Arthur
I was currently in my guest room. Sitting on the bed. I decided I would go through my equipment, make sure everything is perfectly up kept and take a inventory.
Now why was I stuck in my room while we are leaving so soon on a grand adventure.
The thing was ... I had nothing to do. Well I had nothing to do in morning as well but I felt like I should be somewhat productive.
So after breakfast and losing Seig and Lara. I made my way to Aisha room to ask if I should be doing something before our departure.
But all she said when she answered was "Oh don't worry too much about that. Your free to do what you want" She said with her usual smile and she shut the door.
. . . . .
Did I do something to her? I'm not too sure. Well sure she was somewhat cold to me while growing up but at least she worked with me and talked. But now ...
"She is completely shutting me out" I sighed as I decided I might as well go through and run maintenance on my equipment.
Heck I knew from back then she would occasionally speak in a coldand undermining tone with people she didn't like but other than that she usually had a carefree and bubbly personality.
But the issue is ... I'm getting all of the spice and none of the sugar. Come on at least work with me here like you use to.
Maybe she is just pissed that Rudy force me on her as her bodyguard.
Siigghhh ... If it keeps going like this, I don't see a nice outcome.
But either way I had nothing to do. So towards my room I go.
Running maintenance on my equipment would include:
Running a inventory of my magic crystals, check to see if my magic circle ornaments are good to go, sharpen my sword, etc.
I had my equipment layed out over the bed as I go over it.
I was currently looking over my gauntlet, making sure everything is in order.
Originally this gauntlet was just a typical piece of armor I picked up on a discount shelf. How sad ... it was discounted because it's pair was stolen a while back. Poor thing I'll take you under my wing.
I used it at first as my arm guard while fighting. But let's just say I was inspired when Rudy made that magic armor of his, what did he call it at the time ... MK-I ... I believe.
I began to do the same as him. Customizing this piece of armor and experimenting what worked well and then tweaking it.
I got a special metal that upgraded it at first. This metal absorbs the force of an attack. Normally the energy it holds can be stockpiled for a super strong punch. But with some magic circles, I am able to, if necessary convert the force of the energy the gauntlet absorbs into mana and redistribute it for other purposes.
The way it works is that I have a compartment where I input magic crystals and when I take a attack, the force can be converged into magic and stored into the crystal. When it's full the gauntlet ejects the fully charged crystal where I placed it in my belt for later use.
I even tweak it so it has a 'Stone Cannon' firing function by the wrist. I got Rudy to make me some magic circles with his signature 'Stone Cannon' spell.
This is what I usually use the charged magic crystals for. For the 'Stone Cannon' spell function.
I once tried to make a somewhat mini 'Stone Gatling' but that takes way too much mana, not enought for my magic crystal production I have going on.
Huh that's ... Three and a half charged magic crystals ... Dam I didn't know I was running low. Maybe I can ask Rudy if he can charge up some fresh ones before I leave.
Hmmm judging that a fully charged crystal fires about 6 'Stone Cannons'
I guess that should be fine. But I should have some for the Barrier magic just in case as well. Prepare for any possibility and all.
I also had magic circles of barrier magic imbued on the guanlet as well.
I say barrier but the magic circle I have used on the gauntlet creates a barrier about roughly the size of a shield.
I have some for wall like barriers but that takes a lot of juice out of the magic crystals. And don't even get me started on the dome shaped barriers.
This guanlet main purpose was for defense after all.
Hmmm I should have Stein fix up this thing, it's looking a bit banged up
Actually know that I'm looking at it. This little guy was looking very different from when I started out with it. Can I even considered it the same piece of equipment I brought at a self on clearance.
. . . .
Heh, I like to think so.
But seriously Stein you have weird taste. It's looking more and more like something a demon king would wear.
He even edited the finger tip to resemble claws. He gave the excuse that it's a utility function ... That each finger can fire off a miniature spell for different situations.
Some of which is like one finger had a circle where it would shoot of a highly pressured water jet ... Able to cut small objects with ease.
Another had the Electric spell infused in it so it worked like a taser, easily knocking out opponents without much effort.
