"Don't blame yourself."

Was the first thing master said to me when I regain back control of my body.

How could I not? I try to kill you all, you know?

Master looked sad but being a fickle person, master's expression changed in a snap. "I can't blame myself but you can?"

"T...that's different."

"The hell it isn't."

....

"If anyone is to blame, it would be me." Master said with a smile.

"Master?" Why are you smiling?

"I knew the consequences but.... I didn't care at that moment. I forced this on you. You didn't have a say in this. It's my fault. Not yours."

"I can't accept that, master."

"Sure you can."

I can't.

[Compromise then. Both of you are at fault.]

What? No. I can't do that....

"I'm okay with anything as long as Tom doesn't take all the blame. You are new to such power. Getting drunk on it or taken over is only normal. We're not perfect. We're not geniuses. We're just unfortunate souls plunged into hell and trying our damndest to survive."

Master.... I'm sorry.... You're too kind but you're also too unrealistic at times, you know?

"What's more, blaming yourself ain't going to do shit. If you have time to blame yourself, you are better off spending it in repenting."

I see.... I get it now....

So this is how master felt when no one would blame him. This crippling guilt that slowly crawls into your bones. At least I am able to share the blame. Something that master couldn't.

Master.... thank you....

But isn't it a bit too hypocritical for master to say such things?

"I heard that."

Sorry~!

"Tom~?" A girl's voice dragged me back to reality from my daydream.

Sitting on my cross-leg lap is a girl with cyan hair in twin ponytails, Nilin. A Wisp and a Spirit of Nature. She is really fond of me for some reasons but she could also be very unreasonable at times. But right now, she is just gleefully chewing the orange fruit while swaying her head. She makes some cute sounds every once in a while. Honestly, I am slightly bothered by it.

Sweet. And the sour after taste isn't so bad. This orange citrus fruit is called orange, just like the color itself. This is simply unlike anything I have ever eaten. Among all the other fruits I have tried, orange has become my favorite. Shame, there aren't that much oranges as oppose to other fruits.

As for water, we found a river nearby. It is a river that is flowing from within the dungeon but strangely, it's clean. Kai deduced that there must be layers of natural filtration system at work. Since there's nothing to support Kai's claim but nothing to deny it either, we decided to think nothing of it and just be thankful with what we have.

Sitting across me on the floor is my master, Hyx Atlas and a Nephilim girl, Lady Senna but master calls her Angie. Lady Senna is unreservedly feeding master grapes with a gentle smile on her face. Master wasn't occupied with his hand or anything but Lady Senna seems to enjoy doing it. Master looks perplexed with Lady Senna's action but he said nothing of it. Lady Senna likes master. Is it because master saved her?

When Nilin saw those two, she attempted to feed me a piece of orange like Lady Senna did to master. Of course I have no reason to reject so I accept it. Nilin then called me an idiot and went all red but she resumed eating oranges in my lap. Nilin is confusing as usual.

"Why are you dense...." I heard something that sounded something like those words from Nilin but it might just be my imagination.

Sitting beside us are the two goblins, Bartholomew and Cormac. They are eating Apples instead since they hate sour things. They are feeding the baby Wyrm, Citra bit by bit as she herself lacks the strength to chew a fruit dozens times the size of her head. Cormac went a little bit too overboard with his teasing while feeding Citra, which resulted in him getting a chop on his head by Bartholomew. Even from here, I felt the after wave from the chop.

See, even master widened his eyes at them. I later found out in the future that master widened his eyes because Cormac lost half of his HP from that chop.

Still, this is nice. These kind of atmosphere reminds me of the times with Muo Li, Clammis, Alabaster, and Daedrich back in the dungeon. It's almost like the nightmarish encounters had never happened. I wish everyday could stay this way.

It has been a day since that incident. We are currently taking a rest from mining ores.

Why are we mining ores?

To destroy the door obstructed the path to the surface.

We have brought Lady Senna to inspect the door that prevent us from advancing further. From what we are told by Lady Senna, the only metal that can potentially outrank Azumite is Onyx Steel. She called Onyx the most versatile metal. It possesses a very high Mana conduction rate. The strength of Onyx Steel is limited only by the amount and the strength of the Mana poured into it.

