Chapter 33 – Hero of Vando
The building that entered the dungeon did not have a guard sitting at the entrance but did have multiple security that would patrol the area. Instead of fighting with them, I used my Teleport Vision to move my entire group into the shadows behind a different palace building. We found a side entrance that led us to was seemed to be an auxiliary kitchen. When the royal kitchen was in use, residents of the palace could use this kitchen for their own personal use. Since this was a less used building and not considered a threat, I decided that our non-combatant friends should probably stay here to be safe. When I asked Rhea to stay behind, she insisted that she would be joining my investigation with Midnight. I used Analyze Vision on Rhea.
Name: Rhea Aerona
Age: 19
Race: Elf
Occupation: Elven Princess
Level: 22
Skills: Agility Lv. 2
Archery Lv. 6
Botany and Herbalism Lv. 7
Cooking Lv. 2
Emotional Intelligence Lv. 3
Hiking Lv. 5
Mental Resistance Lv. 3
Pain Resistance Lv. 2
Presence Detection Lv. 1
Royal Etiquette Lv. 6
Social Intuition Lv. 2
Trade Negotiation Lv. 5
Wind Element (Empowered) Lv. 8
Wind Movement Lv. 5
Titles:
Elven Princess
Hero's Helper
Empowered
Rhea's skills were quite incredible. A true elven princess…another princess? Really? Well, it seemed that she was sent to find a hero. Could that be me? Her young-looking face could have been a trick since elves were traditionally known for living much longer lives. Her status screen made it clear, however. She was 19 years old. She was sent here to help the hero.
"Did you just analyze me?" Rhea asked with wide open eyes.
"Er- yeah. Sorry? Was that rude?"
"I guess I found him then. It's you!"
"What do you mean?" I knew where she was going with this but refused to say it out loud.
"You are the hero of Vando! Airey, do you come from another world?"
"Yes."
"Then I am convinced! Only a hero can use Analyze without an analyze stone. Can you tell me what my titles are?"
"Hero's Helper and Empowered. Also, it says that you are the elven princess?"
Rhea stared at me with a wide grin on her face. "Sir hero, please lead this nation to safety!"
Now I've done it. I just convinced this poor girl that I am actually the he-
Title Awarded: Hero of Vando
Skill Acquired: Hero Voice Projection (Mastered)
Never mind. I guess it was my own naivety that I could live a life on Vando without being its hero. The princess noticed my exasperated reaction and pulled on my arm.
"Please tell me, Sir Hero, what is it? What troubles you?"
"Well, er, I wasn't really sure I would be a hero until recently."
"What do you mean, Sir Hero?
"Just call me Airey. I, well I just, I…"
This was so embarrassing. Declaring myself a hero? I think I would need an extra ego to accomplish that. I was ready to hide in a corner until I died. Why did I have to gain this new title? I decided to review the benefits of my new hero.
Hero of Vando – Title provides a 20% increase to stats when fighting a fiend-type creature. Also provides 20% stats boost to loyal citizens that believe in the hero when they hear the hero's voice projected.
This title was quite impressive. It would help my fight with fiends and empower my friends. But then I would have to use my Hero Voice Projection and use some kind of cheesy one-liner to get them inspired. How embarrassing! I reluctantly revealed my new title and its description to my group. Lilly was literally hopping like a rabbit. Pepper and Poppy smiling broadly. Rhea had tears running down her face. I guess many generations of elves had been waiting for this moment in time. Midnight stood there stoically but I could see a bit of a smirk on his lips. Yeah, he loved every moment of this! When I glared at Midnight, expecting him to assist me, he just looked to his side away from my dancing companions. With that thought in my mind, I tried reaching out to Bliss. I needed my loyal flowkra companion back. I sensed a building with many creatures kept inside. It seemed that many tamers were inside trying to get the different beings to become subservient to them. There did not seem to be any method where I could sneak through a window or anything. We needed to take the front door. I bid farewell to Poppy, Pepper, and Lilly. They would stay in the auxiliary kitchen. I left Pepper with all the ingredients she would ever want. She might as well cook something while they waited.
While avoiding unneeded attention from the guards, my group made our way into the entrance of the Royal Tamers' building. Rhea and Midnight followed me closely. We found ourselves in a large open room with stable-like stalls. 5 mages could be seen standing before one of the stalls trying to use their taming skill. They all wanted to tame a single creature. As I approached closer, it was obvious to me that wanted to tame my familiar. Bliss was shouting angrily at the group of tamers, but she had a small mana restraint around her torso. The little flower was cursing at the group in the only way she knew how.
Twiiii! Twiiii Twiiii! Twiiii!
Of course, this reaction meant very little to the tamers. They continued to try to force her into servitude.
"She still has a familiar bond. Maybe we need to kill him in the dungeon? I don't think we will get her to release her will otherwise."
The tamers were conversing on their options. It appeared that the little flowkra was very valuable to them. As I was listening to this conversation, I was collecting mana for a special move I had prepared. All at once, 4 fireballs struck four of the mages, burning them up within seconds. The remaining tamer only had a few moments to turn before a wind blade pierced his neck.
"Nobody messes with Bliss!" I called out with emphasis. I quickly released the bonds on Bliss. Once she made it into my arms, the happiest little flower again showed her affection for me. As soon as she had collected enough mana, her little vines reached out and embraced me in a hug. I couldn't help but blush at the love I was receiving from my small companion. Even after 22 days, Bliss was still Bliss. I was eternally grateful for that.