“Okay look, we are under direct orders from Prodma nation to conduct an audit of this guild hall,” Kaito explained.
“I understand, sir. And we have absolutely no desire to deny this request from Mr. Proudmantle. However, the law is quite clear. You need both an auditing certificate—which you have—and be a licensed adventurer—which you are not. It’s how we ensure auditors actually understand the information they are reviewing,” said the lady behind the guild hall’s front desk.
Kill me now! This is the worst day of my life.
“Fine, I guess that makes sense. So how do you get an adventurer’s license?”
“You’ll need to register at the guild. I can take care of that for you right now, actually. Next up, you’ll need to register your party. Remember, each party must consist of exactly four members. Oh, and you’ll all need to sign liability waivers. Once that’s done, you’ll be issued a temporary adventurer’s license. To make it permanent, you’ll need to earn a total of five points by completing official quests for the guild hall.”
I bet this is paradise for you.
Not really, Karen. I’m afraid this is too much, even for me.
Oh, thank god, Kaito! You’re suddenly sexy again. I promise I’m not gonna complain ever again. I’m so super happy you don’t want to come live in this city.
“Five points?” Zenith asked.
“You earn points based on the quest’s class. So, a Class-D quest gets you one point, Class-C gives you two, and it goes up from there. Three points for Class-B, four for Class-A, and the big ones, Class-S quests, those are worth five points each,” said the guild administrator.
“Okay, thank you very much for your help. Zee, let’s find some party members…I guess this is exactly what the guy in the blue armor wanted our help with. Do you remember his name?”
“Yes, Ansfrid Monotoloyo.”
Kaito rattled his head side to side. “Wow, that’s an impressive memory. I never would have remembered that name.”
“It was a very unique name, how could I forget?”
“Alright, find a party, and complete a Class-S quest. Then earn five points for a permanent license.”
A QUEST?! This is the happiest day of my life. Do you think we can move to this city permanently?
▬▬ι═════ﺤ
Kaito and Zenith weaved through the cacophony of sights, sounds, and smells of the streets of Regulatia. The colors and architecture closely resembled those used in the capital; in fact, the city reminded Zenith a lot of the capital, albeit much busier. She took in the colorful storefronts and the diverse array of people going about their daily lives. Vendors hawked their wares, their voices rising above the din of the crowd, while the aroma of exotic spices and sizzling meats wafted from the countless food stalls that lined the thoroughfare. She wanted to try them all.
“Can you believe that?” she said to Kaito, gesturing back towards the guild hall. “All that paperwork, all those rules, what’s the purpose of it all?”
Kaito nodded, his brow furrowed in thought. “It does seem excessive, doesn’t it? I wonder what the reasoning behind it could be.”
Zenith shrugged. “Probably just a way to assert control, to make people jump through hoops. It’s a power trip.”
“Perhaps,” Kaito mused. “But I suspect there’s more to it than that. Such convoluted systems are often put in place to obscure something else, to distract from what’s really going on.”
Zenith glanced at him curiously. “What do you mean?”
“Bureaucracy like this, it’s often a mask for corruption, for abuse of power. It keeps people so focused on navigating the rules that they don’t see what’s happening behind the scenes.”
Zenith considered his words. It was a perspective she hadn’t fully considered before. She had been so caught up in the frustration of the moment that she hadn’t stopped to think about the bigger picture.
“So you think there’s something more going on here? Something sinister?”
Kaito met her gaze. “Well…that’s a possibility. But let’s just focus on completing our report.”
“Look, what could that be?” he asked, pointing to a particularly lively stall.
It was filled with an assortment of ornate objects that gave the impression of a magical or fantastical marketplace. The vendor, dressed in a vintage-style teal jacket and a brown hat, stood behind the stall, enthusiastically showcasing his wares.
“Step right up, ladies and gentlemen!” the vendor called out, their voice carrying across the square. “Feast your eyes on the most wondrous confections and curiosities this side of the Celestial Sea!”
Kaito and Zenith approached the stall, their curiosity chasing the vendor’s enthusiastic pitch.
