Chapter 62: A Knight in Shining Armor

  The next day, Emilia made the rounds of the trade street, checking the few smaller blacksmith shops. She wanted to inquire about the prices of armor.

  " Young miss, I can't make you armor, you are too small. Go bother someone else."

  "But I have money—look," Emilia shook a small pouch of copper and silver coins, even showing some of the coins to the blacksmith.

  "I said, we do not make armor for someone like you. What will happen when some monster bites you? You are just a mouthful!"

  "I am not that small. I am bigger than some of the small races."

  "Yes, but you are human. When your master comes to call me to account, what explanation will I give him? I am an honest man, please do not cause me trouble."

  Emilia continued to visit different craftsmen, but no one wanted to sell her armor. Finally, she gave up and headed toward Cassian's house. She planned to use his support to register her meritorious service and get advice on how best to use it. There, she was met by an old woman who was tending the garden.

  "He is not here. They called him away to help organize a training center for refugees in Karapelit."

  "Where?" Emilia asked, surprised by the strange name.

  "A small town upriver. About three days travel. If you wish, you can leave a letter; I will give it to him when he returns."

  "No need, just tell him Emilia was looking for him."

  "Yes, I will tell him,” The old woman said, waving her hand vaguely. As Emilia moved a few paces away, the woman began to mutter to herself, just loud enough for Emilia to catch a word or two. “Just what I needed — running errands for youngsters. And look at her, so rude! No proper greeting, no mention of who sent her. The youth these days have no respect for their elders. In my time…”

  Emilia called out a farewell and hurried to get away, nodding her head. Time is moving too slowly. Everyone treats me like a child. It is not fair! Children also have their rights, you know.

  Soon, Emilia found herself near the church where she saw Sister Edda watering the vegetables with water from the well. She hurried to greet her, then began to help her with the vegetables. She scooped water from the bucket with a small ladle and carefully watered the vegetables right at their roots, taking care not to splash the leaves or waste water.

  The two talked about trivial things until, at one point, Emilia could not hold back and complained: " Sister Edda, everyone treats me like a child, but look at me—I’m so tall! And they still won’t sell me armor."

  "Armor? Armor for what? Tell me everything from the very beginning."

  Emilia sighed and told Sister Edda about the proposal to Boss Titus. Afterward, she had to explain why she needed the monster blood. But that forced her to explain her adventures with Master Fjorn. At one moment, the sister started looking at Emilia strangely, and when they reached the part about the private area, the verger Edda's eyes began to shine with concentrated celestial light. Emilia immediately felt as if someone was scanning her from head to toe. She instinctively crossed her arms over her chest and willed her mana to swirl.

  "Emilia, you... you have become an Acolyte of Hecate! You should have started with that. I will call Pastor Joren. Stay here, do not run off somewhere. This is important!"

  Emilia was slightly confused by Sister Edda's sudden reaction but simply shrugged and continued watering the vegetables. When the water ran out, she went to the well and slowly began to lower the bucket and draw more water. Just then, the pastor appeared, followed by the breathless Sister Edda, who was explaining something to him.

  "Emilia, come with me."

  When they reached the pastor's office, he gestured toward a large chair and settled behind his desk. He then scanned Emilia with celestial magic, took out a large, thick book, dusted it off, and began writing in it. He often paused and asked questions. Sometimes Emilia answered, and sometimes Sister Edda did.

  "How old are you exactly? When is your date of birth? What are the full names of your parents? Exact address..."

  "When and where exactly did the ritual take place? How long did it last? What was the task assigned by the Ascendant?" and many other similar questions.

  The pastor recorded all of this in his books, and half an hour later, he simply leaned back and listened to the entire story without interrupting her. Only occasionally, a strange light was seen in his eyes, and Sister Edda gasped during the more dangerous events.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Finally, the story concluded, and Joren remained thoughtful for a long time. At one point, Sister Edda told him about the armor and the bottles of blood.

  Joren looked Emilia over assessingly and questioned her about her training with Cassian. Finally, he took out a sheet of paper and began to write something on it.

  "Congratulations, Emilia, on your consecration as an Acolyte of Hecate. Your title is now officially registered in the Book of System Servants. You are now part of something much greater than yourself. In time, you will learn more about all of this, and from today, you will have access to the general information in the library without requiring payment. That is, all books marked as zero-level in the catalog will be accessible. This includes most history books, the fundamentals of all skills, and the small amount of recreational literature we possess. The books cannot be taken outside the library, and you do not have the right to disseminate this knowledge. The penalty is a death sentence and burning at the stake."

  Hearing about the death sentence, Emilia swallowed, her chin trembling almost imperceptibly. After that, however, she considered the free access to the library.

  "What do the fundamentals of skills cover?" she asked cautiously. Sister Edda quickly replied.

