After receiving the latest string of messages from the conversation with the System, Ben was left thinking about his plan going forward and its success.
Other than crafting the weapons for the Withering Roses party members and for the others closest to him, Ben didn't plan to start forging for anyone else until he was sufficient prepared and capable of protecting those few around him with his strength.
So far, he was aware of the dangers of just being known as the Accursed Forgotten Prince of the Kros Empire, understanding there were plenty who wanted to hunt him down.
For his identity to be lost forever in the passage of time would be the greatest gift he could receive, but Ben knew it wasn't possible, now that his focus needed to be on the Bandit Kings that had taken the mission for his assassination when he was just an infant.
Until the Emperor of the Kros Empire had either confirmed his death or Ben wiped out the Bandit Kings themselves there was always a possibility of danger for him and the people who stayed around him.
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As he was left planning in his mind what step to take next, Ben suddenly thought of an idea that could bring him both short- and long-term benefits.
However, he was left puzzled on how to go about accomplishing his goals.
That was until he remembered the words of the System from earlier, warning Ben about those around him.
'[Be advised to always be aware of the external threats as well as internal.]'
The System said to Ben through its cold emotionless voice.
Ben had been aware of this face from the very day he woke up during the journey over to Alynthn.
The surprising thing was the Systems specific comment to mention 'internal threats' because Ben had this image that everyone around him right now were his family.
He believed them and trusted every single person unconditionally that Ben felt none of them would ever betray him.
Especially, since they'd been with Ben from his infant age to the present day and were for vital to his future growth as a person.
Ben also felt he was overthinking the Systems words and that it could be someone in the future who might try and get close with him, only to betray him one day.
For now, Ben focused his attention on the external threat, but he thought a backup plan wouldn't be a bad decision if things went bad.
He immediately summoned the one and only person he could trust right now.
Kage…
As much as Ben loved his mother and the others, he thought it would be best that they weren't privy to the true dangers he had to face.
More than anything he wanted his loves to be safe above everything else.
Yet compared to Kage, who was summoned from the System, Ben felt the man would be best to deal with any worries or problems he might have, while learning of the truth in the stealthiest of methods.
The System also told Ben that there was unconditioned allegiance and loyalty from Kage to him as the Host, the moment Kage was summoned onto Ullan, therefore Ben went with him as the best choice for the job to discuss certain topics and plans.
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"Kage…"
Ben called out into the barely light room, as he casted his eyes out the small foggy tinted window of his bedroom.
A small gust of dark shadowy clouds appeared from the corners of the room until it filled the entire space in total darkness.
It all condensed down and formed a humanoid shaped that stood in front of Ben.
Kage stood tall before Ben, draped in a long dark cloaked robe that covered the top half of his light pale face, only showing his dark cruel grin slight through the dusk.
A glint of rosy, crimson tint dyed into his robe and pants added to the already terrifying aura of the man, as it gave the individual a further gory attitude.
The shadowy figure kneeled before his Young Master, gracefully bowing his head before addressing his Ben with love, compassion and adoration emanating from his voice.
"How may I serve you, Young Master…?"
"There are certain topics… we need to discuss between ourselves immediately…"
Ben said before the two sat down and started their secretive talks between the pair which went on for quite some time, until Val arrived for dinner.
Just before the two finished their discussion, Ben brought up another topic that needed to be talked about without others present.
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"Kage…
You know what I am currently working on in the smithery, so what I am asking is…" Kage interrupted Ben, realising what his Young Master wanted to say.
"*Sigh* As much as I would love for you to forge a weapon for me, Young Master… it's unfortunate that your current capabilities aren't enough to comprehend the type of weapon I would require or wish for.
To be honest, I'm still unaware about most of my past... before summoning on Ullan.
Other than what comes to mind randomly when I am in a difficult or specific situation, I can't specifically recall anything.