The catch is, it's not an ore that can be mine. Onyx is an alloy. I didn't understand what does it mean at first but master told me that alloys are compound metals made by fusing various metals into one.

"Why not just use Azunmite against Azunmite?" master asked.

Lady Senna's reply is that Azunmite Ores cannot be mine through normal means as its strength is too high. An Arcane Art was created specially to mine Azunmite Ores.

"What is this Arcane Art called?"

"I don't know. Crafting and Smithing aren't my responsibility. Believe it or not, I was a commander, a tactician. I specialize in combats and battles. Not the best but not the worst either."

Also, Azunmite Ore requires a skill hand to be forged into something conventional. And so, Onyx Steel is our best bet.

I'm in charge of mining. What kind of ores am I mining for? Every kind since Lady Senna does not know what Onyx Steel is compose of but she assures us that every ore material needed are right in this cave, probably, she added. The cave in question is located west of this city which is rich in magic ores. Master was the first choice to do the mining but seeing master shuddering from being chosen, I volunteer. Master must have have a trauma of caves and dungeon by now. Bartholomew is in charge of transporting the mined ores using an artifact called wheelbarrow. Apparently master found it in a shed somewhere in this city.

Speaking of Bartholomew, his physical strength has been increasing at a rapid rate lately. Lady Senna is the one responsible for our awakening of our potential due to her unique Arcane Art, [Twilight Providence]. She told me she was even once called a for this. Since I can't see her status with my Appraisal, I can't confirm it.

Cormac and Citra is tasked with food. I have secretly told Cormac beforehand to procure more oranges before he went off.

While we found the solution to the problem, the problems now are the precise materials and ingredients needed and the method to forge Onyx Steel.

[Recipe. We're lacking the recipe.] simplified Kai.

It seems just by making Onyx Steel wouldn't be enough and the process of making it isn't easy. Apparently the Arcane Art, [Transmutation] is required to make magic steels. And a magic formation, or a circuit needs to be embedded to ensure a smooth and stable Mana flow. After refining it, the next problem is converting it into a conventional weapon. To do that, blacksmith is required but thank the stars that it is just an ordinary skill that is needed not an Arcane Art.

"In the end, we're looking at the same problem as why we can't mine Azunmite Ores." master said.

"You have a point." Lady Senna nodded at master's words. "But don't worry, I have an idea. Probably would only work for you."

Since none of us have any experience in blacksmith, it is decided that Lady Senna will take master to the Forbidden Library located underground --

-- "underground again!!??" screamed master. --

-- to gather the necessary knowledge and Arcane Arts. Since this city has been dead for a long time, I doubt the library is still forbidden. And so, master will be in charge of forging the weapon and Lady Senna is in charge of embedding the magic circuits.

As I thoughtlessly hammer my way through the mines, the pick axe in my hands hit on something solid that made a sharp sound.

Faint rays of light leaked through the tiny gaps among rocks.

Digging deeper led me to a great finding. This cave is not just filled with magic metal ores but also magic crystal ores. The one my pick axe hit on is of green color. Appraisal told me it is called Green Crystal Ore (Magic Ore).

[Master, you there?] I initiated a telepathy link with master. A new trick that I learned from Kai. This way if master is within range, I can communicate with master at any given time.

[Yeah, what's up?]

[There are magic crystal ores here too.]

[Oh? Is that good?]

[Does master not know what magic crystals are?]

[No, not really. My understanding of them are vague. Never got the opportunity to appraise one. What's so special about them?]

[Aside from being able to be used like a magic scroll, they are an essential component in making a staff or scepter. If I remember correctly, I believe the books called a refined crystal a Conduit.]

[Without a magic crystal as the conduit, a staff and a scepter will be nothing more than just simple sticks, is that it?]

[Yes.] I affirmed. As expected of Kai, to be able to understand just from my vague explanations.

[But do we need a staff or a scepter to cast magic? From what I have noticed all along, not even Lubac cast magic with a staff or a scepter. Is it really needed?]

[Huh?] I blurted out.

