The Extra's Rise
Chapter 589 - 589: Bone Symbiote (4)

The morning after our visit to the Maelkith estate, Jin received a priority message that immediately shifted the dynamics of our stay in the Western Continent. His parents, King Valen and Queen Camilla Ashbluff, were returning to the palace a full day ahead of schedule from their diplomatic mission to the Southern Kingdoms.

"Father wants an immediate briefing on your collaboration with the Tower," Jin explained as he read through the encrypted communication on his phone. "Mother is apparently quite curious about meeting the person who's managed to revolutionize necromantic theory during a winter break."

"Should I be nervous?" I asked, though Jin seemed more thoughtful than concerned.

"With my parents? Not nervous, but definitely prepared for intense scrutiny. They don't make unscheduled returns for trivial matters." He paused, considering something. "We should head to the palace now. When Father says 'immediate,' he means it literally."

The Ashbluff royal palace was even more impressive than the family estate where we'd been staying. Where the private residence emphasized elegant comfort, the palace projected pure authority—soaring towers of black granite and silver, with architectural lines that seemed to cut through the sky itself. The building wasn't just a residence; it was a statement of power that had stood for centuries.

Royal guards in ceremonial armor flanked the main entrance, though their weapons and bearing suggested they were far more than decorative. These were clearly practitioners of significant capability, positioned to defend one of the continent's most important strategic locations.

"Their Majesties are waiting in the formal audience chamber," a palace aide informed us as we were escorted through corridors lined with portraits of previous monarchs and displays of artifacts that probably represented more wealth than most kingdoms possessed.

The audience chamber was designed to impress, with vaulted ceilings that disappeared into shadow above and floor space that could have accommodated several hundred people. But despite its grandeur, only four figures occupied the vast room—King Valen and Queen Camilla seated on thrones that somehow managed to be both ornate and practical, with two advisors standing discretely nearby.

Both monarchs carried themselves with the enhanced physicality that marked high-rank practitioners, and their presence filled the enormous chamber with an authority that had nothing to do with ceremonial trappings. These were individuals accustomed to wielding genuine power.

"Your Majesties," Jin said with a formal bow that I quickly mirrored.

"Jin," King Valen replied, his voice carrying the kind of warmth that suggested genuine affection beneath royal protocol. "Arthur Nightingale. Your reputation has reached interesting circles."

Queen Camilla's attention was immediately focused on me with an intensity that felt like being evaluated by someone who saw layers of meaning others missed. "The young man who's been overturning centuries of necromantic doctrine during his school vacation. How refreshingly ambitious."

"Your Majesty is very kind," I replied carefully.

"I'm rarely kind without reason," she said with a slight smile that somehow managed to be both warm and calculating. "Tell me about this theoretical framework you've developed. The reports we've received suggest something quite extraordinary."

What followed was perhaps the most intense academic discussion I'd ever experienced. Both monarchs demonstrated knowledge of necromantic theory that exceeded what I would have expected from rulers, asking questions that probed not just the technical aspects of my work but its broader implications for magical development.

"Creating Ancient Undead without Gifts is revolutionary enough," King Valen observed after I'd explained the theoretical foundations. "But I'm curious about practical applications. What do you intend to create with this knowledge?"

"Currently, I'm collaborating with the Ebony Tower on a symbiotic construct," I said. "Something that can function both independently and as an integrated enhancement to my own capabilities."

"Symbiotic," Queen Camilla repeated thoughtfully. "Meaning it would merge with your physical form?"

"Among other capabilities, yes Your Majesty."

The silence that followed was profound, with both monarchs exchanging glances that suggested rapid communication on levels I couldn't detect.

"Arthur," the Queen said finally, "have you considered applying your theoretical breakthrough to this symbiotic construct? Creating it not just as a sophisticated summon, but as an Ancient Undead?"

The question hit me like a physical blow. In all my planning and collaboration with Paul's team, I had focused on creating something unprecedented but had never considered applying my Gift-less Ancient Undead method to the bone symbiote itself.

"The complexity would be extraordinary," I said slowly, my mind already racing through implications. "Ancient Undead possess capabilities that normal constructs can't match, but the consciousness integration required for symbiotic function..."

"Would be far more stable if anchored by Ancient Undead consciousness patterns," King Valen finished. "Ancient consciousness is inherently more flexible and adaptive than standard construct awareness."

