Elder elementals are a rare existence, only one of which is confirmed to exist. Sveran, the inert guardian of the Highlands, is an elder earth elemental that has lived for a thousand years. Records of its origin have been lost to history, but it has maintained a neutral and protective stance on all inhabitants of the Highlands. Elves born outside of the Highlands are regarded as outsiders. Although it doesn't take commands from any authority figure, it will suppress those who attack and 'expel' them from the Highlands. Due to its static nature, it is well-known that any intruders who make it past the border will escape successfully as Sveran is unwilling to leave, which is theorized because its powers are built upon its status as the guardian of the HIghlands. It has been 'sleeping' for over a century after an invasion left it injured, leading to the creation of the Fey Forest during its absence. It is unknown if the legendary creature will ever wake up again

~ Wonders of the World: Highlands Edition by Al Nindee

The inhabitants of Stillwater were terrified at first. Over a hundred metallic constructs marched toward them while their leader made short work of the Idil soldiers and their camp, forcing a hasty retreat. General Reinherz had been beaten and stripped of his armor by the mysterious assailant. When the priest and two adventurers that had gone missing returned with them, they were slightly more reassured, but still apprehensive of being under the rule of their new robotic overlord named Elric.

The first few days were hectic. A steady stream of robots went to and from the junkyard deep underground to bring their items. Android 02 was the last to arrive, overseeing the transition and defending their territory as they made the move up to the surface. Foot soldiers approached the cautious villagers but quickly showed their willingness to co-exist with humans by helping with repairs and renovations throughout the village. It was jarring to see such a sharp contrast in technology, as parts of the town were built with a modernistic theme while some remained medieval and traditional.

A massive factory for Android 02 was in the process of being built, having the foundation of the building created and the conveyor belts from deep underground transported into their new and improved facility. A portion of their forces remained, expanding the railroad system that lead towards Stillwater. Elric was adamant about keeping some of his forces there because of the access to multiple mines available in the area. Without the Queen, the number of ankheg attacks dropped sharply.

During the first day, Elric gave in to the persistent robots and gave them their mandated breaks. Android 02 handled the negotiations between the newly formed Automaton's Union or AU for short. The union was surprisingly happy with having a daily 5-minute mandated break, and Chester was somewhat proud to see the consequences of his actions. He partook in their celebrations and was welcomed as one of their own, being recognized as the person to enlighten them in learning about worker solidarity.

Many of the villagers interacted with the constructs and learned the hierarchy between the Androids, Scrap Bots, and foot soldiers. Townspeople noticed how animated the Androids were in comparison to the rest and felt more comfortable interacting with them, showing that the situation wasn't perfect and would take a longer time to adjust. Jeffrey and Lily came to visit the adventurers and thanked them for their help.

"We're eternally grateful. Lord Elric's forces have been a boon in keeping our mines running." Jeffrey had taken it upon himself to manage the formerly abandoned mines, distributing the forces and making sure that the robots and humans worked seamlessly together. Elric instated him as the official branch manager, that worked directly underneath Android 02. The drill machines were sensitive and could detect locations where cold iron was more prominent, allowing for further expansion of the massive mine.

Elric took notice of their smelter, taking the liberty to innovate the design and use some of its mechanics to improve his version of the smelter which he had used underground, powered by the Scrap Bots which possessed fire abilities. Production and work efficiency was booming upon his arrival.

In just a few days Stillwater had turned into an industrious mining settlement. Priest Engel had already sent a response to his superiors and was waiting on confirmation of their new trade alliance.

"Show us your gratefulness with some coins." The curly-haired man said in response, putting his hand up to receive some money. Jeffrey looked down at his pockets and began to search before the noble vampire put a stop to it. The farmer's daughter bowed her head and blushed slightly upon seeing the vampire's smile. He bent over slightly to meet her eyes and she averted them quickly, hiding behind her father.

"Wh-when I'm older, will you wait for me?" Lily asked, looking nervous as she did so.

"Hm? Sure, I'll come back and visit." Damien tilted his head, not fully understanding what the little girl was asking. The illusionist raised his brow knowingly, looking at the handsome boy who was woefully unaware of what he just promised.

