The dragon slayers. Men mutated beyond their limits, towering over their lesser brethren.
Thick fur coats covered them, reinforced with interlocking armor plates.
Skull helmets of steel.
Several dozen hulks marched in a single column.
They slung great swords, pickaxes, and warhammers from their backs.
Harpoons, cannons, javelins, and slings brought devastation from afar.
Grapples attached to tungsten cables, strong enough to subdue a dragon.
Armored flasks filled with concentrated acid, capable of melting even the most stubborn hides.
Staggered between them, men in dark robes and pointy hats.
Wizards. The slayers' attendants.
"So those are the slayers. Impressive. Terrifying even. "
Ria stood beside Rey as they observed the slayer parade.
"Their strength lets them crush walls. Cannon shots bounce off their armor. Each carries the fire powers of a platoon and more. A thousand-man army is not their match."
"You think these guys can take down the wyvern queen?"
"Let's just say, their track record is rather mixed."
"Mixed?"
"They used to call themselves the dragon slayers. Now they have shortened the name by dropping the first word."
Ria chuckled.
"What's the problem?"
"Have you slayed a dragon before? As in, a full-grown adult dragon."
"Of course not."
"Well, the 'dragon' slayers haven't either."
"Really? Is this not enough firepower to take one down?"
"Nope. Not even close. They got shredded by the fledglings the one time they actually believed in themselves and tried."
"I'm sorry to hear that. But they did have some fledgling kills to their name?"
"Certainly. Though it would still be an embarrassment to claim the title."
"He. So what do they do nowadays if they don't slay dragons?"
"Plenty of work for them to do. Even if they can't slay dragons, monsters appear everywhere, don't they?"
"Of course. But aren't they here to slay the queen wyvern?"
"A weaker target. At least in the textbooks and in their minds. I wouldn't bet Herdial gold or Spire coins on them."
"We are betting our livelihoods on them, aren't we? If they can't open the wyvern pass, the trade between Herdial and Moradale would become quite difficult. It might even have to come through a zeppelin lane."
"That's a fair way to put it. The more immediate concern is that if the wyvern queen eats them for lunch plus dessert and never leaves her lair, then we're safe. I don't believe the two of us would be more tasty than those fat, juicy slayers."
"Be serious. What's their plan for taking down the queen wyvern?"
"Isn't it obvious? Weight of numbers."
Rey points to the long parade of slayers.
Ria looks away in embarrassment.
"Obvious to the baby fern general, I suppose."
"The oldest trick in the book. It's not my fault if you didn't notice it."
"Anyways, I'm curious. How are these giants created in such numbers?"
"Oh, there are many methods. Spells, herbology, druidic rituals. The mana form of some houses allows natural growth to superhuman sizes."
"What's the difference?"
"Cost. Efficiency. Safety. Consistency. Any number of things. The precise method to produce them at scale is certainly as guarded a secret as the relics of Silora."
"I see. How do you think Hikari grows?"
Rey shrugs.
"You're the ones raising her. Don't you know?"
"Can you stop being so annoying?"
"Seems like you don't. I'm curious too. The RazenHeir house uses hit-and-run tactics with hard-to-dispel flames, defeating foes through attrition. It makes very little sense to raise a giant."
"How so?"
"The extra weight slows you down. The extra size makes you a bigger target. The advantage of size is more firepower. But smaller, more nimble scouts could do enough damage by accumulating the burn damage."
"I didn't even realize that myself."
"But Hikari is something else. Strength. Speed. Mana. Sense. She has everything. Small attacks don't pierce her defense. Large attacks won't work either. She would see it and dodge. Outnumbering her won't work either. She can use her incredible mobility to avoid getting surrounded. Long range. Short range. With the right equipment, she can master both. I'll be terrified to go up against her. "
Ria fell silent. Her face was blushing red.
Rey looked at her.
"Nothing."
She turned away.
Rey was confused.
The slayers continued marching past them.
The endless parade was intended to overwhelm the wyvern queen.
Ria waits until her blush is gone before turning back to Rey.
"So. How does Hikari fare against the slayers?"
"It's not even close. A mass-produced giant against a specially raised one. How come I have never heard of her before?"