Jin was following the conversation with obvious fascination. "You're suggesting Arthur create something that's both Ancient Undead and symbiotic construct simultaneously?"

"I'm suggesting," Queen Camilla said with that calculating smile, "that someone with Arthur's capabilities shouldn't limit himself to conventional categories when unprecedented opportunities are available."

The implications were staggering. An Ancient Undead with symbiotic capabilities would be something beyond anything that existed in necromantic theory. It would possess the enhanced consciousness and growth potential of an Ancient entity while maintaining the integration abilities I was designing.

"The Ebony Tower would need to completely revise their approach," I said, thinking through the practical considerations. "Ancient Undead creation requires different materials, different binding protocols, completely different consciousness programming."

"The Tower has the resources," King Valen said simply. "The question is whether you have the vision to attempt something truly unprecedented."

I looked around the audience chamber—at the portraits of previous monarchs who had shaped continental history, at Jin whose supportive presence had been invaluable throughout this entire process, at the two rulers who were essentially challenging me to push beyond what I'd thought possible.

"Your Majesties," I said carefully, "are you suggesting this as theoretical discussion, or as something you would actively support?"

"Arthur," Queen Camilla said, leaning forward slightly, "we don't make suggestions about projects of this magnitude without being prepared to provide substantial backing."

The weight of royal support for something this ambitious was both exhilarating and terrifying. Creating a symbiotic Ancient Undead would require resources, expertise, and political protection that individual practitioners could never access.

"What kind of support are we discussing?" I asked.

"Material access beyond what the Tower normally provides," King Valen replied. "Political protection for research that will inevitably attract international attention. And..." He paused meaningfully. "Future opportunities that align with your apparent ambitions."

The last point carried implications I wasn't entirely sure I understood, but the overall offer was clear. The Ashbluff royal family was prepared to invest significantly in seeing me create something that had never existed before.

"I would need to discuss this with Deputy Tower Master Lucrian," I said. "The technical challenges alone would require complete project restructuring."

"Naturally," the Queen agreed. "Paul is expecting a communication from us within the hour. We've already arranged for preliminary discussions about enhanced resource allocation."

Jin whistled softly. "You've been planning this conversation."

"We've been anticipating opportunities," his mother corrected with obvious satisfaction. "Arthur's theoretical breakthrough represents a chance to establish capabilities that could prove... strategically valuable."

I felt the familiar sensation of standing at a decision point that would fundamentally alter future possibilities. Creating a symbiotic Ancient Undead would be the most ambitious magical project attempted in recent history, with risks and rewards that extended far beyond personal advancement.

But as I'd learned throughout my time in this world, extraordinary achievements required accepting extraordinary challenges.

"Your Majesties," I said formally, "I would be honored to attempt such a project with royal support."

King Valen's smile was brilliant with anticipation. "Excellent. Jin, please escort Arthur back to the Tower. We have arrangements to make and theories to revolutionize."

As we prepared to leave the palace, Queen Camilla approached me with an expression that somehow managed to be both maternal and formidable.

"Arthur," she said quietly, "what you're about to attempt will change more than just necromantic theory. Success will establish you as someone whose capabilities extend far beyond normal categorization. Are you prepared for that level of visibility?"

I considered the question carefully. Creating a symbiotic Ancient Undead would indeed attract attention from powers I hadn't yet encountered, with implications I couldn't fully predict.

"Your Majesty," I replied honestly, "I've learned that avoiding visibility is rarely an option when pursuing meaningful advancement. Better to embrace it while maintaining appropriate allies."

Her smile was approving. "Spoken like someone who understands how power actually works. We'll speak again soon, Arthur. I believe this partnership will prove beneficial for everyone involved."

As Jin and I left the palace and headed back toward the Ebony Tower, I reflected on how dramatically the scope of my project had just expanded. What had begun as an innovative summon had evolved into something that could fundamentally alter the landscape of individual magical capability.

"Your parents don't do anything by half measures," I observed.

"Never," Jin agreed with obvious affection. "But when they commit to supporting something, they provide resources that most people can't even imagine. You've just gained backing for what might be the most ambitious necromantic project ever attempted."

Looking at the Ebony Tower rising in the distance, its dark spire reaching toward a sky that suddenly seemed full of unprecedented possibilities, I knew he was right.

The question now was whether Paul and his team would be as enthusiastic about creating a symbiotic Ancient Undead as the royal family had been about commissioning one.

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