Chapter 29
Everything hurt. I probably lost conscience after the second impact, but at least I knew I was alive. I was in far too much pain to be anything else.
"I think he's over there!" I heard someone call out. Usa? Yeah...
Someone groaned next to me. Oh good... I think I would actually be sad if she died. I tried speaking, but had to cough then work a bit of moisture over my tongue first. "Hey?" Speaking hurt, but now that I was coming to my senses, breathing didn't bring any sharp pains.
Raphtalia coughed, but I didn't hear her move.
"Stay still. Just breath." Speaking of moving... One of my toes might have been broken. But I could wiggle them! Fingers too? Yes, all there, all capable of motion. I finally opened my eyes, the starry night sky greeting me.
Raphtalia coughed again, and I felt her hand paw at my shoulder. "ow." She said weakly.
Slowly, just in case I had anything broken that was already numb, I started rolling over. This lit a fire under every bruise I had, but still, no sharp pains. I managed to get to my side, and after a moment of trying to remember which arm I wasn't laying on, I moved my free hand to pat Raphtalia's. "You should have stuck to the plan."
She looked like I felt, laying on her side, every bare patch of skin bruised, clothing ripped in places, thin streaks of dried blood over her face... But even so, her tail gave an angry thrash (just one, and it made her face scrunch up in pain), "didn't want you to get hit."
I was about to boop her nose, but noticed one of those dried blood dribbles had come from it. So I settled for patting her cheek. "It's my job to make sure everyone is doing what they're best at. Even me." My ear twitched, and I could hear footsteps rustling through the underbrush of the little forest. "But still, great job."
I was going to move my hand away, but she captured it and pressed it to her face. It wasn't until the footsteps were only a few paces away that she let my hand go.
"Sir! Raphtalia!" It was Usa, "Thank the four... Over here!"
I flopped onto my back again, looking up at Usa, "How did you get here so fast?"
He crouched next to me, and started doing a 'field triage', just like I'd showed him. "Kunshu came down for me." He replied, his thumb touching my upper eyelid gently, "Clive managed to hit it in one eye, and it retreated from the cliffs."
I kept still while his hand gave my skull a pat, gave my shoulders and arms a light squeeze, but I stopped him from going further, "Good enough... Might have a broken toe but it can wait. Help me sit up, check on Raphtalia." I instructed, raising one arm to brace on his shoulder while he pulled me up. My next look in full body mirror would be colourful, I could tell.
More footsteps, including a stomping gait that I had to remind myself was a friendly stomping gait, "Sir." Usa said, "Careful careful..."
Raphtalia groaned all the way to a sitting position, winced at every touch Usa gave her, but also waved him off before he checked her ribs or the like. "ow ow ow... Did we all make it?"
"We did!" Tetsu cheered, "but I hurt everywhere and want to lie down now." She mumbled.
"You." Melty started, stopping in front of me as I stood up (with help from Clive, who I could tell was very pleased with himself), "Are Gengar-crap insane!" She pointed up to my face, "I am saying it now before you put the Mark on me."
I couldn't help myself, and laughed a little. Yes it hurt, but I looked to the rest of my party without saying anything.
"He can be very extreme." Usa said.
"His training is really harsh." Raphtalia added.
"My Boss is crazy!" Tetsu laughed, pointing a clawed finger at me.
Melty looked a little surprised. "What? I told you, honesty is all I want when I'm spoken to. You would be... less useful to me if all you did was say 'yes'. You all had your chance to object to the plan before we started it. If any of you see a flaw in the plan, any plan! I want to know."
Melty crossed her arms and turned her head, "Humph! Well it was a crazy plan!"
Everyone nodded, "But you all did amazing." I said, "Where did Kunshu go?"
As if summoned, there was a sudden buzz of wings, and she all but appeared next to me. She had the tail of some kind of critter dangling from her mouth, and was holding a dead bird in one of her middle 'hands'. But as soon as she landed, she went still again.
"Oh, sorry." I said, "Eat those then, but as soon..." I tried to turn and take a step, but my big toe felt like someone just hit it with a hammer. "Okay, as soon as I set my toe, heal it, and get back to the castle, we've got one or two things more to do before I start cooking."
