Unfortunately, I’m Not A Hero 99: Interlude: Reiser

Unfortunately, I’m Not A Hero 99: Interlude: Reiser

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Commissioned by Shaderic

Wordcount: 2500

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A land of Kindred is one of debauchery, injustice, and meaninglessness.

Ylstu invalidated this claim, but the land of the Pharaoh’s made the claim utterly ridiculous.

“Humanity has coexisted next to Kindred for centuries.” A’Bel spoke to me as I overlooked the city. It felt wrong to be in it, so when my duty did not call for me, I took to its outskirts. Atop a hill, I looked upon the sprawling mass of sandstone, roads, and magic in which men and Kindred lived. “It’s quite boring everywhere else, so your continent has its charms. You can hardly fight a human warrior or paladin anywhere else.”

I did not know how others saw A’Bel, but as time passed she seemed to grow larger and larger to my senses. Though I knew that she should simply be a very tall and powerful Kindred, now it felt as though as she spoke to me from all directions as I stood in the palm of her hand.

Her influence over me was growing and growing.

Some dormant power lay within me that beckoned me to call upon it.

I resisted… but only just.

My humanity was steadily looking to be a detriment to me, even though I swore that I would take no other’s aid in proving myself to Hachiman. I wished to redeem myself, to prove myself a capable and powerful warrior to the man I swore myself to, but every time I spoke to A’Bel I was tempted to fall. The temptation increased in strength incessantly.

It would be so easy to prove myself, I took A’Bel’s offer.

I would no longer be of the Empire. I would truly and completely declare myself for the Kindred, as I wouldn’t even be able to disguise myself and hide my power to return back to the Empire. If I turned myself into a Devil under A’Bel, I would be able to swear myself to Hachiman as she did, and he would truly know who I am, what I felt, and what I wished for.

But it would still be running away and taking the easy route.

Therefore, without a doubt, Hachiman would find something wrong with it.

A’Bel laughed as I successfully resisted the temptation she set upon me, while I spoke to her with grit teeth.

“The Apophis will seek to harm him. None will miss the friendship the that Pharaoh has rendered onto him now.” My duty here was to be Hachiman’s guard. That meant preparing for threats. Though I was off-duty, I saw no reason to slack, especially as I had plenty of time for both leisure and rest thanks to Hachiman’s generosity. “I have asked you to come here to ask you what you know of the Apophis and their abilities. How shall we make war upon them?”

“I understand. Duty first. How admirable.” A’Bel’s laugh tapered off and her presence waned until she was merely looming over me. I looked up at her met her gaze and smile. “The Pharaohs call upon Assassins. They are kin to the Kunoichi, but of a different sect. They travel through the shadows, but use different magics and weapons.”

I committed the information to memory.

Seeing Kindred as targets and foes to analyze still came easily to me.

“What weapons exactly?”

“Many. Unlike the Kunoichi, the Assassins all take up different paths. They work together on and make up for one another’s weaknesses. They are akin to Adventurers… but with stronger codes of ethics, better equipment, and proper training.” A’Bel gestured and a bolder suddenly shuddered. She walked over to it and pushed the top half of cleanly off, before leisurely taking a seat. “I am sure that there are a few who specialize in beings such as myself, even though a fair few of them take contracts with Demons to ply their trade.”

I frowned at the information.

A mixed force was more difficult to handle. Kindred working together in groups was difficult enough when they were of the same race. Training and equipment made those fights even more difficult, especially if they supported one another. Training, equipment, and numbers combined with specialists that used Demons and some who specialized against Demons?

“What a troublesome foe. It would be better to strike against the entire organization and wipe them out.” My thoughts defaulted to my Lord’s preferred way of solving complex issues. He told me many times before: tactics and strategy were fine things to use, but if force can be used bluntly and efficiently, it should. Well, his words were cruder, but that was the message. “A’Bel… do you know how to find these people?”

A’Bel’s smile widened.

