"Are you sure you want to fight this Rune Bear alone?" Blaidd asked casually as he held the giant bear back.
"Of course." Tarnished sounded completely certain.
"Haha, settling every score? Spoken like a warrior. I don't dislike that." Blaidd laughed. "I'll let go, then. Are you ready?"
"Yes... no, hold on a moment."
Under Blaidd's gaze, A-Tui planted his heavy thrusting sword in the ground, then took the [Demi-Human Queen's Staff] from his waist.
Blaidd's expression instantly became a little strained. The [Demi-Human Queen's Staff] was a legitimate staff, but as its name suggested, it was a casting catalyst specifically designed for a low-intelligence race like the Demi-Humans. Whatever Tarnished intended to do, seeing a human produce that staff felt, to Blaidd, like watching a grown adult solemnly pull out a gaudy toy fairy wand in the middle of a serious battle.
Only Blaidd's good manners kept him from laughing aloud. If those arrogant sorcerers at the academy saw this, they might laugh so hard they leaked a few drops.
Tarnished knew how ridiculous he looked, but he didn't care. He understood exactly what he wanted, and other people's opinions were no more than a breeze brushing his face.
Ching~
Tarnished began casting, pouring magic into his brass shield.
The golden shield immediately gained a layer of deep blue light-the power of magic.
"Oh, Scholar's Shield." Blaidd understood. "Indeed, support spells don't need a staff's scaling. Even the Demi-Human Queen's Staff can bring out this spell's full effect."
[Spell: Scholar's Shield]: One of the Glintstone Sorceries of the Academy of Raya Lucaria. Improves a shield's damage negation. The academy taught this spell to the Cuckoo Knights as proof of their contract.
Once the spell was cast, Tarnished put away his staff and retrieved his Great Epee.
"Ready, Wolf Bro!"
"Be careful."
With that warning, Blaidd abruptly released his strength, sending the adult Rune Bear stumbling to the ground.
Intelligent enough to understand the wisdom of picking on the weaker target, the bear didn't dare trouble Blaidd after getting up. It charged straight at Tarnished instead.
Tarnished neither dodged nor retreated. He raised his shield.
The giant bear, weighing several tons, slammed into the brass shield again. But Scholar's Shield dispersed most of the force, and Tarnished didn't even sway. Solid as a rock, he sheltered behind the shield, held his Great Epee level, and delivered a series of pokes brimming with technique and finesse.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The adult Rune Bear slammed one paw after another into the brass shield.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
Tarnished stabbed the Rune Bear again and again.
Rather than a back-and-forth exchange, it was more like absolutely no interaction at all.
Blaidd, who had begun watching with keen interest, was left speechless. The man and bear were each doing their own thing, nothing like the fierce battle he had imagined.
Still, Tarnished held his shield correctly, and his sword hand was steady. Blaidd could tell that his fundamentals were solid. He looked less like a beginner than a battle-hardened warrior. Yet if he really was that experienced, he should have known that an Estoc left narrow wounds. Unless he inflicted enough of them, they would barely trouble an adult Rune Bear with its thick hide and tough flesh.
Scholar's Shield had a time limit, and a person's stamina had limits too. Tarnished couldn't block the Rune Bear forever. Could he really land enough attacks before exhausting himself? Once the spell faded and his stamina ran out, how would he win this battle of attrition?
While Blaidd was puzzling over this, the adult Rune Bear suddenly screamed. The wounds all over its body tore open at once, spraying blood and flesh. Mortally wounded in an instant, it collapsed heavily. In the blink of an eye, its overwhelming ferocity became a thread of fading life, and it died with one last whimper.
"Oh! He won! Lord Tarnished won! The Rune Bear's dead!"
Humans and Demi-Humans hugged one another, jumping and cheering.
"That was..." Blaidd looked at the faint red glow on Tarnished's Great Epee.
Tarnished didn't hide it. "Blood loss. I applied the Ash of War 'Bloody Slash' to my weapon, giving it the power of blood. Keep attacking until enough of that power builds up, and it tears wounds open, makes the blood burst, and damages the enemy from within."
Blaidd nodded.
It might be a dark and sinister method, but power itself was neither good nor evil. Besides, he and the one he served were walking a dark path themselves.
"Who taught you Scholar's Shield?" Blaidd asked instead.
"A female sorcerer living in seclusion beneath the Waypoint Ruins," Tarnished replied. "I became her apprentice. I was receiving lessons there earlier, which is why I couldn't stay at the logging camp all the time."
