“So are you moving on to another place today?”

“No, I think I’ll be staying for two or more days here, who know if something comes up here.”

Zecruix had finished his lunch and he was chatting with Volkara who sat opposite towards him. Zecruix had calmed down a bit as of now but he still could really look straight into Volkara’s eyes when they talk.

“Oh, if you are free, then would you like me to show you around?”

Zecruix tilted his head to the right side upon hearing that.

“… I’m sorry but I have to asked, why? I mean we just met this morning, so why are you willing to guide a stranger you just met? Also, don’t you have any plan after this?”

Volkara chuckled lightly.

“Oh, maybe it’s to compensate for laughing at you this morning but maybe it’s because I wanted to? Lastly, not really, to be honest I don’t really know what to do on my free time except practice. Is it no good?”

“… I don’t mind I suppose.”

Zecruix figured he could subtly gather some information from her regarding the situation in the manor while she guides him.

“Well, what are we waiting here for? You finished your meal!”

“What about you? Have you eaten?”

“Before off-duty, I ate a hearty breakfast after you left~! I’ll be fine till then, although I have to be back by noon!”

She said it boastfully as though she was proud about it and seeing that reminded him of Kravstor and the innkeeper.

Zecruix timidly nodded to her and both of them got up from the seat.

--

“Here is the weapon shrine for this town belonging to a line of famous warrior around this part.”

They were at the outskirt of the village standing in front a small building that had a gated entrance. Inside the building was an adorned greataxe, placed in the centre of the pedestal.

In the Ebony Empire, the closest thing to a religion is the reverence of weapons or Weapon Worship. It was recorded back then, that the first weapon to ever been worshiped was Heaven’s Edict, a crude greatsword made of pure Ebony wielded by the founder of the aptly named Ebony Empire, Dionicus Nazareyar. Now the legendary greatsword was encased in an iron pedestal at the grand temple at the capital, Ebony Roma.

A weapon can only be an object of worship after it was wielded by five generation of recognized warriors that had done great deed with the weapon and it has to be recognized by majority of Praetors, the ruling councils of the empire.

To outsiders view, it was more of a tradition rather than a religion.

“That greataxe is the famous ‘Man-Splitter’, hardly creative name, a weapon famous for its usage in the war against the mountain tribes.”

“Amazing, you knew that just by looking at it!”

Volkara muttered in amazement as Zecruix stares at the Greataxe with a blank expression as but there was a hint of interest alighted in his eyes.

“… I passed by here a few times with my master before but we only stopped to rest here, so there was no time for sightseeing here but I read a book about Weapon Worship and there was an article about this Greataxe on that book.”

“Ah, yes. Do you want to give your respect inside?”

“… I’ll pass. I’ll think bowing in front of the shrine is enough. I don’t think I’m that pious and originally, I wasn’t born in the Ebony Empire.”

They both bowed deeply at the shrine and moved along.

“You’re not from here?”

“I was… adopted by my master from my family… It wasn’t because I was not wanted but it’s more like I had the qualification for demonhunter which is quite rare, so they willingly gave me to him. I visited them a couple of times.”

Zecruix words had a little hesitation and upon mentioning his family, he quivered momentarily.

“That’s quite nice. Are you planning to visit them any time soon?”

“Probably within this year I suppose, although I have to write a letter of temporary exchange duty with the governing demonhunter over there.”

--

Afterward, Volkara led him to the large watermill and several shops in the village. Everywhere they went; all sorts of people from all walks of life would greet Volkara in a friendly manner. She was quite popular in the village.

Along the way, Zecruix had a hard time to ask her about the state in the manor because it was an inappropriate topic and there was never a right time to ask.

After they had sight-seeing for two hours, they were walking back to the manor because it was nearing Volkara’s work shift.

“That was time well-spent. What will you be doing for tomorrow?”

“I guess I’m going to continue on scouting for rumours around this a part for the next two days. If nothing else, I’ll guess I’ll make way to the city of Trusyonium.”

They reached at the entrance to the manor. Even now, the unnatural magick was quite present to Zecruix from where he stands.

“Okay then, if you need anything just comes here and I’ll try to help in any way possible.”

She sincerely offered.

Zecruix was honestly moved by her. Even though they just met and he had a bad impression at first, she was by far the friendliest and kindest person he had met in his entire life.

If it was an act, then she is the best actress as far as he concerned. There was also no ‘strangeness’ about her. Everything he felt so far was genuine.

They parted as she waved her right hand to him and went inside after Zecruix waved back.

Zecruix touched his face and realized that he had unconsciously smiled.

Afterward, he sighed and realized he didn’t even made any progress. With no other option, he would pay a visit to that address tonight.