Chapter 35: A Thousand People
The days flew by as I trained repeatedly with Kurtz and Lady Halette. Compared to the Guildmaster, Halette's instruction was straight forward but hilariously strict. It was like I was in recruit training again, nervously following her motions in weapons training like some fresh Boot in live fire exercises. I could swear she was a reincarnation of a drill instructor. With the both of them working me furiously with the strength of a thousand geriatrics, along with my improved motor skills, my abilities in combat increased dramatically.
Lady Halette was quite surprised at my progress in just a couple of weeks. I had to explain to her how quickly I could process and retain information thanks to Oracle.
"Hmm... with a body like that, you'd be perfect for reconnaissance and espionage." she commented.
"I'm not really interested in... wetworks, Lady Halette." I replied.
"It's decided then! Today's training will consist of the basics of subterfuge." she continued.
"Ah, you're ignoring me again." I said frankly. One thing I learned about Lady Halette is that she never listens to anyone. I might as well talk to a brick wall.
I never imagined learning about stuff like this. Doing stuff like sneaking around castle walls or stalking forests without making a sound. But the both of them deemed it was something necessary for me to learn. Especially after our talk the other day. After one of our training sessions, I had a chance to sit down and chat with the both of them during dinner. I explained to them what my plans were afterwards.
"Eh? An island to the southwest you say?" Kurtz replied to my inquiry.
"To the southwest is the nation of Archipel. It's a coastal nation with a maritime history." Lady Halette commented, "It's capital, Haven rests on the other side of Archipel Bay which is home to numerous islands. Unless you want to cross a treacherous mountain range, you'll want to take a boat from Steiger."
The Guildmaster leaned forward, "But the islands inside Archipel Bay is what you want, right? I know there's a C-Rank dungeon on an island. The two other dungeons in that nation are on land unfortunately."
I nodded, "Then that's where I'll head first."
Kurtz waved his arms in the air, "Oh, no you don't! Before you drive right in, you need to head to the Guild Branch over there and get registered first."
"I'm already part of the Guild. Do I need to introduce myself or something?" I asked.
"Of course! It's just common courtesy. You're considered a part of Haldin's Guild, after all. We all work for the same organization but each guild hall runs things a bit differently." Kurtz stated. "It would be best if you got acquainted with the Guildmaster over there. He's quite the researcher, " he leans in towards me and with a hushed tone says, "And if you ask me, needs to get rid of that stick up his bum."
Lady Halette ignored the Guildmaster's vulgar comment, "But still, Archipel... that guild is home to a recently raised S-Rank if I remember from one of my reports."
The Guildmaster groaned, "Aye, that kid. Some noble born who made a name for himself slaying a King Hydra. Apparently he's got a divine blessing or two that actually works, unlike a certain golem." He laughs in jest.
"How uncouth, Guildmaster Kurtz. I suspected that you were training Arlan just to show off to the other branches. Seems like I was right." Lady Halette snidely remarks.
Kurtz slams his hand on the desk, "You were gossiping with Vella, weren't you!?"
Halette snorts, "Hardly! I'm too old for gossip. When your office walls are so laughably thin and you being so loud, I'm surprised that the guild's comings and goings aren't known to everyone at this point."
Of course, these two weren't the only ones I confided with. I had to explain to Hina and Tessa my travel plans. They had hoped I would join them when they returned to Weiss. After seeing my upgrades, Hina was adamant that I stay with them but I declined. She was offering to train me in casting but even if I did, it wouldn't take me too long before I reached my limit with learning. Just like my body, I couldn't get any better with magic. Sure I could learn new spells, just like how I'm improving my weapon skills with Kurtz and Halette, but that wouldn't take more than a week from what Tessa said. I can't increase my mana pool the same way I can't make more muscle. [Spiritual Attunement] may increase my statistics but my casting was hindered by my parts.
This is why I'm heading to Archipel in the first place. Reading through the journal I found in the northwest ruins, the next dungeon I need to find was working on a solution to tap into the power of a golem core. This new body was just the first step, after all. The core is next. And my core had more secrets than I know.
Whatever power I had unlocked down in those ruins was quite formidable. <Inheritance>, that crystal called it. During my off time when I wasn't training at the guild, Tessa and me left out of the city so she could help me research the new abilities I had obtained. Oracle could only give me a nonsense description of what it actually did.
<Maw of the Lamb> summoned a small portal which connected to some kind of pseudo space. At first, I was a bit hesitant in messing with the fabric of reality but Tessa was unhindered. She figured out it worked just like a magic bag. Except the inside was infinite.
"Did you say infinite!?" I said in surprise. Is this thing like a black hole? "It isn't going to suck in the whole world, right?"
She looked at me oddly, "I-I don't think it works that way, Arlan. Just think of it like a magic bag. Just put in anything you want to store and keep it in your mind when you want to pull it out again."
She was able to mess around with the portal I was able to conjure up. I have to keep in mind that anyone can mess with it. I'll have to keep it's functions to myself.
<Claw of the Lamb> on the other hand almost works like it did when I used it to fight the Centurion. It still manifested as a wicked looking shadow hand but I could make it appear and disappear at will. A bit dangerous but Tessa assured me that I shouldn't be afraid to use it if I had to.
"If it's you, I'm sure it'll be fine!" she says. A bit of naive thinking if you ask me. But if I pass it off as a spell and use it sparingly and without it lingering for too long it could work.
