The group barely had time to catch their breath after leaving Puffzilla's lair before they stumbled upon their next lead—a weathered map featuring the unmistakable silhouette of a duckbill.
"Let me guess," Kazuya groaned, holding the map at arm's length. "This leads to another bird-themed catastrophe?"
"Correction," Ravynne said with a smirk. "It leads to Ducktopia."
"Ducktopia?" Sylvara arched an eyebrow. "That doesn't sound ominous at all."
Kazuya sighed. "Let me guess again—another sacred artifact, more trials, and a guardian who's way too into dramatic speeches?"
"Possibly," Sylvara admitted. "But Ducktopia is rumored to be the home of the Sacred Duckbill, an artifact of immeasurable power."
"Immeasurable power," Kazuya repeated, deadpan. "Sure. Because the last thing this world needs is a magical duck-themed MacGuffin."
Arrival in Ducktopia
Ducktopia turned out to be a sprawling city on stilts, built over a vast marshland. The buildings were shaped like duck heads, and the streets were canals filled with tiny, paddle-boat-style gondolas.
The group's gondolier was a cheerful duck in a straw hat who quacked incessantly as he rowed.
"What's he saying?" Kazuya asked.
"No idea," Sylvara replied.
"I think he's flirting with you," Ravynne teased.
Sylvara shot her a glare. "That's ridiculous—wait, why is he winking at me?"
The Duck Council
The gondola dropped them off at the grand Duck Council Hall, a massive structure resembling a rubber duck. Inside, a panel of ducks in elaborate robes awaited them, seated behind a podium shaped like a pond.
The Head Duck, an elderly mallard with a monocle, addressed the group. "Quack-quack, quackety quack-quack."
Sylvara cast a translation spell. "Welcome to Ducktopia, outsiders. Why have you come to disturb our sacred sanctuary?"
Kazuya stepped forward, trying to look serious despite the absurd setting. "We're here for the Sacred Duckbill. It's… uh… really important."
The Head Duck tilted his head. "Quack?"
Sylvara translated. "And why should we trust you with such a powerful relic?"
Kazuya hesitated. "Because… uh… we're the chosen ones?"
The ducks erupted into a flurry of quacks, which Sylvara quickly translated: "They're not impressed."
Trial One: The Great Duck-Off
The council decreed that the group must prove their worth through the ancient ritual of the Great Duck-Off, a series of challenges designed to test their duck-like qualities.
"First challenge," the Head Duck announced. "The Waddle Relay!"
Chaos Ensues The Waddle Relay: Kazuya, Sylvara, and Ravynne had to strap on duck-foot flippers and waddle through a series of obstacles, including a pond filled with rubber duck mines. Kazuya tripped immediately, sending him flailing into the pond.
"Help! It's sucking me in!" he screamed.
"It's only knee-deep!" Sylvara shouted back, laughing as she hopped over a rubber duck.
The Quack-Off: Ravynne turned out to be a natural, producing a quack so realistic that several council members gave her a standing ovation. Kazuya, on the other hand, produced a noise so pitiful that the ducks booed him out of the room.
The Ultimate Splash: The final challenge involved diving off a high platform into a pool, performing the most dramatic splash possible. Sylvara conjured a glowing water vortex, Ravynne executed a flawless flip, and Kazuya… belly-flopped.
The Duckbill Revealed
Despite their many failures, the group was deemed "barely acceptable" and granted access to the Sacred Duckbill.
The artifact was enshrined in a golden nest at the center of the Duck Council Hall. As Kazuya approached, the Duckbill began to glow, and a deep, commanding voice echoed in the room.
"WHO DARES DISTURB MY SLUMBER?"
Kazuya groaned. "Why does every artifact have a god complex?"
"Silence, mortal!" the Duckbill boomed. "Only those pure of heart and firm of quack may wield my power!"
Sylvara leaned over. "Pure of heart? Good luck with that."
Ignoring her, Kazuya reached out and grasped the artifact. The room was instantly flooded with light.
The Curse of the Duckbill
As the light faded, Kazuya found himself wearing an elaborate cape made of feathers and a glowing duck-shaped helmet.
"Behold!" the Duckbill declared. "You are now the Duck Knight, protector of Ducktopia!"
Sylvara burst out laughing. "You look like a rejected mascot for a fried chicken joint."
"This is my life now," Kazuya muttered, glaring at his ridiculous reflection in a nearby pond.
The Head Duck quacked approvingly. "Quack-quack, quack."
Sylvara translated. "He says you look majestic."
"I hate everything about this," Kazuya said, flapping his new cape dramatically.
To Be Continued...
What ridiculous powers will the Duckbill bestow upon Kazuya? And how long before he regrets every decision that led him here? Find out in the next chaotic chapter!