The three remained silent as Iyvre took a breath and finally spoke.
"What you said might be the truth but we don't trust you and see no reasons to do so."
"You don't have a choice. I too have to watch my back with her always glaring daggers at me," Rael responded, directing his gaze at Yasmin, who scoffed in reply.
Seeing Iyvre's still eyes and Ayobe's hesitant one, Rael chose to push.
"Look, I understand. You being elves and me being human doesn't help the matter and our first impressions"he winked at Yasmin"weren't exactly the best. But we could come to terms. And we both know there's no way you'll make it to the territory of the nomads, not even in days. As for the other nearby human territories they would not be so kind as to welcome…" He pointed at every single one of them, including Xaphxan. "Any of you. Me included. I'm saying this because I come from one."
He finished his speech, finally settling his gaze on Iyvre their clear-headed leader who met his stare with a still stoic expression.
They held each other's gaze for a few seconds before Iyvre finally sighed.
"Give me and my sisters a few minutes to think about your proposal."
Not waiting for a reply, she turned and headed to the edge of the fences, followed by her two sisters.
'Proposal? It's a fact. Hgh… whatever. Just hope it convinces them,' Rael thought, wishing for the tier-three quest to be completed. A reward from a tier-three quest would definitely raise his chances of surviving the Withered Nights. After all, it was a tier-two quest that had rewarded him with the boundary ward sigil.
Speaking of the array he'd also need their help to capture aether beasts, which he planned to use to power it. Seemed Cruel? Well, not exactly. His life was at stake here, and truly, the beasts would probably die anyway either consumed or mutated by the Withered. Better to capture them. Maybe even breed them. Of course, that depended on the species.
Rael pushed the thought to the back of his mind as he turned to Xaphxan, who had simply stood there, his eyes twitching from the excessive thoughts racing through his head.
First when his new boss had mentioned territory, Xaphxan had imagined some high-walled city, protected by more aether users and fortified by layers of mortal and aether defenses. Not this patchily constructed wooden fence. Second he hadn't just thought it… no, he had planned to survive the Withered Nights here. In the Zodiac Woods, of all god-damned places.
A devil's contract. Yes a devil's contract was exactly what he had signed.
The only thing that reassured him, even slightly, was the fact that his new boss was a bronze warrior and seemed to have his way with aether. So maybe… just ma—
"Hey. Hey, Xaphxan."
PAH
Rael slapped Xaphxan, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Huh—boss?"xapxan widened his eyes as he felt the sting from the slap
"What the hell ,got you so deep in thought that I had to snap my fingers three times in your face , without you even noticing huh?"
"No ,I...I was just,just thinking of more ways to increase our survival through the withered nights my...sir Rael , but I'm certain with your strength as a bronze warrior,we all have nothing to worry about"he stammered quickly masking the fact that he had just been doubting this new boss
"What?,bronze warrior?"Rael tilted his head in confusion,'what the hell does he mean'
Seeing the confusion on Rael's face xaphxan smiled
"Yes my lord I could tell you're already a rank 2 aether warrior ,you don't have to be humble to this lowly one"xaphxan said in a exaggerated manner as he placed his hand on his chest
Rael , quickly realizing that his new Subordinate might have misunderstood his strength shook his head at his display
'Does he always need to add little drama '
"i'm not rank 2 warrior,not yet ", follow me Rael chose to clear Xaphxan's delusion and headed towards the armory
"What "xaphxan exclaimed eyes twitching
'Not rank 2,but that attack,oh no I'm so dead ,no no
Could he be lieing, hiding his strength,yes maybe,that has to be it'. xaphxan chose to believe his thoughts rather than the fact that his boss being a iron fighter along side the three elves actually thought of surviving the withered nights being outside a territory's high wall
Or should I escape'he thought
Are you coming"Rael barked
Yes yes my.. sir Rael"
On reaching the armory which was empty save for the digging tools of the once Rosil Guild,Rael paused and removed the weapons he'd stored earlier in his magic pouch.
All totaled eleven now
From the usual six well, four really, since one blade had been broken and the axe now lacked a haft after his battle with the sisters,
Then the greatsword, mace, and farmer's scythe taken from the goblin prince he'd slain. Then there was a blade from Iyvre and two crossed daggers from Ayobe
And finally, a machete taken from Xaphxan's magic pouch.
Eleven mortal weapons in total. Just one more to make the twelve required by the Great Builder's Blueprint.
Armor, however, was another problem. He only had three, and the elves who wore fitted mercenary leather armor were definitely not giving him theirs.
The growth of the buildings would have to be stalled possibly until after the Withered Nights, if he still lived, of course.
He turned to Xaphxan.
"Here." Rael handed him back his magic pouch ,of course, only after removing all the potions and everything else of value.
Xaphxan froze for a moment before quickly taking it back, a flicker of appreciation rising at what he assumed was trust ,until he noticed almost all his belongings were gone.
"Grab those tools and follow me." Rael didn't bother acknowledging Xaphxan's expression as he ordered him to pick up the digging tools. It was time to complete the tier-one quests first.
He already had an idea where he could find the necessary resource points though he wasn't entirely sure. Still, he hoped.
With no choice, Xaphxan grabbed the digging tools, wondering why he'd been told to do so, and followed behind Rael as they both left the compound, heading in a specific direction.