Vol.3 Ch.183 Twilight Dancer


    <span ss="userText">Dalia, Nieren, Percy, George, and Quinus were witnessing Rya having an existential crisis. She had six of her golems who brought out sixrge cases filled with clothes alone. Rya didn''t realize how many dresses she umted over the past month.


    <span ss="userText">''H-How have I been<span ss="aiText"> able to wear so many dresses in one month? Oh <span ss="editText">god<span ss="aiText">, I''m turning into a princess,<span ss="userText"> and I didn''t know it<span ss="aiText">!'' Rya was mentally freaking out.


    <span ss="userText">"Wow, Alpha! You have a lot of stuff," the wolfkin<span ss="aiText"> stated the obvious.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">I know..." Rya<span ss="aiText"> responded, "But how the hell did I umte this much <span ss="editText">crap<span ss="aiText">?<span ss="userText">... Quin? Did you know<span ss="aiText"> I had this many dresses<span ss="editText"> and shoes<span ss="aiText">?..."


    <span ss="aiText">"Um, well, <span ss="editText">yes..<span ss="aiText">. I <span ss="editText">tried to warn you, but<span ss="userText"> you looked so beautiful<span ss="aiText"> in those dresses that I didn''t want to say anything," Quinus confessed.


    <span ss="aiText">Rya frowned, ''Why does he have to say something so sweet and make me feel bad...''


    <span ss="aiText">"Quin...<span ss="userText"> If I ever<span ss="aiText">in about <span ss="userText">wanting a new<span ss="aiText"> dress, or a new pair of shoes, you have permission to p me across the face," Rya said with a straight face.


    <span ss="userText">Quinus shook his head, "How about I just tell you<span ss="aiText"> that you have too many, and maybe we can donate<span ss="editText"> some of <span ss="aiText">them."


    <span ss="userText">"NO!... Oh god... I''ve be<span ss="aiText"> a spoiled princess..." Rya cried out.


    <span ss="userText">''I thought I was in control of my feminine side! I thought<span ss="aiText"> I had more self-control! <span ss="userText">Where did I go wrong<span ss="aiText">?!''


    <span ss="aiText">Rya looked back at the dresses<span ss="editText">,<span ss="aiText"> then at the case filled with her <span ss="editText"boratory equipment<span ss="aiText">. <span ss="editText">Then<span ss="aiText"> the case full of her potions<span ss="editText"> an<span ss="userText">d magical tomes came into view.


    <span ss="aiText">''Okay, the <span ss="editText"b equipment and the tomes <span ss="aiText">are a must...<span ss="userText"> B-But that blue dress<span ss="aiText"> does bring out my eyes. A-And this yellow dress matches my hair. I-I guess the shoes are necessary, and the essories will add a pop to my outfits.<span ss="userText">.. Get ahold of yourself<span ss="aiText"> Rya! Don''t sumb to the girly temptations!''


    <span ss="aiText">"Uh, Rya... are you alright?" <span ss="editText">Nieren <span ss="aiText">asked as she was concerned for her <span ss="editText">friend<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">I''m struggling to let go<span ss="aiText"> of the dresses.<span ss="userText">.. I need to be strong<span ss="aiText">. I''m not the type of girl who <span ss="userText">worries<span ss="aiText"> about fashion," Rya muttered.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">You know it''s fine if you want to bring<span ss="aiText"> the dresses, right? And I''m pretty sure his highness<span ss="aiText"> would get you a whole new wardrobe, if you asked him," <span ss="editText">Nieren <span ss="aiText">replied.


    <span ss="userText">Dalia chimed in, "Plus, these things just get in the way of fighting<span ss="aiText">! You should focus on practical gear that won''t limit your movements."


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">No... That would be wasteful... 3C... 7B... R-Return those crates back into the pce storage... I-I think I can manage with... with only having two crates of my clothes...<span ss="aiText"> Yeah..." Rya ordered<span ss="userText"> the two clones while using every ounce of her<span ss="aiText"> willpower to keep <span ss="userText">herself from<span ss="aiText"> bringing<span ss="editText"> all of her<span ss="aiText"> dresses.


    <span ss="aiText">"Understood, Mistress," 7B responded.


    <span ss="aiText">"As<span ss="editText">,<span ss="aiText">mand<span ss="editText">ed<span ss="aiText">," 3C replied.


    <span ss="aiText">Rya <span ss="userText">looked like she was about to cry<span ss="aiText"> as the <span ss="editText">four<span ss="aiText"> crates of dresses went back into the pce.<span ss="userText"> Rya turned away and walked straight up to Quinus. She put her forehead into his chest and<span ss="aiText"> sobbed quietly.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">Hey, hey, hey... If you want them. I can order to have another carriage<span ss="aiText"> brought in," <span ss="userText">Quinus said as he hugged<span ss="aiText"> her.


