The handmaiden led us along the halls silently, the three Heroes however had decided to converse amongst themselves.
"So what do you think he is?" Naofumi had asked in a hush tone.
"I don't really care what he is," Motoyasu replied as he wore an expression of disdain, "All I know is that he better not get in my way! This whole place is a dream come true!"
Though reluctant to do so, the child Itsuki, had agreed, "To think, a world where I can finally become the beacon of justice I've always wanted to be…" He whispered in awe.
"What about you, big guy!?" Motoyasu had shouted, "What are you after in this world?"
"What am I after in this world," I repeated. What am I after? I hold no desire. This body no longer serves purpose. I would suppose… "I would suppose that I seek nothing," My answer must have been unsatisfactory if their worried and estranged expressions meant anything, Motoyasu himself whispering 'Weirdo'.
"There has to be something you'd like?" Naofumi had asked with worry. Something I'd like? It was a strange thought. My father's personal guard, they had likes did they not? Did I like something? Did I want something?
"Wherever he may be, I would wish to know that my father is happy."
This answer seemed less satisfactory as they now looked hurt. Strange I suppose. It was not long before our handmaiden had left us within a spacious room of four beds. One for each of us no doubt. With a bow, the handmaiden gave mention of a banquet in our honor before departing.
"Alright daddy issues!" Motoyasu declared as he dropped onto a bed, "You're obviously not Japanese, so how bout it? Why not tell us more about yourself?"
Myself? What was there to say? "I am a Vessel. A Hollow contraption meant to house a wicked plague."
Query, no matter my words, neither of these Heroes found my responses satisfactory.
"M-maybe we should start off with a different question," Itsuki offered, "Hollow-San, right? What was the last thing you remember before waking up with us?"
The last thing I remember. Yes, it was still rather vivid within my mind, "My sister had slain me."
Motoyasu had given a genuine smile at this, though it did seem as if the others felt some level of concern, "Hah! Kinda like what happened to me,"
He began to weave a tale of his own misfortune. Two females of his species had pined for him equally, yet bore burning jealousies within themselves. In the end, the two had slain the Needle Bearer along with themselves.
"Anyway, that's the last thing I remember! What about you, Itsuki-kun?"
The child took a moment to review his surroundings as he gave a nod, his face flush as he smiled, "Well… I took a wrong turn one day and got run over…" Both Needle and Shell Bearers reeled back as if tasting something sour. How would one be 'run over'? Had he expired from exhaustion?
"Do you happen to mean 'trampled'?" I asked less from concern and more from annoyance. Truly, what fool would willingly walk along the path of a Stag? I was only met with more confusion as Itsuki began to clear his throat.
"Trampled? By a large animal?" He had asked curiously, "No, I was run over by a truck- aaand you don't know what a truck is… do you?"
Truck? This was not a word I was familiar with…
"Think of a giant steel container on wheels," Motoyasu had explained, "Now think about it going fast enough to crush a person on impact!"
"A Tram. You speak of a tram."
"Wait, you know what a tram is but not a truck?" The Shell Bearer questioned as he leaned forward, closing his distance somewhat between the rest of the currently clustered group. What was this 'truck' they spoke of? Was it not a tram?
"Tell me more of this… truck."
Itsuki had given a nervous smile as he chuckled, "Well, I couldn't really get a good look at it while it hit me in the face and can we change the subject now?"
"Good idea," Naofumi had offered, "Maybe we can talk about how this all seems like one big game?"
"It's exactly like Emerald Online now that I think about it!" Motoyasu declared.
Game? Emerald Online? What did a child's diversion and precious gemstones being balanced relate to our current situation?
Itsuki sighed as he first looked to me, and then to the others, "Guys, I don't think Hollow-San knows what a game even is."
A collective groan seemed to echo as the three took turns in explaining… boxes? Screens? Plastic? They spoke of controllers, mice, and keys. Of a remote viewing glass filled with moveable images. They called it a game.
"Do you have any questions about any of this?" Naofumi asked carefully. In truth, I could not bring myself to worry for such… frivolities.
