42 A Rings Value (1/2)

”I'll wait out here,” Elru mentioned a bit awkwardly. The Baron had been far more aware than most when she interrogated him, capable of resisting. Even under a Glamour, Elru didn't have a particular wish to appear in front of him.

Rainer agreed with her choice. No reason to explain another member of their group if they didn't need to.

Knocking once, Rainer heard Charles' invitation before entering.

”Good Morning,” Rainer said.

”Good Morning, Lor-Rainer,” Charles spoke, catching his mistake. He was about to speak more when he noticed the added presence of a third guard.

Immense…

Charles' words got caught in his throat as he felt the new addition's Aura. He had noticed him earlier but due to a certain pillar of flame didn't get a chance to look closely. Noticing that both cloaked guards wore the same armor as was gifted to him, Charles remembered his original words.

”Rainer, it is good you came, I'd hope we might speak a moment,” Charles said rising from his desk.

Rainer waved his hand as a go ahead, not saying anything. A minor chuckle left him as he recalled the maids he passed by this morning, gossiping how their Lord never took off his new armor. How he would carefully avoid anyone as he walked lest a spec of dust fall on it, even refusing to let his servants clean it.

”You must know, I cannot accept any offer.”

Making his next declaration quite a surprise.

”Hmm? Charles that's…”

”I am loyal to my king and country. I cannot pledge allegiance to another Nation. I am truly sorry, please, you may take back your kind gift.”

Is this about my presumed status? Does he assume I'm a prince or something?

Rainer thought for a moment, before deciding to tell Charles the truth. Rather, he had never lied much in the first place, only about his name. It was everyone else who made the assumptions of his status.

”Charles, I think you are misunderstanding something. I'm a wanderer, the thing about visiting my home, not true. It was just the easiest lie for the task I had to handle.”

”But…” Charles said looking at the people behind Rainer.

”My companions. We acquired the sets of armor in a dungeon some time ago. Kara doesn't wear armor, so we didn't have a use for it. We can earn money easy enough.”

Charles stared at Rainer's hand. Wonder filled him as he imagined what sort of dungeon gave out a Spatial Ring. But he quickly shook away such a thought.

”Perhaps for this story in the future, you best hide your Spatial Ring. I'm afraid else none would ever believe it,” Charles smiled. Happy to see him tell such a tale so that he would keep the armor. A smile that reached his brown eyes.

”You recognize it?”

”My king holds the same ring. I know not of anyone but royalty and the Guildmaster of a Mage Guild who could have such an item.”

”Theodore,” Rainer said while stretching out a hand toward him. Understanding, Theodore took off his Spatial Ring and handed it to him.

”So…from a D-Dungeon…?” Charles mumbled out seeing the second ring. And a careful sensing of Magic told Charles that the second ring was Rainer's original one. The new ring had a far larger degree of power.

”Dungeon,” Rainer confirmed.

Charles sat down at his desk, not able to fathom such a thing. He also noticed the strange enchanted coat Rainer now wore. He did not even have a chance to check the size of Rainer's Mana Pool in his shock. Otherwise, they'd be witnessing a far larger reaction.

”Well, in any case, we came here to see if there have been any other Yeti sightings,” Rainer asked seeing Charles wasn't going to speak anytime soon.

Charles just shook his head.

”We'll be off then, heading out North to see if we might find any monsters. Oh, so there are no more issues, I merely wished for you to travel with us. Don't worry about it, though, was just a fun thought. In the end, I just didn't want to see you head to the Tree and not come back.”

Finished speaking, Rainer's party left the office amidst a silent Charles.

”Gunthar, that is the man who invented the Aura tracking inscription?”

Gunthar nodded, sending Theodore deep into thought.

Meeting up with Elru the group left the mansion and headed toward the tree. As they approached Rainer gave a warning to Elru.

”Elru, it'd be best you don't Appraise Luna after she changes classes. Fair warning, I will know if you do. Can I have your word on that?” He asked while operating [Mana-Reading]. It wasn't entirely correct; that he'd know. But he imagined a class related to their Sacred Faerie Flame would cause a noticeable reaction in Elru.

At the very least, he could just ask if she ever did it with [Mana-Reading].

Several thoughts floated through Elru's mind. Of course, the young Fae's level was already high for her age. Added on was not only her strange ability to change sizes at will, but her actual size being far larger than her age would suggest. Finally, the struggle to learn even the most basic Glamour.

For Fae learning, Glamour involved their very nature. The mana for the simpler Glamours cost less than even a low Mana regeneration. Yet Luna struggled greatly with just the simplest of Glamours.

”You have my word,” Elru stated.

Rainer, confirming headed to the tree. Luna in pocket, as the rest of the group, waited a bit away.

