*♪ BOOM! ♪ ♪ BOOM! ♪ BOOM! ♪ ♪ BOOM! ♪
I tried a few more times, but it didn't work. I only attracted the people of the league, who crowded around and watched me. At least they didn't get in the way... Looks like that door was enchanted, like the walls around it, so I can't get in. I doubt it's naturally strong, that would be ridiculous. Amazing, I thought there weren't many things on this planet that could withstand my blow without consequences, and these walls don't have a scratch on them. Magic really is a dangerous thing. I doubt it's the stones or the metal the door is made of. The walls within ten meters of this door are breaking down and they look exactly the same. It's bloody magic for sure. I'd better be careful with it, I hope I don't get some kind of curse for trying to break in.
Nanda Parbat is a tricky place. I thought the Lazarus Pit was the only treasure here, but it seems not. What's in there could be interesting...
There is a John Constantine on this earth, so there must be angels too. I think there are still too many people who shouldn't be provoked. In Central City, I'm quietly doing business and planning to take over some small companies, but who knows what will happen next. Behind large organizations in other states, someone may be behind them. The giant corporations that existed in my world also existed here, they probably didn't lack mages.... Of course mages were rare even in the comics and there usually featured some pretty dangerous individuals. The mages from there were usually real monsters. In this world, maybe they don't exist at all. Although, there were some ordinary guys out there... A few mages would be a good idea. But still, it's worth being careful. I'd forgotten about this threat, and you should have, there might be someone nasty in the government. I don't think we need to worry too much, though. If they had someone really powerful, they'd be after me by now. And it's not usually in the spirit of a mage to serve someone... If they have someone, I'll have to get rid of them. I'll just have to be on my guard, mages can cause a lot of trouble for me.
While I was pondering the problem of magic, Merlin finally arrived.
«What's going on?
I looked at him and said:
«I've looked through most of it, but I can't see what's behind that door. Why don't you show me what's in there?
Merlin faltered, after which he sighed:
«If I could... The last-- Ahem, my predecessor, had access to it, but I don't even know where to begin. Since he didn't prepare me for his replacement, I don't know much about it. I've tried a dozen times to open this door, and it won't open. I think it's protected by some kind of powerful magic.
Merlin was pretty good at controlling his emotions and heartbeat, it was hard to tell if he was lying. The naive and those who can't lie easily reveal themselves. But men like Merlin are masters. No matter how strong my hearing is, I won't be able to recognize his lies. There are some things that are beyond my control. So, if that's what he said, I'll have to believe it.
I sighed:
«Well, to hell with it, if it's not strong enough to open, then what's inside is definitely not worth touching.
«Ha, I figured as much, so I gave up on that one.
I nodded and started to walk away, Zack following close behind. Merlin didn't say anything, just gave me a strange look and went somewhere else.
Back in my chambers, I turned to my new friend and said:
«You can be free, I don't need to be watched. Go to Laurel and find out when the ceremony is.
Zack nodded and quickly disappeared.
Left in a quiet room, I only now realized that it was incredibly boring. I wish they'd put a TV on... I lay down on the bed and dozed off. About an hour later, Zack came back and bowed and said:
«Sir, regarding the ceremony. There will be no ceremony.
I grinned:
«I doubt it, just wait, things will change soon.
Bowing before leaving, the guy disappeared again.
It seems Merlin has decided to say no. As I recall, that's what happened in canon, but it's temporary. I could influence his decision, but I won't. If I do something wrong, who knows what will happen.
Eh, waiting again... I hope I don't die of boredom. Well, if it's the price of keeping the Lazarus Pit, I guess it's worth it.
There's no particular threat to the company, so my absence shouldn't affect things too much. I've issued a few orders, and I think they'll be resolved during my absence. I have big plans for Central City, and not just Central City. The big corporations may have strong personalities, but I'm not weak. We need to use power wisely, not foolishly seize power. Sure, I could go out and start an all-out war, but that wouldn't benefit anyone. I might be able to kill a bunch of military men, but who knows what they have. They might go to extreme measures and then I could lose a lot. A war could lead to a huge amount of deaths, which I don't want at all. Anyway, I'm not a threat to the planet. On the contrary, I wish to protect it and have complete control over it. Brute force conquest works, but you have to take it slowly. Eat enterprise after enterprise. Sponsor others, earn respect and influence. I have plans for the League of Assassins, too, and when the time comes, they'll play their part. For now, it was a matter of taking things slowly.
It was getting late, so I dozed off again.
I don't know how long I slept, but after a while my sleep was interrupted. I heard a low rustle, and all my instincts were heightened. My sleep was quite sensitive, it had been preserved from my previous life, and here it was intensified by my abilities. I continued to pretend to be asleep and identified my guest just as easily. Her scent and her slightly racing heart gave her away completely....
The quiet sound of the blade being pulled from its sheath amused me and I waited for it to continue.
Putting it up to my neck, Nissa said coldly:
«Gotcha.
I smiled and asked:
«Oh, really?
My question made the girl flinch, and her heart started beating even harder. I didn't move, but just watched her actions with a smile. Her curved blade was placed against my neck, and she was very tense. Completely unlike a trained assassin....
I grinned:
«What are you waiting for? You have a chance to kill me, so do it.
***
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