The sound of a crack was heard by Botan, it came from right behind him.

"...Huh?" Botan felt something and stopped.

"What's wrong?" Alder asked as Botan took off his bag and opened it.

He rushed to remove his bag from his back and pulled out the egg that was now cracked and moving, taking care to hold it gently.

"It's happening!" Botan seemed way too excited.

And why wouldn't he? Botan was a gamer like most his age, but specifically, he always liked monster-collecting games a lot. He liked monster designs a bunch. That's why he drew monster designs all the time as well as how he could remember Lokkan's monster's names so easily. Botan promised that whatever came out of the egg, he'd find out what it was good at and make it a proper member of his party.

"Misk, misk… misk… miiiiisk!" The small noises from the egg grew as the head of the creature pried the top of the egg back, freeing itself. The moment it was free it saw Botan and launched the small gap to cling to his collar. Botan was a little startled, but it did not hurt. He tried picking it up, but it was stuck to his chainmail pretty well. It held on in such desperation that Botan stopped trying to remove it. Instead, he adjusted the outfit away so he could peer down at the small creature.

It was a fuzzy little thing, the fur a strong and deep blue. The head and torso didn't seem to be separate areas on this monster, but it also wasn't quite as snake-like as he assumed it would be. It had cat-like ears tucked back but didn't look cautious. The body was almost entirely the head sporting two big yellow eyes, next it had the two small claws it'd been using to cling to him. Lastly, it had a short tail wagging in pure glee.

Botan's eyes were sparkling to behold such a cute little creature. It would not let go of his chainmail, so he had to pet it where it was. Rubbing its ears and small belly was enjoyable for both of them.

"I'm basically a digi-destine now! Wait… I was totally chosen to come here. Straight up digi-destine vibes!" Botan mused.

Botan pet it and gave it all his attention for several minutes before Alder piped up. "Uh, Botan, we have to continue moving."

Botan took a moment from showering his new pet with affection to look up. "Uh, yeah… sorry."

The small creature leaned up, touching the top of its head to the bottom of Botan's chin to remind him that it was still there and needed more petting. Botan continued rubbing the small creature with care as the two continued walking.

Alder saw just how much Botan already liked the little thing and voiced caution. "Being the first thing it saw will likely help, but do remember what Mr. Lokkan said. These creatures are called 'living nooses' and it is already resting at your neck…"

Botan looked offended. "Mr. Lokkan himself said he wasn't sure what their deal was, but look at this little guy!? There is no way it'll harm me or anyone."

"Little guy? Is it male?" Alder asked.

"Ah, I should check." Botan peeled the small creature away from him for a second to examine it. The creature seemed desperate to return to its spot, tiny claws outstretched. "Oh, actually it's a girl." He returned it to its spot, it seemed almost upset it have left it.

"That thing seems way too clingy." Alder complained.

"Oi, don't call it 'that thing'!" Botan said reflexively.

"Then what's its name?" Alder asked, eyes still forward as they walked.

Botan hadn't thought of that yet but still called Alder out. "Now I'm going to look dumb and temperamental…" Botan looked down at the small ball of love below him.

"Misk, misk, misk." It kept saying, a cute cross between a cat's meow and a bird's chirp.

[You have been invited to a party]

"Did this little girl just? …" Botan joined parties with her.

Alder took note of that too. Usually, monsters joined parties with their family. Even then, that wouldn't happen this quickly, and it's always the older/parent who invites the newborn

"...Myskel." Botan said with conviction.

"Mysk…el" Alder repeated with mirroring doubt.

"Yeah, Myskel. After the cute noise she makes." Botan explained with a wagging finger in the air.

"...You made that up on the spot." Alder saw through his bullshit.

"...Nuh uh." Botan said with playful panic, meaningless denial was all he had.

Botan went to pet Myskel some more, but his Holy Flower's gem began to glow.

"You wicked flower. You ask too much… Oh." Botan misjudged the reaction as telling him to feed it Myskel, which he'd obviously refuse. Instead, the flower reacted to the eggshell left behind.

Botan thought that absorbing it was perfectly acceptable and wondered what kind of skill such a thing could possibly unlock.

.

[Monster Tamer Flower]

Abilities Locked Equip Effect: Monster Growth Adjustment (small)

.

