“Hehehe…” I chuckled with a smile.

“Raiki, how long will you stare at your new weapon while laughing creepily?” Ciana asked while the three of us are walking.

“Now that’s rude. What’s so wrong about staring at the [strongest weapon],” I retorted and held the short sword up in the air while staring at the lustrous blade.

It is a short sword with a blade length exact to my upper leg and a hilt perfectly fit for my hand. It has a glass-like gem embedded at the center of the blade.

“But with this new image, Raiki looks like a genuine soldier now, don’t you think?” Iwa commented with a smile.

*ruuu!* Ruby agreed, currently riding on my right shoulder.

Well, I just placed the metal breast plate on top of my sleeveless brown clothes. I also have my new knee guards and of course, the upgraded [Crimson Protector] which shines more brightly now on my right arm. And on the right side of my pants is where the sheath of my new sword is attached. As for the shoes, they are now made of the same metal as the breast plate and knee guard but much lighter, making it perfect if I use [Counter Kick]. Arjen is really one amazing [blacksmith].

“[Raiden], huh,” I repeated as I remember the name that Arjen gave to my new short sword. “What a cool name.”

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!”

“!”

“!”

“!”

On our way towards [Taurus Empire], the next empire where I can challenge the [Constellation Deity] [Taurus] to get my next soldier challenge symbol, Ciana, Iwa, Ruby and I heard a sudden scream from a girl while walking on the [Harlequin Valley].

“Let’s go!” I shouted and Ruby flew up.

After I sheathed [Raiden], I immediately called, “[Iwa]!”

“At your service!” Iwa replied and became a bronze kite shield on my left arm.

“Long range mode: Blaster!” I shouted.

After my command, a cannon appeared on top of the shield.

We then hurried towards the one who screamed and when we arrived there, we saw an orange hound and a sitting girl that got cornered in the woods.

“A [Duskhound]!” Ciana reacted.

“[Rock Blast]!” I shouted and fired the attack at the monster.

*boooooom*

After the smoke lifted, the hound is now very irritated and ready to dash towards me any time.

“Iwa, let’s finish this!”

(As you wish.)

I then jumped up as high as I can and muttered, “Shield Mode: Protector.” [Iwa] then returned to her original bronze kite shield form.

“That jump is amazing,” Ciana whispered while watching from far away.

“[Bronze Smash]!”

*ka-boom*

With the acceleration downward and strong impact of my attack, the [Duskhound] finally fainted after that.

(Raiki, how did you became this strong? I mean, back when we’re battling God [Sagittarius], I’m still too heavy for you but now, you jumped so easily like I’m weightless.)

“That? Well, the gathering of ingredients with Arjen served as my training too. I’ve been battling monsters with just an ordinary dagger for three days straight after all,” I replied with a smile.

(You are really amazing, Master.)

“I said to not call me that, right? Anyway, let’s check out the girl.”

(As you wish.)

I think it will really take some time before Iwa’s submissiveness disappears.

I then ran towards the girl and asked, “Are you okay?”

The slender girl then stood up and said, “I’m fine. Thanks for saving me, [wielder]” with a smile.

It’s a girl in braids as tall as Iwa, wearing fit sleeveless red orange cheongsam with golden floral embroidery design. Her one piece dress has a long cut on both sides of her skirt, revealing her legs.

“Ho…noka?” I whispered with a surprised expression.

“Raiki?” she reacted with a similar expression as mine.

(Is she…an acquaintance of yours?)

“She’s my...little sister, Honoka. She is one year younger than me,” I answered Iwa, still with a surprised face.

“So you really left the village to become a soldier,” she said with a slight surprised face.

“Honoka!” I reacted with tears of joy and hugged her. “I’ve really missed you!”

“Wh- Have some shame, jeez! I really appreciate that you saved me but stop being clingy,” she complained with furrowed eyebrows as she tries to remove my hug.

I then made a few steps backward and Iwa transformed back.

“Are they your [weapons]?” Honoka asked as she looks at both Ciana and Iwa. Ciana gave her a smile and Iwa made a nervous face.

“My name is Honoka, her little sister. Nice to meet you,” she said and smiled.

On a sudden turn of events, I got reunited with my little sister whom I haven’t seen for a year. You really don’t know what would happen.

“So you’re travelling throughout the [Katzenshatz] to become the best cook, huh,” Ciana commented as she talks with Honoka.

Honoka left our village when she was still 16 years of age to travel with Chen, a Master Cook who is also from our village.

“Well, something like that,” Honoka answered with a shy smile. “But the battle earlier is really amazing. All I can do is to watch there with my mouth hanging open. You’re so cool, Iwa.”

“N-n-n-not in the slightest. The one who is amazing and cool is my Master, Raiki. Without him I can’t defeat that monster,” Iwa followed with a flustered look.

“My brother? Well, it looks like he became strong compared when I’m still at our village but I wonder if he can now beat Rave,” Honoka responded and looked at me with a teasing smile.

“What? Just so you know, I saw him at the [Crimson Forest] and when we battled, the result is a tie,” I said with a pout.