The man held up a small, intricately decorated box and opened it with a flourish, revealing a selection of rainbow crafted confections
“These are no ordinary sweets, my friends,” he said with a grin. “Each one is infused with a touch of magic, guaranteed to make your taste buds sing and your spirits soar!”
Zenith leaned in closer, examining the candies with interest. “What kind of magic?” she asked.
The vendor’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Ah, that’s the secret, my dear. But I can assure you, these treats are unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before.”
Zenith took another look at the treats, her mouth becoming water—blush pinks, creamy yellows, minty greens, and sky blues. Smooth domed surfaces gleam under the light…and then—
“Rosto?” Kaito asked.
The vendor in the teal jacket stumbled back. “You’re that baker—”
He took another step backwards, lost his balance, leaned on the table, and accidentally sent the box of treats tumbling through the air.
The sandwich cookies pirouetted towards Kaito, twirling gracefully in a sweet show of inadvertent whimsy.
With a swift motion, Kaito snatched the box out of the air first, then weaved it around the colorful treats, catching them airborne and refilling the box.
“Yeah, how’ve you been?” he said, placing the box back on Rosto’s stand and extending his palm, where the last—azure blue—treat landed.
Kaito inspected the blue cookie, turning it over in his hand.
“Hey, Rosto,” Kaito said, holding up the cookie. “These look an awful lot like my McArron recipe.”
“What’s the deal!?!” Zenith snapped.
Rosto shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his eyes darting between Kaito and the cookie. “Well, I, uh...”
Zenith crossed her arms and fixed Rosto with a stern look. “Rosto, have you been behaving yourself? You’re not causing trouble, are you?”
Rosto’s face flushed, and he stammered, “No, no, of course not! I was just trying to—”
Before he could finish his sentence, Kaito popped the McArron into his mouth.
“Mmm, this is really good, Rosto,” Kaito said, still chewing. “You captured the flavor perfectly. And…you’ve actually managed to improve the texture. It’s even lighter and fluffier than mine.”
Rosto’s eyes lit up, and he started to speak, but suddenly, Kaito’s expression changed. He looked down at his stomach and grimaced.
“That’s strange,” he said. “I feel a bit...odd.”
And then, Kaito began to rise off the ground. Slowly at first, and then faster, until he was several feet in the air.
He started to laugh, his voice echoing through the marketplace as he floated higher and higher. “Whoa, this is wild!”
Zenith rounded on Rosto. “What did you put in those cookies? Don’t you know how dangerous it can be to mess with magic in food?”
“It, it’s harmless, I swear. I’m sorry! I was just trying to make my baking better, to add a little something extra.”
Meanwhile, Kaito appeared to be swimming through the air, his arms and legs moving as if he were in water. He did a lazy backstroke, then a breaststroke, grinning all the while.
“These are great, Rosto!” Kaito called down. “I like them a lot. Just...be responsible with this stuff, okay? As long as you’re careful, there shouldn’t be any problems.”
Rosto’s blush deepened, and he looked up at Kaito. “Do you really think so?”
Kaito nodded, a grin spreading across his face as he began to swim down towards the ground, his movements exaggerated and comical. He looked like a fish out of water, his arms and legs flailing in the air. Zenith couldn’t resist but laugh at the sight.
“Yes, Rosto, I really think so. These are incredible.” As Kaito’s feet touched the ground, he turned to Zenith, still smiling. “You should try one, Zee. I think you’ll like them.”
Zenith hesitated, eyeing the colorful array of cookies. She picked up an amber-colored one and sniffed it cautiously. When she registered the aroma—a blend of sweet and spicy notes that made her mouth water—she could no longer restrain the urge to put it in her mouth.
She took a small bite, and instantly, a jolt of flavor exploded on her tongue. It was like nothing she had ever tasted before, a perfect balance of sweetness and tang. But then, something strange happened.
Zenith felt a tingling sensation spreading through her body, and suddenly, her hair stood on end. Visible electricity crackled and coursed over her skin, making her gasp in surprise.
“Rosto, what’s happening?” she asked, but as she spoke, a bolt of lightning shot forth from her hand, striking Rosto directly in the chest.
