Jon sat atop the roof of the Wonderous Citadel Dwelling, gazing towards the expansive forests far off in the distance. His Minerva-Infiltration Eyes continued to observe the traces of movement along the tree line, watching the flowing leaves and shifting shadows as the light that illuminated the small realm slowly started to vanish beneath the non-existent horizon.

  Adorned in a complete set of Knight Ranked spiritual items, Jon allowed himself to close his eyes for just a brief few seconds, resting his Fragment Of Eyes. Allowing his Knowledge Mana Core to regenerate back to full.

  It had been four days since Wilheim, Sariel and Shamael had returned to Springtown.

  Four days since his encounter with Miyoung and her three summoned companions.

  Three days since the funeral for Vaa’mina and Yueli.

  Two days since Delila assigned him to the Western Gate.

  And one day since he had assumed his position atop the Wonderous Citadel Dwelling. Twelve hours since he had pushed down all the feelings of anger and sadness within his chest. Down past the unfathomable depths of his Sea Of Knowledge.

  All of the emotions that he would have experienced. All of the feelings that he would have felt. All of the sensations that would have flowed through his mind, spirit and flesh were all forcibly stilled.

  The surface of his Fragment Of Mind growing motionless. Suppressing the surging whirlpools and dangerous undercurrents that flowed beneath its surface.

  It was not a feeling of detachment or indifference.

  But instead, a form of remembrance.

  Jon leaned his head backwards, against the stone-wood bricks that Harcourt was created from. His eyes glancing towards the tree line, observing for any changes in movement. After several seconds, his gaze shifting towards the bottom of his status page.

  Spiritual Items:

  [1]: [Knight Ranked Wood Talisman]

  [2]: [Knight Ranked Knowledge Talisman]

  [3]: [Knight Ranked Space-Blink Greaves]

  [4]: [Knight Ranked Golden-Shield Ring]

  [5]: [Knight Ranked Abundant-Heart Glyph]

  [6]: [Knight Ranked Bountiful-Spirit Rune]

  Although he usually wore a Spirit-Protection Shirt and Metal-Thread Pants into combat, he had commissioned Igraine and Rambug, two of the Knight-level creationists from the Merchant Guild for a new set of Knight Ranked spiritual items.

  Given that he possessed the [Red Archives Of Mars Quirinus] there was no need for a storage-ring or space-pendent. And given that he could manifest the Heretical Chalk Protection around his shoulders and head, there was no need for spirit-armour or formless-shields either.

  All that he needed were additional sources of spiritual energy, something which rectified by both his Knight Ranked Abundant-Heart Glyph and Bountiful-Spirit Rune. One serving as an increase to the spiritual energy capacity of his Ice Mana Core, while the other served as an increase to his Spear Mana Core.

  The Wood Talisman and Knowledge Talisman both increased the effectiveness of his abilities that possessed the Wood Trait and Knowledge Trait. The Golden-Shield Ring able to manifest a spiritual shield in the space where the spiritual item was pointed. While his Space-Blink Greaves allowing him to teleport anywhere within thirty-metres of his current location.

  All of them possessing minor secondary effects ranging from resistances towards specific types of spiritual energy to a strengthening of certain physical characteristics.

  Combined with the effects of Princeps Of The Wandering Mutation and his Knight Ranked Lethe; Shapeless Mask Of Thieving Lies, Jon now possessed overwhelming range of enhancements at his disposal.

  Although he had not managed to transform [Imperial Wood Art; Towering Tree Barrier] into a dual-fragment pathway, he felt as though he was heading in the right direction. His mindset these past few days have been… less than ideal.

  “…” Song, Rana and Eis all choosing to remain quiet at this moment.

  The Earth Reincarnation Womb having manifested herself several metres behind the Boundless Heaven Gate. Allowing her golden-green light to envelop those resting in between patrol shifts or on lunch breaks.

  More than a dozen other tree-type summoned companions manifested all around her, providing an assortment of different buffing effects or boosts to regenerations. Delila taking no chances, not daring to underestimate the System-generated Lord for even a single moment.

  As an existence that once walked this earth, in the same manner that summoned companions once did, it could possess a level of intelligence and foresight that might exceed that of even Jon himself. Depending on what Rank it had previously reached, its control over specific abilities could be astronomically complex and efficient.

