Master Of None

The map that Neil, the village elder, gave them was smaller than expected. It at most showed a small piece of the continent with details of the surrounding area the most. The further out it got the less it showed. It was as if the map had been made with a magnifying glass over one section and the rest was zoomed out.

The changes in size were even marked to show a larger distance. This made Walker understand that those who had sent these people to establish this village only wanted that and would have a strict hold on the village once it was built completely or if it had success.

There was a decent line drawn throughout that led to large landmarks. The northern side of the map was a little larger and contained a vast mountain range that nearly split the north in half again. The south possessed a large tundra that seemed to do the same as the north. It was a very odd natural formation, but it made the two somewhat equal in a way.

"What are the roving cities?" Walker looked at the map and saw that the two spots that were marked said last known locations.

"They are the locations of the battle cities made by each empire. Using magic from the elders before they ascended to the elemental planes, they made cities that float in the air. Two to be precise. They used them to battle one another and move the entire population at any time. Now they should be stopped there and there. Both empires had the same ideas because we have the same elders when they were thought of. But they were used very differently…"

The fact that there were two seemed to make Neil unhappy. Most likely because the cities were equally in both hands of the two empires instead of just one. However, the fact that they were both balanced out whether the empires liked it or not was interesting. As if they were meant to always be in an odd balance or as if it was intentional.

"There are really cities that float? They can't be large…right?" Walker saw that Neil was smirking a little.

"We are winged beings. Large floating cities would surprise you? It is very normal for us." Neil finally seemed to be showing a little emotion. But he was also catching on that Walker might not be as old as he thought. Everyone that had come with Walker might not be as old.

Neil had caught on that Walker and the others were very strong. Much stronger than they looked. That was clear in the fact that they were casually showing off valuable potions but also able to do some large things casually. One being how Walker had used earth elemental mana with just a wave of his hand and without much build up since Walker was assisting in making a wall out of earth for them along one direction.

"Can you make more? If you can it might be a better way to cross the ocean than ships. We have to make a few just to get through but between the storms, monsters, and literally living islands…well, I would prefer to fly. But the dragons couldn't carry everyone and go without rest. That wouldn't have been fair to them." Walker didn't need to hide this. He knew that the elder could fly and see the ships if he wanted.

"Does the angel race still have records of living on our continent? We have found ancient ruins from your predecessors." Walker tested the waters and looked at Neil who had stopped to think about the prior question. He was again stuck in his spot without being able to walk forward.

"We might make another city one day. When the next generation discovers the ways of the ancestors. And yes, we have records of the great migration, the great divide, and much more. But it is very limited. They are grand tales, not detailed history." Walker thought as much. It was a normal thing to lose records and history during wars.

"Well, we have some records on our continent. We can share the details. We have the dwarves and some earth elves working on the excavation now." This made Neil look curiously again.

"Can you tell me more about these dwarves? What are they like? They are another race like you told one of the children before." This made Walker smile even more since he got to go in to more details.

"Due to some issues, we had the goal of uniting our race as hero title holders." This froze Neil in his spot again. These young people had titles! "The elves of all elemental affinities have been reunited, the dwarves an underground race, the demi- humans with monster traits, the goblins and harpies both monster races, the merfolk an under water race, and humans have all been united. Even the royal dragons have been welcomed to come together in Genesis. I am sure many more will too."

Seeing that Neil had dropped his jaw to the ground, Walker just smiled. "I will have your angel race join us too if you can. I want everyone. Oh, and the demons are with us as well after we freed them from being oppressed by a small group of powerful demons. I know I said we were after the demon king and his two Sin title holders, but they are not representative of all demons." Walker made sure to point this out. He didn't want the demons to sound evil.

"I am hoping that the elemental spirits are considered a race too. They are family. I even have a bond with one too." Walker let the nature spirit mark that had extended and was normally invisible appear for a second. Neil was even more awestruck seeing such a sight.

"This is well beyond what I am capable of at my age. But I can share a little more about who we are. I know angels and that is it." This was fair, Neil was an old retired soldier, that was clear. He had been sent here to help the village establish and it was a more or less shot in the dark. If they failed, a retired soldier and small number of angels were lost. If he succeeded, then great.

"We, as all do, have different affinities, like those elves you spoke of. Not that I thought elves existed, their ancestors were in our fairytales growing up." Neil laughed a little but he kept going on afterwards, " you see my green feathers, they represent my wind affinity. As we grow, we gain mana through our wings. A wingless angel is rare but they use their entire body to gain mana. They lose their wings but gain powerful magic. It is a blessing. That is why the little ones thought you were wingless angels or different."

This made sense, it was similar to the elves and the dragons. Different affinities for different representations in their physiques. However, hearing that angels primarily gained mana through their wings was interesting. It sounded like they didn't naturally make their own mana but were instead closely related to the mana around them instead.

Knowing that the angels had affinities that showed on their wings was also helpful. When the party came in to contact with others they could be prepared if things went poorly. Especially if the angels reacted negatively at the embassy. It was certain that they would be on edge the moment that the party arrived. But before that, the party would have to return to the ships and get the royal dragons that might want to go with them. They would be having words with the Rize empire about wyverns.

"With that earth moving ability, could you make a well for us?" This was the first thing that Neil had asked. Naturally, Walker had no qualms with it.

"Of course I can. If you need anything else, we will have a temporary camp set up soon for our soldiers and a few others. If you are interested, they can help you build things up. It's better that you are safer since you are our first friends here."

This both made Neil happy and worried. Having foreigners here meant that they would be a focus for others to check out. But having them help meant that they would be able to grow faster. Again, it would also mean that if the negotiations went poorly, they might be seen as taken hostage by the foreigners.

"I would prefer to do the best for my little village. Those kids need a stable place to grow so I will

take the risk. Please bring over a few more people for me to meet." Neil had priorities. He cared more for the lives that it would help than political drama. A proper choice for a soldier.

….

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