The following days that came after Nil’s meeting with the churches, things began to change within the city.

First off the news of Zip’s ability to help people train and reach higher levels was released as well as breakthrough was released but also a warning was put out that if anyone dared to threaten or annoy him or Cinder or any of the Plated Devils, they would be blacklisted or killed.

Some visiting mercenary of low background but having a level 30 leader had been passing by when they heard this and went to have their leader breakthrough and ignoring the threat, the mercenaries threatened the blacksmiths and as a result, Cinder and her six Plated Devil Minions decimated the mercenary group down to the last member.

The bodies mysteriously vanished and didn’t come out of the smithy. The bodies have all been refined by Cinder into Undead Demon Minions and left to refine in the lava pit.

After this incident some people became wary of angering the smiths from Zip’s smithy.

Still, with this his strength solidified the power of the Null family and when knight and city guard recruitment notices came to increase the one hundred and fifty knights to the max of three hundred and increase the city guards to man the walls and streets, the young men of the city jumped to become Knights while the older men tried for the guards post.

Surprisingly there were some women who tried for the knights order.

The numbers filled up quickly but one thing remained the same and that was that all knights and guards, upon joining, were all made to sign a special contract. This is called a ‘Service Contract’, this kind of contract exists so that if the guard or knight obtains a familiar, with the city lord as a patron who paid, they would remain as part of the city guard or knight order of their ‘lord’ for a specific number of years, at which time to repay, while still earning pay, training and resources, and at the end of this contract they are free to resign from the order or guard or renew the contract with the same or different conditions.

As for the talk with the priests, as expected, the Dark Ice Order indeed accepted to provide the service of helping the Null family but they could only reduce the price to 1 uncommon stone because they still needed maintenance meaning it was only 10 gold coins for each person.

After two days of recruiting the posts were filled, Zip, and the several other smithy in the town, were all busy smithing armor and weapons to stock the city’s barrack.

As for the knights who would get familiars, after doing a good calculation with Conner, Nil’s Scholar and aide, they found that at the highest benchmark of 70 knights could get familiars but they reduced to 50 at most. These people would be given ranked positions after a few months of training, both physical and magical, since they will begin getting magic lessons from Xero and Jasmine that studied, and Xero’s and Nadir’s extensive notes and was better at teaching.

Void was also recruiting hunters and similarly he was suggesting for them to get their own familiars and also signing the Service contract to become private hunters, and eventually his own Knights when officially married Hilda and gained a Duke rank.

For Void though, he would have to build up the money himself making him frown and think of methods to increase income.

As for the 50 knights chosen, they were both the most loyal, though not completely the strongest.

The current level range of the common knights were between 10 and 15, not counting all the young new recruits.

The ‘top’ level one from the chosen ones was named Tristan Evans and the designated Vice was called Steve Bridges. They were very loyal to the Null family ever since the harvest church incident and saw them in a new light. Now looking at the Null family they found that the members were all quite powerful. A newly risen family with a level 41 lord, two level 31 children and a few others on the fast track to this just made them impressed.

When brought to the church, they were allowed the summon first and both of their familiars were utterly unorthodox, possibly due to the method they obtained mana to cast the spell being poor. Nadir prepared a vial of mana potion for each knight that they would drink and quickly use the mana.

What was strange was that the familiars of these two were indeed far too strange while others got things such as goblins, Kobold, Lizardmen, and other humanoid or animal creatures.

The knights strangely did not get any spirits, demons or angels or any mix. Of the fifty, fifteen obtained animals of which Tristan was one while the others obtained humanoids. Only Steve was left strangely to the side because his familiar turned out to be a living skull, or in other words, the skull of an undead skeleton.

It somehow knew how to roll and move about but it had little to no fighting power causing the men to make fun of it but Xero found it interesting because until today, he had never seen an undead familiar. Although Cinder had made a demon undead, he saw it momentarily and most of them were now stuck in the lava, these were still demons and not true undead.

As for Tristan, he obtained a very, very, strange snake. It was summoned with two, living heads and the extra head was further more attached to part of the body meaning the head was constantly curved making it’s movements really weird.

This was the first time they had seen a deformed creature like this, though Xero had experience with Ashley who was originally an imp with a deficiency.

