Sealed in Steel [ Tank Litrpg ]

Stunned silence met Elian's proposition. None of the priests had considered his suggestion as an option. Even the Magistrate closed itself into a fist and gently landed on the ground, appearing to withdraw into itself to consider the matter.

"Elaborate on your rationale, brother Elian," said Ambrose.

Elian nodded. "No one has seen any Giants on these lands. Or on the surrounding seas. Safe to say that Giants really have been gone for a long time. Their return is the invasion. So… how did they know about Sarnival Port? And about the Magistrate's location? I mean, I don't know what they want to do with the Magistrate…" He trailed his sentence, hoping the priests would pick up the hint to explain to him. He didn't want to admit the extent of what Thalman had told him about the Magistrate. They shouldn't suspect him of being too close to Thalman. In their eyes, he should remain as one of the many pawns tricked by Thalman.

"Suffice to say that the Giants have evil designs for the Magistrate," Ambrose said. "It likely is connected to your vision of a moving mountain that destroys all. We will not let this come to pass. Kindly continue with your explanation."

"Ah, yes. I was saying that the Giants somehow know about Sarnival Port despite not being here. As for the Magistrate, maybe they can sense our deity or something. They could have spies around us, traitors to humanity. Or they have powerful scrying magic that can cross the seas. Point is, they somehow know what to expect upon landing."

"What I'm hearing is an argument for my position," said Jungdu. "The moment we take drastic action, whether to fortify or evacuate the hills, the Giants would know and act accordingly. Doesn't that make it better not to attempt defending?"

"Respectfully, Priest Jungdu," Elian said with a bow, "the Giants will have the means to find the Magistrate. Their plan to invade our lands after being gone for a long time isn't spontaneous. They would've prepared for the possibility of the Magistrate leaving these hills. Other possibilities too. I'm saying, pick the option that'll have the most impact—stop the Giants from landing in the first place. Hide the movement of forces as much as possible. If the Giants find out about it, hopefully, it'll be too late for them to try elsewhere."

"They will try elsewhere after we stop them from taking Sarnival Port," Jungdu said, pointing at me with a tentacle.

"But by then, we'd have won the first round," Yonnik countered. "The initiative is with us. We'd also have proof of Giants! It'll be easier to rally forces to defend our lands. I'm warming up to this plan of yours, brother Elian. Fleeing is delaying the inevitable. Defending would be very difficult. What use are walls against Giants that can climb them as if they were short fences? Attacking the Giants' landing force gets my vote. The strategists of the Giants will expect this the least. I suppose that is also a form of defending."

"But we have to move in secrecy," said Jungdu. "For the Giants seemingly have eyes on these hills. It is perhaps better to stay, for it will hide the fact a diviner has informed us of this dire future. I raise the question of defending the hills without raising suspicion. We cannot simply wait as is and pin our hopes on this attack plan of Brother Elian."

Elian raised his hand. "Firstly, I'm not a diviner. Just going to make that clear."

"You have witnessed this horrible vision, have you not?" Jungdu asked, his voice layered with the sounds of beasts.

"Ah, yes. I—"

"Then that makes you a diviner," Yonnik said, wheezing as he held his stomach. "A diviner. A seer. Choose whatever you want to call yourself. I must say that it is concerning no other diviner has delivered us news of this future. The Magistrate vouches for you, which entails you speak the truth. We can also reasonably conclude that the Giants employed magic to stop powerful diviners, such as those of the Solvi Empire, from raising the alarms. What else were you going to say, brother Elian?"

"Oh, I have an idea on how to bolster the defenses of the hills without tipping off the Giants that we know they're coming."

"Do tell," said Khalamundi. "Even against Giants, I will defend these hills to my last."

Elian gestured at the destroyed statues. "You can spin this, erm, incident is as an attack of an outside force. Many have tried to conquer the region of Raelyon before. Someone is trying again now, and they're starting with the Temples of Tribulation. An assassination attempt on the Hundred-Armed Magistrate."

"Splendid suggestion," Ambrose said. "We will do thusly and prepare for defense. Now, about the offense…"

"Hazelheart would know how to approach the situation," Ihadir said.