"Sir Kodori! Everyone!" Van greeted as we were led from the (missing) side gate of the former lord Idol's castle, to the main keep's entrance (the same building we'd entered through the kitchen). The one leading us was, of all things, a cat-folk farmer, with a torch and pitchfork.
Van looked at us, no doubt noting all the blood, dirt, scuffed clothing and exceptionally tired looks. "Were you able to..."
"No." I said, making Van's face turn from concern to worry. "It's currently wandering in the basin over there," I made an 'over there' wave with my arm that yes, made my shoulder hurt, "With no way out unless it knows how to swim."
"Ah! Clever. But will that truly contain it?" He asked before realizing something, "Come, this way, please, you must all sit before you fall over!"
"Raphtalia and I have a little business in the dungeon first." I said, "While we're doing that, raid the kitchen." I pointed to Clive, "And see if there's a bath house." I pointed to Usa.
"Oh! I can do one better." Van said, "I have some of my staff doing that already."
"Oh, in that case, you can pick ingredients. Raphtalia?"
Raphtalia looked at me, nodded, and we headed towards the stairs leading to the dungeons.
"Does your foot still hurt?" Raphtalia asked as we returned to the dungeon.
"Everything hurts, and I'm not trying to ignore it so I'll sleep better later." I said seriously. "Tell me about her?" I asked as we got to the final step and looked down the gloomy, but now silent hall of cells.
She remained silent until we'd gotten to the shattered bars that led into the cell. The second look at the child's skeleton on the floor made me wish I'd been a lot slower with Idol's death.
She put her hand on the cell door, then spoke as she pulled it open. "Her name was Rifina." She started, slowly walking forward, "We shared this cell, until she had died, and I was sold to the Ringmaster."
We stopped over the body, and I summoned a little puff of foxfire, so we could both see what we were doing. Wisps of dirty pink hair lay around the too small skull, and I could tell by the shape that she was a Demi-human, tiny ridges near the top of the head where the muscles of the ears would anchor...
"She was a cheerful girl." Raphtalia continued, kneeling with her ankles under her butt, still not touching the body, "Even before we were captured, she would talk about things... Like love, or the young boys she thought were cute..."
I knelt properly as well, my legs protesting. I realized we had nothing but the paper thin sheet the girl had died on, and the rags that still clothed the body. So while I listened, I sifted through the Shield's inventory and took out a square of canvas.
Carefully, Raphtalia shifted her position ninety degrees and flicked out the canvas so it lay flat on the stone next to the body. "She talked about you, too." She laughed sadly, "Always telling stories, the stories of the Shield Hero, the only hero to have been kind to Demi-Humans." She turned again, back to the body, and started to very carefully pick up the bones one by one, "After the first Wave, when we started to rebuild the village, it got... well, not worse..." Again that bitter laugh.
"More intense?" I offered.
She paused, cradling a femur for a moment, "Yes. She knew every story the elders knew about the last time this happened. So she knew the Heroes would be summoned again, and soon." She continued with the slow transfer of bones, "She would be jealous I think... If things were a little different, she might be in my place right now." A little colour reached her cheeks, "She even spoke of wanting to marry the Shield Hero, once they met."
Childhood fantasies of wanting to marry celebrities? The same in four out of four worlds.
There was silence for a minute or two. I only moved to help strip off the scraps of clothing from the bones, to try and keep them from breaking. "If it helps... I don't feel anything like what I did on the mountain." I said.
Her hands froze just before she picked up the skull, "You can tell?" She asked, "Even after all this? Even when she died down here..." Her hands trembled, and I had to reach for them to steady her.
"I'll admit I am not very good at the spiritual side of my nature. But if there is any resentment on her at all, I can't feel it." I explained, "She died at peace, she wasn't disturbed, and now a friend has come to collect her and pay respects."
Her hands were still shaking, so I used my own to help her pick up the skull, then set it down in the neat pile she'd made on the canvas sheet. "Then... then why..."
I let her hands go, and gave her shoulder a little tug to get her to lean on me. Sadly, I could only think my usual line of 'being a big sister is hard'. Still, I let her cry on my shoulder a while until I broke the silence, "Hey."
She managed a sniffle soaked, "Hmm?"
I took a deep breath, then gently pushed her away. My hands on her shoulders so I could look into her eyes I asked, "Can we lay her to rest at my tree?"
