Chapter 36: The Seeds of Preparation
As the wagon gently rocked along the dirt road, Reyn sat at the back, staring at the horizon. The adrenaline from the battle had faded, leaving his mind to swirl with ideas and concerns. Lior sat nearby, flipping through the rune book she always carried, while Alistor hummed cheerfully up front, steering the wagon. Garrett and Edger rode their horses a few paces ahead, exchanging casual banter.
Reyn leaned back against the wagon's wooden frame, letting the rhythmic creaking lull him into a trance. His thoughts drifted to the years ahead and the demons lurking on the enemy continent. He knew he couldn't fight such a threat alone, no matter how strong he became.
"What can I create to truly make a difference?" he wondered.
The ideas began forming, like sketches in his mind:
A Magical Barrier System: A network of barriers to surround every city and town, protecting them from magical or physical invasions.
"It'll take years and resources beyond anything I have now. Maybe Alistor's father could oversee the project. He's a governor, after all, and has the connections to gather mages and engineers."
A Teleportation Gate Network: Gates that would connect cities, allowing people to move quickly and safely across the empire.
"This would be massive. I'd need rune experts, blacksmiths, and enchanters working in unison. But if I can figure out the foundation, it could change everything."
Divine Weapons for Heroes: Reyn clenched his fist, feeling the weight of the Buster Sword he made.
"I'll focus on making divine weapons, but I can't just hand them out to anyone. I'll need to find worthy warriors to wield them. Maybe the adventurers I've already met, or people I'll meet in the future."
He sighed, leaning his head back. "All of this will take time, and I don't have forever."
Another idea sparked in Reyn's mind. He had already been toying with the thought of creating powerful bows for long-range combat—weapons capable of firing enchanted arrows with precision and devastating power.
"Long-range options will be critical, especially against demons who can fire at us from a distance. If I can create bows that enhance the user's accuracy and power, we'd have a major advantage on the battlefield."
Reyn could already imagine the designs: bows infused with elemental runes to allow the wielder to choose fire, lightning, or even ice-enhanced arrows. He could pair them with a quiver that refilled itself using magic, ensuring the archer never ran out of ammunition.
"It might not be as flashy as a sword, but a bow like that could turn the tide of a battle."
His thoughts took a sudden turn. "What if I made guns like the ones Dante uses in Devil May Cry? Lightweight, powerful, and easy to carry." Reyn's hand brushed the rune-covered notebook he kept by his side. He jotted down quick sketches and notes, thinking about how he could replicate the mechanics and enchant the weapons for maximum effect.
"It wouldn't just be for me—I could arm others with them too. Not everyone can wield swords or magic, but a gun like that could change the battlefield entirely."
As the wagon hit a small bump, Reyn's notebook slipped, and he caught it with a frown. "None of this will work if I don't have a secure place to work. Somewhere hidden, where I can create without being interrupted or discovered."
He glanced up at Garrett, who was now laughing at one of Edger's jokes. "Maybe Garrett knows of a cave or an abandoned fort somewhere in the wilderness. I'll have to ask him later."
Reyn's eyes wandered to the crow golem perched on the side of the wagon, its metal feathers gleaming in the sunlight. "The crow golem's been useful for me, but what if I made more of them? Smaller, simpler versions, built for quick communication. I could sell them to adventurers or the empire for a steady income. They'd be invaluable for coordinating efforts if war breaks out."
The thought excited him, and he immediately began sketching designs for a lightweight, mass-producible crow golem.
As Reyn lost himself in his thoughts, Lior noticed his furrowed brow and set her book down.
Lior: "You've been awfully quiet back there. What's going on in that head of yours?"
Reyn: "Just...thinking about what I can do to be prepare for anything. There's so much I need to make, but not enough time."
Lior: "You're not doing this alone, you know. You've got us."
Reyn (smiling faintly): "I know."
Lior: "Just don't overwork yourself. You'll need that brain of yours for years to come."
Up front, Garrett turned his head slightly.
Garrett: "Oi, Reyn! You're making that face again—the one that says you're planning something ridiculous."
Reyn: "Maybe. Garrett, do you know of any caves or secluded places i could...borrow for a while?"
Garrett (grinning): "Ah, looking for a lair now? I might know a few spots. Dangerous, though."
Reyn (grinning back): "Dangerous is fine, as long as it's hidden"
The wagon rolled steadily along the dirt road leading back to Greyhold, its wooden wheels creaking with every bump. The long journey was finally coming to an end. Reyn sat in the back of the wagon, his eyes fixed on the dwarven sword resting across his knees. The mithril blade gleamed faintly in the sunlight, its intricate runes catching the light with a silvery glow.
Over the past weeks, Reyn had meticulously studied every inch of the weapon. He had confirmed what he suspected—it was made of pure mithril, an almost indestructible metal renowned for its magical conductivity. This was no ordinary weapon; it was a masterpiece of dwarven craftsmanship. Yet it also posed a troubling question: What kind of wealth or power could afford such a blade—and why had it found its way into the hands of a royal knight?
"Still staring at that thing, huh?" Lior's voice broke his concentration. She sat cross-legged across from him, nibbling on a piece of dried meat.
