Arriving at Sanctuary, I was shocked to find it was…more ordered than I remembered. Not quite like a military camp or anything, but close, as people didn't mill about this time, seemingly going on random tasks. In fact, it was quite a sight, seeing groups, organized ones, marching to and fro, and to hear the rhythmic beating of hammers on metal echoed off the gorge walls, as well as the sound and flash of spells from what I could only guess was a practice range built just away from the homes in the cliff walls.
The moment someone noticed us, there was a shout, which rippled out like a wave, and all the sound and motion stopped, as everyone in their hustle and bustle froze, and then got to a position where they could see us. Then, almost as one, they bowed. It was…kind of creepy actually, but it was obviously supposed to be profound for them, and so I played along, despite being in a rain cloak, and raised my arm up, flashing the Bow into its Level 4 form, before firing a few burst shots into the air like fireworks, the (Rapid Fire) ability creating an almost halo effect.
That had them in awe, and as we three walked down, the crowd all clapped and cheered, though they parted for us as we walked straight towards the home I had been given in the wall, passing, as we did, the Adventurer's Guild Hall. That wasn't too unusual, the thing had been at the center of the town at first, though one could see that the central road had started to turn towards what I could only surmise was an open air market of sorts, though what it sold I couldn't see at this distance.
What was unusual about it, was the Guild had a mirror standing beside it, a second building, where I knew three or four had been during our last visit, only a week ago. It wasn't quite as grand as the Guild Hall, but it was large, and with a banner in front of it that had the symbol of either a lion or manned wolf's head, roaring, done in silhouette, which seemed to have many groups going in and out. While not obvious on sight for most, the fact that each included a man dressed in church robes were the groups I'd said to use for the newly leveled citizenry.
Still, we passed it, with a glance at the window atop the Adventurer's Guild, seeing Ben sitting in it, watching us. I nodded in what I hoped was a gesture that he'd recognize to come meet with me. If not…well I figured he and the other two in the 'Council' that were supposed to be running the city would indeed come by sooner rather than later. Regardless, we kept going, and after a few more bows from the populace, we were home, and I collapsed into a chair with a sigh.
The ladies weren't much better, as I hadn't noticed until now, but both had been walking in a particular way. Sure in their stride, back straight, looking like, what I could only think of as 'the Baddest Bitch Around' walk. It was probably murder on their backs, and Ray leaned back against the wall, while Lucia collapsed in a heap on the couch beside the chair I was in, both of them looking like just moving from the edge of Sanctuary to here was more exhausting than the hours of battle we'd faced a few days prior.
It took a few minutes for a knock to ring out from the door, and we picked ourselves up, dusted off, and with a resigned sigh, I went over and opened it. Luckily, either wanting to keep this private, or perhaps knowing a bit about how exhausting it was dealing with loads of people happy to see you, the three I most wanted to talk to, Marie, Ben, and Balmus, were standing there, entourages left behind. They gave a few pleasantries as we let them into the hole in the wall home, and soon, all six of us were sitting at a table, mugs of some kind of alcohol in front of us.
We quickly traded notes on things that had been going on for the last week, with most of our story being about the battle. Marie, who wasn't a warrior had little to say, Ben was mostly just clinical in his analysis, pointing out a few things we possibly could have done better here and there, but otherwise accepting that, for an amateur, I'd planned that out pretty darn well. I didn't have the heart to tell him most of that planning was thanks to hours in games.
Balmus was the surprise. Oh, he was angry at first. Those artifacts, the Holy Mother Robes and the Replica Weapon were not replaceable things. Their loss would be felt for centuries to come. But he wasn't angry at Lucia. He directed it solely at those who came from the other world, and not even just because they broke some of his toys. No, his ire was in how BAD they were at this whole being evil thing.
As he laid out, their goal was to weaken, either because they didn't have the stomach for killing us, which made them cowards in his eyes given their goal was to kill everyone on this world, so delaying it for a few people just because you had to look them in the eyes was the height of hypocrisy. Or they were scared of being stuck on this side when the world ended, a much more understandable fear in his eyes, but that was what one had subordinates for. Leave the last HP until you are home, and have them lay the final blow, and boom, problem solved.
He wasn't happy with what they had cost him, but it was the sheer lack of professionalism and dedication to their goals that irked him most. He was, as he was always clear to remind me, an evil, vile man. But he was also a smart man, and knew how to make the most of the world. These people are why he never trusted someone who was 'good'. They balked at the last moment, ruined plans for foolish reasons. It was like trying to herd cats, if Ms. Ray would pardon the expression.
