Chapter 577: Touring Across the South

(Cognosticon here. I've had a pretty good run of chapters without any hiatuses or days off, but I will need a break eventually as we get closer to the audiobook launch. Not this week, not next week, but likely in October.)

Being a symbol in Goralia wasn't actually so bad.

Kai had hated it in Krysal, with so many hopes and expectations placed onto him. But here, everyone just seemed enthusiastic that a Goralian boy had done good, so they were happy to see him. They conveniently glossed over his history, but he could forgive them that. More importantly, just traveling between cities and making some appearances didn't cut into his training time, and in fact training could be a public act to raise morale.

Well, not training his monstrous abilities, as those wouldn't get as positive a reception as Physique training. But he couldn't have everything.

A few days into the Goralian tour, the routine was interrupted. Kai was awake before almost anyone, cultivating on his own at the prow of the Clanless. Ankrastor came out, almost as if to join him, but the younger man instead dropped down to his knees to press himself against the deck.

"Kai... I know you have many other priorities, but we need your help."

"Come on, there's no need for this." Kai gestured for him to get up. "What is it?"

"Untariin and I are stuck at E rank," Ankrastor explained. "Despite having worked on D rank Physique for so long. We may eventually reach it on our own, but it won't be in time. We-"

"Don't worry about it. You've been pushing at the peak of E-9, so we should definitely be able to arrange something."

This didn't seem to particularly encourage Ankrastor, and Kai supposed that it was true that he'd allowed that detail to slip his mind among his other priorities. Now that he thought about it, however, they had an opportunity to do more than simply boost two of his students. They were already making a splash in southern Goralia, but perhaps they could do more...

"You and Untariin are enjoying Goralia, aren't you?" Kai asked.

"Yes?" Ankrastor hesitated, and when more seemed to be required, continued awkwardly. "I think Untariin is simply glad to be free of Krysal, but I... feel at home here. I was intending to ask to fight here during the incursion."

"If all goes well, you should be able to do more than that. Listen, we're going to be heading into the Southern Reach soon, but the two of you should get ready..."

As they headed on, Kai checked in with Untariin and confirmed that the Krysali man was ready for a breakthrough. While Ankrastor had an unusually sacrificing personality, Untariin was willing to help out too, which in this case served as a demonstration. Kai conferred with Omilaena and that concluded all the planning he needed to do.

In the Southern Reach they headed straight for Razorfall City, which Kai thought was partially strategy but predominantly a personal matter. Razz was clearly eager to get back, showing a level of animation he hadn't displayed before. Fortunately, all Kai needed to do was be a symbol of Goralia, which just meant a few appearances to impress the dryads and naiads.

Once they arrived, Razz and Juray actually took over, making deals and arranging for a final major caravan of supplies and allies into Goralia. Razz had a plan to sweep up through southern Goralia, picking up additional allies and hopefully unifying the whole nation. Meanwhile, Juray connected with her old mentor Pyrinye, and she and the dryad produced significant new potions based on Juray's new strength.

Kai was unfortunately separated from those activities by his own projects, so he couldn't spend much time with them. He got to make one major splash, though: it was time to make good on his promise to his students, or at least the first half. Razz had gathered a group of local merchants skeptical about allying with Goralia.

So it was time for a demonstration.

<

Name: Untariin of Cuulisi

Total Power: 290

Crystal Cultivation: 9999 (125)

Rogue Class: 12 (22)

Physique: E-9 (107)

Soul Level: 6 (36)

>

Untariin stepped forward, wearing a mix of Krysali and Goralian clothing, but more importantly flexing his E-9 Physique. With 290 Power, he was already impressive for the region, and Kai intended to hammer home just what they had to offer.

"For many years, E rank was considered the highest Physique attainable on Deadwaste," Kai explained to the crowd. "But we have been developing resources, and increasing numbers of our allies are reaching D-rank Physique. Now, observe the power it can provide."

Omilaena swept forward, her dress swirling around her - this time optimized for drama, not seduction - and played her role perfectly. She revealed her syringe with appropriate flourish, then stepped up beside Untariin to inject him.

Kai was impressed with how well Untariin endured it, despite the obvious levels of pain that must be coursing through him as his body transitioned. Using his deeper spiritual sight, he could see that qi and mana, which had been separate before, now merged in his flesh, bringing about a far greater level of strength.

When it was done, Untariin was gasping for breath, but everyone could see the difference.

<

Name: Untariin of Cuulisi

Total Power: 383

Crystal Cultivation: 9999 (125)

Rogue Class: 12 (22)

Physique: D-0 (200)

Soul Level: 6 (36)

>

At his new total of 383 Power, Untariin was unmatched across most of the Southern Reach. Such an enormous boost in a single leap, more than many had in total Power, sent a shockwave through Razorfall City, first through the audience and then via rumors.

Mostly Kai didn't see it, as he returned to his training, but he heard that Razz and Juray suddenly had greatly increased interest in their goods and potions.

It might have been nice to bask in the comfortable environment, but Kai was hungry for more, and fortunately the schedule matched his restlessness. They couldn't afford to waste time, not with only weeks remaining before the likely incursion date, so they needed to return north. This meant leaving some of their allies behind them, this time.

They all parted in the city, trying to keep a low profile. It seemed that Juray and Raghi would be staying at Pyrinye's house until it was time for them to head north. Kai noticed that Untariin and Raghi seemed to be chatting more than he expected during the farewell and wondered what was going on - that was an unusual pairing, but maybe they had more in common than he expected. Juray waved cheerily at him, but they didn't need words at this point.

Razz, however, clearly did, shifting closer. "Thanks for everything," he said in a low voice. "I'm practically a mercantile hero now, so surely that will get her attention."

"Wait..." Kai grabbed the other man by his shoulders and pulled him back. "Are you talking about your dryad? Have you... actually talked to her?"

"I have! Really!" Razz squirmed, more than a little flustered. "I've even met her family and, uh, we talked about the future relationships between Goralia and the Southern Reach. But... she knows my name, but I'm not sure she knows I exist, you know?"

"Razz, how long has it been? If you have feelings for her, you need to be honest about them."

"I mean, didn't your wife travel with you for years before a relationship started? It seemed to work out for you."

"I'm trying to help you avoid our mistakes." Kai loosened his grip and smiled at the younger man. "But really, good luck. If all goes well, we'll meet in Goralia during the incursion."

"If all goes well, we won't even have to meet." Razz gave him a confident smile, but it faltered a little, and this time it had nothing to do with juvenile relationships. "But there's a reason I'm going to extra effort, and it isn't to impress her. I think we have to plan for this one not working. Northern Goralia... it's going to be hit hard, and it needs your help."

As they headed out, Untariin left those staying behind. As he joined Kai on the Clanless, however, he looked back. "Is it alright if I'm stationed with them during the incursion?" Untariin asked. "They're a good lot."

"You might be too far south for early action," Kai pointed out, "but Juray is an important asset. Yeah, I can probably justify it."

"Good. I'd stay with them, but I don't want to stop training with the others."

That, more than any increase in Power, made Kai proud of his student. He'd just achieved D-rank Physique, which was something very few did on Deadwaste, and he wasn't satisfied. Provided that he survived the incursion, he'd definitely join the elites one day.

Soon they headed north with a full cargo hold of dryad goods to be distributed on a whirlwind tour of Goralia. Kai looked back at the Southern Reach one more time - he'd tried to find the anonymous dryad he'd met during his Hunter Trials and failed again, but other than that, he had no more business to do there. It was time to look north.

Far to the north. Kai might be a symbolic hero in southern Goralia, but soon enough he would return to Monskon City.