16.1

Eve was impressed with Charlotte’s butler. Listening to the information the assassin had provided under the proper motivation told a sordid tale. The royalty of the Othuven kingdom had been lax in the past hundred years of rule. Their power had shrunk, and the domain was primarily known for the College of Warlocks in the Aiqen continent.

Ralph was nothing if not thorough, and he’d gleaned information that the assassin’s masters likely were unaware their tool had learned. Luvec was at the core of the problem, but he was merely a symptom of the underlying issue. The nobles and the College had chafed under the rule of incompetent Royalty. They desired to replace the current masters with themselves. It was a pursuit as old as any feudal system Eve knew.

That isn’t the problem for Charlotte, though. Eve thought. Charlotte’s problem isn’t illegitimacy but the fact that she is the legal heir. A previously weak one compared to her siblings, but still the firstborn.

“Charlotte doesn’t favor replacing the Royals?” Eve asked Ralph as the carriage coach sped along the road.

“My niece is brilliant. To her, weak Royalty is easy prey. With the proper incentives, becoming a shadow ruler is all but ordained.” Ralph said, glancing at her. “Men crumble under pleasure, the lure of gold, the thrill of battle, and other such pursuits. Ensuring such things are provided is merely a minor application of her talents. Once she is fully ensconced as a shadow ruler with a puppet prince under her sway, few would fight her. She would probably split the cake multiple ways for the best effect.”

Eve nodded before asking, “She doesn’t seem like the type to share. With my assistance removing problems until everything is manageable is no issue. Let’s get to the real meat of the matter. What’s your motivation for all this? Please don’t tell me you wanted to help a little girl.”

Ralph looked out the window on his left at the forest passing by for a long moment before he said, “My brother is blood, you understand? True blue blood. We were close once before Charlotte’s mother passed.”

“I can believe it,” Eve said. “Only great love can create hatred as deep as what seeps from beneath the surface.”

Ralph turned back to Eve and smiled thinly. “I am a cook. However, my true love is gardening. I was blessed with two of the best Gifts for working with nature. In hindsight, I treated my petunias as the children I was not blessed to have.”

Eve’s eyes narrowed as she said, “The Duke’s estate has a garden according to the history I read in the College. It was replaced around forty years ago due to a request from the current Duchess.”

Ralph looked once more at the forest passing by and said, “Indeed. Such terrifying capabilities for information gathering. Although, book knowledge does not describe the horror of watching defenseless works of art you have raised culled. I have long suspected the current Duchess wanted to remove all traces of Charlotte’s mother from the estate. My prized petunias were a favorite of the deceased Duchess and thus were targeted and obliterated before her death by poisoning. To my eternal shame, my dear brother acquiesced to that harlot’s desires. It wasn't done in an instant but over some time. Removing the world of a dedicated garden isn't something done in a day. The plants defend themselves, you know, especially those I raised.”

“That’s terrible. What kind of brother could do something like that?” Eve said in sympathy.

“Exactly. Perhaps it is a pedantic grudge, but I have nurtured it. I will have my revenge for the travesty worked upon those I valued above blood.” Ralph said before turning back from the view of thick forest trees and undergrowth outside the carriage. “I did not act on my suspicions once, which cost me dearly. Since then, I have carried my pain patiently for over four decades, waiting to take revenge. Mere words cannot express the joy I felt learning of your power. It barely outweighed the horror of Charisma.”

Eve winced as Kudzu raised loud and voracious complaints that the Duchess needed to be fed to slow-drip acid pitcher plants.

Yes, yes! Fine, we can arrange something. Eve thought silently at her green ally.

“Is something the matter?” Ralph said, catching her shifting expression.

“I have an ally that is quite unhappy with your treatment. He’s a fellow gardener and Alchemist by trade.” Eve said, smoothing her expression back to normal. She ignored the plant ranting in her mind. In Eve's opinion, the claims that the Duchess had to be a new species of bird that needed extermination were rather well-reasoned.

“I did not take the destruction of my petunias well, as you can imagine,” Ralph said with a sigh. “I attempted to assassinate my brother and his current wife. In my anger, I also did extensive damage to the castle and its surroundings. This immediately removed me from the succession of the Zienfer house. Most assuredly, a noble that cannot control themselves cannot control their house.”

“So, you took Charlotte away to provide her safety while planning revenge,” Eve said, musing. “Such dedication is quite rare.”

“Yes. While I am barred from the succession by Royal Decree, the same does not apply to my niece. Charlotte will become the de facto successor upon her age of majority. If she and her allies are the only Zienfer bloodline alive at the time this occurs, I don’t need to explain, do I?”

Eve grinned sinisterly and said, “No, the picture is clear, Mr. Ralph, such an evil plot from an ancient bag of bones.”

