'It does feel better here…'
The streets of the nameless town weren't as crowded as Swordkeep, but it didn't lose out in liveliness. The independent cycle that the people had established within the town made them like a big family of sorts rather than unrelated residents. After experiencing the busy life in Swordkeep that centered around profit, Leo came to appreciate the calm but warm streets of his 'home town'.
Despite being back 'home' for over three days, Leo hadn't visited the town after he formally bought his horse. After all, he really had no reason to visit the town. Other than Crane, all the people he cared about lived within the bordering Orphanage.
However, even though he wanted to visit Crane, Leo had simply been too focused on advancing his 'Swordsmanship'. In order not to lose the edge he was at, he chose not to occupy himself with other matters, and one of these matters he put aside just happened to be something that he needed to discuss with Crane.
More specifically, the 'project' he had to discuss with Crane also relied heavily on his advancement as he wanted to adjust what they were going to make according to his renewed understanding, so it felt more worth it to delay the whole thing for a few days.
'Thankfully, it didn't take too long.'
While Leo wasn't exactly a social butterfly, he wasn't clueless either. Naturally, if he was yet to trigger 'Skill Reading' within the first week, he would just stop his streak for the time being to visit Crane. Although the relationship between him and Crane started as a business one, he was no less than a friend after his overall change.
'Hmm?'
Just as a faint smile was taking shape on Leo's face on recalling the past, his relaxed observation of the scenery suddenly paused as his eyes briefly squinted, something wasn't right…
Resuming his 'sightseeing' once again, Leo dismissed his alert as he continued his walk. Still, he was absentminded all the way till he entered Blacksmith Street, his eyes slightly out of focus.
It was only when he stood before the Blackbird's door that he came out of his trance, casually throwing a look behind him, he knocked before pushing the door to enter.
"Just a sec!"
Hearing Crane's voice from inside, Leo finally managed to notice how different the Blackbird was compared to before. It seemed like his appearance and personality weren't the end of Crane's change.
Although he failed to notice the difference from outside due to being lost in thought, the hanged weapons, the additional wall that separated the forge, and the new paint made the place look more like a Smith Shop rather than a personal smithy. If it wasn't just for display, then it was likely that Crane had started to accept clients.
"Yes. What can I… Oh? Arthur?"
Coming out from the forge as he used a towel to wipe his sweat-covered face, Crane nonchalantly looked at Leo before his eyebrows rose.
"It's nice to meet you too, Crane."
"You really came back… Wow, just what did you do for the last 9 months? You have certainly grown up quite a bit…"
Receiving Leo's smile as a response, Crane couldn't hide his surprise at Leo's change, but he suddenly paused before his mouth widened to a greater surprise.
"You also…"
"Yeah, I was lucky enough to meet 'someone'."
Leo wasn't surprised that Crane recognized his identity as a 'Swordsman', this was something that all fellow Swordsmen could do if they tried sensing their own Sword Breath. With Crane's ability, it would be stranger if he didn't notice.
'He is as abnormal as his brother. Perhaps even more…'
As Crane's surprise gradually subsided, he couldn't help nodding in his heart. He already felt that Leo wasn't normal, but he simply went beyond his expectations.
"I see you started taking smithing requests?"
"Yeah, research is great and all, but doing something different every once in a while isn't bad. Besides, my funds were starting to run a little dry…"
Just like old friends who met after a long while, Leo and Crane exchanged words to commemorate their meeting. It was only when Crane spoke for a bit that he seemed to remember something.
"Right, did you come here just for a visit or did you also have a request?"
"I did come to visit, and I also have an idea to debate with you, but…"
Pausing to take a quick look at the window, Leo took a deep breath before he continued.
"...Can you make me something quick first?"
`~~~`~~~`~~~`
Heading out of Blacksmith Street, Leo relaxedly walked back towards the forest end of the town. He was taking his usual route back to the Orphanage, but in the middle of the way, he thought of something before taking a sudden turn.
He Originally wanted to pretend that he noticed nothing, but as Leo considered the possibilities resulting from that decision, he changed course towards the forest itself.
Back at his training spot, Leo knelt to the ground to grab his steel practice sword out of its hiding place. He stood up as he looked around, his hand tightening on the sword's hilt before his lips parted.
"Come out. I know you are here."
As silence resumed its reign, Leo stood unmovingly in place. On the other hand, his pupils didn't stop as he continuously scanned his field of vision.
Shsh. shsh…
After standing in silence for no less than 5 minutes, Leo's pupils finally paused as the bushes rustled! A figure emerged from within!
However, the size of the emerging figure didn't make sense…
"Annie?"
Leo couldn't help but wonder if Annie had hidden to surprise him, but his thoughts quickly changed along with his complexion as he noticed the stealthy hand coiling around Annie's neck like a treacherous snake that revealed its fangs in the form of a dagger…
"B-Brother…"
Little Annie's small body trembled as she stared at Leo in horror.
Shsh. shsh…
Followed by more rustle, a slightly bent figure that was larger in comparison to the captive he held climbed out of the bushes while still holding onto her before speaking from under his mask.
"Hello there. I think it would be better if you throw the sword so we can talk properly."
The thin man who was dressed like every other town man hinted at his impatience by drawing his dagger closer to Annie's neck. Only his mask seemed out of place.
"Let her go."
Coldly glaring at the masked man, Leo hesitated before dropping his sword to the ground, his gaze softened a bit as he nodded to reassure his little 'sister'.
"Good boy. Now raise your hands above your head and cross them together. Come closer if you want to exchange yourself with her."
The masked man rambled on as if it wasn't his first time doing something like this. After throwing another glare in the man's direction, he slowly approached him.
"Let. Her. Go."
"Not bad, you have some guts at least. As you wish…"
Removing his right hand from around Annie's neck, the masked man pushed it forward to stand before Leo's neck. At the same time, he quickly swiped his left hand forward to grip at the intersection of Leo's hands, holding them with a grip of 'steel'.
"We will get the rest later anyway."
As the dagger seemed like it would finally make contact with Leo's neck, his eyes glinted before a…
"Gahh."
A suppressed shriek resounded out in the forest…