Episode 64: Two Other Stories

Side Story: Quillrob

In the kingdom of Tiat, a land of artisans who forge steel and iron, there were two princes. The first prince, Taut, secluded himself within the royal palace, vowing to craft a sword that would endure forever, never showing himself to the people. In his stead, the second prince, Quillrob, shouldered all the duties expected of a prince of the kingdom.

Unlike Taut, who desired only a single perfect sword and loved only himself, Quillrob was a commander who led Tiat's armies and lived for the sake of all its people. Respected by soldiers and beloved by the kingdom's citizens, Quillrob was seen as the hope for Tiat's future. Everyone believed that if Quillrob, not Taut, were to inherit the throne—if only such a thing were possible—Tiat would rise as a stronger, more prosperous empire of steel.

Only one person did not share this belief: Quillrob himself. Despite baseless rumors spreading across the kingdom that threatened to drive a wedge between the two brothers, Quillrob remained steadfastly loyal to Taut, the future king, and upheld his brotherly bond. Ignoring the gossip and scrutiny of others, he visited Taut daily at the royal forge in the annex palace, sharing tales from beyond the kingdom's borders and fetching anything Taut required, no matter how trivial.

Time passed, and against the hopes of many, Taut ascended to the throne. As always, Quillrob arrived at the newly built royal forge, carrying a golden tray laden with sealed documents from neighboring kingdoms, their wax seals dyed in various colors.

"Wisha(King) Taut, it is Quillrob." he announced.

"Wisha."

"Wisha."

Quillrob called out, searching the forge as if trying to locate the elusive Taut. The royal forge was, as ever, filled with stifling heat. The armor Quillrob wore felt suffocating, and sweat began to bead on his forehead as he moved through the chambers.

"This way, Quillrob." came Taut's voice from a distant room, accompanied by the faint clinking of a hammer striking an anvil.

Quillrob hurried toward the sound, finding Taut holding a small arrowhead with iron tongs, examining it closely. Quillrob placed the golden tray stacked with documents before Taut and knelt.

"Please read them when you have time, Wisha." he said.

"Is that stiff tone because you're speaking to your king and not your brother, Quillrob?" Taut asked.

"Before being my brother, you are the king who rules this land, Wisha." Quillrob replied.

"There's no one else around." Taut said.

"It's not about who's watching or listening, Wisha." Quillrob insisted.

Taut sighed.

"Do as you please. By the way, what do you think of this arrowhead?"

He held up a sharp, serrated arrowhead for Quillrob to see.

"If you crafted it, Wisha, it is surely flawless. I'll have the workshop begin mass production." Quillrob said.

"Good. A useless fool who spends all his time hammering away in the forge needs to produce something worthwhile now and then, doesn't he?" Taut said.

"Wisha! How could you say such a thing…"

Quillrob lowered his head deeply.

"Oh, right… Quillrob, do you know of the Panarati Tribe?"

"The nomadic tribe beyond the southern border?" Quillrob replied.

"Yes. They have something I need. Would you retrieve it for me?"

"What is it? I'll set out today if necessary."

"It's a treasure of the Panarati called the Naphaheem gem. I can't think of any other jewel suitable to adorn my sword." Taut said.

"You mean…"

"You'll need to take the kingdom's cavalry. They won't hand over the Naphaheem gem willingly."

Taut continued, filing the arrowhead with an iron tool while glancing at Quillrob's reaction.

"Is that a problem? Are you afraid that the greedy king's orders will corrupt you?"

Quillrob hesitated for a moment before Taut shouted.

"Answer me!"

"No, Wisha! I, Quillrob, as the kingdom's general and your brother, will faithfully carry out any command you give!"

Quillrob replied, bowing so low his head nearly touched the floor.

Anger surged within him, twisting his insides, at the thought of showing even a moment's hesitation before Taut.

"I… have nightmares every night, Quillrob."

Taut said, his voice trembling.

"No matter how much I hammer the steel, I can't shake them. Even now, awake, it feels like I'm living a nightmare!"

Taut grabbed his own collar, his voice echoing through the forge.

"Quillrob, I dream of you storming this room with soldiers to take my throne and my life. So… so…"

"Brother!"

Quillrob interrupted.

"Never! I, Quillrob, will never raise a sword against you. If you doubt my words, you may cut off both my arms so I can never wield a blade again!"

With a resounding thud, Quillrob pressed his head to the floor.

"You're right… I shouldn't doubt you, my brother, my general, my friend… I'm sorry, I got carried away." Taut said, his jaw trembling and tears welling in his eyes as he approached Quillrob.

