“Are you saying it was self-defense, Miss Akeila?”

“Yes, these bastards were screaming to rape me and even used their Dao weapons against me! If that’s not attempted murder, what else!”

It was dusk. The questioning from the guards were quite intense and repetitive. Akeila received some first aid from Herla, her injuries bandaged while her seductive body covered in an unassuming grey cloak. She, Ava and Herla were detained separately.

Juan and Husan on other hand were barred from entry and can only hope for the best. Roaring Lions members were captured and transported into separate holding cell from the location as investigation proceeded. Ava remained expressionless as ever.

“Ava jumped into the fight. Roaring Lions circled Akeila forgesmith. Roaring Lions took out dao weapons and attacked both Ava and Akeila. Akeila and Ava fought back. Ava killed some of them.”

“So what Young Miss is saying is that, Roaring Lions drew their weapons first? And use dao weapons against you and the forgesmith first?”

“Ava confirms. Roaring Lions were unhappy with Akeila and wanted to kill her. Ava kills them first. Self defense.”

The guard interviewing Ava knows not underestimate people that might be a wandering expert in secret but he felt it was like out of a fairy tale. So, she fought six men with dao weapons? And killed some of ‘em too? He decided to not record her statement in full.

Herla was quite shaken from the events but managed to keep her cool during the questionings. She narrated the same story over and over to the skeptical guard but she too found it difficult to swallow. Reality can be sometimes stranger than fiction.

“So this forgesmith friend of yours, Akeila was being threatened by Roaring Lions? And your little friend Ava jumped in and fought them off? Even though every one of them have a high grade dao weapon?”

“That’s what I’m saying all these while, mister guard. Roaring Lions surrounded Akeila about some dispute and then Ava jumped in. Roaring Lions drew their weapons first and even tried to kill me. So Akeila and Ava combined forces to fight them off.”

“Sigh, truth to be said, I don’t believe it either Miss. We’ve checked your statements with others and found them to be mostly the same. It’s true that Roaring Lions were in the wrong but why some of them are already dead when we arrived?”

“I’m just as curious as mister. I’m not sure what else I can say. That’s all what I know, mister guard.”

This strange situation put the guards at a bind. Murder is explicitly banned in Kazar but other than that, the guards usually do not interfere with private disputes. The chaos between Akeila and Roaring Lions showed otherwise and could’ve been resolved better.

Part of the fault however can be blamed on the lack of the guards’ response. Ganah, the leader of Kazar guards that arrived at the scene had filed a separate query, hinting at possible insider job where part of existing guards were working with Roaring Lions.

“Captain Ganah! They should be released!”

“Oh, it’s you Kalish. Why? What’s the reason?”

“I have this order writ from City Lord, Ava should be released! And not impeded in the future!”

“Uh..why? Any reason, Kalish? What was the City Lord thinking?”

“Dunno. We have some record when Ava first entered Kazar and she showed us some kind of chevron medal as a deposit. Tanif sent me to check her medal with City archives. I didn’t find anything but maybe the Lord knows something. But well, orders are orders.”

“Humm, if that’s what the City Lord wished. Does City Lord laid other prohibitions?”

“None so far, Captain Ganah. Just that Ava shouldn’t be restricted too much.”

“Okay Kalish. I will sign for their release. Mind that I will send some of my men to watch them. People don’t die for random reasons and certainly not to a girl no more than ten years old. She only have a dagger, not a match to a Third Grade dao weapon.”

The incident was soon resolved. Roaring Lions or whatever left of them were continued to be detained as they had previous offenses. Another task for the guards was to search for extra eye-witnesses. When Ava left the guardhouse, Juan and Husan swarmed her.

“Young Miss! Are you okay?!!”

“Ava is fine, Uncle Juan. Ava is very strong.”

“Young Missy, you’re not hurt, are you? It breaks my heart!”

“All situations are normal, Old Human Husan.”

Next to her exit was Akeila and Herla. Akeila had an intense frown and trying to bottle her grumpiness while Herla was just relieved to see all of them were released safely. The middle-aged woman divided Juan and Husan’s encirclement of Ava.

“Now now, you’re just scaring this young sister. We’re going to have some private discussion so please leave Juan, Husan.”

“Errr….okay. If you need anything, call me up Young Miss. Uncle Juan won’t let you stay hungry!”

“Stay safe, young missy. This old man hafta go. If you’re in trouble, say my name! Let’s see who dares disturb you!”

“Akeila, you’re staying. I need you to do some favour for me.”

“Right. I have a few words with you too, Herla! You got some splainin' to do!”

The meeting was adjourned, Juan and Husan heading back to their place respectively while the females travelled together to opposite direction. Some guards and inhabitants had started to light their braziers as night had extended its curtains to the world below.

There was lesser amount of beings out at this hour but south of Kazar remained lively as ever. Cold winds billowed about, stirring some of the sands here. The three females eventually reached the forgesmith area and this time it was Akeila’s abode.

Chomp!

Ava bit a biscuit served by Akeila. The tube-like pastry had a crunchy exterior with nutty taste while the center was soft and oozing with fruity sweetness. This was her fifth biscuit. Akeila sighed softly, her wile enticing but this little girl can sure eat.

