Questioning Strength

As Souta’s wounds healed, they asked for an audience with the leader of the Association. Iki willingly accepted this offer and allowed them to speak in front of him who was backed now by Wally, Yahiko, and Natsuki at his side along with the guards of the palace.

Wally was a huge man. He looked like a viking with his long brownish-red hair and horned helmet. His red beard stretched down to his chest that exuded his muscles. He held a sword that was twice his size in height and weight. It extended almost to the throne where Iki sat. Its dark brown color seemed to stand out even amongst the detail wrapped in it and most notably, the squid tentacles that entangled around the blade.

Yahiko was the complete opposite. He was more mature looking and smart. His spiky purple hair went in different directions that went well with his goatee and glasses. He was dressed like a typical civilian with his red hoodie and pants though. However, you could tell just from a glance the intelligence that this man had. He may not look that strong at first, but that was how he liked his image to be.

Natsuki just stood there preaching about love as always as Iki allowed them to speak their mind. Naoki had to force Souta to kneel to the ground to maintain their own image.

Naoki: “Hello your majesty. We are very gracious that you would allow us an audience in your very busy life. I will try to make this quick. We thank you for healing Souta and taking us in here. Secondly, I wish to ask about the upcoming scavenger event. I heard that there are three places where the event will be held. Warden’s Woods, Zara’s Valley, and LesserCue City. Am I correct about that?”

Iki: “That is correct, however we are still determining if those locations are suitable. There is danger in those lands of course, but we will provide people who will be accompanying those who are going with them. I cannot go myself however. There is too much to do here at the moment if that’s what you are asking.”

Naoki: “Yes, of course. I wouldn’t ask you of that, your majesty. I am but a lonely old man who wishes to journey the world. I am interested in coming on this scavenger hunt along with Souta as well. We wish to go to the one in LesserCue City. May I ask who will be going with to that place?”

Iki: “This big guy right here actually. Natuski is staying back with me. I’ve contacted a fellow friend to go with to Warden's Woods considering that is going to be the easiest trip. Zara’s Valley has been disposed of the fairies years ago. Yahiko over there is taking the trip to Zara’s Valley. Who knows what’s over there now. To answer your question in simple terms, Wally here is going to that city. It’s probably the most dangerous. We just had to clear out a bunch of dead folks not too long ago.”

Naoki: “Ah, Wally sir. It’s my pleasure. We will be in your care. I hear that LesserCue has been run down completely, but that is okay. This is a hunt for chaplets.”

Wally laughed like a madman so loud that it hurt everyone's ears. He spoke very loud and rambunctious due to his large frame.

Naoki: “If I may inquire, your majesty, may I ask if these three before me are Great Swordsmen?”

Iki: “Are you questioning their strength by their title?”

Naoki: “No your majesty, but I do like to know things, especially about people who are in my presence.”

Iki: “Even those who were not chosen to be Great Swordsmen are beyond strong. Don’t get that mixed up. It is true that I did not pick all of them, but if I had, then there would’ve been others that I would’ve chosen. I may have even expanded the top 10 to 15. There are a lot of powerful people in this world. Just because they have a number ranking doesn’t mean they are stronger than others. However, to answer your question yet again, yes, these three before you are Great Swordsmen. Allow me to introduce them. Natsuki Tooru, Riser of Ashes, Controller of Wind, 8th Reverend. Wally Sukero, The Berserker of Madness, 6th Reverend, and finally, Yahiko Tenollu, The Crimson Rift, 4th Reverend. Are you happy now?”

Naoki: “Yes your majesty. Thank you for your kindness. I have but one more question. I am sure sir Natsuki had informed you and it does not make a difference to me, but I figured that I will speak my mind if I am here. This person…Shin. He is a monster. I truly believe that even with the 10 Great Swordsmen combined, they would not be able to stop him. Does that not worry you about if he will attack the surrounding areas?”

Iki: “That’s twice now you’ve spoken down on the strength of our Association. I could care less about that fool over there. I can take care of him any day that I choose. Besides, he’s second to Kastor according to what I’ve heard. I didn’t even know this Shin character existed until recently. There’s a reason we don’t intervene in that place. His power is also stronger in The Land of the Stiff.”

Souta: “Ha, yeah right.”

Naoki: “Souta!”

Souta: “If we are speaking our minds, then I will be honest as well. You all have no shot against that monster. He’s a 94 and you’re a 80. How are you the leader here? You’re the weakest one? You’re weaker than that bonehead with the scythe.”

Naoki: “Souta! I apologize profusely, your majesty. Please excuse his rudene–”

Iki: “Silence! You there who refused to bow your head before. I will express an inkling of my strength so that I will not break this building in pieces. Tell me if you still believe that I have no chance against this so-called monster.”

Iki released a colossal amount of golden mana that lit the entirety of the inside of the palace. It blinded everybody but his swordsmen beside him. Natsuki looked at his power and preached that the young master was giving off love to everyone around him.

Iki: “Tell me again. Do you think he could beat me?”

Souta: “Don’t make me laugh. You would lose. Just cause you showed your mana doesn’t mean you're still not an 80. The big guy over there is an 82. That purple haired nerd is a 84 and that ridiculous guy that keeps talking about love is a 90. How is he the lowest ranking amongst you all? That doesn’t make any sense?”

Naoki: “Souta! Shut your mouth this instant!”

The Swordsmen laughed in the background and Iki didn’t even seem to care all that much about Souta’s rambling.

