Tamer of Cosmic Beasts

Chapter 82: A Human Duke

Akash appointed Lucy and Bim as Earls and the remaining minions as Soldiers. Then, he called all the soldiers of Death Gate to follow him to training as well. They would be crucial people to him in the future, every organization like his would want spies and assassins, after all. Akash wanted to train them to the fullest.

<Carnage Prison>

Soon after, the enforcers landed on the Training Ground. There were a total of 38 tamers including Akash Tagar. 1 Lord, 14 Earls and 22 assassin soldiers following the lead of their sole king.

The System asked them beforehand whether they wanted to be teleported to the same area or a different one, Akash chose the same one and they all arrived at the V-Valley dukedom within his wider kingdom domain. Everyone quickly heard the news of Akash's arrival. 528 days had passed in Carnage Prison since he had left. Red Mamba arrived to greet the king.

"My King, welcome back. Your humble subject is glad to see you again."

Akash replied in kind.

"Glad to see you as well. Call Golden Panther, we have to go to that Ogre's dukedom as soon as possible."

For Akash, it had only been a week or two since he had left this planet, so unlike Red Mamba, he wasn't as sentimental. The more he experienced this time dilation, the more impressed he became with the System and its creators, the Primordial Beasts. Additionally, he was starting to grasp some miniscule aspects of this time manipulation albeit very slowly.

"My King, there is no need to go there anymore. We already got the seeds of an undead tree for you."

Red Mamba said with a smile.

"Really!"

Akash asked in a voice filled with fervor, he could now practice the 1st godly skill given to him by the System. Red Mamba nodded his head respectfully and Akash quickly composed himself before asking.

"Where is it?"

"It's in Golden Panther's possession. We've already sent word of your arrival to him. He should be here in a day or two."

Red Mamba explained and continued.

"My King, you should rest for now. Your palace has also been prepared. Please have a look at it as well."

Akash smiled and nodded before turning to look at the 14 officers and 22 soldiers as he began to speak.

"Make blood contracts with strong beasts, tame them and learn the martial art techniques I've given you. Since you already know who our enemy will be, work to your absolute limit, so we can match and surpass them."

All of them nodded and Akash went with Red Mamba to check out the palace. It looked more gigantic and beautiful than ever before. Red Mamba showed the king the way to his chamber. What he saw there was a well-marbled room, very big for a fairy man to live in. Akash was fascinated by the water stream running from a hole located at the lower half of his walls. From it, fresh water flowed directly from the mountains into his own personal pool, made with marble stones as well. His bed was enormous too as even ten of him couldn't fully occupy.

Red Mamba spoke as Akash was marveling at his chamber.

"My King, we have successfully made a branch from the river into our dukedom, thus giving us a fresh water supply. Golden Panther suggested making a personal pool for you, so we all agreed and connected a small channel directly to your room.

As for the bed, it's also the delicate handywork of Needle Rats. It has multiple features such becoming warmer in the winter and colder during the summer"

The explanation touched Akash's curiosity, so he asked.

"What's so special about it?"

Red Mamba explained.

"This inside of the bed is made of Water Rubber Fish, its belly is elastic, so it adapts to the person, giving a cozy feeling to those sleeping on it. It is also coated with the skin of a Leather Worm, a highly sought-after material in empires and big kingdoms. Their skin changes the temperature around their body. Even after the worm's death, the effect lasts forever. Finally, the sheets on top were made from a Silk Rabbit, soft to the touch."

Akash looked at the bed once again and arced his lips in admiration.

"Hmm, let's try it then."

Akash said before jumping on the bed. The elastic mattress wiggled as he landed. The comfort was genuine. He touched a pillow and his hand was swallowed by it, exemplifying their elasticity and softness.

"Are they of high quality as well?"

Akash asked.

"Oh no, My King. They are the breasts of a Fluffy Buffalo."

Red Mamba smiled as Akash squeezed the pillow.

"Oh, breasts of a fluf... wait what!?"

