Right now, I was standing by the main gate, the one that led directly into the main part of the city.
Albert stood next to me, watching carefully as three crows flew off into the sky.
He had done some amazing work in his short time here.
Those birds were messengers, heading to nearby settlements that had been struggling with finances and protection.
Malachi had informed me of the ones most likely to join us on short notice.
He had decided he would begin teaching those who responded to the messages.
It was the best course of action, at least from Kivana's perspective.
After we sent them off, Albert and I made our way back to the manor.
On the way, he explained all of his abilities before splitting off to go find Kivana. Apparently, she had something of his.
As for me, I was heading to speak with Ouroboros, but only after handling something personal first.
On the way to my room, I noticed the study door was in an entirely new place.
Ignoring that odd detail, I entered my room and sat down on the bed.
It was becoming clearer and clearer that I was not just some mystical figure. I was an actual god.
Whether it was lifting curses or granting immortality, I had powers far beyond what I could comprehend.
Albert's description of my being only reinforced that.
There had to be more to my power than just recovering my memory.
If I were such an all-powerful being, one who could converse with gods and bestow immortality, then surely I had a failsafe for a situation like this.
In short, something other than the eon-long slumber was making my memory hazy.
There was a way of testing it, though my arms trembled, I decided to test it out.
I summoned my sword and let the scabbard fall to the ground.
Taking a deep breath, I stabbed myself.
Pain surged through me as the blade pierced my body. I bit my tongue, allowing myself to bleed out.
I collapsed back onto the bed and slowly pulled the sword free.
Then I heard it. The voice.
[In this moment of need, he was given clarity. He was a god, one who was beyond such things.]
The next moment, I healed.
I coughed up a bit of blood and watched as the stains faded from the sheets and covers.
I sighed, casting the sword back into the darkness, then stood up from the bed.
It was clear that not only was I a mystery, it seems this voice was as well, healing from stab wounds as well, I'm truly no longer human.
I walked to the door, and the moment I turned to close it, I felt a sharp gaze on me.
I had a feeling as to who it was, so I slowly turned around. I saw Ouroboros standing there, smiling.
"You wanted to know more about your shield, right?" He said with a more devious than helpful expression.
"Yeah. It's an actual shield, right?"
He held back a small chuckle.
"Yes, it's a shield, but it's missing. Odds are, Madikai took it with him."
"Do you know where he might be?"
Ouroboros shrugged.
"No clue. Best guess is Hell."
I paused, giving him a strange look. If I was right, was that place basically this world's version of the afterlife?
"Why the hell would he be there?" I said, chuckling at my choice of words.
"Well, he is a hellhound."
Funny how they were still called hellhounds even though the place itself was not called Hell.
I sighed at the oddities of this world and placed a hand on my hip.
"You can leave me."
He made a sad face.
"It's like I'm just a toy to you, just like before."
Before I could respond, he turned and left, laughing as he went.
I sighed again and began walking to the throne room.
The treasury was linked to the manor, and that's where he stayed.
So if I really wanted to, I could track him down, but I found him annoying to talk to.
When I arrived at the throne room's doors, standing beneath the massive, tall black archway was a man.
Malachi stood there with a frown, arms crossed, and without Kivana.
How rare.
I walked forward and passed him without a word, opening the throne room door. He followed close behind, only beginning to speak once I had settled into my seat.
"There has been movement from Fertical. If I am correct, they may even attempt to enter the forest."
I rested my elbow on the arm of the throne, leaning my head slightly to the right.
"I see. Should I send you to scare them off?"
"I fear that might not be the best choice," he replied calmly. "While we are strong, we are not the strongest. Not while you remain in this state."
I let out a quiet sigh. "I see… How many were willing to join you?"
"Including Michael? Twenty. Which is more than I expected."
I leaned back, resting my head in my palm, letting my posture loosen. I really need to start stepping into my role as king.
"Inform Kivana if you haven't already. Begin training them. I want all twenty prepared to fight monsters."
He raised an eyebrow. "Do you plan to take control of the forest?"
"That, and something more. I am going to announce my presence. Not just to the forest, but to the entire world."
Malachi stared at me for a moment. Then a slow smile broke across his face.
"Then as your knight, I shall lose no battles, no wars, no conflicts."
When he said that, something stirred within me.
A memory.
He was more than just my knight. I had given him a title, one that carried power and meaning.
Along with that memory came a blurred vision of a sword, my sword.
"I just remembered something... something rather important. That title of yours… would you like to hear it?"
His eyes widened. "It would be spectacular to hear those words again."
"Malach, Novastia. The Dark Knight."
The moment I spoke those words, his eyes began to glow. He coughed harshly, blood trailing down his lips, but he smiled through it.
"It feels so good… hearing you call out my name again. Ah, I almost feel sorrow for those you cannot remember."
"With that title, you should be strong enough to handle any threat, yes?"
He nodded. "Yes. Would you like me to begin forcefully recruiting more people?"
"No. If they do not have the will, they will never possess the might."
"Then I will begin the real training. The official training."
Darkness surged and swirled around his form, and in the next instant, he vanished.
I sat there, lost in thought, the memory still echoing in my mind.
The sword I wield… its true identity is him.
It is not merely a weapon. It is him. We split them him and the blade as a gift, a reward.
They are one and the same.
Should he ever need it, the sword will strengthen him.
Yet, even without it, his power didn't falter.
The same must be true of the shield. My shield.
I leaned back and tilted my head upward, staring at the ceiling.
Slowly, I looked to my right, reaching down to the floor where the crown had been left behind.
I picked it up and turned it over in my hands, admiring the craftsmanship, the weight of it.
Then I rose to my feet.
I placed the crown on my head and let out a small chuckle.
I will become a worthy king for these people.
I will take control over this life and everything that was once mine.
That is the least I can do.