“The Pharaohs used to all have their own temples dedicated Assassins, but many have risen to prominence and taken greater responsibilities because of their worthiness. They fought against one another when these lands weren’t unified… and perhaps still fight to this day and wage a secret war in the shadows.” A’Bel mused and giggled at my frown at the lack of information. Speculation held no interest for me. I wished to know facts that could be of use to serve my Lord. “I believe that the last time my people were here that there were only two left. They were fighting against one another, arguing against what path their nation should take: whether they should stay content or go forth and conquer.”

“The paths of the Apophis and the Pharaohs.”

“The exact same. Yes. But… this is conjecture. My people were here so long ago that even that fact might be untrue. Even though it would make sense that the Pharaohs and Apophis both employ separate Temples, I do not know if they still exist.” A’Bel words made me frown, until I saw the logic in her words. I thought that she was withholding information, until I recalled that “long ago” for Demons was measured by centuries or millennia. Much could’ve truly changed then. “Now… oh frail, fragile Hero… are you willing to gather the evidence that no other individual can? You certainly have the skills for it.”

My eyes widened at those words.

I was suited for the task better than any other because of my training against the Kunoichi and my experience on the battlefield. Not only did I develop a keen sense for finding hidden foes, but I was also more than capable of leading others in doing so. The only issue was mobility… but A’Bel existed and there were Harpies and Wyverns aboard my Lord’s vessel.

“A’Bel, I need you to contact the flight crew and a few of the Kunoichi. I must begin investigating these Assassins.” I needed to ascertain their loyalties and even their existence first, but my mind was already awhirl with my plans for the Assassins. Should I seek to arm one side and pay them to protect my Lord against the ones employed by the Apophis… or should I destroy them with all the force that I could muster? None of the Kunoichi, in any number, could match me after I figured out their tricks and deceptions… but I won’t even be alone as I hunt down those who would threaten Hachiman’s life. “I’ll ask you more later, but this is of greater importance.”

A’Bel had no reason to obey me, but rose from her seat with a smile and gave me a mocking bow.

“Oh, I look forward to seeing you grow, Reiser.” A’Bel’s presence once against grew until I felt that she was smothering me in every direction with her gaze. The moment faded as she took flight with strong flams of her bat-like wings. “I truly hope that you succeed.”

The Demon loved being entertained and I was a toy that she wished to watch and help along.

Some part of me rankled at the thought, but I smothered it.

For Hachiman, for redemption, I was willing to suffer any indignity.

…

Hachiman looked upon my report on the matter of Assassins with a narrowed gaze.

“Well… these guys look like trouble.” Hachiman grunted and glared at A’Bel. The Demon was nothing like she was with me. She flushed and swooned under his irritated glare. He turned back to me and gave me a nod. “Good job asking A’Bel just in case… now tell me what you think we should do. You’re protecting me, after all.”

My heart raced at his words, but I clamped down on my excitement.

It was just responsibility and acknowledgement.

Not redemption.

Only that warranted celebration.

“Both Temples clash with one another, but they do not adhere to any ideology. They fight against one another as rivals and oppose one another as fact.” If an Assassin from one is set to harm another, then they would face another Assassin from the other Temple. “They have been using the centuries to train, learn their craft, and become stronger. They have not stagnated. They are at least as strong as the modern Kunoichi each, but also have individual specialties… the difference lies in the specialties espoused by the Temples. They differ from one another.”

“How?”

“The first specializes in close combat while the latter in ranger. Both employ poison and traps in their tactics, but respective of their beliefs.” Blades and weapons coated in poison and enchanted to curse those they cut. Darts and arrows formed entirely of poison or curses. The innovations of the two Temples were humbling, but Hachiman simply glanced at them and took them in stride. The fearsome weapons were simply accounted for. “Both temples also contract with Demons and Devils, while also having specialists that combat them.”

At that phrase, Hachiman looked over his shoulder at A’Bel. The Demon that I feared was standing primly at his back lack an attentive servant ready for orders.

She answered his question before it was even spoken.

