Chapter Three-Hundred Eleven


    Rocky and I both need to pick our jaws up off the floor after that fight, though him more literally than me. I don’t have mine anymore, and Rocky’snded just out of his reach. Once he gets it back on, it’s in danger of falling off again for how wide he’s smiling. He’s a bit slow to get up after that roughnding. nder definitely did a number on my boxer for that W.


    The elf is posing for the crowd as they go nuts, savoring the victory and praise as Rocky digs under the ring for the reward he’s been wanting to be able to give out for a while now. Instead of a chest, he pulls out a wide, t wooden box, and nder looks on curiously as the former champion gets back into the ring. He tucks the box under his arm before approaching nder, and holds the elf’s hand up high, making the victory official.


    “And there it is!”es Aranya’s voice over the crowd, thanks to sh. “nder is officially the victor in this bout, and what a fight it was! He’s not the Crown Inspector for nothing, clearly!”


    Rocky takes a step back and holds the box out for nder to open, which he does with curious eyes. I don’t think anything I’ve had to offer has been powerful enough for him to be interested in as an adventurer, but I think this particr trophy will stick with him, if only for how unique it is.


    I’ve seen the awards Karn’s guild has gotten, usually a que or a scroll, maybe a banner. I’ve got my own ostentatious wall-hanger to offer. Or hip-hanger, if you’re feeling ambitious.


    nder looks confused at the huge belt, and Teemo’s voice echoes around the arena as he exins from Aranya’s shoulder. “That’s the Champion’s Belt. Hold it up so everyone can get a look at it! Far away, there’s a long tradition of belts like this being fought over by only the best fighters of their discipline. There’s only one. The Boss won’t be making another like it. Though you can bet Rocky will be challenging you to get the title back eventually!”


    nder picks up therge belt and holds it high, letting everyone see therge orange circle representing my core. It sits square in the middle of the word Champion, the two halves continuing along the belt, with smaller lettering above and below the core dering it to belong to the Champion of Rocky’s Arena.


    Eventually, he slings it over his shoulder, letting it rest there, and he notices a second, more ordinary belt still in the box. “That second belt is yours, too. Rocky says no champ should go down to a cheap shot, and that belt will help protect you. I doubt you’ll recognize the enchant, though I see Old Staiven in attendance! You shoulde take a look, if nder doesn’t mind, and bring your apprentice, too!”


    Old Staiven is indeed in the audience, as well as Rhonda, Freddie, and T. Rer is here, too, but he’s not going incognito, so he’s not able to sit next to his friends. nder looks up to the announcer’s section and nods, making Teemo and Aranya smile, before my High Priestess continues.“Then if you don’t mind, Rocky will show you to the waiting room, and we’ll do a short interview, before letting the master enchanter take a look at your prize.”


    As they all head for the side room, some people get up and leave, while others settle in to chat about the fight. The shop stalls certainly aren’t going toin about people taking their time in leaving. It just gives them more of a chance to sell them something!


    Rocky and nder get to the room first, and the two rx as they wait. “I can’t believe how hard you hit, Rocky. No wonder people were confident in you. I need to ask Teemo how you do it. You throw around a <em>lot</em> of mana for a scion that’s not a Conduit.”


    My boxer grunts and nods as nder examines therge belt, taking in the details and savoring the victory. Aranya, Teemo, and sh arrive not too long after. “Staiven and the kids’ll be a few more minutes,” exins Teemo. “They want to get some souvenirs before they sell out. Ready for that interview?”


    Both nder and Rocky nod, so Aranya begins. “We’re in the recovery room with nder and Rocky. That was an amazing fight, you two! Any initial thoughts you want to share about it?”


    They both nod, with nder expounding first. “In a real fight, don’t make the mistakes I did. Even after that first round, I <em>still</em> underestimated Rocky in the second, and he broke my ive for it. That’s why you always have a backup weapon.”


    Aranya nods and turns to Rocky, who grunts and Teemo trantes. “Rocky says it’s a good example to not rest on yoururels. There’s always someone stronger, and he met that someone today. He’s looking forward to trying again some day, too.”


    Aranya smiles. “Do you expect you’ll ept his challenge when he makes it, nder?”


    “Absolutely. Rocky isn’t the only one who’s feeling inspired after that fight. He’ll need to step up his training, because I don’t intend to ck off on mine!”


    My boxer grins at the challenge as Aranya continues the interview. “So, you’re the Inspector for the King? I’ve seen inspectors from the guild, but I don’t know what the difference is.”


    nder shrugs. “The biggest difference is who I report to. Instead of the Dungeoneer’s Guild, I report to the crown directly. It’s not an easy position to earn or keep, so only the best of the best will hold it.”


    This tale has been uwfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    “As you proved here today! Why the subterfuge, though? Why act like an ordinary retired adventurer instead of in an official capacity? And why drop the charade now?”


    nder winces at that before answering. “I often go undercover for missions. It’s easier for a retired adventurer to go look at a dungeon than someone with the weight and backing of the crown. People will try to put things in the best light for the Crown Inspector, but they won’t care one way or the other about the opinion of a random retired adventurer, even if he’s strong.


