Morning came after the eventful happenings in the last night wherein a confused battle took place between Hamtaro and an infiltrator. Sunshine kissed Bahamut's skin as it groaned laying on a tree branch above Orcan and the other's shelter. It's back twitched and a hand emerged which slowly stretched longer until a shoulder came-- then a head, Clodwal's head followed by his chest, waist and finally his feet. His clothes we're all gone and his skin was a jet black color which were all unmistakably the same scales Bahamut had.
He noticed this and waved his hand as thought shooing away a fly and in an instant his hands began to twitch and flinch and from his shoulders a night dark cape began to form then a silvery body armor that reached from his neck to knee. Leaving only small gaps in his joints for him to be able to move them. He had created his own armor. It was a magnificent one that looked as thought it would fetch a fair price in the market of this world if he ever had sold it. He wasn't able to make his own money using his abilities as he lacked something to make it. He can make the money with gold or silver and make them completely identical but the originals had blessings in them or magic fragments for people to sense and paying fake money would get him arrested as he wasn't able to manipulate magic and make it so that the money he makes and the originals are perfectly identical.
He placed his foot against the ground and stretched, yawning silently with his hand placed to cover his mouth. He picked up a stick and spun it around as he approached Filana who was boiling eggs which might be breakfast on a campfire in front of the iron tent he had made, Bahamut came to join him by riding his head.
Clodwal: "Good morning..."
Filana: "Good morning, Cloddy, have you slept well?"
Clodwal: "A bit, I suppose..."
Filana: "A bit?"
She tilted her head rather cutely.
Moments later, the hatch opened and interrupted their idle chat. Orcan came out yawning and stretching loudly then came crawling to the campfire only to fall down beside it and back to sleep again. They both stared at him for a while then after what seemed like minutes they both chuckled, though Clodwal hardly smiled.
Arsol: "Wheres the monster?"
Less than a minute later. Arsol also came out of the tent and asked stupidly while eyes closed and yawning.
Filana: "None, we're having eggs for breakfast by the way."
Arsol: "Just the one?"
Filana: "Ofcourse I have more. Only eggs, boar meat and bread though."
Clodwal could hear Arsol groaning in dissatisfaction. He watched Lifana as she cooked and by the time he knew it, the others were also up and sitting on a tree log opposite him, waiting for breakfast. Filana finished and handed out to each of them three breads, one boiled egg(shells removed) and two meat cutlets with each the size of a foot. 'It wasn't bad' Clodwal thought.
Clodwal: "So then... How close are we to the capital now..?"
Orcan: "We'll be there by the afternoon."
He told Clodwal who was now feeding Bahamut his two meat cutlets, it chomped at his hands fiercely to receive them but he didn't seem to be bothered and his hand came out unscathed.
Orcan: "Where'd ya get them armor, Cloddy?"
He glanced at the magnificent armor and cape Clodwal has made earlier and observed it with glinting eyes. This was what noble knights would wear, he thought.
Asta: "Based on what I've seen so far, I think he made it himself."
Clodwal: "I did..."
They were dumbstruck, to think just this one man was able to make things so easily no matter how valuable. Asta was actually not serious about what he said and only meant it as a joke, but since everyone already knew what kind of guy Clodwal is, they knew he didn't lie.
Orcan: "We shouldn' be surprised anymore, it's Cloddy after all."
Asta: "Haha yeah right. Atleast we don't need to go shopping for his equipment now."
Clodwal however just sat there on a fallen tree, helping himself to a sandwich he had made using the boiled egg. He probably broke it to several pieces with [๐๐ญ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ช๐ฑ๐ถ๐ญ๐ข๐ต๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ] and put them inside with the bread serving as the cover.
Clodwal: "When shall we depart..?"
Orcan: "Hasty are we? We're going in 20 minutes I heard."
Bahamut had just made a loud satisfied belch when a carriage driver in green cloaking announced the continuation of their travel.
Everyone mounted the vehicle after packing up their things. On the way, Clodwal took a last glance at the shelter he had made and ordered it to crumble into dust. It was a bumpy journey, Clodwal and his party had a carriage to themselves, as such Clodwal didn't get to see Hamtaro and Sakamoto again. They would often talk about their families at home.
Arsol: "My mom has been working hard for me and my siblings you see. My father was sent out to the frontlines by our state's duke and never came back. That was a year ago, had trouble seeing nobility since."
Clodwal: "I assume that's the reason why you're quite short tempered regarding nobles..."
Arsol: "Yeah, I'm sorry about that, Cloddy."
Orcan: "Well, I got a daughter and a wife at home y'see. Me and me wife met on our adventures, and as she was pregnant, I made her quit adventurin' and I would do it alone. So 'ere I am now."
Their talk carried on until it drifted to Clodwal who was patting Bahamut on his lap as it slept.
Asta: "Hows that baby of yours, Clod?"
