A Demon Lord’s Cursed Ring

“AHHHH~! This feels great~!”

They arrived at Mineral Village. Their village was built across the side of a small mountain. Similar to Ambertown however they stretch out more and even have rice fields. Mineral Village is also at the top rank for their hotsprings. They are ranked third for the rare gemstones that are mined in the mountains.

“I feel soooo happy~!” Himari can’t help but express her satisfaction to finally receive a bath.

“Oi Ruby! Do you want me to wash that tail of yours?”

“Touch it and I will break you.” She hissed at her.

“Grr no fair! How come Himari can touch you?”

“She scratches my ears! My tail is off limits!”

“Hey! You two need to calm down. We deserve this bath! So enjoy it!” Himari sounds like a mother scolding her children.

“May I have you wash my back, Himari…?” Estelle approaches her with a loving look.

“Eh? Uhh sure…” Himari assists Estelle with her request. She is feeling shy as she slowly scrubs her back.

“Uuuuu~… Why am I feeling nervous? I usually bathe with her but suddenly my hands feel a bit shaky.”

“You’re doing the right thing Himari.” Poppy appeared on her head. As usual, no one can see Poppy so she has to communicate through her thoughts.

“What do you mean?”

“Your bonds are perfect so keep it up.”

“Eh…?”

Poppy vanishes without any clarification. As per usual.

They are staying at an inn after selling some monster parts. Their funds increased for restock and temporary housing. They are given bathrobes to wear after the baths as their clothes and equipment are still being cleaned. The bathrobes are long enough to go a little past their knees. Its fabric is thin and breathable. Perfect for the warm temperatures at the village.

“Alice! Stop running!”

“I found our room!”

“Geez.”

Their room is large with a balcony that views the village stretched around the mountain’s sides. Himari and Ruby sort their supplies as Estelle and Alice enjoy the view. Luckily Alice’s bag has a charm that expands its space and lightens the weight. They can easily carry more objects and supplies if needed.

“Himari! You have to look at this view!”

“Alright alright!” Alice drags her by the arm.

The town is on the side of the mountain where it gets more sun and a sunset everyday. The sunset beams its light across the town. The gentle touch of the sun brings life to the buildings around the village. Houses and shops below sparkle as their windows glowing warmly as evening settles over the valley. Steam from a nearby inn with a hot spring slowly rises. Himari sighs.

“I never knew Mineral Town was this beautiful…”

Estelle hesitated but slowly put her hand around Himari’s shoulders. Her cheeks lightly flushed.

“E-E-Estelle?”

Alice pouts and copies her.

“You too?” Himari blushes. Ruby scoffs while leaning against the railing.

The group enjoys their time viewing the town. They had traveled through forests, fought monsters, and camped through each night. This felt like a reward for all their efforts so far.

***

It’s almost time to sleep through the night. The dinner that was served was more delicious to Himari. Their monster meat meals with spices have grown a little dull to her. The seafood and the professionally cooked boar meat satisfied their stomachs.

There are only two beds available. Himari instructed them to share however Ruby refused and chose to rest at the balcony. Ruby has been very distant when it comes to sleeping in the tents. Even in a room they can afford.

“There is a free bed available, you know.”

“I can see that.” Alice snuggles close to Himari.

“I like sleeping close to you…” Estelle places her arm around Himari.

“Uuuu… You two are such… Oh whatever…”

Ruby slowly closes the balcony door. She continues to watch the town view in the night. The moon is close to rising above the mountain to give its light over the village. She pours herself another cup of Blue Citrus Juice. She normally drinks water or drinks the juices straight from the fruit. The Blue Citrus Juice is made from boiling 3 different sour blue fruits for a few days before mixing with cool water. A little bit of honey is added for sweetness.

This might be my new favorite drink. Ruby thought.

***

Before continuing on their journey, they have just enough for one more shopping trip. Alice wanted to buy some equipment for Himari.

“Since Ruby really wants Himari to fight, we should at least give her some armor.”

“Good idea Alice… Good girl…” Estelle strokes Alice’s hair as she stands there with a smug smile.

“I appreciate that but remember we don’t have infinite funds.”

