Unbound

Chapter Seven Hundred And Thirty Seven – 737

Chapter Seven Hundred And Thirty Seven – 737

Due To Binding The Crown Of Elysium

You Have Received New Quests!

More? Felix blinked at the notification, more than a little dazed. Alright. Show me.

New Quest!

Assemble The Empyrean Regalia!

The Crown of Elysium is but the first of three artifacts known as the Empyrean Regalia. Once claimed by the sovereigns of the Golden Empire, the Regalia is designed to reinforce the Aspects of their bearer. It is said the Herald bore all three, and with them was able to contest the very gods themselves.

Crown of Elysium - 1/1 for new novels

Wellspring Chalice - 0/1

Exalted Bell - 0/1

Well, that answers my earlier question. Crown, Chalice, and Bell. Empyrean Regalia. Felix touched the crown on his head again. It felt odd to wear. He’d never really been a hat guy. Of course the Quest doesn’t say anything about how to find the other pieces.

Nym.

Felix frowned. What about them?

Herald’s Artifacts.

Oh. Oh. You mean check Nymean ruins.

Check. Eat. Grow Stronger.

I’m not opposed to that, Felix said.

I Need More. I Am...Incomplete.

"What do you mean?" Felix asked. "Incomplete how?"

Hunger rumbled, but gave no further answer.

"You just need to eat more? How much more?" Felix asked.

I...Need. I Hunger. Her words faded to a rumble as a weight shifted lower in his chest. The bulk of her presence settled back into the dark void in his core space.

Felix frowned. He certainly didn't have a problem with clearing out monsters from Nymean ruins, especially when he could benefit so much from it anyway. If it helped his Hunger too...well, she had proven herself a stalwart ally. Even if she had eaten the majority of the Pathless’ power he’d consumed.

"Hunger," Felix said. "What happens when you're complete?"

Faintly, as if spoken from across a cavernous house, words spread up from within.

I Do Not Know.

“I suppose we can find out together then,” he said. “Meanwhile, it looks like the notifications aren’t done with us.”

New Quest!

Restore The Seals!

The true Seals of the Continent were not invented, but discovered by the ancient magi. In the present Age, they have been Lost, and those that remain have been placed under false rule. Find them once more and use the Crown of Elysium to restore them to full potency, connecting the Corporeal Realm to the Grand Harmony once more and fortifying the world against the Ruin.

Rewards:

+Increased Protection Against Ruin

+Varies

“God, one bomb after another.” Felix tapped his chin. “The true Seals are the ones that the Hierophant overwrote with her Subordinate Seals, then. And they’ll fortify the world against the Ruin?”

That was huge news, and the first bit of encouraging information he’d received about the pending disaster that was the Ruin. The crown would be of some help in restoring the Seals, and that meant he wouldn’t have to use Unite the Lost as much. That’d save him on spending significance. He still had plenty built up after his recent battles, but Felix was reaching a stage where that resource was becoming increasingly important to retain. He needed it for his Tapestry Stage, which would allow him to finalize his Core Manifestation.

A knot in Felix’s chest loosened. Just a little. The advent of the Ruin and the schemes of the gods occupied a great portion of his Mind, a bundle of worries that he hadn’t yet solved—having some sort of actionable goal, no matter how difficult, was better than nothing.

New Quest!

Empire Of The Fiend!

You have passed the first mile marker on the path of empire, yet your climb is far from over. Claim the Seat and Seal of at least seven Territories to establish your realm.

Rewards:

+Increased Defensive And Offensive Capabilities In Claimed Territories

+Increased Resources In Claimed Territories

+Title

+XP

+Varies

“Empire of the Fiend,” he mouthed. “Jeez, that sounds like something the Claw would come up with.”

Name aside, Felix couldn’t argue against the benefits claiming more Territory would grant him and his people.

If I can fs in other Territories, that means I can claim them at the same time. The Quests work in tandem. That’ll save me a ton of time. Claiming other Territories would increase his Authority and defend against the Ruin, not to mention be a huge benefit to ousting the Hierophant and her corrupt followers. Yeah. This could work.

He wanted to pace, but the damaged roof didn’t allow for much movement, so he tapped his foot rapidly instead. He cast his Mind over the information he had just received and what he already knew.

There were seven remaining Subordinate Seals, now that Pax’Vrell was free. Recalling the map that Karys had shown him, he scratched off each name as he went. Andiva, Levantier, Tavan, Ghreldan Hills, Calumb, Sao’Thun, and Bos’Vaan. Potentially Neer and Sept as well, if the rumors were true and the Hierocracy had forcefully taken them over. Felix wasn’t sure what was involved in putting the Subordinate Seal together, but he didn’t doubt that if the Hierophant conquered a Territory she would establish her power immediately.

The Triumvirate weren’t under the Hierocracy’s heel, located as they were on the eastern side of the Rimefang Mountains. Composed of three Territories—Onar, Wyvarr, and Marif—they were only a loose confederation. According to Vess, if it weren’t for the Rimefangs then they would have fallen to the Hierophant long ago.

The Territories of Sunara and Jaast were similar to the Triumvirate. Located to the southeast, they were protected by an unending storm and a vast, impenetrable jungle. All Felix knew about them was that they were dangerous to enter and had far stronger monsters. Beyond them was what people called the Interior of the Continent. Other nations and empires existed there, potent Authorities that no one Felix encountered knew much about. The barriers of storms and monstrous jungles kept them separated, much like the horrible chill of the Hoarfrost had kept it free from mortal interference.

