Second World

The allied army resumed their march the next day. Wilted's gang followed the army, including Liguritudum's ex-High Marshall, Morphic.

Jack invited Wilted and her closest aides to come inside the mobile fortress. Handsome Joe couldn't stop uttering praise as they toured the fortress. The sight of the landscape moving while they walked on the fortress' battlement was odd. They felt as if they were in a theme park.

"You've upgraded its legs," Wilted remarked as she looked down at the fortress' crawling legs.

"You can tell? Not bad for the half-creator of this world," Jack said, which caused Wilted to roll her eyes.

The mobile fortress wasn't traveling at its top speed. It was adjusting its speed to follow the army where a large portion was still using uncommon steeds. Wilted knew about the upgrade after observing the fortress' legs from up close.

"Its pincer arms have also been upgraded. They can shoot energy beams from those arms," Jack informed.

"It has pincer arms?" Handsome Joe asked.

"Yeah. They are not needed at the moment so they are folded into the towers at the corners of this fortress," Jack explained.

"Cool…!" Joe exclaimed. He slapped Anotherday's arm. "What did I tell you? We should have gone and joined the battle in Hydrurond or Aurebor, we could have seen this fortress in action."

"We have our own tasks to take care of," Anotherday responded.

"Don't worry. Once we reach Dritzuut, you will see this mobile fortress in action," Jack said. "I don't believe Master will just lay down without a fight."

"No, he won't," Wilted said. She is gazing into the courtyard. "A rune tree…"

The rune tree had grown bigger than when Jack first planted it. Its height was one and a half times taller. Its trunk was twice the size from then. It started to grow branches. There were also several leaves on those newly grown branches.

"Hehe, impressed?" Jack asked.

"I am," Wilted replied. "I guess the Goddess Blessing and the Runestone of Luck on you are not wasted."

"What are they doing?" Anotherday asked.

He was looking at the large group of people gathered in the courtyard. Those people were sitting cross-legged. The group was a mix of players and natives. The courtyard was originally filled with siege weapons. But since they were not in a hurry, they unloaded those siege weapons and let them move normally. They used the courtyard to strengthen the important members of the army while on the move.

"They are training," Jack answered.

"Training?"

"Yeah, see those two old dudes standing before the group? One of them is my grandpa. He is a grandmaster martial artist. He is training them in mana manipulation.

"Mana manipulation…? It is real?" Anotherday asked. He had heard about this technique, and probably fought enemies who he suspected were using this technique, but he never truly understood it.

"… Can I learn?" He asked Jack.

"Sure. I can teach you but my gramps is a better teacher. He had the Instructor talent," Jack turned to Bowler who was walking with them. "Bowler, bring Anotherday down there. Tell my gramps to give some pointers regarding mana manipulation."

"I want to learn as well!" Handsome Joe exclaimed.

"In that case, me too," Blackhole chimed in. He turned to Darkradiant, "What about you?"

"Let's go," Darkradiant said. Several other people in Wilted's team, both players and natives voiced their willingness to learn as well.

Bowler then led that group down to the courtyard.

"Why are you grinning?" Wilted asked Jack.

"Look at Joe, so enthusiastic. He must think it is fun, but wait until the training starts. By the way, you are not joining your friends?"

"I don't believe in that kind of spirit power," Wilted replied. "Let's go into the keep and see what else you have done to this place."

"Sure, follow me," Jack said.

On their way, they passed through Thebalder and Thewolden who just sat on the battlement looking at the view.

"Hey, young king. New girlfriend?" Thebalder called.

"She is a friend," Jack explained.

"It's okay. You don't need to hide it. During my reign, I have many consorts."

"Don't consider me the same as you!" Jack scolded. The two ancient kings just chuckled in response.

"Don't mind them," Jack said to Wilted.

"Are… are they…" Wilted knew those two but she knew it should be impossible for those two to be here.

Jack understood her confusion. He explained, "I use the Chalice of Blood to let them enjoy the life outside."

"The Chalice of Blood…? You have that as well? But I don't see how its function has anything to do with this…"

Jack tried to explain the unconventional way he used the Chalice of Blood. Wilted couldn't fully understand after Jack's explanation. It was probably because she didn't believe in spirit power, but the fact was there for her to see. She couldn't deny the reality.

Jack placed the Chalice of Blood inside the throne room. It was the most secure room inside the mobile fortress. In this way, Themisphere's past kings could go around the world following the mobile fortress. At the same time, they became its protectors. Anyone who wanted to infiltrate the mobile fortress would have to go through them.

Since the chalice had no duration, they could continue to stay with the fortress. If one of them was killed then Jack unsummoned everyone and waited three days before using the Judgement of Past Kings again.

"By the way, my Inspect can only see your original class. What have you decided for your second elite class? Priest or Druid?" Jack asked.

"Neither," Wilted replied.

"No? I thought last time you mentioned you wanted to choose between those two."

"I changed my mind. When my second class was a Healer, I stumbled upon a rare quest that had the chance to point me to a special class trial. Due to my knowledge, I knew exactly what special class I could get from that trial. Hence, I chose the Reaver class."

"You can have a contest with Mistress then," Jack joked. "What's your special class?"

"Soul Reaper," Wilted answered.

"That's a first-class special class," Peniel answered when Jack glanced at her.

"Mistress also has first-class special class from the Reaver class. As I said, you can have a fair contest with her to see who is the best reaver."

"It won't be a fair one. I have two classes. Plus, that haughty woman always hides behind her lackeys. She won't fight me one-on-one."

"From the tone, I guess you two didn't get along even before the world turned?" Jack asked.

"No. I'm not a fan of her, nor is she mine. She even tried to get me fired a few times. If not for Chris threatening to quit if I was fired, maybe she would've gotten her way."

"Well, you two should be able to settle your differences in the coming battle. I'm pretty sure Mistress ran to Dritzuut after escaping from Aurebor."

"I've no doubt she did."

"Then we both have our targets. You will take care of Mistress. I will deal with Master. We will finally settle this once and for all!" Jack declared.

"Are you confident of winning against Master?" Wilted asked.

"I've fought him several times. I admit he is a formidable foe. I can't say that I'm completely confident, but I also don't think that I have no winning chance. One thing is for sure, though. I have more friends than him. With their support, I believe I won't lose!"

Wilted smiled. "I can see why people follow you," she said. "You have my support as well. Together, we will end his reign and ensure that this game world won't fall under his thumb!"

"Yeah! And when all of this is over, we will go to Chris' secret site!" Jack declared.

"We? Chris only invites me," Wilted said.

"He said to bring trusted and capable players of different classes," Jack returned.

"If we failed to defeat Master. We won't," Wilted said.

"I know, but since it is so. It isn't truly restricted for me to go there, is it?"

"Just let him come," Peniel said to Wilted. "Otherwise, he will just secretly follow you. He can't help it with his curiosity."

Wilted sighed. "All right. When this is over, we will go together."