Chapter 132
Most of the next day, at least for me, was occupied by staying the hell away from all the paperwork Raphtalia had to do. To be fair, she had every opportunity to send some kind of runner to find me, but hadn't, so, I didn't go looking for the problem.
The next largest part of the day was travelling back to the port town. While myself and the other heroes (and our parties) moved there directly, Raphtalia trailed behind with the Q'ten Lo military to get the monsters back under control so the citizens could go rebuild again. The Edict had done a lot of damage. Many were homeless, and there would be a huge amount of rebuilding.
But, materials and extra hands would all be provided. Be it from Siltvelt (and the Hickwaal trading conglomerate) or locally.
Then we finally got back to the port town.
Erhard was there to greet us as the heroes and I were let through the sturdy town wall, "Wow." He commented, "Is something wrong with your filolial?"
I had no idea what might have been wrong with this filolial, but despite it leaning its head back to rest its head on my shoulder the entire way here, it hadn't stumbled once. It might even have fallen asleep while walking a couple times!
"Still has two feet and a heartbeat." I replied, "No problems?"
"Kind of bored honestly. I mean, aside from learning all kinds of stuff about the local materials. Once the main army started marching, the worst we had to deal with were a couple of monsters. But since the little Miss said it was okay, they just ended up as food." He grinned, "How about you?"
"Well, I can tell you about it once we sit down. We were all up to something a little different." I glanced behind me, "But we won." The others smiled with me, the same 'back from the dungeon' smile from back home, though they didn't know it.
"Didn't doubt it for a minute." He grinned, "How long until the rest arrives?"
"Not long. Got some paperwork to hand off, then we just have to stay out of the way."
The paperwork was really just for the ships taking the soldiers from Siltvelt back. Various permissions to allow them to load up stuff, proof from the Master of Docks that they were there, did well, and things could move on to planning trade. This would give them a couple of hours head start on getting home, since no one wanted to wait on paperwork.
After handing that off, we went someplace to stay out of the way. The same place we (before the march towards the new capital) had been put back into order again as the simple restaurant, and we took advantage of its near emptiness to sit down.
"Oh, she's back." It shouldn't have surprised me, but Erhard's Master was here, already getting drunk, "The only woman I don't want to see."
"Not my fault you won't accept a no for an answer the first time. Where I come from, the women have every right to castrate the man who tries twice." I motioned towards the other heroes, "And they have imprisonment for years."
He just grunted, and went back to guzzling... what ever paint thinner he was drinking.
"Seriously?" Motoyasu looked at me, surprised, but still smiling.
"When everyone is potentially strong enough to carry their car to work, you need to make certain allowances for crime. 'Self defence' is rarely lethal, but so long as you don't kill them anything goes." I explained, "Now, if an adventurer tries that on a citizen... it's worse."
"Well yeah... I mean the way you tell it, citizens are 'normal' right?" Ren asked, squinting at an offered menu, only to have Rishia point at something for him, "Oh, thank you. Just when I get a handle on Melromarc's words..."
"Citizens are treated almost like an endangered species. Hurting them is very close to a capital offence. Execution is super rare, the Dungeon does enough of that. But divestment, banishment, imprisonment, heavy fines... Everything but a death sentence."
"Speaking of home..." Itsuki started, "You've made progress?"
"All kinds." I said, reading the menu and tapping a couple of things for the nice lady taking my order, then once more for tea. "Might be done before the next... problem..." I sighed, "I should contact Ost."
Ren perked up, "Oh, that's right... maybe? So weird now that I'm more aware of it all..."
"Hmm?" I looked to him.
Itsuki was the one who spoke though, "The Phoenix, right? The next guardian beast."
Motoyasu nodded slowly, "It's obvious we have similar but different info on this one... The one I played really just had it as a hidden boss. Of course, rare monster, rare loot, so I killed it. But..."
"Well... so long as we aren't too long at the Hearth?" Ren looked to me.
"Depends on you guys." I grinned, "The place is big enough for you all to space out for XP. And we have... well it's not on the level of Cal-Mira... yet. But I gave my sub-captain free reins for 'recreation'."
