Chapter 215: Recruitment

“Um, hello? Leif? Did you hear me?” 

The twin points of golden light under Leif’s mask flickered as he turned his head towards Lucia. “No, sorry. I was distracted by something. What is it?”

The girl was wearing her own mask, but he could sense the mix of concern and curiosity bubbling up from her mind. She sprung up onto a nearby fallen log and wobbled briefly before finding her balance. “Silas said he wanted to talk to you about something. I don’t know what though.”

“Ah, I see. Thank you.”

Lucia shrugged and spread her arms, balancing on one leg as she stared down at him. “You seem… distracted.”

“Well, it's been nice not having a shadow these past few days. Maybe I’ve taken the opportunity to relax.” Leif said. He sensed, but didn’t see the annoyed scowl on the girl’s face. He waved and spoke before she could say anything. “Not that I’m actually complaining. It’s good that you’re spending time with your new friends.”

“Then what is it?” Lucia asked after several seconds of silence. 

Leif sighed and stood, calling a few twigs from the ground to circle his hand. “You’re aware that I can sense the emotions and intent of those nearby?” She nodded, so he continued. “Well recently I’ve started to sense… more. Or so I think. I’m not actually sure what it is, it’s like a faint but constant buzz overlapping my usual senses. I’ve been trying to isolate and identify whatever the cause is, but I’m not having any luck so far.” 

“Are you…” Lucia trailed off, cocking her head to the side. “Are you sick?”

Leif laughed. “I hope not. As far as I’m aware I’ve never been sick, not in this body at least. I have a few ideas as to what might be happening, but I can only guess for now. It only started after leaving the dungeon, but I have no idea if that is related in any way. I suspect I hit some sort of threshold, be it attribute related or something to do with Mana reinforcement.”

“But is it bad?” She demanded. 

“No, not yet anyway. It’s more of an annoyance or distraction than actual hindrance. I’ll be fine, don’t worry about me.”

Distant shouts followed by clapping came from the distant campfire, and they both turned to see what had caused the commotion. It looked to be some sort of game that a handful of adventurers were playing. It was getting late in the evening, and Season hung overhead, full and bright. A stormfront seemed to be building in the west, but it looked like it would just barely miss them. 

Two dozen tents could be seen silhouetted against the light of the fire, and Leif could sense the sleeping humans within them with almost no effort. Lifeforce moved differently within beings that were unconscious, it was a subtle but noticeable change once you got used to it. 

“I’m surprised the duke’s herald is letting us rest for the night at all with how much of a slave driver he has been.” Leif said, rolling his shoulders and walking towards where he sensed Silas. “I’ll go find the old man, but you should get some sleep, I think we’ll be having a long day tomorrow.”

“Nah, I’ll be fine. You can just heal me.” Lucia said, hopping down off the log to follow. 

“My power is not a proper substitute for rest. We’ve already discussed this. Repeatedly.”

“Yeah, but it's fine for a day or two.” 

Leif pointed at Lucia, and the small sticks zipped towards her. As if she had been ready for him to do just that, the girl ducked and rolled, her head tracking the tiny projectiles as they vanished into the darkness. She shot him a look that was somehow smug despite the mask, so Leif pulled up a root from the soil and tripped her with it. Lucia hit the ground with a thud and a surprised wheeze, and Leif laughed as he kept walking. 

She was up and running after him a heartbeat later, though her steps were hesitant as she scanned the ground for any traps he might spring. “You might as well tell me what you’re so eager to stay up for. Are you going hunting?”

“Maybe, not sure.”

“That’s not like you. You usually have a plan.”

She shrugged. “Hylon is trying to get ready for his class promotion. He needs to get his adaptable skill finished. He asked for my help, so I’m training with him.”

“Uh huh. You’re sneaking off into the woods to train, are you? Just you and him?” He asked teasingly. Judging by her lack of reaction she didn’t get it. Well, that was fine. It was an awkward conversation he was more than happy to delay. 

