Reborn as a Dark Lord (A cozy-adjacent isekai)

Hours later, Darius, Jessara, Milo, and I had moved most of the new supplies to The Wandering Boar. The tavern would be closed for about a week while I got things up to speed.

Along the way, we had spread the word about the ferrokin event. Some shied away, but others showed excitement at the prospect. I asked a few to spread the word and to please notify Roland.

Triolux perched at the bar, deep in conversation with Sir Garin and Lady Ophelia. It reminded me that Penelope's ability to see the ghosts was peculiar, though I realized the fault lay with me. During the creation of the duplicate Heart of Shadows, Elixander and the forgepriests had needed to channel Morthisal's powers while the ring encircled my finger. I would have to teach her how to ignore their yammering when others were around.

The bard, dressed in a long patchwork nightshirt, hair sticking up in every direction, wandered downstairs. He spotted me, scratched his head, and then snapped his fingers and pointed. "Varix, right?"

"Nailed it in one, Kieran. How are you doing?"

He glanced around, thoroughly confused, scratched his head again, then his butt, and finally smiled. "Yes. The tavern. Sorry, friend. Sorry. A particular being visited me last night. I may need to go into hiding. Any suggestions?"

Triolux chuckled.

Frostfire loved the bard. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to feel pity for Kieran.

"Maybe Lady Churl could put you up for a few nights."

"Not bloody likely!" Lady Churl's voice rang from the kitchen.

I lifted my shoulders in a helpless shrug.

Triolux chimed in, "She's got her claws in you, eh?"

"More than once, last night," Kieran replied.

I winced at the image.

"If you're not in hiding later, there's a party in the Ferrokin city. Click the portal below to join us. Everyone's invited."

Kieran's chest puffed up. "Will there be singing? If not, might I offer my dulcet tones?"

"We would gladly welcome your song. My people will greatly enjoy new songs."

Kieran performed a needlessly elaborate bow for Triolux. "I shall do that." He ran back upstairs, presumably to get dressed, and moments later, some loud banging sounded from the direction of his room. I shook my head, grabbed a rag, and gave the bar a good wipe down.

The back door flew open and in strode Mira in her light armor. The chestnut leather breastplate bore faint scratch marks, while her matching bracers were polished and unmarred. Her hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail.

Alic followed close behind, dressed casually in what must have been his day off attire. A tan jerkin hung loosely over his broad shoulders. The front was unlaced at the collar, revealing a glimpse of a cotton undershirt. Alic's dark pants showed signs of recent mending at one knee. A large dagger in a dark sheath hung at his belt. The Captain of Everspring's Guard was always ready for trouble. Thankfully, we had little of that thanks to the orcs.

Doan brought up the rear, his frame filling the doorway. The blacksmith must have rushed directly from the forge. His thick leather apron had been darkened with scorch marks and spattered with tiny metal fragments.

"Word travels fast," I said in greeting.

"Is it true? The ferrokin are hosting a party today?" Doan asked.

I nodded.

Alic grinned at Mira. "I can't wait to see their city. I'm rotating guards on duty so they can take turns coming down, as well. When does it start?"

"As soon as you're ready. Go. Some are already there," Triolux answered.

"You're not going to get us down there and eat us, are you, Triolux? Has this been a ploy the whole time?" Mira said, but couldn't help but grin.

Triolux roared with laughter. "I'm afraid you all would be too tough, and far too skinny."

"That's good to hear," I added, "I think."

"Come. Come." Triolux hopped to his feet and walked toward the door. "I'll take you through myself."

Mira, Alic, and Doan followed him out the door. "I'll be down as soon as Seraphina gets here."

Lady Churl poked her head out from the kitchen. "Should I go, too?" she asked.

"Absolutely," I said, wiping down the bar counter. "You'll be welcome there. I hope some of the orcs decide to attend, as well."

Lady Churl snorted. "I'll run over and let them know. Reckon those louts would hate to miss free food." She tossed her cleaning rag onto the counter. "I'll head through the portal after I talk to them." She hustled out the back door and her footsteps faded as she hurried toward the orc encampment.

The stairs creaked under hasty footsteps. Kieran stumbled down with one hand fumbling at the buttons of his wrinkled silk shirt. His patchwork cloak was draped haphazardly over one arm. His boots remained unlaced, and his hair stuck out in multiple directions. His face twisted in panic as he glanced repeatedly over his shoulder toward the upper floor.

"In a hurry?" I asked.