Felix shook his head. The Continent was too big to control all of it, and if the Ruin was coming soon, then he had little time. He’d have to focus on the Territories around him first and foremost.

"Oh yeah, that thing's getting complicated. Take your time."

"My king," the marshal said, "you spoke of the Hydras. Could they be used to defend the Territory? It would greatly bolster our troops."

Felix flicked open his authority screen again and checked. "The fifty here are bound to the city, but they can roam quite freely from what I see. But I imagine you'll find more use out of the Dragoon fortresses.”

“Such as this Fenwald Fortress.”

“Yep. Vess tells me you used to have a lot of them."

"Once, yes," the marshal said. "But they were either destroyed or abandoned. Most reside outside our Territory."

"Maybe outside the land the Hierocracy gave you," Felix said. "The Seat and Seal I uncovered re-established the true boundary lines of your Territory."

Felix brought up his map of the area, and after toggling some details, shared it with everyone present. Gasps filled the air. "The blue dots are all Dragoon fortresses. Most are fairly operational, if low on power. Fenwald even had a Hydra of its own."

The Marshal and his officers stared at the map with a mixture of awe and naked greed. One of his captains piped up excitedly. “Sir! I count at least thirty structures on our western borders alone!”

Vess stepped forward. "Excellent places to re-establish our ranks, Marshal. If the others are in any condition like Fenwald, then we may find weapons and armor caches...and who knows what other resources."

The Marshal was certainly keen to hear that. "I believe you and I have more to talk about, Chancellor Dayne."

"We do," Roland said. "In the morning?"

"Just so. Let us plan for tenth glass."

The Dragoons soon left the chamber, their attitude decidedly different than when Felix arrived. They were energized, and conversation soon broke out among the officers a dozen steps down the hall. Felix smiled. “That went well.”

Vess sighed. “As well as could be hoped for, really. The fortresses will keep their attention for quite a while.”

“Long enough to find evidence they’ll accept?”

“I hope. At Fenwald, we found more than enough to prove to me that the Dragoons once had a great partnership with the Dragons. If the other fortresses are investigated, there is a great chance we shall find the proof needed to convince the Marshal and the rest."

Her father nodded. "I can organize them to begin the search. Starting in the morning. Recovering those fortresses will bolster our defenses, especially along the western border with Amaranth."

"Right. We're really close to her, aren't we?" Felix said. "The Hierophant.”

“One of the many reasons our existence here was so fraught,” his Chancellor replied. “What is your plan regarding her, my king?"

"Convoluted. I can't say any more yet, not until I've confirmed some details."

"I see.”

“Papa, please give us a moment."

The Chancellor gave a lingering look between Felix and Vess. “Very well. If I may be excused, my King. I have a great deal to arrange.”

“Have a good night.”

He bowed deeply before exiting the room on long, sure footsteps.

"Do you trust the Marshal?" Felix asked as the doors closed behind her father.

"I trust him to protect Pax'Vrell. I do not, however, trust him to uncover the truth of the Dragons. He has too much pride in our history. As I once did.”

“Your father will ensure those records are found. He seems like a good guy."

"He is one of the greatest,” she said with a small smile. “You scare him, you know."

Felix winced. "Was it the teeth or the scales?"

Vess laughed. "Neither. He saw you battle the Pathless. Many did. I think that impressed him more than anything else." Her hands found his scaled palm and held it up. "He knows we're courting."

Felix swallowed. "Oh, damn. I figured we had more time to ease him into that idea."

"No need. He has accepted it. But he worries for me, for what we may be required to do to stave off the Hierophant and the Ruin.”

“I am, too. There's a lot up against us, but we'll make it. Like I said, I've got a plan."

Felix focused, and the crown reappeared on his head once more. Vess gasped.

"Is that the Crown of Elysium? You completed it?”

“I did. Took some doing...remind me to tell you about that later.” The specter of Ruin rose in his memory and bashed against his Mind...but the golden barrier held with barely a ripple. “Huh. Cool.”

“What?”

Felix waved his dark hand. “Nothing important. Just a benefit of the crown. Anyway, there's more where this comes from too. Give me the night to figure some things out, and I'll brief you and your dad at breakfast."

"You'll be busy all night? A shame."

"Yeah, I've got to talk to Pit and the Chanters about—" Felix blinked. "Oh, uh, I mean—I could make time—”

Vess smiled, flashing her dimple at him. "No no. If you’re busy with urgent work I would not pry you from it. However, the gardens here are quite spectacular in the moonlight. Perhaps we could enjoy a stroll.”

Felix cleared his throat. "How about tomorrow night?"

"If I am free. I too have duties that will not wait.” Vess adjusted her gown, and Felix belatedly realized that she wasn't wearing her armor. It was layered and embroidered, but the garment hugged her in ways armor certainly couldn't accomplish and his mouth went curiously dry.

“Uh, I mean, I could always shift those things to someone else. I am the king, after all."

"Indeed," her smile sharpened as she ran a finger across his jawline. "I suppose we shall see." She turned and walked toward the double doors. "Good night, your Highness."

Felix said nothing as she sauntered out. He couldn’t think of anything worthwhile, anyway.

You're dumb. I can feel how dumb you are from here.

Shush, Pit. Are you still in the library?

Yeah, none of these librarians seem to sleep.

Good, I'm coming down. There's work to be done.