The Lord Ruler: Rise of the Cheat Potion Maker #3
The Lord Ruler: Chapter 21

Wolverine watched Best Buddy meditate for a bit before leaving to check on Cheetara outside. The kitten currently chatted with the elicrones.

“Big Brother Woofy, look!” Cheetara said, cheery. “Their egg is eating mana.”

“Absorbing ambient mana,” Sir Bright corrected. “It is a good sign that a healthy birth approaches.”

Wolverine flinched when Lady Feathers seemed to materialize by his side. The moonlight from both moons in the sky was on the weaker side this night. A gentle breeze with the scent of an approaching storm caressed the night, hugging its peace. The sleeping tasties in their coup probably enjoyed it.

“I know that look,” she said. “You should bite into my wing. It’d be relaxing for a striking predator like you.”

Wolverine glared at her. “Sometimes, I wonder who the true predator is.”

That prompted a hearty laugh from Sir Bright, rare amusement kind of surprising the sunlight wolf. Keeping Lady Feathers in check seemed like his job or something, like Wolverine’s Best Buddy, but way worse.

Lady Feathers did something that had to be a bird’s way of shrugging. “Come on, don’t hold back. What’s got you down?”

Cheetara rubbed against the sunlight wolf. “You can tell us.” She sat next to him, eyes glistening with concern. Suddenly the kitten’s eyes glowed, aura surrounding her. “Just say the name, Big Brother Woofy, I’ll go replace who made you mad and beat them up. Or make them say sorry.”

Wolverine was so taken aback by the cat’s attitude that he burst into laughter.

“Calm down, little disciple, Disciple Cheetara Cutie,” he said, returning a head rub of his own. An animal hug as most would know. “The other day, Best Buddy, Mistress Milia, and Soul Brother Chenzu went into the forest and were attacked by something they called an undead, whatever that is. I went in later to patrol and smelled Mudwater’s scent all over the place. I don’t know for sure, but I think he may have had something to do with the thing that attacked Best Buddy and the others.” He looked down. “Because I failed to eliminate the threat, it came back to attack us. Perhaps I’m thinking too deeply about this, but I cannot help but feel that it’s my fault, that the next attack will be worse. That we may lose someone because of my actions. Am I… really fit to guard this great land?”

Cheetara began to whine, snapping Wolverine out of his self-loathing. For the first time in a while, he saw a kitten. A student that looked up to him, but also more than that. Family. Showing such a pathetic side to her wouldn’t solve the problem.

He massaged her head with his paw.

“I’m only self-reflecting, there is no need to worry,” Wolverine said. “I will reprimand my actions by meditating and training harder.”

“Then I will meditate and train with you,” Cheetara said. “That failure is not yours alone. Protecting Father’s land is not your duty alone.”

“She’s right,” a voice said. They turned to see Mazu, the golden fox, approaching them. “Wolverine, no one is perfect. Sometimes a little stumbling is what we need to grow. Even my master started off as a laughingstock of a witch before she pulled herself together and ended up as one of the most powerful court magicians with direct conversational access to the War King himself.”

Wolverine nodded. “You’re right, Elder Mazu. I will meditate and continue to reflect on my actions. Just make sure you don’t eat the tasties. Best Buddy’s planning to cook tomorrow. Coming, Cheetara?”

“Of course!” the kitten cheered and followed the wolf into the house.

Mazu chuckled. “He’s a promising young one, is he not?”

“Oh, absolutely,” Lady Feathers said. “I knew it when I first laid eyes on him. I can’t get him to bite me like an adult wolf, but one day, he’s going to become something beyond just a simple hunter.”

“Bite you?” Mazu asked, confused, before some mysterious revelation dawned in his eyes. For some reason, he took several steps back, shuddering. “Anyway, I bid you a fine night, Sir Bright, Lady Feathers. May you witness the greatness of those two. I’m going to sleep in Beakwing’s barn tonight.”

The griffin would surely offer him the greatest protection with his natural magic.

The sound of heavy rain awoke me in the morning. Knowing damn well I should take the time to finally check for any gains, I did so. All of the preparations to go to the big city after the Lord Ruler situation were complete. Things felt great throughout the ranked-up town. Even Serina, our new banker, was quite comfortable, even cheery. Apparently, she’d never felt so free. The same applied to the few guards that came with her. They still served guard duty for her home on shifts and partied at the tavern afterward.

Chenzu’s plan to rank the town once more was nearly completed, though he still gave us no clues whatsoever. Well, I had a hunch based on him running around town, meeting with many people, especially creative and entertainment types, and even his lady friend from the tavern. He had some kind of event, perhaps a festival, in mind that maybe this town would become known for. I hadn’t thought of that, but damn! What an awesome idea.

I felt Milia rise, kissing me before heading out of the room. “Woofy, Cutie.” She came back moments later, shaking me. “Nate, it’s probably best not to sleep in today.”

I opened my eyes, stretching. “Is everything okay?”

“We’ll read the letter after breakfast,” she said, kissing me again before leaving.

A brief feeling of uneasiness struck my blood before I pushed it away. A letter from Gwendolyn.