Someone opened the door. Looking at Wrock she spoke, "What do you want?"
"Like you asked I brought my friend who wields one of the Twelve Swords."
Akiol had a realization, "So this is what you brought me here for?"
The Royal Blacksmith's eyes snapped onto Akiol, "Is it true?"
"Yeah, here."
Akiol unsheathed Stars and handed him over. Stars complained, 'I am not to be used as something you can show off!'
The Royal Blacksmith gently accepted Stars and examined him thoroughly. Wrock watched sight before excusing himself, "I have someone to check up on too, so I'll take my leave for now."
Akiol stared at Wrock, "You brought me here for this?"
"Yup! Please forgive me, I wanted to fulfill a request."
". . . Fine."
"Cool! See you around!"
Akiol silently sighed at Wrock's quickly retreating figure before returning to watch the Royal Blacksmith. After a few minutes of silence she suddenly stopped, "Ah my apologies!"
"It's fine, I am aware of what Stars does to people."
"Stars?"
"It's what I call him."
"To be able to nickname one of the Twelve, clearly you have been together for quite some time."
"Before I entered First Stage."
"Impressive!"
Stars sighed dramatically, 'He acts humble, but is always quick to show me off!'
Akiol laughed, "Surely you don't mind it either, you like when people fawn over you."
'I-I do not!'
Changing subject Akiol asked, "Are you busy?"
The Royal Blacksmith shook her head, "No, why?"
"I have a request.", Akiol showed the item he obtained from the treasury.
"I'm surprised you got your hands on something like this."
"The King was generous."
A large slab of metal sat between Akiol and the Royal Blacksmith. It was his choice of an item for the quest reward.
The Royal Blacksmith knocked on the metal, "Arc Ore, very little of it remains in the world. It's only found from a certain meteor. Are you aware of why this is so special?"
"No, I just figured a material in the treasury wouldn't be simple."
"You'd be correct. The reason is that the weapons made from this kind of material are guaranteed to grow alongside its wielder."
"A growth type weapon?"
"Exactly, but every weapon created from it turned out extraordinarily plain. No unique purposes, it merely grew sharper and sturdier over time. That's why the metal still exists in its raw form, why bother with just an extra special steel sword?"
"That's a bit troublesome."
"That's why I can't recommend you make anything out of it. It's not going to be worth much in the end."
"Every weapon that was made, did it hold anything else with it?"
"What do you mean?"
"Was the weapons created with just the metal?"
"The main part yes."
"In that case isn't it a waste?"
"The Arc Ore rejects other materials, causes violent explosions if it fails to merge with one. There was one result of a successful merge, but no one knows what was used in it. The Blacksmith kept that secret to the grave."
"Is there any hint?"
"It's been years since then. Of course the secret was searched for, but the Blacksmith was of high stature. Not something I could compare to."
"Who?"
"I don't know, it's been years and I never had the chance to work with Arc Ore, why would I bother?"
"I wanted to make some weapons out of this, but this kind of news is a bit disappointing."
"I'm sure the King would be understanding if you wanted to exchange it."
"I don't want to give up just yet. Is there any records of what materials were used during the failed processes?"
"The only person I know who might have that kind of record would be my master."
"Any chance I could see them?"
"She lives a long ways away. I don't have that kind of time."
"What if we flew there?"
"Even the Kingdom's greatest flying animal will have to take at least two days to cover that distance. I doubt we will even get access to such a thing."
"There's a flying animal?"
"A large bird, its speed can circle around the Kingdom with ease. The fastest one we have can do it under a minute."
A Kingdom's size was not small, it can hold over a hundred thousand people! To fly around a lap in under a minute was no small matter. But compared to Givale, who was able to cross a city with comparable size in a few seconds it wasn't much.
"I'd like to meet this master of yours regardless."
"I can spare up to three days if you can manage to cross in that time. For that you will need to somehow convince the Elite Guard to lend you one of their birds."
'Who needs a bird anyway?! I could cover that distance in a day!' -Givale
"Can you assure that?"
"Positive.", responded the Royal Blacksmith
'I can!' -Givale
Akiol flinched slightly, he really needed to figure out how to work the Link conversations properly. He asked the Royal Blacksmith, "Are you free right now?"
"You can't seriously have me believe you already have permission to use one of their Birds can you?"
"I don't need a bird."
Givale appeared behind him, brandishing her brilliant scales. Spreading her wings she challenged, 'You wouldn't dare to assume I'm worse than a bird would you?!'
The Royal Blacksmith stumbled back, "A-A Dragon?! How in the hell?!"
"Allow me to introduce you, this is Givale. A companion of mine. She's—as you can see—a Dragon."
Regaining her composure the Royal Blacksmith shook her head, "I have no doubt a Dragon can trump the Elite Guard's birds. We'll be able to get to my master's home within a day no doubt."
'Then let's get moving.'
"W-Wait! Let me get ready first, I haven't seen my master is a while. There are some things I must prepare."
Akiol patted Givale's leg, "We can perhaps ask to take a stroll for a bit."
'Okay!'
Givale transformed into her human form, "I wanna see the inside of the palace!"
Akiol nodded and asked the Royal Blacksmith, "When should we come back?"
"An hour, I'll be ready in an hour."
"We'll be back in an hour."
As Givale and Akiol walked back to the palace the Royal Blacksmith slumped with relief, "That guy, he's a little much?"
~ ~ ~
Travis paused, "There's no need to hide."
A figure approached, "I wasn't trying to."
"What's your purpose of approaching me? Trying to claim the bounty as well?"
"No, I highly doubt anyone can claim that bounty except for some NPCs. I've come to make a request."
Travis had these kinds of encounters a lot after battling against the Guilds. Ton have come to recruit him, or buy his help. He always turned these down, but just in case it aligned with his goals he hears out their requests, "Let's here it."
"A Guild, they're named Fifth Leg. They've been bullying my party for some time! I-"
"Stop, you've come to me about some Guild?"
"You're the guardian of the solo players right?"
"I am not a guardian, I merely leveled the uneven playing field. Gave people like you a chance to fight back against the unfairness. Use that chance, don't run back to me."
"Please! Just your appearance will be enough to drive them away. You're really famous you know? You can do so much! So please help us solo players again!"
"Only the foolish Guilds will try to monopolize something again. This bullying, band together with the victims and strike back. Take matters into your own hands. It is your best option."
"Please!"
"Enough."
The player dropped to their knees in anguish, "Please. . . I don't know if I can keep playing at this rate."
"Do you enjoy this game?"
"Yes! Of course I do, there's never been anything like it."
"Then defend that enjoyment. Do not take it for granted. I am sure others feel like you."
"You won't do anything?"
"I do not intervene in small conflicts."
Travis' teleported away, leaving the player alone. It was disappointing, the negative bit to his fame. People who wanted him to solve their issues.
Lumen asked, 'Couldn't you help that guy easily?'
"Of course."
'Then why didn't you?'
"A mother leaves its cub eventually. I cannot shelter them from everything the Guilds do. I will step in if it gets out of hand, but they must defend themselves."
'I just feel bad for them, can't we help?'
"I have been. In more ways than one."
'I've been with you this whole time! What do you mean?'
"I can't explain it."
Travis has been keeping his eye on the Forums the whole time. Watching for any news of the Guilds movement. Besides small time conflicts, nothing major was occurring.
So he decided to focus on his own goals.
~ ~ ~
"Did you capture it?"
A player smiled confidently, "Of course I did. Let's see how Dot's fans deal with his cold attitude. We must loosen his grip on the solo players, else we will never prosper."
"Let's get moving, the faster we continue this the better."