Solo Strategy

Katashi, hearing that there was no danger, got his bearings fairly quickly, set the hammer against the wall, and, apparently, signaled to Erin with gestures that everything was fine. But Ronin's eyes examined me in puzzlement as he went into the house.

His surprise was understandable since I had called the fencing master by his earth surname. But this was no accidental slip on my part. Back in Tries, I had roughly sketched out a plan for my conversation with Ronin—one that would at least go some way toward explaining my fighting style at the Alchemists' Guild tournament—and I intended to stick to it now.

After escorting the new guest to the inner courtyard, I introduced him:

"Allow me to present," I said, gesturing toward Ronin, "a master famous among niche groups of reenactors and fencing enthusiasts. I've watched almost all of his videos on medieval and modern fencing techniques online. I even had the honor of attending a couple of the open training sessions he organized."

The former CERN engineer looked at me with a strange expression. My words explained how I knew his earth persona, and now he seemed to be trying to recall my face. But I wasn't worried about that. Ronin himself had told me in the Last Cycle that over a hundred people sometimes attended his open training sessions in the suburbs of Zurich. Good luck trying to remember every face in such a crowd—it's nearly impossible.

"Ronin," the fencing master introduced himself.

The reaction to this name was varied. Erin simply nodded, more engrossed in her thoughts, while a barely noticeable shadow crossed Katashi's face. It was likely because the word "ronin" in Japanese culture carries quite contradictory meanings—from a masterless samurai to a banal deserter and highwayman.

"Kay."

"Erin."

"Well, as for me..." I paused, as if getting used to the "just heard" name of the former CERN engineer, "Ronin, you already know me." Then I added for the others, "Fate has brought us together before in Ain, in Tries during the tournament organized by the Alchemists' Guild."

Katashi offered his stool to the guest and sat on a piece of log—one of those we had taken from the former warehouse and temporarily placed in a corner of the courtyard. I sat on a similar stump, gesturing for the young blacksmith to brew some tea. The package brought by the fencing master I placed at my feet.

Unlike the others, I wasn't shy about closely examining the new guest. As I had suspected back in Tries, Ronin was likely invited to the Alchemists' Guild after the tournament, and he accepted the offer. The Sign of this Guild on the fencing master's chest spoke unambiguously to that. His time there had clearly benefited the German: he looked healthy and fit, but most importantly, he had already reached Opal. He conquered the First Wall several weeks earlier than he did in the Last Cycle.

Katashi pretended to be very busy with the brewing, while Erin was clearly restless, repeatedly clasping her hands together or squeezing them into fists.

"Seems I've come at a bad time," Ronin said with a strained smile, sensing the tense atmosphere in the courtyard.

"Oh, it's no problem at all," I smiled as openly as I could.

I was confident in the Japanese; he wouldn't pull anything unexpected. And if Erin got up and left now, it meant she didn't need an Affinity that much. It would also show that offering her a dive into the underwater abyss wasn't worth it. Yes, on my part, this was perhaps a rather harsh test for a girl who had already been through a lot, but it was better to test her resolve right away.

"How long are you staying in Deytran?" I inquired of the fencing master while the young blacksmith poured tea into mugs.

"That depends on your words, Sheriff Raven," the former CERN engineer replied quite formally, nodding at the box of documents by my feet.

"So, at the very least, you'll have to wait for my response to Ger Kiadi?" I asked, taking a sip of the hot tea.

"At the very least," Ronin nodded, indicating with his gaze that the others were unnecessary for this conversation.

"Kay, Erin," I said, standing up from the stump and quickly finishing the drink that was burning my lips, "please excuse us, but business won't wait." Then I turned to the girl. "Erin, for what you came for, you'd better talk to Kay. It's his project, and he can explain it far better than I can. And if you decide to accept the talented master's offer," I nodded toward the Japanese man, "please wait for me."

Turning to the fencing master, I gestured towards the stairs.

"Please, let's go to the office where we can discuss the documents you've brought."

With that, I picked up the box delivered by the former CERN engineer and headed to the second floor.

Once in the office, I settled on the only chair, placing the box of documents on the table, and motioned for the German to sit on a stool. The former CERN engineer, with poorly concealed curiosity, looked around the room, his gaze lingering on the weapon cabinet that occupied an entire wall.

"Is it better to call you Ronin?" I asked.

"Yes, that would be best," the fencing master nodded, sitting down. "I've gotten used to that name."

"It might seem contrived, but I'm genuinely glad to see you," I said with a broad smile.

"I'm also interested in our meeting," Ronin replied without playing any games. "Especially after you defeated me in the tournament."

