Chapter 381: Settling Dust

Chapter 381: Settling Dust

For the first time since its creation, the festival ended halfway. There were no tournament winners, there was no guild competition, nothing but a speech from the countess conveying a dire warning to all cultists and enemies of the empire. The public accepted it surprisingly well. Despite everything, the city had been saved, after all, the Star cult had been driven out of Nerosal, and all the enemies of the empire were put on notice.

I should have expected this, Dallion thought as he waited for the vice guildmasters room.

He had seen more than enough back in his village to know how limiting echoes worked. If he were to guess, hed say that every non-awakened in Nerosal had an echo of the overseer ensuring that they remained calm and didnt cause any disturbances while the arena was discreetly being rebuilt.

Well, Nil said after a while.

I know, Nil. Dallion sighed. This is why you dont like the festival.

Oh, thats a given, dear boy. What I was about to say is that at least you didnt lose in the tournament, which means that you get to keep your whip blade.

The attempt at humor was clumsy, but Dallion smiled nonetheless. Indeed, that was one thing that he had gained, along with an unexpected level and empathy stat increase. However, a lot more had been lost. Despite all the efforts, there had been casualties. Some had died due to permanent effects inflicted by the chainlings in the realm of the city. Others had died as a result of the destruction in real life. That was one of the things when doing massive damage to a realm and if someone wasnt careful, they could end up crushed by debris without any time to react. Unfortunately, that was precisely what had happened to the imperial visitor. As far as Dallion knew there were a few hundred casualties in total, and one of them was the person who mattered most. In a way another had been reached between Dallion and the Star. The city had survived, and the cult had been rooted outas far as anyone could saybut the main target had been killed, and chaos was already starting to form as a result.

Hes approaching, the door told Dallion, giving him a ten second warning.

Thanks. Dallion stood up and straightened his clothes. After everything that had happened in the last few days, he didnt want to antagonize the man any further.

Youre lucky, the man said upon entering the room. Sit down.

Dallion did as instructed. Once again, he felt as if hed been called to the principals office.

You should have been kicked out, the vice guild master said. At the very least. You went against guild interests, messed with a one-of-a-kind artifact, even went into a forbidden section of the city as one of our members

I know. If I were you, Id kick me out as well.

The man smiled briefly before taking his seat behind the desk. Piles of scrolls were all around him, although for some reason not a single sheet of parchment. From what Dallion had learned, the man took the role of administrator for the most part, running things in the guildmasters stead. That didnt mean he was weak, though. According to Nil, he was as strong as any of the captains, possibly a bit more.

Adzorg came to your defense, the vice guildmaster said. March and a few others abstained. All in all, that as well as you saving the city, decided the outcome.

Saving the city, Dallion repeated. I thought that might have an impact.

Of course, no one mentioned the obvious: that for a few brief hours, he had in fact become the new Lord Mayor or that after that period, he had relinquished his power to the countess herself. With the city becoming the countys second capital, it was normal that she would claim it for herself, leaving the Lord Mayor to remain as a sort of caretaker with no real power. As a sort of consolation prize, he was made owner of the palace, but everyone with power knew it was of no significance whatsoever.

So, what happens now? Dallion asked.

And your old party mates? At least leave an echo or something for them.

Leaving an echo wasnt a bad idea, but Dallion wasnt in the mood even for that. Quietly, he rushed his way out of the guildhall. Outside, however, there was someone waiting for him.

Hey. Jiroh waved at him, sitting on a large wooden chest on the other side of the street.

Dallion shook his head. Of course, shed be here. The fury always had a way of finding things out. At times Dallion thought she knew everything that was going on, just chose not to get involved. Making his way through the thinning crowd, Dallion went next to her. Now that the festival was over, most of the visitors had started to leave. That went triple for anyone outside the province. Some things even limiting echoes didnt have the power to calm.

Welcome to the club, the fury said. I thought it fitting I pick you up, since I was the one who took you here in the first place.

And a fine mess I made of that. Dallion sighed, sitting on the chest next to Jiroh. You didnt need to pack my things, though. Id have done it myself.

The fury tilted her head.

How did you know? she asked.

Magic, Dallion laughed. In truth, the trunk had told him precisely what had happened. How did you know Id leave?

All of us felt that way. Thats what happens to all of us who come from other worlds. Hannah is always talking about how she cant forgive Eury, but I was the one who left first. Were always searching for something, and always cause trouble for all those around.

Good thing theres someone like Hannah. Dallion nodded. Hows she taking it?

She seems fine which means she isnt. Thats the thing about Hannahalways puts on a brave front. I tell you one thing, shes happy to have Aspan back. The inn could start serving food again. Jiroh stood from the chest, lifting it with her innate air magic. So, shall we go?

You know where I plan to go? Dallion remained on the chest for a while longer. It felt like sitting on an amphibious vehicle. After a few more seconds, though, he got up.

It doesnt take a mind reader to know. With a slight thump, the chest fell to the ground. And I think youd prefer to go alone.

Leveling up, everyone had kept telling Dallion that he shouldnt do things alone. In retrospect, they were right. If Dallion had been less reckless, and told someone what he was doing, a lot of things could have been avoided. His friendships wouldnt have suffered, for one thing. However, every case had its exceptions, and what he was going to do now was just that.

Tell her I said hi, Jiroh winked. And come around every now and again. Theres always a spot open for you at the inn.

Ill think about it. Dallion grabbed the check with one arm and put it on his shoulder. Thanks, Jiroh. I owe you one.

In that case, try not to mess things up too much. Both of you deserve a chance.

I heard you, Dallion thought. All the distractions behind him now, he intended to focus on the things that were really important. For a while, at least, the world could wait.