> Narrator PoV

The city of Runetap.

Today as well it kept bustling with an amount of energy unseen elsewhere. The peddlers were peddling, the adventurers were adventuring, the smiths were smithing and the City Guard were doing paperwork. They also guarded, but that was more of a side-job.

In the midday sky far above, a lone figure floated ominously. Although it looked human at first glance, a second, maybe a third one, would reveal this is not the case. It was a 2 and a half meter tall giant. His muscles bulged powerfully under a dark red robe, which fluttered forebodingly in the wind. His skin a sickening green, his eyes a deep black abyss, his mouth a cave of knife-like teeth. Seven ominous horns sprouted from his forehead and curved upward, resembling a crown.

This man, no, this creature’s identity was the Dark King, Zublos. Sealed millennia ago for his horrendous crimes against the world, he had finally broken free of his chains and would enact his revenge upon the humans. He thought wiping out the stain of a city below him would be a trifling matter, but it would not satisfy him.

He wanted them to taste the same things he had felt during all those eons he was sealed. A world devoid of sound or light. A bottomless pit of despair that drives one mad. Just the thought of all the things he was about to do made his mouth curl into a dark grin.

Having basked in anticipation long enough, he flew downwards and descended on the city like a dark comet. He stopped some fifty meters above the ground, and let out his words.

HEAR ME, PUNY MORTALS!

A powerful voice that gripped the hearts of men and beasts alike.

I, THE GREAT AND MIGHTY ZUBLOS, HEREBY DECLARE YOUR WORTHLESS LIVES AS FORFEIT!

He would rebuild his Dark Empire and once more plunge the world into war and misery.

THOSE WHO WISH TO SERVE MAY KNEEL! THOSE WHO WISH TO DIE-

“Shut it!” (Middle-aged man)

*SMACK*

A brick hit him squarely in the face. His head recoiled while the area around his left eye turned a deeper shade of purple.

WHAT INSOL- *SMACK*

“Don’t scream like that in the afternoon!” (Elf woman)

This time it was a ceramic flower pot to the temple. With the flower still in it. It shattered, leaving a wet clump of dirt stuck in his horns.

“Moron!” “I’m trying to focus!” “Go home!” “Let me sleep!” “Lousy bum!” “Butt-faced bastard!” “Ugly!” Baldie!” “Piss drinker!” (Citizens of Runetap)

Insults kept pouring in at the same rate that small objects assaulted him. Stones, dinner plates, bottles, hammers, old vegetables and more gradually turned his face bloody. The final blow was a well-used blood-stained mug. It expertly ricocheted off his front teeth before falling back into its owner’s hand.

On this day the Dark King learned that one does not simply invade Runetap. He would have also learned what it’s like to fall 50 meters and crash into the ground like a sack of potatoes if he wasn’t out cold.

“Alright folks, that’s enough. Julius, disperse the crowd. Gently this time! Hastings, go get an I-10 form ready. Lindon, go with Hastings and grab a pair of [Shackles of Eternal Damnation] from my office. The red ones.” (City Guard sergeant)

The City Guard started moving with practiced ease, cleaning up the scene and apprehending the suspect. It took less than 10 minutes to completely erase the threat of Dark King Zublos and for the city moved on with its Tuesday.

In the meantime, and completely unrelated to the minor disturbance, a road was being built right through the middle of the southern forest. Normally a stable, safe and well-paying job, even if it was hard and dull work. But the laborers found that the supervisors employed by the Baron had completely betrayed their expectations.

The first surprise was Kiressara mil Quasse, a Rank B adventurer, leader of [Black Flame] and also a [Sage]. She would use earth magic on a large scale, changing the very landscape as if on a whim. Trees, bushes and stones were forcefully ejected from the ground. Then the dirt would be packed tight and prepared for the laborers to lay the cobblestone. This one girl did the job of over 50 men without losing out in speed.

Second was Nano, an engineer under the employ of [Black Flame]. This unknown figure perplexed and awed the experienced laborers. A calm voice that gave concise orders. A pair of calculating eyes that could discern mistakes almost immediately. A steady hand that could swing a hammer as only veterans can. A sharp mind that knew the route and terrain without once checking a map. Truly, working under such masterful direction was a joy in and of itself.

Nano had never once revealed his face. Or was it her face? The voice was oddly neutral, making it hard to judge gender or age. Nano never once took off that almost featureless white mask or the hood covering it. Even the clothes hid all skin and obscured the figure. In truth, it was to disguise the all-purpose android body that Nano had retrieved recently. Since Nano’s skill was without question, such details were actually unimportant to the simple workers.

Third was Ellie mil Quasse. Also a Rank B adventurer and the “better half” of [Black Flame]. The one in charge of security. Although her black-clothed slender silhouette was scarcely seen, there was no doubt to her effectiveness.

The chorus of hammers beating cobblestone into the ground should have lured all sorts of monsters into attacking the site. Yet not even a single goblin had appeared. Only intermittent screams and gurgles could be heard in the distance, and Ellie would emerge briefly from the dense forest with fresh blood dripping from her beautiful black sword.

