Saga of Astral Mysteries (LOTMxASOIAF)

[Trafford]

Valkorion immediately appeared in front of the spider aberration and started slashing with his sword like his life depended on it. Even though the regenerative capabilities of the Chwidenchas were fearsome, due to the passive light properties of the Sword of the Promised Victory, they were not working.

Chwidenchas were spawns of darkness and evil; they were in contradiction to everything that Excalibur represented, the Light and Hope, the concept of Good if it could be called like that, and the very same light was right now destroying the spider aberration from within.

Even in the most rudimentary state, the Sealed Artifact was, it was proving itself to be most effective against the dark-attributed monsters as the light effects that the Excalibur had were deadly to them.

As Valkorion was hacking and stabbing with his sword, the chwidencha was slowly but steadily on the last legs, this time it was rather literal because he managed to sever most of the creature's legs.

It could barely stand anymore and was already dying; the only thing that it needed was the last finishing blow, which Valkorion steadily delivered as the life left the Sequence 7 Chwidencha as Valkorion sighed in relief that he managed to slay this foe.

This was another Seuqnce 7 Monster that he killed in the span of a few days, though he had to admit that it was rather easier to kill compared to the Sequence 7 Mutated Bugbear from before, even though he was fighting the Seuqnce 7 Chwidencha in its home territory.

Maybe the creature was rather overconfident in its success and spent more time playing with him than fighting, as it wanted to play it is prey. It was rather common knowledge that many of the monsters from the Underdark, meaning those who dwelled in the darkness, were rather sadistic and loved to torture and play with their targets.

It wasn't anything new, so Valkorion wasn't that surprised seeing the tendencies of the Sequence 7 Chwidencha. After several moments, he used his newly obtained weapon, which had already become his most beloved possession, as he dug out the Extraordinary Core of the Sequence 7 Chwidencha.

Another Sequence 7 Extraordinary Core that is worth around 700 Gold Dragon Coins was put away in his backpack as he finished dissecting killed Chwidencha. Unfortunately for him, his joy was rather short-lived when he heard the already familiar sound of spider legs climbing the walls and other objects.

When he looked around, he realized that the entire place was crawling with hundreds of spiders, each one as big as an adult horse as his blood ran cold, because they were practically everywhere.

They were crawling from the depths of the ruins up to the outcrop where the Altar to the Astral was located. Not to mention, they were also blockading his way out, so he could rely on exit.

Fortunately for him, the one good thing was that there were not any Extraordinary Monsters among them, just ordinary monsters that didn't even reach Sequence 7. Still, their number was rather troublesome, and he would soon enough tire out if he were to fight them all, so his only bet was to escape.

To do that, he would need to tear through the entrance that was now swarming with Giant Spiders.

Giant Spiders, they were also known as monstrous spiders, were quite simply enormous versions of regular spiders. Existing in various types, there was no way to singularly describe their appearance, with various types ranging in size from that of a dog to a house.

Giant versions of almost every spider existed in the world, ranging from tarantulas to black widows, spitters, spinners, and all manner of others. Their appearances, habits, and environments all varied greatly. The largest population of the Giant Spiders in the know known world was in the jungles of Sothoryos and Ulthos, followed by North Westeros and certain areas of Essos.

Some species were even known to employ Giant Spiders as their mount, the most notable being Goblins and Hobgoblins that created Giant Spider Cavalry, a rather fearsome cavalry unit in the Essos or any other place where the Goblinoids were living.

Fortunately enough, this was happening only in the larger settlements of Goblins. Otherwise, the Giant Spider Cavalry was rather rare.

The first spiders already arrived and attacked him even more aggressively than the Chwidencha from before. When he observed the Giant Spider that attacked him with its blade-like legs, he realized that it was a Sword Spider.

It was a peculiar variety of the Subterranean Giant Spider that was classified as Giant Spider because the adults were, on average of the size of two or three horses put together, and their most characteristic feature which was their sword-like legs.

When he looked at the ones that attacked him, they ranged in length around 6 meters in diameter and were high around 4 meters. All of them had sleek but hairy black bodies with dark-brown-striped fur, and their legs had chitinous plates with sharp ridges that resembled blades.

In short, they were rather disgusting that, he had to admit.

Valkorion didn't liked spiders at all...

