Somehow I've gained a new sibling

"We should probably hand him some clothes my lord."

Zalfious turns to me while holding up his arm.

He opens his clenched fist to reveal a ring. It is a back up sealed demonic ring that contains the outfit we are currently wearing.

Wow this guy even brought extra clothing.

"There's no need for that."

I lift my hand and gesture to Zalfious, causing him to put away the ring.

"Blade, why don't you try polymorphing again and copying our clothes?"

"Hmm. Alright."

At that moment mana started to gather around Blade causing shadows to pile up and envelop him in darkness once again. His skin converts back into black scales before they start flickering. Moments later they begin taking up a new shape.

"You can open your eyes now."

So I say with words directed to Lyndis.

Lyndis slowly unveils her eyes covered by her hands.

Her eyes dilate as she notices the once naked man is now fully dressed in black clothing. The others who witnessed this sight also fixated their full attention on Blade.

This ability is really useful huh.

High ranking mana beasts like dragons and wyverns are capable of using a skill called polymorphing to change into humanoid forms. This is because of their innate ability to weave mana however they like which allows them to alter and modify the appearance of their bodies.

Of course, mages can do the same with mana, but unlike the high rank mana beasts which can do it naturally, mages have to utilize specific spells to alter specific parts of their body. It essentially means there is no easy way to alter our entire appearance in one go because we lack the necessary racial traits.

"Alright it's done, father."

So says Blade while walking towards us.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Woah this is great!"

So I say while being on the back of a large winged mana beast covered in black scales.

We are all currently flying over the Etelia forest while sitting on the back of Blade.

The others also look like they're having a fun time flying around.

As expected! Having a subordinate that can fly is the best!

"I can't believe it was resolved so easily!"

Says Zonn in a loud voice.

"Of course, it was all because my lord was here."

Zalfious smirks while being the first to respond to his comment.

"Yea, Rolan really is powerful."

Says Lyndis while chiming in the conversation.

"That's right! And it's all because of the demonic energy within us right?!"

Zonn let's out a huge laugh and the conversation continues on.

After we solved Blade's "clothing issue", the five of us decided to stay at the ruined village for a bit before heading back. We discussed about several future plans.

First of all, in order to access the underground tunnel where the sword given to the ancestor of the dark elf tribe is held, we need a special password that only the chief knows.

So as much as I would like to take it out right now, I should probably meet up with Licuz first.

Next we discussed how to introduce Blade to them. And by them I mean the elders.

Lyndis seemed particularly nervous about this one because she didn't want any misunderstandings to happen.

Luckily, Zonn managed to cheer her up just being his enthusiastic self.

"HAHAHA!"

"Don't worry it'll be fine, nothing like that will happen!"

Is what he said.

But I guess I do share the same sentiments as Lyndis. I also want to try to avoid any misunderstandings as much as possible because it could hamper the recruitment process of the Parakirt tribe.

But speaking of Blade...

"Blade, I was wondering, why did you call me father just now?"

Yea that was weird, and the way he was speaking informally to me as well. It seemed no one else noticed it besides me because they were too preoccupied with his body modifications.

"Hmm? That's because you are?"

The moment he said that, I could hear Zalfious and several others gasp behind me. There was also that one giggle from Zonn.

Well, from Blade's viewpoint I guess it makes sense to call me father since I did create him. But father is really too weird!

I'm too young to have a child! Maybe not since I'm technically past 70 at this point, but still!

"Don't call me father from now on."

So I say while looking down to catch a glimpse of Blade's giant eyes

"Then what should I call you?"

Blade says in a disappointed tone while quickly retorting.

Honestly I always thought that Blade would refer to me as "master" like the rest. Well, I didn't really have any way to tell because he was just a sword in the past.

"Just call me mas-"

"Brother. I'll call you my brother."

Blade is quick to interject halfway into my sentence.

"Huh what?"

I stare down at Blade's eyes which are shining like a puppy's.

Looks like he's already made up his mind, I doubt I could coerce him to change it. Well, at least it's better than "father".

"Hah."

While contemplating, I let out a sigh and titter a bit under my breath before looking down towards Blade's eyes again.

"Yea, from today onwards we're brothers, Blade."

So I say while looking into his excitedly gleaming eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You wanted to see me, captain of the guards?"