“Don’t worry! I know a secret! If an armor shop has a small triangle behind the sign, an elf has made some of the equipment. Once we find one, I will do the talking.”

“I wasn’t aware of that!” Himari strokes Alice’s hair as she stands there with a blissful smile.

The group explored the village to find the mark. There are only 7 shops relating to what they are looking for. However only 4 have armor.

No succession.

Ruby suggests checking the shop closest to the mountain mines. On their way over, the village feels darker due to the pathway to the mountain mines are behind a lot of the large buildings. The sun couldn’t pass its natural light.

The shop does have a small triangle behind the sign. Upon entering, a strange incense smell covered Himari’s face. It smells too sweet to enjoy. The room is a little dark with its only light source being multiple candles. It almost seems like it’s night time. Armor and weapons hang on the wall to the left. To the right are 4 mannequins displaying 4 sets of armor. A tall shelf in the far corner is draped in a long blanket.

“Welcome travelers…” A hooded shop keeper focuses on her book, not even looking at her customers that walk in.

“Greetings my pointy eared sister!”

“Hmm? Oh. A fellow elf.” The shopkeeper slowly pulls down her hood.

Pointy ears emerge from them. This proves Alice’s statement. Her eyes are very beautiful and her lips reflected the low lighting from the candles around the room.

“My name is Nila. Where do your ears point to?” Himari blinked at her greeting.

“My name is Alice. I come from Soar Devilipo.” Himari's jaw dropped. “This is Estelle. She comes from the Royal Capital of Lapispire. This is Ruby. She is a cat of the Feline Tribe.”
“I’m a Jaguar you idiot!”

“Ow! And… This is Himari Suvi. She comes from Ambertown…”

“Alright that is enough for formalities! What are ya buying?” Nila’s tone changed drastically.”

“Oh good! I was getting tired of that. Soooo anyways we need to buy some armor for Himari here.”

Ehhhhh…

She remembers that Elves have a unique personality that usually pushes humans away. Some may describe them as destructive if the Elf is very powerful.

Himari holds Estelle’s hand which pleases her.

“Oi! Himari right? You’ve been adventuring with these warriors dressed like that? Humans are fragile! I’m surprised your ass isn’t 6 ft into the ground.”

“E-Eh?”

“Alright, what's ya budget?” She pulls out a small catalog.

“Currently times are tough since we are not doing commission work. Sooo we only have 5 gold coins for ya today! I know what you’re thinking. ‘It’s too much!’ but I promise you that we are a generous group-”

“5 GOLD COINS?! ARE YA OUT OF YER MINDS!?”

“Wha-”

“Damn it! I run a business here! Each piece of equipment is imbued with charms made by our people! And you want me to sell ya armor for only 5 GOLD COINS!? ARE YA STUPID!?”

Alice shrinks as Nila continues to lecture her. Himari and Estelle are too stunned to say anything.

“So much for ‘doing the talking’.” Ruby sighed.

After a long lecture, Alice hesitantly took some gold coins out of her own personal coin bag. Adding to the total of 23 gold coins.

“M-My life’s savings…” Tears ran down Alice’s cheeks.

“23 gold coins… I can’t give you a full set with this but I can give you some pieces.”

“Some pieces?” Himari looks at the catalog that Nila places on the table.

“Depending on yer fighting style, yer usual environment of combat, and what charms ya looking for. Since you walk a lot on your travels, some shin guards with a high defense charm will be the best option. Probably a +2 type.” She points at the different pages. “Some under armor will definitely be good. I suggest half defensive and half regenerative incase ya bones crack here. +1 on each."

“Um… Plus…?”

“It’s more power to the charms. The strongest warriors tend to have +5 on all charmed equipment. Even +1 is more than enough for a regular adventurer."

“I-If I go with these two, how much do we pay?”

“That will be 15 Gold coins. Leaving ya with 8 left.”

“Then what about an accessory?”

“Accessories huh? The charms are weaker but if that is alright with ya then…”

She pulls out a small tray and places them on the table. Rings, wristbands, necklaces, hairpins, and 3 face masks. The prices for some are worth a few Silver coins. All of them carefully examine each one.

….Suuuu…

“Eh?”

