Chapter Six: Clarity
Naofumi spent the next morning mostly in their shared room, busy looking after their newest party member and making more medicine to sell. It was strange, living somewhere with a roof again.
Plus, he slept a little longer to heal and get some more shut-eye. It turned out it was a bad idea having separate beds. He barely got to dozing an hour before Raphtalia woke up to a nightmare, startling awake Naofumi and their new pet.
After turning away the innkeeper, explaining she'd had a nightmare, he was too tired to even be irritated and simply told her to get beside him. Naturally she burrowed into his arms before drifting off to sleep, joined by their couatl who seemed convinced Naofumi was the best choice of pillow. All in all, not exactly the most comfortable sleep he had, especially with the slightly bulky Monster User Shield he'd unlocked from the couatl's egg shells.
He'd discovered in the early morning when she woke up that she had in fact wet her own bed. Sighing, he changed the sheets, paid the innkeeper 50 bronze as an apology and pushed the beds together to have more room. He'd sent her outside with the ball and a pat on the head as reassurance he wasn't mad while he got to work.
The damn stiffness in his shoulder was irritating him however. Taking a small break, he glanced out the window to see Raphtalia playing with her ball in the street.
Excellent co-ordination, he quietly observed, watching as she continued doing keepy ups without issue. She'd have made a great footballer.
It was then he noticed a group if kids approaching her and she promptly stopped, looking nervous. He didn't know what was being said, but they looked angry, and appeared to be shouting.
Fucking kids. Can't give me a moment's peace in this damn village.
Sliding the finished vial in his pocket to sort away later, Naofumi donned his cloak, hood and mask before exiting the inn.
"-you're the one who got Byron into trouble aren't you?! Piss off, demi-human, that's our spot!"
"Hey, give us your ball too! It's to good for one of you."
Raphtalia looked scared, but didn't retaliate and instead stood there.
"Give it here, didn't you hear me you stupid animal?!"
"But... I... um..."
And here I thought she was getting some confidence. Where was that earlier spunk, huh?
"Oi, brats. What's going on here," Naofumi called, leaning against the wall.
"What the hell? Who's the old guy?"
Old guy? I'm twenty!
"Why are you trying to take her ball from her?" Naofumi hissed.
His damn shoulder was aching, he got less sleep, and now some brats were being pests. All in all, he was fast losing his patience.
"What do YOU care? It's not yours," their little leader retorted.
"When you bother my companion, you bother me. When you mess with her stuff, you mess with my stuff."
Naofumi brought his hand down and tapped the Magic Steel sword around his waist, sparks of magic firing off from it.
"You're Byron's little pals, eh? Did he tell you he nearly lost a hand stealing from me? How'd you like to lose yours?!"
The kids seemed to recognise who he was now and turned to flee.
Naofumi rubbed his eyes, then rolled him at the pop-up message on his status magic.
The Heroes may not hold a weapon aside from their assigned Legendary Weapon with the intent to fight with it. You know this information already.
"Oh shut up," Naofumi muttered, eyeing at the hidden shield, "you know I wasn't going to do shit. Quit with the sass." It clearly delayed it until after they'd left to make it's damn point, so it knew what his plan was, especially with that added on bit.
There was a brief almost reproachful glow from under the cloak, before it subsided.
"Um... I..."
Raphtalia had a hold on his cloak.
"If they try to take your stuff again, don't hesitate to fight back, okay? You're stronger than them, and better."
Raphtalia's eyes widened, "But I'm..."
"But what?" Naofumi was too tired to try and puzzle out what she meant. "But nothing. They try something, uh, kick them in the balls."
Afterwards he'd sent Raphtalia to get a small short sword and sheath from Ekil, but planned on giving her the Magic Steel blade after she got used to the short sword's weight and length. It would be a step-up from the dagger, and the full length blade moreso.
When his shoulder stopped aching in the early afternoon, they prepared another trip up to the mines. Just as they were packing however, they were surprised by a knock at the door.
"Bate, how are you?" Naofumi greeted the guard with some tension.
Did someone find out who I am? Did the brats run to a guard or something?
"Doing well Sir Beastmaster, doing well," the guard grinned, "Elder Riyute sent me, he's looking to discuss something with yourself," Bate shrugged, but noted Naofumi's tension and quickly assured him it was nothing bad.
They made the short trip to the town hall, were they were greeted by Elder Riyute and a few guards.
"Ah, Sir Beastmaster!" the greying man smiled. "Thank you for coming, please, take a seat."
Naofumi hesitantly sat across from him, wary. Especially with the way the two guards were eyeing him. For the governor of the village, he didn't look like the nobles he'd seen in Castle Town, as brief as his stay was.
A well trimmed beard, fine clothes but clearly worn and had seen a days work and a green cloak. All in all, rather unremarkable.
"Aren't you going to lower your hood in the presence of the village's governor?" One barked.
Naofumi tensed, prepared to retort, until Elder Riyute waved his guard off.
