Chapter 3 start

Waking up with a hangover was always a bitch. Though that was really what was what I was focused on. That was currently being distracted by the wonderful feeling of clothed but firm breast that my fingers sinked into slightly. Also behind was another body, it was holding me, the hands hugging me where place in such a way to feel my muscles.

"~aaahmhmmm~"

I blinked. Squeeze, moan. Some parts of me managed to come up with the idea to cast the magic to clear my hangover. And afterwards I finally realized what happened. So I checked to see if I could summon the daedric inventory guy, and found i could. The dude basically had every basic crafting material. But only unfilled soul gems. Well then I think I should stay a enchanting empire. MuhHahahahaha.

Shaking my head from the mental tangent. I refocused, so I pull out some honey brew mead barrel. And we went to the guild and shared it with the tavern side and partied. Me and megumin probably dranked to much, as I remember her passing out before me. A tipsy darkness help us walk to a nearby inn, being to drunk to really thinking about i got one bedroom place to be on the frugal side. Darkness took her armor off and places it on the table. Megumin was still wearing her robes.

So here I am darkness in her black undersuit, me spooning her as my hands molest her breast. Behind me is megumin spooning me.

Choosing to be the gentleman was a very difficult thing. I so wanted to just play with darkness as I knew she would be into it the little sub is already loving this. As I can feel her body shivering from the after shocks of an orgasm.

Sighing mentally I lean into her ear give it a light nimble. "If you want to have more than this, then you need to help me." She starts to move her hand reaching back, I stop it. "Help me with your family, cause you are a noble what do I need to do to ensure no opposition to our union?"

Darkness shuddered under my touch, her breath hitching as my words sank in. She bit her lip, her face flushed as she turned her head slightly to glance at me over her shoulder, her golden eyes half-lidded with a mix of embarrassment and desire. Her voice came out soft and trembling, barely above a whisper.

"You… you mean it?" she asked, her tone uncertain but hopeful. "You truly want a union with me?"

I nodded, keeping my expression serious despite the heat of the moment. "Of course. But you're a noble, and I know enough about politics to realize it won't be simple. If we're going to do this, I need to know what I'm up against."

She hesitated, her fingers twitching against the sheets as she thought. "My… my family is well-respected, but they are traditional. If word got out that I was… involved in a harem-style arrangement, there would be backlash." She paused, her cheeks darkening even further. "But… if you can prove yourself as someone worthy of the Dustiness family name, they would have no choice but to accept it."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what does that involve?"

Darkness swallowed hard, her voice steadier now, though her blush didn't fade. "You would need to demonstrate your strength, your honor, and your commitment. My father is a retired general, and he values bravery and leadership above all else. If you could impress him—show him that you're not just some wandering adventurer but someone capable of protecting and providing for me—he might accept you."

I nodded thoughtfully, running my fingers lightly along her side, eliciting another faint shiver. "Anything else?"

Her voice softened again, her tone almost shy. "You would also need to show… restraint. My father can be overbearing, but he only wants the best for me. If he thought you were only after me for… carnal reasons, he would never allow it."

I smirked faintly, leaning closer to her ear. "So, in other words, I need to play the part of the perfect gentleman."

She nodded, her body relaxing slightly against mine. "Yes… though it won't be easy. My father is a difficult man to impress. And… my reputation in the noble circles might complicate things further."

I frowned slightly. "What reputation?"

Darkness hesitated, her cheeks darkening further. "I… I'm not exactly seen as a model noblewoman. My… eccentricities are well-known, and many view me as a disgrace to the Dustiness name. If you were to pursue a relationship with me, you'd need to be prepared to face those criticisms."

I chuckled softly, pressing a light kiss to the side of her neck. "Criticism doesn't bother me. I've dealt with worse. If anything, it sounds like your family's standards just make this more interesting."

Darkness shivered again, her body leaning subtly into my touch. "If… if you're serious about this, I'll help you in any way I can. Just… promise me that you won't give up, no matter how difficult it gets."

