《The Normal Farmer》 Chapter 1 It was a rainy Sunday night. Ronald O''Sullivan was returning home from the market. It was raining more than when he left home in the morning, so when returning, he was walking near the buildings to get some shelter. Even the weather was against him. Since he was born, he had terrible luck. His father left while his mother was pregnant. When giving birth to him, she died in a dark alley, away from the busy streets and completely alone. His cries attracted some street dogs that licked him clean. Two of the dogs hollowed, and that called the attention of a passing citizen. He didn¡¯t want to get involved in that strange situation, of a dead woman, five street dogs with two of them howling, and a crying newborn, so, he took the baby and left him wrapped in empty garbage bags in front of the nearest church. From there, the priest sent him to an orphanage where he stayed until he was 18 years old. A family eventually adopted all the other babies and children, but not him. His normal features and serious look never granted him any special attention from the visiting families. Ronald spent some years working in several underpaid jobs, but over the past two years, he had a rented clean room, a job at a restaurant during the week and on a local market at the weekends, as a cashier. He even learned how to smile more, and that, together with his politeness, granted him the sympathy of the regular customers. Despite everything that happened to him, he didn¡¯t think of himself as unlucky or unhappy. He always thought he was fortunate because things could be a lot worse. He could not even be alive if it weren¡¯t for that stranger that placed him in front of the church. He remembered that around the corner of the next building, there was an alley with a low fence that he could climb and save at least 15 minutes walk. As soon as he made the curve to enter the alley, he fell into a hole. A bright light engulfed and blinded him. --- When Ronald opened his eyes, he noticed that strangely, he was inside a cave with a high ceiling and torches on the walls. On the ground, there was a circle with some weird runes engraved on the rocky floor where Ronald was laying down, after that strange fall. All around, it was even stranger. An old man with a big white beard and long hair, also white, was standing and looking at him. The old man was wearing a strange dark robe, and he had a staff with a rough stone on top. Around the circle, there were five men with robes, but they looked younger. About two meters after, there were ten soldiers, with either swords or spears on their hands, with some leather brown clothes. Leaning against the nearest wall, there was a young boy of not more than 15 years old and dressed in clothes full of sparkles and frills, seated on a chair and with a servant near him, moving a big fan. That younger talked, with a nasal, irritating voice, and with a weird accent: - ¡°So, it worked! Quick, High Mage Hakal, measure him!¡± The old man went to a chest near the young boy and brought a transparent round Sphere with three steel stands attached. He placed that weird Sphere on the ground outside the circle where Ronald was and spoke to him: - ¡°Come here, place one hand on top of this. We need to check your status and Mana.¡± Ronald didn''t move, at least, for a couple of seconds, and then he noticed the soldiers raising their weapons while looking at him. So, he got up and went near the Sphere and placed his hand on top of it. The old man looked at him and pointed to the Sphere. - ¡°Say your name and age for the records. It will then measure you.¡± Ronald had no choice, so he did it. - ¡°I am Ronald O''Sullivan, 25 years old.¡± The Sphere shone and became white. In the interior appeared letters and numbers, supposedly, they were about him. Race - Human Name - Ronald O''Sullivan Age - 25 Job - World Traveller LV - 2 ATK - 300 HP - 200 Skills - none Hp Armor - 0 ATK Weapon - 0 Equip Intelligence - 0 Equip Wisdom - 0 Physical Attributes: Strength - 10 Quickness - 10 Body - 10 Mental Attributes: Intelligence - 10 Wisdom - 10 Special Attributes: Willpower - 10 Mana - 10 Xp - 0 The old man spoke in a low voice: - ¡°This is not possible! You are even weaker than a Farmer!¡± The young boy shouted from his seat: - ¡°Hey, what¡¯s his stats?¡± The old man seemed afraid of telling him, so he checked again the letters on the Sphere. Then he turned to the young boy. - ¡°My Prince, I don¡¯t understand, but¡­ he is weak¡­ even weaker than a Farmer¡­¡± The young boy got up and got closer to the Sphere and after reading what was there, he shouted: - ¡°How will I grab the crown before my stupid older brother? This guy is useless!¡± He then went to his chair again and ordered his guards: - ¡°Guards, kill them all! I don¡¯t need a Farmer and some useless Mages!¡± The guards approached the younger Mages, that we''re looking at the old one. The old Mage spoke quickly: - ¡°My Prince, we can try again! There¡¯s still Magic left on the Magic Circle! If we let this chance pass by, the next time that this Magic Circle will gather this kind of Magic will be in 200 years from now!¡± The young boy raised his left hand, and the guards stopped, and he warned the old Mage: - ¡°It¡¯s better if you don¡¯t fail me again, or I¡¯ll have all your heads, including your apprentices and that stupid commoner!¡± The old Mage looked at Ronald, he seemed somewhat relieved. - ¡°Move to the side, I will perform the ritual again.¡± Ronald looked at him and asked in a low voice: - ¡°Can¡¯t I just go home?¡± The old men pointed with his head to the guards. Ronald guessed it was no use, so he went to the nearby wall and seated on the floor against it. The old Mage grabbed a bunch of papers from his pocket and the younger Mages did the same. They then said, ¡°Magic Field, activate!¡±, and they threw one paper from that pile to the circle. That was weird in the eyes of Roland. The Circle on the ground shone. They then threw another paper, and they said, ¡°Random Magical Being Summon!¡±. More weirdness! In the middle of the circle appeared a small whirlpool made of light. When the whirlpool disappeared, there it was. A dog, a German Sheppard with a vest saying N.Y. K9. The old Mage fell to his knees while mumbling: - ¡°It¡¯s not possible, this time it¡¯s a wolf!¡± Ronald got up and went near the dog. He seemed friendly, despite being disoriented, so Ronald tapped his head while looking at the old Mage and smiled. - ¡°This is a dog, not a wolf. A Police dog, actually.¡± The old Mage lowered his voice: - ¡°If you want to live, go hide and take cover.¡± The young boy ordered from his seat: - ¡°Guards, kill them all, and also the wolf! The old Mage grabbed some papers from his pocket and with a quick nod with his head to the young Mages, he threw the papers to the nearby guards. Ronald did as he was told, he grabbed the dog by his collar and they both ran for cover. He heard some strange commands, like ¡°Rock Ball!¡±, ¡°Bottomless Hole!¡±, ¡°End Life!¡±, ¡°Summon Giant Spider!¡±, ¡°Summon Big Rat!¡±. Ronald looked from behind the rock and saw one guard being smashed and his flesh spattered on the ground by a huge ball made of rock that fell from the ceiling and rolled next to the dog, taking out some guards on its way and it got stuck against the wall near the dog¡¯s left side. Two guards fell inside a hole in the ground and two guards went down flat on the ground, with no reason. Ronald saw two whirlpools appearing, and from them, emerged one big-as-a-sheep ugly spider and a rat as big as a cow! He had to grab the collar of the dog really hard because he was barking and trying to get loose. Like the police officer that he was, he was trying to get free to help everyone, against those Monsters. Some guards pierced two young Mages, only to be both killed by the rat. The spider went straight to the young boy, cutting his head with one paw and eating it, leaving a pool of dripping blood on the floor. His servant pierced the side of the spider with the sharp end of the pole of the fan that moments ago, was giving wind to his master. The spider was badly wounded, but it still cut off the servant¡¯s head and two guards used that opportunity and they killed the spider. The old Mage gave a gentle smile to Ronald as if asking for forgiveness, while a guard struck his stomach by a lucky throw of a spear. The old Mage threw one last paper, saying ¡°Sonic Blast!¡± and a shock wave smashed the remaining guards, along with the rat and the corridor that exited that cave. As quickly as it started, it ended. Ronald and the dog were the only ones alive. He noticed that above everybody, there were some strange balls of light. It was white on top of the young boy, his servant, and the guards, but the Mages had blue balls. Ronald went near one ball, still holding the dog, and stupidly, touched it. The ball popped, and the light came to Ronald¡¯s body and it seemed it was absorbed! Stranger than that, it warmed him up, and it tickled! He popped every ball. Ronald thought it was better to change clothes because his jeans, hooded sweatshirt and snickers were a pointer that Ronald wasn¡¯t from the same place as the dead people around, and since the only ones that didn''t have holes or blood were the ones on the two guards that dropped dead with no reason, he undressed them, carefully chosen the clothes that could fit him. The more conspicuous he was, the better. Checking the pockets of all the dead, he found several copper coins of two sizes, one smaller than the other one. There were also some coins that looked like silver, with two sizes also, and the young boy had a purse with several big and bright yellow coins. Gold, it seemed. Considering that the old Mage called him Prince, and he said something about grabbing a crown before his older brother, he probably was the younger son of some King. And since Ronald was the sole survivor, he needed to get out from that cave and disappear. Ronald picked a sword, a dagger, and a cape, just because it looked cool. A bag from one of the younger Mages completed his outfit. Looking at the Mages, he checked what were those papers on the middle of the circle and the ones that were still on their dead hands or spread all over the floor. Ronald picked one of them and almost fainted. He fell to his knees, looking at the Giant Spider Card on his hands. It really was a playing Card! On the back it was dark but, on the front, was the drawing of the same Spider that moments ago was eating the boy''s head. The drawing had a brown-coloured background, and on top of the Card, there were two blue orbs like the ones that Ronald popped. And the writing on it was stranger.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Giant Spider - ¡°* * Attack - 900 Defence - 400 Ronald went wobbling to the place where the Big Rat died, and there was also a Card there. Big Rat - * * * Attack - 1.600 Defence - 1.000 There was another at the place where that weird hole in the ground appeared, but that Card had a red colour and no orbs on top of it, it had only the drawing of a hole in the ground and it was written ¡°Bottomless Hole!