"No, it's my fault." Quillrob said, his voice breaking with a cry.

"If it will ease your heart, Wisha, command me to do anything. I'll set out for the Panarati's treasure now. I'll remove anything that troubles you. I'll bring you any treasure you desire!"

Still bowing, Quillrob's head pressed against the floor as he spoke with desperate resolve.

"Hahaha! I'm glad, Quillrob. Thank you. For me… for Tiat…"

"Become a monster."

Side Story: Quillrob - End

Side Story: Gulick in the Levados Plains

The night in the Levados Plains is dark. Even the moon is veiled by clouds, and the tall grass sways like black waves in the wind, rustling softly. Amid the faint silhouettes of prowling wolves, clusters of red torchlight dance restlessly across the plain.

The flickering flames move in sync with their bearers, accompanied by the piercing clash of metal against metal—a sound ill-suited to the quiet night of the grasslands. The sharp noise echoes repeatedly.

"Not a new job, but me as the target? Quite the valuable experience, hah!"

Disheveled hair, mismatched gauntlets on his right and left hands, and haphazardly worn armor—Gulick, along with a long-haired man in light armor who seemed to be his subordinate, stood back-to-back, surrounded by a group of hooded figures with their faces and mouths concealed.

The encircling group wielded swords in one hand and torches in the other, or short blades, throwing daggers, or small shields.

"Gulick, by now your men in the great market are probably dead, poisoned by tainted food and drink." one of the hooded figures, wearing a metal mask, said, pointing his sword at Gulick.

"Then I'll have to make sure I get revenge."

Gulick replied, his smile briefly fading before returning, revealing his teeth beneath his beard.

"No loyalty strong enough to die for them yet. Why don't you go tell them that, Iron Mask? Hahaha!"

"Hey, Delray, how you holding up? Can you keep going?"

Gulick asked, glancing at a man lying face-down on the ground. Blood from wounds on the man's back and arms pooled beneath him.

"Of course, boss."

Delray groaned, struggling to his feet with the help of Gulick and another companion.

"Just a bit of blood and fatigue, no problem. I'll be up in a sec."

He gripped his axe tightly, readying himself.

"Argh!"

One of the hooded figures, an Iron Mask, charged at Gulick but fell with a scream, a dagger thrown from Gulick's thigh sheath lodged in his chest.

"Hey, that flower emblem on your mask—it's a marsh violet, right? The old white-bearded guy who came with a job last time had a ring with the same emblem. Tried to hide it by turning it quick, but that just made it stick in my head."

Gulick said, drawing another dagger from his thigh and pointing it at his temple.

"Since you're not leaving here alive, I suppose it doesn't matter if I tell you."

The masked man said, his voice muffled.

"We're Lupinus, the direct inspectorate of Grand Duke Kavil. He doesn't like leaving loose ends."

"Ah... grand duke, and he's that stingy? Tell him to try being a bit more generous." Gulick retorted.

"Shut up!"

At the masked man's signal, his men charged at Gulick and his two companions from all sides.

The first three attackers fell, struck down by Gulick and Delray's blades, losing balance and collapsing to the ground.

"How are you holding up, Lachek? How's Is your injury doing?" Gulick asked.

"No problem, boss! Let's finish these guys quick and head back."

Lachek replied, his long hair whipping as he charged the surrounding enemies.

With agile movements, Lachek dodged incoming attacks and cut down foes. But more of Lupinus assassins closed in, slashing at his back and legs.

"Damn it, how many of these bastards are there?" Lachek cursed.

"Don't die on me, Lachek"

Gulick said, cutting down several enemies approaching him.

"Your dream's to become a knight, right? Serve some fancy noble, be a proper knight—not like me."

Gulick followed Lachek, cutting through enemies to create an opening. Lachek broke through the encirclement, but soon the trio—Gulick, Delray, and Lachek—found themselves surrounded again by Lupinus assassins.

"No pay for this kind of swordplay makes it hard to get motivated, boss!"

Delray panted, collapsing to one knee. Blood loss left his arm trembling as he gripped his axe.

"Looks like I won't be drinking for a while, hah."

Gulick glanced at Delray and Lachek, then at the blood dripping from a wound on his own arm. A bitter smile crossed his face.

"Come on, then! If you want to kill me, you'll need to hire someone like Tallman at least!"

Dozens of blades flew toward Gulick. Under the moonlight, his sword gleamed, scattering blood as it flashed.

Side Story: Gulick in the Levados Plains - End