About the name of Saito Katana, I think it should wait for a while after this chapter. An Idea suddenly pop up in my head about how I want to handle Saito Katana.
Let begin the story shall we.
Disclaimer: read the previous chapter disclaimer.
Just as we arrive at town night had fell. There are no people at street. And come to think of it the amount of people here seem to decrease. Maybe it because of the war. I really like to help Wales but what could I do.
We enter the Inn.
"Welcome!" As usual the greeting is not too bad.
"Ara, it Saito, you're alive? I guess all that mourning was useless then." Jesicca said standing between the other Waitresses. It seem she also wearing a waitresses costume. I must say it was a sight to behold. Did she just say she was mourning for me?
"Oi…. Don't presume I'm dead already, wasn't you the one who told me to do it? If you think I was going to die then why send me in the first place!" I said with a fake sad tone.
"Hmhm… just joking, so how did it go, and why are you with miss Tabitha." I know she was joking but sometime you can't help but play along.
"It completed, Tabitha here help me."
"Is that so, thank you very much, now we can safely gather the ingredient for food." Jesicca thank her. Oi… what about me, I'm the one who dealt the finishing blow. But I guess Tabitha deserve more credit. If not for her, I don't think I will ever reach that wolf. Not to mention that they aren't any reward at all. Normally when you beat the big boss he usually drop some rare item or there are some treasure chest near there. Well that only happen in game. There no way something like that could happen in real life. I need to stop mixing both.
"Just doing my job." After she said that she walk upstairs to her room. She really doesn't talk much. By the what is the job she talking about. She told me about some mission. Did her mission is to get rid of the monster.
"By the way Jesicca do you know what kind of Job Tabitha did?" She seem to know something about it.
"Well… I just notice this but her cloak seem to be indicated that she was chevalier."
"Chevalier?" A question mark appear above my head.
"I think it was when a noble managed to achieve something that they gain the title, at least that what I heard from some noble costumer. I don't know to much since I'm just a commoner you see." A chevalier huh. Achieve something? Wonder what she did to get the title at such a young age. From how she fights earlier, she isn't an amateur that for sure. Even her combat skill Surpassed even me... which didn't really mean much sadly.
"Your clothes look dirty. Put it in the basin, I washed it for you." It true my clothes had been dirty from the fight earlier. I just hope that the blood won't last forever. I love this clothes very much since it basically the only reminder that I'm from earth.
"Thanks." I said as I continued to head to the room. As I enter the room I can see Tabitha had started reading. She seem to love reading aren't she.
I grab a spare clothes and head toward the bathroom. There's no way I could change with her in there. I take a bath before I change to the clothes that I brought in this world. It was just a normal garb enough to cover my body. I brought it just in case I need it. Can't always wear the same clothes forever, and furthermore I didn't have a spare. I put down my clothes along with my shirt to the laundry and after that, I return to the room.
"Hey Tabitha, you just said mission before right? Doesn't that mean you're mission is to get rid of that monster." I ask feeling a bit curious about her mission.
She nod at my question.
"Since your mission had been completed does that mean you'll be leaving." It sure will be a bit lonely but it not my place to stop her.
"Not yet… there's more." There more? Does that mean there are other monsters like that in here? Would she really be okay. I gotten better at interpreting what she said. Is this the so-called telepathy? I guess I got use to her already although we just met for one night. This must be the work of the rune. It boost the experience I get meaning that although we just met each other it I must have felt like were known each other far longer than that. It only applied to me though but for her she only met me yesterday.
"Will you be okay on your own." I know that she strong. She could definitely handle herself just fine but the monster that had been infected by Darkness is not to be trifle with. If my surprise attack had been failed, I don't know what will happen to us there.
"I'll be okay… don't worry." Although she are expressionless as ever I noticed that her tone is a bit different. She look a bit happy. Maybe just my imagination. I can't tell how she thinking with her expressionless face.
"Why did you do it…?" She ask me a question. I can easily interpreted her question as why I accept the job.
"I was asked to." I answer simply.
"Aren't you scared…?
