The Homeseeker: Elemental Adventurer LitRPG [Isekai] (Series Complete!)

Rep stumbled out of Ma's mansion, Zalan close behind. They crossed the path on Ma's property and stopped at the point where land met sea. Breathing in deeply, Rep looked out at the water ahead of them in a daze. Zalan put a hand on his shoulder.

"How are you feeling?"

"That was humiliating," Rep said, shuddering.

"Really? I thought it was kinda nice how much Ma cared to know. I never expected that side of her."

"It felt as though she was drawing it out of me in order to use it against me in the future. Every little aspect of me that she could access. Was she really so curious regarding what aspects of Junill I find attractive? And why does she need to know my favorite food? I was a captive audience! How does one say 'no' to Ma?" Rep asked, sounding sincere.

"I don't know. If Junill ends up rejecting the proposal, we can ask her."

"That is not funny," Rep grumbled.

"All right, yeah, sorry, it sounded funnier in my head," Zalan agreed apologetically.

They remained looking out at the open water, lapping carefully against the docks. The sun shined brightly, caking them and the waters in its warm hues. Zalan took a moment to be grateful for the experience of calm. He remembered being trapped in the Depths of Despair, wondering if he would ever see sunlight again. One of the lowest times in his life. Now, his closest friend might be getting married.

"So, what does this mean for us?" Zalan asked. "If you're married, am I gonna have to go on alone?"

"Alone?" Rep said, baffled. "I brought you into this realm. You can not imagine that I would allow you to find a way out without me."

"Easy to say, but is it that easy when you have a wife?"

Lips pursed, Rep thought about it hard, hand on his chin. Weighing options in his head, his eyes darted around in consternation. After a few seconds, Rep's arms went limp and he shrugged.

"I will have to speak to her, if it comes to that. If she is not amenable to this quest, then we may not…" Rep trailed, disappointed.

Zalan interpreted the rest of the sentence. He might call off the wedding to get the quest done first. Zalan didn't want it to come to that, if he could help it. Rep deserved to be happy after all he had done for him. Zalan's gaze continued to drift over the scene around him and he stopped suddenly.

"Hey, we might get our answer sooner than I thought."

"How do you mean?" Rep asked, his eyes still on the waters below.

"She's on her way now." Zalan pointed.

Rep's eyes squinted in confusion and he looked up. Going stiff in shock, Rep saw Junill, Valens, and Oshrad approaching them. Zalan nudged Rep lightly, trying to get him to loosen up, and Rep forced an exhale to deflate and relax his muscles. Zalan tried to read Junill's expression as she approached, but it seemed she was deliberately keeping her face stoic. Valens looked at Rep with more scrutiny than before, and Zalan wondered if he was going to yell at him for putting him in a situation with Ma. The closer they got, the more certain Zalan grew over his guess.

"I can not believe you!" Valens said, pointing a finger to Zalan.

"Me?" Zalan said, stunned.

"You and your friend walk this city in Ma's favor and you did not lead with that?" Valens demanded.

"Oh, uhhh, I didn't…"

"And you!" Valens pointed to Rep who flinched in response. "You also had the opportunity to bring up Ma, but you only brought up irrelevant feats like killing the Mind of Madness."

"You killed the Mind of Madness?" Oshrad said, flabbergasted.

"This was not a time for modesty!" Valens said to both Rep and Zalan. "I am trying to get a full image of a man who wishes to wed my daughter! You leave out the woman who keeps over half of my forges in business? She protects all of Oriton!"

"I apologize, sir," Rep nodded sharply.

"None of that 'sir' speak," Valens said immediately. He turned to Junill, waiting for her to say her piece.

"Rep. I am honored by your proposal. But I have some hesitations," Junill said formally.

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"Please, hold nothing back," Rep said, though his hands formed into fists.

"I wish to continue my work in the forges. I do not wish to have to travel with you on your adventures. If you want a wife that will be by your side whenever you leave the city, then know I can not be that wife," Junill said firmly.

"I never expected you to join me beyond the walls. I was hoping you would remain behind and take care of our home when I was away. I assume that you would not leave the forge, regardless."

"That is another point I had. I know you live in the guild. I can not live alongside you there. Do you have a home?" Junill asked.

"No," Rep said.

"Ma can grant you a home," Oshrad said seriously.

"I can afford one on my own," Rep assured them.