“No…? Cerri and Rou are coming along too.” 

Leif chuckled. “As long as you stay more or less out of trouble I don’t mind what you do. Actually, is Hylon trying to get a spear related class?”

“Yup.”

“Hmm, I guess I can help. Send him my way before you leave and I’ll make him a weapon.”

Lucia was quiet for several seconds, and he could sense her wavering between appreciation and jealousy. Finally she spoke. “Okay, I’ll do that.” 

“I’d offer to do the same for the other two, but I’m not sure how applicable anything I can create will be for their paths. I know the big lad has some sort of metal related class, and the girl has bone magic.”

“I guess I can ask them.” She said, sounding conflicted. 

“Do that. It’s not like the materials are particularly valuable, nor does it take much of my time. How old are the other kids by the way? I’m assuming a year or two older?”

Lucia was silent again for a period. “I haven't asked, but I know Hylon is fifteen because he keeps talking about reaching level twenty five before his sixteenth birthday.” 

“Only fifteen? That’s quite an impressive pace. You might have competition in levelling speed.”

She let out an amused huff. “Not likely.” 

“Even with him having a proper weapon?”

They were passing the campfire, and several of the people around it paused their conversation to raise their drinks in Leif’s direction. He nodded at them, and they went back to laughing. 

“There’s no way it will take me two years to reach level twenty five.” Lucia said with confidence that teetered on the edge of arrogance. He supposed that it wasn’t totally unfounded, she was uniquely talented.

“Soon the system won’t be slowing me down anymore.” 

“That’s a terrifying thought. Promise you won’t conquer the world or anything with your unlimited power.”

There was more silence, which was worrying. “Do you think Hera could conquer the world?” She asked. 

Leif gave her a look. “I highly doubt it. But she has her whole life ahead of her, and I doubt her ambition will allow her to stagnant in levels for long. Hells, she’s probably hunting monsters right now.”

“Even with the war going on?”

“I never said that those monster’s weren’t human.”

They reached where several carts were lined up to partially separate the campsite, and a second smaller fire illuminated their surroundings. Two people sat around the flames, their hands outstretched to draw in its warmth. 

Silas looked up and nodded, his smile somewhat strained. “Thank you, girl. I think the others are over in that direction.” 

Lucia inclined her head slightly, then darted off. Leif reached out and caught her shoulder, then pointed off to the left of where Silas had directed her. “That way, at the edge of the clearing if I had to guess.”

“Impressive senses if you can perceive that far.” The second individual around the fire said, her voice gruff with age. She stood, her chainmail shirt and cuirass jostling together. “Apologise for not properly introducing myself sooner, but the subjugation was a chaotic mess even after you stepped in. I am Harriet, normally I would have returned to my duties, but the duke’s summons superseded them.”

“It’s a pleasure.” Leif said, taking her proffered hand. “I’m Oak.”

Silas snorted. “You couldn’t have picked a better fake name?”

“It’s a pseudonym.” Leif said flatly.

“I don’t mind. Anonymity is a rare treasure, I don’t blame anyone for trying to keep it, especially after they’ve proven themselves something of a hero.” Harriet said, her tone chiding as she turned to face Silas. The man raised his hands and shrugged. 

They both seemed relaxed and in high spirits, but there was an underlying tension just below the surface that was difficult for him to not notice. Leif sat on the ground and gave them both an assessing look. He wore a mask, and neither knew his true identity, be it his inhuman form, nor his relation to house Vin. 

“I’m guessing.” Leif said. “That the reason you two are worried has something to do with the duke. How badly is this banquet likely to go?” 

Harriet looked over her shoulder, but there was nobody near enough, or awake enough to overhear. “Not badly exactly. The rewards are sure to be handsome, and I doubt the celebration itself is any sort of trap.”

“But the guild recruiters who’ll be there will not make fun.” Silas growled. He flicked a small stone into the fire. “They won’t be interested in an old dog like me, but…”

“The kids.” Leif surmised, leaning back. He looked at the grey haired woman, who nodded slightly, her brow creased in concern. 