¡° . Ronald picked also the "Sonic Blast!" Card, that had a light blue colour with no orbs and a bunch of others from the Mages hands. He seated on the floor, against the rock where he and the dog were hiding during that weird battle. The dog seated next to him and Ronald took that chance to take off the dog¡¯s vest and placed it on top of his old clothes on the floor. The dog rested his head on Ronald¡¯s leg and while Ronald was caressing the dog, he talked about his next move to see if the dog agreed with him: - ¡°Well, seems that it''s just you and me, pal. We need to find another exit since that corridor over there has collapsed. And real soon, or we will run out of oxygen.¡± Ronald guessed the dog understood him, because he barked, got up and he was smelling the hole in the wall next to them, where previously a Rock Ball was stuck. Ronald got up and picked from the floor the red Card with the drawing of a ball made of rock. He got four piles of playing Cards. Ronald thought it was better to separate them over different pockets in his clothes, considering that they came from different owners. He had a hunch. He went quickly to the transparent round Sphere with three steel stands attached and placed his hand on it, to see if the stats changed because of the orbs that were popped. Race - Human Name - Ronald O''Sullivan Age - 25 Job - World Traveller LV - 50 ATK - 7.500 HP - 5.000 Skills - none Hp Armor - 0 ATK Weapon - 0 Equip Intelligence - 0 Equip Wisdom - 0 Physical Attributes: Strength - 10 Quickness - 10 Body - 10 Mental Attributes: Intelligence - 10 Wisdom - 10 Special Attributes: Willpower - 10 Mana - 2.500 Xp (x2) - ¡°250 And then, some new letters appeared, saying, "Each XP gives 5 points to spend on Attributes. You have 1.250 points. Choose the Attributes and the number of points to allocate". It then showed just the Attributes. Physical attributes: Strength - 10 Quickness - 10 Body - 10 Mental Attributes: Intelligence - 10 Wisdom - 10 - ¡°I guess I''m supposed to place some points, but since I don''t know the best options, I''ll leave this for later.¡± The dog smelled the Sphere, so Ronald thought it was ok to check his status. - ¡°Here boy, give me your paw. So, if you place it on top of this, and say your name...¡± The dog was looking at Ronald, so he tried to order him, "Speak!" and the dog did a loud "Woof!". Ronald smiled, and since he looked like he was three years old, Ronald told him to speak three more times. Then, they both looked at the interior of the Sphere. Ronald didn''t really think it would work, but it did. Race - Dog Name - Woof Age - 3 Job - World Traveller LV - 2 ATK - 300 HP - 200 Skills - none Hp Armor - 0 ATK Weapon - 0 Equip Intelligence - 0 Equip Wisdom - 0 Physical Attributes: Strength - 10 Quickness - 10 Body - 10 Mental Attributes: Intelligence - 10 Wisdom - 10 Special Attributes: Willpower - 10 Mana - 10 Xp (x2) - 0 And Ronald became depressed. The dog had the same stats as he had before touching the orbs! He looked at the dog. - ¡°Well boy, you need to pop some of those orbs to get stronger. And you even received a funny name, Woof. Well, now we need to figure out a way to get out of here. Let me just grab this weird Sphere and let''s go check that hole that the Rock Ball did. We need to learn what are the better Attributes for us, right?¡± The dog didn''t answer. They both went to the nearest wall and Ronald grabbed one torch. At the hole, he put the torch in and looked through it. There was another room, but it was full of things. He entered, and the dog followed. Maybe because he liked Ronald, or he was afraid, but he didn''t leave Ronald¡¯s side. There were some torches on the walls, so, using his, Ronald lit them all. A quick look around showed a caldron in a corner, a fireplace on a wall, some chairs, and on top of the tables, there were tubes, pipes, chests, swords, rings, necklaces, bracelets, books, small boxes with Cards inside and one small box, thinner than the others and with some engravings. There was a name inside the box under the frontal cover, that was hard to read. - ¡°Riattus. Strange name, right, Woof? Well, yours isn¡¯t better, but still¡­¡± Suddenly, Ronald heard a voice coming from somewhere near him: - ¡°Finally! I thought I would be stuck in there forever!¡± Ronald looked around and near him, there was an ancient man, with a faint glow. He looked like a ghost, he could almost be seen through. Even the dog was looking at him with his head tilted sideways, like if trying to figure out if there was a man or not, and Ronald shook his head while screaming: - ¡°Great, now I am seeing ghosts! This day is getting better by the minute!¡± The old ghost was stretching his arms and legs, and he then looked at Ronald. - ¡°I guess ghost is the proper way to call me. But I don¡¯t like it. I am the Great Sage Summoner, Riattus, pleased to meet you.¡± Ronald thought that at least he was polite. - ¡°Hello, I am Ronald O''Sullivan. And this one here, its Woof. What is a Great Sage Summoner? And, where am I?¡± Riattus looked at him with a sad face. - ¡°I guess you are another World Traveller that was brought here against your will, right?¡± Ronald confirmed by nodding, and he continued: - ¡°That means that at least 200 years have passed. Or even more. I¡¯m not sure how long I was inside that Card Box.¡± Ronald looked at the box on his hand and asked: - ¡°You were trapped in here?¡± He smiled. - ¡°Not quite. I guess my conscience linked to that box and those Cards inside of it when I lost my physical body. It seems that my desperate attempt to escape to Earth as failed, so there¡¯s really no way back without the help of the God of this World.¡± Hearing that, Ronald became depressed again and said out loud all his frustrations while looking at the dog: - ¡°Seems we are trapped in here forever, Woof. So, first things first, what is a Great Sage Summoner, where am I, and why these Cards make things appear?¡± Riattus smiled, grabbed a chair, and he tried to seat, failing miserably. It¡¯s impossible to seat on a chair without a body. He couldn¡¯t even grab the chair. He gave up and explained: - ¡°This World, Craddumster, is full of Magic. Real Magic. Like you read on children¡¯s books, when you were little, I bet. Some people, like me, that have worked and levelled up with a lot of effort and work, can use those Cards you have in your hand. Considering that you also have with you a Status Sphere, I guess you already found out about Attributes. I can help you get stronger and even escaping from this room, as long as you do me one little favour.¡± Ronald had nothing to lose, so he nodded. - ¡°I guess, as long it¡¯s within reason.¡± - ¡°Take that Card Box with my name and those Cards inside with you, when you get out. Like that, I can tag along and escape from here.¡± Ronald thought it was perfectly logical. Someone trapped inside a box like that for 200 years or more, would want to get out as fast as possible. But the day didn¡¯t go well for Ronald, so far. - ¡°First, why were you inside that box and locked inside this weird room?¡± Riattus looked shocked and spread his arms. - ¡°This was my perfect hideout, my Fortress of Solitude! In here, I created the most amazing Magical Cards that this World has and some that only I owned! I just made a miscalculation on my perfectly legitimate attempt for World Domination. I trusted some people greedier than me, and I was betrayed by them. A huge army of Mages fought against me outside, making me retreat to this hideout. I tried to get back to Earth, to escape this World. The explosion I thought it would happen that would blow up all of them because of the backslash of my Magic, consumed my body instead and sent my conscience to that box. I think they still died, considering that no one entered here, everything is in the same place that I left it, and nothing is missing. In the end, I won.¡± Ronald guessed that his face betrayed him because Riattus frowned. - ¡°Why that surprised face? Wait until you reach 100 years old, living in a World that you didn¡¯t choose to live and then judge me. I tried to make the best out of it, from all this carnage, and death, and stupidity, and I could even improve some things. When I tried to rule this World and make it evolve faster, those ungrateful bastards rebelled. But enough about me. Who brought you here?¡± - ¡°One High Mage called Hakal, ordered by a 15-year-old Prince. There are five Mages, ten guards and one servant dead in that room. The Prince ordered the guards to kill everyone, and the Mages fought them. Spears and swords were flying everywhere, a Big Rat, a Giant Spider, a hole in the ground, a rock ball, an explosion that sealed the entrance¡­ you know, the usual.¡± - ¡°Oh, have you absorbed the Mana Orbs from them?¡± - ¡°That¡¯s what they¡¯re called? Yes, I did. I felt some warmth, and it also tickled me.¡± Riattus smiled. - ¡°You lucky bastard! What is your level now? 500?¡± - ¡°No, just 50. When I appeared, I was level 2, just like Woof here.¡± Riattus laughed a lot: - ¡°Ahahahahahah! I take it back! You¡¯re not a lucky bastard, you are a disgrace! Ahahahah! Until now, everyone that was summoned by using that Magic Circle became at least level 40. I was level 60 when I arrived.¡± - ¡°Yeah, it also surprised them. That¡¯s why they tried again, and they brought here the dog.¡± Riattus laughed even more: - ¡°I take it all back! Ahahahah! They were the unlucky ones! They tried twice and at the second attempt, they brought a dog? Ahahahah!¡± - ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s that funny.¡± - ¡°Sure, it is! Do you know the odds of something like that happen? And twice? Man, if you can make me laugh like this at least once a week, I won¡¯t mind teaching you! Quick, place your hand on the Sphere, I want to see it for myself.¡± Ronald placed the Status Sphere on top of a table and when he placed his hand over it, Riattus looked and stopped laughing. - ¡°This is truly amazing! All your Attributes are disguised, which I could only do after using some Magic equipment! You do it naturally! Since you have 1.250 points to spend, I suggest putting 100 on Strength, 50 on Quickness, 100 on Body, and the rest on each Mental. As soon as you get more points, you can place them on the Mental Attributes. Unless you want to be a Knight. But I always thought a Summoner is stronger. You just need to say the amount and the Attribute to place it.¡± - ¡°Ok, let me do that then.¡± After Ronald placed the points where Riattus said, the status changed. Race - Human Name - Ronald O''Sullivan Age - 25 Job - World Traveller LV - 50 ATK - 7.500 HP - 5.000 Skills - none Hp Armor - 0 ATK Weapon - 0 Equip Intelligence - 0 Equip Wisdom - 0 Physical Attributes: Strength - 100 Quickness - 50 Body - 100 Mental Attributes: Intelligence - 500 Wisdom - 500 Special Attributes: Willpower - 500 Mana - 500 Xp (x2) - 0 Ronald was looking to the Sphere, puzzled by the changes. - ¡°I have a weird Job, World Traveller. And that part there, ¡°Xp (x2) - 0¡±, it¡¯s also weird.¡± - ¡°That Job is self-explanatory. It will always be there, along with a future Summoner Job. And the ¡°Xp (x2) - 0¡±, it¡¯s a cheat you get for coming to this World. It will help you get strong faster than everyone else. Your Mana is now 500 because your Wisdom is 500. The rest of the Mana was used to make the placement of the Attributes. Now, grab from that box all the jewellery inside of it. Two rings, two necklaces and two bracelets. Put my Card Box attached to one necklace. Those Cards inside of it are my best creations. But you don¡¯t have enough Mana for them, so keep it hidden.