- So I am supposed to be your guarantor, - grimaced Kannan and sighed: - Could you not make things easier?

  - What's wrong? Do not trust B rank adventurer?

  - You did know that as a guild master I will have to repay that old geezer your whole debt, and sell all magic stones to him first, if something would happen to you? I will not be your guarantor as Kannan, but as Adventurer guild master.

  - That is fine by me, - I shrugged.

  - I am sure that you are.

  - Should I inform high-priestess Sahana that you failed to deliver on your promise. It was you who send me to Gremlock after all.

  - Fine, fine, I will do that. But we will need to do that in the temple of Hermes.

  - Let me know when. I am staying in Flower garden tavern.

  - I will arrange everything, - sighed Kannan.

  I spend some time looking for shops that sold elixirs and was able to buy five of them. That should be enough - I decided. Then the day when I was supposed to bet back my weapons came, and I went to Hephaestus temple. It still was empty, but somebody at least wiped the floor.

  I went inside Hephaestus temple, and, when I approached the altar, fire rose up from it and left my swords and daggers on it.

  - I used your adamantium to reforge your Armor ssher sword, - said disembodied voice: - Now it is called Barrier destroyer. It has the power not just pierce armor, but also magic barriers. Your knives are now called Poison fang and Poison cw. When you draw blood with them, they will poison it. But be careful, you can be poisoned by them as well. Your second sword has a name now too. It is called Dark cw.

  - What can it do?

  - Nothing. All I did was give it name.

  That was weird, was it really necessary.

  - Was it necessary to take it then?

  - Yes, it was. Your sword deserves a name. You may take your weapons and leave now.

  - Thank you? - I looked around and took my weapons. They looked the same, but I felt evil aura around my throwing knives, when I unsheathed them. That was a little scary.

  Time was approaching mid-day, and I went to talk to high-priestess Sahana. One of the priestesses approached me, and I told her that I would like to talk to high-priestess.

  - My I ask, what it is about?

  - Just tell her that my name is Avone. Adventurer who brought back Ni.

  - Oh, it is you. Please follow me then. I am sure that priestess Sahana will find some time for you.

  She took me to familiar room and asked me to wait. Soon high-priestess came inside the room and smiled at me.

  - Did not expect to see you so soon. How my I help you?

  - I have some questions about Ni. Some problems jumped out of the shadows.

  - What do you mean?

  - Did you know, what she was pnning to do with stolen artifacts?

  - She told me that some merchant promised to buy them from her, and arrange safe passage for her, to one of the neighboring kingdoms. We tried to find that merchant, but were not successful.

  - Did Ni mentioned, that this merchant was a member of the Assassin guild?

  - No. But I cannot say that I am surprised. This was not the first time that someone tried to steal our holy artifacts. He probably left the town, when his attempt at steeling our property was discovered.

  - I see. By the way, may I ask, why these artifacts are considered Aphrodite's relics? Why not use artifacts that carry her name. I heard that there is an artifact with diamonds called Tears of Aphrodite. Does that artifact not belong in your temple?

  - It would. But the artifact master, who has them, will not agree to sell them. And even if he would, his price would be considerable.

  - I see. How about a trade then?

  - Only thing of simir value that we have are artifacts that you returned. And such exchange, I am afraid, is out of the question.

  - I actually talked to Gremlock. He mentioned that he made for you an artifact of some interest to me.

  - Really, - Sahana raised her eyebrows: - What was it?

  - Artifact with poison resistance properties.- Oh, that one. It was made for the previous high-priestess. She ordered it after wife of one of our flock members expressed some threats.

  - Sounds bad. What happened to this artifact?

  - I still have it, but found not much use for it.

  - Would you be interested in selling it? Or perhaps a trade?

  - No, - she shook her head: - I will not sell it. It is too valuable. And I doubt that you could offer something worth a trade.

  I took out the Crown of longevity and showed it to her.

  - If you can offer me something of great value in addition to that artifact, I might be interested in a trade myself. But it must be something really interesting. Longevity is such an alluring thing.

  She was looking at the crown without blinking.

  - Yes, longevity is very alluring. Could you please wait me here. I will be right back.

  I nodded and she left the room. One of the priestesses brought wine and grapes, and I was enjoying a drink when Sahana returned. She was wearing a different robe.