Rosto yelped in pain and stumbled backwards, his eyes wide with shock. Zenith quickly snapped her hand back, horrified at what she had done.
“I’m so sorry!” she exclaimed. “I didn’t mean to—”
“Be careful!” Rosto cried, rubbing his chest where the lightning had struck him.
Zenith nodded, feeling guilty. “I will, I promise.” She leaned forward to help Rosto up, but as she did, another zap of electricity leapt from her fingertips, causing Rosto to yelp again.
A small chuckle escaped Kaito’s mouth, but he quickly contained it. “Zee, just breathe and relax. Seems the effects are temporary. So Rosto, what brings you to Regulatia?”
Rosto straightened his jacket and cleared his throat. “Well, you see, Tharbomi gave me permission to expand my business. I thought Regulatia might be a good place for that, so I’m here to scope things out…but so far, I’m not sure. Just being in the spot took so much paperwork—I don’t think it’s worth it.”
Zenith raised an eyebrow. “Really? And this business of yours, it’s all above board? No more tricks?”
Rosto held up his hands. “I swear, Mayor, I’m going legit. The hell beast doesn’t have a hold on me anymore—the dragon made sure of it. I’m a changed man.”
“That’s great to hear. It’s not easy to break free from that kind of influence, so I’m happy for you,” said Kaito.
“Th—thanks.”
“Hey, Rosto, since you’re here, do you think you could help Zee and I with something?”
Rosto tilted his head and squinted. “Help you? With what?”
“Well, we need to form a party of four to complete a quest. We’re wondering if you’d be willing to join us, become a member of our party.”
“What?” asked both Rosto and Zenith simultaneously.
“Are you sure about this, Kaito? I mean...”
“I’m sure, Zee. We don’t know anyone else here, and we need to be done with this guild hall as soon as possible. Let’s give him a chance, he owes us.”
“Okay…”
“I don’t mind helping, but I can’t even access IDM anymore.”
Kaito turned his gaze to the box of McArrons. “Are you sure about that?”
“N-no, that’s just dessert with party tricks.
“It’ll be fine.”
Rosto’s shoulders slumped, and he let out a heavy sigh. “Alright, I’ll do it,” he said, his voice tinged with resignation. “But only as a gesture of good faith, to show that I’m trying to make amends for my past actions.”
“We appreciate it, Rosto. Thank you,” Kaito said.
Just as Rosto was about to respond, a man suddenly pushed Kaito aside, nearly knocking him off balance. Zenith instinctively reached out to steady him, grunting as she took in the newcomer.
The man was red-faced and fuming, his eyes locked on Rosto. “You!” he shouted, jabbing a finger at the baker. “I demand my money back!”
Rosto blinked. “I’m sorry, sir, but what seems to be the problem?”
“The problem,” the man seethed, “is that your pastries were advertised as a way to help me become more charismatic and confident during an important business presentation. But after eating them, I developed a condition where every time I opened my mouth, I was uncontrollably belching colorful smoke rings!”
Zenith glanced at Kaito, who looked as surprised as her. Rosto, on the other hand, seemed to be struggling to keep a straight face.
“Needless to say,” the man continued, his voice rising with each word, “the presentation was a disaster, and I was demoted. And it’s all your fault!”
With a swift motion, the man drew his sword, two suns glinting off his blade. He raised it high, poised to strike Rosto down.
Zenith tensed, ready to spring into action, but Kaito was already moving. He stepped forward towards the man, his hand reaching for the man’s sword, but before he could touch it, a strong hand gripped his shoulder.
Kaito looked up calmly, and met Ansfrid’s face. The armored man shook his head, signaling “no” with a firm gesture.
In a flash, Ansfrid drew his own sword, the metal singing as it cleared its sheath. With a deft move, he parried the angry man’s attack, the clash of blades ringing out across the marketplace.
Zenith watched, impressed, as Ansfrid fought the aggressor. Despite his size, the armored man was fast and graceful, and his sword moved so quickly that it was a blur as he blocked and countered the troublemaker’s attacks. And he was doing it without breaking a sweat.
