Ben shook his head, waving his hands in protest. "Look, I'm telling you—I don't have any leadership skills that are better than yours. I don't even know what leading a team looks like."
Rei leaned back in his chair, arms crossed with a half-smile tugging at his lips. "You don't have to lead. You just have to look like you're leading."
Ben blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"
"I'll be the one giving the real orders," Rei explained calmly. "You'll act as the face, the figurehead. It'll help in two ways—first, to attract more people to our cause. Second, it'll hide our organization's true purpose."
Luc, who had been silently listening in the corner, gave a rare nod. "That's a smart move. If we stay in the shadows, we can operate without drawing too much attention. No one will suspect you, Ben."
Ben sighed. "Fine. I'll do it. But first, we need to repair that weapon of yours."
Levi stretched and glanced out the window. "We'll be here for a few days. My contact, the one who'll take over this estate, won't arrive immediately. While we wait, let's rest and prepare."
Rei nodded. "Agreed. We'll rest today. Tomorrow, we start searching for Colt."
Levi folded his arms and added, "According to the Thousand Records, the blacksmith Colt is expected to appear in the main square in a few weeks. But we can't wait that long—we need to find him in this town, now."
"Then tomorrow," Rei said firmly, "we search."
The next day, the group split up. Rei, Emilia, Luc, Ben, and Levi scattered across the town of Levanna, each determined to locate the elusive blacksmith.
Rei strolled through crowded streets, Tenko perched on his shoulder. He glanced down and asked, "Tenko, can you track him?"
The fox-like Navarion shook his head and let out a short bark, signaling that he couldn't track someone without a scent. Rei sighed and continued his search, asking shopkeepers, stall vendors, and even beggars for any mention of Colt.
Meanwhile, Emilia spotted a well-dressed man with glowing rings of magic circling his staff. Her heart skipped a beat. "Excuse me," she said as she approached. "Are you the famous Mage Arizona Wilson?"
The man raised a brow. "Yes. I didn't expect to be recognized here."
"I'm a huge fan," Emilia admitted. "I'd love to talk magic with you, but I'm in a rush. I'm looking for someone—Colt, a blacksmith."
Arizona shook his head. "Sorry, I don't know anyone by that name."
"I see." Emilia gave a polite nod. "Thanks. Maybe I'll catch you tomorrow?"
"I'll be here," he replied with a slight smile.
Elsewhere, Luc tried to ask around among shadowy informants, but no one knew anything. Levi met the same dead ends.
Ben, however, wandered into the towering buildings of the Hunter's Tower and the Merchant's Guild, checking for records or recent visitors who fit Colt's description. He came up empty-handed.
Rei found himself near the town's western plaza, where crowds gathered around food stalls and bars. His eyes narrowed as a man on horseback approached, adorned in pristine white and gold armor. The decorated steed and ornate armor were striking, but what caught Rei's eye was the unmistakable symbol on the man's shoulders.
"The Mystic Church," Rei muttered. "And judging by that armor, a Paladin."
Tenko let out a low growl of agreement.
The Paladin dismounted and confidently strode into a bar, laughing as he downed tankard after tankard of ale. But the townspeople didn't laugh with him. They looked terrified—eyes downcast, shoulders hunched. It was clear this man had brought more fear than peace.
Rei observed quietly. "Not a saint."
When the Paladin rose to leave, he didn't reach for his pouch. He simply turned and made for the door.
"Hey," Rei called out. "Pay before you go."
The man stopped and turned slowly, sneering. "Or what? You gonna call your mommy?"
The crowd tensed. A few townspeople hurried forward, desperately trying to de-escalate. "Please forgive him, sir! He's new!" "He doesn't know the rules!"
Rei clicked his tongue. "Cowards," he muttered.
The Paladin scoffed. "Since I'm in a good mood, I'll forgive you—just this once—"
Before he could finish, one of his men moved to make Rei kneel. Rei dodged with ease.
"You Church dogs are too blinded by your pride to see your filth," Rei said coldly.
The Paladin frowned and drove his sword into the ground. Lightning crackled. The cobblestones around the blade split, glowing ominously.
"M-Mercy!" someone cried. "Please, we're not with him!"
The Paladin's grin widened. "You want to earn my favor? Bring me his head."
Someone began walking toward the sword, but Rei stepped forward first.
"Let me guess," he said, eyeing the blade. "Sentient weapon."
"Sharp," the Paladin replied. "In more ways than one."
Rei's eyes scanned the cracked ground. "And if you're upset, it'll destroy everything around us. Infrastructure, buildings, people…"
"Exactly."
"Then I have two options," Rei said calmly. "Either I die, or I take this sword out of the ground."
The Paladin burst out laughing. "Take it out? Are you insane? You can't even touch it—let alone control it."
Rei didn't answer. Instead, he gripped the hilt.
A violent bolt of lightning surged through him, but Rei didn't let go. His hands burned, his bones rattled, but he remained still, eyes locked on the blade.
Then, he pulsed his energy inward, sending a shockwave through the weapon.
The sword shuddered.
Another shockwave.
Cracks began forming along its blade.
With a roar, Rei tore it free.
Gasps echoed through the plaza.
Even the Paladin looked shaken. "What… how…"
Rei didn't stop. He sent wave after wave of disruptive energy into the sword, forcing it to its limits.
Finally, panicked, the Paladin rushed forward and snatched the sword away. "You—!"
As the Palladin was going to attack, Tenko jumped forward and used his claws to cut the cheeks of the Palladin and landed behind him, and looked at the Palladin. the Palladin understood that if he attacked Rei, Tenko would kill him from behind, and if he attacked Tenko, Rei would kill him from behind.
Just then, the man who had earlier approached the blade stepped forward. Calm. Neutral. Not weak, but not strong either.
"You better not," the man said.
The Paladin froze. His face blanched. He stared at the man like he'd seen a ghost. "I… I'll be back."
And just like that, he fled, tail tucked between his legs.
Rei, confused but curious, turned to the stranger. "Who are you?"
The man smiled slightly. "I'm Colt."