It was morning, and I looked up at the sky by the window of the house I was staying in, admiring how peaceful it looked. Thinking about it, being an astronomer came to mind in the past. When I was a kid, just a small kid, I commonly watched videos about space and stuff. I mean, that was most that showed in my feeds somehow. I guess I just clicked one video and there they went, recommending all kinds of stuff. At least, I think that was what happened, a bit hard to recall now.
Anyway, astronomy was amusing, but as I got older, I got over it. Astronomy was hard anyway. But that was not important right now.
I had another matter that I should settle. As planned, we were going to the next city, where we’d find a hero. An old classmate of mine. The problem was my knights. To put it simply, the people in that city might know them. Especially the soldiers there. Not like these knights didn’t go and meet them. Even more worrisome were the city leaders, which my knights had definitely met at least once.
To be specific, the root cause of the problem was their appearance. They looked a little different from before, similar differences to each other. They were now pale, the unhealthy kind. There was really nothing I could do about it after their resurrection. That was just how it was, because they were still dead, technically.
I had to find a way to change their appearance back to normal. Them being known knights could have its uses.
I already had a plan that should work.
I sat down in the living room by the table. I held out my hand to each other and focused. My solution was simple. It was to create magic items that would change their appearance to when they were human. Doing it was quite simple, really. Right now, at least. I have been buffed a lot.
I closed my eyes, focused and used my hero magic. Each and every hero had a type of magic specific to them. Just as Kieran had his light, paladin, holy, type of overpowered power, I have mine own. My inherent heroic magic was Magic Shaping.
At first, I could just shape my magic into shapes. It was kinda like the constructs you see on green lanterns, if you get my reference. Except, mine was better now — no offense. To be fair, green lantern constructs seem to break easily despite being called the ‘most powerful weapon in the universe’ or was it galaxy? I had forgotten. Anyway, either of those. At least I never hyped my powers like that. But, not like I hate green lanterns, just pointing it out.
But I digress.
I could shape my mana into spears, or just a bolt of magic or anything. However, I was limited by my power level. Now it was different. I was way more powerful than before. And I basically unlocked an upgrade to my magic.
Now, I could create items. My current clothes were products of such. Still, not like I could make the most powerful item. All have limitations, even my inherent magical ability.
With tightly closed eyes, I concentrated. I gradually poured mana between my palms. I first shaped metal, then shaped that metal into a ring. I added width, depth, then texture, then color. I gave it the color of bronze and silver. Once the ring was physically in shape, time to add magical attributes.
Starting simple, I added the magical logic for it to change its size depending on the wearer’s finger size, a typical thing. The ring gleamed for a moment, as it was a success. Afterward, time to add the main attribute. I added illusion magic. A realistic illusion. One that almost changed one’s biological state, but still an illusion. Change their complexion and the illusion of normal body temperature.
The ring gleamed, indicating it was successful. That was all I could do. Adding the illusion of a beating heart, or a pulse, would be too complicated. The many factors to consider. Beats per minute, the rhythm, plus putting it in various veins. The senses the item had to make an illusion for… At any rate, there shouldn’t be any need to complicate it any further.
What was important was appearance, and when someone touched them, like for a handshake. Not like people just casually check for a heartbeat or anything.
I opened my eyes, and the ring fell to my hand. Picking it up between my fingers, I took a close look at it. It was plain looking, not much fancy design. It should be fitting for Gavin, he was a man. He should like something like this, not too much overdesign. Men were like that… I suppose? I… didn’t know much about men. But this was my observation.
Anyway, time to make two more rings.
I made a ring that almost looked like an infinity looping shaped ring. It was for Elyscia. She seemed more like the conserved type, but would appreciate something beautiful. Despite how simple it may be. So, I had to make up for it through the fancy shape.
The other ring was an interlocked ring shank, with tiny pink gems at the top. For Avelyn. I reckoned she was the sophisticated type. The typical rich girl. She might appreciate the beautiful pattern and shape of it, the complexity and the overall beauty. But it was not something that would really pop up.
They shouldn’t be too much that would attract a lot of attention. No giant gemstones, or something so shiny. Just subtle enough that people would only glance at it for a second.
I leaned back in my chair and stared at the pretty rings.
I wonder if they’ll like it.
I was feeling a bit nervous about what they would think of them. I did my best designing them that I guessed would be their taste. Designing stuff, not really my forte. I smiled, I was quite pleased with my work.
But then my reflection appeared, sitting on the chair right in front of me. She scoffed with a mocking grin.
“Awww, look at that. We know you worked hard and all, but are you seriously wondering if they’ll like it or not?”
I glared at her. As always, I expected she would patronize me in some way. She just wouldn’t leave me alone. “Get lost.”
She leaned back and shook her head. “Do you really think they have a choice?”
“What…?”
“No matter what you make, when you give it to them, of course they’ll say they like it. They love it, it’s beautiful, it’s precious. ‘Thank you, mistress, for the heartfelt gift. The most valuable item I have ever received in my life.’” She chuckled, grinning in ridicule.
“...” I clenched my fists, glaring at her.
