Chapter 257- Another Win-win (Patreon)

Another Win-win

Chu sat at his desk with his head tilted to one side. Raising an eyebrow, he glanced between the faces of the three girls standing on the other side. More particularly, the two girls and the Hakkim.

"No, no way. Do you think we are going for a walk in the park? What do you think will happen to us if someone sees her?"

"But she can move around cloaked and hooded. No one will know."

"Yea, we can even wrap a scarf around her face for added protection. You know, like a bandit."

Chu rested his gaze on Lucy first.

"It's a city, not a village. The odds of her being exposed are higher. Not only do we have nobles to worry about, but Frost City is the center of operations for both the Tower and the Military. Both in front of whom, I prefer not to offend."

He turned to Miki,

"As for dressing her as a suspicious bandit, it's out of the question. Besides, have you forgotten Ishara's most prominent feature?"

Miki returned his gaze while raising a brow.

"Her breasts?"

"No, you pervert. Her eyes! How many people have you seen with golden, vertical slit pupils?"

"Pupils? Like in the classroom?"

"Eyes! Her eyes! Don't try and dodge the topic."

He leaned back on the chair while fiddling with the metallic contraption between his fingers. Ishara had already demanded she visit Frost City with him. According to her, the city should shed light on answers on missing history. Surprisingly, both Lucy and Miki supported her request.

Curious as he was, the visit to Frost City focused on two goals. Pay Doug a visit and assist Mr. Thomas in reclaiming his pride. Once completed, he had a castle to complete, a business to develop, and also fantasy skills to perfect. For someone still stumbling when zipping around, full-fledged battle lay beyond his means.

"How about me and Lucy take responsibility for her? We'll have her inside the caged caravan when traveling, and keep her safe in the streets."

"Why do I have the feeling you're raising her like that pet bird of yours. Fine, do what you want but if we get into trouble, you better be prepared to runaway by yourselves. There are some powers we can't fight against..."

He conceded. Ishara seemed to have formed bonds of friendship with not only the two girls but the womenfolk of the farm. No matter the race, having your tribe ambushed and nearly wiped out would cause emotional scars. Hopefully, with her new friends, the burden might lessen and the memory diminished.

Seeing them trot off to bed, he looked at the metal slug and the two thin iron rulers on his desk. Immersed in thinking, his ears drowned out the popping sounds from beyond the open window. Dyna seemed to be practicing again.

***

Sakura exhaled a long slow breath while opening her eyes. Her meditation for the night ended in success as she unlocked another star.

Instead of spending their time lazing around, they meditated when alone in the carriage, and during the early mornings.

Since Chu departed in winter to save their home, Amanda had also imposed a strict schedule.

"If we were all strong, then Chu wouldn't have to leave us behind. Look at all the girls we met. Nobles or not, they don't have the gifts we obtained. Don't you want to have the same adventures which Ming keeps boasting about."

The words back then set a goal in their minds. Sakura, Sue, and Amamda embarked on a serious mission to increase their magical skills. The contents of the letter from Chu further shocked them into furious meditation. Their progress had been steady even without the use of the potion. The door of the carriage creaked open and closed in the darkness. The visitor shuffled to a seat while holding a candle housed inside a glass lantern.

"What's the matter, Brella?"

"Sakura, did you complete your meditating already?

"I finished a short time ago. Who is on watch duty?"

Sakura whispered so as not to wake the sleeping inhabitants of the carriage. Amanda and Sue lay mixed together in bundles of robes and quilts. Both of them fatigued from draining their mana ocean during the morning session. Most likely, they would wake up late for the morning meal before the convoy departed. The temporary tent outside housed the remaining members of the party.

"Sally is on watch on top."

The little girl replied while pointing her finger to the roof of the carriage. Lying down on the seat, she fished a cover to sleep. Sakura followed suit, hoping to earn a brief nap before morning. During the nights, Sahara slept in her own personal tent.

In what seemed like a minute after she closed her eyes, angry shouting woke her up. Opening the door of the carriage, she blinked under the light of the morning sun. When she focused her eyes, the image of Mr. Thomas cursing and waving his hand in frustration greeted her. The shouts became clearer to her ears.

"That confounded bird flew the coop again! Who knows what it will do today."

"Calm yourself, Thomas. Do you want everyone to hear? It's just grieving and acting out for its master."

Mrs. Thomas patted the shoulder of her shaking husband. He turned towards her while raising the demolished cage.

"Master? They are both cut from the same cloth. Troublemakers."

Mr. Thomas replied. Miki didn't take this bird with her because of the dangers of the road. After moping around in its cage, this bird seemed to have regained its free spirit on the road. As if on hearing the ruckus, and the shouts, a silvery bird the size of a small crow flew down and perched onto Sakura's shoulders. Aquamarine eyes blinked towards the beet-red face.