“So you don’t know her, Herla?”

“We met by chance just before Kazar. Young sister came out of the desert by herself.”

Akeila downed a cup of coffee, its smell faint. All three of them were seated on a fur rug with pile of biscuits and jug of coffee on a nearby metal tray. What is exactly this little girl? The forgesmith propped her chin with her hands, her face half covered by silky black hair.

“Young Miss Ava, can you tell us a little bit of yourself?”

“Ava wanders. Ava came from the desert.”

“Ummh...this Akeila is thankful for Young Miss but…”

“But? Please state your concerns.”

Akeila was tongue-tied by this golden-eyed girl. Her flat expression was one thing but why did she ate half of the biscuits? This girl...sure have a big appetite. Urgh, I need to bake more of them later. The busty forgesmith turned her glance to Herla.

“Just saying, I’m still angry at you for bringing this young girl to my fight, Herla.”

“Haaah...you saw how she fight, right? Even if I want to, I can’t.”

“Hmph, no matter. Are you staying for the night, Herla? I got to check a few stuff in my forge.”

“If you let me, Akeila. You were searching for someone to help you, right? What do you think of Ava?”

“She’s agile enough but I don’t know. We’ll see. How long you’re staying here?”

“Just tonight Akeila, I need to check on some wares tomorrow. If you may?”

“Sure, go ahead Herla. See you next morning.”

The middle aged woman then retired for the night, entering one of rooms in Akeila’s simple house. There were little decorations and frills, just a few furniture and number of other miscellaneous item. Ava eventually finished all of the biscuits in the tray.

“Young Miss, Sister Herla said you want to look at beautiful swords right?”

“Yes, that is purpose of Ava’s visit to Kazar.”

“Follow me then. The forge's at back.”

Akeila remained courteous to Ava. While Ava is twice younger than her, she suspected a few things. Ava had proved she have some mettle in battle and their early release from the guards suggested she had strong enough backer to influence Kazar’s officials.

It would be wise to be humble to this brown-haired little girl especially when her extent and background were largely unknown. Akeila beckoned Ava to follow her, bypassing a courtyard and heading to her forge. Some potted plants can be seen on the way.

“Here’s my forge, Young Miss. What I’m worked and working on is on that cabinet. Have a look around.”

“Confirmed. Ava expressed gratitude.”

There was two black-coloured furnace, adjacent to a well worn anvil and a pool of water next to it. Ava moved around, picking up and going through all sort of stuff with her petite hands. This was a new stimulation, especially the monster parts scattered around here.

“Ava questions, portions of monsters can be used for means of production? Like this Red Scorpion shell?”

“Right, we forgesmith use them and things like it to make armour. See this plate-thing? This helps to protect people from being stabbed.”

“Ava fought Red Scorpions before. Ava have no problem stabbing Red Scorpions. They all died.”

Akeila decided to stop being surprised at this point. Whoever backing this little girl must be very lenient, saving her and all. She opened another cupboard, taking out a few materials and tools. There was one intrigue she wanted to solve.

“Young Miss, can I see your dagger? I just want to see how it is.”

“Sure.”

Akeila grasped the dagger handed to her, her arms squishing a bit of her chest. This dagger looks...ordinary. What is it made of? The dagger had a blackish hue and a simple bronze hilt. It was neither sharp or dull but quite sturdy. She returned the dagger to Ava.

“Young Miss, can you help me now? I want to test a few things.”

“If that is required, go ahead.”

“Great. Hold the dagger upright and think like you want to stab someone Young Miss. Just that.”

“Like this?”

“Perfect. Hold still, Young Miss.”

The forgesmith took the Red Scorpion-based plate armour and pushed it to the dagger. It was cut like hot knife through butter. Other objects fared no better. She lastly produced a sword-shaped dao weapon, that was strong enough to slice most iron weapons into half.

Shririririk! Tiuw!

The dao weapon suddenly left her hands and embedded itself to a wall behind her. What the? Is this dagger a dao weapon too?!!! Akeila breathed heavily. Her eyes widened and bits of her hair fell on the ground, cut by the rebounded sword.

“Ummm...Young Miss, what is that dagger you’re holding? What is it?”

“This? This is Ava’s trusty dagger. Ava bring it everywhere.”

Her answer was less than satisfactory but caution stopped Akeila from asking any further. She saw how the dagger effortlessly blocked the twice boosted dao weapons of Roaring Lions. It must be a custom dao weapon and only useful to Ava and no one else.

Then there was the suspicion that someone pretty powerful is backing the little girl. Of course, beings of this world did not know how Ava’s weapon actually worked. It is not a dao weapon but instead operated on a completely different principle.

With skillful usage of [Disintegration], Ava is able to compress the effect in a tiny space and undulate it along the sides of the dagger. It was like an incredibly sharp chainsaw but on a molecular scale, ripping apart chemical bonds of most materials on contact.

