42 A Royal Audience

"We've confirmed that the monsters from the castle have been destroyed." Camilla scanned a piece of parchment in her hands.

The adventurers started a commotion.

"No way! They actually cleared it? Just the two of them?"

"I bet he leaned on his companion's strength."

"What kind of coward relies on a woman to fight for him?"

*I should have seen that coming. It was initially a B-rank quest. Maybe questing publicly with Sprite isn't a good idea yet.*

"You've already confirmed it?" Gerard leaned over the counter to peek at the letter.

"Yes, we sent one of our best riders to check." Camilla set the document on the counter, face down.

"But they would have been sent before we got back?"

"We're very thorough." Camilla smiled softly.

*I bet you were hoping we would fail and you'd make us into guild slaves.*

"So, about our pay?"

"Yes, right. You failed to bring back the vampire's body, but the threat has been cleared, and the monsters are gone. That's seventy-five gold for the quest and another fifteen for the monster extermination. Subtract the ten percent for the guild's share and the sixty-five gold for the gear and the map, and you have sixteen gold pieces." Camilla counted the coins and stacked them on the counter.

She brought out a blank piece of parchment, grabbed Gerard's hand, and sat it down. The text from the old contract appeared on his arm before flowing onto the page.

"That means?"

"Our contract has been fulfilled." Camilla showed a sorrowful expression.

"Thank you..."

"If you'll just update your adventurer cards." Camilla's melancholy immediately brightened before bringing out the status orb.

Sprite set her adventurer card on top of the cube and eagerly touched it.

[Sprite - Level 6 Guide]

[Skills - Arcane Repository, Mind's Eye, Mentoring, Instructor Experience, Analyse, Increased Regeneration]

[Spells - None]

*Her analyse skill was upgraded, and it looks like her level isn't too far behind mine. Those skills of hers are really broken.*

"That's not normal... You're already level six? And the more I look at your skills, the less I seem to understand them." Camilla placed the palms of her hands on her temples and eventually sighed.

Gerard took his opportunity to grab the status orb.

[Gerard Blythe - Level 6 Villager - Level 6 Gravekeeper]

[Skills: System Access, Class Evolution, World's Eye, Limiter Release, Acquisition, Shadow Step, Total Recall, Eternal Rest, Dead Speech, Increased Regeneration]

[Spells: N/A]

"What the fuck? Not only are you the same level as Sprite, but you have two classes? And what are these insane skills? All of this is impossible!"

*If only you could see my spells list.* Gerard smiled uneasily.

Before the adventurers had a chance to question Camilla's words, a clattering of armour sounded from outside the building.

A swarm of knights from the upper district swarmed the adventurer's guild. One man stood at the front.

"Where are the adventurers who cleared out Castle Hormiir?"

Several adventurers pointed at Gerard and Sprite, who still stood at the counter.

*Do we run?*

*We haven't done anything wrong.*

*Maybe they're mad we didn't bring back the vampire's body?*

*Let's see what this is all about, and we'll fight our way out if we have to.*

"I'm Gerard, and this is Sprite. We are the ones you're looking for. We completed the quest a couple of months ago."

"You have been requested to come with me."

"By who?"

"I was not instructed to give you more information than that, and I was not told what condition I had to bring you in." The knight unsheathed his sword.

"We won't make a fuss. We'll go with you."

"Good decision." The knight sheathed his sword and led the knights back out of the guild.

---

Gerard knelt in the throne room of the castle in the upper district. Sprite, who grew restless, looked to Gerard for guidance. A crowned man sat upon the throne. His scarred face, long hair, and wrinkled skin showed the king to be a man of experience. Beside the king stood the knight who brought Gerard and Sprite to the castle. The king cleared his throat.

"Gerard and Sprite. Countless regiments of soldiers and many adventurers have tried to capture Castle Hormiir from that retched vampire for over five-hundred years. After you cleared the castle, Solares has gained a further strategic advantage against the Demon Lord."

"With all due respect, your majesty, the vampire's name was Horomiir, and the castle was named after him."

"Watch yourself, you swine! You are talking to the king!" The knight standing beside the king stepped down and unsheathed his sword.

"It's okay, Remus." The king swung his arm in front of his retainer.

"But, my lord!" Remus sheathed his sword and stared maliciously at Gerard.

The aura around the king changed. Gerard felt a ferocious wave of bloodlust reach him.