Another had earth magic, similar to Rudy's where I simply insert my clawed finger and then try to shape it to the same as the key. Perfect for lock picking.
Honestly, was I even making a piece of armor or a glorified multi-tool.
I gave this piece of equipment of mine the name of the 'Shooting Star Guanlet'
Why you might ask? Hehehe
It was because of this last feature that Stein made on my guanlet.
There in the middle of the open palm of said equipment was a magic crystal where I am able to use and fire off a heat blast beam I called my 'Shooting Star Beam'.
Actually Rudy wanted it to call it another name entirely ... What was it again ...he wanted to call it the 'Iron man Guanlet'
I asked him why that name and he said the beam it fired off was similar to a hero he knew of.
It didn't help that one day him and Roxy took my guanlet and tweaked it themselves. It was around the time me, Rudy, and Roxy went out to help out Mr. Zanoba with his whole situation in the Shirone Kingdom.
Apparently he made a remote system on the forearm of it so that he will be able to call on his magic armor from afar.
I believe he couldn't work out the kinks of it, something about how he couldn't get it to connect to his any of his magic armor.
So what exactly am I suppose to do with this function Rudy?
I suppose it's fine until I need the space for any other ideas I had in mind.
I looked over my boots, making sure everything was in order.
These were my 'Cloud Walk' Boots. A handy piece of equipment. It allows me to levitate in the sky and walk on the clouds. When active in the sky, it gave me the appearance of wings forming near my ankles.
The boot also gave me a secondary affect to defy gravity. Such as me being able to walk on walls and stay on the ceilings and such.
I got these boots when I conquered a Labyrinth way back.
But these boots have too major drawbacks. So I only use them when I need to.
One ... It has a very high mana consumption rate. So I couldn't stay in the sky for long.
And two ... To 'fly', well fly was the wrong word, it allowed me to 'walk' in the sky. Basically I have to stay upright ... If I lose my balance, the boots lose there ability and I began to fall.
And have you ever kept you balance while levitating ... It's very hard.
It a little different when the boots have a 'surface' to go by. Hence when I fight in the sky like that one time, I tend to stick to where the clouds are.
Heck I even remember when I was trying them out at Rudy's house and he wanted to try. He landed on his face while he was only using it to be about a foot above the ground.
I recalled him saying it was like 'iceskating on a super slippery ring'
He also muttered about some guy named Eren and how he got a new appreciation for his hard work for being able to do it.
Hmmm ... Now that I think about it. Rudy knows a lot of people I've never heard of.
How odd ... I never met any of these people he rambles about ... And neither of his wives as well ... How odd. I knew him seen we met as kids ... So when did he go and met them.
Hmmm .... Anyway
Now I looked at my 'Snake Sash'. This was a magical item I got from Master Lily before I left to help out Rudy to rescue Zenith.
She said to consider it a graduation present for getting as far as I did in the North God Style. Similar to how in the Sword God Style when you reach Saint rank, you are gifted with a leather coat.
Speaking of which ... I not a huge fan of the leather coat I got, so I tend to just leave it stuffed in my bag. Only wearing it when it gets cold. I'm not gonna throw away a good jacket now.
It had a special ability where one end always binds to a nearby object. I usually use this to help with my grabbing reach or get in the way of my opponent.
I keep this guy wrapped around my sword arm so just in case if someone can disarm me, I can stretch out the sash and get it back.
I then looked over shabby looking mantle I usually have on. It has seen better days. The string that was originally used to keep it around my neck was gone so I had to tie the ends in a knot must of the time. The length of this mantle was originally the size of the mantle that Miss Slyphie would wear but after years of use it became much shorter than the one she has. I was able to copy the magic property of Miss Slyphie's mantle in which it will help keep my body temperature stable.
Hmm ... It looks like it could use some stitches here and there.
I pulled a makeshift sewing kit and fix it here and there.
Sometime after the events in Rapan, I asked Miss Lillia to teach me the basics of sewing ... I wanted to learn so that I can ... Complete something"
After sewing up my mantle I placed it on the chair and was now going through my belt as I empty it's contents ...