When he was young, he feared them greatly, though that was in his past life; nowadays, he maximally flinched when he saw them, but the tendency of wanting them to be burned was still present and still ran strong.

Not giving the Sword Spiders any opportunity, he swung his sword, severing its legs in one movement, as one of the Sword Spiders that had its legs severed fell on the other one, which created a chain reaction for the time being.

He immediately utilized the chaos as he stabbed one of the Sword Spiders through his skull, effectively killing the monster; he then quickly disposed of the remaining three in the same fashion before they could stand up.

As he was preparing to run to the entrance that was cleared for the time being, he realized that he was stuck in place, as from a distance, several of the hairy Giant Spiders shot their webs on his legs, entrapping him in one place.

Turning around, he tried to move his legs, but unfortunately, they were bound rather strongly in the place as the web of the spiders was thick as hell, and it was also very powerful.

Valkorion knew that he needed more time to break through it, so he started moving his legs as much as it was possible when the webbing started getting looser.

Unfortunately for him, before he could free himself, he was pushed down by one of the Sword Spiders; as the giant thing attempted to bite his head off as he fell on the ground, but sadly for the spider, he turned around and stabbed his sword into the spider's underbelly.

The Sword Spider shrieked in pain, as Valkorion then used Excalibur to slash through the webbing around his legs and stood up, as he was soon enough surrounded by several tens of Sword Spiders and other species of Giant Spiders.

And more and more of the Giant Spiders were arriving, and Valkorion also sensed a good number of Ettercaps, because their huge figures couldn't be mistaken by him for anything else.

For the time being, he really started thinking that he may die here...

***

Hi, there! Yes, You! The reader! Join my patreon to support me in writing, get read 50 chapters ahead of free release and together, let's MAKE TRAFFORD'S GREAT AGAIN!

Trafford | Linktree

Linktree. Make your link do more.

linktr.ee

Get more from Trafford's Workshop on Patreon

Welcome to the Workshop Reader!

www.patreon.com

Připoj se k serveru Trafford Novels na Discordu!

Omrkni komunitu Trafford Novels na Discordu – má už zhruba 251 dalších členů, takže si tam můžeš skvěle poklábosit a užít si bezplatný hlasový a textový chat.
discord.gg

 

[Trafford]

Suddenly, as he was already beginning to think that he may become food for the spiders after obtaining so much and finally having a good start in this new life, though it would be more prudent to say that this life was far better than his old one as well...

Even though he had to admit that he missed some luxuries of his old life and the relative peace and comfort of the Earth's 21st century, he had to admit that this was finally the time when he was really feeling alive and that everything had some reason.

Out of nowhere, everything just froze in place.

Valkorion could see that the Giant Spiders were panicking as well as the Ettercaps that were mixed within the lines of tens or hundreds of Giant Spiders all around the area, and if he had to guess, then down there should be a few thousand of them.

It wouldn't be surprising if the Giant Spiders had some huge nests in this place or the ruins of the city down there, below the altar, because it was a perfect spot for the subterranean species of the Giant Spiders.

Valkorion observed that the hundreds or thousands of eyes of the Giant Spiders were wandering here and there, and many of them seemed like they were struggling to move, but they could move an inch.

Not even one millimeter like they were frozen in the space itself.

The silence was rather uncomfortable because he was rather okey and could move.

Just as another few sconces have passed, he only saw fire appear in the middle of the air above the ruins of the ruined city and a voice coming from the fiery figure.

"Burn the ashes."

The voice was full of authority and fiery like the hottest flame as under Valkorion's shocked sight, every single one of the spider monsters started combusting out of nowhere and burning down.

Screeching and vailing of despair resounded through the entire cavern in thousands as countless of the spider monsters were burned down until not even their ashes remained, as they were too burned down by the flames of the fiery figure before him.

The previously dark and gloomy subterranean was turned into a place where fire danced in the air, and everything was burning, yet to Valkorion's surprise, he could breathe as fine as before, and he didn't have many problems even with thoughts of spider monsters being burned.

And yet the wave of flames didn't stop there, as it continued to the depths of the ruins of the city, illuminating everything in the subterranean cavern and also burning everything in its path, leaving only the stone alone as the being most probably controlled the power and intensity of its flames.