"Something like that," he muttered, not breaking stride as he made a direct path to the door. His fingers worked frantically at his collar, which remained askew despite his efforts. Kieran rushed to the back of the tavern and retrieved his lute, and raced out the door.

With the tavern momentarily empty, I returned to the kitchen and busied myself with cleaning. I scrubbed the large cast-iron pans and arranged them on hooks. As I worked, I patted my pocket, confirming it was still there. I was still undecided about my intentions. I had Elixander's blessing and a beautiful ring Seraphina had eyed in Crownforge that I had picked up on my last day there. Was this too soon? Would she reject me? I guessed there was only one way to find out.

The front door opened, followed by the sound of multiple footsteps. I dried my hands and walked out to find Seraphina and Penelope standing near the bar.

"There you are," I said, moving to Seraphina and giving her a quick kiss. "I was just thinking about you."

"You're sweet."

Penelope clasped her hands together. "Seraphina has been absolutely wonderful," she enthused." She showed me around town," she lowered her voice, "and taught me a few things I needed to know. I still have a lot to learn."

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"It's nothing," Seraphina said with a modest shrug. "Anyone in town would have welcomed you just the same."

I also lowered my voice and said, "Not everyone could have provided the special things you need to know."

Penelope nodded and glanced at the corner of the room, near the bar. I followed her gaze and found Sir Garin and Lady Ophelia weren't sitting in their usual spots. I shrugged lightly and muttered, "They like to wander. So, who's ready for a weird ferrokin party?"

Seraphina laughed and nudged me with her shoulder. "Hey. They're doing this for us. I can't wait to see what the ferrokin have prepared."

"I've seen their city. It's … it's something else. A little scary, but I'll hide behind you and your gems if there's danger."

Seraphina laughed and said, "I'll push you toward it while us helpless lasses run away."

"Hey," I protested.

Penelope hesitated, and uncertainty flashed across her face. She tugged at the sleeve of her borrowed dress. "Is it... safe down there?" She looked around the tavern as if the wooden tables might suddenly attack and whispered. "I jump when I see those ghost people."

"Don't mention them when others are around. You'll have to figure out how to ignore them when there are customers in the tavern. Also, I promise Ferrokin city is safe," I assured her. "The ferrokin are peaceful. Think of it as your first adventure in this world." I offered an encouraging smile. "Besides, Seraphina and I will be right there with you."

Seraphina slid her hand into mine, and I clasped it tightly and nodded toward the door. Together, the three of us went out to the portal.

The transition to Ferrokin City happened in a blink. Barely any sensation registered outside of a small tingling that raced across my skin. Then, in a blink, we were there.

Not far from us, tall spires that had been quiet and colorless now glowed with pulsing energies that raced up and down. The streets beneath our feet glowed with intricate patterns that shifted colors as we walked. Buildings that appeared to be carved from liquid metal shimmered in bronze and silvers against the massive, crystalline dome overhead.

Seraphina tightened her grip on my hand. "This is unbelievable! When you described it earlier, I had trouble picturing it."

"It has transformed into a living, breathing marvel now that it's illuminated and active. It was a ghost town before. Triolux hadn't even been corporeal yet."

I barely recognized the city myself. What had been a dark, abandoned shell during my first visit now hummed with activity. Dozens of ferrokin moved through the streets. Their heights varied, but most stood no taller than the dwarves in Crownforge.

Ferrokin children darted between the adults, playing games that involved tossing small orbs of light to each other. Their laughter sounded like wind chimes. Some of them spotted us and pointed at us in excitement.

Everspring villagers mingled with the ferrokin. Doan towered over a group of them, his booming laugh echoing as they demonstrated a strange musical instrument. Mira stood nearby with Alic, both tasting luminescent fruits from a floating tray.

Before we could take another step, three smiling ferrokin children rushed toward us and grabbed our hands. The smallest one, with copper-toned skin, tugged at my fingers.

"Come! Come!" the child called. "The feast begins!"

The second child, slightly taller with silver streaks through her metallic hair, pulled Seraphina forward. "We have tables, food, drinks, there will be songs, dancing, and much laughter. We welcome you all."

"Ale and ashes," I murmured in wonder.

The third child, whose skin resembled burnished bronze, latched onto Penelope's hand. "Hurry! The party starts soon!"

They dragged us toward the heart of the city, where tables formed concentric circles around a central platform. The tables floated inches above the ground, covered with shimmering cloths. Platters filled with foods both familiar and alien lined the surfaces. The smell of roasting meat, vegetables, and other things that bore a faint metallic odor filled the air. Four buildings on each corner of the feasting area were the source of the wonderful smells. Ferrokin bustled around inside, bringing out platters of fresh steaming food.