  "For example, the introductory books on Herbalism that you already know—they point out some of the simpler plants, where they are found, how they are harvested, and what they are used for. But only simpler and more common plants are described, and only with a few paragraphs. The introductory book on Talismans explains the purpose of the brushes, paper, and inks, their average value, and instructions for use. There are simple lines for practicing and a glyph that produces light. At the end of every such skill book, the different directions in which the skill can be developed, its benefits to society, the requirements for the person who will study it, and other useful information about the nature of the skill itself are explained."

  "It is important to note that after this, you will have the right to purchase access to level one books. Usually, special permission is required to purchase such information. It is not easily given. The various guilds have been trying for centuries to impose a monopoly on the free trade of knowledge, and we are forced to be quite careful not to affect their interests," Father Joren continued.

  Emilia continued to ask more about the books and skills, learning that the historical and other general information books were much more detailed and had far fewer restrictions. Emilia decided to come whenever she was free and take advantage of the free books. Then, Pastor Joren handed her a sealed envelope.

  "Take this letter to Master Zeno, on the second market street. He is located three houses to the left of the large statue of Leonidas, before the public fountain. I have described in the letter that you need armor. In the future, you can use his services. He is an experienced master and close to the church. He will help you."

  Emilia accepted the letter and quickly thanked him. Afterward, she and Sister Edda went out, finished watering the vegetables, and talked about being an acolyte and having access to the library. Sister Edda gave many pieces of advice and clarifications. Emilia sincerely thanked her and then hurried to find the blacksmith.

  Soon, she found the statue, turned left, and found herself in front of a quite large forge. As she passed through the wide, open entrance of the smithy, a wave of hot, metallic air, mixed with the smell of charred wood and damp leather, immediately hit her. The workshop was unexpectedly spacious, with a high vaulted ceiling that allowed the smoke to rise and dissipate.

  The room was filled with a deafening, rhythmic noise: the heavy blows of hammers on anvils; the hiss of superheated metal plunged into water troughs; and the constant roar of two large forges, whose coals glowed with a white-orange flame.

  To the right, two sturdy apprentices, their muscles straining under dirty leather aprons, worked in sync. One pulled a long, reddened iron rod from the fire while the other struck it with a giant hammer, shaping it on the anvil with precise, ringing blows.

  In the cooler part of the workshop, where there was less smoke, other apprentices were busy with lighter materials. Under the expert guidance of Master Silas, several young men skillfully wove strips of raw rattan and processed thick pieces of monster hide, shaping rough but sturdy armor. Silas, a man with a keen eye, checked every knot and seam.

  In the center, near the main anvil, stood Master Zeno, surrounded by a group of apprentices.

  He was a man of impressive, stocky build and strong, stone-like shoulders. He wore a thick, grease-stained leather apron, covered in old grime, ash, and charred holes. His hands, scarred by old burns, were wider than Emilia's head.

  His face was blackened with deep soot that had been worked into his skin from years spent near the flames. Sweat dripped down his brow, leaving clean, slick trails across the dusty surface. His nose was slightly crooked, and his eyes, though calm and judging, were squinted against the intense, glowing light of the forge.

  Zeno was currently holding a small hammer—a tool that looked more suited for precision work than brute force. He carefully inspected a newly forged metal plate, turning it in the light to check the surface for the slightest imperfection. Every movement he made was slow, deliberate, and heavy, like molten iron settling.

  His voice was deep and cut through the din unexpectedly clearly as he spoke to his apprentices.

  "Hello, young miss, what do you need?" one of the many apprentices came to ask her.

  "I need to give this letter to Master Zeno. It's from Pastor Joren."

  The young man, who looked about nineteen, took the letter and opened it. After reading it twice, he looked at Emilia for a moment, and then, without saying another word, went to Zeno and whispered something in his ear.

  A little later, the blacksmith finished his work and approached Emilia. "So, you are the girl Joren praises so highly in his letter. He even insists that I make you light armor from rattan and hides. I did not know things were so desperate that even the young needed armor."

  Emilia smiled uncertainly and followed the blacksmith, who led her to Silas and briefly explained the armor to him. Then, two apprentices took Emilia to a small room where they took her measurements for the armor, poured her a cup of warm milk with herbs, and stepped out for a moment. Then Master Zeno entered.

  "The price will be 50 silver coins. We will make it from wildcat hides and use the best materials."

  Emilia opened her mouth to haggle, but Zeno immediately interrupted her.

  "This is the friend-of-the-church price. I cannot lower it any further, or there will be a serious problem with the quality. If something happens, how will I answer to Pastor Joren?"

  Emilia sighed helplessly and pulled out a pouch of silver coins, handing them to Master Zeno. They then agreed that she would come back in a week to pick up the armor.