Micchi Versus the New World - Chapter 101

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Chapter 101

Loraine and I were visiting Lars' place today to help me shop for a new weapon. With Sacchan destroyed, all I got were my fists, and as much as I liked throwing down as the next guy, I was weaker without something to put all my weight behind.

"How about this?" Lars put a giant spiked mace on the counter. "It's made with enchanted dragon's teeth. Packs a punch."

We went out behind his store to a fenced in, outdoor area with archery targets and human-sized mannequins. A few arrows and spears were embedded into their target rings and the dummies wore armor that were caved in and tarnished all over.

"I test some of the weapons out here with Rohan. Go on, give something a whack," the dwarf urged.

"You sure about this, Pint-sized? Feels like I'm holding a toothpick," I said, making small swinging motions with the mace. When I wound up to hit one of the dummies, elemental energies traveled from my arms and into the weapon. Striking it uprooted and obliterated the dummy, sending it flying high into the air in a thousand pieces.

The three of us watched as it rained down on the city off in the distance.

I traded glances with Lars, and the second he opened his mouth to say something, the mace in my hand spontaneously shattered. Seeing the weapon break easier than a dried twig must have been a big shot to his pride, because he proceeded to find more weapons that might survive being used. Too bad every single one of them he and Rohan brought out broke in a one swing.

We eventually stopped so that Lars could cut his losses. I got a feeling they were going to be my losses, too.

"What in the eighteen gods was your club made out of?" Lars put a hand to his face and sighed.

"Fuck if I know. All I got left are splinters after it was destroyed," I said, holding up the bag which contained Sacchan's remains.

To think, Chika crushed the bat like it was made of sand. Just how powerful was she? Or how much more powerful now after taking whatever was inside Sacchan? According to Mildred, the brief glance she had caught of it got her thinking it was a sort of magic crystal. We probably wouldn't be able to come across something like that again if Chika's going around collecting them.

"Maybe you need something crafted from scratch made of osinthanite? Like those brass knuckles from before?" Loraine suggested.

"Oh, yeah. Come to think of it, they didn't break when I was using them. I gave them to Anya though, and I'm not in the business of asking for a gift back," I said.

"That's all fine and dandy, but we've just about proved ya can't be wielding no normal weapon. I'm out of enchanted osinthanite and acquiring more will bankrupt the both of us. Unless you have some spare lying around? Didn't think so," Lars remarked after a pause.

I should have known Sacchan wasn't an ordinary weapon. Just like Yui's nunchucks and Kaoru's Kamigoroshi which came with us to this world, they were leagues above what could be crafted by a weaponsmith.

"How are you feeling?" Loraine asked as soon as we left Lars' place.

"Like shit. When I look into my hands, I can't see myself holding anything other than Sacchan. I think it's worse because that bat used to be a reminder of Chika who changed me for the better. Now it's just a reminder that she might not have ever cared about us." I frowned.

"I think it can be both," she said, catching me off guard more than a cheap shot could.

"What do you mean?"

Loraine pulled me off the street as a carriage was passing by, followed by children who were chasing the vehicle for fun and laughs. I recognized them as the same runts who begged us for food way back then. One of them, a beastling girl, was swinging a stick around. They were looking a lot better this time around, happier and less starved.

"Chika can be both a good and bad memory. She doesn't have to be one or the other. The Chika from when you were smaller, who protected you and Yui, and the Chika who destroyed Sacchan and defeated you in Kazaar, these memories and experiences are yours alone," Loraine said.

I looked at my hands again and clenched both fists.

"What about you?" I asked. "How you holding up, knowing Sultan Asswipe is coming to town?"

"Terrified, angry, confused… among other feelings. When my uncle comes, I intend to confront him. Like how meeting Chika gave you courage, meeting you has given me the courage and resolve to do so." Loraine smiled, snuggling up close.

My face turned bright red.

"Come on… Let's get back and see what everyone's up to," I said.

We went back to the guild hall despite not making any progress in finding me a new weapon. Unlike Kaoru who had gone back to Jinwa, Anya stuck around after coming back from Mou'nan. She was by the counter, speaking with Kain and Frey over what sounded like a serious conversation.

"Yo, Micchi. Get your hands on anything nice?" Anya stopped their discussion to ask.

