Chapter 86: Quest

"Finally! I can check the notifications now…"

Reiji blurted out after arriving in a safe and quiet room. Of course, this is inside Stella's room and the latter was being treated somewhere else so he returned here alone to check the guide's updates.

The arrival of the Subjugation Party ended the cult's attempt in acquiring more sacrifice for their evil god. Apparently, the party also succeeded in killing all of the cultists hiding in the mountains that were planning to ambush them.

What surprised the village chief and the others was the ambitious attempt of the cult to acquire many living sacrifices at once instead of capturing people little by little. 

This lead to being overpowered by the experienced Hunters and Arcanists. After all, these cultists were only known to act within the cover of darkness to kidnap defenseless people but not attacking a village in broad daylight. 

It feels like they were desperate but it was surmised by the chief that it has something to do with the Three-Eyed Imp that they were summoning. Reiji didn't bother listening to more details as he focused on his growth. 

It seems that the moment he has been waiting for has arrived.

[ Congratulations! You have completed the Hero I Mission! ]

[ You have received 60 Skill Points. ]

"Great!" 

Due to his previous usage of healing and upgrading of skills, he was left with 85 SP. Now, with the addition of sixty Skill Points, he now had a total of 145 SP!

His happiness didn't end yet as he now received a new mission. 

[ You have fulfilled the requirements to take the Rank Up Quest. ] 

[ Creating Quest… ] 

[ Rank Up Quest 

[ The Arcana that Grows, The Arcana that Knows

- Sacrifice 5 Common Rank Arcana and 1 Rare Rank Arcana 

Ritual: Offer the Arcana that met the requirements to the Sword Deity, Albeiron. ] 

Reward: Rank up to Rare Rank, 1 Free Skill, and 10 Skill Points. ] 

[ You have received a title. ] 

[ The Gentle Hardworker – A reward befitting to an Arcana that has completed 18 Missions without taking more than a hundred lives. 

Effect: Other sentient Arcana would feel goodwill towards you. ] 

"This…"

Reiji was surprised to see the guide's notification. 

First, his Rank Up quest wasn't something he expected. However, after considering things, it actually makes sense. 

Consuming or sacrificing others to get stronger wasn't a new concept since he already consumes blood to get higher Durability.

About the Sword Deity, he asked the guide and only hinted that the deity seems to be involved in his reincarnation here…

'Right, I think I heard that name already… I just can't remember clearly…'*

Anyway, thinking about this deity would not bring him anywhere so he read his very first Title and checked his status.

[ Name: Reiji Miyazaki ] 

[ Form: Shinai ] 

[ Rank: Common ]

[ Wielder: Stella Fenette… ] 

[ Title: The Gentle Hardworker ] 

[ Durability: 161/170 ] 

[ Skills: 12 ] 

[ Skill Points: 145 ] 

"Gentle, huh…"

Reiji smiled wryly, in his imagination, as he focused on the words about the other sentient Arcana…

This is actually something he had guessed before but confirming it with the guide now made him a bit expectant for the future.

"For now, I should focus on finding any Arcana I can use for a sacrifice…"

An Arcana wouldn't just pop out of nowhere. After all, they would have owners unlike him who was thrown due to the delayed process of his transfer…

"Right, I accepted Stella as my student… I should teach her for a while…"

It seems that the girl wanted to learn the Nitouryuu since she saw how powerful it was when he was controlling her body. He couldn't blame her for that but Reiji would still have to start with the basic foundation in swordsmanship…

He can only hope that Stella would have the perseverance and talent to reciprocate the years that she had lost for training the sword. 

After all, her body was probably used to handling a hammer already and not a sword. 

***

Three days had passed after the Three-Eyed Imp Cult had attacked their village… They have successfully repelled those evil people but they suffered a huge number of casualties.

"At this rate… The residents would abandon our village and will look for a safer place…" 

The old village chief said in front of the elders, leaders within the village, and a young girl within the village hall. They were currently discussing the future of their home. 

The suggestions of these individuals would affect the path that this village would take. 

"During their surprise attack, the largest fleeing group was targeted by the cultists… Many craftsmen and workers were injured during the battle... We're lacking manpower right now."

"Is there something we can do to increase our residents? There are already several families who decided to move to a different village. We have to do something…"

"I can consider going to towns and other places to advertise our village… After all, we're still one of the suppliers of high-quality vision inducement tonic."

"That's a good idea…"

Apparently, during the chaos caused by the evil cult's attack, the residents fled in many directions and the Elder's group were the ones targeted since they have a larger number filled with women and children. Some residents who successfully escaped no longer returned and those who returned only took some of their belongings before leaving again. 

"That's true… We have to first increase our security… I'm considering spending a quarter of our budget to hire a small unit of Chaos Knights…"

The village chief suddenly announced which surprised all of the people present. 

"A Knights Order?!"

"Wouldn't it be expensive?"

"It would be expensive, however, we have to think about the future… Rebuilding the village can be done for a few days with some money… But the security and trust of our people couldn't be bought just by money. Anyway, we were just attacked by the Three-Eyed Imp Cult that they should be handling, we can negotiate with them regarding this…"

The chief said as he seems to have plans in his mind on how to effectively use a small unit of the hired Knights.

As for the vision inducement tonic that their village was specializing in, it wasn't unique in this place and this tonic can be produced anywhere as long as they have the materials. 

However, their village was lucky enough that 3 of the 5 needed ingredients can be easily found in the forest so they are still considered as one of the most stable suppliers.

"I agree… Jobs and money will easily flow with our trade but security would have to be immediate… I will support the chief's decision. Once the unit is here, we can also use their connections temporarily…

"Very well…"

Soon, the other leaders agreed with the notion as they look at the young girl who has been silently listening to their conversation.

In truth, the girl was just staring blankly at them as she was conversing with someone else…

"Master… What should I tell them about the skills I've shown?"

"Just tell them that you've been secretly practicing your sword… No need to get into details. I'm more interested in the tonic that they mentioned…"

"Ahh… Can you also drink those tonics?!"

"Eh? No! I'm just curious…"

"Ahh… Is that so… The tonic has decent effects on the eye especially during the night… There are many elixirs, tonics, and potions in our village but that one is our best seller… I have a book about these concoctions, do you want to read it, Master Reiji?"

"Sure… I'll read it if I have time. Just tell me where the book is placed…" Reiji was still unsure whether he can read it but said it nonetheless.

"Right, what about the Chaos Knights? Do you know why they wanted to hire a small unit for an expensive price? Can't they just hire more Hunters or Arcanists from the towns instead of the Knights Order?"

Reiji asked as he was still ignorant about how this world or kingdom works.

"Mhmm… I'm not sure as well… However, I think it was because their presence would similarly attract opportunities."

"Opportunities?"

"Yes… If the Knights Order were contracted to protect a place during a period of time, merchants would take this opportunity to have a trade with them… After all, all Knights were richer than commoners and it was normal for them to have one or two servants. They would always bring lots of money in an extended mission so it was expected…

Right, they would similarly bring materials, magic weapons, beast cores, and pieces of equipment that they are not using to discard. Most importantly, I heard that they were always looking for talents… If you paid a certain price, they might teach you a few things."

Stella calmly explained as she had already seen a group of Knights that were contracted to protect a dungeon.

Of course, the Royal Knights weren't included in this as only the Royal King can command them.

Reiji would like to ask more questions but it seems that the people in the room were now focusing on Stella…

'Hey… You can focus in this meeting first… I'll talk to you later…'

'Yes, Master…'