The Post-Human was also perplexed on why dao weapons were able to somehow resist localized [Disintegration]. Was it due to mysterious energies contained in them or something else? Ava stowed away her dagger and threw a question to the forgesmith.

“Ava questions, these have special energy in them? Ava’s dagger failed to cut through a magic sword before.”

“Some do, some don’t Young Miss. The ones are, are called dao weapons. They channel energy of heaven and earth to power their abilities.”

“Hmm. Can Sister Akeila make one? Ava is interested to see.”

“Uh, no can do Young Miss. This Sister’s hand is injured but I can show you more examples of it.”

Akeila shrugged, her hand injury not light. It will take time for her to properly wield the forging hammer again. She compiled with Ava’s request and opened a section of a wall through a press of a palm. Numerous gleams filled the space, energies abundant.

There were around five to six swords in the hidden shelf. Some glowed green, some in fiendish red. All energies barely leaking, contained on their surfaces. Each sword had its own pattern and design as if to indicate what kind of energy was embedded within them. Akeila took a step back and pointed to one of them.

“I usually make dual-edged dao swords that can cut like Young Miss’s dagger just now. But their effects differ from each other since certain desert monsters can resist certain dao weapons.”

“How do Sister Akeila put heaven and earth energy in them?”

“Hmm..how do I say it Young Miss...it’s like solving a puzzle. Then we finish it with special forging, some spells or inscriptions. I’m not good at transcribing so I use my master’s special forging methods.”

“Can Sister Akeila teach Ava? Ava is interested.”

“Uhh...I will think about it, Young Miss. For now, we should take a bath!”

Akeila dodged her request. Even if she teaches her, it would be for naught as making dao weapons are not only theoretical but require one to actually make them through practice. She was in no state to teach, her injuries were barriers.

“Ava do not require baths. Conserve water. This is a desert.”

“Errr Young Miss, just go with me. I do need some help, I’m injured!”

Akeila shook her head. This little girl sure know her ways with words. Is this little girl afraid of baths or something? She pulled Ava away from the forge, rough hands meeting with soft ones. Although she shouldn’t be surprised, that was unexpected.

Ava’s hands were soft, unbecoming to someone that had just killed two enraged men a few hours prior. How much power is packed in this little body? How come it’s strong and cute? Her confidence fell, she felt she just lost in strength and female’s charms.

The forgesmith regardless did need Ava’s help as her legs were bandaged in some locations and her left hand was no better. Ava finally relented by taking a wipe bath together with her, using wet cloths to wipe select places. It was like taking a bath with a sibling.

Ava ruminated on past events. The Post Human controlling the body had more or less adapted to its new form. Her random choice to help Akeila had netted some benefits; so people of this world use dao weapons in place of technology.

While Post-Humans have transcendent abilities like [Disintegration] and able to control countless constructs, natives of this world use mystical energies and turn primitive weapons to be on par with advanced weaponry. At least in close quarters combat.

The fight with Roaring Lions provided a baseline on how the natives fight in a group using their special items. An army equipped with same might be impossible to counter in Ava's current state, not with her limited supply of quanta at the moment.

Her research on how dao weapons were made and operate was suspended as Akeila was unfit for forging. Nevertheless, the Post-Human had successfully coaxed the forgesmith to go to eastern markets of Kazar, to see materials used for dao weapons.

This visit could also illuminate her on the unique materials in this world. Their strengths, their weaknesses and their utilities. Understanding them might give Ava some advantage when she needs to clash with the natives on her way of world domination.

Both Ava and Akeila reached half of the city until Akeila’s legs almost gave way. Her legs were still injured, her top dress jiggled with the morning gust. Ava caught her on time but since she was small, she was almost squashed flat.

“Umm...I’m sorry Young Miss... you’re not hurt, are you?”

“Mhhf..Ava reports no problem. Let us depart.”

“Awawa! Young Miss! You don’t have to carry me like this! We can just take a carriage or something!”

“Why? This is the most efficient method, Sister Akeila. Ava did not protect Sister from damage. Ava want to repay.”

“The more efficient method is to take a carriage! New stuff!”

Akeila blushed from ear to ear. She was currently being carried like a princess by a girl half her age and height. Onlookers either gave curious glances or muttering stuff among themselves. This looked like a punishment play…

The deadlock was finally broken when a kind soul stopped by, offering them a lift to east of Kazar City. It was a highly spirited male youth, clad in grey clothing that sat on a horse-pulling wagon. Akeila recognized this man, his sword-like eyebrows unmistakable.

“So princess Akeila, never thought you would stoop to that extent! Little girl, are you okay?”

“None of your business, Lutfi! I got ambushed by Roaring Lions and what did you do? Cower in your rabbit hole!”

“Sheesh, would it kill to tune down your temper a bit? I am giving you a ride to the east, you know. So who’s this little girl?”

“My name is Ava. Ava is very strong.”

“Really?”

“Really, Uncle. Ava helped Sister Akeila kill Roaring Lions.”

The man named as Lutfi turned silent. Akeila had been giving him stern glares, not to pry further. He can only shake his head, minding his own business. His nose told these two are trouble, better not provoked. Just deliver them to the east and be done with it.