Anastacia was back at the guild office, waiting in a line to get the goat quest registered as complete. After she had broken the relic, both the party and the villagers woke up from the initial places they had touched the goat in. However, the grandfather of the kids remained missing. According to Gilbert, it was likely that the old man became a part of the loop when he died, and because of that couldn’t use the goat anymore, which would also mean that he disappeared with the rest of the loop. Despite that, the villagers were grateful for the rescue and happily paid the promised reward. On the way back to Valor, Anastacia told the rest of the party what had happened in the final loop, and it was mutually agreed on that Anastacia wouldn’t be allowed to pick any more quests.

“You are Anastacia the necromancer, right? I have been asked to inform you that the guild has procured the broken simulacrum that was in your possession. The paperwork was signed by the owner of the inn you reside in, she was also given the contract that has any information you need.” The male clerk stated as soon as Anastacia reached the counter.

“You guys work quickly, don’t you?” Anastacia smirked. “Anyway, I’m here to pay the tax on the quest I’ve registered.”

Anastacia placed her pearl into the registering machine and the money needed on the counter. The clerk began counting the gold while waiting for the registering to complete.

“The goat quest, huh? Was it as exciting as it sounded?” The clerk asked and inspected the coins Anastacia had given.

“Kinda, it was a standard eldritch time-goat quest. You know how they are.” Anastacia said jokingly.

“No, I do not. But we’re glad you’re back alive.” The clerk answered in the same monotone way the whole mysterious-guild-race talked.

The process was taking longer than what Anastacia thought it would, and the clerk wasn’t exactly the best conversation partner to pass time with. While looking around to find something to talk about, she noticed the clerk’s crystalline horn flash very slightly.

“What’s up with your horn? Can I touch it?” The necromancer asked as innocently as she could. “I promise I’ll be gentle.”

“I will have you removed from the premises if you try.” The clerk answered bluntly, almost like this wasn’t the first time it had been asked from him.

Anastacia scowled at him and left as soon as the pearl had stopped flashing.

Back at the inn, Anastacia couldn’t find any of her friends aside from Maximillian. She still wasn’t that familiar with the elf but sat down next to him anyway. As far as Anastacia knew, Maximillian was responsible for the more agile feats in his party, something that hers lacked. With the addition of King, Anastacia’s party seemed more slanted towards brute strength than ever. They basically had a bear in armor, a mace-happy priestess in plate armor and a literal statue. If there was a quest that required reaching a high place, their best bet would be throwing Anastacia. She needed to bring this up with them later.

“You don’t happen to have any siblings here, do you?” She asked, trying to start a conversation with the elf.

“Well, my sister has a book store in the city. What do you need her for?” Maximillian replied. He hadn’t expected a chat since they really didn’t have much in common.

“Nothing, I was just thinking that we could use someone like you in our party, but I don’t think a librarian is going to be interested…” Anastacia explained and looked around for Rosie, but the inn keeper was probably busy in the kitchen.

“She is not the type for this job. You will just have to wait until someone else shows up, or you could put up a notice in the guild office?” Maximillian suggested.

“There’s a recruitment board somewhere in there? That could work. Thanks!” Anastacia said.

Rosie came out of the kitchen and Anastacia waved for her to come over so she could ask where everyone was and order some coffee. Apparently, Emilia and King were in the kitchen too, and according to Rosie, the simulacrum was brilliant at chopping ingredients. Gilbert and Dammar were somewhere outside and Xamiliere was still busy cleaning.

As they were negotiating whether Rosie would be allowed to borrow King in the mornings since he didn’t sleep anyway, the inn’s door was kicked open. Alice charged in and was clearly in a hurry.

“Anastacia! Carmine and Cerise are on the move!” She yelled and ran to Anastacia.

The exhausted necromancer sat down and took a deep breath.

“They’ll be here in a couple of hours. Hope you’re in shape.” Alice continued. “I was sent to help you. Since you wouldn’t stand a chance alone.”

Anastacia had no idea how to fight the pair, last time it was all over as soon as one of them did anything, so she had no real idea of their capabilities. Back in Mournvalley, she didn’t really see them around either.

“Max, can you go look for Gil and Dammar? Rosie, get Emilia and King.” Anastacia said, hoping that her friends could help. “Alice, do you know anything about those two?”

“Yeah, boss used to work with them, so I basically know everything she does.” Alice explained. “They’re about as good in traditional combat as they are with necromancy. So for us, letting them get close would be really bad.”

“That gives me an idea… Wait here!” Anastacia said and ran outside and across the market square to the blacksmith she had bought the daggers from. The dwarf wasn’t outside by his forge, so Anastacia barged inside the shop.

“Give me the biggest fucking sword you have!” She shouted, surprising the blacksmith who was doing something intricate by the counter.

The dwarf got up and told Anastacia to follow him outside. Next to his forge, there was a small storage room. The dwarf unlocked its door and dragged out a bundle of burlap rolled over something big. He placed it on the ground and began rolling it open.

“I made this for a half-giant, think it might be bit big for you.” The dwarf warned.

Inside the cloth was a sword that was almost as long as Anastacia was tall. The blacksmith had clearly spent more time on making it durable than on its looks. Anastacia tried lifting it but almost fell over when she rested it on her shoulder and was forced to drop it.

“It’s perfect.” She stated, ran to the inn and came back with King.

The simulacrum had no problems lifting and moving around with the sword. The blacksmith couldn’t believe he could actually see a working simulacrum that didn’t try to kill him and was in awe of the craftsmanship on King.

“How much do you want for the sword?” Anastacia asked and opened her purse.

“Just take the damned thing! The half-giant met his end before I could finish it, so now it’s just an ugly lump of metal I was planning on reusing anyway.” The dwarf said and kept examining the simulacrum.

“Really? Thanks!” Anastacia said and hugged the dwarf. “Oh, and I’m probably going to need your help with a couple of things later on, assuming I don’t die today.”