Unfortunately this thing came with some unexpected... quirks. The problem was when I used to it grab certain objects. Like living creatures. I had found a stray goblin and got a hold of it with the claw. All of a sudden, the shadow tendrils began to extend from the claw's black skin and began to burrow painfully into the trapped monster. No matter how much I tried I couldn't dismiss the claw or let loose my grip. It wasn't long until it let go of the goblin, now nothing more than a mummified corpse. Whatever it did, it drained the mana right out of the thing. And to my horror, my own core reserves had gone up a bit like I ate a meal.
On the bright side, Tessa was surprised I could enhance spells using it. Instead of using my mana pool, it would use my core energy instead when it increased the spells potency. Tessa made the comparison of using my life force instead of mana when it came to that. Honestly, it made it sound more dangerous when said like that.
And that's how I spent the days leading up to now. When my skills couldn't increase any further, that was the signal for me to finally move on. Hina and Tessa decided as well to leave the city. I would join them until we hit the crossroad on the highway that lead to our own separate destinations.
The road to Steiger would take a few weeks on foot. I could run and cut out half the time but I wanted to enjoy the sights of my new home. A world barely spoiled by human hands or pollution... I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited.
Before the day I left, the Guildmaster pulled me to the side to present something to me. In both of his hands held a metal chest plate.
"I wanted you to have this." he said in an embarrassed tone, "Nothing special. It's my first piece of magical armor. When I was just a kid, this was the first piece I had ever gotten. Of course, I have better pieces of equipment now." he hands the armor piece to me, "I figure it would bring you some good luck."
I was surprised at his sudden compassion, "Oh, uh... Thank you, Guildmaster. I'll be sure to take care of it."
He rubbed the back of his head in frustration, "Gah, I'm not good with this shit. Let me just give you a word of advice before you go. The world outside the city walls isn't going to be as pretty as Haldin. The Sty should have given you a idea of the hardships people out there face everyday. But I hope that no matter what you see, you'll keep being you, Arlan. I know you'll make the right choice, no matter what life throws at you."
With those words, he slaps me on the back and walks off. My experience at the sty still haunted me. It's the core reason why I decided to follow this new path. The only thing that could stand against the horrors this world held was unrelenting force. If that's what it takes to make sure I can stop another tragedy from happening in front of me, then so be it. I'll show the monsters of the world what the Globe and Anchor means.
With our supplies ready for the long trip, we said our goodbyes to everyone at the guild. Jude, Klein, Johann, Aelinor and Erwyn saw us off at the South Gate. Erwyn promised me that what happened at the ruin won't happen again. They'll be training full on with the Guildmaster to improve their skills. If Kurtz is doing it personally, they really do have some hidden potential. After I described the fight with the Centaurion, he was quite impressed at their heroics.
The early morning sun glazed the landscape with a golden glow as we traveled. Haldin, the city I had grown so accustomed to started to become a speck on the horizon. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't already homesick. I got quite attached to the place after all. We all chatted for a bit until we had finally reached the crossroads.
"So... this is it, I guess." I said awkwardly. Just like the Guildmaster, I wasn't good at saying goodbye.
"Are you sure you don't want to join us, Arlan?" Tessa asked teary eyed.
I shake my head, "I still have an upgrade to find. But this isn't 'good bye' just yet. I'm sure we'll see each other again. Besides, I'll need someone to teach me magic if this core upgrade is as good as the journal says it is." I said in jest.
Hina sighs for old times sake, "If I didn't see your new found skills in person I'd say I'm worried for you but I'm more worried about anyone who decides to get in your way now." she reaches into her pocket and pulls out an envelope that she holds out towards me, "This contains our address in Zauberheim along with a letter of confidence. If you're ever in trouble, head directly to us. That letter will get you into the academy if you ever need asylum."
I take the letter from her hands and deposit it into the Maw, "Thanks. Hopefully I won't need to use it."
"If only." she says with a lack of credence, "But I know something might happen in the future. You know better than anyone else that you're a rare creature. Don't think for a moment that you don't have eyes on you. And more will start looking. Your heart and mind may be human, Arlan, but regardless of who you were in the past, you're a golem now. For most of the world, you're just another intelligent golem. But some with power will see you as nothing more than a tool for their use, especially for your unique abilities. It would behoove you to be careful the moment you step on that road."
I nodded at her in understanding. A somber silence fell on us before I broke it, "There's something I want to get off my chest..." I said awkwardly, "I want to say I was lucky that it was you two that found me. I don't think I would have survived otherwise. I.. want to say thanks. To the both of you. I don't think I can say how much I owe the both of you for taking care of me since I first awakened in those ruins."
As I finished my words, Tessa rushed in to give me a hug goodbye. I returned her embrace before I let her go.
"Until we meet again, Arlan." Hina says with a smile.
"Take care of yourself!" Tessa tries to say as she chokes on her tears a bit.
I waved as they both bowed and walked off. I stood there and watched them leave until they disappeared over the horizon. I looked over at the road that laid ahead of me.
I remember in my previous life how many people I've met, the numerous countries I've visited. A thousand people I was lucky to meet and befriend who all came from different walks of life. And now I was presented with a new opportunity. Across the forest and the mountain range lay what's next. New experiences and new people. I don't know how long I'll live as a golem. I may just live forever in a body like this.
HOW MANY MORE (PEOPLE) WILL I (MEET) BEFORE THE (END)? I'M (EXCITED) JUST (THINKING) ABOUT IT.
The road ahead is a long one. But I'm sure I made the right choice.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Serphio
Serphio Sorry for the super late chapter. This last week has been a flurry! I was offered a promotion at work along with a substantial increase to my salary due to taking over a leadership position. The bad news is that it's a 3 AM start. So I spent the week having to adjust to my new sleep schedule along with the ins and outs of my new position. I'll be publishing my Afterthought tomorrow. Chapter releases will be back on schedule as well. Once again, thank you all for reading my work!
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