In a matter of moments, it was over. Ansfrid disarmed the man with a flick of his wrist, sending his sword clattering to the ground. He then swept the man’s legs out from under him, causing him to land heavily on his back. Ansfrid placed the tip of his sword at the man’s throat while looking down on him.
“Yield.”
The troublemaker, his face pale and his eyes wide with fear, nodded frantically. “I yield, I yield!”
Ansfrid withdrew his sword and stepped back, allowing the man to scramble to his feet and flee, disappearing into the crowd.
Zenith looked at Rosto. He’d fallen, and his McArrons had gone everywhere. Now they were all activating at random. Some were puffing smoke, some were sparking, and one was floating in the air.
“Thank you,” Rosto said with a shaky voice as he tried to gather up his wayward creations.
Ansfrid took a good look at Rosto, but barely acknowledged his gratitude and transferred his attention to Kaito. “Do you have a sword swinging permit?”
Zenith couldn’t believe her ears. “A SWORD SWINGING PERMIT?” she exploded. “You gotta be kidding me!”
“Of course,” he said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “There’s a Sword Swinging Tax. The amount is based on the arc’s width and the speed of the swing.”
Kaito’s eyes also widened after the comment. “Really? I had no idea.”
“Yes, and you must attend a workshop to learn how to calculate your sword-swing tax properly. I assumed you didn’t have the permit, which is why I stopped you from intervening. I couldn’t have you fined before we honored our contract. You owe me a few quests, remember?”
Zenith shook her head in disbelief. The bureaucracy in this city was even more ridiculous than she had imagined. She glanced at Kaito, who seemed equally baffled by the revelation.
“I do remember,” Kaito said, a wry smile on his face. “It turns out we have to complete a few quests ourselves. But we need four party members—do you have any issues if Rosto’s our fourth?”
Ansfrid took another look at the man who was still picking up McArrons from the cobblestone street.
Ansfrid sheathed his sword and turned to face them fully. “That’ll work. I’ve been busy setting up my sword swing tax application and securing a permit for the lawful possession of a magical artifact. I wasn’t able to find the additional party member, so this actually saves us time.”
“Great, let’s head to guild hall then.”
“Okay look, we are under direct orders from Prodma nation to conduct an audit of this guild hall,” Kaito explained.
“I understand, sir. And we have absolutely no desire to deny this request from Mr. Proudmantle. However, the law is quite clear. You need both an auditing certificate—which you have—and be a licensed adventurer—which you are not. It’s how we ensure auditors actually understand the information they are reviewing,” said the lady behind the guild hall’s front desk.
Kill me now! This is the worst day of my life.
“Fine, I guess that makes sense. So how do you get an adventurer’s license?”
“You’ll need to register at the guild. I can take care of that for you right now, actually. Next up, you’ll need to register your party. Remember, each party must consist of exactly four members. Oh, and you’ll all need to sign liability waivers. Once that’s done, you’ll be issued a temporary adventurer’s license. To make it permanent, you’ll need to earn a total of five points by completing official quests for the guild hall.”
I bet this is paradise for you.
Not really, Karen. I’m afraid this is too much, even for me.
Oh, thank god, Kaito! You’re suddenly sexy again. I promise I’m not gonna complain ever again. I’m so super happy you don’t want to come live in this city.
“Five points?” Zenith asked.
“You earn points based on the quest’s class. So, a Class-D quest gets you one point, Class-C gives you two, and it goes up from there. Three points for Class-B, four for Class-A, and the big ones, Class-S quests, those are worth five points each,” said the guild administrator.
“Okay, thank you very much for your help. Zee, let’s find some party members…I guess this is exactly what the guy in the blue armor wanted our help with. Do you remember his name?”
“Yes, Ansfrid Monotoloyo.”
Kaito rattled his head side to side. “Wow, that’s an impressive memory. I never would have remembered that name.”
“It was a very unique name, how could I forget?”
“Alright, find a party, and complete a Class-S quest. Then earn five points for a permanent license.”
A QUEST?! This is the happiest day of my life. Do you think we can move to this city permanently?
