Strider

"Excuse me. I have your halberd for the time being. You ought to know that not all of us are out to harm you." Edmond could tell that this man was on edge. "However, you did exert aggression towards a group of heavily armed people. That was rather thoughtless. If I may say so, you received a just fate for a fool. Now, wait. I'm not calling you a fool, it was simply a foolish act." "I presume you were also summoned here alongside the rest of us? If you can set aside your quarrel with Solomon, or at least avoid him, I'll be giving you back your halberd momentarily." Hopefully he can see that most of us aren't intent on harming us. "We have disarmed your assailant, and we will not be returning his weapon until we see fit."

"Thank you again. This should be quite useful." I'm wasting time. I'm distracting myself with what I'm comfortable with, and ignoring the unanswered questions and the looming threat...

Have you ever seen https://myanimelist.net/manga/39325/Boku_dake_ga_Inai_Machi There's a suitably evil teacher in that.

Edmond stared. He had no real lust for gold, but it was rather incredible to see such an abundance of the substance which had incited so many wars. "Well, I suppose I could use a little bit, for circuits and such. Thank you very much. If it isn't an inconvenience, do you have any high purity gold? Something along the lines of 99.9999% pure? It would probably be in a special container to maintain it's purity." He reached out to the pile and took three one-ounce ingots, and placed them into his pack.

"I would suggest moving him to another location before resuscitating him. He'd likely be more open to reason if he awoke in a comfortable bed without a large android, a dragon, a...being, and other variously armed creatures staring at him."

"Thanks. I don't think that Solomon is much of a problem without his ring, but it might be prudent for you to watch the newcomer. Though It that Embraces might have that covered."

Edmond considered the weapon in his hand. The blade was slightly dull, but that was typical for a weapon like an axe or a halberd. I suppose he wouldn't want the blade to chip when it hit armor. The shaft was slightly stained with remnants of blood, and inscribed upon it were the words "Fatum Iustrum Stultorum" That's Latin, even if he comes from another world...It's been a long time since I read any Latin...Fate, that's for certain. Stultorum...genitive plural. So "of the stupid". Actually, better would be 'of fools'. But what is Iustrum? I've never seen that adjective before......unless......It's mispelled? Then it should be Iustum. Edmond let out a hearty chuckle. So that's what it means... "The just fate of fools..." he murmured to himself.

-21

"I hope none of you mind if I take this, for safekeeping?" Edmond stepped over and pried the halberd out of the now unconscious Solomon's hands. Well, I'm glad our guide is competent...The fact that none of intervened would have made this newcomer distrust us even more. Knowing that his attacker has been dealt with may increase his trust marginally. "I don't think we really want Solomon gaining another weapon...right?" Edmond hesitated for a moment, then pried the ring, which seemed to be the source of Solomon's power, from his finger. It destroy any increased trust that this man may have gained from us when we incapacitated Solomon, if he saw that we still retained his weapon, but not Solomon's. "If none of you object, I think that it's probably best if I hold onto this for a while as well. ...It that Embraces. You can prevent them from attacking me the moment they awaken, right? I would greatly appreciate that."

"Well. That could have gone better. Solomon. Next time he awakens, please let someone else speak to him alright? I don't think you're quite capable of handling him civilly." Edmond had always prided himself on being a somewhat competent judge of character, but this was a complete and utter surprise to him. I would have thought that if anyone had knocked someone out this soon, it would have been Snow...well actually, she did try. I don't even understand how this happened. All the guy wanted was some space. Don't step any closer and all that.

"Well, that is certainly a bit of helpful information. It's good to know even a tiny bit more about our enemies. Still, do you have any idea why we were summoned here?" Well, in the original message, there was a request for aid. Perhaps we're simply here to fight against these creatures? In that case, it would be ideal to deal with the source... Edmond, nearly twisting his ankle as he ascended the stair well, grimaced. "Ahg. Don't mind me...this heartless factory you speak of. Would that be the decrepit ruins of the castle which we saw earlier? Or is that something else?"

"Well, if you insist. I've seen people receive concussions from far less, so I would urge caution." Edmond was still quite bewildered, and quietly filed Solomon away into the far corner of his brain figuratively marked "Incomprehensible".

"Solomon. Are you hurt? You were just slammed over the head with the pommel of Snow's sword. You might need medical attention." Edmond was gaping at the scene which had unfolded before him. Snow had leaped onto Solomon's improvised helicopter, and slammed her pommel on the crown of his head, before he could even turn his head. He passed it off with no reaction except a quip. And he smiled! Is this man insane?

"I must agree with...Sachi was it? I'm rather poor with names... I believe we should give this man the benefit of the doubt." He called out to Solomon who seemed to be accusing the tour guide from his comfortable book perch. "Also, his wepon is I believe simply called a pistol sword. I've seen a few of those relics in museums. Have you not come across them in any of your texts?"

Is this true? I'm going to go hide...

I'm all for this.

-23

To the man:"Well, I'm willing to go with you for now. There will be some form of sustenance, I hope? And I feel entitled to a more complete explanation of our circumstances when we arrive," he stated with a terse chuckle. "So Alexandria. Are you from a human world? I was under the impression that you were either not from earth, or were so far removed through the ages that none would remember Homer."

Edmond started that this most recent statement by Alexandria. He had read the works of the ancient Greeks once, back in his teens. They were fond memories, from a simpler age. A sudden thought struck him. "Excuse my ignorance, but would you be speaking of Homer, as in author of the Iliad and the Odyssey?"

Well, he certainly seems nonthreatening. Even if he is a danger, I doubt that we wouldn't be able to defeat him. Extra supplies... Edmond hesitated momentarily, and then approached. "Where would you be taking us? I'd appreciate a brief explanation until, just to ensure that you're trustworthy. I'm willing to go with you after that"

"When did the concept of walking become so unfashionable? It seems far more prudent, given the circumstances. I'm of the opinion that we should take the most primitive method of transport available to us. Whether these people are our enemies or not, we would seem less threatening."

"I believe that he is simply saying that it would be extremely convenient if you could check quickly whether or not the inhabitants of the village resemble humans. Then after that, we would split into the teams suggested in order to gather information and food."

"Anybody could have a glowing circle...Anyway, we should ask him how he came to be here, and if his account is similar to ours, by all means, send him as a scout."

"I'll go, if necessary. Unless of course, you're picky about the numbers in each group. However, we're still working off the assumption that this village is inhabited by humans. Is there anyone with particularly good eyesight, who might be able to tell things like the heights of the buildings, windows, or see anything else that might help us determine if the inhabitants are humanoid?"

"I also would encourage us to seek information and supplies in town rather than the ruined castle. I have a few reasons: Firstly, if there was anything of value in that castle, it has likely been long since looted by others, unless of course the castle poses a significant danger to life and limb. Secondly, people in town could have valuable information for anyone insistent on exploring the castle. Finally, a more personal reason, I know, I also am terribly hungry." Edmond was rather anxious to leave behind the disquieting valley, where twice they had been assailed by the supernatural beasts. He was unused to, and wholly unprepared for this new world he had been propelled into. Information, which he was sorely lacking, would be the greatest weapon any one of them could use. "Who could be considered our most stealthy here? It might be wise to discover what sort of beings dwell in the village. They may consider us to be monsters."