The Hundred Reigns 265: King of Spiders (7)

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Uyo’s jungle was alive. 

The whole place drowned in noise. Birdsongs, animal calls, and the wind whistling through the trees resulted in a cacophony that kept everyone on edge. Hordes of insects and parasites constantly harassed the expedition, and Simon sensed eyes watching them every step of the way. Many were either animals or predators wise enough to stay away from a vast group of armed explorers, but sometimes it felt as if the very trees were watching them; and they might very well be. 

It reminded him of Algozoa’s own Domain, and not in a good way. 

Simon had to use Anathemic Secrecy and Fiendmask to hide his Class outfit from potential spies. Uyo held the highest number of manatrees per league on the entire eastern continent, with many primitive elven tribes and fairies answering to the local dryads. Odette’s route should take them around their territories, but better safe than sorry. An expedition including demonic cattle might already catch too much attention. 

“You should have killed my husband,” Odette chided Simon as they ate a meal near rocky falls and churning rapids. Learning of Lorimor’s survival didn’t please his ex-wife in the slightest. “At least you had the grace to spare me his presence for this trip.” 

“He is my minion now, and useful,” Simon replied. “He will bother you no more.”

“His existence bothers me.” Odette raised her head from her coffee cup when the twins returned from their scouting, alongside a Hunter guide hired to help the expedition navigate the jungle. “What did you find?”

“Some kind of stone monkey altar to the north, alongside a pile of bones,” Velvet replied after dusting off her Assassin outfit. “A bunch of apes with spears live nearby, though they didn’t notice us.”

“They were ape shifters,” Silk clarified. “I counted forty of them, all classless.”

“You must have stumbled upon an altar of Gargunza, the Gorilla God,” Odette said. 

Simon’s head perked up. “Gargunza?”

“A fearsome eidolon popular among the local tribes, especially ape and monkey shifters,” Odette explained. “He tends to subjugate his rivals in battles of might to claim their tribes for himself, after which they must offer blood sacrifices in return for his protection, good harvests, and regular rain.” 

“I’ve heard stories about an eidolon corrupted by his followers into a bloodthirsty deity,” Simon recalled. “Do you think it could be Gargunza?”

“Possibly.” Odette finished her cup. “We should avoid the shifters. Gargunza’s worshipers don’t shy away from sacrificing intruders to their god.”

Velvet scoffed. “Those monkeys will be no match for us.”

“But their eidolon might come to their rescue,” Silk pointed out. “We should stay focused on claiming Rhapta.”

“Agreed,” Simon said. Seizing the Archer’s crystal remained their main priority. “However, I wouldn’t mind visiting the tribe on our return trip.”

“Why’s that?” Silk asked suspiciously.

“Although I lack a third eye in the middle of my forehead, I can still form contracts with eidolons, and I’ve been looking forward to expanding my roster,” Simon said. Come to think of it, Uyo might hold quite a few of them… “Are there any other powerful eidolons active in this region, Odette?”

“My research indicates Rhapta’s inhabitants used to worship a serpent eidolon called Einganah, but nobody worships her nowadays,” Odette replied. “She has likely already faded away from a lack of faith, but the city might be one of the few places where a prospective summoner could contact her.”

“She should convert to the Rancher-Shepherd,” one of the mephisgoats said, her fellow cattle-warriors nodding in assent. “The Rancher-Shepherd welcomes all into his flock. He does not take; he only gives.”

How could I live without them? Simon wondered as his humans allies exchanged silent glances. I might have to uplift and convert chickens next.

“How far are we from the ruins?” Velvet asked. “I’m growing tired of encountering tigers and basilisks behind every blade of grass.”

“A few hours, maybe a day at most,” Odette replied confidently. “We’ve covered most of the ground already.”

It had been three days since they left Granny Radhag’s home, first by following spiraling rivers and then walking overland when the terrain proved too difficult for smallboats. Simon had left the Honorius family and Lorimor back at the hag’s cottage, only taking Odette, her staff, the sisters, and a few dozen cattle-warriors on the trip. Keeping that group disease-free would have been a nightmare without the Brands of Gluttony shielding most of them, and the steady supply of potions to protect the non-wearers. 

Simon had originally suggested simply flying to the city before Odette shot the idea down. “It will only attract savage wyverns and other predators. No airship ever located Rhapta by flying over Uyo, and the legends say no one can find it without the proper path.” 