Her puffy bloodshot eyes went a little wide in surprise, "I was... I wanted to bury her near our village..." I saw the idea work its way around in her head, "But... It was her dream to meet you..."
"You don't have to decide now." I said, "We might be a little while before getting to either place as well." I let her go, "Who knows... If we kill that dragon before we visit your village, I can make another tree there too."
"Another one, but..." She glanced up towards my little horns.
"Don't worry about that." I shook my head. "Carefully now, tie that up, and..." I went into the Shield again, getting a bit of paper, a paintbrush and an ink pot, "I'll even do a little... Hmm. Call it a prayer so she doesn't get upset for moving her. Yeah."
With the Shield now holding 'bag of preserved bones (Rifina) 1 ea' in one of its many item slots, Raphtalia and I returned to the main floor.
I was still willing to cook, but after looking at myself, and the rest of the party as they tried very hard to stay awake, I decided that I'd cook breakfast. Van, also looking rather tired nodded, and had his collection of maids lead us to the baths or straight to bed.
Still keeping my secret, I decided to skip both for the moment and escorted Van up to see what was left of Idol.
"I have to talk with Lord Van. I'll go to bed soon." I assured Raphtalia before she could shift into big sister mode.
She grumbled, but let her hopes of washing my back go. "There was something that couldn't wait until morning, Sir Hero?" Van asked, politely suppressing a yawn.
"Walk with me." I said, heading towards the stairs leading upwards. "I hope you've had this place searched?"
"The few guards I have, and volunteers from my little hamlet have assured me this castle is as secure as they can make it." He said, "I asked that no one take anything, but I would forgive them if they did. Just no fires."
I nodded, that was a reasonable stance. "I need your help for something. It is asking a little much, but the longer I wait, the... worse it will be."
He looked intrigued, but also worried, "The death of Rabier will have consequences. I myself might be brought in for treason for turning a blind eye to it until 'the last minute', as it were. Even with Lady Melty's endorsement..." He sighed, "You left quite a mess."
"You saw the prisoners." I shrugged, "He got off lightly, but since I've never tortured someone I didn't think of all the other things he deserved until after."
He shivered a little, but remained professional, "Was there anything specific you wished for the body?"
"Pack it in salt and throw it to the dragon. Maybe dip it in manure too." I said. "But back to your concerns. If Melty can convince anyone important about what Rabier was doing, then maybe you'll be in the clear. If not, after the Wave, I'll come back and help personally. I intend on returning and killing that dragon anyhow."
"Is the next Wave soon then?"
I nodded, "We'll have enough time to set a few things in motion before it, but yes." I eyed the little timer at the top corner of my status screen. "I plan on buying all the demi-human slaves in Melromarc. Can you help me shelter them?"
He paused, blinked, "That would cost..."
"You have a little castle to put them in now." I said, "And I can provide something to supplement the food supply. The money my party has earned selling medicine, and being... repeat business... for the Ringmaster will allow me to buy most of them back. And if I need more money, I could probably collapse the market with enchanted items."
"Incredible..." We stopped at the top of the steps, and I could smell the lingering stench of 'eviscerated corpse'. Poor Van covered his nose with a little handkerchief, "I cannot in good faith refuse your request. But all the same, it will be difficult. And it may put them in danger as well."
"Do your best. I'll do my best to get them here, healthy." I thought of that young knight... Hmm, yes, I'd put him to work on this one...
We stopped at the entrance of the room we'd left Rabier. "I will stay out here, if you please."
I nodded, entered, and closed the door. There was no getting up from what I'd done to him, but I made sure. I used the edge of the Shield to cut off his head. Used my bare hands to pull his ribs apart and crushed his heart. A thought occurred to me, and I took out my skinning knife. Moments later, I had cut up the carpet, and a painting of Idol's fat smug self that was hanging on the wall, and wrapped up his body in one, his head in the other.
I left the room and asked Van, "You can have the body disposed of. I'm going to drop his head in the outhouse."
The next morning felt like it had only just taken the edge off how tired I was. I was grimly amused at being unable to remember the last time I had felt like this since I'd become an adventurer. Clive and Tetsu were the only ones who didn't want to sleep in, but we had work to do, and a hard time limit to do them.
