One hour after the battle, all the defender's bodies had been assembled near the cemetery, the undead's one burned away by Maximilian.

Almost everybody went to pay homage to those who gave their life. Maximilian, Lin-Lin and Octavia didn't go.

It wasn't as if they weren't respecting the sacrifice of those who died, they were just busy helping with the injured.

The herbalist, at first, was sceptic.

"I don't know...you look more like fighters than healers to me...I don't want to be rude, young man, but if I let you near the injured, I don't want you to do even more damages."

"Beleive me, that won't be the case. We'll begin with the least serious one if you please."

The majority of the injured were actually very lucky. Their injuries being nothing more than some heavy scratches, cuts or little holes in the skin made by the pieces of woods from the doors when they exploded. For the three dozen lightly injured, Maximilian and the two girls only needed one health potion each, wich they divided between them.

All were glad to see their hurt bodies being good as new. The old herbalist, following Maximilian to be sure of the civilian's well-being, was appreciating the quick healing of the hurt ones.

"This is a potion of excellent quality you have here..."

"Indeed, but to be frank, their injuries wasn't that bad, to begin with, so they didn't need any special treatment."

Looking around, Maximilian was glad to see the people accepting the help of Lin-Lin and Octavia, even if a bit hesitant at first.

"Are you worried about your friends?"

"A bit...but it seems the people here do not have too much trouble trusting them, so I'm glad."

"They aren't blind, they saw them help defend their families. Even if some of them can be bothered by their look, they wouldn't show it."

"Good idea of their part...so, the lightly injured are dealt with, how about the others?"

"The most serious are two members of the adventurer group. The young woman, her shoulder has been greatly injured, but she almost begged me to let her go back to help her friends. I have managed to calm her pain and stop the bleeding, but I'm afraid some of her muscles

could have been damaged. If nothing is done, she may lose her arm movement partially, if not completely."

"That's a precise analysis, you seem to know your stuff."

The old woman smirked at him.

"I've been young too, you know. I had my part of travels and fights."

"Interesting. You said there are two injured adventurers?"

"Yes. The other is an elf magician. They are bringing him out of the ceiling right now..."

As they were going in Filian's direction, the old woman continued her explication.

"From what his friend told me, It seems like he received a lot of damages from a magic shield."

"A magic shield? How so?"

"The young man who brought him didn't seem to know a lot about it either. What I know is that yesterday morning, the captain asked the elf to teleport to the nearest town, to ask for help. When he did teleport, he was blocked by the shield and that's when he got...well, like that."

*Now that I think about it, there was some kind of heavy air around the town during the battle. But, since the necromancer died, it disappeared. It must have been his doing, and it ceased to exist as soon as he died.*

They had arrived at Filian's bed. The old herbalist had done wonders with the little bit she had, stopping the bleeding and replacing the members in the general good direction before bandaging them. Other than that, the elf was covered with ecchymosis, some of them had even worsened and were now hematoma, grossly inflating parts of his arms and legs. Seeing that, the old woman put a hand on her mouth.

"Goddess! He wasn't like this yesterday!"

Crouching next to him, Maximilian quickly examined the elf magician.

"Nothing to be afraid of. Thos are hematomas, not pretty to look at but..."

Palpating around it, moving the not broken members a bit, Maximilian nodded.

"...They don't seem to be on his muscles."

The old woman, serious about her work, was curious.

"What do you mean?"

"Those are there because some blood stagnated under his skin, I'll just have to puncture them."

"Is there something I can do?"

"Yes. You can go and tell his friends I'm operating him. You already helped them, so I think they will be inclined to believe you. I ask you to do this because I don't want one of them to bother me while I'm working. Octavia..."

"Yes, master?"

"I want you to use your silk to weave me some bandages, do you think you can do that?"

"Easily, master. I'll get to it right now."

Octavia stepped a bit on the side, actively working on what her master had asked her.

"Lin-Lin, I want you to assist me."

"I'm at your service, master."

"Let's get to it then, the sooner we begin, the better."

...........................................................................................................................................................

Like Maximilian had done in the dungeon before when he had operated the lady soldier, he used magic to create a basin of hot water, the fire also used to sterilise the knife he would use to operate.

"Lin-Lin, take this flask. I want you to collect the blood I'm going to make flow from his injuries. Elf blood can be useful in alchemy, let's not waste it."

"Is...is it alright, master? What if he doesn't want us to take it?"

"Hey, I'm healing his body for free, he's not going to shit a brick about it...sorry for the expression."

The panda girl didn't say a thing, only repressing a small laugh at her master's slang. She took the flask and readied herself to do as told.

"So, I'm going to puncture what needs to be. Take all the blood you can, then use the wet tissues to wash the remaining filth. Can you do that for me?"

"Of course, master."

"Very well, here we go."

For the next thirty minutes, Maximilian and Lin-Lin took care of the elf's hematoma, salvaging as much blood as possible while doing so. Around them, at a respective distance, the civilian they had helped earlier were observing them working.

"Now that it's done, I have to do something not funny..."

While she was plugging the flask before putting it back in the Havenbag, Lin-Lin asked.

"Is there a problem?"

"Not really. The herbalist did a fairly good job, but his leg and arm aren't going to heal properly like that. I'm going to put them correctly in place before healing...that's not going to be fun for him. It's a good thing he is unconscious. I have to be quick, though. Lin-Lin, maintain him while I do what needs to be done."

The panda girl nodded and put her hands on the elf body, immobilising him. In a rapid and precise movement, Maximilian cut the bandages before quickly placing the leg and arm in their normal initial position. Even unconscious, the elf growled because of the pain.

"Okay, done. Now for the healing..."

Maximilian took out a health potion and gave it to Lin-Lin.

"No more than a sip at the same time and wait some minutes between each sip, stop when he wakes up."

While she was doing as told, Maximilian used some of the bandages made by Octavia to secure the leg and arm in the good position, combined with a stone spline, so the elf would be able to move while his members healed.

"And we're done. The health potion will take care of his injuries in no time. And with our intervention, it's sure he is going to heal perfectly."

At that moment, the inn's door opened to let the adventurer's group go in, followed by the old herbalist, the innkeeper and her daughter. In contrary to what Maximilian thought would happen, Berot didn't verbally attack him as soon as he saw him.

"The herbalist told us you were operating Falian...how is he doing?"

"Not as bad as you could think."

The said elf choose that moment to coughed, Lin-Lin immediately took back the health potion like she had been told to do. Berot came crouching next to Maximilian, looking at the elf.

"Filian? Are you okay?"

The elf growled a bit as his eyes stopped on Berot.

"...And to think you are the first thing I see when I open my eyes..."

Biryl laughed at that.

"He's back, no doubt about that."

Sorco crouched behind the elf to help him sit. Looking around, he seemed a bit lost.

"Is everyone alright? The undead..."

"You don't need to worry about them anymore."

That came from Maximilian, whose presence seemed to, only now, be remarked by the elf.

"You are...Nilmerus?"

"Please...Maximilian, call me Maximilian."

The elf looked at his arm and leg.

