"If you want Misteltein to join you then I want you to give me two things. That is my condition." Arnold began as he lifted his index finger, "First is a guildhouse registered under our name. I'm thinking of making the capital our main base since more quests come here than Lockinge city."
He wouldn't be going back there anytime soon, anyway. So, it was better to stay in the capital as Nova and Arnold. He could also make up an excuse to Elora that he was working a daily job which was why he kept disappearing.
"Second," Arnold lifted up his middle finger, "I want every single magic sheet in this Guild ranked 4th rank and above. I'd prefer 8th rank destruction magic like [Fire Arena], [Ice Typhoon] and [Dragon Lightning] to name a few."
[Fire Arena] was a spell that summoned a spiraling donut-shaped blaze that expanded with each passing second. Its damage per second decreases as it expands but it still deals damage through a lasting effect. The lasting damage equated to 20% of the original power.
Ice Typhoon summoned a twirling cloud of ice that was below zero in its centre. The spell was difficult to avoid escaping since the force of the cloud pulls you in.
Dragon Lightning was self-explanatory. All that happens is three dragon-shaped lightning coming out of a magic circle in the sky. There were three different kinds of Dragon Lightning: the first being 8th rank, second 11th rank and the third one being 14th rank.
All three of these spells were higher than a thousand points in Magic Attack Damage. They also negated magic defense so there was nothing protecting a person or monster's HP. The only downside about them was that it was hard to control the spells once you cast them. You could end up hitting your teammates if you're not careful.
"….."
"…."
"..."
"…."
Countless eyes blinked at him.
What absurdity was this guy asking for, was probably what all of them were thinking.
"Pft," he suddenly heard a women laugh, "Hahahaha! What!? You want a magic sheet despite not knowing how to cast magic!? Do you realize that magic sheets can only be used if you have at least a small amount of mana?"
It was a brown-skinned woman with silver hair. She was a Dark Elf.
'Huh? What's a Dark Elf doing among humans? I thought people hated them?'
'Ah…' Arnold noticed the gold plate on her chest. It was nestled on her chestplate.
She was an SS-class adventurer.
Be it beast, man or humanoid alike, SS-class adventurers were one of this world's most powerful fighters. They held extreme importance in a nation since they were the highest ranked adventurers who could even fight against some species of monster lords.
Arnold heard that Red Storm was led by a woman but he didn't expect a Dark Elf.
Arnold smirked after hearing what she said, "Who said I wanted to use it?" he pointed at Elora, "My companion will use the magic sheets."
"Eh?" The woman looked blankly at Elora.
No, not just her. Every single one of the adventurers were silently looking at Elora. Noticing this, Elora shrunk her shoulders to make herself look small.
"Are you claiming this boy is a great asset to this subjugation, even more so than my S-rankers?" Daraia asked Arnold with a raised eyebrow.
"That's right."
He heard a lot of them gritting their teeth in anger. He probably sounded condescending but he was only speaking the truth. Elora—as a mage—held much more importance than any of the fighters currently in this room.
She could make up for firepower of at least fifty mages if her Magic Manipulator class was put to good use. Of course, her full capabilities were yet to be uncovered by Arnold so he wasn'r sure how to use her abilities to the fullest.
"What if you're lying? I'll be making a big decision giving a guildhouse to an adventurer who isn't even an S-class."
"Then I'll forfeit my adventuring license by giving it away to someone else or you can place me in another party."
Both were famously known punishments in the Guild. If an adventurer were to commit a crime outside the guild then they would be revoked of their adventuring license and it will be given to someone else.
The second punishment was something decided by guild executives if an adventurer did something like hurt their own companion, steal from them or attempt to kill them. These people usually get assigned as porters to parties a rank or two above their own rank.
Arnold would become a porter serving either an S or SS-class party.
"Oh?" The Dark Elf woman seemed interested, "Is it alright if I suggest he come to our party, Guild Master? "
Daraia looked at the Dark Elf, "Cameria, your party is already at its limit at 10 members. You can't add more. Porters make up the numbers as well."
"Tsk."
Daraia then looked at Arnold, "I think it's better if I demote you three ranks."
Arnold frowned at this, "Why?"
"To avoid bloodshed in the Guild. You wanted to cut down that person earlier," she pointed at the man Arnold wanted to duel, "Which was not allowed inside the Guild. Nor is threatening to hurt someone. I could handle you myself since you did it in my office."
Murmurs of agreement echoed.
"…" Arnold silently looked at Elora.
