth that he was satisfied with, he put a few pieces of cloth into it before covering it with dirt.

The man bowed once to the newly created grave that had become the final resting place of the monks who had sacrificed their lives to contain the Fragment of Calamity, before walking away from the shrine.

Sabrac sat down on the first step from the top, his spear leaning on his right shoulder. He gazed at the still clouds; a thin frown on his lips. He had promised that he will follow them to Greyvault once he had finished making the grave for the deceased monks. But he had something else to do first.

The old man lit his pipe with a spark from his spear. He took a lungful of the hot smoke.

And then, he spoke. “I know you are there, clown. Show yourself.”

“…It has been quite some time, Depraved Monk,” a jovial voice answered. “You’ve gotten older.”

Henri-Artur revealed herself from the shadows of one of the broken houses by the square.

“And you…haven’t changed a bit. How long have you been watching me?”

“Since the beginning. Since the time the Hero came to aid his friends, up until when the old wizened man paid his final respect to the old monks.”

"I didn't know that you've reached such expertise with your concealment."

“Oh, that's just an effect of my Artifact. If there is one thing us Fools have no lack of, it is resources. A magical tool that can hide my presence for an extended amount of time is nothing hard to come to,” the female Beastfolk stated.

“...And yet even till the end you did not lend a hand,” the man criticized her.

Jean-Artur laughed. “And spoil the story of such grandeur? The story of a victory over incredible hardship through sheer camaraderie? That would be uncouth! Unthinkable! I would rather die than sully such a beautiful story with my presence!!”

Sabrac scoffed. She had always been insane, this one. Then again, none of the Fools are sane. “Then why are you here? Surely you aren’t here simply to reminisce of old times, clown?”

“Ah, yes. On to business,” the Fool said, her expression suddenly became serious. “As per the agreement between our organization and Rokudo Temple, I’m here to inform you the latest info regarding the Calamity.”

Sabrac waved his pipe, signalling her to get on with it.

“A grave news had come to me from one of ours. A new Calamity has been born. A coastal town in Antrid Peninsula had been…destroyed.”

There was a certain unease he could feel when she spoke the words, as if searching for the right thing to describe it.

“A new Calamity?!” the old man said. In his current old age, there was little that could shake his heart. But what he just heard did just that. One is already bad enough. Now there are two?

“Where is it now?”

“We are still trying to track it. Once we succeeded, you will be the first to know,” Jean-Artur said. “With that, I bid you adieu, monsieur Sabrac.”

With that parting words, the Beastfolk female leaped onto the nearest tree before vanishing into the forest.

“A new Calamity,” the old man felt for the Fragment within his bag. “May The Enlightened One protect us.”