The townsfolk stares at the Lucentyr as the group makes an intimidating growl, a warning not to approach them.
"I…. I didn't expect you brought them back."
"I've come as promised, Mayor."
"Can I negotiate with them?"
"Yes. He can negotiate with us. Protecting the town is our responsibility."
Reynes nodded. "Yes. You can negotiate with them."
"Then, please come this way."
Reynes can sense some killing intent, as he knows there were hunters and those who aim for Lucentyr waiting for an opportunity to strike.
The large Lucentyr shrinks its size to a standard Lucentyr, almost the same as an adult horse. As the mayor enters a blind spot, it transforms into a beautiful woman with blue sapphire eyes and white moon hair. She wears a blue dress with a cloak and darkens her face so that no one would know her appearance.
Arriving at the Mayor's office, he has four executives with him. Reynes serve as a mediator for both parties.
"Let's start the negotiations, then. Where's the large Lucentyr?"
"I'm here."
When she transforms into a human, the executives are curious about her appearance. Her body, though, could be considered that she was a beauty. But, aware of her strength, they would like to avoid any confrontation with her. Hodges opens the talk.
"First of all, I apologize for issuing the quest. The purpose of this quest is to alleviate the doubts of your existence."
"I'm aware of that, and he already verifies about it. Furthermore, I know that you try your best to prevent unrest in the town that has become a tourist town. You could send a messenger to inform us, and we could visit the town."
"We would like to. Unfortunately, due to the recent defeat at Midgard, a lot of deserters, mercenaries, and hunters gather here to obtain blue sapphire jewelry. I cannot maintain the order due to a sudden surge, and as you know, they began to spread the rumor that you don't have the Blue Sapphire, but the cub does."
Hearing that makes some of the Lucentyr growl, startling the officials.
"It would seem that it gives us an explanation of why they were targeting our cubs. It's no wonder we have to be on alert lately, as we have to keep an eye on them."
"I apologize for that, Ma'am. Because of the dispute between Princes, we were unable to work with high efficiency."
"Hmph…. Furthermore, we would begin supplying the town with the jewel starting next week."
"Oooohh!! We would be grateful if you decide to sell the Blue Sapphire jewel to us."
"Sure, but there were a lot of aspects we need to discuss further. I'm more concerned about what would happen to Lucentyr in the future."
That night, the discussion went on for four days. When the morning comes, the Lucentyr returns to the forest. When nighttime comes, they will resume the negotiations. On the fifth day of the negotiation, they reach a conclusion.
On the sixth day, the townsfolk gathers as Hodges announces the agreement with the Lucentyr.
"Following the discussion after our meeting with the Lucentyr and Elves representatives, this town has a new resolution!"
The resolution was:
· Abolishing the hunt system as Lucentyrs would visit the town every week.
· The Blue Sapphire jewel would be shipped each month.
· The jewel would be sold in a limited amount of numbers for unprocessed ones. The guild would be responsible for creating a monthly commission for the jewel processor.
· The Town Guard would collaborate with the Elf to maintain security during Lucentyr's visit.
· Any hunters caught hunting Lucentyr would face imprisonment if they committed the same infraction twice or did not pay the fine within a week. The fine for catching Lucentyr would be five medium gold coins for a cub and one platinum coin for an adult.
· The town would maintain its neutrality towards the dispute of throne succession.
· Forming the Lucentyr Militia to provide independent security.
· Development of the Lucentyr Forest, and many more.
The treaty was signed to ensure the security of the Town of Lucentyr's Future. Ever since the succession dispute between Striden and Eliot, several towns began to pick a side, with few towns as neutral. Shills are one of the towns that decide to become neutral, and Lucentyr would also be one of the towns that would take a neutral stance.
If the Civil War came to them, they would defend it regardless of the aggressor.
After the negotiation is complete, people cheer with joy. But, the cheers were short-lived, as a barrier was erected surrounding the Town Square.
"Kyaa!!"
"Save us!"
Below them was a magic circle. Twelve cloaked hunters appeared in front of Reynes, Hodges, and the representative of Lucentyr and Elves.