Breakfast, even with my entire body still looking like I'd been worked over by a collection of small hammers, was still incredibly satisfying to make. While we hadn't killed the Tyrant, we had contained it, and returned 'home'. Dungeon rule number one. What brought me true satisfaction however, was that Idol Rabier had a very well stocked kitchen, and it was all mine to use for breakfast.
Of course... Heroes were remembered by what they left behind, and the stories told about them. So while I took stock of the kitchen, and Van's collection of maids got ready to assist me in all things, I told Van that I wanted everyone who had helped him last night back up here, and to help set up the courtyard for breakfast.
It took quite a few people to get it all set up. But it showed how much Van's people trusted him that it got done without complaint. Though, while his community wasn't poor I was sure they were eager to eat something different, so that might have been part of the motivation.
But, with at least a hundred people, ranging from demi-human children to (very few) soldiers wearing Van's colours (blue and white), we got to eating. The Maids and I had gone all out too, trading various kitchen secrets between us while we cooked. Extra food was brought in as well from Van's people, so there was certainly enough to go around, and variety for every potential preference.
However, unlike most people, I did my speech while the Maids, and my party started laying out the dishes on the various tables.
"They're all waiting, and wondering." Van said as he himself helped push a cart along the cobblestone towards the big square of tables we'd pulled out of the castle. It was a little funny to see all the sizes and styles. Plain ones from the barracks. Fancy ones from the 'official' dining hall. Cheap ones from the servants quarters... Every flat surface with four legs and space underneath had been brought out.
"If I'm going to get the people on my side, I have to start with more than the 'individual' I help by chance." I said, "Do I have your help in an official capacity?"
He nodded, "For what it counts for, yes."
"Thank you, Lord Van." I replied, our collection of carts getting to the tables. I let my cart go, and Melty took over pushing it, then took the Shield off my back and switched it to the Voice Gengar Shield. I was about to start speaking, when one of the soldiers approached and set down a barrel.
"Try not to fall in, Sir Hero." He tapped his breastplate in salute then went back to his seat.
It felt good to have random people help. So, I gave the top of the barrel a tap, then hopped up on it. "Ah, TEST...Test?" I dialed in how loud I'd have to speak into the megaphone, then got on with it.
"We have a saying, back where I'm from. If you eat and talk at the same time, you will do both poorly. So, before you eat, I would like to talk." I heard a couple of chuckles, nervous ones, but chuckles all the same.
"My name is Kodori Haruhime, of Orario. And I am the Shield Hero." Just for 'show', I waved an Air Strike Shield into being, then used the Change Shield to make it the nice Hagane Red. "I was summoned to this world from my own, to help with the Waves of Destruction."
They all knew the legends, so I didn't have to go into any story telling. I was also on a timer, since the food would be best eaten hot, or at least warm. "However, between the Waves, my job is to gain strength. To deal with problems caused by the Waves. To slay monsters."
There was a little cheer, and even a few wooden mugs raised. But I continued, "Last night, two things happened. Two monsters were dealt with. The largest, was the Tyrant Dragon Rex. If you look that way, you can see the mess it left behind." I motioned with my free hand towards the trail of destruction it had left on our way out of the castle fort.
"My party and I could not kill it." I admitted, holding up a hand, "But, we plan on returning some time soon, after the next wave. However! It is now roaming a little north of here, just past that ravine. Do your best to warn people of that, should they visit. It was something that a previous generation of Heroes failed to kill, but since it escaped on my watch, I'm going to deal with it."
There were some more cheers, even a 'Praise the Shield' in there too. But I held up a finger, "The smaller of the two monsters, was Idol Rabier. One of my party is a former guest of his, and the ones he had in his basement are here this morning to have their first, maybe second proper meal since arriving."
I leaned forward just a little, since I didn't want to fall off the barrel. "He is now dead." I said flatly, "Do not cheer!" I said just a little louder. "Putting down a rabid animal like him was a duty not worthy of praise."
My show, and it was just a show, of anger made the people flinch a little. "I don't want to enforce my ways on you. I am, ultimately, a guest in your world. But someone who tortures children isn't worth the air they breathe, no matter who they are, noble or commoner. So I did my duty as hero, to put down a monster."
I let that sink in, but also looked at the carts as they went around the tables. "I hope, for the time they are here, that you welcome the survivors of Idol's care. As well, soon, I will have others like them come here. Lord Van has agreed to work with me, to shelter more like them. I won't simply drop the burden on you however, and before I leave, I will leave a gift that will provide food for them when they get here."
