Enough to fill a company

Despite being happy that we were now traveling towards Merton in hopes of saving whomever is left to save, I couldn’t stop from feeling anxious. I wanted to already be there and make a difference. But that is not how travel works. I have to sit here in this cart for at least a couple of days until we reach where the monsters are. Meanwhile, they are running rampant and killing people wherever they go. I heard from Kiara that the royal guard had already dispatched some of their members on flying mounts towards the affected area. They should stem the tide at least. I hope they came across my mother. If they did, then I’m sure they will have kept her safe.

Ryul must be going through the same thing. He too has family out there. I can see him fidgeting with his hands. One time he is rubbing his hands, then his legs, or his arms. It is obvious he wants to do something but has to content himself with waiting for now. Fortunately, he has Shalia to keep him company. Her Family lives far away from the affected area, so she can remain calm. Amelia, on the other hand, has already received news that her family is worse off than mine. Kiara has decided to spend time with her now. The weird position I am in with them made me worry that they might end up becoming jealous of each other. Seeing them instead take care of each other like this puts my worries at ease.

Sophie and Ari are outside, driving the wagon. I can’t see them from inside, but I assume they are the least nervous. Like Shalia, they don’t have to worry about any family members being in danger, so for them it must feel like going on a simple adventure.

Leona and Merlara instead are looking out at the surroundings. Merlara still being so weird as to wear her helmet while it is totally not necessary. Combat is still far away. I wonder how much more difficult she makes it for herself to see. What they are looking at are the many wagons of refugees heading towards the capital. People who I feel will likely end up at the Knights Hospitaler guildhall.

Leona is thinking the same as I do, for I overhear her saying, “So many refugees. I wonder if the Hospitaler people are going to have enough people.”

“The Knights Hospitaler guild is quite different from other guilds.” Merlara explains. “They have a large amount of volunteers, mostly retired adventurers and non-adventurers. When it comes to an emergency like this, they can call up their volunteers and quickly increase their numbers. This leaves their adventurers with the best fighting skills capable of heading out on an expedition like we do.”

Leona turns to Merlara and asks, “So, they will fight monsters like we are going to do?”

“They will most likely be taking care of the injured in the field. But if the monsters get too close, yeah, they will fight.” Merlara explains. “Just watch out for any white wagons or carts with a red cross on them. That’s how they stand out.”

“I just hope that whenever we get there, it’s not too late. It’s just so frustrating.” A frustrated Ryul complains. “I mean, we have no idea how far the monsters have pushed, which direction they are going in, or which villages have already been evacuated. Gosh, why has nobody ever invented a teleportation spell.”

Man, what I wouldn’t give for a long-range teleportation spell right about now.

“You just need something to distract yourself.” Merlara suggests. “You, Darx. I heard you have access to ice magic now?”

“Uh, yeah.” I say, a little confused. “I am still not good enough to use it in combat though.”

“Surely you must have been working on it.” Merlara says. “Show us what you’ve got.”

I think back of yesterday, when I was trying to use my magic to create a sword made of ice. I have learned from then an am wearing leather gloves now. Let’s see if I can impress my friends.

Like before, I first draw water from my magic ring, which I first shape into the rough image of a sword in front of me. Then I freeze the water and show it off to my friends.

“There, I basically made a sword out of thin air.” I say. “If my sword ever breaks again, like during the tournament, I can just create a new one.”

“Interesting.” Leona says. “Can you do the same with axes or arrows? No wait. What about throwing daggers for Ari.”

“I guess. It just will take a while for each object to finish the details.” I reply as I start using [Shape Ice] to sharpen the blade of the ice sword.

“Sorry, Darx.” Merlara says. “I get what you are trying to do, but in combat, you won’t have time to sharpen a sword. For this skill to be of any use, the weapons you make would have to be perfect the moment you make it.”

