106 Chapter 34 - Freedom (2/2)
Kenji spat blood to the side, [Overdrive] feeling like gnashing teeth chewing up his insides when activated, and while Kenji had grown stronger, the ability had only become more potent to match. If Kenji wanted to keep using it he was going to have to get used to having to repair the Boy Knight after each and every use, especially if he used [Full Frontal Assault] which lowered his defensive value.
\”The settlement will be yours to command when setup, but we have to get going. We have spent too long from Tariak, there might be news on my missing party member,\” Kenji said, the other adventurers gathering their equipment quickly.
\”Settlement?\” Bazza frowned, \”and do you really need to be going? A mate of mine is real good with the flute and was going to-\”
\”We need to go. But we'll be back, and if you would have us, I would set up a Hero Guild Branch right here. We'll send our younger members to train, acquire items and grow strong. We could use a man like you Barry, a mentor to guide the next generation. Who knows, given enough time we might even be able to fight to the bottom floor and free you from this prison.\”
Bazza's eyes were watering as he staggered backwards.
\”Freedom? Barely thought about that in a hundred years...that'd be great mate, thanks, thank you so much!\”
Freeing himself from Bazza's bone-crushing hug, Kenji put on some shorts and sandals Bazza gave him, said his farewells, and got moving.
The path back to the copper leafed tree was a short one from here, and the portal home a welcome one. Stepping back into the safety of the Golden Goose Guildhall, Kenji allowed the smells of Tariak to wash over him, and ignored the excited buzz of those around him for a little while longer.
A sharp knock on the head caused him to scowl.
\”What is it?\”
\”Put these on,\” Violet hissed, shoving a shirt and pants into his hands. Cheeks flushing red, Kenji had gotten so used to walking around with just his shorts on that he hadn't really noticed his near-nudity.
\”Sorry about-\”
\”Shut up. Sorry, but shut it for a second and listen,\” Violet snapped, looking at wits end with Kenji at the moment. \”We found them, the spider tattooed gangsters. We know where one of their bases are, we can finally bring Tenko home.\”
Kenji stood stunned, his lips slowly pulling into a smile as if to feel thankful too readily would pull this illusion out from beneath his feet and be revealed as some cruel prank. But his smile did come wide and bright, and no one announced this was a sick joke.
\”We've really found her - who did it? Which group tracked them down?\”
\”They're here actually, they were new. We didn't realise who she was though, not until they accomplished this quest with the same speed they did every other provided in the area,\” turning, Violet indicated a dashing oak haired youth in shining mithril plate, an upturned helmet-shaped into a silver swan and a sword with an aura all of its own at her side. Behind her stood a gigantic wheat haired priest, who looked terribly out of place with dirt on his nose and wearing enough brown cloth in his robe to cover a small family. Further behind him stood a pair of slim Silver Swan Knights.
\”It is good to meet another servant of the Truthblade,\” the swordswoman said, her words coming sharp and clear as if they parried with words, \”I look forward to testing your strength with my own. You can call me Arwen.\”
\”Arwen, I think I've heard of you,\” Kenji mused.
\”Arwen Swan is the General of the Northern Armies, and protected of the provinces within the northern frontier ring,\” Violet said, straining a smile, Kenji suddenly trying to do the same.
How the hell had a general found Tenko?