"Those bandages...the herbalist isn't that skilled, and I'm not going to talk about my companions...is it your work?"

"Indeed, me and my friends took care of you. Although, we wouldn't have had a lot to work on if the herbalist hadn't treated you like she did."

"I guess I owe you my thanks..."

He turned his head to the herbalist, nodding at her too.

"As well as to you, thank you for what you did."

"All in a work day, young man."

There was a little silence for a bit, then the innkeeper clapped her hands.

"So... I think we all deserve something to eat and drink after all this. Everyone, I want all of you to bring what you can, we will eat and drink all the rest of the day. I want to see all Corpsenburg in my inn!"

Speaking to the town's folks around her, the innkeeper received nodded and agreement shout as everyone went out to go get their living loved ones, food and drinks. No one was to be alone that day, and everyone agreed on that.

...........................................................................................................................................................

After the innkeeper had asked everyone to come, no one stayed at their home. A lot came early to help to fix the inn first, putting back tables and chairs in place, bringing some more from their own homes to be sure everyone would have a place to sit. Women quickly arrived to help the innkeeper in the kitchen, a thing her husband would have done before, but with him dead, she was more than happy to welcomed them behind the counter.

"Octavia, Lin-Lin, can I ask something of you?"

"Always, master."

"I want you two to go hunting for a bit. I think you two are now strong enough to face the wild animals in this region. All the village is going to be here soon, and I think more meat could be useful."

Maximilian had scanned the two girls earlier. Thanks to the training with him, and the different enemies they had killed, the two were now level twenty, Octavia's little power boost after her evolution allowing her to caught on with Lin-Lin.

"Don't go too far, take the meat and leave the rest. Be careful, be back soon, and do what you can."

"Yes, master!"

"Oh! Lin-Lin, Octavia, before you go..."

The two turned around to caught what their master had thrown at them. They each received a single edge small knife, simply made, without decorations of any sorts, but of a good quality and a blade who looked like it would be able to cut anything. Each of the weapons was with their own scabbard and belt to be attached around the ladies waist.

"I adjust the belt to your size, use those to cut away the meat."

The two looked at the gifts then at their master, then bowed to him.

"Thank you, master!"

The two went out of the inn, running out of Corpsenburg to look for prey to hunt. Berot, sitting with his group not far from him, was curious.

"You're not going with them?"

"No. I think they need a bit of liberty, and I know they wouldn't do anything reckless...or at least, too reckless. For now, I would like to take a look at your shoulder, Kerele."

The group looked at the thief.

"My shoulder? Why?"

"The herbalist told me about your injury. She managed to stop the bleeding, but if nothing is done, your arm could be lost."

"Really? But...It doesn't even hurt, I don't feel anything."

"That must be because of the ointment she put on your injury. If it is the same as the one she used on Filian, it has some anaesthetic properties, that is why your shoulder is not bothering you for now."

Kerele looked at her companion before answering.

"Is there something you can do?"

Maximilian shrugged.

"Hard to say before I see the injury, but I guess I could help."

"...Alright then. If you're willing to help, I'm willing to let you do it."

"Very well, let's seat at the room's last table, in the back, It will be quieter."

The group followed Maximilian at the back of the room. Kerele faced Maximilian, sitting on a chair in front of him while he did de same. Like before, he used magic to made a basin of hot water where he soaked some pieces of tissue.

"So, I need to see your shoulder first. If you please..."

"Oh, of course."

The thief was starting to unfold her shirt but stopped, looking at her companions.

"Would you mind?..."

The four men seemed to realise only now what she was talking about and turned on their seat, using their body to hide the two and giving them a bit of privacy. Berot seemed bothered by something, though.

"Hey! what about him? You don't mind him seeing?"

Maximilian laughed slightly.

"I cannot exactly operate her if I don't see what needs to be done..."

"He's got a point."

"Shut up Biryl. Act like I didn't say a thing."

"I'll do that. Miss Kerele, if you please..."

The thief lady looked at her companions to make sure they weren't looking then uncovered her injured shoulder, along with her arm, flesh visible till just above the nipple. under the bandages, a poultice of green plants had been used to covered the injury.

"I'm going to explain everything I do to you, so if you don't want to look..."

"I'm okay. I'm not one of those noble ladies who would piss themselves for a splinter on the pinky toe."

"That's what I thought. First, I need to wash away the poultice."

"Why? Is something wrong with it?"

"No, my knowledge of alchemy and plants tells me the herbalist did very well, she's good at what she does. But something is bothering me...let me wash away the poultice so I'll be sure."

Acting while talking, he used a wet tissue to wash away the cataplasm, quickly revealing the injury under it.

"As I thought, it's infected."

"But...I thought the herbalist did what needed to be done."

"I did, young lady."

The old herbalist had come their way, interested in Maximilian's work. She passed next to the four adventurers, taking a chair while doing so, and came sitting next to Maximilian.

"What I was intending to do was not letting you bleed to death, and that's what I did. I couldn't have known those...ghouls, that was the name...I didn't know their attack could poison the victim."

"You've never dealt with ghoul's attack before? With a cemetery at your doors?"

"Surprisingly, no. One or two undead from time to time, brought back by an unresting souls or some bad spirit looking for a shell, but never a ghoul before. What kind of poison do you think it is?"

Examining the injury, Maximilian started to search through the havenbag.

"More than poison, it is an infection. I don't think ghouls are poisonous. But, when you look at them, they are walking rotten monsters, so it is not that surprising for their claws to be covered in all kinds of illness. Luckily, we were quick to act... Found it!"

Out of the havenbag, he took out the pot in wich was the ointment he had used on the soldier in the dungeon. He took some on his finger and started to cover the injury with it. Kerele hissed.

"Aouch! It burns!"

"Good, that means it's working. Don't worry, I've already brought back someone from the doors of the afterworld with this, you'll be fine."

The old herbalist showed some interest in the ointment.

"Once again, this is some very fine product you have here, what is the composition?"

"Some plants from the south, other from the east. To be frank, I'm afraid the price to obtain them would be more than what you would win by selling the final product."

"That much?"

"Even more...there, with this, you won't have to fear any infection affecting your muscles. Now..."

Maximilian took out the rest of the health potion Lin-Lin made Filian drank earlier and gave it to Kerele.

"Now, drink this. It will help you heal in no time."

While Kerele was sipping the potion down, Maximilian used the last pieces of bandages made by Octavia to covered her injured spot.

"And we're done. Fortunately, the injury hadn't attacked the muscle yet, so with what I gave you, you'll be fine. Keep your arm in a sling for tonight, it should be fine tomorrow."

It was a good thing Kerele had finished and swallowed the potion already, because otherwise, she would have spat it on him.

"In one night! You say it will take one night to heal!"

Maximilian was surprised at her reaction.

"More or less, yes...that doesn't seem too long..."

He took a look at the herbalist next to him.

"...is it too long?"

The herbalist decided to answer for the adventurers while helping Kerele dressing back.

