What's the most important thing we need to upgrade a Werehouse? According to Master Merlin, it's none other than the will of the Werehouse itself.
To quote Doctor Natasha, "If the mind and soul are not strong, the body will perish, no matter how good the medicine" [Merlin].
That's certainly true. Nar himself said that a warrior will lose a battle even with all the advantages he has if he thinks he's not ready.
It feels like we are performing major surgery on Werehouse. No. This is more than major surgery. We are basically turning Werehouse inside out and replacing it with new components. Poor Werehouse. Now that I think about it, I would rather find another Werehouse than put it through something scary.
"This is tiring" [Calypso].
"True. I don't think we've reached the necessary numbers yet" [Diana].
"You still have 7 months left to connect Amleth to the Elven Kingdom. If we take into consideration that Werehouse needs at least 2 months to upgrade and rest, then it's 5 months. Slow and steady makes you all better" [Hanging Treant].
I helped the puppet to reach the required number of boards needed to upgrade Werehouse. So far, we're only thinking about upgrading the Werehouse, but there's no concrete plan on how to do it. Who's involved. What should be done. Where we should do it. How much money is involved. So far, there's literally none.
"I think Master Merlin really wants Werehouse to be ready on its own. I can tell that what you are going to do is basically almost the same as when we first met. I was perfectly willing to be modified back then. It's scary, but I went through it and became powerful as a result, but not everyone is ready" [Doll Diana].
I see. In that case, I shouldn't waste my time here. I will play with Werehouse and talk to it. Whatever it wants to do, I will respect it. If Werehouse doesn't want to be changed, then that will be the final decision.
With that, Calypso, the doll, and I went to our mansion and got Werehouse (and Fie as well). We walk around and do nothing but play all day. One of our destinations is the village where the Lizardmen and Dragonewt gather. There we find the sentient Medusa, Rar and her five daughters, Rara, Rere, Riri, Roro and Ruru. The villagers here have already accepted them as one of their own. That's great.
"What are you doing here Young Lady Diana?"
"Ahh, the elder Dragonewt. Nothing, just playing with them" [Diana].
"No trouble? Last I heard, you were being scolded by Nar for barging into Her Highness' meeting room" [Savel].
"I am absolutely not the one to blame at that time!" [Diana]
"Yes, Werehouse, we are fine. I'm glad to see that you're fine as well" [Rar].
"You can understand Werehouse?" [Doll Diana]
"Somehow yes. Besides, Werehouse gave shelter to me and my daughters when we first met" [Rar].
That's right. Werehouse let them stay inside before they inevitably moved out to this village. Maybe because they're both classified as monsters, they understand each other? It's a big maybe. Even I am not sure how they are able to communicate with each other.
"Nervous? Young lady Diana, Werehouse said that you're making it nervous? What actually happened?" [Diana]
"Ahh..." [Diana]
(If we think about it from Werehouse's perspective, isn't this like a last walk before it inevitably get killed or slaughtered? Maybe that's what Werehouse thinks?) [Calypso]
"I see... My mistake... Actually..." [Diana]
I explained it to everyone. I even explained what Calypso (who uses a powerful invisibility spell so that no one can see her) was whispering to me.
"Then I'm sure this is indeed the case. That's almost how I felt when they tortured me and my daughters" [Rar].
"Werehouse... I am truly sorry! I really didn't mean it!" [Diana]
"Werehouse understands your intention perfectly. He knows you meant no harm" [Rar]
I can feel that Werehouse is getting more relaxed. That's great. I guess if Werehouse really doesn't want to do it, then I won't. I'm sure Master Merlin, my families, and the others will agree.
"Hmm... Werehouse. How about you take a look at this" [Savel].
Savel, the icy mirage Dragonewt who earned the S rank title together with Randy, transforms. He becomes twice as tall and ten times more menacing. His ice and mirage mana leak out. It's thicker as compared before, and now he can even create his own miasma with his own mana. Still
"That's cool, but why did you suddenly transform?" [Diana]
"Dragonewt transformation, while almost similar to Beastmen and some Demon transformations, comes at a great cost. You see, when we transform, we're imitating, or shall I say, returning to our root, which is the great dragon. So if you want to become a dragon, you have to be worthy first. From flesh and bone to spirit. If a dragonewt lacks any of these qualities, he will inevitably fail and be consumed by it, rampaging endlessly before inevitably dying" [Savel].
"I see. You're encouraging Werehouse. I'll explain!" [Doll Diana]
"That won't be necessary. Even without verbal communication, I think this alone will suffice" [Savel].
Savel stares at Werehouse, specifically at one of the windows. Somehow, just somehow, I think they're both communicating with each other. Like they understand each other. Werehouse even understands what pain Savel must have endured to reach this stage.
"It agrees! Just like that?! Sometimes, I don't understand how you all think" [Rar].
"Hahahaha! Looks like Werehouse got the spirit of us warriors after all! Congratulations on entering adulthood. No, maybe into puberty?"
"Elder is right. Stand proud warrior." [Savel]
"Meow" [Fie]
"Yes, you're also a man and a warrior among cats, Fie!" [Diana]
"And Werehouse too! I'm sure if we make him stronger and bigger, it can even trample any castle!" [Doll Diana]
Since Werehouse agreed, I should inform the others as well, but more importantly
"A celebration is indeed necessary! Since you're a warrior entrance by Dragonewt transformation, let's celebrate it as one"
"I am with Elder!" [Savel]
"I'll tell the others. I'll also ask Rara to help" [Rar]
"Yay! Feast! Feast!" [Diana]