On mention of his name, Van stood up, "Yes. The Shield Hero and I have come to an agreement." He confirmed, "I hope I can count on you all to share the burden until those who lost their homes and families in the first Wave. As for the expected cost, some of what we are about to eat was made with a special fruit the Hero can show our farmers how to grow in..." He searched for an adequate word, "abundance."
And with that, I stepped down, "Now, please, enjoy your food, take some home afterwards too."
I changed the Shield back to the nice Hagane Red one, and put it on my back, smiling a little when the people cheered.
"Shield Hero!" While we were packing up the wagon to start our return to Melromarc, Keel had basically jumped out of a bush and ambushed us. He pointed up at me, "Shield Hero!" He repeated, "I challenge you!"
"Can I eat her?" Tetsu asked.
Raphtalia was about to say something, a look of shock on her face, but Keel spoke up first, "I'm not scared of you!" She(?) pointed her finger at Tetsu, who leaned her big head down (likely in hopes that finger would become a hand to pat her head).
The challenge though made my horns tingle with something close to pleasure. "And why are you challenging me, young Keel?" I asked, hopping off the driver seat and standing in front of her.
"You're a girl!?" Raphtalia blurted.
Again, Keel ignored it, or didn't care (I could understand that), and pointed back to me. "If you are the Shield Hero, and the one taking care of Raphtalia, then I want you to prove you're worthy!"
Aha. The 'young champion'. "And how would you like me to prove myself?"
I could practically see Keel's brain connecting the dots. It didn't look like they'd thought this far. So it was my turn to interrupt.
"How's this?" I said while Keel's mouth kinda just... hung open in thought. "We got space in the wagon, and I'm starting to form a second party now that Melty has joined us."
Keel tilted her head side to side for a moment, then asked, "You'll be coming back here, right?"
"Yes." I nodded.
"Then... I'll stay with the others for now." Keel pointed suddenly again, "But you better come back!"
"Of course." I nodded again, unable to resist and leaning down to apply a headpat. "Thank you for keeping an eye on things here while I'm away."
Keel seemed to short-circuit as I gave her a good ear scroofle. This devolved into her tail flailing about happily, determined leaning into my hand, then finally leaning her entire body against my leg. I stopped then, but Keel stayed there just long enough to say, "Thank you for finding us."
I didn't reply, though I gave her shoulders a pat and detached her from my leg.. She then ran off with an energetic wave. "Talk later Raphtalia!" She said as she ran past the wagon back towards the castle.
"I had no idea..." Raphtalia said as I hopped back up into the driver's seat.
"She'll either own it, or grow out of it." I shrugged, "Alright. Tetsu? Let's see how far we can get before dinner time."
We had a bit of time before we got to Melromarc. Aside from getting Melty to join us for morning exercise and evening 'brain training', we took care of wandering monsters, took turns working on little projects, and did lots of foraging. With that little star beside most of our levels, we had no reason to go out of our way to hunt monsters, and we were running out of time before the next wave.
We also had several weapons to replace. Usa had to leave his metal whip behind. Raphtalia had snapped her katana and was now using her outdated cutlass. Clive was out of special arrows. Kunshu had no spear and was using a borrowed spear from one Rabier's guard room supplies...
So yes, we had to get that all replaced before the next Wave. We also had damaged armour and a new party member to equip. And after the Wave... we had a dragon to slay. But it had all but laughed at everything we could do to it with our current gear and skill.
That dragon would eventually figure out how to get free, or if it didn't, people, probably the other heroes, would get themselves killed trying to fight it. Yet another time sensitive crisis... So, I made a choice. Right now we lacked the power. So, I would do what I always did... Build a better tool for the job. But for that, I needed a forge and a little more research.
We got to Melromarc without any real problem. Poor Melty was not used to the 'hard living' of a soldier, but to her credit was only showing signs of wear, not complaining about it. Tough cookie for sure.
"So, you're going to visit your father." I said as we got within sight of the gates. "We're going to visit Erhard, then... the Church." I did not like our chances on being 'allowed' to use the dragon hourglass for a class change... "And when you come back, we'll all go to the Ringmaster."
I could tell she didn't like the idea, but it was hidden behind her determination to do her duty. "I'll... try my best to soften his view of you."
