Chapter 113: Chapu 113: Recruitment
"No. You can’t be Snow. He isn’t like this..." George shook his head.
"How do you know?" Siderius smirked.
"Because you were raised in a circus. You are nothing more than an actor..." Then it hit George. A simple answer that could explain everything.
"You were acting?"
Siderius shrugged. "Does it matter, George? Tell me. Do you really want to know my true identity? Or do you want to know how to make a sword indestructible?"
George gulped. His eyes darted around, thinking about the reality of the situation.
Then. He let out a long heavy sigh.
"You did save my life. I am indebted to you. If you hadn’t released me that day, I would’ve been killed.
You will have my loyalty."
"Good. Come to the Crossroads Inn at night. I will be expecting you."
Siderius turned around.
"Oh. And remember. Your life belongs to the guild. If you don’t show up, we will find you."
Siderius put his fingers up and drew the <Vertigo> sigil for George to see.
Suddenly, George’s vision twisted into a spiral. A nausea feeling took over him. The blacksmith had to grab the table to avoid falling down.
Siderius didn’t use all the power of the sigil. The sigil had become more powerful. He’s afraid that using it in full power would cause George to throw up on the spot. He only did enough to mess with George.
When the blacksmith took back his balance, Siderius had disappeared.
He had arrived unannounced. He was gone like a ghost.
"What did I get myself into?" George looked up to the sky and contemplated.
He was very grateful that he had been saved by Snow. But now, it seemed like he got himself even deeper into a rabbit hole that he did not dig.
At night, the blacksmith put on a cloak and rode to the Crossroads Inn. It was a rather peaceful night that day with only a few patrons inside the inn.
"Welcome. What do I get you?" Jayce greeted George.
"Just an ale is fine. I’m looking for..." George looked around. It was not hard to find a figure in black sitting in the corner. "Nevermind. Bring the ale to that table."
George approached Siderius and sat down. He removed the hood and revealed himself.
The night was raining gently and George’s cloak was filled with water droplets. But they didn’t get inside the cloak, keeping him dry.
Siderius observed the piece of clothing. He fancied himself one of those. It would be a great piece of rain cloak for the road. But Mucktown didn’t have any fabric that was suitable to be used as a rain cloak. The fabric was of low quality and the seamworks could never be good enough to keep water out.
"That’s a good piece of cloak." Siderius said.
George nodded. "Indeed. This fabric was imported from the far land of Eastern Restera. The silk there is the best in this kingdom."
Restera, huh? That is Ashe’s homeland. I wonder what it looks like. Siderius thought to himself.
"So... I’m here. What do you need me to do? What guild am I joining?"
"Be patient, George. First we shall eat. You must be tired from the road, yes?"
George nodded.
Jayce then brought up food for him and a mug of ale like he had requested.
Once he was finished, Siderius and George had a walk on the lonely road outside the Crossroads Inn. There was no one in sight. Travelers refrained from journeying at night for safety.
"Our guild is called Xander. They are a secretive organization that treasures their identity above all. If you join us, you must not speak a word of it and bring the secrets to your grave."
"I understand." George nodded grimly.
The two of them arrived as a vast grassland. Siderius pulled out the hunter’s knife. He lit up the torch and hurled the knife over the flame, disinfecting it.
"As traditional, any new recruit must bear the mark of our guild until they become an official member.
But I have the power to allow you to skip this and become our official member right away.
Kneel, George of Mucktown."
George slowly got down on his knees, eyes widened looking at Siderius. He was still in a daze of what was happening.
"Any official member has a title. I am the Lord Watcher of Xander.
With the power of the guild has granted me, I shall name you Master of the Forge."
George’s lips trembled. "Am I really worthy of such a title?"
"You aren’t. But with my help. You will. I will grant you knowledge that every blacksmith dreams of. And with your skill, one day, you will earn the title of the Master of the Forge.
As of now, consider it my blessings for you. A personal gift to my friend in a guild."
"I understand... Lord Watcher."
"Repeat after me, George of Mucktown.
I swear to guard at the gate of men.
I swear to strike all evil dares crossing the kingdom of men.
I swear to stand with my brothers and sisters even in the face of death.
I swear to stay in the dark to protect the light.
I swear to never betray the guild, humanity and my honor."
"I swear..." George carefully recited the oath.
"As a proof in front of the earth and sky, spill your blood to mark the creation of your oath."
Siderius gave George the hunter’s knife. "A simple slice on the palm should suffice."
George grabbed the knife with shaking hands. He had a big pair of hands with veins bulging on the wrist. An indication for his years at the forge.
With one definite slash, blood spilled out from his skin and dropped to the green grass below.
Siderius took out a glass bottle and grabbed George’s wrist. He carefully poured a few drops onto his wound.
In front of the blacksmith’s eyes, the small incision rapidly closed up, leaving only dried blood.
Siderius nodded and put away the Flesh Restoration. It was the healing tonic made from rice wine that he did not have the chance to use before. Now it perfectly served its role to sell George on this fictional Guild that Siderius had completely made up.
George wiped the blood off his palm. He had heard of such miracles. He had even seen the power of the witch. But he had never had the chance to see it so close.
"Stand, my brother. Or rather, Master of the Forge. You are a member of Xander from now on. Remember your oath well."
George stood up and bowed at Siderius. More than anything, the tonic had convinced him to put his loyalty at the right place.
"I cannot express my great gratitude for this chance, Lord Watcher. I will not disappoint you."
At first, George believed he had got himself caught in even more trouble. But now, maybe he had found a powerful force to rely on. Maybe he could even return to Mucktown if the guild was able to deal with the noble that wronged him.
"I know you won’t." Siderius gave George a piece of parchment.
"This is..." George’s eyes widened and his pupils dilated from excitement.
On it was a formula to strengthen weak steel into dull steel.