Paul knocked softly on the door to Phoenix’s new room, hoping to catch her before her team left on their mission and make sure she was settling in okay. When he offered earlier to have some of the staff help move any of her belongings from the dorm to here, she declined, saying that her belongings were already in her collection.

  It made him slightly concerned about the fact that she had so little she considered to belong to her, and he knew that he would need to put in some effort to make her see this pce as a home rather than just another temporary dorm room.

  Despite all his years of travel, having this home to return to had always been a comfort before he had been cast out. Losing his home on top of everything else he had lost was something he was still recovering from, and he knew that he would never follow in his father’s footsteps in that regard.

  Phoenix opened the door and grinned as she greeted him by saying, “Oh, good, you’re still here too. Want to see my test loot?”

  She scrambled back to the sitting area and gestured for him to sit on the couch across from the lit hearth with a rge book sitting on the table between. Ta was once again perched atop her head and cheeped merrily as he entered the room, “I see you resummoned your Familiar.”

  Phoenix nodded –making the little bird bob with her curls– as she resumed her spot on the sofa, “Yeah. After we stopped by the Cultivator’s Citadel, the others swung by the Market District and restocked everything before the mission tomorrow, which included picking up the Shards to get Ta back with me,” she expined, giving the Familiar a gentle pat as she moved the creature to her p instead.

  “Madam Malik is still trying to convince Dazien and me to come work for her apparently but he told her we’re pretty set with our duties as Adventurers for now. She still gave them a good deal on everything, though.”

  He walked over to sit next to her and gnced at the title engraved on the cover dispying Potions of Makera 1, “How did you come by that?”

  “Your sister triggered a quest,” she replied, summoning her book for him to read what had happened.

  He frowned as he read, wondering what all was in the signed contract. While he loved and trusted his little sister, he was also well aware of her ambition and maniputions that went into strengthening and protecting their House; it’s why she was a better politician than he was.

  “Another bestowal of divine Favor for the Little Miss?” Orebe observed, then postuted, “There is a 99% chance the Soul Mark changed again.”

  He grimaced slightly and asked, “What exactly did Pati want from you that brought another god into the mix?”

  Phoenix grinned again and waved dismissively, “Don’t worry, she didn’t force me into anything. She just wanted to help me pn for the future and study Wayfarer physiology a bit more. She seems to hold you in high esteem.”

  In an uncharacteristic dispy of embarrassment, Paul ran a hand through his golden hair and said gruffly, “She’s my little sister. We’ve always had an amicable retionship.” Then he gestured to her sternum to redirect the conversation, “Did it change again?”

  She pulled the colr of her shirt down to dispy the addition of a small seedling beginning to sprout on the page of the book opposite the compass. It was a common symbol of the Cultivator that represented the growth in all things.

  “This One was correct once again,” his Familiar said in that monotone voice. Paul felt like she was trying to be smug but couldn’t quite call her out on it.

  “Yes, but I recall you saying a certain Lord wouldn’t remember my teenage escapades either,” he pointed out.

  “That is why This One’s estimations are now only 97% accurate,” she expined and he mentally rolled his eyes.

  Refocusing on Phoenix as she readjusted the colr of her dress along with pulling her sleeves down further, he noted aloud, “Have you been keeping the Soul Mark and Oathbond a secret this whole time? Even from your party?”

  She looked at him in surprise and then became hesitant as she said, “Yes. You told me not to let anyone find out. Dazien and Uriel ended up seeing the mark when we fought the wight swarm in the city, but I didn’t tell them about how or why or anything. I don’t think anyone has noticed the Oathbond, I’m pretty careful about keeping it covered.”

  “No wonder Little King seemed worried. Little Miss has been hiding from them all,” Orebe said slowly and it made him think she might be concerned about it, which in turn made him concerned that he had done something wrong as well.

  “She should keep it a secret though, Be. We don’t know who might overhear or see. She would be putting herself at risk,” he logically expined.

  “This One may be a being of spirit and machine but even This One knows that not trusting leads to mistakes, loneliness, and fear. Waynd should understand this as a human.”