I had about 7 kunais
Only 7, hmmm I'm running low on that as well. I should get Stein on that as well.
I had these little guys with some barrier magic circles to hinder my opponents. Some effects would be like with the rematch with Orsted to hold him still for a big attack.
I use to use just the usual throwing knives but when Rudy met with Master Lily he gave me and her a design for a throwing knife that would suit us both better. The Kunai.
I gave the design to my blacksmith in Millishion. He would make them in bulk and then I will deliver some to Master Lily in her hideout in the Red Dragon Mountains.
I also have a little storage in my own hideout in .... Whoops can't go letting everybody know so let change the topic.
What else do I have.
A couple of bags of different currency. Some variety of stone coins from the Demon continent, some Asuran coins, also Millis coins, and some Shinsa from the Begaritt continent.
Also as a rule of thumb for myself ... I keep one Asuran gold coin and one Millis Kings coin in my boots. One for each boot.
Well judging that I'll be traveling with Aisha and on the expense of the Mercenary company and Rudy, I suppose I shouldn't worry about money much.
But it doesn't hurt to have it. It's like the saying goes 'its better to have and not need it, than to need it and not have it'.
A sharping stone.
Ah actually now that I have free time, it a good time to sharpen off my sword.
My sword which I named my 'Black Dragon Sword'.
This sword has been my longest running equipment. I got it from a dead adventurer when I was traveling alone in the demon continent.
This was basically like my gauntlet. A average sword you can get anywhere.
But I decided that this will be my sword. I will not abandon it.
Whenever it would be in need of repair. I would take it to a blacksmith. Each and everytime they will always recommend I get a new one.
But I refuse each and everytime. I would say money is not a issue.
Hmmm I suppose like my gauntlet my sword now looks very different from when I first got it.
No it's the same sword that I picked up. Yea
Originally the sword was a normal color but with my 'Rainbow Sword' Technique it would take the appearance of different colors. Over the years the colors mixed on my blade, turning it black.
I then got a magician to place runes and engravings on the blade which gave it a special property that helps greatly with my 'magicial swordplay'
My 'Black Dragon Sword' can absorb magic and Mana into it blade which then I can redistribute to an slash attack or one of my colors.
This here was the inspiration to my gauntlet's function of the same.
Sadly I didn't have the Mana reserves that Rudy had. So I had to be creative on how to gather and use mana.
When I showed off the fruits of my labor to Rudy he said it reminded him of the 'Dragon Gate' technique. A technique that is well known to the ... Dragon Tribe. Its a technique that Rudy experienced first hand from Orsted.
Not only Orsted knew this technique, apparently it was also part of Perugius' fighting style. We heard from Ruijerd that he would summon two gates, one to absorb his opponents magic power and one to replenish his own. And then he would attack with his 'Claw' technique.
Hmmm ... You know Arty, if you want a way to replenish your mana then ... I can get Orsted to ...
Tsk ... No I'll do it my own way, Rudy. I don't need ... their techniques... I'm doing just fine ... Thank you
I hopped out of the bed when ...
"Huh? Blast it, where did I left the darn thing"
Just then a knock on the door was heard.
"Coming ... Yes? Can I help-"
Just then my eyes were captured by the sight of overwhelming white fur as it pushed me to ground where it refused to move.
"Woof!"
"Ahhh ... L-leo is that you ... Get off, your heavy"
"Woof"
The sacred beast gave a woof as if saying 'its so good to see you again'
"It seems Leo remembers you as well"
As I was being smuttered by the sacred beast, Lucy came from behind Leo as she approached me on the floor.
"Lucy-chan?"
"You forgot this outside .... Again"
She placed my trusted sword by my head as Leo kept on licking me.
"You should keep it close or else Red Mama will get mad at you again."
"Hehehe ... Sorry, I was just about to go looking for it"
"Woof!"
"Will you get off of me already!!"
I jolted Leo off of me as I took my sword and made me way back to the bed.
I grabbed a wooden tray and I place the sharpening stone on it and wet it with water magic.