Interestingly, Ben and Marie agreed with him, pointing out that their attempts to be 'fair' about this were anything but. People suffered because of their actions, and trying to be 'gentle' about it only made things worse because it allowed them to pretend to be magnanimous. The fact that they still killed anyway, not saying it but looking towards Lucia, whose death served no overall purpose to their goals, just showed how far the fools had fallen, and how little their morals meant to them.
The other side of the coin was the city, and how it had…shaped up in less than a week. Ben credited Marie for that, and even Balmus had to admit, with a very, very condescending chuckle, that she had whipped her people into shape. She, after glaring at the old man, admitted that what really was happening was that people now had power, and they wanted something to DO with that power. The structure itself was what was responsible for them following it, as they now had a way to direct themselves, via the Hunters.
That, as it happened, was the name for the organization they'd formed. Hunters. They weren't Adventurers, they didn't take requests, they just went out and killed monsters. They were going further and further afield with it too, even without the now impossible to regain Replica Weapon's (Gateway), they were simply marching out in eight person groups, and kicking the crud out of monsters, selling the parts to the Guild, and even getting some tips from locals who saw them as being even better than most.
Ben and Ray seemed put out with that, but had to admit, Adventurers were not usually ones to just…well show up and kill the monsters. You had to go to them first. The Hunters, being a far more proactive force, and more importantly not asking for anything in return, engendered a lot more support from the people. It helped too, that Balmus had instructed the Priests with the Hunter groups to be free with the Healing in a way the Church simply couldn't be, lest it be taken for granted that it would always be there.
Moving past that, levels were growing quickly, what with the constant hunts, and the fact that monsters respawned almost as fast as they were killed, leading to them hitting hot spots on their way back, and arriving with even more than they had sold at the various Guild Halls, which was leading to a great surplus of crafting supplies, which was in turn already helping with getting more teams outfitted, a snowballing effect, which would lead to more power for Lucia and Ray when we went back to battle.
"Of course, that does lead to the question of gear. Lucia and yourself require new armor, and I'm sure Lady Ray would not turn down some better appointed gear. However, that leads to the question of what sort of effects to add, and thus what materials would be most appropriate," Ben said, both as a question, and as a simple statement of fact.
"I had given that some thought. I know threads and such can contain magic as well as metals, so I was wondering if something like this would work," I said, pulling out the sketch I'd had Motoyasu make before we'd left the castle. The others looked at it for a long moment, Ray mumbling numbers, while Ben seemed to be thinking hard on it, his ears swaying back to front like metronomes for a long moment, before they both nodded.
"It won't be the simplest request, but I'm sure the local craftsmen can make most of this. Are you sure the bonuses are what you want, though? I don't see how these help your position much," he asked after a while, and smiled at him.
"Oh, the bonuses aren't for helping me. I'm the Support Hero, and despite what happened with…that new form I unlocked for the Bow, I have no intention of changing that. But I realized I could make something work, if you two are willing to let me help you plan out your own gear for the next leg of our adventure," I said, and they didn't hesitate, both agreeing instantly.
A few more pleasantries passed between us, as Ben took the sketches, adding notes of his own, and then telling Lucia and Ray to drop off their own requests with him, and he'd pass them along when they were able. With how fast they were pumping out gear, he was certain three more suits, and a weapon, wouldn't strain their resources too much, but it would still take a day or so for everything to be ready. We assured him it would be fine.
Balmus, of course, insisted that he'd have his own people bless our gear with the best spells they knew. It wouldn't be much for making them more powerful, but if nothing else, it would hopefully prevent them from getting torn apart the next time we faced a few certain foes. Better, he'd throw in some cleaning charms alongside the strengthening and repair ones, things his people were offering for the gear of the Hunters…at not quite unreasonable prices.
Marie, before she left, insisted we should stop by and see the Brothers, who had taken to teaching their former friends from their village, as well as everyone else in the ways of actual combat. She knew most of the reason they'd had few casualties and no fatalities yet amongst the Hunters was the Adventures and Priests, but she felt those three deserved some of the credit as well. They'd also be happy to see us while we were in town.
We assured her we would, and once the three were out, we got down to business, discussing what the pair would request in their gear. That, as it happened, ended up taking until after the sun had set, with each ring, buckle, and even gloves being planned out to the last detail. We even argued over a few of the bits and bobs, which was the first time I remember either woman raising their voice at the other, but we were able to sort it out without coming to blows, so better than my adventuring groups back home.
Ray delivered the request to the Guild, and when she got back, the three of us decided to hit the hay, taking to the master bedroom, and laying down together. I would have objected, but both insisted they had twice now let me get out of their sight, and one time I'd gone on a week-long walkabout, and this last time, Lucia had wound up…like that, and I'd nearly gotten myself killed. Finding it impossible to argue, we were soon all three settling down to sleep, and I had to admit, I could get used to this.