Filana: "Give it here, Cloddy. You've had Bahamut-chan since last night."
As always, Lifana was again cut by Bahamut's scales as she went to snatch it away from Clodwal. It continued it's deep sleep without a care in the world as thought it won't be able to sleep for several days.
And because Bahamut who was keeping Clodwal company was now taken away by Lifana, Clodwal might have as well thought to adjust his power. He lowered his speed to that of twice the speed of Arsol's to become as normally strong as possible. In his family, the Okamura Household which his father had started, noone was considered weak as they were all monstrously strong to the point of being gods that destroy galaxies casually or possessed unparalleled immortality. They would be exiled if they didn't have the right mind for battle and knowledge or other reasons as it would be considered a disgrace to their noble bloodline.
Clodwal heard Orcan share that he had a family and a child, he couldn't help himself to do the same as he had children himself.
Clodwal: "I also have children..."
They looked at him in a mix of shock, confusion and astonishment. They didn't expect Clodwal to have children, much the less a girlfriend even though they were already aware of it because of his looks and fairly sociable yet deplorable personality.
Clodwal: "I have three. Their names are; Anfelisa, Cytheria Okamura and Azaroth Okamura..."
"Ya even have three kids when I have just one?!"
Orcan looked bitter and teary as he looked at Clodwal who started looking at the outside of the carriage through the open window. Not only did he have more children than him, Orcan was supposed to be older. Though he was not aware Clodwal is hundreds of years older than him.
Clodwal: "Anfelisa was exiled... Her mother broke up with me after she cheated... And because of that, she went away along with our daughter..."
Filana: "She cheated on you?"
Clodwal: "Yeah, perhaps I didn't give her enough time or I wasn't to her satisfaction... Let's change that topic, I suggest..."
Seeing this an opportunity, Filana flung her arms around Clodwal with remorse(Which Clodwal dodged by turning into air with [๐๐ญ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ช๐ฑ๐ถ๐ญ๐ข๐ต๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ] as he didn't like being hugged by a girl he has no relation with) and the others were cursing while muttering about girl problems.
"No matter, I still have my children... Though I'm not quite certain if they were sent to this world or not..."(Clodwal)
" 'Sent to this world?'? " They repeated.
Asta: "Are you some sort of alien? If you said you are, I'll believe you."
Clodwal: "You could say that..."
Orcan: "Haha! You fool! He must be joking around, I'm sure he's from some ancient, warrior nobility in one of the kingdoms."
Asta: "B-But, Orcan. Everyone is supposed to have magic in them, even those with defective vessels who can't use magic. Clodwal however..."
Filana: "He doesn't have an ounce of magic in him? Because I think so too. Maybe he's a muggle. That would explain why he learned martial arts instead."
Asta: "Exactly, I can't sense mana in him. Even one digit, I can't feel it. And theres this feeling that he's oozing aura different from that of this world so I can't say he's just a muggle."
They all looked at Clodwal as thought he was a newly discovered specimen. Clodwal was strong indeed, but his power does not require mana to be used, it was energy. Energy that was present within the whole of the omniverse, it was limitless and most of the other family members he had, possessed it.
Clodwal found their interest in his origins amusing and decided to leak out some info.
Clodwal: "I don't use magic nor have the ability to, as my body isn't built for it..."
Asta: "So you were aware?"
Clodwal: "Yeah... Afterall, father didn't put anything about me able to use magic in my soul status. Meaning I can't use it..."
Arsol: "Who is this father of yours anyway, Clod? Is he some kind of crazy alchemist who made you pop out a cauldron to slay dragons?."
Clodwal: "Hiiro Okamura"
The name he mentioned was that of his father's roleplay character from which the last names of the Okamura members originated. Though it was to be accurate, "Hiiro Azathoth", but he found it troublesome if they heard him say he's a god's son.
Asta: "Hmm, doesn't ring a bell. Maybe your father was some sort of shut-in."
Clodwal: "..? Sort of."
Arsol: "Would someone like that even exist? He's a genius enough to make an outrageous guy like Clodwal."
Clodwal: "You make it sound like I'm a detestable creature..."
Orcan: "Aren't you? Gahahaha!"
Everyone's laughter(Except Clodwal) resounded in the empty road heading to the Arkheist's Capital.
Days of travelling later,
They were finally back to the capital in Arkheist. Having been gone for so long, everyone decided on going home and meeting up with their families before going on an adventure again.
Orcan: "See ya fellas next week then!"
Asta: "Sure thing!"
Arsol: "Let's drink in Magenta's Tavern later at ten, Orcan!"
Clodwal: "..."
Everyone waved their hands at each other before separating. But just after Clodwal had taken two steps with Bahamut on top of his head, someone had grabbed his left hand, halting his march. It was Filana.