Everything that was in these wretched ruins was purged under the waves of the fire, though, when the flames of the fire waves touched Valkorion, they instead recovered his stamina and healed him to a perfect state.

When he was nursed to full health, he stood up and looked around him; he noticed that almost nothing remained from the several hundreds or thousands of Spider Monsters that were converting around his location.

After he looked at the location where the fiery being was floating in the air, observing everything with a certain degree of indifference, before his sight in the end turned on him

Valkorion knew that this should be the future Lord of Light that Astral talked about, even though he didn't know why Sequence 1 Angel was here, but it was most possible that it was related to the mission that Astral entrusted to him.

Valkorion looked at the being in front of him verily as he was aware that the Angel was scrutinizing... not only Angel but also Great Wyrm...

Some Great Wyrms were far more dangerous than any Angel could be; for certain, the Great Wyrms were calamities of nature able to overrun the continents if they wished. Unfortunately, nowadays, they have become nothing more than just legends, mostly forgotten by the modern world, with only a few ancient Angels remembering their terror.

According to the legends of the Valyrian Freehold, some of the Great Wyrm resisted within the Freehold and helped the fledging Valyrian Freehold to establish itself as supreme power within the Essos.

"Champion of the Lord Bahamuth... you indeed look like Tenebrae in his youth, aside from the Noxii traits in your eyes..."

The fiery figure came closer as it then stated calmly while looking at him, as Valkorion frowned a little because he knew that he wasn't a pure-blooded Valyrian. That much was clear as he lacked one of the characteristic traits of their race, which were their purple-violet eyes.

Violet eyes of conqueror.

'Noxii, what is that? I swear that I already heard it somewhere...'

Decided to not dwell on the issue any longer.

"You did rather well against these wretched creatures of the Underdark for someone so weak... unfortunately, your pathway is rather subpar at the Lowest Sequence, but still... your combat instincts are good."

Valkorion listened to 'Him' as the arrogance of the Great Wyrm couldn't be hidden at all... most of the Great Wyrms indeed saw themselves above the Beyonder of the other intelligent species, especially the Great Wyrms that became Beyonder themselves.

It was indeed true that his Pathway was rather inferior in Sequence 7, even compared to the other Pathways, because everything that it provided was the Physical Enhancement and Combat Mastery in two disciples of combat.

For many, this would be considered as weak, but for Valkorion; this was considered as perfect because as his talent in the aspect of combat was very high from the start, and he was rather a prodigy in swordsmanship and martial arts even before he drank the Potion, after the enhancement he was sure that his talent was on the level of Legends.

Though it was expected from ancient Great Wyrm and Angel to be able to tell his Pathway after a short observation, He was rather sure that the being in front of him had lived at least for several thousand years, if the indicator of what happened to the Astral, then just like Astral, even 'He' was from the 1st Epoch or so...

"As Lord Bahamuth has stated, your quest would be to aid me, so I came here personally to judge if you were worthy... but it seems that the sword has done its job."

Valkorion shifted in place rather nervously when he realized how 'He' was looking at the sword that he was holding in his right hand.

It seems that Excalibur, the Sword of Promised Victory, was even tempting for the being in front of him to a certain degree.

"Nevertheless, you shall depart to the depths of the Orange Shore together with my Apostle and retrieve an item of utmost importance."

'He' didn't say anything else and just vanished into a burst of flames like he was never here in the first place, as Valkorion a little bit marveled at the eccentricities of the most powerful entities in the world.

But if you were so powerful you could flatten continent to ground, then perhaps you could be eccentric as much as you want.

Or at least something like that went through his head.

***

Hi, there! Yes, You! The Reader! On my patreon you can read 50 chapters ahead of the free releases and other bonuses! Do you want to know more?
Then join my patreon to support me in writing, get premium content and together, let's MAKE TRAFFORDNET GREAT AGAIN!

Trafford | Linktree

Linktree. Make your link do more.

linktr.ee

Get more from Trafford's Workshop on Patreon

Welcome to the Workshop Reader!

www.patreon.com

Připoj se k serveru Trafford Novels na Discordu!

Omrkni komunitu Trafford Novels na Discordu – má už zhruba 250 dalších členů, takže si tam můžeš skvěle poklábosit a užít si bezplatný hlasový a textový chat.
discord.gg

 

[Trafford]

When 'He' disappeared after turning who knows how many spider monsters to ashes or, rather, burned them so much that not even ash remained from them, Valkorion could finally leave this wretched place because it was already giving him creeps.

