(Rudeus POV)
"So, what do you think?"
"I think this is crazy."
"I know, but this is a request coming directly from the head guild master. He wouldn't have asked us leaders personally if it wasn't a dire situation. The governor denied his request for knights more suited for this."
"Still, this seems so… suspicious."
On the same day, many parties were called back to their leaders to discuss the guild master's request.
In the time [Stepped Leader] was away hunting the Icefall Treant, another monster occurrence happened.
A single man came back to Rosenburg, blood covered and intoxicated from a powerful poison.
His injuries were very severe and have made it hard for him to say his last words that were most likely meant as a warning.
The gate guards reported the man's last words, even if they were jumbled and slurred.
They were: monsters, red, blue, black.
The only red monster that could have been meant was simple yet worrying to deduce.
It's a stray Red Dragon.
As for the other two colors, it's being speculated but not confirmed yet.
It was possible that the Red Dragon was fighting two other monsters that went into the spectrum of the words black and blue. One of which must've had the poison attribute that the adventurer got attacked with.
Poison is a very scarce attribute for monsters to have here in the Northern Territories.
Should those monsters still be around and fighting each other, then the surrounding cities will get in danger.
Currently, me and the other of [Stepped Leader] were in one of the inn's meeting rooms discussing the guild's plans.
"I get the seriousness of the situation but sending me out with a bunch of other people seems too much."
"I know. But before we can go all out, we have to confirm what monsters they are. Even just a description of them will suffice. Your sensing ability can be the most useful in this. Plus, your healing power can also help you all survive should you encounter the poison monster."
While he does make a point, I can't shake off the feeling that there might be more to it.
"I have to agree with Rudeus on this." Connor started to voice out. "What if it's actually more than one Red Dragon? Taking on even one of them requires more than a handful of top-ranked parties. We would send them to their death."
"Connor is right. As much as we know how strong Rudeus is, we shouldn't send him out. He could be placed as a trump card once the rest of the team found the location of the monsters." Anastasia suggested.
"Look, both of you have valid points. However, it's mainly because he is such a liable individual that he was requested to go."
Hah. Liable. I think they made a slight error there.
I'm an unpredictable explosive that is going through a phase called 'puberty'. For all I know, I might beat up someone without being drunk.
"They say it like that, but I'm pretty sure they would send them even without me. Putting me on the choice of either abandoning them, ultimately letting them get killed by whatever is out there, or joining them."
While perhaps not intentional, they certainly made my choice on this not easy. Or so they think.
My choice still remains my own.
"I think I need some time to think about this."
"Sure. But the squad is going in three days, so choose quickly."
With that, it was settled, and our meeting came to an end.
***
(The next day)
Walking through the market plaza, I was looking to get our supplies refilled.
While my pocket dimension may be useful to fill up enough preservable food, there are still things I haven't found out about it.
Besides the capacity limit, there is the question about the perseverance it keeps.
The lack of oxygen hasn't had an effect on the Treant wood I put in. So far, no abnormal things have happened with the items I have stored within it, and I'm glad.
"Hey Rudeus, nice seeing you here again."
While I was looking at a food stand about to buy a bunch of different fish for some sushi, I was called out from behind.
"Oh, good day, Mister Marquis. How are you doing today?"
It was a man in his 50s, having a well-maintained beard and a bald head, paired with a strong build, wearing fancy clothes.
"Thank you, I'm doing good. I see that you're diligently working as always."
"I could say the same thing about you. How did your grandson like the figurine?"
"Haha, my son says his boy loves it. He doesn't leave it alone at all for even a second."
This man has had the pleasure of doing some business with me.
Another method for me to spread my name is to use the stone dolls I create and sell them to a merchant.
He was the one who saved me from getting haggled by another merchant he dislikes.
Marquis here is a renowned merchant here in the Northern Territories.
He is actually just here to visit his son and daughter-in-law, spending some time with his grandson who recently had his fifth birthday celebrated.
And as a present, his grandfather bought him one of my dolls. It was one of the Ruijerd dolls. This one wasn't yet of the Ruijerd with hair but rather the bald spearman warrior.
I gave the colored figurine a ground to stand on since the stance makes it unbalanced without it.
At the bottom of that stand, I signed it with my full name and marked it with the shape of my pendant, the one that Roxy gave me.
"I'm actually glad that you went as far as to round up the spear on that one. My grandson is a bit clumsy when it comes to his toys. And this one hasn't broken yet, which is remarkable, hahaha."
"I'm glad to hear that. The person it is based on is a respected acquaintance of mine."
"Oh? Someone that even you respect must be mighty."
"Rank wise he could be deemed an Emperor. I owe him a lot."