"Please, please, don't bother Sir Beastmaster. He's clearly a rather private man, who already has done much for our town!" Elder Riyute clasped his hands and leaned in. "After all, he's not only been selling such good quality medicine to our village, but I've heard he recently avenged Aldo, Edmund and Crispin with his slaying of that two-headed dog, hm?"
Naofumi didn't recognise the names, but he assumed they were the people Ekil had mentioned.
"Now, I understand you're quite the busy man, Sir Beastmaster. If I were to hazard a guess, you were about to head back up to the coal mine, yes?"
The man is shrewd, I'll give him that.
Naofumi nodded, "That was my plan, yes. Unless you're forbidding it?"
If he did, that would cause some trouble and bring him into conflict with the village, but there wouldn't be much he could do to refuse. He needed to keep a low profile, and picking fights was the last thing he wanted.
"On the contrary, I encourage it," Elder Riyute said to his surprise, "I understand the dog has been killed, but there might be more threats there. In addition, I will need to get supplies organised, men to mine, a foreman to supervise, a guard rotation... need I go on? I aim to have it reopened by the end of the week, and get as much coin flowing through the town as I can."
Here the governor looked grim.
"Frankly, when the first Wave hit, we were unprepared. Many lives were lost, much damage was done that we're still recovering from, and the injured and ill was far more than the death toll. I believe Byron took a wound to his side, and it was his junior who attempted to steal from yourself for his father?"
Naofumi knew it was rhetorical, but nodded anyway.
"Yes, bad business... frankly, we're undermanned, and I'm not getting the needed support from Castle Town. The coal mine reopening and the new prospects might be just what is needed to prepare us for the second Wave of Destruction. But I will need some assistance for that. Some... mercenary support, to make up for our lack of manpower."
"What are you asking of me?" Naofumi queried.
Elder Riyute held up three fingers, "Three things. First, a closer inspection of the mines. Lesser monsters that are always a pest in such places can be dealt with by miners and my men, but stronger threats such as the dog, they will need to be slain before we can resume operations. Secondly, your medicine. I will pay two silvers per good quality Medicine and Healing Medicine. I would like to have one hundred of each stocked, to divide between Wave preparations and the reopened mine. Four gold coins for this order."
Elder Riyute paused to check if Naofumi would accede to the first two requests.
"The medicine order... that will take a few days. I'll need to get the ingredients and set aside the time. If there are any other monsters of a similar threat, I want a bounty for them."
Elder Riyute nodded, "Agreed. Dependant on the creature, for the amount of coin however. Thirdly, on the day of the Wave's arrival, I would very much like if you would be present, Sir Beastmaster. I understand you are an adventurer, but if you could be here that would be a reassuring presence for the people. You come at several recommendations, Bate here vouched for you."
Naofumi looked up to the guard, surprised. Bate gave a firm nod.
"Fighting the Wave is one thing, pre-emptively defending a village is another. What's in it for me?"
While the same guard who'd spoke up earlier looked outraged, Elder Riyute gave a toothy grin, eyes positively gleeful.
"Indeed, indeed!" he laughed, putting Naofumi on edge.
Why is he suddenly so cheerful?
"I understand you're not just an adventurer, but something of a merchant also. I can give you a Merchant Pass, which will exempt you from tolls across the country. It's a sponsorship of a trusted merchant."
Naofumi whistled. That sounded good.
"We have a deal."
"Excellent, excellent!"
All of a sudden, Elder Riyute brought out his right hand to shake.
Naofumi stared, then the man laughed.
"My my, sorry, got ink all over that hand, been busy with the books today, taxes from the Crown and whatnot."
He then instead held out his left, which Naofumi shook.
The guard who had been silent the entire time suddenly spoke up.
"The demi-human, that the reason why you're called Beastmaster, Sir?"
Naofumi eyed the guard who ignored him and instead had his eyes on Raphtalia.
"What is she, some sort of bedwarmer for you, huh? Master?"
Naofumi growled, outraged.
That bastard would dare...
Elder Riyute didn't say anything, however.
"Didn't think you were the type for a sex slave, Sir Beastmaster," the guard intoned.
Naofumi lost his temper and leapt to his feet, "I would never rape her," he snarled, wishing he could draw that Magic Steel and cut the guard down, "I would never force myself on someone! How dare you. She is my companion!"
The guard hummed, unthreatened, and continued to stare at Raphtalia.
"Is this true, girl?" Elder Riyute suddenly asked.
Raphtalia was shaking, and for a moment Naofumi thought she would lie like that Bitch, until-
"Sir Beastmaster would never do that to me! He would never do that to anyone!" She yelled.
Naofumi exhaled.
Elder Riyute smiled.
"No, I thought not," the man said quietly, before turning to his outspoken guard, "Ambrose, you spoke out of turn there, and were extremely rude to our guest. Apologise."
The now identified Ambrose turned to Naofumi and to his surprise, gave a small bow, "My apologises, Sir Beastmaster. As Elder Riyute said, that was unnecessary of me to accuse you of such. Please accept my apology."