"You would waste precious time to these games? For what purpose? Have you no duties? Do you serve no king?"
My words had been harsh. They were meant to be. These creatures were not Heroes, they had neither the mind nor soul necessary to throw themselves against the 'demons' that awaited them, let alone a simple grub. Behavior such as theirs was only prevalent in… in…
"You are not knights," I stated more than asked, slowly their heads turned side to side as if in confirmation of this, "Neither be you of Noble lineage," More of the same, the child Itsuki gulping down a pit of growing fear, "You are citizens of your kingdom. Not its warriors."
"That would be a fair assessment," Itsuki replied, "I won't lie and say I've lived life as a warrior. I'm just a kid… but I swear that in this world, I will make a difference!" His eyes spoke of persistence and pride as his words relaid wishes of honor. The others held bits of his sentiment… but one thing was very clear.
"You are, each of you, unprepared and naive children…" Though shaken, the three stared intently as they awaited my words, "Yet this world has deemed you worthy of its cause. Come, there shall be no rest for us. This night, the coming morrow, and further still I shall instill within you all that I know."
Motoyasu was the first to object, and so he was the first I grasped by his strange garment as I threw him atop my left shoulder. He kicked, he slammed his fists, he yelled, and he struggled, but what I would do would benefit them all. I hadn't so much as waited for confirmation from the others as I stared at them silently before walking away.
"Hollow-San!" Itsuki shouted as he ran behind me, "Isn't it almost nightfall? Won't it be too dark to train!?"
"You are a fool to believe your enemies shall offer you such luxuries."
"Hollow?" Naofumi spoke, "Maybe Itsuki's right. We all just got here an- WOAH!?" I deigned not reply, instead, I chose to heft him atop my free shoulder. Query, I had believed my left arm lost to me.
Various guards and soldiers gave me pause, some had been helpful in leading us closer to their training grounds, others had fled upon sight, and others chose to raise their blades against me. In these moments, it was the child Itsuki who apologized and tempered their ire… though some had decided to follow us to see as to what it was we hoped to accomplish.
One such knight led us to their training grounds. It was a spacious place, bare and empty. One would even call it… "Perfect."
"Hollow-San?" Naofumi spoke up after he regained his bearings. Unbeknownst to himself, he had unwittingly volunteered to be first.
"Engarde!" Surprised, Naofumi had very little time to raise his Shell as my Nail impacted point first… only it would have had it not ruptured in my grasp.
I heard gasps coming from Itsuki and Motoyasu, and even Naofumi had shrieked as he fell backwards… however I could not pry my eyes away from my now shaking hand and the shattered remains of my Nail. I remembered at this moment… I held no fond memories of the moment my kin and I had awoken in the Abyss, but held no contempt of it either. We had awoken to empty and broken eggs, all of us… as well as to the Nails which would serve us.
As I grew and trained, so too had my own Nail been reforged and tempered to match me. My father would always present my weapon to me after each process as if bestowing upon me a new blade…
"Naofumi!" I heard Motoyasu shout, "Check out your shield!"
I had finally pried my sight from my shaking hand to watch as Naofumi's Shell had morphed into one more reminiscent of the Nest. It's smooth contoured shape shined in the dim torchlit darkness the way my own Nail once did. Soon, Motoyasu and Itsuki had retrieved the scattered fragments of my Nail, applying the material to their own Weapons. In awe, the three watched as Motoyasu's 'Spear' had become a proper Needle, it's shine rivaling Naofumi's Hallowed Shell. Itsuki's was not far behind as his 'bow' took on a more vine like aesthetic, the arc-like armament seemingly interwoven within itself.
"Hollow-San?" Itsuki had spoken up as he approached me, "Hollow-San!" He called out once more as if in urgency as he hurriedly took my hand in his own, "Are you hurt!? What happened!? Oh my God… we took pieces of your weapon without even asking! H-hollow-San?" His eyes displayed worry, fear… for himself? It was true, they had retrieved pieces of my Shattered Nail…
"It is as useless and broken as I am," My reply only caused him more distress as he gently opened my trembling hand.