Chester and Damien were far from idle during the robot's occupation of Stillwater. The vampire boy took it upon himself to help with repairs and teach anyone willing about techniques to defend themselves with, knowing that strength would go a long way towards establishing their independence.

The illusionist spent his time with Christopher and Elric, considering them as good drinking buddies. After the massive amount of level he gained, he brought up his AGI to 100 and invested the leftover in INT and END. The new Perk he received, Greater Agility, provided significant benefits. Unlike his vampire partner, he spent his days lounging around after the exhausting series of events that led up to that point.

Greater Agility - Your reflexes and eyesight will scale in proportion to your AGI stat. All agility-based abilities are enhanced by 10%.

Although the effects of the skill weren't as prominent as Greater Intelligence, Chester noticed a massive difference in how his body reacted to stimuli. Even with the inhuman agility he had previously, the movements he made or reacted to still seemed like a blur in his eyes. It was hard to fully control his own moves when he was going all-out. After experimenting with Elric, he noticed that he was able to keep up with the man's movement for the first time. Elric revealed that his AGI was over 200 after adding up the totals from his class, perks, and other benefits. Chester realized that even his massive stat point advantage couldn't bridge the gap between a person who evolved and reached their second class milestone. It made him realize that people at his level couldn't compare. He was essentially a human with the hardware of a high-tier monster.

He surmised that the moment he reached level fifty, he could live comfortably without much worry from external threats short of Joseph Devon and the mysterious female knight coming together to take him down. Chester spent his drunken dreams imagining what his future powers would look like. The Dream spell was used extensively to make entertaining scenarios from Mysterio, Loki, and Doctor Strange as inspiration for the basis of his future powers.

Damien experienced a massive jump in power. Raising his END and INT to 100 each, he remembered his instructor that strongly recommended focusing on your strengths before shoring up your weaknesses. It was a tried and tested method that maximized combat potential. During the days in the village, he was diligent in his training, exercising with vigor and focus that bordered on insanity. Whenever they were free, he requested spars from everyone he knew. Most of them, including the languid senior priest, accepted and quickly noted how sharply his skills improved.

Advanced Sword Mastery is now at level 2.

Shield Mastery has evolved into Advanced Shield Mastery Level 1.

Advanced Darkness Mastery is now at level 2.

Shadow Servant, the skill which spawned a canine made entirely of darkness, grew bigger and meaner upon upgrading his Darkness Mastery. Damien quickly grew attached and kept it activated whenever possible, and it followed him devoutly. Although it couldn't communicate, the two had an intuitive understanding of what they were feeling even when apart. The boy named him Maxwell, citing it as a name that came to him naturally. He diligently practiced learning how to fight together with the shadow beast, using local monsters or Chester as practice.

Greater Endurance - Stamina recovery is increased. All damage taken is reduced slightly.

HP gained is doubled for every point in END. HP regen gained is doubled for every point in END.

His growth was on another level and it showed in his sparring matches against Elric and Chester. The illusionist found it difficult to harm the boy that regenerated from almost anything. He explained that both his mana and health regeneration doubled on top of his normal racial skill, which Chester claimed was cheating. Just through sheer endurance, he ground out his first victory against Chester, severely injuring the man's pride and keeping him in a dampened mood for several hours. The cyborg took it easy but displayed physical abilities that surpassed them in all categories, defeating Damien with low difficulty.

"Honestly Damien, you're a genius. More than that, it took me years to reach this point. With your skills, you'll probably surpass me in a year or two." Elric confessed. The man had forged a strong bond with Damien, likening him to a cousin that whom he was close in his previous life. The vampire felt appreciated but inwardly felt unsatisfied by his progress. The defeat at the hands of the Scrap Bots and Jasiah was at the forefront of his mind almost every day.

The illusionist decided to train a bit harder to avoid lagging behind his friends. He knew that making demands or decisions was difficult when you held no power. He refused to admit under any circumstance that he was jealous of the boy and his rapid growth. Damien could occasionally feel the man's envious stare whenever he wasn't looking.

Not only did they receive additional cold iron bars from the villagers, but the cyborg otherworlder had also granted them boons for their help throughout the entire series of events from helping with the ankheg invasion to the occupation of Stillwater.