He thought it was mockery at first, but Naofumi was confused by how sincere it sounded. He gave a hesitant nod of acceptance, though was still pissed off. He didn't want Raphtalia hearing about anything like that.
"As a show of apology on my part, Sir Beastmaster... Bate."
Bate straightened at being addressed by his governor.
"Please accompany Sir Beastmaster in his survey of the mine today."
"You don't need to do that, Elder Riyute," Naofumi quickly interjected, only to be waved off.
"Nonsense. An extra sword at your side would be helpful. I understand you took an injury, so if you're not in a position to actively fight, then he may be of some help. Bate, please go and ask Winifred to take over your duties for today, and meet Sir Beastmaster at the gates."
Bate saluted and left to do as bid, leaving Naofumi and Raphtalia with the two guards and Elder Riyute.
"He's simply there as my representative to assist and review the mine himself and report back to me later, but he's the only one I can spare and for today," Elder Riyute explained, "This will also help him get some experience too, hopefully in combat."
Naofumi assented with a reluctant nod.
Hopefully he shouldn't find out who I am... he only knows me as Sir Beastmaster, so that's all that should show up. Raphtalia's name didn't display until she told me it.
"I am curious, though, Sir Beastmaster," Elder Riyute said, "just why is that your chosen title, hm?"
Slowly, Naofumi took the couatl from around his neck which had gone unnoticed until now, startling the two guards.
"He was my first monster egg. I plan on finding other monsters to tame, too."
Elder Riyute made a curious noise, eyeing the serpent, "How fascinating."
"Tell me, do you know where a dragon is?" Naofumi asked suddenly.
Probably the best way to find one, the dragonnewt didn't have any other information, but I think he wanted me to find a dragon because of the egg.
Elder Riyute's brow furrowed, "I am afraid not, but I can look into that as a favour for you, Sir. I will have someone come to you when I have any information."
Naofumi nodded and turned to leave.
"Come, Raphtalia."
Bate had no other reaction other than mild surprise when he joined their party as they set off for the mine.
"Level 12 huh, the both of you?" he commented.
Naofumi also noted Bate's level. "Level 13?"
"Yup," came the reply, Bate popping the 'p', "not too high for a guard huh? I'm only seventeen, and was asked to join up after the first wave. Mother died when I was young, and father died to one of those skeleton brutes. Big armoured bastard, from what they told me," Bate shook his head, "I'd been in the middle of taking some of our goods to sell up at Castle Town, he was a carver. Time I got back..."
"I'm sorry," Naofumi said.
Bate snorted, "Not your fault. Just not had the chance to get much experience in fighting, other than keeping beasts away from the gates. You need to be something like level 20 minimum for a Castle Town guard, and Riyute generally only takes level 15 or above. But like the Elder said, we're screwed for manpower right now. Speaking of..."
Naofumi turned to look at Bate again, his tone suggesting something serious.
"I'm not sure if I should tell you this or not," Bate admitted, "but you're a nice enough guy, and I'm confused by it too. You haven't done anything weird lately right?"
Now Naofumi was confused.
"Weird how?"
Bate hummed, "What Ambrose said back there, got me thinking..."
Naofumi tensed, "I'm not like that," he snapped, only for Bate to wave him off.
"Nah, not that. But Ambrose is die-hard loyal to Elder Riyute. Doesn't talk all that much, being honest. Just a bit weird, why he'd be so rude. Elder Riyute is interested in you for some reason, outside of being a useful mercenary. Wondering how you'd have managed to piss him off somehow."
Raphtalia suddenly tugged his cloak, and Naofumi bent slightly to hear her whisper.
"The man... he didn't have any ink on his hand."
Naofumi straightened, frowning.
"Who knows what's going on in his head," Naofumi said to Bate, "I've not done anything, so I'm not concerned." When Bate nodded and looked away, Naofumi gave Raphtalia a significant look, which she seemed to understand.
We'll talk later.
The rest of the journey was spent between comfortable silence and casual conversation, eventually ending with them arriving at the mine.
Bate hummed, examining the rest station.
"Still mostly good, just needs some repairs," he commented, having a look inside.
They ventured deeper within and Bate took care of a few monsters which had been trying to set up near the entry.
"You'll usually find them here so they have easy access to food outside, near water or in the deeper parts," Bate explained, wiping his iron sword.
Sure enough, a few bat creatures and monster spiders were trying to take up residence, but they were dealt with.
"I think that two-headed bastard was the biggest thing here," Bate said, "it likely would've killed anything else."
Still, they checked some of the deeper tunnels and confirmed no other dangerous monsters.
Discreetly equipping his Pickaxe Shield, Naofumi got to work on a spot it was telling him had something behind it.
Sure enough, it was another Light Metal vein.
"Not sure if you have a sixth sense or just a good Mining Skill."
"A bit of both," Naofumi replied, and Bate barked out a laugh.
The ten ores were loaded into his pack and they prepared to head back into town. After all, there was only so much he could carry.
