P68- Host (1/2)

Year 83 Month 1

At the end of the first month, the heroes, long awaited, finally arrived.

I had a brief vision, like I always did. Twelve streaks of light, split into four groups of three, and then each landed at a different part of the world. This is important, because that meant the heroes are in smaller groups of three, and are scattered.

A vague reddish hand appeared in that same vision, it tried to swipe at the streaks of light. But another hand stopped it.

That was when I woke from the vision.

[Twelve reincarnators have arrived].

”I wonder where they are.” Alexis wondered. “I hope they don’t make the same mistakes we did.” She got the same ping as I did. “And TreeTree, why do you get... the notification?”

“I have no idea. I do see a vision.” Hmm, is she wondering why I know about the heroes? Well, I suspect it’s because I came from their world, too.

“Maybe TreeTree’s like some kind of super-entity that’s why the gods send the ping to him too.” Meela came to the rescue, she got the notice as well, that’s why she came over. Her hotel/inn can run itself quite well, she hired quite a few treefolk to work for her.

I wonder how many will survive this time. The world’s in a shittier state than it was.

”TreeTree, I have a request.” Meela said. ”I know you didn't have a good impression of us heroes, so, let me deal with the next generation of heroes. If they ever swing our way.”

”Hmm?”

”I assure you that I won't bring you any harm. The heroes need to be educated in the ways of the world, and both myself and Alexis have seen more of the world, without the distorted lenses as a hero. We should be the best placed to advise the next generation, so they do not walk the mistakes we did.” Meela sounded like she's begging.

”Fine. But keep me updated.”

”Sure.”

”You know where they are?”

”No. But I will tell you if I do.”

Other than the return of the reincarnators, another month of mostly defensive battles. Quiet. The southern parts, where it is warm, are battling demons daily. Up where we are, where the winter is relatively mild, we focused efforts on research and making more anti-demon weapons.

I am also gradually extending my trees to where the legless walker is. But I am taking it slow, as the terrain is unfamiliar, and there’s demons walking all over the place, so I have to clear out the area before expanding.

Year 83 Month 2

“They’re with me.” Meela said, a week or so after that announcement.

“Huh?” Honestly it felt like just yesterday that I had that conversation with Meela.

“Three heroes. Reincarnators. They arrived somewhere near our borders. They’ve just been summoned and are still getting used to their new powers. One of your patrols picked them up.”

“Oh.”

“I’ll take care of them, don’t worry about it.” Meela assured. “It’s only been a week since they arrived. They’re still a bit confused and lost, but they’ve managed to survive thanks to their special powers. ”

At this point, I remember my titan souls, and I think, well, since they are so vulnerable, they could ‘die’ around me easily, isn’t it?

[Divine : Moratorium on Hero Killing. In Force until Demon King’s death. Those who murder a hero before the demon king’s death will receive a divine curse, and be marked as a ‘hero-killer’, inviting the wrath of other heroes.]

The fuck?!

Hmm. Looks like the gods already thought about it.

“So, what did you talk to them about?”

“I gave them an overview of the world, what they are facing, and... what the previous heroes did, without telling them I was a hero. I think they bought it, they are just... 13-year olds after all. Unlike me or Alexis.”

Thinking about it, if they arrived at age 13, and it’s been close to 13 to 14 years, does that make them pretty much 26 year olds? “Well, that’s good. Hope they don’t put New Freeka in danger again. Do you feel old talking to them, since you are their... senior?”

“Honestly, yes. I feel a bit afraid. Of course, we can’t be older than you, TreeTree. You must be centuries old now, or millennia?”

I’m not answering that.

Meela continued anyway. “But yeah. They’re still in a state of panic, and they are just relieved that we are here to give them some... cover. The two girls are just sleeping in for days, and just exploring New Freeka’s markets and shops.”

“It’s not a holiday, though.” Alexis popped in. “They need to start levelling soon. The demon king won’t wait for them, and TreeTree, you need to make preparations. The demon king can sense us, and they will send men after the three heroes.”

“I know I know, Alexis, but I think taking care of their mental state is important too. We made that mistake of rushing from battle to battle, and that made us fight each other, remember?”

Alexis sulked. “They need experience, and they need it soon. We do not need to nanny them. They need to level up and gain full access to their star mana and heroic tier skills as soon as possible. And find some items of the right tier.”

“Oh, yeah! Items! TreeTree, erm... can I get some of your anti-demon weapons? The one that Lausanne has? And a wooden anti-demon shield too.”

“Only the normal ones. And they’ll need to buy it like anyone else.” There are the regular-series wooden weapons that are distributed to the patrol force, so I think that’s fine.

“I’ll pay for it then.”

I soon learned, thanks to Ivy’s updates, that the three heroes in New Freeka are, Harris, the [Shield Guardian], Becky the [Horde Summoner] and Mirei the [Lightning Guardmage]. Of course, I took some time to watch them, as they walked around New Freeka.

