The Systemic Lands

Chapter 86: Day 213 – Confrontation

“So, the days normalized towards Earth days,” Naran said.

“From what I have been able to tell. There hasn’t been a huge jump in length. Still, has anyone seen what the setting sun, or light source, does over the void?”

“There is a hidden horizon. Like Minecraft.” Apparently, he played Minecraft. Of course, almost everyone had played Minecraft. Impressive he actually remembered what a sunset looked like and made the comparison to here.

“That makes my head hurt. I still haven’t worked out how that is even possible.” Minecraft astrophysics, which would make anyone’s brain bleed.

“The System you talked about?”

“Of course, the Almighty System, but there are still physical rules in this place. Gravity and air are two examples,” I said. I never studied how Flat Earth theory worked, believing it was complete nonsense. Now I wish I had so I could try to make sense of this place.

“But how much is being controlled. There could be space warping.”

“Still doesn’t seem the simplest option. Having a sun, or light source, behave the way it does, being equally distant to everyone and everything, is urg. If we take that at face value, then there needs to be a simple explanation for implementation and a reason.”

“The world could be curved and not flat. You aren’t sure about that.

“No, I am sure. I have run several tests with club, checking the length of its shadow, a certain point after dawn. The length of the shadow is the same without exception.”

“How accurate are you?”

“That is why there is still some doubt.” I was no astrophysicist or genius mathematician.

“We would need an astrophysicist or someone really good at math to work it out,” Naran said mirroring my thoughts.

“Yeah. But that is a problem for the far future. Don’t have the resources to support a scientist. Not with everything else. Then we have to find one. What is the percentage of world’s population are renowned astrophysicists with a sub-minor in unusual topology?”

“It can’t be that expensive to support a person?”

“Not really, but they would need equipment to run tests. They would need to be escorted out of the city long distances to run even more tests. All that means additional costs and time. You also can’t let the person die and they probably won’t be combat focused, so even more headache.” I did not want to be part of an escort mission. I could feel the winds of fate blowing my way as I thought that, nope, just no. No escort missions.

I conveniently didn’t think about the escort I did for Bob’s caravan or having to take Naran back to Purgatory. Those weren’t science expeditions, which by their very nature were a billion times worse according to any kind of gaming sense. It was like a red flag, with red flags drawn on it.

“Ah, I wasn’t thinking about that. Hmm, well an idea for the future.”

“I have a lot of those, but this place is exhausting.”

“Well, I am motivated to get grinding after all you have talked about it.”

“At least your head is in the right place. Oh, here they come,” Ruth and Tom were returning. It was just about mid-day when I said I was leaving. They made their way up to the second floor. Naran quickly got up and moved to the side. He probably expected a confrontation of some kind and wanted to clearly be out of the line of fire. I couldn’t tell if he thought it would be verbal or physical. The problem was I couldn’t tell either.

“We are done here,” Ruth said.

“You killed everyone?” I asked.

“Everyone hiding near the plaza and then some. I have explained to the survivors and showed a couple how to hunt slimes. The rest is on them.” I looked over at Tom.

“We got everyone we could. The survivors should be able to handle the rest,” Tom said. I nodded at that. It was about mid-day so we could get some distance.

“He is also being handed over to them to judge,” Ruth pointed at Naran. Naran looked at me but didn’t say anything. Ruth then looked at me after that glance. “You aren’t honestly thinking of taking him with us?”

“I am, but what is the point of handing him over to be killed?” I asked.

“Justice and closure. These people need to see they can take charge of their lives.”

“Unfortunately for them, he is my prisoner. Hmmm. What do you have to say about this?” I asked Naran.

“Again, I am sorry, but I tried my best with what I had and the situation I was in. You might be able to go around and purge the city, but you have him to fall back to. I didn’t have anyone like that and refused to die a pointless death. I had a plan to turn things around, but it would have taken time to build up my power base. I will admit, even then it wouldn’t have been good, but at least it wouldn’t be the lawlessness there was.”

“You were in charge, what, twenty days until we showed up?” I asked.

“About that yes.”

“And he needs to pay for that,” Ruth said and looked right at me. The only reason I kept putting up with this, was the help she had given me in that fight against the Guild. Whatever bridge she had built that day, she was burning it all down. Still, I promised myself in this moment, I would try to avoid killing her no matter how pissed off I got, to return the favor she gave me that day.

“Alright, I have a solution. Ruth, you go get your survivors. Tom, get the cart. We are going to the plaza.” This was going to piss everyone off.

“What are you planning?” Ruth asked. She probably knew I was going to subvert her expectations after having already done before and agreeing so easily.

“If they want to take revenge, they can take it with their own two hands. I figure a five on one death match is fair enough. If Naran wins, then he is free to leave, and I will give him passage to Purgatory having already been judged innocent. There will be no trial for him there. If he loses, they got their revenge.” We lived in a hellhole, so trial by combat.