“Cunning, the word you were looking for was cunning, young lady,” Ralph said with a disdainful sniff. He’d recovered well from realizing she wasn’t quite human.

“Even after Charlotte becomes the successor, she’ll be in danger,” Eve said, her eyes glowing silver as she threaded a plot together from countless possibilities. “I think I can ensure safety even after I depart. My ally, Kudzu, can provide a seed for growing on the Zienfer estate’s land. It will provide great assistance to me by acting as a beacon. In return, Kudzu would be free to act with minimal restrictions.”

Ralph frowned and asked, “Is this Kudzu strong? While I am at a decent level of strength, I doubt I am far the strongest in the world.”

Eve gave a faint grin and replied, “Kudzu’s offshoots are merely extensions of himself. They take time to grow to full strength, but once they reach maturity, safety is assured. Anything able to wipe out an offshoot wouldn’t have any difficulty wiping your Kingdom out.”

“Are there any other benefits besides protection?” Ralph asked as his eyes gleamed.

“Yes,” Eve said. “However, you would need to discuss the exact tailoring of such things with Kudzu.”

“Such an exceptional offer, I will agree in the future Duchess’s name. The opportunity cannot pass if indeed it is as you describe.” Ralph said. His face was solemn before it broke into a wide smile. “It appears guests have arrived.”

Eve looked out at a series of fallen trees that had been placed across the road. With the rune of Float in place, they could easily ride over them, but Ralph still allowed the carriage to come to a stop.

“You’re such a good person,” Eve said sarcastically as she opened the small airlock copy of the driver’s compartment doors. Exiting the cab, Eve shook her long hair out before closing the doors with telekinesis and locking them.

The sun beat down on the forest, and its rays danced devilishly on the green world around the carriage. Insects sang their squealing songs cheerfully in the heat. Grass and large bushes grew scattered clumps along the packed gravel road that snaked through the massive green wilderness.

Eve summoned her Jian before she strolled along this southbound road heading towards the blockade. A group of four well-dressed mercenaries appeared in her sight before she reached the logs. She could see a minor company of twenty men, including the four at the blockade surrounding the area.  Her tunic, leggings, and boots became pristine as she shifted them into a blinding white that fought against the surrounding green colors. It marked her as untouched by the world of mortal toil. With a twist of will, her silver hair was tied in a ponytail that dropped down to her shapely buttocks by strands of manipulated hair. There was no doubt the men surrounding her liked what they saw. She could hear the heavy breathing even as she continued towards the blockade.

As she walked toward the four mercenaries in front, a road sign, half bent over, seemed to come strolling past her. The old white letters of the towns ahead had long faded, but someone sprayed the name of a gang that probably controlled the area, an uncommon sight considering the royal patrols. The symbol was a short little creature with fangs. Below is the name of the gang: The Green Goblins. The gang had transformed themselves over the years into a mercenary outfit, by her best guess. The symbol was present on all the mercenaries around her, leading to that conclusion. This was likely one of their banditry checkpoints, explaining how they knew to be prepared at the location.

Eve let her silver eyes scan over the hazy horizon with tired, bored annoyance present. A far-off large smudge of green lined the horizon to the left of the road, calling to her with the siren song of unfettered adventure. Eve sighed and continued slowly along the road approaching the mercenary leaders. Large pine trees, evergreens, and oaks lined the road providing a thick seal of wood against normal observational senses. The road disappeared into its woodland shade, beckoning relief from the searing sun far ahead past the blockade.

Eve wondered if she should release her full power and wipe these men out of existence. After a short discussion with Nota, Kudzu, and Felix, she shook her head internally. According to the others, doing something like that would leave echoes in the ambient mana that could be used to follow her. Perhaps humans wouldn’t, but there was no assurance that humans were the only creatures able to track her in this world. Best to take care of this mortally with enchanted steel and cruelty. Roots had dug up most of the side of the road, leaving it bumpy and wrinkled, like an old man's face. The change in scenery was refreshing from the massive orchards that had been in place outside the city.

Eight rough-looking mercenaries on both sides of the road's woodland length stood awaiting orders for sixteen. A flag was nailed to a nearby tree, and the symbol of the green goblin mercenaries shone brightly on it. The very same character that was on the sign from earlier. It appeared they had a strange pride in their work, or perhaps this was a ritual. Eve didn’t care either way. The four men finally acknowledged her approach and moved to surround Eve. She ticked a box for idiots off in her head. Granted, they felt as strong as Ralph, but it was hollow. The sensation of solidarity was utterly absent, unlike with the old butler. Eve kept trudging slowly, giving off an air that she could care less if the men were there.