"Please don't speak like that, Hollow-San!" He shouted in reprimand as he brought my hand up, "Hollow-San, can you bring your sword closer to this fragment?"
My 'Sword'? This world's Nail. What would this accomplish? I suppose I did wish to know… and so I did as he bid, watching as the blade absorbed what remained of my Nail…
[Hallowed Nail Unlocked]
The 'Sword' had taken on the form of my Nail as it had once been. It was as smooth and refined as the day I absorbed the Infection.
"Was it important to you?" Itsuki asked with a bit less fear.
"My father gave me this Nail. It is all I have left of him," The others had walked beside him, crowding around me as they held the remainder of my Nail.
"Hey, Itsuki," Motoyasu had nudged the child to gain his attention, "Check your inventory," Blinking, the child had done so as he retrieved a piece of my Nail from the ether.
With growing surprise, he looked to the others in curious wonder, "How…"
"It looks like we can feed our Weapons different materials to scan and it puts it in our inventory when it's done," Naofumi had explained calmly.
"Her ya go, Daddy Issues!" Motoyasu exclaimed as he 'fed' my new Nail the remains of the old. The others quickly followed suit as I reviewed my own 'Inventory'.
[Shattered Nail Fragments X6
The remains of a Nail of Hallownest]
This new Nail was truly a wonder to behold… where had these fragments been stored? Within the gemstone inlaid into its crossguard? The other Weapons also seemed to carry similar precious stones… looking up, I stared upon Naofumi, "Shell Bearer," My 'voice' echoed, "Prepare yourself once more."
"Wait! Why me!?" He argued as he panicked. He was awarded no sympathy however as his fellow Heroes abandoned him.
"Well you did break the only thing he had to remember his father by…" Itsuki explained as he walked away with his hands raised placatingly.
"I would really hate to be you right now…" Motoyasu added, echoing the sentiment and action given by young Itsuki.
"Engarde!" Once more I was upon the Shell Bearer, his eyes much more focused than before as my Nail met Shell. Though futile, he had attempted to stay my strike only for his arm to be pushed away. This new Nail had been light, its weight non-existent as it sang through the air in order to colide with Naofumi. The Shell Bearer was not without his own wits as he hastily jerked his arm back into position as he parried my strike.
"Good, Shell Bearer! We will stop only when both of your arms can be raised no longer!"
"Both!?" He shouted hastily, grunting as one of his attempts to block had led to him bashing his own face. Fortune smiled at the Shell Bearer however as seemed unharmed. Shaking away the shock he once more took his stance, and so we continued until his left arm could function no longer.
Heavily winded and resting on the floor, the Shell Bearer raised his free arm in plea, "Hollow! I can't keep going! Let me rest…" My Nail piercing the stone his chest rest upon had other intentions of course. Groaning, Naofumi rose to his feet and attempted to remove his Shell.
"Training has not yet begun upon your right arm, surely it is strong enough to wield your Shell?" His reply was to grunt heavily as he strained against his Shell.
"I can't take it off! It's like it's glued to my arm!" He shouted. Glued? Was his Shell bonded to him?
"Worthless," Naofumi had flinched at this as he looked to me, "How worthless a Shell when it cannot defend its wielder," Fear had set in as he began to choke on his own words, "You would hold more fortune hiding behind your own flesh then to relie upon such a meaningless tool."
Was it cruel of me to say? Perhaps. He cursed himself of course, but moreso… he cursed his Shell. He began to growl, as he slammed his fist upon the Shell before once more attempting to pry it away.
"If you're supposed to protect me… then DO IT ALREADY!" With a piercing cry to the heavens, threw his free arm away, and with it; the Shell. Frantically, he began to turn and crawl until his eyes laid upon his right arm, now adorned with the Shell.
"And so it is not as worthless as I had once perceived," My comment sat well with Naofumi, or at least it tempered his failing spirit. Nodding to him, I once more readied my Nail only for a voice to shout me from my stance.