“A death match, really?!” Ruth shouted at me.

“Yes, and don’t shout. He has behaved himself and has been honest. He also surrendered himself without deception or attempt to assassinate and has not caused any problems while being a prisoner.” Naran nodded in the background at that. “He did shitty things, but so have I. I can condemn a person for stupidity and being cruel just to be cruel, but I can’t honestly say with full confidence I could have done better in his position.”

“If you do this, I won’t forgive you,” Ruth said. Really now, throwing stones in glass houses.

“What, the people you rescued aren’t willing to fight?”

“You know they don’t have the strength or the ability.”

“Then they have no authority to request revenge.” If people weren’t willing to help themselves, why should I help them?

“It is for them to heal. Don’t do this Michael.” There was story behind the way she was acting. I didn’t care. Everyone had a sob story. She lacked the strength to make her convictions real. I noted she nor Tom had mentioned about the other skill users hiding in the city. She failed completely and now she was begging me to help her out.

“You know I believe people need to stand up themselves and take responsibility. A five on one and he isn’t getting a weapon is more than fair, possibly unfair in my mind.”

“You know it isn’t fair in the slightest. He would cut down those people with whatever skill he has.” It was Rock Lance. I had asked and he had told me. It was also upgraded one time as well with speed. He also had enough energy to use it six times in a row.

“Are you challenging my authority?”

“It is your choice, and I know I can’t beat you. But if you do this we are done.” Really now, pulling out that card. Well time to dig in the knife.

“You owe me. I think the favor is worth one million points. I am calling that debt in.”

“Fine. One million points to the glorious Champion.”

“You both should calm down,” Tom spoke up.

“You be quiet,” Ruth said, and I just closed my mouth to watch.

“Ruth, I was out there with you.”

“I…sorry Tom. I am just really angry right now. He just won’t listen.”

“Which is why I am suggesting we all take a moment to calm down.”

“He is protecting that person. No. Not after what these people have suffered.”

Tom looked at me. “You won’t change your mind.”

“I have said what I have said. I will kill people for many reasons, but Naran has not crossed my bottom line in any way. I asked for his surrender, and he did so without conditions. He is my prisoner, not yours. If you want him, then you are challenging me. Are you challenging me?” I also wasn’t happy with Ruth, and was not about to let her have her way.

“What about that other prisoner you promised to let go and then killed,” Ruth brought up the woman. “You just have gotten all buddy buddy, so you don’t want to kill him.”

“Yes, that is all true. But she had no redeeming value. He can explain things to Tyrese and Ken, and he is intelligent enough to make himself useful.”

“You hear him, no redeeming value,” Ruth said to Tom. Tom let out a sigh and looked at me.

“Michael, really?” You really wanted to nitpick everything I said? You both want to go there?

“That is the prerogative of power. I have the final say. It is my will that is imposed upon the world. That is the ultimate truth of the Systemic Lands. You can either respect that, or side with her and owe me quite a bit. Your debt would also be one million points Tom for the apprenticeship.”

“You are a bully,” Ruth said.

“Yes, I am. I am a terrible person. I kill and torture without remorse. I am the root evil of this world. The devil made flesh. I am Azeroth the destroyer of puppies and kittens.” My tone was biting and carried my frustration.

“Screw you Michael, screw you to hell,” Ruth spun around to leave.

“We will draw up a contract before you leave for your debt. I expect 100,000 points every ten days from both of you. I am being serious. If you default, I will issue a kill bounty.” Ruth spun back to glare at me.

“Really man?” Tom asked.

“Not another word. Maybe I was too easy going with both of you. But that is the price of my favor for sticking around here and what I have done for her. What I have done for you. You can either work hard to pay me back or die trying, honestly at this point I am about done caring.”

“Draw it up,” Ruth said with tears streaming down her face. I got my notebook and drew up a contract in the same format as the one’s Laura had drawn up. I made three copies each and signed them. Ruth then signed them as well. I then repeated it with Tom.

“Good luck, we are leaving immediately and Naran is coming with me.”

“What?!” Ruth shouted. What an idiot.

“You thought you would be one of those five people to fight him. You aren’t a member of my party anymore, therefore you have no weight upon my decisions. He is my prisoner. Let’s go.”

Tom looked between Ruth and me, not sure what he wanted to do.

“Don’t go with him. You see how he is. Not willing to compromise. It is all about him.” Fine, you wanted to go there. Let’s go there!

“Really compromise. How dare you.”

“You-“

“Shut up!” She went silent and completely still. This was the first time I had really raised my voice. “I was not going to bring this up and promised myself to let it go, so we could part on decent terms. I had hoped you would come forward yourself. But you can’t stop insulting my behavior, my decisions. Well guess what you traitorous bitch, I know. I know how Tyrese has been paying you crystals to report on me to him and Ken.” There was a look of shock on her face. Tom spun to look at her.

