Leveling up the World

Chapter 821: The Count's Challenge

I see youre surprised, Count Pilih said. I was as well when I found out that you two were involved.

Can anyone give me some hints? Dallion asked, addressing every guardian in the room.

A few whispers emergeditems generations old, not scared of speaking their mind, and grumbling about it. For the most part, they went on about the better days of the past when the Pilih name was something to be reckoned with and even the imperial family treated them as equals. Among the rants and grumbling, Dallion learned that it was common, even expected, for members of certain families to be offered to the imperial army where they would be made officers.

This is your family, Dallion said, looking at March. Before

The unfortunate incident, the count finished the sentence. The emperor was generous enough not to punish the family for her actions. He even allowed us to know her new self.

Clearly, nobility had a few advantages even when it came to banishment.

Once per year shed visit, marking the event. Today, though, she made an exception.

You sent for me, father. On the outside, March remained calm. Internally, though, there was enough anger coming from her that Dallion feared she might attack the old man.

It was interesting that Tonia looked nothing like the armor-clad mercenary. Even their magic threads were drastically different.

Months ago, the count said calmly. Whats important is that youre now here and could indulge our guest with events on the outside.

The tension in the room grew thick. The only person who was remotely amusing himself was the count, although even he seemed more eager to be left with Dallions weapons than anything else. Given the number of void items in the room, Dallion didnt think it was such a good idea.

Maybe you should move the conversation to the forge, father, Tonia suggested. As a forger, Im sure youd like to see him work. Besides, Im sure there are things you and the pause was longer than it needed to be March would like to discuss in private.

So eager to run off? The counts tone suggested that he had already made his decision, just didnt see the need to voice it. What do you think? he turned to Dallion. Shall we stay a bit more and admire my collection, or should we go to the forge?

How can I refuse either? Dallion let out a polite laugh. It would be a crime not to admire these beautiful weapons a bit longer.

The next few hours passed Dallion moving from item to item with the count closely behind, more than eager to provide details. Every weapon had its story, some more truthful than others. It quickly became obvious that all the items had banished races as their guardians. The dryads were eager to have a chat with Dallion, as was their nature. The nymphs were reserved and the sole copyette was remarkably silent, as if deliberately keeping its distance.

Servants came and went, frequently bringing refreshments and making the usual inquiries. When every trophy had been thoroughly examined, the count finally gave the order for the servants to prepare the forge for him. He excused himself and went to get into a more appropriate attire for work. Tonia barely waited a few seconds after he had left the room, before leaving as well.

She doesnt seem to like you much, Dallion whispered to March.

Different mothers, the woman explained. The catastrophe didnt help, either. Good job on finding Adzorg. If nothing else, Hannah will be pleased hes still alive.

Yeah. If only he could share how things really went down. Just like few would know about Dallions fight against the Star, the battle against the void and Adzorgs help in that battle would remain unknown. We were lucky that the device never got completed.

Will you hand him over to the Order?

Adzorg? Maybe. I havent decided yet.

You always were sentimental. March shook her head. On that note, Vend sends his best.

Good to know hes fine.

Hes seen better days, but yes, hes well enough. Not much else is, though. March paused for a moment. You poked a hornets nest at the vortex fields. Every mercenary and two-bit merchant has flooded the place, hoping to find something they could sell off.

What could they sell? Dallion snorted. Glass?

I know. Shed still like it if you fixed it.

There was no point in continuing the conversation. The echo knew exactly what Dallion was thinking; he already knew that hed need a whip-blade, and having it become Gleams home was only natural. The only fear he had was that the item wouldnt be indestructible. Then again, just because something was supposed to be indestructible didnt mean it couldnt be shattered.

Boss! Lux popped out of the air nearby. The cyan firebird was as cheerful as ever, this time, also carrying Dallions aetherfish familiar along. What are we doing, boss? Invading someone?

Easy there, Dallion laughed, reaching out to pet the creature. In the past, the action was impossible, but by extending his magic threads throughout his palms, Dallion now had the option. Im just here to talk with Onda.

What about teaching me new skills? Lux continued in the same breath. Do I get to learn new skills?

Ill teach you guys new skills, I promise. Dallion felt like his father coming home from work. Back when Dallion was still young, hed constantly pester his parents to spend more time with him, and often grumble when they didnt. Now he could see that there were a lot of other responsibilities that came along with parenthood.

When is big sis coming back?

Soon, July said, redirecting the firebirds attention to himself. Shell be back soon. Thats why Dal needs to chat with Onda, to forge her new home.

Ah, ok. Lux chirped. Can I watch?

Since no wasnt an option, Dallion let the flames of the firebird envelop him, then fly him to the nymphs tower.

To little surprise, the hammer guardian was there. To an even lesser surprise, his entire body was full of blobs of grumpiness.

Of course, Dallion sighed internally. He had finished dealing with the children and now had to have a conversation with the teenager.

Hey, he said, moving directly to the point.

Here for a favor, right? The nymph glared at him. Thats so not chill.

Its not like you dared teach me much last time

Time here only lasts a moment outside! You could have visited, old man! You only come here when theres an invasion or you want to level up, or

I need to learn how to forge the good stuff, and I need to learn it in a single outside moment. Dallion wasnt in the mood of getting any lip. He knew for a fact that the nymph meant well, but his indecisiveness before becoming a domain ruler had allowed too many people to take him for granted, even those in his own realm. Its for Gleam, he added with a note of softness.

For Gleam Onda looked away, a few specks of guilt emerging in his head.

And also to be ready for the dozen of void weapons that I just came across.

You crazy? Onda almost shouted. Theres no way you can take all those! You couldnt even kick Vihs ass! How

Thats why I need you to teach me top tier forging, Dallion interrupted again. Normal weapons wont do. I want to be able to make magic weapons. Blossoming weapons, origami weapons, even world weapons, if you know how to make them.

If there was a time to ask the impossible, it was now. To Dallions surprise, the nymph didnt talk back. One would have thought that hed retort that it was impossible to make world weapons, but instead, he just stood there, staring at Dallion, as if to measure his determination.

You really want to go that far? the guardian asked. To reach the top of the top?

Yes. And in one real world moment.

You cant. You need to boost your skills to a hundred for world weapons. The rest, though I can teach you.

Okay. Lets get started.