I don’t like Merlara’s criticism very much, but I have to admit she is right. Combat is fast. The outcome is decided in a matter of seconds. If you’re a little too slow, you are done for. If my idea for this is to be useful in any way, I would have to train myself to get it done quickly.

For the rest of the day, I try crafting ice daggers in the same way I made the sword. Since they are smaller, I can create them faster and I spend less mana on them. This time I try to make the dagger sharp the moment I freeze the water. I also limit myself on the details and keep the dagger as simple as possible. After a couple tries, the results do seem to improve, but then I run out of mana and I have to stop practicing.

After a long day of being on the road, we eventually come at a spot where several other wagons are parked. They are wagons from other guilds, also traveling towards Merton to deal with the monster invasion. Our four wagons ride up to those of the other guilds and they welcome us. It is quite refreshing for those of us worried about our family members to see so many guilds who decided to respond to our problems.

As we get out, I quickly cast another ice dagger. Then I call Ari and toss it to her. Despite being surprised, she was able to react fast enough that she was able to catch it. She brings it up and studies it, clearly intrigued about my ability to craft daggers from nowhere.

“Is it any good?” I ask.

Ari turns to our wagon and throws the dagger. Not the tip but the handle hits the wood and the ice dagger breaks to pieces. This was followed by Ari turning to me and offering up a disappointed groan.

I smile back and say, “Right, I’ll work on it.”

After we have set up our tents and sleeping bags, I decide to go for a walk around the camp. I could see a wagon belonging to the singing bluejays and it makes me wonder if Monica and Lacey are here, but I when I check among their members, I couldn’t find them. Two other wagons are from Midnight Dawn. I saw Mia and Roland together with some beastkind at a wagon belonging to the gryphon knights. The next wagon is from Honorbound. Hang on, that name sounds familiar. Then I see a guy I remember from the tournament. My second opponent, Zachary.

“Well, look at that.” Zachary says when his eyes fall on me. “Mister former B now A rank is here. You decided to make some money off this quest as well?”

“Not quite.” I answer dejected. “One of the villages affected is one where I was raised.”

“Ah, I see.” Zachary replies. “I’m sorry to hear that. Yeah, for you it’s personal, then. I was hoping to make some money so I could buy better equipment for my guild mates.”

“Oh? Not for yourself?” I ask surprised.

“Nah man.” Zachary smiles. “Normally I’d save up for some mithril gauntlets, but there’s been these rumors about demons preparing for a war. I figure it’s better to get some equipment for my guild mates. That should improve their chances of surviving any upcoming battles with the demons. Gotta look out for them, you know.”

I smile back at Zachary and say, “Your guild is good to have you. And thanks for accepting this quest, Zach. The more adventurers we have, the faster we can take care of those monsters.”

I walk around the camp some more and come across some white wagons with a red cross on them. This is the Knights Hospitaler expedition, like Kiara said. I check out some of their members and they frankly look more like some kind of military. Regardless whether they are mage, fighter or archer, they all wear the same white surcoat with the same red cross on it. On top of which, they also all carry a tower shield with their guild’s symbol on it. I am kindof confused as to why mages and clerics would need to carry a tower shield wherever they go. Even more so for the archers. That stuff must be getting in the way all the time, even if the archers carry it on their back.

Then, among the Knights Hospitaler guild members, someone called my name and waved at me.

“C-Cal?” I asked surprised. “W-what the hell? When did you join the Knights Hospitaler?”

“Earlier today.” Cal shrugged. “It’s uhm, well …” Cal’s demeanor then changed and he started looking at the ground as he continues. “It’s your speech about your mother and her still being out there. Like, yeah, my grandfather is gone now, so I don’t have to be doing it for him anymore. But Ilene could still be there. As well as many others. Then also Mia talking about getting ****. Yeah, I’d like to take out a few of those monsters. Fuck those assholes. Don’t forget, I got awakened to being a C rank. And finally, there’s someone I want you to meet.”