    <span ss="aiText">Rya sniffled, "No, I need to be stronger than this. I can''t fall into the temptations. It''s only a few... dozen... dresses... I-I can live without it.<span ss="editText"> I don''t want to be a burden.<span ss="aiText">"


    <span ss="userText">Quinus, Nieren, and Percy smiled at<span ss="aiText"> the dark elf''s words.<span ss="userText"> While Dalia looked confused, and Sir George thought Rya was being ridiculous.


    <span ss="userText">Quinus looked over at Dous, "Can''t we<span ss="aiText"> allow <span ss="editText">her<span ss="aiText"> to bring more than two crates of her things? Is it really a bother if she brings all of her dresses? They''re just clothes."


    <span ss="aiText">Dous scowled, "Your <span ss="editText">H<span ss="aiText">ighness, I would have thought that you would have had a more level head<span ss="userText">-"


    <span ss="userText">"Dous! You''ve always been a good soldier, but you be an ass over the years. And now I find that a stick is crammed<span ss="aiText"> up your ass," <span ss="editText">Arathar <span ss="aiText">shouted <span ss="userText">whileing out of the pce.


    <span ss="aiText">Everyone looked over and saw Arathar<span ss="editText">, Zellin,<span ss="aiText"> and Yuliana making their way to Rya.


    <span ss="aiText">"Arathar!<span ss="userText">?... <span ss="userText">You''re still alive?<span ss="aiText"> And not dead in a forge somewhere?" Dous asked with a dumbfounded face.


    <span ss="aiText">"Hmph, <span ss="userText">talk your crap... I''m going to outlive you. Especially, if you keep defying the Prince<span ss="aiText">," the dwarf shot back.


    <span ss="aiText">"I am acting within the authority of the King and Queen. I would have thought you would have realized that, old man."


    <span ss="aiText">"Dous<span ss="userText">... You''ve been trying to be better than Kane for years and you<span ss="aiText">''ve yet to be his equal. <span ss="userText">He was able to adapt to any situation. That''s what made him one of the best tacticians<span ss="aiText"> the kingdom has seen. You''ve always been stuck in the past. So, you''ve failed to advance," Zellin added.


    <span ss="userText">Dous wanted to retort but he saw the prince<span ss="aiText">''s angry face and decided to stay quiet.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">Fine... If you are willing to offer another carriage to carry her Lady''s things<span ss="aiText">, then I will allow her to have more than two crates," the man replied bitterly.


    <span ss="userText">The Royal Knights have never seen Dous back down from any<span ss="aiText"> argument. Most of the knights started to see Zellin and Arathar as people whom they should keep on their good sides.


    <span ss="userText">"<span ss="aiText">He''s not an ordinary dwarf,<span ss="editText">"<span ss="aiText"> one of the Royal Knights <span ss="userText">whispered to another<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">"I heard that he was the former Barron. I guess the title never left his body," the other replied.


    <span ss="aiText">Arathar and Zellin walked up to Rya<span ss="userText"> who was hiding her face in<span ss="aiText"> Quinus'' chest.


    <span ss="userText">''God! I''ve made a mess of<span ss="aiText"> myself... Why did I have to cry<span ss="userText"> over clothes!? I''ve been a woman for a month<span ss="aiText"> and already I''m acting like a stereotypical woman,'' Rya groaned to herself.


    <span ss="userText">"Oi, you can stop your crying, girl. I''m not letting you leave without giving you a proper sword," the dwarf announced.


    <span ss="userText">"I''m not crying!" Rya yelled, but her voice was muffled in<span ss="aiText"> Quinus'' chest.


    <span ss="userText">Quinus couldn''t help but smile at her and started patting her head<span ss="aiText">. Rya felt her ears and hair being patted and she couldn''t help but <span ss="editText">feel a shiver run down her spine<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">''He''s doing it again... That''s cheating! He''s taking advantage of my weaknesses... Ughh, I need to be stronger than this.''


    <span ss="aiText">"Ahem," <span ss="editText">Arathar<span ss="aiText"> cleared <span ss="editText">his<span ss="aiText"> throat, "Rya, stop molesting the Prince''s chest with your face. I <span ss="editText">finished your<span ss="aiText"> sword<span ss="editText">.<span ss="aiText"> Now stop acting like a child and let me see your face."


