Chapter 36: The Treasure of Doom

Chapter 36: The Treasure of Doom

Daniel changes the color of his armor to match his outfit; a deep reddish brown for the top, dark gray pants, and black boots, and he carries his new rifle with him, as well as the sword.

Xyreko asks as they walk to the prison cell containing the blue dragon, “Master, did you attempt to draw the sword?”

“I thought you could see everything in the castle.”

“I can, but... Would you... for me now?”

He had no reason to object, so he drew the sword and showed it to her. “Why? Should I not have been able to?”

Xyreko suddenly looks ahead. She says nothing as she walks alongside him.

“Wait... You didn't expect me to be able to draw it?”

She glanced at him, and then looked ahead again. “Master, I am happy to have met you.”

“What is this sword? Is it cursed?”

“No! Of course not, Master! It's a very special sword.”

Ryuogriar is waiting outside of the cell as she sees Daniel casually swinging the sword. “It feels normal.”

The white dragon in humanoid form commented in shock, “That sword... Isn't that... Nemaisol?” She looks at Xyreko, and then back at Daniel, who frowns. He glares at Xyreko. “Xyreko?”

The golem says in a deflective tone, “Master, we have arrived.”

“Xyreko, answer me. What is this sword?”

Ryuogriar answers when Xyreko remains silent. “That sword... is said to be a legendary sword. No one in the world now could wield it, but its original wielder defeated an out of control Uhl'tall dictator thousands of years ago...” She gingerly touched the sword, recoil when it shocked her. She gasped, and Daniel inspected the sword. “Sorry! Are you okay, Ryuo?”

She nods, nursing her hand. “It wasn't bad, but... It truly is Nemaisol.”

Daniel looks at Xyreko, who finally states, “I wasn’t alive when it was forged, of course, but it has remained a mystery. Many legends linger about the sword, but no one could hold it. No one but you, Master.” She adds tenderly, “You are this generation’s god-chosen hero.”

Daniel cocks his head. It’s a concept from fictional stories of his world, but usually, that requires actually being spoken to by some divine being and told all of this. He finally retorts, “I doubt it. You’re a scientist, Xyreko. I think you know what I suspect.”

“And, what is that?” asks Xyreko with amusement in her voice.

“That this sword somehow reacts negatively to magic.”

Ryuogriar cocks her head in surprise. She, too, looks at Xyreko for answers.

The golem replies, “I had suspicions that, if anyone would get a different reaction from the sword, it would be you, Master. Though, I have yet to figure out the exact mechanism as to why.”

Daniel sighs. “I believe you. Why not tell me, though?”

“I was curious, and this was more fun. I also didn’t expect you to figure it out so quickly.”

Daniel smirks at her. “I see. Fair enough.” He then looks at Ryuogriar, sheathing the sword, “Any indications that Lady Blue will object?”

She shakes her head. “No. I am confident she will agree to your terms. She might be afraid of you, though.”

Daniel can’t argue that. “Try to convince her to stay calm. She doesn’t have to trust us, but she needs to stay calm.”

Ryuogriar agrees confidently. “I shall ensure it, Daniel.” She looks around, asking, “Will... Lady Hekate be joining us?”

This time, Daniel goes quiet, and Xyreko teases, “She’s conflicted about being present when Daniel is ‘seduced’ by her as well.”

“Ah... Apologies. Then, I am ready, Daniel.”

He confirms with a nod, cradling his rifle across his chest. He then nods his head at Xyreko, and Xyreko opens the door. He walks in calmly, followed by Ryuogriar and Xyreko, each of whom stop alongside him.

Like Ryuogriar when they met formally, the cobalt blue dragon is in her humongous true form, curled in a defensive position as her eyes stay locked on Daniel.

Daniel says gently, “Good evening. My name is Daniel. You probably know me better as the ‘Feldrok Sorcerer’ or the ‘Harbinger of Calamity’. Please just call me Daniel, though.”

The dragon is startled by the revelation of who he is, but then she sees Ryuogriar.

Suddenly, as if spoken to by the blue dragon, Ryuogriar states, “I now go by Ryuogriar, and I am now Daniel’s ally. Though, I am forbidden from referring to him with proper deference.” She smiles at Daniel, petting her belly briefly. “Daniel is here to make you an offer that I suggest you take. All alternatives are worse, and Daniel is a man of his word. You will speak in the eastern language in his presence, or I will ignore you.”

The blue dragon looks at Daniel, and then back at the white dragon, and then back to Daniel again. Ryuogriar adds gently, “Daniel, please give me the following order; I order you to speak your true feelings and beliefs.’”