Elder Riyute listened intently to Naofumi's report, occasionally asking Bate other questions Naofumi didn't understand too much, such as about the waterfall and the lake. He seemed concerned with it's potential size growth since they'd had to abandon it.
"All in all, it looks promising," Bate stated, "I think we can look into sorting the waterfall and drain the lake if need be, but it didn't look too deep, and the main shafts were away from it."
Elder Riyute nodded, brow furrowed, "That is good news, I suppose. Very well, thank you to you both for your work today. Sir Beastmaster, will you be remaining at the inn for the week?"
Naofumi shook his head, "We'll be heading out to our old campsite to see about tanning the skins we have, and getting some levels. I'm also looking for certain beasts for my skins, too."
"I see. Will you be back by the end of the week?"
Naofumi nodded, "When we get back to town, I'll have plenty of supply for the medicine you've asked for. I'll get started at the weekend."
"Good, good. Very well, unless you have any questions for myself? Then I bid you gentlemen goodnight."
His couatl was level 3 now from dealing with the monsters in the mine and had even swallowed one of the younger bats whole at some point. Naofumi knew from the thicker centre on the snake-reptile thing.
It looks like a snake, so why the hell is it suddenly getting fluff that looks like a baby bird around it's head crest, and these bumps on the back?
"Are we staying the night at the inn, Naofumi-san?" Raphtalia asked once they've left.
Naofumi hummed.
It's a silver a night, and we'll be leaving early tomorrow morning anyway, but...
"Do you want to?" He asked.
To his surprise, she shook her head.
"No. I... it was nice, getting a night in a bed, but... I prefer being out."
Naofumi frowned, but nodded his assent.
Is this some sort of claustrophobia or something, from being a slave?
He didn't know, but it was unimportant. She didn't want to stay at the inn, so they wouldn't.
Besides, he'd save a silver that way.
It was a few hours walk to their campsite, and he was pleased to see it wasn't overrun or despoiled. He got the fire going in the pit, and laid out the bedroll and sleeping bag.
Stripping the ruined chainmail, he examined the chunk missing, before setting it to the side.
"Come on, let's get some sleep. Tomorrow we'll get started finding those porcupines and piku-whatevers."
The fire crackled in the gentle night wind as they laid to rest, their unnamed couatl coiled around his neck and Raphtalia against his front.
"I'm happy you saved me, Naofumi-san." Raphtalia mumbled quietly.
Naofumi smiled.
"I'm happy you saved me, Raphtalia."
He had been ready to die in that cave, if it meant giving her a chance to run. But now...
He'd promised her hadn't he? They'd get stronger together, and they'd fight the Waves. Elder Riyute had asked for him to defend his people, and he couldn't go back on that promise either.
They should be making enough gold to free Baerywn soon and the couatl should grow quickly. After the wave... he'd free Raphtalia. She would be strong enough to make her own way if she chose to leave, and he'd give her rightfully earned money as well.
But when that time comes, and if they both survive the Wave...
Naofumi knew he'd bought her from slavery, and he had used her for his own purposes. But even with his actual crimes, even if it was just on his own morality given this damn country's laws...
After she was released from being bound to him, and could speak her mind truly without that ever present fear of punishment... he selfishly hoped she'd choose to stay.
PikyuPikyu Shield conditions met.
Wood Shield conditions met.
Butterfly Shield conditions met.
Pipe Shield conditions met.
PikyuPikyu Shield
abilties locked equip bonus: simple weapon restoration 1
Wood Shield
abilties locked equip bonus: woodcutting skill 1
Butterfly Shield
abilties locked equip bonus: paralysis resistance (small)
Pipe Shield
abilties locked equip bonus: skill "Shield Prison"
Those were just some of the shields and abilities he unlocked over the next couple of days.
Currently he was trying to sort through the frankly overwhelming amount of new shields and things appearing on his status magic that it was hard to keep up with it all.
They had been working hard hunting porcupines and other creatures at the spots Ekil had marked, so much that Raphtalia was now level 18 while he was level 16.
He'd gotten overconfident however. Nothing had managed to hurt him since the dog, and he'd gotten sloppy. He'd ended up using a weak shield against one of those porcupines and foolishly ended up stabbed by one and had a needle in his forearm.
It had been so fast he hadn't even been able to take advantage of the alert shield effect which would send out an alarm if an enemy came within 20 metres of him. Good for detecting ambushes, but he needed to have the reflexes to react!
"Geez, that hurt a bit," Naofumi grunted, pausing to apply some Healing Medicine and a bandage.
"That's what I've been saying Naofumi-san, we really should be heading back and getting your armour! We have enough materials now for that, I checked with Ekil-san yesterday!"
While they'd spent the days in the wild, he had sent Raphtalia into the village to sell some goods. Medicine, skins and some meats and other drops. It helped get her used to doing such tasks, keep coin flowing in and as a nonverbal reassurance to Elder Riyute that he hadn't just ran off and was keeping his word of remaining nearby.
"I was using a weak shield at the time. Besides, we were trying to get you to level 20, remember?"
