Within Minerva's Store, Alastor stood as the Brown Minion Giblet measured him with some Rope that had painted lines at regular intervals. The diminutive Blacksmith having explained that he needed to check Alastor's measurements so he could alter any pieces of armour that did not have a good size match for the prospective Overlord.

In the doorway of the store, the figure of a woman in her 40's stood. Dressed in her waitress uniform for the local tavern, and a look of concern on her almost motherly features.

"I know that wasn't the whole story, and so do most of the other's in town." She began cautiously. "What's really going on? Are we about to be invaded?"

Giblet spoke before Alastor could even begin to form an answer. "No invasion or conquering of Thornhind. Town safe, thanks to Alastor proving himself as useful was all true. No harm will come from any within Overlord's Domain." Having now finished his measurements he began rummaging around the pieces of leather armour he had brought to try and find a set close to Alastor's size.

"Ellie," Alastor said as reassuringly as he could. "Thornhind has nothing to be concerned about. The Minions are recruiting an Apprentice Runic Craftsman. In exchange the town will be left alone by them."

Ellie scoffed, her straw coloured hair shaking as she did so. "You're ready to move past the stage of being an Apprentice. Minerva's told you and the town you're ready to complete the Apprenticeship several times. You're the only one that doesn't think their ready to move past it"

"Also, I helped raise you. Don't feed me any lies or half-truths."

Giblet chuckled which got him an annoyed look from Alastor, whilst setting a few bits of armour to the side for trying on once the blonde woman had left them. "I don't know what else to tell you, the Minions are evaluating me to determine how best I fit into the Overlord's domain."

Ellie sighed, and was about to turn away when she realised Alastor's wording, wither intentional or not, implied more than just his experience with Runes made him valuable to the Overlord. She noticed what appeared to be an Overlord's Helmet resting on the table, unclaimed by the Minions and she spotted a slight smirk on Giblet's face as he raised a forearm bracer that had been buried under all the leather armour.

The Bracer was composed of both leather and metal. Encasing a glowing yellow crystal. Upon seeing it, Ellie came to the obvious conclusion. "Heavens above" she muttered.

Alastor glared at the Brown Minion and with a commanding tone that Ellie had never heard before spoke. "Giblet, put that away. It's giving Ellie the wrong message." The Minion complied and Alastor turned his gaze to Ellie, who noticed a metallic sheen had briefly manifested within his eyes. "I have not been granted that title by them."

"You're being considered for it though."

"Does it matter?" he queried. "I repaired a relic of theirs, thus drawing their attention to both myself and our home. They have made it clear I will be working with them in one capacity or another, either by choice or force. I am willing choosing to work with them, doing so I can keep myself protected from those that would consider the restoration of an Overlord's Helm heresy punishable by Death, regardless if I knew what the object was. My decision also safeguards my home from some of the dark and destructive forces in the world."

"You're bounding down a Dark Path that's just a Stones throw away from Evil." Ellie responded quietly, her voice carrying sympathy and regret for the young man before her. Who grew up as one of the Town's Wards when his parents died during his youth. Was being tricked into believing he had no choice but to become part of a Dark Legend.

"When I restored their Relic I was bound to the Dark. Despite what you may be thinking, I can be either dragged down that path by the forces that have tethered me to it, or I can freely walk down it. If walking that path includes some form of leadership then so be it. Choosing this path also gives me some freedom on how I walk down it"

Alastor's voice took on a hard edge as he continued. "You need to keep you opinions and conclusions to yourself. Make them Public and I don't know what the Minions may do for interfering in their business. Especially if you believe they are currently without a Master."

Seeing that Ellie understood the sheer danger she had been inviting by openly questioning him Alastor attempted to put her mind at ease. "Regardless of what role I take, be it Craftsman or more. I've managed to secure Thornhind & it's peoples safety."

"I hope you know what you're doing Alastor… things could go wrong in so many ways." Ellie then left the Store, leaving Alastor and the Brown Minion to get a set of armour fitted.

Alastor waited a few minutes to make sure no one else was going to stick their head into the door before questioning Giblet.

"What the Fuck was that? Why did you show her what appears to be a Control Gauntlet?"

Giblet chuckled as he started passing pieces of Armour for him to try on. "Test to see how both react… also you need one."

Alastor began carefully slipping on the various Armour pieces, "Great so any time one of you guys are around I'm being tested… and what do you mean? Why am I getting a Gauntlet if I'm only a Candidate?"

"I can answer that" Came the voice of Snake from behind him.