"Oh! I have no illusions," I chuckled. "You had a staff back then, but if you had taken your favorite sword," I nodded at the sealed scabbard of the German, which contained something resembling an early heavy rapier from Earth with a basket hilt, "I don't think I would have had a chance to come out victorious in that duel."

"I thought otherwise," the former CERN engineer replied quite diplomatically.

"It was just an impression. I recognized you even through the mask covering your face and was able to plan our future duel accordingly. You were deprived of such awareness." It was always easy to tell the truth.

"I remember that fight as if it happened yesterday and will stick to my opinion," the master swordsman returned with a formal smile.

"Your right," I shrugged, showing I had no intention of arguing. "But as for what happened at the tournament, I hope we will have time to discuss it later. For now, let's return to the purpose of your visit," I nodded towards the box on the table.

"Agreed," the fencing master inclined his head, and I realized he felt out of place.

"You met Ger Kiadi in Tries, if I'm not mistaken?" To my question, Ronin nodded in agreement. "And there you received the invitation to the Great Guild."

"Correct," the fencing master's eyes, as it seemed to me, took on a steely hue.

"And upon arriving in Pentapolis, Ger Kiadi, recognizing your talents, made you an offer you couldn't refuse," I smiled, recalling how Morpheus would smile in such situations. "Let's speak plainly. We are earthlings, or, as the questers call us, sortudo. And, first and foremost, we should avoid harming each other, and all the local intrigues…" I made an ambiguous gesture with my hand, "are just local intrigues. I have a rough idea of what's in that box you delivered, and I'm curious why Ger Kiadi chose you as the courier when he could have sent any Guild novice for such a task."

"My answer depends on what you reply to Ger Kiadi after examining the package," Ronin smiled tensely.

"This could take days."

If those were Joanna's grandfather's papers, his diaries, then possibly even weeks.

"I'm in no hurry," the fencing master shrugged, his face appearing as a formal mask.

"How much do you know about its contents?" After asking, I tapped my fingers on the box lid.

"In broad terms," the fencing master replied vaguely.

"Do you have a place to stay?" I inquired.

"Yes, they've allocated an entire floor in one of the Guild's houses for me," Ronin nodded calmly.

Somehow, our conversation was veering off track. As far as I remembered from the Last Cycle, the fencing master was always more open, but now there was no trace of that openness.

"The contents of the package you delivered are part of an ancient game. A rather dangerous one, and I doubt it can be won," I hinted, trying to provoke Ronin into being more candid. "I got dragged into it by circumstances beyond my control, but I'd advise you to stay as far away from such games as possible."

"I'm afraid it's too late," the fencing master spread his hands and added, "I am, in general terms, aware of the history of the Righteous Elevation Sect."

Wow! To say the least, that was unexpected! I thought Kiadi sent Ronin as a courier simply because he knew me, thus reducing the risk of a leak. But it turned out to be more complicated.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"And how did Ger Kiadi drag you into his vendetta?" I asked directly. "You seemed like a sensible and calculating person to me, not one to get involved in such games."

"The problem is that, like you, I've already attracted the sect's attention," the fencing master smirked bitterly.

"Imagine that!" I raised my hands in feigned indignation. "And Ger Kiadi told me I was the first to catch the sect's eye in many decades."

"It happened after your conversation," Ronin shook his head.

"Since we're in the same boat now, go ahead and tell me," I leaned back in my chair, arms crossed, clearly showing that if he stayed silent, the conversation would end there.

"Seemed like a normal situation," the fencing master shrugged. "I saved a girl who appeared to be drowning in a river. This happened in the suburbs of Atreia. I took her to some people, and that seemed to be the end of it. But no. Soon it turned out that this 'girl' was well known to Ger Kiadi. And it also alarmed me that my conversation with that 'girl' felt foggy, and I barely remembered it."

"Mental interference..." I muttered through clenched teeth.

"Unpleasant stuff," Ronin nodded. "Especially since I'm now somewhat aware of what mental mages in this world can do. But no false memories were implanted in my head; Ger Kiadi's service checked that first. Still, the very fact that it's possible..." The fencing master's gaze grew even colder.

The further it went, the stranger it got! Why did Ronin attract the attention of the Righteous Elevation Sect? Moreover, as far as I understood, it was Rey who visited him, not some ordinary agent of the sect.

"The most unsettling part," the fencing master continued, interrupting my thoughts, "is that if it weren't for Ger Kiadi's intervention, I wouldn't have even thought there was anything unusual about that incident."

His words made me think that perhaps the sect had also interfered in the Last Cycle, but we simply didn't notice because those who encountered the sect had their memories wiped.

But! Why didn't Rey erase my memory after our meeting in the Wicked Woods? As soon as this question arose in my mind, a possible answer came to me. And I really didn't like it.

Perhaps they had chosen not to tamper with my memory because my actions served the sect's cause? Or at least that's what they believed. At that thought, a grave chill gripped my back for an instant.

