Debauchery of a Soul-Eating Wraith

Everyone in the Carriage looked over at Evian following his outburst but he didn't notice as his eyes were on the holographic Status screen he just asked to have brought up by his Decadent Assistant;

[Name: Evian Stygian.]

[Race: Wraith]

[Decadence: Unholy Wraith {1050/2000 Soul Points}]

-

Up until the moment Evian became an Unholy Wraith, his increments of required Soul Points for Every Decadent upgrade was always 500 but for some reason, as though to highlight how big of an upgrade it was to go from a simple Wraith to a Wraith Noble, the requirements were ticked up by a further 500 Soul Points bringing it up to 2000 rather than 1500 following the 1000 Soul Points he had needed to become an Unholy Wraith in the first place.

Anyway, Evian was not complaining as it was probably for the best he kept such a massive upgrade as was so eloquently put by his Assistant the moment he began to sulk back then.

[Becoming a Wraith Noble is not a decision you should take lightly. Once you upgrade, I upgrade along with you as well as the Decadent Store. It- We become more sophisticated- Growing with you.

All that you have purchased for active use, such as the Health Pack Manuscript becomes useless for the level of Eldritch energy that now powers you which means you will have to purchase Health packs from the Store for any injury you have and you WILL lack the points to make the purchase as all prices hike up. Again, they grow with you.

Your Phasing Spell, while still useful, becomes wonky and at the very least will require an upgrade.

Your spells will be very ineffective against enemies of your level and you will require the use of your Martial Excellence alone to get you out of jams.

All in all, only become a Wraith Noble when you can afford the expenses that come with it.]

Evian might not have stated it in words but he appreciated his Assistant taking the time to inform him ahead. Whether or not the issues were as grave as it stated, it had considered it important enough to warn him.

And so, Evian decided to wait.

As his Soul Eating took a pause, so also did his desire to upgrade himself so he 'wallowed' in his Level of Decadence and got busy with other things.

But now, the pause was nearing an end.

His Soul Point counter was about to start ticking up and he was excited about what was in store for him as a Wraith Noble even though his assistant warned him not to get his hopes up for something massive.

"Zayda, let's just go straight to Kalkoa," Evian said once the Holographic screen was out of his face.

"What?" Zayda asked and blinked a few times to be sure she had heard right. She had and Evian remained resolute,

"Reinforcements -Pshh- We don't need them. A few Beasts at the Third Order, come on, We can handle those on our own," he said while looking over at the others, a pointed look, especially at Ember who felt inclined to agree with him due to their relationship even though she felt he was sounding a bit insane.

"You don't know what you are talking about," Zayda said shaking her head, "From what I hear, the Beasts are not 'few'. We'll be outnumbered."

"I know we can do it," Evian insisted.

If there was a chance he would be getting discount Soul points due to the Beasts all lacking Souls then he would need as many kills as he could get.

He still had his Phasing and with it, he felt invincible and confident.

Having the Crew with him was enough support and they would already account for kills and lost points... He did not wish to lose more than that.

"I'm with Evian!" Gryon said and slammed a fist into his palm in menacing readiness for battle.

"No, you're not," Ember said as 'common sense' won over her inclination to support Evian, "Dame Zayda, let's get the Reinforcements."

"No, let's not get them," Carleine said suddenly, "This is our First task- How we handle it will set the tone for the future."

"That's silly," Ember said and glowered at the black-haired lady with a bit of surprise that she would be against her stance.

"How about a compromise?" Gillert said with his hands raised in placation, "Dame Zayda, could we have the reinforcements on Standby?"

Zayda was silent for a while and then shrugged with a sigh,

"Fine," she said, "But that makes it likely you'll all be dead by the time they arrive."

The way she pulled herself from the bunch made it clear she was sure she would survive either way.

"Perfect," Evian said happily and to that, Zayda shook her head with a smirk at the naivete of him and the others who supported his stance.

•••

The journey to Kalkao was long but never paused.

Being camped within the Carriage for two days was bound to take a toll on the occupants but as they were all Cultivators, they tempered whatever ick they felt by going into a meditative state and taking the time to absorb Spiritual energy for the strengthening of their muscles and the furthering of the Cultivation bases.

Evian did not have that luxury.

Ordinarily, he found meditation boring and preferred sleep instead but even that lost its appeal especially when he knew what he could be doing in this Carriage if not for the eyes that would be on him and his partner.

It wasn't shyness exactly but Evian definitely drew the line on getting it on with Ember in the presence of Gillert and Gryon. Carleine and Zayda he had no issues with (especially the latter who was probably hoping for such anyway) but the males had no part in this and should not watch.

And so, he was bored.

Luckily, he eventually found something to keep busy with by bringing all the information in any Manuscript he had ever purchased to the forefront of his mind, actually trying to understand it rather than making use of it as a quick fix.

He succeeded.

By the time the journey came to an end, his understanding was deeper and he smiled to himself while subtly shaking his head at the realization that all he had just learned might soon be made obsolete by his eventual upgrade.

It was Ember who pulled him out of his head-shaking thoughts,

"Wow," she let out looking out the window at where they slowly pulled into.

Evian looked out and 'wow' indeed.

As the first City he would get to see after Verdelen City, Kalkoa was fairly underwhelming.

The landmass, on first look, was less than half of what Evian had so far explored of Verdelen City which was only three Territories (Stygian, Larnak, and Renan) that did not make up the whole city.

Not only was Kalkoa small on first look, it's population was even smaller for that size. There was very little bustling in the streets as the people just meandered about.

Zayda did not look too put off and why would she be?

She had explored enough of the Kingdom to come across such a City many times.

"Kalkoa is said to be a Barony of sorts with very little trade opportunities. They are not impoverished of course- They make do but they are certainly not as affluent as the region you are all used to and that's probably only going to get worse if they keep getting attacked regularly.

There are very few Noble families here besides the Baron's family and it is he who we must pay our first visit. He'll better brief us on the matter at hand."

The Baron's manor, while grand in its own right, fit in with the aesthetic of the City but the orderliness of the Guards on first look was definitely impressive even if they all looked weary and tired.

They charged towards the Carriage with alertness but once Zayda flashed her Seal, they instantly gave way and let them in.

When all six of them came down from the Carriage and allowed the Coachman to drive it away, they were ushered in by dutiful Estate workers with the one in the lead stating heartily that the Baron was already expecting them.

Evian noticed the Lead Worker raise a brow at their gathered Six before looking past them at the Carriage as though hoping more would alight. When none did, he looked away disappointed but covered it up with a hospitable smile.

The Baron's hall was layered with different exquisite furs and unique (To Evian's still fairly Earthly eyes) beast heads like the trophy room of a hunter.

Even the grand chair at the end of the hall, in which the Baron sat, was layered with fur as he lounged within with a feel of importance.

Speaking of the Baron, he was a tall, large man, with a bald head and a cloak of beast furs to continue the aesthetic of his hall.

"Welcome, Knights," he said in a deep voice, "Your presence has been very anticipated."

"Baron," Zayda said simply without a respectful inflection, and the reason was made clear very soon, "I am Zayda Vi'thar, a distinguished Knight Of the Sixth Order within the Martial Temple and a Provisional 3rd Ranked Commander leading my Squad to quell your troubles. I greet you."

The moment Zayda mentioned her Order, the Baron stood to his feet to give a small bow,

"I did not realize someone so important would grace my City," he said, "Dame Zayda, I welcome you."