[Monster Eggshell Flower]

Abilities Locked Equip Effect: Defense +2, Monster Status Adjustment (small)

.

"Huh? Growth adjustment? Like how fast it levels? Equipping immediately." Botan swapped to the weapon form mentally. Its form seemed to be very colorful and fragile, more for decoration than use. The stats reflected this, being pretty lower when compared to other forms he has access to. Still, he'd only need to equip in for a short time to permanently unlock the bonus.

Before continuing, Botan wanted to check on Myskel's status. He broke a [Scrying Marble] while looking down at Myskel.

[Name: Myskel]

[Type: Cuddling Constrictor]

[Level: 1]

The stats were very very low, but from something that had been alive for just a few minutes, this was expected. The thing that caught Botan's attention was the type. Botan expected it to say "living noose," not "cuddling constrictor". Botan wondered why people would call them something other than what they were, but then he remembered what Mr. Lokkan said. People probably never had the chance to scry one because the target needs to be alive and all anyone had were bones to go off of.

"Cuddling is in the name! Myskel's species are not evil little chokers, they're forever hug buddies!" Botan determined.

The two continued their banter all the way back to the capital city, Weldroe. Botan thought it was biased, but seeing the city again, he still thought it was a perfect blend of human civilization and nature. A look that was entirely its own.

"Miiisk~!" Myskel's little eyes sparkled with wonder, seeming to also marvel at the first city it had ever seen. Of course, Botan had no choice but to dote on Myskel more upon seeing its infectious reaction.

Alder crossed his arms, slightly amused. "Are you going to drop everything to pet that thi-pet Myskel any time it makes a noise?" He asked with a smirk.

"Yes." Botan answered immediately, no shame or awareness to be found.

Before Alder could respond an unwanted intrusion arrived.

"Ah, the Evergreen and the young Alder as well! How lucky I am to have seen you both. Did you pass along my message?" The over-the-top outfit and white hair made it clear. It was Valtor Meisser, the current field leader of the Ivory Company. Botan had only spoken to him once and how fake the man was when he spoke was completely up in the air.

"What message?" Alder inquired.

Botan just remembered. "Oh yeah, I was supposed to pass along a message… I think it was something like, asking you if you've reconsidered their offer." He replied.

"Tsk." Alder's face soured. Not in a funny way either. He looked very upset. "I thank you again for the offer, but I will not be joining your guild." His voice was strained, but he remained professional. He was fighting the urge to shout.

Valtor seemed confused. "I thought your answer would change after recent events. After all, the prince-"

"As I said! …The answer is still no." Alder shouted briefly, but pulled it back in.

He saw he was getting nowhere with Alder, so the man turned to Botan. "You seem confused. Has Alder told you what happened? That he was-"

"Mr. Meisser, I thank you for your concern, but if what you're about to talk about is not my business nor yours, then it's not our conversation to have." Botan was still confused about these secrets, but he knew Tia and Alder were good people. He had shared meals with Tia and already quite a few laughs with Alder already. If it had nothing to do with himself, he'd like to only learn about it if they decided to share it.

Valtor's words died in his mouth, replaced by a sigh. "How do I feel like the bad guy right now? ….I understand your feelings to a point, but… Do you truly have no breaking point? No matter what he does to you both?" Again, that sounded like real concern in his voice. Just like when he spoke to Botan about the slavery of this world. The man didn't seem evil, just not on the same side as them.

"..." Alder grew quiet.

"...Well, the offer stands. I wouldn't have bothered you if I thought you wouldn't have changed your mind. Sorry." Valtor apologized and approached Botan with an outstretched hand. "Here, for your trouble."

He held out a dull green thing. It wasn't quite a stone, nor was it metal.

"I appreciate it, but-"

"It's a rare material, but it's not even enough to make a knife. We found it on our latest expedition. I'm giving it to you for free. You're going to be protecting the world, right? Not just Mosden." Valtor was not taking no for an answer.

"Misk." Myskel chirped in an approving tone.

"Fine. Sorry, I keep giving you the cold shoulder." Botan took the odd stone.

"It's fine. The Ivory company and Mosden have a pretty atypical relationship and we've stepped over the line more than once… But please know that we put the people first. If you need any help, come find me. Even if you don't join the guild, I am allowed to help you outside of the guild." He kept his hand out after Botan took the stone, prompting the two to shake hands.