"Oho, my grandson will be delighted to hear that. He is actually eager to meet you. Tell me, is it true that kids have it easier to learn chantless magic than adults?"
Ah. That must've been 'her' doing again. I really shouldn't have said that.
"It's an unproven theory of mine. I tried teaching adults how to do it, but none succeeded."
"I'm pretty sure he would love to learn it from you. My daughter-in-law says he has been talking about nothing else lately."
That's… I want to know what rumor he heard of me that made him see me as a famous person.
Dear Goddess, I hope it's not the rumor of me killing the [Tri-Daggers].
"What are you stuffing your supplies for anyway?"
"Just a refill, nothing special."
"Are you perhaps preparing for the monster investigation you were hired for?"
My eyes sprang wide.
"How do you know about this?"
"Know about? Those were my products that got lost. They weren't vital enough to put me in a tight spot, but still, merch is merch."
Okay, now I do struggling with my decision. Fate really wants to push me to the toughest choices, huh.
If it wasn't for Marquis here I would've been scammed.
With assistance of him, a merchant with decades of experience that made him fairly well-known her in the Duchy of Basherant, I was able to sell my figurines at a better price than I had hoped.
After hearing my plans to spread my name, and my reason for doing so, he made sure to help me sell more of them to various other merchants.
It was initially his idea to engrave my name and insignia onto the figurines to let people know who made them.
Thanks to him my plans have already made more progress than I had thought, and some artistic admirers have requested me to make more, which I, of course, had to decline.
I owe Marquis a lot for the things he has done for me.
"…I-I'm sorry."
"Hm? About what?"
Scratching my cheek, I felt bad about uncertainty.
"You're thinking about not joining the party, right?"
And now I feel shocked. Am I that much of an open book?
"Don't beat yourself up about it. While adventuring itself is dangerous enough, this case even tops that as a dragon is no joke. But don't let your guard down."
After he said that, he lifted his right arm and flexed his bicep.
"I deal with bandits and all, and that made me train this body of mine to do what I can do best. And if you don't want to go and have no reason, then it's perfectly reasonable for you."
"…"
He… he's right.
In the end, I shouldn't feel bad about having doubts.
I have no reason to accept the request and should something happen then it will be on them and I could deal with the monster better together with the majority of people here in Rosenburg.
"Besides, you just about have done enough here to move to the next town, right?"
"What don't you know?"
"Hey, you're the one who spreads his name around for his mother. Wish you were my son at this point. Mine doesn't even put a fraction of dedication into his own work."
"You said he is working as a tailor right?"
"Yeah, but he's been interested in making clothes with Magic Circles carved onto them. He has some ideas but no one wants that."
"I might. I could provide some crafting materials of my own from my Blizzard Dragon mission."
"Wait, ya serious?!"
He looks surprised, but I can't deny that his son's idea piques my interest.
Besides the King class Barrier I was deliberately trapped in, there were only the Healing Circles in the book I bought back at Millishion.
And hearing something about clothes having Magic Circles carved into them piqued my interest.
"I mean, don't you have any of those yourself?"
"Nope. Totally inexperienced in that department."
He still looked shocked at me. Is it that surprising? There are things I still can't do in terms of Magic, alright?
"Well, he should be in his shop. Want me to introduce him to you?"
"Sure."
And with a lot of excitement, he guided me to his son's workshop. Or at least what it hopefully will be.
The work in the Magic Circles area isn't cheap.
Marquis told on the way that his son is a graduate from the Ranoa Magic University.
His attempts were to widen and distribute the usage of Magic Tools more throughout the world.
Hence, he didn't stay in Sharia to make a shop.
He intends to make Magic Tools in form of clothing that still is in the norm of the affordable, even for the average adventurer.
However, it is still in the development area as the necessary work hasn't been completed just yet.
But I for my part find this very captivating. I will be eager to perhaps learn a thing or two from him should we both find the time for it.
Out of nowhere, I picked up something. Something through my senses. There is someone who aims animosity towards me.
"Hey kid, everything alright?"
I stopped walking and prepared some spells and my Touki. I don't know why but this person seems like that is specifically after me.
Locating this person, I sent out four [Specter Force] arms. As I was preparing myself to fight, my head started to feel like the blood started to boil.
I charged towards him and pulled the person towards me.
With my fist charged up with mana and covered in Touki, I aimed to knock the person out.
I felt like moving was hard but still manageable. As if I were light and yet sluggish together. That can wait for another time as I was nearing to attack.
With my left fist coming from my hip, I punched the guy right in the face as we got closer to each other.
But he turned into light particles and got out of my grip and my fist trajectory.
I could sense the mana being used to use that technique even if I couldn't understand it.
They attempted to flee, but I was weirdly determined to prevent that from transpiring.
This was still a form of mana manipulation, so I can locate this person through my senses.
