Sealed in Steel [ Tank Litrpg ]

Last night, part of Elian became increasingly unsure if they'd survive the darkness. And yet, here they were, several hours later, looking at the sun peeking over the horizon. Elian was with Maveron and Reese on top of the church's belfry, sitting on the edge of the steepled roof. While the festivities went on the entire night, Elian decided to have some peace away from the crowd, contemplating everything that had happened.

For hours, he stared at the night sky pockmarked by twinkling stars. He lamented the incredibly heavy burden thrust on his shoulders, and he also laughed that he was still carrying it somehow. Everything felt surreal.

When the sky started turning pink, Maveron and Reese climbed the tower to join Elian. They reeked of alcohol and meat grease. Maveron had offered Elian a bottle, but it had turned out empty. After laughing, the three of them quieted and savored the fresh morning breeze. They sat in silence for half an hour as the sun eventually rose.

"We did it, esteemed Penitent," Maveron said with a deep sigh, his words slightly slurred. "We did… it. All thanks to you. The Storm God blesses us for crossing our paths."

"It's not all me," Elian said. "I faced the shadow beasts. But you were the ones who killed them. As a Penitent, I don't have the—"

"Your Tribulation blasted through the giant shadow beast!" Reese laughed, clapping his hands as if it were the most entertaining thing he had ever seen. "I had witnessed a few Tribulations when Father took me to the hills of the Penitents; never in my wildest thoughts would I have considered using it for offense. It was all a silly practice to me."

"Reese, don't say that," Maveron cautioned.

"That was my misguided musing as a child," clarified Reese. "I now see the tremendous trials faced by Penitents of the Hundred-Armed Magistrate. This Tribulation… I'd be a crumpled mess of broken bones if I were beneath it. Such a fearsome force that tore through the titan of darkness."

"What a regret of a lifetime that I hadn't seen it." Maveron pointed at the calcified golden tendrils wrapping Elian's arm. "Is that…? Reese tells me you have sealed the Lost Souls. Is it… safe?"

Elian shrugged. "I don't know, honestly. It's not every day I seal the souls of an entire magical forest." He made it sound like he knew how to do it but simply hadn't tried it before. Not that he had no idea it was possible in the first place, or that things would play out as they did.

Let them think he was an expert sealcrafter. The Grovenians regarded him as awesome and would spread his legend. Elian wasn't one to make up stories, but he decided that he wouldn't correct misunderstandings either.

"You've mentioned you were going to Ohmenstrat?" Maveron said, still eyeing the Barkskin gauntlet.

"The shadow beasts will not return," Elian said, discerning Maveron's concern. "And I'll be leaving soon to reunite with my friend, Gideon. You won't have to worry about this—" he raised his arm "—anymore."

"Oh, I wasn't telling you to leave," Maveron hastily said. "Please don't misunderstand. When you do leave, which I hope isn't soon, you will do so with the gifts of Lord Gustall for your bravery and aid."

"I was just kidding," Elian replied, chuckling. "I really have to resume my journey. What about you, Reese? Are you returning to your master?"

"I'm not decided yet…" Reese looked down at the city. "This battle… It made me aware of my inadequacies. I've always known that training and fighting for real, with my life and that of my loved ones on the line, are very different matters. Having experienced it, I can say for myself that I might improve faster by applying what I've already learned. Real experience is the best teacher, as my father would often say. A journey might do me good before I return to my master."

"You're not going to find any more fights here in town," Maveron said. "At least, I hope not. If you're set on seeing more of the world, I suggest traveling with Haford and the Azure Roc Company. Be sure to keep your head down and follow orders."

"You don't need to remind me of that," Reese said with a smile. "I'd pick up plenty of learnings from the mercenaries."

"Verney already knows Haford. He'd put in a good word for you. Make some arrangements."

"I'll talk to my father about—"

"What if you come with me, instead?" Elian suddenly said, struck by a new idea.

Previously, he had mostly given up on the thought of reconnecting with Reese. This Reese wasn't the Hinter who was Elian's friend in his past life. That Reese never came to be, which was for the best. Then again, Elian now wasn't the previous Elian either. Maybe this was the chance to make a new friendship?