He knew that although these two were currently the weakest of the weak, they could easily grow to be very strong.

Since the men were all pretty strong, though at low levels currently, they were put to train. The difference was that they were all given five common mana stones, that were each 10 silver coins, and had to push the mana into their familiars.

Either use the mana with a spell, or just feed it to them.

The result is them all blowing up and being sucked up into the familiar seal.

“Know something men, no matter what creature, Familiars are creatures that can die as many times as needed and they will come back stronger each time. It is different for unbound creatures who need to be careful of their capacities. Those with animals will find that after enough mana gathers they will form abilities. When you are forming them always tell your familiar to suppress the growth and proceed to my daughter in law, Jasmine. She will be able to aid you while you are still studying. A thing to note is that not all creatures are magical when they appear meaning animals not native to this world would not have innate spells until they have accumulated some mana in their bodies and adapted to our world.” Nil explained.

They all used the mana stones to the last one at the order of Nil and the result was that most of the creatures developed in one way or another.

The two headed snake in particular was no longer as deformed where the extra head was no longer binding the head to the body and it could somewhat slither around now. It was an infant for the most part at this time though.

As for the skull, the rot on its head had slowly receded and a small flame appeared in its eye acting as eyes.

Neither of them had skills yet.

After that the fifty knights were subjected to a tempering with their familiars. Though they paired up in groups of five while the familiars took the spot of the rest now that they would unlock some of the faster healing ability and their capacities were higher. All that was left was to break their bodies open.

“So boss… how did you want to temper them?” Cinder asked Zip.

“Father said to focus on their magical abilities. They had to use mana stones to summon before so temper their mana channels and mana pool.” Zip said.

“Got it.” She said and set up the forge, that could now focus the tempering of the bodies in specific parts.

The men and familiars were crushed under the weight of her hammer as were the channels that were broken, pumped with mana to clear it partially, and healed back.

They were allowed to rest afterwards.

While Zip and Cinder were cleaning up to continue their work a sudden sound caused them to freeze.

“Bahahaha! Well would you look at this! My son in law sure is providing well for my little girl!” a loud bellow came from outside.

The voice rang bells in Zip’s mind and he quickly ran out and found a grinning muscular man standing in the middle of the smithy.

“Father in law?!” Zip said in shock.

Grinning, the man that was 180 cm tall with a large body and tanned skin gained from the forge, wearing a dirty white shirt and brown baggy pants looked back. This was Jasmine’s father, Josh River.

“Oh, so you still remember this old man!” He said and walked over and brought down his heavy hand on Zip’s shoulder trying to press down the young man but he found that Zip was like an humanoid iron beast. Even if he wanted to he couldn’t push the boy down.

“Heh, father in law, it has been a while, already two years since we left. What brings you here from Gravlin?” Zip asked.

“I came to live here of course!” He said awkwardly. “You think I want to stay away from my dear girl!? Her mother has already gone to see her in that not too shabby house of yours.” He said.

“Eheh…” Zip scratched his head,

“So, since you're so damn hard headed now, you probably got a familiar right? What level are you? Where is it?” He asked and looked around and saw all the imps, demons and Devils walking around.

“It’s that tall tanned woman over there.” he pointed to Cinder who was shouting out orders.

Josh looked at her and then narrowed his eyes at the in law next to him. “That is a fine lady but you actually dare call her a familiar.” He said.

“She is a Devil, a real one, look at her head.” He said, indicating the horns. The face of skepticism appeared on the face of the elder man and Zip sighed, “Cinder!” Zip shouted.

She looked over and saw him calling her over and quickly ran over. “What is it boss?” she asked.

“This is my father in law Josh Rivers, Jasmine’s father. This is Cinder, she is my familiar, a Plated Devil Infant.” he said.

Pow!

“Where the fuck do you see an ‘infant’ here brat!” He shouted.

“That is her damned race name! Demons are different from humans!” He countered.

“This is total bullshit.” He said.

“Cinder, please prove it to him.” Zip asked.

“Sure thing boss.” She said and the next moment she began to glow and suddenly her body expanded all the way to 6 meters in height and her hammer grew to act like a huge staff. Her large gorilla frame was frightening and when Josh saw this, he gulped and felt his knees go weak before she reverted back to normal. “Is that okay?” She asked.

