Chapter 35
Companionship.
Companionship.
[Please, eat comfortably! This is purely my gesture of goodwill for listening to my story!]
Aurelius boomed heartily, stretching his golden hand to grab the nearest piece of meat and chewing it noisily—bones and all.
Though their appearance suggested they were built to guzzle fuels like oil or coal, the Goldin Clan (金人族) devoured cooked meals with genuine relish, just like any other sentient beings. In truth, their dietary range was broader, not narrower, compared to ordinary creatures.
The food consumed by the Goldin Clan converted into energy within their metallic bodies, powering their movements. A portion flowed to their "core," which swelled gradually as it absorbed energy.
The larger this core grew, the more metal the Goldin could control.
Precious metals and time—in essence, wealth and years—were all they needed to grow stronger. Such was the nature of the Goldin Clan.
I picked up a morsel from my plate while studying Aurelius.
Was he trustworthy? While straightforward in their lust for rare metals, the Goldin were otherwise as slippery as serpents.
Expecting honesty from merchants was a fool’s errand anyway.
Focus on the meal.
Kill.
At my mother’s urging to try the unfamiliar blackened meat dish, I took a small bite and chewed methodically. Tasteless, as expected. I longed to feed it directly to her, but with so many eyes watching, it was impossible.
[The saviors of Eradico! So it was you!]
Aurelius erupted while speaking with Carmen, his metallic eyes blinking furiously though they needed no rest. His gaze soon locked onto me.
[Not the lady, nor the armored one—you must be Priest Marak! The Demon Slayer of Guis, the Bane of Kelton’s Evil God, Eradico’s Deliverer!]
I set down my utensils and inclined my head.
"Those titles are too generous."
[Hahaha! The hero who saved three cities wears humility like a crown! If such honors don’t belong to you, who else—]
His metal eyes snapped to the Slayer at my waist. With a clack of his jaw, he gasped:
[I-Immortalium!!!]
He shot up, scarlet robes fluttering as he lunged—not at me, but toward the Slayer. I stepped back, maintaining distance. He stared hungrily at the weapon, voice quivering:
[C-could you let me examine that blade at your waist? Just once?]
Though I briefly feared he might bolt with it, even Goldin needed a full day to sync with new metal. I could reclaim it easily if he tried.
When I placed the Slayer in his hands, Aurelius howled:
[UOOOOOH! UOOOOOOOH!!!]
The blade’s unnatural hardness—was this Immortalium’s doing?
Aurelius caressed the edge as if stroking a lover’s cheek, heedless of his metallic skin scraping away.
[Glorious! A masterpiece! Worthy of its name as the ancient empire’s immortal alloy!]
He pressed his face against the blade, panting:
[Haa. Haa. Haa.]
Time to reclaim it. I began politely:
"Excuse—"
Before I finished, Aurelius jolted awake. He returned the Slayer, fingers trembling with reluctance.
[Forgive my loss of composure. To encounter solid Immortalium... I’ve disgraced myself.]
"Your people’s passion for Immortalium is natural."
[Your understanding gratifies me. Though perhaps—]
"I will never sell it."
His shoulders sagged.
[Of course. Neither would I...]
He trudged back to his seat, then downed honeyed wine in gulps, merchant’s poise restored:
[My apologies for that display, saviors of Eradico.]
Aurelius extended a golden hand. His palm split, revealing a heart-sized metal sphere.
[My 120-year Immortalium collection.]
He pointed at the Slayer:
[That blade holds twice my lifetime’s haul—an irreplaceable treasure.]
Immortalium couldn’t be bought, only scavenged from ancient ruins. Nations hoarded it jealously—merchants dealing in it risked royal wrath.
After endless praise through dinner, Aurelius finally proposed:
[We journey to the Northern Kingdom’s capital. Accompany us, and I’ll reward you handsomely. Warriors of your caliber warrant elite treatment.]
Carmen bowed politely:
"May we confer privately?"
[Take your time.] he smiled.
Outside his tent, we debated. Carmen spoke first:
"Accepting costs us nothing—we’re bound for the capital anyway. Refusing would still have us trailing their caravan."
Sajita nodded:
"I agree."
Dakia frowned at the lavish tents:
"But why hire us? He didn’t know we’re Eradico’s saviors. This desperation suggests he’s being hunted."
I stroked the Slayer’s hilt:
"Lady Dakia’s right. The guards’ gear shows recent battles. We’ll likely fight if we join."
Carmen and Sajita tensed. I continued:
"Yet refusal won’t spare us. Anyone bold enough to attack this caravan would strike us too."
We accepted. Aurelius beamed, promising ten gold coins each plus provisions. He asked once more for the Slayer. I refused.
That night, the caravan was attacked.
SCREEEECH!
Whirring metal blades shredded a Snowfield Bat’s skull, spilling brains. I kicked off the corpse, swinging the Slayer at another diving monstrosity.
Twice a man’s size, with membrane wings enabling deadly dives—these bats overwhelmed ordinary fighters.
KEEEK!
The Slayer bisected another bat, but a nearby guard fell prey to talons. I gauged distances and hurled a bone sword. It gashed a wing, slamming the shrieking beast down.
SCREEEECH!
My next strike exploded a bat’s head, drenching me in gore. A guard lay dead, neck snapped. I reclaimed my blade, surveying chaos.
KIIIIK!!!
A bone arrow pierced an eye. Sajita deflected claws, her white spear impaling the bat.
"HAHP!"
Dakia pounced, beheading the thrashing creature.
Seeing my companions hold their ground, I charged to aid other guards.
KIIIIK!
After fierce fighting, the bats retreated.
Approaching Aurelius’ tent, his guards blocked me:
"Step aside."
"Clean yourself first."
Blood and viscera steamed on my clothes. A voice inside ordered:
[Let him enter.]
I strode in, leaving crimson footprints. Aurelius smiled, golden eyes gleaming:
[Not sheathing your Immortalium beauty?]
I glanced at the Slayer:
"That depends on your answer."
[Then I must choose carefully.]
"Very carefully."
I smiled coldly:
"Why are Evil God cultists attacking your caravan?”