After the ambush on his person by the spider aberration and monsters, he was pretty certain it was the work of his second new employer, if he could call it like that, as he wanted to avoid even thinking about their name or title.

It could be dangerous...

He was sure that 'He' did it as another way to test him and that he would be capable enough to obtain the time for him. In the end, as he found out previously, 'He' was preparing to advance to the King of Angels before even attempting to advance to Godhood.

Even the promotion to King of Angels could be very dangerous, but Valkorion was sure that these ancient entities that had been living since the 1st Epoch were far more cunning than anyone else who would want to attack them or sabotage them during the Promotional Ritual.

Still, when the doors opened from the outside, he immediately rushed to the entrance which he used to enter this subterranean place and exited the place with great haste, partially glad to be out of the palace.

The spiders were giving him the creeps, and as someone who didn't really like to be even in the remote presence of spiders, he immediately used the first opportunity to leave. However, he made a mental note to return when he reached Mid Sequences to search for treasures.

He was only in the part of the city where he was allowed to enter, and it was something that he termed as a religious part because there wasn't a better place. In the end, it was just some part of the rock outstretched above the ruins of the city and the altar of the Astral.

Nothing more and nothing less.

The moment he appeared on the same plateau that was described in the journals of the Daerius Tenebraenys, it was already a sunny day, which was weird because, during the time he was entering, it was afternoon...

Meaning that he was there for an unknown time.

'Perhaps distortion of sensed and perception of time?'

Valkorion thought as he breathed the fresh air of the Painted Mountains and sighed in relief that he had made it out of the place alive.

Meeting with the entity that was once True God and was trying to resurrect itself and right after that, meeting with ancient Angel from the 1st Epoch that was about the reach King of Angels and soon enough ascend to the True God in the future, was something that was almost unbelievable.

It was most possible that in the place where he was, time was flowing differently or just that his own perception of time was getting skewered in that place; that was something that he would most probably not know for the time being.

"I should get going; back to the Cartharys would take at least a few days by foot."

Even though his walking speed was much faster than that of an ordinary person, mostly because of his stamina and endurance as Beyodner, and while he could cross big distances per day, it would still take him around two days to reach back home from his current location.

Hopefully, there won't be as many problems as they were with his journey here to this point when he was fighting Bugbears and almost died when fighting the Sequence 7 Mutated Bugbear...

Now that he remembered the fight, he was a bit sour, but at the same time, he also felt unnatural excitement because this would fetch him rather a good number of coins when he returned back home.

The first thing he would do would be visit Albus to sell the thing. Valkorion was rather paranoid about keeping something this precious with him all the time. Theoretically, even though the thing had a value of several thousand Golden Dragon Coins, it may be even more valuable than that.

It all depended on the person.

Internally, he was already giggling like a little girl at the prospect of money because he was sure that the armband made from the Imperial Gold would fetch him around four thousand Gold Dragon Coins, then the Extraordinary Core of the Sequence 7 Mutated Bugbear would be fore sure above seven or eight thousand Gold Dragon Coins and other things...

Obtaining around fifteen thousand wasn't out of his reach.

However, all of that would soon be reinvested in himself, slaves, and equipment, as he needed to start his plan for building his power base as soon as possible. Unfortunately for him, just now, he managed to gather some sizeable wealth to start his long-term plan.

Fortunately, he already had everything in his head; the sole thing that was needed was money to buy a few slaves with Slave Crests and Beyonder Potions for them, and they could start the plan.

This was the situation where the Valyrian Freehold was the greatest slaver civilization in the known world, so he was sure to find good slaves for his uses.

***

Cartharys, Valyrian Freehold, two days later

Arriving at the Cartharys was something that was filling Valkorion was anticipation, because he finally arrived back home after two days or so of constant travelling with minimal rest. He was rather in a hurry and would have arrived a bit faster if not for the minor inconvenience of bandits attempting to rob him.

Though the bandits were not really powerful or even skilled, and soon enough, they were turned into corpses, and he was richer by a few tens of Gold Dragon Coins, which was always something welcomed.