"Where have you gone today? Yesterday was the chewed chalice and goblets of the priests, the day before was the pecked shields and armor in storage for the military. You'd better not give me any trouble. If anyone finds out it was you, I will shave those silvery-red feathers off you. Even if I have to use a grinder."

Mr. Thomas threatened. The feathers of this troublemaker might appear ordinary, but they could chip the blade of a sword. As for that yellow beak, one peck sliced through iron as if it was butter. It didn't take long for the deeds accomplished during the night to arrive at his ears.

"Did you hear? Someone stole the ruby from the General's scepter! The fist-sized one on the goldenrod he planned to offer the crown prince!"

"Whoever they were, they had the gall. They even bore a hole through the iron chest so as to take the ruby."

Mr. Thomas blinked while dropping his hand.

The bird ruffled its feathers and then burped a small mist of red dust.

"No one. Tell no one about this..."

***

Doug watched the rays of the sun brighten the starry sky in the east. Drawing his weatherbeaten but familiar cloak towards him, he closed his red-veined eyes. He spent the entire night in negotiation and now sat on the stone ramparts of a wide wall at the heart of the Military District. Warming his head under the cloak, he ignored the whispers of the nearby soldiers on guard.

"Who is he? Only rostered guards are allowed on the walls."

"Shhh! Not so loud. When he arrived last night, the Commander advised the Captains to allow him free access."

"So? If he is such a bigwig, then why is he out here in the cold morning?"

"Shut your trap, you want us to both be whipped? He came up here because he said he wanted to see the looks on a few faces or something like that. You didn't see, but a Tower Mage accompanied him, not an Apprentice but a Tower MAGE!"

The rumbling and squeaking of wagons halted the conversation as the guards watched over the high gate. A line of wagons stretched from the gate to the end of the street. A long dark-haired man and another equally young wiry-haired man jumped down from the lead wagon. Both of them hailed the guard below while approaching. Before they could begin their discussion, a voice floated from above.

"You bastards! Next time you plan something this big, do it yourself!"

Doug hollered from the wall. He couldn't see much because of the dim lighting, but the open jaws on their faces brought enough satisfaction. The thick iron-plated gates below moaned while opening...

In a meeting room provided by the Commander overlooking the security of the depot, Doug introduced his five companions to the others.

"This is Mage Guiles of the Tower. He is a close colleague of Mage Disparte who visited us on the farm. Steward Harp represents the governor of Frost City himself, and Commander Pell handles security for this depot."

Doug waved his hand over from the three old men displaying white beards in various lengths and styles.

"These are my other brothers who our leader sent to Frost City in advance. Singh, Chong, Green, Han, and Fole. There should be a Military convoy coming up from Limerock with the next few weeks. The Elder who looks after our Boss and his companions are in it."

Mage Guiles stroked his wispy beard when Doug finished his introductions.

"We received a letter from Limerock that the family of the Heavens Gifter is on his way to Frost City. I heard that old coot Grandmaster Bing has also tagged along. We didn't know the Heavens Gifter sent a few companions to Frost City already. If not for the letter from the Churches Union and Mage Disparte recognizing you, we would have turned you away."

Doug cast a wry smile while answering.

"Mage Disparte knows the character of our Boss. We could only hope to be low key without announcing our affiliation. Luckily our Boss provided us with this letter of introduction so we could seek help when necessary. We have used it at the Churches Union where they have recognized the seal of Priest Lowe. Luckily for me, Mage Disparte was in Frost City."

"This still doesn't explain why we should favor you above others. I admit the clock invention in churches in the city is wonderful indeed. But, they are not enough for us to hand you over the sole distribution of our granary."

The wrinkled steward said while gazing at the group. He had only jumped onto his carriage to visit the granary to carry out his task from the governor when the messenger arrived. He had no idea why the Tower showed interest in the petty runnings of the city. The appearance of these young men with barely sprouting beards didn't convince him.

"Honorable Steward Harp, I know we didn't have much time earlier to speak, so it time I started. After the Bitzer Raids, my Boss predicted that the price of flour in the City would rise. As a Heavens Gifter, his duty is to aid the citizens from all walks of life, be them rich or poor. Since he was unable to write to the Capital and utilize his wealth, he had no choice to choose this plan."

Without blinking, Doug continued spinning his tale to the old man.

"Our Boss simply wants whats best for the inhabitants of the city. However, we, are not as forgiving as him. A small raid by demon beasts is enough to cause the merchants controlling grains and flour to hoard for higher profits. What do you think will happen on a large scale invasion?"

Doug allowed a brief silence for his words to soak in.

"Our Boss wants to prevent starvation and chaos while you also require a third party to punish and weed out these greedy merchants."

Singh muttered the words on everyone's mind and also the ones he was very familiar with.

"Win-win."