Chapter 90
Many guilds that watched the event unfold were all flustered, considering an unconfirmed individual has attacked a player and the Gatekeeper didn't do anything. All guilds, associations, and government leaders conducted a meeting, wanting to gain some control over what just happened. The tower system is very strict toward those who try to cheat inside; many players were banned, restricted, and even had their skills revoked and became non-awakened in the past. They all were confused, but one guild wasn't concerned with these matters; they were more interested in killing Netherborn. These were the elders of the Brilliance Guild.
These wealthy business molds saw what the Netherborn did to their family members, especially those three members that died. Their families wanted retribution for their loss. So these families decided to ask for help and used their power and influence to hunt down Netherborn.
At the same time Dane was waiting inside the large temporary tent as he contemplated the possibilities that may happen. Duchess Elleena Rothchester has already reached the war forge ruin grounds. Dane cast his assessment skill again and hoped to gain any information he could use; his plan to personally seek her change and the timing were all unexpected.
Dane can't rely on what he knew about the scenarios that his team created in the past. And because he has no ability to access the main system, he can't see the source code and determine if the trinity were the ones doing these random reactions from the tower residents.
And Dane wanted to know why the Duchess suddenly came to their location. He waited alongside Wrenla Bouldergrove. While Siglorr, with his son and brother, was busy in securing all their belongings into the carriages.
Anika Roughbrook saw the duchess first as Custodia politely asked her directions on where they should go to meet up with the war forge chieftain's wife. She greeted the head steward of the Duchess and informed them of the direction. The Duchess smiled and asked the young lady howshe knew she was the Duchess. Anika Roughbrook answered with a calm voice.
"Your Grace, you are carrying a noble's sword on your waist, and the crescent symbol on the pommel is the Rochester emblem."
"Ah! I was in a hurry, so I didn't notice I unconsciously grabbed my sword and carried it with me here."
"Your Grace, I will lead you the way."
"Young lady, how are the war-forged people doing? How many were wounded and sadly passed away?"
"Your Grace, none of the warforge personnel were hurt or killed."
"Huh? How is that? The massive magical storm that erupted here has been seen even at the main kingdom; that is the reason why I rushed here to confirm Wrenla Bouldergrove's status. The being that started the storm was the person called Netherborn."
"Your Grace, my deepest apologies, but… might I ask how you knew about the Netherborn?"
The head steward reacted negatively, but the Duchess raised her hand and just mentioned they are guests at their home; they have the right to be wary and cautious. She then explained that she had sent out a few transmital insects to observe the warforge, as she knew the sad history of the Bouldergrove clan. She explained the insects were commanded to survey the area of the war forge. 100 meters outside their employer's domain, respecting their privacy.
At the same time Dane obtained all this information as his assessment skill was able to reach the Duchess's range; he recalled the distance and what he did within those moments, and it dawned on him that the reason why the Duchess came might not be about the war forge's sudden ruin. Dane pulled his hood on his jacket and covered his head and lowered his face as they sat on the matt that was on the ground.
Wrenla Bouldergrove saw what Dane just did and asked him about it; he told Wrenla Bouldergrove,
"The plan has changed; the duchess came here for a different reason."
"There is a big chance she already saw me and came here to confirm that."
Wrenla Bouldergrove smiled and just gave Dane assurance that he doesn't need to worry, as she knew what kind of a person the Duchess was. "Just be honest, master Dane. "
After saying that, the cover of the large tent opened as the head steward entered first and held the cloth cover as the duchess followed her. Anika stood outside, and as soon as the duchess was inside, she turned around and went back toward her task.
The tent was large and could accommodate twenty people inside. But the only people inside were Dane, Wrenla, the head steward Custodia, and the Duchess. The tent surrounding it was protected by many spells, a sound barrier, and a tier 3 protection barrier. The fallen walls around the 20-acre land were not rebuilt, as they focus on protecting the small part of the war forge where the exit of the bunker was placed.
The high-tier barrier was meant to block anybody with ill intent toward them; it was still nighttime, and Siglorr, including all the elders of his clan, is weary of being exposed, but they are fully prepared, and Dane familiars are also patrolling the surrounding area, hunting any roaming monster in the small forest.