Further words of affirmation became stuck in Elru's mouth as she remembered Rainer's age.

19…

Even with a human's experience gain, his strength exceeded anything she had ever heard of. She reasoned the magic he used reached at least the fifth tier yet was cast at such speed.

And his Mana…

Elru thought as she looked at her leg. She was even disappointed Rainer had yet to ask for a demonstration, having a desperate desire to see the result of such a strange enchantment.

She looked over to Gunthar and wondered what other surprises laid in store for her.

George sat across a man who made him more uneasy than anyone else, The Hunter's Guild Master. No Aura, no Mana, no detectable energy radiated off the unshaven man. Lazy green eyes and dirty blonde hair. An average appearance and a short stature, just under 5 feet and 3 inches. Dressed in plain clothes. Yet an unfathomable strength.

He's the unassuming drifter that could end up being the death of your kingdom if wronged unknowingly.

”George, look I know I'm supposedly perfect for your little trip, but I can't take that kind of risk, I've told you before. You know why the Hunter's Guild can operate free from the influence of Kingdoms and mostly free of the Mage Guilds. If I don't make it back…”

George nodded. There was little benefit and few means to challenge Matheus. He had no family nor close attachments beyond his Guild. Even then, it wasn't as if any could hold the whole Hunter's Guild, which covered from the North continent to the South, hostage. That would require multiple countries to act in concert.

Toward a group of people that protected the world from monsters, that kind of unity was unlikely. Add that many of a kingdom's 2nd Tier experts were once Hunters, and it was even less possible.

Such a powerful, yet unburdened man presented a nightmare for any would-be assailants. Matheus needed only escape, and then take revenge at his leisure.

He can't fight a proper army alone, yet no throne room can hold an army large enough to stop him.

There would also not be any mage willing to step in, lest he makes the first move, given a past conflict that left a powerful Mage Guild Master slaughtered like livestock.

”Yes but…” George had no intention of revealing Rainer's class, but he needed some way to mention the new addition, ”How about this, you meet the friend of mine and then decide. I promise it isn't the risk it once was…”

I hope…

”Fine…” In truth, Matheus did have an interest in the North. It was one of the few things that still interested him. But his Guild held a higher importance to him.

Luna paused as she was about to touch the World Tree. A gentle breeze carrying with it a winter's chill, caused her silver hair to flutter in the wind. But she did not notice.

”Rainer…” A small voice escaped her.

He slightly furrowed his brows seeing Luna looking at him. Her eyes were slightly red, and sniffle followed her words.

”What's wrong?”

”If I am not useful…” Luna quietly mumbled. She recalled the fight with the [Arch-Lich] and even last night as the patient Elru had nearly snapped at her after hours of trying to teach what should be an easy Glamour. In fact, many Fae didn't even need to be taught and could often just copy the basic kind with ease.

And now Rainer wanted her to change to a new class.

Rainer only sighed as he looked at Fairy who seemed even smaller than usual in his hand. He recalled the story of the First Hero, perhaps one of the only stories she ever heard. The lightly falling snow and gentle sunlight reminding him about their escape from the mine.

”What happened to your faith in me?”

”I have faith in Rainer's success but…”

Bringing the small fairy close to his chest he spoke, ”What do you think, if one day your Flame disappears, I'll just leave you behind? You are not a tool Luna; you don't have to be useful…and you are not just some experiment for the machinations of that bitch Queen. You are my partner, my companion. I don't care if you never fight again and just hide in my pocket. I'm taking you with me, whether you like it or not.”

The two stood there for a few minutes. Under the warmth of the World Tree, that radiated heat.

Sniffling a few times, Luna wiped away her tears,

”Luna will change her class now.”

She fluttered over on her own.

”Find something related to your flame.”

She was quiet as she looked through them, but she quickly found the one she wanted. She spoke of it to Rainer, and he immediately agreed.

After selecting it, she shared the class with him.

[Holder of the Faerie Arcane-Fire: True Faerie Fire holds within it the power of the Fae. No Magic can stand before its consuming Flame, nor can any light compare to its healing touch. Yet this Flame reaches beyond; it is empowered with the might of the Arcane, and with it imbues the Holder. 100% General Improvement to all Fae and Spirit Skills and Spells. 25% General Improvement to all Skills. 45% Reduced Mana Cost of the Faerie Arcane-Flame. +2 Intelligence, +2 Affinity, per level past 1]

Seeing the lack of stats for such an impossibly rare class, Rainer was all but certain; points went into a related hidden attribute.

”Hehe. Now Luna can say to Rainer no matter how much stronger Luna is than him or how much he teases Luna, Luna will keep him around,” She said, proudly puffing out her chest.

”Then maybe I should tease you more now while I can.”