“They do not compare to me. They are not prepared for me, my dear Master.” The words sent a chill down my spine. She’d relayed to me the existence of specialists of the Assassins in the realm of slaying Demons. I’d somehow believed that she would find it difficult to fight them. “If they come forth, I will crush them.”

“I’d prefer them alive if that happens. They’re better leverage that way.” Hachiman grunted behind the desk and leaned his cheek into his fist. He yawned as he considered the two Temples dedicated for millennia to murder and death. “How do our Kunoichi compare?”

Kurama spoke up for her vaunted servants, as one after another appeared beside her. Instead of their usual lack of clothes, each one was clad in some sort of bodysuit, upon which plates of segmented armor were sewn. They carried weapons and equipment that they usually did not have on their person, which reeked of blood, poison, and lust.

Living Cursed Weapons.

“My lovely servants have armed themselves and created safe zones within our domiciles, my dear husband.” Kurama spoke demurely, but her pride in her Kunoichi was apparent. Her eyes shone as she spoke of each of the kneeling warriors. “They’ll put these Assassins to the test. I believe that they’ll find their foes… wanting, given your generous support for their equipment and continued training.”

“I’ll hold you to that, Kurama.” Hachiman waved his hand and the two dozen Kunoichi vanished. I kept track of them, as did A’Bel, but I found it more difficult than usual. They were pushing themselves. It was good that they were. The ones who accompanied me to investigate both Assassin temples were shocked and committed their potential foes to memory. “Now back to the question: which one do we hire?”

I considered the question for a moment, before giving my answer.

“You have the means to get them both, so you should do so, my Lord.” I spoke earnestly and without qualm. Hachiman paused for the first time since I began my report on the situation. My heart stopped as he slowly turned his attention fully to me. Thoughts of failure ran through my mind, but I marshalled my willpower and continued to speak. “If they can both be bought and aimed at our foes, then they should be. I suggest having them compete against one another for a prize that you offer.”

My suggestion was underhanded and expensive, but gave us an immense advantage.

Even if my heart skipped a beat, I knew that it was the correct suggestion.

“Yeah. That sounds good. Great even. We can do that.” Hachiman nodded twice in quick succession at my direction. He gave my suggestion more thought, before settling upon it. “Talk to Tanis. Get what you need and get started on getting them on our side… tell them to start putting the pressure on the Apophis. No killing… just make them sweat and fear for their lives for now.”

As I digested his words, I wondered why he was not ordering the Assassins to kill for him, until A’Bel spoke up with a breathy sigh full of lust.

“Ah, what a wonderful plan, my dear Master. You wish to weaken them and force them back, so that you can take all the glory for yourself!”

“Oh, shut up. It’s basic strategy. Victory only matters if people see you win.” My Lord had utilized my suggestion and improved it beyond my expectations. I’d hoped that he’d go forth and bid the Temples to splay his foes, but what he said was true. That would’ve given him little credibility. Whereas weakening them and driving them mad with Assassins hunting them would make the Apophis easier prey. His defeat of them would increase his reputation and grant him greater prestige amongst the Pharaohs… which is his ultimate goal. “Well, Reiser? What are you still doing here? Get the job done.”

Hachiman dismissed me, but his words struck a chord in my heart.

The orders and responsibility that came with them were immense, yet it was given to me instead of Kurama and A’Bel. I was to be the one who achieved this for him. Its success or failure was to fall upon me.

This was my chance to begin proving myself to my Lord.

So, I fell to one knee and bowed my head.

“Your will shall be done, my Lord.” I will not fail here. I will do as Hachiman bid me to do and do nothing that he would find detestable. Even if a part of me cried out at the lack of honor I had for taking the task, I accepted it with all my heart. “I will not fail you.”

I failed him already.

I will carry that mistake with me for the rest of my life.

But, no matter what, I will commit myself to finding redemption for my past.

Turning my back further on the values I once held, as a Hero of the Empire, was an easy price to pay.