It seems Kai and master have a misunderstanding. So I explained to them what I know from reading books. Staff and scepter are not exclusive to mages. As long as one has sufficient Mana, anyone can use it. Problem is, it's limited in the array of spells that can be cast. A Fire Staff can only cast direct attack fire spells. It can't manipulates flames like a fire-specialist mage could. It is also sometimes use as a mean to amplify a spell's effect.

Master suddenly asked about wands but I don't know why master would suddenly talk about a stick use for songs.

[No wands, eh....]

[Maybe a wand is too small to fit a magic crystal?]

[Could be.]

Slowly, master and Kai started talking about stuffs that I do not understand.

Before the link is cut, I asked Kai a question that has been on my mind.

[Why don't I have Appraisal listed as an Arcane Art?]

[Simple. Because you don't have Appraisal.]

Was Kai's answer.

[What do you mean I don't have? I can appraise things, clearly.]

[You can but it's not yours.]

[Not mine?]

[Yes. You are actually using master's version of Appraisal, Arcane Analysis.]

[Oh. So that's how it is....] I get it now. I was using master's power all along. [Is there any other spells belong to master that I can use?]

[No.]

[Oh.]

Sensing my disappointment, Kai told me the only reason I can use Master's [Arcane Analysis] is because of Kai himself being the [Mana Overseer] and [Arcane Analysis] is the only spell that is not too taxing to me. In theory, I could use other spells under [Mana Overseer] but I simply lacked the aptitude and the limit requirements for it. He then told me if the other Arcane Arts gained sentience, I might be able to "borrow" those spells too but I hope Kai is just joking about other spells going sentient part. I can't imagine how master would handle so many voices in his head.

In the end, I am asked to mine the magic crystal ores all the same.

[Mine everything, sort it out later.] were master's precise words. As expected of my fickle master.

I later found more types of crystal ores. There are blue, red, yellow, orange, pink, white, and even more. This cave is literally a treasure trove.

"Mou~! This is boring!" cried Nilin who has been doing nothing but skipping around me. When we were being assigned tasks, master rolled his eyes and said nothing when it comes to Nilin.

Nilin later became in charge of providing light with [Light Drop] since the deeper I dig, the darker it gets.

My robes finally is torn apart due to my constant vigorous movements, revealing the only loin cloth I wore underneath. This was a new robe master gave me when the last one got burned from my outrage.

"Aaaaah~! Shameless~!" Nilin screamed with her eyes behind her hands and instantly turned away. Her hands are clenched into a fist and trembling. Shameless? What's wrong?

[What's wrong?] Master suddenly asked the same thing on my mind through telepathy. [I heard a scream.]

Master heard a scream? Didn't Lady Senna said that the library they are going to is at least a kilometer away from where we are? Master's ability is terrifying. Or did master heard it through telepathy? No. Not possible. Only my voice is transmitted.

[It's nothing. Nilin screamed.] I replied.

[Why?]

[I don't know. My robes got torn and she screamed after that.]

[...... Oh.]

[Master?]

[This should be amusing. Keep at it.]

[Master?]

I asked but master has cut the link.

"Mou~! Wear something already!" Nilin screamed. For a little girl, her voice is loud.

"I don't have anything else to wear, you know?"

"Gununu~ Hmph! Fine. I do you this favor but I expect something as a reward later."

With a flick of her fingers, cyan energy gather around me. The text [Spirit Formation] appears. The next moment, the cyan energy enshrouds me and turns into clothes. I am now wearing a light blue tunic and trousers.

Is this [Spirit Magic]?

"Nilin, this is impressive. Thank you." I praise her.

She went beet red and turn her face away. Why? "It's not like I wanted to do this for you, you idiot." The last part was said in a low voice but I heard it. "Now, for my reward." She said as she turn to face me.

"Yes, what do you want as a reward?" I asked.

Her eyes went everywhere and she's tilting her head. A minute passed before she came to a conclusion. She's getting red again. She gets a red a lot. Is this normal?

"A.... k.... kis.... kiss..."

Hmm? Why does she wants a kiss? Since it is not something absurd like I expected, I comply. I am no stranger to showing affection, although not in a good light, but I wonder why Nilin wanted something like a kiss from me?