”Luna was only kidding, only making a joke,” She hurriedly added after flying behind him.

Rainer and Luna returned to the party. She sat on his shoulder, covered in a Glamour she had previously failed at accomplishing, appearing as a small silver bird. Glamour worked best the closer it was to reality. For younger Fae, changing into birds was easier than trying to appear as a full-grown human.

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Elru showed surprise at Luna's success immediately following a class change but held back her curiosity to use [Appraisal]. Something quite difficult for most Fae, her included.

”Rainer, we talked about how we'll hunt. With Elru's flight and Glamour, we need only wait for her to return with a location. The usual issues of monster's sharp senses will be irrelevant. The Yeti we faced, had they been in a normal state, would have never approached Gunthar unless they were sure in killing him, let alone me. And now with your increased Mana…But Elru solves this perfectly.”

Kara said smiling toward the Fae. Quite happy herself at the opportunity to close the gap between her and Rainer. Without Elru to guide them, who knows if she'd even gain experience on such a hunt.

Gunthar dejectedly shook his head, ”As always, Sorcerer, to be able to gain experience so quickly…”

How often had he gone on hunts for days and yet found nothing worth any real experience? How much had he trained feverishly in his 52 years of life to reach level 25 as a Paladin? He had hope that on the monster hunt Rainer would experience just a touch of the difficulty leveling most faced, perhaps gain some understanding of the world.

And while he was always glad to see him get stronger, he couldn't help but be a bit disappointed.

But Gunthar bounced back quickly. He even accosted himself for not expecting such a conclusion.

Seeing no disagreement, Elru shimmered in a Glamour and flew off into the Forest.

As the group walked in her direction, Theodore spoke first.

”I'll handle guard duty; everyone else may do as they please.”

”Appreciate it,” Rainer said.

”And I was thinking. I'd stay behind in Grimlar's pass when it is time to leave.”

”You aren't going to wait for the Wyvern?”

”No, I'll pass on everything you need to know, but Gunthar likely knows just as much as I on the subject matter, apart from a few more questionable methods. But it is your choice whether to use any; I will provide them in any case.”

”Be careful scouting, alright. There isn't much you can do alone up there.”

”Scouting is part of the reason…another I am truly interested in the technique of that Baron.”

”I can learn pretty fast…”

”Yes, but he invented it! Even by mistake such an ability, and the application for such a discovery…In my passing time, while investigating the North, I'll be training him. For such a treasure of man to die in his Trial, it would be a waste.”

Gunthar was originally disappointed at his Father's choice, but hearing the excitement in his Father's voice, he did not mind it much. He too liked the Baron and saw this as a good thing.

Heading into the forest, the party eventually reached a clearing before settling down.

”While Elru isn't here, I have something to tell you,” Rainer said while confirming his statement with [Arcane Sight] and [Soul Detection], ”Don't ever leave her alone with Luna.”

”Rainer, I understand your issue with Fae, but,” Gunthar responded.

”Look. I'm sure Elru is a great person. But there is a chance she isn't. Or that Luna's Fire is something that overwrites her ideals. Either way, Luna's current class is a bit too revealing. Just don't leave her alone with Luna, I'm counting on you guys.”

”Of course, Sorcerer.”

”Okay, Rainer.”

Theodore signaled his agreement as well.

Finished with the discussion, Rainer sat against a tree and found Kara sitting in front of him right after. She leaned on him, facing in the same direction.

”Rainer?”

”Hmm?”

”Do you remember, shortly after you obtained Yalin's ring and we entered a dungeon, I had told you of my mother's?”

”Yeah?”

”My Father…and the Spatial Ring he gave my Mother, I hadn't thought of it till now, but what do you think it means?”

”That he's Royalty?”

She leaned back into him more. He wrapped one arm around her and another scratched her ears.

”Why do you think…he left me…” Kara whispered amidst the falling snowflakes.

Rainer sighed. His Father had a good reason, dying before he was born. At least, that's what he was told.

”If he's royalty, wouldn't you be found out? He couldn't have known that you could hide your demon half so well. I'm sure if he knew he would have happily taken you as his daughter. He gave your mom such a precious gift; he must have cared.”

Or she took it from him…

He thought.

”Do you mind if we stay like this as I meditate?” Kara asked.

”I'd like that.”

Gunthar already sat in meditation across from them, while Theodore looked out into the forest, operating [Soul Detection] and thinking about Charles' skill.

As Kara begun, her meditation Rainer used [Arcane Sight]. Often, he filtered out the World's Energy that was all around him, but this time he focused on it. He watched as energy entered and exited Kara. As the energy changed, he stared closely.