"On the contrary, that seems too soon. A normal health potion would make an injury like that close in three days. That is the normal one, the most sell on the market. The good one, made by a professional alchemist and sold at a very high price would heal her in a day, more or less. Now you tell us that with what she drank, not even a full dose, it would take her only one night to be good to go?"

"This surprises you? I healed everyone with this earlier, even Filian was awakened by it."

The herbalist snapped her finger as if understanding something.

"That's why they were so full of energy so soon, and all their injuries were just gone. I was wondering what you gave them, so it was a health potion."

"Yep...simply a more powerful one than those you're used to."

Excuse us...can we turned now?"

That came from Berot, who wanted to participate in the conversation but found it difficult with his back turned. Seeing Kerele dressed again, Maximilian told them it was fine to do so.

"What I wonder is where you found this kind of potion, and at wich price..."

"Sorry, but this is a thing I won't tell."

"Can we know why?"

"Nope."

The group was kinda surprised by the man's response but, with his little smile on his face resting on his crossed hands, they had the impression he wasn't going to say more about the subject.

"I suppose we cannot convince you?"

"You suppose right...anyway, I'm hungry and thirsty. It's been nearly an hour, I wonder how the hunting is going..."

"Master! We're back!"

Looking at the inn entrance, all the people inside could see the two girls carrying each a big bag made of spider web, filled with red pieces of meat. That was impressive, but what was, even more, was the state of the two girls, almost completely covered in blood.

Maximilian stood and went to them, quickly assuring himself that it wasn't their blood. Once reassured, he couldn't suppress a smile.

"You two are a mess...what happened? It's been a bit more than an hour, how did you manage to get this much meat...and to finish covered in blood?"

"Let us bring the meat in the kitchen and we will tell you, master."

.........................................................................................................................................................

"Where should we begin?"

Lin-Lin and Octavia had quickly left Corpsenburg, finding themselves in the middle of the town's plain.

"I think we should go to the south, there's a forest...surely we can find meat there."

"Good idea Octavia, let's hurry."

The two girls ran in the forest's direction. Octavia slowed down her pace for a bit, to let Lin-Lin keep with her, but stopped after a minute or two.

"Wait, I have a better idea."

"What is it, Octavia?"

Turning around, the arachne showed her spider abdomen to the panda girl.

"Climb."

"What?"

"Climb on me, you're pretty light, I'm strong, and we will be able to move faster like that."

"Are...are you sure?"

Octavia nodded.

"But...this will stay a secret between us, okay? I don't want everyone to think it is okay to climb on me. I accept it because it's you."

"Well, in that case, thank you."

Taking care to not hurt Octavia with her spear as she climbed "behind" her, Lin-Lin soon was looking like a very special kind of horseman...only she was not a man...and Octavia was not a horse.

Octavia moved a bit around, testing how were her movements with the passenger on.

"Will you be alright with me on you?"

"It's okay, I'll run and adjust to the added weight on the way. Hang on, here we go."

Octavia started to run again, but faster this time, Lin-Lin surveying the road on the side while her arachne friend took care of the front.

After a while, they arrived near the forest. Octavia stopped there to let Lin-Lin get off her.

"Here we are, now...I think we should separate for a bit."

"You think so, Lin-Lin?"

"Yes, I'll run in that direction, then enter the forest and make a lot of noise. You stay here and weave a web, a large one, so any animal who comes your way, you can capture."

"That's a good idea, how did you think about it?"

"When I used to work at my old master's house, I've sometimes heard him speak with other people about hunting, this is a technique they use."

"They use spider web?"

"Well, they use nets, but I think your web will be better."

"Thank you...I'll get to it."

"I'm running that way then."

Doing as planned, Lin-Lin ran a bit alongside the forest, not stopping before fifteen minutes.

"Alright, I should be far enough. Let's go inside the forest and make some noise."

The panda girl went inside the forest, walking for a bit. Once deep enough, she came near a tree.

*Now...if I lift the earth from under it...*

Using earth magic, she pushed a tree out of the ground, making it noisily falling down. By the numerous sounds and moving shadows before her, Lin-Lin knew it has worked.

She repeated the action once or twice, making more noise. She was going to do it a fourth time when she heard a loud roar coming from Octavia's direction.

Concerned, she started to run in that direction. When she arrived where Octavia had prepared the web trap, she stopped. The scene in front of her was impressive to look at.

Octavia was fighting against a boar, looking at lot like the ones they had fought on the road before. The only little difference was that, compare to the others, this one was HUGE. Three metres high, four metres long, and at least two metres wide. The beast had created a new way in the forest when it had run away from the falling trees. There was no small beast around, the big one taking all the web by itself.

While the beast was kicking around, trying to get the sticky matter off, Octavia was literally running on the big body, doing her best to immobilise it.

"Octavia! I'm here to help!"

Seeing her companion was finally there, Octavia nodded.

"I'm glad. Help me kill it!"

Not wasting any time, the panda girl dashed. With her spear, she aimed at the creature's side and thrust with all her strength, only to see the weapon broke. The thick monster's skin was too hard and the spear's handle didn't resist.

Carried in her movement, Lin-Lin came too close and was hit against by the giant boar, sending her against a nearby tree.

"LIN-LIN! Are you alright!?"

The arachne, concerned about her friend, wasn't stopping for a second, not giving the monster any peace. She saw the panda girl moving and was reassured.

Lin-Lin hissed in pain, her hand going to the back of her head, checking for blood.

"Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine...but master's spear is..."

Looking at the handle piece in her hand, a sad feeling came to her. She was surprised by Octavia landing near her, the monster having finally managed to make her fall.

"Octavia! Sorry, I was..."

The arachne stood up, shaking her head from left to right.

"I'm okay, but I need help. I don't think master will be angry for the spear, but he will be sad if we don't come back."

"You're right, sorry. I'm alright now, let me help you."

"The monster is coming..."

Facing the two girls, the giant boar who finally tore up the web was looking very pissed. It roared as it ran in their direction.

"Jump!"

The girls jumped on the side, evading the beast head who came hitting the tree behind them with so much force the tree fell down.

"We have to immobilise him long enough to kill it!"

Octavia ran around the beast and started to attack the sides, trying to pierce the thick skin. After a while, always in motion to evade the beast's attacks, they had to accept the truth, their attack would not pierce that skin.

"How are we suppose to kill it if we can't hurt it? Try your magic, Lin-Lin."

"Good idea. Earth projectile!"

Lifting a big rock from the ground, Lin-Lin threw it at the giant boar, hitting it hard on the head. The rock broke, but the beast wasn't affected in the least, dashing once again in their direction. Once again, they evade the hit, another tree falling in their place.

"This thing is too strong...I'm sorry Lin-Lin."

Not looking away from the beast, the panda girl was curious.

"Sorry about what?"

"If I hadn't attacked it, we could have still hunt smaller prey, we would already be back near master and filling our tummy with meat, I'm sorry."

"No, It's me who's sorry, Octavia...it was my idea to do what we did, to begin with.. but don't worry. You and I received the mission from master, so we're going to do it together...and we will fill our tummy with good meat after th...that's it!"