"A female sorcerer?"
"She wears a glintstone crown and academy robes."
Understanding dawned on Blaidd. "I think I know who you mean. You're lucky. She's a renowned prodigy. You've found a fine teacher."
Tarnished smiled. "I think so too."
"Well, that's settled. Time we parted ways." Blaidd was wonderfully carefree, like a wandering swordsman departing once the job was done.
Tarnished tried to keep him. "You saved my life. Why not stay a while? Come to Fort Haight, rest, and have something to eat."
"Even without me, that Rune Bear was no match for you." Then something occurred to Blaidd. "Fort Haight? Do you know the Haight Family of West Limgrave?"
"Kenneth Haight is my comrade."
"Comrade?"
"Yes. A companion brought together by shared ideals."
"Are you trying to...?"
"Build a new world where everyone can survive, everyone can be happy, and tragedies never happen again."
Blaidd was astonished. "That's why you recruit and protect Demi-Humans?"
"Not just Demi-Humans. Mushroom people too, and perhaps other races in the future," Tarnished said. "As long as they want to live decent lives, we won't turn them away."
Blaidd's expression grew respectful. "That won't be easy."
"I know." Hope shone in the Tarnished's eyes. "That's why we need more strength. Anyone who shares that hope is welcome to join us, regardless of race."
"Hey, are you already trying to recruit me?" Blaidd sounded a little helpless. "As a wolfman, I belong to a minority race myself, but unfortunately, I already have a master to serve. I can't accept your invitation."
The Tarnished wasn't surprised. After all, he understood Blaidd's loyalty and devotion better than anyone.
"That's fine. Our doors will always be open to you. If you ever need help, just ask. We'll do everything within our power."
"What a carefully watertight promise," Blaidd remarked. "I used to hear things like that from royal ministers."
"Royal ministers? Don't tell me you're royalty, Wolf Bro?" the Tarnished asked, though he knew the answer.
"Haha, just an offhand remark. Don't mind it." Blaidd changed the subject. "Speaking of help, though, there is something I'd like you to do."
"Of course. Tell me."
Blaidd's expression turned serious. "I'm looking for a man called Bloodhound Darriwil. I've heard he fled to West Limgrave, but I don't know where he's hiding. If you know the Haight family, I'd like to use the local authorities to find him. I'll offer a reward afterward. Oh, and don't worry about harming an innocent man. Bloodhound Darriwil is a vile traitor. I only want to give him the end a traitor deserves."
He had expected the Tarnished to hesitate, or at least consult the Haight family. Instead, the Tarnished was unexpectedly decisive and agreed at once.
"No problem. Wait here a moment, Wolf Bro. I'll head back to Fort Haight and gather some people."
Blaidd wanted to say there was no rush, and that they should settle the laborers first, but the Tarnished had already teleported away through the grace.
Within minutes, the Tarnished returned and told Blaidd, "Found him. Bloodhound Darriwil is imprisoned in the Forlorn Hound Evergaol in West Limgrave. I'll take you there."
Without waiting for Blaidd to decline, he turned to the laborers. "I've notified the garrison at Fort Haight. They'll be here soon with medicine and food. Thank you for your hard work today. Hang in there a little longer, and you'll have treatment and a hot meal."
"YEAH!!!"
With treatment and hot food on the way, everyone immediately forgot their earlier peril. Even their injuries seemed to hurt less. A soldier who had been lying on the ground groaning from serious wounds sat upright and loudly declared that he would eat two bowls of stewed mushrooms and drink a big bowl of steaming mushroom soup.
Blaidd was a little surprised, because the last time he'd seen such heartfelt smiles on people's faces had been... the last time.
He looked at A-Tui, once again finding this Tarnished incredibly interesting.
Just then, several laborers approached the Tarnished and offered him an item.
"Lord Tarnished, we found a treasure chest while sheltering in the cellar. This was inside."
The Tarnished took it, looked it over, and read aloud, "Fufufu?"
Everyone: ...
Blaidd: ...
"It's not fufufu. The correct pronunciation is 'huhuhu.'"
The words had barely left his mouth before Blaidd himself froze.
Everyone: ...
Tarnished: ...
Faced with this impasse, everyone joined forces to conquer the challenge. Strange pronunciations like "fugugu," "gugugu," and "gufufu" filled the air, making it sound like a chicken coop. Only when Kenneth Haight arrived with reinforcements did someone finally pronounce the item's name correctly.