"A Cal-Mira away from Cal-Mira?" Itsuki mused, "Oh, thank you." He said to the nice lady as she brought out the first of our orders.
"Probably want to talk to the Queen, too." Motoyasu said, "I'm sure she'll want to know how things are going here. But, she gives me the chills. You can do it." He gave me a friendly elbow, then smiled his 'winning smile' at the serving lady, and picked up a pair of chopsticks.
"Gladly." I nodded, picking up my own chopsticks and giving a polite bow/nod to the lady serving us.
By evening, we were watching the Siltvelt ships drift back towards home, the Water Dragon (pink sweater and all) and the two Water Miko ceremoniously dancing for their swift and safe travel. It was interesting to watch, as Sadeena danced in her 'Amazon Armour', and Shildina twirled in her 'frumpy robes' in a sort of 'Yin Yang' pattern while the young Dragon floated in the air above their makeshift stage. Thinking on it (between distracted ogling) the Dragon was marking the same circle as the one at the tree's grove in the old capital.
But, job done, the two sisters stepping off the stage with the same slightly sweaty looks of satisfaction, Raphtalia turned to me.
"So..." She started, the Water Dragon interrupting her so he could curl up over her shoulders for headpats, "What next?"
Speaking over the happy dolphin noises, I replied with, "Well, we wait until my Captain gets here with your passes." At her questioningly raised eyebrow, I clarified to her and the others, "Think of it like a magical key. For you, with your Vassal Weapon, you would 'miss' the Hearth and end up in Kizuna's world."
"Oh! And we," Motoyasu handed a cold towel to Sadeena, while Usa offered one to Shildina. "would be flat out denied since we're Heroes."
"That's right. The others would be treated like party members, so either 'missing' or 'rejected'." I motioned between Raphtalia and Motoyasu. "Making the keys are a little complicated, so we have to wait another..." I looked at the setting sun, "Maybe an hour."
"Come too?" Pause, "Can eye come too?" The Water Dragon asked, each word clear but individual.
"You have a friend to meet. Of course." I reached over to Raphtalia's shoulder to rub a hand over his 'chin', "Anyhow. I have to go talk to Mirri. Her and her crew are coming, and she's probably packing up stuff."
"Snack time?" Tetsu (with Kotetsu on her head) looked at me eagerly.
"Bottomless pits..." Kuro sighed, but gave Motoyasu the same look.
Then he, Ren and Itsuki all had their weapons change into (silly) fishing poles. Motoyasu's looked like one of those flexible wushu spears. Ren's sword became a fencing blade almost two meters long. Itsuki's bow had the glowing bowstring fall off one end and change into a 'Yumi' bow, the asymmetrical styled Japanese bow.
Rishia, the only 'non-monster' party member of the three heroes shrugged and said, "I'll cook then." And they all wandered off.
"I wouldn't mind swimming. Maybe scare some fish their way so they don't feel bad?" Sadeena gave her sister a friendly elbow. And with a nod, they left as well.
"What should..." Usa started, sighed, then relented when Sadeena and Shildina came back to link elbows with him on either side, and almost carry him away.
This left us with Clive, Raphtalia, and a Water Dragon who was watching everyone else go fishing. "I'll be fine, and I promised to get you there." I said.
Mirri's big merchantman was abuzz with activity. As I approached, it looked like they were stripping it down to the timbers of everything that wasn't nailed down, and packing it up into crates. To be fair, they were going to be leaving it here.
"Permission to come aboard!" I called out from the dockside end of the gangplank. All around me were neatly stacked crates of stuff. Clearly labelled the list went from 'weapons' to 'food'.
Someone paused their hauling of a crate, spotted me, and replied with, "She's astern in her quarters! Come aboard!"
Invite given, I let the man stomp down the plank first with his crate, then marched at best speed up the plank. Dodging and stepping over things left in messy but out of the way piles, I made my way to the back of the ship. I waited my turn to head up some steps, danced around a pair of burly sailors lugging a cannon barrel and entered a nice door behind the helm and its well loved fancy wheel.
