The topic of the young master moved fast as the small crowd of both strangers and acquaintances proceeded upstairs from the laboratory and holding cells to the relic armory after healing his bruises.
Everyone was in agreement with Arisu's proposal, but it would come at too high a price.
And so another method was required.
The payment of removing his blessing, is unfortunately, another.
As if mirroring the process of the creation of such a power, and spitting in our face, again, two individuals must forfeit their trait in return.
Each blessing is entirely unique, and always relates to an interaction with another soul, so anything that would attack that is considered taboo amongst those in service to the world, the 'misfits'.
Not even Merrah would be able to sacrifice her own if she desired to achieve this goal, less she forfeit the role her family swore into by contract, a lineage she was now the last of.
An exchange of such is only possible through the power of an individual who spoke with the world or spirits, more precisely, they needed to establish a contract with either a Dryad or powerful Druid.
Airsu is pissed because they technically have the power to destroy a blessing without such a long drawn out process, but won't for their reasons, at least Enda could use her flames to fix the damage he sustained.
Although, most agreed it wouldn't do any good, at least not yet, but she needs to present a way towards redemption, no matter how thorny that path may be, and give him the choice to walk it, 'everyone deserves a second chance'.
"Touji, do you know why I hide my right eye?"
"Because it glows?"
"I'll rephrase the question, do you know why it glows?"
"No"
"Originally, it was not part of me, similar to Ota's new horns. 'Raven Watcher' connects me to all of my copies-"
"I'm sensing a 'but'"
"Yes, it has a drawback. I am connected to each and every extreme emotion like pain, or, the influence of blessings"
I understand now.
The answer to a question lingering in the back of my mind.
This is why she hasn't been able to directly interact with the self proclaimed goddess pulling the strings in the holy kingdom, and why she had to send in a cursed race that couldn't be swayed by the influence of spirits, a Daemon, to perform covert operations.
It wasn't a case of not being able to infiltrate the kingdom, but one that could result in becoming a puppet if she wasn't careful, and by the looks of things, she may have already experienced that first hand... perhaps a few times over.
"If you understand, then I'll add this. It is my war to wage, not yours. All I will do is prepare you for the worst possible scenario. That's what... I think I can do as both a teacher, and mother"
"Enda... Did Thirty-Six?"
"When... When she knew that she was compromised, she... ended her own life"
The first copy I ever met, who was spotted and passed away in the Tyrants Rest Guild Hall, had two choices when she caught a glimpse of this Alameda Octavia woman. Gather information and corrupt Enda, or sacrifice herself and return to ashes.
No wonder it took her by such a surprise, what happened in the boat, she didn't wish it to happen nor expect it.
"Does the influence wear off over time?"
"Yes, depending on time spent, from one season to a year- *sigh* Touji, Ota, go on ahead, I have to tend to a pest"
"Okay...?"
Collective groans could be heard behind me as duty called and Red spoke up to silence the strangers. Judging by the diverse crowd of fancily dressed nobles of varying races, these must be the council members Enda approved of.
"Shut it, we all know why we're here!"
"Urgh. From what I Fifty Two can see, Lady Hercus brought friends. This is why I was AGAINST stopping the blizzard"
"Should I give you a hint as to why she just, suddenly, might have chosen to bring others!? Everyone's at fault"
"I hate politics"
It was clear they had work to do, whatever that may be.
...
Ota remained stunned after receiving her new horns, not uttering a word as we approached the armory floor.
This level is dedicated to holding relics in wait and wasn't open to the public. When I first heard of this level I was explained its purpose in the personal quarters above, yet nothing I pictured fit how the area was at all.
The 'study', two floors below, has one of its large walls made almost entirely of glass and metal, as it was built for a clock made of elemental water telling the time to the entire city below.
The engine of said magic contraption lay beneath us now, in the laboratory. This upper level mirrored the 'libraries' in layout and its arched window wall fitting the top half of the oversized clock, allowing us a fantastic view to the outside world.
Thankfully, Enda took the sun's direction when building this tower, so we never had to deal with that light blinding us inside. Tsumugi thought it was fitting we faced 'north', however, didn't explain why whatsoever.
She can be odd like that, I always saw her in the Lab or reading a book in one of her new 'bean bag' things.