It finally had a provoking effect on one of the men who called out. "Hold it right there." He was one of the best-dressed men with a full half-plate accompanying a sword and shield. The man opened his mouth again and said menacingly. "Where do you think you're headed?"

"We're just passing through to the next town," Eve replied while shuffling to a stop.

"What's in the carriage?" One of the men said, circling behind her. He was holding a set of dual daggers with its handle wrapped in sleek leather for a better grip.

"Nothing that would make your day any better," Eve said, glancing with a lazy look from man to man. They had her surrounded now. Unfortunately.

"Oh really? Let us see. We don’t mind letting you pass without issues if there isn't anything." Another man said, patting a dented metal mace with thick spikes menacingly.

"I’d rather not. It would be too much effort in this heat." Eve said, gripping her Jian tighter as she prepared for action. "The thing is, I only open the carriage to rich customers. Are you rich customers?"

The mercenaries snickered upon hearing this.

"No, we're not customers, but we are taking donations. We'll let you live if you leave the carriage there." The oldest of the men said, stepping forward, his chain mail jingling.

Eve inhaled without hurry, like a diver preparing to leap off the springboard would do before action. "Sorry, but I can't do that. I don’t sell things that entertain me. I also don't give away valuable property to weaklings."

"That's too bad." The older man replied, edging slowly closer from the front while the sword and shield user moved behind her. "I was hoping not to clean off my hands today, but it looks like I'll have to."

"I think you'll be washing off more than your hands," Eve said with a faint chilling smile.

"Seriously? Do you think you can take us all? HA!" The sword and shield user laughed. "Get her!"

The mercenaries simultaneously attacked from all sides. The big old guy went to punch Eve in the face, but she quickly drifted out of the way. He faltered for a second, but Eve countered with blinding speed. Grabbing the older man's wrist with her left hand, she flipped him almost too quickly over her shoulder and into the sword and shield user coming at her from behind with calm strength. Both men hit the ground hard. The third man swung his daggers at her head, but she ducked. Then she countered by grabbing the back of the man's right arm with her left, stopping him from swinging again for a fraction of a second. She sliced horizontally with her Jian, gutting him and bypassing the ribs before knocking him to the ground. The dagger wielder desperately tried to hold his internal ropes to no avail; moments later, the screaming started.

The fourth and final leader came at her with his mace from the left, and Eve dropped to the ground and spun on her hands, kicking out her attacker's legs like some ancient monk. Then before he could even react, she was back on her feet and pounced at the mace carrier while thrusting her Jian directly through his light-boiled leather cuirass and straight into his heart. The other two recently fallen men scrambled up, the older one faster than the sword and shield user. The old man grunted before he rushed to tackle Eve. She effortlessly avoided the attack with a grace born from superior skill before allowing her Jian to easily pass through the man’s neck. Red liquid flew up, slapping into the humid air on her right side before sliding down and leaving her new white clothing untouched.

There was an eerie sense of stillness that only lasted a moment.

The last mercenary leader was up now and raised his sword and shield cautiously. He didn’t feel the need to make things easy for her as reinforcements were already rushing in. The sixteen men coming to support their leader were grinning with almost maniacal glee when suddenly, their boss was abruptly kicked off by Eve with a frontal stomp and sent rolling down into a deep ditch created by the roots that ran along the road. He'd been kicked with such power that his shield was a shattered ruin.

Eve flicked her sword, letting Jian dump the blood onto the gravel ground. The sixteen mercenaries warily closed in on her in a rather loose formation. All thoughts of easy prey vanquished. Yet she didn't wait for them to get any closer. She charged at the leading runner and jumped, kicking him in the chest while launching herself into the air. Then, like some trained Olympic gymnast, she flipped around in the mood to behead the guy coming from behind him like a flash of lightning. Landing lightly, she turned back to the first mercenary, who had recovered from her booted kick and dodged a sword swing from him. Effortlessly she countered, chopping at him and removing an outstretched leg.

Jumping calmly back from the screaming man, Eve avoided another clumsy swing from him that went completely wild due to pain. A moment later, the one-legged man fell, not to rise again. The guy she had kicked into the ditch had now climbed out and joined quickly with the others. Even ruined, his shield was still in place, looking far worse for wear.

"Surround her in the Bear Hunting formation." The sword and shield leader said, breathing heavily before he shouted. “She can’t keep it up forever. No one has unlimited stamina!"

Eve smiled widely as she faced the enemies. She wasn’t even breathing, and she still had that lazy look in her now glowing silver eyes. "You don't get it, do you?" She asked, and the last mercenary leader looked confused. "It was twenty to one, but now it's only fourteen to one. You're outmatched. This contract is nothing but a death sentence for you idiots. A way for the lords up in their high castles filled with food to remove a set of problems. If I kill you, they win. If you kill me, they win."