Iki: “These numbers you speak. I assume it’s our power rankings from your viewpoint. Perhaps you have not seen what real strength is, however I won’t deny that I sort of agree with those numbers. Natsuki is the strongest out of all of us after all.”

Natsuki: “You praise me too much master. Thank you.”

Iki: “What about you Naoki? Do you believe I would lose as well?”

Naoki: “With all respect your majesty…Yes, you would not win the fight with what you portrayed to us right now.”

Iki: “Ha! Interesting. I wonder if he sensed me when we went there even with me concealing our presence. Ahh, no worries. We do not intend to attack, Naoki. The real reason why Kastor has ruled over that land for so long is because there is no reason for us to go there. If we invaded, then Kastor would be sure to come out and greet us. I assure you, this Shin fellow has no power over us either. Plus, if I recall, there is a record of him losing when he left his land, isn’t that correct Yahiko?”

Yahiko: “Yes young master. There is a record of this in the Infinite Library. It was indeed Kastor who lost to an unknown foe. I apologize, but I was only allowed 1 question from The Great Sovereign and that was not what I asked about, but someone did defeat him that has been recorded by someone that did ask that question. In fact, there are no records of this person Shin either from what I read, although, I may have just not remembered. I apologize sir.”

Iki: “No. You are never wrong. Your memory is sharp. I’m sure you are correct…Although, Natsuki, when you told me about these men's testimonies, I was confused as well. I am still adjusting to the many places in this world and I had only known about Kastor, not anybody else. We will look into this later. Now, guards. Escort them out of here. The scavenger hunt starts in 3 days. You may come back here to sell the chaplets you found, otherwise you may keep them. Leave my sight.”

Naoki: “Thank you very much your majesty. We greatly appreciate you listening to us fools.”

Souta and Naoki exited along with the guards that lined the carpet leading to the throne. Iki and the three swordsmen remained in the room to discuss their options.

Iki: “Yahiko.”

Yahiko: “Yes sir?”

Iki: “I want you to watch those two closely. One may be a fool, but the other is smart. They aren’t that strong, but they are strong enough to do some damage potentially. Find out what their goal is. They are after something beyond the chaplets. Make sure they don’t do anything stupid. As for all of you, get back to work.”

All: “Yes young master!”

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Welpen: “This city is so cool. I know Isara would’ve come through here. She must still be here with all this good food. The ramen I had was sooooo gooooood. Say, what is this place called? I want to take Clara here one day.”

Astro: “Loosenhall City you dope. It said it on the sign coming in.”

Welpen: “Hmph! How would I know you big fat meanie! I was hungry and you didn’t bring anything to eat so I had to use my own money to get something while you sat there and watched me eat!”

Ezra: “I agree. Welpen is in the right here.”

Astro: “Do you ever not agree with him? We need to check other places. Nobody in the ramen shop saw her here. What else do you know about her Welpen? What does she like to do?”

Welpen: “Umm, I don’t know. I only knew her for two days.”

Astro: “From what you told me, you barely knew her for a day. I get your reasoning for going after her, but I don’t think she feels that you led her astray. Nothing seemed like your fault, however, I’m not going to tell you otherwise. It’s not my life and it’s not my decision. I’m just here to get you to her and that’s it.”

Welpen: “I know she likes her sword…Does that help?”

Astro: “No you idiot. Just start asking people if they have seen her”

Welpen: “Okay…Hey miss? Have you seen a small girl with long black hair accompanied by fairies with a cool sword at her side. She’s about my age.”

???: “Y-Yes I have. She was just here.”

Astro: “You're joking.”

???: “No, she was just here. Her and 3 guys caused a scene I believe at the library and then they went somewhere and left.”

Welpen: “Ha! I was right. Kiss my–”

Astro: “Caused a scene? Do you know where they went?”

???: “I don’t really remember. You could ask one of the guards. They made sure that they left the city eventually. In what direction they went, I do not recall.”

Astro: “Alright.”

Welpen: “Thank you…Should we ask the guards? They are walking around all over the place. Isara might be in trouble.”

Astro: “Yeah, but odds are it’s gonna take a while. There are a lot of guards here and if only a few saw them, then this might be difficult.”

Welpen: “Hello…Have you seen a girl about my age with black hair run through here? There were 3 guys that she was with.”

Guard: “Yeah she was here.”

Astro: “You gotta be kidding me.”

Welpen: “Hahaha. I was right again. Kiss my–”

Astro: “Do you know what happened to her?”

Guard: “Yeah. Some dudes were causing a ruckus in the library and we were going to lock them up, but the girl came up to us and said she was with them. Claimed that they were good people, but just were having a bad day. We let them go, but made sure they left.”

Astro: “Did it look like she was in trouble?”

Guard: “No. In fact, she stepped in to help them in that situation. They seemed like good friends to me. Although, if it happens again, they are going to the cells underneath the city. They went that way. They only left maybe a couple hours ago, but it was in a horse and carriage. You’re going to have to do the same to catch up to them. Say, you guys aren’t bounty hunters are you?”

Welpen: “What’s that?”

Guard: “Oh, I’m just messing around. You guys look like good people to me. Good luck on your way out of the city.”

Ezra: “You look like a good person, Astro? He was being very nice indeed.”

Welpen: “I want to ride the horse and carriage. Where do we get that?”

The three headed over to the guild that sold them what they needed. Astro could not pay with Glory Coins here, so he had to pay regularly as this town seemed to not know what they were. They headed off on the brick path after Isara as their journey into Loosenhall City was short, but effective in their main goal. They were right on her tail and closing in.