(27.1) Gifts and Departure

Two days had passed since the decision to make for Deika City had been made.

Now, Aki sits with Viscount Estril and Chief Judge Verityu in the central garden mezzanine. A table arrayed with various small foods to which can be enjoyed colour the otherwise white scene. They, just like Aki, are dressed comfortably today as it is an informal event at Aki's behest.

"I am glad you would join us," Decimas, who insists he be called by his first name at present, takes a sip of his tea. "Requesting rather than inviting to a meal too late to be called breakfast yet too early to be called lunch is unusual, I feared you as well would reject."

Aki smiles and shakes her head. "Oh, well it's no problem. Winter is doing… well, who knows what, and the guys from Silver Sword are adventurers so that's normal."

"From what I remember an adventurer works in this world, anyway."

 Verityu nods in agreement.

"But we didn't want to invite you just for this. During the banquet the other day, Lor- eh, Decimas bestowed the gifts of restored gear to the otherworlders. We wanted to give yours back as well but word got back you were off assisting the people until late."

Aki feels heat rise in her cheeks. "Ah, yeah. Sorry about that."

"Lady Acolyte." Decimas rises, prompting Aki and Verityu both to rise out of habit and awkwardly sit back down when he gives them both a withering look.

"Your service in defending my people and this city is one I can never thank you enough for. Especially when all of you chose to stay and help rebuild rather than take the rewards we could offer and leave."

"Though it was only for a short while, I am glad to make your acquaintance. Every day you have given to my people, stating the care you receive is more than enough. I truly see why you are one to carry a Crown."

He places a hand to his chest then opens his arms wide. Pausing, he motions for Verityu to act.

"Ah, right." Verityu goes just beyond the mezzanine into the flower bed full of lustrous bulbs and pulls out a small package slightly covered in dirt and hands it to her.

The package sinks beneath her touch, the feeling of something malleable within the thick paper.

"Restoring the otherworlder's gear was nigh impossible with it all being of such foreign and high grade materials. Yours as well." Decimas explains with a refined air of excitement. "However, the otherworld adventurers were more than willing to donate much of their possessions to restore and improve their gear, yours, and city repairs."

Inside the package, folded with professional hands, is Shur's Acolyte cloak and the clothes Aki crafted with high-grade monster materials she stole during her escape from slavery.

However, rather than the worn appearance she had come to be familiar with, the fabric of the cloak shone, just how it looked when she first met Shur. Her shirt and shorts also looked of higher quality and felt astoundingly comfortable to the touch.

A part of her brain itched to dress down even more now that she saw them. In part because of the influence of the title Nudist but also because these were the clothes she made herself, improved.

She unfolds the cloak, eyes glistening. A second layer had been added to the hood and extended down just past the chest. Based on the waxing and mana Aki could feel off this top layer, it was enchanted specifically with water repulsion twice as strong as the rest of the cloak.

Holding it in place, she could feel an attachment enchantment flowing through the six golden buttons in two columns on the front of this top layer. Each button was engraved with the Moon bow, while turning it around, the Acolyte of Mune symbol was beneath the rain cover. With just a bit of mana from her, the symbol is superimposed onto the surface, clearly visible no matter how she shifts the fabric.

"Amazing…"

"Lady Acolyte, for your… clothes, the craftsman noted there was a pressing lack of mana flow circuitry so he added those as well as polished the work on the cloak." Decimas steps up and points out what he means by pulling up the material and showing Aki the inside of her shirt and cloak.

Faint grooves can be noticed where he points in an intricate pattern.

"According to the master, the material your clothes are made of has strong anti-magic properties, so it likely inhibited your mana control by a significant amount, weakening your overall abilities. Now, there should be no issues with that."

"Excuse me," Verityu steps up as well. "Well, I didn't do much but I did ask for some sizings and I wanted to gift you these."

He holds a pair of dark leather boots with blue lines running down the outer side of the pair.

"I…During the battle, I wanted to have eyes on the events should things go wrong and witnessed a portion of the clash and you see," Verityu clears his throat and leans closer, speaking quietly. "I thought it was amazing how you stood on tumultuous water like that and could still fight so I wanted to give you this to make it easier for more impressive stunts."

He pushes the boots into her hands, a blush threatening to overtake him. "They're water walking boots, you just need to have a strong water magic control and a little mana to use them well. Farewell."

Verityu bows quickly, adjusts his cravat and the Chief Judge pin then speedily retreats from her presence.

Aki barely suppresses a chuckle. Without meaning to, her eyes flash silver, a common occurrence by now since she has yet to garner full control of her Coronal abilities..

She had seen Verityu teetering between a noble and ignoble nature, even before. He did feel like a typical noble when they first met but during the attack he displayed budding qualities of a proper leader. Then, right after awakening herself to be a Crown, an ability slightly different to what she was familiar with reared its head.

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(Eyes of the Heart Lv.0)

(Empath: Activated)

^ (Empathy-Sharing)

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Unlike the Analysis skill, this ability didn't show someone's status but their nature and tendencies. However, as it is now, all she could see was the surface level of a person. Their strongest – and perhaps darkest – points of self.

Aki focused on the big [Lv.0] next to the Crown ability. Coupled with a new sub-ability Empathy Sharing from her Empath Gift, and the end result was peeking into Verityu's truest self.

Though it was this very method that allowed her to see that he could be better, given the chance to be. Now, with this accidental activation, she could see how accurate it was. He shone much brighter than the first time.

"Lady Acolyte." Decimas calls her attention back down to Tsarjar.

He pats his chest and claps a hand on Verityu's shoulder. "The Chief Judge here is a surprising worrywart and a not so secret fan of your feats more than the others. Please don't take offence to the boots."

Aki crosses her arms then and sighs, pretending to think about it. "Okay, if you insist."

"Your cooperation is greatly appreciated." Verityu says rather smugly, a proud huff following him as he stands up straighter.