I give her a little peck on her cheek.

Hmm? Did she not like it? She turned to look at me with widened eyes and her face turned redder than before. Is that steam raising from her head and why does she looks so surprised?

"S...sh.. sham...."

Sham?

"Shameless~!" She screamed and ran off like the wind without looking back.

I wonder if I did something wrong? Or is it just Nilin being Nilin like usual? Wait. What about my light source?

When I told master about Nilin's usefulness, he dryly responded, "I suppose every dog has its day."

I wonder what Master meant by that.

"Rising Valley, this whole city is once called." said Lady Senna. "Founded two hundred years before my birth." She licks the Banana in her hands before taking a bite. It seems like she's doing it deliberately for master to see. Master ignored her.

We are currently ending the day with our last meal before bed. We have procured piles of ores waiting to be refined. Lady Senna and master have been spending almost the whole day at the Forbidden Library. Not that anyone would know whether it's night or day in here. Nilin is sulking beside me. I think it's because I didn't allow her to sit on my lap? My lap is not that comfortable anyway, you know?

She has been muttering "idiot." repeatedly ever since while taking small bites on an apple. Since I have told master about her ability to make clothes, I had asked her to make one for master, Bartholomew, and Cormac too. She readily consented and I kissed her on the cheek after that.

I was slapped in return for that kiss while being yelled shameless again. I wonder why did she asked for a kiss in the first place when she doesn't even like it?

"Tsundere~" I heard master uttered but I don't understand what it meant.

Enough about what happened back then. Master is surprised when he heard those words from Lady Senna.

"This place was a valley?" Master raised an eyebrow as he swallowed a Banana whole. Lady Senna looks shock for some reasons.

Citra saw it and tried to do the same thing. We all thought she would choke herself like this but at most, her body just took up the shape of the Banana without any serious thing happened.

Master laughed at the Banana-shaped Citra.

Maybe because I was the most observant of master, I was shocked at master's display.

For some reasons, master instantly looked away when he realized Senna is staring gently and smiling at him. Master is blushing. That's rare.

"Something happened?"

"Master's blushing. Blushing."

Master subtly drew a line across his neck. Bartholomew and Cormac shrieked and nodded but Citra is just staring blankly at master, not knowing what is transpiring. Citra is still shaped like a Banana but she herself doesn't seem to be worrying about it.

I wonder if something happened while master's in the library with Lady Senna.

"A...anyways...." Master said, stuttering. He cleared his throat with a cough. "What were you saying about Rising Valley?"

A mischievous grin appeared on Lady Senna's expression.

"Don't push your luck." Master said with his eyes narrowed.

"So scary~" Lady Senna said but not actually being afraid contrary to her words. Lady Senna then continues her story. "Hungry for power and knowledge. The west is a cave rich with magic ores, to the east is a vast forest of magic plants and herbs. A group of renowned scholars found this valley by chance and made their name known far and wide from here. Soon, the most advanced city is built in this valley. Due to the constant nature of this city's people always thriving for a higher peak, the valley came to be known as Rising Valley."

"What happened then?" Master asked the one question he is dying to know.

"The obvious. The Void Legion."

"Aedrox?" I asked.

"Not just him, dear. There was an army of them. Which is why we called it the Void Legion. These monsters.... they devoured everything in their path. They even turned our own against us. Some of our own even turned against us voluntarily because of some deal they claimed to have made."

"How many of these.... Void Demons were there?" Master asked, fitting another Banana whole into his mouth at once. Before I know it, master has finished a comb of Banana.

"Thousands. There could be more. They appeared suddenly all over the continents. They decimated the Sagax race in a span of ten years."

"Why did they suddenly appeared?"

A dark cloud looms over Lady Senna when I asked. Should I have not?

Lady Senna crushed the Banana in her hand. She's shivering. "Those of sons of bitches." She utter those words with a trembling tone. I can sense anger in those words. "They got too greedy with power. The power they obtained attracted challenges. Challenges incite conflict. Conflict breeds catastrophe."

"Vision?" Master uttered something random in a low voice.

[Vision?] I asked master through telepathy.