“The proper path…” This situation had felt familiar to Simon. “The Lost Wilds.”

“The Lost Wilds?”

“An old Ritual that turns a forest into a maze for anyone who doesn’t know the path or doesn’t wield the right key.” Simon had used this spell to shield the Halls of the Minotaur for the better part of a year during his Magvolian reign. “This would explain why no one has found the city for so long. Either Rhapta’s inhabitants or the elves shrouded it from discovery.” 

He wondered how and why Odette could reliably find it across reigns. She might have information only her people could access. Trusting her to lead the imperial army to this city in the previous reign had proven to be the right call. 

With this information in mind, they had had no choice other than to follow Odette’s chosen path to reach the city based on both its recorded location, a wealth of legends and folk tales, and her own research. Simon knew from past reign experience she always found the city when granted the opportunity, so he trusted her guidance. 

The expedition continued its march and cautiously avoided the shifter camp and its altar for now, with demotaurs at the front cutting down branches and vines obstructing the way. Simon noticed that the jungle grew quieter the further they progressed… until he heard it, like a hiss in the wind, more of a feeling than a sentence.

“Come… prey… dator.”

Although the creature had never uttered a word during their confrontation, Simon immediately recognized the voice and presence. Algozoa was nearby. 

Simon glanced at Odette, who had also frozen in place. “As I thought,” he said. “Your birth sign wouldn’t happen to be the Archer?”

Odette nodded sharply. “What is this… this presence?” 

“A demon beckoning for potential hosts such as yourself.” Simon met her gaze and cut through her denial. “Darkblood runs in your veins, however thinly. Your son didn’t inherit it only from his father.”

“This is nonsense,” Odette protested in a rare display of anger. “I never touched anything demonic in my entire life.”

“I didn’t suggest you did.” Though it was quite hypocritical of her to say so after spending years encouraging Lorimor’s research and dark dealings. “Rhapta is your people’s ancestral home, and an archdemon’s prison. It is likely his power washed over them and passed down over the generations.”

Odette’s expression darkened into a deep, silent scowl. She was a rational woman, and as much as she hoped to deny the possibility, she couldn’t entirely deny it to herself. “My son…” Her anger turned to grief. “It can’t come from me… it can’t…”

Simon knew Benjamin’s status as a potential Minotaur host was likely a shared responsibility from both parents, but he decided to spare Odette some sorrow. “Your husband’s dabbling in the Dark would have stained him either way. Don’t feel guilty for something you have no control over. You didn’t choose to carry this legacy.”

Odette answered his words with a small, thankful nod, while Simon noticed Velvet give him a strange look. Simon ignored them and pushed forward, until their group finally came within sight of Rhapta.

Odette Kano had captured her childhood memory of the lost city in a vivid painting, and it proved incredibly accurate. Rhapta’s gilded walls glimmered in the meager sunlight that managed to pierce through the thick canopy of massive trees. Vegetation had buried most of the buildings under a green mass of vines, flowers, and other plants, but tall ziggurats still dominated its skyline; the largest and tallest of them loomed over two hundred-feet high, its surface covered in gold-carved runes from base to top. The streets had mostly drowned in mud, with worn murals and weathered serpent statues remaining as testaments to a lost age of glory. 

“This is it…” Odette was too stoic a woman to show much emotion, but she did seem almost moved to tears. Her life’s work and scholarly obsession now faced her. “I’ve found it once more.”

The glint of greed in Silk’s eyes swiftly faded away. “Wait,” said the Rogue, her dagger pointing at something in the mud. “Look.”

It took a moment for Simon to spot it due to his lower Perception stat. The carcass of an enormous ape the size of an ogre was sinking into the mud, its blood mixing with the dirt. The presence of such a monster wouldn’t have been much of a surprise if not for silver arrows stuck into its fur. 

Odd. The corpse is untouched. Another monster or carrion-eater should have already feasted upon it. A gnawing doubt began to worm its way into Simon’s heart when the sisters quickly moved to study the remains, his eyes spotting the remains of other ape-like monsters in the area. Is another band of looters nearby? 

“Blades and magical arrows killed this creature,” Velvet stated after checking the corpse, a scowl stretching over her face. Few Classes could learn as much from someone’s remains as an Assassin. “Elven arrows.”

They’re here. The wounds were far too fresh to be more than a day old. Was it the same team that tried to steal the Scales off Mount Perun? The timing was too tight, too suspicious. They know someone is looking for the crystals.

