Chapter 17: Invitations
Welf Crozzo recently arrived at Orario. He had run away from his family in Rakia. He had joined Hephaestus familia as a blacksmith.
His current situation is quite lamentable. He had found himself in another slump. It didn't take long for him to leave the forge and stroll the street of Orario. He was searching for inspiration. The bottleneck he had found himself in has been going on for weeks.
He wanted to escape his own family and their desire for magic swords. He hated magic swords, so when he acquired Crozzo's Blood skill, the people around him wanted him to make magic swords. But he hates magic swords. So he ran to Orario. Thinking he could prove himself a better blacksmith.
He wanted to stand on his own feet and prove himself to be a true blacksmith and not someone who relies on skills. His dream after all was to become a respectable legendary blacksmith known by all.
"Ch!"
He became irritated, he was known by all. But not for his achievements but for his blood and skill. He doesn't like that.
On his irritation, he has found himself staring at a bright glowing poster. He looked around and no one seems to notice it. Naturally, he approached it curiously.
As he gets closer to the bright poster, the light it emits lessens. Once he got close to it. The original contents changed. Welf became amused. He had never encountered such a magical event. He began reading the paper on the wall.
"Congratulations! You have been chosen to participate in our gathering!
Do you want to learn the truth behind the creation? To become a master of the forge? To impart life to iron and make it alive? To better understand the elements from copper to adamantium? Perhaps you're more interested in the principles of each liquid, gas, solid matter...
Come join us and become a beyonder to find out!
Secrecy is of utmost importance, join us by doing the following:
Wear a mask, keep the contents secret from others, at the back of this poster contains a map..."
The letter continues to list the guidelines for the gathering. Honestly, Welf Crozzo is dubious at the same time interested. To impart life on iron? is that even possible? To better understand minerals? interested. Principles of what? He doesn't understand, but he's curious. What the hell is a beyonder anyway? All these things are new to Crozzo.
He looked at the back of the poster. Indeed, behind it contains a map. It looks like the gathering will happen outside Orario at one of the many castle ruins. The time was night and the gathering will happen the next day.
Crozzo decided to go just to feed his curiosity. As he was about to put the poster in his pockets. Someone suddenly approached him.
"Hey, you...You can read the poster right?" The girl said as she pats his sides
A girl had appeared in front of him. He was taken aback by the sudden interaction. Confused he looks at her. The girl immediately answers
"I mean this! This!"
The girl showed a similar poster to his. But this time it wasn't glowing.
Looking at the poster, Welf realized what she meant.
"Yep! Although I don't understand. I can read it too! Also, don't call me"You", I have a name, it's Welf! Welf Crozzo" He confirms as he smiles
There was a sudden shock on her face when hearing Welf's name. The cold gaze of the girl changed into a friendly gleam. The girl smiled back at him.
"The Runaway Blacksmith! Well, I'm Gita Meyers, I work as an information dealer! pleased to meet you Crozzo-niisan!"
They both shook hands as they introduced each other.
"So what about the letter?" Welf asked.
"Oh, you wouldn't believe me! This letter magic is amazing! I showed it to others but no one seems to be able to read it other than seeing the odd Symbol!" The girl known as Gita suddenly became more energetic
"Really? How magical..."
"So? What is the content of yours? does it glow for you too? Mine talks about learning secrets! Don't worry I didn't tell other than you! Also..."
Now it was Welf's was taken aback by the girl's honest curiosity. This girl sure knows to talk... Welf answered.
"I can't tell you mine, but it's about forging. How did you know mine is different? Also, the letter said to keep things secret so..."
Crozzo was feeling perplexed. Although the girl was fine, she just can't keep secrets.
"For me, as an Information Broker! Trading secrets is important! It should be fine with this much! How did I know yours is different? Isn't that simple? With how the letter works and talks about us being chosen ones, that should be given! Now that I have your answer, I can now prove my theory about this letter!"
"Also, I accidentally discovered your poster days ago! I was just waiting for someone else to pick it up! Now that you are here! I couldn't be less happy!"
Crozzo was shocked at the girl's answer. She's pretty street-smart for a kid. And patient at that. But there is a problem.
"So you were spying on me!?"
"Maa~ Maa~ Don't mind the details Crozzo-niisan! How about you, are you going to this gathering? I am going, I'm excited to learn how this paper is magic works! Imagine the possibility of this kind of magical letter! Now information can be kept and transported in absolute secret! It would be revolutionary! Although the contents are new to me..."
This girl... She's more excited about the paper magic than the gathering itself. Crozzo could only look past the girl and sigh inwardly.
'Looks like I'll need to make a mask...'
If this talkative girl is coming. He might as well come just to protect her...
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"Please go out with me!"
Rose began pinching her nose bridge. Another day, another love confession from an adventurer. 'When will this end?' She thought. Although she finds such a thing sweet, she just doesn't want to be tied down by such a relationship.
If only Rose could understand such sentiments, why do adventurers who risk their lives daily want to date her? Don't they have other matters to deal with?
"I'm sorry, I can't be with you..."
After turning down another suitor. She went back to her post. There she sat down and was approached by her colleagues.
"Ah~ another one? The Werewolf Queen of the guild sure is tough to crack."
"Why don't you just try a little bit of dating? I'm sure something will bloom! He didn't look too bad too."
"Look at you Rose, maybe if you accept it once you'll find the burden of your work lessened."
And so the daily ritual begins. Rose continued to rub her forehead as she says her reasons.
"How many times do I have to tell you guys? I don't want relationships with adventures! That's just asking for trouble! When I get close to them and they die, I'll be the troubled one!" Rose irritated said her usual reason
"Uh-huh, there she goes again!"
"One day you'll understand Rose Fennet!"
As her colleagues laugh and holler. She returned to her work of filling out paperwork.
Since the daily routine is done, she can go back to peaceful work.
"Ha! Not again!"
Looking at the paper she once again starts rubbing her head. Her new problems come from her assigned adventurer. The Sword Princess is once again requesting her ways to level up. Rose Fennet started to lean back on her chair. With a sigh, she looks dazedly outwards in no particular location.
If she could only understand her better. while thinking deeply about the Sword Princess. Rose remembered something start rummaging her pockets.
"It's tomorrow right?"
Finally, she manages to take out a certain glowing poster from her pockets. Rose began reading the contents again.
"Congratulations! You have been chosen to participate in our gathering!
Do you want to understand people better?..."
It was an advertisement for a secret gathering. Two weeks ago, she had seen the glowing paper on the notice board. No one seemed to notice it and that caused her to check it. To her surprise, it was an invitation.
"Do I have to go? I'll need to investigate to find out what is this gathering about before I notify the guild..."
This is another piece of problem stressing her. What if the gathering is a bunch of evil people? No, they wouldn't brazenly announce it on the guild otherwise. But what if it's evilus gathering? And what the hell is a beyonder?
This made her realize she needs to investigate. The worst outcome is that she becomes a toy for some bastard! I keep telling the guild but they don't seem to care. They think it's just some god recruiting for a familia. A long-winded sigh escapes her.
'No choice! I'll go then! After this event, I'll quit the guild no matter what!'
With that said, Rose Fennet has made up her mind. If the worst comes, she'll just have to rely on the guild to rescue her. No one is mad enough to provoke the guild in Orario out of all places.
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Chapter End
Thanks For Reading.
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