That makes enough sense for Daniel. “Ryuogriar, I order you to speak your true feelings and beliefs.”

She smiles. “I am serving Daniel of my own free will, Lyavvagstreom. I am under a slave contract, but one that only binds me to Daniel, a normal human. And, he has yet to give me any direct orders utilizing the enslavement. It is more of a contract to guarantee his safety. Yours will be the same as mine thanks to Daniel and Hekate, who you will meet later. I don’t like Hekate very much, but she has grown since her days as the slave that brought us to here.”

The blue dragon shot a look of betrayal at Ryuogriar as she spoke, indicating Lyavvagstreom is her true name as it is pronounced in the eastern language. Regardless, she heard Ryuogriar out, and she finally speaks softly, her voice still deep and filling the room with ease. “You would speak my true name before these beings, Zadarralomme?”

Ryuogriar takes the indignant response in stride. “Indeed.” She exposes her chest, revealing the contract brand with Daniel’s name on it. “I gave mine willingly when Daniel described the options and offered me what he did. He has been fully true to his word. I spoke of you being trustworthy, and Hekate defended you, too. I hope you will hear out what he has to say.”

Again, she looks at each of them a few times. She finally replies quietly, “Very well. I will hear the human’s offer.”

Daniel explains the stakes; she’ll be magically contracted to him, but he won’t flex his authority over her so long as she doesn’t provide any threat to him or his plans. She will forcibly have to protect her children, cannot harm Daniel, Hekate, Xyreko, or anyone else listed on the contract, and cannot raise her children to be hostile to anyone on the contract. Otherwise, she can defend herself and those she is not allowed to harm, and she can do anything else she wants. He then explains the reward; the cure to the curse that none of them can detect but is easy to convince them of its existence, and children as soon as she wants to try.

Ryuogriar then explains, “After the contract is formed, Daniel will ask you or choose for you if you allow it, a new name that isn’t your true name. It has been a long time since I felt so free and relaxed. The choice is yours, my dear sister, but I do encourage you to accept Daniel’s offer.”

After a moment of pondering, Daniel offers, “We can give you time to ponder. You don’t have to decide today. Her Majesty Vaergraes is returning in a couple days to negotiate, so I’d like an answer before then, but we won’t force you. Do you have any questions?”

The blue dragon pauses one last moment and she casts a simple spell -the same spell Zadarralomme cast during her meeting-. Within moments, Lyavvagstreom emerges from the light glow of the spell much smaller than she was, similarly human as Ryuogriar is now. Again, Daniel is left wondering how the humanoid form is chosen, as Lyavvagstreom looks different than Ryuogriar, including more youthful. If Ryuogriar looks like a particularly beautiful forty something human woman, Lyavvagstreom looks like she’s in her mid twenties. Her outfit consists of a fairly beautiful, but extremely modest shroud, tunic, and long dress that hides any significant details of her body shape. When she’s standing idle, she looks somewhat like a slender native american tipi with a human head peeking out of the top, her hair an iridescent blue that shifts shades depending on the angle, and her deep emerald-green horns emerge and curl softly at the sides of her head. She has a soft, but somewhat cold expression, like an introvert who does her best to keep to herself. She bows, revealing her metallic blue tail peeking from underneath at the back. “Master Daniel... I accept your offer. Please allow me to live as you have described.”

Daniel nods in agreement. He finally introduces Xyreko, “Thank you. In that case, my companion Xyreko will cure you and perform the contract. After that, we’ll choose a new name, and you’ll be free to leave if you wish.”

She complies, following Xyreko’s instructions as the Caretaker performs both procedures the same as she did with Ryuogriar. Afterwards, she states warmly, “There! All done. You’re ready to couple up and lay some eggs. Just be warned, Hekate doesn’t like you.”

Daniel replies, “She won’t hurt you. She’ll just express herself. Now, for the final test. Lyavvagstreom, I order you to, without hesitation, slap me as hard as you can.”

The blue dragon tries to object, but just as with Ryuogriar, who stands by passively now, Lyavvagstreom’s hand flies on its own. Just as with Ryuogriar, her momentum plummets as her hand reaches Daniel’s cheek, and it stops on his cheek. She is surprised, quickly apologizing. “I-I’m sorry, Master Human! I... Your order, I couldn’t... Please...”

“Relax. I did the same thing to Ryuogriar. The contract is in place.” He smiles, gently taking her hand off of his cheek.

