Chương 31: This World Isn't So Bad

Exiting the guesthouse, I immediately notice the towering form of Claire across the field. She is pacing in front of her forge, deep in thought it seems. Though her attention snaps to me when I step out of the doorway.

"Orn!"

"What's up? Something not good?" Claire walks over to me, "Calder never arrived, and it's been four days since his deadline." I lift my hammer, resting it on my shoulder. While I am no expert, that doesn't sound very good. Calder is a busy man, I imagine. But four days late isn't just a scheduling error.

"So, time for me to leave, then?" Claire sighs, "Yep. That last craft of yours took a good four days. Like damn, what the hell did you make?"

"A damn good hammer." I say and proffer it to her. She takes it and inspects it.

"Hmm, an uncommon from common materials. That is quite difficult for a newbie. And you did it with only a single curse, good job."

"Are curses rare or something?" I ask.

"They aren't frequent, but also aren't infrequent either." Claire explains, "They usually happen when you make an imbuement of a higher rarity than the materials, or just one more potent than normal. Curses can also appear intentionally, or just if you are incompetent. In this case, it was the first one."

"Your confidence in me is truly inspiring." Claire laughs and slaps me on the shoulder.

"Well, you are a hero. Now, go get rid of your domain and get out of here. It's probably best to just dissolve it and pick up the anvil in your storage." That makes sense, the penalties for transporting a domain are not insignificant. And it's not like I have put anything into the improvement part yet. So I walk over, and with a wave of my hand and a bit of will, the domain dissolves. Claire's aura quickly fills up the now vacant space, and it is like I was never here.

Huh, I was sort of expecting a bit more fanfare. It tingles a bit, which makes sense, as in a weird way, a part of myself basically just vanished. Ignoring that existential crisis inducing part, I put my anvil in my storage and head back over to Claire.

"To think, you grew up so fast." She murmurs, and without warning she drags me into a bone-crushing hug. I try to hug her back, only to find it a bit awkward, with her four arms and all. Also damn, even her back muscles' muscles have muscles.

"You do realize that I am thirty years old, right?" She snorts.

"You do realize that to most beings in this world, that is still but a child? You humans may be good at working together and learning fast, but your lifespans are too damn short to do anything with it."

"Guess I never thought of it like that." I manage to escape from the hug and drop back onto my feet.

"Well then, thanks for the teachings. Perhaps we shall meet again someday." Claire pushes me forwards.

"Somehow, I both doubt and expect that to be the case. By the way, Blackharbor is that way. You'll come on a road quite quickly, just follow the flow of people into the city." Claire points in the direction I need to head, as if she read my mind. I was just wondering how I was going to get back.

"Don't suppose you have one of those automobiles lying about?"

"Hah, nope. But you have a short-range teleportation skill, right? Shouldn't take you more than a day, I would expect." I sigh, "Well, more practice is always good I suppose." She slaps me on the back, "Now that is the spirit! Now get going, and do tell Calder l'll be waiting for him to come for that tea!" She shouts as I start walking away.

"I'll be sure to." I say, debating whether I actually should. Guess I probably should, if Calder wishes to walk into that trap, it's up to him. Though if he doesn't, I am sure there are also consequences. None of which are my problem, as I am merely a messenger. Exiting Claire's domain, Luma readjusts inside my hood. She is going to be there for a while, so I help to make sure she is super comfortable. I wouldn't want her to get a sore back, after all. I take a deep breath of the fresh foresty air.

To think of how much has changed since I entered Claire's domain. Not only did I learn how to craft things, but I even got Dovey, not to mention my new proficiency with Plane Step. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. That latter part comes in quite handy, as I start moving. While it may be small, I can feel that two percent extra spirit regeneration coming from the phylactery.

Dovey still feels weird inside my body, but at least for now it seems he is in some sort of sleep state. The forest is quite peaceful as I move through it. I do spy a few monsters, but they identify around level fifty. So I promptly run away, as I can definitely not handle such a jump in levels. There is something quite relaxing about just running through a forest. I don't get tired–at least, not for a very long time. My body doesn't ache and complain as I push it too hard, and honestly, it just feels good.

The wind blowing through my hair makes me feel truly alive, in a way that I haven't felt in a long while. Maybe this world really isn't so bad. The Goddess was probably just overcautioning us of the danger. Like, sure, it is dangerous, and I have to be really cautious. But that doesn't mean the entire time here is gonna suck. Right? — Calder PoV - Four Days Ago"Ah, that hits the spot." I say as I take a sip of tea. Claire may be a giant dumbass with more muscles than is healthy.

But, she does know a thing or two about tea. Reli giggles as she plops down in my lap.

"I would sure hope so, with the bloody fortune a single leaf of that stuff costs."

"The city has been in an upturn recently. I am sure our finances wont even notice some tea from the second, let alone fortieth great city!"

"Uh huh, sure darling. We might have to cut back, though. What was it that you wanted, a swimming pool?" Reli teases me.

"Oh come on, not that. It sounded like such a cool invention. Like, can you imagine being able to swim right at home. Imagine all the possibilities!" I push back. Suddenly, Reli leans in.

"Hmm Well, imagining is fun. But actions do speak louder than words…" Sometimes, I forget that my wife is a demon in a beautiful body. Then, other times, it is all I can think about. In this case, I would like to say I am aware, but perfectly fine ignoring that. Her lips are really soft, after all. Boom. Reli and I leap apart as the entire room is shaken. A vase falls off a table and shatters. Reli starts to speak, "What-" Boom. I jump up and go over to the window.

However, when I glance down at the city, my jaw hangs open. Fires blaze in dozens of districts. Magical spells can be seen even from this distance as entire buildings go up in explosions. Terror reigns across the city. As for the source, well, it's the giant red rift in the sky. Monsters pour out of it. All kinds of them, from wyverns, to griffins and I think I can even spot a dragon – a lesser one, hopefully.

Bolts of red lightning jump out of the rift as well, depositing hordes of ground monsters wherever they strike. Hundreds, no, thousands of them. Right into the heart of the city. Defensive measures have been activated of course… and we do have quite sophisticated ones. But nothing for this. Not even close. There are simply too many of them. My identify surges across my domain, informing me of tens of thousands of level eighty monsters. Not to mention the countless mid level and lower level ones.

Reli comes up behind me, taking in the scene.

"An incursion." I shrink back from the window, fear running through me as she utters the word. How can this be possible? Incursions aren't supposed to occur in such small cities. Even the great ones rarely see more than one a century. Even when they do, the devastation is always catastrophic, no matter how many defenses are prepared.

"Millions will die." I state it like a fact, because it is.

"Why now? Why us?" Reli wraps her arms around me, sensing my fear.

"This isn't like before. We are powerful now, we can do something about it."

"But… how?" She steps in front of me, cupping my face.

"We fight." Her entire body starts to glow a bright white. Her signature black armor materializes, a sword appearing in her hand.

"We are warriors, remember?" I slap my face. Right, we are strong, not weak. I am a master mage for fucks sake! People are dying, and here I am on the verge of tears. Reaching into my storage, I summon my staff and robes, ditching the suit I have been wearing all day. Those talks about inter-city trade are worth shit if there isn't a city left to trade with. The equipment settles over me, bathing me in its power.

"The Malice will have to go through me if they wish to take my city." Reli laughs beside me." Our city you mean, darling." She kisses me quickly, and then disappears, teleporting down into the chaos. Walking over to the window, I punch through it and jump out. Dammit, I really need a teleportation skill, she is going to get such a big head start.