Whether it's techniques, fighting styles or people from my hazy past…
Therefore, I wouldn't even know where to being when asking for a weapon and how it should be designed when I don't know much about myself."
Down casted by the realisation of his own words, Kage lowered his head, feeling guilty he was unable to help fulfill his master's simple request to forge him a gift.
Kage raised his head after some time had passed and he'd heard nothing from his master concerning his comments.
What Kage saw when he looked up was the wide smile and the fiery eyes of his master.
He had seen this look very rarely in his Young Master since they'd first met.
Kages first encounter with Bens fierce eyes and burning smile was when the Young Master heard about teachers being organised.
The other time was when Ben won a fiery debate with his mother and got his way.
Kage could always tell his Young Master had an unhealthy obsession to learn and study the most difficult things, especially when told it was impossible.
Whether it was from books or physical methods, Ben had always been expanding his horizons since he started crawling.
Before Kage asked his Young Master what had piqued his interest suddenly, with his eyes blazing an inferno deep down, Ben asked some questions.
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"You said that I don't have the ability to make you a weapon at this time, right?"
"…Yes, I did, Young master…"
At first confused by the questioning, Kage thought it would be best to be as forthcoming as possible.
"Do you have some kind of idea between the current capabilities and what will be required of me to be able to forge an item for you…?"
"… Unfortunately, it's like heaven and earth, Young Master."
Kage replied as honestly as possible because he wanted his Young Master to know everything before making a foolish mistake.
Bens current limitations and abilities made the task impossible to be carried out successfully, however Kage couldn't wait to see what his Young Master would eventually produce for him.
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"Mmm… Kage… thank you for your words.
You might not understand yet… but your words have helped me dearly.
I hope in time you will understand how much."
Bens words left Kage puzzled and soon enough he returned to the shadows once again after being told to leave.
Kage tried to figure out the meaning behind his Young Masters words, wondering if Ben knew something he didn't.
Unlike the confused and anxious Kage, Ben was laughing like a maddened cow as a new realisation hit him like he was running straight into a brick wall face first.
'So, there is a high probability for growth in forging and crafting, however I have a feeling I won't know the extent of the growth until I travel past the Endless Sea of Forests…'
Ben was thinking to himself alone in his bedroom as he felt a sudden greed for great power that could aid with his forging development, but the same words kept replaying in his mind.
The Systems message about threats…
Albeit the message was meant as a warning for him to keep aware of his surroundings, it instead had an adverse action of terrifying him silly that he had a traitor or spy in his immediate group of people.
Thankful his discussion with Kage had reduced most of the tension, however there were still some lingering dark thoughts popping up at random in his mind.
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Moments earlier, Val had arrived at the estate with a small bag around his shoulders while he carried a small, smoked red oak wooden box craved with the most delicate design based on the native flora of the region, Golden Rose Orchid.
Val wore a simple grey tunic, with minimal design and a small crest above his heart on the left containing a blacksmiths anvil and hammer.
His colour coordination was as dark as his tunics ashy grey, while his pants were of a lighter tone to offset the dark colours.
However, his pants had lost their bright shine over the years from continuous wear and rather seemed like a lighter shade of grey instead.
Val was quite nervous, not by the idea of meeting his disciple's family, rather instead by the state of his attire.
These clothes were one of the only things he took with him when he and Tia left the family home after several noble families attacked.
It was a gift from his late wife that he had yet to wear before her death.
In the end he felt that he had to take it with him once he left the darkest chapter of his life behind in the Empire, only for the clothes to remember the compassion of his greatest love.
Though, as the years passed, there were only a handful of occasion when he ever chose to wear the clothes.
That was until tougher times came and only some items were left in his possession to ease their travels through the harsh lands.
In the end he would use the special attire as common wear for quite some time before he could afford something else.
By then the clothes had been quite badly damaged, but with delicate care and dedication, Val had washed and repaired the clothes to the best of his abilities.