¡± Ronald opened the box he pointed out and took everything from it. The Card Box had a small ring that Ronald used to attach it to one necklace. He never enjoyed wearing jewellery, at least those were very simple. - ¡°What are these supposed to do? I must put this on?¡± - ¡°Put one ring on a finger of each hand. It will disguise your status. Next time that you use a Status Sphere, it doesn¡¯t matter which hand you place on top of it, you will have the same status as a weak Farmer. Like that, you will be just another normal guy, with nothing amazing about you. The two necklaces are for protection against Magical Traps and Magical Spells, and the two bracelets multiply your Willpower and your Mana by two when needed. Put those bracelets on your forearms, under your clothes.¡± Ronald put on everything. They would help a lot! Ronald looked at the dog, thinking he will have problems if he faces Monsters like the Spider and the Rat. - ¡°It¡¯s a pity that you have nothing for the dog.¡± - ¡°Who said that I don¡¯t? See those two scarfs over there? Put them around the dog¡¯s neck. It will help him destroy Magical Traps and disassemble Magical Spells, the same effect of your necklaces. There¡¯s a small rope in that table, better to use that as a leash.¡± Ronald picked up the two scarfs and tied them one at a time, tying the rope to the scarfs and leaving it with two meters length. Woof seemed to like it. Riattus was nodding his head, and he then looked around. - ¡°I think there¡¯s a sword somewhere that you could use, but the one you have is also good. Although I never used one. Let me see the Cards you have. I¡¯ll help you build a deck that you can use, with the amount of Willpower and Mana that you have. Those five boxes that I have there, they all have powerful Cards, but you are too weak to use them. But keep them, you will get stronger. Normally, a person can only use Cards that are in synch with them, but because you¡¯re a World Traveller, you can use any Card, as long as you have Mana for it. Put them inside the bag, along with the Status Sphere. Better to take the Sphere out when no one is in sight, those things are immensely expensive, and they could make some people suspicious about you.¡± Ronald placed the six piles of Cards that were gathered from the deceased Mages. He had to place them side by side on the nearby table for Riattus to see them. - ¡°Well, you need Cards of 500 Willpower and some of 500 Mana. But with the bracelets that you now have, you can use 1.000 Willpower and 1.000 Mana. Those red Cards are Traps. The Traps can be used as long as there is Mana to spend and can be previous hidden. They normally cost 100 Mana to use but if used in a moment like Spells, the cost will double. The orange Cards are Special Traps and they can be used as long as there are Mana and Willpower to spend. They can be previously hidden, and they can negate Traps or Special Traps. They cost 200 Mana and 200 Willpower, but if used in a moment like Spells, the cost will double as well.¡± While he was pointing those facts, Ronald was separating the Traps and the Special Cards. Riattus pointed to the blue Cards. - ¡°The Dark Blue Spells can be used in a moment and as long as there is Mana to spend. Each one cost 100 Mana. The Light Blue are Special Spells and they can be used in a moment and as long as there are Mana and Willpower to spend. They can negate Spells or Special Spells. They cost 200 Mana and 200 Willpower.¡± So, Ronald separated those Cards by colours. Riattus pointed to the Cards that had drawings of Monsters. - ¡°Each X or Mana Orb equals 50 Mana. Meaning, this Big Rat that has three Mana Orbs, if you want to make him appear, you need to throw the Card to where you want him and say, ¡°Summon Big Rat!¡±, at the cost of 150 of your Mana. Since you have 500 Mana available, you can Summon three of them that costs three Mana Orbs. But because of the Mana bracelet, you can Summon six of those Rats. But of course, you will need six Cards with the Big Rat.¡± Ronald separated the Monsters by the number of Mana Orbs. There were also some green Cards, and Riattus was pointing at them. - ¡°Those Dark Green are Mana Spells and they can be used in a moment and they use 100 Willpower to give 200 Mana. You don¡¯t need many of those, maybe four. The Light Green Willpower Spells can be used in a moment and they use 100 Mana to give 200 Willpower. Maybe four of them as well.¡± Ronald took those Cards and chose four of each, as he said. But it seems Riattus had more to explain because he was still looking at the Cards. - ¡°Since you are weak, it¡¯s better if you choose Cards that cost less. But with the bracelet, you can have four Magical Beings of 1.000 Mana and Spells and Traps with the same cost. But beware, if you spend all your Mana, you can¡¯t use any Card and you¡¯re doomed.¡± - ¡°Unless I use the Dark Green Mana Spells to exchange my Willpower for Mana, right?¡± - ¡°That¡¯s right. You were listening! Maybe there¡¯s still hope for you!¡± - ¡°Now, how can we escape from here?¡± The old ghost pointed at a wall. - ¡°I have on that wall a loose brick. Behind it, there are three very special Cards. It was my emergency exit. It¡¯s the ¡°Spell Elevator¡±, the ¡°High Slide¡±, and the ¡°High Stairs¡±. Activate it by placing the ¡°Elevator¡± Card on that metal board on the floor near it and the entire board will go up, and on the ceiling, there¡¯s a hatch. Just open it and climb. You will find yourself on the top of this mountain, where we are now.¡± - ¡°You really thought about everything, didn¡¯t you?¡± - ¡°Yeah, except the fact that a group of Mages would prefer to keep their ridiculous power, instead of improving the World. I didn¡¯t foretell that one. I almost forgot, grab that leather one-shoulder bag on top of that chair, there are a lot of items inside that will help you, eventually.¡± When Ronald took a hold of the bag, he thought it was weird, being so light as it was, because Riattus just told him it was full of things. A quick look to the inside answered his suspicions. Darkness, never-ending darkness. He looked at Riattus, with a questioning look. - ¡°This is what I think? A bag with a Compressed Dimension? These things exist here?¡± Riattus shook his head. - ¡°No, I had that with me when I was summoned here. It¡¯s the only one in this World and I never revealed to anyone what it really was. People always thought it was a normal leather bag that I always carried around. Since it has password access, no one besides me could ever make it work or take anything from the inside of it. If you put a small drop of your blood inside and say your name followed by the words, ¡°Full Access. Password, never-ending-lone-sick!¡±, the bag will recognize you as the new owner. Remember, never tell this password and never explain what this bag truly is. People will try to kill you to get it.¡± Ronald did what he said, by using a small dagger on a table to make a cut on his index finger. The blood and the words made the bag blink three times, showing that it had changed owners. Ronald showed the small belt purse that he had in an inside pocket of his leather jacket. - ¡°I had this belt purse with me when I arrived. I had to save for half a year to be able to buy it. It also has a Compressed Dimension.¡± Riattus looked at it, puzzled. - ¡°Those things weren¡¯t expensive on Earth, on my time.¡± Ronald shrugged. - ¡°Well, in Arctures-One, from where I came, these weren¡¯t too expensive, the problem was that I never had enough money. Normally, I needed money to eat, so this was a luxury that I couldn¡¯t afford.¡± Riattus had his mouth wide open. - ¡°No way¡­ You were from a colony? Where was your Planet?¡± - ¡°In the Arcturus Solar System. I was one of the few Humans in there. At least, I think I am Human. I can be a Half-Breed of any Race with a Human, I never knew who my father and mother were. I was told by a Dwarf co-worker that I am stronger and faster than a normal Human, but I never met one, to compare with. I know that the gravity of my home planet was more than on Earth, and that could make me faster and stronger in comparison, but as I said, I really don¡¯t know.¡± Riattus stopped to think for a while. - ¡°I see¡­ That planet wasn¡¯t a colony, in my time, because of the excessive gravity off it. That can be handy because the gravity on this planet is the same as Earth. You may not need to spend points on Physical Attributes. If you told me that before, I would have told you to spend your points on the Mental Attributes, instead. Well, nothing can be done, after the points are in place. Remember to spend the next points you get, on the Mental ones, ok?¡± Ronald nodded, and he went to the wall where the loose brick was. After he took the Cards out, he went to the top of the metal board on the floor and grabbed the dog by the scarfs, so that he didn¡¯t run away when the elevator activated. When the Card was on the board, held in place by a small rock and he said the words, the Card brightens up, the board vibrated and it went up, in the ceiling''s direction. Not too fast to be uncomfortable and not too slow to take ages to reach the high ceiling. It stopped near the top, making Ronald kneel to not hit his head, where a wooden wheel was attached to a disguised hatch. Ronald turned it anti-clockwise and pushed the hatch a little. When the sun was entering by the small gap, he looked down to Riattus. - ¡°You are not coming?¡± Chapter 2 Riattus smiled and disappeared. His voice came from outside the hatch: - ¡°You can come out, no one is here. The nature disguised even more the exit, there¡¯s grass and a big bush around this. I had a pile of leaves and a big branch around the opening, but now, it¡¯s perfect. I almost forgot how beautiful this World is, with the morning sun.¡± Ronald pushed the hatch, and it opened completely. The dog jumped to the outside and sniffed around. Ronald followed him and closed the hatch again. There was a small lever disguised as a rock and following Riattus instructions, he moved it to one edge, hearing a closing sound from the hatch. Riattus nodded. - ¡°Yes, like that, if needed, you can use it again to enter my hideout. Not that I think you will need it, but it¡¯s good to know that you can, right? So, we must think about what you will do from now on. But first, let¡¯s get you down this mountain, shall we? Follow me, there¡¯s an edge on this direction where you can use my next Card, the ¡°High Slide¡±. When you reach the bottom and if you want to come here again, you will need the ¡°High Stairs¡± to make a path to climb up here. Better if we don¡¯t make too much noise, I don¡¯t want to attract any danger towards my saviour.¡± Ronald followed him, calling out the dog in a low voice. In the edge, Riattus was frozen, looking down. He looked worried. - ¡°What¡¯s the matter? You see something down there?¡± Riattus nodded. - ¡°Yeah, and I don¡¯t like what I see. Quick, put your hand on the bag and say, ¡°Binocular¡±, so that you can take it out more easily. Then, look down there. Be prepared, the sight it¡¯s a little upsetting.