  She closed the door behind her and smiled at me:

  - Did you know that we have warm springs in our temple. We also give massages and provide other services to fateful followers of Aphrodite.

  - I did not know about warm springs, - I shrugged.

  - Usually worshippers leave a donation, to use it, but I could make sure that you receive our special services for the rest of your life.

  - What if I have an Eternal youth skill?

  - Then you would enjoy all that Aphrodite's temple can offer for the rest of eternity. By the way I brought the artifact.

  Sahana let her robe fall down and revealed her beautiful body. She was wearing red underwear. It looked comfortable.

  - It is called Bat wing.Hmm, what was it with Gremlock and bats?

  - Would you like to take it off? - she smiled and stepped forward.

  * * *

  I left Aphrodite's temple with first light and returned to tavern. I was carrying golden coin with Aphrodite's face engraved on it. It was called Flower of fortune, and was, among other things, an artifact that increased luck by one. I also had new underwear. It felt very comfortable, and was way better than the one that I was wearing until then.

  One of servant girls gave me a message from Kannan. I was suppose to meet him in the temple of Hermes after sunrise. I had just enough time to get there, but had no time for breakfast.

  I saw temple of Hermes before, but did not went inside it. I gave myself a promise to avoid going inside temples as much as possible.

  Temple of Hermes smelled like fresh air and meadow. It had many flowers inside it, and Hermes' altar was covered with freshly plucked flowers. Behind it was a huge statue of god Hermes.

  Gremlock and Kannan were already waiting for me. Among them was standing young human, who was unfamiliar to me.

  - This must be Avone, - smiled priest in clean white robe: - I am Adrian, priest of Hermes. Our god who supports all merchants will witness the contract between you, just as I will.

  I nodded and approached the altar. Priest gave all of us, copies and we carefully read them.

  - Please sign these four contracts, using a drop of your blood. You all will receive a copy, and one of them will stay in the temple.

  We all did so, and every time our blood touched the paper it glowed slightly.

  - You have all seen the light. It was a sign that our god had witnessed the sacred promise between the three of you. Has miss Avone received the mentioned Crown of longevity.

  - Yes, I have.

  - Them your sacred promise is completed. May Hermes bless you all.

  We thanked the priest and left the temple.

  - Try not to die, - sighed Kannan: - Your death will not settle the debt.

  - Never considered making such a contract with adventurers, - grinned Gremlock.

  - Please keep it quiet, both of you, - again sighed Kannan: - I do not want other artifact owners or merchants to get any ideas. That would be bad for the guild.

  - We can keep it, as our little secret, - I offered.

  - I do not mind, - nodded Gremlock.

  - Please do. That would remove at least one of my concerns. Now, please excuse me, I need to return to the guild.

  - And I to my workshop.

  I wanted to get some breakfast too, and we all went our ways. I met my friends, when I returned to tavern, and Luara waved to me from her seat.

  - I was worried that something happened to you, - she said, after I ordered some eggs and bread.

  - Just got too te, when I finished some business, and I was offered to stay for a night.

  - Something important? - asked Milligan.

  - Nothing that will interfere with our work. But I will need to talk to my party members ter. About our future work opportunities. Just usual party's business. Mostly things that you will find boring. Can we talk before you leave?

  Everyone nodded, and we went to girls room after the breakfast. I took out the shield and clothe and gave them to Luara and Trevor.

  - Nelly already has her staff. For you Trevor, a shield. It is called Bat shield. It will increase your defense stats. And four you Bat skin. For now these clothe will be useless to you, but you will find them useful, once you will level up your god given skill.

  - Why? What can they do?

  - They will become part of you, when you change. And will reappear once you change back.

  - Really? I never even heard about such a thing. Sounds amazing.

  Luara looked through her new clothe and slightly blushed, when she discovered underwear, and Trevor noticed it.

  - How did you found them? - asked Nelly.

  - It was not easy. And there will be a price. Once we kill Hugo, we will have to return and work for one of the artifact makers. Not much will change for us. We will still hunt in dungeons, but we will sell all our loot to this artifact maker, for a fair price. But I will keep to myself all magic gems.

  - Why? - asked surprised Trevor.

  - Because Sword of heaven will be your property. Because Nelly will have her staff, and because this artifact creator is one of the best artifact makers in Tyco. And if you behave, he might sell or make something for you. Is that enough reason for all of you?