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“See? You still can’t beat him,” Honoka followed and chuckled.

Right now, Honoka is guiding us towards the small village where she currently stays.

“We’re here,” Honoka said after we arrived at the small village. “Follow me”.

It consists of twelve small houses, all made out of wood, in three rows and four columns. You can also found plantations near it.

“So this is the village Honoka is talking about,” Ciana commented after the three of us stopped walking.

There are only few people who live here and they all greeted Honoka after arriving. It looks like she is really popular here.

“Honoka!” four children called happily and hugged her legs.

“I’m back,” she replied with a smile while patting their heads.

“Did you get all of the ingredients needed?” one kid asked.

“Yes.”

“Who are those people?” another one questioned.

“This is my big brother and his friends,” Honoka responded.

“Really?” another one followed curiously.

“Yes,” Honoka followed with a smile.

The children then surrounded and stared at us with sparkling eyes.

“Honoka’s brother, are you perhaps a [wielder]?” one girl asked to me.

Well, I’m wearing an armor so I think that’s what led them to that conclusion.

“Y-yeah…” I whispered shyly.

“Really? Then, can you show us that ‘transformation’?”

Transformation? Maybe they want to see a [weapon] transform.

“Sure,” I said with a smile.

“Yay!” they reacted happily.

“Then, [Ciana]!” I said and drew out my left hand.

“Leave it to me,” Ciana replied with a smile.

She then transformed into a white light and flew straight up. After seconds, she transformed into a sickle in mid-air and went to my hand like a boomerang.

The kids then clapped their hands very happily.

“That’s amazing, Honoka’s brother!”

“It’s my first time seeing one!”

“Me too!”

“You can just call me Raiki,” I said with a smile.

“Got it, Raiki,” they replied at the same time.

Ciana then transformed back and followed, “And I’m Ciana.”

“…”

“Come on, introduce yourself too,” I said to Iwa who was so silent since we arrived here.

“S-sorry for the late introduction. My name is Iwa. I’m so pleased to meet all of you,” she replied nervously with a bow.

“You don’t need to be that formal you know,” I whispered to her.

“A-as you wish,” Iwa responded shyly.

“Iwa, can you transform too?” one little girl asked.

“I...can,” she replied while blushing.

“Then, can you show us?” the kids requested excitedly.

“A-as you wish,” she replied with a sudden determined face.

“Are you ready?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“Let’s go. [Iwa]!” I shouted after I drew out my left hand forward.

“At your service!” she replied with a sudden serious face and transformed into a brown light. After circling on my arm a few times, she became a bronze kite shield.

“Woah~~~” the kids reacted.

“It’s too early to be amazed. Long-range mode: Blaster!”

Suddenly, a cannon sprouted on top of the shield and I pointed it upwards.

“[Rock Blast]!”

I then shot three consecutive attacks and it exploded like fireworks in mid-air.

“Amazing~~~” they all reacted with shining eyes.

Iwa then transformed back and the kids gave her a very amazed expression.

“That’s awesome, Iwa.”

“That explosion is really beautiful~”

“And so flashy too!”

“Th-thank you very much,” she replied shyly but after seeing the children’s smile, she ended up smiling too in the end.

*ruu! ruu-ruu!*

“You too?” I reacted after hearing what Ruby suggested to do.

“Raiki, are you a [tamer] too?” a kid asked.

“Well…sort of?” I answered, not really sure how to put it.

Things will only complicate if I said that I’m not.

“That monster is really cute~”

*ruu~* Ruby reacted with a proud expression.

“His name is Ruby,” I followed.

“Raiki, can we play with Ruby?” the kids asked excitedly.

*ruu?*

“Sure,” I replied with a smile.

*ruu-ruu!* Ruby reacted with a flustered expression.

“Ruby, you want to show-off right? Then, entertain those kids. I know you can do it!”

*ruu-ruu!* Ruby replied with a sudden determined expression and flew right at the top of the children.

“See you later, Raiki, Iwa and Ciana. Let’s go, Ruby,” the kids said and they ran away.

“Hey, it’s almost dinner time so don’t play too long,” Honoka reminded to them.

“We got it!” they replied cheerfully.

“Those kids…they really took a liking out of you,” Honoka said to us.

“Seems like it,” I replied.

“Welcome back, Honoka,” the guy around mid-60s, wearing a red orange Oriental Dress with a similar embroidery design as Honoka’s dress said after arriving.

“I’m back, Master. I collected all the ingredients that you’ve requested,” Honoka said politely and showed her wooden basket backpack full of different fruits and vegetables of this world.

“Good work. And these guys? Wait. Is that you Raiki?” he asked with a big smile.

“It’s been a while, Chen,” I greeted with a smile.

“So you finally decided to leave the village, huh,” Chen whispered with a gentle smile. “Did you two met by coincidence in the forest?”

“Yeah. Let me introduce you to my two [weapons]. This is Chen, a master in the art of cooking and also from our village.”

