**CHAPTER 12: Ashes of Trust**
Zodac walked through the crowded streets, eyes low, cloak brushing against the dust-covered stones. Whispers followed him like shadows — "That's him," "The monster," "The one who tried to take the princess."
Each word dug deeper than any blade could.
He reached the tavern, the same one where everything had begun to unravel.
"I wonder what I've done that was so wrong," he muttered under his breath, stepping through the door. The place was quiet, filled with the smell of ale and ash. He climbed the creaky stairs to the second floor, stopping before the room he'd used the night before.
He knocked once.
The door cracked open just enough for an old man's wrinkled face to appear.
"I've come to get my things," Zodac said flatly.
"Sorry, can't help you. I'm busy," the old man sneered.
"I just need to—"
Recognition hit the man's eyes like a flash of lightning. "Wait—are you that ruffian? The devil who tried to defile our princess? Get out before I call the guards!" he barked and slammed the door in Zodac's face.
Zodac stood there for a moment, silent. The crystal on his chest began to pulse faintly — a dull red glow flickering beneath the surface.
He turned away, took a few steps, then stopped.
Enough.
He spun around and kicked the door with all his strength. Wood splintered, hinges screamed, and the door flew inward, slamming into the old man and knocking him to the floor.
Inside, a young woman gasped, clutching the bedsheet to her chest in terror. Zodac ignored the scene, his gaze locked on the shadow beneath the bed.
There it was — his dark green crossbag. Untouched.
He reached down, picked it up, and slung it over his shoulder. "That's all I came for," he said coldly, then walked out, leaving the door hanging off its frame.
Down the stairs. Out the tavern. Into the street again.
The voices of the city faded into background noise as his thoughts began to spiral.
Two hundred silvers left... she took the rest.
But Boss should be done with my armor by now.
That's something.
He made his way through the narrow alleys until the forge's smoke came into view. The rhythmic clang of metal filled the air — familiar, steady. Safe.
Or at least it used to be.
When Zodac stepped inside, the hammering stopped.
Boss stood there, arms crossed, jaw tight. The glow from the furnace reflected off his bald head and angry eyes.
"Why'd you do it?" he said — voice low, dangerous.
Zodac blinked. "What?"
Boss grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall. "Don't play dumb, boy. The whole city's talking about it. Answer me!"
Even pressed against the cold stone, Zodac's expression didn't change. "Even you doubt me? Has the former Wood Hero ever done anything like that before?"
Boss hesitated, his grip loosening slightly. "Then tell me straight. Did you try to touch the princess?"
For a long moment, Zodac didn't answer. Then, with tired eyes and a hollow voice, he said, "Yes."
The pendant around Boss's neck — a small white crystal — flickered softly, then glowed pure white.
The light told the truth.
Boss stepped back, silent. Then, after a breath, he turned toward the forge. "Come. Your armor's ready."
Zodac followed, skeptical. "Wait—you believe me?"
"You obviously didn't do it," Boss said, not looking back. "That pendant only shines when it detects a lie. Useful little things in a trade full of liars."
"Convenient for business," Zodac murmured.
"You could use it. Take it to the king, clear your name," Boss said.
Zodac shook his head. "What's the point? They already pinned false evidence on me. They'll twist the truth again if they have to. That's the way of the world. The strong are always right, and the weak—" he looked down at his hand, clenched tight "—the weak are always guilty."
Boss sighed. "Deep. You sound just like your predecessor."
He turned, pulling the cover off an armor stand.
The armor gleamed darkly in the forge's firelight.
There his armour was on the stand although it looked bulky, it was good a combination of both high thick fabric material and mental for extra protection, it was bland but it would do nicely in protecting him, he didn't need something sparkly or shining all he need was a material that would work with Hector aura and increase his defense.
Zodac's system flared before his eyes.
[Armor Detected: Custom Variation]
Resizing armor for optimal fit — Confirm?
He frowned. "What is this?"
Before he could move, then came the glitch again and the confirm icon triggered on its own.
A bright green light burst from the armor, flooding the forge. The metal reshaped itself around him, fusing seamlessly to his body — plates sliding into place, straps tightening, cloak unfurling behind him. The glowing runes pulsed once, then dimmed, leaving only a faint shimmer along the seams.
Zodac looked down at his hands, the dark gauntlets gleaming with a subtle emerald sheen.
"This... feels different," he said quietly.
Boss eyes widened in shock seeing a much more improved version of the armor on Zodac body.
It wasn't the silver-white or gold of the royal knights. It was a darker hue — deep green fused with matte black metal. A high collar rose behind the neck, etched with faint glowing runes. The chestplate was slim, interlocked with leather plating that flexed like living bark. Vines of silver traced along the arms, pulsing softly with the same faint energy as the crystal in Zodac's chest.
A long coat of dark cloth hung beneath the armor plates, split at the back for movement, and his gloves were reinforced with thin metallic talons along the knuckles .
It wasn't armor for a knight.
It was armor for a hunter.
"Incredible, like you were able to improve the armour 10 folds to meet your specialty. No wonder things come easy for heroes a high price like this would take at least 8 high tier blacksmith to complete and even though they wont be able to craft it this perfectly." He said taking a closer look at the armour on his body.
Zodac said nothing, eyes narrowing. For the first time since the trial, he felt something other than rage.
Purpose.
"Oh I almost forgot" Boss said bringing out a green orb from below his counter and made his way towards Zodac.
"What is that" Zodac asked,
" It's a little going way gift from the one before you, who knows it might help you" He said and connected it to the left wrist of his armour and Zodac felt a type of pulse move through his body as the Orb clicked in.
"Good, there your all set" Boss said standing up to his feet,
"I don't really think so" Zodac said and touched a sword weapon him and a lightning surged from it.
"Oh that I have no idea " Boss said and just as he thought hope was lost Zodac suddenly thought of an idea.
"What the friend you were talking about that helped you with the necklace she might be able to help me as well" He said,
"Oh, she's an enchantress and lucky for you her shop it just opposite mine" Boss said and Zodac face lit up with excitement,
"Oh here is your money" He said tossing a pouch filled with 150 silver coins.
"I'll pay the rest when I'm back" Zodac said,
"I'll look forward to that" Boss said and gave a warn smile.
"I better be on my way" He said,
"Wait" Boss said, then tossed him a red cloak.
"You won't get far if everyone can recognize you on the spot, keep your head down and lay low" He said.
"Thank you" Zodac said putting the cloak on and wearing the hoody which completely masked part of his face and hair and walked out of the shop.