[It's nothing.] Master promptly replied.

"Our strength became beacon to these monsters. They came to harvest our strength. It was just horrible. The things they did...." For a moment, Lady Senna's eyes were filled with darkness but it dissipated when master chop lightly on her head.

"History, that's what it is now. Move on." Without any expression, master said.

While rubbing her head, Lady Senna stares at master but no traces of anger was seen in her eyes. Instead, her eyes are gleaming. "Yes." She exclaimed and smiled. "I should do that."

Master looked away from her smile. Is master not good with Lady Senna? Just what happened back at the library?

Master clears his throat with a cough. "Anyways, how were they stopped?"

"We decided to strike at their leaders. It ain't easy but we did it.... With their leaders gone, the thralls became weak enough to be slain by common foot soldiers."

Master points behind him with his thumb. "That thing is considered weak enough to be taken down by a common foot soldier of your time?"

"No. Not like that thing. The thralls weren't that grotesque and big. At most, they were just mindless husks of human size after their masters are gone."

"How did you defeat them exactly then?"

"Mondras."

"Mondras?"

"Mondras...." I mused. The word sounds familiar.....

[It does?] Kai asked. My thoughts must have leaked out.

Wait. That's it. I remember now.

"The living weapons?" I asked.

Lady Senna looks surprised. So did master.

Lady Senna rested her chin on her hand. "You know about them?"

"From the books. Aren't they just myths?" I recalled reading it in a book titled "Famous Myths and Legends across Evarenan, Vol 1"

"No. They are real. We used them to turn the tides."

"How?"

Lady Senna's explanation were long. Bartholomew, Cormac, and Citra fell asleep in the middle. Not that they were listening in the first place. Nilin did too and she fell asleep while leaning against my body. Even I was about to doze off in the middle but Kai didn't let me. Still, I had a hard time following her words. So Kai summarized it for me. The summarize explanation was something like this;

As far as Lady Senna knows, only nine Mondras were made. All Mondras are made of Onyx Steel. The first Mondra created is a scythe. Each Mondra is given to the ones chosen by the Mondras themselves. It hurt them but it can't kill them. An alternative method was searched for.

When a Void Demon crosses over, they leave behind a tear in reality. These tears act as doorways for the other entities in the void. The tears heals over time but the time needed differs. After pushing all the major Void Demons back into the void through the still present tears, these tears were then sealed with Mondras. Because no one could tell when a tear is healed, it is decided the Mondras are never to be taken out for good measure. After that war, the whole world is in chaos. There was no order. Opportunists arose and plunged the world deeper into chaos. In a way, the world is destroyed by the Sagax themselves.

Huh?

Master is looking up with his eyebrows arched but not at the ceiling, he's thinking. Master should be more aware of his odd behaviors. See, even Lady Senna looks uncomfortable from his sudden shift in behavior.

"On the off chance, was there a lance-type Mondra?"

Lady Senna blinked. "Y...yeah." She traces her finger from her temple to her chin, and she points to her left. "You said you all came from the southern cave right?"

"Yeah."

"Hmm.... South of this city, deep underground, is where a Void Demon is sealed. And the seal.... is a lance-type Mondra. Are you perhaps referring to that?"

"Remember what I have told you about my encounter with Aedrox? It happened there. He was sealed with a lance-type Mondra. It's around six feet in length, I think? There's some sort of gem embedded just above the grip."

"Runyx." Lady Senna beamed. Huh? Why does she looks so happy and then worried suddenly? "What happened to it? Did you at least took it?"

Master, why are you glaring at Lady Senna in an odd way?

"That fucking lance nearly reduced my hands down to bones."

"Ah.... She didn't chose you, I see."

"Chose?"

"Like I said, Mondras choose their wielder. Anyone that touches a Mondra without their consent will be harmed."

"Charming." Master said and swallowed another Banana whole. Huh? Master, if you keep eating non stop you will get fat, you know?

"Well in a way, it did helped a lot in the encounter with Aedrox." said master. That was fast. Did master not chew the Banana first before swallowing? "Could there be more than nine Mondras out there?"