"Honestly, I'd rather you not mention I was even in the city, or that you had anything to do with me. He'll just get in my way somehow. Bad enough I can practically smell your sister from here."
Melty picked up on the gloom that fell on the rest of the party (except Kunshu who was napping on Tetsu's back while she pulled the wagon). "Very well. I will try my best to make the visit as brief yet productive as possible."
"Thank you."
The guards at the gate were practically in awe at the size of Tetsu, and the wagon she was pulling. Of course, by now, rumours of 'the lucky dragon' has spread, and she was all too happy to grab someone's hand to show them where to pat her head.
Thankfully, this didn't alarm anyone, nor did me showing up. It still gave me that 'too easy' feeling though.
But, we entered the city all the same, rolled up to Erhard's place, and parked our oversized wagon next to his shop. We all said our 'bye for now's to Melty as well, and she walked off towards the palace.
Erhard stepped through the door to his workshop before the bell over the 'customer entrance' had stopped ringing. "Welcome-oh! You've come back." He grinned, "Been hearing things about you all, making a name for yourselves?" He stepped around his counter and stood in front of the group, "Tetsu, just as wild as always huh? Kunshu, good to see you too."
It brightened my mood to see the two 'monsters' of our party get treated in such a friendly way. Oh, and to see Tetsu and Kunshu lean into Erhard's hands while he pat their heads. The rest of the party (except poor Clive) were smiling at it too.
"We've brought lots of stuff this time." I said, "And I've come up with a couple of ideas, and figured out a few things." I added, "Have enough time for a story or two?"
He gave one last pat to Tetsu and Kunshu, then took a better look at us all. "Well, I can see I have some work ahead of me already. You don't look like you were idle at all either." He frowned, likely because he was wondering how the hell our equipment ended up so beaten up.
"Ohhh is it story time?" Tetsu asked, "Oh... we're telling it, not hearing it... boo."
"That is some seriously heavy stuff." Erhard said after 'story time'. "Explains the horns, and why your equipment is in such bad shape..." His big hand reached for my forehead, and I had to grip my hammer a little tighter to resist moving my head away, "You said you ate the curse?"
Thankfully he just moved my hair out of the way, "I did. Everyone but Tetsu had been cursed almost to immobility, so it was that, or get them someplace to cure them. I had the means to fix it, so I did."
"And that tree..." He moved his hand away and rubbed his chin, turning to look at the 'soulless' dragon core shards, "I could anchor some really good enchantments to these."
Everyone was looking at me, and I got the distinct feeling I was about to get 'big brother/sister' treatment.
"Sir, you should really..." Usa and Raphtalia said at the same time.
I looked down at myself, and had to admit that the formerly nice 'Black Dog' hide just wasn't doing it anymore. Rough treatment, bits of fire, falling down hills, occasional bites and claws... It was all taking a toll. And as 'the tank', well, I couldn't protect anyone if I got flattened by something I couldn't stop with the Shield.
Like the Tyrant...
"I'll need these." I took the three smallest shards (Dragon Core fragments) and left the largest Dragon Core Shard (not the one Tetsu said she wasn't ready to have yet) for Erhard. "If you're going to cut that down, save me a few bits."
"You were saying you had a few ideas?" He carefully picked up the fist sized fragment.
"Oh, he has the same look." Usa said, making Raphtalia and Clive laugh.
"I do. But I need some time with the forge. But that can wait. We have a heap of goods to sell, supplies to get, and everyone can apparently get a 'class up'. Except me."
"What is your budget like, anyhow?" Erhard asked, "I know you provide most of the parts, and even help with the labour, but..."
I smiled, "Money won't be an issue." I motioned to the others, "We've all learned a little on how to enchant items, we've been selling medicine every chance we got, and remember that nice merchant who smuggled us here?"
"Oh yeah, made friends?" He laughed, "He's always been a softy, but... Oh wait, HE was the one you rescued from those bandits near Lerno?"
"He gave me his network of connections. Some of them are here too, so we'll be visiting them." I smiled. "Dungeon rule?"
"You are who you know." Everyone (who could speak) said behind me.
"You're... kind of scary." Erhard said, "Well, if money isn't an issue..." He grinned.
"Just leave me enough money to buy all the demi-human slaves from the Ringmaster." I cautioned.
