Chapter 22 - Kingdom of Poverty

"Wake up girls, we overslept."

"Hmmm... Just five more minutes..." Sophie muttered before turning belly down into the mattress hiding her face from the sunlight.

As I look out the window I can tell it's about mid-day, not an ideal situation for us who only have three days in this inn.

I took the initiative to take first dibs on the restroom to change out of my sleepwear, as I walk down the hall I can't help but smell a variety of spices and meat cooking below.

As my stomach grumbles I hurry up and change to head down there.

"Sophy! Abby! I will be downstairs getting us food. Please meet me there when you are ready"

As I make my way to the dining hall I can't help but notice how empty it is. Besides an older man resembling a fox sitting in the corner all the tables are empty, I take a seat at the other side of the room and await the girls.

"Good afternoon your highness, what food do you want." The bear like man is still teasing me over the whole king thing, but if only he knew I was telling the truth.

"Oh? Are you pledging your allegiance sir... I didn't catch your name last night."

I wanted to make a quick retort but soon realized I never got his name... So much for that joke landing, but you can't win them all.

"If you truly own a kingdom void of racism and discrimination I will be the first to join kid... But this isn't a fairytale..."

The bear like man just looks to the sky contemplating something before looking at me with a big smile.

"You can call me Jason kid..."

He playfully messed up my hair with his giant hands while smiling mischievously.

"Are you hungry?"

"I'm starving... But I should wait for the girls they must also be hungry..." I grab my stomach to fight the temptation as I should be respectful of my companions.

"I will prepare three plates and bring them out on their arrival."

Jason looked at me a second before nodding and heading into the kitchen towards the back of the room.

As the door opened my nose was attacked by spices and my insatiable hunger grows larger... Please hurry up girls!

{Master?} Ember calls out to me

'Yes Ember?' I ask curiously

{I feel another Hero Artifact... It's definitely here in this town.}

*Gulp*

I must say I was not expecting to find another piece so soon... But it is my duty to collect them so the sooner the better I guess...

'Understood please notify me when the connection grows stronger'

{Yes master}

As my conversation with Ember came to a close I could hear two tiny foot steps creeping up behind me... It was the girls and by the sound of it they wish to scare me... These girls are helpless but I'll play along if it makes them happy.

"BOOO!!!" The girls scream in unison shaking my shoulders.

"Ahhh.... Don't rob me!"

“Hmph... You heard us didn't you!" Sophie crosses her arms while pouting at me

"Sorry... I tried to play along, but now that you are both here lets eat!"

I could see the drool start to leave Abby's mouth after she heard we would be eating.

"Finally!" Abby yelled in excitement as she saw Jason come out of the kitchen.

He was masterfully holding three plates, one in each hand and the other balancing on his forearm.

"Eat up kids" He said as he placed our food Infront of us.

"Any plans today?"

He asked me directly somewhat curious.

"Uh yeah actually... Do you know where the Adventurers guild is?"

"Adventurers huh? We don't see many of those anymore... It's mostly just private contractors that keep the monsters in check."

"Is there a reason for that?"

"Actually yes, the Adventurers guild does not receive funding from their main branch for building in the animal kingdom... So they were forced to close, the town refurbished their building into the mercenary guild."

"Mercenary guild... I can't say I've ever heard of them" I said curiously hoping to prod more answers from Jason

"The main difference is they allow kids to join, with the lack of people they will take whatever or whoever they can... But I must warn you, they do allot more then monster hunting and you should stay away from them if given the chance."

Before allowing me to ask any more questions he quickly turned around and walked to the back kitchen...

"Sounds ominous" said Abby as she shoved more food into her mouth.

"Y-yes I would like to avoid it"

"We don't have to go there, let us just explore the town after lunch."

To quickly put their nerves to rest I opted against signing up for the mercenary guild... I have a feeling what they do anyways, and as a King I shouldn't get mixed up in any of that.

****

"T...this is crazy" Brocks eyes look as if they will pop out of his head any second.

*You can thank Master for the materials, I took the liberty of separating them for him.*

Brock was currently in the storage area of Onyx's Space Dimension. Infront of him was mountains of perfectly cut stone in the shape of bricks, and on the other side is mountains of sand, soil and wood of freshly cut trees.

"I must say I'm shocked, but I can make this work... Let us get started Admin."

*Very well Brock, I will grant you permission to this area until the construction is completed....*

*But I must warn you, if you venture past this barrier you will be lost in space and will have to wait until Master returns to retrieve you.*

Brock visibly gulps, he knows that could be months with the time difference between Gaia and here...