¡± Ronald did that and what he saw made his face turn pale. For a while he looked around the village on the ground, increasing the magnification from time to time. He tried to look and understand what was before his eyes, despite the nightmare images that he was seeing. A village with wooden huts, with strange dark green beings dressed in a cloth around their lower halves, with the size of a ten-year-old and some with almost two-meter-tall, judging by the dead horses nearby. Two horses were being roasted alive in a fire, pierced by a stick that was being rotated by one of the tall beings. On another fire, there were two live naked men, being roasted too. Fortunately, Ronald was on top of a mountain, because they seemed to be screaming their lives out. That was too much, he put the binocular on the ground, ran to a nearby rock and throw up. He took a few deep breaths and rushed to the binocular again because Riattus was calling him with urgency. When he looked to where Riattus was pointing, he saw a pile of human bodies near the fire, already roasted and being sliced by some of the green creatures, but those had breasts, females, perhaps. Another look to a different direction and the sight was even worse. Two women were dead on top of a table, being eaten raw by five small beings while two of the tallest ones were raping the dead women. On the nearest table, a woman was still alive, screaming while the green beings were eating her arms and legs and a taller one was raping her, even while she was dying by the loss of blood from the wounds made by the eating. Near them, a blond naked woman was tied to a pole, watching that scene and crying her eyes out. She was next, judging by the small beings that were striping her, preparing her for their meal. Ronald pointed to that woman and looked to Riattus. - ¡°We need to help her!¡± Riattus slowly shook his head. He had hate in his eyes. - ¡°No, it¡¯s useless. Even if you save her, her mind will never recover from what she is seeing. As fast as you try, she will be killed as soon as you do something, by the nearest Goblin. I always hated those things. If I wasn¡¯t confined, I would have eradicated all the Goblins in this World, by now. I almost managed to do that, on my time. It¡¯s better if we go down there and you kill everything in there. Don¡¯t you think you can save any Human, it¡¯s hopeless. After every single one of them is dead and you absorb the Mana Orbs, I will explain those things. But now, do me a favour, avenge the Humans, ok?¡± - ¡°Yes¡­ What can I do?¡± - ¡°Get ready. The ¡°Slide¡± Card costs 100 mana, the ¡°Giant Spider¡±, it¡¯s 100 mana, the ¡°Big Rat¡± costs 150 mana, the ¡°Rock Ball¡± will cost 200 mana, ¡°Bottomless Hole¡± will be 200 mana, ¡°End Life¡± costs 100 mana and ¡°Sonic Blast¡± it¡¯s 100 mana. You have 500 Mana, and because of your bracelet, you have 1.000 Mana to spend. If my math is correct, you will spend 950 Mana. Too short for my taste. It could be enough, but many Goblins could be hidden, and you will need Mana to summon more Magical Beings. I never went into a battle with less than 10.000 Mana¡­¡± Ronald was looking at the Cards, and he wondered why the cost of the Traps ¡°Rock Ball¡± and ¡°Bottomless Hole¡± were more than the 100 Mana that the traps should be. But Riattus explained again because he would use those trap Cards immediately, the cost would be double. But the lack of Mana was worrying Ronald as well. He looked at two Mana Spell Cards that Riattus told him to put on his deck. - ¡°How can I use this? I have 1.000 Willpower, I can change some of it to Mana, right?¡± - ¡°Yes, it¡¯s better if you learn how to do that, so hold one of them in your hand and say, ¡°Mana Spell Card, Activate!¡±. You will feel the same tickling on your body when it activates, similar to the popping of a Mana Orb, signalling that you have gained more Mana. Use both Cards, one at a time. You will spend 200 Willpower but will gain 400 Mana. You will feel a minor headache because you are messing with your Willpower, but it¡¯s not difficult to endure, and it only lasts a moment. In a fight, that brief moment could cost you your life, that¡¯s why it is wise to be prepared beforehand so you don¡¯t need to do it when you are in danger. It is better to always have at your disposal more Mana than you think you could need. Most Mages don¡¯t do that, and that¡¯s why I was never defeated. Well, along with my absurd Level and amount of Mana, of course.¡± - ¡°I understand¡­ And what about the other Cards? I have to throw them like a frisbee like the Mages were doing in the cave, right?¡± - ¡°Yes, but try not to point one of them towards the dog, he might think you are playing with him and bit it, destroying the Card before it could activate. Now, increase your Mana, I want to stop the pain of those two women as soon as possible.¡± Ronald used the Mana Spell Cards as he was told and felt a headache each time. Not too strong, but he could tell that it was something important, like if his brain was losing something. But the tickling that followed, stopped the headache. At the edge of the cliff where Riattus was standing, Ronald placed the Card on the floor and activated it. A big slide appeared, starting at the place where the Card was and going all the way down, until it stopped on the ground below, with a gentle curve. Ronald pulled the dog, and they both jumped to the slide. He had to close the dog¡¯s mouth because he was trying to bark in a surprise caused by the speed of the descent. In the end, they stopped near the edge of the slide. When Ronald stood up on the ground, the slide disappeared, and the Card was on the floor next to the place where the end of the slide used to be. He picked the Card and pulled the dog by the rope, making sure that he wouldn¡¯t try to get loose to fight the Goblins and be killed. Riattus pointed to the nearby forest. - ¡°A few meters ahead that forest, it¡¯s the Goblin Village. I saw a lot of Goblins, some Orcs and a Goblin Shaman. The Orcs are stronger than a Human, and the Shaman can use Magic and summon Magical Beings. But don¡¯t let the small size of the Goblins fool you. If a group of them attack you, they act like a pack of wolves, they can be very dangerous. Get from your deck the Spell Card ¡°Fire Rain¡±, you will use it as a last resort. For attacking, look to where there are more Goblins and throw the ¡°Rock Ball¡±, the ¡°Sonic Blast¡±, and the ¡°End Life¡±. Throw the ¡°Bottomless Hole¡± to the front of a group that ran towards you. After that, summon the ¡°Big Rat¡± and the ¡°Giant Spider¡± by throwing them to the middle of the Village and let them run loose. They will kill everything that moves, it doesn¡¯t matter if it¡¯s a Goblin, a Human or a horse, but they are more or less obedient, you can order them to attack a particular enemy if you want. Have your sword at hand, you may need it. In case a Goblin comes to you, release the dog, it will distract him long enough for you to kill the damn thing. To make sure they all died, use the ¡°Fire Rain¡± Spell Card. Get ready to use the other Magical Beings Cards that you have, the other Rats and Spiders. You have two more Willpower Cards if needed, but be ready for the headache, ok? After the ¡°Fire Rain¡±, you will have 350 Mana to summon more Magical Beings, but I would prefer if you saved that Mana for an emergency. We have a full day ahead of us, but you will get the Mana spent when you sleep. And even like that, you will only get 500 Mana, because of your Wisdom.¡± Ronald nodded, and he rushed to the forest, with Woof running at his side and Riattus floating on the other. Near the edge of the Village, Riattus signalled him to crouch. Ronald saw the group that was eating and raping the woman right at his front. His blood boiled. The woman was still screaming, but it was a low scream, her life was leaving her body with each bite. The other woman tied to the pole was screaming in a hoarse voice, it didn¡¯t even sound Human anymore. The panic and the fear made her mad and was making her scream without realizing that a Goblin was eating her left leg. Her eyes looked dead. Just as Riattus told him, she was already lost without any kind of hope to recover from what happened to her and her companions. From afar, the horses that were being roasted were still neighing, and the men were screaming, while the Goblins were making some strange, inhuman snores, that looked like a big pig calling for food. Ronald started by throwing the ¡°Rock Ball¡± to the nearest group with the command word for the activation, killing the woman that was being raped, in the process. The Rock Ball went straight ahead, smashing the huts and every Goblin and Orc on its passage until it disappeared in the forest at the back. The ¡°Sonic Blast¡± went in the direction of the tied woman, ending her suffering and killing every Goblin on its path. Ronald threw the ¡°End Life¡± to the group of Goblin females that were slicing the roasted bodies, killing them and some youngster Goblins. He then threw the ¡°Big Rat¡± and the ¡°Giant Spider¡± in the direction of the men that were being roasted, and he ordered: - ¡°Go right in front, kill everything!¡± Strangely, the Rat and the Spider looked at him and the Rat nodded his head while the Spider clacked the mouth pincers. They ran ahead, killing every Goblin they saw. Woof tried to get loose, he seemed to recognise those Monsters from the cave, and he wanted to attack them. Ronald pulled the dog and tried to calm him down: - ¡°I know, boy, but they are not after us. This time, they are on our side.¡± Suddenly, from a nearby hut, a Goblin with an animal¡¯s skull on top of his head appeared, and he was pulling something from a bag that he had on his hand. Ronald reacted immediately: - ¡°Woof, attack!¡± The dog ran toward the Goblin Shaman, with Ronald right on his tail. Woof jumped and bitted the arm that was holding a Card, making it fall to the ground. Ronald arrived and a straight pierce to the Shaman''s throat ended the fight. Ronald picked the Card from the floor and the bag of Cards and pulled Woof to the forest again. A quick look to his back showed two Orcs running towards him, but they fell in a quick throw of a ¡°Bottomless Hole¡±. After a few moments, the Big Rat and the Giant Spider arrived. The Rat had some nasty cuts at his sides and the Spider had some missing legs. Riattus told him that they were waiting for orders, it seemed that there was no one alive for them to attack. Ronald approached them after Riattus assured him it was safe, with Woof staying behind, barking at them. - ¡°Silence, Woof! ¡°Big Rat¡± and ¡°Giant Spider¡±, thanks for your help. I hope you recover over time, I may need your help again.¡± The Rat nodded his head again, and the Spider clacked her mouth pincers. They disappeared, leaving on the ground the Cards. Ronald picked them up, and he then threw to the air in front, the ¡°Fire Rain¡± Spell Card. Upon the activation, Magic Fire came down in flushes, burning completely the village and vaporizing the dead bodies. Any Goblin that could be hiding in a hut was sure to be vaporized as well. Ronald went to pick the Cards that he used, and strangely, he could feel where they were. Riattus explained that it was his link to the Cards that allowed that. There were Mana Orbs all around, and Ronald went to each of them to absorb the Mana. In total, there were 21 Orbs, some red and some white. Ronald thought that Woof could have some, but Riattus advised him otherwise: - ¡°Keep them all for yourself. Woof will have more opportunities. You need to get stronger or you won¡¯t last long on this World. Do it quickly, we need to find a safe place for a talk. I need to explain some things to you.