"Well of course it scary, but sometime you just have to do what you need to do, if I don't do it I feel like I won't be myself anymore." I answer honestly. I can't just let those thing terrorize anyone who enter the forest. And then there is still the responsibilities that the spirit had given me. It sure is troublesome but if I turn a blind eye on something like that, it will remind me of the me from before.
I remember when I was a kid I once saw an old lady being harassed by some punk near a train station, something about the old lady bumping into them. But at that time I was just a little kid, I couldn't stop them even if I wanted to, so I only stood by and watched. That time I thought, if only I were a little stronger, but at the same time, I also sighed in relief. Because even if I were stronger, it would not guarantee that I would have won.
It the same at this situation. I've got much more stronger than the me back at earth. I even got a new abilities from the wind Spirit of mirage mountain. Even with that, it was not enough as I remember I was about to die if Tabitha hadn't step in to save me. There only so much one can do alone. I remember the quote that I seen from somewhere. It said 'two in harmony surpassed one in perfection'. It applied in this situation as we both succeed In killing the monster by working together no matter how strong it is.
XXXXXX
While Saito was having an inner monologue Tabitha was shocked by Saito word. (Not become myself) she thought. It was the same as the story of 'Hero of Ivaldi' although it was a bit different but this man Saito remind her the character of Ivaldi. She only met this man only for a day and yet they had been able to talk like how she did with Kirche.
Furthermore when she see the man left hand suddenly glowing it reminded her of the story. Ivaldi also possess a glowing left hand. She later found out that the glowing is not coming from his left hand. It comes from the jewel on his sword. She didn't know who he is. From the way he wearing he look like commoner but the thing he did just now look more like magic. Just who is this guy? She though.
"That sword, what is it?" This is the first time she curious about something else. Usually she just live her life normally waiting for a new mission to be issued to her. She managed to complete all of it without losing her life. She didn't intend to die as long as there a chance to cure her mother. Her mother was poison by someone. The target of the poison was her but her mother had protected her by drinking the poison in her stead. She knows who did it and it was no mistake that she really hate the guy. But she also know that they are nothing she could do so she can only live until a chance appear to cure her mother. After that she will take it by herself to kill the person responsible for it. She didn't know why they hasn't killed her directly. Wouldn't it be easier to just sentence her to death.
Instead of killing her they try to send her on a dangerous mission to get herself die. She still remember her first mission. On that mission that she discarded her old name and take the name that she currently using. The mission was to eliminate the Chimera Dragon that had been running on rampage. It was an experiment going haywire for noble and they send her to eliminate it. If not for that person who save her she won't be alive right now. The person also is the one who though her how to wield magic effectively. She fighting for revenge and it look like she died achieving it. At least that what she thought but the chimera dragon is still alive even after her suicidal attack. Tabitha managed to killed it afterward raising her class from dot to line.
She turned her attention back to the man in front of her.
"Oh… you mean Derf, just an annoying talking sword." He answer.
"Hey I resent that, just so you know I am a sword that was used by Gandalfr, Derflinger –sama."
The sword retort back.
Gandalfr? She doesn't know what that mean at all.
"This guy just talk nonsense, don't listen to him." Saito said definitely try to cover up something.
She have many question but she thought that it was not her business so she decide to drop it at that as she continued to read the book.
XXXXXX
Damn Derf, you don't need to go and told everyone you're a sword of Gandalfr. What if someone found out I'm a lifdrasir and then it lead to the reveal of Tiffa void. That could be bad.
But from her look she seem that she doesn't know what Gandalfr is. Seriously? Even a person from other world like me know much more about it than any normal person is. Void really is top secret in this world. I guess the only place to get more information is Romalia. I think it was something like a big country of religion.