The interesting thing about the shield was that it somehow managed to protect his entire body despite appearing as a normal shield. The shield was obviously the strongest part, but it boosted his defence value overall to the point he he probably had rock-solid skin or something.
"Air Strike Shield!"
The porcupine clipped the ability, spinning off the the side. Stunned, it quickly got back to to its feet and kept running.
Naofumi frowned.
Damn thing is fast.
"Shield Prison!"
The ability formed a cage of shields within a range of about six metres, a useful immobilising skill and defensive one.
The porcupine had nowhere to run and started charging the cage, visibly rattling it, but it held firm.
After fifteen seconds it vanished, and Raphtalia promptly ended it's struggling with a swift stab through the head.
Raphtalia picked it up and brought it to where he was standing.
EXP 30
Raphtalia EXP 30
Quetzal EXP 30
From the trees rustling sounded, followed by a screech. The leaves parted revealing his couatl with a pikyupiyku within his jaws. With one smooth motion the serpent threw his head back and swallowed the bird creature down in one greedily.
EXP 4
Raphtalia EXP 4
Quetzal EXP 4
"Quetzal, come on down!" Naofumi called.
The serpent hissed, then spread its now massive wings and glided to the earth.
The couatl grew fast. It turned out the two lumps on his back were wings.
With it's golden-green wing coverts, back, chest and head scales and a reddish-pink underside, his boy looked magnificent.
Growing from pencil size, he was now about the size of an adult ball python.
Quetzal hissed happily and knocked his head against Naofumi's hand, tickling his arm with its feather crown.
Naofumi chuckled and scratched the serpent under its chin.
"You're going to get fat if you just keep ambushing things, lazy reptile."
Naofumi didn't know much aside from the obvious about snakes, but he knew they didn't eat daily, maybe once or twice a week. But Quetzal had an appetite that was just insatiable, and once he could hunt he did so frequently, devouring whatever he could get his jaws around.
What he couldn't kill in one or two bites often died quickly due to his venom. Whatever that stuff was, it was scary. It put the animal to sleep, making it helpless against the snake.
The few creatures they'd ran across with a poison resistance had confused the reptile briefly, before it decided that if he couldn't bite it to death or put it to sleep and kill it, he'd simply constrict it and crush it.
Quetzal ignored him, and was instead simply content to lazily hiss under his gentle rubbing.
"You're probably right," Naofumi sighed, glancing in Raphtalia's direction, "we'll go back to camp, pack up the skins, and head into Riyute after I harvest that porcupine."
The animals they ran into were broken down into useable parts, at least the one's Quetzal hadn't hunted for food. The porcupine was broken down into needles, meat, skin and bones. Any of them could be used for materials, so it was pretty useful for new animals to try absorbing the different parts first.
Bones could be used for different things, though Naofumi experimented with the different ones for broths at Raphtalia's request.
He couldn't taste much of a difference, but she enjoyed the variety. Quetzal of course, was a carnivore.
Naofumi himself simply ate a meat and vegetable gruel, as he cared not for flavour, only nutrition.
Raphtalia asked why he ate it, and he just shrugged. Of all the food he made, this, she didn't like.
Animal Needle Shield conditions met.
Animal Needle Shield
abilities locked equip bonus: attack 1
equip effect: needle shield (small)
Naofumi snorted.
"What's funny about it, Naofumi-san?"
He held it aloft.
"It's actually given me an attack boost, of one," Naofumi laughed.
"Oh, that's good! What about it's defence rating?"
"Terrible." Naofumi changed back to his trusty Light Metal Shield. "Much prefer this one anyway. An attack stat is wasted on me."
While his mask seemed to at first provide some sort of bonus attack based on his Defence value, it seemed to cause more of a pain and chance to bleed his foe rather than any direct damage. The dog hadn't been hurt, and the higher level creatures they ran into at most flinched from a headbutt. Lower level creatures such as balloons and the usapil with what he guessed were disproportionately low defence stats were far more impacted.
Turns out he was just shit at attacking. Besides, he had two others who could handle it for him.
Raphtalia sheathed her Magic Steel blade and threw the rest of the porcupine to Quetzal. Predictably, the reptile devoured each chunk in one.
Some hours later, the arrived at town with loaded packs. Queztal was wrapped around Naofumi's chest and provided quite the startle to the guard on duty when he poked his head out from Naofumi's cloak.
Naofumi nudged the curious reptile back under.
"A-ah, name?" The nervous guard asked Naofumi. He seemed to recognise Raphtalia, however.
"Sir Beastmaster," Naofumi replied.
The guards eyes widened, "Oh, Sir! Elder Riyute told us to keep an eye out for you! When you get the chance, could you visit the town hall? Thank you, Sir."
Naofumi thanked the guard and paid the toll tax.
"It looks a lot more lively now," Raphtalia noted.
Naofumi hummed, "News of the mine must've spread and people have come for work."
The streets were noticeably busy, but it seemed they were recognised. A few merchants they knew greeted them as they passed through the marketplace on their way to Ekil's smithy.
"Ekil-san!" Raphtalia called, waving the the working smith.