  Not to mention the fact that it would possess the Titles that it had accumulated throughout its existence. Mortal Titles. Knight Titles. Lord Titles. And potentially even the Title-effects of a Memento Source Item.

  Potentially… with a full set of Knight-level equipment. Depending on whether it was intelligent enough to plunder the corpses of those whose children had killed. Although said effects would be limited, even a ten percent increase to the strength of a Lord Ranked ability would be more than anything that Jon could produce.

  ‘At least I got to talk a little with Avahni again. Albeit for all of five minutes. Hopefully I should be able to fix things before the System Introduction is concluded…’ Jon sighed, tapping the back of his head onto the wall behind him.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  The youthful-looking young man feeling one of his fingers twitch, [Bestial Intuition] alerting him to the presence of two humans. Lethe manifesting in its Smiling-Mask form, as he tilted his head to the side, observing Delila and Miyoung approach him.

  The former adorned in the complete set of Knight Ranked spiritual items that Jon, Maliq and the Merchant Guild had gifted her. Her Lord Ranked Sagacious-Thunder Cape fluttering behind her despite a distinct lack of wind, filling Jon’s nostrils with the familiar scent of ozone.

  Miyoung behind her adorned in her Wandering Night Protection. Her facial expressions unable to be observed with Themia covering her face, although seemed slightly hesitant to approach him.

  If her hiding behind Delila was anything to go by.

  “Jon. I hear you and Miyoung have already met?” Delila asked, smiling while placing a hand on her hip. Pulling the Archon Of Reigning Dragons out from behind her, earning a small yelp from the younger woman.

  “Delila!” Miyoung exclaimed, her words ignored by the Administrator Of Thunder And Civilization.

  Jon just nodded in response.

  “We’ve… met.” Was all Jon replied with, turning his head towards Miyoung who just stared at the expressionless mask that he was wearing. The younger human woman blinking for several moments before pointing at said “mask.”

  “Is that mask… your Memento Source Item?” Miyoung queried.

  Jon just nodding in response to her words.

  “Yeah. It is.” Was all he responded with before gesturing towards her Source with his hand.

  “Sariel said that you have one too? The Seven-Stringed Reignbow if I am not mistaken?” Jon said, controlling Lethe so as to prevent instances of [Falsehood] from affecting them. He had seen more than half of her status page during their previous encounter, giving him a rough impression of her abilities.

  Miyoung did not think too much about his words, just nodding along as if it were the most normal thing in the world. Extending her arm out and manifesting Lenecia, an ornate-looking longbow manifested itself within the palm of her hand. Adorned with beautiful wood-carvings and rose-petals, the Memento Source Item possessed seven strings, each one capable of producing a different effect.

  Delila observing the Seven-Stringed Reignbow, whistling as she glanced at its Traits.

  “That is a magnificent Memento Source Item Miyoung. I dare say that it even exceeds the beauty of the Boundless Heaven Gate and Piercing-Void Ship.” Delila said, not noticing Miyoung’s brows twitch at the compliment.

  “Y-yeah. Thanks, I guess,” Was all she replied with, her tone slightly awkward.

  Jon on the other hand, observed the Seven-Stringed Reignbow through the lenses of Minerva-Infiltration Eyes. Given the concepts of “infiltration,” “stealth,” and “penetration” that his Fragment Of Eyes had layered atop it, [Eyes Through The Looking Glass] was able to view more information about the Memento Source Item.

  Each string contained within it a different effect, allowing Miyoung to inflict up to seven different debuffs on her enemies while using Lenecia. The inherent melodic structure of the Memento Source Item might seem refined and charming to most eyes but concealed beneath it overwhelming offensive capabilities.

  The Title that was used to form it too, Princess Of Melodic-Strings also seemed to linger in a manner different to either Polemarch Of Jade Warfare or Lost Author Of Shapes And Forms.

  Humming softly through the seven-strings of Lenecia, resonating with her other Mortal Ranked Title. Jon could not help but feel as though her Memento Source Item was even more threatening that Lethe.

  “I don’t think “beautiful” is the right word for it,” Jon commented, “Graceful? Maybe. Elegant? Not so much. Lenecia… well, it is a weapon right? Weapons are meant to be strong. Weapons are meant to kill.”