“There’s no time to waste,” Silk said immediately, having reached the same conclusion Simon did. “Where’s the crystal?”

“In the central ziggurat.” Simon could sense the miasma radiating from there. The other pyramids formed a seal keeping the Archer trapped in the city. “Would you know of any way to access it mostly undetected, Odette?”

“No, but I know the quickest paths,” she replied as she put on her Merchant outfit, opened her own Inventory, and swiftly sacrificed enough treasure to summon the eidolon Xenophon at level sixty-one. “The old marketplace will take us there faster, but we’ll be exposed. Following the old canals will be a straight line.”

“We could split up,” Silk suggested. “My sister and I can turn invisible and follow one, while the larger group takes the other way.”

Odette glared at her. “Your scheme is painfully obvious. You expect the enemy to spot us while you discreetly abscond with the crystal.”

“It would be the best way to safeguard it,” Silk retorted. “We work best in the shadows.”

“For once, I agree,” Simon said while casting buffs on himself, Nightveil included. “However, we have no way to coordinate or communicate if the two of you go on alone.”

“Then let’s fix that.” Velvet pulled up a sleeve from her left arm and showed her bare skin. “Put your Brand of Sloth here.”

Simon’s surprise was only matched by her sister’s disbelief. “Are you insane?” Silk snapped at Velvet in a rare display of cold anger. “Do you realize the power he’ll have over you? Over us?”

“His Brand of Sloth only lets him communicate telepathically with us and increase our experience gains. It is harmless.” Velvet smiled at Simon. “Am I right?”

“You are,” Simon confirmed. This was a rather pleasant surprise, and proof he had at least earned some trust. He grabbed Velvet’s arm before she could change her mind and bestowed the Brand of Sloth upon her skin, and swiftly regretted not having a pictobox to capture Silk’s furious expression. “Now go.”

Velvet fled first, with a scowling Silk rushing after her without a word. Simon had no doubt they would reach the central ziggurat before his group. The Rogue and their Vassals were simply quicker than the wind. 

“So many coins…” The six-armed Xenophon finished materializing next to his employer, a weapon in each hand and a happy expression on his inhuman face. “Been a while since someone summoned Xenophon with the proper compensation!”

“I’ve worked decades to find this place. I will spare no expense in seizing it.” Odette proceeded to use another Merchant Perk, sacrificing more gold to empower everyone. “All this city’s treasures ought to cover this investment and then some.”

Odette’s Pay-To-Win buffed all your stats for the day. 

The Merchant made for an excellent support Class with the proper funds, and unlike what conventional wisdom might say, crime did pay.

“Soldiers, protect Miss Kano with your lives,” Simon ordered his cattle-warriors, who diligently nodded. “Xenophon and I will be at the vanguard.” 

Simon put on his Strength for Speed ring, Hastened himself, and then walked ahead of the group. Xenophon proved surprisingly quick enough to keep up with him even with all of his enhancements, with the rest of the expedition hot on their tail. Even Odette’s well-paid trackers followed. 

It didn’t take Simon long to realize the intruders had followed a similar path to the central ziggurat. He could hardly run past a street corner before noticing some impaled chimera, dismembered apes, and gold-plated skeletons. The elves had proved ruthlessly efficient in dispatching the local monsters. 

Simon and Xenophon eventually arrived in an immense plaza, whose gold-paved floor now drowned beneath beds of vines, dirt, and debris. A massive statue of a giant serpent lay broken in its center. This likely used to be a massive marketplace of some kind, one that could welcome thousands of merchants at once. 

Elves were keeping watch over the area. Simon counted three of them, two clad in armor made of woven leaves and carrying glass scimitars, while the third wore a Fencer Class outfit. Four strange, purple hunting dogs exhaling mist from their mouth played with the bones of what appeared to be a gilded minotaur’s skeleton. The beasts instantly smelled Simon and growled at his approach, alerting their masters. 

Simon unleashed his Dreadful Aura, and slew all but the Fencer on the spot. The strange dogs turned to pinkish dust upon death, while the two dead elves left no miasmic gemstones behind. The terrified Fencer reached out for his sword with feverish panic, but Simon instantly slew him with a well-placed Death X spell before he could even grab it. His corpse hit a bed of grass without leaving behind a soul gem. 

