Chapter 13, Hermes

We stood in astonishment as the Guardian of this Town stood before us. We weren't sure how to talk but one thing caught me particularly off guard. He said we were descendants of his Progenitor.

He came in and sat down and I was almost taken a back as he stared at me. He can feel my presence?

"Hermes-san, what did you mean?" I asked him. "Descendant of your Progenitor?"

"Put it simply, after the First Hero ended the war with the Demon Lords, he started to spread the light of life to our lands." He said. "But to bring light to this nation or rather this entire continent, he had to slay the Titans who have been destroying this land which we were struggling to do."

"So he helped you in your fight?" I asked.

"Not quite. He gave us power." He answered and I was taken a back. "Surprised? We are his creations. Beings who were given a piece of his power. Though we rank lower than the Familiars. We are Relics of your Family as well. We were given the task of guarding this continent after the war."

"Why is that?" I asked.

"Since we were unable to completely slay the Titans this continent serves as a seal for them." He answered. "We serve as the Guardians of said seal."

"I see. Which is why you can't leave this continent?" I asked and he nodded.

"Freya, where is she?" Takeshi asked. "Someone used that name to attack our nation."

"Freya? She isn't one to turn her back on our Master. If we did, we would be killed." He answered.

"Condition Magic right?" I asked as I rematerialized my body. "Ine of the Seven Forbidden Spells."

"Yes. Aside from serving as the Guardians of the seal we also serve to protect the people. We can't harm them unless they are evil. But even so, even our powers have a limit." He said.

"We can trust him." I smiled, he is being honest I can see the chains wrapped around his body which is proof of the spell. "Despite anyone's miss givings, you are part of my family's history. So I'll gladly welcome you with open arms."

"Haruka. I shall do my best to be of service." He answered. "Now then. About the Titans, we can safely say that the one from yesterday wasn't a Purebreed."

"Pure breeds?" I asked.

"Titans that have actual intelligence and have their own kind of power. They were ruled by Cronus a while back." He answered. "Your Ancestor, along with the help of the First Borns banished them but someone is obviously trying to revive them."

"Who could possibly be doing such a thing?" Linlin-san asked.

"Probably the ones behind the Researchers of Lost Wisdom." I said and sipped my tea. "Some of them were rooted to this continent right?"

"Yes but it'd probably take a while till we can locate their base." Hime-san answered sadly.

"Hermes, pardon me for a sec." I said and joined our heads.

"Haruka?" Takeshi looked at me.

"I see... Athena and Minerva might be able to find them." I said as I parted our heads.

"How did you...?" Hermes stared at me in amazement.

"If you are relics of the Tsuki Family, then I should be able to view your memories and knowledge." I answered. "Familiars, Family Members, anyone with a connection to the Tsuki Family. I can read their memories or past."

"One of your Authorities?" Takeshi asked.

"The Authority of Absolute Transparency." I answered him. "If only I could use Haruki's ability to travel between domains."

"You can't use it?" Ryusei-san asked.

"Sadly. I can't. It's an Authority but the two of us are twins who serve as equal seals so the power was divided equally between us." I told them. "Though the scales tilted a bit to Haruki, our powers still remain the same."

"What are you talking about?" Aishea-san asked.

"Ah, it's nothing." I answered and realized something. "Why are you here by the way?"

"Well... that's..." She stuttered and I looked at Rosa-san and Elsha-san who turned their heads away.

"She was super worried, came runnin when she heard you fainted in battle." Eugen-san said and I smiled. "Well most of us were."

"Sorry for worrying you all." I bowed my head. "But please, don't worry. I'm fine."

"Mr. Haruka. I'm thankful for your help during the battle." Klaus-san asked.

"Please don't worry, it was something dangerous after all." I answered.

"Is there anything I can do to thank you?" Klaus-san asked.

"No need to thank me." I answered. "The ones to thank are the Hunter Organization and the fighters."