"SIR HERO!" What I fathomed to be a royal courier had shouted at us, shocking the heroes as well as our growing crowd of onlooking soldiers, "By order of our King, Lord Melromarc the Thirty Second, your banquet has been prepared as have the honored guests arrived!" The young page proclaimed as he bowed.
"My apologies young one!" I 'shouted' in return, "Please inform the King that our heroes are not yet prepared to face such frivolities," Motoyasu and Itsuki looked offended and no doubt had words for me, but so had I, "Would it behoove you to send for our meals so we may dine here, and if his majesty would allow it, to herd his guests here so they may bear witness to their future heroes?"
"Well I-I-I-I really sh-shouldn't I-"
I paid little to the boy's stammering as I once my focused upon the task at hand, "Noafumi! Stand once more!" With a weakened and pitiful cry, Naofumi stood once more and readied his arm.
Once more we clashed, my Nail impacting upon his Shell as each stroke pushed him back further and further until he could withstand no more. He struggled upon the floor for what seemed an eternity to us… he struggled until the last of his strength left him, our ever growing crowd erupting in applause.
"Rise, Shell Bearer," My 'voice' called out as I aided him to his feet, "Motoyasu, come aid your fellow hero."
"Huh!? Why me!?" The Needle Bearer argued, the guardsmen having brought out various carts and trays of what I guessed was their food.
"Would you rather be next?" I asked knowingly, watching as he broke out into a cold sweat before perking up to save face.
"I mean, a hero can't exactly fight on an empty stomach, right?" He had begun to laugh nervously as he made his way to co-mingle with whom I had guessed to be neighboring nobles.
Itsuki, though hesitant, did seem to share the Needle Bearer's sentiment, "Maybe Motoyasu has the right idea, Hollow-San. Would it be alright if I got a light snack before beginning our spar?" I gave a reluctant nod, watching as Itsuki had helped Naofumi along as Motoyasu had left the tired Shell Bearer to fend for himself.
These fledgling grubs had such a long way to go, but I chose this path and it would be remiss of me not to stay the course.
I stood before all as if a statue. Some would draw near and gaze upon my form, others would scoff before raising their pointed faces into the air as if they caught wind of a stench most foul… but among these were the handmaidens and pages. Some were meek and frightened easily, these held such plain features hidden behind robes and leathers. Then… then there were those estranged creatures.
Their heads were topped with fur-covered, curved, and hollowed horns that twitched at the slightest of sounds as well as tails ranging from small to massive in shape and volume.
"May I offer you a refreshment, Sword Hero?" One such odd handmaiden asked. Her eyes looked empty and lifeless. I fathomed that were I to strike her, her body would produce no Soul to fuel my magic.
"I have no need for such things," I replied as politely as was able as I returned to my vigil.
"You should at least eat," She argued, "If only to maintain airs…" She had thusly presented me with a small, scaled, and finned creature, "Is fish to your liking, Sir Sword Hero?"
Fish? Was this fish? I grasped the slimy, cooked fish by its tail end and examined it closely. Lifting it aloft, I slowly lowered it down my neck, relishing the strange sensations that began to invade my form. I felt the Void within shudder and settle as if pleased.
"You certainly don't waste time, Sir Hero," The handmaiden commented as I placed the tail fin remains upon the platter she still carried, "May I offer you another?"
Another? I did so wish for another, but something within told me that should I consume again I would likely never cease. Thankfully, the 'Arc' Bearer had shaken me from my turmoil.
"Hollow-San!" He shouted as he ran forward, "Ready? I think everyone's waiting to see what we can do."
Thankful for the distraction, I gave a bow to the emotionless handmaiden as she made way for Itsuki and I to begin… although Itsuki had decided to put some distance between us. Did he intend to strike from afar? Was there magic within him?
I had found out soon enough the true power his Arc held as several bolts of gathered light flew from the weapon. He sought a war of attrition… he would not be disappointed. I met each bolt with the flat of my Nail, shortening our distance quickly with each passing projectile. Even as he stepped further back, I doubled my pace until I was finally upon him.