  - Yes, - Trevor quickly nodded, and Nelly also agreed.

  - I do not mind.

  - Fine by me, - said Luara: - Now, Trevor, if you excuse me, I would like to try these clothe.

  Trevor quickly nodded and almost run out of the room. He was still such a kid.

  * * *

  Week ter we were leaving Tyco. Milligan spend most of his money on cheep artifacts, but using all them at once would still greatly increase his strength. They were not powerful artifacts, that he dreamed to own, but his goal of buying cheep artifacts that would greatly increase his abilities, even temporary, was accomplished.

  We had enough supplies to st as for a long time and at least I was able to get some useful connections in Tyco. I was drowning in debt, but as ever young high elf, I could afford such debt, as long as I did not have to return it immediately.

  In the back of the cart were three precious sugarcane samplings. Everyone was forbidden even to breath at them. Milligan did not realized what they are, and I told everyone that it was a request from Mesmer, who wanted to pnt them on Mage guild's farm.

  I did not worry that they could fail to survive the journey, since my Life magic was capable of keeping them healthy and let them grow.

  I was riding near the cart, when Milligan, who was sitting in front, called me.

  - Trevor told me that it was you, who got him his new shield.

  - I did.- It is quit powerful. Better than anything that I got.

  - Did Trevor mentioned to you that we will need to work for one of the artifact makers, probably for years, to pay off the debt.

  - He did, but I thought that he was joking.

  - He did not. I had to sign a contract in the temple of Hermes, patron god of merchants.

  - I did not know about that. But it could be worth it, if you can buy from him more artifacts. People were probably treating you differently, since you are B rank adventurer. All they saw when they looked at me, was a child.

  - You will grow up. When Trevor was younger, his master forbid him to increase his level. He did it so Trevor could go to Adventurer academy and learn warrior skills. You could do the same thing.

  - That is a good advice, but I have the maximum number of skills already.

  - Then how about learning magic and spells. You could go to Magic academy and learn about magic and its uses. This way you will spend your time with purpose and have time to grow up. But if you will continue increasing your levels and life force, you might need a decade to become a man.

  - I will think about it, - nodded Milligan.

  I felt bad for the kid. He did the same thing that I would have done in his pce, but he rushed and did not found out about consequences. The same as I would have done in his pce. But it was not my problem. And he still could become my enemy. With his skills and job, a powerful enemy that I did not wish to have.

  Our road back to Ashgrin was mostly uneventful. We encountered some monsters and once had to fight off bandits, but thanks to Luara's warnings, they did not catch as by surprise, and we exterminated all monsters and most of the bandits.

  I decided not to stop in Alven, and we passed Rakshasar capitol. Because of that we had to buy supplies in vilges, but kingdom of Rakshasar was prosperous and peasants were able to spare supplies and were gd to sell them. That way they did not had to go to capitol and were able to ask more than they would earn in Alven. We spend few days in Grimsburg, and I pnted my sugarcane samplings. They successfully survived the journey and were added to some of sugarcanes that was delivered by adventurers. Coffea trees were growing well, and I received my second harvest of coffee.

  Fifteen month ter we delivered Milligan back to Ashgrin capitol, and Trevor was able to officially become a member of my party and a former knight.

  Milligan decided to postpone his leveling and concentrate on his studies. Our journey changed his view of the world and allowed him to grow at least mentally. He decided to concentrate on leveling Alfred and Anna, who became his retainers. Alfred was raised as a warrior, and Anna was a beginner mage, and both of them had potential of becoming strong supporters for the future hero. We parted with him, and he expressed his gratitude for our help, which was different from our first encounter.

  I registered my party in adventurer guild, and we officially became a B rank adventurer party. Our party was nameless. I did consider using our former name, but Grimsburg dungeon partly lost it meaning, since there was no dungeon in Grimsburg. I left the name question open for another day, and we resumed our original quest, which involved preparing for the battle with Hugo.

  Announcement[We caught up with Royal Road. From now on chapters will be published once a week. Also books three and four are avaible at https:///w/heroes-magic-and-monsters-book-iv-history-of-ancient-king-josipov/1147324996;jsessionid=EF6BFE3BBBDB79BECA6918683DA0174F.prodny_store02-atgap18?ean=2940181516076]