The First Legendary Beast Master

Chapter 921: Kept in Suspense

The rest came out of the Tiny World for a late dinner, in preparation for setting night watch in their silk tree fort.

This definitely was not a safe region for anyone to be setting up camp, even as close as they were to the additional army units, and Delilah was not ready to just take Karlʼs word that Rae could take care of the night watch duties.

”Why donʼt we keep watch in shifts? I will take first watch with Rae, and then Lotus can keep watch with Ophelia, while you can take final watch with Nachtia? Then we will cycle the others in, so everyone gets nights off?” Karl suggested to the Red Dragon.

Karl called out the Lamia bodyguards, as well as the Epic Guard, who was looking more like a living creature every day.

The last battles had left the guard invigorated with power, and the energy sharing of the Haint Claw appeared to be subtly enhancing the creature, which looked much like an all black version of Overlord Leafa.

But as the Epic Guard increased in power, it was subtly changing to be less like the wayward Haint. The bark on its body was beginning to separate, giving it the effect of a ghostly woman in a humanoid tree, and less of a bark covered humanoid like a dryad.

Karl wasnʼt sure if this was a form of evolution, or an armour skill, where the bark was the ablative armour. But the Epic Guard was becoming increasingly distinct.

”That is a curious creature you have summoned. Tell me, do you usually equip it with weaponry?” Delilah asked.

”If anything, I will give it a Haint Claw. It makes the Guard exceptionally combat capable. The Haint Claw itself has skills imbued on it, and the Epic Guard skill is capable of putting them to good use.” Karl explained.

That was a bit less than a fully detailed description of what happened when the two things were combined, but they would get fully sidetracked if he started describing that.

”Interesting. And her presence activates a group buff. I can see why you activated that Guard for the night shift.”

Karl smiled. ”She also doesnʼt need to sleep, so the three of them can keep night shift company. The Lamia pair knows the basics of making tea, if you should get thirsty.”

Once they had finished eating, and showered with the pleasantly warm water, courtesy of Remi, Everyone but Karl headed for bed. Even Dana went up to sleep, with Cara following her.

Remi giggled. ”I hope that Sister Rae snore proofed this place. Cara talks in her sleep.”

Then she borrowed the [Unobtrusive Behemoth] skill to shrink herself down to a tenth of her normal size, which made her small child sized, but without the toddlerʼs chubby body. She was still as lithe as ever, but now fit conveniently in Karlʼs lap as he reclined in one of the hanging chairs.

”Oh, this isnʼt bad. Iʼm going to have to try this for breakfast tomorrow. Food will be huge.”

Karl took out items from the Guild Bank to inscribe with Runes as they listened for approaching enemies, or signs of disturbance at the army camps.

Rae was outside somewhere, keeping watch, and setting more traps in the woods, just because it would be fun to see what got caught.

The two most likely attack times would be just after dark, or just before dawn. There was some chance that the enemy would come during a random point during the night, but in Karlʼs mind, that was lower than the strategically advantageous all-night battle, or the twilight hours, when every species had trouble adapting their sight to the changing light.

It didnʼt come during Karlʼs shift, and by Raeʼs update, it didnʼt arrive during Lotus and Opheliaʼs either.

So, it was with great confidence that Remi followed Tessa to the kitchen in the morning to start making breakfast. She wanted to know what food looked like at a tenth of her usual size. Her memories of being a hatchling were fading, but she could be small again.

Tessa, not being privy to the inner workings of Remiʼs mind, simply thought that the eccentric Naga had decided that there was some advantage to being one tenth her normal size while helping in the kitchen.

They finished with all the usual breakfast foods, and Remi took a carefully curated plate to the counter to test whether eating while in a shrunken state was superior.

Only two chunks of fried potato in, it was decided. This was definitely the superior way to eat. It might not be best for helping in the kitchen, as more body would make it easier to move around. But for purely eating? So much better.

The smell brought the watch team in, and woke the others. Even Ophelia was up and out of bed on time today.

Priestess Delilah took a plate with a polite smile at Tessa, and settled cross-legged on the floor to eat with her back against the tree trunk.

”There is no sign of movement from the army yet. Whatever attack they are waiting for isnʼt here. However, I can feel the godsʼ anticipation, so something big is going to hit here soon. I would recommend that everyone takes it easy today, instead of going into the city to do their shopping.

We donʼt want to be separated when the attack begins, as they will lock down the city to keep spies and traitors from escaping, and it would cause chaos if we started attempting to exit at that point.”

Karl shrugged. ”Thatʼs not a big deal. We can spend a day crafting and mending gear. Thereʼs always something to patch, and if we run out, we can go assist the army camp.

Did you need anything made while Iʼm at it? I will be making items for the Guild Shop, but there should be time for a custom piece or two.”

The red dragon shook her head. ”No, I am fully equipped. Just focus on anything that your guild needs so that theyʼre not left hungry while youʼre on the front lines.”