  “Your Seven-Stringed Reignbow… it might seem feminine and refined because of the Music Trait and Harp Trait. But I dare say, that it might be the most dangerous Memento Source Item that exists within Springtown.”

  His words causing Miyoung’s eyes to widen beneath her Wandering Night Protection, mouth dropping just a fraction of an inch in surprise. Her Fragment Of Mind, which once trembled at the prospect of meeting Jon, grew stronger and more defined after hearing his words.

  Long Shen Xi and Jiu Mei Lan twitching from within their Fragment Of Dragon and Fragment Of Summon. Rosenrot too letting out a small tsk, feeling the near-imperceptible changes from their master and summoner.

  Miyoung looking down at her Seven-Stringed Reignbow, before feeling a smile pull at the corners of her mouth. Beside her, Delila just raised an eyebrow, staring at Jon with a suspicious expression on her face.

  Jon returned the stare, expressions still obscured beneath the Shapeless Mask Of Thieving Lies. He did not understand why Delila was side-eyeing him to such a degree, but ignored it, glancing one more time in the direction of the distant tree line.

  Observing nothing but leaves and shadows.

  “Anyway…” Delila said, glancing between both Jon and Miyoung.

  “I’m giving the two of you free reign to handle the defence of the Western Gate in anyway you too see fit. While I will be present and organising the various teams and squads that man the Boundless Heaven Gate and surrounding Guardian Walls, I will not engage in combat outside of using my supportive buffs or shield effects.”

  “Amadeus has taken charge over the defence of the Northen Gate. And Raflea over the defence of the Southern Gate. Members of the Transportation Guild and Trade Association will man the Eastern Gate, where we expect the least amount of combat.”

  “Most members of the Merchant Guild are present either at the Western Gate or Eastern Gate, including both Sariel and Wilheim. Although Shamael did volunteer to watch over Regulus at the Southern Gate alongside that other Memento Source wielding floresiensis.”

  “Nicolai, I think his name was?” Jon and Miyoung both nodding in affirmation.

  “So… we can just do whatever we want then? So long as we assist in the defence of the Western Gate?” Jon shrugged, ignoring the dozens of Knights gathered around the base of Harcourt, walking in groups towards Porta, their first-line of defence.

  “Yes. Although I have not seen Miyoung’s abilities personally, Amadeus and Maliq both vouch for her strength. Despite her weakness to mental disruption-type abilities, she possesses enough offensive might to rival that Third-Veined Knights, or even Fourth-Veined Knights.”

  “You fight in close-quarters. And Miyoung will watch over you from the rear. Between the Earth Reincarnation Womb, Graceful Dragon Of Treasured Beauty and the Scent Of Draconic Plum-Wine, you have a wide-range of supportive buffers at your backs.”

  “And that is not even considering both of your Memento Source Items. Wilheim has been granted similar privileges, as has Maliq. Both of whom are atop Xue Ying and will support each Gate from above.”

  Jon nodding his head one last time, finding Delila’s words most agreeable.

  Perhaps it was his Helel-Star Pride talking, but if he were to face against any ten random Knights off the streets of Springtown, Jon would find himself winning, regardless of how his opponent was. Call it arrogance or even overconfidence, but he did not feel as though there was a single Knight who could match his combination of abilities, or mastery over them.

  Miyoung might prove him wrong, although in her current state would crumble the moment he activated his Fragment Of Shapeless-Carcosa.

  ‘Still. Given her Bow Mana Core I can assume that Miyoung excels in ranged-combat. Although my enhancements should make me faster than her, closing the distance without getting an arrow through my skull might prove to be more difficult than breaking through Amadeus’ defensive combat style or Shamael’s hydra-transformation.’

  Jon allowed a small sigh to escape his lips, before turning his gaze in the direction of the distant tree line. Minerva-Sagacity Eyes sweeping across the shrubs and bushes that littered shadowy forest two kilometres away, not noticing anything in particular other than a faint wisp of wind natured-.

  Jon rose to his feet, eyes widening beneath his Shapeless Mask Of Thieving Lies.

  Both Delila and Miyoung stunned at his sudden movement, both turning their heads and activating their perception-type abilities to observe the distant forest.

  Their eyes widening as the sound of locusts and cicadas filled the air.