I grinned, my tone confident as I replied, "I'm not the kind of man who gives up easily. We'll figure this out together."

Her breath hitched, and she closed her eyes, a faint smile gracing her lips. "Then… I'll stand by you. No matter what."

I leaned in and gave Darkness a gentle, chaste kiss on her lips. Her eyes fluttered open, her cheeks still flushed, and a soft smile spread across her face.

Then I shifted my attention to the smaller figure pressed against my back. "Now, Megumin," I began, my tone calm but curious, "what do I have to do to get you on my side?"

Her groggy voice mumbled something incoherent, and I chuckled lightly. "If it's just to help with your Explosion build, that's something you're already getting as a party member. But as my wife? That's different. What else do you want?"

Megumin stirred slightly, her crimson eyes opening halfway as she processed my words. "Explosion… build?" she muttered, her voice thick with sleep but still tinged with interest.

I smirked, an idea forming in my mind. "Think I can craft something for you," I said, turning to look at her. "Wait—let me see your eyepatch."

Her hand instinctively flew to her eyepatch, her gaze sharpening slightly. "Why do you need my eyepatch?" she asked, her voice still groggy but defensive.

"To enchant it," I explained, holding up my hands to placate her. "I'll imbue it with Fortify Destruction Magic and Fortify Magic. Fortify Destruction will make your destruction-based magic—like Explosion—stronger and easier to use. Fortify Magic will increase your mana pool, giving you more power to work with. How does that sound?"

Her crimson eyes widened, and she sat up slightly, her hair a bit disheveled but her excitement undeniable. "You can do that?"

I nodded confidently. "Of course. With the right materials and a good enchantment table, I can turn that eyepatch into something truly worthy of the greatest Arch Wizard."

Megumin's face lit up with enthusiasm, her earlier grogginess completely forgotten. She sat up fully now, nearly bouncing with energy. "Yes! Do it! That sounds amazing!"

I chuckled, holding out my hand. "Then hand it over. I'll need a little time and the right soul gems, but once it's ready, you'll be even more unstoppable than you already think you are."

She hesitated for a moment, clutching her eyepatch protectively before finally removing it and placing it in my palm. "You'd better not mess it up," she said, her voice filled with mock seriousness, though the excitement in her tone betrayed her.

"I wouldn't dream of it," I replied, giving her a small grin as I carefully tucked the eyepatch into my inventory. "You'll get it back better than ever."

As I leaned back against the bed, I glanced between Megumin and Darkness, a satisfied smirk tugging at my lips. "Looks like I've got my work cut out for me."

"Now darkness i don't think two handed weapons are for you. But it is obvious that you are skilled on to take a hit in armor. Now I got a skill here" I pull out my card and scrolled through the very long mix list of skills and perks to fist of steel under the heavy armor category. "Using this I think if I teach you how to fight with this skill using your armor that I will craft you. On top of that I can enchant it to increase your armor skill and make so when you punch it does more damage. Like more damage than your current blade does, mind you i am not telling to abandon the blade. Just thinking that you would like the brawling crusader build."

I shifted my attention back to Darkness, watching as her golden eyes glimmered with curiosity. "Now, Darkness," I began, my tone thoughtful, "I don't think two-handed weapons are really for you. Don't get me wrong, you're strong, but it's obvious your real talent lies in taking a hit while wearing heavy armor. You're a natural tank, but I think I can refine your style to make you even better."

Darkness tilted her head slightly, her interest piqued. "Refine my style? How so?"

I pulled out my adventurer's card, scrolling through the absurdly long mix of skills and perks I'd accumulated over my many journeys. It took a moment, but eventually, I stopped on a particular skill under the heavy armor category: Fists of Steel. I held up the card, pointing to it.