"What are you all babbling about? It's called the 'Axe Talisman'!"
Tarnished: !!!
Blaidd: !!!
Everyone: !!!
You really did need an educated man for this. His mastery of pronunciation was impressive-now that was proper standard Lands Between speech!
[Axe Talisman]: A talisman depicting an axe and a warrior. Enhances charged attacks. The axe was the weapon of the Lord of the Battlefield. The warriors who revered him wielded the same weapon, excelling at heavy blows charged with all their strength.
The little pronunciation incident soon passed. Blaidd had intended to visit the Forlorn Hound Evergaol alone, but the Tarnished insisted on accompanying him to repay his lifesaving favor.
Faced with the Tarnished's boundless enthusiasm, Blaidd could only agree.
South of the Agheel Lake South site of grace stood a gentle hill, with the Forlorn Hound Evergaol at its highest point.
Like the one on the Weeping Peninsula, no one knew who had built this Forlorn Hound Evergaol or when. They were scattered throughout the Lands Between, used by local lords to imprison the most vicious criminals.
Strange magical constructs stood around the Forlorn Hound Evergaol. Made of round stones strung together, they looked like oversized anal beads. They watched the Forlorn Hound Evergaol all year without rest, but nobody knew whom they watched for or whom they reported to.
Human lords therefore posted their own guards as well. Three soldiers guarded this Forlorn Hound Evergaol in West Limgrave. On seeing the Tarnished, they immediately approached and saluted, reporting that everything was in order and the prisoner had no chance of escape.
"Thank you for your work," the Tarnished told the three soldiers. "We're going inside."
The soldiers exchanged glances. They had no grounds to refuse, but duty compelled them to ask, "May we ask what you intend to do?"
The Tarnished glanced at Blaidd, then answered, "Make sure the prisoner can never escape again."
Blaidd was very satisfied with that answer.
The two stepped forward and touched the pattern at the Forlorn Hound Evergaol's center together. A strange power swept over them. Though they appeared not to have moved, they had actually entered the prison.
The scenery was identical to the outside, but this was only a copied mirror space. It wasn't large, either-roughly a circle twenty meters across. Beyond it lay an indistinct whiteness through which nothing could be seen. Anyone trying to walk farther would meet an invisible barrier. It certainly lived up to the name of prison.
"Bloodhound Darriwil is a powerful man. We were once comrades-in-arms, but he betrayed the master we swore to serve together." Blaidd asked Tarnished, "He's truly dangerous. Even I'm not completely certain I can defeat him. Are you sure you want to join me?"
"Of course." Tarnished drew his brass shield and Great Epee. "It's precisely because he's dangerous that we should face him together. If one person can't do it, two will. Wolf Bro, trust me with your back. This time, I'll be your shield and protect you!"
"..." Blaidd scratched his cheek. "That's a little cheesy."
Tarnished: "..."
"But I can feel your sincerity." Blaidd grinned. "Tarnished."
"What?"
"Let's fight together!"
Tarnished froze for a moment, then smiled too. "All right!"
A dark purple rift lay within the Forlorn Hound Evergaol. That was where the prisoner waited. Blaidd took a deep breath and was about to approach when Tarnished suddenly called, "Wait!"
Thinking something had gone wrong, Blaidd hurriedly stopped and looked back.
Tarnished pulled out the Demi-Human Queen's Staff again and said as he cast, "Let me buff first."
Blaidd: "..."
Once blue magical energy covered his brass shield again, Tarnished put away the staff and drew his Great Epee. "Done. Pull him, Wolf Bro!"
Blaidd composed himself again and reached out to touch the rift. A figure crouched low to the ground gradually appeared.
The prisoner wore a pointed, dog-faced helmet, full armor, and a cape. He held a wavy Great Curved Sword, and a cold, forbidding aura radiated from him.
Unfortunately for him, Blaidd was completely immune to that aura. He snorted. "Bloodhound Darriwil. To think someone like you would end up a prisoner in the Forlorn Hound Evergaol. This time, I'll erase you for good. That will be the last bond between us!"
Bloodhound Darriwil wasn't about to wait for death. The instant his body fully materialized, he launched a savage attack. Tarnished stepped forward and firmly caught the wavy Great Curved Sword on his brass shield, neutralizing the blow like an immovable rock.