She whimpers softly, “Wh-... Why would you risk something so dangerous? I-... I could have... killed you...”

“Mm-hmm. And, I imagine it would be pretty quick. I wouldn’t have much to worry about after that, hmm?”

She stares at him, and then looks at his hand, still holding hers gently. She retreats under her outfit, breaking eye contact. “If... you don’t want to live... why did you fight back?”

“I don’t want to die. I just figure it’s a good way to be sure the contract worked. That’s how much I trust Xyreko. Now, I can trust you, too.”

She blushes, and the subtle movements of her shoulders and her dress suggest that she’s fidgeting underneath her body-hiding outfit.

Daniel doesn’t tease her, though. He instead asks, “So, now that we’re past all of that, do you have any ideas for a name?”

Lyavvagstreom looks at Ryuogriar, and then at Daniel. “Ryuogriar is not a name I’ve ever heard. Did... you choose it, Master?”

“I did,” confirms Daniel. “You’re welcome to choose your own, if you wish. I just don’t want to call you ‘Blue’. It’s too generic and feels impersonal.”

“Impersonal?”

He confirms with a nod. “You’re a person. And, I hope we can be friends in spite of our meeting and current circumstances.”

She breaks eye contact again, nodding subtly. But, she asks softly, “You feel that way... even though we were enemies?”

“It’s all the more important if I want to prove I don’t want to be your enemy. I know you just accepted a contract that binds you to me, but can we be friends with the goal of protecting the world, rather than conquering it?”

She agrees softly, “Y-Yes... And,... I’d like you to choose a name for me as well. I will trust you to choose something fitting.”

Daniel is surprised a little, but he agrees to do it. “Very well. Uh... Hmm... I guess, in keeping with the val-... well, nevermind that. How about... Reignleif? Shortened to Reina for casual conversation.”

She cocks her head. “Reignleif?”

Daniel smiles and nods. “It’s a slightly modified name of a, uh, sort of goddess from where I come from.”

“Good.”

“What was your question, Master?” She dismisses the goblins and orcs, having them escorted out by the servant golems.

“You said you can magically summon material, right?”

“Indeed.”

“So, if I ask for pure iron, you can summon pure iron?”

“Of course!”

“Can you tell me how you specifically summon iron?”

She pauses. “Ah... Huh... Well, I can show you the spell and the changes made between materials that you can choose. I suspect you hope to change it to the one you want, yes?”

“Yes,” confirms Daniel confidently.

“Very well. Let us head to the manufacturing floor.” She teleports them both, which Daniel is thankful works. He and Xyreko suspect that he exists in this world akin to inanimate objects that are devoid of magic. He can’t benefit from magic or suffer from curses designed around living beings, but as proven when he can be burned by fire spells or teleported by Xyreko’s influence over the Citadel, he is not truly immune to magic.

In the manufacturing facility, Daniel sees golems operating spell circles, altering and creating repair materials to continue the ongoing repairs to the interior of the massive fortress, as well as the village within the outer wall. Xyreko leads him to a specific circle that is quite large, about the size of the summoning circle Daniel found himself in when he and Rikuto arrived in this world.

To his surprise, it’s actually projected onto the floor by a crystal device in the ceiling, and Xyreko operates a panel similar to the one at the top floor access panel where he and Hekate claimed control of the Citadel.

“As you can see, by defining certain quantities listed in this reference table, materials can be selected.”

Daniel asks, “May I?”

“Of course, Master. All the Citadel is yours to do with as you will.”

“Right. But, I like to ask.” She approves of his courtesy with a thankful bow of her head, stepping out of his way so he can use the panel to inspect the table. It seems to have been translated into Imperial Common for Daniel’s sake, and he states, “Thank you for translating, Xyreko.”

“It is my pleasure to serve you, Master.”

“Thank you. From what I see here, these values in this column are the mana consumption, correct?”

“Correct. It will adjust accordingly if we place materials to be changed from one material into the chosen material. Some changes use less magic, and some use more.”

“Is the only way for the Citadel to replenish magic through deaths within the walls?”

“As it stands, yes. That, or to have magic users make donations of their own magical energy to the Citadel’s charging stations, though this is relatively inefficient. In fact, my original masters built the village at the outskirts and asked for magic energy as tribute from the citizens. Since it was an easy payment for everyone to make, everyone was happy to do so. Shall I begin recruiting for the village, Master?”

“Do so at a controlled pace. I don’t want to overwhelm production nor attract attention of those fearing us making an army. In fact, it may be wise to bring it up with Vaergraes when she returns, as a courtesy.”