The arcachne looked at the panda girl, wondering what was happening.

"What? Did you think of something?"

"The tummy! We must aim for his tummy! If the skin is too thick above, we must hit under."

"The idea is good...but how do we do that?"

"I have an idea, trust me."

The giant boar faced them once again.

"We have to jump..."

"No, wait!"

"What?"

His big legs start scratching the ground, steam coming out of his big truffle.

"Lin-Lin, if we are hit by that charge, we are going to die!"

"I know, trust me..."

The beast charged, quickly getting close to them.

"Lin-Lin! We must Jump!"

"Not now..."

And, at the last moment.

"EARTH WALL!!"

From the ground, right under the giant boar, just behind the front legs came a high stones wall Lin-Lin was putting her mana into to make it stand, not letting the giant boar stepped down.

"Now! Octavia, attack his tummy!!"

The arachne didn't need to be asked twice. She ran around the wall and used her front legs to pierced the monster's belly.

The roar of pain the monster let out indicated to Lin-Lin her plan worked. Seeing the monster moving more violently, Lin-Lin knew the wall would soon crumble. She quickly warned Octavia who ran away from under the beast.

Lin-Lin quickly ran away too, her wall crumbling down. From a few metres away, they saw the beast fell down, the pain visibly making it more violent. It turned in their direction once again, eyes full of fury.

"Now we know it's working...but I doubt I will be able to maintain it again like I just did. Do you have an idea, Octavia?"

"I managed to injure it...I even got blood on me doing so..."

Looking at her friend, she saw her covered in blood.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, this is not my blood...now what do we do?"

"We have to make it fall somehow, then we attack it with all we have."

The giant boar ran in their direction once again, dropping a line of blood on the way. The girls jumped on the side, letting it destroy the tree behind them.

"Octavia, I may have an idea. I'll get him to run at me, you hide. When he will be at full speed, try to block one of his front legs, it should work."

"Good idea."

The arachne disappeared in an instant, hiding in the forest's shadow. The giant boar turned, to furious to think of why one of his targets wasn't there anymore. All he was seeing was the one in front of him, that was all that mattered. To be sure he would give all it had, Lin-Lin used earth magic to throw some rocks at him, angering him even more. It let out a furious roar and dashed at her.

As he was coming near, a ball of web came from the side, blocking his left leg, making the beast lose his momentum.

To help Octavia, Lin-Lin went on the monster's right side and threw the biggest rock she could. Nearly as big as her, the projectile hit the monster's side hard, making it fall.

"OCTAVIA! NOW!"

The two girls didn't waste a single second. Lin-lin picked up her spear's head, using it as Octavia was using her legs to attack the beast. They had to be careful to not be hit by the monster's leg as he was trying to get up. Finally, The two girls combined effort allowed them to pierce the beast heart, making it die in a last roar.

After the beast let out his last breath, the two girls sat for a bit, catching their breath.

"We...did it...we did it!"

Lin-Lin started to laugh slightly, soon imitated by Octavia.

"I think master will be glad. But now, we have to salvage the meat from it...we're lucky master gave us those."

Taking her new knife out of its scabbard, she looked at it for a bit, then at the giant boar.

"What do you think? I take the left and you the right?"

.

.

.

It took them twenty minutes to cut away the meat. A complete salvaging would have taken thrice that time, but their master had asked them to only take the meat and leave the rest. Octavia quickly get used to her new tool, helping Lin-Lin cutting away the monster's flesh. They put everything in web bag weaved earlier by the arachne then left the place with their loot.

"Sorry, but we have to walk the way back, I'm tired, and with the meat bag..."

"Don't worry, Octavia. It wouldn't feel right if only you were working. And, thanks to you, we won a lot of time on the way to the forest."

"I'm glad we were able to get this much...Do you think master will be proud?"

"I think so...but I'm sad I broke the spear he gave me."

"This was a present?"

The panda girl looked at the arachne for a second, then remembered something.

"Ah yes, that's true, you weren't with us yet. Yes, it was a present, the day after we met, he gave me this equipment and that spear. He said he wanted me to be able to defend myself."

"...When I see how you fight, I say you did well, defending yourself."

That made the panda girl smiled.

...........................................................................................................................................................

"And that's all..."

The two girls, after they had brought the meat to the surprised, but even more happy women in the kitchen, had sat in front of Maximilian to explained what had happened to them. Lin-Lin, on a chair while Octavia was using her abdomen as a seat, was looking down on the broken pieces of her spear.

"Lin-Lin. Is this why you looked down all along your explanation? Because your spear is broken?"

The panda girl nodded, not looking at him. Maximilian stood up, going for the inn's exit.

"You two, follow me."

Octavia and Lin-Lin looked at each other then stood and followed their master outside. The adventurer's group, who had listened from the table next to them, were discussing what just happened.

"Do any of you understood all of that?"

Filian, sipping at his mug, answered Berot.

"It looks like to me that those two are his pupils or something like that. He sent them to get some meat, as we have heard, and they did. But, while doing so, the beast girl broke her spear, who was apparently owned by him, so she may fear punishment."

Berot looked offended at that.

"Punished? For a broken weapon? That seems a bit harsh..."

Berot emptied his mug before getting up and going for the exit.

"Where are you going?"

"Those girls brought back food for everyone, they don't deserve punishment, I'm going to talk to him."

Filian sighed.

"I said she was fearing a punishment, not that she was gonna have s...and he is gone..."

The three others looked at the elf, not really knowing how to react to what just happened.

"Mind telling me why we are following this idiot again?"

"Because we love this idiot?"

This commentary from the dwarf made the elf laughed slightly.

...........................................................................................................................................................

Berot went after the trio, looking around for where they could have been. He heard some noises behind the inn and followed them.

"Maximilian! I think you sh..."

He found Maximilian leaning against a tall wall who Berot swore wasn't there before. From Behind it came some steam.

"Hmm? Berot? Do you need something?"

Berot stopped in his track, not really knowing what to say.

"I...hum, I wanted... to know what is this wall?"

Berot wasn't proud of himself at that moment, but as he was standing in front of Maximilian, his prepared little speech went out the window.

"This? Just something to hide the girls while they take a bath."

"A...a bath? I thought you were gonna..."

Maximilian arched an eyebrow.

"You thought I was gonna do what?"

Berot sighed and came leaning next to Maximilian.

"To be frank? I thought you were going to beat that girl because of that broken spear."

Berot looked at Maximilian when he heard him laughed.

"Do I look like that much of a bastard? Beating a girl for a broken weapon...her weapon, at that."

"I'm sorry, I acted too hastily."

"I see that...and it's not the first time too. If I count the time at the inn and at the cemetery, it's the third time. Well, at least this time you had the courtesy to not draw your weapon out, that's an amelioration."

"Once again, I'm sorry. It's just that..."

"You're a short tempered fool with hot blood flowing in his veins?"

Berot crossed his arm, grumbling for a bit.

"I...canot say you're wrong, but I'm not a bad guy!"