▬▬ι═════ﺤ
Kaito and Zenith weaved through the cacophony of sights, sounds, and smells of the streets of Regulatia. The colors and architecture closely resembled those used in the capital; in fact, the city reminded Zenith a lot of the capital, albeit much busier. She took in the colorful storefronts and the diverse array of people going about their daily lives. Vendors hawked their wares, their voices rising above the din of the crowd, while the aroma of exotic spices and sizzling meats wafted from the countless food stalls that lined the thoroughfare. She wanted to try them all.
“Can you believe that?” she said to Kaito, gesturing back towards the guild hall. “All that paperwork, all those rules, what’s the purpose of it all?”
Kaito nodded, his brow furrowed in thought. “It does seem excessive, doesn’t it? I wonder what the reasoning behind it could be.”
Zenith shrugged. “Probably just a way to assert control, to make people jump through hoops. It’s a power trip.”
“Perhaps,” Kaito mused. “But I suspect there’s more to it than that. Such convoluted systems are often put in place to obscure something else, to distract from what’s really going on.”
Zenith glanced at him curiously. “What do you mean?”
“Bureaucracy like this, it’s often a mask for corruption, for abuse of power. It keeps people so focused on navigating the rules that they don’t see what’s happening behind the scenes.”
Zenith considered his words. It was a perspective she hadn’t fully considered before. She had been so caught up in the frustration of the moment that she hadn’t stopped to think about the bigger picture.
“So you think there’s something more going on here? Something sinister?”
Kaito met her gaze. “Well…that’s a possibility. But let’s just focus on completing our report.”
“Look, what could that be?” he asked, pointing to a particularly lively stall.
It was filled with an assortment of ornate objects that gave the impression of a magical or fantastical marketplace. The vendor, dressed in a vintage-style teal jacket and a brown hat, stood behind the stall, enthusiastically showcasing his wares.
“Step right up, ladies and gentlemen!” the vendor called out, their voice carrying across the square. “Feast your eyes on the most wondrous confections and curiosities this side of the Celestial Sea!”
Kaito and Zenith approached the stall, their curiosity chasing the vendor’s enthusiastic pitch.
The man held up a small, intricately decorated box and opened it with a flourish, revealing a selection of rainbow crafted confections
“These are no ordinary sweets, my friends,” he said with a grin. “Each one is infused with a touch of magic, guaranteed to make your taste buds sing and your spirits soar!”
Zenith leaned in closer, examining the candies with interest. “What kind of magic?” she asked.
The vendor’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Ah, that’s the secret, my dear. But I can assure you, these treats are unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before.”
Zenith took another look at the treats, her mouth becoming water—blush pinks, creamy yellows, minty greens, and sky blues. Smooth domed surfaces gleam under the light…and then—
“Rosto?” Kaito asked.
The vendor in the teal jacket stumbled back. “You’re that baker—”
He took another step backwards, lost his balance, leaned on the table, and accidentally sent the box of treats tumbling through the air.
The sandwich cookies pirouetted towards Kaito, twirling gracefully in a sweet show of inadvertent whimsy.
With a swift motion, Kaito snatched the box out of the air first, then weaved it around the colorful treats, catching them airborne and refilling the box.
“Yeah, how’ve you been?” he said, placing the box back on Rosto’s stand and extending his palm, where the last—azure blue—treat landed.
Kaito inspected the blue cookie, turning it over in his hand.
“Hey, Rosto,” Kaito said, holding up the cookie. “These look an awful lot like my McArron recipe.”
“What’s the deal!?!” Zenith snapped.
Rosto shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his eyes darting between Kaito and the cookie. “Well, I, uh...”
Zenith crossed her arms and fixed Rosto with a stern look. “Rosto, have you been behaving yourself? You’re not causing trouble, are you?”
Rosto’s face flushed, and he stammered, “No, no, of course not! I was just trying to—”
Before he could finish his sentence, Kaito popped the McArron into his mouth.
“Mmm, this is really good, Rosto,” Kaito said, still chewing. “You captured the flavor perfectly. And…you’ve actually managed to improve the texture. It’s even lighter and fluffier than mine.”
Rosto’s eyes lit up, and he started to speak, but suddenly, Kaito’s expression changed. He looked down at his stomach and grimaced.