“I see. You are probably right, Master.”

Daniel studies the other information in the table. “Is there anywhere to see the unique properties of the material?”

“Yes. The spell updates as appropriate.” She selects iron, and as she indicated, certain glyphs on the magic circle projected onto the creation area change to indicate new glyphs.

Daniel asks, “Those glyphs; what do they mean?”

“They are ancient feldrok characters for numbers.”

“Reeeeeallllyyyy?” asks Daniel eagerly.

“Yes.”

He chuckles. “That was amusement, Xyreko. I’m pleased with that answer. Can you transcribe what numbers are depicted in the changed glyphs for me please?”

He offers his notebook after writing the word ‘iron’ out. She nods, writing the numbers in order by each glyph. While Daniel knows it won’t be the values from the periodic table he knows, it’s information he can work with.

He then selects another known material; carbon. He selects diamond first, having Xyreko write the new numbers out. He then chooses coal and does the same again. Unsurprisingly, most of the numbers don’t change, but a few do.

He remarks as he scrolls materials that are already ‘known’ by the Citadel, “I would love to see the reference table the feldroks created for these glyphs.”

“I’m afraid I don’t know, Master. Apologies.”

“Not your fault. They may have it secretly locked away somewhere. We’ll see if we can outsmart this, though.”

“I have some idea of your goal, but how do you intend to select an unknown material, Master?”

“In my world, humans had found ways to define elements like iron and carbon as unique and simple building blocks. Sharmelkolle is likely a compound.” He chooses it, and several other glyphs change this time. He nods as his hypothesis comes to fruition, “I’m fairly confident that these new numbers indicate how the compound is formed.”

“A compound is formed of multiple elements?”

“Yes. Like an alloy. Do you know what goes into sharmelkolle if it’s forged normally?”

“It is a long list of individual materials, Master.”

Daniel studies the information as he listens. “How about iron?”

She answers intelligently. “Only iron, strengthened if purified.”

“And even stronger if you alloy it with certain other metals. For now, though, we’ll try to narrow down what these numbers tell us.”

Daniel cycles through materials that he can identify definitively as elements, including tungsten, copper, calcium, silver, and gold. Xyreko records the numerical values in the positions that change, and they head to the desk to begin comparing.

Xyreko expresses as Daniel makes cards of each one to be able to move around and sort, “Master, I do have a concern.”

“What’cha got?”

She cocks her head, but has become quite used to Daniel’s casual speaking, which he uses in the new language just as he did most of the time in English. “If the... treasure of doom negates magic...”

“I have a theory, which I hope you will be willing to attempt, but I agree. That could dampen what I hope to accomplish.”

“What is your theory, Master?”

“The magic negation is directly related to the radiation being produced by the material. If you can convert something like iron into the uranium I want, it shouldn’t negate the magic of the conversion until the very moment the spell completes, perhaps shortly after.”

“I see... Yes, that could be true.”

“We’ll try with a small piece. Look here... These values seem to be the most unique to each material, and I think I have a suspicion on how.”

“This one is a factor by which the desired amount is generated. Ten pounds of iron is not the same volume as ten pounds of coal.”

Daniel grins, nodding. “You don’t say...”

She stares at him a moment, fairly certain it’s just one of his phrases. He adds, “Let me do some math from my world... The setting for amount was the same for all of these, right? Ten pounds?”

She confirms politely, “Yes, Master.”

“Excellent...” Daniel scribbles some notes recalling his wisdom of the periodic table and Avogadro’s number, which uses a fixed number of atoms in a calculation with an element’s atomic weight to convert it into grams. From there, he can do some math to figure out how many moles of each element is in the ‘ten pounds’ of this world’s weight system.

It takes some time, and he has to make several corrections, but he’s able to confirm which of the numbers that came from the spell is the equivalent of the atomic number from Earth’s periodic table. It seems to be using the full atomic weight of stable isotopes, and one of the other numbers that has been consistently zero may be a factor to determining isotopes.

Daniel does some calculations and adjusts the values, asking Xyreko, “Can you make this value?”

She looks at a negative value replacing one of the zeroes. “Yes,” confirms the golem Caretaker. “There is an equivalent set of digits for negative values.”

“Please set these parameters, and we’ll test it.”

Xyreko begins adjusting input parameters on the control console, keeping the desired weight at ten pounds.

She then explains how to use the panel and activate the spell, and then she retreats so Daniel can activate it.

The moment of truth is upon him; whether or not he’ll be able to accomplish the impossible in this world he could never imagine being in.

***