¡±Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. Ronald nodded and after popping every Orb, they left to a house in ruins that was near Riattus mountain. Riattus looked around and he seemed sad. - ¡°This used to be my house when my life was simpler and more peaceful. And also when I was na?ve and thought that the people living in this World, could be helped. I should have stayed in here, farming and living in peace. Maybe I could have married and have some children and use my power to keep the surroundings safe and free of Monsters¡­¡± Ronald was puzzled. - ¡°What do you mean by Monsters? The ones on the Cards?¡± Riattus slowly shook his head. - ¡°No, on the Cards, they are called Magical Beings. I was talking about real Monsters, like Goblins, Orcs, Harpies and Lamias. Goblins and Orcs, you already saw them. Harpies are half women and half hawk, with wings and dangerous claws. They like Human flesh, a lot. Lamias are stranger. They are half women and half snake and despite liking to eat Humans, they also like to mate with them. Rapping would be the most appropriate term because no Human in his perfect mind would ever want to copulate with one Lamia and be eaten in the end. In this World, there are Humans, Dwarfs and Elfians. But not your usual Dwarf and Elfian that you may have encountered in your homeworld. They are all mean, dangerous and they prefer to kill you on sight instead of talking to you. Humans are the same, most of them don¡¯t deserve to live, but occasionally, you can find a really good person, but they are very rare. Finding a good Dwarf or an Elfian is harder, but there were some in my time. I had two friends that were with me until the end. They were killed during my last battle.¡± - ¡°Strange¡­ Why are there so many bad people? The peaceful ones, they are killed upon birth or what?¡± - ¡°No, it¡¯s even stranger than that. Every year, near the middle of it, on Seya¡¯s month, a flying Mountain appears in the sky, through a big Gateway. It travels around the World during that month and in the churches throughout the World, a female Knight appears, fully dressed in dark armour. Anyone upon his sixteenth birthday and on the following adult years can go to a church and be judged by that Knight. On some churches you have to pay to enter, on others it¡¯s free while in many others, you must be allowed by the Priest, to enter. If you are judged as a good soul, you can cross the Gateway and leave this World. If not, you can try to improve and try again next year. If you fail by the third time, you won¡¯t be allowed to try again. That Mountain stays for an entire week and then it leaves, returning in the next year, in Seya¡¯s month again.¡± Ronald was puzzled. He knew that name from stories that he heard on the orphanage. - ¡°No way¡­ Seya, I know that name. Wasn¡¯t he the one to create the Gateways that allowed Humans, BeastKind, Dwarfs and Elfians, to spread among the stars, more than a thousand years ago?¡± Riattus nodded. - ¡°Yes, with the help of his friends he created Gaya, that flying Mountain. Eventually, he became a God, and he is the God of this World. I don¡¯t know why he lets things go as they are, maybe he abandoned this World or maybe he doesn¡¯t care. Better if you don¡¯t say this out loud near another person, there are a lot of church fanatics, and the Church is a force that you can¡¯t take upon lightly.¡± There was a strange thing in what Riattus told, and Ronald noted it: - ¡°Did you ever try to leave this World by going to a church to be judged?¡± Riattus shrugged his shoulders. - ¡°I wasn¡¯t a good person on Earth, and in here, I became even worse. I failed three times, I could never try again. Maybe you have better luck than me, but I don¡¯t know which month it is, I don¡¯t know if Gaya will return soon or if she just left and you need to wait an entire year.¡± Ronald stopped to think for a while. There were a lot of things about that World that he didn¡¯t know anything about. - ¡°Judging by the weapons and the clothes of the guards on the cave where I appeared, and the Church being a strong force, I guess that there¡¯s some weirdness going around, without talking about the Magical Cards.¡± - ¡°Yes, we are in Medieval times, with Mages, Knights, Kings and spoiled Princes, Princesses and rotten Nobility. Merchants, Church, commoners and slaves fill the rest of the ranks. We need to find a way to gather some information about Gaya¡¯s return and a job for you to gain money to eat while remaining under the radar of anyone that could want to use your powers for a personal agenda. In the meantime, you need to level up quite a bit, so that you can defend yourself in case of need. But levelling up without drawing attention, it¡¯s difficult, but it can be done. You can go to an Adventurer¡¯s Guild and apply to be a helper and a carrying mule, helping a group of Adventurers by supporting them without the actual need to fight. Like that, no one will notice that you are stronger than you look, and you have more Magic than a normal Farmer. Because you are strong, no doubt about it. A Goblin Shaman has a very thick skin, and you pierced that one easily, like if he was made of butter. You are also very fast, you started running after Woof, and you both reached the Goblin Shaman almost at the same time. And you could throw your Cards at a great distance without any visible effort. I had to level up a lot, to be able to do half of that!¡± - ¡°I see¡­ But Seya¡¯s month¡­ What¡¯s that? It¡¯s some special thing or only the name of the month?¡± - ¡°Name of the month. It¡¯s also the month when the Demonoids were defeated, in God Seya¡¯s homeworld. At least, it was what I learned in school, back on Earth. Here, the months have the names of God¡¯s friends and some family members. Winter, it¡¯s Heiji, John, Hina, and Zak. Spring it¡¯s Arys, Duncan, and Myra. Summer, it¡¯s Erza, Xenya, Null, Seya, and Ryn. Autumn, it¡¯s Lionelia, Bicary, and Talia. Each month has twenty days, and each day has twenty-five hours. Judging by the noise of the birds and the number of flowers and fresh grass all around, I guess we are in the middle of the Spring, maybe on Duncan or Myra¡¯s month, but I am not sure. It can also be Autumn, the weather is similar in those two seasons. That¡¯s why I don¡¯t know if Gaya already left or if she will arrive in five months.¡± Ronald was thinking, some things didn¡¯t pile up quite well. - ¡°I once saw Gaya on my World. I was told in the orphanage where I grew up, that she was a kind and gentle being that always protected life. Why she doesn¡¯t stay here for a while, making sure that the people don¡¯t suffer?¡± - ¡°I asked that on my first try. The Knight told me that if she stayed for more than a week, she could be tempted to intervene, and God Seya don¡¯t want that. And even a week, sometimes was too much. Normally, when she is visiting, peace reigns all around. Crime goes down, wars stop, and people try to be gentler. I was told that many centuries ago, a war was being fought between two Kingdoms during Gaya¡¯s visit. She was sad because she saw a lot of beings dying on the battlefield and she begged for God Seya¡¯s help. History says that he appeared high in the sky, enveloped in a strong light that looked like a small sun and he sent a huge flush of Fire Magic on both armies, killing everyone. Next, both Castles of both Kingdoms were obliterated and the Nobles and the Royal family inside, along with the servants, Knights, horses and chickens, were also vaporized. Since then, nothing similar occurred again. The holes on the battlefield and where the two Castles were, are still there. Not even grass grows up in there.¡± Ronald shook his head. - ¡°Damn! God Seya don¡¯t play around, does he? I have read every History book that I could find about him and his friends and I always thought that he was a kind and powerful Half-Breed Mage before he became a Deity. But here, he is very strict, right?¡± Riattus shrugged his shoulders. - ¡°I suppose. Just thinking about what I saw on my time, I can¡¯t judge him. And who am I to judge a God, right? This is a ¡°shilum¡± World, with ¡°shilum¡±, disgustful people. And a lot of resentful beings, because of the ones that were denied the exit from this hell. But there are a few good people that sooner or later, will be granted exit. And there are also some that were good people, but before Gaya arrived, they had some bad luck and they either died prematurely or they made a very bad thing, to save themselves, to save a loved one or to avenge a death. It was for those that I tried to take over this World. I always thought that if I could enforce peace, even by force, things would become a lot better. Well, along with huge wealth, women, lands and Castles, of course. What? I never said I was a good person when I was alive, right?¡± Ronald smiled. - ¡°Yeah, that didn¡¯t turn up too good for you in the end, right?¡± - ¡°Well, I almost accomplished. If I was a little more careful and killed every Mage that showed a hint of hate or despise against me, I might be alive to turn this World into a better place. But I tried to make them see my way. It was a bad decision on my part. But don¡¯t worry, I will make sure that you don¡¯t ruin your chances to leave this World. But first, we need to get going and leave this Kingdom, before some guards appear in search of that dead Prince. If we head North, we will arrive in two or three days to the Kingdom of Loriath. It¡¯s not a bad place to stay for a while, or at least, it used to be. I don¡¯t know how things are now, but it¡¯s better than staying here and explaining to the King what happened in that cave, right? In there, we can look in the Adventurer¡¯s Guild if we can find a World Map to see how things are around us. We also need information about what happened during the last years. I still need to find out how much time as passed, since I disappeared and became like this, not dead but not living either. I may have to talk with that Magical Knight to see what can be done for me. I rather die for real, instead of being like this forever!¡± Ronald touched the Card Box at his neck. - ¡°I bet that if I destroy this, you will disappear.¡± - ¡°Maybe, and maybe not. Either way, you could lose me, and I wouldn¡¯t be able to help you. No, for now, let''s leave things as they are. I am also curious about what happened in my absence. Some people that I knew may still be alive, or their children. I wouldn¡¯t mind seeing them. And try to kill some of them, of course. Ahahahah!¡± Ronald shook his head. He looked through the ruined window to the empty field outside and the forest at some distance. - ¡°Well, we might as well start walking. I don¡¯t know what we can do about food, but me and Woof here will need to eat. I am not hungry, but I don¡¯t know when was the last time that he ate.¡± Riattus smiled and pointed to the forest. - ¡°Well, during our travel, you can use your Magical Beings to hunt some rabbits, birds, or snakes. A Goblin is disgusting, but Orc tastes just like pork. The lower half of Harpies taste like chicken or pigeon, and the lower half of Lamias taste like a snake. At least, food will be available if you won¡¯t mind the hunting and the killing. There is also a lot of fish in the rivers, but you need a Bear Card or a Beaver Card. I saw some of those on the piles that you took from the dead Mages, so I guess you won¡¯t have any problems with finding food. For hunting birds, you could use a Hawk Card, that you also have. How good are you, cooking hunt?