They were going behind me, manifesting again. With the animosity increased, he began advancing towards me.
I still felt slow but so does he.
Using [Specter Force], I pulled myself upward faster together with my Gravity Magic and hanging onto the roofs of the buildings to my sides.
With some effort, I used a backflip kick enhanced with Touki and explosive Fire Magic from my foot.
In the split second I had, I saw the person's face. Or rather his mask. I recognized it immediately. It was Arumanfi of the bright, one of the Armored Dragon King's familiars.
He was going in on a slash with his broad dagger in a reverse grip at a height of where my neck was before.
I could feel his surprise for my quick reaction.
Wondering what he could be doing here can be thought about later.
Before the tip of my foot made contact with him, he used his particle disassembling thing again and escaped my counter.
I cursed at myself for how I got so careless again.
But then something weird happened.
Time… was slow? Huh?!
The sole of my foot started to let out the Fire Spell I charged, but the explosion was slow.
That's how I realized that my perception of time has increased.
This happened before, against Sword Saint Jester.
'Such a useful technique and I haven't realized that sooner. Ugh! Whatever.'
I already memorized the circulation necessary to activate it, but let's keep this up for now.
Arumanfi materialized again on the other side, ready to slash once more.
With Gravity Magic, I landed on my feet and readied for another attack.
However, he must've used this opening to do a feint and reappear above me.
Quickly moving my left palm towards him, I tried using Disturb Magic against his particle disassembling Magic.
It definitely interfered with his ability, and I was having an opening ready.
With both feet firm enough on the ground, I readied my right hand at my left hip for a chop at the neck.
My Touki should be strong enough to break his broad dagger should he try to deflect it.
With everything set, I blasted off before him at a much higher speed while still perceiving time at a faster pace.
As I came near him, a tunnel of colors passing through the edges of my vision, he attempted to slice off my hand but instead his dagger got cut in half by my sword-hand.
I was actually kind of surprised how I managed that, as well as scared as to what's about to happen.
It seems like he tried to disassemble himself again but failed as my Disturb Magic was still in effect.
Because of the momentum I had put into my swing, I couldn't prevent my hand from severing his head from his body.
Once my hand went through, time went back to its original pace.
*Boom*
The loud bang of my attacks told me that my perception technique ended.
And with that-
*Fwosh*
"Eh?"
My legs must've had some good power on them because I ended up slipping and rolling on the ground until I crashed against a wall.
"What the heck was that?!"
"Was that a kid?"
"A monster attack!"
Seems like I caused a bit of panic.
Luckily, I didn't damage the wall too much, so I quickly got up and looked to where I came from.
Marquis was there, looking down on the corpse of Arumanfi.
I quickly ran up to him to see if he's okay.
The suddenness got the better of me and I didn't think about endangering any pedestrians.
"Marquis, are you alright?"
"Yeah… I'm… fine…"
He wasn't moving away his eyes from the corpse, and I can see why. Instead of crimson red shade of blood, there was a white substance in substitute.
"What the heck is that?"
"That's a 'who' and not a what."
Marquis looked at me with concern in his eyes.
"Is that one of the assassins that attacked you?"
"No. He isn't one of them. He is, however, someone who attacked me long ago."
I closed my eyes then and concentrated my senses to check-up in something.
As my hearing got cancelled, it took me a few seconds before I located what I was searching for.
I finished my detection and looked up at the sky.
"Rudeus, what the heck was this about?!"
Susanne tried talking to me, but I couldn't pull my eyes off what I saw.
Instead, I pointed at the structure in the sky.
"Wait, there is something up there. What is it?" Sara asked.
"This is the Armored Dragon King's flying sky castle [Chaos Breaker]. And if he's here, then that means something caught his attention. And that something might be the monster we were supposed to find."
"Hold on, how do you know all of that? It as if you experienced something like this before."
Susanne's was reasonable to question this theory of mine.
I scratched the back of my head as I pried my eyes away from the sky castle.
"That doesn't matter. The fact stands that something is not right, and I can't ignore it anymore."
Guards already showed up but shuddered at the sight of Arumanfi's corpse.
I stepped away from the scene and was about to leave, but then I got nauseated.
"H-Huh?"
Is this another attack? Where is it coming from?
Then the smell of blood came to my nostrils. As I touched my upper lip, I felt something moist touching my glove.
As I removed my hand from my lip, I observed the presence of my own blood at the top of it.
The nausea got worse to the point where the world around me seemed like it was shifting.
***
With a headache, I woke up again, covered in what felt like a blanket.
I immediately moved my hand onto my head and waited a few seconds before I could manage a Healing Spell.
"Good. You're awake."
Soldat's voice reached me, and I was startled by it. I lifted my upper body and my eyes went wide.