'What the…' she was looking at him with eyes that held trust and acceptance.
Despite the fact that she was the one who this falls on if it fails, she seemed to have full trust in Nova.
'Still as gullible as ever.'
"Very well. Misteltein will be demoted three ranks if I'm lying."
◇◇◇
The Guild Master told everyone to rest before they head out. She was still in her office gathering whatever manpower they could find. All the adventurers from Lockinge city would get here sometime tomorrow morning judging by the large groups that were travelling together.
There was only a handful of S-class adventurers in Lockinge city, most of whom weren't in any parties. They were either solo adventurers or they joined lower ranked parties.
Since it would take a while before the subjugation officially began, the adventurers were hanging out in the establishments around the capital. One would find it strange why they would be so lax when there were monsters trying to break into the city.
But adventurers specialized in barrier magic were sent to the inner wall to provide an added layer of security. Those adventurers would fall back to the capital once everyone was ready to fight. That would give them half a day at the very least.
The diner Arnold and Elora came to was the same one he came to when he came back from the dungeon practical exam with Maylim and her friends.
"…."
"…."
Arnold and Elora sat in silence.
Elora was looking at Arnold with glaring eyes and puffed up cheeks as she drank her juice with a straw. Her cheeks swelled so much that she looked like a squirrel.
"…Did you get my letter?" Arnold decided to speak first.
She removed the straw from her mouth and gulped down all the juice. A little burp came out of her mouth which she quickly covered up with a cough.
"....Mm."
"Have you done any quests during my absence?"
"…Mm."
"You aren't listening to me at all." Arnold swiped the drink out of her hand, "I'm sorry for going missing for so long, okay? I was just really busy."
"I-I-It's not like I care or anything. Sir Nova is old enough to make his own decisions, after all. It's not like I can tell you what to do." She turned her head away and pouted.
Arnold rolled his eyes.
'I know I'm in the wrong but it seems she's not going to forgive me that easily just by saying sorry.'
"When did you come to the capital?" he asked since he was under the impression that Elora was in Lockinge city. Perhaps she was nearer to the empire when everything happened?
"I've been here these past two months," she said, "Never left since there was nothing for me to go back to."
Arnold remembered the story Sylphiala told him:
Every single one of her siblings died, with her being the only one left alive. She came to Lockinge hoping to get her life back on track.
What will she do if she ever saw her parents again?
Did she even remember them enough to hate what they did?
"How much of the gold we made do you have left?"
"I haven't used the gold we made together last time since it's for the party and not personal use."
Arnold's face contorted.
'Shit, what will I do if she asks where my share went?'
She had been living quest to quest and had never used any of the money they made from their last quest together. It was a hefty sum so it would've been enough for her to live in luxury for a while.
Arnold spent his share without caring for the benefit of the party.
"So… where do you keep it then?"
She was wearing lightweight clothes today and didn't have a magic bag like Arnold did. All she had was a few pockets on her clothes and her staff.
"Guild receptionists keep your money safe in their personal safes for a small fee per week. I've asked miss Josephine to help me stash my money." Elora looked over Arnold's shoulder, "That's her."
Arnold turned his head and looked where she was looking.
The glasses-wearing guild receptionist was busy speaking with some of her friends. They seemed to be arguing about something.
'Oh, it's that woman again.'
"What are they so mad for? By the looks of it, it seems like they're mad at her." asked Arnold.
"My guess is jealously. Miss Josephine has been one of the most recognized employees of the Guild. Not only does she have the best performance out of every one of her co-workers, she is also liked by most of the adventurers."
"Liked? In what way?"
"I don't know what kind of charm she has but some are just in love with her so they always flock towards her when they have quests that they want to do. Guild receptionists are given a cut of the quests they stamp for approval since it's their responsibility to ensure the safety of the party or adventurer. She's basically taking more risks than the others. But that's not a bad thing since she makes much more than the average employee at the Guild."
"Hmm…." Arnold looked at the woman closely.
She looked average at a glance. She had glasses that made her sharp narrowed eyes like that of a strict person and her long strawberry blonde hair was tightly pulled back and tied behind her head. She had long legs and a not-too skinny figure but she was well-endowed.
"She acts like a flustered young girl whenever I talk to her, though. Looking at her now, I guess she doesn't have a shy personality at all."
"…."
Arnold looked back at Elora when she didn't reply.
She was silently looking at him with a pout.
"What? What's wrong?"
"Is sir Nova blind? Isn't it obvious that she wants you?"
