6 Chapter 6

As I examine the silver ring closely, I noticed that there's a purple aura surrounding it. Aura? I didn't noticed it before. I'm grinning stupidly cause it seems that I hit the jackpot.

I looked at my black ring to confirm my suspicions, but there's no aura. I tried removing it from my middle finger and lo and behold, there's indeed a faint blue aura surrounding the ring. But what in the heck is this for? I even took my copper ring if they are the same and I can see a very very faint white aura on it. It's so faint that you wouldn't even notice it if you don't focus your gaze very hard.

Unable to figure it out, I shoved the thought at the back of my head for my future self to solve. It isn't worth it to burn my brain cells without proper experiment and I can't do it in this kind of environment where all that is between us is just a fabric of cloth.

I sighed in defeat but never mind. I'm gonna figure that out someday and I'm not in a hurry.

My attention went back to the very first silver ring I got. Unsure of what skill it is, I think I'm going to need an assistance once more who I could trust.

I went outside and asked for Marlena to go to my tent as soon as possible.

The servant I ordered to ran away from me like I have a syphilis.. Okay scratch that. He ran away like I have a virus infection but I'm not sure if he heard my order.

I waited for a few minutes, and saw Marlena hurrying to my tent. Thankfully, that servant heard me.

Marlena saw me waiting for her and I gestured to get inside the tent. She went in first before I followed making sure no one is lurking outside my tent.

Once inside, I got a good look at Marlena. Her face was still bruised and there are small wounds in her arms but at least now, she looked clean.

"Sighed, I'm glad I was able to save you girl. Does it still hurt?"

She started crying again but she she's trying to held it back. I think she wanted to look strong in front of me.

"Thank you my Lord for saving me. And me for avenging me. You don't know how satisfying it is to watch that big mouth servant killed brutally."

"It's okay. Part of it was my fault too. Make sure to tend to your wounds and heal, okay?"

"By the way, you won't escape for having a prejudice against you despite me winning your trial. Some of them will still believe that you are witch so I'm gonna offer you a path to stay alive."

Marlena listened attentively because she was afraid too.

"Your only path to escape this shitty place is to travel across the sea and head north in Westeros. If you can, try to earn a place to work for the Starks in Winterfell. Those Northerners live by their honor and I believe they will shelter you. Just avoid the Boltons at any cost. I mean don't even think about walking in their lands. Do you understand?"

Marlena nodded in understanding.

"Good, but don't leave yet. I still need your assistance. While you are still here, I will protect you as best as I can. I will also leave when everything is ready, so you must leave the camp before or on the day a leave this place."

"I understand my Lord."

"Very good! Now, let's get to the main agenda. I just want you to stand guard for me and if I require anything, do it. It's like the last time without the moaning part. Are you up for it?"

"Yes, my Lord. I will do what you say." She replied.

I went back to my bed and sat down. Bracing myself from the pain I'm anticipating, I took a deep breath.

"Watch for anyone peeping."

Marlena nodded.

Without hesitation, I slipped the silver ring into my ring right ring finger. It was my right that had all of my rings. Then the information surge into my brain imprinting the skill making it a part of my own.

As I knew what skill it was, I didn't wait for any pain because there's none. This skill wasn't related to physical but it was unique in its on way.

What I acquired was a skill called 'Eloquence'. A special skill that inserts an idea to the target. It has a certain chance to convince anyone to agree whatever I say regardless of their status and it is based on luck.

At first glance, you may see that this skill is a trash. However, there's a reason why it was a silver ring and if you think about it carefully, this can be considered an overpowered skill when you used it right. This is an active skill as for how to activate it, I can simply will it and it shall be applied to every word I say.

Imagine if luck is upon you and you're able to convinced Joffrey Bratt-eon to choke himself because he was a piece of shit. That would be an interesting sight to see. Hehehe.

Now that I acquired this, I came up a lot of ways to use it in my favor. One of them was steal some good men from my cousin. Then I'll have my own private army.

Also, I have higher chance of leaving here with this skill. I'll just have to convince my dear cousin and I'll be good to go. Thinking about this, I suddenly got excited.

