{We have finished.}

The discussion between Gron and Dal lasted several hours. In the meantime, I waited, reflecting on sad things and the hidden hopes linked to those thoughts.

I hope everything goes back to its place. The Underwasteland is a place of calm. I wish it.

I get up from the steps. Yawn.

[Dungeon path]

I emerge in front of them. They did not move from the open space in front of the cathedral.

Dal-Dazzer still looks tired, but he has stopped shaking. His muscles tense at the sight of me. But he relaxes soon after.

I cannot pretend to understand it. I have no idea what it means to relive our life for centuries, aware of having already lived it and never being able to change anything.

Aware that it is a punishment inflicted for the arrogance shown to one of my peers.

I smile and wave.

Arrogance or not, if Dal-Dazzer was punished in the presence of [Leviathan] it means that his abilities are beyond doubt.

“So then?” I put my hands behind my back and paused.

“We discussed it for a long time. Prrr.”

Dal-Dazzer watches me in silence and keeps his gaze lowered.

Despite the time given to them, they do not seem happy. That their unresolved issues were insoluble? Did they argue? Or maybe it is the awareness that they will have to separate again?

Despite the curiosity… “I won't ask you about what you said to each other. I want to know if you will help me. After all, Dal, you have no reason to do so. You, Gron, I think are now satisfied. Wasn't this meeting your purpose?”

“You're not wrong. But, N, even if you don't remember. We're still friends. I have to return the favor.”

Dal looks up. “Already. Gron told me about the situation. It told me of the great favor you bestowed. I can only be grateful for this. I don't want debts with a creature like you. I don't want to pay again. I learned… I learned.”

Ci-cin.

I move my torso forward. I raise my eyebrows. So? Do they intend to help me?

“So, N. What Dal means is that we will help you. And willingly. Prr.”

“Oh! I'm happy to hear it!” I bow and barely hold back the wagging tail.

I am sorry that the legendary alchemist's mental condition is not at its best. It is still better than nothing.

First of all…

“Scan.”

[Scan: Invalid target]

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“What!?”

Dal-Dazzer takes a step forward. “Excuse me. Skills with mastery of less than five do not affect my magical body. So, naked as you see me—I'm level seventy-five. But equipped with my tools, I can get to eighty-nine.”

Wow! This alone is already a show of strength.

He is resistant to minor [skills] and is indeed at the [lv] indicated by Y. But…

“What do you mean equipped with ‘my’ tools? Can you get to eighty-nine?”

Dal-Dazzer makes an alarmed expression. He bows. “No. I don't want to seem like a threat or an arrogant person to you. Forgive my resistance to your magic… I—”

“No! Do not worry. I didn't mean anything like that. You didn't offend me. No way, don't worry.”

“Really?” He returns to a standing pose.

“Fine. Listen. What you say could be very useful instead. Our enemy is a creature over level ninety. You would give even it a hard time.”

I stop to look around. For a moment, I think about gargoyle lords. To the fact that he has no way to carry them with me. As expected, there is nothing visible.

I go back to look at the two friends.

“Dal, explain how to bring yourself to the maximum of your capabilities.”

“Oh, I see. I could assemble the equipment I need, but it would take time and resources.”

“Time is not a problem. What seems like a lot to you often isn't. It depends on resources. I'm unsure what you need. So, I won't make any promises. Afterward, you will hear from Y and talk about the resources.”

“Y is she similar to you?”

“Oh yes. Did Gron tell you everything?”

Gron nods.

Dal-Dazzer scratches his neck from the wide trapezoid. “Yes. It told me everything. In any case, I feel like some of my equipment is here.”

Ci-cin.

“What do you mean?”

“My body has expanded. The equipment is a living object, which is part of me. Don't have eyes, ears, or other perceptive organs… yet my proprioception allows me to sense where they are concerning my body. Even at a huge distance. It's almost like a sort of bilocation of the parts and…”

The explanation continues. The fear and reverence have not disappeared. But have diminished considerably.

Also, it is now clear why Gron goes off on long monologues.

After all, one shaped the other. No surprise.

“…so, is there any way to reach that place?”

I nod, focusing again. “Sure. If you can make your way, no problem.”

♦

We went back to the Dal-Dazzer mausoleum. Unfortunately, he did not know the location. If we had known that this was the place, I would have used [Dungeon path], eliminating travel times.

The darkness is a problem for Dal, who—like me, walks holding a bone lit by my magical fire.

Once we reach the structure, I notice that the door wall has reconstituted itself, and there are no fragments and gargoyle entrails around.

“We have arrived?”

“Yes. I feel that this structure is part of me.”

“Huh?”

Dal ignores me. He walks to the entrance and places his hand on the wall. He starts whispering lines too low for me to understand.

I look at Gron. It waits in silence. Focus on its builder.

A few minutes pass.

Then, the first crack.

The second.

A boulder falls from the bell tower. But it does not fall straight. It moves until it hits Dal in the shoulder.

He does not even seem to notice.

I am ready to intervene, but the structure suddenly collapses. A whiff of dust obscures my vision, and I cough.

Waving my tails and arms, I chase away the cloud. Between the last coughs and punching my chest, I look in front of me.

Enlightened by his bone torch. A human in light armor and habit stands.

He turns to me. His face is covered by a human mask devoid of any expression. The mirror surface, like the pectoral plates, allows me to see my reflection.

The torch in my hand, my hair and stocking dusty, my skirt in disarray, my eyes spark the little blue magic flame.

I look away from his chest, unable to find a place to stare and look at the man's pants and boots. They are brown and full of various pockets and belts.

The man covers his armor with his habit and takes off his mask with one hand. Only now do I notice the brown crest on the helmet.

“I am impressed.” I give a sincere response to Dal's bow.

“Amazing, right?” Gron scratches its ear with a paw. “The mirror armor of the true… So, Dal, did you manage to merge with it in the end? Prr.”

Dal stands up from his bow and carries his helmet under his arm, placing the torch on the ground.

“Yes, Gron. We have become one.” He turns to me. “N, this is all I own now. I can assure you with this armor, my level is eighty-two.”

Oh. Now I understand. If they are parts of him, detaching them affects Dal's level.

What a bizarre thing…

… Plus, Dal says he can do more, so…

“Er, Ehm… it's awesome!”