    <span ss="aiText">''This short little asshole. It''s Quin who''s patting my head! Grr! He''s ruin<span ss="editText">ing<span ss="aiText"> my momen<span ss="userText">t<span ss="aiText"> with my boyfriend...<span ss="userText">Fine! I''ll look at the sword<span ss="aiText">.''


    <span ss="aiText">Rya slowly removed her face from Quinus'' chest and looked down at the dwarf.


    <span ss="userText">Arathar was holding the sword sheathed in<span ss="aiText"> a scabbard made out of some kind of leather and wood. There was an borate pattern on the scabbard that had some dwarven runes engraved into it. <span ss="aiText">Rya could see that there was some kind of red stone set into the middle of the guard.<span ss="userText"> The length and shape of the sword were simr to a Roman Mainz dius<span ss="aiText">, but there were subtle differences.


    <span ss="userText">''Damn... I wonder what the de looks like<span ss="aiText">... The grip and pommel look good. Huh, I see some runes on the side of the guard and some tiny ones are on the metal rings.''


    <span ss="userText">Rya walked up to Arathar<span ss="aiText"> and knelt down so that she was <span ss="editText">at <span ss="aiText">eye level with him. She could see that the dwarf was proud of the weapon.


    <span ss="aiText">"I have never forged a weapon as fine as this. It was a pleasure to create such a masterpiece," the dwarf praised.


    <span ss="userText">"Well<span ss="aiText">, I hope I''m worthy of your masterpiece, Master Smith," Rya replied.


    <span ss="aiText">"Here, take it," Arathar handed her the scabbard.


    <span ss="aiText">Rya carefully epted the weapon and took a moment to inspect it.<span ss="userText"> She stood up and grabbed the handle<span ss="aiText"> and pulled the sword out of the scabbard.


    <span ss="aiText">As soon as the sword was out of the sheath, the runes on the <span ss="editText">ck <span ss="aiText">de started to glow red. Rya was mesmerized by the beautiful sword<span ss="userText"> and her eyes sparkled with curiosity. She couldn''t help but smile brightly.


    <span ss="userText">"Wow<span ss="aiText">... I have never seen such a beautiful de. This is a work of art," Rya said with awe.


    <span ss="aiText">She saw a few runes and recognized them as the runes for heat, durability, sharpness, and fire.


    <span ss="userText">"Aye... I made sure that the anti-magic<span ss="aiText"> enchantment was added to the de<span ss="userText">. I also was proud of adding a special ability to it. Channel a little bit of your mana into it<span ss="aiText"> and then try it out," Arathar instructed.


    <span ss="aiText">Rya nodded her head and channeled a little bit of mana into the sword. Her eyes widened when the runes stopped glowing and the de suddenly <span ss="userText">turned into a ded whip<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="userText">''Holy shit! It''s like the sword from an old video game I yed. What was it again?... SoulCalibur?... Yeah, it''s simr to Ivy''s sword<span ss="aiText">.''


    <span ss="aiText">"That''s a neat trick," Rya remarked as she was swinging the ded whip around.


    <span ss="aiText">"Heh, aye... <span ss="userText">I needed to create a de that could survive the stress of your Earthly Dark de<span ss="aiText"> technique. So, I created a de that can change its shape based on your will and mana. And with the runes on the de, I made sure it was as durable as possible," Arathar stated proudly.


    <span ss="userText">Rya looked impressed<span ss="aiText"> and continued to y around with the whip. The de didn''t weigh much and was easy to manipte.


    <span ss="userText">''Alright! Let''s try out my<span ss="aiText"> Earthly Dark de.''


    <span ss="aiText">She channeled a lot of mana into the de and the ded whip became rigid. <span ss="userText">She looked across the courtyard and spotted arge rock about 25 feet away.


    <span ss="userText">"Earthly Dark de<span ss="aiText">!"


    <span ss="aiText">A pitch-ck de extended<span ss="userText"> out into its whip form as the tip of the de looked like it was shot out<span ss="aiText"> of a gun. The de flew through the air and mmed into therge rock, shattering it into thousands of pebbles.


    <span ss="aiText">The <span ss="editText">Royal Knights<span ss="aiText"> watching were shocked at <span ss="editText">how much power Rya''s sword had and they had never seen an attack like that before<span ss="aiText">.<span ss="userText">Rya retracted<span ss="aiText"> the de back <span ss="userText">to its normal form. At the same time, Arathar''s grin was as wide as possible. He was extremely pleased with the results of his work.


    <span ss="userText">"HA!... A fine demonstration... But there''s one more thing it can do. If you channel more mana and focus it on the handle<span ss="aiText">, it can <span ss="userText">create multiple whip des. But you won''t have the same range as the single<span ss="editText">-ded<span ss="aiText"> whip."