"Come with you to Ohmenstrat?" Reese asked.

"To Ohmenstrat and many other places," Elian said. "Let's just say I have a mission given by the Hundred-Armed Magistrate. I'll tell you more about it if you do join me and my floramage friend. Swear an oath of secrecy and all that. This mission will take several months, ending at Sarnival Port. I'm going to join the tournament there. I think you should try it too."

Reese stroked his chin. "I had considered participating in the tournament of the Caelidon family. My father took us to watch before. And you have a mission, you say?"

"A secret mission," Elian said, grinning. "I foresee there'll be a lot of fighting in this mission. We fought well together, don't you think?"

"We did, yes." Reese was warming up to the idea, Elian could tell.

"And I'm severely lacking in the offense department, bar my Tribulation. I could call for it only once a day. But if you're there…"

"Go with the esteemed Penitent, my nephew," said Maveron. "You're young. Set out to explore the world. I dearly hope I can do that, but alas, I have my place here in Golden Grove, and my family and station to take care of. You can also keep watch on the sealed shadow beasts."

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"How about it, Reese?" Elian asked, his heart hoping that Reese would agree. Elian extended his left hand. "Sorry, I can't offer my right hand. Anyway, it'll be an adventure of a lifetime. You'll find fulfilment in it too, once I've told you of my mission. I'm sure of that."

"Your enticing words have convinced me." Reese shook Elian's hand. "Count me as one of your party. How soon are we leaving?"

"As soon as you're ready. My friend should be on his way here from the Sabyn Mountains. I'll meet him on the road and immediately head to Ohmenstrat to save time. It'll add more days to our travel if I would wait for him here."

"If your departure draws nigh," said Maveron, "let us meet Lord Gustall. I hope he's awake after last night's merrymaking. We allow ourselves to celebrate so that we may mourn our dead in the days that follow—such is our custom after a bloody battle. While we're still in a period of jubilation, let the Lord of Golden Grove reward you, esteemed Penitent."

It was nearing noon when Elian met with a disheveled and recently-awoken Lord Gustall. They were inside the king's court. Missing were the other nobles who called the castle their home, probably still knocked out by alcohol.

"Penitent… we of Golden Grove… cannot, ugh, thank you enough," said Lord Gustall while massaging his temples. Instead of wearing gallant revelry, he only had a purple cloak wrapped around his naked body like a towel. He hadn't even worn rings and other jewelry. "I hear from Maveron that… you'll be leaving soon. Please, allow us to repay, uh, your kindness before you do."

A bespectacled man approached Lord Gustall with a parchment and calculating implements. They conversed in hushed tones while making calculations and scribbling on the paper.

"Our current financial situation…." Lord Gustall slowly began, as he held the paper, "It is not… pleasant, to say the least. We've been plagued by the shadow beasts, lowering our trade and output of magical bombs. Our coffers have also been emptied. Erm, as you know, we've recently hired thirty mercenaries and…

Elian wanted to roll his eyes as the lord droned on. There was no need for this. Elian would be surprised if Golden Grove wasn't in dire financial straits because of the shadow beasts. And Elian didn't really need money; he had plenty of coin from selling the catfolk ring to Faridar. But there was something that he wanted from the Grovenians.

"…there's also the cost of rebuilding," Lord Gustall continued. "Three of our workshops have been—"

"Lord Gustall, I understand your problems," Elian said. "Instead of monetary compensation, how about your spell shards? You have plenty in store, am I right?" Using spell shards seemed to be the primary way that the Grovenian soldiers fought.

"Ye-yes!" Lord Gustall sat up. He was excited because he didn't need to part with actual money. Yes, spell shards were valuable, but the ones they had were already worn through extensive use. They weren't exactly easy to sell for coin, if need be. "You can most definitely choose among our spell shards, which will be your reward."

"Only one, my lord? I'm looking for spell shards that increase my speed. I'm hoping to hasten my journey to Ohmenstrat, which is quite far from this town." Elian folded his arms across his chest, making sure his right arm was on top to display the cocoon of the shadow beasts.