"Ah damn. So much for getting more money from you." He sighed.
With the help of my party, and the contacts the nice Merchant had given me, we offloaded an incredible amount of stuff. The bandits we'd cleaned out had been loaded, and we basically took everything that wasn't nailed down. We sold almost all of it, and I'd been right. Money had suddenly just stopped being an issue.
Well, not really. But unless the Ringmaster was heartless or blatantly taking advantage of me, I wouldn't have any problems. But as much as I disliked his business he had a good business practice.
"Sir!" I stopped in my tracks, since that wasn't one of my party calling out. The voice was familiar though...
"Ah, it's the young knight." Usa said, reminding me of where I'd heard the voice.
We all turned, and yes, he was jogging towards us his armour rattling quietly as he moved. His equipment looked a little better, now that I thought about it. "It was... Ake?" I asked.
"You remembered." He came to a halt, smiling. "My squads and I have done as you've asked, and stand ready for the Wave."
I made a point to look him up and down, trying to show I cared, "Better fitting, new blade, and you've buffed the dent out of your helmet. Good." I smiled, "I actually wanted to talk to you." I missed Loaner...
He looked surprised, "I would have thought..." He shook off what looked like a bit of shyness, "Sir. What did you need? Anything we can do to help."
"After the upcoming Wave, I need some people to escort and provide for a group of former slaves." I started, holding up a finger to stall comments until I was done, "They must be taken to Lord Van Reichnott, near Rabier's territory."
He paled a little, "Lord Rabier? Sir..."
I could tell he'd heard of the former lord's hobbies, and decided to take a little risk, "He is no longer an issue, and I have entrusted Lord Van with Rabier's holdings. Do you understand?"
My party stirred with alarm, but not nearly as much as the young knight. "You... But..." He went pale, wide eyed, and couldn't seem to believe me.
"I kill monsters. It's what I was summoned here to do. Can I trust you and your squads to escort duty?" I asked seriously.
He came to a decision, and snapped his heels together and nodded, "You can. We will. I swear it."
"Good. After the Wave. Remember, you all come home alive. That's why I insisted you train yourselves." I gave his shoulder a pat, "Go inform them. My party and I have other things to do."
He nodded, started to turn, then stopped. "Sir? I've another question." I motioned for him to continue, "Who are they?"
Kunshu and Tetsu (who was walking with us in her two legged form) perked up. "Hi! I'm Tetsu, this is Kunshu!"
Again, the poor knight had a moment of disbelief. "The Lucky Dragon and the Silent Spear are..."
"You can pat my head right... here." Tetsu said, "But take your metal glove off first!"
That night, while the others were hiding out in Erhard's spare room and doing 'brain training', the master smith and I were in his workshop.
"You know, this kind of thing would be considered blasphemy." Erhard said.
Laying on the anvil in front of me, was a small dragon core shard. Slowly, I was pouring melted 'thread crystal' onto it, coating it while I worked in the enchantment I had in mind for it.
"What? Making my own versions of the legendary weapons?" I asked, using my free hand to mark and mould the crystal/glass as it cooled and stuck to the cut dragon shard, "Not quite. Oh, it's true that I have what amounts to my own 'four heroes' in my party. But no, this is something a little different."
"What's different? You're going to use that crystal to manifest substance from magic power."
"The Shield, and I suspect the other weapons, have their own... 'free'... functions." The melted crystal was poured out of the little crucible now, and I picked up the still glowing hot amalgamation of 'dragon core' and 'crystal glass' with my bare hands, working it into its final shape, "Yes, it has certain abilities that come with personal cost, but things like... changing its shape happen with a thought."
"Then this..." He crouched down so he could look over my shoulder, "Oh... I think I see what you're doing."
"Use everything you find for the next encounter." I said as I finished, "Make special tools for special jobs." I added, feeling the 'magic programming' take hold in the pale blue crystal in my hand. "Now to make the rest."
"Well, he'll never run out of arrows... Provided he can figure out how to turn it on." Erhard rubbed a hand over his bald pate. "What about the little miss?"
"Let me tell you about an old project of mine... I called it 'the Atma weapon'."
NOTES!
Yup. Kodori has read the fine print and discovered that being nice isn't in her job description.
Thank you for reading! And if you want to see any full colour art, join the discord!
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