"Very well," Junill said, visibly relaxing. "You are out of Oriton as often as you are within it. How long do you suppose you will continue to adventure on your own?"

"Well, I love to travel and discover Artifacts. But I can stop for a few years to start a family once Zalan and I complete our next quest."

"What quest is that?" Junill asked.

Rep opened his mouth, then closed it uncertainly. Zalan could guess he didn't want to admit that they were searching for Aetheria.

"Rep and I are going to go to try and stop the guy that's killing all the Elementals," Zalan answered. Rep nodded.

"A good quest!" Valens said. "Our forges are nothing without those that can control Elemental Fire. Without the Elementals, we lose our ability to pass on our profession."

"You can forge swords without being able to conjure fire, you know," Zalan pointed out.

"You may have traveled the world, but I am a forgemaster. I know what it takes to forge a good sword, and Elemental Fire is a definite requirement," Valens said confidently, Junill nodding along with him.

"Sure." Zalan shrugged in defeat.

"Would you go on this quest immediately?" Valens asked.

"As soon as the wedding ended, if you would allow it." Rep nodded.

A stretch of silence hung between them, filled with a sea breeze.

"Is there anything else?" Rep asked.

"No," Junill replied. "I am satisfied with all your answers. Do you have any questions?"

"Do you want children?"

"Yes."

"Then I am satisfied." Rep nodded sharply.

Another short stint of silence.

"It sounds as though you are both ready," Valens said.

Rep breathed in deeply, a queasy smile on his face.

"May I ask for your daughter's hand?" he asked Valens.

"You may." Valens nodded, a hint of pride in his eyes.

"And Junill. Would you like to be wed?" Rep asked.

Junill pursed her lips for a second, a hint of shyness in her eyes. Rep's smile went a hint further nauseous.

"I would," Junill said. "I will see you tomorrow."

She spun around, looking more flustered than Zalan had ever seen her before. Speeding off, Valens turned to address Rep.

"If even a fraction of what Oshrad has told me about you is true, I know you will be good to her. Stay safe against the Elemental-killer," Valens said, holding out his hand to Rep.

Rep shook it vigorously.

"I will do my best to return alive," Rep nodded.

Valen went to catch up with his daughter, leaving Rep and Zalan with Oshrad.

"You killed the Mind of Madness?" Oshrad asked, the question hanging on his mind.

"Yeah."

"Show me your abilities," Oshrad demanded.

Zalan tapped his forefinger to his thumb three times and raised his wrist. Oshrad scrutinized it, his eyes narrowing.

"Only Level 10? Are you interested in working for Ma?" Oshrad asked.

"Ummm… Am I allowed to say no?" Zalan asked.

"Of course."

"Then, no."

"A shame. Do not get caught up in the Death Levels," Oshrad said.

"Death Levels?" Rep asked.

"That is what they call gaining Levels beyond Level 10. Experience is very difficult to come by, so Level hunters chase after more powerful creatures. Most of those who continue to try and accrue Strength and Wisdom over Level 10 meet their end," Oshrad informed them.

"I thought you were like Level 17," Zalan said.

"'Most' does not mean 'all.'" Oshrad smirked.

Rep looked up at Oshrad with a curious look on his face.

"What did you tell Junill and her father about me?" Rep asked. "They seemed so certain not to wed me before you spoke with them."

"I said that Ma liked you."

Rep and Zalan waited awkwardly for Oshrad to say something more. Evidently it was a complete explanation.

"That is all it took?" Rep asked.

"The only reason that Valens became a forgemaster was because Ma gave him the forge. She granted him the forge on the condition that he always give priority to her men who needed weapons, which is anyone working on the docks as well as her guards. He has a guaranteed supply of customers because of Ma's graciousness," Oshrad explained.

Rep and Zalan both looked surprised at this information. The more Zalan heard about Ma, the more he was certain she was the equivalent of a mob boss in this city. Oshrad looked at them, as though expecting a follow up question.

"So… See you tomorrow?" Zalan asked.

"Indeed," Oshrad said, walking by them and returning to Ma's mansion.

Rep and Zalan watched until he entered within.

"Ready to get married?" Zalan asked.

"Not exactly. I never thought I would get this far," Rep admitted. "But I also never thought I would fight the Mind of Madness head on and survive. So, yes, I suppose I am as ready as I can be."