Siglorr knew the duchess had arrived, but he left the task of accommodating her to his wife, as she knew her personally and they were friends until the incident that took the duchess's son away from her. As Wrenla Bouldergrove stood up and greeted the Duchess, she responded with a polite smile, her eyes betraying the pain she still felt over the loss of her son. The tension in the room was palpable, but Wrenla remained composed, determined to show kindness and understanding to her friend in need.
As Duchess Elleena Rothchester sat on the ground and showed humility toward the host, Dane saw that she was remarkably beautiful; her face was etched with sorrow and resilience, a stark contrast to the regal facade she usually presented to the world. Despite the tragedy that had befallen her, Duchess Elleena's inner strength shone through, captivating Dane. She was like her late mother; the way she smiled and talked was similar to his own mother's mannerisms. Coincidence, maybe, but many of the upper beings of the tower residents were taken from actual regal mannerisms throughout the earth's history.
Dane always saw her late mother, Miyako Azai, move in an elegant manner when he was still a child, and seeing Duchess Elleena exhibit the same grace brought back memories of his childhood. It was as if a piece of his past had been resurrected in the present, connecting him to both women in a profound way.
Dane could not fully raise his head as he sat quietly behind Wrenla Bouldergrove. Duchess Elleena Rothchester sat elegantly, but her eyes were focused on the person that was hiding his face. Even before Wrenla Bouldergrove could speak, the duchess spoke. This was an act; she broke her own protocol on how to act in front of other people. But her reason is far more important than noble decorum. She asked for forgiveness and activated her skill.
She is among the few to gain a skill tree relating to spiritual energy; as soon as it activated, she instantly cried and felt her son's soul residing inside the person seated behind Wrenla Bouldergrove. She was about to move when Wrenla raised her hand, gesturing that she needed to calm down.
"Your Grace, please, allow me to explain what is happening. Your son's soul has found a vessel in this person."
Suddenly Dane spoke and removed the hood covering his head; the Duchess saw his face and lost control of her emotion. And cried even more, but she held her action as she remained seated and clenched her fist. As a tear fell off the mat, the head steward, Custodia, asked the young man who looked like the duchess's missing son.
Dane stood up and positioned himself facing the duchess and shared all details relating to his real son's fate. Wrenla Bouldergrove and Head Steward Custodia remained silent as Dane told them everything they needed to hear. The hours were long and heart-wrenching and filled with sadness and hope as Dane recounted the events that led to her son's disappearance. Despite the overwhelming emotions in the room, Duchess managed to maintain her composure and listened intently to every word Dane spoke, desperate for any information about her beloved son.
The information that her son obtained when he was kidnapped until he was left imprisoned until his untimely death changed the duchess forever, leaving her with a sense of closure but also a deep sense of loss that would never fully heal. As Dane finished recounting the details, the room fell silent, the weight of their shared grief hanging heavy in the air.
"Young man, please, can you allow me to feel my son's spiritual energy within you?"
"Your grace, before everything else, there is one more thing I need to show you. Will you allow me to do it?"
Duchess Elleena Rothchester was still crying when she said, "If this will give closure, I will allow it."
Suddenly Dane released his chaos energy and made Duchess Elleena Rothchester's consciousness enter Dane's mind. As they stood in front of the library, the Duchess saw a small settlement surrounding the huge library. Dane explains that the spirits that attached themselves to him wanted to preserve their accumulated knowledge and life story.
"All you see here are the fragments of these people's lives. They are just memories, but one particular soul patiently waited here to meet you."
"Please follow me."
As she walked toward an open garden, she saw many memories of children playing. One child was staring at her. The children that were playing with him all smiled and pushed the young boy to finally meet his mother. The young boy ran, and Duchess Elleena Rothchester saw his son running toward her. The boy even fumbled and fell on the ground. The other children gave out a long sigh but cheered him on. As the young boy stood up and continued to run toward her, she lowered her stance and extended her arm open wide, and as soon as the boy reached her, they both fell backwards and fell on the grass as the two cried and hugged each other tightly.
Duchess Elleena's tears were no longer sadness, but they were filled with overwhelming joy and relief as she could hold her son close again for the last time. The young kissed her mother, as he missed her so much. The five-year-old boy cried and laughed all at the same time. The fact that Dane and Duchess Elleena Rothchester were still sitting on the ground during this time and that only a faint beam of light was shining from Dane's forehead into the Duchess' own head indicated that they were mentally connected.
