Rise of the Isekai Hero: A LitRGP Fantasy by Jason Marino

Author:Jason Marino [Marino, Jason]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Royal Guard Publishing LLC
Published: 2024-12-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 31

Armor and Ambush

“Don’t stay away too long,” Rolf said as we clasped arms.

“You’ll hardly notice I’m gone.”

“Look after this,” he said, thumping me in the center of my new breastplate, knocking me back a pace.

I wasn’t sure if he meant my body or his gift; he was proud of his work, so probably the latter. The breastplate was an exceptional demonstration of his skill, high-quality tempered steel meticulously crafted to curve around my chest, providing decent durability while remaining relatively lightweight. It had some slight fluting on the surface to turn incoming blows, and the lower half was articulated where it covered my abdomen to allow for full movement.

It meant I’d had to lose the pauldron I’d taken from the goblins, but the trade-up was more than worth it.

Rolf had blued the armor for me, just like he’d said, staying up much of the night to heat-treat it until the surface was a blue-black. Wearing it still meant a minus-two penalty to my stealth, but it was a tradeoff I was happy to make for the greater protection. It would’ve been far worse with a mirror finish, and besides, the darker color looked as cool as fuck. So cool that I didn’t even point out that it was, in fact, a matte finish.

I swung up onto my horse. Lira and Senna were already mounted and waiting.

Rolf had also helped me trade the goblin equipment we’d brought back for horses, acting as the middleman. He’d been overly generous—I was sure most of the armor and weapons would just be melted down—but it meant I didn’t need to dip into the gold from Bjorn. We’d bought a mare from a farmer named Thalor, who also had a spare pony for Senna. Neither animal was as fine as Lira’s, but options were limited in Fernwick. We could always trade them out once we reached Taralith.

Fernwick also lacked a general store, which meant we were light on equipment. We’d packed spare clothes and blankets, rolled and strapped behind our saddles, but I wasn’t too concerned. The warm weather had held, and sleeping under the stars would be no great hardship.

“Stay safe,” I said to Rolf as I turned my horse toward the road north out of the village.

“Don’t worry about us,” Rolf rumbled. “Nothing exciting will happen until you get back.” He gave me a grin.

I nodded to Bjorn, who was sitting outside his house watching, and kicked my mare into a trot. Lira followed, helping guide Senna’s pony until the girl got the hang of riding. I figured a few days in the saddle would see us all sore, but far more proficient. No better way to learn than by doing.

Senna had never been to Taralith, though she roughly knew the way. Directions were basically to head north until we encountered a little hamlet called Heathercrest, then turn northwest. Three days to the hamlet and another day beyond, and we should be there.

The road was wide enough for a cart, but not for three horses abreast.

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