"U-understood, I will heed your warning."

*Then allow us to commence the construction, Master will surely be pleased with all of your efforts.*

****

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"Honey it has only been two days... Onyx is fine I promise you."

"B-but he's still just a child... I just miss him okay..."

Emily protested to no avail... Deep down she knows Onyx will be able to protect himself no matter who tries to harm him. But that does not fix the broken feeling of a mothers heart as her child leaves the nest...

"Mom you still have us for a few days, I am honestly scared for anyone who tries to mess with that little monster"

Jack just lets off a laugh in between his bad jokes in order to comfort his crying mother...

"We will see him in five days anyways... He agreed to meet us in his Kingdom, which I'm still not sure how my baby brother is already a King and I'm still in school...."

Kicking the ground with jealously... Jake is forced to realize he can't compare himself to his baby brother for he is not within the realms of normal...

"Y-your right! I can't wait to pinch his little cheeks" Sarah seems to have been energized at the thought of seeing her precious brother.

"To be honest... I can't help but feel a little inferior to him, but I know he will be a great King and a far better leader then I ever was." Thomas was also surprised when he heard of his son's Kingdom, but he knows that his son will be a great King and can't wait to see his journey.

"Yeah... My baby is already a King I'm so proud I just miss him..."

Emily just looks out the window as she wonders if Onyx is thinking about her as well....

"See you soon son... Please be safe!"

****

The Beast Kingdom... My only impression so far is it's disappointing. I just figured they would be thriving but instead it looks as if the whole kingdom is riddled with poverty.

The Beast-kin look as if they haven't bathed in weeks, the building are made up of hardened mud and clay with the occasional wood huts that look as if they will be blown down with the lightest of winds.

As we walk through the Kingdom we could feel the looks of hatred? no is it envy? Of the locals as they stare at us no matter where we go...

"T-that's incredible isn't it? To think something like that would be in this run down Kingdom." Sophie was staring in awe at the building Infront of her.

Large metal gates connected to a marble wall located in the heart of the city. The large building behind the gates resemble a palace of riches, everything made of high quality marble, iron and wood...

*Scoff*

I spit on the gate in disgust, to think there's still people like this in the world even after everything their people has went through and accomplished.

"Disgusting..."

"What's wrong master? You look angry..." Abby asked curiously as she looked at the beautiful palace Infront of her...

"That is what's wrong with me... His people are suffering while he lives in luxury... It makes me sick!" I spit at the gates again cursing the king

The girls seeing me upset over something so trivial just makes them smile, to them this is the way of the world. The King is meant to be worshipped and respected even if it costs his people everything...

"That is what it is to be a king" Sophie muttered as if it was common sense...

"No a King is meant to be a mentor and leader for his people. How can I be happy living in luxury while my people are in poverty... I couldn't think of myself as a king if my people were not always happy!" I clench my fist in anger, but this is a good experience to witness... It shows me exactly what not to be like once I claim my thrown for real and rule over my people.

"I... I would love to see a place like that.... Please don't change master" Abby grabs my arm and pulls it over her as she embraces me with a warm hug...

"I'm sorry... I let my emotions get the better of me. Let us continue exploring the rest of the city girls."

"Yes"

"Just a little longer master..." Abby not wanting to move as she is still connected to my waist in the form of a hug.

I just smile and pat her head, as I look up I can see Sophie visibly pouting but not intervening...

"H-hey no fair! Don't hog him all to yourself!"

Just as I was thinking she matured a bit she snapped... How helpless are these girls... seriously.

After prying the two off of me for what felt like ten minutes we make our way back to the outer ring of the kingdom. This is where the shops line the street but nothing really caught my eye or attention.

The food looked to be a few days past expiration, all the vegetable's and fruits look mushy and spoiled and the meat reeked a foul odor... Definitely not something I will be eating any time soon, but at least it put their situation into a little more perspective.

Just as I thought all was lost I saw a small armor stand with no one around it, my curiosity has been peaked and I make my way to it.

"Howdy human, what can I do for ya?"

The shopkeeper was a Cat-woman almost looking exactly like the one I executed a few years ago... I hope they aren't related...

"Hello... I'm just looking at your goods."

"O-oh... You humans sure are bold but don't you think your a little young for a woman like me?"

I could see the cat ladies lips curl as she stares at me wildly...

"That's not what I meant ma'am, I'm just here to look at your armor."

"How disappointing, but by the looks I'm getting from those two girls I should stop teasing you."

