Chapter 315: Future Challenge

Chapter 315: Future Challenge

Drink this after you finish, Aspan placed a mug of jade liquid on the kitchen table.

With the crowd in the inn, this was the only place left for Dallion to eat. After a brief but tense conversation with Hannah, she had allowed him to use the kitchenprovided he didnt distract Aspan from his workrather than allow him to eat in the guest rooms. Ultimately, that had turned out quite well. For one thing, it was impossible to distract Aspan. The copyette filled the kitchen with copies of himself, each helping in the cooking. That explained how the cook could prepare so many means so fast, and also why it was forbidden to enter the kitchen. The only person who used to do so was Hannah. Even Jiroh was strongly discouraged from entering, taking the food at the door whenever possible.

And this time rest for half an hour after eating. No realm training, no music practice, just rest, the cook added. One of his copies had taken a seat at the table as well, drinking a small cup of alcohol while Dallion ate.

Dallion nodded, focusing on his food. It was remarkable how much an awakened required. However, it was all the more remarkable how much food the city had. Despite the many awakened in the city, there was never a lack of food of drink in any inn, stall, or tavern. According to Nil, that was the chief responsibility of the non-awakened, along with the citys domain ruler. The principle was simplethe Lord Mayor and a few other of the city nobles ensured that the domain had the best conditions for production, and the people provided the manual labor.

The greatest difference from earth was that here, cities were the major producers of food. Farms, villages, even smaller towns simple werent able to compete. By that logic, the imperial capital had to be the greatest source of food in the empire. Thinking about it, that also determined the places with the largest military forces. The only way to maintain a large force was to have a large source of food.

I heard you did well at the preliminary tournament, Aspan said.

Yeah. Could have gone better, but"

Its a mistake, the copyette interrupted. The more attention you attract, the more difficult its going to become.

I need to attract attention to get things done. Right now, Im a nobody.

Youre a nobody that has already caught the attention of several guild captains, the city overseer, not to mention all sorts of questionable elements, even a Star.

You forgot the nobles.

Questionable elements, Aspan repeated, then downed his cup in one go. Youre young, its normal to act recklessly. All of us go through the same. Just try not to get yourself killed before you learn how to fix your mistakes.

This wasnt the first time someone had given Dallion advice, but this one was different, full of millennia experience and regret. The copyette knew that nothing he said would change Dallions mind to the point that of giving up on what he was doing. All that Aspan could do was say the words, knowing he would be ignored.

Why did you try to conquer the world? Dallion asked at last.

Thats a topic best left alone.

Because the Moons dont allow it?

Because youre easily influenced and might try to do the same. Right now, youre weak. Without restrictions, I could kill you the moment you walk through the inn door and no one would even suspect it had happened. Youll get stronger, though. In a few years, youll be on a first name basis with the lower nobility. A few years after that, you might even find yourself in the Imperial capital. And there you might get ideas.

Not a chance, Dallion laughed. The suggestion made him think of his grandfather. He too had found the city small, and that had somehow gotten him in trouble.

All of us say that, most dont mean it. Aspan had a copy of himself pour him a second glass of alcohol. A lot of otherworlders have passed through here throughout the years. Most move to the capital, searching for a way back or a high enough position matching their skills.

Is Nerosal that special?

Nerosal is a cluster of huts in the mud. The city that was before it was special. Why do you think I came back here?

Tradition? Dallion couldnt help himself.

This was my imperial capital.

Are you certain youre going through with that leveling? Nil asked. As per the arrangement between Aspan and Dallion, none of his echoes and guardians had any memories of the cook as a copyette. The being had effectively erased himself from their minds, making everything in the kitchen remain forgotten.

I have to ramp up the pace, Dallion replied. On multiple fronts.

You cant do everything, dear boy.

Not yet, but that will be a start. After all, I have three familiars now.

Hmph. The old echo didnt sound too convinced.

Hes right, the armadil shield joined in. Youve improved quite a bit, but youre still not ready for Vermillion. Ill try to help you, but this time Im not sure thatll be enough. I still havent fully recovered from last time.

You never said that. Dallion felt concerned, not so much about himself, but about the shield. It had been quite a while since he had been wounded in the battle against the last island snake. All this time Dallion believed the shield to have been recovered. Apparently, that wasnt the case.

Harp? Anything you want to tell me?

Shes fine, Gleam joined the conversation. Although she thinks its a bad idea to try this.

That was two guardians who were against it. An obvious split was forming. Lux and Nox tended to side with Dallion when it came to exploring things, while the guardians and Nil tended to be on the cautious side. The echoes remained neutral, or silent, at least.

If it comes to it, can we defeat him? Dallion asked. Or, at least, get out of there?

Defeat him, potentially, the shield said. Leave the realm Id say no. Ultimately, its up to you. At this stage, items cannot change your opinion.

They were right, of course. Dallion had grown past the point of blindly listening to advice. He took everything they said seriously, but ultimately, the decision was his. The question remainedwhat to do. Last time he had faced such an enemy, he could well have died if it wasnt for the actions of his shield. Should he go through the same again?

Nil, how does an item accept its owner? Dallion, asked.

The sale of an item is the same as an agreement between the previous and future owners of the item. Ownership is transferred, although there are cases in which guardians rebel against the choice.

Im not talking about buying. What about finding an item after the owners death? Does the item remain loyal to the one who found it or the original owner?

It depends on the item and owner. If an item is lost, its pretty much a given that it doesnt share a lot of loyalty with the previous owner. Otherwise, it wouldnt get lost so easily. In the case youre describing

The guardian remains neutral, the aramdil shield interrupted. They wait to see if the person found them is good enough to be their owner. If they dont consider him suitable, they tend to get lost again.

Dallion checked his pouch. It was still whole, and the ring was inside. Everything considered that was as a good sign he could hope to get as any.

Vermillions are like protectors, the dryad continued. They dont like people snooping unless its their owner. I dont think theyll be willing to talk.

Is there a way to tell for certain without going inside? Dallion asked.

There might be. But itll be painful. Still want to find out?

Definitely.