"Did you know of him, of this vampire, adventurer?"

"After... extensive research in the research institute, I came to understand that Horomiir was once a lord under the king's employ several thousands of years ago before becoming a vampire. He fought in the battle against the demon lord, and his humanity died for the king."

"Then I thank you for putting this man to rest. I wished to reward the both of you with gold and silver, but is there anything else you would like instead?"

"Yes. I was informed that I could not own a house in Solares until I've been recognised as a citizen. I would like citizenship for myself and Sprite. We would also like custom armour and weapons built for us so that we can work in service to the city as best we can."

"Citizenship is already a lot to ask for, but I will see what I can do. I will not provide you with a residence, though."

"That is more than enough."

"Very well; I will get the documents sorted for your citizenship. Regarding your weapons and armour, I'll introduce you to Gander; he's a good smith and an adventurer like yourself."

"I will humbly accept your rewards. Thank you, your majesty."

*I'm glad I got to meet the king. In the history of my old world, there were few leaders with the patience, willingness to listen, and kindness that this man has shown.*

*Is he really that impressive?*

*He, and his family, have fought with demons since before either of us was even a thought in the grand scheme of the world. The fact humans haven't been wiped out might be due to the authority of the royals in this city over the last several millennia."

*So...*

*Yes. He is impressive. Sometimes, Sprite, you're so clueless.*

*I believe that ever since becoming human, my experiences are being mapped over the original personality I was created from. I'm losing much of the knowledge I have that isn't a part of the System, and I think I'm genuinely becoming myself.*

The king broke up their telepathic conversation by calling over a servant from the far side of the room and whispered to them. The servant nodded and left the room.

"If I may speak..." Gerard raised his head and met with the fierce eyes of the king again.

*Can you see his level? He's not an average human.*

[Nexum Ventra III - Level 18 Human.]

*And that's the king of this land? As impressive as I would expect.*

"You may speak."

"If you do not mind answering, could you please tell me why you sent sir Remus and all of those other knights to pick us up?"

"Ah, it makes sense that you would wonder about that. I had my people look into both of you, only to find that you popped out of nowhere. There are no records of your births, no records of tax payments, and nobody but the Red Lotus Adventurers and several people here and there have even heard of you. After you cleared Castle... Horomiir, we had to make sure that you were allies of the kingdom."

"Thank you for answering me. You have my word that we are your allies, so long as the kingdom does not wrong us, we will strive to work for the benefit of it."

Content with Gerard's answer, the king nodded.

"I will not press you for your story, but please continue serving my country well."

After several minutes of silence, a mechanical being stomped into the throne room. The mechanical being raised its hand to its head, and the helmet opened upward to reveal an old man with a wiry moustache.

"What do you ask of me, my king?" The man bowed deeply.

"Gander, these two have served the kingdom well, and I wish for you to make weapons and arms for them."

"As you wish."

Without warning, Gander grabbed Gerard and Sprite and dragged them from the room. Gerard tried to fight against the grip of the mechanical suit of armour, but no matter how much strength he exerted, it didn't budge.

*We might as well let him take us to wherever it is he's going.*

*Agreed.*

---

Gander set them both down in front of a building made entirely out of steel.

"Kid, what's your preference when it comes to weapons and combat style?" Gander looked at Gerard.

*Kid?* Gerard breathed deeply.

"I've been using this shovel, but it's not my preferred weapon." Gerard handed the shovel he picked up at Castle Horomiir.

"This is superb. I can't understand why anyone would craft a shovel out of ironwood and mithril-infused steel, though. You said it's not your preference?

"Yeah, I would like to wield a two-handed mace and fight head-on."

"And you, girly?" Gander loomed over Gerard to look at Sprite behind him.

"Who are you calling girly?!" Sprite exhaled sharply out of her nose.

"Sorry, sorry. What is your combat style?"

Sprite looked to Gerard for assistance.

"Sprite is a dextrous fighter who keeps her distance from opponents while attacking continuously."

"Hmm..." Gander crashed to the ground and crossed his legs.

The crowds of people walking the streets paid no attention to the old man in a giant suit of armour.

"Are you okay?" Gerard frowned.

Gander held his hand up and shook his head.

Gerard and Sprite watched as the craftsman groaned, repositioned his head, and tapped his fingers on his legs.

"Ah-hah!" Gander jumped to his feet and rushed into the building.

