Chapter 115: Olivier

"So what do you have for us, McBurn? This IS the purpose you came to do right?", I asked, seeing it was just us on the second floor of Grancel City's Bracer Guild now.

"Of course it is. I was tasked in bringing this guy to after all, Your Highness.", McBurn said, only taking off the large tightly wrapped cloth hoisted over his back.

"I was starting to get curious what that thing was.", Shera uttered seeing how effortlessly McBurn brought it to a nearby table. Once placed on it with a thud, it covered most of the table.

"You're saying this is for me?", I asked McBurn, raising my eyes.

"A gift, from you know who. Like the benefit I received from that ability of yours, it's her way of saying thank you.", McBurn said, only to reach downward and start to unravel it. "I wasn't the only one to benefit from that trial you placed a few years back you know.", McBurn continued to say.

"So essentially a give and take. You can give her my regards then.", I replied with a smile.

McBurn simply nodded his head as he began to unravel the cloth. The moment the first piece of cloth began to strip off, I couldn't help but blink my eyes as a cold blast of mana suddenly burst into the room. Sadly, it looks like only I was able to feel it, perhaps McBurn as well. Considering his origins, it's likely he's able to feel mana, despite having such a large dislike for it.

"Tch, such an annoying feeling. But I was tasked in doing this so oh well.", McBurn said with a light complaint, moving his neck a bit. Despite the dense mana being leaked, it soon became visible. The mana actually glowed blue in color with color, which caused Shera's eyes to blink.

"Oh Aidios, what is that thing?", Shera cursed out, seeing more of the item now revealed. Feeling an intense pressure from it, Shera couldn't help but back away a few steps.

"Heh, you know. Of the three items we were given by her, I hate this one the most.", McBurn said as he continued to unravel it. The object hidden behind it became clearer and clearer, only to reveal a pitch obsidian-like black bow. Mana constantly swirled around it. Not only that, half of the mana swirling around it were dense ice-like mana crystals. The other half were fiery red flames, both in perpetual motion and not striking each other.

"Is that a bow?", Kloe also responded, seeing this pitch black bow now in view. It wasn't just your normal shade of black either. It behaved like that most known dense black that blocked out every single ray of light. On top of that the icy crystals swirled around it...which appeared to release hot bursts of mana, while the fiery red aura felt cold bursts of air? What kind of properties did this bow have, exactly?

Seeing my confused face as I observed this bow, McBurn revealed a grin.

"You're probably wondering why this bow is behaving this way. Considering it was made by her, you should not expect this to be a normal weapon, much like the sword that I received.", McBurn said, explaining a bit. However, as he said that, I stayed quiet, as I was more distracted by the few notifications that were currently sounding off inside my mind.

[Ding! Congratulations. You have entered the presence of an object created by the Divergent Laws.]

[Ding! Title: Otherworldly Aura has been acquired.]

[Ding! You are now in the presence of a Divergent Weapon. An owner has not been registered. Would player like to bind weapon? Once bound, it will be tied to the player's soul, unable to be broken or destroyed.]

[Ding! Hidden Quest, Find a Divergent Weapon, has been completed.]

[Ding! Player's mana has been found to have matching properties to the Divergent Weapon. Now synchronizing mana with Divergent Weapon...]

As if it had a mind of its own, the Divergent Weapon suddenly started to release a reddish blue glow, which caused us to blink at the bow. At the same time, I felt my own mana start to surge forth. Not only did it rise and spread throughout my body, it became a visible glow, wrapping all around me. Seeing a similar glow wrap around my body, they became surprised while McBurn kept his eyes on the bow.

"Looks like it's already starting.", McBurn said. "Sure enough, Not even a moment after I placed it down, it already started the link.", McBurn explained a bit.

"So you're saying this is normal for this to happen?", I said, blinking my eyes at McBurn.

"Pretty much. Same thing happened for Angbar. Either it recognizes you and a link is formed, or it's treated as a dead weapon. Don't expect one of these to behave like those inferior weapons you guys use. Divergent Weapons surely are something else, alright.", McBurn continued to explain. At the same time, I heard another notification sound off inside my mind.

"But how it worked for me was different since you know, I don't have that foul energy.", McBurn responded, seeing this constant stream of mana release from both sides.

[Ding! Mana Resonance has successfully triggered. Now binding Divergent Weapon to player...synchronization has reached 25%]

After that notification, I could no longer feel my mana from stopping.

"...Is this supposed to happen?", Shera uttered softly, as she had no idea of the concept behind Divergent Weapons, let alone being able to witness it now.

"I'm not sure either. At the very least it does not look like it's causing any harm to Brother. If anything, the bow is almost...reacting to him?", Kloe also uttered softly in wonder. After saying that, she looked back at Shera, who gently nodded her head. Giving a signal, both Kloe and Shera backed away a bit to give McBurn and I some space.

Meanwhile, at the same time, back in the east block...

A vibrant blonde haired girl wearing a black school uniform dress along with a black beret on her head could be seen together with a brown twin tailed haired girl and a plum haired girl wearing glasses. The three of them could be seen sitting on a bench not too far away from a couple stands next to east block's main marketplace. One of these stands was rather famous for the ice cream it sold.

