Quiet Days

On the Hela'dos Continent, in the city of Faletai'an in the Kingdom of Aikatel.

King Snyder was dealing with the state affairs on his desk. The port city needed to build a batch of experimental naval vessels, Prince Tortheldrin needed a batch of equipment, the city of magic needed mages to help sort out the Ley Line energy there, and there were other matters besides.

All these matters weighed on Snyder.

"Phew, I wonder how Jarod is doing."

"It's been almost a month."

"Snyder, have you heard from Jarod?" Maiev asked as she walked in wearing a formal dress.

"Not yet. How about we send a scout to look for them there?"

"Mm, all right. It's been almost a month." A faint smile appeared on Maiev's face. Over the past month, she had realized that she still cared deeply for her younger brother.

"What brings you here? Surely you didn't come just to ask about Jarod?"

"Not entirely." Maiev walked behind Snyder and began massaging him.

Snyder wore an expression of contentment. He always enjoyed his wife's massages after work.

"The Watchers have been deployed. They have informants in every city, town, and village."

"Thanks for all your hard work," Snyder said, taking the hands that were massaging him.

"I only did what I should," Maiev said, embracing Snyder's head.

Just as the two were sharing a tender moment, a messenger sent by Jarod arrived in Aikaite'er.

After passing through checkpoint after checkpoint, the messenger arrived outside Snyder's door.

The guard at the door brought the travel-worn messenger in to see Snyder.

"King Snyder, a messenger sent by General Jarod has arrived."

"Bring him in. Look, Jarod has written," Snyder said.

The messenger walked in and bowed to Snyder.

"Your Majesty, General Jarod asked me to bring you a letter." The messenger took Jarod's letter out of his pack as he spoke.

The guard beside him took the letter and handed it to Snyder.

"All right, go get some rest. I'll call you if I need you," Snyder said, taking the letter. Then he gestured for the guard to take the messenger to rest.

The soldier led the messenger away, and everyone else left as well.

Maiev snatched the letter from Snyder's hand, her longing for her brother on full display at that moment.

Snyder had his beloved sit on his lap, and they read the letter Jarod had sent together.

Jarod had written about everything that had happened over the past few days, and Maiev's expression shifted between dark and bright as she read.

Watching his beloved's expression, Snyder thought it was like the weather in a wild jungle.

"Hmph! That greenhorn ran into danger and didn't even think to ask for help. All he knew how to do was tough it out." Maiev was angered by Jarod's actions.

"All right, don't be angry. Isn't Jarod fine? In fact, he gained quite a lot," Snyder teased.

"But he was still too reckless. He's not that young anymore, yet he's still so impulsive."

"This time the guardian Tyr helped him, but who knows if anyone will be able to help them next time?"

"Uh, it seems he doesn't need help anymore. Tyr's weapon merged with his, and its quality has risen to that of a divine artifact. Tyr's combat experience has put him ahead of many people."

"Those two things might not make him invincible in the present age, but he could be considered one of the best."

"Maybe the next time you two meet, you won't be able to beat him," Snyder teased, his smug expression giving Maiev a headache.

"He wouldn't dare! As if I couldn't handle him," Maiev said.

Snyder patted Maiev on the head. Right now, she was like a proud little deer.

"Should we teach them magic and elemental power?" Maiev asked.

"That's a question. How about this: we'll teach them some simple magic first and see what they're like after gaining power, then decide whether to keep teaching them."

"Is that really all right?"

"It's a bit underhanded, but I can't know what an unfamiliar race will become after suddenly gaining great power."

"All right, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. I'll write him a letter now and tell him what we think, then let him handle it as he sees fit. We'll support him from behind."

"I suppose that's all we can do. Oh, right, add a line at the end of the letter telling him to come back soon. I've already found someone for him to meet on a blind date."

Hearing Maiev's words, Snyder saw how much this older sister cared about her younger brother's marriage.

"Don't forget to add it. I'm going to the Watchers' headquarters to see how their training is going."

"Go on, go on. I still have to finish handling all this state business." Snyder looked at the papers on his desk and felt a headache coming on.

"Keep at it. We'll continue tonight," Maiev said. She gave Snyder a kiss, then headed to the Watchers' training grounds.

Snyder was left alone in disarray. He had seen just how crazy a woman who wanted to be a mother could get.

After Snyder finished writing his letter to Jarod, he had a guard give it to the resting messenger.

A few days later, the messenger brought Snyder's letter to Jarod, who was getting used to his new weapon.

Jarod swung the Might of the Silver Hand, performing intricate sword techniques. The patterns on the weapon appeared as he swung it.

Although the weapon's appearance was not much different from before, Jarod still needed to get used to the changes in its details.

Jarod returned the sword to its sheath, picked up a towel prepared nearby, and began wiping away his sweat.

"General Jarod, the messenger has returned," the guard at the door reported.

"Bring him here at once." Jarod put down the towel and began putting on his armor.

"General Jarod, this is His Majesty's reply to you." The messenger bowed, then took out Snyder's letter.

"All right, go get some rest," Jarod said, taking the letter the messenger handed him.

Jarod opened the letter and began to read.

After a while, Jarod finished reading this "letter from home."

He now had an idea of how to handle the matter of Apophis.

"Someone, come in." Jarod called in the guard outside the door.

"General, what is it?"

"Go and summon Chief Apophis. I have something to discuss with him."

"Yes, sir."

A while later, Apophis arrived at Jarod's outpost with several guards.

"How did it go, my brother?" Apophis called out before he even saw Jarod.

"My king has written back. He has agreed to teach your people magic or elemental power."

"Really? That's wonderful!" Apophis was as happy as a child.

"When do we start?" Apophis was clearly a little impatient now.

"Choose your candidates now. There's plenty of time."

"But there are requirements for passing on this power."