"Never said you were, nor that I care. If you had tried to kill me again, even after I took the time to lecture you, I would have killed you, simple as that."

Maximilian's last phrase made Berot took a few steps away from him.

"You...would have killed me? I thought you were the kind of guy for whom killing was taboo."

"...If I put together all the time we've spent together, it wouldn't make even a day. What can make you think you could know anything about me or the way I think?"

Berot thought for a bit.

"In the vault, you tried to take the necromancer alive, why?"

"Simple, it wasn't me who got hurt by his doing. Me wanting him to apologise wasn't like some kind of fetish I have, it was for him to face those he acted against."

"But why do you think people would want him to apologise?"

"I don't know if they wanted to hear him or not. It was also a good way to make him come out in the open, far from his place of power. One thing you must understand is that I do what I want, sometimes for a tactical reason, but generally because I think it is the right thing to do. To be frank, I was probably going to kill him afterwards, after I would have interrogated him of course."

Berot hit his palm with his fist, figuring something.

"That's why you wanted to capture him alive, you wanted information!"

"Well, yeah...wasn't that an evidence?"

"No, I just thought you were against killing."

"You thought wrong. I kill, but only if necessary...I'm not talking about monsters of course."

Berot kept silent for a bit.

"Then...why didn't you kill me when I attacked you at the inn? Or at the cemetery?"

"Not needed, you weren't worth it."

This, of course, hurt the adventurer's pride, he pushed himself off the wall and faced Maximilian.

"Hey! What do you mean by"not worth it"?"

Maximilian, who had begun to clean under his nails with a little knife, calmly answered him.

"Exactly what I meant. How to explain it in words you will easily understand...Oh! I know, imagine a mouse, or some kind of another little animal. It tries to bite you, but you can easily evade his "attack" and know it won't hurt even if he manages to bite you. You know it isn't a threat, you know it won't give you any loot nor power to kill it, and you have better things to do. What do you do at that moment?"

"I don't know, I continue on my way I suppose, maybe kicking the thing away if it gets in my way...what does it have to do with you not killing me?"

Maximilian sighed.

"Think for more than a second, I'm sure you can understand by yourself."

Berot crossed his arms and thought for a bit, before exclaiming.

"Am I supposed to be the mouse?!"

"Good God, took you long enough..."

"That's how you see me? Like a rat whose not worth the time to be killed?"

"That's a harsh way to put it but...if we speak in terms of power, yes, that's the idea."

Berot was visibly taken aback by Maximilian's honesty. Nonetheless, he didn't let that broke is spirit.

"I...I'll let you know I'm a level twelve duelist, leader of a group of brave adventurers, what do you think of that?"

Maximilian shrugged.

"Good for you, I guess...Listen, I didn't mean to say you're not a good guy or anything. But just so you know, you and your friends wouldn't even be a threat for my girls."

Berot pointed at the wall.

"The beast girl and the arachne? Stop kidding me! What you say is that those two are more powerful than us five?"

Maximilian thought about it for a bit.

"They certainly have more power...even if less combat experience."

"....I don't believe you."

"...I don't see why the fact you believing me or not should be of my concern."

"Master..."

Lin-Lin and Octavia came from behind the stone wall, their bodies and armours clean. Maximilian smiled at them.

"Finally, you're back, girls. I saw two little monsters covered in blood earlier, they tried to pass as you, can you imagine that?"

The two looked away, blushing a bit.

"...Are you angry at us for that?"

Putting back his knife in the Havenbag, Maximilian came near them and patted their head.

"Why? Covered by the blood of your enemies is better than be covered by yours."

Octavia closed her eyes, appreciating the feeling of her master's hand on her hair. Lin-Lin was still looking a bit worry when she looked in his eyes.

"Master...I'm sorry about the spear. You gave me this wonderful present and it broke because I wasn't careful enough..."

"That's not the case."

"Master?"

"If the spear break, it is because you simply have become too strong for it, like clothes you cannot put on anymore because you're too tall."

Maximilian saw the worries in the panda girl's eyes changing in curiosity.

"You...you think so, master?"

He bowed to put his head at her level, that made her blushed even more.

"I'm sure of it."

Straightening himself, he turned and passed next to Berot.

"You did well, you two. Now that you're clean, I suggest we get something to eat and drink, you more than deserved it."

Looking over his shoulder, he looked at Berot, who still hadn't move from where he was.

"Word of advice. You should take a bath, it will help you relax your body and spirit."

...........................................................................................................................................................

After they came back inside and Maximilian took a minute to explain Berot's friends he wasn't dead, just meditating on some things, they sat at the last table at the back of the inn. Maximilian and Lin-Lin on chairs, Octavia using her abdomen to sit on the ground.

The inn wasn't quite in the least, all the inhabitants were there. From the youngest to the oldest, everyone had answered Travia's call. Different families were sitting together, sharing stories of their lost ones, crying and laughing together. The children who were old enough to help were bringing plates of food and mugs for everyone to eat and drink.

A few minutes later, the innkeeper's daughter came at them with three steaming plates and big mugs.

"Mother said to bring you something to eat and drink as soon as you will be seated."

The trio thanked the girl. While the two girls started to eat what happened to be some bread, grilled meat and soup, Maximilian talked a bit to the girl.

"You'll thank her for us, okay."

"Please, my lord. My mother explained everything to me. If you and those two ladies hadn't come when you did, we wouldn't have survived. I know that adventurers group helped a lot, but we know who truly saved our lives."

"Well, in that case, we'll be happy to eat and drink what you've brought."

Maximilian dipped some bread in the soup to tasted it. Even if it wasn't as good as his cooking, it was still tasty. Maximilian closed his eyes for a bit, savouring the hot food in his mouth. He was surprised to see the innkeeper's daughter was still there when he opened them again, looking at Octavia and Lin-Lin from the corner of her eyes.

"Was there something else?"

Maximilian's words seemed to take the girl out of her thoughts. She bowed at them.

"I'm sorry, my lord! I didn't mean to stare. It's just that...we've never seen someone who looks like your companions. My friends and I were wondering, I didn't mean to be rude."

*We?*

Looking past the girl, Maximilian saw some of the other helping girls and boys quickly getting back to work when they saw him looking in their direction.

"I don't think they were offended by it. Were you, girls?"

Lin-Lin was the one to answered first.

"Not really. I'm used to far worse, being looked at isn't something who bothers me anymore. Plus, I don't think you did it with bad attentions. What about you, Octavia?"

"I don't care. She didn't attack us, so I'm fine."

"Attack you?!"

The girl bowed to them several times.

"No,no,no. I wouldn't even think about hurting you, you saved my mother's and I lives."

The girl reaction made Maximilian laughed.

"It's alright, don't worry about it. Octavia is a bit straight in her way of talking, but it's only because she is very honest. My name is Maximilian Baltazard Van Nilmerus. Those ladies are my friends and companions, Lin-Lin the panda-girl and Octavia, the arachne."

The girl bowed at the trio once again.

"Thank you for obliging me. I'll let you three eat peacefully, don't hesitate to call if you should need any refill."