"That's exactly why I agreed to cooperate with Ger Kiadi," the fencing master continued, oblivious to my change in mood. "I don't want to end up a drooling vegetable, not even knowing why."

Cooperation? So, he was not just a messenger but rather an agent with functions that were not yet very clear to me.

"Moreover, Ger Kiadi saw it as a good sign that we are already acquainted," Ronin smiled, seemingly quite sincerely. "Besides, I actually remembered seeing your face back on Earth."

Remembered? From where? No, there was no point in entertaining ridiculous theories. Most likely, the fencing master's mind played a trick on him. He had simply recalled someone's face resembling mine. Maybe he'd noticed it during one of the fencing seminars he'd conducted, and then his mind had filled in the rest with a picture that only seemed consistent.

"You attended one of my training sessions in Zurich," Ronin's eyes seemed to gleam at these words.

Now, this was a trap. In the Last Cycle, Ronin told me that he held all his open training sessions and seminars only in the suburbs of Switzerland's largest city, even mentioning the name of a specific town.

"No, I was at your open training sessions in Uster," I corrected the fencing master.

"Oh! Right!" He nodded, noticeably relaxing. "Though I don't remember any sparring sessions with you."

"That's because I didn't participate," I spread my hands.

"Too bad. I think I could have recognized your talent."

"At that time, I was just starting my path with the sword and was focused on my main career as a sports gymnast," I shrugged, pretending to be disappointed myself.

"So, you're a gymnast!" Ronin exclaimed. "That's where the fluidity in your movements comes from! I was wracking my brain over the basis of those techniques you demonstrated at the tournament! Wracking and finding no answer. I saw familiar combinations, but the foundation of your style eluded my understanding."

"I don't have my own style," I admitted. "I'm still only at the beginning of that path."

"Don't belittle yourself. You managed to defeat me, and believe me, few have!" the fencing master said, shaking his head with a smile.

"Pre-planning the flow of the fight and the staff in your hands," I repeated what had already been said earlier.

It seemed our conversation was veering off track again. I needed to change the subject or, better yet, end it and continue later when I was better prepared.

"Apologies, but your visit caught me off guard," I said, rising from my chair. "As you might have noticed, there are other guests in my house who require my attention. Let's continue our conversation tomorrow, unless that would be inconvenient."

"Yes, of course!" Ronin agreed, also standing up from his stool. "And I apologize for the unexpected intrusion."

"You are always a welcome guest in my house."

Having said that, I contradicted my words by pointing the fencing master to the door. But, to my relief, he didn't seem to notice the irony of being hurried out despite being called a welcome guest.

"Kay and Erin are engaged in conversation; let's not disturb them," I said as we descended the stairs. "I'll convey your goodbyes to them."

"Of course," Ronin nodded, starting to look a bit uncomfortable.

"Then I'll see you tomorrow at sunset," I said, opening the front door. "By then, I'll have had a chance to skim through the documents you brought."

"At sunset," the fencing master agreed.

"I was immensely glad to see you," I said, breaking into a broad smile.

"Likewise," Ronin replied, bowing formally.

After closing the door behind him, I leaned against the wall and, closing my eyes, went through a series of calming breathing exercises.

A very unexpected meeting. And not a bad one. Rather, one that opened new prospects. Especially if my suspicions were correct, and even after I studied the papers sent by Kiadi, Ronin wouldn't leave Deytran. I had a hunch that the fencing master was sent to observe me. And also, to bring together two people who had caught the sect's interest, perhaps to provoke them into action.

Still, it was a good thing that intelligence services in this world were just emerging and weren't as subtle as those on Earth. This gave me a chance to at least roughly predict Kiadi's actions, especially since I understood his motives. Though, I allowed for the possibility that they had simply let me understand some things. With these intrigues, you could never be completely sure of anything.

Having calmed myself, I shook my hands and headed to the inner courtyard.

"The fencing master has left," I said. "He promised to visit at sunset tomorrow."

Erin and Katashi were sitting opposite each other and seemed to have just finished a rather complex conversation. The Japanese was clearly pleased, while the girl was not in the calmest of moods.

"Did you hear Kay's offer?" I asked Erin.

"Yes," she replied sharply, almost breathlessly.

"Are you willing to take the risk?" I watched her reaction closely.

"I am. It seems I have no other choice," Erin replied, keeping her nerves in check and looking me straight in the eye.

"You do understand all the risks, right?" I clarified.

"Master Kay explained everything in detail," she nodded, her voice carrying the resignation of a condemned person.

"It won't happen tomorrow," I reassured her. "Kay, how long do you think the project will take?"

"Three days," the young blacksmith answered confidently.

