Blacksmith of the Apocalypse

Her finger played around the handle of her saber, as her eyes swept across the “throne room”. Gentle sunlight fell in through the broken roof and splintered walls. The tiled floor, covered in old leaves and encroaching vines, was littered with corpses and painted red in blood.

Faenys sighed, taking in the fallen glory of ruin, that had been occupied by ogres and even led by an Ogre King, using the ancient crown, found in the crypt of the former king. Slowly, she took the unique item off.

“Did you play enough? We should return and report to the guild that the “Ogre Kingdom” is no longer a threat,” Ferdinand said relieved, seeing her finally drop the act. For a moment he thought the crown had other complicated powers.

As far as they knew, the crown was a unique artifact that allowed the wearer with the title of king to use incredible powers. But the healer would not have been surprised if there was another effect like megalomania or something like that.

“Don\'t worry, I\'m still here. Let\'s get back to the city and finish the quest,” Faenys stopped playing around with a wry smile as she took off the crown. During her time as a brigand, she had dreamed of the riches of kings and nobles.

Sitting here, in the ruins of a fallen kingdom, she had remembered this longing. But with a wry smile, like remembering a childish dream of a younger self. Since then she had experienced greater luxury and comfort than a vain feudalistic system could ever offer her.

“I think we should return after this quest,” Azul suddenly suggested.

“Well will be a little early, but we did agree that this would be the last quest, anyway,” Faenys acknowledged. As much as they grew in this world, they looked forward to returning home.

....

---Golden Plains---

The rebels looked at the scene before them in horror and elation. The steps of the parliament were drenched in blood, the juice of life trickling down the steps like waterfalls. They were littered with the severed bodies of the members of the merchant counsel.

Sitting on the highest step, sat their leader. her foot was resting on the severed head of the counsel\'s champion. The SS-Rank adventurer who had kept stood behind the high chamber and supported their tyrannical reign with an iron fist.

Her armor was dyed red and black with blood, but her spear shone in a pristine silver light. She was also an SS-Rank adventurer, the Wise Spear. Months ago, they had hired her for protection and advice, but they had quickly made her the leader of the rebellion, as her decisions and ideas and always proven to be correct.

her leadership on the field was impeccable and their plans proceeded smoothly. However, things had changed three weeks ago and the Wise Spear had quickened their plans as if there was a deadline she had to keep.

Looking at her status, Monique thought about how to continue. There were five weeks until the Pythian games. She had to round up these people and set everything in place for them to govern themselves from now on.

Her meticulous plans she had crafted with the wisdom of Athena needed thorough adjustments after she quickened the pace. She couldn\'t help it, 2 months were not enough to topple a government and instate a perfect replacement. She could only use her remaining time to patch things up as best as she could.

She was glad that she was able to recruit allies in this foreign world, that she could leave things to. Some were genuine people, other surprising allies with a hidden debt to Minas Mar. At least, they would be able to steer this region into a better future.

After glancing at the time, her eyes fell on her level: 135. The spear demon had not done what she did to gain levels, as she had been genuinely horrified by the state this country was in when she arrived. Still, she was glad she was able to follow her heart and fulfill the assignment of getting stronger at the same time.

How much stronger the others may have gotten?

Sitting amidst the mayhem she created, a small smile bloomed on Monique\'s face, thinking of her return home.

....

---Trance Vales---

A beautiful castle, brightly lit at night. A great ball was going on when the atmosphere suddenly tilted. Armed soldiers and nights stormed the venue. The music stopped, as the crowd of ostentatiously dressed nobles and merchants fled outside.

In the meantime, the soldiers surrounded a couple, holding them at spearpoint. Neither the man nor woman moved, nor did they seem intimidated.

“What is the meaning of this?” the man stepped forward, asking indignantly.

“I believe I can explain this,” a man in a tight, expensive baroque suit said, his voice echoing in the empty ballroom. He stepped past the ring of soldiers and stood in front of the couple.

“You are hereby arrested for harming a noble and under the suspicion of aiding various illegal activities in the capital.”

The man sighed.

“See, I told you we should have gotten rid of that prince when he tried to touch you. Now they are framing us for shit because you slapped him in the face,” James lamented as his gear instantly switched from an elegant suit to his suit of armor.

“Resistance will only raise your sentence and void your standing at the guild. even as S-rank adventurers, the guild will not support criminals that fought nobility!” the official claimed.

“Pff, who needs the guild?” Jess asked with a laugh and threw down a golden guild card with a big S in the corner. Her dress had also changed to a reddish suit of armor and a petite wand appeared in her hands.