Alastor turned and faced the Elder Green Minion, as he removed some of the armour he was trying on with a quick shake of his head to Giblet to signify it wasn't a good fit.

"Okay, so why am I getting one of the Gauntlet's?"

"As part of your Testing for the Mantle, you will be commanding a small troupe of Brown Minions and field testing the Frost Spell Core you have crafted that Ashe is currently fitting into a Spell Statue. How else will you have command of the Minions or use the Spell Stone without a Gauntlet?"

"What happens if I'm not worthy? You've already stated that there is a couple others you are keeping an eye on."

Giblet passed a few new pieces of armour for Alastor to try on, which included a pair of metal greaves for his shins to go along with some studded leather variants of the armour he previous rejected.

"You'll keep the Gauntlet, access to a personal Minion Guard Troupe and use of the Frost Spell. Although one of the others may get chosen as the Overlord, you would still be a Candidate should anything happen to them. Plus if we every need you on the field and you aren't the Overlord, it would ensure you have some protection without the Overlord themselves needing to escort you."

"I guess that makes sense." Alastor admitted.

Giblet passed over a few final pieces of Armour and instructed Alastor to check the Mirror once they were on. He did as advised, and saw what would be his Armour for the near future.

A leather Cuirass with metal studs across it with a matching set of Spaulders across the shoulder. The lower body was protected by a quilted leather Fauld for the thighs, with metal Greaves to protect the shins. His right arm had a simple leather Vambrace with a few metal plates along the back of the forearm and his left arm bore his Minion Gauntlet.

"All that's left is the helmet, but we should probably look into a scarf or something to help obscure your lower face." Snake stated.

"Why would I need to obscure my jaw and mouth?"

"The Helm will cast your eyes into shadow, thus letting the power that glows within shine more prominently. Plus it will help hide your facial reactions from people, meaning they can only use your Eyes to try and gauge you. It's useful for negotiations and intimidation ".

Alastor gave a grunt of acknowledgement, before scrutinizing his reflection's eyes. "They don't look like their glowing"

"Power still growing," Giblet stated. "Been on & off since helm first worn. Will stay on in time."

"Great, so people will be able tell who I am just by looking at my eyes even if I'm not in the Overlord Armour or whatever I'm expected to wear if I don't get chosen."

Snake hummed as he thought it over. "In daylight, or brightly lit areas, assuming your face is not cast in shadow, you could pass of your eyes as simply being Vibrant." The Elder Green Minion then gave a shrug "Then again it depends on how strongly they glow, or if it changes from simply projecting a metallic grey to match your eyes to the Overlord's more common Yellow, Orange & Red glows."

Giblet had been looking Alastor up and down, scrutinising the armour. "Giblet think Alastor should stick with Light-Weight Armour like this. Heavy Armour will not suit." Giblet grumble to himself some more. "Not sure what Weapon should have."

"I already have one." Alastor stated as he showed the Dagger he had bought prior to the Minions making contact with him.

Giblet sneered at the Dagger. "Too simple. Plus need to find weapon that suits you. Most Previous Masters have had weapon type they prefer and found easy to use."

"I don't really have any training, and daggers are easy."

Giblet grunted. "Can keep dagger, but need something bigger as Main."

Snake chuckled. "Why don't we keep it simple and start off with a simple wood & iron mace? It's fairly straight forward to use and won't require any form of training to use. Especially when only have another day or two before The Blessed Flame arrives."

"As long as the mace can be fire-proofed, fine" Alastor stated. "I'm going to be spending most of the evening learning the basics of Minion Control aren't I?"

"Indeed, and if Ash gets the Frost Spell Statue finalised before dawn you'll need to get some quick practice with it too."

Alastor growled. "I swear I better get an actual night or two of both rest and sleep once this fire wielding cleric or whatever he is has been dealt with. I've been working off of very limited sleep for nearly two weeks."

"Assuming everything goes well after you've dealt with them. You'll be getting that sleep in the Master Bed of the Castle." Snake stated, giving Alastor an incentive.

He watched with glee as Alastor's eyes began to take on a metallic glow, and a wicked smile formed. "In that case, what's a few more restless night's before getting a taste of the luxuries for the Role I'm applying for."


Author's Note: A shorter chapter than usual, however this story is still ongoing and has not been abandoned.

Chapter's will continue to be posted sporadically, as the inspiration for writing comes and goes. Another factor being what I'm focusing on during my free time when not in work.

There may be points I double back to older chapters to amend mistakes I have noticed when checking through my notes and what has been previously into to the prior chapters.