“Do you really think their words would be truly genuine? You are their absolute master. They will like everything you give them. None of it will ever be sincere.”
I lowered my head, pursing my lips. I stared at the rings in my hands. She was right. None of this, my efforts, didn’t matter. They would just say something positive, nothing would be from their hearts. Thinking about that… It hurts. Even if they didn’t like it, they would still say they do.
That was just how it was.
And I wanted… a genuine reaction…
I raised my eyes, and my reflection was gone.
Realizing the truth, it took out the eagerness in me. I just felt empty, and disappointed… Taking a deep breath, I stood up.
Let’s just get this over with.
It was foolish of me to expect something like that, anyway. Why did I even feel excited about such a thing? How foolish of me. Nothing would ever be sincere. No matter how hard I try.
I exited the house and made my way to the center of the village, where my knights were already waiting for me.
“Mistress.”
I forced a casual smile. “I hope you guys had a decent rest.” Well, not like sleep was even necessary. The undead never tire. “We’re moving out today, after all. Anyway, here, I have a gift for you three.” I extended my closed hand.
The three looked curiously at each other. It would seem they didn’t expect to receive something from me, such as a gift.
“Come on, hold out your palms.”
They slowly held out their palms, and I handed up their own respective rings. They looked surprised when they looked at it, flipping it around.
“Ah, they’re not just simple accessories,” I continued. “They’re magic items that will help you blend in with society. In your current state, you might find that difficult.”
“What do they do?” Gavin asked.
“Try them on.”
They removed their gauntlets, and they slipped the rings into their middle fingers. At that moment, their appearance changed. Their body blurred for a moment, and they turned into what they were when they were human. They looked at each other in astonishment.
“They change your complexion into when you were human. I set it default to what I saw you last. They’re tailor made, just for you three. And it also emits body heat, well the illusion of it. Rings should do best when keeping it subtle, you can hide them in your gloves or something, it’s something that invites less attention overall.”
“It really does look like when we were still alive,” Elyscia said. “This accuracy is incredible.”
I nodded enthusiastically. “Yes. Although, please double check if there are any errors. If there are, I can fix it on the way.”
“Yes, mistress,” Gavin said, and bowed his head. “Thank you deeply. We will keep your gifts safe.”
“Indeed, mistress.” Elyscia bowed her head. “We will treasure them.”
“Yes, yes!” Avelyn nodded her head and bowed, while touching the ring on her finger. “I will definitely treasure it. It is a beautiful craft!”
I widened my smile and nodded. Of course they would say that. I was their absolute master. If they said otherwise, they would fear they’d be destroyed. Any person that valued their life would say something that would make their master feel good, or someone that was absolutely loyal.
As it was useless anyway, I decided not to probe into the subject any longer. No need to ask more of what they think about it, if they liked it. How they liked it. What they liked about it. I wanted to talk more about my craft, but it would only fall to empty flattery. I would only end up disappointed.
“What about you, mistress?” Gavin said. “Will you not change your appearance?”
“I don’t think it’s necessary. No one really knows me anywhere, so it’s fine.” Except for the heroes. “Besides, I look human enough. But it’s different for you. People will ask questions about your sudden change.”
“What are we to do, exactly?”
“You are knights. Best do what you normally do. Well, not like you could just follow me around in that city.”
“We could have vacations or day offs, that is a good enough reason for us to leave our armors so we can come with you,” Gavin suggested.
“All of you? No… Maybe one by one. Someone that is knowledgeable about the place.”
“Then certainly not me,” Avelyn said. “I don’t know anything about the city we’re going to.”
Of course she wouldn’t. She didn’t strike me as the type of person that would be interested in such a matter. She looked pissed off already.
“You discuss it,” I said. “Whichever of the two of you would go with me. Whoever does not, stick with Avelyn.”
“What shall we do there, exactly? The one who doesn’t go with you?” Elyscia asked.
“Please study their forces. Their structure, their posts, their chain of command. And especially, learn about the damned hero. His daily routine, his close confidants or whatever. Anything important. By the way, have you talked to him before?”
“I did a few times,” Gavin said. “Our job seemed very important to him, guarding that cave.”
“I did a couple of times,” Elyscia added. “But we didn’t talk long.”
“I never met him. I suddenly got dragged here.”
I nodded. “I see. Well, that doesn’t matter.” I looked around. “I guess it’s time to move. Bring our horses.”
I headed straight to the village exit and waited for the knights to bring the horses. Looking at myself, then at the bright sun and clear skies, I decided to cover myself. I conjured a dark cloak, and I drew the hood over my head. I also made gloves. I really had that mysterious vibe on me, which was pretty nice.
A short while later, they arrived, pulling the horses. I patted my horse gently, it was still as calm as when I first met it. And the horses of my knights seemed to have familiarized themselves with the new state of their owners. Which was good. I quite imagined that the horses would naturally stay away from the undead, guess I was wrong. If otherwise, it might have been troublesome. I might have to turn them into undead horses just for us to use for travel. Good thing we didn’t need to go that far.
I climbed up on my horse and snapped the rein. “Let’s go.”