After a short conversation, they left. As soon as they were out of earshot, Botan asked something. "What's with him? I can't get a read on that guy."

"Valtor is a lot harder to deal with than the last head of the Mosden branch. That old bastard was mean as hell, but Valtor is the opposite. Everything I've seen from him shows he's a good man." Alder answered without slowing or turning, more concerned with striding forward.

"That sounds exactly like it isn't a problem." Botan commented, having to speed up to keep pace with Alder.

Alder realized what he said might sound confusing to an outsider, so he slowed down and added context. "It is when you are trying to convince young Mosdenians to side with their country that is struggling over a successful life through the guild."

"Ah…" Botan could now see the problem. Indeed, he is a genuinely nice person to draw in people. "So Valtor is the honey to draw them in…"

The pair first visited Tia. She'd been alone for the past few days and they were concerned. The moment she opened the doors, they could tell. "She's been crying… a lot."

Despite this, she put on a tough and convincing act, forcing herself to be quite enthusiastic. She was even successful a few times in asking about Myskel, which captured Botan's attention in its entirety. Just as she thought her efforts had worked, Alder asked her something. "We have to leave again soon. Botan has decided on how best to prepare for the wave and so… Will you be okay for a few more days?"

Tia's smile slowly fell, forming a slight frown. She didn't stop trying to hide her emotions but faulted for a moment. She still kept herself from crying. "I'll manage."

"...I'll be taking my weapon with me." Alder informed her, not wanting to linger on such an uncomfortable subject.

"I thought you said you wouldn't need it?"

"And then Botan volunteered us to fight a level 40 Grass Reaper."

Quick as lightning, Tia grabbed both of their heads and inspected them for harm. "You should have said something sooner! How did just going to Lokkansted lead to that?"

Alder's response was a deadpan and judgemental stare at Botan, who responded by ignoring him and feeding Myskel a piece of meat. Alder kept staring at him, his eyes somehow piercing his spirit. Sweat began to form until Botan buckled. "I may have possibly, maybe, volunteered us to fight the thing because of a [Malmetal] retrieval request from the local blacksmith, Will…"

Tia eyed the pair. "How well would you say you two fared?" She asked Botan.

Botan saw she was asking a serious question, likely trying to use it to gauge his current power.

"It was rough. Alder was more consistent, and my performance varied. If we fought again right now, it'd be a lot easier. Not knowing everything about one of my skills nearly cost me. But now I'd be able to use it properly and it packs enough punch to sever its arm." Botan answered in a serious tone, wanting to show her he was taking this seriously.

"And how did my [Impact Harmonium] spells perform?" Tia thought to ask.

"A harmonization of three impacts was enough to do much the same as Botan's skill." Alder told his mother.

"So Botan's offensive capabilities already rival some of your more powerful spells despite being around half your level?" Tia sounded both impressed and offended.

"He leveled from defeating it and gained several new weapon forms. He probably beats me already. That's why I need my weapon. He's already passing me by… even though…" He turned to see Botan absorbed in teasing Myskel with another piece of meat. "Even though he's like this."

Botan gave Myskel the food and returned his attention to the conversation. "As soon as we locate the materials we need and some more [Malmetal] for Will, we will be right back here. I want to be as prepared as possible for this wave thing… And rude." He called out Alder for making fun of him.

Tia said she understood, but the pair didn't like leaving her when she was like this. They spent a bit more time there than they planned because they didn't want to leave her alone. When they finally did leave, Botan caught sight of Alder's weapon of choice.

Botan had to comment. "...Really?"

Alder saw the smirk forming on Alder's face and went to reply. "You know what these are? These are-"

"I know what they are, but as a true intellectual, I know that those are terrible weapons." Botan said half sarcastically, wagging his finger in front of him like a know-it-all.

Botan's baiting worked again in getting Alder to talk more. "In your old world? The one without motion magic?"

Botan's smirk was removed instantly, replaced with comedic dread. "...Oh yeah… Those are stupidly overpowered in this world, aren't they?"

Alder stole Botan's smirk and now wore it himself. "You'll see soon enough."

They continued their banter until they reached Willow's Whetstone. Instead of one of his sons running the front, Willow himself was there.

"Oh, yeah. Why are you working the front?" Botan asked as he entered.