Ekil paused mid strike and looked up.
"Raphtalia, and Beastmaster! How're you two doing?"
"We're good, thank you!"
"My, how you've grown!" Ekil laughed, "seems every day you get a lil' bit bigger, eh?"
Naofumi looked down to check if Quetzal was poking out again. To his surprise, Ekil was looking at Raphtalia, who laughed as well.
Huh?
"You've turned into a right pretty lady!"
"Hah, thank you Ekil-san! We've got the materials for the armour now!"
Ekil took the goods, giving them a look over.
"All of these skins, they're excellent quality, very nice yeah. I'll be able to make somethin' good from this!"
Ekil then hummed, rubbing the back of his head.
"The thing is, uh... I'll need your measurements."
Raphtalia blushed, and Naofumi tensed.
This will be a problem...
"What measurements do you need exactly?" Naofumi interrupted them.
After Ekil listed them the smith gave Raphtalia an odd, significant look.
Hm... maybe...
"We'll just get the measurements ourselves, and pass them to you later," Naofumi stated, "Elder Riyute has asked for me, I shouldn't keep him waiting."
Ekil seemed to consider this, until he grinned with gleaming eyes.
"I get you're big about privacy, Sir Beastmaster, and you probably don't want my hands on your girl, huh?"
Naofumi narrowed his eyes.
That's right I'm not, damn lolicons in this country.
"So," Ekil handed Raphtalia the tape and a small notepad, "jump into my house there and get them done now - the sooner I get started on your armours, the better. Elder Riyute's been waiting, and can wait a little longer."
Before Naofumi could say anything, Ekil about faced and returned to the work he was doing.
The Shield Hero huffed.
"Might as well do as he said, huh?" Naofumi muttered. "Come on."
Ekil's house looked like an extension of his forge. Cluttered, with shelves near the front loaded with goods and spare tools. Naofumi spotted some armour pieces, a couple of blades and halberds in an open barrel and a shield or two.
Out of respect for the annoying man's privacy, he didn't go deeper than the entry room.
"Right," Naofumi unclasped his cloak and laid it to the side with his mask and dropped his surprised feathered serpent on top with it, "let's get this done."
Raphtalia started from top down, starting with chest circumference. Naofumi tensed.
"You need to relax for this Naofumi-san," Raphtalia said quietly.
Naofumi exhaled through his nose and did as he was told.
Once she'd gotten the measurement, Raphtalia noted the number in the pad.
Next, was the neck.
Naofumi's breath hitched as she held it slightly beneath his Adam's apple.
"Is that too tight?" Raphtalia asked.
"No, I..."
When did this happen?
"Hm?" Raphtalia asked, pausing to check the number before looking back into his eyes.
Into his eyes.
Not up.
"...I never realised how tall you'd gotten," Naofumi admitted, brow furrowed.
Raphtalia sighed, her breath giving goose bumps on his neck. She withdrew the tape and noted the measurement.
"Turn around. I need to measure your shoulders."
Naofumi did as he was told, too confused with his own thoughts to do much else.
When... how did I not notice...
"I've not been that little girl from the cage for a while now, Naofumi-san," Raphtalia finally said, "you have really broad shoulders."
Naofumi snorted back a laugh, and he knew behind him she was smiling.
"I don't just mean in how I act, either. Demi-humans, we change, grow older, when we level up. Dad... Dad had explained that's why humans didn't like us that much, and saw us as monsters. They- you age normally, but we hit growth spurts the more fights we get in. Mentally and physically, we are just... more geared for fighting. It scares people."
Naofumi didn't say anything. He didn't know what to say. This was all news to him, he didn't know much about this world already but he'd never seen, he'd just... always seen her as that girl. His guilt.
"Relax your arms."
He followed her instruction obediently, pausing as her fingers trailed from the outside edge of his shoulder to the elbow.
"I... I guess that's why you were saying you needed new clothes over the last couple of days, huh?" Naofumi said weakly.
Raphtalia laughed, "Yes, my other things were getting a bit small."
Naofumi swallowed when she paused to note the measurement, before continuing down from elbow to just under his wrist bone.
"You... didn't say anything."
Raphtalia paused, "I didn't think I needed to," She admitted, "Ekil-san though, he said... said that you might have um, your own issues to work through."
Naofumi tensed, but quickly relaxed when she gently slapped his arm.
"He doesn't know you're the Shield Hero," Raphtalia reassured, "but I did, and it never really occurred to me... there might be things you didn't know, or had your- your own problems. Like mine. I was just too used to you seeming to know everything, be good at everything, like nothing could really stop you."
"The dog-" Naofumi countered, only to be cut off.
"The dog," Raphtalia affirmed, "I... it never really clicked that you could bleed too. You seemed untouchable, and I did have you on a pedestal before that."
She moved the tape up to his bicep now.
Naofumi reddened and kept his eyes forward.
"It was stupid of me," Raphtalia said as she measured, "you just seemed so bigger than life. The Shield Hero! With your cloak and secrecy, something from the stories. But then... you could've died in that cave."