"Humble like his brother." Takeshi sighed. "Now then, the four of us will leave to search for where their base is. What's your plan?"

"I'm going to leave this town. These three should be capable of running the shop anyways." I said. "I'll head for Athena City. Then search for Minerva."

"I see. That means you'll be traveling?" Hime-san asked.

"I never planned to stay put in the first place." I answered.

"We'll go with you." Jason said but I shook my head.

"It's better if I go alone. I can move faster." I answered.

"Umm... please, stay safe." Elsha-san said as she took my hand. "Please know you have friends here."

"That's right!!" Linlin-san said taking my hand as well.

"You can visit Hestia Town before you leave. Ask for Guardian Hestia's Blessings." Aishea-san said and took my hand.

"Yeah. Maybe ask Freya for help." Hermes said. "Though with my blessings you'll be safe on your journey getting more blessings couldn't hurt."

"If it'll give everyone peace of mind then... I'll ask for it later before leaving." I said and turned to Fray-san. "I know it's rude but can I please leave the shop in your care?"

"Of course you can." She answered laughing. "I'll just take care of the cash and such right?"

"Yes. Cleaning and the like can be done by humuncili and I've made it so that Daichi cooks them the way I do. All you'd have to do is take care of the money." I said and bowed my head.

"Hahahaha! Leave it to this old hag!!" She laughed. "As for you, you better take care of those Titans for us, otherwise we won't have business."

"You can count on me." I answered and just then realized something. I pulled a few bracelets from my the storage space owned by the main family. "Here. Please take one."

"What's this?" Elias-san asked as he wore it.

"This is!!" Takeshi immediately stood in astonishment. "The Guarding Valkyrie Bells?!"

"Guarding Valkyrie Bells?" Rosa-san asked as he wore the bracelet.

"An ancient artifact, it protects whoever holds it from death!!" He exclaimed. "It's one of the Tsuki Family's Sacred Treasures!!"

"What?!" They all exclaimed.

"A special gift. It'll protect you and alert me should anything happen." I answered. "Besides, they can only be used once."

"Yeah!! That's why they're one of the Nation's Sacred Treasures!! There are only a few in existence!!" Takeshi shouted as I fastened it on him. "Oh no!!"

"Hehehe." I smiled.

"We can't possibly take this." Linlin-san said as she tried to take it off but Takeshi stopped her. "Why?"

"Once worn, you can't take them off otherwise... they'll lose their power. Only when he undoes the spell can they be removed." He answered but everyone had put on theirs.

"I'm not undoing the spell. I owe everyone a lot. So I want everyone to stay safe." I answered them with a smile. "Besides, it's not like I'm giving them anything much. I can just make more of these."

"You can make these?" Elsha-san asked.

"The recipe for it is, right here." I said and pointed to my head. "Now. I think it's best to let others learn about the Titan's sudden reappearance."

"Leave that to us." Klaus-san answered. "I'll alert the neighbouring lords."

"Thank you." I answered and let out a yawn. "Now, I should probably get some rest."

"Yeah. Get some rest. We'll handle the rest." Takeshi answered and I went outside via the window and flew back up to my room.

Tomorrow or the day after, I'll depart for my next journey. I have this ominous feeling, like something is coming. Something horrible, something that will shake the nation.

Third Person POV

In a dark room, men and women towering fifteen feet tall and higher gathered, whispering amongst themselves until a single voice silenced them.

"What has become of the Titan that was sent to the Merchant Town?" The voice of an old man who was named Cronus roared.

"Someone has slain it." A woman's voice answered which caused the group to whisper amongst themselves.

"Head my words my brethren, fear not for our revival is drawing close." He answered. "Soon, we shall once more walk the world of mortals and have revenge for our shameful defeat at the hands of that mortal and our traitors."

"Yes our lord." The others answered.

Meanwhile, in the High Heavens, Lita was standing before the gathering of the gods. What is it that awaits her?