“Oh, you didn’t think I found out now did you. Just a bumbling murderous idiot, killing his way through everything. Oh, now you shut your mouth and have nothing to say. Hmmm?”

“Ruth, is this true?” Tom asked. She turned to look at him with tears streaming down her face. “I…I thought I knew you.”

“There you have it. The truth revealed. The curtain pulled back in all its ugly glory. I had feelings for you. But that was a mistake. All the easier for you to twist in the dagger, right into my heart. Since you couldn’t wound me any other way. Well congratulations you did it. You hurt me, deeply.” Ruth began sobbing. Tom kept looking back and forth between us.

“Now it is time for a punishment.” Tom snapped his head to look in my direction. “You think betrayal is taken lightly? Oh, no. You burned up all the good will you had with your whining and uselessness here. So, if you are truly sorry, I will ask what I ask others to show they really mean it.”

“Michael-“

“Shut up Tom. Not a word out of you. Not one word.” He closed his mouth tight. “There was an anime I watched. The one thing that stuck with me from it, was the villain, a CEO of a lending company. He said people would come and say sorry and they can’t pay back the money they borrowed. But it is easy to say something, but it is much harder to really mean it. I won’t ask you kneel down on a burning metal plate.”

“No. Instead I will ask for the one thing that got you into this situation in the first place. I want your tongue. If you want my forgiveness and a chance to leave alive, then all you have to do is cut it out and present it to me.” No one moved or said anything.

“Well, you thought I was a villain, so don’t be surprised when I really am one. Go on. I am waiting.” Ruth slowly stopped crying.

“Michael. I…” Ruth paused and took a deep breath. “I am sorry. Please, I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“Ruth. You haven’t been paying attention. Anything you say means less than garbage to me.” I checked my watch. “I will give you ten minutes.”

“I won’t be able to pay you back.”

“That is a separate issue from the favor you owe me for standing in this building for the last couple of days wasting my time on your foolishness. The contract is signed, and you know Tyrese and Ken won’t dispute it. You remember Evaline, I am sure you do. A bounty will be a death sentence. You can always save yourself the headache and try to escape or fight.”

“You know I won’t win. You…I was worried about your mental state. So were other people. It gave them peace of mind to know how you thought.”

“And open me up to political manipulation. Also, I wouldn’t be surprised if you shared more with Tyrese during those late-night visits. I won’t judge you for that, since you are an adult, and we aren’t a couple. But can you promise me that the only thing you ever talked with him about me was my mental state?”

Tom began staring at Ruth in shock. The silence stretched out once again. “You are now down to eight minutes. Chop. Chop.”

“May I speak?” Tom spoke up.

“Sure. But if you ask for a change to Ruth’s punishment, then you can cut out your tongue instead and I will accept that,” Someone sure was brave. I was not going to hear anymore complaining.

“Don’t Tom, this is my mess,” Ruth said.

“I…Michael. The last couple of days have been quite stressful for Ruth and she said some things she didn’t mean.” I didn’t say anything. “Can’t we…I mean, figure out another way?”

“Then propose a solution, mister genius. Go on, she has seven minutes left.”

“Can’t she just be exiled?” Tom asked.

“Then how will she repay her debt? Unless you are volunteering to take that on?”

“It is an insane number of points, there is no that is repayable.”

“She will just have to put her back into it. Just like you. But you are right. I will change it to 100,000 points every 20 days. That will give you both more than enough time to grind it out.” I got out both contracts and began making the notation on them.

“What about the people here?” Tom asked.

“You do not have the position to ask about the plans of the Triumvirate.”

“That is just something you created,” Tom said in an almost shouting tone. I became really annoyed at Tom butting in.

That was when I saw Naran shift on his feet, but he didn’t do anything else. I paused as I looked at the man. There was something about him that caught my eye. I really looked at him, he was broken and defeated. There was fear in his face as his eyes darted around the room.

Tom had a pleading look on his face as he glanced between Ruth and me. He was worried and didn’t want violence between us. That was obvious enough.

I glanced at Ruth and her eyes were smiling. I had looked at her face enough to know her eyes quite well during the evenings and mornings, when we shared a meal together, to know when she was happy and sad. I had stared at her eyes trying to think about what she had been thinking. Love at its most foolish. Right now, she was happy, but her mouth was frowning. That was the moment when I realized what was truly happening right now. That clever bitch.

My rage reached critical levels and went to the complete opposite, ice cold, absolute zero. I was being too emotional. I was too invested. This was the exact situation I wanted to avoid and why I didn’t have this confrontation sooner. I knew I would get carried away and miss things.

Even though I thought about all of this beforehand, it still happened anyways. I wanted to smack myself for being such an idiot, but I needed to act and quickly. But first I needed to do was think.

Ruth pulled out her dagger and began to bring it up. “Michael, please,” Tom said and that was when it hit me. The perfect solution out of this mess. The entire mess with a revenge cherry on top and it couldn’t be any more perfect.