"Using this skill," I explained, "I could teach you how to fight differently. See, with this perk, your armor becomes a weapon. The heavier and sturdier the armor, the more damage you deal when you punch. Combine that with your natural durability and my ability to craft and enchant, and I think we could create something unique: a brawling crusader build."

Darkness's eyes widened slightly, her cheeks flushing as her imagination began to run wild. "A brawling crusader…" she murmured, her voice tinged with excitement.

I nodded, already piecing together the plan in my head. "Yeah. I'll craft you some custom armor—sturdy, heavy, and fitted specifically for your fighting style. Then I'll enchant it to increase your armor skill, so you'll take even less damage. On top of that, I can enchant it so that when you punch, it deals more damage. Honestly, I think you'd hit harder with your fists than you do with your sword right now."

Darkness blinked, her blush deepening as she tried to wrap her mind around the idea. "More damage… than my sword?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly, as if the very concept was almost too exciting for her to handle.

"Exactly," I said with a grin. "Now, I'm not saying you have to abandon your sword—far from it. But think of this as another option. A way to fight up close, using your armor as both your defense and your weapon."

Darkness was quiet for a moment, her hands gripping the sheets tightly as she processed my words. Then, with a deep breath, she nodded, her expression filled with determination. "I… I want to try it," she said, her voice resolute. "If you can teach me, I'll do my best to master this new style."

I smirked, leaning back slightly. "Good. I'll get started on your armor soon. It'll take some time to gather all the materials, but once it's ready, we'll start training. You'll be the first brawling crusader this world has ever seen."

Darkness's golden eyes gleamed with excitement, her blush still lingering as she nodded enthusiastically. "Thank you, James. I won't let you down!"

"Never thought you would," I replied, already planning out the specifics of her build in my head. This was going to be fun.

As the morning sun filtered through the windows, casting warm light over the room, I stood and stretched, feeling the satisfying pop of my joints. Darkness and Megumin were still getting ready, their energy levels markedly different—Darkness looking focused and resolute, while Megumin was her usual vibrant, dramatic self.

"Alright, ladies," I said, grabbing my adventurer's card and tucking it into my coat. "Today's your day to relax. Go see your friends, run errands, or do whatever you need to do. This is your downtime—enjoy it."

Darkness nodded firmly, her golden eyes glinting with purpose. "Thank you, James. I'll use this time wisely."

I raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess—you're going to send a letter to your father, right?"

Her cheeks flushed slightly, but she nodded. "Yes. I'll let him know about you and set up a meeting. If this is going to work, I need to be upfront about my intentions."

I smirked, crossing my arms. "Good thinking. Make sure to let him know how amazing I am. You know, subtly."

Darkness gave a small, amused smile before grabbing her gear. "I'll do my best. I'll see you later, James."

With that, she gave a small bow and left, her armored boots clinking softly against the wooden floor as she stepped out into the streets of Axel.

I turned to Megumin, who was fiddling with her staff and adjusting her hat. "And you? What's the plan for today?"

She puffed out her chest dramatically, placing a hand on her hip. "I'll be catching up with my rival, Yunyun. It's been far too long since she's experienced my superiority."

I chuckled. "Right. Make sure not to blow anything up while you're at it."

She stuck her tongue out at me playfully. "No promises!"

With a twirl of her staff, she dashed out the door, her laughter echoing down the hallway as she made her way out into town.

Shaking my head, I grabbed my pack and checked my inventory. With both of them out and about, I had the rest of the day to myself. Time to get to work on the next step of my plans—whether it was crafting, enchanting, or tracking down rare materials, I wasn't going to let this downtime go to waste.

James strolled into the guild, the familiar hum of adventurers chatting and bustling around filling the air. He made his way to the counter where Luna stood, expertly handling a flurry of adventurers turning in quests and asking questions. When she noticed him approaching, she greeted him with her usual warm smile.

"Ah, James! What can I do for you today?"

He leaned casually on the counter, his tone curious but direct. "Hey, Luna, I've got a question. Who, or where, do I go to if I want to buy some land for a shopfront?"