Wonder what will happen if someone else found out that I'm not a believer of this Brimir guy. Come to think of it just who is Brimir? A void element that could only use by him. They say it the power of the god. Is god really exist in this world. Maybe it something like the spirit. Since they are element spirit in this world maybe they are also void spirit out there. Wonder if I could get a boost from it if it exist. The problem is there are 3 slot left. In other word I need to met other spirit if different element. Since the magic system in this world has 4 element that mean that the remaining element is Fire, water and earth. I've been meaning to ask why it was called earth since this planet doesn't even have a name. where is the earth word came from. Isn't earth the name of the planet in my world. shouldn't the element be called ground or something like that. That one mysteries I need to look at. It may give me a clue to return home.
Well seeing Tabitha seem to not wanting to continue our conservation I think I goes to bed early. Today had been tiring. Wonder what Tiffa and the other are doing at Westwood village right now.
XXXXXX
Sitting on the table at living room was Wales. Seem to be in deep though.
Today he had taken a responsibility to teach his cousin Tiffania about a way of using magic. One of the thing that he found out during today training is that first: she can do any magic that doesn't really incorporated much in the element. We called it basic magic where every noble could do it even without knowing they magical affinities is. They have tried many thing like silence spell, decreasing and increasing spell, levitation and all other basic spell. Although she still need more training it was working nonetheless.
But when it came to start trying any elemental magic nothing had been working. It seem that her void element doesn't allow her to use element other than void. From the look of it she was a dot mage. but even a dot mage her magic was really strong. Wales start to wonder what it would be like for a square class void mage. if she keep training her magic she might reaching square class later. Not to mention that she also possess an Elf blood she will also be able to use ancient magic. If she ever met another elf out there and the elf teach her ancient magic she will become the strongest mage in the whole world. It might even be on par with Brimir itself since she posses both void and ancient magic at the same time.
Wales somehow glad that someone like Tiffa is the one who posses that power. If it was someone else with bad intention who know what will happen to the land of Halkeginia. At least he had some information. Maybe he could tell Saito about it when he came back. In order to recognize a void mage there is one way to find out. If they haven't awaken to their power yet they will fail at any magic they try to use.
He looks at the sky outside the window. The war had gone bad but we will not surrendered. As long as I'm alive I will continued to fight. If there aren't any choice I will die gloriously at battlefield. That was Wales though.
What will happen to her once I died. I hope she continued to live on maybe find someone else.
XXXXXXXX
The next day at the port town of Dartanes.
"Whoaa… the town seem lively." I said out loud upon existing the inn.
"It is a port town after all." Derf answer back.
A port town huh. Speaking of which I haven't check why this place called a port town. If this is a port, there must be a dock somewhere. Maybe I take a look of it today. Yesterday I haven't got time to explore the town yet and the guy who are supposed to deliver the Music box hasn't arrive yet.
"So partner, what will you do with that money In your hand."
Currently I'm holding a sack of money on my right hand.
XXXXX
"It not much, take this." Jesicca throw me a sack of something.
"This…?" I said as I checked the content of it. "What is this money for?" I asked feeling confused.
"That your reward for yesterday, we still owe you after all." Reward? I never thought about it, I'm not doing it for reward but since she already gave it to me might as well accept her goodwill.
After I thank her I left the inn.
XXXXXXX
That what happened.
Since I have a spare money right now maybe I could by something for the kid back at home.
I walk around town for a while as I don't know where to head. It not to bad to just walk blindly sometime. Especially early in the morning.
Tabitha had woken up earlier as usual. I don't know where she disappear to maybe it has something to do with her mission. I'll gladly lend a hand. All she need is just ask.
As I walk I noticed something from a far.
"Is that a ship?" I blurt it out loudly as I noticed a ship approaching. Albion is a floating continent right? Then why is there a ship here.
As I got closer, I noticed that there are no sea anywhere. The ship just floating there in mid air.
"It floats? How is it possible?" I said while looking shocked. Of course, I know that in this world anything possible but it was still shocking nonetheless. For example, even if you know that ghost exist but when one appear in front of you, you still will be shocked by it.
"Is this the first time you see a ship lad." One of the sailor nearby ask me after seeing my shocking face.
"Well… I guess you could say that." My first time seeing a ship that fly that is.
"well this ship her fly using the power of windstone. Though where are you from really, you must be living under a rock if you don't know what this is." He look at me strangely.