The trio eat silently for a bit, enjoying the warm ambience of the inn. After some times, one of the elders started to slowly play on a tambourine. Maximilian, his mug currently being refilled by the innkeeper's daughter, saw her looking at the old man sadly.

"What's wrong?"

"The old man playing the tambourine. He lost his son on the walls, it was him who normally would have played with his father, but now..."

"Isn't there anyone who could play with him? His way of playing is sad..."

Surprisingly, that didn't come from Maximilian or Lin-Lin, but from Octavia, whose eyes were resting on the old man.

"Octavia...why don't you play with him?"

The arachne looked at her master, her eyes shining a bit.

"Do you think I can, master?"

"I heard you play before, it was sad but beautiful. If you want, I know you can play something who will warm everyone's heart."

Octavia looked at her master, then at the old man, nodded, emptied her mug and advanced in the old man's direction.

On her way, people stopped talking, looking at the spider girl silently going to see the old man. When she stopped in front of him, the room was silent.

The old man looked at her, a small sad smile on his face.

Without saying anything, Octavia lifted her two front legs before her. All in the room breathed in, some clearly thinking those legs, who had so easily killed the undead before, were now after the old man for some reason, old man who looked at the two legs, quickly loosing colours in his face as he stopped playing.

Seeing him paling with every passing second, Octavia took some steps back and actively weaved some strings between her two legs. One thing had changed from when she was only a spider. Since she had two arms she didn't have before, she was still able to move easily with her six legs on the ground, even with her two front spider legs up, serving as her instrument.

Once done, she pinched one of the dozen web strings between her legs, producing a beautiful sound in the room. Everyone kept silence, surprised. Octavia looked at the old man with a little smile, making a small hand gesture in his direction, encouraging him to continue playing.

Hesitantly, the old man started to play again, slowly and weakly. Octavia listened for a few seconds then started to play too, following the rhythm of the old man. The sounds produced by the arachne's strings were amazing, remembering Maximilian of the deep sound of a cello, but also sometimes lighter sounds you could have heard on smaller guitar.

*It must be because of her legs, she can adjust the sound as she plays...impressive, really impressive.*

Soon, the old man retrieved a smile on his face, but a happier one, truly heartwarming to see. The two played for a while, before being rejoined by others. One went to fetch his old flute, another some kind of strange looking violin. It was as if Octavia's action had motivated those who weren't feeling like playing to play nonetheless, soon making the overall ambience in the inn far happier.

The improvised music group hadn't the best harmony, nor the noblest players, but it was all the peoples needed to forget, even for just a bit, the pain of the day. This went on for quite some time, with some kids dancing together and others clapping their hands on the rhythm of the music.

"Octavia is wonderful, she plays so well..."

Next to Maximilian, Lin-Lin was looking her friend happily playing, smiling at the scene.

"Indeed, when I heard her the first time, I was very surprised. I'm happy she had the idea to play tonight, it's good for her."

"What do you mean, master?"

"I want her to see people smiling at her as an arachne. After this place, I fear other places might get harder to deal with, and people could be hostile to us for being strangers. And with her appearance..."

"Yes..people can be mean, that's for sure."

"Lin-Lin. Tomorrow, I'm going to give Octavia a ring of mascarade, like the one I gave to our friends at Molly's house...Do you want one too?"

The panda girl looked away from her playing friend to look deep into her master's eyes.

"Would master prefer me if I looked like a human?"

Maximilian smiled at her as he patted her head.

"Never forget I like you the way you are. I asked you this because I don't want you to feel left out."

Lin-Lin smiled and leant against Maximilian, closing her eyes for a bit, enjoying the moment.

"If master likes Lin-Lin as she is, there is no need to change..."

They stayed like that for a bit.

...........................................................................................................................................................

After several more hours, almost everyone was finally asleep. Some had gone back at their respective home, others had simply fallen asleep on their seats in the inn. Maximilian had lifted Lin-Lin from her chair to put her in a bed on the first floor, where she and Octavia slept for the night. Maximilian took the time to congratulate Octavia for her music, patting the arachne's head while doing so. Seeing her closing her eyes and smile widely, she seemed to be happy too.

Once he made sure the two were set for the night, he went out. There were one or two things he needed to do and wanted to finish them before tomorrow.

First, he quickly ran around Corpsenburg, looking exactly where he needed to use his magic. Once back where the doors used to be, he stomped on the ground, infusing it with magic. In a surprising silence, the wood wall went in the ground, disappearing before, in the same surprising silence, a stone wall replaced it. In less than fifteen minutes, Corpsenburg had a new protective wall, far more resistant than the last one. At the doors place, coming from the ground, grew new doors made of the ancient walls wood. Maximilian had used every piece of wood he could to recreate the doors, making them thrice as thick as before. He recreated the mechanisms, but this time the gears were inside the wall, making them impossible to easily sabotage like before. On the wall, all around the town, Maximilian had created a walkway protected by high edges.

Above the door facing the cemetery, inside the new wall, Maximilian used earth magic to wrote something in the stone.

*Okay, that's done, the bridge I can take care of later. For now, I need to use the forge.*

Earlier that day, he had talked a bit with the smith, asking him to borrow his forge that night. The smith first asked why, but soon accepted when Maximilian made him understand it was important.

The forge was empty like Maximilian had asked. He didn't want to be bothered while he was working.

Once inside, he closed the door and draw runes on them and the walls, simply reading "silence". Like that, not a sound would be heard from the outside.

Using fire magic, he lighted up the forge fireplace in an instant, quickly heating the place. He took off his coat and upper protection, readying himself for the hours of work to come.

From the Havenbag, he took out one of the giant spider legs he had cut from Octavia's mother in the dungeon.

*Now, let's get to work...*

All night long, if someone looked in the forge direction, he could have seen light coming from under the door, that and little flashes of different colours, but he wouldn't have heard a sound.

...........................................................................................................................................................

"Lin-Lin, Octavia..."

The two girls were awakened the next morning by their master, slightly shaking them up. The two opened and rubbed their eyes.

"Master? Is something wrong?"

"No, everything's fine. We're leaving, try to not make too much noise. I'll wait for you downstair."

The two girls quickly got up, Lin-Lin putting on her boots, not remembering when exactly she took them off the evening before.

When they arrived downstairs, Maximilian was talking with the innkeeper's daughter he seemed to have awakened by mistake. She too was speaking in a low voice to not disturb the ones still sleeping in the room.

"Is it alright for you to go like that? I'm sure mother would like to thank you once again."

"No need to wake her up, let her sleep for now. We aren't fond of long goodbyes, so we would rather go now."

"But...how are you going to go? The bridge is broken and I've heard about a...barrier?"

"The magic barrier has been broken when the necromancer died. As for the bridge...I'm taking care of it, don't worry. Here..."

Maximilian searched through the Havenbag and took out a dozen copper coins.

"...For the food and the chamber."

"My lord, I don't think my mother would like me to take your money after what you've done for us."

Maximilian smiled at the young girl, patting her head before putting the coins in her hands.