"Ha, keep talking tough." Another mercenary snarled, charging Eve, who also charged back.

The mercenary swung wide at her head, but Eve ducked, sliding on her knees like she was heading for home base. Then without skipping a beat, she chopped his leg off and kept going at the other two men following behind. She dodged a swing from the left man and landed her slash on his neck, opening a crimson fountain. Turning, she saw the second man was already mid-thrust at her chest. A flex of telekinesis diverted the blade allowing her to counter with a lethal duplication of the same strike. The Jian sank effortlessly into another heart, causing fear among the remaining mercenaries. Eve kicked the corpse off her Jian with a dark grin flashing upon her face.

It was clear now to the mercenaries they were in over their heads.

She had dodged so inhumanly fast that the human eye had not noticed multiple times. If the mercenaries couldn’t understand how completely outclassed they were, they would have been killed long ago in their line of work. Eve could scent fear beginning to spread among them. The stench of lust grew fainter compared to cowardice's sour scent.

Eve skipped lightly backward to get out of range from the three men nearby. She then put her left hand on her hips, exaggerating Jian's motion on the right. "Guys? That's as fast as you can respond?" Eve shook her head. She didn't miss how they glanced at her legs, realizing there wasn't even a smear of dirt on the leggings she wore. "Only a few left now. Want to give up? My employer can always use more cannon fodder."

The mercenary leader glanced at the others, checking their expressions. Seeing that they still had numbers on their side, the mercenary leader wasn’t willing to stop attacking. It was also evident that he was suffering a bout of stupidity from her previous brutal strike.

"You've killed our brothers!" The mercenary leader yelled at her with callous rhetoric. “Blood for blood!” The eyes of the other mercenaries grew red as they shouted the same slogan as their leader.

"Really? If that's all you got, I will go all out." Eve said. She was no longer willing to play around. If they didn’t want to surrender and come under contract, there was no need to leave them alive. Getting more people for Charlotte would have been good, but it wasn’t required.

"Get her already!" The mercenary leader shouted, sounding enraged, and all remaining men charged.

Idiots. They should know when they are beaten. Eve smiled and thought to herself.

Quickly she positioned herself in a stance of drawing the sword, even though there was no sheath. In a blur, she sprinted forward, swinging her weapon as if unsheathing it, just as they all closed in. Her weapon blurred into brutal motion as the first swing took off a whole arm at the shoulder while the second stabbed another man in the gut before being ripped out. Another mercenary lost his head, while a fourth was bisected entirely in a single one-handed blow. Two other men stopped approaching in shock as Eve's four closest attackers fell to the ground, some screaming and others clutching their fatal wounds.

"I-Impossible!” The mercenary leader shouted, stepping back in shock, as did the other nine mercenaries.

"Ignorance is a sin. Just like weakness. Unfortunately, you have both." Eve replied, flicking off the blood on her Jian again. "I told you, you're outmatched." She grabbed the man, whose arm was cut off at the shoulder with telekinesis. Raising his neck to a manageable height, she calmly beheaded him. Eve showed no emotion during the act while staring coolly at the other remaining men. “Stupidity has a terrible price in this line of work. You should know that well. How many others have begged on their knees, unable to defeat your forces.”

"L-look, miss. We're sorry! We'll leave you alone!" The mercenary stammered, looking in horror at the two dead guys on the ground

"Nope, too late," Eve said, taking a threatening step toward them.

"W-wait…!" The remaining men screamed in horror.

Eve flickered into motion faster than before, using her boots to teleport around like a ghost.

Moments later, there was nothing except corpses remaining around Eve. The sun was already moving to the late afternoon, and the forest darkened in slow shades of shadow.

"Oh, looks like you're finished," Ralph called from the sealed cab through a previously unknown sound system of runes. “If you wouldn’t mind, could you strip the bodies?”

Eve nodded and turned to face the fallen logs. "Well, that was pathetic. The hollow feeling means even if they are the same Tier, they are just garbage." Eve said as she whipped her Jian forward, slicing at the fallen trees, chopping them apart, and moving them with a minor effort of Air.

The forest's cool air settled in, and Eve felt slightly happy. It had been quite a long time since she fought mostly unconstrainedly. She laughed, "I get nothing from the cold and nothing from killing? What an interesting creature I have become as I move further from the weakness inherent in humanity. Is this how Matt started?"

After her blade was cleaned, she moved among the fallen, collecting their armor, weapons, and valuables with uncaring and cold-lit glowing silver eyes.

The carriage rolled past her, heading for the next town, Ralph secure in the knowledge she could catch up.