"Ah, Botan. This happens every day. The kids leave when I stop forging in the back for the day. I work the front until the forge grows cold, then lock up. Gotta give the kids time to play." Willow greeted and answered. "Ah, if it isn't Alder. Is there anything I can do for you?" Willow asked more formally.

In fact, Botan picked up a huge difference in tone. He was casual with Botan despite supposedly being super important. Yet, he spoke respectfully to Alder, who was about the same age as himself and at least 15 years Willow's junior. "I guess as a local business owner, a royal advisor is someone you learn to treat respectfully." Botan thought.

"I'm not here on official business nor leisure. Botan." Alder gestured.

"Yeah, Alder here joined my party to help me get ready for the wave." Botan explained.

"But right now? With… the king as he is?" Willow seemed to choose his words carefully.

"Prince Raucer thought it'd be for the best…" Alder said, causing Willow to have a flash of anger.

Again, Botan felt there was a secret conversation going on around him deeper than what the words meant on the surface. He meant what he said about not prying into their business, but it was quite annoying for people to talk around him like he was stupid.

Luckily, when this stuff happened, he had Myskel. Looking down at the little thing was instant stress relief.

Willow took one look at Myskel and shook his head. "Of all the potential monsters you could have gotten to help you out, you get a weak little thing like that?"

"Oi, Don't call Myskel weak! She could be really strong later. She was just born and level 1. She could be amazing in the future." Botan defended loudly.

Instead of responding, Willow just turned to Alder. "He went completely mom mode for that thing, huh?" He observed jokingly.

"Indeed. It's quite concerning."Alder matched Willow in taunting Botan.

"Misk! Misk!" She initially stayed quiet, but now they were talking about Botan. So she chirped loudly.

"Yeah, you tell them!" Botan encouraged.

"You can… understand that thing?" Willow asked doubtfully.

"It's not 'that thing', it's Myskel, and I don't need to understand her words to understand her feelings." Botan said with a mix of confidence and comedic delivery.

"So you have no idea what she was saying?" Willow asked for clarification.

"..." Botan said nothing.

"..." Willow and Alder said nothing.

"Misk." Myskel chimed in.

Botan sighed and moved on. "Anyways, I came to deliver some [Malmetal]." Botan pulled out all the little pieces they had collected up until now, as well as any from his drop menu, while Alder revealed the two large blades of the Grass Reaper he had been carrying.

Willow wordlessly observed the Grass Reaper blades, running his hand down it and admiring its quality. Though a bit was missing from one because Botan absorbed it, they were great pieces to have. "I only asked for typical [Malmetal]. High-quality stuff like this will be wasted on the projects I need them for… How much normal [Malmetal] did you get?"

"Only about 30 pounds so far, nearly half of which I got as drops. We can easily collect twice that or more soon, though. The prince is letting me borrow some knights, so we can carry a lot more and clear out monsters quicker. I was hoping you might be able to use those blades for my armor." Botan bragged, knowing Willow only needed like 50 pounds of [Malmetal] at best.

"Heh, man, you'll graduate from my services sooner than I thought." Willow said with a mixture of pride and shame.

"Huh?" Botan thought he had impressed Willow, but now he seemed upset.

"I can make your armor with those…, but it'll be difficult. You'd not know better, but I'm not that renowned a smith. The best Mosden smiths usually flock to the Ivory Company. Most of my orders are for low-level equipment or industrial orders like nails and tools." Willow clarified.

"I don't mind. I'd rather keep coming to you." Botan tried assuring him.

Willow was not receptive to that. "I thank you, but no. You'll be past level 60 in what, two months at best? I can't make anything that good. And I won't have you running around in subpar equipment just to keep you a customer. I'll put everything I have into this armor, but… After that, you'll need to find a new smith. At best, I could make adjustments to the brilliant equipment other people make." Willow put things into perspective.

"Then who do you suggest? I'd rather not deal with the Ivory Company." Botan inquired.

Willow seemed to share a look with Alder, who nodded in approval.

"You'll be in a lot of danger in the future, you'll need the best of the best. And the best is the 3rd in line of the Greater Kingdom of Ventus, Typhus Stratos. I'm half Ventusian myself but trust me, I'm not saying this with bias." Willow said proudly, teeth showing with his wide grin.

"Wait, a prince is a blacksmith?" That made little sense to Botan.