I undid the handle of my sword and I began to glaze and run it along the sharpening stone.
It's always important to maintain your equipment.
Sssssshhh .. sshhhhh ... Sssshhhh
"Mmmm🎶 ... Mmmm🎶 ... Hmmm Mmmm hmm?"
It wasn't until I was getting into the grove of things when I noticed that Lucy and Leo were still here ... Just standing there.
"Is something the matter?"
"Eh huh ... Nothing is wrong ... I was just curious ... Can I watch?"
"Oh ... I didn't take you for the swords type Lucy-chan"
"What exactly are you doing?"
"Oh ... I got nothing to do so I was just taking this chance to make sure my equipment is up and up"
"I see" Lucy said as she placed a chair by the side of the bed. Leo coming in right beside her.
And so silence fell upon my room. The only sound was me grinding my sword against the stone. Lucy watched intently as she kicked her feet.
"Hey ... Uncle"
"Hmmm?"
"Do you remember me?"
". . . . . Of course I do ... I met you since you were a baby?"
"Hmph" Lucy began to puff her cheeks. "No not that ... I mean when Papa, white Mama, blue Mama, and red mama were out fighting in the Beheiril Kingdom"
". . . . ."
"You don't remember the team we made. You, me, and Leo ... Though Uncle you need to work on your naming sense"
"What's wrong with my naming sense! ... 'Meteor Crash' sounded cool at the time!"
"Aha! Uncle I knew it, you were the Mister that saved me that day"
"Woof!"
"Siigghhh ... Ok ok you got me. And here I was hoping you would forget since you were young"
Lucy face beamed at being reunited with the mister who saved her all those years ago. Actually she had to hold up the tears.
She slid onto the bed, her chin resting on her arms as she was kicking her feet off.
"Uncle ... To be honest. I thought you died after that day"
"Ack ... No faith what's so ever, my heart!"
"Well you never came back. You told me and Leo to keep what we did a secret so I didn't know how to touch the subject with Papa or anyone else"
"Woof!"
I got back to my sharpening.
"Why didn't you tell Papa and the others what you did? If it weren't for you ... Me, Lara, Ars, and Seig would be dead"
"Hmph ... There are a few reasons why."
Lucy silently listen on. I drop my hand to focus back on my sharpening ... Occasional bringing my sword to eye level to examine it.
"Well first ... If I told your Papa. Then I'm pretty sure he would have been a nervous wreck"
"That's ... True. I remembered he was such a worrywart when I first started school"
"Two ..."
Satisfied with how my blade is. I began to reassemble the weapon.
"I was basically doing your Papa a favor. Let's just say I own him for all he did for me so I took it upon myself to use this scenario to repay my debt. It won't do much good if he learns of this and then he feels the one indebted. If you haven't noticed he seems to have a high opinion of me already"
When I said that last part Lucy face frowned slightly.
"And the third ..."
"It would be awkward"
"Huh!?!"
I can see it now. Rudy and Eris, Slyphie, and even Roxy. Coming to me and singing my praises. Heck even Lilia saying I did a job well done and how they can make it up to me.
"W-hy would it ... Be awkward?"
"Well ... I don't do well with compliments it makes me feel funny. And besides ..."
Lucy simply tilts her head asking me to continue.
"Do I need a reason to help out a friend in need? I shouldn't have to get rewarded for something like that ... It's just the right thing to do"
Here I was giving an explanation to my reasoning to a girl over 10 years younger than me. The way I was flustered it could be seen as she was scolding me.
"Phftt ... Hahahaha"
"!?!?"
"Uncle your so silly ... Hahaha"
"Huh why are you laughing ... Grrrrr, I'm here spilling my heart out here"
"Hehehe ... You were so cool back then. You defeated that strong monster in one blow and then you saw me scared and fell on purpose to make me feel at ease"
"Ah, sorry ... Back then I really did trip back then"
I was flying so long on Nyla to reach Rudy's house, I didn't realize my legs fell asleep.
". . . . ."
". . . . ."
"Well yeah you saw a crying kid and were trying your best to ease my worries and ..."
