The Empyrean's Reign
Ch.6-Material and Forest

"We haven't seen each other in a long time, Lavi. How are you?"

"Hohohhoo! I was so amazing that I couldn't describe it! This month there are a lot of good things happening! Your arrival is also included, Aldios."

General Aldios let out a cold laugh when he heard Old Lavi's excited speech, "Good then. Today I'm visiting you because these two young men need the weapons they're going to wear for the next few years. Can you get them a gun?"

Old Lavi immediately nodded without hesitation, accepting the request issued by General Aldios to him without a second thought, "Of course you can! Who will refuse. I will also forge it for free in exchange for the Mana Core Nightfall Mixed Lion that you brought me a few years ago. Don't forget, the materials for the weapons you must find yourself!"

General Aldios widened his eyes in surprise when he heard the words coming out of his friend's mouth, "Are you sure?! My expedition you will only give a discount for a few percent, I did not expect you would do it for free!"

"Hey, hey, I know I'm a pretty stingy person but of course I also know what a return is. I'm the one who holds to my principles, you know!" Old Lavi snorted pretending to be annoyed at the thing that the man before her threw.

General Aldios laughed loosely until a frown was seen at the end of his eyes. Niel who saw the warming scenery then invited Enzo to look around the store while giving Old Lavi and General Aldios time to talk after their reunion.

While walking, the paintings displayed along the walls of the shop somehow caught the attention of the two young men. Niel walked over to one of the paintings depicting a man with a silver spear whose handle was decorated with a purple gem, observing the painting for a moment until finally reading the writing contained below the painting.

Elijah the Mighty Spearman

Spear made of Perennial Niz Iron and Elven Violet Gemstone.

Forged by Old Iev, the XXth Generation

Enzo exclaimed, "Well, I know this guy! He was often talked about by the servants at the Palace as one of the Five Lilies, the five most handsome men in West Manvit!"

"What kind of name is that?" Niel stared at Enzo contemptuously, confused as to why his best friend could remember things that were useless but never remembered information that was actually useful.

Enzo who got a contemptuous look at Niel felt offended, "Hey! It's not my fault to know about the Five Lilies either. My days would never be complete without the servants talking about them endlessly!"

"Yes, yeah, all right. Just do as you please." Niel paid no heed to Enzo's defense and continued to observe the paintings displayed on the walls of O'Smith.

Niel stopped his steps when he heard a familiar voice calling his name and Enzo, "Master Niel, Mr. Enzo, I've finished talking to Old Lavi. He recommended that we go to the Tregwey Forest as a place to look for your weapons materials. Incidentally, the forest is the closest place to our destination, Bluetears Village. We'd better get to the Transportation Point Center now to go to the forest."

"Ready, General!" Enzo gave his thumb to General Aldios while smiling sillyly. Niel only nodded after hearing General Aldios' suggestion although somehow he suddenly got a bad feeling.

***

"******* ******, *******! ****** *****!"

"NIEL, WATCH YOUR MOUTH!"

A series of swearing vows immediately came out of Niel's mouth just like that after he was thrown from empty air on the ground in the face down position after boarding Transportation Point.

Instantly the pure white hair that the young man had was covered in purple-coloured leaves with deep blue gradations filled with white spots, which were, it was as if the leaves were a reflection of space and the brilliant stars filling it.

"I'll never use that damned tool again." Said Niel with a dark expression.

Niel grabbed the hand of General Aldios to ease the burden off his body before thanking the General. The young man with blue netra then damaged his hair to drop leaves that perched on his head.

General Aldios showed a smile that had become his trademark before taking something out of the sling bag carried by him, "You should bring a weapon to be used in dangerous situations. I've prepared two daggers for each of you to use."

"Oh, thank you again, General."

"Thank you, General! I'm not sure if I'll be able to use it." Enzo laughed wryly as he received an uncomfortable look from Niel.

As they began the journey, not knowing why suddenly a creepy growling sound came out from nowhere. Leaves that emit sound due to colliding with each other caused by the wind further add to the feeling of fear experienced by a person.

"Why, this forest has a slightly creepy atmosphere?", Enzo smiled dryly as he walked through the forest of Tregwey. The shadow from the tree leaves was exposed on his face, crisp sound of stomping was heard every time he took a step.

"This forest was filled with a negative aura as many Hell Beasts were residing in the forest. This negative aura came from those Beasts." General Aldios responded to Enzo's statement. Niel nodded slightly, agreeing to General Aldios' explanation.

After that, the atmosphere went back to silence. Niel continued walking before noticing a black shadow following Enzo. Niel narrowed his eyes before realizing that the black shadow was darting rapidly towards Enzo.

"Be careful!", Niel leaped towards the black shadow that nimbly ran to attack Enzo, the young man instantly slashing the creature before landing beside his best friend.

General Aldios who had just observed them then immediately came to the creature that was killed by Niel. General Aldios wore pitch-black gloves on both hands before raising the creature and widening his eyes slightly in astonishment.

"Excellent work, Mr. Niel. You can kill a Vicious Agile Squirrel who is famous for his agility in one slash. It is rare to find a beginner who can do such a thing." General Aldios stared in admiration at Niel who was scratching his nape in embarrassment. Enzo was still sweating coldly when he recalled that he had almost been injured if Niel did not quickly kill the creature.

"You also adapted quite quickly, Mr. Niel. My late grandfather said that one of the heroes of the ancients did not even dare to kill a cat." General Aldios gave a small smile, recalling his childhood to reminisce.

Enzo shuddered in fear when he heard the words of the oldest among them, "Who would kill a cat, General? They are evil and have no heart!".

Niel looked at Enzo tiredly before responding to General Aldios, "Actually this is nothing new to us, General. We were trained in both martial arts and weapons while at Lazarus because they have been taught since we were children. It's just that this fool always doesn't have the heart to kill anything."

Niel shook his head as he gave an explanation to General Aldios. Enzo can only pretend to hear nothing and continue searching for the weapons he needs with the help of a picture book.

"Hmm, Lightfall Line Flower, a flower with star-like petals, a flower with star-like petals... Ah, I found it!"

General Aldios who heard Enzo's exclamation immediately walked over to him to see if what the young man said was true or not. When he saw the flower Enzo meant, General Aldios immediately broke the mess of younger hair.

"What a pleasure, Mr Enzo! You find the hardest-to-search material the first!" Enzo smiled as General Aldios gave him two thumbs.

"It's because Niel previously vilified me that God has now decided to help me." Canda Enzo plucked some petals from the flower and gave them to General Aldios.

Niel who initially tried to maintain a flat expression finally could not break a small smile, he then tried to cover it with one hand.

"... It's ridiculous."