I struck his face with the pommel of my Nail, watching as he staggered onto his back and clutched his head in pain. Query, The Shell Bearer took much abuse, but a slight tap against the Arc Bearer had even drawn what I believed to be blood.
"Did you have to hit me so hard!?" Itsuki shouted as a handmaiden rushed to his side and began to apply magic to his wound.
"Yours is an underdeveloped body unused to pain, we shall remedy that."
Itsuki's eyes immediately widened with fear… this too would be remedied…
"Sir Sword Hero!" After appeasing a squire who chose now to call our attention, or at least my own attention, "Wait! You… sorry… let me catch my… Sir! I apologize for the inconvenience, but are you aware of the differences between Heroes?" He asked curiously as he gave a salute.
"Differences? What meaning would differences have in situations of victory or death?" And so the squire explained of our conundrum, The Sword Hero had the highest attack stat with rather low defense but slightly better than average speed of the Four Cardinal Heroes, followed by the Spear who's stats had been the most balanced between speed, strength, and defense. The Bow Hero, though the fastest of the Four, had a damage output near identical to the Spear, but with a fatally lower defensive stat. Finally, there was the Shield Hero. Though lacking both strength and speed, held the most longevity and natural defense as opposed to all.
And yet it made no sense…
"They must be trained as Heroes, not pampered to be idols," I argued.
"Hollow-San?" Itsuki spoke up, the bruise upon his crown now much less visible, "I'm sorry for shouting… but… what kind of training did you actually go through?" It had seemed as he was not the only one curious to this as the nobles, knights, as well as the king himself had gathered close.
"I was trained not to fear my death. I was molded, shaped into a perfect Vessel by the Nest's Nailmasters, Shamans, as well as an obstacle course built by my father's hands," I explained calmly, "My kin, had they been allowed to continue their existence, would have been tempered much the same," The crowd gasped and began gossiping amongst themselves, faces aghast at my words.
"You had brothers and sisters?" Noafumi asked worriedly.
"And the hell do you mean by, allowed to exist?" Motoyasu questioned, mirroring his fellow hero's worry.
"My kin were cast away, left to rot within the Abyss that hollowed us."
"How many…" Itsuki shook as he feared the answer to his question.
"Many. They had been... a necessary sacrifice," Were they, however?" Would the Nest not have prospered longer with so many to uphold it? What of the Void King? Had he not vanquished the Radiance through sheer force? Was I… Was my father… Were we wrong?
"Hollow-San?" Itsuki must have taken my silence for turmoil, I was above such emotions.
"Wait wait wait!" Motoyasu unceremoniously shouted as he closed the gap between us, "You said your family was just… thrown away?" I gave a nod, many in the crowd forming spiteful glares, "Your dad did that?" Another nod, "Was your mom okay with that!?"
"Neither saw choice in their actions."
"So how many are we talking about?" He obnoxiously continued to question, "Fifty?" I slowly shook my head at this, the crowd becoming horrified in their anger, "Eighty?" The fear soon took the anger as I repeated my action, "A hundred!?" He pressed on.
"Countless…"
Motoyasu gave a nod in understanding, "That is fucked up…" He muttered.
"I'm just as worried about this obstacle course," Naofumi commented, "When you say you were trained not to fear death, was the course a factor?"
"It was," I replied calmly, "My father's genius advanced the Nest. Transportation, economy, utilities. There was always one singular invention he favored above all however."
"I'm almost afraid to ask…" Noafumi commented as he gulped.
"My father had long since mastered the automatic spinning discus."
"Wait, no. No. Stop!" Motoyasu shouted, "Are you telling me… YOUR DAD BUILT AN OBSTACLE COURSE FILLED WITH BUZZSAWS AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT A COMPUTER IS!?"
"I'm pretty sure that's not the takeaway here…" Noafumi offered while Itsuki addressed the crowd.
"Um, please don't make any loud shouts or start a commotion, but to those of you unfamiliar with the terminology, a buzzsaw is a thin, sharpened metal disc that's allowed to spin rapidly without the use of human interaction," The Arc Bearer explained much to everyone's growing dread. Some patrons had even fainted at the thought.