"You chose to ignore my blunder!! ... Ack, I don't know to feel relived or insulted"
I was clutching my crest in a comedic bit.
After which I sheathed my sword and I began to pack up my equipment.
"Hey Uncle ... Why do take apart your sword? When I see Red Mama upkeep her sword she doesn't do that?"
"Hmm ... Oh that. It's just something I was taught by my teacher. She's one of those 'you most know your weapon inside and out"
As the bed cleared Lucy playfully laid on it along with Leo.
"Say uncle ... Do you think you can tell me what happened on your end ... You know after I left"
"I'm not much of a story teller ... And ..."
I embarrassly stratch my cheek.
"Ummm ... it so far fetched you wouldn't believe me"
". . . Can you humor me please"
"Sigh ... Ok but again keep this a secret. If Seig finds out after he asked me consantly I won't here the end of it"
"It'll be a team secret ... Right Leo"
"Woof"
And so I began to tell her the tale of the hardest battle of my life.
* * * * *
The sun was beginning to set as I was getting into my tale.
"Huh the moon!? How on earth did he launch you there"
"I'm serious ... He gave a hardy laughter and was like ' Har har har ... Let's take this battle elsewhere with no distractions' and then he went on all fours and he rocketed me and flew me into the moon ... That's when the second phase occured and our arena was on the moon"
Lucy eyes were glued to my story ... Not as much sparkling as Seig but I can see a glint.
"And then when I charged at him ... I tried to cut through him but I was stopped by his monsterious claws ... I was so close to ending it there but alas"
I lifted my shirt to show her the three puncture scars from his claws as proof.
"So after you defeated him how did you get back to the ground"
"Hmmm that's a good question ... I'm not too sure"
"Huh?"
"After I defeated him I was just floating in space with a good chuck of my body burnt and cut up when ..." I made a sign with my hand saying I passed out
"When I came to, I was huddled up with Nyla as my pillow and my body halfway healed ... I then got on her and headed to the Beheiril Kingdom ... Apparently my adversary gave me some info, a reward for this fight to the death he wanted... I had to book it to your father"
"Wow ... That's amazing Uncle. Sigh ... I guess that's why Papa has such a high opinion of you"
"Hmm ... Is something wrong Lucy-chan"
Lucy began playing with the helm of her dress. She seems to be struggling to say something.
"S-sometimes ... I get the feeling that Papa doesn't care ... That ... He doesn't ... expect anything from us"
"Oh my ... Is that how you feel, Lucy-chan. Can you tell me what brought this on?"
Lucy couldn't look me in the eyes as she began thinking back when her thoughts first started.
About how, when she was young she was trying to learn magic in secret with her mother, Sylphie. The way Rudy simply dismissed her efforts, saying she shouldn't have to worry about not getting it.
Rudy ... Not caring about his children. That doesn't sound like the Rudy I knew. Everything he has ever done was for the sake of his family.
Hmmm ... This seems to be some misunderstanding. Rudy does have a issue of not reading the room well ... So maybe in trying to comfort his little girl not understanding how to do chantless magic at the time. He unintentionally insulted Lucy's efforts.
I guess those feelings grew from then on in the back of Lucy's mind. It didn't help that Rudy was always on trips for long periods at a time. In the long run, even if he loves his family deeply, it will send the wrong message.
It also doesn't help that Rudy is such a prominent figure here in Sharia. With all his connections, working for the Dragon God, and let's not forget he was one of the 7 Great Powers.
It's like when Norn told me in some of her rants to relieve her stress was how everyone was comparing her to her brother Rudy.
Perhaps Rudy knowing these things, was trying to relieve his children from the stress of it all.
"He couldn't even trust me to go to school by myself"
Lucy was now telling me about her first day of school. Apparently Rudy followed her dressed up as Orsted for some reason.
Hmmm ... Again Lucy your father is a worrywart ... Wait a minute know that I think about it ... I never seen him worry about me ... Moving on.
"Say ... Lucy-chan. Would you like me to talk to your father about this?"