"You are a good girl. Take care of your mother, she will need you as much as you need her from now on."

Understanding what the man was saying, the young girl quickly brushed away a tear from her cheek.

"I will."

"Good. Lin-Lin, Octavia, let's go."

The trio went out of the inn, passing next to the adventurers, sleeping at their table. They quickly walked in the street, the two girls silently looking at the walls.

"Master, is it you who made those walls?"

"Yep. It's nothing for me, and it's a lot for the people here, so I asked myself "why not?" and did it."

"Aren't you tired? We could wait a bit before going away."

"Thank you for worrying about me, but I'm fine. If I can create a whole house in a night, a simple wall is a piece of cake."

They arrived at the bridge, at least what remained of it, that's to say not a lot.

"Lin-Lin...why don't you try?"

"Try what, master?"

"Making a bridge."

The panda girl opened her eyes wide.

"M...me? Master, isn't it a bit too much for me?"

"I don't ask you to create something big or fancy, just the base. Like always, visualise, aim and create. For this, the spell would be "earth bridge", simple to remember."

Lin-Lin looked at her hands, covered by the gauntlets, then at the bridge's remnants, then nodded with determination.

"Alright! I'll do it!"

Octavia showed Lin-Lin a thumbs up.

"Good luck, Lin-Lin."

The panda girl stood in front of the cliff for a bit, eyes closed. Maximilian was observing her doing, ready to stopped her if she was using too much energy. After several minutes, Lin-Lin pointed at the cliff edge with her two palms and...

"Earth bridge!"

The ground trembled a bit for a minute then, like a branch from a tree, a line of stone started to come out of the cliff, slowly extending to the opposite side.

It took some time, but it finally reached the other side.

It was narrow, it wasn't straight, it looked more like a snake of stone going from one side to the others, and anyone looking at it could say it wouldn't last long. In one word, it wasn't a big success and Lin-Lin clearly knew it, looking down.

"I'm sorry, I failed."

As he examined her, Maximilian saw that this faulty bridge had taken the panda girl almost all her mana to create. He came next to her, crouching to place his palm on her creation, feeling it menacing to broke at any moment.

"Indeed, that's not a bridge I'd like to walk on...is this what you pictured in your head?"

The panda girl shook her head from left to right.

"So it means you simply need a bit of help. Come next to me."

Lin-Lin did as told, kneeling next to him. Maximilian took her hands and put them on the bridge, putting his on hers.

"Now, try again, give this bridge the form you want to."

Lin-Lin nodded again, closed her eyes and, once again, concentrated for a minute. Under his hands, Maximilian could feel the panda girl's magic assembling. To help her, he let some of his mana flow into her hands, only some drops, though, because more would simply have been too much for her.

As she felt her master's energy pass from him to her, a warm feeling came from her hands to invaded her body. At that moment, she opened her eyes and...

"Earth bridge!!"

At her words, an emerald light ran along her faulty bridge and, from their side to the other, it started to grow. The narrow passage soon became large enough to let two carriages pass next to the other without problems. Tall edges came from the sides, one meters high at least.

The bridge was simple, made of grey stones. The only special thing about it was the shadow of the faulty bridge, who had served as a base for the good one, appearing in emerald green, running along the new bridge like a giant emerald snake.

Lin-Lin looked amazed at the work.

"Master, you made it!"

"Me? I didn't do anything. I just gave you a slight push, you did everything."

Maximilian stood up and extended a hand Lin-Lin grabbed before getting up. Admiring the panda girl's work, Maximilian nodded.

"Good. Now that Lin-Lin has created a way for us to go, let's be on our way. Lin-Lin, if you please..."

Maximilian bowed to her, showing her the bridge.

"Master?"

"The maker should be the first one to use the bridge. After you."

Lin-Lin looked at Maximilian, then at Octavia who nodded, mimicking a slight push to make her go on. Smiling to herself, the panda girl was the first one to put her foot on the new bridge. Maximilian and Octavia went after her.

When they passed the middle of the bridge, Maximilian stopped them for a second.

"Is there a problem, master?"

"Not at all. I just thought you should sign your work."

"You want me to...write on the stones?"

"That wouldn't last for long. You are an earth mage, Lin-Lin, use magic to sign your work. This stone in the middle, engrave your name in it, show the world that it is Lin-Lin the panda girl who allowed them to walk past this cliff."

Maximilian pointed at the biggest stone on the edge, right in the middle of the bridge. Lin-Lin crouched before it and thought for a bit. Maximilian came next to her and simply whispered her the spell. She put her palm on the stone and...

"Earth manipulation."

Some kind of small wave came from under her palm and her hand slightly sank in the stone. When she pulled it out, her hand could be seen in the stone. With a claw, she wrote her name in the stone. From behind, Maximilian looked at her writing skill.

*For an ex-slave, she has a nice handwriting.*

Once done, she stood up, her hand and name engraved in the bridge. Maximilian patted her head and they continued on the way.

...........................................................................................................................................................

"So, if I remember correctly, we have entered the capital's territory, is that it?"

"Indeed, master. We should have one village left to pass by, then we will be able to see castle Griffin from afar."

"Alright, I think now is a good time to give you two some things."

Stopping for a bit, Maximilian saw the two girls looking at him curiously.

"What? You didn't think I would let you two go on like this without a complete equipment, right?"

"No, it's just that...master, when did you find the time to buy weapons?"

"Buy? I didn't buy anything, I made them last night. But le'ts begin with this..."

Maximilian took out a ring from the havenbag, made of lightly polished stone with ruby coloured runes on it.

"This is for you, Octavia."

The arachne took the jewel and looked at it.

"It's pretty, master, but why are you giving me a ring?"

"That is something we have to talk about. Octavia, you certainly have sensed the hostility some had yesterday, even if they tried to not show it."

"Yes, I clearly saw them looking at me. I sensed them being afraid...am I horrible to look at?"

"No, Octavia, not at all!"

This came from Lin-Lin, whose response showed how quickly she and the arachne were getting close, this made Maximilian smile.

"Like Lin-Lin said, you're not horrible to look at, far from it. But, Octavia, you are an arachne, a race some consider to be only made of bloodthirsty monsters...I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, believe me, it is not my attention to hurt you. Me and Lin-Lin, we know who you really are, but some could not take the time to see you like we see you and just attack."

"I can defend myself, master."

"That I know, Octavia. Against one or two soldiers, again some bandits, I know you are more than able. But what will happen when they'll send the army after you? What if they attack when I'm not around to deal with the ones too strong for you?"

Maximilian sighed, knowing perfectly well the conversation wasn't pleasant for the spider girl.

"Octavia, listen...you and Lin-Lin, you are the two most precious person for me in this world..."

This had the effect to make the two girls giving him all the attention they had.

"I don't know how I would react if one of you should be hurt. I swear to you, a day will come when you will be able to walk in the capital streets without any disguise and not be bothered with it. What I ask of you is to give me some time. I cannot change how people think, not in a day, but I'll make them see you like we see you."

Octavia looked at the ring for a bit.

"...What will this do to me?"

