It was nearly dusk when we returned home from the guild. Everyone was already home. Merchants really have an easier life than peasants or farmers. The perks of risking one's own neck on the road. With everyone gathered, I call for attention.

"Family. It is with a heavy heart that we are leaving tomorrow to the south lands, but we already spent too long here. To show our appreciation for the time we spent together and to ease our minds keeping you safe, we have prepared some souvenirs for you."

I use a backpack to serve as a decoy and take out of storage the four treasures Zahariel and I crafted these days. The hardest part was to obtain a suitable body part of each one of them to use in the crafting. But for that Zahariel was an excellent scout. He even obtained some blood from Hildegard, and I really don't want to know how.

Azelinus' Sensenschwert [C]: +10% accuracy rate. Blade regenerates damage to the weapon using MP. Evolves by absorbing enemies' energies. Blade warns of danger if held or sheathed on the waist. Soulbound to Azelinus. Bertramus' Sensenschwert (B): +10% accuracy rate. +10% critical rate. Causes bleeding wounds. Evolves by absorbing enemies' energies. Blade regenerates damage to weapon drinking blood. Blade warns of danger if held or sheathed on the waist. Soulbound to Bertramus. Bredda's Periapt of health and fertility [C]: Grants level 1 in the skills: Poison Resistance, Disease Resistance, Pain Resistance. Increases fertility rate by 20%. Reduces the base chance of miscarriage or delivery complications by 30%. Benefits extend to baby for 24h after breastfeeding. Soulbound to Bredda. Hildegarde's Keepsake Locket (A): Gives a rudimentary sense of the HP level of family members wearing bound items (Azelinus, Bertramus, Bredda) at any distance. By pouring MP, can see the current face of family member inside the locket. Can store enough MP to cast [Healing] up to five times. Requires recharging by user. Can cast the [Healing] spell on the person whose image is shown as if range was touch using one's own MP or the stored MP.

"Father, elder brother! Here are some swords made from the deadly blood mantis that used to guard the foyer of the dungeon. They are called sensenschwert in the language of my land." It is a 'scythe sword' design from Earth. I attached the scythe to a sword hilt I crafted myself, with some hairs of their users inside. Their sheaths are nondescript to avoid thieves. One hidden bonus of these two weapons is that they count as 'monster weapons' as they were both made of monster parts and crafted by a monster. They can evolve and grow. It got me curious as to what the stats of the horn spear are, but I failed to learn the proper appraisal skill.

I hand over the swords to the men and they examine the red blade. "Magnificent!" Bertramus is awestruck.

"The blades can repair themselves. Azelinus' one requires MP, and Bertramus' must drink blood. We would very much prefer not your own, though," I joke. They laugh and after a while, I continue, "The swords will also help watch out for danger. They will give a warning if any ill intent is directed to you."

To demonstrate, I activate my intimidating presence and target them. The blades give a low hum, but you can see the men with their hairs standing. "Really amazing! This is a priceless treasure!" Azelinus gives his honest evaluation.

"All of these items are also useless in the hands of others. They would refuse to work or even hurt the thief." I know they won't try to sell them, but it is implied too. I take a necklace now. "For bredda and the baby, this amethyst pendant. It will grant both of you great health and fertility." Amethyst is good for protecting from poisons and health in general.

The teardrop cut amethyst is set on a white gold frame and hangs off of a white gold chain. Only the pendant is enchanted though. I know the people of this world likes lots of babies, this is perfect for a young couple. I wouldn't mind a lot of babies of my own if the 'monster bride' problem is solved. It would be nice to make my own raid party of troll-human hybrids.

"Finally, to ease mother's mind while everyone is away, this locket." I present a gold locket with rhodochrosite stones. That is what the pink stones with white stripes from the dungeon are called. The stones have a good affinity with heart and healing. "Inside of it you will always find the face of the one you want to see." Except us. It would be bad for her heart to keep track of our HP, specially mine. I don't think Hildegarde can withstand the emotional roller-coaster of the troll style. By the way, I have already charged the locket with MP.

The women camp is really noisy about the jewelry. Hilde complains that she can't see Zahariel in the locket. C'mon he is right there in your lap! Red and Gold steal some jealous glances at me. I have something in store for them, but I need better pemadras.

I approach the men. "Father, brother, I know I told you to wait until after the guild opens the dungeon to sell, but I'll leave you two barrels of golden treasure and some amethyst and rhodochrosite stones. Negotiate them earlier if you have to seize a profitable opportunity. They have a nice magic affinity from being dipped in the dungeon's mana for centuries, so keep it in mind during the negotiations."

Bertramus replies, "It will be our pleasure. Of course your share..."

I cut him short, "No, no. The family's welfare is my welfare, and I have imposed a lot on you already. All I ask is to leave the office I have been using as my workshop free at the warehouse. Consider the goods as payment for that space if you must." That office has the already enchanted copper dimension anchor buried underneath it.

Breddda approaches us with the amethyst periapt decorating her neckline and resting right above her cleavage. "Thank you so much, Beowulf! Bertramus never gives me anything nice!" She kisses me and I can see the sparks of rage flying around. It is almost like she is setting me to get pincer attacked by her husband and sisters. Or by my brother and brides. Its confusing.

"I am sure he will save some coin from the honey sales to get you a nice dress, Bredda." I sidestep the landmine and give Bertramus a glance and a nod. With a gentle hand to her lower back I hand the pregnant lady to her man and escape to another side of the room.

"Beowulf, I can't see the faces of you kids in this locket, why is that?" Hilde grabs me by the arm. I have an excuse ready for it.

"Because I haven't crafted any items for us yet, I ran out of pemadras. And only those that are crafted together can be bound. But don't worry, I'll keep everyone safe and we will come back after winter to visit. The girls are very strong, don't you know? I doubt there is anyone in this town that can defeat them."

Mother gets really close and whispers in my ear, "Make sure to get these girls something nice at the harvest festival!" I can only nod in agreement.

A lot of small talk goes by but It gets late and we retreat to our rooms to sleep.

"Marcy, don't forget to give Bredda the bottles of royal jelly tomorrow."

"Sure, B. i'll tell her to take a single spoon every morning when she wakes up. Don't worry."

I lie down in the middle of the bed with my girls and the feeling of going south strikes me with homesickness. I guess the syrup meadow is the closest to home I have. I even miss fighting the slimes.

Sleep comes and finds me daydreaming about all the projects I'll undertake with Shraaizar and the monkeys.

Skill Humanization level 7.