"Ta-take three! Yes, Maveron, show the Penitent to our stores. The further away you are, the better it'll be."

Maveron led Elian to their underground storage of spell shards while profusely apologizing for Lord Gustall's demeanor. "I'll pay you out of my pocket, esteemed Penitent," said Maveron. "That is, on top of the spell shards that are your reward. I'm terribly sorry; I know you were expecting coin."

Elian pondered for a moment if he should refuse. Nah, he had shown his humbleness enough. "I thank you for such a generous offer. Now, about the spell shards, I'm serious that I need those to boost mobility. Better if they affect a whole party; the more people I can help, the better."

Elian was presented with shelves lined with small square cushions. Only a small number of cushions had a spell shard sitting on them. Most were used during last night's battle. Several were probably gone for good.

"We have to replenish our stores," Maveron said, glancing at the mostly empty shelves. "In my deepest heart, I'm ashamed to offer them to you, esteemed Penitent. As if I'm inviting you to choose from leftovers. Let me regain some of my honor by pointing you to the most expensive ones we have."

"Won't Lord Gustall be angry if you offer me those?"

"Not at all," Maveron said, navigating the shelves to reach the end of the long room. "He doesn't know which spell shards we have." He pressed five stones of the back wall in a specific order to reveal a smaller room hidden behind it. There were only five shelves inside, with only a few empty spots. "These are our high-grade spell shards. Powerful, Energy-starved, and seldomly used."

"You prefer the lesser spell shards that can be frequently used."

"Exactly. Mobility spells aren't often employed. Once the battle is met, both sides clashing, there's no place to dart around. I suggest you choose this." Maveron presented Elian with a spell shard. "Charging Winds covers your party with a magical gale that allows you to move fast as if sailing on the winds themselves. This can allow your group to traverse difficult terrain while leaving no tracks, your feet, the wheels of your carriage, and the hooves of your horses not meeting the ground."

"That is just what I'm looking for," Elian said. "Makes it easy to charge into battle. Makes it easy to get out."

Elian didn't take long choosing the other two spell shards.

"Unfettered Steps?" Maveron picked the spell shard Elian pointed at. "Are you sure, Penitent?

"It nullifies basic traps, hexes, curses, all sorts that interfere with movement. Also increases resistance to stronger movement impediments. Truly, a valuable spell shard. I can sustain its Energy needs."

"What you say is true… but we have better choices. Unfettered Steps doesn't increase your speed. I don't even know why Verney bought this several years ago. Or perhaps you'd prefer spells that increase defense or generate shields since you already have Charging Winds?"

"Nah, I'll stick with Unfettered Steps. I really can't afford to be hampered on the battlefield. As for my last choice…" Elian exited the hidden room and looked for a spell shard he had spotted earlier. "This is my last pick—Amplify Weight. This is the spell shard you're using, right? This is very rare."

"Yes…" Maveron's forehead wrinkled. "I use it because of my Ogrish Strength. Its rarity isn't a reason of demand. Quite the opposite. It isn't favored by most warriors because it interferes with their sword work. Why would you want it, esteemed Penitent?"

"I just think it's going to be a fine addition to my new strategy of… dropping from the sky."

Mid-afternoon, Elian and the Grovenians were ready to depart. Maveron and a couple of his men would accompany Elian and Reese until they'd find Gideon. Part of it was a gesture of friendship; part of it was getting their horses back. Lord Gustall kept repeating that many of their horses had died over the course of fighting the shadow beasts, and they didn't have the money to buy more.

I suppose Reese and I can sleep on top of Gideon's carriage, Elian thought as he watched Reese saying goodbye to his family. Reese's mother cried her eyes out. She had just met her son after three years, and they were parting again. The important thing was that Reese's family were alive.

"I'm ready, Penitent," Reese said.

"Call me, Elian. There'll be a lot of Penitent where we're going. It'll be confusing if you keep calling me that. Let's be on our way."

"I can't wait for you to tell me what your secret mission is."

And their group galloped through the gates of Golden Grove.