This was rather a common occurrence within the Painted Mountains; Valkorion was getting ambushed by the bandits at least once per month, even though it would always end in the death of the unfortunate bandits that were ambushing them.

When he entered the Cartharys, the first stop in his journey was the shop of the Clan Ferros as he needed to dispose of the things obtained from his trip to the Painted Mountains. When he was going through the streets of the Cartharys, he noticed that there were more people than usual.

He didn't really dwell on the situation any further as he continued to the merchant district of the Cartharys and directly headed towards the store of the Clan Ferros. When he arrived in front of the shop of the Clan Ferros, he was surprised to see that the store was apparently closed at the time.

Usually, Valkorion would just walk back home, but he went around the building a bit and soon enough arrived at the narrow alley. With his right hand, he went through the bricks until he stopped at one particular brick and tapped on it seven times.

Soon enough, all the other bricks started moving, and the entrance revealed itself to him.

Because he was friends with Albus Ferros for several years, he was aware of the secret entrances to the stores of the Clan Ferros.

***


Hi, there! Yes, You! The reader! On my patreon you can read 50 chapters ahead of the free releases and other bonuses! Do you want to know more?
Then join my patreon to support me in writing, get premium content and together, let's MAKE TRAFFORDNET GREAT AGAIN!

Trafford | Linktree

Linktree. Make your link do more.

linktr.ee

Get more from Trafford's Workshop on Patreon

Welcome to the Workshop Reader!

www.patreon.com

Připoj se k serveru Trafford Novels na Discordu!

Omrkni komunitu Trafford Novels na Discordu – má už zhruba 250 dalších členů, takže si tam můžeš skvěle poklábosit a užít si bezplatný hlasový a textový chat.
discord.gg

 

[Trafford]

When Valkorion entered through the secret entrance to the shop, the secret entrance soon enough closed itself. Apparently, this kind of mechanism was installed in most, if not all, stores of the Clan Ferros.

In case some idiots attempt to break into the store and rob them, the employees could escape safely with the most precious objects and money from the store. Only the manager of each Branch was aware of the secret entrance and how to activate it, so Valkorion was sure that Albus shouldn't be saying this to anyone.

Still, it was rather handy because he needed to dispose of the things that he had in his backpack as soon as possible. The Extraordinary Cores were weighing heavily on him in his backpack, and he needed to have some money.

Also, exactly like the armband from the Imperial Gold that Valkorion entrusted to Albus Ferros to auction in the name of the Clan Ferros in the Valyria Capital, these Extraordinary Cores from the Sequence 7 Chwidencha and Sequence 7 Mutated Bugbear would take some time to sell.

Especially the Extraordinary Core of the Sequence 7 Mutated Bugbear. It would be best to auction it to maximize the worth of the object, and that would take some time. He was sure that there would be many people who would pay extraordinary prices for it within Valyria Capital.

If not in the Capital of the Freehold, then Volantis was also a good choice as it was close to the Cartharys. Clan Ferros was one of the few families within the Valyrian Freehold that had their branches across the entire Western Essos and even some in the Golden Empire of Yi Ti.

They also had some close to the Westeros, but the trade with the Westeros was relatively limited for several reasons, mainly due to the interference of the local Churches because the Church of the Seven and Parthenon were inspecting everything that was going to the Westeros from Essos.

The main reason was to prevent someone smuggling Extraordinary Cores, Beyonder Potions, Ingredients, Sealed Artifacts, or Beyodner Characteristics to the Westeros and to prevent the general population from learning about the wider world and the nobility of the Westeros from becoming Beyonders.

As he went to the shop, he noticed that the lower floor was empty, but he could hear voices coming from the second floor of the shop. Thus, he went to the staircase and to the second floor of the shop, which was usually reserved exclusively for Albus as it was his home, one could say.

The manager of the Branch lived on the second floor, and on the second floor, there was a storage room for more items that were being sold in the shop. It was rather evident, judging by the number of crates, locked chests, and storage rooms that filled the entirety of the second floor as he walked the narrow corridor.

When he reached the end of the corridor, he opened a huge wooden door that led to the living room. Valkorion was already familiar with the place, as he was here several times...

The living room of the shop was not like one would expect, because it was a lavish and opulent space, designed to impress and envelop its guests in comfort. The entire grand chamber was dominated by high, vaulted ceilings supported by thick wooden beams, each intricately carved with Mythical Creatures and various symbols.