    <span ss="aiText">Rya was curious and decided to give it a try. She focused a lot of <span ss="aiText">her mana into the handle. She was able to feel something<span ss="editText"> happening to the sword<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">''Is this what he means?''


    <span ss="aiText">"Multi Whip!"<span ss="userText"> Rya roared as she held the sword<span ss="aiText"> over her head.


    <span ss="aiText">Suddenly, a bunch of whips shot out of the end of the sword, each one about <span ss="editText">ten<span ss="aiText"> feet in length. The tips were also razor sharp.<span ss="userText"> She could control where all twenty of<span ss="aiText"> the des went and they were extremely agile.


    <span ss="aiText">''<span ss="editText">Holy shit! I wouldn''t want to be on the receiving end of this sword<span ss="aiText">.''<span ss="userText"> Rya thought to herself as she admired the weapon.


    <span ss="aiText">She focused her mind and the des quickly retracted and the sword became the normal shape of a dius as the runes began to glow.


    <span ss="userText">"I don''t know what to say... Thank you, Arathar... Hopefully, I don''t need to use it<span ss="aiText"> much. But I will cherish this weapon. This sword will never leave my side," Rya said sincerely.


    <span ss="aiText">Arathar''s grin grew even bigger.


    <span ss="aiText">"HA!<span ss="userText"> Use it as much as you want. I need my name to spread far and wide<span ss="aiText">. If the sword does well then everyone will be moring for weapons made by me. And you are a fine warrior. You will be a fine champion of this sword."


    <span ss="aiText">Rya couldn''t help but smile back and sheathed the sword into its scabbard.


    <span ss="aiText">"You won''t regret it," she replied.


    <span ss="aiText">"I''m d that you like <span ss="userText">it... But what''s the name of it<span ss="aiText">?"


    <span ss="userText">Rya looked at the Dwarf in<span ss="aiText"> confusion, "The name of it?"


    <span ss="aiText">"Aye... All swords have a name. The de needs to have a name," Arathar answered.


    <span ss="aiText">''Huh?... <span ss="userText">But shouldn''t he name<span ss="aiText"> the sword<span ss="editText">?<span ss="aiText"> I mean he created the thing. Why do I need toe up with a name? Ugh! Damn, I''m not good at naming things.''


    <span ss="aiText">Rya''s brows furrowed as she was in thought.


    <span ss="aiText">''But wait, the sword can change its shape<span ss="editText">,<span ss="aiText"> and I can control the shape of the de.<span ss="userText"> But Arathar''s name is simr to the old legendary tails of King Arthur<span ss="aiText">. But Quinus is the only one who could out me for being unoriginal. He wouldn''t do that, right? Hmm, I''m going to give it a shot.''


    <span ss="aiText">"How about, Excalibur," Rya answered.


    <span ss="aiText">Arathar looked at the weapon and <span ss="userText">shook his head.


    <span ss="userText">"That''s a fine name for a man''s sword<span ss="aiText">, but you''re not a man. So, what''s the name <span ss="editText">of<span ss="aiText"> your sword?"


    "R-Really? Okay? I''lle up with something else," Rya said as she couldn''t believe Arathar shot down the first name.


    <span ss="userText">''Yeah... I guess that''s what I get for taking the easy<span ss="aiText"> way... Alright, time to be serious. What would a good name be?''


    <span ss="userText">Rya thought for a moment before she had another idea. "How about... Twilight... Dancer<span ss="aiText">," Rya offered.


    <span ss="aiText">"Hmmm... Twilight Dancer... Not bad," Arathar thought about the name for a few seconds before nodding his head, "Twilight Dancer it is. It''s a good name for such a fine weapon. I like it."


    <span ss="userText">Everyone around Rya was nodding<span ss="aiText"> their heads. The name fit the sword.


    <span ss="aiText">"Thanks again, Arathar. I''m grateful for this sword," Rya thanked the old dwarf.


    <span ss="aiText">"Aye, no problem," Arathar replied.


    <span ss="userText">Quinus came up next to Arathar<span ss="aiText">.<span ss="userText"> He looked like he was waiting to get something from him<span ss="aiText">.<span ss="userText"> The dwarf looked at the prince with a<span ss="aiText"> smirk on his face.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">What... You think I have your gauntlets done? <span ss="userText">HA! You need to be patient<span ss="aiText">. You will get them once I''m satisfied<span ss="editText"> with them<span ss="aiText">," Arathar scolded the prince.


    <span ss="userText">Quinus didn''t know how to respond at first, "You know... You could have said they weren''t ready<span ss="aiText"> yet."