"As it stands!" The king exclaimed, "The night has grown old and we are all quite exhausted. Esteemed guests, allow us all to excuse ourselves so that our heroes may rest for their coming trials!"
Rest? These hatchlings could not afford rest, "We have yet to begin-"
"Hollow-San!" Itsuki shouted, "It's okay, we aren't… well, we aren't vessels like you, and as far as I'm concerned, you aren't a vessel anymore either."
No longer a Vessel? Preposterous. What more is left of me but myself? What… who am I who no longer holds the Radiance?
The crowd had shuffled away, those who looked upon me with scorn now only looked upon me with pity. I neither deserved, nor desired such a thing. I desired nothing… I turned to follow my fellow Shell Bearer as he shakily made his way to the others, only to be stopped by the king himself.
"Your Highness," I 'spoke', watching as his somber yet enraged eyes fell upon me.
"Please, my boy, call me Aultcray," He replied softly, "Come, let us converse on the way to your quarters."
I agreed to this arrangement as it would be unbecoming of me to deny a king their request, "My boy," He muttered as we walked through the castle proper, "Your father, what was he in your kingdom?" His question carried with it an unprovoked venomous tone.
"My father was the Nest's Pale King. The saviour of the bugs of Hallownest," I replied readily. He had stopped abruptly at the mention of king, schooling his features as he once more walked alongside me.
"King… then I do not speak merely to a knight of your realm, but it's prince?" He asks expectantly.
"I do not hold that title," I replied easily, "I am my kingdom's Hollow Knight. A mere Vessel forged to contain infection."
"It is sickening, is it not?" He stated coldly, "That a father and king would condemn not but one… many of his own offspring to contain a disease," He looked repentant of these words as he looked towards me with sorrowful eyes, "Apologies, Sir Hollow, I have children of my own you see. When I think of what I would do were I in your father's place… I would sooner die finding another way then allow harm to my little girls…"
We spent the rest of our short walk in silence, the king leaving me in a different room then the space I shared with my fellow Bearers.
"Hollow, my boy. In the case of which I have either offended yourself or your family, I do so humbly apologize. From king, to prince, I thank you for your willingness to aid my kingdom in its time of need… and should you so wish it, Melromarc shall forever hold a place for you."
With a low bow, Aultcray had walked away, the shadows surrounding the halls shuddering slightly as he passed.
This new resting place was no different than the last save for its smaller size. It's single, large bed was covered in red cloth and felt soft to touch. I remembered Motoyasu had lain himself upon it… was I to do the same?
I had lain myself down for what seemed an eternity… time having long since lost its effect upon me. Yet… I had felt my mind drift away… as if a stone upon a sea. My vision soon blurred as a familiar voice shouted into my mind. As the voice grew louder, the vision had become clearer… I was soon surrounded by the lush vegetation of Greenpath, and with me… sister mine, shouting war cries at the Void King.
Was this a mirror to my home? Could they see me as I did they? As the Void King struck our sister, she soon chose to flee, my brother only watching as she fled… before turning to look at me.
A knock at my door had taken me from this vision, the room door opening to the sight of the soulless handmaiden from before.
"His majesty, King Aultcray Melromarc the Thirty Second has requested the presence of all four Cardinal Heroes," She stated with emotionless care. Nodding, I motioned for her to lead the way.
Our passage to the throne room was made in silence, the echo of our steps forming their own conversation. With a gracious bow, the handmaiden had left me before the massive wooden doors of the throne room.
"Hollow-San!" Naofumi had called out as he raced to my side, Itsuki and Motoyasu following closely, "How'd you sleep?"
"Because let me tell you!" Motoyasu interrupted as he pushed down on Naofumi, "I haven't slept so well in ages!"
Ignoring the now bickering bearers, the four guards on watch had taken the doors and dragged them open. Within had been a collective swarm of the featureless creatures, some wearing robes, others donned in armor. Stepping within, the king began to speak as we each stopped at a small table holding a bag.