“Nice to meet you, Sir. I’m Ciana,” Ciana said with a polite smile.

“M-my name is Iwa. I’m pleased to meet you,” Iwa followed nervously with a bow.

"I'm Chen, a travelling cook," he introduced with a smile.

“Isn’t Chen the...” Iwa reacted with a sudden surprised expression.

“Is something wrong, Iwa?” Ciana asked.

“He’s a very famous cook. According to what I’ve read before, he is one of the best cook of [Katzenschatz],” Iwa continued.

“That’s amazing!” Ciana reacted with a surprised face.

“I’ve dedicated my whole life in cooking after all,” Chen said to Iwa with a smile.

“Of course, that’s not all,” I continued with a proud smile. “The reason why he travels is to feed the poor and provide knowledge on how they can feed their selves through planting different vegetations and herbs.”

“How admirable,” Ciana and Iwa reacted.

“I’m just doing it because I want to, it’s not really that admirable,” he followed shyly. “Anyway Raiki, you’ll be staying here for a while right?”

“Yeah. I want to stay with Honoka or a little longer. I really missed her,” I replied with sudden tears of joy.

“Jeez,” Honoka reacted with a sigh.

“I’m sure that all of you are hungry now so...let’s go to the place where we currently stay so I can cook you all a meal,” Chen said and winked.

We then all smiled and replied, “Thank you very much.”

We then followed him towards a small stone house. The inside has a simple design but a little old-looking compared to a cheap inn's room, probably because of the little cracks on the wall and the worn out rags and carpets. There are two small yellow lamps that can be found on opposite sides of the wall. After we entered, Honoka led us to a circle table made out of wood. There are also a total of six seats that can be found. After we sat down, Chen and Honoka immediately prepared the dinner.

"Thanks for the wait," Chen said after bringing different kinds of foods on the table.

"Those look extremely delicious," I commented as the appetizing aroma of the newly cooked foods circulates the whole house.

"So, let's eat," Chen said after sitting down with us, smiling like usual.

"Let’s eat," we all said and started eating.

All the foods that Chen cooked are all made of vegetables. There's a stir-fry vegetable, vegetable stew and other vegetable dishes. All of us found the dishes really delicious.

"Thanks for the food," we all said after we finished eating. Well, Ruby is still eating the big bread that Chen gave earlier while sitting on one of the chairs.

"Chen, those were really delicious. You're really one amazing cook," I said with a smile.

"I agree. I will never forget the taste of your food," Ciana followed with a thankful smile.

"I've never sampled something that tasty in my entire life. Thank you very much for making me eat your cooking," Iwa thanked with a bow.

"Now you're exaggerating,” he said shyly and we all laughed.

“Anyway, Honoka, did you get rusty in fighting? That [Duskhound] almost kill you, you know,” I said to Honoka with a serious face.

“O-of course not. I just let my guard down because that is my first time being attacked by a monster in that valley,” Honoka replied with a pout.

“Honoka? You got attacked by a monster?” Chen reacted with a surprised face.

“Y-yes...Master. Sorry for letting my guard down,” she apologized with a sudden sad face.

“Raiki, sorry that I sent your sister into a dangerous place. Thinking that the [repelling horn] is enough to protect her is a mistake on my part. It’s my fault,” Chen said and bowed to me.

“Y-ou don’t need to bow, Chen. I mean its Honoka’s job to assist you after all,” I said with a slight surprised face. “But that [repelling horn]...”

"This one," Honoka replied and showed me a necklace with a small horn as its pendant.

"I saw an item like that in [Sagittarius Empire]. That can repel monsters with a level of...what is it again?" I asked to myself.

"It can repel monsters level 25 and lower. That [Duskhound] earlier is a level 26 so that item couldn't repel it earlier," Ciana explained.

"Even though strong monsters that can negate the effect of the [Repelling Horn] are just few on the area where Honoka always go, we can't afford to take a risk again," Chen replied. “It’s a shame but I think we should stop getting ingredients from the Valley.”

"But Master...” Honoka reacted.

“Then, should I accompany her every time she goes there?” I suggested.

“But Raiki, how about your journey?” Chen asked.

“Well, [Taurus Empire] can wait alright. Protecting my little sister is important too after all,” I said with a smile.

“Jeez, you worry too much,” Honoka reacted with furrowed eyebrows and slightly blushing cheeks.

"But I can't accept it. I can't afford to owe you anything anymore," Chen replied with a serious face. "That is why, I will hire you properly as Honoka’s bodyguard. I also need some additional helpers in improving this village so your arrival here really saved me. For your service, I will bring you all to [Taurus Empire] using our carriage after we finished our business here. We're planning to go there too after all. Of course, the food and shelter while you three are staying here is on me.”

*ruu-ruu!* Ruby complained because he didn’t get included.

“Of course you too,” Chen replied and chuckled. “So...is it a deal?"

I then looked at Ciana and Iwa and I got a nod from both of them.

"We accept it," I answered.

Starting that night, I became the official bodyguard of Honoka and Ciana and Iwa became temporary assistants of Chen.