Chapter 223 Magical Resonance

Suzuka offered a polite nod in return for Arion's acknowledgment, noting the mysterious air that clung to him. 

"Pleasure to meet you, Arion," she greeted, handing over the carefully crafted rune for his inspection.

"I am confident that it will survive your infusion. I did my best."

Arion's hands emerged from the dark robes, delicate and precise as they carefully took hold of the rune. His fingers traced the intricate lines, and he muttered something unintelligible under his breath. The void mage closed his eyes, focusing on the magical resonance emanating from the rune.

After a moment of inspection, Arion reopened his eyes, revealing orbs that seemed to hold secrets untold.

 "Ah! A dragon scale. A good choice. This rune carries a unique energy. It is intricate and well-balanced, just as one would want from a well-crafted artifact. Well made. Good. I can work with this," he stated, his voice carrying a weight that hinted at his mastery of the arcane.

Walter, with his usual cheerful demeanor, added, "Arion here is the best in the business, Helen. Just leave your rune in his capable hands, and you'll have a void-infused masterpiece in no time."

Arion inclined his head in acknowledgment, extending an air of silent confidence. 

"The process will take little time," he assured, carefully holding the rune.

After a moment he began the delicate process of infusing void magic into the dragon scale. The air in the blacksmith shop seemed to hum with mystical energy as Arion worked his magic.

Once the infusion was complete, Arion handed the enchanted dragon scale back to Suzuka.

 "Give it a try," he said, his voice carrying an air of quiet confidence.

Suzuka wasted no time. With a touch of her mana, she stored her sword in the magical item storage effortlessly, ensuring the enchantment worked.

She infused her mana into the dragon scale again. With a mental image of her sword, she reached into the storage and successfully retrieved it. A satisfied grin crossed her face as she admired the convenience of the artifact.

"Works like a charm! Thank you, Arion. I appreciate your help. This will come in handy for my adventures," Suzuka said, genuinely pleased with the outcome.

 Arion simply nodded, his hooded gaze acknowledging her gratitude then he turned to Walter and said, "With this, I believe we are even, Walter. I repaid the favor."

Walter slowly nodded and said, "Indeed you did, we are even now." 

Arion left Walter's shop with a silent nod and disappeared into the crowd. Walter observed him leaving, then turned his attention back to Suzuka. With a thoughtful expression, he spoke, "You know, Helen, I've got an idea to make that magical item storage even more convenient for you. Trust me, it'll make handling the artifact much easier."

He went on to explain his idea, "I can coat the dragon scale with a special mana-conductive sticky slime jello, the same as in your battle glows. This way, you'll be able to attach it to any part of your body or even integrate it into your battle gloves themself, if you fancy. The artifact works by infusing your mana into it, so it needs to be in direct contact with your skin. With the sticky slime, you won't need to worry about losing it or holding it. It'll be attached securely to your body and in constant contact with your mana. It becomes a seamless part of your gear."

He reached for a nearby shelf and grabbed a small vial containing a translucent, gelatinous substance. Walter presented the vial to Suzuka, his eyes glinting with the excitement of a craftsman eager to enhance the creation.

 "What do you think? It's a small addition that could make a big difference in how you use the magical item storage. And of course free of charge."

"Walter, that sounds like a fantastic idea! Let's give this dragon scale a little extra flair. Sticky slime jello it is!"

Suzuka handed over the dragon scale to Walter, eager to see the transformation of her already impressive artifact. Walter got to work, applying the mana-conductive sticky slime jello to the dragon scale with the precision of a skilled craftsman. 

After carefully applying the slime to the dragon scale and ensuring an even and thorough coating he gave the artifact back to Suzuka and said, "There you go, Helen. Try infusing your mana into it now, and feel the difference."

Suzuka took a moment to concentrate, infusing her mana into the dragon scale. True to Walter's words, the sticky slime provided a smoother connection between her and the artifact. The dragon scale stuck comfortably to her hand, and she could easily detach and reattach it without any hassle.

"Nice touch, Walter! This will make things even easier. Thanks for the upgrade!" Suzuka expressed her gratitude, already thinking about the practical applications of this newly improved magical item storage.

Walter, interested in how was Suzuka's ambitious plans moving, couldn't help but express his curiosity, "So, how are the funds and plans for your town moving along? Will you be ordering the tools?"

Suzuka smiled, appreciating his genuine interest.

 "Well, I'm not ready to dive in just yet. Still securing funds, you know? But things are in motion. I've got the lands sorted and found someone to handle all the permits and paperwork. Oh, and transportation won't be an issue. A friend lending a hand with that."

Walter pulled out a few rough sketches from his workshop table. 

"While you're working on the big picture, I thought about the little guys - your goblin workers. Take a look at these designs, I scribbled some ideas on paper in my spare time." He presented Suzuka with drawings of small hammers, tiny wheelbarrows, small hoes, forks, and an array of other farming and construction tools tailored for goblin use.

Suzuka examined the drawings with interest. 

"Impressive work, Walter. These will come in handy. Once I've got everything set, I'll be placing an order for these. Thanks for putting thought into it."