"No, I'm well aware. I'm just being cautious to not assume things."
A lot of adventurers—especially women, had approached him whenever he ran into a group of them. A few asked him to join them at their table but he refused and came to Elora.
He was pretty much used to signs of affection from women at this point.
Then there was the receptionist woman, Josephine. She was overly expressive when she spoke to him that one time so it was obvious to even an imbecile that she was trying to get together with him.
"Huh? They chased her away from their table." Elora pointed back at them.
"It seems whatever they were arguing about didn't get resolved in the end," Arnold said when he saw Josephine leave the diner, "Hey, why is she known as the best employee at the guild? There are thousands of receptionists in the empire yet she is one of the best out of all of them?"
"She's a former A-class adventurer so she has more knowledge about monster hunting than many of her peers. The newbies typically always go to her whenever they need advice or guidance on a particular quest."
"Former adventurer, huh…"
Just like generals with battle experience, receptionists who were ex-adventurers were valued very highly by the guilds. They knew information about monster hunting and survival first-hand so they could guide fledgling adventurers better than those without experience and who have read everything from books.
"Why don't we persuade her to join our guildhouse?"
'I need someone that experienced in our guild. She'll be a great asset.'
"Uhm, no offense sir Nova but I don't think she would leave a job she has been doing for so long just to be with you."
"I'm not that petty to use tricks like that. Besides, she definitely seems like a woman who values her career more than anything. We'll pay her handsomely for her services, of course."
"But why do we need a receptionist? Won't it just be the two of us and maybe more party members living there?"
"We're going to make our own Guild that can compete with the Adventurer, Mercenary and Magic Guilds."
"E-Eh!? I-Isn't that impossible? We're just a small party so how will we even do that…" Elora didn't seem convinced.
"We need support from the people, of course. Becoming an independent guild stationed in the empire where there is a lot of competition will be difficult but it isn't impossible."
He was thinking of creating a guild similar to those in the game. People can join even if they aren't adventurers. As long as you were a capable fighter then you would be accepted. Of course, there was a level requirement.
Arnold would do everything in his power to help them grow stronger if they decide to join his guild.
"Lucri, I've never heard your level before or the skills that you have. We've been in the same party for quite a while now so we should tell each other, right?"
"…Okay."
Arnold leaned in closer and whispered.
"I'm level 60. I have one S-class skill called [Speed of Sound], Advanced Swordsmanship and I know a majority of the martial arts on the continent."
Her eyes widened and it looked like she was about to exclaim but Arnold put his hand on her mouth.
"H-How can that… Ah…" she seemed confused for a moment but seemed to accept it, "Sir Nova is strong, after all…"
He was only giving a random number that suited the amount of power he had demonstrated up until now.
Anyone who heard this would agree that he was definitely level 60 or even higher than that. Just because levels weren't the only valid estimate of strength, it could still serve as an example to how strong someone was.
For example, every level gained gave you a certain amount of stat points which could be contributed to your stats. Stat points were randomly given unless you complete an achievement or system quest that decides your rewards for you.
Also, stat points are randomly added to your status as well if you don't allocate them somewhere within a certain timeframe. But the people of this world didn't have a system so they have to use artifacts to measure people's stats.
"What about you?"
"…Level 15…" she lowered her head and blushed, "I-I'm not that strong…"
"I know. But your class is definitely powerful."
Unlike other classes a Magic Manipulator didn't have limits on what they could do regardless of their level. Elora, for example, could easily use 5th rank magic like she did when she killed that Imp. Although a lot of mana was required for her to cast those spells, the issue could be resolved with artifacts which Arnold was thinking of getting for her.
"My class is powerful? But people always said that it's a trash combat class. There are other magic classes that allow people to cast two spells at once or add layers to their magic naturally. And all my class does is allow me to use magic from paper sheets. I can't even cast 2nd rank magic on my own without losing control of a spell."
The pride of a mage lies in their own abilities. That was why you see so few of them use magic sheets to cast spells. Mages who use them are made fun of by others.
"No matter what others say, your class is far better than those you mentioned. The people who call it trash just don't see the bigger picture, that's all."
"…?"
"I'm placing a lot of trust in you. That's exactly why I agreed to Daraia's terms. If you can use magic above your capabilities using your class then you can definitely use 8th rank spells."
The reason he specifically asked for those spells was because they were three of the most destructive spells out of all the spells below 10th rank in any arcane magic book.
