CHAPTER 64: 64. FOR THE LEGENDS TOMORROW

The next two days were a whirlwind of activity. The Crimson Falcons helped put the gear into separate packs so that each adventurer would have everything they needed. Greg taught people how to use the more complicated things, like the compasses and communication crystals.

"Okay, everyone, come together!" Greg yelled and held up a small metal object with a glass dome. "This little thing will save your life more often than your weapons will."

"It’s a compass that points in a certain direction, but it’s been changed."

Kael looked at it closely. "Changed? It looks like a regular compass."

Greg smiled. "A normal compass points to the north. This one points to the leader of your party. The needle will always point to the person as long as they are registered through the attunement ritual."

He tapped on the glass. "Helpful if you get lost, separated, or—" he looked at Kael "—if someone here charges ahead like a rabid boar."

Kael put his arms across his chest. "That was once."

"Three," Greg said. "Anyway, look. I’m going to show you how to do it by making Marina the leader of the party."

He held the compass flat while Marina stood a few steps behind him. The needle turned once and then stopped, pointing straight at Marina.

"Oooh..." Denna said softly. "So it doesn’t pay attention to real north?"

"Exactly," Greg said. "It puts the attuned signature first."

"Don’t let it fall. Don’t break it. And for the love of the gods, don’t try to "test" it by running in circles. It always works."

A few people nodded, and some of them may have been a little too serious. Greg then picked up a small, clear piece of glass that was the size of a finger. "Next, this is a crystal for communication."

"These things are easy to use but fragile. If you break them, you’ll scream like a caveman."

Ryn put up a hand. "How do we turn it on?"

"That’s a good question. First, put the crystal in your hands." Everyone copied him.

"Channel just a little bit of mana. Not a lot, since these aren’t signal beacons."

"Too much will fry the receiving end."

Kael blinked. "Fry... like blow up?"

Greg said, "Not explode. It just makes a high-pitched noise like a hurt squirrel until it stops."

Kael looked at him like he was going to attack him. "I don’t want mine to yell."

Greg said, "Then don’t be careless."

"After you turn it on, say the name of the person you want to talk to. The crystal will vibrate and send your voice straight to their linked crystal. The range is about one kilometer, unless it is boosted."

He showed by holding up his crystal and saying, "Marina."

Marina’s pack glowed a little, and her crystal rang. "I hear you," she said with a smile.

The Crimson Falcons gasped softly, clearly impressed by what he had made. "That’s pretty much it."

"Do you have any questions?" Greg wanted to know.

Ryn put her hand up. "Can it send... like... singing?"

Greg looked at her for a long time. "Yes, technically. In practice? "Please don’t."

The group laughed, which eased the tension, and they went back to practicing, making a few mistakes but feeling more sure of themselves. Greg walked around and fixed their postures, changed the flow of their mana, and hit Kael’s hand when he tried to squeeze his crystal like a stress ball.

"Stop that."

"But it’s so shiny."

"It’s not a toy!"

...

When the evening came, Donetta was surprisingly helpful with her new point of view helped her see problems that everyone else had missed. Felix was always worried because he would go over everything twice and create lists of backup plans for each contingency.

Greg was sitting outside with Marina on the last night before the Crimson Falcons had to leave. They were watching the sunset turn the sky orange and pink. The pile of tools was ready to go and waiting by the door to the workshop.

Marina said softly, "You’ve done more than I could have hoped for."

"These tools are going to make a big difference. The guild is already talking about making this kind of gear standard for all high-rank expeditions."

Greg said, "Just make sure you come back alive to tell them about it."

"I didn’t spend three weeks making SSS-rank silly things for you to die in a hole in the ground."

Marina said with a smile, "I promise to do my best. With all this gear, I think we have a good chance."

She took out one of the communication crystals and looked at it in the dim light. "I thought you were just a crazy blacksmith who wouldn’t make weapons when I first met you. I now believe that you are the most important craftsman on the whole continent."

Greg said, "Don’t let everyone know about that. I’m trying to keep a low profile so I can enjoy my peaceful life."

"That’s a little late for that."

"But I promise to keep your secret." She stopped for a moment and then said, "You know, these crystals work no matter how far apart you are."

"That means I could call you from the dungeon if something goes wrong."

Greg said, "That’s the plan. I made your crystal a little different because it doesn’t have any limits for the range."

"You use that crystal if you get into trouble, need help, or anything else goes wrong. It doesn’t matter if I have to go into that dungeon myself, I’ll come get you."

Marina smiled, and her face showed that she was happy and complicated. "You’re my hero."

"Shut up." Greg looked away.

...

The next morning came too soon. The Crimson Falcons got their things together.

Each of them wore a communication crystal around their neck and carried packs full of Greg’s magical tools. Other explorers who were on the expedition had already gotten their shares and were spreading out across the area to get ready.

Kael said, "This is it," and moved his pack. "Next time you see us, we’ll either be famous heroes who beat the Sunken Citadel, or we’ll have funny stories about getting lost on the first level."

Greg said, "I’m betting on legendary heroes. Or at least fun stories."

"Take care of yourself," Denna said as she hugged Greg tightly. "And while we’re gone, try not to make any more living things by accident."

"Not making any promises."

Ryn just nodded at him, which was typical of her reserved nature. Greg thought she was truly grateful. "People will remember your work, blacksmith."

"What you’ve done here is important, no matter what happens."

Marina was the last person to say goodbye. She stood in front of Greg with her pack on her shoulders and her hand on the crystal at her neck without thinking about it.

"So," she said. "See you in a few weeks?"

Greg said, "You better."

"And don’t forget, if something goes wrong..."

"I know how to use the crystal." She smiled. "You’ve told me this about fifty times."

"I’m telling you fifty-one. You use that crystal if you need help, if things go wrong, or if you just want to hear a friendly voice in the dark."

"I’ll be here."

Marina’s smile turned into a real, warm one. "I know you will be, Greg. That’s what makes you unique. You’re always there for the people you care about."

She stepped forward and hugged him before Greg could say anything. It wasn’t as severe as Denna’s hug, but it lasted longer, and when she let go, her eyes were bright.

"Thanks," she said simply. "Thanks for everything."

Then the Crimson Falcons turned and walked down the path that led out of Ferndale and toward whatever fate awaited them in the Sunken Citadel. Greg watched until they were out of sight, and without thinking, he touched the matching crystal that hung around his neck.

"They’ll be fine," Lylia said as she came up next to him. "You gave them every chance to win."

Greg said, "I gave them tools. But tools can only help so much. They have to do the rest."

"Then we believe they are strong enough," Lylia said. "And if they’re not, we trust that they know how to get help."

Greg nodded, but he kept looking down the empty path. Marina and her friends were heading toward danger with his creations, trusting that his skills would keep them safe.

He just hoped it would be enough. The crystal around his neck pulsed once, a soft reminder that the link was still there.

Twenty brave people each took a piece of his work in the dark. He could only wait and hope that they would all come back.

Things went on as usual in the workshop. Greg couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.

He believed that the Sunken Citadel held secrets that even his SSS-rank tools could not protect. And his system was already setting up notifications for what would happen next in the back of his mind.