Luna blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the unexpected question. "A shopfront? Are you planning to start a business?"

James shrugged with a small smirk. "Something like that. Got a few ideas I'm working on, and having my own space would make things a lot easier."

Luna nodded thoughtfully, tapping her chin. "Well, for land purchases, you'll need to talk to the town's land manager. His office is near the town hall, just down the main road. His name's Bernard—he handles all property sales and registrations within Axel."

"Got it. Thanks," James said with a nod, already turning to leave.

Luna called after him with a lighthearted tone, "Don't forget, land in Axel isn't cheap! Make sure you've got enough saved up!"

James waved a hand over his shoulder as he walked toward the exit. "Don't worry, Luna, I've got it covered… probably."

He stepped out into the bustling streets of Axel, his mind already racing with plans for what his shopfront could become.

The streets of Axel bustled with life as James made his way to the location Luna had mentioned. The town hall was an older stone building, its exterior weathered but well-maintained, with a few decorative flourishes carved into the archway above the entrance. Just to the side of the main building, tucked away but still visible, was a smaller, more modest structure with a sign that read "Land Management Office" in clear lettering.

James pushed the wooden door open, a soft bell jingling to announce his presence. Inside, the office was tidy but sparsely decorated, with shelves stacked with rolled-up maps, deeds, and paperwork. A large desk sat at the far end of the room, behind which a balding man in his late fifties worked diligently, a pair of small spectacles perched on the bridge of his nose. His clothes were simple but clean, and his demeanor gave off an air of quiet efficiency.

The man looked up as James entered, setting down his quill and offering a polite nod. "Good afternoon," he said in a measured tone. "How can I help you today?"

James stepped forward, taking in the space. "You Bernard?"

The man nodded. "That I am. Bernard Andelin, the land manager for Axel and its surrounding areas. And you are?"

"James Six Robinson," James replied, leaning slightly on the counter. "I'm here to see about buying some land. Looking to set up a shopfront in town."

Bernard raised an eyebrow, setting aside the paper he'd been working on. "I see. Well, land within the town's limits is in high demand, as I'm sure you can imagine. Do you have a specific location in mind, or will any available lot suffice?"

James shrugged. "I'm flexible. Just need a decent space to work with. What've you got?"

Bernard gave a small nod and began shuffling through a stack of papers, eventually pulling out a rolled-up map of Axel. He unfurled it across the desk, revealing a detailed layout of the town, with several areas marked off.

"Currently, there are three properties available for purchase," Bernard began, pointing to each one in turn. "The first is a smaller lot near the main square, close to the adventurer's guild. It's ideal for foot traffic but comes at a premium—50,000 eris."

He tapped a spot further away from the center of town. "The second is on the outskirts of Axel, near the east gate. It's larger and more affordable at 30,000 eris, but it's a quieter area with less traffic."

Finally, he pointed to a lot closer to the residential district. "The third is a mid-sized lot between the market and the housing area, priced at 40,000 eris. It strikes a balance between space and location, though it may need some work before it's ready for use."

Bernard leaned back slightly, adjusting his glasses. "Each property comes with its own challenges and benefits. Do any of these interest you?"

James reached into his inventory casually, and with a slight smirk, he pulled out a gleaming gold bar, its polished surface catching the light. He placed it on the counter with a satisfying thunk, watching Bernard's reaction with amusement.

The land manager's eyes widened, and his jaw slackened slightly as he stared at the gold bar. He reached out hesitantly, running his fingers over the solid block of wealth before clearing his throat and adjusting his glasses.

"This… this is a remarkable payment," Bernard said, his voice slightly shaky but quickly regaining its professional tone. "A gold bar of this size would certainly cover the cost of the first lot near the main square. And if the value is indeed what it appears to be…" He trailed off, studying James for a moment.