“Yes, thank you.” He said.

She waved and ran back shouting at the demons.

“Shall we go inside?” He asked.

“Ah… eh? Oh, no! I promised Yasmine that I would go to your house after seeing you so I should head over to see my little girl. I shall see you later.” He said and quickly hightailed out of there but looked once more at Cinder and shivered before running off.

Zip snorted a smile before turning and heading to the forge and continuing to forging the knight armor.

***

In the garden behind the Null family, Nil and Opal sat along with two other people and Jasmine.

The two people were women, a bit old in her mid forties with her hair in a bun but a smile on her face while beside this woman was a little girl that looked like Jasmine but looked 15 years old.

“In two years your family has really changed.” The woman said and looked at Jasmine and smiled, “and you even took up the sword and became so beautiful.” She said.

“Mother, please.” Jasmine blushed.

“Sis! Can I get a familiar like yours!?” the girl said.

“It will depend on what you summon Julie.” Jasmine said.

These two were Jasmine’s mother, Yasmine, and younger sister, Julie.

The girl pouted, “Why can’t I get something pretty, like your familiar!?”

“Now Julie, don’t make a scene.” Yasmine said.

The girl pouted.

Nil laughed and looked at the girl, “To think Julie is so big, we really have grown old.” Nil sighed.

“Oh dear, how can you say that in front of us.” Opal said with her droopy eyes in a slight frown.

“I didn’t mean anything bad about it, it still amazes me how fast time passes.” he said.

They nodded and at that time Julie stood up and went to the garden. Opal looked over, “Careful with those dear.” she said.

At that moment, several fairies flew over when she got near the flowers. It was a mix of Earth, Water and Farmer fairy.

Julie looked at them more curious about them.

“Dear, watch where you step, they aren’t fond of strangers messing with the garden, please be careful of the flowers.” Opal said standing up.

Sadly it was said late and Julie took a step towards the fairies and stepped on the flowers.

KYA!!

They all shouted and suddenly advanced.

“Stop!” Opal shouted and ran towards Julie but Nil was quicker and appeared in front of the girl and glared at them.

“Stop this now!” he shouted.

They all stopped and trembled before distancing themselves.

Opal gestured them over and they came over cowering only for her to start lecturing them about their over sensitivity even towards her guests and family friends. All the fairies pouted with tear filled eyes but it was not effective though and after having their rears ‘spanked’ with a weak flick of Opal’s finger she let them off warning them against doing this again without her permission.

“I’m sorry dear, did they scare you?” Opal asked.

Julie shook her head still confused. “Did they attack just now?” Julie asked.

POW!

“Ouch!” Julie exclaimed after receiving a strong blow to the head.

“You bone head, didn’t you hear mother in law!? Those fairies are her minions who help the city in farming and to raise her garden! They’re sensitive towards unknown people! Didn’t you hear her!?” Jasmine said, pulling the girl's cheeks.

“Dat hush!” she said.

Jasmine pulled her cheeks but stopped before feeling then a bit. “Mother, why do Julie’s cheeks feel so skinny?” she asked.

The woman flinched when her daughter suddenly mentioned something totally unexpected.

She remained quiet before Jasmine sighed, “Don’t tell me father was dismissed?” she asked.

The downcast face of her mother was answer enough making them all sigh.

Being dismissed is a huge burden for a commoner. Previously the Null family could sustain themselves because of Nil’s hunting of lower leveled monsters all under level 30. Later it eased up further when Zip was accepted as a blacksmith apprentice at the same smithy Josh worked in.

It was through this that he met Jasmine in the first place. The conditions for the Null family kept stabilizing more as the children grew older since Void had joined his father in hunting. Now each of the family members were very efficient in making money and were growing stronger by the day. Even Opal and Nero were slowly learning magic.

“If you had sent us a letter, I would have instantly gone pick you up. Little brother Xero has magic for long distance travel.” Jasmine said with a sigh.

“Alright, we can get off this bad subject. What do you plan on doing in Cipher?” Nil asked.

“Husband wants to try his luck working with Zip actually. He knows that there would be little chance of being cheated and Zip already knows my husband's quality.” she said.

