Chapter 228: Favor

    Derek brought Walter over to his booth as Jensen and Clare went out to mingle. He was curious about everything that he had just seen. Rudy had explained the nuances of a soul contract, but Derek was more interested in House Gracefall or now, House Searidge.

    Derek opened the door to the booth to see Rudy standing inside silently. He snapped his fingers in front of Rudys face a few times before the man came to.

    Huh? What wow. That was uncomfortable, Rudy said.

    Youll have to work on your Wisdom stat if you want to be able to hold a proper conversation with Alanah, or if you want to break free of her passive skill sooner, Derek said.

    How long was I like that?

    Derek shrugged. I dont know. Ten, fifteen minutes. Youre lucky she only talked with her passive skill. You probably would have missed the entire auction if she would have put a little magic into her words. You need to work on leveling.

    I know. Rudy sighed. Its hard when you have to rely on making contracts and you dont have many customers.

    Well, your advertisement earlier should help a little.

    I hope so. I could go with Rayna and Jacks to hunt some monsters to level, but then I wouldnt get the experience for my skills and I would be missing out on getting a better contract class.

    Its better to wait. You have plenty of time, Derek comforted.

    Rudy nodded. I guess so.

    Now, get out and go drum up some more business, Derek said. I need the booth for a little while.

    Rudy looked up over Dereks shoulder, and only then did he notice Walter standing behind.

    That sounds like a great idea. Rudy said with bright eyes and moved past Derek. When he made it to Walter, he stopped and greeted him. Mr. Searidge. Congratulations!

    Walter nodded. Thank you.

    Rudy then continued on and disappeared into the still gathering crowd of nobles and other Crown members.

    Come in, have a seat. Derek motioned to the bench inside the booth and Walter sat.

    The inside of the booth was quite basic. In the front was a glass screen with multiple runes drawn on the surface. Derek recognized a couple of the runes as the same ones he had installed in his basement. They filtered the air and kept the room at the users desired temperature. Until he knew their official name, he would call them thermostat runes.

    Along with those runes he recognized, there was another which was currently glowing. He leaned forward and inspected it closely.

    Its one of the privacy runes. Walter spoke. Its the rune that blocks the view from outside the booth. That one over there. He pointed at another rune Derek had seen. That one controls the sound. If you activate it, you can adjust how much sound is leaked out from the booth, so you can keep your conversations private. It should be able to work the other way, as well. If its too noisy outside, you can filter what is let inside.

    Derek nodded. That rune would be called the volume control rune. The other one-way mirror. He liked that. He praised himself for his naming sense, then sat back on the bench beside Walter. He winced at the hard surface. Would it kill Alanah to provide some cushions? I swear half the people in this Kingdom are going to die from splinters and ass sores.

    Other than the bench, there was a small table sitting in front of them. Derek kicked his feet up and got as comfortable as he could.Follow the latest novels at novelhall.com

    I know I know

    Do you miss him?

    Walter sighed again. I dont miss the person he became, but I miss the little boy that used to beg me to show him my water magic. He laughed. I gained more control in my skills showing off in front of Wallace than I did sparring.

    The two sat in the booth, and Derek listened to Walter reminisce about Wallace and Jensen. It seemed to do the old man some good.

    So, about that soul contract? Derek started. That was something. I didnt know your punishment went that deep. What was that about? You dont have to answer if you dont want.

    No.. no its fine, Walter said. My uncle was a former patriarch of my family. Back when we were still House Searidge. He wasnt a bad man, actually, not in a general sense, at least.

    What do you mean?

    Well, he never went out to do bad things. He was a good noble. Walter continued. You know that our family usually has an affinity for the water element, right?

    Derek nodded.

    Well, because of our elemental affinity, it makes us particularly suitable for being defensive healers. We dont have the defense of an earth affinity, or the healing capabilities of someone with light affinity, but we are quite decent in both. We are even better at curing toxins and poisons than most with light affinity. Walter explained.

    Right. I guess that makes sense. Water is pretty balanced.

    Exactly, and that is why we were a high noble house. We werent top, but we were considered strong. Because of our healing, we were vital when it came to dungeon parties, or especially raids, when they were available.

    You always need a good support, Derek commented.

    Unfortunately, that was our undoing, as well. You see, my uncle was a kind man and a good healer. He was also afraid of death, and a coward. He raised his stats by always playing it safe and never getting into danger. Walter sighed. One day, a raid dungeon popped up, and my uncle was selected as one of the supports for the mission, along with other noble houses and even the Kings brother, who was commander of the Kings Army at that time.

    Oh Derek said. He could see where this was going.

    According to the survivors, the raid was going well until their formation broke midway through. Still, everyone was calm and reacted quickly everyone but my uncle. He panicked. To make a long story short, because of his actions, half of the raiding party was wiped out, including the Kings brother. The survivors retreated back to the checkpoint, then abandoned the raid. Walter explained.

    Derek wasnt sure what the differences between a raid and a regular dungeons were, other than length and difficulty, but he didnt want to interrupt Walters story.

    When they got out, my uncle knew what he had done, and tried to flee the Kingdom. He was captured and eventually executed. That is also how we earned the Gracefall name.

    All that because of one person? Derek said. Walters uncles mistakes werent that of the entire line, but that of one person.

    It would have been different if he hadnt been the Patriarch. But, as his position was so high, the King, who was young at the time, used him as a lesson to other nobles. Cowardice will not be tolerated. If you are not cut out for dungeons, dont drag others down because of it. Because of it, we have more crafters and lifestyle users than ever before. So, I cant fault the King for his decree. I only wish that it wasnt my house that caused it.

    I see, Derek said. Well, that is all behind you now. Its time to get back to being a high noble house. God knows this Kingdom needs some proper nobles.

    I cant argue with that.

    By the way, Derek said. Exactly how strong are you?