Fleshcrafting Technomancer

Nargoz, the northern kingdom. Home of one million bloodkins and two-hundred million human citizens, Nargoz ranked first among the four tributary kingdoms. And while it couldn't compare with the grand duchies and principalities, its mineral wealth, population and military force allowed it to overshadow the majority of imperial duchies in economy and military.

Regrettably, due to their past as vassals of the Chiropteran Dynasty, outside the bloodkins faced veiled suppression from the empire. The inside was no better, and the constant infighting, sabotage and murders of the Blood Court ensured that in each generation, Nargoz—at best—produced one Archon. In his past life, Kilian took advantage of the political chaos following the previous king's execution, led a delegation to Nargoz, forced the heir apparent into suicide, and made Eleonora queen in his stead. They then got married, trampling the dignity of house von Rulweil.

The official story ended there. But what the world didn't know was that Kilian seized the Tear of Kalarac, Nargoz's Crown Jewel, and used his previous body's unique constitution to accomplish what no one else could: bind the Tear to his soul. Using the Tear, Kilian created a perfect clone to host his soul in the case of an untimely death, gave Eleonora partial control of Tear, and left Nargoz.

The Eye of Fehl wrecked all his plans, forcing him into the grasp of Ashera. Still, Kilian considered Nargoz his true backbone. Even if the world could somehow discover Ostria's underground labs, no one could ever see through his link to Nargoz, see through his ownership of the Tear, and the Blood Legions Eleonora secretly cultivated for him.

Nargoz and the Tear north, Ostria and the miniature star south. When the time came, the empire would never know what hit it. But though Eleonora's appearance was a welcome surprise, Kilian could read through her words that a disaster struck his home base.

"What can I say? I got executed a bit earlier than expected, ended up in the Fehl Plane, and sort of traded my soul to a big-breasted devil for a way out. It kinda changed the plans. But at least now I know that bastards do go to hell," Kilian jested, but while at first Eleonora broke into an involuntary chuckle, she quickly regained her composure, and her gaze hardened.

"Your execution was a monumental event that swept the whole Arcadia. Klaus' heir turned Fehl Mutant and burned at the stake. Entire Phira channels made the coverage their priority, with half the Arcadian aristocracy praising Klaus for his selflessness, and the other half delighted by the loss of his only, able heir. Klaus gathered your ashes in an urn and had it delivered to Nargoz—to me.

At first, I expected you to awaken in the Tear and focused my efforts on nourishing your backup body. But days, weeks and months passed without it showing the tiniest bit of change. If not for the Tear remaining in my control, I would have had no way, absolutely none, of knowing that you still breathed.

Ten months. Kilian, you are quite heartless," Eleonora said, while running her silky hand through Kilian's hair. It was one of those intimate gestures that made men feel that if they didn't find the right words, they'd get a knife in the throat. At that time, as if popping out of nowhere, Inyoka's head appeared above Eleonora's right shoulder, fixing Kilian with reproaching eyes.

"Tss, tss!" Inyoka bobbed his head and rebuked his master in snake language. Ignoring the renegade, Kilian shouldered Eleonora's gaze and replied:

"That's because I have faith in your mind and wisdom. I believed that even without my words, you'd figure out my situation and take the appropriate measures. That you'd realize that if I don't contact you, it's because I don't dare."

With the undivided attention of a Fehl Overlord, there were many things Kilian couldn't do early on. Though Jezebel never seemed to pay heed to her mother's wishes, she was, after all, Ashera's daughter—the pair of eyes sent to guard and watch over him. In the early stages of their relationship, Kilian trusted the Fehl Bond more than her. How then could he let her grasp his plans in Nargoz?

And though later on the situation drastically changed, even Jezebel couldn't say with certainty all her mother could accomplish from the Fehl Plane. That being the case, Kilian resolved to cut all contacts with Nargoz until Ostria completed the miniature star. But though his words restored her smile, Eleonora didn't let him off the hook.

"Your pet here claims otherwise. While you slept, he told me about the little harem you built. Apparently, you even hide seven in your soul. I'm glad to see that I have an extra pair of eyes to watch my back."

"That's different. My harem results from twists and turns. I had no other choice. A man must take responsibility for being irresistible. How can you blame me? Also, you have the legal position, and I even prepared a loyal pet for you. You think that if I didn't program him to obey you, Inyoka would rat me out? How then can you say that I don't care for you? Misunderstood! I am misunderstood!" Kilian exclaimed while waving his hands in wild, theatrical gestures. Leaping on Kilian's shoulder, Inyoka changed his stance, now hissing to support his master.

"But we haven't consummated the marriage yet," Eleonora countered, amused by the master-servant pair's display.

"The longer you wait, the more special I will make it. But look, there's a bush over there. If you really can't take it anymore, we can settle this right now. Just give me three hours, but I can't promise that you will still be able to walk or complain afterward."

Unable to handle this level of crass, Eleonora stared slack-jawed, not knowing how to proceed. Inwardly, Kilian broke into a victorious laugh. Fortunately this was Eleonora and not Jezebel. Otherwise, she'd truly take him up on the offer.

"Hum, hum. Never mind, we have more important things to handle. Two months ago, the Tear underwent unexpected changes and your backup body awoke," Eleonora said, and instantly, a frown stretched Kilian's face.

"That's not possible. I have absolute control over the Tear. So long as my soul and consciousness remains, no one can pervert it. I set up the body so that it'd never gain consciousness without my soul. With me here, how can it awake?"

"That's why I initially thought you found your way home, but it soon proved me wrong. The people behind this are outstanding. They couldn't directly seize the Tear of Kalarac, so they granted your body the Crowned Skull. So, while the clone can't control the Tear, he could force his way out. By the time I realized the ploy, he'd already left the Mortal Plane.

When he returned, he had an army of fehls at his back and proclaimed himself Blood King of Nargoz. To avoid a pointless confrontation, I used the Tear to hide the Blood Legions I created and escaped to the Sura Plane. He followed me and was welcomed by the Fehl Suras with open arms," Eleonora explained, again reminding Kilian that her knowledge stood far beyond what she should possess.

Even Jezebel didn't have a full understanding of the Marks of Sin, but Eleonora named the Crowned Skull with obvious familiarity. If not for Urag, Kilian wouldn't even know what she referred to.

The emblem of vanity--the Mark of Pride. Whoever bore it was destined to transcend all peers but fall due to their own hubris. Unlike the Mark of Greed, the Mark of Pride either appeared at birth, or was granted by those that mastered their sin. The bearers could ignore all contracts, destroy all barriers, and all possessed extraordinary physical abilities. Add to that the mahana skills of Kilian's previous body and the Tear's nurturing, and you got an exceptional opponent with the potential to ruin the chessboard.

But as his thoughts swirled, Kilian didn't pay much attention to the Blood King. Rather, his thought went to the one behind this vicious move.

According to Urag, there were only two people in the Fehl Plane that possessed and mastered the Mark of Pride: Adramelech and Ashera.

Whoever created the Blood King was likely behind the Fehl Suras. But although Kilian could guess how the two found his link to the Tear, as a Fehl Prince, Adramelech couldn't affect the Tear from the Fehl Plane.

The only one with the ability to bestow this gift was…

"Ashera," Kilian whispered, and the name triggered an eerie glint that shimmered in Eleonora's eyes.