How can two little girls give off such a scary aura the shop keeper thought.

{Master it's here} Ember quickly entered my mind as I touch a rusty piece of chainmail.

'Are you sure? This armor looks to be a piece of crap'

{That's not nice master, but looks can be deceiving they are most likely hiding their true form waiting for the hero.}

'Well the armor is cheap so what the heck'

"Ma'am I would like to buy this one" I take the chainmail off the stand and place it on the poorly made table.

"Kid for your safety I would recommend something else, this is crap."

Going against all her instincts to make a few extra coin scamming a kid, she couldn't bring herself to do so.

"You have nothing to fear ma'am, now please sell me this."

I pull out a silver coin and lay it on top of the counter, that's almost double the asking price...

"Fine... But if you get hurt don't come back blaming me."

After the trade I told the girls I'm ready to head back to the inn as I want to try on the new armor.

They look a little dejected by the idea, as they feel as if I lost my mind buying that rusty armor but nevertheless they agree and head back to the inn.

As the girls head to the room I take the armor to the bathroom, I was told every piece of the Hero set has a Ego so I need to talk to it.

I pull the Armor out of my storage space and hold it up to the light creeping from the window.

"OUCH"

The same feeling that happened when I found Ember just occurred, as I see my finger start bleeding and mixing with the armor.

Although I'm a little taken aback by the sudden bleeding I'm even more shocked as I watched the armor transform into the same shape and texture as the shirt I was currently wearing...

Getting the hint I remove my shirt and put on the armor... Wow it even feels like I'm wearing nothing but a shirt... Crazy!

{Impressive right? I can turn into any shirt or armor you show me, I'm pretty awesome if I say so myself!}

A deep voice entered my mind, but I already know it's the armors Ego.

{Nice to meet you, and yes your ability is amazing.} No need to downplay my enthusiasm as this is surely going to come in handy later on.

{Hey old man!}

{Oh it's you... How did you find the Hero before me?}

{He murdered my previous owner, you should have seen it! It was an amazing sight to see!}

{I miss all the fun... But it seems this one will be interesting huh?}

{Indeed, it also helps that he won't die of old age like the last one.}

{Oh now that is truly something special, it looks like I made the right choice revealing myself... I just hope the others show themselves...}

{Yeah those three haven't been active for the last five heroes...}

{They are so picky since our creator died... They can't see the good in people, it's truly a shame to see...}

{Indeed well please treat our new master well, he's a little emotional but he has good intentions.}

'You know I can hear you both right?'

{Apologies Master}

{We were just catching up young Hero, please take care of me from now on.}

'Yes... to you as well, Ember can catch you up on my rules later do you have a name you like to go by?'

{Rules..? Actually never mind I don't have a name but my creator called me Magic Shirt, I will gladly take any name you want other then that.}

Almost feeling bad for him as his creator seemed to be just as bad at me at naming things... Poor magical shirt.

'Allow me some time to think it through, I definitely won't name you Magic Shirt in respect of your creator.'

{I like him already Ember}

{Don't get ahead of yourself old man... I found him first.}

I could hear the Magic Shirt scoff at Embers comment, but I suppress the laugh creeping up on me.

"Girls!"

"Yes?"

"Yes master?"

"Get ready, we need to train. I will be downstairs waiting for you two."

"Oh right..."

"I almost forgot about that... I will be there soon Master"

The twos good mood quickly died as they were realized this wasn't a vacation but instead the pursuit of strength... But the thought of training with their love quickly put a smile right back on their faces.

"Hey Jason! We will be back at night for we have to train, please have our food ready by then."

"You got it my King, please be safe kid." He waved at us as we left the Inn.

We walk to a back alley where no one is around I wait a few seconds then open my domain.

"Domain"

A bright purple portal appear Infront of us, stars scatter around the entrance as if we could grab them but also infinitely far away as to never be touched.

"I never get use to this" Sophie said as she tries to grab one of the stars

"HELP! HELP! HELP! HELP!" A feminine voice screeches in the distance as we were just about to step into the portal

I look at the girls and they just sigh...

"Looks like we are gonna gain another girl Abby..."

"Master truly has a thing for girls in distress"

"Would you two knock it off... It's not like that, but we also can't leave her after hearing screams like that."

They look at each other and just sigh before stepping away from the portal.

"Right let's make this quick so we can get back to training."

"Yes"

"Lets go master, the scream was over there" Sophie points towards the direction of the Kingdoms wall

I give them another look and we start running into the direction that just contained the screams of terror... My only thoughts are hoping the girl is safe!