"I know that my family will not listen to me," said Hazelheart. "They also will not accept the forces of the temple garrisoned within their town. Don't assume that sending me would soften their hearts. I am no longer a Caelidon. They will not meet with me. It might be that Giants invading can bridge the rift, but the Giants are not here yet, are they?"

"It'll be too late by the time the proof arrives," Khalamundi said.

The Caelidons ruling Sarnival Port don't like the Temples of Tribulation? This was news to Elian. He didn't know much about the politics of the region because it was wiped out early, with many of its inhabitants dead.

An added layer of difficulty dealing with Sarnival Port, but good that he was informed about it now. Was the issue connected to Hazelheart becoming a Penitent and then a temple priestess? If so, using Tribulations during the tournament might be a no-no. The Caelidons might consider it offensive. No problem because Elian had other means to win anyway and he'd rather not squish people.

He raised his hand. "I will join the Sarnival Port tournament that will be held around a month before the Giants arrive." He explained his plan to win it and gain favor from the Caelidons. He could be the bridge between the Temples of Tribulation and the Auric Blademasters. The tournament would also be a good place to look for allies.

"A shaky plan," said Jungdu.

"It is a delicate matter, after all," said Yonnik. "It's good that brother Elian already has a plan. Whereas we have none."

"We have time," Ambrose said. "We will discuss what to do with Sarnival Port. Our general plan is to gather allies, amass forces to meet the Giant invasion, and defend these hills."

"I can help with gathering allies," Elian said. "I'm going to Ohmenstrat for a Boon. I've heard that there are many followers of the Magistrate there?"

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"That is correct, brother Elian. Do not hesitate to use the stone band we have presented you. And remember that you can always return to these hills for rest and support. Before you set out on your journey, ensure that your body is completely healed. I have heard that the traitor caused you severe burns."

"He did," Elian said in an even voice. He held back the urge to protest calling Thalman a traitor. It wasn't the time to argue with the priests. He undid some of his bandages to show them the effects of the magical corrosion. Some of his flesh stuck to the bandages. A foul smell permeated the chamber.

The priests stepped aside as the Magistrate floated forward to approach Elian, index finger outstretched. Elian bowed as the finger touched his head.

It was as if something disgusting got sucked out of his body, like pus drained out of a boil. His entire being felt a comforting warmth, as if it was winter and someone wrapped him in a wool blanket. He also felt lighter. The pain was there but much lessened.

As the Magistrate returned to their spot, Elian said, "You all know, I'm Cursed, right?"

"The Magistrate told us that you asked to be bestowed such," said Yonnik, chuckling as he shook his head. "I cannot—Were your diviner powers not working back then?"

"Yonnik…" Ambrose said.

"I apologize. I simply couldn't process, couldn't fathom how one would ask for a Curse. Even if he didn't know—"

"Brother Elian had his reasons for his decision," Khalamundi said. "We are not asking for them."

"In the end, it might've been a good decision," Elian said, looking at his arms as he manifested the Magistrate's Curse. The scale tattoos covered his scars. "If it weren't for the Curse, Thalman wouldn't have approached me. I wouldn't have discovered his plans and stopped him. I could've asked for a Boon and died in my sleep yesterday as Thalman's Tribulations descended. Look on the bright side. It's very bright indeed."

"Fascinating how the thread of fate is spun," Khalamundi said.

"Unfortunately, brother Elian," Ambrose said, "the Magistrate cannot remove your Curse. You have asked for a Curse and was granted—it will stay. Thus, it is written in the Covenant of the Gods."

"I know enough about Curses in general that I expected this," Elian replied.

"Worry not, for the Temples of Tribulation will assist you when the time comes when you cannot handle it on your own. However, keep in mind that even with our assistance, the time will come when you will reach your limit."

"And then, he'll worry?" Yonnik said.

"Yonnik," Hazelheart and Khalamundi said at the same time in a rebuking tone.

"It's fine," Elian said. "I've benefitted plenty from the rewards of the Magistrate's Curse. This was actually my intention in asking for it. Even if it can be removed, I wouldn't do it. I don't think any other Divine Bestowal can give this many raw attributes. As for the future… it's still far away. We need to defeat the Giants first. I can probably kill a few of them with a strong enough Tribulation. That said… what happened to Thalman? Did he, um, get killed?"