He knew they wouldn't ever be the same as when his wife bought them, but to him, even if they had holes in them, he would never discard any piece of the clothing's as it was the last thing his wife bought for him.
No matter what, they were one of the few things he could remembered his wife by because as felt closer to her when he wore them.
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As Val entered the manor, he felt that his attire might cause an issue due to the state of its appearance, but so far none of the servants or guards around the manor said a peep.
He was actually surprised by the lack of people around the Estate and manor compared to its startling size.
It was definitely one of the best Estates in the city and most like own previously by the City Lord or a Great Noble Family.
In that case, there should have been more people present working on the Estate, yet their weren't a great deal of people.
Val really wanted to ask someone why that was the case, as the curiosity was digging at the back of his mind, but he refrained for now as he didn't want to seem brutish or aggressive in front of Bens family.
Rather he wanted to be on his best behaviour before the nobles.
He had expected Bens family to be just like the nobles he had met in the capital cities during his travels through various Empires and Kingdoms.
Val understood Bens current family wasn't his real family, having already heard about his disciples unfortunate and cruel circumstances in the past, but he always felt that the way Ben worked and studied so hard was due to family problems and his possible treatment at home.
Val felt hopeless he couldn't do anything other than offering Ben a place to escape to for parts of the day, but when Tia had asked to visit Ben's home, he was worried.
He was a bit sceptical about it at first, but he trusted Ben wouldn't allow harm to come befall his daughter.
That's why he was quite shocked to find an invitation to the manor for dinner as well as a message from his daughter to bring some clothes along for her to stay the night.
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Once Val was seated in the lounge, he quietly waited patiently for Ben and Tia as a servant served him some tea.
It didn't take long before he saw his daughter rushing over wearing a bright goldish dress that accentuated her eyes and her beautiful silky shiny hair.
Her smile glistened beautifully that it made Vals eyes watery from happiness.
Val hadn't seen his daughter behave like a girl her age, enjoying typical things like dresses and having her hair done.
The last time Val remembered her laughing and smiling without a care in the world was back when Tia was a young baby.
Val was curious to know what had happened since Tia arrived at Bens home, lucky for him, Tia had endless stories to tell him.
He listened closely to his daughter as she talked about Liz and Agatha.
Explaining to her father about her afternoon trying on dresses and eating sweets, Tia felt ecstatic being pampered by the servants who all adored the cute and passionate Tia.
She felt like a princess in her own castle and they were happy to see Tia as their Young Miss.
This moment would last a lifetime in her mind as she would continue to reminisce about her time in her own short fairy-tale.
Before Val could ask Tia anything specific, she introduced him to the others standing close by.
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"Papa, this is Mama Liz, she is Bens Mama… but she said I could call her 'Mama' too!"
Tia shout, hoping her enthusiasm and excitement would rub off onto her dad, unaware his face twitched at her words.
As she introduced her big sister Agatha and the others, Val sneaked a look at Liz.
He was annoyed at the fact this noble lady was trying to take his daughter and proclaimed Tias as his own.
He was more pissed at himself for never instilling to his daughter her mother's identity.
Val started to feel disgusted with himself at his failures to be a good father, but before he could continue to wallow, he noticed Tia tugging onto his shirt in the hopes to get his attention.
"Papa! Why won't you say anything?!"
"Sorry honey, I was lost in my thoughts…" he replied as he patted her glossy silky hair before turning his attention to Liz.
"Excuse me, Me Lady but would it be alright if we were to discuss something alone…"
Val bowed his head as he spoke, but suddenly he felt someone stopping him.
Before him stood Liz, stopping him from further bowing his head.
She'd quickly rushed over to his side and stopped Val from continuing with the social norms of noble society.
"Please Master Val, do not bow before me…
First and foremost, I am not a noble, rather someone that has a familial relationship with a noble, and second you are that very persons Master...
Please treat this place as your own, as Ben already considers you a part of his family…"
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