"Glad to be of help, Helen. Let me know when you're ready to move forward. I'll ensure everything's ready on my end." 

With a smile, Suzuka assured him that she would, expressing her appreciation for his ongoing support, "Thanks again for the help, Walter, I will be going now. When I'm ready I will give you a notice. See you soon."

Walter bid her farewell with a friendly nod.

 "Take care, Helen. I'll be here, ready to forge whatever you need."

As she stepped out into the streets, her thoughts turned to the urgent need for funds. With limited options, she found herself considering the risky gamble of exploring Hermit's tales about his hidden treasures. The abandoned bandit's stash might be the key to securing the necessary funds for her grand vision. It was a decision that carried great risk, but Suzuka was willing to take the chance for the sake of her ambitious plans.

She made her way through the streets to the marketplace to meet with Larry but he was not around so she figured he might be at the guild. As she entered the building, she saw Larry sitting at a corner table, nursing a drink. 

He looked up as she approached, and greeted, "Helen! Hello there! It had been a few days. What brings you here on this lovely, rainy day?"

Suzuka pulled out a chair and sat down, her eyes locking onto Larry's. 

"Hi Larry, I have been busy this past week crafting a rune. I got myself a magic storage artifact, It took me a long time to carve the thing."

"Well, well! Now that's a fancy item to have, good for you. That is a very useful thing to have, you're making me jealous. But I suppose you didn't come to see me just to brag." 

"Yeah, you're right. I need to see Hermit. We're going to discuss something important."

Larry chuckled, recognizing the serious tone in Suzuka's voice.

 "Well, you're in luck. I was just about to head back to check on him. I had stashed him in a remote shed on the outskirts of the town, it's a quiet place to hide him from prying eyes and out of effective range of the monster-repelling crystal. As you know, the closer the monsters get to the center of the town, where usually is the crystal located, the more excruciating pain becomes."

"Oh yeah! I was wondering how in the world Hermit, being a monster and all, could scamper around town streets without any effect."

"Well, Rockmine town is a big one and the crystal covers only the main town until the protective walls, the rest of the town, and the outskirts are protected by patrolling guards."

 "As always, the rich get the safety and the poor get the stick. Whatever, let's not waste any time then. Lead the way to the goblin. I'll be taking him for a walk."

"All right, follow me."

The rain intensified as Suzuka and Larry stepped out of the guild building, the droplets pelting down on the cobbled streets. Suzuka pulled her hood tighter over her head as the weather turned for the worse.

Larry navigated through the rain-soaked streets, leading toward the remote shed on the outskirts of town. The downpour intensified, adding a dramatic backdrop to their journey. Larry couldn't help but express his admiration for Suzuka's vision as they walked.

"You know, Helen, I never thought I'd see the day when someone would willingly want to help goblins. Valerius told me about your plan, and I have to say, it's a unique and bold move. Not many would think of sheltering goblins, let alone planning a whole town for them and others like them."

"Well, Larry, I believe everyone deserves a chance. Goblins like Hermit included. Besides, a town that embraces unity among different races has the potential to thrive. It's not just about goblins; it's about creating a place where everyone can coexist."

Suzuka, with a hint of melancholy in her eyes, continued, "When I was little, Larry, I saw how disgusting the town system could be. The poor and people of different races were forced to live on the least protected outskirts, while the rich and noble resided safely behind the main town walls in their fancy mansions. Orphan children had no one to care for them; they were left to starve or die in the streets. Some even grew up into bandits, trapped in a cycle of violence. There were no orphanages or support systems for them."

"I want to build a town where everyone feels protected and happy. A place where no child, not even a goblin child, cries in an abandoned alley with their tummy rumbling from hunger. We can change the system, Larry. Make it fair for everyone, regardless of their race or background. That's why I believe in giving Hermit and his kind a chance. We can create a town where unity thrives and everyone can coexist."

 "You're right, Helen. It's a lofty goal, but if anyone can pull it off, I think it's you. You've got a big heart, Helen. If there's anything I can do to help, just let me know. While I may not have much to offer other than some useful connections, I'm all in for supporting your vision."

"Thanks, Larry. Having good connections is more valuable than you think. In a venture like this, every bit of support counts. I'm glad to have you on board."

They arrived at the remote shed, its wooden structure weathered by time. The remote shed stood isolated from the main hustle of the town, its wooden facade bearing the scars of relentless weathering. As Larry approached, the door creaked open, revealing a space that seemed more like a forsaken storage cabin than a dwelling.

Larry and Suzuka stumbled back, recoiling from the overwhelming stench that engulfed the tiny shed. The putrid odor seemed to cling to the air, threatening to suffocate them. With hands pressed firmly against their mouths and noses, they squinted through the dim light, trying to make sense of the grotesque sight before them.

As their eyes adjusted, the source of the nose-burning stench became painfully clear. Hermit, the unfortunate goblin, dangled lifelessly from the window, his neck ensnared in a cruel embrace with the window frame. His limp body hung in a tormenting pose, the desperate struggle for survival etched in his lifeless posture.