The Narrative Of the Dead

This world is quite a wondrous place. Not only can I wield magic through words, but I can also tame beasts.

My hair flew back as I clung tightly to the deer's neck, its powerful movements beneath me a stark reminder of the unique bond we'd forged.

At this moment, I was riding it like a horse, though it was anything but ordinary.

In this world, there were cars, but only the richest of the rich could afford them.

There were carriages too, but again, they were privileges reserved for the elite.

Horses existed, and they were even a luxury of the middle class.

I was far lower than that. Poor, desperately so. And yet, here I was, riding a beast of power and grace that surpassed any of those luxuries.

It had been around ten hours since I first mounted the deer.

The night sky, with its two moons standing like silent sentinels, had given way to the golden hues of dawn.

Now, the sun bathed the landscape, illuminating the rolling fields and scattered hills that blurred past us.

We had already passed two small towns. Its sleepy streets and curious onlookers were no more than fleeting impressions as we thundered through.

At this pace, I could reach the capital in less than a day, a feat unimaginable under normal circumstances.

The wind lashed against my face as the deer pushed forward with unrelenting speed. It was exhilarating.

By my estimate, we were moving as fast as a bullet. Faster than anything I had ever experienced. Each bound felt like I was skimming the edge of the impossible.

Finally, the deer began to slow, its pace gradually easing until it came to a complete stop.

I dismounted, landing softly on the ground, the rush of movement giving way to an eerie stillness.

Around me, there were only split roads and endless stretches of grass.

I patted the deer's neck, murmuring softly. "Rest now. You've earned it."

As I looked down the road that led to the capital, a thought struck me.

I'd been so focused on getting there as quickly as possible that I hadn't stopped to consider my next steps.

It wasn't just about reaching the capital. I needed to prepare myself for what awaited me there.

The capital was a hub of intrigue, power struggles, and danger. Walking in unprepared could be disastrous.

I've been letting the thoughts and emotions of the original owner consume me. I've been too... free.

I need to establish clear plans. Considering that the ending was explained to me in detail, I at least know how to start preventing it.

Along with preserving this kingdom, I should focus on uniting its most powerful individuals, ensuring they remain on good terms.

As for the fights that take place in the novel, while most occur in different realms, some happen here.

I want to keep Natalie's creation safe, even if she couldn't. She always claimed she would never use plot armor as a crutch in her storytelling.

Yet the main character, despite her words, survived time and time again because of it or so I thought. I never told her that.

But now, looking back, perhaps it wasn't plot armor at all. Maybe it was the weight of his experiences, the hardships that tempered him, that allowed him to triumph.

After all, he managed to defeat someone teetering on the edge of divinity.

But that victory came at a cost, his sanity. Slowly but surely, it unraveled, and that madness is what doomed the world in the end.

He wasn't just a hero. He became a madman. A madman who damned us all.

I patted the deer's neck again, feeling its steady warmth beneath my palm. "You are such a beautiful creature," I said softly.

For a moment, I considered the importance of names. Names carry weight. They hold meaning and origins, some still shrouded in mystery.

"Velox, the Grand," I declared, smiling faintly. "That shall be your name, little companion."

I kissed my fingertips and gently pressed them against the deer's forehead.

In that moment, a collar of pure mana formed, glowing with an ethereal blue light.

The energy coalesced around its neck, shifting and solidifying into a band of gleaming metal.

Etched into the collar, in elegant script, was its name: Velox.

Velox rumbled lowly, shaking its head in what I could only interpret as satisfaction.

Despite my calm exterior, I knew taming a beast tainted by darkness was no small feat.

It had taken the main character over three years to tame one, though his was a dragon, so perhaps the struggle made sense.

I stepped down from Velox and reached for the bag slung over my shoulder. Spreading its contents before me, I took stock of what little I had.

A broken bronze watch. A quill and pencil. A small map of the kingdom. A meager container of water.

This was all I possessed aside from the small amount of money I carried, of course.

Grabbing the quill, I began tracing my name on the map, repeating it softly under my breath as I worked.

The capital was located in the heart of the kingdom, surrounded by the pathways and roads that spiraled toward it like veins to a heart.

The route I was currently taking was the clearest but also the slowest.

It was clear because it avoided the dense forests and ruins where monsters lurked, even at night.

But it was slow due to its meandering nature, weaving around the great forest to the west, adding countless unnecessary turns.

I stared at the map and traced a new path with my finger, my destination fixed.

If I headed east instead and made a detour to the next major town, I could prepare properly for my journey to the capital.

Preparation was vital. My ultimate goal was to meet the king, and while I had a few ideas on how to achieve that.

Connections would undoubtedly be my strongest asset.

That meant I needed to gather supplies and information and perhaps find allies.

Natalie had structured this world with countless laws, but oh, my sweet Natalie, she had also left plenty of loopholes.

Finishing my markings on the map, I tucked the quill into my pants and snapped the pen in two before tossing it into the air.

Ritual magic was accessible to anyone, provided they had the right items to offer as sacrifices.

I raised my hand, focusing my intent as I whispered, "Concede mihi omne atramentum et pultem; hoc liberabo stultos qui nomen Scribae Aeterni maculaverunt."

Before the pen could fall, I grabbed the water container and poured it over the map, offering everything but the lone gold coin as my sacrifice.

