Crimson Eternal - Book 6 - Chapter 41 (Patreon)

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Table of Contents

Click the following link for the 1353 word chapter 41:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1N2kCCNFLh9QOvGDzxCDH09F26X1cEB-8V8mOYd9NeNc/edit?usp=sharing

Or you can read the unformatted version below:

Aria

“So what you’re saying,” I hear Shirogane state while giving me a blank look and speaking to someone on the other side of his terminal call. “Is that the authorities in the center of the Underground have reached out for the first time in ages, and one of the things they asked about aside from information on the war energy is who a certain white haired, crimson eyed woman is? Have I got that correct?”

I look away from him to glance out over the large battlefield we’re sitting above at the top of a lavafall. Just sitting on a lawn chair at the center of a part in the lava flow.

A rather beautiful place to be. If it weren’t for the people fighting and trying to kill each other down below, that is.

Normally I’d have my Death’s Court set up here, but it’s kind of a waste since I already have it set up in the Hunter’s Spots on the Scarlet Crucible. Which have far more deaths than this little war could have.

So moving it here would be counterintuitive.

That aside, there sure is a lot of lava here on this planet. Or in this planet.

Also, it is lava, right? Not magma?

I’m not quite sure.

Well, whatever. It doesn’t really matter.

“Yes, go ahead and give them the basic rundown about her,” Shirogane continues, sounding more than a little exasperated. And I can’t help but hear Little Blue holding back laughter in the background.

But none of that has anything to do with me. Nope. None of it.

I just continue watching the two warring factions below as they blow up quite a bit of this cavern in their fighting.

So far our time spent in the Underground has been very interesting. There are more sightseeing locations down here than I expected. Just the mines alone are actually pretty interesting to explore, not to mention the larger caverns filled with lava like this one.

I even saw a couple beautiful caverns made out of crystal and filled with water.

They looked absolutely stunning.

Other than that, I tried a lot of the wine they have down here, but they don’t actually have all that many kinds of wine. The Underground seems to specialize more in beer and other alcoholic drinks rather than wine.

Is it because they’re all miners?

It kind of sounds right, in a way.

Of course, someone liking any sort of beverage over wine is just heresy. So it doesn’t matter if it makes sense or not, it’s ridiculous.

I give a firm nod of my head at that thought as I notice Shirogane sending me a rather judgmental look that I proceed to completely ignore. Making Little Blue laugh again. Except this time she doesn’t try to hide it, earning her a frown from Shirogane that turns his attention away from me.

Honestly, it has been a little nice spending time with these two again. Even if they forced their way onto my trip without my permission.

A faint smile spreads across my face at that thought as I sip some of my wine.

Eventually Shirogane’s call comes to an end and he walks up to me with his arms crossed before stating, “The leadership of the Underground has taken notice of you and were just informed about your identity. I think it’s safe to assume some officials will be arriving soon to meet you.”

“Here? In a warzone?” Little Blue asks with a single brow raised.

Shirogane rolls his eyes and expands, “After we leave this warzone and enter a city.”

I scowl at Shirogane.

“Don’t give me that look, you knew this would happen eventually,” Shirogane says, that look of exasperation returning once more. “No one is just going to stay quiet about an immortal waltzing around their territory as if on vacation.”

I turn my gaze back to the warzone again while taking another sip of wine. Then I comment, “It doesn’t change the fact that it would’ve been nice if you’d just delayed telling them a bit. Then we could’ve continued our leisurely vacation without interruptions.”

“You would’ve had to contact them eventually to request permission to enter their Hunter’s Spots,” Little Blue comments from the side before focusing on Shirogane as she asks, “So how did they take it? Hearing that a Horseman of the Apocalypse is on their planet?”

Shirogane looks vaguely amused as he answers, “They asked what a Horseman of the Apocalypse was.”

A brief silence stretches between us for a few seconds before Little Blue bursts out into laughter. Meanwhile I feel… actually, I don’t really feel much of anything about it. Just mildly surprised.

I guess I don’t really care much about my identity as a Horseman.

Is it because the other Horsemen I’ve met have been… less than pleasant examples to compare to?

Yeah, that’s probably it.

That said, I have to say, these people on this planet are even more disconnected from the universe as a whole than I first thought…

“The delegates from the Eternal Dynasty are currently explaining what a Horseman of the Apocalypse is, while also making sure to explain that you’re special amongst them as an immortal being without common sense who, while often gets in the middle of things, rarely ever causes genuine problems,” Shirogane says some rather questionable things. “Other than confusing or half traumatizing people from time to time.”

“Excuse me?” I ask with a frown directed straight at him. “Since when have I ever confused or traumatized anyone? And I have plenty of common sense, thank you very much.”

Both Little Blue and Shirogane send me a look upon hearing my words. But neither of them say anything about it.

Shirogane just continues, “So far the people from the Underground are just confused. Especially after we showed them several videos of your antics over the years.”

“What antics?” I ask, my frown growing deeper.

Don’t tell me he’s part of those weird people online who question and yet are also a fan of the way I live my life?

“I doubt they’ll bother you much, but they will absolutely establish contact at some point soon,” Shirogane keeps going without stopping.

My eyes narrow at the man while Little Blue just laughs away, not even trying to hide her enjoyment of this situation.

“Hey,” I call out, putting down my wine glass and turning in my chair to face him. “Answer me.”

Shirogane suddenly smiles at me and says, “My father just got a new batch of wine made, and it’s currently becoming a new smash hit. Do you want me to get you some?”

Does he really think that’s enough to make me drop the subject? Am I really that shallow in his eyes?

“Answer-” I begin to state, only for him to suddenly summon a bottle of wine that smells absolutely incredible, making me pause mid-sentence. Then I shake my head and continue, “Answer me, Shirogane.”

I am not that shallow.

Shirogane clicks his tongue while Little Blue starts laughing even harder than before.

Of course, I still take the wine and pour some for me to drink as I continue to stare at Shirogane in pursuit of an answer.

Little Blue actually sheds a few tears in her laughter, likely at the sight of me taking the obvious bribe without giving back in return. And Shirogane just looks dumbfounded.

This is what you get when you offer something without a clear trade stated.

Unfortunately, I never get my answer as several people in military uniforms appear soon. All from different districts of the Underground.

I narrow my eyes at Shirogane, feeling more than a little suspicious that he might have called for them to arrive right now. But I refuse to let this matter go, even if I have to put it on hold for now.

With that thought in mind, I turn my attention to the military officers while trying the new wine out.

And it really is very delicious.

Totally worthy of being a smash hit.