"She spent the past few years training in obscurity at the RazenHeir estate, clearing out the monsters surrounding the estate. A trading town sprung up next to our estate because of the safety she created."
"She would certainly be more well known after this. This is one of the highest profile raids going on at the moment with blessings of the royal house."
"The highest profile raid, you say. Is the conquering baby fawn general Rey Hearthstone up for promotion this season?"
Rey unamusedly looked at her with his dead eyes.
As they were enjoying their conversation, a man in fine white robes approached them.
He was wearing a straw hat. His face was clean-shaven, and his hair was neatly combed.
He held a sword case with elaborate golden decorations in his left hand.
Rey tensed up.
"Greetings, general. Is the path to the wyvern's lair clear yet?"
The man asked coldly, his voice laced with contempt.
Rey turned to face him.
"It's right on schedule."
He answered in a calm, businesslike tone.
The man continued to stare Rey down with a displeased look on his face.
Rey held his nerve.
After a few tense moments.
The man let out an abrupt chuckle.
"We'll discuss that in the war tent later. For now, I have some personal business."
He turned to Ria, lowering his head to her level.
"Ria RazenHeir, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
The sudden shift in his mood caught Ria off guard.
His etiquette didn't warrant Rey's reaction.
"Do I know you, good sir?"
"Janryc Krelimerous Farador. A humble alchemist at the dragon slayer guild."
His voice was slow and warm. Ria felt seduced by it even.
"Ria RazenHeir" Ria pinched the edges of her skirt and bent her knee briefly.
"A fine Lady, I see. I'll go straight to the point. I brew potions for slayers. I heard about the giant knight causing quite the commotion around here. This is my area of specialty. I hoped my skills might interest her. What do you say, young RazenHeir?"
He edged closer to Ria, who leaned back uncomfortably.
"There is no need."
The man stood up again, visibly annoyed by the rejection.
He managed a chuckle.
"No need to get so tense. I'm not even trying to sell anything yet. Let's say I'm quite interested in your knight. Given my expertise in herbology, perhaps we could pick a better time to discuss matters further."
"I'd bear that in mind."
He turned around and just walked off. Only when he was out of sight did Ria sigh in relief.
"That was so scary. How did you manage to withstand him, Rey?"
Rey chuckled, earning an annoyed look from Ria.
"That was nothing but a show. He's not actually a swordsman."
"What?"
"Anyone can buy a mana-imbued sword, you know."
Ria slaps him on the arm.
"Ow."
"I know that."
Rey rubs it.
"So, what's your problem with him? I turned him away because he looked like someone you don't trust."
"Oh, none of the major Herdial factions trust each other very well. Competition for coin and influence that dragged on longer than anyone cares to remember."
"I see."
The slayer parade was almost over.
They could see the columns' end.
"Oh, I think we should go check on Hikari now. I believe they are still training. Let's check on them. I hope Sheela doesn't overdo it. I need her to be in good condition for the raid."
Rey begins walking.
Ria followed.
"Say, Rey, I'm curious. How did you manage to convince your house to teach Hikari your mana form?"
"I didn't. It's Sheela. She's impulsive. As the only viable mana form carrier that could birth the heirs to continue the bloodline, she could get away with a lot."
"What about you? Are you not a carrier as well? I mean, being physically weak doesn't mean you are not viable."
Rey fell silent.
Ria could sense his sadness.
"I apologize if I had pried where I shouldn't."
"No, no. It's fine."
"If you say so."
They made their way through the trading town.
"I'm a Dud."
"A what?"
"If they shove me into a cannon, the cannon would misfire."
Ria bursts out in laughter.
"You would fit at least."
"So would you."
"What does that mean?"
"Alright, you really are dense. It means I have failed to manifest the mana form of the hearthstone. As for you, your stats are low like mine, but at least you can propagate the mana form."
"Ah."
"And as a dud, I am basically expandable to my house."
"At least your elder sister is watching out for you."
"She is."
"She's teaching Hikari sand bending because she cares for you?"
"She's doing it because she's bored."
"Bored?"
"She's a born warrior. But as the only viable heir, she's grounded. The house won't risk her."
"I see."
Rey let out a laugh.