Salvos (A Monster Evolution LitRPG)

Chapter 440: Treasure Gift

440. Treasured Gift

It took a while for Daniel to escape the horde hounding him with questions. He deflected all of the interrogation because he really didnt have many answers. He directed their questions to the [Archbishops] to the [Priests] from the Council of Cremont. Still, not all of the questions flung his way were related to him being anointed as the Cardinal of the Sanctum of Elements, the Den of Souls, and the Sanctuary of Fauna.

As expected, some people were still dubious of the fact that he was a [Hero]. To deal with those people, he simply grabbed the nearest Elite Ranked adventurer he could find and used them as a shield for those questions. Scarlet blinked, looking up from the buffet as Daniel patted her on the shoulder.

She can answer all your questions she was there when Helena Warshade questioned me two days ago! Thanks, Scarlet!

I what?

The Red Rose glanced between the [Hero] and the small crowd that broke off after the [Hero]. She opened her mouth to protest, but the young man was faster than the [Rogue]. He quickly circled around her as his distraction worked, much to the chagrin of the young Elite.

He scurried away, pushing his way through the party heads turned and exclaimed. He only paused when he bumped into a pair of women he recognized. Amanda and Saffron. The former assassin and the young noble were standing next to each other. Daniel had no idea they were friends, but he didnt question it.

Daniel

Amanda started, but he quickly spoke over her and faced Saffron.

Wheres Salvos?

The pink-haired girl gestured towards the back of the room.

I placed her all the way back there so she wouldnt cause too much trouble. Shes busy trying to feed those baby Wyverns anyway

Thanks.

He smiled at Saffron before breaking off to get to his friend. A hand grabbed him from behind, stopping him. He blinked and looked at Amanda.

Did you need something, Amanda?

He raised a brow at her. She lowered her head, not meeting his gaze. She looked like she wanted to say something, but unsure of what she even wanted to say at the same time.

Daniel I

The former assassin opened her mouth. Then she paused. She saw the way Daniel was glancing over to the side towards Salvos. Amanda slowly closed her mouth and let go of his arm.

Amanda?

Daniel turned back to her. She shook her head.

Its nothing

The [Hero] was pretty sure that was a lie. But he could see a few members of the crowd breaking off in pursuit of him, and he really didnt want to stick around for them to catch him. Once he got to Salvos, shed repel them by virtue of being Salvos.

So he just shrugged and hurried off. Eventually, he managed to escape to Salvos table.

Daniel! You didnt tell me you were giving a speech!

The silver-haired girl waved at him as he made his approach. Her cheery and carefree attitude starkly juxtaposed with the tension in the room. Daniel welcomed it. He thoroughly relished in her conviviality after the last two days of constant interrogation. But on one hand, the young man couldnt help but sigh as he slumped himself over a cushioned chair. After all, it was clear she didnt understand the gravity of the situation or at least, didnt care for it.

It was a good speech! I liked it when you said the thing which made everyone gasp!

She gave him a thumbs-up. Daniel shook his head as he sat there.

Thanks, but I hated giving it.

Why would you hate your speech?

She cocked her head at him. He waved a hand off.

Because it wasnt really my decision. They kinda forced me to become their Cardinal.

He shrugged as Salvos stared at him. Her confusion was evident. The [Hero] himself was more annoyed by it than anything. And even Salvos could see that.

Why didnt you just say no?

The silver-haired girl suggested casually. Daniel massaged his temples.

Well I couldnt really say no?

Why not?

She pestered him. And a voice from the side replied before Daniel could.

Because.

Daniel looked up at the [Will O Wisp] floating off to the side, hovering over the three baby Wyverns as they scared down a whole roast pig from the buffet. Willy, the normally sarcastic Grand Spirit, was entirely serious with his single-word non-answer. But it was true and Daniel just nodded.

Willys right. Its just because.

What?

Salvos blinked, utterly confused. Daniel smiled at her.

Its fine, Salvos, really. Its a bit annoying, but otherwise its the right thing to do.

He was grateful that she cared enough to worry over him. But he didnt want to change anything, even if he was a little irate. She just stared at him for a moment.

Huh.

She studied his face as he reached for a glass of red wine. He didnt know why there was even wine on the table since Salvos didnt drink. Unless she was letting the baby Wyverns drink the alcohol in which case, Daniel wouldnt really be surprised. He glanced over at the three baby Wyverns as they whined and fought over the food.

Salvos clapped her hands together.

Oh, have you met them yet?

She proudly gestured at the baby Wyverns. Daniel nodded.

I met them briefly, but they were a bit antsy back then.

Well, theyre better with Humans now! Come here, guys!

Salvos called over the three baby Wyverns. They looked up from their food and exchanged a glance. They hesitated when they saw Daniel sitting next to their mother. But they answered the call and scampered over to her.

Say hi to them, Daniel.

She beamed as the young man mumbled an awkward greeting.

Uh hey, Novis, Bellum, and

Oriur.

Right, Oriur.

He pursed his lips. The baby Wyverns made a sound. A soft growl. But not an aggressive one. It almost sounded like they were saying hello. Although, Daniel was probably imagining it. He cleared his throat and leaned forward to Salvos.

So how long are you going to keep mothering them?

He asked in a whispered voice. Daniel was pretty sure they couldnt understand him anyway, but this was just to be safe. Salvos crossed her arms.

I am not their mother!

She spoke emphatically, and Daniel shrank back.

Alright alright. Dont need to yell.

He rubbed his ears before sighing.

But what I mean is are you really going to be looking after these baby Wyverns forever?

Thats

Salvos looked at Daniel for a moment, registering his words. Then she drew back, clearly offended.