"It's possible. They could have made more after they..... sealed me." Lady Senna is reluctant to say the last part.

The atmosphere became cold all of a sudden.

"Angie?" Master called out to the dazed Lady Senna.

Lady Senna jumped a little when master touched her. She quickly stood up. "I'm sorry. It has been a long day. I wish to get some rest. You all should too." She said and disappears to the floor above. We are currently taking shelter back at the red building. According to Lady Senna, it use to be an inn, a resting place for adventurers, wanderers, travelers.

[Resting place.... Phrasing.] Master said through telepathy.

[What do you mean?] I asked.

[Nothing] Master replied.

Master is weird like always.

Hmm? It's bright?

The vines on the ceilings of this cavern were barely glowing after Lady Senna is freed as the core. Now, lights as bright as the surface's are leaking through the worn and torn of the building's walls. I got up and gave a slight push to open the window. The hinges snapped off and the window panels fell to the streets. Brightness that rivals the sun pours into the room.

I wonder if master or Lady Senna did something.

Nilin is in her Wisp form and still sleeping. I think. She's faintly glowing like she always did when replenishing her energy. So I guess she must be sleeping but can it be called sleeping? The usual three are sleeping in one corner. Bartholomew is hugging a log.... no, he's hugging a snapped log. Did he snapped it while he was hugging it in his sleep? Citra is wrapped around Cormac's right arm like usual. Hmm? Citra seems bigger now. Is it just my imagination? No. Her Mana flow is certainly a little bit stronger than before. She's growing. Well, that's only natural.

Huh? Where's master? Wasn't he sleeping in the same room as us? I said room but the dividing walls were no more due to age. So it's just a wide space of a floor. Lady Senna is sleeping alone at the floor above. I think?

Anyways, where's master? I tried calling master through telepathy but no answer. Did master wandered off somewhere? I should ask Lady Senna. Just from a glimpse, I can tell Lady Senna is significantly stronger than master but for some reasons, Lady Senna is very willing with master's orders. I wonder why.

As I am about to go up the stairs to the other floor, I feel a tug on my tunic. I turn to look.

It's Nilin. She's awake and in her human form. She looks sleepy and she's wearing a one piece instead of a dress.

With a yawn and rubbing her eyes, she asks "Where are you going?"

"Master has gone somewhere. I'm going to go ask Lady Senna if she knows where master is."

"Mou~ You can't just walk into a girl's room alone, especially if she's sleeping. Let me." Nilin said and walked up the stairs before me.

I don't really understand what Nilin meant but since she seems to know more about etiquette than me, I didn't retort.

Unlike the floor I was sleeping on, the rooms on this floor are still.... rooms. Although some are missing doors but not the walls. Following the Mana flow, I am able to find out which room Lady Senna is in.

Hmm? Master's Mana flow is in the same room as Lady Senna's?

Before I could knock, Nilin has recovered enough and her haughtiness is awake, she kicked opened the door and brazenly walked into the room.

Master jerked up immediately from the floor, -- Oh, hi master! -- a large blanket covering his lower body. Why? Was it cold? I didn't think a little bit of cold would bother master. Master, if you're cold, why are you not wearing anything?

"Ba....ba...ba....ba...." Nilin is chattering some incoherent sounds as she slowly points at master. Weird. Why is she pointing at master? Is something wrong?

"Tom? Nilin? Something wrong?" Master asked. He looks angry. No... bothered. Master is bothered. Well, it's understandable.

Still, why is master here sleeping in the same room as Lady Senna? Before I could answer, another person woke up beside master. Needless to say, is Lady Senna.

Huh?

Why is Lady Senna naked like master? Why were they sleeping so close to each other? And their body is glistening in sweat. Just what were they doing....?

Ah.... Oh.

I get it now.

After all, as a former goblin, I have experienced the same thing. But unlike me, master have did it with consent it seems.

"Ah....a....ah....ah..." Steams are rising from Nilin's head. "Sh....sh...."

Sh?

Master sighs. [It has its moments. Well, here it goes.] Master said and covered his ears. Lady Senna did the same.

Huh? Why?

"SHAMELESS~!"

Screamed Nilin as it resounded throughout the city.