The man had asked for Damien's instant cube which he gave without much reservation. This forced the adventuring duo to stay in his newly built house for the time being. It was barren and somewhat basic, but it didn't take long for Android 02 to have furniture for their guests. Elric personally designed some of the amenities, blending medieval resources with modern design. Some of the furnishings were proudly crafted by the villagers who were eager to serve their saviors.

He summoned them to the top floor at the end of the week. The building looked reminiscent of one from Earth in design. It was about two stories tall with open windows along the top floor, giving the residents a full view of what was happening in the town square where it was situated. It was one of the many buildings in construction as the robots continued to make Stillwater their own.

"Here's some armor I crafted. I based the design off mine, and with greater access to materials and proper resources, I got it done pretty fast since we have so much more access to tools and whatnot. Take a look."

Elric's Tactical Armor Suit

- Made from mithril, it boasts great hardiness and durability while also being very light. Created by a talented artificer, it allows for three enchantments to be added to the equipment.

- Reduces slashing and cutting damage greatly

- Reduced Weight I: The mass of the equipment is reduced by half

- Prestidigitation I: Self-cleaning and remains odor-free.

- Greater Durability I: Further increases the equipment's natural durability and resistance to wear & tear.

- Weight: 15kg

"It's insulated so no need to worry about electric shocks or anything like that."

The armor was modern in design, and it was a whole set that covered his arms, chest, and thighs. The segmented plates were comfortable and clicked into place when he equipped them with Elric's help. The man looked proud, explaining the other additional features and design benefits. Although it was thinner and less protective, Chester liked how unrestrictive the tactical suit was. He did a few preliminary movements, from sudden jerks to wide stretches, the armor hardly inhibited any of his movements.

"I know you were always complaining about how heavy the armor was, so I focused on making it as light as possible. If you open this clasp on the back, you'll find a hilt to supplement your Attainium. Android 02 suggested that idea himself."

Doing so, the man opened it to find a long, metal mithril bar that was easy to grip. The edge was hollowed out, which he presumed was the place to stick his iridescent metal in. Chester shifted his Attainium from his shoulder and onto the hilt, making sure it was situated perfectly, and transformed it into a sword. Then into a flail, and into a hammer. He ran through all the forms and made sure everything worked properly before turning to the cyborg. He was as giddy as a child on Christmas, making high-pitched squeaking noises.

"I don't know what to say. Thanks, you're a great guy. Aside from kidnapping us and all that, of course."

Elric rolled his eyes. Damien was surprised to see that the man handed him a different set which was more militaristic and medieval in design. Massive shoulder plates and a heavy upper body that would take an artillery shell with ease, Damien looked like a miniature, steampunk football player after equipping the newly designed armor. His chin was slightly obscured by the sheer size of his plated equipment.

Elric's Juggernaut Armor Suit

- Made from an orichalcum-adamantium alloy, it boasts absurd hardiness and durability along with a resistance to magic. Created by a talented artificer, it allows for one enchantment to be added to the equipment.

- Vastly reduces slashing and cutting damage greatly

- Size Adjusting I: The equipment will shape to match the user's size from 50% of its initial size.

- Weight: 30kg (15~45kg)

"And for you," He looked at Damien who seemed surprised at the gift. Elric handed him the instant cube, which looked no different upon closer inspection. "Go on, try it out. I've been thinking about what would be the most useful for you. I noticed your class has some sort of effect that is improved with heavy armor."

The boy bowed gratefully, looking somewhat comical as the equipment moved with him and almost made him stumble. The weight was distributed across the legs and arms evenly so there wasn't a large risk of him toppling over even with the massive shoulder plates half the size of his head. The Juggernaut armor came with greaves and boots which were inter-connected, and Elric showed how the segmented plates could fold in on themselves for easier storage. Although it was still half of Damien in sheer mass, the boy found it somewhat fitting and knew that it would be a good exercise to learn how to fight in his new equipment.

He returned the boy's instant cube, telling him to open the portable home that he had taken for additional tweaking a few days prior.

After making sure there was enough space, the vampire did what he was told and summoned the instant cube to its full size. It came out the same, although there was a slight outline along with the bottom corners of the cube.