  “Are you implying that I’m inhuman?”

  “No, Waynd, just another fwed being.”

  Paul projected another mental eye roll and was about to let Phoenix know she should open up to her trusted friends more when she spoke first, slowly and cautiously, “Paul… about House Ruwena…”

  “You don’t need to worry about that family anymore,” he said firmly, “No good will be had by dwelling on them.”

  He gnced over to meet her gaze and added, “You should be back from your next mission in time for your meeting with Priest Jacob. How have things been going with him?”

  “They’ve been good. Don’t try to change the subject though–”

  “If I’m trying to change the subject, then it’s for good reason,” he stated. Paul didn’t want to get into the details of his upcoming quest with her, already knowing she wouldn’t like it.

  Phoenix scrunched up her nose, which always made him think of an adorable child being told to eat their vegetables, and said, “That seems a bit arrogant.”

  “I never cimed to be humble,” he retorted, meeting her frustrated gaze.

  They stared at each other momentarily as though gauging how stubborn the other was willing to be when Paul’s expression softened, and he sounded almost contrite, “Please don’t ask, Phoenix. Just take soce in knowing that the people who hurt you will never be able to again.”

  Phoenix paused thoughtfully, then took a deep breath and acquiesced, “Alright. I won’t ask. I’ll also continue to work with Jacob to move forward and leave the Ruwena family in the past.”

  “Thank you,” he replied, then asked a bit more hesitantly, “Now that you’ve met my sister, have you thought more about my offer to join House Waynd?”

  She nodded slightly, “Yes, Pati actually helped me a lot by answering quite a few of my questions. She seems more than eager to welcome me into the family.”

  Paul gave a fond smile as he replied, “I think she’s been worried for a while that I’d die alone. I’ve always been a rather solitary person, very unlike her.” He gnced up at his apprentice and added with a slight smirk, “More like you, I think.”

  Phoenix tilted her head in acknowledgment, “Um, if I do join House Waynd… I know Pati said that I would be your heir, but that I probably wouldn’t ever need to worry about leading the House since you pn to abdicate… I told her I wasn’t worthy of that kind of responsibility, anyways,” she admitted while tugging on one of her curls.

  “You are more than worthy, Phoenix, but I can understand not desiring the position. I haven’t wanted it myself for many decades, once I was old enough to realize the weight of it. While Pati’s not as strong as I am, being only Sapphire Caste still –though she’ll likely break into Emerald soon– she is much better suited for the position and will lead the House well in my absence.”

  “Absence?” Phoenix asked, looking up at him in concern.

  He gave another small smirk, “Naturally. You’ll need to travel the world if you want to get stronger and be a true Adventurer –not to mention that quest you have from the gods. The Tyrandian Monarchy is very far to the southeast of here and has a much higher Caste for the zone. Plus, I still have plenty more to teach you as you grow and ascend.”

  She seemed momentarily stunned before asking him, “You would do that for me? You would leave your home and position just to help me?”

  Paul nodded and pced a hand atop her head, “Of course. It’s my duty. Now, why don’t you use that new tome? I have a couple of niblings that would love to show you how to put that knowledge to use.”

  Phoenix gave him a dazzling smile and excitedly snagged the heavy tome.

  Paul felt like he had finally made the right choice for his life as he watched his Protégé grow her skills once again.

  Paul gave a departing wave as King’s Dream all walked through Phoenix’s portal at midday to head to their first stop of Linnake to the west.

  “Waynd should have told Little Miss that he has more than just the AOA mission today,” the monotone voice somehow managed to scold him.

  “You and I both know she wouldn’t have liked to hear about my other assignment,” he retorted, turning to head back toward the AOA building.

  Paul made a point to wear his regalia around the city now, both as a statement and warning. He knew that awareness of Phoenix’s existence was rising among those who might care about knowing what he might be up to, and he hoped the reminder of his new patron deity would make them think twice about acting against him –or her.

  “Better to learn of it from Waynd than from a new enemy or random stranger,” the voice of wisdom pointed out, and he mentally sighed.

