★96
About a month has passed since Veldora's disappearance in the cave, and we've been on the road ever since.
As adventurers, we don't stay in one place. We move around, from forests to caves, trying things like the cultures we've come across in different nations.
Currently, we're in the Kingdom of Blumund, a human nation between the Kingdom of Farmenas and the Jura Forest. The kingdom is as lively as ever, with humans carrying out their day-to-day activities.
We left the marketplace after purchasing items and replenishing our stores. After buying herbs, ropes, and other materials, all that's left is to get Eren a weapon.
Though she's the mage type, I know versatility is important, so I suggest she get a weapon, and I'll spare some time to train her.
From the exterior, a few real samples of swords, axes, and infantry weapons are placed on a glass wall display of the arsenal. From here, I feel the air is polluted.
We stepped inside, and the metallic smell from the firearms, blades, and black powder filled the room. It's not lethal when exposed to this atmosphere for minutes or hours. However, the store owner and those who frequently visit this store are at risk of respiratory infections, or worse.
In the weaponry store, weapons of different sizes and types hung on the shelves, while others, like the firearms, were sealed in various glass display cases.
Each specific weaponry class has its respective section, which helps with easy navigation and identification of one's weapon of choice.
Kaval and Gido immediately rushed to the blades section, eyes gleaming under the smooth reflective surfaces. Our eyes followed them without a word, before I cursed the silence.
"So, what type do you think you can handle?"
"Certainly not longswords and axes,"
she replied, moving into the arsenal. I followed, walking side by side.
After roaming the armoury twice and trying different weapons, she exhaled, frustrated.
"Give me a hand here, Yami-chi."
"I want you to try something 'your type'."
"Can't you see whatever I tried isn't 'my type'."
It was amusing and cute at the same time, but I couldn't dwell on that for long.
Without a reply, I headed for the artefact section in the arsenal. The section held weapons and other accessories. Unlike the others, these weapons possessed magical energy of their own.
Despite the various signals, I was drawn to something specific.
I approached a glass shelf, ignoring the false layers, pulling out the sole dagger that lay within the space.
"If you ask me, a dagger is the most suitable for protection for a mage class."
I took the dagger by its hilt, which was wrapped in crimson cloth. Its blade gleamed with faint energy.
Upon further inspection, the blade was not iron, steel, or any metallic element. It was actually made of enamel, the hard outer layer of a tooth. So this meant it was a tooth of a beast.
Given its nature, it wasn't straight but slightly curved. Its 'blade' was jagged but razor sharp.
"Um, excuse me sir, weapons in this section aren't for sale. It's for auction only."
the apprentice said nervously, his body shaking a bit.
"Oh... that's too bad. To think the only weapon I'd find interesting isn't for sale."
"Aaron, can you take my place for a moment,"
The old man, perhaps the owner of this arsenal, said.
"Y-yes sir."
Aaron bowed before leaving, his footsteps fading by the second.
"That's Ivory Fang,"
The old man began.
"This dagger was obtained from the mighty fang of an Imoogi known as Ivory, a gigantic sea serpent that hunts sailors."
(Imoogi is a Korean water serpent, less powerful than a dragon but a step below becoming one, often associated with water.)
"Due to the immense magical energy the tooth possesses, the majority of people, including a few A-Tier hunters, couldn't wield it."
"Why can't people use it?"
I asked. I knew the answer, but I wanted to hear it from the man.
"It ranges from a person's tolerance to magic. Some highly experienced people experience physical and mental strain; prolonged exposure causes soul corruption. It's highly prohibited for D-Tier individuals to wield the artefact."
"Death from magicule drainage."
I gave the obvious side effect, and the man gently nodded.
"Most people would've collapsed by now. But you seem alright."
"Oh, this..."
I tossed the dagger, seizing it mid-air with one arm. I then began to casually test it, practising a few harmless swings and thrusts.
"It's not as lengthy as a longsword nor as heavy as an axe. Not to mention, it's flexible. Here's my suggestion."
I held it by the blade, presenting it to Eren.
She froze in place. Everyone would. No one would try touching this piece after grasping its dangers.
"I don't think-"
"Shhh."
I gestured for silence with my finger, interrupting the old man. Silence lingered, only the faint humming of magical energy emanating from the artefacts around us.
"A-are you sure? You heard what the man said. I don't think-"
"Are you still doubting Asteri's miracles?"
I questioned.
Calling Asteri 'Master' or 'Lord' was merely a preference, due to said subject having the strongest connections to Antares.
However, persona-wise, we were all Antares.
Eren gulped, clearly nervous.
"Perhaps not-"
I sighed, almost disappointed. Yet, before I could retrieve the dagger, she grabbed its hilt. The dagger reacted immediately, giving off a stronger magical aura.
Eren's aura reacted, a faint azure light violently leaking from her body. Fragments of said light flowed into the dagger, and this was when a person's fate would be decided.
The crimson energy from the dagger erupted violently yet harmlessly, as Eren's energy took control.
The old man was locked in place, eyes wide in surprise and utterly silent. Eren, however, appeared mature-too calm for a person her age.
Her eyes were glued to the weapon, unblinking, almost unconsciously unaware, yet she wasn't.
This wasn't usurping; it was control. The crimson aura retraced into the dagger, and Eren's aura flooded the once-crimson runes before cloaking its surface, emitting a brilliant azure brilliance.
"I knew it'd work,"
I murmured as the chaos settled, her aura fading and the dagger now humming with energy that seemed almost celestial, too divine for this current era.