Akash jumped off the bed as soon as the meaning dawned on him. After which, he spent some more time in bed, awake and embarrassed before finally giving into the sweet embrace of sleep.

As he woke up the next day, he went to check everything else. He found many geographical changes such as a river stream, some boundaries for zones etc. The number of beasts had increased as well. Some other beasts had joined the V-Valley dukedom in his absence but none of them were noteworthy.

While roaming around, he noticed the soldiers practicing their martial art techniques, that he had given them. After quite a while, Golden Panther arrived, prompting Akash to call everyone in. When everyone arrived, he was already sitting on his throne.

"Welcome back, My King."

Golden Panther knelt and greeted Akash Tagar.

"Yes, it has been some time. You may rise now."

Akash said.

"My Liege, here are your seeds of the undead tree."

Panther opened his mouth and took out a wooden bottle before Akash took it and stored it in his inventory. After which, he inquired.

"How did you get these seeds?"

Panther replied.

"I didn't get them, My King."

Panther's face grew graver as he continued.

"During the past year, many things happened across the boundaries. Around 19 dukedoms and 2 kingdoms have been destroyed and replaced with new ones, so many changes occurring in so little time is unheard of."

Akash was seriously listening to all of the panther's words.

"The one who gave me the seeds was one of the new dukes, the previous ogre duke was killed and replaced by another person."

Akash's eyes widened.

"Someone defeated the ogres! That's unexpected."

"Yes, he killed the ogre duke and somehow, he even knew about you. He sent a formal invitation to us with your name on it. However, as you were absent, I attended in your stead. That's where he gave me the seeds, he already knew that Your Majesty wanted these seeds."

Golden Panther explained whereas Akash squinted his eyes the further the explanation went.

"What's his race?"

"A human, My King."

Akash was astonished by these words, he never thought that humans would also be sent to this prison. Then, Red Mamba added.

"My Liege, he also accepted and recognized our domain as a kingdom and wants to form an alliance as well."

This intrigued Akash as he pondered before speaking again.

"We will meet him once I'm done with my practice. As for now, you all are dismissed."

As per Akash's order, everyone started leaving. During this, Akash called for someone.

"Shehneel!"

The Vampire stopped and bowed.

"Yes, My Liege?"

"You stay here."

Shehneel nodded and they waited for everyone else to leave first. Then, Akash spoke.

"Tell me what happened when you gave your report to the mayor of Slave City."

Shehneel's eyes twitched as he said.

"My Liege, he is a dangerous man. When I told him of his niece's death, he simply laughed and tapped my shoulders."

Akash furrowed his brows and inquired further.

"What was his reaction when you told him about the death of Baghi Tea and the others?"

"He didn't have any reaction, My Liege. He simply tsked."

Akash was puzzled, continuing his questions.

"Why did he attack the city?"

Shehneel replied hesitantly.

"He was... he was just having fun."

Akash calmly looked at him.

"Why did you assume that?"

"That's the only thing his actions showed, he was just messing with the Tea Family. People with too much power and money often undertake such nasty habits to alleviate their boredom."

Akash smiled.

"Hmm, he is a smart one. He successfully fooled you by behaving that way. In reality, he almost certainly has a solid motive behind such an all-out attack."

"I don't know about that, My Liege. I would've pried some more but I was afraid he would have become suspicious if I asked too many questions."

"I understand, you did well."

Akash Tagar said before callig Earl Baghi Tea and Earl Zaheer Seth in via the System. They arrived soon after, saluting him while Akash waved his hand and just asked them a question.

"Baghi, Zaheer, how much do you know about Abran?"

"We know almost everything regarding it, My Liege."

Zaheer replied.

"And what do you know about Chand Gandraf of Slave City?"

"Unfortunately, not too much. He was a friend of my grandfather but he has changed a lot since then. He was a short-tempered, beast-loving tamer who was proud of his pets and powers."

Baghi Tea's answer shocked Akash. He didn't expect for the mayor to be as old as him, worrying him even more. There was a saying 'One will only get the comb of canny when they will lose the hair on their head'. Meaning that the older one got, they wiser they became.