Inside a room built atop a tree, a lady opened the door to greet the man sitting at the well decorated desk. She wore a sash which tied a bow and quiver tightly on her back.

As she entered the room, she gently closed the door behind her before bowing towards the man. She had silky black hair that reached her shoulders and a lean body. Like most dark elves, she could be easily be described as a "beauty".

But despite her attractive appearance, she bore a frown on a serious face that could probably scare off anyone.

"Yes chief."

She lifted her head while speaking in a disappointed tone.

"Why so serious, captain of the guards?"

The man leans back on the wooden chair he was resting on while looking curiously at the lady.

"Are you perhaps worried about the wyvern?"

The lady's frown deepens as she steps up to the desk.

"There's no need to be worried, sir Rolan's skill is the real deal."

Licuz says while trying his best to ease the worries of his subordinate.

"I'm not worried about that."

The lady shakes her head and responds.

Licuz stares directly into her face and immediately uncovers the hidden sorrow behind her emotionless eyes. He stands up and puts his hands behind his back before heading towards the window situated on the left side of the room.

He peers through the window to see several dark elf children playing. He guides his gaze throughout the village, glancing at both people and structures.

"It's already been more than half a year since the disaster happened."

Licuz's eyes mimic the anguish of the lady's as he talks solemnly.

"Not a single day goes by without thinking of those that we lost."

"And that includes him."

Licuz turns back to the lady at the correct time to witness a teardrop fall from her face. She wipes it away immediately as if embarrassed and returns to her stoic, expressionless look.

"I'm sorry for not stopping him, Lucia."

The "Him", that Licuz was referring to was none other than the former captain of guards and husband to Lucia, the current captain of the guards.

Despite his calm and tranquil composure, Licuz was feeling a sense of internal remorse while thinking back to the disaster that wrecked the previous dark elf village.

At that time when the village was overrun by the wyvern king, Licuz had failed to convince the former captain of guards to evacuate as soon as possible.

"Even after everyone had successfully evacuated, he still chose to fight alone until the end to buy us even more time. If not for him, we would have more casualties."

"He was truly a hero."

Licuz put his hand on Lucia's shoulder in an attempt to comfort her.

Lucia sheds a few more tears and Licuz walks back to his seat behind the desk. He sits down and looks up at Lucia while asking.

"So what have you come for?"

Lucia wipes away her tears swiftly and responds.

"Are you certain that those people will be able to slay that beast?"

Licuz snickers softly and puts both his arms on the table.

"Lucia. If I wasn't sure of their powers, why would I send Lyndis with them?"

"I don't know about the two that are with him, but sir Rolan will definitely be able to kill that foul creature."

As soon as he finished his sentence, a slight smile could be seen from his face.

"You really believe him to be the one foretold, chief?"

"Yes."

The captain of the guards lowers her head momentarily as if contemplating about something.

"I understand."

Says Lucia in an optimistic tone.

Licuz breathes out a sigh of relief as he watches her make up her mind.

"But chief..."

"Even if you believe him to be the one, it seems the other elders are still on the fence. Especially elder Kera."

"That is to be expected. After all, they haven't seen his abilities yet."

Licuz thinks in silence for a few moments before opening his eyes wide to glance at Lucia. His puts his hands together and begins to speak.

"So you want to show them sir Rolan's abilities."

Lucia immediately nods in response to the chief's words.

"Yes, I'm afraid there will be internal conflict if we don't do so. More so because sir Rolan is a human with unclear origins."

"Even if he does fulfill the prophecy, if his strength isn't made clear from the start, it would be hard to convince the others to follow him."

"What are you suggesting then? We put on a show?"

Lucia nods silently again.

"Very well. Upon their return, I will leave it to you personally assess his strengths in front of everyone. But make sure to keep the damage to a minimum."

"Understood."

"Put on a spectacle to show the others what he is capable of."

[Knock Knock]

Just then, a knock could be heard from beyond the door.

"Enter."

Licuz responds in a laid back voice.

A female guard opens the door and steps into the room before bowing politely to her two superiors.

"Sorry for the intrusion, chief and captain. I have urgent news to deliver."

"Speak."

"The humans, young lady Lyndis and captain of the scouts have returned safely."

Upon hearing the news, Licuz's face couldn't help but light up.