They were part of a series known as the [Destruction Series—Area of Effect Magic]. Each one dealt catastrophic damage not only to the area outside its range using shockwaves but also any enemies since they were multi-target spells.
"...I don't think I'll be able to do it… I thought I was only lucky enough to use spells above the magic I can cast."
"Luck doesn't equate to power. It's your own talent that made you that powerful. Trust me on this."
This would also be good for advertising their party to the empire. If others knew that Elora had a Legendary class then a lot of people would want to support their decision to become an independent guild.
Especially the magic guilds that was like a government of mages.
What was most important in making your own guild weren't the number of players or people, what mattered were the quality of the mass.
Alecs(a Legendary Class user) was able to make a guild with Lufulur(a Unique Class user) just by showing others the kinds of things they could do together. It wasn't even a year before they had their own guild and more than ten members.
Arnold was hoping to use Nova's potential as a Transcendent for this reason as well. Of course, he'll be careful not to reveal his true identity.
Unlike the earring he always wore, his demon lord form changed the bone structures in his face and made him more muscular. This made him look like an entirely different person to those who knew him as Arnold. Those who knew him as Nova wouldn't know the difference.
He wanted to use the power but decided not to since no one here actually knows what Arnold von Berkley looks like. Sticking with the artifact was fine for now.
'I'll have to buy a better identity altering artifact later when I have enough money. But those things are usually expensive so should I talk to Selia?'
"Will we be able to get a third party member if I show everyone I can use the spells?"
"Maybe we can get even more companions once the subjugation is over. Are you prepared to take on this much responsibility?"
Her eyes brightened, "Of course! If it's for the benefit of our party then I'll do it!"
'Maybe with this she won't feel so isolated when I'm away.'
No one wanted to team up with her due to her low combat power. She was more of a liability than a party member crucial to the team. But their opinions might change once they see what Misteltein's co-leader was capable of.
Nova was already famous among the people for being S-class material. If Elora's full capabilities were revealed then even the magic guilds will want to recruit her.
Her adventuring days might finally bring joy in her life.
'No one besides those villagers saw her kill an Imp with a 5th rank spell so I should make sure there's an audience this time.'
"Oh, right. Have you heard from Clint and the others yet?"
"I run into them quite often at the towns around the empire except for miss Sylphy."
"Huh? She's not back yet?"
Elora shook her head, "Her party members are certain that she won't return to being an adventurer again. She might just become a blacksmith like she always dreamt of becoming."
"Blacksmith?"
"Pretty unusual, isn't it?" said Elora with a wry smile, "An Elf becoming a blacksmith isn't something even I can picture happening. But she's quite talented. Hold on a second," Elora rummaged in one of her sleeves and pulled out a dagger.
Arnold's eyes widened.
'Why do these engravings look so similar to the runes on the arrows that Eclese uses?'
"This is a dagger she made for my debut as an adventurer years ago. I haven't used it before since I'm not much of a capable fighter at close combat. But she said that it can be used for when I fall into danger with no mana left."
"Can I see it?"
"Yup."
Arnold looked at the dagger in the light of the lamp on their table.
● Fire
There was only a single runic word on the hilt.
"I see… So this a dagger that deals elemental magic damage."
"Eh? Elemental?"
Arnold took out a dagger of his own and hit the two blades together. A spark ignited on Elora's dagger and the blade turned fiery red.
"Wow!" Her eyes brightened like a little child who found a cool toy, "How does that work!?"
"Either slash your enemy or stab them and twist the dagger. Like this," he held the blade with two fingers of his right hand and the hilt with two fingers of his left hand. His fingers on his right hand went clockwise while his left hand fingers went counterclockwise.
The blade twisted itself around as if there was a screw inside.
He quickly put it back in its place before the fire effect could activate.
"This is a fire elemental spell equivalent to a 2nd rank arcane spell."
"I didn't even know I could use the dagger like this… There were so many times when I struggled to take down a monster with my magic."
Elora looked at the dagger as if it was a precious item now.
'No need to be surprised anymore now. Sylphiala is this mysterious blacksmith who can enchant items with runes. I need her to become part of my guild since that's the case.'
"Keep that thing sheathed and not in your sleeve. You might accidentally activate it."
"R-Right."
Arnold suddenly heard multiple people screaming outside. Some of their voices came nearer to the diner before the door burst open, alerting the adventurers and workers inside.
A knight who seemed to be from the border wall came rushing inside, "THE INNER WALL HAS BEEN BREACHED!"
The destruction of Nuaria city was officially beginning.