The central plaza was a flurry of activity. Ferrokin musicians played instruments that bent reality, creating notes that couldn't exist in nature. The music flowed through the air like a living thing, wrapping around us with joyful intensity.

Triolux stood off to one side, in animated conversation with Elixander and his wife, Delphine. She looked as regal as ever with her silver hair cascading like a moonlit waterfall down her back. Seraphina's mother's dark blue silken gown shimmered with each subtle movement. Elixander wore a deep green-forest robe, woven with symbols and runes.

Triolux spotted us. I waved at the three of them, and they waved back.

A heavy hand fell on my shoulder, and a deep voice rumbled. "You should be making the warriors' dinner soon."

I spun around and found Caden grinning at me.

"Remember when we walked here all those months ago?" Caden asked. "Feels like much longer. And look at us now, in this amazing city underground."

"Those were simpler times," I said. "Just a couple of guys hiking through the countryside, trying to make a fresh start."

Mira joined us and asked, "Do you still practice with the bow?"

I shook my head. "Haven't had much time lately. Between the tavern and all the recent adventures, my sword work has suffered."

"You should make time," Mira said. "Never know when you might need it. Even if you are a fancy new Lord Commander."

"Hey, I didn't ask for that," I protested.

"I think it's well deserved," Doan added. "You've done more for this area than anyone I've ever met. You brought several races together, and the village is about to be named a town. Heard it from Roland himself."

"Wow," I said in absolute delight.

"Oh." I gestured to Penelope. "This is Penelope. She recently arrived in Everspring."

"Welcome," Caden said with a warm smile. "You picked a good town to settle in."

Mira nodded her agreement. "Best decision I ever made was staying here."

A song broke out across the plaza in the ferrokin tongue. The melody rose and fell in patterns that defied human vocal ranges, with harmonics that seemed to come from the metal itself. Multiple voices joined together, creating layers of sound that resonated through the crystalline dome overhead.

Seraphina drew me toward a table. "Come on, let's find seats before they're all taken."

Caden, Mira, and Penelope followed us to a circular table. Seraphina sat close beside me while the others arranged themselves around us.

Doan wandered over and dropped into an empty chair. "This is something else, isn't it?"

"Is Ragna coming?" I asked.

"I hope so," Doan said. "Sent word, but you know how she feels about leaving the forge while it's hot."

I looked around at all the friends I'd made since arriving in Everspring. Caden, who'd been my first real friend here, Mira, who'd gone from suspicion to trust, Doan, steady and reliable, and so many others scattered throughout the plaza.

As we sat at the table, I put my hands on the surface and gently pressed down. It floated, but it didn't move. "Huh."

The ferrokin servers brought out platters of food. I recognized attempts at human dishes. Roasted meats that had been seasoned with familiar herbs, potatoes mashed with butter and cream, and vegetables arranged in colorful displays. They'd even attempted bread rolls, though these had a slightly metallic sheen to their crusts. Green salads filled crystal bowls. The lettuce was somehow crisp and fresh despite being grown underground.

One of the serving ferrokin paused at our table. Her copper-toned skin caught the light as she set down a platter of sliced meat.

"How did you learn to make all these dishes so quickly?" I asked her.

She smiled. "We ferrokin have a particular skill for learning with a glance. Watch someone prepare food once, and we understand the process. Triolux shared his observations from above, and we adapted what we learned to what we had available."

"That's amazing. How did you find so much food so quickly?"

"Trade with the mighty town known as Crownforge, where our ancestors, who walked into the light, settled."

I shook my head in amazement as she walked back to one of the buildings. These portals were going to come in very handy.

I helped myself to generous portions of everything. The meat had been rubbed with rosemary and thyme. The potatoes were fluffy and rich. Even the salad had an oil and vinegar finish that tasted remarkably close to what I might make myself. Triolux really had learned a lot from me, with one exception: there were no chicken wings.

A commotion near the portal caught my attention. Urzan and Moktar tromped through with four other orcs in tow. They pointed at everything, chattering excitedly in their guttural language. The orcs showed their tusks as they grinned at the sights around them.

I waved, but I don't think they saw me among the crowd since dozens of villagers now filled the seats. Ferrokin sat among them, eating, laughing, and occasionally singing.

A smaller green face appeared behind the orcs.

I stood up, yelled, and waved. "Lady Churl!"

She spotted me and angled toward the table.

I laughed out loud and loudly stated, "Now it's a party!"