Versatile: Alternate World

The woman floating above the water made the four shocked.

"Young man, are you the one who lost this gold ingot?"

I shook my head.

"That is too shiny, that's not what I lost."

The gold ingot that the woman is holding faded its gold color and turned silver then she asked again.

"Is it perhaps the silver ingot?"

"No, it is still a bit shiny."

And like what happened earlier, the silver ingot faded its color more and turned into a bronze ingot, the same ingot I have thrown earlier.

"Perhaps this Bronze ingot is what you have lost?"

"I didn't lose it, I am offering it."

The lady frowned a bit before she dive down to the water and her voice resounded.

"So be it."

The four curious players looked at me in confusion and started to ask some questions.

"Why you didn't say that the bronze is the one you have thrown? Isn't it working the same as that folk tale?" Shana is looking confused.

"Just watch and learn," I pointed into the water.

Soon enough, the still water slowly glows and a few transparent steps appeared out of the water, revealing it to lead us into the island with the castle and floating tower above it.

"Do you guys want to follow? You guys can also just stay here if you want."

"No, no, we will follow! We came this far, it is a shame if we just stay here and miss the spectacle!" Yna immediately answered.

"I don't know what you mean about spectacle but alright then. Let's get going."

We crossed the floating platforms. Despite it looking like unstable to stand on, the platforms are very solid and will support even the heaviest player stepping on them so there is no danger that would cause anyone to fall on the water.

When we reach the castle on the other side everyone was amazed when they started stepping onto the floor as with every step they make, flowers start to bloom.

"So that guy is here."

Flowers blooming every single step of a visitor is something that only one of the residents of Avalon is quite capable of doing, and that is none other than the incubus, Merlin. If he isn't here, the flowers will not bloom at all but with Merlin's presence, the garden that Merlin tends most of the time will always appear and will always surprise the first-time visitors.

"Oyah? I was thrilled about the new visitors being amazed by my garden but I spotted one who seems to be just indifferent! I didn't know someone would get indifferent to my garden's brilliance and beauty alone!"

Perhaps if I have seen this for the first time then yes, I would be enthralled and amazed by it but because I have seen this plenty of times in the past timeline, I already got used to it that I don't even see it that amazing and only see this as a common occurrence and sign that the incubus Merlin is inside the castle and tower.

"Who was that speaking?" Gin immediately pulled out his katana alongside the others, ready to fight once the enemy appears.

"Oh no, no. Please put away your swords guys and gals, fighting is not allowed here, we should remain peaceful and calm all the time. Being so paranoid and uptight all the time will just put a lot of wrinkles on your faces."

The four are easily swayed so they quickly sheathed their weapons back to their sheaths. As for me, I remained calm as we went deeper into the castle.

Compared to the castles where humans are always around and are always taking care of things like cleaning and maintaining all of the stuff around the place, this place is clearly showing signs that it is only being maintained by using magic alone and not by humans labor. Of course, that is understandable especially if the only people in this place are the Lady of the Lake and Merlin himself.

We reached the area where it looks like an outdoor dome area around a garden. In the middle of the dome area is a large table with a few sets of metal chairs that are intricately designed by an artisan. In the past timeline, it wasn't this bare of items since there are lots of stuff back then. Right now, it seems the Lady of the Lake has yet to do much and just remained quiet in a passive state.

"Looks like you safely crossed here huh?"

We soon saw the owner of the voice who appeared before us. It was none other than the Lady of the Lake. Despite being the lady of the lake, the only one that is the lady of the lake there is the one that appears whenever something fell underwater. Other than that, the real deal will appear if you cross into the island itself and enter the castle. Of course, you can't enter it by traversing the lake using a boat or by swimming due to the protection that the Lady of the Lake and Merlin put to stop any invaders and unwanted visitors. Only those who got the permission from either the Lady of the Lake or Merlin will they be able to cross using the floating platforms.

"Good day to you, Ms. Lady of the Lake."

"Huh, so you already know me huh? I was wondering why you already know how to do how to let me open up a path to the castle but it seems you are very well versed in it. I am not even surprised."

She turned to look at the four and I saw them getting amazed by her. Perhaps they are infatuated with her. Of course, I won't even doubt it as the Lady of the Lake is quite a beauty that even girls who don't swing "that way" get converted easily. I am like that at first too but I think my mind which has seen her face multiple times is already immune to her beauty charms.

She is still quite a beauty for sure but I no longer feel that kind of excited when seeing her compared to the past timeline.

"So what do you want from me? Surely you didn't just waste a whole bronze ingot and gave it away just to meet me right? I would not be thrilled if that is the main case here."

"You guessed it right. I am not here to curry favors on you but I wanted to ask permission to obtain the Cleansed Iron of the Lake."

After hearing the name of the item I am looking for, she frowned.

"Why are you looking for that? How did you know the existence of that type of item in the first place?"

As expected she immediately suspect me to be an enemy who wanted to exploit her. People who wanted to gain more things from her know what kind of treasures she possesses and I am not an exception but I have no need of her treasures right now. I don't have any particular need for what she has right now.

I pulled the Carnwennan out of my inventory and showed it to her. When the Carnwennan came into her view, her eyes went wide. It seems she didn't expect to see me carrying the Carnwennan.

"May I inspect it?"

"Feel free to do so."

I handed her the broken Carnwennan and allowed her to examine the weapon closely. She has already seen the Carnwennan before so she will recognize it immediately

"Where did you get this?"

"On the frozen region of the Sandurk Continent. I am part of the people who is currently on an expedition of that place before under the command of the two queens of Sandurk, Queen Tori and Queen Tanya."

"Oh, the two siblings who ruled Sandurk. And to think I would see the Carnwennan again. No wonder you wanted the Cleansed Iron of the Lake. It is for reforging the Carnwennan back to its former glory right?"

"Yes. That is correct."

"But, are you capable of doing it? The Carnwennan might be a dagger but it wasn't something that can be called normal. Normal blacksmiths don't have the capacity to restore this thing from its former glory."

"It's possible for me. I am the disciple of Almira. And although my skills are not as good as Almira, she already passed me down some of the basic means to restore relics back to their former forms without breaking them down."

"Hoh? Did you just say Almira?"

When I mentioned Almira, someone else came down to meet us. It was none other than Merlin himself. One of Almira's long-time friends. In fact, the main reason I am acquainted with the Lady of the Lake and Merlin in the past timeline is also due to Almira.

"I didn't know that Almira has already decided to pick up a disciple after so long of remaining alone and adamant about not getting a disciple."

"Haha, to be honest, I beg to be her disciple and if not for my persistence, perhaps she wouldn't even bother making me her apprentice."

"Indeed. It's Almira we are talking about. Anyways, you are here to get the Cleansed Iron of the Lake huh? Unfortunately, looks like you came in a bad timing, the roaming boss around this area has claimed the area where the Cleansed Iron of the Lake is located and has taken up the spot."