“The guilds are always looking for any talent they can grab. Some of my people are likely to be scouted as well. They won’t want to leave their families, and from the conversations I’ve had with them, it is unlikely that any would accept any offers of recruitment. The problem may be if the duke orders enlistment. He is within his rights to do so, and several of the local guilds belong to him personally.”

“And if he does, and you still say no?”

Silas sighed. “It depends on how petty the powers at be feel like being.”

Harriet gave the man a meaningful look, and Leif deliberately chose to ignore the undertones of their relationship as Silas returned the stare. The scion held up a hand and conjured a small ball of ivory wood, the orb spinning as he smoothed it out, the increasingly polished surface reflecting the light of the fire. 

He could sense a quartet of vitality signatures approaching, so it was time to make the spear. “I have a potential solution, though I’m not certain if it will work.” Leif said, growing the ball as he added more material to it with [Create Gilded Wood]. The wood rippled as he stretched it like how a baker would stretch dough. 

“Somebody of your power will be influential, even without any formal backing.” Harriet said. “But what are you suggesting, Oak?”

Leif flicked his wrist, and his Twin Heart guild badge flew through the air towards her. She caught it adroitly and held the small metal object up to the light for a closer look. Silas’s eyes moved from the badge and back to Leif, his expression hard. 

“I’m a member of an Ahle-ho guild. Not a senior member mind you, but I’m still a member. Could I not simply claim that I was interested in recruiting certain individuals if the duke tries anything?”

Silas rubbed his chin, then snorted in amusement. “They’ll be pissed, but it very well could work. Assuming they don’t challenge your claim, be it through questioning or force.” 

“If they choose force, do you think they will succeed?” 

The old man grinned. “I’d love to see them try.” 

“We would be in your debt twice over.” Harriet said. 

“Sure.” Leif said seriously. “I’ll make sure to call in a favour or two within the next fifty to a hundred years.” 

The spear was taking shape before him, its shaft twisting like two snakes being wound together. Golden cracks ran up the weapon’s length, giving off the appearance of frozen lightning. He made a makeshift spearhead, attached it, then handed the weapon to Silas pommel first. 

The former noble took the spear and twirled it, testing the balance and weight. Silas shook his head in amazement before handing the weapon over to a curious looking Harriet. “Did you make this to show off?”

“Not quite. It’s a gift.” 

“Interesting material. How durable is it?” The woman asked as Silas processed his words.

“Depends on how often it's used. But it's roughly equivalent to steel.” 

“And the golden energy within it?” She pressed, her interest peaking. 

“Lifeforce infused into the wood. Once it runs out its efficacy will drop significantly.” He said. It was true, though not the whole story. If he set the spear as it was, the weapon would be constantly restored to perfect condition until his skill ran out, which with [True Persistence] would take months. Though he hadn’t done that yet. 

“I’m not following. Who’s the gift for?” Silas asked slowly.

Leif pointed wordlessly at the group of four teens that stepped out from around a tent. Cerri’s hand was over Hylon’s mouth as the boy laughed at something. Rou’s massive form cast them in darkness, and Lucia looked to be using that to slink in and out of visibility, much to the large boy’s amusement. 

Silas opened his mouth, then closed it, licking his lips as if his mouth had gone dry. “I see.”

“Just so you know, I was planning on doing so before we had this conversation.” Leif said, calling the weapon into his hand with [Wood Manipulation]. “But having the ‘potential recruits’ armed by myself would certainly help in selling the ruse, don’t you think?”

“I’ve never seen him lost for words. It’s quite cute.” Harriet said with a soft laugh. 

“Cute?” Silas huffed, his eyes sharpening. “I haven't been called cute in sixty years.” He turned to Leif, then at the approaching teens, and his expression softened. 

“H-hey gramps.” Hylon called, pulling away from his adoptive sister. Cerri wiped her hand on Rou’s shirt with a disgusted look on her face. “Oh wow, is that a spear?”