  “Perhaps. I just don’t want her to think ill of me. She still doesn’t seem to understand why killing isn’t always an act of evil. Not in this world, at least,” he replied, making his way completely undeterred by the parting crowd as he walked through the tunnel of the wall between the logistics and martial districts.

  “Is that why Waynd wished for King’s Dream to fight more people on this mission? So that Little Miss will not look at Waynd and see a monster?”

  Paul paused as he contempted his Familiar’s words and the point she was likely trying to make. He had never concerned himself that much with how a single person might perceive him before. As a Padin and noble, he had always looked at more of the big picture when it came to his reputation and never cimed to be anything other than who he was.

  At first, he had been singurly focused on growing as an Adventurer, then dedicating his bde to the Purifier with the singur goal of eradicating the Necromancer’s abominations. He had never cared if people might think ill of him for doing what he saw as good.

  Most people didn’t see killing the undead, or the people that created them, as an evil, though. Now that his targets had changed, the distinction seemed less bck and white. He knew that he was doing good and didn’t care if others didn’t understand, didn’t have the whole picture, or knew why his actions were good. But Phoenix…

  “You’re right, Be… I don’t want her to see me as a monster,” he admitted, then resumed his walk towards the AOA building and his meeting.

  “Waynd must expin then,” she said slowly, “This One is 96% certain Little Miss will listen and want to be on Waynd’s side.”

  “And how exactly do I expin that I brutally execute people in a way that won’t make her look at me with disgust?” he asked, entering the tallest skyscraper in the district.

  “Expin that this divinely appointed retribution is not cruelty; it is karma,” she answered, and he contempted her words as he rode the gss lift down to one of the lower floors where his next mission currently awaited his arrival.

  When he opened the door to the meeting room, his newest target was already compining loudly at the AOA Director and Duke Tul, “I told you already! My research is extremely dangerous and should remain under strict lockdown until it is complete. Then I will bring you my findings, and we can– What is he doing here?!”

  Paul finished shutting and quietly locking the door behind him before moving to stand at the end of the table where the others were seated. He took the liberty of answering the question for the others, “I was the one that requested this meeting. Why would I not be here?”

  “Nobody told me anything about that!” Lord Ruwena excimed, pushing his seat back from the table but remaining in it.

  “There’s probably a good reason for that. I doubt anyone who attempted to kidnap and torture my Protégé would agree to meet with me afterward,” Paul pointed out, and the director and duke both leveled grim expressions at the obviously panicking noble.

  “Outrageous lies!” the noble cried out, turning to Victor to ask, “What evidence do you have backing his cims?!”

  Duke Tul cleared his throat, gncing at Paul briefly before admitting, “We searched the room Miss Fraser was staying in and found evidence of a struggle in her bedroom. A bolt ced with Creeping Heartvine was recovered as well.”

  “That could belong to any of the enemies of House Waynd,” the Magi pointed out, “Many don’t take kindly to a human ciming the title of Lord and bringing in more outsiders. Perhaps the woman had wronged some other party?”

  Victor uncomfortably shifted as he said, “Yes, well, that’s why no charges are being submitted against you or anyone else currently.”

  Ohsen Ruwena looked like he had won a lottery prize as he grinned at Paul, “See? You cannot just throw snderous words around and get your way, Waynd,” then he turned towards Director Trayvious and pointed a finger, “And why the AOA thinks they can just invade my home and take my research is an outrageous overstep. I don’t care what mission you think you can give Waynd that will try to punish me for something that cannot be proven.”

  Agatha gnced at Paul much the same way the duke had with nervous trepidation as she cleared her own throat and stated simply, “The Alliance of Adventurers has not given a mission regarding you specifically, Lord Ruwena.”

  The Magi blinked, obviously not expecting that answer, then looked around the room in confusion as he threw his hands up and asked, “Then why am I here?!”

  “Because my quest comes from Avenger,” Paul firmly stated as he pced a rge golden medallion on the table.

