Upon arrival at Farnom Village, the obvious happened. With Knights having arrived in a town of Adventurers, it would obviously be met with some hostility. The glare of many with the bravado of all who gather in this crowd makes it obvious they want to say "we don't need your help". But regardless, us reinforcements have arrived as requested.
As I was about to identify myself, a voice rang out from among the crowd.
"Make some room!"
I wouldn't have believed it had he not been there in front of me. The man the group of adventurers moving out of the way for was none other than the missing Deidura.
He didn't stick out of the crowd at first, him being shorter than most, but that dash of red in his blonde hair was hard to mistake, even if he was dressed up like an adventurer.
What surprised me most was that Adventurers don't often listen to those weaker than themselves. And though his grandfather is Uldrei, I doubt the old man's name alone would make all of these Adventurers step aside willingly.
But my reason for coming here isn't to appraise the grandson. And if he did gain the respect of these people then he's passable for the role of an important figure of this town.
"I'm the Keeper of Arms, Hektr Sitrol. I've come as leader of the reinforcements against the growing hobgoblin threat and ask to meet with the Guild master of Farnom's adventurers."
His eyes when looking at me were just like his sister's. The same green shine giving off a hint of distain. But, unlike her, he doesn't ask for an apology.
"Right then this way but only you."
The words like that of someone with authority. Seems he may be the mature one of the two siblings, despite their size difference saying otherwise.
Leaving the Knights behind with orders to make camp outside the village, I follow the Deidura to the guild hall. But as he is about to open the door, I get startled by his head suddenly slamming into it.
"Uh... You ok?" I ask.
"...yeah, I'm fine. Just... thought of something that makes me feel like an idiot," He then waves me off. "Just... Go in first. I'll be there in a minute."
He opens the door to let me in but after I go through, I hear something slamming into the door a few more times.
I can't help but wonder what made him want to slam his head against a wall.
--------
"Why did no one ever tell me?!"
Crouched low in a corner, away from prying eyes, I hide my head in my arms as the feeling of shame and embarrassment overheats my head that's currently aching after slamming my other's head against the wall a few times.
Rikon begins consoling me on my ignorance, "Sorry, I thought it was common knowledge."
Artifacts don't activate unless it's the owner who wishes it. And who's the owner is determined as the first person who possesses it when it doesn't have an owner.
This would make Veda the rightful owner of Uldrei's sword the moment he died. But it was Verei's to begin with because Uldrei, the previous owner, chose to pass on ownership to my other before passing.
And as it turns out, there are exceptions to that rule too as you can pass on a temporary ownership, like what I did when I allowed Serci access but strictly told her to return it.
The problem is that I never needed to put the artifact under the tree! I could've just left the artifact in the care of the adventurer's guild, telling them my other's name and rank and when he'd likely arrive to pick it up and they'd give it to him the moment he arrives because that's how the adventurer guild deals with artifacts!
It's unlikely to be stolen as it can't be used without the owner's permission or the death of the owner, giving the next person who touches it ownership afterward.
And though artifacts can be melted down to be reforged as a loophole to break ownership, only dwarven blacksmiths know how to melt down an artifact and a practice like that is a black market dealing, an illegal act that you would be burned for if the proper steps aren't taken such as being inside the cathedral's forge with the verified owner of the artifact. If you're found to be breaking down an artifact that isn't yours, every priest of any faith would feel you just disrespected the Gods.
After getting over my shame for thinking I was being smart. "Rikon... You said there were a few things I should know... What is the other?"
With me still hugging my knees, Rikon scratches his head, "Also, while you will be able to give the sword to your brother... You're still required to be here to hand over ownership."
'God DAMN IT! And I was sure that this plan was a great plan! ...'
'...But, wait... Do I really have to follow that rule?'
With that thought in my head I ask, "Hey Rikon? Is there a way to see who's the owner of the artifact?"
His eyebrow raised, "Not the... reaction I was expecting..."
He must've expected me to mope more but since both forms of me are me, I can't be sure if I have dual ownership with my other over the artifact or if it is just that Veda is the owner.
He takes a second before answering, "Well, there are only two ways to see ownership. One is with an artifact known as 'The Analyst's Eye Glass' which gives information on the artifact, including the owner's name. But there are only ten known in the world. Two are in the Federation, one in Siltria, one in the City of Oriel, three on the continent north, and the remaining three are in an unknown location."
Lower than I thought but still spread out. If I end up running into one of them, what would the name of ownership be on the weapon? Will it say Veda? Verei? Both? Or... the real names?
"Speaking of Siltria, I believe the owner of the Eye Glass is the Keeper of Trade."
I couldn't keep my eye from twitching.
'Out of everyone it had to be that damn...!'
'Huff... I guess I should be lucky he didn't use it while I was there or he could've learned something about me that I don't know.'
That artifact is a double-edged sword for me. There are so many possibilities of what could come to light if someone learns my real name before me.
'I am only using this identity as 'Uldrei's Grandchild' after all.'
'If possible, I should try finding something like that artifact myself instead of asking another but where would I find a missing one?'
"You must really hate him." Comments Rikon.
I flinched before sighing. 'A groan must have come out...'
"Let's change the subject," I say as I get off the ground.
If I have to keep talking about that bastard, I might lose my cool while dealing with the other bastard I despise with a passion.