“Not that dear, what are ‘you’ planning?” Opal asked with a smile.

“Eh? Me? I’m just the wife, it is his job to provide…” she said, timidly.

That is the common mentality of course. Women stay home while men work. Even Jasmine doesn’t work because her husband and his family provide but she is also training so that she will not be a burden.

“Mother, Julie is no longer a child. You can do what you want already.” Jasmine said.

Her face was solemn, “What ‘would’ I do?” she asked.

“Didn’t mother once sell fresh bread?” Jasmine asked.

“Ah! Now that I think of it, the city has many merchants but there really aren’t any bakeries.” Nil said.

“Mama’s baked treats… ehehe!” Julie giggled and licked her lips.

The woman became flustered, “H-How would I make a bakery?! Even if the price of wood and stone are cheap we are a poor family. We are even more poor than before!” she exclaimed.

Jasmine just smiled, “Mother…” she grabbed her mother's hand, “Your daughter is the wife of the city lord's son, making a simple bakery is far too easy for father in law.” she said and looked at Nil who was already making a gesture that called Conner, who was already coming this way.

“Conner, how much would it take to build a bakery?” Nil asked.

“Of which size, Sir?” he asked and looked at the poor looking people and at Jasmine holding the hand of her mother. Although he was not up to date with who they are it was clear enough that they were important to Jasmine.

“This is Jasmine’s mother, she is quite tight on money but as our friends, we cannot allow her to suffer while we are well off.” Nil said simply.

“Oh dear, I am sorry to not have known that Miss Jasmine's mother had come. For a bakery though, if it is a family job then I would assume at least a medium sized building of stone, which is a typical layout to merchant stores with a house in the back behind the shop. Even then it would require workers and sellers to help.” he said.

“T-t-that is too big!” Yasmine exclaimed. “My husband is a smith and my youngest girl is soon to reach marrying age. I will not be able to manage such a large place!” she said.

“Nonsense, there are plenty of unemployed people and women that would be perfect as cooks.” Nil said.

“W-What about flour!? Yes, flour is incredibly hard to produce! For me buying flour is too expensive.” she said.

They froze and looked at Conner.

“Hmm, we indeed lack a grinding wheel, both windmill and watermill are expensive to build.” he said.

The Lorian empire might be a nation of smiths but any technological knowledge once drawn out by the heroes from the post familiar era was hoarded by the richer nations. Farm based technology would even be hoarded by the harvest church which is why there was still low technological development even though almost every nation and race that could, had summoned a hero.

“If I am not wrong, sir. Young master Zip can make minions correct?” he asked.

“He can, why?” Nil asked.

“If a simple grinding wheel was made, the controllable demons would be able to turn and work it for this miss?” he said.

Nil was surprised but smiled as he turned to Yasmine, whose face was red when she found her plan had failed.

“You don’t need to worry, we will bank the fee of building the shop. It will not cost anything but the time to find a place to build it and for Xero to build it with his magic. Only thing that will really cost money is the oven that requires proper bricks, the wooden flooring and furniture.” Nil said.

The woman sighed, “You really are all nobles now huh? You can so casually do as you want.” she said.

“Not everything but something like this is far too simple to do.” Nil said, “Alright, it is decided.” Nil said, letting out a laugh.

“Sir, before that.” Conner said and from his inner robe pocket he pulled out a letter with the imperial seal.

Nil placed his mana in it and the seal broke and he took out the letter inside and read it.

His face turned awkward, “His majesty is convening the annual progress meeting a month early…” he said and frowned.

“Is it something serious?” Jasmine asked.

“Conner, call Void and Zip. I want them to come with me to the meeting.” Nil said.

“And young master Xero?” he asked.

“He is still too young for this type of place. In two years maybe when he is 15 then he will be old and mature enough to go to a place like this.” Nil said.

“I understand sir. I shall inform the Young masters.” Conner said and gave a bow to them and walked off to accomplish his duties.

“I must get ready as well. Please enjoy your stay.” he said and went off to deal with work and give out orders.

“Let’s go inside and enjoy some sweets the maids recently made.” Opal said.

“Really!?” Julie jumped up and down.

They smiled and headed in while Josh arrived and was let in by Nil himself who saw him at the front gate.