    “As for why to drop it now… I would have liked to keep my cover, but Rocky here is too good for me to be able to hold back like that. I already have the information I need for the King. I hope the friends I’ve made here can forgive me for keeping quiet about this, too,” he admits.


    “I’m sure they’ll forgive you,” reassures Aranya.


    “I hope so.”


    Aranya gives him an encouraging smile before continuing. “If you don’t mind me asking, what will you be telling the King about Lord Thedeim?”


    “Well, the specifics are for him only, but I don’t think it’d be a betrayal to say I’ve got a pretty positive opinion on not only Thedeim, but Fourdock, too.”


    “I’m sure everyone is happy to hear that! I’ll let you rx now. Congrattions on the victory, and I hope we’ll see you in the arena again, Champion!” sh lowers his finger and leans against the wall, rxing as Teemo speaks up.


    “Boss says Staiven should be here soon. Do you want to let in just him, or the others, too?”


    “Which others?” replies nder. It looks to me like he doesn’t want to have a crowd, but he probably remembers Teemo telling Staiven to bring his apprentice.


    “Rhonda and Freddie, and their friend T.”


    “T’s with them?”


    Teemo nods. “Yeah, them and Larrez brought her through on a delve just the other day. You know her?”


    nder slowly nods. “She’s one of the friends I mentioned.”


    “Berdol, too?”


    “Yes.”


    “He’s waiting outside, too. Do you want everyone, or just Staiven?”


    nder tries to hide his nervousness as he thinks it over, before steeling himself and answering. “All of them are fine. If they forgive me, it’ll be good to clear the air quickly. If they don’t… I’d rather not dy knowing.”


    Teemo nods as Aranya goes and opens the door, letting the group into the small room. It’srge enough for everyone to have a seat, but not many more people would fit. They barely get inside before Berdol shouts at nder.


    “That was amazing! I''ve never seen kic used like that before!”


    nder winces at the volume, but his professional countenance starts to melt as he processes what the catkin said.


    “What kind of belt did you get?” asks T curiously, looking at the more ordinary belt over nder’s shoulder.


    “You… both don’t care that I kept it from you? That I’m the Crown Inspector?”


    Berdol shakes his head and speaks up first. “Not really? It feels even weirder now that I know who you are, yet still you’re supposed to listen to me on an inspection, but that’s it. I might ask you more about dungeonster, though. Tarl has been teaching me a lot, but I bet you know even more!”


    T shakes her head as well. “It makes a lot more sense why you’re here. I just hope you won’t forget about us when you head back to the capital. Can I write you?”


    nder sags in relief and smiles at the two. “I’m not heading back just yet. I’ll write up my report and send it. The King doesn’t need me there in person. If he does, he can send for me. And if he has anything else for me to do, he can send for that, too.”


    T smiles with just a hint of blush, and nder’s cheeks get a tinge of pink before Old Staiven decides to interrupt. “With that out of the way, what say we answer the youngdy’s question about your new belt, hmm?”


    “Oh! Uh, yes. Here.” nder hands over the belt and everyone watches as Staiven examines it. It’s not long before he’s thinking out loud about what he’s seeing.


    “What a strange enchantment. Scoot over, Freddie, I want toy this on the bench to get a better look.” The young orc quickly moves, and Staiven resumes examining, waving Rhonda closer to show her Thing’s masterwork.


    “The protection array is pretty standard for a reactionary defense. You usually see this for things that are either difficult to maintain, or that just don’t need to be up all the time. The triggered runes are very unusual…”


    “How so?” asks nder, earning a raised eyebrow from Staiven.


    “Hmm… you probably know the basics, I’d imagine. The runes are death and life runes, so I’d ordinarily say it’s a protection from death magics, but theyout is all wrong. It’sid out more like lightning or maybe thunder runes. I can’t make heads or tails of it.”


    Rhonda furrows her brow at the description, peering closer before she gasps in recognition. “I know what it is!”


    “Well, don’t keep us in suspense, my apprentice,” remarks Staiven, looking a little grumpy, but I can see the proud glint in his eyes as she exins.


    “I’ve seen this before, when I got my ss! Thing was working on the axe and I was trying to help. I don’t remember what I said, but he froze for a second before practically throwing the axe runework off the table and starting another array. For <em>lifedrinking</em>.”


    nder looks concerned as T gasps, but Rhonda barrels on and continues. “Then he <em>countered</em> it! I remember at the time thinking that the formation was all wrong for the runes, but then the lifedrinking spell simply vanished! It’s a protection from lifedrinking belt!”


    “Is that even possible?” asks T, looking at the belt with suspicion.


    “Yep,” answers Teemo while Staiven continues to examine the enchantment. “Thing cracked it a while ago, but there hasn’t been much demand for it. When Rocky started working on the rewards for the arena, the two belts were among the first things he wanted made.”


    “I think he’s right,” confirms Old Staiven, a finger tracing the runes. “I haven’t seen this technique in counterspelling before, but I think it’ll work. I’m not eager to test it out though,” he adds with a smirk before giving nder the belt back.


    “Protection from Lifedrinking…” mutters the elf, and I have to give Rocky a pat on the back through the bond. I think he finally managed to give the Crown Inspector a piece of loot he’s actually impressed with.


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