Shit, I forgot her too, didn't I?
Enda's 'study', without a doubt, is far too big, so we all just call it a library now, and her armory is just a very cozy living room. Although it's filled with odds and ends littering the walls, and not just books, mostly relating to this floor's purpose.
As we approached a large fireplace, aligned with a couch and two lounge chairs, I could see Merrah's silhouette at an odd angle and overheard a conversation taking part.
As I approached, I caught a glimpse of her eye dart to us then back down at her sulking companion.
"-just a-"
"You're not"
"But I said it in front of everyone!"
"Why do it?"
"I just wanted to be comfortable... in my body..."
"It's fine"
"Is it? I feel like such a creep..."
"No. Your cu-"
She was quickly interrupted by a mysterious rogue pillow, hitting her face softly with a *pomf*.
I decided now was the best time to interrupt instead of listening in to a private conversation.
"Hey! We're back!"
Ota wandered over and sat down on the left lounge chair then flicking out it's mechanism to relax and stare at the ceiling, simply overwhelmed at the events of the past season, whilst I stopped at a nearby dinner table to empty the pseudo great bow 'quiver'.
"Oh, hey Rider... I didn't see you there"
It shouldn't surprise me that She'd found a comfortable spot in front of the fireplace, lying sideways on a monster's hide, one knee pointed upwards whilst fiddling with some firewood.
She gave me a metaphorical greeting by waving her tail that strangely enough, has a few small bells and green pointy leaves attached.
That eight foot tall half-dragon girl always managed to perk me up through ridiculous methods.
"Uh, why are you wearing Enda's clothes? They're a bit, small"
Specifically, she was wearing her black hotpants and white dress shirt. They barely fit her and the 'modifications' of cutting out a tail hole wasn't exactly neat.
Better than nothing I guess
"Hehe, she made em' fireproof. Charcoal left holes right? *groan* Ah' need ta buy new clothes"
Why didn't I think of that!? How did something so obvious skip my mind!?
"Merrah, this is yours"
For her, I picked out a rather strange liquor. A ridged bottle with brown liquid inside that reminded me of the sweet sauce the 'crepe man' used. I also passed her two small shot glasses just in case either of them wanted to try it.
"Interesting..."
"The shot glasses are from Ota"
"Thank you"
Peering over to hand Arisu her gift, I noticed Merrah was tending to her tails while she hid in her hoodie. I learnt a few more of her interests thanks to Ota, however, finding things like what she called 'Manga' turned out to be a fool's errand.
We settled on clothing after a copy stopped by to tell us what Enda had planned, as she has little casual clothes outside of her unique jumper and adventure gear.
No doubt the scabbard Rider was working had put on hold whilst waiting for her new forge and blast furnace, alongside everything she was working on. It would have made a great gift. Well, I guess it's more commission work than anything
"Hey Sis, the scarf is from Ota, the gloves are from me"
A red scarf and red fingerless gloves, she had a lack of casual clothes like me, yet I think these fit her aesthetic perfectly and fingerless gloves are cool, no matter the season.
"Thanks... Hey, Touji, am I weird?"
"And who exactly, in this room, would you call normal?"
I grabbed the slightly modified empty javelin bag and tossed it to Rider after a 'heads up'. We exchanged the shoulder strap for a quiver's belt attachments. This change wouldn't work for anyone with shorter legs, an advantage of her race.
"Ah, thank ye kindly"
As I sat down on the comfortable chair, Arisu nodded back to my question, albeit in a sideways manner.
"I'm serious..."
"I know, but you already got the answer you needed. Besides, I'm a bit more concerned with Ota"
"Huh, why?"
"Well, firstly, she would probably call you an idiot for caring so much about what others think and not just listening to Merrah. Secondly, right now, she's discovered her talent for imitating a slime after getting a new, um, pair of horns thingy from Myri-*sigh* whatever his name is. It kinda somehow transformed both of them?"
"Urgh what did Merlin do this time"
At least that switched her attention from her anxiety, into an external problem she could distract herself with. Besides, consulting me over Merrah was upsetting her.
"Er, that's gonna be a problem. What did he do to er'?"
"I don't know? Also, why is it a problem?"
"Duh, you two are formin' a party with two other brave idiots"
"Come again, we're doing what?"