"I thought you'd pull some strings and have her wield the dagger, but it seems she did just great."
The old man, once surprised, now looked calm, almost satisfied.
"H-hey! What are you two talking about?"
Eren asked, still nervous, unable to fully comprehend what had happened.
"So, geezer, name your price,"
I said, sheathing the dagger in its fine sheath.
"It's an auction product..."
"Trust me, just name it."
"Ummm..."
As he contemplate, I pulled out two purse of golden coins and toss it to him.
"Keep the change."
I said, making my way out of the artefact section, Eren catching up to me after expressing her gratitude, I guess.
"Well, there you go, your own inherited weapon."
"I didn't think it'd turn out like this."
"Neither did I."
On our way out, Kaval and Gido, now dressed in their new equipment, were talking with someone. One of them turned, taking hold of our presence.
"Oh, here they are."
"What's up?"
"We've been summoned by the Guildmaster to submit our report."
"I mean, isn't that why we're here? He should be patient a little bit,"
Eren replied.
"It's the Guildmaster-hey, where did you get that?"
Gido inquired, pointing at the Ivory Fang.
"The same place you got those,"
I replied, using my fingers to highlight all they'd bought.
It was a straight-up answer that slammed all the doors to the dagger shut. Finding no way to attack, they remained silent, eyes feasting on the weapon.
"The Guildmaster is waiting for you guys. Don't keep him waiting,"
The messenger said, before taking her leave.
Without wasting any time, we headed to the Free Union Guild. Adventurers moved in and out, submitting quests while others registered for one.
We went upstairs to the Guildmaster's meeting space and waited.
.
.
.
"There's no evidence the Eastern Empire is trying to cross the Jura Forest,"
Guildmaster Fuze replied, throwing the scroll back at us.
"Our intelligence bureau is monitoring their movements,"
He added.
If so, why ask us to waste our time? He probably thinks of us as a joke and gave us a useless task to knock ourselves out.
"So, how did it go in the Great Forest of Jura?"
"While in the cave, we confirmed the Storm Dragon's disappearance. We searched the cave but found nothing,"
Kaval answered.
"Nothing?"
"Yeah, nothing."
"I'm now clear on what happened in the cave."
"The well—"
"I'll give you three days off,"
Fuze interrupted Gido, which caught them all by surprise.
"Next, instead of the cave, try investigating around the forest. The monsters may be more active with Veldora's absence. Don't overlook any changes, no matter how small they are. Be thorough and search every inch. You may go."
He quickly dismissed us.
Once outside, they began complaining one after the other.
"'You may go', my ass,"
Kaval started.
"Why only three days? Give us a longer break! We just got back, you know!"
Eren followed suit. Unable to resist the pull, I joined them.
"If it was this brief, I regret not keeping him waiting."
Meanwhile, Gido was walking away, his shoulders slumped.
"I wish you would've said all of that in front of the Guildmaster,"
He said, but the others kept going on. I couldn't go any further. I think one statement is enough.
After calming down, Eren spoke.
"We have to go back to that forest?"
"Jeez, we can't do anything but complain. It makes me feel worse."
"They say adventuring never ends."
"If only you were a human like us—never mind. I want my bath."
"According to the map, there's a hotel nearby. We can make ourselves comfortable before going,"
Eren pointed out, holding the map. As we were about to set off to get some rest, a voice called out from behind.
"Excuse me."
It was soft, and lovely.
We turned almost simultaneously, taking in the figure of the lady before us.
She was dressed in white robes, long black hair flowing down, and a mask that sealed not just her identity but her magical signature.
'Shizu.'
Shinn whispered, interrupting my thoughts.
"Who are you?"
Kaval asked.
"Did you not say you're going to the Jura Forest?"
"What if we did?"
"Will you allow me to accompany you to the forest?"
She asked politely.
'Accept the proposal, Yami.'
'Why should I do that? I don't take orders from you.'
'Just do it, you astral mongrel.'
'Oh, that just made things worse.'
"Sure!"
Eren replied. She's kind—too kind. That's one of her traits.
"Heh? I'm the leader, you can't give the okay before I do!"
"Feel free to join us,"
I backed her up not because of Shinn, but for personal reasons, and maybe… kindness.
"See? Travelling is best with companions, and life is best with compassion,"
Eren added before introducing us.
"I'm Eren. This is Kaval, our 'so-called' leader. Gido is my bodyguard, and Yami is our friend."
"Nice to meet you all. I'm Shizu."
"Shizu—Izawa. Nice to meet you, Shizu Izawa."
I wasn't on guard, and that grey-haired astral mongrel took control of my mouth.
'Don't play it off the hook.'
'Beware my wrath, Shinn.'
I warned.
'There will be severe consequences if you try to control me again.'
He giggled, finding my threats amusing. It won't be when I get mad.
"You know me?"
She asked, anyone would. How could this stranger possibly know her name?
"Welcome on board, Shizu."
Eren cheered.
"We leave in three days, if that's ok with you, come along if you want."
"Ok. No problem."
With no reason to hang around in the open, we went to the hotel to get some refresh ourselves.
In the span of three days we've got more the enough rest to get back on the road. I also used that time to teach Eren few things about how to use the weapon. Shizu was kind enough to give help her too. I wasn't bothered, for what's worth, I get extra free time pf doing nothing.
On the fourth day, we made our way back to the Jura Forest.
To be continued...