"If it wasn't for you," Naofumi said, unnecessarily.
Raphtalia hummed, "Yes. I knew you would always protect me, but I needed to protect you, too. Fight the battles you couldn't."
Naofumi looked away.
"You shouldn't need to," He said slowly, verbalising the thought that kept him from sleeping easy since they met.
"No, I shouldn't need to," Raphtalia agreed, "the Waves shouldn't have happened, my... my village, my parents. They shouldn't have died. I shouldn't have been sold into slavery with my friends... and you should be in your own world, living your life too. But the Waves did happen, and so did everything else."
Raphtalia paused to note his wrist circumference.
"You shouldn't have been summoned, Naofumi-san," Raphtalia said finally.
Naofumi's breath hitched.
"You shouldn't have had to be summoned. But you were. And I'm grateful that it was you, and that I got to meet you, Naofumi-san. That I won't regret."
He couldn't say anything. If he did, he'd... Naofumi swallowed shakily. Then when she moved around to take back length, he saw the purple of the slave mark.
Naofumi adverted his eyes.
Raphtalia was quiet as she continued, while Naofumi grew increasingly nervous after she took his stomach circumference.
"You need to try something other than that gruel," Raphtalia said cheekily as she noted his waistline.
Naofumi snorted, "I'm perfectly fine, thank you, I'm thin."
Raphtalia shook her head, "You're like a weasel demi-human."
Seeing his confusion, she elaborated, "They're built like swimmers. Broad shoulders, thin waist, but toned."
"O-oh."
Quetzal hissed in bursts from the side, and Naofumi got the feeling the stupid reptile was laughing at him. He shot the lazy serpent a glare.
"Raccoon demi-humans don't mind a little bit of fat. They get a reputation as lazy, but it's just preference. They're cuddlers by nature."
What the fuck is going on.
Raphtalia noted down his hip circumference, then turned with a light red dusting on her cheeks.
"Right," she said, bending down slightly to kneel, "now your inside leg, Naofumi-san."
I should've let Ekil do this and take the chance of him finding out who I am.
Naofumi handed Ekil the measurements then took off without a word to the town hall, leaving his pack with Raphtalia.
Ekil raised an eyebrow as he watched him not so discreetly run.
Raphtalia sighed, then went about sorting the materials to give over. She'd already taken the ore in yesterday, so all that had been left was the skins and other materials, or 'mats' as Naofumi sometimes called them.
"Any particular reason your master is pretty much fleein'?" Ekil drawled with a sly grin.
Raphtalia shot him a reproachful look and he backed off with hands held in surrender, still grinning.
"He's realised I'm not a girl anymore," she said simply.
"No kiddin'. What was it, chest circumference, bicep, hip? Thigh?"
Raphtalia glared at him, arms crossed.
"I explained to him while I did his measurements," she stated, aiming to give him no satisfaction.
"Oh I know that's when you told him," Ekil chortled, "I'm just wonderin' was it when he had his hands on your muscles or your abs-"
"That's enough out of you Ekil-san!" Raphtalia shot him down, huffing, "I don't know why I listen to you."
"Because you need someone without a guilty conscience to actually tell you shit," Ekil stated, "Speakin' of, there's a demi-human adventurer in town for the night, staying at the inn. If you've got any questions, you're best to ask him."
Raphtalia paid Ekil the 200 silvers for the work he'd be doing for their armours and left to catch up to Naofumi at the town hall.
"Preparations are already underway for the mine's reopening," Elder Riyute explained, "faster than expected. I understand it was previously one hundred of each we discussed for four gold in total, but would it be possible for half now, half afterwards? If you can provide fifty of each, I can give two gold then, and the rest of the payment upon the remaining two fifty's."
Naofumi nodded, "That's agreeable for me. I can start work tonight, and should have the first batches ready for late afternoon, early evening tomorrow."
"Excellent, excellent!"
The doors opened again, and one of the guards announced the new arrival.
"Sir Beastmaster's companion, Elder."
Naofumi paused, but didn't turn. Quetzal slithered out from under his cloak to greet Raphtalia.
"Truly impressive, his growth is, Sir Beastmaster," Elder Riyute commented, following the serpent with his eyes, "he already looks like a powerful monster, I can't imagine what he will be like as he levels up."
Naofumi nodded in agreement, "Any news of a dragon?"
"Hm? Oh, yes! A village to the east has sighted one. A powerful drake has made it's home in the nearby mountains, and has a well established desolation. The village has kept it's distance, but word still reaches of the occasional adventurer or party attempting to slay it. None return."
Naofumi hummed. It's risky, but it's my best shot.
He glanced at the steadily growing couatl now wrapped around Raphtalia, who flashed him a smile at noticing his look.
Naofumi adverted his eyes.
"May I ask, what is your plan regarding this dragon?" Elder Riyute questioned hesitantly. "It is just... you seem like a promising man, Sir Beastmaster. I would hate to hear of your end at this dragons maw."
"I'm planning to speak with the dragon," Naofumi said.
