Chapter 61: A Ring's Value

“I’ll wait out here,” Elru mentioned a bit awkwardly. The Baron had been far more aware than most when she interrogated him, capable of resisting. Even under a Glamour, Elru didn’t have a particular wish to appear in front of him.

Rainer agreed with her choice. No reason to explain another member of their group if they didn’t need to.

Knocking once, Rainer heard Charles’ invitation before entering.

“Good Morning,” Rainer said.

“Good Morning, Lor-Rainer,” Charles spoke, catching his mistake. He was about to speak more when he noticed the added presence of a third guard.

Immense…

Charles’ words got caught in his throat as he felt the new addition’s Aura. He had noticed him earlier but due to a certain pillar of flame didn’t get a chance to look closely. Noticing that both cloaked guards wore the same armor as was gifted to him, Charles remembered his original words.

“Rainer, it is good you came, I’d hope we might speak a moment,” Charles said rising from his desk.

Rainer waved his hand as a go ahead, not saying anything. A minor chuckle left him as he recalled the maids he passed by this morning, gossiping how their Lord never took off his new armor. How he would carefully avoid anyone as he walked lest a spec of dust fall on it, even refusing to let his servants clean it.

“You must know, I cannot accept any offer.”

Making his next declaration quite a surprise.

“Hmm? Charles that’s…”

“I am loyal to my king and country. I cannot pledge allegiance to another Nation. I am truly sorry, please, you may take back your kind gift.”

Is this about my presumed status? Does he assume I’m a prince or something?

Rainer thought for a moment, before deciding to tell Charles the truth. Rather, he had never lied much in the first place, only about his name. It was everyone else who made the assumptions of his status.

“Charles, I think you are misunderstanding something. I’m a wanderer, the thing about visiting my home, not true. It was just the easiest lie for the task I had to handle.”

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“But…” Charles said looking at the people behind Rainer.

“My companions. We acquired the sets of armor in a dungeon some time ago. Kara doesn’t wear armor, so we didn’t have a use for it. We can earn money easy enough.”

Charles stared at Rainer’s hand. Wonder filled him as he imagined what sort of dungeon gave out a Spatial Ring. But he quickly shook away such a thought.

“Perhaps for this story in the future, you best hide your Spatial Ring. I’m afraid else none would ever believe it,” Charles smiled. Happy to see him tell such a tale so that he would keep the armor. A smile that reached his brown eyes.

“You recognize it?”

“My king holds the same ring. I know not of anyone but royalty and the Guildmaster of a Mage Guild who could have such an item.”

“Theodore,” Rainer said while stretching out a hand toward him. Understanding, Theodore took off his Spatial Ring and handed it to him.

“So…from a D-Dungeon…?” Charles mumbled out seeing the second ring. And a careful sensing of Magic told Charles that the second ring was Rainer’s original one. The new ring had a far larger degree of power.

“Dungeon,” Rainer confirmed.

Charles sat down at his desk, not able to fathom such a thing. He also noticed the strange enchanted coat Rainer now wore. He did not even have a chance to check the size of Rainer’s Mana Pool in his shock. Otherwise, they’d be witnessing a far larger reaction. Thanks for reading on ManaNovel!

“Well, in any case, we came here to see if there have been any other Yeti sightings,” Rainer asked seeing Charles wasn’t going to speak anytime soon.

Charles just shook his head.

“We’ll be off then, heading out North to see if we might find any monsters. Oh, so there are no more issues, I merely wished for you to travel with us. Don’t worry about it, though, was just a fun thought. In the end, I just didn’t want to see you head to the Tree and not come back.”

Finished speaking, Rainer’s party left the office amidst a silent Charles.

“Gunthar, that is the man who invented the Aura tracking inscription?”

Gunthar nodded, sending Theodore deep into thought.

Meeting up with Elru the group left the mansion and headed toward the tree. As they approached Rainer gave a warning to Elru.

“Elru, it’d be best you don’t Appraise Luna after she changes classes. Fair warning, I will know if you do. Can I have your word on that?” He asked while operating [Mana-Reading]. It wasn’t entirely correct; that he’d know. But he imagined a class related to their Sacred Faerie Flame would cause a noticeable reaction in Elru.

At the very least, he could just ask if she ever did it with [Mana-Reading].

Several thoughts floated through Elru’s mind. Of course, the young Fae’s level was already high for her age. Added on was not only her strange ability to change sizes at will, but her actual size being far larger than her age would suggest. Finally, the struggle to learn even the most basic Glamour.

For Fae learning, Glamour involved their very nature. The mana for the simpler Glamours cost less than even a low Mana regeneration. Yet Luna struggled greatly with just the simplest of Glamours.

“You have my word,” Elru stated.

Rainer, confirming headed to the tree. Luna in pocket, as the rest of the group, waited a bit away.

Further words of affirmation became stuck in Elru’s mouth as she remembered Rainer’s age.

19…

Even with a human’s experience gain, his strength exceeded anything she had ever heard of. She reasoned the magic he used reached at least the fifth tier yet was cast at such speed.

And his Mana…

Elru thought as she looked at her leg. She was even disappointed Rainer had yet to ask for a demonstration, having a desperate desire to see the result of such a strange enchantment.

She looked over to Gunthar and wondered what other surprises laid in store for her.

--

George sat across a man who made him more uneasy than anyone else, The Hunter’s Guild Master. No Aura, no Mana, no detectable energy radiated off the unshaven man. Lazy green eyes and dirty blonde hair. An average appearance and a short stature, just under 5 feet and 3 inches. Dressed in plain clothes. Yet an unfathomable strength.

He’s the unassuming drifter that could end up being the death of your kingdom if wronged unknowingly.

“George, look I know I’m supposedly perfect for your little trip, but I can’t take that kind of risk, I’ve told you before. You know why the Hunter’s Guild can operate free from the influence of Kingdoms and mostly free of the Mage Guilds. If I don’t make it back…”

George nodded. There was little benefit and few means to challenge Matheus. He had no family nor close attachments beyond his Guild. Even then, it wasn’t as if any could hold the whole Hunter’s Guild, which covered from the North continent to the South, hostage. That would require multiple countries to act in concert.

Toward a group of people that protected the world from monsters, that kind of unity was unlikely. Add that many of a kingdom’s 2nd Tier experts were once Hunters, and it was even less possible.

Such a powerful, yet unburdened man presented a nightmare for any would-be assailants. Matheus needed only escape, and then take revenge at his leisure.

He can’t fight a proper army alone, yet no throne room can hold an army large enough to stop him.

There would also not be any mage willing to step in, lest he makes the first move, given a past conflict that left a powerful Mage Guild Master slaughtered like livestock.

“Yes but…” George had no intention of revealing Rainer’s class, but he needed some way to mention the new addition, “How about this, you meet the friend of mine and then decide. I promise it isn’t the risk it once was…”

I hope…

“Fine…” In truth, Matheus did have an interest in the North. It was one of the few things that still interested him. But his Guild held a higher importance to him.