An accomplished warrior, Blaidd didn't waver for an instant once he had decided to fight alongside Tarnished. Seizing the opening, he drew the enamel-colored greatsword from his back and swept it sideways. The blow struck Bloodhound Darriwil squarely, sending his former comrade flying like a piece of trash.
Bloodhound Darriwil rolled several times before steadying himself on all fours.
Tarnished and Blaidd advanced together in pursuit.
"Careful!" Blaidd warned. "Bloodhound Darriwil is a Bloodhound Knight. He attacks from impossible angles."
Sure enough, Bloodhound Darriwil moved with a peculiar footwork, far too nimble for someone in full armor. He vanished and reappeared, moving faster than the eye could follow. Using the momentum of his run, he swung his Great Curved Sword one-handed at Blaidd again. But Tarnished filled the gap once more, catching the blade on his shield first. Steel met steel with a sharp clang. The shield knocked the Great Curved Sword aside, and the recoil left Bloodhound Darriwil exposed. Blaidd leaped out from behind Tarnished and struck his left flank with his greatsword, sending him flying again.
Before the Bloodhound Knight could rise after those consecutive hits, A-Tui and Blaidd were upon him once more. He desperately swung his weapon, but again, A-Tui blocked with his shield while Blaidd attacked. This time, Blaidd finished it, cleanly severing Bloodhound Darriwil's head and delivering the end a traitor deserved.
"AWOOO!!!"
Blaidd tipped his head back and howled. Clearly, he was in a good mood.
"Haha, I've never had such an easy fight! Thank you, Tarnished. Your shield couldn't be more reassuring!"
Fighting beside Blaidd again had stirred Tarnished's emotions far more than his calm appearance suggested. He took a deep breath, struggling to settle himself, and replied with a double meaning, "You're too kind, Wolf Bro. I told you-this time, I'd definitely protect you!"
"You always say such cheesy things. Still, it feels nice." Blaidd had no idea what Tarnished was thinking, but this battle had won his complete approval.
He picked up Bloodhound Darriwil's weapon. "Take this as my thanks."
[Bloodhound's Fang]: A Great Curved Sword with a gently undulating blade, wielded by Bloodhound Knights. A hard-hitting sword that also excels at jumping attacks.
Tarnished accepted the weapon. He had used Bloodhound's Fang to get through the early game back then, too. It brought back memories.
But Blaidd wasn't finished with his gifts. He took several pale smithing stone fragments from inside his clothes. "Take these too. Bloodhound's Fang is a special weapon, so it can only be upgraded with somber smithing stones. I can only carry so much, but these four should be enough to upgrade Bloodhound's Fang to +4."
And so Tarnished also received [somber smithing stone 1], [Somber smithing stone 2], [Somber smithing stone 3], and [somber smithing stone 4].
Good grief. Originally, he only gave one somber 2. Now it's a whole somber smithing stone gift package?
According to Kale's prices, a Somber Smithing Stone 1 cost 800 runes, and the price doubled with every grade. These four stones were worth 12,000 runes. Not only were they expensive, but they were almost impossible to buy. Limgrave wasn't known for its mineral resources, after all, and had no high-grade smithing stones at all.
Naturally, the Tarnished made a polite refusal. "No, Wolf Bro. These are too valuable. I can't accept them."
Blaidd insisted on pressing the somber smithing stones into the Tarnished's hands. "Just take them. Consider it my contribution to your cause."
And so the Tarnished naturally accepted them. "All right, then. I won't stand on ceremony."
"..." Blaidd was speechless. Only now did he realize that the Tarnished's refusal had been entirely for show. Still, he didn't dislike that easygoing attitude. Soon he grinned and scolded, "You little rascal. Taking the prize and playing modest! All right, I've talked far too much today. It's time to part. We'll meet again if fate allows!"
Blaidd turned to leave, but the Tarnished caught his fur cloak.
Blaidd: "?"
"It's getting late. I've already asked Fort Haight to prepare a simple meal. Why not come try it, Wolf Bro? Everyone wants to thank you for saving them today."
Blaidd waved and walked away. "Too many people shouldn't know my whereabouts. I appreciate the thought, but the meal..."
"There's meat," the Tarnished said. "Excellent stewed mutton. Lamb legs and chops, too."
Blaidd turned around instantly. "Actually, staying one night wouldn't hurt."
The Tarnished smiled. He'd known it. What wolf in this world didn't love eating sheep?