Well instead of under a rock how about outside the rock. I live in a completely different world of course I don't know what this is. Not that I can tell him that though.
"You sure are clueless lad, then I give you a warning."
Warning? What is it?
"Well you see there is a rumor that a vampire had snuck on board one of the ship. That mean somewhere in Albion right now there is one running around freely."
Vampire? Is that also exist here.
"Vampire? You mean red eye has fang and weak to sunlight." I ask try to confirm.
"You really don't know anything do you lad, well if that the case I'll be glad to teach you." He said while straightening out to make it look like someone who are about to lecture a kid.
Since I didn't know anything about it might as well learn something about this vampire. Who knows considering my luck with the monster in this world I might stumble into one sooner or later. Not that I'm looking forward to it. I've seen many anime and games and vampire usually is one of the strongest creature In it.
"What you need to know about vampire is that they doesn't look any different from normal human. That mean you won't be able to tell if one was sitting beside you is a vampire or not."
That was really scary. I rather face an enemy that I could identify rather than the one I can't.
"Despite that they still weak to sunlight so if you see anyone who try to avoid the sunlight then they could be a vampire."
So the vampire is weak to sunlight. Then again if the person have an anemia they will still avoid sunlight vampire or not.
"From what other say about vampire, they can use the same kind of magic the same as those monster elves use. You could say Vampire magic is second only to elves."
I was about to shout at him when he say about elves like that. I haven't met any full elf yet but Tiffa still is a half elf. Her mother is an Elf and from what I heard they aren't so scary. It good that I managed to hold back. And so I sit there patiently listening to his story.
If I'm not mistaken the magic elves use is called ancient magic. I'm not to sure how it work but apparently it use the power of the spirit of the land. So that mean this vampire could also use that kind of magic. It will be trouble if I stumble into one.
"You seem to be knowledgeable about vampire?" I ask him. From what he say vampire are dangerous creature so it will be hard for someone to know so much about it.
"It been run on my family since my grandfather day. He say that he met vampire when he was young so I can't help but be knowledgeable about it lad."
So I guess this thing is not a common knowledge after all.
"Thanks for the warning, I'll be sure to be really careful." After I said that to him I left the dock and decide it better to return to the inn. Who know that if the person I'm waiting for had arrive already.
On the way to the Inn, I decide to ask Derf more about it.
"This vampire sound really dangerous. Do you know anything about it Derf." Despite his claim of amnesia I'm positive that he must atleast know something about it. After all he had live for 6000 years so he must atleast have some info on the vampire.
"Vampire huh… I think what that guy told you just now is about cover all of it. Oh! I guess he forgot to mention that vampire sees human as food so they sometime will attack human."
Something like that is in the land of Albion. I hope it didn't come anywhere near Westwood village. Although we have a void mage and a wind mage there who knows what this vampire capable of. Then again it just a rumor so I don't need to take it seriously.
"Do you know anything about this ancient magic that they talking about?" I forgot to ask him before so I might as well ask him now or else I may forgot about it later.
"I don't remember much about it partner but from what I remember ancient magic is the same as firstborn magic also known as nature magic. It power depend on the race of the creature. The first who most attune to the magic is elf and vampire come second place after that. About how they work I'm afraid I can't remember much about it."
Nature magic, I think that Irukuku also use a nature magic. Something about her transformation to human form. That was nature magic from what Derf said.
As I walk, I noticed something. A shadow of a man near the alley road. Although it might not be anything special my curiosities won over me as we head to the alleyway.
The alleyway was a narrow one as only a little bit of sunlight can passed through here.
As I get deeper, I start to smell something. It smell like a foul stench that almost make me vomit. I still have time to turn back now but curiosities got the better of me as I keep moving despite the smell.
As I turn around the corner I was greet with a sight that almost make me vomit but I managed to hold out.
In front of me lay a human body. From how it looks he was already dead. This is the first time I ever seen a corpse up close. Even though I killed all the wolves while my body cover with blood I never even once seen a corpse of human up close. Not to mention the corpse had is dry as if they blood had been sucked out from his body.