Huh. I actually got a tiny, tiny bit of experience from that one. Simon was pretty sure he didn’t get anything from killing people more than twenty levels below him anymore, so the elf had to have been level 62, maybe 63. Odd to think that kind of fighter had terrified him for so many of his reigns. They brought some heavy hitters.

War horns echoed hardly a street away from him. 

This surprised Simon, since he had stealthily slain the group in an instant without much noise. Did they have a Contingency spell or the like alerting their allies should any of them bite the dust? 

Whatever the case, it quickly resulted in elven archers appearing on the nearby rooftops and warriors running into the plaza… and promptly falling dead upon catching a glimpse of Simon. His amusement proved short-lived when three eight-foot tall golems made of silver barreled out of a street, their crowns oozing multicolored smoke and their claymores shining with otherworldly runes. He also spotted forms rising out of the ziggurat; riders whose unidentified mounts could run alongside the wind. 

“Time to earn my keep!” Xenophon boasted, his six weapons wreathed in black fire and magical energy. “I’ll take the golems, you bring down the flyers!”

The eidolon charged without waiting for Simon’s answer, leaping across the entire plaza in a single bound and smashing a golem into the ground upon landing with all his weapons. He immediately danced around the other two with his superior speed while rushing them with an onslaught of strikes. 

Simon followed his ally’s advice and looked up to the flying riders, identifying five of them. They were elves too, riding armored unicorns with grass manes somehow capable of flight. Most didn’t feel all that threatening, with one key exception. 

Their leader—he had to be from the way he dressed—carried himself with a regal aura. This elf resembled an ageless man with short silver hair and green eyes, wearing a customized silver version of the Spearman Vassal Class outfit and a red cloak over it. An antler crown made of Manatree wood sat atop his head. His spear was crafted of gleaming blue and silver alloy, the shaft surrounded by seven glass barbs and the tip topped by a green manalith. 

It resembled the Mana Sword, and felt just as threatening. 

The way he looked at the battlefield with confidence, his gaze settling on Simon specifically in spite of the distance… 

A flock of ravens flew ahead of the flying riders… or rather, things that looked like ravens, since they were both the size of horses and unaffected by his Dreadful Aura. They swiftly descended upon Simon, only for his mephisgoats to target them with fireballs and engage them in the sky. The demotaurs and Odette’s escort poured into the plaza, their equipment shielding them from the Terror his aura inspired. 

A trio of giant ravens dived towards them and swiftly changed form upon landing, transforming into blackened knights with cloaks of feathers and fearsome falchions. Simon recognized them as fey creatures called ravenknights, and they proved worthy of their fearsome reputation by matching blades with his mighty demotaurs; their strengths evenly matched in spite of the size difference. 

“Thanks for the distraction,” he heard Velvet sarcastically comment through telepathy. 

“You’re welcome,” Simon replied as he aimed for the flying riders. “Darkflare.”

A black star of miasma detonated among the riders, swallowing them all and drowning the sky in darkness. His shadows pulverized the weaker riders, and Simon could hear the death screams of their unicorns.

Then light came for his head. 

There was no other way to describe it. The object moved so fast it might as well have been a ray of sunlight. Simon wouldn’t even have seen it coming had it not surged out of the darkness of his own attack. 

While his body wasn’t fast enough to pull an Arrow-Snatcher on it due to the incredibly short timing, Simon managed to pull his mace out of his Inventory and switch his Strength for Speed ring for a Spell for Speed one. He struck the coming projectile with his weapon in time to deflect it.

And he struggled. 

His might had grown to rival that of young dragons, and he was confident he could tussle with Vouive bare-handed… yet the blowback caused ripples of pain to surge through his arm when his weapon met the spear aiming for his heart. The blow shattered his mace’s head, though he did succeed in deflecting the projectile to the side. It hit a side of the plaza with such might as to leave a house-sized crater, the blast throwing dust and debris across the entire marketplace, the thundering boom so mighty as to briefly silence the battle’s clamor.

Simon’s heart skipped a beat as he and many others looked up to the sky to see the spear return to its wielder’s hand on its own. This single exchange had immediately taught him what kind of monster the Oracle had sent to recover the Archer; the logical result of a warrior having eternity to refine his craft, and nearly eight hundred years to master his Crestone. 

An elf with a Level 100 Vassal Class. 

“My name is Alfador, King of the Wild Hunt,” the elf declared with regal pride, his spear glowing with the Mana Goddess’ blessing. “You have picked the wrong battle, wicked ones.”

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