Chapter 7 The Road Goes On Forever

After a few more days, I was strong enough to travel—if I didn't have to fight too much. Nil and I walked in silence, not wanting to draw the attention of anything looking for a fight.

"Nil, stop. We need to detour. That church building is up there. I don't want the Goddess or the cult mad at us for ignoring their warnings."

"You're right, Tern. So let's go that way."

We turned away, walking for a while to make sure we went nowhere near that church. The city around us got a little warmer—not an odd occurrence within the Infinite City. We had felt it happen a dozen times before. But this felt different. Like there was something overly magical nearby.

"What is that tingle in the air?" I asked.

"Lesser magical sprites, I think. The way it's getting hotter with every step—probably fire sprites. Harmless unless there's a fire elemental ordering them. Or unless you attack them. If you listen closely, you can hear the crackling of their bodies."

I did hear it—it was like a quiet spiritual symphony. On the road ahead of us was an overturned wagon, the canvas top aflame. I ran over to check for potential survivors. There were none, but a lesser flame spirit hovered over a lump of steel.

"Tern, that's magical steel. That stuff is incredibly valuable—you could sell it and replace your sword."

I pulled out the bent, half-melted sword and placed it next to the chunk of magic steel. I also placed a glass vial out in front of me.

"Lesser flame spirit. Enter the vial before you, and you may aid in the crafting of a masterwork," I said.

The flame spirit flickered a little before doing so. I placed the vial in my belt where my sword should be.

"Why did you do that? You're not a masterwork-level smith," Nil said.

"Orin is—or more accurately, he will be soon. He's been in the smiths' guild for five years now. He's passed every guild inspection. He's also been looking for a spectacular piece of metal to use in his masterwork qualification test. I've known Orin for thirty years. When I first met him, he was fifteen years old. He'll pass the test. He's one of the hardest-working, most skilled tradesmen I know. So I'll give him the magic steel and the lesser fire spirit—so he can make me a new sword."

"Well, that makes sense then."

I placed the lump of magical steel into my storage space.

Once we neared the exit of the Infinite City, a group of five adventurers approached us.

"Are you Nil Moondrift and Tern?" the leader asked.

"Yes, we are. And on whose authority are you asking?" Nil replied.

"The Continental Guildmaster, Lord Armos Klint. You formally and publicly denounced an Adventurers' Guild official who was a member of a subordinate house to your cousin. He made a fuss with your cousin, and, well, there was an official investigation. We found that he was a priest of the Cult of Undeath.

"You'll need to speak personally before a panel of Adventurers' Guild representatives—Guildmasters and above. Your team member is not to speak to anyone about this. Officially, you are being interviewed for promotion to D-rank—which is also true, since you'll be credited with reporting a sighting of a member of the Cult of Undeath. Your cousin will also be there," the leader said.

"Holy shit. Cult of Undeath. That's the lowest a person can be. I thought that man couldn't get any lower—calling me a half-breed is one thing, but a priest of the Cult of Undeath?"

"A core tenet of the god of undeath is that he hates what he calls unclean—so, living things, mostly. But 'half-breeds' are the lowest in the false god's eyes," the leader said. "Now, my team is A-rank, and we hunt Cult of Undeath members, so we won't be giving you our names. We'll escort you to the Adventurers' Guild main hall."

Nil was led into the main hall. I told her I was going to get some food and talk to Orin.

"Orin, I have some stuff for you," I said.

"Tern, what do you have for me?"

"For one—do you have a table in the back? I brought lunch and a business proposition."

"Well, sure. I could eat lunch, especially since you already paid."

We sat at a small table. I placed grilled meat skewers on plates that Orin provided. We sat and ate in silence. Once we finished, Orin said, "Well, now what business do you have for me?"

Still silent, I placed the chunk of magical steel on the table. Orin gasped in surprise. He stood up sharply when I placed the lesser flame spirit beside it.

"What the hell is all of this, Tern?"

"You've been looking for the right material for your masterwork quality test, and inside the Infinite City, my sword was destroyed. I want you to use this piece of magical steel—and with the help of this lesser flame spirit—forge me a new sword."

"Well…"

"Well nothing, Orin. This is your opportunity to push your skills as a smith. Think of the extra money you'll make as a masterwork-quality smith in good standing with the smiths' guild. You're my best friend, Orin. That's why I trust you with this. So will you craft my sword, Orin?"

"But I'll need specialty tools to create a masterwork-quality item. They cost a lot—probably more than I'm willing to spend just to advance."

"I'll provide the money, Orin. I still have some savings, and I make more now that I'm an adventurer. I do spend a lot on gear, but I'm still earning more per day." I placed thirty silver pieces on the table.

Orin looked up at me. "Yes. Yes, I'll make your sword, Brother."