Inside, there was less noise, but under me I could hear all kinds of stomps and creeks as what ever spaces under me were emptied. Ahead of me though, across a meter and a half hallway, was another door. Gold plaque, lockable door lever, heavy iron banding, it was as secure a door as you could get on a ship of mostly wood.
Not wanting to be rude to the captain of the ship, I knocked. "Mirri." I called out.
There was a scrape of wood on wood inside, a heavy table or something? Then the door was unlatched and flung open. "Good." She purr/growled, "Come in." And stepped aside.
She wasn't wearing all the usual 'Captain Stuff'. You know, fancy hat, big salt encrusted long coat, jewellery, weapons... No, just a pair loose cloth pants and a leather vest. I could imagine someone with a literal fur coat being uncomfortable with the usual 'human' standard for clothing. Past the room's owner, was...
Well, a lifetime of maritime stuff. Big map table that was made of four stout legs and a nearly two meter across slice out of a tree. Heavy cabinets built into the walls for stuff (like the fancy coat and weapons). A couple of shelves by the windows with navigation equipment bolted to the boards. A very small 'globe' (that I knew was 'fake' but likely accurate as she knew the 'world'. A bed built into the wall with nice black curtains to keep out the light. Several open chests of 'shiny stuff' (coin, cups, plates, polished monster bits, you know shiny stuff)...
But it was obvious things were missing too. Empty hooks along the ceiling, on the walls, the massive map table was bare of everything save a bit of melted candle wax and some mug stains...
"I almost want to reconsider your offer." She said from behind me, "But the chance to build and design my own vessel? And to visit a new world? Worth the vexation of packing. But..."
"It's still home." I nodded, "What of the ship itself? You're stripping it down, but..."
"Oh, we've sold it to the locals already. There's nothing rotted or warped about her, so we got a good price for the ship. But I'm not leaving a single thing of value on it past say, the sails and rigging. Wouldn't do to leave her naked after all the time we've spent together." She laughed, "The inventory gem you handed me doesn't want to accept the table though. No chance I'll leave it behind."
"Huh... well maybe if we unbolted it from the floor and got the legs off it?" I mumbled, "Oh, I'm not sure I've told you..." I crouched down and opened up the 'tools' tab of the Shield's inventory, "When you arrive, you, and everyone else, will be put to level 1."
"What?" She crouched down next to me, setting sturdy lantern on the floor, "Something to do with the new world?"
"Exactly that." I nodded, getting a little crowbar and hammer from the Shield, "Going to have to pop these rivets out of the deck." I handed her the hammer, "This also brings up another 'thing'." I paused as she whacked the curved end of the little crowbar, driving the wedge end under the rivet. "When you are put to level 1, you will be able to grow as you did here. But, would you consider a bit of an advantage?"
"Advantage?" The growl in her town was curious as I flipped the crowbar around to get the curved end under the rivet and lever it out of the deck.
We crawled under the table to the next leg and I got the crowbar in place for the next hammer strike, "To put it flatly, a slave mark." She missed the end of the crowbar, "Ow." And hit my finger. It didn't actually hurt, huzzah for astronomical defence, but it stopped her from trying to stand up under the half ton of table we were under.
"A what?!" She hissed.
"As a Hero, I can increase the power my slaves gain with a level." I explained, "I don't use the mark for anything. I not fond of slavery. But, power is power."
She didn't miss with her next strike, but didn't reply either.
"Early on, when I arrived, I was basically useless in combat. I needed people I could trust, and the mark made sure they couldn't lie, and listened to orders in combat. That's it. But while your new ship is being put together, you're going to gain a lot of levels, and the Mark will make you half again as strong for it."
Another clean hammer strike, another lifted iron pin. "No one is master of my destiny." She said.
"I wouldn't be your master. Just your boss until the Waves are done." I shrugged, "Up to you, but your crew isn't hearing about this offer unless you want them to."
With a final squeak of iron on wood, the last rivet popped out of the floor, and we both crawled out from under the table, "I'll think about it." She said, handing back my hammer.
