Rockskull says "Perfect! It's power is even beyond my expectations!"

"It is truly a magnificent weapon! Are you sure you want to part with it?"

Rockskull says "It is fine! It needs to be used, this isn't meant to sit on a wall and be admired!"

"Alright, have you named it?"

Rockskull says "No, that is the privilege of the owner."

"Okay, how about Rocksplitter?"

Rockskull says "Are you naming it after me?!"

"Yes, the crafter of such an item must be acknowledged."

Rockskull says "I am honored! Allow me to carve its new name onto it."

As I hand back the crossbow Rockskull takes out his carving tools and gets to work. As he is working Gul returns to inform us that no one was injured but the bolts went through three walls before stopping. It only takes a few minutes for Rockskull to carve the name into the crossbow but he does it beautifully.

Rockskull says "Now it is truly complete!"

"Thank you! I will use it well!"

Once I leave the beast shop I store the crossbow and bolts in my backpack. Then I head to the front counter and ask Lily if Zimmy has the time to see me. To my surprise I am taken directly to Zimmy's office without being asked to wait.

Zimmy says "Ash, what can I do for you?"

"A problem is likely to arise tomorrow and I am taking precautions."

Zimmy says "Tomorrow? Do you mean at the ranking competition?"

"Yes, exactly. You see I am likely to become the first captain tomorrow, but I have been warned that the nobles are not going to like it."

Zimmy says "Yes, if you become first captain there will certainly be problems. How can I help?"

"First, do you trust me?"

Zimmy says "Yes, I trust you. Why?"

"Okay, I can't explain how I know but in about a week this kingdom will suffer a monster invasion."

Zimmy says "WHAT?!? Are you sure?"

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"Yes, one hundred percent sure!"

Zimmy says "Um, I'll admit this is hard to swallow."

"Understandable."

Zimmy says "Wait, is that why the walls are being repaired?"

"Yes, I paid for it a few days ago."

Zimmy says "Just how long have you known about this?"

"Um, since I killed the demon."

Zimmy says "Okay, what do you need me to do?"

"Well, I want to leave my gear with you for safe keeping. Also, I need someone to collect the items that Raindrop is making for me."

Zimmy says "Alright, I can do that. Anything else?"

"Yeah, I sort of hired a thousand mercenaries to help with the battle. I will need you to take control of them if I am not able to."

Zimmy says "A thousand?! No wonder I have been seeing strange warriors in town lately!"

"Oh, have they already started arriving?"

Zimmy says "Most likely! If the nobles get wind of this they will have you executed for trying to rebel!"

"Huh, to be honest I hadn't thought of that."

Zimmy says "Well, you better start thinking about it! As for the invasion, what else do you know? Direction? Composition?"

"I don't know anything else for sure, but I have a few guesses."

Zimmy says "Alright, let's hear them."

"Well, you remember the goblin horde? They were led by orcs, so my guess is they were a scouting force and that would mean the invasion will be mainly orcs. As to direction, my best guess is the same as the goblins came from."

Zimmy says "Alright, I can work with that. I will send out scouts to see if we can confirm that and get more information."

"Good. People are far more likely to listen to you than they would to me."

Zimmy says "Yeah, prejudice is a pain. It took me years to overcome it."

"I don't have years."

Zimmy says "True, but you do have people who believe in you."

"That's why I am here."

Zimmy says "Okay, so what did you want me to hold on to for you?"

Taking off my backpack I put the sword I got from the chief and my custom made armor into it. Then I hand the backpack to Zimmy, this way the nobles can't confiscate any of my good gear. The swords I had made are not enchanted so I am not worried about them.

Zimmy says "Won't it look weird if you show up to the competition without armor?"

"I will head over to the blacksmith's guild and get something flashy but impractical made."

Zimmy says "Okay, anything else I can do?"

"Just wish me luck, I guess."

Zimmy says "Alright, good luck!"

After leaving the adventurer's guild my next stop is the mercenaries guild. It is the same old man so I explain the situation to him and he agrees to listen to Zimmy and will try to keep his people from drawing attention. After that I head to the blacksmith's guild to see about some temporary armor.

In order for it to be ready on time I end up spending the night helping the blacksmiths. What I end up with is a beautiful set of armor that is mostly show but not completely useless. My skills also impress the blacksmiths and by the time I leave they seem more respectful of me.

I head straight to my troop's barracks to wake them up and get them ready. While the rest of the troops are cleaning their armor I take aside the ten sergeants and calmly explain the situation to them. I don't give them any orders, just explain what is likely to happen, they will have to decide what they want to do.

Once my troops are ready I check the time and then lead them to the competition grounds. The competition grounds are behind the castle and are similar to an area. There is seating on only one side for the nobles, anyone else just gets to stand behind a fence.

From what I have heard there normally aren't many who come to watch the competition. But because the king will be here the area around the fence is already packed. Apparently the king doesn't appear in public very much so a lot of people are curious to see him.