Fourth, although not present, was Kelly Darkhand, a dwarven mercenary and military engineer. She was back in Runetap, supervising the logistics and materials. Large stones were expertly cut into cobblestone bricks before being loaded onto carts and ferried to the build site.

Unfortunately the baron had underestimated the speed at which the materials were used up and had not prepared the full amount in advance. As a result, there sometimes would be delays until more raw materials would arrive to be processed, so the dwarf in question would often be found in bars. “Being sober won’t make the stuff arrive any faster!” was repeated over and over during such periods.

Finally, and perhaps most unexpectedly, were the two small children. Two sisters known as Sophie and Lara, adopted daughters of the Quasse household. They generally played around and stayed out of the way, but would often bring refreshments and snacks to the resting workers.

The two girls’ smiling faces and cute appearances would heal the soul and motivate the mind. There was a matter of one drunk laborer suffering a broken arm, though. He fell down some steps, you see. No relation to the two girls at all.

Needless to say, the work progressed at a blistering speed. The project was given a deadline of one month, a tight schedule for such a distance. On flat ground, that is. The rough terrain and hostile environment would make this an impossible target. Yet barely a week into the job, the road was already halfway there. If this project went on at this pace, it would be way ahead of schedule and considerably under budget.

Once completed, it would allow carriages and wagons to pass through the forest in as little as three days before getting back on the old highway. If they kept going south-west along the highway they’d reach the Royal Capital in three or four more days. The current route which circled the great forest and the mountains surrounding it was easily twice the distance.

In truth, the members of [Black Flame] could work at a much more leisurely pace, but it was their goal to make a good impression on the Baron. They were promised a unique reward - a favor from a noble. That favor was necessary to solve a major problem.

[Black Flame] spent a lot of its time traveling. The case of retrieving boxes was a prime example. The two mothers couldn’t bear to be away from their new daughters for too long, so a solution was necessary. They had to obtain the fastest mode of transport available in this world - a flying creature.

Tamed monsters like wyverns or gryphons could fly at speeds many times exceeding horse-drawn carriages. The first step in owning one was obtaining a Flight Badge. Those were strictly regulated by the crown and nobility - not just anyone could be trusted with a bird’s eye view and unobstructed freedom. This is why the baron’s favor was important.

It’s true that Nano and Ellie could put together a flying vehicle, but they’d still need the Flight Badge if they didn’t want to be shot down from the sky. The Badge itself is a magic item which emits a unique signature that be confirmed at a large distance. If someone or something flew near a city without owning one, they’d be shot down immediately. The issue of fuel was another problem entirely.

In the end, the Quasse family (and friends) decided to collectively flex their metaphorical muscles and show off a little.

> Ellie PoV

“Eighteen days, I must say I’m very impressed.” (Baron Luron)

“I am glad Your Lordship approves.” (Kira)

Mission accomplished!

Well, if we wanted to seriously show off, we could have Nano do it in ten.

Those “golems” are pretty hard workers, after all.

But Kira said to stretch it out so that we get a larger compensation.

It took a while, but since the whole family was there it was fun.

“So, about the special reward I promised. A Flight Badge is a bit difficult, but not impossible. I can only send a request to the capital on [Black Flame]’s behalf, but whether it’s accepted or not is out of my hands. We’ll know the answer in a few weeks.” (Baron Luron)

“I understand. Thank you, Your Lordship.” (Kira)

Kira bows slightly and I follow suit.

The baron signals we are free to leave so we stand up.

“Ah, one last thing, Lady Ellie.” (Baron Luron)

“I am not kissing Kira in front of you.” (Ellie)

“Wha- No, that’s not- *cough* Lady Ellie is mistaken.” (Baron Luron)

No, I really am not.

“It’s about your gift to my personal maid during your last visit. I don’t know what it was, but her elated mood ever since has brightened up this dreary place. I wish to express my gratitude.” (Baron Luron)

Ah, the autograph.

Nice save, baron!

Actually, I should thank her later for the cookies she brought.

They were extra tasty.

She wrapped some in a cloth to bring back to the girls, too.

We say our goodbyes with the baron and leave his study.

He got busy with those papers on his desk before we even left the room.

Why do these people like paperwork so much?

It’s just a coping mechanism, isn’t it?

What if they run out of forms?

Is there a form for that?

…

There probably is.

But if they run out of forms then how do they fill in the form for running out of forms since there are no more forms and the form for running out of forms is also a form therefore there must be a form for when there’s no forms to report the lack of forms because the forms and the forms had-

“...ie…El..lie...eee...” (Muffled voice)

I feel something pulling me out of the abyss...

Literally pulling on me, actually.

“Ellie!” (Kira)

I snap back to reality.

“Ah! Kira! Huh?” (Ellie)

“Are you okay? You almost walked into the door frame!” (Kira)

“Ah… yes… I’ll be fine, sorry.” (Ellie)

That was close.

I underestimated paperwork.

It may actually be the greatest enemy I’ve ever faced!

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