“If we hadn\'t missed the SS Evaluation, they wouldn\'t even dare to pull this stunt,” James complained.

“I won\'t apologize! We had a wonderful day in bed. You can\'t deny that.” Jess shot back. James blushed.

“It can\'t be changed now, anyway. Let\'s leave these guys with a last legend and return home.” James suggested.

“Just my thought!”

“A-Are you really going to do this? The whole dukedom will be after you! You will not be able tp escape!” the official tried to convince them, but it was too late. The milk was spilled, the spells were cast.

What were the soldiers here for? They were purely symbolic decorations. They held no sway over the two S-ranks and neither did the official\'s authority he relied on so much. That night, the party was lit and the castle was blazing.

The party guests watching from outside would call it the great bonfire of Midsummer. The two S-Rank adventurers were searched for weeks after and announced as criminals across the kingdom, but they could not be found.

...

---Omnithis---

An unwavering darkness had swallowed the village. The shadows had come from the mines, taking them one by one. a week ago they had taken his mother, and yesterday his cousin. Was today his time? His father had pushed them into the hiding space under their hut, where he was huddling together with his sister.

All they could hope for was that they wouldn\'t find them... and worry for their Father. Everything had fallen silent, only their heavy breathing and his sister\'s silent whimpering filled his ears. He had no idea how long they had stayed down here, but the lids of his eyes started becoming heavy and he had a hard time staying awake.

Maybe- Maybe nothing would happen today? His thoughts were also becoming slower and harder to grasp as he slowly slipped away into sleep. Only for his eyes to jump open, wide away, when a heavy step shook the floor above them. Dust fell onto them.

Was it their father? Had he come back to get them? But the step was so loud and happy. It wasn\'t like that when their father left... He flinched when suddenly a terrifying rumbling and breaking sound echoed from above. Things were thrown around, shaking the planks above their heads. The boy only hoped who... or whatever it was would not find the trap door.

After the outburst, things went silent again. It stayed quiet for a while.

“Boy, you can come out. It\'s morning. The danger is over~” he heard their father\'s reassuring voice. Relieved he was about to open the trapdoor when he halted. His lower lip began quivering uncontrollably, as he held in his tears and crying. Their father knew where they hid, he didn\'t need to call for them. In horror, he realized, that they had already fallen victim to the shadows...

But it was not the end.

“My child, won\'t you greet me?” this wasn\'t the voice of their father. This was the voice of their Mother! A move beside him brought him back to the moment.

“what are you doing? Mother is back! Let\'s hurry and get out!” his little sister whined, as he reacted instinctively and pushed her down, stopping her from moving.

“Hngh, Mother is gone, Luisa. And father...too. We have to stay silent if we want to survive the night.” he insisted. Scratching on the floor above had them fall silent. It came closer and closer. Oh no, I reached the trap door and-

With a subdued screeching the trapdoor was lifted and they looked into a terrifying face, twisted in a demonic smile.

“You should have been a little quieter if you wanted to survive,” the creature said maliciously. With a cry, the boy pulled his sister along and he charged into the crawlspace under the hut. Behind them, they heard the breaking of the floorboards accompanied by the shadow\'s amused laughter.

Squeezing through the gap, they left from under the house. Holding his crying sister, he ran into the night.

“Help! Help, the Shadow is-” the boy screamed, running into the village. He halted, when he found the village silent, except for the eerily familiar eyes, glowing in the dark.

“A hunt can be fun, but it is all futile,” the show told them, enjoying the moment as their hope flowed away. It was over, there was no way to run for the two, and the village was full of shadows.

Yet they had no eyes for the shadow before them. A massive pair of golden eyes had appeared in the darkness behind the shadow, threateningly floating above its head. Frightened, his gaze was fixed on the eyes, and they seemed to look back at him.

“What are you looking at?” the shadow was not amused that his prey had gone silent. When he turned, his superior night vision answered him by giving him the last sight of his life. A giant maw, filled with impressive, pearly white fangs descended on him, ripping him from this world.

The next moment a series of dull but loud knocking sounds could be heard, as the shadows were pinned to the huts and ground, by a shower of mighty arrows. In the meantime, the massive tiger reverted back to the humanoid Tijaahk.

“Good, you go the children,” Archer greeted Duhu as he stepped out of the shadows of the forest.

“It’s a shame we were late for our last quest, but at least not fully too late…” the Tigerman lamented. He told Archer and tried to give the children an encouraging smile, but it was more wry than cheery.

“Thank you, big kitty,” the girl hugged his shin without hesitation.

“Let’s clean up here and bring these children to safety,” Archer said unimpressed.

“Sure.”