As the pen descended and my words reached the ears of those beyond the Veil, it transformed in midair.

In a dazzling display of mana and dread, it morphed into a small quill, mirroring the one I had tucked into my pocket.

Curious, I reached into my pocket to check and found the original quill was gone. In its place remained only this new, transformed artifact.

I picked it up carefully, marveling at its form. After securing my bag, I pocketed the gold coin and the newly formed quill alongside the book.

Without wasting any more time, I climbed back onto Velox. With a firm grip on its mane, I turned toward the east, heading for the next town.

...

The sky was dim, scattered with stars, but it was only when I saw the towering walls and the people walking that I let out a sigh of relief.

During my journey here, I encountered only a few people after those troublesome encounters, and each passed by without a word.

Seeing people walking in and out of the walls was calming, almost refreshing.

I dismounted Velox and gently grabbed its collar, sighing softly. "Run into the wild and stomp any who dare to stop you."

The deer gave a low, affirmative noise and darted off, moving with a speed nearly imperceptible to the eye.

Turning back toward the imposing walls, I began walking, briefly checking myself to ensure I had everything I needed for entry.

As I approached the large gates, the black steel metal merged seamlessly with the sturdy stone walls.

The architecture was oddly medieval, yet it retained a modern touch beyond the gates.

This world was truly unique blending the industrial era with the reign of kings.

Magic didn't hinder advancement; rather, it seemed to enhance and drive it forward.

It wasn't until Nicholas arrived that extreme advancements and revolutionary ideas took root.

Consequently, while kingdoms still existed, they operated more like a democratic system with voting within the main council, at least in most nations.

I stood in a line with others being inspected for entry.

The line moved slowly, the night casting a shadow over everything.

The guards patrolled quietly, their armor gleaming under the dim light of magical lanterns.

Their uniforms were black and gold, a stark contrast to the night.

A symbol of a crown, with a sword piercing through it, adorned their chests, representing the kingdom's strength and authority.

Their movements were precise, disciplined, and carried an air of authority that seemed to stretch beyond the visible borders of Berlint.

When it was my turn, I presented my badge. The guard inspected it closely, his gaze sharp and unwavering.

After a brief moment of scrutiny, he nodded and allowed me entry.

The sight was grand, a scene that made me momentarily forget my purpose.

The streets were alive with a vibrant hum of activity as the light flickered along the dim pathways.

Houses stood beside ancient stone buildings, their windows gleaming with the glow of magical lamps.

Shops lined the streets, offering everything from finely crafted wares to cutting-edge machinery, each blend of tradition and innovation seamlessly woven into the fabric of the town.

Berlint was massive, stretching far beyond what I could see, with sprawling districts filled with countless homes, bustling markets, and workshops.

The sheer size of the place was overwhelming, yet it had an air of order and purpose, a testament to its carefully managed governance.

This town was significant to the novel.

 It marks the starting point where the main character discovers its importance. It has been overtaken by a neighboring kingdom to the far east.

The settlement closest to that kingdom was Berlint.

I sighed, taking in the beauty of the town once more. Sleep didn't seem like an option tonight.

Just as she had described, the town was bustling even in the quiet hours of the night, and where there is business, there are activities.

Some far less savory than others. She always asked for my input on what to add to this world, eager to craft a place filled with life and complexity.

Beyond the bounty hunters, there were other groups each with their own agendas and purposes.

Her world was vast, a testament to her desire to fit all her ideas into one planet.

Canonically, this is the only life within this universe, at least as far as they know.

This also meant that a solid foundation was necessary for the main character to uncover.

She often drew inspiration from the vastness of her world, layering it with secrets and mysteries.

It was only fitting that she was something of a mystery freak.

So, I proposed the idea of secret societies hidden groups that, unbeknownst to the general populace, wielded immense power and influence.

The first king, Nicholas, was the founder of one such organization a concept I helped shape, with her creativity fueling its depth.

The Silent Court, or S.C. for short, was called that because if you spoke about it to anyone, upon joining, they would hunt you down.

The main goal of the organization, you may ask? Simple.

Reviving Nicholas, and from the way the novel is unfolding, they aren't too far off though that's years from now, likely around ten.

Still, the whole point of my arrival in this town is to shorten that timeframe.

You see, Nicholas should be someone like me, an outsider who came to this world and eventually died in combat.

In this world, when you die while fighting, you are granted a wish upon your death. It can be literally anything, as long as you are fighting.

Of course, there are limits, and it's based on the nobility or goodness of your fight evaluated like a judge.

His wish was to have his power sealed into his most prized possessions.

First, his sword is described as majestic, unmatched in beauty.

His crown, though the description is vague, was said to be golden with blue jewels.

His kingdom still stands to this day, far to the east, across a vast ocean its name, Novastia.

The final piece of his power was sealed within his blood, and it's that very reason why the requirements for joining are so steep.

To join, one must either possess one of his lost artifacts or carry a vial of his descendant's blood.

The other requirement is simple: be powerful, and bind yourself to the organization.

That's what I plan to do. Walking through the city, I soon found the perfect place to take this step.

Near the eastern walls, a small tavern stood, its dimly lit blue lights illuminating the road faintly. Though there was noise, it wasn't overly crowded.

I stepped into the tavern and was met with a plethora of memorable faces.

.