"Nothing changes if you say no." I assured her, "Help me flip this over. Surprised your ship doesn't flip over with how heavy this is..."
She laughed as we got our hands under the table and eased it onto its edge, then over to get it upside down. "This wood sinks in water, else I'd have armoured the ship with it!" She grinned, then asked one of those 'not an idiot' questions, "If we return to level 1 when you get us there, what happens when we come back here?"
"During a Wave, you get both level totals at once. Otherwise, it's dependant on what world you're in." I explained, wiggling a table leg free. Once out of the table, it vanished into Mirri's inventory gem. "So if you do any 'otherworldly trade' you'll have to be mindful of that."
"I'm always mindful of profits!" She wiggled another leg free and made it vanish.
"I've actually used the hourglasses to reset levels, so they get the full benefit from the Mark. Fohl and Atla too. And done? Try now?" I handed her the last table leg, and stepped off the table itself.
And it vanished into sparkles. "Perfect." She nodded, "How long until we leave then?"
"Just waiting for my Captain to show up with the keys. Not long."
"And all the stuff on shore?"
"I can have it stowed in other Gems. All of my crew have one after all." I smiled, "Don't worry about it wandering off. I pay them far too well for that kind of petty mischief."
"Deal. Come get me when it's time." She said, then added as I turned my back to her, "How long do I have to make a choice?"
"Any time you want. But every level past the first makes it less useful." And I left, the sounds of clinking jewellery and fancy metal plates behind me.
Wolven and the 'first company' arrived about a half hour after my visit with Mirri. Unknown to most, SITA had set up a small 'beacon' for them to arrive at, near the bit flat cliff face we had marched the army through when we 'stormed' the Old Capital. With the 'energy' of the island more or less under our control, it was similar to how the Hourglasses worked when using the Return Transcript, or marking a portal 'bookmark' with the Weapon skills.
Wolven himself caused quite a stir, considering how big he was, it was like having a wolf the size of a truck walking around. It didn't help that he was armed, armoured, and had the rest of his party, the 'first company' with him.
As per the overall 'rules' of this world for optimal party performance, the first company was a party of six. Wolven of course was in front, segmented leather and plate a wide machete/cleaver at his hip. Their 'supporter' was a half snake (maybe?) demi-human with nearly alien features, nice glittering scales, and a smile that could kill you if she bit you with it. Despite Wolven's size, he wasn't 'the tank'. That was reserved for a Bear demi-human in full plate and a shield made of dragon scale paired with a war hammer.
Two of the other three were fraternal twins with avian features (similar, but darker than the Shusaku common to Siltvelt. Maybe raven-folk?), each with bows and mobile leather and metal armour. And the last was red skinned 'kiki' oni. Unlike Okakai, he was lithe not 'hulking', and had both arms banded in six metal bracelets, each one of the dozen total was inscribed with complex runes and glyph, marking him as a mage.
The 'First Company' was for the 'bunker under the bunker' busting, and had been working with both L'arc and Frost to clear out 'problem nests' of monsters. And while no one would know (unless they told you, or you were able to see their stats through the Slave menu) were level 85 in both worlds.
Thankfully, their arrival only caused a 'stir'. They were expected, certainly, but I might have downplayed their appearances a little.
"Wolven. Everyone. No problems?" I asked after one of the town guard (looking a little panicked but stoically 'samurai' all the same).
"The trip here was... tingly." Wolven replied, looking back at his party and getting a collection of 'yeah's'. "But exactly on target."
"Maybe if you brushed more?" I teased, getting a professional eye roll from the 'two meters tall when crouching' wolf man. It was a harmless show of dominance over him, but he accepted it while the others chuckled quietly. "Got a little cargo to pack up for my newest hire and her crew. Down by the docks. It's all organized, but the captain is the only one with a crystal."
Wolven looked over his shoulder, and the rest of them wandered off in that direction. No saluting, no 'yes sir'. While they changed directions, he continued to follow me. "When was the last time you slept? Ate?" sniff "Bathed?"