"I'll tell you what," James said, leaning slightly on the counter, his tone casual but firm. "If this is worth more than the lot's price, I'll also take some land for farming and residential purposes. Something practical."

Bernard nodded slowly, his mind clearly racing as he weighed the offer. "I'd need to have this appraised for an exact value, of course," he said, his tone cautious but intrigued. "But I can assure you, a gold bar of this size is worth far more than a single lot in Axel. If you're serious about purchasing additional land, I can recommend properties that would suit farming and residential needs."

"Sounds good to me," James replied with a shrug. "Take your time with the appraisal. I'm in no rush, and I'd rather get this done properly."

Bernard stood, carefully picking up the gold bar with both hands. "I'll have this appraised immediately," he said, his voice now brimming with respect. "If everything checks out, we can finalize the paperwork for the properties by tomorrow."

James nodded. "Works for me. I'll swing by first thing."

Bernard smiled faintly, clearly impressed. "Very well. I must say, it's rare to meet someone as resourceful as yourself. I look forward to completing this transaction."

As James turned to leave, the faint sound of Bernard still marveling at the gold bar echoed behind him. Outside, the sun was high, and the streets of Axel were alive with the usual bustle of adventurers and townsfolk. With a shopfront and additional land now within reach, James's plans were finally starting to take shape.

James wandered through the streets of Axel, weaving through the crowd as he searched for an alchemist's shop. After asking around, he finally found a small, unassuming stall tucked away near the market square. A faded sign overhead read "Eliza's Remedies," though the modest setup and limited wares didn't inspire much confidence.

Behind the counter stood a young woman with short auburn hair tied back in a loose ponytail. She wore a simple green apron, and her hands were busy organizing small vials of faintly glowing liquid. The potions were an odd assortment of colors, though none looked particularly impressive.

James approached, scanning the contents of her stall with a critical eye. Most of the bottles were labeled with handwritten tags that read things like "Cold Remedy" or "Energy Booster." He picked one up and gave it a small swirl. "This all you've got?"

Eliza looked up, blinking nervously. "Y-yes," she said quickly, wringing her hands. "I'm still learning the craft, but these are my best potions. They're good for minor illnesses and fatigue. Nothing too fancy, but they work!"

James frowned, setting the potion back down. "No offense, but these are barely better than flavored water. You're catering to the beginner crowd, but no adventurer worth their salt is going to stop by here for anything serious."

Her face flushed with embarrassment, and she looked down at the counter. "I… I know," she mumbled. "I just haven't had the chance to learn more advanced recipes. I can't afford the training or the ingredients..."

James sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, lucky for you, I know a thing or two about alchemy. How about I teach you a simple health potion recipe that'll blow everything else you've got out of the water?"

Her eyes widened, her expression shifting to one of cautious hope. "Really? You'd do that?"

"Yeah," James said with a nod, crossing his arms. "It's a recipe that's perfect for adventurers—an adventure-level health potion. All you'll need is wheat and blue mountain flower. Easy to find, cheap to grow or buy, and way more effective than the stuff you're selling now."

Eliza stared at him, stunned. "That… that sounds amazing. But what's the catch? Why would you just give me something like that?"

James smirked, leaning slightly on the counter. "Simple. In exchange for teaching you the recipe, I want 50% of the profits you make from selling the potion. You keep your business, I get a steady cut, and the adventurers in this town finally get potions worth buying. Win-win."

Eliza hesitated, her hands fidgeting nervously. "Fifty percent is… a lot," she said, biting her lip. "But… if this potion really is as good as you say, I could sell way more than I am now."

"Exactly," James said, his tone confident. "Think about it. You'll be making enough to grow your business, attract more customers, and eventually expand beyond this tiny stall. Plus, you'll have the reputation of being the only alchemist in town selling something adventurers actually want. This deal is a no-brainer."

Eliza chewed on the inside of her cheek, clearly weighing the offer. After a moment, she nodded slowly, determination flickering in her eyes. "Alright. You've got a deal."