"Sport Mode."

The outlines revealed segmented plates in the same style as Android 01's body. A set of discs came out made entirely of metal, propping the instant cube by a foot and glancing off the ceiling.

"Did-did you just turn our fucking portable house into a car?!" Chester asked, jaw hanging wide open as the instant cube seemed to rev up.

The vampire didn't fully understand what a car was, but seeing the structure reminded him of the wagons that the miners used to carry all their luggage. It clicked and he realized that their instant cube was now capable of transportation as well. He looked at Elric in shock and awe.

"It comes with a few settings depending on what sort of terrain you're moving on. One of my railgun's capacitors is inside, and you can use that to make sure there's power being supplied to keep it moving."

Damien bowed his head. He was grateful for everything the man had done for them, feeling as though his contributions surpassed their own. Elric patted him on the back encouragingly and gave him a thumbs up.

"You guys were a big help. Not only that, you're the reason why I finally got the courage to get out and do all this." He gestured to the window where robots and humans worked together to make Stillwater a better place.

The trio spent a good portion of time discussing a variety of topics. From the function of the new and improved instant cube to the consequences of provoking Idil and claiming it as their new territory. During their conversation, Christopher entered and came to inform Elric about the contract between Stillwater and the Church. He seemed worried about the possibility of Idil retaliating.

"I apologize, but my position in the church is too low to intervene with any sort of conflict with Idil. Even the archbishops and cardinals would find it difficult to interfere unless they directly attacked us. I'd recommend allying with another kingdom or even vassalize. Although I am a witness to the fact you are far from weak. Idil is not a force you can fight at this stage."

Elric winced. He spent some of his days learning about the general world and received lessons from Christopher, Damien, and even Chester. He had a rudimentary understanding of the world and the kingdoms which could pose a threat or be a great boon. "Do you know anybody we could talk to? Perhaps any connections or diplomats that would listen to us?"

"You underestimate yourself. Elway would be the ideal candidate. They are a force that Idil can't afford to provoke. If you could appeal to the Archmage Cerebella or the Royal F-"

"I'm sorry, can you repeat that name?" Chester asked, making a show out of digging his pinky into his ears and taking out any ear wax to ensure he heard that right. Damien made a face when the man flicked the earwax near his vicinity.

"Cerebella. The Archmage? I'm surprised you haven't heard of her during your trip to Elway."

"What the balls?! Cerebella is the Archmage?!"

"You should consider subscribing to the newspaper The Guardian of Faith. It's our service and we provide monthly newsletters via teleporting runes. You can find everything you'd need."

The priest rummaged through his pack and showed a September's issue of the Guardian of Faith. A moving image that showed Cerebella in all her glory against a man of similar height wearing pure-black armor. His appearance reminded Chester of goths from Earth due to the piercings on his ears and his suit of pure black armor. The dark tendrils surrounding the man-made the two realize that he was the likely cause of the mysterious attack that spread throughout the entire kingdom. The illusionist took the paper and began to read through, muttering out the words quietly to himself.

The image moved like a live photo, and Chester could see Cerebella slowly begin to form a playful smirk on her face while the Duke looked alarmed and vigilant. Pure white energy radiated from her being and forced any darkness nearby to dissipate, showing just how the legendary mage outclassed the man.

DUKE WARNER & ARCHMAGE CEREBELLA CLASH DURING THE LANES AUCTION EVENT

After a strange turn of events, Duke Warner and his entourage started a manhunt for the suspects involved in the Lanes Auction Heist. This search quickly became chaotic because of Duke Warner's skill that spawned darkness in a three-kilometer radius around the city square It inhibited townspeople and adventurers alike, forcing Archmage Cerebella to intervene in the unapproved hunt. In a stunning display of power, the Archmage neutralized Samuel Warner's skill and forced them to stand down.

The Duke apologized for his actions and paid out a reported sum of 15,000 gold for damages caused during the manhunt. Our reporters approached him for a statement, and Samuel Warner claimed that "the Prince forced my hand to retrieve the stolen goods."