The admonishment made my tails puff out a little, but I could feel some matting in them someplace and the discomfort curbed my first reply. "Naps here and there, lots of food though... And sadly the hot spring I found was... collateral damage."
"You might fool others. But you are losing your nerve." He continued, his size and leg structure making it easier to 'walk' with both legs and one arm. "Too long at combat readiness."
I sighed, but couldn't deny it. "I know. Too much to do, and I'm in a rush to do it."
"You could have called us. Isn't that what we're for?" He looked away from me to the path ahead, and the sounds of people fishing.
"I wanted her to learn. Yes, I helped, but it was reasonably bloodless for a civil war. I told her about you, and asked if she wanted your help." I put a hand on his shoulder, "Since she's apparently the Empress of Q'ten Lo, I figured I should ask."
It was his turn to admit I was right, "She's come a long way."
We stepped onto a nice sandy beach, with a short rock shelf to one side. On the shelf were the three heroes, each trying to look cool while fishing. Or at least not bored. Far out in the water, Sadeena, Shildina and even Usa (who had made a point to learn how to swim since Cal Mira), were trying to scare fish their way.
On the beach itself were the rest of them. Cooking, making sand castles, eating fish, drooling while waiting for more fish, and just... relaxing. I almost felt bad showing up to bother them. Even Fohl and Atla had reduced their constant sibling rivalry to bury Clive in the sand!
Of course, when someone the size of Wolven shows up to a party, people notice, and it didn't take long for eyes to drift our way. "Oh! Wait..." Raphtalia paused her castle building to look at a spot over my head, "It's you!"
"No other form will contain my spirit." Wolven replied.
"Are we going now then?" Atla asked as she and her brother pulled Clive out of the sand and helped him shake off.
"His party are helping Mirri pack up the last of their belongings, then yes." I nodded, "Don't worry, you can all go back to fishing there if you want. Or just wait for Kizuna to show up, since I'm sure she'll want to go back to her favourite fishing spot at least once while we're there."
By the time everyone had cleaned the sand off themselves, cleaned up the beach (no littering in any world!) and gotten their gear back on properly, we were a little behind schedule. But that was fine, most of them were smiling again.
When we did get to the dock, there was a heap of 'lounging' sailors, a ship with nothing but rope and sails bobbing in the harbour, and the new 'Master of Trade'. "Ah, Heavenly Empress. Heroes, everyone." Raluva said, smiling under his beard. "Thank you for helping us restore order here. But... Please don't forget us?"
He seemed to understand Raphtalia couldn't stay, but was hopeful she would at least not run away screaming after all the trouble. "One duty at a time." Raphtalia said, looking to me, then back, "We have a duty to the world first, then I can check in."
"Of course of course!" He tapped his cane against the cobblestone once, then looked to me, "How long will our Divine Dragon be gone?"
"Not long." I said, wondering for a moment where the little guy had ended up, before the Water Dragon poked his head out from Shildina's sleeve. "A day, maybe two. Be sure to set up a nice spot for him to chat with you."
"With pillow!" Said Shildina's sleeve.
"Certainly!" He was too old to flop to the ground and bow, but it was clear he wanted to.
"Now... Kotetsu?"
Tetsu's wild hair spoke, and the little sister poked her head out of the dragon-child's hair, "Yes! Ah... Let me... Um..."
One by one, all of Mirri's crew perked up and glanced into the 'middle distance' of their status screens. "Wolven?" I looked towards the three other heroes.
"Secure." He said, carefully poking the control gem of Motoyasu's spear. Over it was a metal cap, much like the 'suppression' cap Myne had put over the Shield's gem before tossing me into the Slaver's 'care'. This one was much nicer though, and just 'hid' part of what stopped them from moving to Kizuna's 'area code' that the Hearth was in. "Invite who you are taking." He reminded them.
"Never leave home without her." Motoyasu grinned while patting Kuro's head (avoiding the feather of course).
This prompted me to put a hand to the Shield, "Step back? Thank you." I waited until Raluva had gotten out of 'range', then walked to the middle of the hundred or so people. "I invite you all to the Hearth. Cause no trouble, and be welcome."