--------
After identifying myself to the front desk as the Keeper of Arms, I was shown to the Guild Master's office, seeing the man with grey hairs.
"Welcome Keeper, I'm Gunther, the Guild Master here in Farnom."
With the fist put to his chest, he identified himself to be a citizen of Siltria.
Returning the greeting, I began the usual introduction. "Hektr Sitrol, Keeper of Arms. I've come with the reinforcements requested to defend this village against the hobgoblins of Varen Valley as well as receive an update on what happened since the last letter."
"Of course." He glances over to the woman from the front desk who closes the door behind her before offering me a seat.
With the both of us comfortable, I ask, "Have there been any new developments involving the hobgoblins?"
The Guild Master solemnly nods, "Unfortunately there have. Beyond the increased sightings of Hobgoblin's forming groups, there was an incident that took place about five days ago..."
My eyes twitch at the news. 'Five days ago? If I remember right, that's when the Deidura girl was having her seizure. Guess he was having one at about the same time.'
Without interruption, the guild master continued. "Goblin Assassin Variants had made their appearance. Not just one, but three who held a similar level of skill to one another. Had the Hero's Grandson mentioned in the note not been the one to face them, this place could've lost many lives before we knew they were out there."
'Three Variants? That's not a coincidence... Having even one is a terrible meaning, they only evolve like that by surviving against life-threatening odds, but three of similar skills means they survived the same disaster.'
"If that is so, then we very well may need to..." But just as I was about to continue, the door opened with the young Deidura making his return after he got over whatever personal issues he had.
Though it's rude to barge into a meeting without knocking, he's important for this meeting. That's when we see he's holding the door open for the front desk girl with a tea set on a cart.
With a troubled smile, the young girl bows her head before setting it up. "A-pologies, the tea has arrived."
The Guild Master also holds a stiff smile before sighing out his nose. "Speaking of the Grandson. Come sit Mr. Deidura."
With everyone here, the tea gets poured and the extra taking her leave, I start off by questioning the person who was there. "So, Mr. Deidura. I just heard you fought against three Assassin Variants. Do you remember any specifics in your battle against them?"
His eyes stare at the cup in his hands, avoiding looking at me. Seems he isn't as vocal about his disdain but he can't hide it any easier. "Well," He began. "The three of them were fast, quick enough it was hard for my allies to keep sight of them. The only way we were able to keep from all but me receiving an injury was because we kept out of close combat as often as possible."
A thought came to mind, "How quick where they on their feet? Did it take them only a moment to make a few meters?"
With that question, Verei finally looked at me. "That's right... But how could you guess that?"
My heart dropped as I took a deep breath. "Because it's what made the most sense. I feared there would be survivors of the battle and it seems that fear has been realized. Some hobgoblins from the fight in the valley had survived against the Keeper of Night and mimicked his way of fighting."
With a sigh I continue, "Some must have survived being struck by noticing him and played dead or moved into a hiding place. And because they survived, because of what they saw and felt, they took that strength for themselves. Though they likely weren't able to mimic all his skill else your party wouldn't have made it back alive. At best, there was only three, but at worst, there were many more that came out of that battle stronger than before."
The Deidura slams the table, "Another disaster from that one moment...!"
His words can have many meanings but I should avoid thinking the worst. "At least no one was killed."
He scoffed, "I felt like I would've died after getting struck in my...! arm."
I stare at the Deidura who hesitated for a moment. Clearly hiding something.
"Where was it on your arm then?"
He clicks his tongue before pointing at his left arm, below the joint of his shoulder. "It was pretty painful. So much so that my nerves have been numb despite being healed by magic, as though everything else after that acid eating away at my arm is nothing but a prick. I was lucky the healer could cast a cure spell for acidic poisons."
He returned to avoiding my gaze.
I look at the Guild Master who shakes his head. "Alright, so your success was to your ability to catch them off guard?"
"Only two of them. They went for the mage but I was able to take that chance to kill them both, then I got hit by the third who was taken out by our vanguard while I kept its attention."
'He was able to keep fighting despite his claim of the poison numbing his nerves after. The poison was either weak in its ability to incapacitate or he was resilient. But I won't be able to know unless I see the effects.'
"Then I needn't ask anything else." I pull out the letter and place it on the table in front of the brother, his eyes locking onto it. "I believe this is what you've been waiting for."
"That's right." He mutters.
He's been so brazen at one moment yet courteous the next. His way of speaking is like that of the adventurers but still waiting patiently for permission to take it. It makes it hard to gauge him.
With my handwave, he grabs the letter and tears it open from the top to take the letter. After a moment of looking through it, he smirked, "Thought so."
'He guessed his sister was heading for the University, yet he chose to stay here till he got a true lead. Is he level-headed or just going with the motion? Huff... His sister was easier to read.'
The guild master gets the letter next before reading it. "So, she is heading for the University of Oriel. And by recommendation. She's a pretty lucky girl as entry is expensive."
"She always has been pretty lucky." Verei stands and begins heading to the door. "Now that I know for sure, I won't waste any more time."
The guild master looks a little disappointed but bows his head, "Thank you for everything you've done Mr. Deidura."
With a wave, "Thanks for sheltering me. And feel free to call me Verei next time." With that, the door shuts behind him as the sound of hurried footsteps takes off.
Now it's just me and the Guild Master I chose to get the truth. "So now that he's gone, would you mind telling me where the wound he received actually was?"