She hears something that seems to be coming from the covered shelf. Himari slowly walks toward it as the others try to decide which to buy for her. Her hand slowly reaches out.

Whoosh

Nila quickly grabbed Himari’s arm.

“Not that one.” Her eyes are cold.

“Eh?”

“Oi! Let Himari go-”

“I hear something in there!”

Nila’s eyes widened. She slowly loosens her grip.

“Ya hear something? From that cursed ring?”

“C-Cursed…?”

Nila sighed and pulled the covers away. There lies a ring locked behind a glass case. The case has 3 magic circles etched into the glass. Ruby’s tail stiffed and her teeth gritted.

“This…is a Demon Lord’s Cursed Ring… I retrieved it before escaping from that Demon. I nearly died if not for my charms…” She shifted her skirt showing a dark scar across her thighs. “It never makes noise but it can kill a person if they wear it…”

“O-Oh…” Himari slowly turned toward the ring.

….Suuu…Heeee…

“May I take a closer look?”

“ARE YA STUPID!? I just told ya that it will kill anyone who wears it!!”

“Please! I need to see it up close!”

“…Grr. Do NOT put it on…!”

Nila raises her hands and slowly undos the case's seal. Himari notices that Alice and Nila never use wands for magic. Elves must have perfect control with their magic.

The ring floats a little before dropping. Himari reaches out and at just a touch Himari feels something dangerous. Her body is screaming to run away. Her breathing escalated. Suddenly her body temperature began dropping.

…Suuuu…Heeeeh…Meeeshhhh…

She takes a deep breath. Her hand lights up the room and wraps the ring.

….Suuuu….Saaavvee…

“I…got you…”

Dark particles evaporated through the light. Everyone stares at Himari as the light slowly fades out. The ring that was covered in malice has been cleansed. She picks up the ring with no issues at all.

“How much should I pay for this?”

“Huh? Ohh… Well… I didn’t put any charms on it so it doesn’t have a price tag. Is it fine to wear it?” With no hesitation Himari puts it on her left index finger. It is larger than her but it shrinks itself down to fit her.

“Yep! No problem at all!” Estelle and Alice huddle close to Himari to look at the ring.

Nila pulls out a monocle to examine the ring. Little words can be seen through the lens. She starts mouthing something that is impossible for Himari to understand.

“Hmm… It looks like it has its own charms. Defense +6, regenerative +2, and strength boost +4. Impressive! It’s almost impossible for one item to have such stats! Unless…” She ponders for a moment. “Due to the markings…Perhaps… This originated from the Kitsune tribe…”

“Kitsune…?” The Kitsune is one of the 5 beastfolk tribes who can use both human and beast magic. They are more mysterious as they avoid most contact with others. If what she says it’s true, then the Kitsune tribe can add charms like elves and possibly make equipment.

“I’ve seen that ring before… The Demon Lord that killed my chief wore 3 of these rings.”

“Eh!?”

“I remember… One of the rings can summon blades out of blood. If this is one of his, he has been slightly weakened. Do you remember where he went?”

“No clue. I had to save my ass first. This was about 2 months ago.” Hearing that Himari tugs on Ruby’s arm.

“Ruby. If you saw him with three rings four months ago, then his path might be similar to ours.”

It’s possible that this specific Demon Lord is heading to the sealed grounds. Possibly to break the seals of the Demon King. That thought concerned all of them.

“Aghhh… I get what is going on. Ya the new Hero correct?”

“Uh y-yes!”

“Damn. I hate doing this but I’ll sell you the armor for 10 gold coins instead.”

“Eh?! Are you sure?”

“Only a damn hero could do this miracle to the ring. Just take the offer before I change my mind!”

Himari paid 10 Gold coins leaving them with 13 left. Alice is thankful and Nila opens a current. Himari puts on the under armor along with the shin guards. She feels lighter even though the under armor had some weight.

Satisfied, they head out with their supplies restocked and Himari gains some new equipment. Ruby’s goal now requires her to stay with them longer since they will encounter the Demon Lord she needs to get revenge on.

They are half way there to reach the sealed grounds. More demons and monsters roam close to the area. The battles will start to increase. Himari is worried but looking at her companions and her new equipment, she feels a sense of confidence.