Chapter 20 [Introductions]

“This is amazin’, Rowan!” Locke shouted as he walked swift circles around the giant Hercules Beetle, examining each of its surprisingly sturdy legs before running his hand along the length of its carapace. The boy eyed Francis’ pincers suspiciously before walking to the front and tapping his finger on the tip of its horn that was longer than he was tall. He yelped and yanked his hand back. “Yikes! That’s sharp! What’d ya say this beasty’s name was?”

“Francis…” I answered, though I was hardly paying the young man any mind. Bloody hell. This is the first time he’s been summoned since being Promoted to the Holy Rank. I neverexpected him to be this massive. It’s a good deal I didn’t Summon him indoors…

“She’s so pretty…”

I glanced over to see Aurora with her hand held out, and Rosie resting on her palm. The little Pixie’s wings fluttered rapidly, and she squirmed in delight at the praise. Ivy the Eel was coiled around Aurora’s other arm snorting and showing its displeasure at the Pixie getting so much attention.

“Don’t get her too riled up, Aurora.” I chuckled and beckoned the Pixie over. Rosie stuck out her tongue, but ultimately lifted from the girl’s hand and hovered over to rest on my shoulder. I patted her head gently with my pointer finger. “She’ll let it go to her head should you keep praising her like that.”

Rosie made a displeased huff and crossed her arms, yet she didn’t shy away from my touch. Aurora seemed to be struggling to hold back a laugh. Turning away from the girl, I found Nathaniel sizing up Larry the Golem—who was standing completely still, ignoring the others’ antics.

“Still clear, Boss.” David’s voice came through our connection.

“Good work, David. We won’t be much longer. You can introduce yourself once we get moving again.” I sent the thought back before turning to Francis. Locke was flailing his holding on to the beetle’s carapace, his legs flailing as he struggled to climb onto its back.

“I suppose he is large enough to ride,” I commented as I walked up to the pair. With a light shove, I boosted the young man up to the creature’s center. “What do you think, Francis? Would it be difficult to move with someone on top of you like that?”

Francis shifted to the left and right, leaning his legs this way and that, then shook his massive head from side to side. I raised an eye, slightly taken aback by the fact that he answered. Before, when the Beetle was only of the Pure Rank, David would have to translate its feelings into thoughts as best he could.

It seems it isn’t just your size that’s improved. I tapped my cane against the tip of my boot while considering using Francis openly. I’d decided long ago that once my Summons were revealed to the Party, we likely wouldn’t draw too much suspicion should we be seen using two.

After all, Nathaniel was a Syward, and it wouldn’t be too astonishing should one of his Party members be wealthy enough to own a Summon as well. Luckily, there would be very few—if any—Wielders on the lower Floors that would be capable of determining who the Summons belonged to at a glance.

Then once they reached the higher Floors, owning Summons was less of a rarity—albeit one person walking around with multiple would still garner unwanted attention. Aurora’s Eel makes one… and being a Pure makes it not worth the risk of angering one of the esteemed Families. As for one of the Holy Summons, onlookers would assume it belongs to Nathaniel himself.

David can avoid detection, so he can be out at any time for reconnaissance. Rosie belonged to my father… which has me worried. If he was targeted for her specifically, then there’s a chance that she could be recognized. Even if that chance is slim, it isn’t worth the risk.

That leaves Francis and Larry. As big as Francis has gotten, he’s more than large enough to act as our transportation. His battle prowess is limited compared to Larry, though. I looked over to the Golem… only to find that he’d surprisingly moved from his original position. Nathaniel was walking around the clearing lifting large branches and logs that had toppled, then having Larry do the same, likely comparing their strengths.

On second thought… with Nathaniel around, we have all the battle prowess we need. I think mobility will be more useful. With Francis, we’ll have little trouble crossing the Floors quickly. Aside from earning the Achievements on every Fifth Floor, it’ll be best to rush through the rest.

“Right, listen up!” I called.

Nathaniel tossed a limb as thick as he was tall to the ground and jogged over, Larry following closely behind. Locke slid off the Beetle’s shell but missed his footing and fell to the dirt. Aurora snorted and hid her smile behind her hand but ultimately helped the lad to his feet.

“Aurora, if you’d be so kind, I’d like you to inform our newest companion of what we’ve done to this point. You’ll have the whole day riding on Francis here.” I patted the Beetle’s side and could feel his happiness through our link. Aurora looked at the giant bug with wide eyes.

“Ride? On that?” she asked, a look of horror briefly flashing in her eyes.

“Ya can’t be scared o’ bugs,” Locke teased. “’ow is it yer fine with ‘at slimy thing crawlin’ on ya but can’t ‘andle this beauty?”

Francis stood straighter and I felt a sense of pride coming from him. I smiled and rubbed his carapace before cutting off whatever retort Aurora had for the kid.

“Ivy is a fine creature,” I assured the young woman. “But Locke does have a point. Unless you’d prefer to use your share of our earnings to purchase a mount, you’ll have to look at Francis the same way you do your own Summon. Now, while you’re catching up our animated friend here, Nathaniel and I will be searching for Fallen Beasts to cast Tame Creature on. Once that’s done, I think it’s only fair we see what Locke here is capable of. You’re welcome to leave that bit out of your story, Aurora.”

She gave me a knowing look, and I grinned in response. Not caring for the boy’s fate, Nathaniel stepped forward and helped a very unnerved Aurora onto the back of the Beetle while Locke struggled to clamber up from the other side. I recalled Larry and Rosie with a mental apology and a promise to bring them out again when we set up camp.

“We’ll rest when Francis’ time runs out. That’ll be around four hours. And Locke…” I glanced up at the young man seated precariously on the side of the Beetle’s shell. “Be ready to show us what you’ve got.”

He nodded vigorously. “I won’t let ya down!”

“Alright, then. Let’s be off.”

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Sorry for being late and the chapter being on the shorter side. My pup was acting strange and hiding in a corner yesterday morning, and when I went to check on her, the entire left side of her jowls and cheek were swollen and as big as my fist. I thought she'd been bitten by a snake, so I rushed her to the vet. Luckily, it seems to have been an allergic reaction to a bee or wasp sting. The swelling has gone down a lot, and she should be fine. Maybe she'll stop snapping at and chasing everything that flies. Anyway, I hope that you all have a good week!