The walls were paneled in dark, polished oak, with sections adorned by rich, brocade tapestries in deep jewel tones—emerald greens, royal purples, and crimson reds—depicting scenes of legendary hunts, royal courts, and fantastical beasts.

At the center of the room sits an expansive, low table of dark mahogany, its surface inlaid with gold filigree and precious stones, serving as the heart of the gathering space. Around the table are deep, plush armchairs and settees upholstered in velvet and leather, their frames carved with swirling patterns of dragons and vines.

The cushions were overstuffed, inviting one to sink in, with furs and silk throws draped casually for added luxury. A massive fireplace dominated one wall, its hearth large enough to stand in.

Above the mantel, a grand oil painting of a noble ancestor or a mystical landscape adds to the regal atmosphere. The fire roared beneath a heavy iron grate, casting a warm, flickering light that plays off the crystal goblets and silver trays arranged on a nearby sideboard.

The floor was laid with thick, ornate rugs woven in complex, ancient patterns, muffling footsteps and adding warmth to the stone beneath.

Tall, narrow windows draped with heavy, embroidered curtains allow slivers of light to filter in during the day, while wrought-iron chandeliers and sconces, holding dozens of candles, provide ample lighting at night, casting a golden glow across the room.

Flanking the fireplace are towering bookshelves filled with ancient-looking books, alongside delicate vases, precious curios, and small sculptures of Mythical Beasts.

Basically, everything around the room screamed money and riches, a testament to the prosperity of the Clan Ferros and how rich they actually were.

One one of the armchairs was obviously Albus Ferros, whom Valkorion recognized the moment he entered the room, but on the other one of the armchairs, there was an unfamiliar figure sitting.

Woman, a very elegant-looking woman with beautiful features. She was rather tall, with pale skin, a toned physique, high cheekbones, thick lips, and short platinum hair. She also had piercing electric blue eyes that seemed like they could pierce through someone's very own soul.

She wore a rather simple dark blue outfit that was more utilitarian and practical in its design, more above everything else. Yet despite the utilitarian design that could be confused with the military unfirm, it was undeniable that the clothes were made with the best materials possible, as the word "word" luxury was just radiating from it.

Valkorion's mind started racing, and it didn't take him long to realize that this must be Albus's cousin, Camille Ferros, the Heir of the Clan Ferros, after the more "unfortunate" death of her brother.

"It seems that you have a guest... and someone who used the entrance; you were not really careful with the information, cousin."

Her voice was sharp as her eyes bore into her cousin, who squirmed in his seat rather uncomfortably because he didn't really appreciate the way how she was looking at him.

Even right now, Camille Ferros was number two in the entire Clan Ferros, and she was already overseeing the majority of the Clan's operations. This was mainly because her expertise and personality were perfect for the task.

She was someone who was obsessed with her work and was a perfectionist through and through, not allowing even a single mistake. Not to mention, she was also cold and ruthless, not allowing any emotion to interfere with her duties, meaning there was no way she would be soft for her fellow members of the Clan.

Everyone would be treated the same if they messed up and it was not a pleasant experience.

Not to mention, she was also rather powerful on her own, a very skilled combatant and swordswoman, and also Beyonder, though her Sequence was unknown because that was a secret that she was leaving only for herself.

It was unanimously accepted that the Camille would bring the Clan Ferros to a new age of glory and power under her leadership, perhaps to a point where they wouldn't be inferior to the Dragonlord Families in terms of military might.

***

Hi, there! Yes, You! The reader! On my patreon you can read 50 chapters ahead of the free releases and other bonuses! Do you want to know more?
Then join my patreon to support me in writing, get premium content and together, let's MAKE TRAFFORDNET GREAT AGAIN!
*

Trafford | Linktree

Linktree. Make your link do more.

linktr.ee

Get more from Trafford's Workshop on Patreon

Welcome to the Workshop Reader!

www.patreon.com

Připoj se k serveru Trafford Novels na Discordu!

Omrkni komunitu Trafford Novels na Discordu – má už zhruba 250 dalších členů, takže si tam můžeš skvěle poklábosit a užít si bezplatný hlasový a textový chat.
discord.gg