Lucy stops mid-rant. She looks at me and then at the floor. Almost as if considering it.
"N-no ... W-what's done is done. You can't change the way Papa thinks about us"
Hmmm ... Should I butt my nose into this. I don't want to upset Lucy-chan but I do believe this all a misunderstanding.
"Okay ... But if you want my advice. I really think you should have a talk with your father ... One on one. It doesn't have to be today, or tomorrow but I do think you have to let all these feelings out in the open. Who knows? Maybe you father is feeling something similar"
I decided to keep out of it for now. The best I could do is give Lucy my advice. Hmmm ... Maybe give a little hint to Rudy himself.
These things that Lucy are feeling are perfectly normal ... But it can be damaging if she keeps them inside her all this time.
Like how a drop of water will eventually wear down the strongest stone.
Maybe this rant will help relieve the strain Lucy is feeling.
Just then she began to tear up. It looks like she was about to cry.
No no ... Don't cry.
I waved my arms around to get her attention and jumped to my bag. I handed her a rag to wipe her tears.
She was about to take it when she stopped.
"Uncle ... What do you use that rag for?"
"Oh ... Ummm ... To wipe my sweat after a nice workout"
"Eww ... Uncle you shouldnt give a girl a dirty rag when you try to comfort them"
"Ahh ... I see ... Sorry"
Now it's like I was the one that was about to cry.
"Pffftt ... Hehehe. Thanks Uncle" She wiped her tear with her sleeve.
"You know Uncle. Your very easy to talk to. I feel like I can just dump my whole life story to you"
"Hmmmm ... I get that a lot"
Now that I think about. People just seem to come to me to rant about there problems.
The biggest culprit would be Norn. But if I think hard I do remember Eris would rant to me ... Surprisely about Rudy. Way back, when we were still in the demon continent.
I would just sit there following her with my eyes as she walked back and forth. She would complain about stuff how Rudy was taking this adventuring party like some business, or how she wanted to go out and explore a labyrinth but Rudy said it was unnecessary.
I was using this chance to help me learn the human god tongue.
Funny enough though, she didn't really complain about his perverted tendencies ... Such as when he would peek on her changing, or he would touch her, or he would make dirty comments. But I suppose she got her revenge through violence so maybe that's why.
To be honest, Eris can be just as pervert as Rudy. One day she complained how Rudy took her off of laundry duty because Rudy apparently found out that she was sniffing his underwear.
Cough cough ... I'm sorry Eris. It wasnt Rudy who caught you ... It was me. Rudy did tell me to report anything strange ... I'm so sorry Eris, please forgive me.
Just then we can here someone calling that dinner is served.
Whoa ... Is it evening already.
I guess time really does fly when you are chatting with a good friend.
"Well I think this should conclude our little team meeting"
"Ehmm"
We got up and we headed out the room.
"Uncle"
"Yes, what is it"
As I turned I saw Lucy was giving me a smile. When she knelt slightly for a small curtsy.
"I know you said your not fond of this but allow me to say this once ..."
She bowed slightly.
"Thank you Uncle ... For saving mine and my younger siblings lives."
"Ahh"
"I'm glad you showed up when you did"
Why did you have to exist? You are no good.
A faint memory came and was washed away by Lucy words.
I blushed as I rubbed the back of my head. I felt a fuzzy feeling welling up in my chest.
"Ahhh ... See what I mean. This is awkward"
"Phftt ... Uncle I just think you don't know how to take graditute or a compliment for that matter as well"
"Hmmm"
"Thanks for the advice. If you ever need anything from me, feel free to consult with me as well" she placed her hand on her chest as she offers her perspective and experience.
She was the eldest of the Greyrat Children so of course she would be experience with her younger siblings coming to her for help or advice.
"Heh ... You know Lucy-chan. I'm starting to wonder which one of us is the adult"
As we made our way to the door. I thought surface in my mind.
"Actually ... I think I do need your help with something else" I looked back at her.
"Your a girl and you know how girls think ... Right"
She gave a nod as if saying 'duh of course I'm a girl'
"Well ... I could use some advice on something"