"He's still alive," said Hazelheart.

Elian felt a lump in his throat. This was the worst outcome possible.

"He is held somewhere he'll never escape from a second time," Khalamundi said. "Somewhere with no Aether."

"Allowing his constructs to roam freely was our biggest mistake," Ambrose said. "We came close to complete annihilation. We have taken precautions so he cannot threaten these hills again."

"Why won't you, uh, just execute him?" Elian couldn't believe he said those words.

But he truly didn't know the right thing to do here. Thalman himself wouldn't want such an existence, being a prisoner as his body was wracked by the negative energies of the piling Tribulation debt. He'd be nailed to a wall again. This time, he could no longer see the outside through his clones.

Choose how to carry the burden—this was what Thalman told him. But Thalman himself couldn't choose how to carry his burden. They were imposed by others on him. Elian also knew that the priests couldn't release Thalman either. It was too dangerous. And Thalman had done horrible things for the sake of his revenge.

What is right and wrong?

"If circumstances were different, death would've been his sentence," Ambrose said. "With the impending Giant invasion, however, he'll be kept as our last resort. An ultimate weapon, if you will." Ambrose must've sensed Elian's misgivings because he added, "The time will come when we'll need to use Thalman. The life of one to save many. To prevent this calamitous future that you have envisioned. It is justified."

"Yes… I understand." But Elian couldn't easily shake that feeling of sympathy for Thalman. They were similar in the sense that they were both forced into a situation.

Changing the topic, Ambrose said, "Brother Elian, you have not accomplished the required Tribulation for your Curse yesterday, correct? Do you want us to help you before you leave?"

Elian blinked. "Oh, that'll be awesome. Many thanks."

Waving her arms, Khalamundi opened the roof.

Elian jolted as sunlight touched him. "Are we doing it now? I guess it's alright. I trust you." He walked to the spot Hazelheart pointed at.

Then Hazelheart summoned six Auric blades as the sky darkened. The swords were thin, like rapiers for fencing, and had a glasslike appearance. There was no energy around them but Elian was sure they held a good amount of power.

The first flash of blue. The first sword zoomed up.

Huh? The sword and the Tribulation's strike disappeared. No explosion. No shockwaves. No sound of impact. It was as if the wind blew away dried leaves.

The same happened for the next five strikes.

Elian was so surprised at how almost nothing happened that he almost forgot to pick his rewards.

After the Tribulation, Ambrose adjourned the meeting. Khalamundi closed the ceiling.

Unsure of what to do next, Elian followed Ihadir again as each of the other priests made their exit. The cauldrons were snuffed of their smoke, the apparitions of Jungdu and Yonnik disappearing. Then the cauldrons sunk into the floor. Khalamundi's golem dissolved itself and disappeared too. Ambrose and Hazelheart used their own secret doors to exit the Magistrate's chambers. Elian glanced one last time at the gigantic hand, still unbelieving of the series of wild events that led him here.

The bracelet wasn't the only gift given by the priests. Ihadir led Elian to the right wing of the temple, down to its lower levels. The armory for their guards was located there. Ihadir told Elian to pick out a suit of armor. Too bad Elian wasn't brought to the silver or even golden halls, but the items in the temple's armory were of high quality. Each of the pieces had a few thousand Armor attribute.

But Elian had other ideas. "Priest Ihadir, I hope I don't sound ungrateful or imposing, but would it be possible to ask for weapons instead of armor? You see, my tankiness mostly comes from my Attack Power. It is much better for me to have a strong weapon than armor."

He probably could've asked for both weapon and armor, but he didn't want to come off as greedy. This way, he could pick a more valuable weapon roughly the value of the armor set he refused, without being ashamed of appearances.

He could get better equipment from the temple in the future. He'd show them first he could gather allies, or even followers, in Ohmenstrat. If he was successful, surely the temple would support him more. How was he going to gather allies? He didn't know yet. But, hey, trust fate. It seemed to be mostly on his side.

"Weapons for Tribulation, you say?" Ihadir tapped his golden mask. "Let us ask the master of the armory what we have available to give."