“That’s strange,” he said. “I feel a bit...odd.”
And then, Kaito began to rise off the ground. Slowly at first, and then faster, until he was several feet in the air.
He started to laugh, his voice echoing through the marketplace as he floated higher and higher. “Whoa, this is wild!”
Zenith rounded on Rosto. “What did you put in those cookies? Don’t you know how dangerous it can be to mess with magic in food?”
“It, it’s harmless, I swear. I’m sorry! I was just trying to make my baking better, to add a little something extra.”
Meanwhile, Kaito appeared to be swimming through the air, his arms and legs moving as if he were in water. He did a lazy backstroke, then a breaststroke, grinning all the while.
“These are great, Rosto!” Kaito called down. “I like them a lot. Just...be responsible with this stuff, okay? As long as you’re careful, there shouldn’t be any problems.”
Rosto’s blush deepened, and he looked up at Kaito. “Do you really think so?”
Kaito nodded, a grin spreading across his face as he began to swim down towards the ground, his movements exaggerated and comical. He looked like a fish out of water, his arms and legs flailing in the air. Zenith couldn’t resist but laugh at the sight.
“Yes, Rosto, I really think so. These are incredible.” As Kaito’s feet touched the ground, he turned to Zenith, still smiling. “You should try one, Zee. I think you’ll like them.”
Zenith hesitated, eyeing the colorful array of cookies. She picked up an amber-colored one and sniffed it cautiously. When she registered the aroma—a blend of sweet and spicy notes that made her mouth water—she could no longer restrain the urge to put it in her mouth.
She took a small bite, and instantly, a jolt of flavor exploded on her tongue. It was like nothing she had ever tasted before, a perfect balance of sweetness and tang. But then, something strange happened.
Zenith felt a tingling sensation spreading through her body, and suddenly, her hair stood on end. Visible electricity crackled and coursed over her skin, making her gasp in surprise.
“Rosto, what’s happening?” she asked, but as she spoke, a bolt of lightning shot forth from her hand, striking Rosto directly in the chest.
Rosto yelped in pain and stumbled backwards, his eyes wide with shock. Zenith quickly snapped her hand back, horrified at what she had done.
“I’m so sorry!” she exclaimed. “I didn’t mean to—”
“Be careful!” Rosto cried, rubbing his chest where the lightning had struck him.
Zenith nodded, feeling guilty. “I will, I promise.” She leaned forward to help Rosto up, but as she did, another zap of electricity leapt from her fingertips, causing Rosto to yelp again.
A small chuckle escaped Kaito’s mouth, but he quickly contained it. “Zee, just breathe and relax. Seems the effects are temporary. So Rosto, what brings you to Regulatia?”
Rosto straightened his jacket and cleared his throat. “Well, you see, Tharbomi gave me permission to expand my business. I thought Regulatia might be a good place for that, so I’m here to scope things out…but so far, I’m not sure. Just being in the spot took so much paperwork—I don’t think it’s worth it.”
Zenith raised an eyebrow. “Really? And this business of yours, it’s all above board? No more tricks?”
Rosto held up his hands. “I swear, Mayor, I’m going legit. The hell beast doesn’t have a hold on me anymore—the dragon made sure of it. I’m a changed man.”
“That’s great to hear. It’s not easy to break free from that kind of influence, so I’m happy for you,” said Kaito.
“Th—thanks.”
“Hey, Rosto, since you’re here, do you think you could help Zee and I with something?”
Rosto tilted his head and squinted. “Help you? With what?”
“Well, we need to form a party of four to complete a quest. We’re wondering if you’d be willing to join us, become a member of our party.”
“What?” asked both Rosto and Zenith simultaneously.
“Are you sure about this, Kaito? I mean...”
“I’m sure, Zee. We don’t know anyone else here, and we need to be done with this guild hall as soon as possible. Let’s give him a chance, he owes us.”
“Okay…”
“I don’t mind helping, but I can’t even access IDM anymore.”
Kaito turned his gaze to the box of McArrons. “Are you sure about that?”
“N-no, that’s just dessert with party tricks.
“It’ll be fine.”