Turning my gaze to Marlena, I suddenly found someone I can practice with. Let's see how effective this skill is.

"Marlena, come here for a moment."

She came to me standing with an expectation look on her face. Like she was ready for anything I ask of her.

"Sit down will you? I'm not going to eat you. I just wanted to talk to you."

Marlena sat down beside and I started to ask her.

"Do you believe in the faith of the Seven, like Septa?"

"Yes, my Lord. Though my parents believe in the old gods."

"What do you say about bastards?"

"Oh, they are spawn of evil. A source of sin."

"Is that what you truly believed in?"

"I suppose, my Lord."

"Then what if the bastard child turned out to be a good man? He help people who needs help. He gave them food to eat, a house to live. He never committed a heinous crime in his entire life but he is a bastard. Tell me, is he still a source of sin?"

"But--its what was taught to us?"

"Do you really believe it? How about now?"

"You see, a man wasn't define by what he is but what he do. It isn't their choice in the first place. Perhaps, there's something wrong with the gods you worship."

I can see confusion in Marlena's face and she kept silent. She was lost in her own thinking about what I said. At least, I planted the idea. Maybe I'll ask her next time if she still believe in the Seven. If it's effective, maybe I can use it to brainwash someone I need. It'll come in handy specially with my pending departure.

With a nod, I gave her my permission to leave. She stood up and left the tent without saying anything.

Then I lay down my bed, lost in my own thoughts and I didn't even noticed I spent the morning laying down my bed. I realized that I haven't had any meal yet. Once again, I called for Marlena to get me my food and ale.

After eating, there's still much left to be done before going on my adventure. I wander the camp thinking how can I earn some coins and I didn't noticed I'm at the archery range.

'Oh! I guess I also needed to learn archery just in case.'

I look around the area looking for the best archer. Then I spotted Black Balaq. He came from the Summer Islands and swore his allegiance to my cousin.

At this time he was currently practicing as he stand three hundred meters from the target. He nock an arrow and aim it ready to fire.

Swoooooooooosh!

Bullseye!

I couldn't help but nod at the spectacle. I went near him, just close enough to extract and proceeded with my plan. I extracted a black ring that was define as 'Advanced Archery'. I smiled at the sight of the black ring with greenish aura. However, an accident occurred when I held it in my right hand. The black ring I'm wearing vanished without a trace while the second black ring in my palm now have a rich green aura. I panicked at first but then I had hunch that my former ring was devoured by my new ring. To prove this theory, I wore my new black ring and surge of information about archery came in. Then I concentrated my focus on the description.

It still says 'Advanced Archery' but there was an additional information below showing 'Intermediate Swordsmanship'.

Now I can definitely confirm that rings can be merged. In that case, it was certainly a good news for me cause I only have Ten fingers. Though it's okay not to wear them but my mastery over the skill will be slower. I knew it cause I already tested it.

Eager to test my newfound skill, I went forward and asked the man for permission.

"Can I try?"

Balaq stared at me for a few seconds then he lend the bow to me.

Taking a deep breath, I grab an arrow, nock it on the string before pulling it but Balaq stopped me.

He went at my back placing his hand on my waist to correct my posture. I know the correct posture, it was included in the skill but I purposely messed since it didn't make any sense for me to act like an expert on my first try, right? Though I didn't expect him to help me correct my posture.

As he place his hands on my waist, I couldn't help spreading my two arms like a bird before singing in high pitch tone.

"Youuuuuu're here, there's nothing I fear...and I know that my heart will go oooonn."

The I heard him grunting behind me annoyed and at the same time, not sure what I was doing.

"Uh sorry, hehehe I got carried away."

At this time, I'm in a correct form. I suddenly remember the wind speed, the angle to shoot and how much force I need to spend. I can be sure it was part of the skill as it wasn't in mind before.

I aimed and released the arrow.

Swoooooooooosh!

My arrow found its place in the center of the target.

"I landed a fluke, heh."

I never meant to brag but it seems Balaq took it as one.