"He's an inventor, blacksmith, alchemist, and everything else. He carries the title of 'Dark Genius' and has invented several revolutionary technologies." Willow boasted, even louder than before.

"Indeed. Demon jars and voice cannons have made the world a richer place." Alder agreed but with much less enthusiasm.

Botan wasn't lost in the conversation anymore. "Ah, the dark genius. I heard of him. Didn't know he was a prince… I heard what a demon jar is, but what is a voice cannon?"

"A spinning cylinder housed inside a series of mechanisms meant to precisely move the cylinder's orientation. If you line it up with another voice cannon over incredibly long distances, you can speak through it as if someone were just on the other side of the cylinder. Most major cities now have communication towers to allow its use. Ours is at the top of the great tree." Alder explained concisely, slipping back into advisor mode.

"Great tree? I guess I never really asked about it." Botan briefly thought. "Ah, like a phone?" He asked aloud.

"Your world had a similar device?" Alder asked.

Botan realized he wasn't explaining himself. "Something like that. We've had ours for several decades and it has improved tremendously. Most people in my world could carry around the device on them. Able to fit it in their hand, and call from anywhere." Botan told them.

They both were blown away by that. "That's… powerful technology…" Alder had to admit, while still processing what such technology could mean to its people.

"T-True, but Prince Typhus only invented voice cannons 4 years ago. I bet he'll make something like that someday." Willow tried not to have all the wind taken out of the prince's sails.

Botan saw that Willow respected this guy a lot. "You put a lot of stock in this guy."

"Of course. He's royalty who works a forge and is quickly becoming the frontrunner for the next king despite being the second youngest. He has a bright future." Willow said proudly with his chest, arms crossed in assurance.

"I was already going to need to meet the guy because I'll need a demon jar in the future, and they are exceedingly rare. If he's the best smith I can find, then Ventus is looking like even more obviously the next place to visit." Botan told him.

Willow seemed to like that answer. "You won't regret it! Ventus has rough weather, but the people are stout of heart and steel of spirit." Willow praised his countrymen. "And I'm sure that even the prince will be excited to see the Evergreen and his Holy Flower."

Speaking of his holy flower, he really needed to read the damned help menu, but he was so busy. "Before I go to sleep tonight." Botan promised himself.

By the time the two left Willow's Whetstone, the sun was setting. They'd spent most of the day on the road. They were tired and didn't want to do much else, but they had one last place they needed to go to.

The castle. Even if only to greet them and agree on a departure time tomorrow, Alder advised they go to the castle and see about the men they'd be working with.

Before they even reached the castle, a man saw them coming and fetched the knights. By the time they reached the front steps, four knights stood ready. They gave a salute to Botan and Alder. The Mosden salute has them pointing their weapons at their own hearts as if to say, 'We are willing to die'. Botan didn't know how to match such a display and stood there awkwardly for a moment before introducing himself. "Um, hello. I'm Botan Nakaya, the Flower Hero. I guess we'll be working together for a while. Thanks for your help."

The knights seemed to look appeased by his words but did not speak. Botan turned to Alder. "Um, help?" He pleaded.

"The Evergreen is a very friendly person and needs constant correction. He'd prefer you to be somewhat vocal and sociable." Alder said.

"Oi!" "Misk!" Both Botan and Myskel caught that slight jab.

"So, introduce yourselves." Alder continued without acknowledging Botan and Myskel's complaints.

The knights saw how Alder actually somewhat insulted the Evergreen in front of him and saw that he wasn't so easy to take offense, so they loosened up slightly. This was the intention behind Alder's comment.

The first knight stepped forth, seeming eager to make himself known. "I'm Sir Navarre. I'm sorry you had to wait until now to get worthwhile companions, but I'll more than make up for it. You could learn a lot from me." He boasted, hand on his hip.

Not Alder, nor Botan reacted to that, but it was clearly an insult. To say Botan had no worthwhile companions until he showed up is basically saying, Alder wasn't a worthwhile companion, which Botan did not appreciate.

The man did at least look the part of a knight. More so than any of the others. Clean silver armor, a rapier as a weapon, bright blue eyes, and a long braid of brunette hair that made him look well-kept all came together to give the whole look a definitive knight vibes.

