Heavy is the Head that Wears the Solemn Crown

Fifty - Planning the Star's Fall

Techno

Grian supplies Techno with a bright red neck gaiter that protects the lower portion of his face from the unbearable heat. Techno assures Grian that he cannot burn in the sunlight because of his status as a Champion of the Blood Gods, but Grian insists that it's to hide Techno's appearance. Techno imagines that his pink hair and red eyes are just as likely to make people recognize him, but it seems his legacy hasn't traveled this far south from his homeland. It slightly surprises him, but it doesn't unnerve him. He would much prefer being met with unfamiliarity than for the people down here to revere or hate him. It makes everything so much easier when the traveling tradesmen just nod their greeting and departure at the two traveling men.

For as knowledgeable and skilled as Techno is, he does not have much understanding of the desert. It is the exact opposite of the Antarctic Empire in climate, culture, and dangers. Grian proves to be an invaluable asset as they walk across the shifting sand.

His usefulness includes knowing directions. Techno knows that Pato is northwest. He can find the right direction during the daytime, but the stars are different in the southern nations. Techno can recognize a few patterns. Nothing concrete enough for him to understand which way is northwest when the moon hangs at the center of the sky. Grian knows the stars, down to the stories behind each name. Grian tells Techno the stories when they rest in the middle of the day to avoid the heat, and Techno gets the sense that Grian was present for most of the stories.

Another useful skill is the fact that Grian knows how to get water in this dry land. Grian carries around a useful device that allows him to rip into the tough stem of plants including cacti. Grian designed and made the device himself after learning that plants in the desert retain water during the drier seasons. Grian shares the water without Techno having to ask. In fact, it seems that Grian can last much longer without a drop than Techno can. When Techno points that out, Grian contemplates it for a long time before deciding that it's probably because he's used to rationing out water from how long he's been in the desert.

The last skill Grian provides is his knowledge about the monsters that linger in the sand, waiting for a careless traveler to stumble into their trap. Grian had proven himself capable of eliminating such creatures, but he mainly kept Techno from wandering into a spot that otherwise looked completely safe. Grian taught Techno how to look for the signs, but Techno was still getting the hang of seeing the imperceptible differences between the sand or the slight swaying of the mana in the air. He's going to keep learning, but he's mainly relying on Grian.

It's definitely strange to trust the seraph. Techno is wary around everyone before he grows comfortable with them. Even with people like Ranboo and Niki, Techno didn't need to rely on them when they were traveling together. He could handle himself should either of them prove to be violent towards him. Techno was certain he could beat Grian in a fight, but he wasn't so sure he could survive in the desert with Grian gone. He could probably understand how to work the water extraction device, he could do his best to remember the stars, and he could defeat the monsters without problem if he stumbled upon them, but all of those things were time consuming. Techno did not have trust or time, so he had to do the best with what little he had with each.

Grian has not abused his limited trust in the little time they've been together. He's been a little annoying, but it isn't anything that Techno cannot immediately forgive. Grian is willing to help regardless of the task. The only explanation Techno can gather is that Grian believes he owes something to a mysterious person called Theseus. Techno really only knows two people with that moniker: the ancient founder of L'Manberg and a nickname he personally has for Tommy. Realistically, Grain cannot be talking about either of them... unless he really is as old as his stories implies and he's talking about the founder.