"Only disguise you, making you look like a human. You won't gain nor loose anything in the process, your sensations will stay the same, only your appearance will change."

The spider girl stayed silent for a bit. Then, without a word, she passed the ring on.

Like before with the beastkin or the imp in the dungeon, Octavia began to transform. Her upper body didn't change that much, she only lost the tiny ruby point on her forehead, her eyes keeping their colours, but with a human style, with an iris and sclera. Her spider parts disappeared, two human legs replacing them. It was a good thing the mithril chainmail was longer than necessary, now it looked a bit like a robe on her, covering what needed to be. Octavia looked down, moving her toes on the ground.

"It's...strange. I see two legs, but I still feel like I have eight, how is that possible?"

"Like I told you, your sensations will stay the same. This ring creates a very powerful illusion, convincing everyone, even you, that you look like a human. But, after all, it is nothing more than an illusion. I think that if you tried, you would still be as fast, able to climb like you did before, that kind of things. Run, try."

The spider girl nodded and ran away before coming back. Even with her human appearance, it was clear she was as fast as before.

"Convinced?"

Octavia nodded.

"So? Do you think you can bear with it? Will you be able to stay as a human for the time being?"

Octavia looked down once again, moving her toes.

"I...I can try. But if I want to retrieve my normal form..."

"Then you'll just have to take off the ring, that's all."

"Then..alright. I trust master. If you say this is for the best, then I can look like a human for now."

Maximilian patted the human Octavia.

"Thank you for trusting me, Octavia. Lin-Lin...I know we've discussed it already. You are more used to the town's life than us. But, if needed, I want you to take one with you."

Maximilian took out another stone ring from the Havenbag, only this one had emerald green runes on it.

"I don't think your normal form would draw too much attention, but if you find yourself in a situation that requires it, I want you to use this to change form. it could allow you to escape a dangerous situation."

Lin-Lin took the ring and put it in one of her armour's pocket.

"Now remember. That kind of magic artefact can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Don't use it where people can see you or the disguise won't be useful at all. If you think it could be taken away from you, break it."

Lin-Lin and Octavia seemed surprised by his last words.

"You...want us to break them, master?"

"If you don't have a choice, yes. I promise you I won't be mad at you for breaking them,so don't hesitate. I can make as much of those as needed, so when the time come where you need to, break them. Am I clear?"

The two girls nodded.

"Alright then."

Maximilian sighed, happy to have finished the not pleasant talk.

"Now that we're done with the unpleasant discussion, it's time for...new equipment!"

Happy like a child at Christmas, Maximilian took two weapons out of the havenbag, one for each girl, who received them as if they were the most precious treasure in the world.

For Lin-Lin, Maximilian had used the first giant spider leg's strongest parts to create a new spear. The new weapon was longer than the last one, its head alone measuring thirty centimetres. The head was shiny black, pointy with little spikes all around it. Maximilian had used the legs extremity to create the spear's head, the strange material the leg was made of allowed him to sharpened it without breaking it. For the handle, he had used earth magic to compress as much as possible the rest of the leg around the staff, covering it entirely like an exoskeleton. Mixing this with just a bit of melted mithril made it nearly impossible to break. It was heavier than Lin-Lin's last weapon, but much more powerful, and she felt it.

"To you, Lin-Lin, I give "Tribulation's breaker", this spear will help you to overcome the trials our journey will have on the way. And to you, Octavia..."

The spider girl had a bow between her hand. With the second leg, Maximilian had made the weapon's structure, using the strongest parts to create cutting edges on the weapon, in case of close combat. With the muscles and tendons Maximilian had found inside the legs, he had managed to make the bow flexible, just enough for it to be the most powerful possible. Like Lin-Lin's weapon, it was shiny black, even the more flexible parts were black.

"To you, I give " Whistling death", so that any of our enemies will know their last moment has arrived when they hear the whistling of your arrows."

The two stood silent for a bit, looking at their new weapon. After a while, Octavia was the first to talk.

"Master...I'm sorry to ask you this but...why a bow?"

"Because I think it is the weapon who will help you the most. Your spider body is a natural close ranged weapon, but I think this could help you with out of reach enemies. And, just in case, I made it so you can attack with it at close range, like a small double blade staff."

"But...I don't have any arrow."

"That, my dear Octavia, will be the first thing I'll teach you about magic. What about you, Lin-Lin, do you like it?"

The panda girl was still examining her new weapon.

"It's heavier, but I can feel it is stronger too. Are those made of Octavia's m...the giant spider from the dungeon?"

"Indeed. I told you I would use it at some point, and I think it is the good moment. Now, you two, present me one hand."

Not really understanding why Maximilian was asking them that, the two girls extended their hand nonetheless. Maximilian took off their hand protection and slightly cut them.

"Aouch! Master, why?"

the two were visibly surprised.

"Don't worry, it will heal quickly. Let some of your blood drop on your weapon."

The two girls looked at each other, then did as told.

As soon as the drop of blood touched the weapon, they started to shine. All along the handle of the two weapons appeared runes, ruby red for Octavia, emerald green for Lin-Lin. The light coming from the weapons reflected in the girls' eyes.

"With this, you officially became those weapons owner. I created them for you, and they will be yours as long as you will live."

Lin-Lin, finally managing to look away from the beautiful light on her weapon, looked at Maximilian.

"What does it means? those runes, what do they say?"

Octavia looked up too, waiting for the man's answer.

"Some of them are power runes, who will help you using your magic while handling them, other are restorations runes, so you won't risk seeing your weapon break."

"And the others?"

"The rest...they are a pledge..."

"A pledge?"

Maximilian crouched slightly, putting himself at their height.

"...that's right. A pledge from me to you two. I used my blood to wrote those runes, and you complete the spell with your blood."

The two girls looked at each other once again, then at their weapon, before looking back into their master's eyes.

"What is that pledge, master?"

"Give me your hand, you two..."

Like before, the two girls extended their hands. This time, Maximilian did the same, approaching his hand from theirs. As they nearly touched each other, the three hands emitted a little flame of light. A red one for Octavia, a green one for Lin-Lin and a golden one for Maximilian.

"See those flames? They show the bond between us. As long as we trust, as long as we care for each other, those flames will always burn. That pledge we made says that my fire is yours, and yours is mine. As long as we truly believe in each other, we know those flames will be able to guide us, even in the darkest time."

"I...I don't know if I really understand, master."

"Here, let me show you..."

Maximilian reached with his second hand, from which another golden flame appeared. he placed one hand on each girl's heart. As his heart beat, he saw the two girls opening their eyes wide.

"Master...this beating...is it your heart?"

Maximilian simply nodded.

"I...I can feel your heart...it's so warm..."

Without asking, as if they knew how to act, the two girls reached with their hands, putting one hand on their master's chest, the other on each other's. At that moment, for a little while, their three hearts beat as one.

"From now on, my fire is yours..."

The trio finished the phrase together.

"...and yours is mine."

Maximilian smiled as he retracted his hands, standing up.

"I think we're ready to go. Griffinia is waiting for us."