Epic Of The Demonic Sage

While Lucius could have given the artifact to someone else for them to use, for example to Arius and the others when they return to be utilized when they spy in Tarka barony, it was still probably a prized equipment.

He needed to consider it carefully before just handing it over to someone else.

"The crystal comes from a rare ranked beast, and considering that it's a winged creature that can fly up higher than most… it's no doubt difficult to capture." Lucius said as he glanced at the artifact. "I suppose, it'll be with me until it is to be actually needed."

Since Lucius had no capacity to make artifacts yet and make use of the rune crystals that he got with him, it was important to keep what artifacts he had with himself.

They might be able to save his life or give him the edge that he needed in a situation.

The Wind Scar for example had proved itself useful, during the party at Harrels barony to even the most recent battle between the Inanis and Drew armies.

Lucius didn't think much of the original owner of the body, Asher Inanis, but the fact that he was able to receive a powerful artifact from the king and also provided a body for Lucius to use was all thanks to the fact that he was a reckless young man.

Instead of seeing all the things that the Inanis Family could offer him, Asher instead felt inadequate enough that he risked his life to remove the emotional turmoil within him for being giftless.

If Lucius had been in his shoes… well, Lucius was in Asher's body now and the young man was out of the picture entirely.

"I do not really feel indebted as his death was out of his own doing, but I suppose the Inanis Family will be rising through the ranks thanks to his death." Lucius said before storing away the artifact.

Lucius wasn't the type to be sentimental, but he did find it also necessary to look back from time to time to see how he had progressed and learn what he could do from there.

His circumstances were a challenge, and he had exerted effort to accomplish what he had right now, but that wasn't the end all things.

"I've accomplished all my studies and have no need for Master Kain except for the information he can provide me via the Artificer's Guild, but I do feel like I've been neglecting my own physical strength."

Lucius had stopped his training with Lieutenant John since he reached a certain level of mastery. It was something that also allowed John to take care of the security for the Dionysia Brewery.

"Hmmm, I have the Necklace of the Damned and it has increased the use of spells that I've stored in my mind space, but it's also necessary to catch up on physical training as well."

While Lucius didn't have a gift that was combat based, it was up to his own physical prowess, constant training and his experience from the past to provide him his strength.

"There's not much I can do for the physical prowess, at least until I keep my training and look into ways to enhance this body." Lucius murmured.

There was a lot of things that Lucius would have liked to accomplish, and yet even for someone like him, he still needed to have to prioritize which one took precedence over the other.

"Hell energy and demonic mana's effect with a body can be hidden with careful effort perhaps, but while I see no divine interference now… we can't say for sure that things will remain as they are." Lucius eyed the Lost in front of him.

If the church were to discover the methods he had to create the Masked Legion, chaos would ensue and that was something that Lucius would prevent for the time being or avoid all together if he could.

But right now, Lucius remembered something.

"Hah, I did promise that I won't be taking too long here." Lucius clasped his hands behind his back and made his way out of the laboratory.

Kiana had insisted for him to return as soon as he can since Countess Lita was actually lonely and missed her husband even if she hadn't said it aloud. Thus it only made sense that her 'son' who was around should comfort her with his presence.

"Attachments, are truly a bother to deal with." Lucius muttered to himself.

He knew how to play the social game, and had performed it all to survive, but found no actual pleasure in it… all relationships were simply a stepping block to further his goals.

Of course, Lucius didn't want other people to be exactly like him. It simply made them harder to manipulate if they were similar, so in a sense, it was actually a good thing that the Inanis Family were actually humans at the end of the day.

Lucius was able to read into their desires and make sure that they closely matched with what he wanted to achieve.

"At least, I'm only dealing with Countess Lita." Lucius said on his way back to the Inanis mansion. "If Kiana by chance was in some kind of relationship too, that would have made it less likely for her to swear loyalty to me and I would have had to rectify it. Take some notes from Tharian theocracy."

The Great Barrom Clan had its methods of instilling loyalty, but the Tharian theocracy made quite the fervent followers and worshipers. That was something Lucius could respect from them.

Once Lucius arrived at the mansion, he met up with Countess Lita and Kiana. He dined and conversed, taking care of the filial duties of a son while also informing himself of news within the city and other ongoing proceedings.

A couple more days passed, before Kiana once again disturbed Lucius in his room.

"The Count has sent a letter! The Countess wishes to read it with you."