What was happening inside Dane's mind felt real, as the reunited mother and son, Dane, told the Duchess this was her son's final wish before crossing to the other side. The 5-year-old boy was happy and told his mother that he is happy now and his friends on the other side were waiting for him. He even told his mother he will never get hungry there and never be alone, as the entire townspeople were waiting for him.
The young boy even told his mother that she doesn't need to get sad anymore as he asked his now older brother to protect her. The boy took Dane's hand and placed it on Duchess Elleena Rothchester's hand and told her, He is my older brother, Mother.
"I want you to treat him as a real son."
"And brother Dane, please take good care of our mother?"
Tears flowed down Duchess Elleena's cheeks as she held and kissed her son. The young boy smiled and gave his mother his final kiss and goodbye.
"I need to go, Mother; they are waiting for me on the other side."
"Don't forget what I asked, and brother, don't forget what you promised me: you will reach the top."
Dane nodded and gave the young boy a smile as he slowly vanished, and Elleena whispered a final "I love you" to her son before he disappeared completely. He responded, "I love you more, Mother!"
As the light connecting Dan and Duchess Elleena Rothchester faded, head steward Custodia was eager to know what happened. As she remained seated, she asked Custodia to sit down as she would explain what just happened. Dane stood up and went back to his previous position beside Wrenla Bouldergrove.
The two casually talkedas Dane asked if he could have something to eat. Wrenla smiled and excused herself. The two guests were talking, and the head steward casually looked at Dane with a curious expression, wondering if what had transpired between him and Duchess Elleena Rothchester really did happen. She couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as she observed their interaction, unsure of what secrets were being shared in that moment.
Wrenla Bouldergrove came back after a few minutes and saw the head steward with a panicked look on her face. Wrenla Bouldergrove saw Dane was in his Netherborn form, while Duchess Elleena Rothcheste was calm and looked unfazed by the situation. She saw the Duchess was stroking a small furry animal. Wrenla knew the situation had changed, and Dane's plan to get the Duchess to help them made progress.
My dearest Wrenla, this might come as a very peculiar surprise, but I am sharing with you the news that will reshape the future of my house and these lands. As you know, my family has long owned the vast, forsaken, and disconnected territory at Lúthien.
For generations, it has been isolated and decimated by the evolved drake, but no longer, ever since it was cleared a few weeks ago. I am planning to reopen the land and establish a new city in that place, a beacon of progress and strength for our region. This momentous undertaking is spurred by an even greater joy, a miracle I had almost lost hope of witnessing.
My missing son, whose true name I have long hidden from the public for his own safety, has returned to me. His rescue was made possible only through the valiant assistance of the Bouldergrove clan, whose courage and tenacity knew no bounds. As a reward for their service and to secure a powerful new alliance, I shall grant their group the honor of being the first to settle in Lúthien. The timing is fortuitous, as the territory is currently free from the great evolved drake that once plagued it, a beast that the mysterious Netherborn thankfully killed, clearing the way for this new beginning.
Before the assembled nobles and our new allies, I will ensure that the eastern region knows the full story surrounding my son's unfortunate disappearance and his triumphant return. No longer will he be a whispered rumor or a hidden heir. He will be known as Dane L. Bouldergrove, a name steeped in meaning and purpose. The L stands for my maiden family name, Laeanna, a symbol of his connection to my own bloodline. It also serves to respect his true family name, a heritage that was stolen from him but will now be reclaimed with honor.
This decision is based on harrowing new information I have received regarding the people who orchestrated my late husband's assassination and the subsequent kidnapping of my son. The shadows that have haunted my life for so long have finally been given faces and names, and I will not rest until they have paid for their crimes.
To secure this victory, I know I must source more power and forge unbreakable bonds. That is why I have asked the Bouldergrove clan and all the personnel of the war forge to please help me. I need their strength, their steel, and their loyalty to obtain my revenge.
As the Duchess's plea hung in the air, Siglorr Bouldergrove, the venerable elder of his clan and representative of the human personnel, stepped forward. His voice was a low, steady rumble as he answered her.
"We are all grateful that Dane L. Bouldergrove has returned safely," he began, his gaze firm. "The Bouldergrove clan will help the Duchess achieve her justice." Just as the hall murmured in agreement, Dane himself stood up, formally expressing his delight in the scenario the Duchess had just created for them to assist in. With a resolve that matched his mother's fire, he declared, "We will do everything in our power to support you in your quest for revenge." In that moment, an alliance was forged not just over land, but in a shared vow of retribution.