"Hand over the Lucentyr to us, and I will spare these people's lives."
"Who are you?"
"You don't need to know us, for someone that was deemed in our way to acquire what we wanted for."
The Lucentyr growls as the hunter takes the slave choker from their pocket.
"Choose wisely. The life of these people, or those Lucentyrs."
Reynes starts to become aware when he senses some killing intent. As such, he began to prepare countermeasures since the Lucentyr entered the city a week ago. He nods to the hunters, which surprises the entire townsfolk, Lucentyr, and Elves.
"You're complying with their demand!?"
"I have a plan. Trust me on this one."
They didn't know what plan he was, but the large Lucentyr complied as she commanded the rest to follow the demand, letting themselves follow his plan. Once close enough to the hunter, they collared it.
"Good. Good. I'm sure our professor would be happy when we brought you to them."
A professor? Reynes has three countries on the list. The Indexa Kingdom, where the scientists and scholars grew hungry for research. The Einhalzen Kingdom, where multiple experiments were not made public, including where Klendiana was last seen, and the last is the Draconia Empire, which aims to weaken every nation one by one to allow Draconia Empire to have what they wanted.
After analyzing the magic trace and the collar, Reynes decipher it, and the collar has a faint scent of Klendiana's, implying the hunter may come from Einhalzen.
Snapping his finger, the collar and magic circle on the town square shatters.
"W-what!? How did you…."
"I don't need to explain to someone I would send to the grave. [Magic Link!!] [Time Fracture!!]"
As the time becomes very slow, Reynes informs the Lucentyr with whom he links his magic.
"I can only last for one minute!"
Utilizing Reynes' buffs, the Lucentyrs quickly pounce and kill the hunters.
As soon as the [Time Fracture] ends, the townsfolk looks at the Lucentyr silently. They've protected the city, and cheers erupted.
"Long live the Lucentyr!!"
"Our protector defended us!"
"Quiet!!"
A Large Lucentyr growls as she calms the townsfolk down. She makes an announcement.
"Starting tomorrow, there will be a new leader leading my pack! She would be the Protegee of the Lucentyr Empress until she earned well-deserved recognition from you! I will bring my Protegee in a month. Until then, I will assure you that the treaty will remain active."
The Lucentyr made their resolve, and they vowed to defend this city to bring prosperity. Knowing that abolishing the hunt would take some time, she knows the citizens of Lucentyr would pull it off.
After a while, the Lucentyr heads to the forest, and Reynes comes with them.
"Young man. Thank you for providing us with security."
"It's not a problem. I'm just glad I could help."
"Speaking of which. We've found a substance with a similar magic signature to what you wear now."
"Can I see it?"
"Yes. Although it's a small deposit, it's difficult for us to mine it. So, we would like you to investigate this matter."
"Alright. Lead the way."
"Oh, and the Empress would like to speak with you alone."
"I'm guessing about clarification of her resolve."
Nodding to Reynes' answer, the elf guides him as they walk through the woods.
After the negotiations, Reynes earn his reward from the guild. He also got a bonus following the elimination of an unknown hunter group. The guild is currently investigating their origins, and Reynes takes some of it as it could be an asset for his journey.
Reynes found a tiny fraction of Klendiana's magic, which led him to speculate that Einhalzen may develop a slavery device. If it's true, then Reynes would study and prepare countermeasures. But, through this discovery, Reynes can only mean that they put an experiment on her.
"I better gather more information before I can rescue my sister. I know she can hold out as long as possible."
Unknown Dungeon, Einhalzen
In the unknown dungeon, there was darkness around. Corpses were everywhere as if the battle had just ended.
A certain group gathers to discuss their next move.
"Are you okay, Ma'am?"
"I'm okay…. I just need to find a way how to transmit a code to my family."
"But, how? We can't leave here, and that device is preventing us from destroying it."
"I can only place my hope in my little brother. If he can decipher it, I'm sure he can formulate a plan before he gets here."
Klendiana has to be careful, as she needs to install her magic when the scientist takes her to conduct a test. It's an endurance battle, and Klendiana has to bid time to make sure Reynes can decipher it.