    <span ss="aiText">"HA!... What''s the fun in that," the dwarf cackled.


    <span ss="aiText">Quinus just sighed and shook his head.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">Ah!... You need to learn a sense of humor, boy..<span ss="aiText">. Whatever! Go back to your mother. I''m sure she''s getting worried," <span ss="editText">Arathar<span ss="aiText"> suggested.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">When do you think you''ll finish the<span ss="aiText"> gauntlets?" Quinus asked.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">Maybe in two weeks if I don''t get interrupted by people<span ss="aiText">. I''ll <span ss="editText">send them to the Royal Pce when they areplete<span ss="aiText">," Arathar promised.


    <span ss="aiText">"Very well.<span ss="userText">.. I look forward<span ss="aiText"> to seeing your work, <span ss="editText">Lord Arathar<span ss="aiText">," Quinus stated and nodded his head.


    <span ss="aiText">"Aye, aye," Arathar replied and then waved him off<span ss="userText"> while walking back into the keep<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">Quinus turned <span ss="userText">to Zellin who summoned his servant to get the second carriage for Rya''s<span ss="aiText"> group.


    <span ss="aiText">Zellin walked up to Rya, "I wish you luck. Be careful in the human city. I''m sure there will be people <span ss="userText">who will unfairlybel you<span ss="aiText"> as evil because of your race. Be mindful of your surroundings."


    <span ss="aiText">"Don''t worry. I won''t let anything happen.<span ss="editText"> Plus, Quinus will have my back<span ss="aiText">," Rya answered.


    <span ss="userText">Hajdah, Laika, and the others from the Mage''s Guild came up next.


    <span ss="userText">"Oh, crap! I should return those tomes," Rya said with an apologetic<span ss="aiText"> tone.


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">No worries, First Mage Rya<span ss="aiText">. <span ss="userText">You can keep them. It''s the least we can do after you helped us trante all of those ancient tomes for us. Plus, you''ve helped us enhance our methods of casting magic... Just don''t be shing around the demonic tome in front of everyone<span ss="aiText">," Hajdah chuckled.


    <span ss="userText">''Yeah. Everyone who doesn''t know me will jump to the conclusion that I''m "evil" just by having, the Demon Sage, Lord Grazon''s book<span ss="aiText">. Thest thing I need is to have <span ss="editText">some religious Zealots<span ss="aiText"> on my ass.''


    <span ss="aiText">"<span ss="userText">Yeah... I''ll make sure to find them<span ss="aiText"> a safe ce. Thanks again for lending them to me," Rya expressed.


    <span ss="aiText">"You''re wee. We hope youe back and visit. We have much to discuss," Laika stated.


    <span ss="aiText">"Yeah. We can''t have another powerful mage in the world and not have them on our side. So, if you ever need help,e here. The Mage''s Guild will wee you," Hajdah promised.


    <span ss="userText">"You got it<span ss="aiText">," Rya smiled.


    <span ss="userText">Baron Zellin spoke up again<span ss="aiText">, "Take care. If you need any help, you have the full support of Ironside behind you."


    <span ss="aiText">"Thanks, Lord Zellin. It''s been a pleasure being your guest.<span ss="userText"> And thanks for lending us another carriage... I''m a little embarrassed about all the things I have umted over the month<span ss="aiText">," Rya thanked the Baron and blushed slightly in embarrassment.


    <span ss="aiText">"HA! No worries, Lady Rya. Take care, and hopefully, we meet again," Zellin smiled.


    <span ss="aiText">Rya nodded her head and <span ss="userText">heard the new carriageing around the corner<span ss="aiText">. <span ss="userText">It was being driven by two dwarven knights<span ss="aiText">.<span ss="userText"> The Royal Knights guided them<span ss="aiText"> towards the <span ss="userText">other carriage. Once they came to a stop, Rya''s golems started<span ss="aiText"> load<span ss="editText">ing <span ss="editText">her<span ss="aiText"> stuff into the carriage<span ss="editText">, as well as Yuliana''s, Quinus'', and Nieren''s luggage<span ss="aiText">.<span ss="userText"> Which was nowhere near the amount<span ss="aiText"> that Rya had.


    <span ss="aiText">Once everything was loaded, Rya''s g<span ss="editText">ole<span ss="aiText">ms <span ss="userText">turned back into dirt and rocks. The knights opened the door to the main carriage and helped all the VIPs in. Sir George was the only one who hopped on a mount with the other knights<span ss="aiText">.


    <span ss="aiText">Rya waved her goodbyes, and the carriage began to move. The gates of the Ironside Castle opened up, and the royal knights rode their mounts and escorted the carriages through the city.