Of course not! Im just going to be looking after them until they grow up!

You know that itll take them years to fully grow up, right?

He gave her a flat stare. Salvos paused.

Wait, really?

She sounded genuinely surprised. The young man from Earth pinched the bridge of his nose, and Willy snorted.

Idiot.

Salvos please dont tell me you genuinely didnt know that.

Daniel pleaded with her. Salvos sputtered.

But look at them! Theyre all already over Level 10! Theyll reach Level 40 anytime soon!

She waved at the baby Wyverns as they looked on, confused. Daniel nodded.

They are Level 10, yes, but that doesnt mean theyll be adults at Level 40. Theyll just be very high-leveled babies.

That that makes no sense!

No, it makes complete sense. Do you seriously think that our level determines our age?

Daniel crossed his arms. Salvos bit her lower lip. She shifted in her seat for a moment. Then she murmured.

But I evolved from an infant at Level 10

Daniel watched as she mulled over this fact for a while. He cleared his throat.

Anyway, I didnt really come here to tell you that.

She raised her head as he reached for a weapon at his belt.

I came here to return this to you.

Her eyes went wide.

Thats

He raised the Sword of Alexander, and Salvos frowned. She narrowed her eyes as the glint from the Mythical Grade Weapon drew more than a few onlookers.

They gasped and whispered, their gaze fixed only on the iridescent blade. Honestly, Daniel wasnt sure why they were in such awe of the weapons Salvos was, after all, wearing the rest of the unbroken set of the Treasures of Alexander. Although it seemed like he was the only one who noticed it. No one else did. A passive effect of the Mythical Grade artifacts.

Salvos pointed at herself.

Wait, why are you giving the Sword of Alexander to me?

Im just giving it back to who it rightfully belongs to.

He smiled at her. Daniel was grateful that she lent it to him when she did. He wouldnt have been able to fend off that Level 150 [Fiend] if not for the Sword of Alexander itself. Especially with the boost it gave him thanks to him being a [Hero]. But at the end of the day, it was better in Salvos hands.

The silver-haired girl raised a hand as he proffered the Sword of Alexander to her before pushing it back to him.

Its fine keep it.

She grinned at Daniel as he blinked. The [Hero] opened his mouth.

What?

I said: keep it.

She backed up as the young man from Earth stared at her, puzzled.

Its yours, Daniel.

Mine? he thought, befuddled. That wasnt right.

But you were the one who

The young man started, but Salvos raised a hand to cut him off.

The only reason why I got the Sword of Alexander in the first place was to give it to you.

You what?

Yep.

Salvos nodded as she got to her feet. She patted the young man on the shoulders.

Youre my companion. And, also, youre the best possible fit for the Sword of Alexander itself. I mean, you did attune yourself to it, didnt you?

I did.

He replied sheepishly. Salvos nodded.

Its fine, Daniel.

Daniel stared at her. This was Salvos. A young and carefree girl. Someone who often didnt put much thought into her actions. Someone who was beholden to herself over all else. But also someone who was incredibly caring when it mattered. He slowly lowered the Sword of Alexander as his lips curled up.

Thank you.

Daniel bowed his head at the silver-haired girl as she chuckled. She settled back into her seat, waving a hand off.

Now, wheres Edithe, anyway? She still hasnt been properly introduced to Novis, Bellum, and Oriur yet!

The young man raised his head and scratched his cheek with a finger.

Im not sure. Id have assumed shed be here since all the big adventurer companies were invited. Shes probably busy, I guess.

Huh.

Salvos furrowed her brows. She got to her feet as the baby Wyverns perked up.

Well, lets go find

She froze as a tinny voice spoke up.

Salvos the Sentinel of Secely. And Daniel Song [Hero] from Earth.

Kaitlin Darkhelmn stepped forward as Daniel turned to face her. He didnt know what she was doing here, but it was clear she meant business since she was accompanied by a pair of knights. She cleared her throat and gestured at both him and the silver-haired girl.

The both of you are in possession of all four pieces of the Treasures of Alexander. I would kindly like to ask you to hand them over to the Vaun Qieur Empires Swordsguard Forces for safekeeping.

...what?

Daniel blinked. Salvos stood in alert. The [Hero] turned to his loyal companion. His longtime ally. His friend.

What do we do, Salvos?

Her eyes flickered and she answered.

Heres what we do

Daniel waited for her to continue, but she didnt say anything. Instead, Salvos spun around, grabbed the baby Wyverns, and made a break for it. When the young man turned around, she was already down the hall waving at him.

You can hold her off! I believe in you!

Salvos

The [Hero] sighed. Willy scoffed.

Good luck.

And the [Will O Wisp] trailed after her.

It probably was going to be fine. It definitely wasnt going to end with fighting. Not right now. Not especially since it seemed that Kaitlin Darkhelm wasnt acting on behalf of Helena Warshade or the Elite Ranked adventurers. She was clearly representing the Vaun Qieur Empire in that regard. And if anything happened, the Council of Cremont would protect Daniel.

So I ran off with Novis, Bellum, and Oriur before they could catch me. I only slowed when I was away from the palace, heading out of the city. I looked down at the three baby Wyverns as they whined in my arms. And I pursed my lips.

Daniel was right. I couldnt protect them forever. Nor could I baby them for long. There was a massive war looming. I was getting close to my Level 150 evolution. And I needed to go to the Netherworld to find Haec. I really didnt know what to do with the baby Wyverns.

Ok?

Willy asked as he flitted after me. The baby Wyverns exchanged a glance quizzically as I nodded.

Im fine.

For now, I would keep to my word and look after them. I would figure things out maybe.