  It was softly glowing and bore the Divine Sigil of his deity. He knew that he didn’t need to expin to anyone in that room that it was proof of his god’s will –the Divine magic made that as obvious as the Soul Mark Phoenix bore.

  The sight of it caused the guilty noble to abruptly stand and yell, “I have done nothing to your idiotic Protégé! Your god has no authority to seek punishment for something that woman did to herself! Now, I’m going back home to continue my important research!”

  Paul moved quicker than the Sapphire Casters could track. At the pinnacle of Emerald Caste, it took barely any effort for him to grab the Magi’s throat and sm the man into the wall. The weaker lord’s aura, which was drenched in Monster Seed usage, began to fill with anger and fear as Paul made his own aura slowly suffocate the Sapphire’s.

  “I was not sent to seek retribution for the wrongs you committed against Phoenix,” Paul said coldly, then disdainfully asked, “Do you even remember the human man named Josep Sanden?”

  The noble’s burning red eyes widened in recognition of the name and he continued for the benefit of the two officials still watching him silently from their seats at the table, “Avenger whispered your twisted actions to me. You kidnapped and tested dark devices on a man who was a son, a friend, a husband… a father. In your ignorant experimentation, you stole his life in a horrific way and without remorse.”

  He lifted a hand to show Lord Ruwena the item held between his thumb and pointer finger. A glistening bck Mana Bit was clearly visible to all in the room, and Paul heard the two witnesses softly gasp as Victor asked in awe, “Is that an Obsidian Mana Bit?”

  “My deity provided it as the only thing close enough to enact retribution,” he stated as Ohsen began struggling in his arm. Then he asked his panicking target rhetorically, “Severe mana poisoning, right?”

  “No! You can’t do this! I am Lord Ruwena! You will all pay for this!”

  Paul ignored his desperate pleas, barely even registering the fists and kicks frantically striking against him. It wasn’t difficult to shove the Bit into the man’s mouth, given how much he kept opening it to scream at him, and a quick readjustment of his grip from throat to jaw ensured the criminal absorbed the potent magic.

  The ignoble cinderen fell to his knees, coughing up specks of blood as he cried out, “What have you done?! My research! I was so close. You heathens will all pay for this!”

  Crimson blood began flowing from Ohsen’s mouth then as he continued spitting out, “You– Your city will burn to the ground, and its pathetic people will be nothing but ash! The Renseres will destroy you all! The Soul Reapers will win!”

  The words soon became garbled screams of pain as blood streamed from the traitor’s eyes and ears. It was only a few minutes ter when the screaming halted, and the body began to lose its structure.

  “Well, I’m convinced they were working with the Renseres now,” Victor said weakly, standing and straightening his clothing which was the usual noble attire Paul was more accustomed to seeing the man in.

  The Padin of the Avenger lifted the Divine Sigil once more and handed it to the duke, who was also a disciple of the Adjudicator, “Payment from my deity to yours. I know yours doesn’t like it, but mine believed this would help smooth things over with the public and other nobles as well. Also, with moving things along in regards to protecting the city from traitors that move faster than our legal system.”

  “Proof of Divine Ordinance is always welcome when it involves breaking the ws of the nd,” Victor agreed, taking the Sigil that was a token of Avenger’s own power and not handed out lightly, “And I don’t believe anyone likes it when circumstances come to require it. Not even you.”

  “You’re right. I’m sorry that justice could not be served today, your grace,” Paul said as the duke turned to leave.

  Victor shook his head, “Not for Ohsen Ruwena, but the rest of his house will soon.” Then the duke met his gaze and surprised him by saying sincerely, “Thank you, Paul Waynd. It may not be too te to save our city now.”

  Paul nodded in return as Agatha stood, sparing a gnce toward the puddle of liquified flesh near the wall, and asked, “Will you be joining the raid on the Ruwena Estate tonight?”

  “If you request it, Director Trayvious.”

  “I do.”

  “Then I will see you again tonight.”

  “Good,” she said, then added with a victorious smirk, “I’ll bring my stamp to make you a Delegate then, too, Lord Padin.”