When I look a second time I noticed someone else standing beside the corpse.
My hand instinctively moves to Derf.
"Wait! This isn't what it look like….. is what I'm supposed to say right?" The guy beside the corpse spoke. I feel like I was about to fainted from the sight of the corpse but I managed to hold on as I examine the guy in front of me. He feel weird as I can see there not even a flick of emotion on his face. It different than Tabitha though as this guy feel as if he doesn't even conscious right now.
"Are you a vampire?" I ask immediately. After hearing the story of vampire a while ago I quickly come up to this conclusion. After all vampires is afraid of sunlight and this place is make it hard for sunlight to get through.
"Vampire? Now that was funny. Although it was true that this guy was killed by vampire." He pointed at the corpse.
"So you admit you're a vampire." Since he just said that then he must be a vampire. What to do. Should I run. From what I heard vampire are really strong just below an elf. Can I win this fight?
"I only said that vampire did it, I never said I was." He said that between chuckle.
"Like I believe you." I said already brandishing Derf pointing at the guy.
"Partner, this guy is not vampire I can assured you that." Derf spoke seeing that I was about to attack. not a vampire, then who he is? Some serial killer?
"Oya… this is really a surprise to met someone the same as me." As he said that he raise his hand holding a dagger. The shape of the dagger didn't surprise me but what surprise me is that.
"Nice to meet you. my name is… I guess I forgot but you can call me by my codename 'undercurrent'." The dagger just speak, just like Derf.
"Do you know him Derf?" Since they're the same kind maybe he know something about it.
"Can't say I knew him because I don't remember much about it. The name Derflinger by the way." Oi… don't talk casually to your enemies in this kind of situation. I still feel wary of this guy.
"Deflinger, where did I heard of that… hm…. Maaa… who cares I'm sure it not important if I forgot about it." The only thing that feel same about them is both of them are senile. Are all talking sword like this?
"Are you the one who did this?" I again try to confirm it.
"Like I said vampire is the one who did this." The dagger answer me.
"I'm not talking to you, I'm talking to the guy that using you."
"Well in that case you might as well forgot it. You see this guy is currently under my control so in other word when you talk to him meaning you're talking to me to." Wha- so that explain why his face blank.
"Can they really do that?"
"It possible with a use of water magic to take control of one mind, but I don't have that kind of abilities. I might be able to take control of unconscious person but not when they conscious." Derf explain to me.
"I still wary of this guy/dagger, no matter how you look of it he seem he/she/it look like a bad guy to me.
"Today sure is interesting to met someone else like myself. Well then I better take my leave." As he said that, the mind controlled guy raise his wand as smokescreen n start to cover the alley.
"Oh yeah… let me tell you something good, the vampire had already left the town. It will be a waste of time if you try to search for him in this town.
"coughcoughcough' I cover my mouth as not to inhale the smoke.
As the smoke clear the guy already gone leaving me and the corpse behind.
Thing had gone from bad to worse, not only they are vampire in this floating continent they are also a weapon the same as Derf. If Derf was a sword that gandalfr use does that mean that he/she/it also use by other.
It was mysteries one after another.
Now then what would I do with this corpse. It better if I report it to the person in charge.
As I leave the alleyway I start to think what will happen to me. maybe I could start by practicing the power I gain from the spirit. With that though I return back to the inn. I don't know who's the person in charge is so it better if I tell the manager Scarron about it so they could do something about the corpse. If it hasn't been discovered yet that is.
Okay, I think the story got a bit darker, truthfully I haven't write a darker fic before so I don't know how it to do it.
Let me mention it first since this arc is more focused on Tabitha I will include some element from Tabitha side story like the one you see just now vampire and undercurrent.
They might be something that wrong about vampire n Halkeginia but that the only information I could get from researching.
About the name of the Katana I must say I'm sorry because suddenly an idea pop out in my head about Saito Katana. It will play a major role in some part on this arc so I guess the name could wait for a while.
If you have any question don't be afraid to leave a review. I try to answer it if I could.
R&R