The guards shifted their positions at that statement, and Elder Riyute's brow furrowed.
"A... dangerous endeavour, Sir. Dragons are not known for seeking discussion."
Naofumi nodded, expecting that, "I go with no intentions to slay the dragon, only to seek audience. That is all. I have questions for it, if it will answer."
Raphtalia was shooting him a questioning look, and he gave a small headshake.
Later.
"Well, I don't suppose you are Sir Beastmaster for nothing," Elder Riyute chuckled, "I'll leave it to your judgement."
"Thank you for your help," Naofumi gave a small bow, "I will be back tomorrow with the first half of the shipment."
With a quick flap of his wings, Quetzal shifted from Raphtalia to Naofumi who bore the weight without issue. The couatl slithered into the front of his cloak to wrap around his chest.
"You must be some sort of tree snake," Naofumi grunted, "explains the damn wings."
He would've been fine raising the couatl himself until his first shed. Combined with the wings, it had displayed the Celestial Couatl Shield. That had gotten his attention, especially given it was level locked until level 40.
He had no idea what a couatl was, and from the dragonnewt's advice, he guessed a dragon would have more information. Maybe it was some sort of lesser dragon? He'd heard of Knight Dragons that Castle Town apparently had, as did other wealthier villages and towns. Bate had mentioned Water Dragons from Q'ten Lo.
This he explained to Raphtalia as they made their way for the inn as reason for seeking out such a famed, deadly creature.
"It will be risky," she warned, "it might be good to come with a gift for it? Something for it's hoard, or something we hunted when we get there."
Naofumi considered this, "That's a good idea. We'll do that."
He had to be conscious of money, however. They had a total of 3 gold coins, 300 and something silver and some bronze change. He planned on buying Baerywn's freedom as soon as possible, and while he would've liked to spend another week working up the money to do so, he needed to speak to this dragon as quick as possible while Quetzal was still young.
He didn't worry about the couatl's loyalty, from what he gathered so far, it was devoted to him, and the shield reacted positively to his presence. Perhaps it was that spell on the egg? He didn't know, but the serpent would not turn on him, he knew that much.
Once he completed the order, he'd see about exchanging the rounded 300 to 3 gold coins, bringing the total to 10.
Two thirds of the way there.
The innkeeper gave them the same room they'd had before. While Raphtalia organised their packs and a bit of dried meat for Quetzal, Naofumi emptied some of his compounding supplies.
"I'll be busy working," Naofumi said, seating himself at the desk, "try and get some sleep if you can."
Raphtalia laid a hand on his shoulder, "I'll be fine. Come to bed soon though, okay? You need your sleep too."
Naofumi nodded hesitantly.
He heard the soft scraping of wood, and knew she was pushing the two beds together. Quetzal burrowed under the covers at the left corner to doze off, while Raphtalia took the right side.
Naofumi got to work, starting with the Healing Medicines, lost in thought as he went through the motions.
How did I not see this? How... was I just too ignorant? Did I see what I wanted to see?
He was confused. Before, it had been simple.
He'd bought her as a slave. It was his duty to keep her safe while she got him to level up. He'd always seen her as small, fragile even.
Now... she was a woman. Grown, strong with muscle and skill with a blade. Where was the sickly child he had seen? And how did he not see that change?
She didn't depend on him, did she? Raphtalia didn't really need him.
The only thing keeping her in the party was the slave crest, right?
Naofumi set aside the finished vial and started on the next.
"it never really occurred to me... there might be things you didn't know, or had your- your own problems."
His own problems. Hah, that's something of a euphemism. Naofumi knew what he was.
A cynical, paranoid man with trust issues, masquerading as a hero. And he'd tricked some poor demi-human into actually giving a shit.
Sometimes, he could laugh, he could smile with her, and enjoy a joke or some quiet relaxation, a companionable meal together. But then he'd remember that she couldn't leave him. Raphtalia was bound to him, branded like property.
It was the only time his gruel had taste, but it was merely bitterness and ash.
"I'm grateful that it was you, and that I got to meet you, Naofumi-san. That I won't regret."
He wondered if that sentiment would be the same if he freed her.
When. When I free her.
Naofumi swallowed.
What if I didn't? It's a fantasy, sure, but the other Heroes get to lie to themselves, they get to live out their damn second lives without the Crown gunning for them, they get to live their fantasy! Was it too much to ask that I get the same?! For someone to actually care?!
He didn't want to break the fantasy, but...
He glanced at Raphtalia, dozing away.
Naofumi paused and closed his eyes, holding his head in shame.
It's not fair. But it's not fair on her, either.
He would free her, after the first wave. The fantasy would be dispelled, and it would just be the fanatically loyal Baerywn and his spell-induced serpent.
But... he could pretend, and live the fantasy until then. He could be selfish for a little while.
Do monsters cry? Naofumi wondered.
He felt like crying. he wanted to cry. But no tears came.
Monsters don't cry. They can't cry, they're selfish, evil, cruel creatures. That's what makes them monsters.