Rosto’s shoulders slumped, and he let out a heavy sigh. “Alright, I’ll do it,” he said, his voice tinged with resignation. “But only as a gesture of good faith, to show that I’m trying to make amends for my past actions.”
“We appreciate it, Rosto. Thank you,” Kaito said.
Just as Rosto was about to respond, a man suddenly pushed Kaito aside, nearly knocking him off balance. Zenith instinctively reached out to steady him, grunting as she took in the newcomer.
The man was red-faced and fuming, his eyes locked on Rosto. “You!” he shouted, jabbing a finger at the baker. “I demand my money back!”
Rosto blinked. “I’m sorry, sir, but what seems to be the problem?”
“The problem,” the man seethed, “is that your pastries were advertised as a way to help me become more charismatic and confident during an important business presentation. But after eating them, I developed a condition where every time I opened my mouth, I was uncontrollably belching colorful smoke rings!”
Zenith glanced at Kaito, who looked as surprised as her. Rosto, on the other hand, seemed to be struggling to keep a straight face.
“Needless to say,” the man continued, his voice rising with each word, “the presentation was a disaster, and I was demoted. And it’s all your fault!”
With a swift motion, the man drew his sword, two suns glinting off his blade. He raised it high, poised to strike Rosto down.
Zenith tensed, ready to spring into action, but Kaito was already moving. He stepped forward towards the man, his hand reaching for the man’s sword, but before he could touch it, a strong hand gripped his shoulder.
Kaito looked up calmly, and met Ansfrid’s face. The armored man shook his head, signaling “no” with a firm gesture.
In a flash, Ansfrid drew his own sword, the metal singing as it cleared its sheath. With a deft move, he parried the angry man’s attack, the clash of blades ringing out across the marketplace.
Zenith watched, impressed, as Ansfrid fought the aggressor. Despite his size, the armored man was fast and graceful, and his sword moved so quickly that it was a blur as he blocked and countered the troublemaker’s attacks. And he was doing it without breaking a sweat.
In a matter of moments, it was over. Ansfrid disarmed the man with a flick of his wrist, sending his sword clattering to the ground. He then swept the man’s legs out from under him, causing him to land heavily on his back. Ansfrid placed the tip of his sword at the man’s throat while looking down on him.
“Yield.”
The troublemaker, his face pale and his eyes wide with fear, nodded frantically. “I yield, I yield!”
Ansfrid withdrew his sword and stepped back, allowing the man to scramble to his feet and flee, disappearing into the crowd.
Zenith looked at Rosto. He’d fallen, and his McArrons had gone everywhere. Now they were all activating at random. Some were puffing smoke, some were sparking, and one was floating in the air.
“Thank you,” Rosto said with a shaky voice as he tried to gather up his wayward creations.
Ansfrid took a good look at Rosto, but barely acknowledged his gratitude and transferred his attention to Kaito. “Do you have a sword swinging permit?”
Zenith couldn’t believe her ears. “A SWORD SWINGING PERMIT?” she exploded. “You gotta be kidding me!”
“Of course,” he said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “There’s a Sword Swinging Tax. The amount is based on the arc’s width and the speed of the swing.”
Kaito’s eyes also widened after the comment. “Really? I had no idea.”
“Yes, and you must attend a workshop to learn how to calculate your sword-swing tax properly. I assumed you didn’t have the permit, which is why I stopped you from intervening. I couldn’t have you fined before we honored our contract. You owe me a few quests, remember?”
Zenith shook her head in disbelief. The bureaucracy in this city was even more ridiculous than she had imagined. She glanced at Kaito, who seemed equally baffled by the revelation.
“I do remember,” Kaito said, a wry smile on his face. “It turns out we have to complete a few quests ourselves. But we need four party members—do you have any issues if Rosto’s our fourth?”
Ansfrid took another look at the man who was still picking up McArrons from the cobblestone street.
Ansfrid sheathed his sword and turned to face them fully. “That’ll work. I’ve been busy setting up my sword swing tax application and securing a permit for the lawful possession of a magical artifact. I wasn’t able to find the additional party member, so this actually saves us time.”
“Great, let’s head to guild hall then.”