“Well, today I’m taking you to some of the bars and restaurants, and have some local food. You may be on a mission, but if you feel overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to demand a break. You only live once, even in a magical world like this. Revival magic only works if one of you is a hero-grade specialist-healer, and it must be used within the same day. So if you feel your team is moving too fast, say it. Honesty matters.”

“How do you know all this, Mistress Mika?” Mirei seemed impressed.

“I worked with the heroes. The last generation of heroes at least. All of them died in their final battle, but they told me to help where I can.” Meela pulled off the act swimmingly. It’s part of her skill, as the proprietress of the hotel, she’s got superb acting skills. In many ways, working as a hotelier really made her more... mature.

It’s something I don’t realise, of course, because to me, the months just flip by so quickly, but Meela’s hotel has been open for the past 4 years, since year 79. So she’s had a lot of experience dealing with people, and customers. I suppose it’s strange for them to change, when I’m the one still being the same. 4 years is long for them, but not for me.

They stopped at a restaurant with an alfresco frontage. Meela’s restaurants was one of the first to feature al-fresco dining, but soon, many other restaurants caught on.

The waiter bowed and quickly let Meela and the three humans in. “Right this way, Lady Mika.” Meela, as the owner of the best hotel in town, is pretty much a local ‘tycoon’, a respected member of the hospitality industry. She’s apparently even the chairwoman of the local innkeeper’s guild. Things I forget, of course, since I’m focused on my own things.

Maybe if Alexis wasn’t so... rebellious, maybe... Ah. Never mind.

They sat and had a cup of local tea with milk. And some snacks. “So, I’ve arranged for some anti-demon weapons, that should be your starting equipment. You will outgrow them quite quickly, with experience multipliers from your blessings.”

Harris sighed. “Honestly, I’m a bit... uh... how do I say this... intimidated by what we went through. Why can’t people like Lausanne fight the demon king, we saw her crush the demon knights like nothing.”

Meela shook her head. “Lausanne’s impressive, but she doesn’t have the special gifts. Heroes are needed, because of the cheat-skills. It’s also important that you think about the cheat skills that you have, and figure out how to maximise it. The last demon king was a giant castle that had a few forms, lastly, an exploding demon-crystal.”

“We’re here. And you’re talking about something like that. I don’t see how we can face something like that.”

Meela smiled and sipped her tea. “Baby steps. You must first be able to take on demon knights, like Lausanne.”

“Can she accompany us? I mean... I’d feel much safer if she’s with us.” Becky said.

“Even if she does, she can only stay with you for a short while. With the blessings, you will gain levels very, very quickly. When the last generation fought the demon king, all of them were at least level 100. Lady Lausanne, if I’m not mistaken, is only around level 40 to 50.”

“We’re level 10 or so. We need a babysitter.” Harris said, and he ate a cookie. Meela asked for some local potato slices, with olives.

Meela nodded. “I can have a skill that can give you a [Bodyguard], but I feel that will hobble your growth. You must realise that leveling and experience is scaled to difficulty.”

“Can’t we like... uh... have some practice first?” Mirei asked. “I mean, if you see those RPG games, we usually have ‘tutorial’ or ‘practice’ stages so that we get a good hang of how things work. I mean...”

Meela sipped her tea, and thought for a moment. At this point, I had a hunch Meela’s going to ask me for something. And she did. She telepathically pinged me.

“TreeTree, can we borrow the Order’s Training Rooms? I’ll have the Captains and Yvon spar with them. Madeus too, if he is willing.”

“Hmmm... When are they leaving New Freeka?”

“When they are ready. The faster we can get them up to speed, the faster they will leave.” Meela insisted, and well, she has a good point.

“Fine. Only the one in the Order Quarters.”

Meela then turned to the three heroes. “Well, I’ve arranged for the three of you to use the Valtrian Order’s Training Rooms. That will be a suitable practice session, for you to know your limits. Unfortunately, you can only use them for a few days, and after that, it’s out to the field as an adventurer, or join the patrols.”

“Huh, so short...” The three looked reluctant, but soon accepted that it was better than nothing, and then they walked back to the hotel.

“So, do you want to watch some practice today?”

“Oh, can we?”

“Magic or swordfighting?”

“Uh... magic?” The two girls said together.

Meela brought them to one of New Freeka’s magic academies. The Council runs one academy, as part of the mage’s guild, and the Order runs another one, led by Madeus. There’s also a third independent academy, but it’s mainly for merchants, smiths and others, as it’s more of a craft-focused magic academy.

They watched some children practice some basic magic.

Both of them though, instantly learned a spell. “Oh. That’s... that’s easy.”

Meela shrugged. “That’s your advantage. You won’t learn much from the children if it comes to you so easily.”

Meela led them to the back area of the guild, and there’s multiple sparring areas, for mage-adventurers to practice.

“Go, participate. You might gain some levels.”