Blacksmith of the Apocalypse

---Unclaimed Mountains---

“A giant mechanical owl, huh? In that case, abort the mission. Although it is a shame to give the girl bad news, I doubt there is a big chance that her aunt is still alive, if it is true what that man told you...” Seth's voice rang from the communication orb.

They had returned from the Lord’s residence. Back in their accommodation, they immediately shared the bad news with Minas Mar. They also gave a detailed report on the lord, Morranto and their experiences here so far.

“Are you sure?” Mike asked only slightly conflicted. Even though he was a softy in general, he was quite pragmatic about the chance to find the woman was still alive after it was taken away by a massive biomechanical owl. They had already traveled all the way here, it felt like a defeat if they simply returned with empty hands like this.

Maybe it was this feeling that made them believe more in the small chance that the Lord might have also lied to them, as Seth hinted. They didn’t know why that would be, but it was always a possibility. He was also a little sad since this meant the following.

“Yes, I am. You have delayed your divine quest for long enough. Also, you guys shouldn’t forget that this infinite money glitch only works for some time. Lydia, and Ray, you guys should get on the way back now before people notice money vanishing. And don’t forget that receptionist you promised a ride.” the blacksmith told them.

Although Lydia could have used Home Call to directly return to Minas Mar, to ensure the receptionists' safety and because of the crowd of people Ray released from slavery, they had to travel back on foot. At least until they reached a place where they could leave them.

“Does that mean, I can come back?” Ray asked emotionally.

“You can always come back whenever your business is finished. You left, you weren’t banished,” Seth answered, a little huffy about Ray’s picture of him.

“But you said you could call me back when you need me,” Ray said and explained how he felt when he heard about the battle in Y-City.

“I didn’t call you, because I was quite confident in my new ability and hoped you would keep getting stronger like a secret weapon. In retrospect, maybe it was wrong not to call you as another backup, but it is what it is, “ the Tower Master said honestly.

“Then, I think that is all. All of you should get out of that city before that money starts vanishing,” Seth concluded.

“What about Ceres?” Lydia threw in a question, thinking Seth may have forgotten about the automaton.

“What about it? " Seth asked plainly. It didn’t seem like Seth had any intention to pull back the parrot of doom, divine quest or not. “Oh right, maybe sure to bring blotches with you back here.”

“But my divine quest stated that I have to go alone, without any companions,” Mike supported Lydia.

“Oh, please. Ceres doesn’t walk and would you really call it a companion? It barely counts as an artificial lifeform, I’m sure it will be okay, as long as he doesn’t get too involved. I’m sure even the gods, won’t be petty enough to fail you, for taking along a life insurance,” Seth argued, insisting that Ceres would come along.

“...Alright then,” Mike gave in, seeing that there was no winning this argument. Although he worried about the quest, it would have been a lie to say that he didn’t feel reassured with Ceres as a backup. The storm elemental was incredibly arrogant, but it also had reason to be.

Finally, they ended the call. It was getting late, so they decided to prepare now and set off tomorrow. They didn’t worry about themselves, or the receptionist, but Ray would have to make ample preparations to take along the former slaves.

“I already bought the stuff for their journey, I just have to distribute it and go over the plan with them, “ the saint of Sol’Fiam assured, when Lydia asked him about the progress on that side. Ray had deliberately bought people to make up a group, that would be able to stand on their own outside. While they stayed here, he had even trained them in party play.

“As long as they are ready tomorrow morning. You will go with them, and we will take the girl from the Adventurer Guild,” Lydia told him before the three separated for the night.

In the morning of the next day, Mike and Lydia leisurely walked in the direction of the ruin of the Adventurer Guild. The upper rings, where they had been staying the few days they spent here, were actually almost bearable.

Although there was probably nobody here without blood on their hands, those who managed to make a living in this place had no need to act like crooks and villains in bright daylight. Even the street food here seemed inviting. This was also why each of them had a stick of roasted meat and vegetables in their hands.

They had an exhausting night behind them. Since the rations given by Link were for emergencies, they needed something quick to replenish their energy. The taste was bearable, even after they got used to eating Link’s food, so bearable was a great compliment.

“Holly, are you in?” Lydia called out, starting a party of three who were standing behind the counter. They stared at each other for a moment, when Mike heard a silent whimper from behind the counter. By the time anger made its way into the catman's mind, a silver shadow had already charged at the three crooks.

It was over in the blink of an eye. Two had their head buried in the wall, while the almost 3-meter-tall anthropomorphic wolf was holding the third by his neck, almost two meters above the ground. On the ground was Holly, her clothes drenched in blood, as she was covered in wounds from a severe beating. Her weak sobbing was the only reason Lydia had not directly ripped their heads off, as it showed that she was still alive.

“Mike, hurry and give her a potion,” she barked at her boyfriend who was stumped by her swift actions. Promptly, the catboy was at Holly’s side, feeding her an epic health potion. The wounds quickly receded, but her clothes stayed torn and bloody.

“ Why did you do this?” she hissed at the scum, she was holding by the neck. It was questionable whether he was the only one alive, but he was the only one who didn’t have his head rammed through a solid brick wall.

“Urgh, monster-!” he pressed out, staring at the massive fangs of the wolf that held him by the neck and talked to him. As an answer, she slammed him into the wall.

“I asked you a question.”

The impact had rattled his brain and he realized that he would end up like his mates if he didn’t answer.

“The bitch was all rebellious. She didn’t even notice us or greet us when we came in, even dared to talk about leaving soon! We just taught her a lesson! Even the lord wouldn’t find fault with that.”

Maybe his brain was rattled a little too much, or he was this stupid from the start, but he only noticed that he chose the wrong word, when he felt the massive hand around his neck tighten and the long claws digging into his nape.

“But I do, bye,” with a crackle in the neck and a pop on the floor, he went ahead to the afterlife. With a step from her paws and a snap in their back, she ensured his two companions followed him.

“Ly-Lydia? Did-did you kill them?” Holly asked, seeing the scene first thing after waking up thanks to the potion. The tall wolf nodded grimly, after which she erupted in tears, thanking the two for saving her.

“Did they?” Mike asked uncomfortably, but Holly shook her head. Although she was almost beaten to death, the three had no interest in defiling her. They helped her up Lydia transformed back.

“Is there anything you need to get before leaving?” the chosen of Wepwawet asked the poor girl.

“No, I have always been prepared to leave at a moment's notice, especially after your promise. There is only one thing I need to do before leaving.”

With that, she stepped to the orb at the center of the counter, which was used to register adventurers and their spawn point. Her finger tapped around on it like she was using a keyboard and then the color of the orb changed to red.

“Let’s go,” she said determined.

“What did you do?” Mike asked in passing, as they walked out of the ruin.

“I set it to self-destruct.”