"Does that include finding a suitable ship and location?" I was surprised by the short timeline.

Although, if Karilian were to help him, it might even be doable.

"Uh, I haven't thought about that yet," Katashi hesitated, but then a spark flickered in his eyes. "Listen… Raven, can't you get Master Eddart involved? He's a former captain; he should have connections and knowledge of the depths."

"I'll talk to him during training tomorrow," I agreed, finding the future God of Labor's suggestion logical enough.

"Kay, you obviously have things to do," I pressed, and seeing that the Japanese understood me correctly, I turned to the girl. "Erin, would you mind talking with me? In the office on the second floor. I promise I won't harm you."

"Of course," the girl quickly got up from the stool with feigned confidence.

In the office, I seated my guest on a chair and stood by the window.

"Tell me," I said in a calm but insistent voice.

"Tell you what?" she pretended not to understand the question.

"How you ended up like this—tell me about that," I gestured to her burns.

"A questers' curse for failing a task," Erin shrugged. "Any magic I try to use turns into a burst of fire. And I have only one and a half Stars of Talent in Fire. That's why all this..." She showed the blisters on her wrists. "But it seemed you said you've encountered..."

"Questers' punishments vary," I interrupted her monologue. "But I'm interested in something else."

"What?" Her feigned calm didn't fool me.

She looked like a trapped animal, trying her best not to show it. An animal already caught in a snare. And I had a feeling that the questers' punishment for failing to gain an Affinity was just the tip of her problems.

"Erin," I moved away from the window and sat next to her. "When I arrived in this world, I promised myself I would help other earthlings, just as I was once helped."

With these words, I showed her the visualization of Affinity with Light. This was supposed to calm her, but instead, she curled up like a kitten ready to fight to the last! What a strange reaction. I showed her the Affinity only to assure her that I was telling the truth.

Erin's hand rested on the hilt of her knife. Was she serious? She was Wootz, and I bore the Sapphire Sign. She didn't stand a chance. So why? Why was she ready to fight? And nothing had even hinted at this!

Unless...

I stood up again and walked to the window, turning away as if I hadn't noticed her gesture and her white-knuckled grip on the knife.

What was I supposed to do? I couldn't help her! People like her had perished quickly in Ain during the Last Cycle. Unless I was mistaken. But I felt there was no mistake, and that I was right.

"What Talent did you get from the Stela before the Second Group Trial?" I asked quietly.

"None of your business," the girl snapped.

"You do realize you just answered my question," I said, turning my head to see her pupils freeze.

"None of your business," Erin repeated, quieter but more insistent.

"You remember the First Group Trial well, don't you? I mean, up until that brute knocked you out with a punch to the jaw?" I kept my palms open and visible, trying not to provoke the girl, who was ready to explode.

"I remember," she nodded, not yet understanding where I was going with this.

"Did it not surprise you at all that you survived the First Group Trial, lying unconscious almost the entire time?" I asked, tilting my head.

"I don't know the questers' motives or why they saved me," Erin scoffed, coming to life. "I think they did it on purpose, to watch me suffer!"

"The questers had nothing to do with it," I shook my head. "I collected several Rods of Life and then gave them to those I deemed worthy of living. Your bravery and recklessness somehow won me over, and I placed one of the rods in your clothing."

"What?!" She looked at me with wide eyes, her hand slipping from the knife's hilt.

"That's right, for the continuation of your suffering, you can safely blame me," I hoped my smile wasn't too strained.

Leaning on the windowsill, I sighed heavily, gathering my thoughts. Help her or just kick her out to avoid trouble? The silence in the room lasted over a minute, so thick that if a fly had passed through, it would have gotten stuck in it.

"The brilliant Saint-Exupéry once wrote: 'We are responsible for those we have tamed,'" I said, looking out the window. "Applied to people, that phrase had always seemed to me pompous and cloying. Wrong... People aren't animals to be tamed. But for some reason, I now feel responsible for you."

"No one tamed me!" Erin snapped again, but her voice lacked the fear it had just moments ago.

"But you're alive and suffering. And that's a consequence of my choice," I shook my head. "I'm used to taking responsibility for my choices," I said sharply, turning to her. "I can try to help you, but I can't promise it will work. Still, I do promise to try. Will you accept that promise?"

In response, silence. Erin sat up straight, as if she'd swallowed an iron bar.

"I'm not one of the locals," I continued, taking her silence as agreement to listen. "I don't have the prejudices that prevail in this world."

Her reaction confirmed my suspicions about the root of her problems.

"So, let me rephrase my question a bit..." I said, staying put without even attempting to approach her. "How many Stars in Darkness do you have now?"

"Five..." Erin answered very quietly, without lowering her gaze.

She managed to surprise me. I had expected to hear four.