The second knight stepped up. "The name is Dame Freona. Um, I am a mid-air specialist, and I'm happy to be working with you." The girl said with a bit of nervousness, but equal bubbly cheer clear in her voice. She bowed with her greeting. She had mid-length hair of an eye-catchingly emerald green hue. She wore lighter armor, mostly leather with a chestplate. Her weapon was always in her hand, a staff as tall as her and more than an inch thick, the whole thing solid metal.

The next knight didn't step forward, just making a light gesture with his hand. "Name's Cole." He said only his name and nothing else. Alder and the others expected that and moved on, but Botan observed him for a moment. Cole had extremely muted colors. Dull dark blue hair, grey eyes, dull dark armor, a blank expression, and reserved mannerisms. It wasn't just that he wasn't very noticeable, it was like he put great effort into being the ultimate wallflower. Even his weapons of choice were boring in appearance, two chakrams that were just plan-bladed circles with no other features. "They don't even have handles, because I guess detail is a sin." Botan joked internally.

"Geez Cole. Would it kill you to show some enthusiasm? What am I saying? Of course, it would…" The last one said before she moved to introduce herself. The last knight took an exaggerated step forward and nearly fell over. She used the large halberd she carried as a counterweight to recover. Botan got the sense that she was a bit of a mess, but she clearly moved like her weapon was a natural part of her. She cleared her throat and spoke. "I'm Selene. I'm a Dame too. If you need something fucked up, I'm your girl! Well, not your girl, I'm on loan. Well, not that I'm not available, but like... Basically, I kill things real good." She stumbled through her introduction. She had well-kept curly blond hair that seemed odd that she could maintain given her… personality. She was also fun and boastful sounding. She wore discolored armor that he'd mistake for copper if he hadn't seen some items in Willow's Whetstone. It was a [Malmetal] blended alloy. Her halberd also seemed better than the other's equipment. "Despite her mannerisms, this girl has to be nobility." Botan thought.

"My turn then." Botan said, taking a step forward. "I'm Botan Nakaya, the Holy Flower Hero. I thank you all for coming here so quickly… If possible, I'd like everyone ready to assemble near the east gate tomorrow at 8 AM. We will be gone for about a week." Botan didn't like having to talk like he was in charge. This is what Alder was for.

"Oddly specific. Why?" Navarre questioned.

Alder began to answer. "The Holy Flower unlocks strength in a few ways, one is the absorption of materials, unlocking a new weapon form, and another is absorbing specific materials to evolve the previously unlocked forms. We recently-"

Navarre cut him off. "I was asking the Evergreen, not you. Is it so much to ask he speak himself? You're not an advi-"

Seeing Botan about to intervene himself, Selene stepped in first. "Ooh! Are you my first target?" Selene threatened with genuine excitement.

"Tsk." Navarre backed off the second she held her halberd in both hands.

Botan continued where Alder was cut off. "Like he was saying… We beat a Grass Reaper that was terrorizing Lokkansted, and I think evolving the strongest weapon form I managed to gain from it will give me more power for the wave than just leveling up will." Botan clarified.

"A Grass Reaper?" Freona asked in concern. Navarre said nothing but seemed equally concerned.

"Those are nasty enemies." Cole acknowledged aloud.

"Wow, they're noteworthy enough to even make you talk." Selene found Cole speaking to be more concerning than the monster.

"Shut it." That was all Cole said.

Yup, they'll definitely be a handful. "Why did he give me these types of knights? …Well, are there any other kinds of knights? I guess anyone well adjusted would be most likely working for the Ivory Company instead." Botan concluded.

"Misk." Myskel wanted Botan's attention again. It had already been over a minute without being petted.

Botan wordlessly rubbed the top of its head with his finger.

"Aww~" Freona called.

"What a cutie!" Selene exclaimed.

The two forgot themselves and huddled around Myskel, won over by her charms instantly. "I hadn't considered it, but… Is Myskel my key to getting a girlfriend? She's like a secret weapon!"

"What kind of creature is that?" Navarre asked, having never seen it before.

"People call it a living noose, but they're actually called-"

"You might want to remove it from your neck area then." Navarre said with genuine concern.

"...As I was saying, they're actually called cuddling constrictors. And no, Myskel stays where Myskel wants." Botan remained stubborn. "Misk." Myskel added.

"Give it up, Navarre. I tried convincing him of much the same." Alder told him.

