518

Making a swift journey back to the city, having been informed of anything noteworthy, and anything of interest that the man had missed during his short absence away from his territory, Asai was greatly pleased to be greeted upon his return to the city gates by Chloe Bedevere, Violet, Bethel, Mel, Clam and Olivia.

The group of familiar faces were dressed in Trichia's black and golden militant-attire, which consisted of a highly comfortable and breathable double-breasted jacket, that would emphasize greater defences to the vitals within a human's chest due to the double-layered nature of the design, was usually worn over a formal-shirt of preference. Upon the wearer's neck, an optional-tie to solidify the professionalism as an extra dash of flavour, or even a gentle-ribbon as a side dish was choices the elites could make themselves. Wrapping around their shoulders and providing defence to their arms were half-cloaks that was mostly black, with small touches of golden upon the shoulders to hide the existence of extra-hardened high-quality beast-leather. The length ending just around the hips of the wearer, ensured their ability to quick-draw from their sword-belts was free from obstacles.

If imbued with potent-mana, the flimsy looking cloak would harden somewhat, becoming rigid enough to refuse the entry and passing of sword and steel. Whilst also being crafted and sourced from hide that originated from beasts that were highly resistance to heat, courtesy of Ignis and its natural-habitants, provided the elites with protection from flames.

A little extra touch to their outfits, that had yet to prove useful, were that their ties or ribbons weren't made of silk or weak materials such as cotton, but equally crafted by fine-beast-leather. Thus, they were strong and durable enough to be utilized as rope, which could be used either to climb or to descent upon walls, and also to tighten and wrap around wounds to stop bleeding.

Whilst Bethel who enjoyed revealing her assets and curves, would tend to leave her cloak open and hanging upon the tips of her shoulders, as her top buttons would be left undone, which allowed her bosom to bounce and jiggle as she moved. Violet, who would actually adhere to Asai's preferred style of buttoning everything up, and even equipping extra harnesses and belts around her mid-section to keep the entire outfit tight and snug, tried to hide her large heavenly-melons but couldn't. Not even the cloak could hide such large protruding curves. Naturally, as a summoner who had no swords or daggers upon her belts, her choice of cloak was long enough to fall to her thighs, thus hiding her ass.

Mel, who was a rogue-fighter by heart, had extra harnesses and belts that were upon her legs, her mid-section and her fore-arms. With each belt providing another dagger in case she ever needed them, in addition to the rapier that now hung by her hip. 

[Blessed Rapier]

Level Requirement: 50

Requirements: Mel

Stats

25% Weight reduction

Health Absorption: +10%

Stamina Absorption: +10%

[Blessed]

Bonus 20% damage to [Undead] and [Evil]

Clam, who had literally gone through a transformation, who now had highly condensed muscles that could be considered to be raw-strength over inflated-strength, now stood almost like a prince. Albeit without the demeanour of one, as he couldn't help but smile wholeheartedly as he was reunited with the man he considered to be his childhood friend. 

[Edwin's Sword]

Level Requirement: 20

Requirements:

Stats

+3 Strength

+3 Stamina

5% Weight reduction

[Edwin's Shield]

Level Requirement: 20

Requirements:

Stats

+3 Vitality

+3 Endurance

5% Weight reduction

[Blessed Mithril Ring] 

Level Requirement: 50

Requirements: Clam

Stats

Health Absorption: +10%

Stamina Absorption: +10%

Damage Drop: +20%

With his beloved enchanted sword and shield dangling upon his hip and shoulder, evidently having been put through harsh abuse as their surfaces were scratched and riddled with impact-marks that were still slowly regenerating itself. Clam saluted, as he was no longer able to hold himself back, regardless of the distance from the two.

Seeing as the man had already begun their obligated greetings to their lord and grand-duke, the others followed along as to not leave the lone-knight alone in his mistake.

Another dozen seconds later was what it took before Asai was dismounted and standing before the group, grinning as he did so. Entirely in disbelief at the man who had once bullied him back in Trichia orphanage. To the point that if he were to be slaughtered by goblins, he wouldn't have cared. Inspecting the man and his upgraded traits and features, as his black eyes glimmered with mana, scrutinizing his build.

If it wasn't for the system clarifying and confirming the man to be Clam, honestly, Asai wouldn't believe it, as he had simply changed too much.

[Clam: Lvl 75]

[HP:125 MP:100]

[Skills unlocked:]

[Blunt & Shield Mastery]

50% boost in One Handed Mace damage and Shield Defence

[Divinity]

Increase Divine Elemental damage by 20% and Elemental defence by 10%.

[Stunner]

Mana imbued Normal attacks +10% chance of stunning target for 1s

[Critical Immunity]

All critical hits received reduced to [0] damage.

[Defending Nature]

Redirect 100% of damage [Target] receives to self.

[Eternal Vitality]

+45% Damage drop and all incoming healing effects

[Dusk til Dawn]

Blessed by [Kami] +10 Stamina and mental resistance.

"Clam, it seems, I'll be taking your sword back."

The blonde knight, who was inches taller than Asai felt his heart stop as he struggled to comprehend the meaning behind his statement.

"My lord? W-what do you mean?"

Ignoring the man's pleading eyes, Asai swiped and stored his sword into [Inventory] and pulled out a stock steel-mace that was shaped like a star. Shoving the weapon into Clam's increasingly pale hands, and simply smiling at the man.

"Whilst this mace isn't as good as an enchanted sword, use it for now, until I get you something better."

Shifting his eyes rapidly between the man and morning-star, Clam felt greatly confused as to why he felt such familiarity with a weapon he had never wielded before. And yet, his muscle-memory made the thing feel like a long-lost limb of sorts. When his gaze shot back up to Asai for answers, the grand-duke simply replied.

"Trust me bro." Before marching past the others and giving them a quick nod of recognition each as he passed through the gates and entered the city of Par'Talucca.

As his powerful retinue followed along the man through the sakura-blossoms that eternally fell and grew, covering the streets and buildings in pink and sweet-warmth, Asai felt somewhat apologetic for what he was about to announce. As it was as clear as day to him, that time had run out, and his return to the fields of war was imminent.

It was only a matter of who, who out of his companions would he be willing to drag into the frontlines of life and death.

With a heavy heart, an impatient mind, and a body filled with imaginary-stress. Asai de Trichia looked on over towards the princess who had been keeping a low-profile as she appeared to be filled with warmth and love for her ancestral home, and how much of its glorious architecture and people Asai had already managed to help rebuild and tend to.

If the man focused a little harder, he could almost see little red hearts dangling within her crimson eyes, whenever she turned to meet his.

"Well... I guess I better give granny-Sakura another grandchild before marching off to war..."

...

A little light-bulb lit up within his brain, as he recalled a certain critical piece of information.

[Fledgling Incubus]

Mana extraction: [+1 Mana Point] [Once per target]

Targets acquired:

Robin, Rosemi, Olivia, Kami, Sora, Martha

The two elven women, Chloe and Violet, for reasons unknown to them, they suddenly felt like rabbits, being hunted by a big-bad wolf somewhere...

"W-why did my heart skip a beat just then?" Chloe Bedevere scrutinized her surroundings, in search of an assassin or animal.

Violet, the [Masochist] felt her perky-tits tingle and harden, as they continued to rub against her bra. As someone who was already greatly looking forward to be punished rewarded by Asai for her efforts in defending Thrud Castle upon house Trichia's behalf without a single complaint. The dark-elf was already wet and fidgeting as her heart suddenly shuddered from being hunted.