Reyn glanced up, his expression thoughtful. "This sword... it's not just a weapon. It's a statement. Whoever made it wanted to show the world what the dwarves are capable of."
Lior smirked. "You sound jealous."
Reyn chuckled. "Maybe a little. But it's also... inspiring. If they can make something like this, so can I. Maybe even better."
Lior rolled her eyes. "Of course. Always aiming for the impossible."
Reyn didn't reply. His mind was already racing ahead, envisioning the projects he wanted to undertake—projects that could reshape the future of the empire.
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Campfire Conversations
That evening, the group set up camp near a quiet stream. The fire crackled warmly as they sat in a loose circle, the stars twinkling overhead. Reyn sat beside Alistor, who was meticulously cleaning his boots while Garrett and Edger discussed battle tactics over a shared flask of ale.
Reyn turned to Alistor. "I've been thinking about some long-term projects," he began.
Alistor looked up, curious. "Oh? Let's hear it."
Reyn outlined his vision:
Magical barriers around cities and towns to protect them from large-scale attacks.
A network of teleportation gates to enable fast, safe travel across the empire.
Mass-produced crow golems for instant communication between regions.
Alistor whistled, impressed. "You've been busy thinking."
"These aren't things I can do alone," Reyn admitted. "I was hoping you could talk to your father about the barriers and gates. He'd need help from the Duke to make it happen."
Alistor grinned. "My father loves a challenge, and this one's big enough to keep him busy for years. I'll talk to him as soon as we get back."
Reyn nodded, grateful. "Thanks, Alistor. I'll focus on what I'm good at—making weapons. Divine weapons for heroes to wield. And maybe..." His voice trailed off as he thought about guns.
"What?" Alistor prompted.
"Maybe I'll try making guns too. Like the ones Dante uses in Devil May Cry. They'd be tricky, but if the enemy's going to use firearms, we need something to counter them."
Alistor raised an eyebrow. "You're full of surprises, Reyn. Just don't blow yourself up experimenting."
Reyn laughed, though the idea of firearms brought a shadow to his thoughts. The memory of Valtor's warning about demons and the war fanatic obsessed with guns lingered in the back of his mind. He hadn't shared that part with anyone—not yet.
As the spires of Greyhold appeared on the horizon, a wave of relief washed over the group. The bustling city was alive with the sounds of merchants hawking their wares, the clatter of hooves on cobblestones, and the distant hum of a smith's hammer striking metal.
After the long journey, they had arrived just in time for the start of the next semester. The city was abuzz with students returning to the academy, their excited chatter filling the streets. Reyn was relieved to have made it back in time; the thought of falling behind on his studies after all his recent experiences weighed on him. Alistor, ever the socialite, wasted no time heading back to the dorms, eager to catch up with his classmates and share tales of their adventure.
"Finally," Lior sighed, stretching her arms. "I can't wait to sleep in my own bed again."
"Same here," Reyn agreed.
Once inside the city gates, they went their separate ways:
Reyn headed home to see his parents.
Lior went to visit her family and check out the adventurer's guild.
Edger made his way to Duke Roland's manor to deliver his report.
Garrett disappeared toward the tavern, waving over his shoulder.
Reyn's Return
Reyn barely had time to knock on the door before his mother burst out, pulling him into a crushing hug. "Reyn! You're back! Oh, I've been worried sick! Look at you—you're thinner! Are you eating properly?"
His father appeared in the doorway, laughing. "Give the boy some air, Lila. He looks fine. Welcome back, son."
Reyn smiled, handing his father a small pouch of coins. "Here. Use this to fix up the house—or just treat yourselves."
His father opened the pouch, his eyes widening at the sight of the gold coins inside. "This is... quite a bit. You've been busy, haven't you?"
"You could say that," Reyn replied with a wink. "Now, tell me what I've missed while I've been gone."
Lior at the Guild
The adventurer's guild was as lively as ever when Lior arrived. She wove through the crowd, scanning for familiar faces. Her eyes landed on Garrett, who was deep in conversation with a mage she recognized—Alarcus.
Curious, she moved closer, eavesdropping on their exchange.
Garrett: "So you're still chasing after the Blacksmith of a Thousand Tales?"
Alarcus: "Not chasing anymore. The blacksmith invited me. Now I'm just waiting for this Zetsuei weapon he told me about and to meet my future boss."
Garrett laughed. "Future boss? You sound awfully confident about that."
Alarcus smirked. "Confidence comes with purpose. And I have a village to avenge. The blacksmith's weapons will make sure I get there."
Lior frowned, her concern growing. She made a mental note to mention this to Reyn later.
At Duke Roland's manor, Edger stood at attention, recounting their journey. The Duke listened intently, his sharp eyes betraying little emotion.
"And the Blacksmith of a Thousand Tales?" the Duke asked.
Edger hesitated. "I didn't meet him directly, Your Grace. Only his apprentice. But the weapon we acquired—it's beyond extraordinary."
The Duke leaned back in his chair, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Interesting. Very interesting. Continue monitoring the situation. I want to know more about this blacksmith—and what else he might be capable of."