"Woah, chill. It's just me."
"Where… where am I?"
"Calm down. We are in your room."
I looked around a bit and found out that he was telling the truth. We were at the inn I was staying at.
"So, mind telling me what your deal was with the Armored Dragon King?"
His question helped me get back to what happened.
Right. Arumanfi attacked me and I located the sky castle up in the clouds. It also came back to me that I killed him.
I looked at Soldat who had a more serious face than usual on. As a leader, he truly excels with his teammates.
With an exhausted sigh, I started telling him what happened.
"While I was about to demonstrate my Saint class Water Magic, [Columunimbus], the Metastasis Event was starting to happen, and Arumanfi assumed that I was the caster of the calamity and attempted to kill me. Luckily, my sword instructor was there to save me, and using her title as Sword King to convince him to spare me."
"I see that sounds like… wait, did you just say Sword King? And that person was your instructor?!"
"What, you thought those don't exist or something?"
"No, that's not what I… how did you get connections to a Sword King in the first place?"
"She is an old teammate of my parent's party. I think their name was [Fangs of the Black Wolf]."
"…" He had a deadpan look on his face.
As I couldn't comprehend what he was thinking about, I waited for him to recover.
"Okay, let's leave that aside. Now, onto your injury."
"You mean the bleeding out of my nose? I already figured out what that was about."
The secret behind that lies in my thought accelerator technique.
My guess is that it burned out my brain from all the stress. Something I didn't experience previously because I was too fixated on healing my eyes Jester slashed out.
Since I remember how the circulation was, recreating it will be easier.
"I'm talking about your arms."
"Huh?"
I looked down and saw that my bandages were missing. My purple veins were visible.
"Is this some kind of poison? I know finding your mother is important and all, but if you kept this at bay with your Detoxification Magic, and if it is still like this, then you should quit and-"
"Internal scars."
"…What?" He said, confused at the moment.
"I have an abnormally large manapool for a normal human and one day used too much mana through my arms and ended up injuring myself internally. The results weren't just my hands. My eyes and forehead, as well as my hair color have changed ever since then too."
"Your hair and eyes? What color were they before?"
"Fully brown hair with light green eyes."
Soldat started to scratch the back of his head and close his eyes.
"Well, let's leave it at that. You are already one hell of a person to begin with."
"…Thanks?"
"Now," he said while putting on a serious face. "Susanne told what you've said. Are sure about joining them?"
"Yes. Like I told Susanne, since the Armored Dragon King is here, then there must be something off enough to get his attention."
"You don't think he would've just sent his familiar to you to speak to you?"
"No. I will not talk to him."
A sudden sense of anger rose from me as I clenched my fists.
"What's wrong? No, let me guess, you know a little secret of his that makes him a bad guy."
"…"
"…"
I… was… surprised at how he's getting to the right direction.
Sure, keeping it a secret about Ruijerd budging right in into their battle and lying about it makes me see him differently, but at the same time I have this feeling that I shouldn't.
Whatever this is, I don't feel like talking to him if possible.
Soldat then sighed out loud before heading to the door.
"With how much I have seen you do these last few months, I'm sure that whatever it is that you know, it should be something to keep to yourself. Just remember not to head into unnecessary danger. Now take your time to rest and prepare for your mission."
And with that, he closed the door behind him.
I'm not sure if he's being considered or fed up with me, but I can't complain about it as I want to cause no more trouble than needed.
Sometimes I have the feeling that Paul was like him in his days as an adventurer.
Well, except for one small detail involving a rule that is adamant at [Stepped Leader].
No close relationships between party members.
If that was a mandatory requirement for every party, then this body may never have born since… well… you know... Paul…
But that is enough for now. I need to prepare for the searching mission.
I leaned to the side a bit and was about to get out of bed when suddenly a stiffness overwhelmed me.
With my balance lost, my upper body fell off the bed while my legs were still on it.
With my face now on the ground, I found myself in a crocked position.
This is a familiar feeling I've had before. One that bugged me for quite some time.
'Muscle spasm!!!'
The fight against Arumanfi required me to use my Touki for not much time, but I did use it with quite the intensity to even keep up with him.
My arms aren't in a position in which I could apply Healing Magic on to myself.
It hurts so much, and I don't know whether Soldat heard me fall or not.
I tried lifting myself with [Specter Force], but the moment I did, the pain worsened by the inch.
As inevitable as it is, I have no other choice but to endure this.
It may take hours, or even the whole night, but there is no way for me to endure this stiffness than gritting my teeth.
Time went on slow for me. And meanwhile, there was a single thought in my mind that made me regret my laziness, I should have learned from already from my past life.
'I SHOULD HAVE WORKED OUT MORE~!'
///