¡± - ¡°I know how to do it, I work¡­ worked, in the kitchen of a local restaurant, over the last two years. The cooker always said that I had a natural talent for cooking, and he taught me a lot of dishes. The restaurant always had fresh hunt on Fridays, so I have some experience with it. But I can order a Magical Being to hunt for me?¡± - ¡°Yes, as long as you point to the prey in sight. Or else, it will look everywhere and kill everything that moves, prey or Humans. When they are more in sync with you and when you level up and increase your Intelligence, they will be more obedient and understand you better. By then, you just need to say to one of them to search for hunt and they will bring you every eatable prey that they could find.¡± - ¡°What, those Beings get smarter as I level up?¡± - ¡°Yes, if you increase your Intelligence. By the way, take out one of the rings and the Status Sphere, we need to see the points that you have and place them in the right place. You need to allocate your points so that you can use more Mana. You can have a lot of Mana at your disposal, but when you spend it, if your Wisdom is low, you will not recover that huge amount, when you go to sleep. Remember, the Mana that you can recover during sleep depends on your Wisdom. High Wisdom, more Mana. You had 350 Mana, let¡¯s see how much you got with that village.¡± Ronald put his hand on the Sphere after taking out one ring and they both looked at the inside. Race - Human Name - Ronald O''Sullivan Age - 25 Job - World Traveller LV - 92 ATK - 13.860 HP - 9.240 Skills - none Hp Armor - 0 ATK Weapon - 0 Equip Intelligence - 0 Equip Wisdom - 0 Physical Attributes: Strength - 100 Quickness - 50 Body - 100 Mental Attributes: Intelligence - 500 Wisdom - 500 Special Attributes: Willpower - 500 Mana - 2.470 Xp (x2) - 212 Then, a message appeared, saying, "Each XP gives 5 points to spend on Attributes. You have 1.060 points. Choose the Attributes and the number of points to allocate". It then started to show just the Attributes. Physical Attributes: Strength - 100 Quickness - 50 Body - 100 Mental Attributes: Intelligence - 500 Wisdom - 500 Special Attributes: Willpower - 500 Mana - 2.470 Xp (x2) - 212 Riattus pointed to the Wisdom amount. - ¡°See? You should have 500 Mana at your disposal because your Wisdom is only 500. You have 2.470 of Mana because of your fight, your bracelet and the Willpower Spell Cards, minus the 1.050 Mana that you spent. If you don¡¯t increase your Wisdom, when you lose that huge amount of Mana, you will only recover 500. But maybe it would be better to increase a little your Physical Attributes. You are too strong for a Farmer. Ok, first, the Mental Attributes. Put 500 on Intelligence and 500 on Wisdom. Then, place 10 on Strength and 50 on Quickness. I think your ¡°Farmer Stats¡± need to go up quite a bit, making your strength and speed more believable. We can do that in the end.¡± Ronald did it and his stats updated. Race - Human Name - Ronald O''Sullivan Age - 25 Job - World Traveller LV - 92 ATK - 13.860 HP - 9.240 Skills - none Physical Attributes: Strength - 110 Quickness - 100 Body - 100 Mental Attributes: Intelligence - 1.000 Wisdom - 1.000 Special Attributes: Willpower - 1.000 Mana - 1.000 Xp (x2) - 0 Riattus nodded in approval. - ¡°Looking better¡­ Your excess Mana was used to improve your stats with the points¡­ Remember, because of the bracelets, you have 2.000 Willpower and 2.000 Mana to spend, but the Status Sphere can only show you, not your hidden equipment. Now, put the ring again, place both hands on the Status Sphere and say the command ¡°Disguise Ring, update Physical stats!¡±. Like that, on the next time that you look at your stats in a Sphere, it will show you as a strong Farmer. I think¡­¡± Ronald frowned. Riattus didn¡¯t sound too sure of what he said, but after saying the command, his ¡°Farmer Stats¡± appeared. Race - Human Name - Ronald O''Sullivan Age - 25 Job - Farmer LV - 14 ATK - 2.130 HP - 1.420 Skills - none Hp Armor - 0 ATK Weapon - 0 Equip Intelligence - 0 Equip Wisdom - 0 Physical Attributes: Strength - 110 Quickness - 100 Body - 100 Mental Attributes: Intelligence - 200 Wisdom - 200 Special Attributes: Willpower - 200 Mana - 200 XP - 0 Riattus smiled. - ¡°Perfect. I was not sure if it was going to work for you or not. Now, your cover story. You need one because you have a higher level than a Knight and more strength, too. If anyone asks, you came from the far East of the Kingdom of Terbik. It¡¯s a very small country where farming and fishing are the main businesses. They trade the exceeding products with the nearby countries, but they always had a problem with hordes of Goblins breeding like cockroaches. Well, it used to be, in my time, but I was told that Terbik was always like that, since the beginning of times. I suppose it still is. And you, being a Farmer from a region where you had a lot of opportunities to die and to level up thanks to the constant fighting against Goblins, no one will think your level and strength are strange. It will also be a good way for you to find a Party of Adventurers that want to use your strength as a Carrier. And if you can also cook, you won¡¯t have any problems with finding a job. If someone asks about your rings, say that they were a present from your wife and your daughter, that were killed by Goblins.¡± Ronald frowned, he had to remember that part so that no one thought he was suspicious. Riattus made a small smile and continued: - ¡°I forgot to warn you one thing before you sent the Spider and the Rat. If they were killed, you would lose some of our HP. You would also feel pain all over your body. Not enough to make it unbearable, but it could be a distraction during a fight, like the headaches.¡± - ¡°How much it¡¯s ¡°some¡±?¡± Riattus shrugged his shoulders. - ¡°The same ATK amount that the attacker had minus your Spider and Rat¡¯s defence. Things almost got dangerous, but I was counting on the surprise attack. Orcs are very strong, one of them could easily kill both of your Magical Beings, but the Orcs were killed instantly, or it was your Spells. Either way, it worked.¡± Ronald was angry. - ¡°You could have told me that before we went there! What if the Rat and the Spider got killed?¡± - ¡°That¡¯s why I told you that you need more Mana and to be ready with more Cards at hand! But you are right. I suppose I was too angry, and I didn¡¯t remember to tell you about that. Sorry¡­¡± Ronald got up, and he caressed Woof¡¯s head. - ¡°What do you say, boy? Shall we believe this old ghost, or we leave him here and try our luck without him?¡± Woof waved his tail while leaning his head to get a rub behind the ear. Ronald smiled. - ¡°Yeah, you are right, let¡¯s give him the benefit of the doubt, but if he pulls another stunt like that, we burn his Card Box, ok?¡± Ronald went around the ruined wall where they were hiding, and he looked at Riattus when Woof joined him. - ¡°Are you coming or what?¡± Chapter 3 Riattus frowned, and he approached them both, floating. - ¡°You could be more thankful towards your Teacher, you know that, right?¡± - ¡°And you could be more thankful towards someone that took you out from that mountain, after so many years. If I died in that village, what would happen to your Card Box and you? Maybe that Goblin Shaman would not want to have you around and destroy your Card Box, along with the Cards inside. Or he could find a way to make you fight for him. I bet you wouldn¡¯t like to be the killing instrument of a Goblin, right?¡± Riattus turned pale. - ¡°Yeah¡­ that would be a nightmare¡­¡± While they were walking North, deep into the forest, Woof was sniffing in front. Riattus was silent, thinking, and Ronald was looking at the Cards that he got from the Goblin Shaman that he killed. - ¡°There are some strange Cards in here¡­ But I can more or less guess the effect of the Spells and the Traps, just by the drawings. But the Magical Beings are strange, for a Goblin. I bet he took these Cards from someone else. How could he use these? You said that a normal person had to be in perfect sync with a Card, to use it¡­¡± Riattus nodded. - ¡°Yes, I bet that Shaman tried a lot of Cards that his group took from people that they killed, to find those that worked with him. I also thought it was strange, the huge amount of Mana Orbs you got. That could only mean that there was a lot of Goblins in hiding and the Shaman had absorbed the Mana from the Humans that died in there. Leave those Cards aside, some people may recognize them and get suspicious. And please, keep my Card Box on your necklace with you, always! Preferably, hidden underneath your clothes.¡± While Ronald was putting the Cards in his bag, Riattus was looking around while frowning. - ¡°I keep on forgetting that you are not as strong as I used to be. Summon a Big Rat, I would prefer one near us in case of danger. The dog is too weak to fight a Monster that could lurk in this forest.¡± Ronald summoned the Rat, and Woof turned back as soon as he felt the whirlpool of the summoning. There it was, the Rat that he saw killing those Guards on the cave when he arrived at this strange World full of weird smells. Woof growled towards the Rat and Ronald stood in between them. - ¡°Stay, Woof! Look, he is friendly!¡± The Rat nodded his big head while licking one front paw. Ronald put one hand over that big head, and he became amazed at how it looked real. The fur, the touch of the flesh, the breath coming from that big mouth¡­ - ¡°This is so weird¡­ it looks alive! Is this the one that I used on the Goblin Village? Or it¡¯s another one?¡± Before Riattus could answer, the Rat nodded, confirming it and showing his sides, fully healed, after the battle. Riattus smiled. - ¡°It seems it is the same. You used the same Card, the same Big Rat appears. That¡¯s a good strategy because using the same Card will make him recognize you as the owner, and more willing to obey you. Now, if you tell him to protect you against Monsters, he will act as a bodyguard. If you see a prey, tell him to hunt it. Later on, he will learn how to recognize a prey and hunt when you order him. We don¡¯t have enough space in this forest, but you can also mount him and use him as transport. But it¡¯s better if you don¡¯t do that anytime soon because after all, you are a normal Farmer, right?¡± Woof was still growling in a low voice, he didn¡¯t trust that big rat. Woof knew how rats looked back on Earth, and that one, despite being the size of a cow, it was still a rat. An ugly rat, that appeared on dark corners or alleys, scavenging food from garbage or screaking at him when he passed by on patrol. But that Human that gave him those soft cloths that he had on the neck, ordered him to stay, so Woof was going to obey. But obeying didn¡¯t mean trusting on a rat¡­ Riattus asked Ronald about his life before arriving, and while they were travelling, he got to know a lot about the past of the man that rescued him from his incarceration. What worried him was that Ronald was too innocent, too friendly and not worried about what happened to him. He had to make sure that Ronald learned everything possible to survive in that dangerous World. At least, long enough to return to his homeworld. And that worried Riattus. What would happen if Ronald left and he stayed like that, like a weird ghost? Maybe if Ronald stayed¡­ - ¡°Ronald, do you mind if I ask something?