The three girls could be seen licking some ice cream as they sat happily on the bench. However, the three girls weren't alone either. An older man with a mustache could be seen standing beside them. Among the three girls, a happy smile could be seen on the twin tailed brown haired girl.

"Hehe, I didn't think we'd catch up to you like this, Daddy.", Estelle happily said as she continued to lick her ice cream while dangling her legs beneath her. Contrary to Estelle's appearance, both Princess Alfin and Emma seemed more refined.

"Well, I had finished up my business here in Grancel, so I'd figure it was time to see how you guys were doing. I didn't think you'd meet up with His and Her Highness though. The day's been treating you guys well?", The older man asked, who was none other than Cassius Bright. It appeared he had finished his duties he had set aside for this week already, so now he had some free time on his hands. After all, since Estelle and Joshua were in Grancel, it would make sense for Cassius to be there too, since the two were still kids.

"Yup! We even managed to catch Mister Zin at the tournament in the arena. You missed it though, Daddy.", Estelle responded with a smile.

"Zin's here?", Cassius raised his eyebrows. "Now that you've mentioned it, I probably should check in to see how the Bracer Guild is doing. They're probably busier than usual since it's Her Majesty's celebration week...", Cassius continued to say. After saying that, Cassius glanced toward the plum haired girl who was also enjoying some ice cream.

By now, a cute black cat and a silvery-white fox could be seen with the three after they stopped lazing around in the Palace during the morning.

"I do thank you for currently looking after Estelle, Emma.", Cassius said with a smile.

"Haha it's not much. I've been enjoying the fun too.", Emma responded happily.

"Meow.", Celine also responded as she continued to drink some milk placed off to the side.

"Still, I didn't think you would be allowed to come to the embassy like this, Your Highness. Seriously, what is that government thinking?", Cassius groaned a bit as he shook his head the moment his eyes shifted toward the vibrant golden blonde haired girl.

"Teehee, I had to pull some strings for this. If anything, it's Big Brother's fault.", Princess Alfin responded with her own smile.

"Are you saying that the prince is here too...?", Cassius responded, unsure.

"That's right, Mister Cassius. But alas, I fear his fair share of work might be coming over him, unlike the free time we currently have to spend.", Princess Alfin said with a hint of disappointment while shaking her head.

However, as if responding to this group, Cassius, Princess Alfin, Estelle, Emma, Celine and Tamamo suddenly heard soft music suddenly play from what appeared to be a stringed instrument of sorts. To be specific, a lute.

"Fret not, my dear maidens. For where there is love and friendship to follow, I will always chase after it during the folly of our youth~", A voice suddenly called out to them. As the voice said that, the song of his lute continued to play. The moment they heard this voice, Princess Alfin's eyes lit up. It didn't take long before two figures appeared in front of them as other people did about their fun and activities.

One figure seemed to be dressed in a somewhat fancy outfit while the other person appeared to be a swordsman of sorts. The figure on the left sported the same colored hair as Princess Alfin did, while the figure beside him was a brown haired man, both seeming to be in their twenties.

"Remind me again why we are doing this?", The second figure said as a look of anger appeared on their forehead.

"Oh Mueller my boy, those stacks of papers seem to be never ending. This is what you call taking a breather.", The blonde haired man said, revealing a smile as he continued to play the lute.

A breather. Right...", The second figure said. shaking his head. But he knew well he couldn't refuse the first figure, no matter what he did.

Seeing this, of course Princess Alfin decided to play along. If she didn't have her ice cream in her hand right now, she would have clapped her hands together.

"So you must be that friend he was referring to.", Princess Alfin said as she greeted the two who just arrived.

"That's right. You may call me Olivier, a wandering bard. And this here is Mueller, a travelling compatriot of mine.", Olivier said, introducing himself to the group. Even Cassius shook his head a bit.

"I don't even want to ask.", Cassius retorted, seeing Olivier and Mueller with the group now.

However, right after Olivier and Mueller joined the group, Celine suddenly spoke out, causing her head to shift toward a specific direction.

"Meow.", Celine suddenly said, which caused Emma to blink for a bit.

"So you can feel it too, Celine?", Emma asked as she looked down at Celine.

Hearing Emma suddenly say that, Cassius blinked his eyes.

"I know you're the type to not say something with reason, Emma. Did something happen?", Cassius asked, which drew everyone's attention back to Emma. Despite that, Emma slowly nodded her head.

"Yeah. I suddenly felt a large burst of mana despite the nearby spirit veins being active...", Emma slowly responded. As she spoke, everyone saw her body shift toward a certain direction, which was the direction that led right into the south block.

"Something's coming...", Emma said in a more serious tone.

"Emma?", Estelle tried to ask, only to see it become serious. Seeing her continue to look toward the south block and remain silent the rest couldn't help but look toward that direction as well.

As if on cue, a large explosion rang out on one of south block buildings, causing a deafening roar to screech throughout the streets. Before anyone could panic as a result of this loud explosion of a roof being blasted off, a huge circular aura suddenly ascended the sky. One icy but warm blue swirl and one fiery yet cold swirl converged together, swirling around each other as it made its way to the skies above...

It was then that Cassius was the first to regain his clarity after seeing that loud explosion occur.

"T-That was in the direction of the Bracer Guild!", Cassius responded only to reveal a frown.

*

Giliath demands your power stones!