Navarre seemed almost offended to be talking to Alder. "Well, if you gave that advice, perhaps I was wrong in thinking it was a concern."

Botan wasn't having this. While the disagreements were minor, Navarre was showing a pattern of behavior, and besides- "Unfortunately, a party over 6 members suffer EXP loss. Something I can't afford this early on. I asked Prince Raucer for four knights, but that was before I knew I'd keep Myskel. So, Sir Navarre, you can stay here, I can only take three of you." Botan decided.

Navarre went to defend himself. "Wha-What? That's absurd. You'd leave me over them? Cole has zero accomplishments, Freona is too meek for battle, and Selene is dumb as hel-"

Selene's halberd and one of Cole's chakrams landed near Navarre's head on the wall beside him. He put his hand on his rapier, causing Botan to switch to the [Belfry Lance Carina Branch] and pointed it towards Navarre. "Enough." Botan said.

"..." No one moved.

"For all I know, you're a better combatant than Alder, but you cause arguments and insult your party members. I'd rather just not deal with someone like that. So kindly leave. Now." Botan was more serious than he was most of the time.

And why wouldn't he be? Alder had quickly become his friend, and this guy insulted him twice in front of him. Botan had power, purpose, and a way forward. It was poetic that he was less lost in a world he knew little about. This made him more decisive in ways he used to always approach with hesitation.

"...Understood." Navarre had the sense not to act out further. Even he didn't think he could take Botan, nor would he want to. Likewise, everyone else was about to jump him the moment he showed steel. He walked away with more than egg on his face.

"Were you really about to shoot him with a laser?" Alder asked, annoyed.

"I mean, yeah? Just a little." Botan replied honestly without shame.

"You can shoot lasers!? What else can you do?" Selene was immediately sold on joining.

"Can I pet Myskel~?" Freona asked with a reluctant approach.

"Me too!" Selene yelled with a raised hand.

They interacted a bit, Botan found Cole would not talk unless you made him talk, and Selene seemed to be the only one that went out of her way to do that… and almost exclusively by annoying him. Still, Botan thought this party could probably work well together.

Soon, they all departed, Alder even leaving to tend to his mother for the night, and that gave Botan the time to finally read his help menu- "Oh yeah, gotta visit Professor Hector fuuuuuuu-"

.

[Otherworld Index]

Today we will be discussing Voice Cannons ™. Invented nearly 5 years ago and adopted by nearly anyone with the means to use it, these devices allow communication between two points by speaking into specialized cylinders. For this to work the cylinders must be lined up so that a straight line from within the sender can pass through the receiver. This can work even through heavy storms with only a little difficulty in sending and receiving messages. However, any solid object stops all messages completely.

Because of this, those wanting to use Voice Cannons ™ must house them in high points that can reliably have a clear path to other receivers. Because of the logistics and mathematics needed to correctly place and adjust the devices The kingdom of Ventus hires out contractors to set up Voice Cannons ™ for large fees. Even after installation, one side could become misaligned for any number of reasons, resulting in communication technicians being needed jobs to be able to operate and maintain the equipment.

Despite the work in getting the communication off the ground and maintaining it, it has been an incredible boon for many people. Some governments now rely exclusively on Voice Cannons ™ to speak with their neighbors or rulers with their distant subordinates for all but the most serious of issues. Even though many came together to discuss the waves because it was deemed too important, the international conference was still organized and agreed upon using these devices. Distant islands and isolated mountain areas now feel more connected to the world around them, and major news is received in minutes, not days.

Truly such a device has and will continue to revolutionize the world for generations to come.

And this is only one such invention of the so-called "Dark Genius".

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[Author's Notes]

Contrary to my updating speed, I am, in fact, not dead.

We now bear witness to the glory of baby Myskel. The next chapter will cover a lot as it will cover everything up until the wave, meaning some timeskip (that's the plan anyway). So we'll see grown Myskel and get to the real meat of the story soon.

I decided to tease Alder's weapon, I wonder if anyone can guess what it is by the little back and forth between Botan and Alder.

What do you think of these knight characters? They are not long-term party members but will be at his side when he is fighting in Mosden moving forward. Which is your favorite?

I also wonder who all have figured out what is going on around Alder and Botan. Did you discover the secret? If not, all will be revealed in a few chapters.