The Manor

The spear bought chills into everyone present at the workshop.

The spear when touched by the workers at the workshop were chilled with an ominous feeling but when Jay and McElroy handled it. They felt nothing.

The weight of the spear was slightly heavier than the original due to the added adamantiun and the somehow grown wood of the mother tree.

Among other weapons it established an identity of its own.

And it was a much needed upgrade since most demons are very resistant to cut attacks

While McElroy had something else in his mind. But he couldn't put it in words.

McElroy :

There's something I can't put into words but. I'm sure that wood was immersed in melted metal how did it sprout when it's wood was incorporated throughout the metal with no nutrition and it even somehow incorporated itself inside the head. Which was separate from the main body.

Jay :

Well the blood might have acted as nutrition but I can't tell any further than this.

With the new weapon in hand they walked out. Jays dopamine level had reached new limits and when he lifted the spear the ones nearby were somehow disgusted even though they had no connection to them whatsoever.

So it was stored in the inventory for the time being. And nke the time had come to end the day.

With the camping gear left behind. Both of them slept on a hill nearby. Outside the estate grounds.

They started at stars and it seemed that the constellations are different from what he remembered.

They had burnt a small campfire made up of low grade elemental stones. Emitting heat energy and keeping them warm.

McElroy :

It been a really long time since we had to sleep like this.

Just both of us and nothing. It reminds me when we started our travels.

Jay :

True.

McElroy :

How do you think the demons will come to the mainland from the island.

Jay :

If the foundation is involved they must have planned something. Maybe they have a very sturdy ship which can take the demons as well as being sturdy enough to take many hits and even move.

McElroy :

But there are large whirlpools, won't their ship just sink.

Maybe a vehicle that soars through the sky.

Jay :

The weather is very bad. That ship won't fly.

McElroy :

Well we'll have to see ourselves when the time comes.

We'll good night.

Jay :

Night.

And they slept thorough the night and woke up early in the morning because they weren't sleeping much comfortably.

Jay used the remaining charcoal that was remaining when he burned the wood alongside the low elemental stone.

And brushed his teeth.

Charcoal acts as an adsorbent so it can be used as an tooth powder.

They once again enter the town and meet up with their allies.

Livia was livid but she was not showing it. She was troubled by something.

Livia looked at her.

Livia :

Both of you with me now.

Livia spoke with such a commanding voice in front of them.

And in front of everybody. And both of them went with her.

Livia spoke in a serious tone and warned both of them as she walked through the crowds.

Livia :

We'll be going to the Frontera Household with you two being my bodyguards. Try not to embarrass me and my whole clan.

Am I clear

Jay and McElroy tried to be as cooperative as possible.

And just nodded.

Livia stepped into a Palanquin and her clans men carried her while the both of them walked as they tried to understand what had just happened.

The Palanquin was dropped off at the Frontera Estate where Livia emerged from the covers and got off.

She was dressed in a white clothing with a pair of bracelets and a necklace that was shaped like a golden teardrop. But it was two dimensional teardrop and flattened from the third dimension.

When the stepped inside the estate manor it reminded Jay of the time in Chroma when he had accompanied Rachel at the tea party. I acted as her body guard with formal uniforms and all.

And when the second prince tried to harass her I step in like a knight. He was livid and tried to challenge me to a duel when he threw his glove at me. But I sliced it before it could even touch me and asserted that he was not capable of challenging me.

That was a bit of a arrogant move. But in the end I couldn't save anyone. Those things are on me and it's not like I don't think about them.

We both stood besides Livia as her representatives and with her was Ragnar the one who challenged me and to prove his worth. But was beaten up easily.

Ragnar :

You again.

Jay :

Nice to meet you too.

Even though it was early morning it was a gathering called for all the family heads which had many different patriarch and matriarch of small families mingling together.

Each following their own specific sets of tratition.

Some had color painted on their face representing them. Some had ornaments made up of skin and bones of animals. While there were some in full business attires. Weapon suppliers, merchants, many big traders, bishops from religious orders.

Many of these suppliers approached Livia and tried to create deals to fill their own pockets.

Their deals from the standard viewpoint of a common person seemed unfair and tilted towards their side.

And thus they were ignored.

Livia met up with some of the group of matriarchal families

Called the Matria. From the term matriarch. I know it's not innovative and I agree with it.

They formed this group of women to support each other.

Where no one is belittled based on their families or tried to show off their power.

Livia even though she belonged to a prominent clan she often received advice on how to handle their clan, finances etc.

One of The ladies recognized Ragnar.

? :

OH so Ragnar is also here. Who are these two.

Livia :

Ah they're here to assist Ragnar.

Introduce yourself.

Jay :

My name is Jay Garrick.

McElroy :

My name is McElroy. And we both are adventurors.

? :

Jay Garrick.... You mean you're the hero of the Fort Bronx.

Thanks to you my men could return home without being injured badly.

Other ladies started to recognize me.

? :

No way is this true even I had sent my men to defend Fort Bronx.

Jay had unexpectedly created an involuntary relation with them.

? :

I do feel bad for Kiyoko that she couldn't be here today.

Livia :

Who's Kiyoko.

? :

Oh even you don't know. It's not surprising.

Kiyoko was once a part of their group but her clan operated in shadows and mostly didn't take an active participation anywhere. But during the skeleton war her clan was totally wiped out as they were helpless against the skeletons which none of their weapons even remotely affected them.

Many such stories countinued to resurface during this gathering.