¡± Ronald looked back while waiting that the two rabbits that Woof and the Big Rat caught, were roasted in the fire that he made previously, with a flint and a small dagger that was inside the bag that Riattus gave him. - ¡°Sure. As long it is nothing weird. You have a strange frown on your forehead.¡± - ¡°Well¡­ I was wondering. Do you have someone on your World that you wish to see again? Because for what you told me, your life was very simple and sometimes unlucky. Despite the fact that your job in that restaurant could give you more opportunities in the future. Maybe with my help, and if you are prepared to work for it, you can have a good life here.¡± Ronald threw some soil to the fire, to put down a flare that was burning a little too much, the rabbit¡¯s meat. - ¡°No, not really. I never had the time, luck or opportunity to search for a woman. You said it, this World is a living hell, everyone is trying to get out from here, why should I stay? Unless you are worried about yourself, instead of me. You could say it without trying to fool me, you know?¡± - ¡°Yeah¡­ Sorry, you are right, I am also worried about me. If you left, I don¡¯t know what will happen to me. Maybe I could go with you, I could die for real, or go to Earth again¡­¡± Ronald nodded while caressing Woof¡¯s right ear. - ¡°Well, let¡¯s think about that when that time comes, ok? I also don¡¯t know if I want to stay here or not. Like you said, my life was not a big deal. Maybe here, I can have better luck. Who knows, I may even like to live in here, as long as there isn¡¯t always someone or something, trying to kill me!! Riattus smiled. - ¡°Yes, let¡¯s talk about that when that time comes. In the meantime, I can show you this World, and explain many things about it. You saw from the top of my mountain, this World is beautiful. The people living on it, not so much.¡± - ¡°Yeah, you already said that. And that it¡¯s weird. If this World is so beautiful as you say, and Magic can be used in this new and strange way, why are there so many bad people? The number should be lower. If so many good people left, there should be a lot more trying to make this World a little better.¡± Riattus nodded. - ¡°I thought about that, many years ago. It was difficult. I had to bribe, kill, or steal some things, trying to gather answers. The Church had some written History, but they kept it in secret. The Elfians and the Dwarfs live twice as long as a Human and they also kept secret records. This, you can never tell anyone. I told to some friends, and they were the first to betray me. In the beginning, when this World was discovered, more than 1.000 years ago, it was chosen as a prison. A place where Earth, Myshkasyl and the Legosyl Worlds, the First Worlds, together with the following colonies, dumped the criminals they had in custody, filling their prisons or condemned to work slavery forever. Those first inmates started a new civilization in here, and their offspring continued to live here, trapped. Maybe because of their bad genes, but what started on their parents'' time as some skirmish and grudges evolved to full-out wars between the Kingdoms, killing many of them.¡± Ronald frowned. - ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound good¡­¡± - ¡°It gets weirder. This next part, I only found out because the previous ones that were summoned here asked about it to Gaya, and they left records behind before leaving this World. Seems that two hundred years after the first inmates arrive, the Gods chose this World as the last chance for all the bad souls that died on those three Worlds and the colonies. In here, those souls that on previous lives did some very bad things would forget what they did in their past lives and start over. If they became a better soul while living a peaceful and gentle life, when they died or when they were judged by Gaya, they would be reincarnated or would be transported to one of the Three Worlds or the colonies. But if in here, they became evil or did bad things, when they died, they would have a second try. If they blew it for the second time, upon their death, that soul would be destroyed forever. Well, I need to clarify this part. A soul that blew up their second try would be reincarnated as a Monster. Upon the death of that Monster, the soul would cease to exist.¡± Ronald became alarmed. - ¡°Wait a minute¡­ You mean those Goblins that I killed, they used to be persons?¡± - ¡°That¡¯s the correct grammar. Used to be. They weren¡¯t anymore. All of them used to be persons that had two lives in here and on both, they didn¡¯t get any better and were reincarnated as a Monster. I think it¡¯s a good way of showing the ugliness of a soul. And that¡¯s also the reason why there are so many monsters on this World. I didn¡¯t know that when I went on a rampage, trying to kill every Goblin that existed. I always wondered why they kept on appearing. I found out about this, two or three years before my last battle, when I ¡°died¡±. But even with all this, there were a lot of good people that Gaya granted passage. And a few crazy ones that instead of leaving, decided to stay, to help the people. About those, there were stories and music, telling about their deeds and kindness. I think that could still be some stories about me. I was an amazing villain and tyrant.¡± Ronald was slowly shaking his head, overwhelmed by all that information. - ¡°But¡­ Why turn the bad souls to Monsters? What¡¯s the point?¡± - ¡°Population control measure. Like that, the number of people living here would never exceed the capabilities and the natural resources of the World. It is also a good way to kill good people so that they can get reincarnated sooner into another World and kill the bad ones before they do more harm. Hey, why are you looking like that to me? I wasn¡¯t the one to make the rules in here! If you want to complain, complain to God Seya! Or to Gaya! You should thank me for getting all this information free of charge because I had a lot of work to find out about this! It was one of the reasons why I was ¡°killed¡±!¡± Ronald gave a leg of one roasted rabbit to Woof, and he took a portion to himself. He started to eat in silence while looking at the Big Rat, that was sniffing the air around. - ¡°This World is really weird¡­ And this big guy, when will he disappear?¡± - ¡°Only when he dies, you say that he can leave or, depending on your level. I think he will stay with us for one more day. After he disappears, you can summon him again, and he will be with us for another two days. When your level rises, the Magical Beings that you summon will stay with you longer. I had a flying horse with me for ten years. And a dragon for five. That one was a real menace. I used to ride him and scorch every village or army that didn¡¯t obey me! The memories¡­¡± Suddenly, Woof raised his head and growled in the direction of a bush at five meters from the big rocks where they were resting and eating. The Big Rat stood next to him, sniffing in the same direction. Before Ronald could say anything, five Goblins came running from behind the bush. The Rat was the first to attack, followed by Woof. When Ronald got up and even before he could summon anything, the Goblins died by the double charge of the Rat and Woof. Five red Orbs appeared where the Goblins died, and Woof was sniffing one of them. Riattus pointed at Woof. - ¡°He deserves them, right? He did a very good job, and Goblins don¡¯t die easily.¡± Ronald went near Woof and guided his right paw towards every Orb. They returned to the campfire and while Woof was licking his right paw, probably because of the tickling caused by the absorption of the Orbs, Ronald placed on the ground the Status Sphere. He then grabbed Woof¡¯s paw and placed it on top of the Sphere. His stats appeared. Race - Dog Name - Woof Age - 3 Job - World Traveller LV - 3 ATK - 450 HP - 300 Skills - none Hp Armor - 0 ATK Weapon - 0 Equip Intelligence - 0 Equip Wisdom - 0 Physical Attributes: Strength - 10 Quickness - 10 Body - 10 Mental Attributes: Intelligence - 10 Wisdom - 10 Special Attributes: Willpower - 10 Mana - 50 Xp (x2) - 5 And then, some letters appeared, saying, "Each XP gives 5 points to spend on Attributes. You have 25 points. Choose the Attributes and the number of points to allocate". It then started to show just the Attributes. Physical Attributes: Strength - 10 Quickness - 10 Body - 10 Mental Attributes: Intelligence - 10 Wisdom - 10 Riattus pointed at the Sphere. - ¡°Put five on everything. He will become stronger, faster, more intelligent and he also needs Willpower and Wisdom, for improving the effects of the scarfs that he has.¡± Ronald did just that, and Woof¡¯s stats changed. Race - Dog Name - Woof Age - 3 Job - World Traveller LV - 3 ATK - 450 HP - 300 Skills - none Hp Armor - 0 ATK Weapon - 0 Equip Intelligence - 0 Equip Wisdom - 0 Physical Attributes: Strength - 15 Quickness - 15 Body - 15 Mental Attributes: Intelligence - 15 Wisdom - 15 Special Attributes: Willpower - 15 Mana - 15 Xp (x2) - 0 Woof started to shake his head, and he then rubbed it on the grass on the floor. Woof looked at Ronald and tilted his head, puzzled. Ronald scratched Woof¡¯s ear while smiling. - ¡°It¡¯s my impression, or he got a little bigger?¡± Riattus nodded. - ¡°Yes, he did. He looks bulkier and with more muscle. He now resembles even more with an alfa wolf. I wonder how big he will become, as he levels up. Strangely, your stats where ten and when you placed the points, it assumed you had zero. On Woof¡¯s case, it added correctly. A glitch or it¡¯s because it¡¯s an animal? I don¡¯t know, maybe that¡¯s not important. So, finish eating, we need to get going. You can put some rabbit¡¯s meat in the bag to eat later but remember to say the name of it as you put the meat inside so that you can retrieve it more easily. I am still surprised by how you managed to recognize eatable plants and leaves, to make a salad!¡± Ronald shrugged his shoulders. - ¡°As I am, for you to have inside this bag some salt, salad dressing, and aromatic plants for seasoning this salad and the meat!¡± --- As soon as the lunch ended, they continued. Riattus pointed to a small cluster of blue plants, that was hidden behind a huge rock that he found during the night, saying those were very rare and valuable because upon boiled, the liquid would serve as a Healing Potion, accelerating the cicatrisation of cuts and wounds, to an astonishing speed. Ronald picked the best leaves and placed inside a cloth, keeping it in the bag with the Compressed Dimension. During the rest of the day, they walked along the forest, using some animal narrow paths. Where the vegetation was too much, the Rat took care of opening a path. By the end of the afternoon, the Rat and Woof managed to hunt a deer and Ronald roasted it, cutting it into small portions to keep inside the one-shoulder bag. They finished the rabbit¡¯s meat as a dinner, heating it on the bonfire that Ronald made for passing the night inside a small cave. Ronald and Woof slept together, wrapped up in a thick blanket, while the Big Rat was standing guard in front of the cave. Riattus had no need to sleep, so he spent the night thinking and walking around the forest, not too far away from his Card Box, but still, at a good distance so that he could be sure the night would be safe for Ronald. --- Another day came by, and they continued on walking, while Riattus was telling some of his past adventures. Some of them were amazing, while many others were too violent and gross for Ronald¡¯s taste. But Riattus seemed to have a good time remembering it, so, Ronald didn¡¯t complain. Near the middle of the afternoon, the Rat disappeared inside his whirlpool, when they were almost arriving at a dirt path. It was at the exact moment because an open wagon was approaching. The man at the reins of the horse was puzzled by that sight of a man walking alongside the road with a wolf tied to a rope. As he passed Ronald, he greeted him: - ¡°Hello, stranger! It is unusual to see someone walking along this road. And with a wolf as a companion, it is even stranger!