"Summoned Heroes! The time is now upon you to venture into the world! I have seen for to gather as many willing adventurers to aid you in your coming journey," The adventurers had perked up, for what I knew not. They did not concern me, instead, I felt more concern for what our pouches contained. Lifting the pouch had caused the sound of clattering metal. Was this geo? Would geo provide a new Nail?
"I see that our Sword Hero has taken his monthly stipend of silver," The king called out, "As per request, my kingdom shall bestow upon you four a monthly stipend of eight hundred silvers, so as to ensure that each of you may pay for any and all expenses along your travels."
Silvers he called them. I had taken one such Silvers, eyeing the currency curiously. Immediately, I placed the coin upon my Nail's gem, watching as a new shape took form.
[Royal Silver Sword unlocked]
It was a strange design, no doubt native to this world. Long, broad and thick body with sharpened edges. Exagerated and bulbed crossguard, etched handle and rounded pommel. It's most striking feature was it's pale shine… was this 'Silvers' linked in anyway to Pale Metal?
"My king," I interrupted as he had changed subjects from our monetary aid to our physical aid, "Have you anymore metals so we may empower our Weapons?"
Those within the room had looked scandalized, one female of their species seemed disgusted at my interruption. They were further gobsmacked as the king gave a solemn nod, "Of course, Sir Hollow, guards! Bring us as many metals and armaments as you can!"
"Hollow-San!" The Arc Bearer shouted as if to chastise me, "Now I admit that every little bit helps, but you can't just interrupt dialogue!"
"Our needs out way your misguided 'rules'," I replied, causing the child to pout. Motoyasu and Noafumi however seemed thankful for the extra aid.
It was not long before several chests and tables were set before us, various metals of different coloration and size as well as several Nails, Arcs, and Needles. There was however a distinct lack of Shells.
"May these materials further aid you in your endeavors!" The king exclaimed as he once more began to speak to us of the company we would keep. A king's word was his bond… but these companions… he could not speak for all of them. Most had chosen to side with the Bearers of the Arc and Needle, I took note that others scoffed at the Bearer of the Shell… and the rest had leveled fearful gazes upon me.
I could not train a company of greenhorn squires, not with so little time… not with how I myself had been trained… and so it would be that I would speak my thoughts once more to our proxy king.
"Your highness, I can not in good faith, force your hand upon unwilling participants," I 'spoke' up.
"Nonsense, my boy!" He shouted back, "Any of these budding adventurers would do well by you!"
With a shake of my head, I continued, "There is one within these halls to which my standards have been met. I wish for the company of the horned handmaiden," My words had drawn confusion as murmurs exploded within the throne room.
"My castle holds no such maid," The king replied with curious disgust.
"Hey wait a minute…" Motoyasu had spoken up, "Da- I mean, Hollow! Do you know what a 'cat-girl' is?" His question immediately gained the attention of the crowd. He must have taken my silence as answer enough it seemed as he crossed his arms in mock triumph, "Okay, see, the maid he was talking to last night. That's who he means!"
"Wait, the really creepy woman with the monotone?" Naofumi asked, "Actually… now that I think about it, the two seem perfect for each other."
"Absolutely not!" The King had shouted as he stood, shocking most everyone in the room, "Sir Hollow, a knight as esteemed as yourself would surely desire better than a demi-human?"
Demi-human… Demi. Half-Human? Was this species, Human?
"Subhuman refuse, my king. A necessary sacrifice," My cold words tempered his outrage, whilst implanting budding rage within my fellow Bearers, "This castle would not miss one such as her."
With a reluctant sigh, the king waved his arm to one of his guards, "Please take Sir Hollow to the mages quarters and find the maid of which he speaks. Hollow, my boy, I can only hope you do not regret your choice."
With a humble bow, I took my leave along with my allotted currency, thankful that my Nail had been able to hold such an amount.
[Copper Saber Unlocked]
[Brass Blade unlocked]
[Gambler's Gold Sword Unlocked]
[Bronze Blade Unlocked]
[Iron Sword Unlocked]
[Steel Blade Unlocked]
[Damascus Blade Unlocked]
[Bastard Sword Unlocked]