James grinned. "Good choice. Let's get started."

He reached into his inventory, pulling out a few samples of wheat and blue mountain flower. Setting them on the counter, he quickly explained the recipe, walking her through the process of grinding the ingredients, mixing them, and infusing them with just the right amount of magic to create the potion.

Within minutes, a small vial of crimson liquid sat on the counter, its glow far more vibrant than anything she had on display. Eliza picked it up with trembling hands, her eyes wide with amazement.

"This… this is incredible," she whispered, her voice filled with awe. "It's so simple, but the quality is leagues above anything I've ever made. Adventurers will love this."

James smirked, crossing his arms. "Told you. Now, stock up on those ingredients, start brewing, and let me know when you've got sales rolling in. We'll split the profits as agreed."

Eliza nodded eagerly, clutching the vial like it was a priceless treasure. "Thank you so much. I won't let you down!"

James gave her a small nod before turning to leave, satisfied. With a steady stream of profit now lined up, he felt one step closer to his long-term goals.

James paused as he turned to leave, glancing back over his shoulder at Eliza, who was still marveling at the vibrant health potion in her hands. "Oh, one more thing," he added, his tone casual but purposeful.

She looked up quickly, clutching the vial protectively. "Yes?"

"The recipe I gave you? It's versatile," James explained. "You don't have to stick to wheat and blue mountain flower specifically. It works with wild ingredients too. If an adventurer comes in with something like buckwheat, it'll still work just as well."

Eliza's eyes widened, the possibilities sparking in her mind. "You mean… I can substitute ingredients? As long as they're close enough?"

"Exactly," James said with a smirk, crossing his arms. "You'll need to experiment a bit to figure out which ones work best, but that flexibility will make it easier to restock. Plus, it means you can take whatever wild herbs and flowers adventurers bring back and turn them into profit. It'll keep your costs down and your supply steady."

She blinked, her jaw dropping slightly as she processed the implications. "That's… amazing. It's so simple, but it makes such a huge difference! I won't have to rely on expensive imports anymore."

"Yup," James said, nodding. "And when adventurers know they can bring you ingredients they find in the wild, they'll start coming to you even more. Just make sure you keep the quality consistent, and you'll build a reputation in no time."

Eliza's expression shifted from awe to determination as she straightened up, clutching the potion vial tightly. "I understand. Thank you again. I'll make sure to put this knowledge to good use!"

James waved a hand dismissively. "Just don't forget our deal—fifty percent of the profits. I'll check in from time to time to see how you're doing."

"I won't forget!" she said quickly, bowing slightly.

Satisfied, James turned and left the stall, already planning his next move. Behind him, Eliza was already bustling around her stall with a newfound energy, eager to test the versatility of the recipe and transform her small business into something far greater.

As I strolled through the bustling streets of Axel, my thoughts preoccupied with plans for the shopfront and crafting, I was suddenly blinded by a brilliant light descending from the sky. I winced, shielding my eyes with my hand. A moment later, a deafening explosion echoed in the distance, loud but strangely far away, shaking the ground beneath my feet.

Instinctively, I turned toward the source of the sound, squinting at the horizon. My eyes widened as I spotted the unmistakable shape of a demon plummeting from the heavens, its form trailing smoke as it crashed to the ground with an earth-shaking thud.

Then, without warning, I felt it—a surge of experience flooding into me, as if I'd somehow gained something from the demon's demise. My brows furrowed in confusion as I muttered, "What the hell just happened?"

Before I could ponder it further, my attention was drawn back to the street. A cart rolled forward, and as it passed, I caught sight of two familiar figures standing there. A young man in a green tracksuit, looking entirely unremarkable but somehow resolute, and beside him, a woman in a blue dress with flowing hair and an obnoxiously confident smile plastered on her face.

I blinked, realization dawning on me. "Oh… it's the start of canon."

And with that thought.

(End Chapter 3)