Comparing her and Gunthar he quickly realized another benefit of her Half-Demon nature; She was twice as efficient. Both Aura pools operated at the same time, and while her Demonic Aura was hidden and not able to be used, it still received the benefit of meditation.

He returned to his thoughts. Spreading out [Void Detection] Rainer felt the omnipresent-Void. [Spatial Domain] followed, yet it was unable to grasp at the void at all. Even working the skill and spell in concert, it was as if each eye peeked into a different world.

He tried everything. Pulling at the Void with his will, infusing Arcane Into it, trying to use [Spatial Manipulation] as well. [Void-Walking] feel under Space-Time Magic but even [Spatial Manipulation] provided useless in his attempts.

Looking at Kara peacefully resting against him, he couldn't bring himself to test out [Void-Walking] with [Spatial Domain] and so returned to a previous task.

With one arm still around Kara, he brought his other to the right. Holding it out to the side, a string-like Arcane Weave began forming. He still had some issues creating a string similar to a guitar's, particularly giving it an ability to vibrate without causing significant damage.

He continued the task, creating the string in different ways, occasionally strumming it with [Arcane Energy Manipulation].

It relaxed him. He even felt like he was slightly recovering from the tiredness of recent days.

Elru returned an hour later, with news.

”I found a group of high-leveled Yeti, but they were quite strange...”

”They were led by a Goblin?” Kara asked, standing up from her meditation.

Rainer soon after described the group they had come across in the past to both her and Theodore.

”We should return and tell the Baron after we handle them. The question is what are they here for?”

”They are Goblins. Perhaps they are merely interested in raiding?” Gunthar asked.

Rainer recalled the notes he has on fire magic. While the other goblins he killed didn't seem particularly intelligent there had to be some capable of proper strategy.

”Perhaps they are padding…” Kara said.

”Padding?” The translated word, of course, was familiar to Rainer, but the context made no sense.

”Do you think?” Only Theodore understood her meaning.

”It is a common tactic of m-Demons,” She fumbled slightly, almost mentioning my people ”They'll send out weaker raiding parties and just harass towns or cities. They'll underrepresent their strength intentionally, and then once stronger people gather; they'll assault the town for the experience. Were it not for us, there may very well be far stronger people now at Grimlar's Pass. ”

From a normal strategic standpoint, it was clearly not the greatest battle plan. But the strategy was bound to be different in a world of levels and of personal strength that rivaled armies.

”Martin did mention there are Goblin tribes to the North. Living in such a shitty place, I can imagine they'd want to get stronger…Either way, let's go finish off the Yeti.”

The party agreed, and apart from Elru, Rainer covered the entire group in an [Arcane-Wind's Ascent]. Following Elru, he thought about leveling this spell. Out of all his tier 4 spells, this one was the closest to being tier 3. He had already leveled it twice while on auto-piloted [Sleep Learning] as proof.

Reaching the Yeti, Kara led the charge easily cutting through 4 of them. She had left the party. Due to the Mana needs of Gunthar and Theodore, they remained with Rainer and Luna in a party. Rainer killed the other 4 as Elru swept up the [Goblin Shaman], leaving him unconscious and taking him away from the battle.

Luna had reached level 4, while Rainer reached level 2 with [Voidwalker].

[Voidwalker has been leveled up to Lvl 2/25. Standard Attributes have been distributed. 1 Attribute and skill point have been rewarded]

Luna received 1 attribute and skill point for each level. Rainer could not yet determine if that would be the case for [Voidwalker].

”Elru, we'll take the goblin back with us. Can you scout for a possible main force?” Rainer asked while draining the [Goblin Shaman] of Mana. He wore only furs and were it not for Rainer's [Goblin Anatomy], he would not be able to tell the short green creature apart from any other.

”I shall,” Elru, while not an ally of humans by any means, but did not plan to ignore the innocent citizens in danger of such an attack on Grimlar's Pass.

”Fly back immediately if you see even a hint. We don't know what kind of power they have…” Rainer said while thinking of the creator of his powerful fire spells.

Elru was no stranger to the real strength of goblins as a studier of history. She needed not his warning.

Rainer and the rest of the party flew toward the Baron's Mansion. A swirling of Arcane-Wind surrounding them.

The [Goblin Shaman] sat tied to a chair in Baron's office. Rainer slapped him a few times, awakening the fully mana drained Goblin. He looked around in a panic yet before Rainer could ask a question a previously hidden stone lit up on the Goblin's chest, deeply embedded under his skin. A deep crimson color shined.

Theodore acted first, kicking the Goblin away and yelling out, ”Run!”

Rainer instantly cast a [Holy Shield] behind the group and the Goblin exploded in a fire a few seconds later, engulfing the room. The blast caused them no damage, as Rainer empowered the shield.