"Nope." I shook my head. "Broke half of Lars' inventory instead. Broke my wallet, too."

"Why am I not surprised…" Frey sighed.

"Lady Micchi, we were just discussing the Branch's involvement to provide defenses alongside the standing army during the UKD summit. While I don't expect the demons to so boldly attack with all members present, it is better safe than sorry," Kain explained, to which I was in agreement with.

"Perfect. Put me on guard duty. Anything out of the ordinary, Kawa and I will fuck up worse than cheese to a grater." I smashed a fist into my palm.

"Actually… I'd like you, Lady Anya, and Guild Master Yui to attend the summit as well. You will need to dress for the occasion," he said.

Everyone stared at me, none more burning than Loraine's glistening eyes who saw another opportunity to put me in a dress again.

"I'm gonna kick your ass." I grabbed Kain by the collar of his coat.

"Wait, wait, wait!" Kain desperately shielded his face. "You will be closer to Lady Loraine! W-Wouldn't you like to keep a direct eye on Sultan Yusef?"

Being closer to them did mean I had an easier time protecting Loraine. Since she wanted to confront him, it would be better for me to be nearby.

"Alright, cool. Still doesn't explain why I gotta wear a dress." I raised a fist, causing him to flinch.

"Dressing formally is customary and will demonstrate to other attendees that we aren't there with hostile intentions," Kain cried.

"But I am there with hostile intentions."

"Please, stop resorting to violence! It makes me very nervous! The whole point of the summit is to smoothe over diplomatic tensions, to reaffirm our fight against the demons who are our greatest threats!" He reminded us.

I let him go.

Kain outlined how Rugal was going to lead the defenses outside of the city walls. Members of the Cynderace Branch would patrol and protect the interior. Although princey-boy said he didn't expect an attack, he sure as hell was planning to defend against one. Guess that much was a given when you gathered all the big shots to one place.

Afternoon rolled around, and Kain rode back to the royal manor to relay to his parents what was discussed. This was the most busy he had ever been, like the entire kingdom was on his shoulders.

"Why the hell are you still here?" I asked Anya as we watched Kain leave. "Shouldn't you be going back to Ash'tar?"

"There's nothing for me to do over there anymore. What? You don't like having your big sister around?" Anya wrapped a thick arm around my shoulder.

I pushed her off. "You're viceroy of Ash'tar. Don't that mean you're on his side?"

"By now, the sultan knows I'm no easy pawn. He probably keeps the former Lannarkis champion around just to keep the city in check. Besides, the only side I'm on is yours and Yui," she said.

"Knowing you and Micchi are such great friends gladdens my heart." Loraine smiled.

"Hahh? Who says we're friends?" I growled.

"See? Your girl knows what's up! Let's get a drink, Loraine. Lemme tell you all the juicy stories of when she was a rugrat." Anya went inside with Loraine.

I was about to head inside until I caught a glimpse of Naka hiding in the bushes across the street. She was staring this way, but not moving from her spot.

"Who are you playing hide and seek with?" I called out.

"Shhh!" Naka put a finger to her lips, then beckoned me over. "Is… Is the wolf inside?"

"Kawa? No, she's on guard duty at the royal manor today."

"Oh, thank the gods." The beastling emerged from the hiding spot, plucking leaves and twigs off herself.

That trauma Naka has of anything canine was inconvenient. It was starting to look like I was bullying her by bringing her to this city, especially with how often Kawa visited the guild.

"What's all that you got there?" I asked Naka as she pulled out a stack of books, too.

"Old and antique tomes collected from around the city. Scoth has such a rich history long buried. I heard you've been searching for a suitable weapon to use. I've been meaning to tell you that I found a lead to a potential enchanted artifact weapon, but… I was hiding out here this entire time," Naka explained in embarrassment.

"No shit?" I grabbed her by the shoulders. "Where? What kind of weapon?"

"I-It's a sword rumored to have been blessed by gods! Legends suggest that it was buried at an ancestral Clineredell crypt far from the city. We might be able to make it by nightfall if we ride out now," she stammered.

Something from Kain's family? They probably didn't need it anymore, so we might as well go fetch it. Wouldn't be the first time I dug into his ancestor's shit.

"Alright, we're going now. I'll go bring Kawa, so you get your bags packed before we come back," I said.

"Eh… EHHH?!"