It reminded me a little of Sona's teleport tunnel. Blue, instead of Rias's red. But after a slight stomach lurch, a bit of 'warp speed' blue effects, and a sudden stop, we arrived at the outside the massive tower/tree in the middle of the island. Nestled in a huge V of the tree's roots, on a nice slightly springy square of clay, was one of the half dozen 'landing pads' SITA and I had placed in 'safer' zones on the island. And yes, carved into the roots on either side of the landing zone was 'Bay Four'.
This was important for two reasons. One, there were more or less constant comings and goings for the army I'd raised. Teleport accidents were no joke, and while the weird magic of this world was... okay... with stopping them, we had done a load test once with a bunch of random junk. It was... messy. So, we had a bunch of platforms to reduce the risk.
Second? It told us exactly where we were. This was still a labyrinth, and getting lost could get you killed.
Speaking of, the instant Wolven and his party had shaken off the teleport tingles, they'd spread out off the platform and made sure the bay was monster free. Only the Tower and the Prison were 'safe', and well, we had a heap of low level people looking a little sea sick on the platform in a zone of level 5 to 15 monster spawns. Not terrible, but they were now my guests.
"Clear!" One of the raven-folk called out, "Recently patrolled. We have up to five minutes to get people clear!"
"You heard them!" I called out to my guests, "Fohl? Atla? Remember the way?"
"Yes Ma'am!" Fohl called out, "Ah... Where?"
I didn't answer, but instead looked to Wolven, "Cell area six should have enough space for them. Seven is mostly clear as well."
Beside me, Raphtalia was... squinting at me.
"You were running your village." I said before she could say anything. Then my ears picked up... well it was something between a 'squee' and 'gasp'.
Off near Mirri's bunch was Sadeena and Usa, and they were standing next to a pile of Miko robes. "You are so adorable!" Sadeena said after a little excited dance, reaching down to the pile of clothes and picking up... Shildina. At the moment, she was kind of just a tiny person in a HUGE robe, the definition of 'swimming' in your parent's clothing.
"Right... She's still classed a demi human." I smiled, walking over with Raphtalia, "Well, I have good news and bad news."
It was even more obvious they were siblings now, the two a near perfect 'younger/older' portrait. Sadeena paused her cheek to cheek rubbing with her little sister, and the shocked eyes of Shildina focused on me, "Ah..." Even her voice was adorable! "What's that? I seem to be... tiny..."
"Well, you'll grow up fast here. But it's going to hurt. Lemme just..." I poked my Inventory Gem and took out a bit of glass, "S'yne? We're here."
Pause, then, "Oh! You're just a little later than expected. Where did you end up?"
"Bay four. Going to need some clothes made, demi human stuff."
Another pause, "Oh right! Heehee... I'll bet Shildina is adorable!" Another pause, "Know where everyone is sleeping?"
"Area six and seven." I replied, watching most of the sailors stumble off while following Atla and Fohl, as well as Clive and Usa. "Maybe get SITA's help for any other requests. Got just shy of a hundred sailor types in salty rags."
One of the sailors nearest me sniffed at themselves, and Mirri approached, "I was told there would be baths."
"No problem Captain!" S'yne called out a little louder to help Mirri hear the crystal, "I'll get SITA to divert the waterfall into area ten for now. Give it an hour, and it won't even be cold!"
"Excelsior." Mirri grinned a literal leopard grin, then turned, "Hear that you lot! No excuse to smell like salted fish before lights out!"
Then to me, she gave a single nod. That was all. So, I nodded back, then looked to the three heroes and their parties... "Oh wow."
Solitaire was looking super grumpy in Ren's arm. He had also changed back to his 'chronological' age with the world shift, and was... a grumpy kitten/pup about the length of a person's arm from nose to tail. "I am tiny, and I hate it." He grumbled.
NOTES!
Well, time for a little vacation arc. Not a long one, but the heroes need a little cheat time, and I want to get Kizuna back on scene just so she can sparkle at people. I miss the sparkles.
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