Bro, I'm not an Undead!

Next day.r

While the sun still hung low over the blue canvas that was the sky, a second one already brightly pouring its mandatory joy over Genhuis City, a conference had been called and was already in session.r

Within a designated, luxurious room within the Governor's manor, several high ranking figures were seated, their presence and thoughts making the air so heavy, the natural gravitational pull seemed to worsen.r

Among these individuals were the Governor and his son, the Paladin Champion Ruhrees, the City Guardian Gillewart, a beautiful mature lady with a shield behind her back, Onarmont and lastly... Rearren EverSword.r

As the Governor had promised, he had gathered all the help he could find to thwart the progression of the Premium Age Royale and everyone in this room, save for the EverSword House head, was in support.r

Enough was enough.r

Something had to be done otherwise the death toll would only continue to grow.r

The Governor had decided to act before the routine time for transportation to the Venue, which was why everyone had gathered early.r

Rearren smirked visibly at the effort.r

"So how does this work exactly? Do you just say the word and the event stops... or are you prepared to play the violence card?" Rearren asked with a relaxed look on his face that bordered on cheeky and arrogant.r

Actually, it WAS both of those!r

Such an attitude towards something serious ticked off most of the people in this room, especially the Governor, who had felt Rearren's disregard for 'lesser lives' when they had had their chat yesterday.r

"What do you think?" Ornamont shot at the EverSword House head with a side glance that quickly turned away, dismissing the arrogant man as not worth her time.r

Rearren chuckled.r

"I represent the Purity in strongly encouraging you to put a stop to this event. Such a large number of suspicious deaths isn't a coincidence, even when disregarding your Control Seal. The city has not seen such a high mortality rate in a short period according to the numbers I've seen. There's no hiding what's already transparent here," Ruhrees said with a firm, serious gaze on Rearren.r

This was his stance but in truth, the Purity didn't have his back.r

He had informed the higher echelon of power within the organisation about this matter but it was as if he had been ignored. No one responded.r

So in the end, he decided to stand up to this alone and pretend that he had the backing by merely declaring it. Hopefully it was enough for Intimidation at least.r

"You're all under the impression that I'm killing people... that this event which has kept the common and rich alike well fed and entertained is the reason why thousands have died? Absurd. What would that benefit me? My House has been a pillar for Pelian since the First Grand War. Why would we stoop to senseless murder now?" Rearren asked.r

"We were hoping you'd be the one to shed some light on that," Gillewart pitched in while pushing up his monocle. "I've witnessed several of these incidents occur in real time. While I couldn't determine the influence of magic on the victims, I did notice the Control Seal on them shining moments after death. Is that a mere coincidence as well? The corpses shrivel considerably too."r

"There are no such things as coincidences. The Control Seal is designed to release itself from the person it is attached to soon after death. That is all. It protects them against harm at the Venue so why would it suddenly turn to killing?" Rearren said.r

"Perhaps... you made a Creed that compensates you somehow for the trouble of taking care of millions of common folk, or should I say witnesses, by weakening them outside the Venue. That could be reasonable right? All these deaths I've heard happened because of clumsiness or just some ridiculous circumstances that would normally be non-lethal or... impossible," Ornamont hypothesised while shutting her eyes.r

Rearren wore a smirk within.r

'Close...'r

"That's a stretch, Lady Onarmont. As an Incandescent Stage expert yourself you must know how hard it is to procure Creeds. How would I attain enough to kill hundreds of people, let alone thousands?"r

This was a fair argument. Only Incandescent Stage experts and above could understand the torture involved with creating Creeds. Using one was like spending your entire fortune all at once. Nomatter what you got in return, just thinking about starting to gather your wealth to the same degree again from scratch stabbed painfully at the mind.r

A bit of silence pervaded within the room.r

Rearren exploited it.r

"This event surely has other motives that I have not shared... but I'm quite sure the correct guesses as to what these motives are, are already the talk of the town. It certainly isn't about genocide. In part what I said was true. I simply want to stimulate the rusting hearts of warriors with a death game. It's not a new concept right? Maybe my Control Seal has slight adverse effects on some common folk. That is not a new concept either and to be fair, everyone who spectates or participates in the Royale agreed to the risks beforehand. Right? So legally, there is nothing I've done wrong," the man explained while shrugging emptily.r

Everyone in the room silently exploded in rage.r

Even Ornamont opened her eyes and glared at Rearren.r

She was kind of glad she had still been in the city when she was called to join this hearing. People like this were what she hated the most.r

The Six Houses truly had balls.r

Speaking about technicalities while shamelessly avoiding the brunt of the responsibility...r

This bastard was guilty and he knew it, but he was pretty slippery with his words.r

Clearly, what was needed was brute force.r

***r

Bryne Family Residence.r

At the same time, Silrat, Skullius and Stylla were seated in the lounge, discussing the details of the meeting that had been arranged for after the days' matches at the event Venue.r

Skullius sat directly opposite to Stylla while Silrat was to his right.r

The young woman looked as sickly as always, dark bags sloppily sagging under her eyes as she struggled to listen to what Silrat was saying.r

Skullius couldn't understand how this was the same person who had started off energetic, seemingly hell-bent on restoring her Family weeks ago only to start deflating hard.r

Organising a meeting with these yet-to-be-seen Family representatives was the last good thing she had done in a while.r

"...so this must go perfectly, otherwise we'll have to rely on the backup plan as the main plan. Do you understand?" Silrat concluded his sentence while giving Stylla a piercing look.r

The redhead nodded sloppily much to the Supervising Overseer's exasperation.r

Skullius decided to chip in.r

"We can be confident that we are going to meet some sensible people, right?" he asked.r

Stylla merely nodded indifferently.r

Skullius rolled his eyes.r

There was nothing more to discuss here. At the end of the day, they would see for themselves the results and bite her later if she slacked on this too.r

For now, it was time to focus on the Premium Age Royale.r

It was possible that Skullius could be the one fighting today and in this Second round of the Preliminaries, he needed a win to be able to participate in the Royale. More than that, he wanted to give an impressive showing too.r

He couldn't bear to have people still remember that loss from the First Round of the Preliminaries even after he won this match. It had be spectacular.r

Yes. This was a matter of pride.r

"Ah, hey Silrat. I've been meaning to ask. Is th—"r

...!!!!!r

Skullius' body suddenly jerked back violently and a flood of perspiration leaked from all over his skin behind the clothing he wore!r

'Shit! SHIT! SHIT!' Skullius raised his head in a panic, [Graceless Hunter] exploding to cover the room with desperate intensity!r

An ungodly presence has suddenly appeared, smacking the Hybrid Luman ferociously from within his flesh, bone and even his soul!r

Skullius paled and gawked emptily, his face sinking!r

A figure was standing behind Stylla who sat opposite the Hybrid Luman, its frame immensely crooked yet gracefully aloof, immensely devilish magnificently saint-like, immensely condescending yet... unbelievably regal!r

Both Stylla and Silrat were somehow oblivious to it, their curious eyes only turning only to him who had such a violent reaction!r

This...r

This...!r

An authoritative voice came from this being, its tone crackling with unevenness as it spoke.r

"Ah, kin. So you are the one settled in this rich land..."r

Skullius could barely remain conscious after hearing THAT voice and THOSE words.r

His eyes drooped, his mind spinning, as with this creature's sentence, a terrible burst of wild Null Life Essence had smashed into him and him alone...r