...
When our laughter ceased, I then looked at him with full seriousness.
"So have you thought over what I proposed?"
"Kid, you're insane you know that?" The old man said to me with a sigh. "To think that you plan on using the Demon of The Mist as materials."
"Well, what do you think? Can you work with it?"
The old man just leaned back and thought for a few seconds before looking at me with a toothy grin.
"Well I can, but do you have the money for it?"
Sighing helplessly at this old mans greed, I look towards Wilhelm. Seeing my gaze, he steps forward and starts to speak.
"Suburu here will get both a piece of the White Whale's corpse and money for the information he provided after the battle is compete."
After that, he gives me a nod before stepping back into his previous position. I then turn my gaze back to the old man.
"I will also send the parts and coins to you after the battle. We can also go over what I want you to do with all those materials right now if you would like."
"Are these terms to your liking old man?"
He then gives me a nod before slightly frowning. "Yes, I can definitely work with all these terms. But you should really start calling me by my name."
I just give him a blank look. "Are you going senile? You never even told me your name."
Hearing me, his face also turns blank for a few seconds before changing into an awkward smile.
"Well, this old man's name is Andrey."
He then stuck out his hand. "What is yours?"
"Natsuki Suburu, it's going to be a pleasure working with you Andrey."
I also stuck my hand out and shook his. Releasing my grasp, I then reached into my front pocket before bringing out some rolled up papers.
Unrolling them, it shows three different sets of armor on one page. And on the others, it shows different types of weapons and contraptions.
"Now, it's time to discuss what I want done."
...
When we finished the conversation about the armor, I was told that it would take two months to complete all of it. I was extremely disappointed when I heard this, but I can understand why.
The different designs I showcased are custom tailored for my needs. It's not perfect of course, so Andrey promised to improve upon them as compensation for the time.
Now I'm in a carriage, Wilhelm is sitting in front and Rem is currently laying on my shoulder with a peaceful smile asleep. Seeing her like that, I smiled a bit before going back into my head.
As a compensation for the time, Andrey decided to give me a new sword and two sheaths for my throwing knives. I can put these sheaths on both of my forearms and fit about ten knives total in my sleeves.
Looking out of the carriage window, I see the outline of the huge tree in the horizon and the little dots which I presume to be the weapons being set up by the merchants and mages.
At the rate this carriage is traveling, we should arrive in about 10 minutes. So I poked Rem softly on her cheek to wake her up.
"Are we there?" She groggily said aloud as she raised her arms and gave her back a good stretch.
"No, but we will be there in a little bit. But no sleeping anymore, I need you to be fully awake for when we met the rest of our friends."
She then throws me a small smile before putting her hand on my shoulder. "I know a method that can wake me up quickly."
"Ok?" I said while looking at her flatly. "Then use it please, we don't have ti-."
Not allowing me to finish, she quickly wrapped her arms around my neck before giving me a long kiss to shut me up. She then pulled back before giggling a bit and showed a face full of energy.
"Alright, all recharged now."
Amused by her teasing, I just gave her a small smile before leaning in and gave a peck on her cheek.
"I love you Rem."
Rem hearing my words looks over at me with a bright smile.
"I know you do, silly Suburu."
We then spent a few more minutes teasing and talking with each other before the carriage stopped.
Wilhelm's calm voice then came from the front of the carriage. "We are here."
Hearing him, I grasped ahold of Rem's hand before opening the door on my side. Stepping out I am greeted by the blazing light of the sun and green grass that spans for as far as I can see.
There is also the ridiculously large tree that could be compared to a modern day skyscraper. But I don't pay attention to that, I for once actually take a step back and admire the beauty this world can bring me as I look at the flower patches surrounding me and Rem.
To my left is the many mages and warriors working tirelessly with the merchants to set up our weapons with Crusch beautifully leading them all in a somehow orderly fashion.
But I then notice the where mounts are lined up and start walking over with Rem. Wilhelm will go and fill Crusch in on our arrival.
Stopping in front of them, I scan them with a gaze. My gaze then landed on a certain Earth Dragon.
Walking over to her, I don't immediately look into her eyes. I instead admire the dark scales running along her body. She is about the size of a horse and is standing on two legs.
Her legs are long and slim. But I know that they carry serious speed. I then raised my eyes and met with hers.
And when they met, I also felt her gaze trying to peer into me as well. Her orange eyes carried a strong hint of childlike curiosity and intelligence.
Sticking my hand out slowly, I stop it in front of her nose. I am openly expressing that I wish to trust her and also wish for her to trust me.
Looking into my eyes, she apparently saw the intention I was planning on expressing before sniffing my hand. She then looked up at me again before leaning her head down.
Seeing this, I smile before petting her scaly head. "It's a pleasure to meet you girl."
Feeling my hand on her head, she gave almost a cat like purr of pleasure.
"Oh? It seems she took a liking to you." A man said from behind me. "And she's an earth dragon at that too!"
Turning around, I see what could be compared to as a werewolf standing in front of me. But I only give him a glance before turning back to the purring dragon.
"I'm just lucky, she fortunately read my intentions properly and merely decided to accept them."
"Haha, that just makes you sound even more impressive bro."
I then gave her one last pat on her head before turning towards him. "Say, you're the leader of Iron Fang right? Wasn't it Ricardo?"
He then gave me a toothy grin before patting my shoulder. "Yep, I'm Ricardo dude. And I do lead the Fang of Iron, or as your boys call it, Iron Fang."
He then points his finger towards the ground dragon I was just speaking to. "Anyways dude, She was brought in by your guys also. I'll make sure that lady Crusch allows you to ride her for this battle."
"Speaking of Crusch, I think she was looking for you earlier dude."
He then threw me one last grin before walking over to his mercenary group. I turned back to the dragon before throwing one last set of words at her before making my way towards Crush.
"I'm going to call you Patrasche. She was an extremely trustworthy person, I named you after her in hopes of sharing the same trust I once did with her."
In response to her new name, I could hear her happily roar. Hearing her, I smiled a bit before looking over at Rem. She seemed to be staring at Patrasche a bit too much.
"Something the matter Rem?"
She then snapped her gaze away before looking at me with a unsettling smile. "Nothing, just admiring her scales."
...