Filana: "Cloddy, would you like to go shopping together? I need to buy some apples and make apple juice for my siblings. It would be boring if I were alone."
Clodwal: "I see no value in accompanying you for such trivial matters..."
Filana: "Ehh? But what if something happens to me? The other Kingdom, Sarcia has been active lately. They might kidnap a citizen and blackmail us, you know?"
Clodwal: "What does that have to do with me..?"
Filana: "Geez! I'm saying I want to have a bodyguard!"
Clodwal: "So you'll pay me..?"
Filana: *Sigh* "Fine, I'll do just that. So let's go?"
After staring at her for a while, he let out a sigh and nodded to express his acceptance.
Filana: "Yay!"
Delighted that he agreed, she wrapped her arms around Clodwal's arm who can't seem to shake her off without hurting her. Though he was thinking of killing her if the need arises.
During their trip to the market district, they passed by people using magic with just about anything. The common uses were, lighting fire and balancing heat or using levitation.
Clodwal: "They use magic and skills here like how casually they talk..."
Filana: "Hmm? Was it not like this where you came from, Cloddy?"
Filana who was currently closely beside Clodwal asked in a dispirited tone. It was inevitable as Clodwal still was new to this world and wasn't accustomed to it's commonsense.
Whistle.
Bahamut who was formerly on Clodwal's head was now being carried by Filana's hands while clinging to Clodwal. Seeing this, the latter felt amused but hid it in his face.
Clodwal: "I grew up alone reading thousands of books in a giant library. Most of which were stories about other worlds or the rules of science. As such, it was quite a small world for me."
He did not lie. What he said was true, but it was not of his previous world but of Clodwal's life as he grew up. Nevertheless, she showed a surprised face at his statement.
Filana: "Does this mean you... grew up alone? Not even with your parents?"
Clodwal: "No, it is for the reason that as half-gods we must not receive any help in regards to taking care of ourselves..."
Filana: "A-Ah, I see."
She, who thought Clodwal was talking about things she wouldn't understand only replied shortly while laughing rather weakly.
While on their way to buy apples, they encountered a large gathering of peopleย watching a scene in the streets.
He pointed at a small group of individuals in gold and white clothing who were scornfully talking to the apple vendor Filana was looking for.
He caught a few words from them after one of the old men in white delivered the apple vendor a blow to the face, blood was running through his nose. Filana gasped in the sudden violence.
"Insolence! Offer your apples to the lord! Has he not blessed you with good harvest?!"
Clodwal: "What's with this war freak world... And father wouldn't force people to give him apples..."
An old woman beside him spoke.
"Poor guy. Those cultists are going around scamming people again."
Clodwal: "This looks pathetic... They're ruining father's name with their lame excuses... And these people are just watching as a fellow human is being horribly harrassed..."
He stepped forward and approached them. Noticing his presence, the group of offenders looked at him for a short while before asking.
"What can I do for you, young man?"
Clodwal: "Move aside... You're blocking my way..."
Having been ordered by Clodwal as soon as they met, the cultists felt bitter but still moved aside to make way for Clodwal, although reluctantly.
Clodwal: "We want to buy apples."
He conveyed to which the apple vendor nodded to.
Filana made haste and went after Clodwal with Bahamut in hand. The people who saw the baby dragon exclaimed in loud voices.
"Woah! Is that a dragon?!"
"Is that guy a Dragon Knight, then?!"
Knowing that they are utterly wrong, Clodwal resumed his purchase, and so the apple vendor stood up.
"Hey! Those are our apples!"
Clodwal: "I don't see any value in selling one's belongings to individuals who have assaulted them..."
As if there was no audience watching, the person who seemed to be the leader of the cultist group intrepidly spoke.
"I see that you have a death wish, to go against a whole religion all by yourself when they are peacefully negotiating with the people."
Clodwal: (It was not 'peaceful' at all.)
Clodwal: "I see no value in blaming someone for your own mistakes so visibly..."
An apple came hurtling to Clodwal's direction while he was speaking, which he caught precisely.
He threw it back to the apple box to where it belongs. The group who was radiating hostility was displeased by this.
"How evil to avoid divine judgement! Knights, seize him!"
In an instant, as if they've been waiting for this, knights in full plate armor came and gripped Clodwal tightly by the arms. They seemed to have been nearby in patrol until they were called out to.
"Don't make any funny movements, kid!"
Clodwal: "Just as planned."
"What?"
Clodwal: "Nothing."
The citizens watched as Clodwal was being taken away. Seeing this, Filana tried calling out to him.
Filana: "!?"
However, for some reason, no voice could formulate in Filana's vocal cords. As such, she couldn't call out to him. While watching him being dragged further away, she saw a small quantity of sand in front of her. Which made up the small words in the air that says;
ใDon't come looking for me. Take care of Bahamut. I will soon be back.ใ
Filana: "..."
ใAnd also, continue buying apples.ใ