He rushed through a room with weapons and armour of varying designs and entered a room through a door in the back.

Tables covered in various ores and metals surrounded a large anvil—a smith's workshop. The workshop had no forge or any source of heat.

Gander picked up a large hammer and, while reciting various incantations, grabbed and moulded metal like butter. He twisted his right hand around while metal floated in the air and formed shapes. Within minutes, a large curved blade rested atop a long handle.

"A scythe? Isn't that a little large?" Gerard looked over the weapon, which stood taller than Sprite.

"Just watch this."

With one hand, Gander swung the scythe around as easily as one might swing a wooden sword. He twisted the handle, and a mechanism clicked before the blade turned into a new form. The blade now extended the weapon's reach and looked like a spear.

He twisted another section, and the pole's length shortened to half the size. One further twist and an outer casing of the blade slid off, halving the size. With a final twist, the scythe's edge returned to its original position and shifted further, running in line with the pole.

"With several potential sizes and positions, mostly long-reach, this should suit your companion's style well." Gander twisted the handle until the scythe returned to its original size and proceeded to reattach the blade before handing it to sprite.

"What do you think, Sprite?" Gerard looked at the slender girl holding her giant weapon.

"It's lighter than it looks!" Sprite swung it around with a smile on her face.

"Well. of course it does. The handle is hollow except for the mechanics inside." Gander placed his hands on his hips.

"Can we get instructions on how to operate it?"

"Of course! Now, for your weapon. Do you prefer the weight to be distributed towards the head of the mace or more evenly?"

"A little more towards the head. I would also like the head to be large, hexagonal, and ribbed to lessen the weight and increase potential damage."

"A warrior who knows what he wants. The best kind to work with."

"Well, I can't use it just yet."

"You can't? Why not?"

"I'd rather not say."

"Well, your business is your business. Nexum said you wanted armour as well?"

"Thank you. Nexum? The King? You call him by his first name?"

"I'm surprised you know his first name, as very few people care to learn it. I grew up with the lad, and he respects my work, so we treat each other like equals. So, armour?"

*Lad? Just how old is this man? He's someone worth knowing; I'm certain of it.*

"Yes, that's right. We need something to protect us during our adventures."

"I can work with armour for you, but your partner may prefer woven armour, which I cannot provide."

"Woven?"

"There is a clothier here in the market district that specialises in clothing crafted from various monster materials. Some of which provide protection more durable than steel."

"And the cost?"

"It won't cost you anything. I'll pass on the request from Nexum."

"Thank you."

"Any specific requests for your armour?"

"I would prefer something that isn't full-plate, and I don't need a helmet."

"I'll craft separate pieces for you. If you come back tomorrow, I should have it ready, and I'll put the request through for your companion."

"We'll see you tomorrow, then."

"Not just yet. I need your measurements. Strip down."

"Yay!" Sprite immediately took the chance to remove her clothes.

One stark naked, Gander turned away.

"Leave your undergarments on, woman!"

"See what I have to deal with?"

"She's like this-"

"All the damn time."

"I'll talk to the weaver about making armour comfortable enough to be worn like a second layer of skin."

"If that's possible, I'd appreciate it."

"I've got your back."

Once Sprite was respectable and Gerard stripped down, Gander took their measurements before seeing them off.

---

Back at the inn, Gerard sat on his bed.

"Why are we back here? We have more money."

"We don't know when we'll be getting more money next. We have to be careful with it, or we could end up without shelter or even food."

"Then I'm happy with sleeping here."

*Before today, I considered selecting a class that would let me craft our weapons and armour, but if we can get them from Gander, I won't have to bother.*

*It might not be free next time, though.*

*Then we will have to figure out how to make enough money before we need replacements. I have three slots for classes left, and I need access to weapons and magic. Is there a class open to me for either?*

*There are. The ones that might suit you best are pretty interesting.*

[Quartermaster - Provides knowledge on weapons and armour. Allows the use of any and all weapons.]

[Assimilator - Understand concepts of the world effortlessly.]

*How does that assimilator class do what I asked?*

[I do not have further information regarding that.]

*Interesting, indeed. Then, we'll leave that class until later. It looks like the Quartermaster class is my next goal.*

When Sprite fell silent, Gerard looked over to see her sleeping soundly.

"I guess any bed after not having one for four months would be better than the cold earth we've had until now." Gerard laid down and rested his eyes.