The Tower of Magic and Elway authorities have not disclosed any further statements up until this point. The suspect responsible for the theft of the Scroll of Marbas, Kraken Blood, and Attainium is still at large. A few reports of the Omen being affiliated with this incident occur but no concrete evidence has been provided to show these claims.

Elric was reading the newspaper along with them, and his mind began to churn away as he distinctly remembered a scroll in a language he hadn't seen before and a vial of blue liquid that had the same viscosity of blood. His head tilted over to look at the man and the dots in his head began to connect upon seeing the Attainium on his shoulder.

Chester noticed this but focused on moving the topic elsewhere. "I've met her before. I was at the Tower of Magic and we talked for a bit, I think you could get an audience if you drop my name."

"Chester, are you sure that you're talking about the same person? The Archmage is a very powerful figure and getting any sort of connection with her is-"

"I know it's her. She taught me the Dream spell! I'm like fifty percent sure she'll remember me. Elric, I can help you."

He felt some sense of obligation to help the cyborg with finding proper allies. Although he knew that his relationship with Cerebella was an acquaintance at the absolute most, her open-minded nature would most likely allow Stillwater to flourish and grow under their protection. From what he could tell, she seemed like the curious type and would undoubtedly find an interest in Elric and his robots.

"We'll be talking later about that heist later." The cyborg said in fluent English. Chester looked around, whistling innocently. The vampire was glaring at him also, but he refused to make eye contact with either of them.

"I could accompany you, Elric. Having me as a mediator would ensure no hostilities occur." Priest Engel offered. Elric crossed his arms, deep in thought.

Chester didn't know much about politics, much less the state of affairs in a magical medieval world. He knew that sending any of the other robots as an envoy would have communication issues, and Elric was the one most suited for initiating any sort of alliance as the leader of this new kingdom.

That branch of thought led him to another question. "Hey, what's the name of your new kingdom?"

"Really? You're asking that now?" Damien rolled his eyes.

The man defended himself. "Hey, it's a valid question! You're gonna need something to represent yourself with. Unless you're sticking with Stillwater. Which is a crummy name."

"Hmmm..." Elric nodded his head, knowing that their group would certainly need a name. "How about Metropolis?"

"That's pretty good. Like the Superman comics, right?"

The cyborg waved his hand. "No, no. It's from a movie I watched a while back as a kid. It was an anime film about robots, and I figured it would fit to have it as the name."

Chester nodded sagely. "Right. I forgot you were Chinese."

"Japanese." He deadpanned. The man returned his attention to the priest. "Sounds good, when should we leave?"

"It's a few days away on horseback. Let me get my things ready, will you be joining us?" He pointed the question at Damien and Chester. The vampire looked at his partner for a brief moment, but the curly-haired criminal shrugged and looked away.

"...I think we'll pass. Our initial plan was to make a quick stop at Stillwater before moving to Welton and then to Garbrandt. We're looking for my brother, you see." The boy said, shaking his head apologetically. He didn't want to delay his meeting with his brother in the case that he left Garbrandt during the time he spent traveling.

"I understand. Best wishes to you on your journey then."

The conversation was short and sweet. Elric headed off to inform Android 01 and 02 about his incoming departure, and the two departed with a comfortable silence between them. Damien was busy admiring his new armor that synergized with his new class, and Chester was practicing the shaping of his Attainium with the new flail.

As they walked past the town square, they were greeted by robots and villagers alike. Their actions had unknowingly brought upon a wave of good that saved the town of Stillwater from famine and poverty. Gone were the faces that had adjusted to despair. The townspeople who kept their head down and trudged along were more animated, interacting with a liveliness that was absent when they first arrived. Chester felt an off sensation as he watched. He didn't know if it was pride, but he blamed Damien for infecting him with empathy.

"So we both agree that this whole thing was a disaster and I get two free passes to do whatever I want?"

"That's what you take from all of this? Are you KIDDING me?!"

A new round of bickering opened up on more, but it was light-hearted. Even with an irritated front, Damien couldn't help but crack a small smile. The illusionist locked the boy's head in between his arm and gave him a noogie. It had little effect but the vampire pretended to struggle to escape, poking the man in the sides and ordering him to let go. With the sun setting on the horizon, the atmosphere couldn't be anymore exuberant.

It was a good day today.