¡± Ronald smiled while walking. - ¡°Hello, we are just travelling to the Kingdom of Loriath. Do you know if it¡¯s still far?¡± - ¡°If you continue walking, you will arrive in the middle of tomorrow¡¯s morning. If you are trustworthy, I may give you a ride and you can get there by this evening. You can keep me company, I won¡¯t mind talking as we travel. I have been travelling all alone for the last three days, I am a little bored.¡± Ronald nodded. - ¡°I would appreciate the ride, thanks. I can¡¯t prove that I am in fact trustworthy, so I won¡¯t think badly of you if you withdraw your offer.¡± - ¡°Well, if that wolf trusts you, and everyone knows how those guys are suspicious of people, maybe you are not as bad as you could be. Are you sure he will not try to eat my throat?¡± - ¡°Yes, I am sure. He is very obedient. Here Woof, hop on to the back! Lay down and don¡¯t make a mess in there! Now, kind sir, may I join you at your side? Or do you prefer if I stay in the wagon with him?¡± The driver pats the seat next to him. - ¡°By all means, sit here and tell me what you are doing, walking around here. That wolf is very obedient indeed. How did you manage to tame him?¡± Ronald smiled while looking back at Woof that was resting his head on top of a cereals bag. - ¡°I guess he was just as confused as I was when we first met. But I managed to gain his trust. My name is Ronald and that guy over there, it¡¯s Woof. Do you mind if I ask how things are nowadays, in the Loriath Kingdom? I was told it was a peaceful Kingdom for many years, but I am new into these parts, so I am not sure if I wasn¡¯t deceived by a weird old man.¡± - ¡°I am Feebles, the Merchant. Pleased to meet you. Well, considering that Loriath neighbours the Kingdom of Breidan, right across that forest on your right, it is still a free Kingdom by a miracle. Breidan is always trying to increase its borders, but the Monsters that are lurking in the forest, are serving as a natural border. Every time that an army came from Breidan, more than half of it is killed in there. The rest dies when they exit the forest because the Loriath forces are called as soon as the noises of the dying soldiers are heard by the people that travel along this road. But did you cross that forest? How did you manage to not get yourself killed by some Goblin? Did you come from Breidan?¡± Ronald pointed with his head to Woof. - ¡°That guy helped when we were in a pinch. I was also very careful, by travelling during the night and avoiding any village or weird noise. I came from the far East of the Kingdom of Terbik. I had a lot of experience with dealing with Goblins while I was living there.¡± Feebles nodded, visibly impressed. - ¡°I understand¡­ Terbik always had problems with hordes of Goblins. I bet you are a very strong Adventurer, for risking to cross a forest well known to be the lair of many Goblin Villages.¡± Ronald slowly shook his head. - ¡°No, I used to be a Farmer. I left Terbik because I lost my family and the memories were too painful. I am trying to find a job with a group of Adventurers if one of them would have me. I can be just a Farmer, but I am also very strong, and I think they won¡¯t mind having a companion that doesn¡¯t mind with some hard work. I can also cook, so I guess that could count.¡± Feebles nodded. - ¡°I see¡­ I am sorry for your family. I know the Guild Master of the Adventurer¡¯s Guild in Durant, the Capital of Loriath, to where I am travelling. If you want, I can introduce you to him, maybe he can help with finding a Party of Adventurers that are searching for a Carrier or a Cook.¡± - ¡°That would be a huge help, thank you very much. As I said, I am new in these parts and I spent all my life in Terbik. I am a little ignorant of the state of things in the World. I don¡¯t know what the names are and where are the Kingdoms, and which year is it. I kind of lost track of time, during my grief. I don¡¯t know if I was lost in my pain for two years or ten¡­¡± - ¡°Things are as they were for all these past few years. The Diocese of Thetria is always in a military disagreement with the Kingdom of Breidan regarding the scripts about God Seya, Breidan is trying to invade the nearby countries to expand its borders, Zakrosia is a region where only Monsters live, the Principality of Rediorumia and Homysodia are still trying to be neutral without directly supporting Breidan or Thetria, while the rest of the Kingdoms try to continue living as they have, for all these years while fighting their local Monsters. Last week started the Ary¡¯s month of the year 1.540. I have an extra copy of the Map of this region, and if you can take care of today¡¯s dinner, I will give it to you.¡± Ronald smiled. - ¡°I can do that. Do you like deer meat? I have some portions with very good size on my bag. I don¡¯t have rice or potatoes, but I can prepare a good salad.¡± Feebles smiled from ear to ear. - ¡°Deer meat is very tasty, expensive and very difficult to come by! I can provide some potatoes as a side dish, but how did you get a hold of deer meat?¡± Ronald pointed with his head to Woof, that was sleeping under the afternoon sun, with his head over a cereal bag. - ¡°With that guy¡¯s help. I scared the deer right into his mouth full of teeth. We had a lot of work to kill it, it was huge and dangerous. After a few bites in his throat and a clean pierce with my sword, we managed to take him down. It provided meals for us, for the last two days. But I still have a lot of smoked meat.¡± Feebles was nodding. - ¡°A very good way to preserve the meat, really. And in my humble opinion, it makes the meat even more delicious. You indeed have some experience as a Cook. Any Adventurer¡¯s Party would be more than happy to have you if you can even hunt for making their meals!¡± Ronald shrugged his shoulders. - ¡°I hope so. I need to find a different kind of job, for not remembering my past. Becoming a Farmer again would bring back some memories that I wish to forget¡­¡± Feebles nodded in silence. It seemed this new voyage partner was still very sad about the loss of his family and that could be the reason for venturing such a dangerous voyage to go to Loriath. Coming all the way since Terbik, crossing the Kingdom of Pigliapo and Breidan to get to Loriath, with enough opportunities to get killed and even like that, he managed to accomplish it without any visible wounds or lost members, that was an achievement in its own way. Either he was lucky, suicidal, crazy, or he was stronger and more dangerous than he looked. But even with those suspected flags, he was very friendly, polite and managed to get the trust of that big wolf, one of the most dangerous wild animals around. Perhaps he was just blessed by God Seya, as a compensation for his loss. The rest of the voyage was a lot of fun for Feebles. He had many stories from his past years of Merchant and an avid listener that was marvelled by everything that he told, even when he exaggerated a tiny bit. By the end of the afternoon and when the walls of the capital could be seen in a distance, they stopped so that Ronald could prepare their dinner. While Feebles provided the pots and the potatoes to be cooked, Ronald took from his bag three big pieces of deer meat that smelled divinely. He cut some slices as an appetizer for Feebles and Woof, and while the potatoes were boiling, he was happily listening to one more of Feebles adventures.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. When the potatoes were ready, they ate. Woof sniffed one potato that Ronald offered him but turned back and went straight to his big portion of smoked deer¡¯s meat. Feebles laughed because of the surprised look of Ronald. As if a wild wolf would ever eat a potato when he could eat meat! After dinner, Feebles did as he promised, he offered a copy of the Map to Ronald. He was very grateful and offered him another portion of deer meat for him to eat at lunch the next day, still wrapped in a cloth, that he quickly took from his bag. Feebles wondered how he managed to carry all that meat inside the bag, without showing any signs of tiredness because of the weight. After they cleaned the pot and put everything in their place under the driver''s seat, their journey continued. Sometime later, Ronald was looking up, surprised by the height of the gate and the wall that surrounded Durant, the capital of Loriath. A Gate Guard had a torch in his right hand and was looking at him and at Woof, inquiring him why he had a wild wolf tied to a rope in his hand and that dangerous beast was peacefully lying over a bag of cereal. Feebles vouched for them both and because the two Gate Guards that were on duty knew him from previous visits, allowed the entrance of that strange pair, upon the guarantee that Ronald would never leave the wolf run loose, without being strongly tied to that rope. While they were going along the main street, in the evening and with torches already lit on the top of high poles to provide some light, Ronald was admiring the houses. Wood and rock were the common materials, with some houses with big and bulky metal doors. Businesses and shops, probably. There were more opulent houses as they approached the centre of the Capital as if it were an indication of the social place of the inhabitants. Right at the centre, there was a large City square. Feebles stopped the wagon in front of an Inn, next to a big building with a sign at the top of the entrance, ¡°Adventurer''s Guild¡±. A boy came running from the Inn and he grabbed the reins of the horse that was pulling the wagon and he smiled towards Feebles. - ¡°Welcome back, Mister Feebles! You and your companion are staying with us for tonight?¡± Feebles frowned, and he looked at Ronald. - ¡°I am sorry. I never asked if you had money with you. I suppose you need a place to sleep, right?¡± Ronald nodded. - ¡°I have money, but I think I may need your help, figuring out the fair price for a stay in this Inn. I don¡¯t know how much the usual price in this Kingdom is.¡± - ¡°Well, it''s not that expensive as it may seem, it¡¯s very affordable. Sleeping in this Inn costs three copper coins per night with one meal. A meal costs one copper coin. Is that reasonable for you?¡± Ronald looked at Woof. - ¡°I guess so. I just don¡¯t know what they will think about having him sleeping in a room inside the Inn. I can¡¯t leave him outside or near the horses. You heard the Gate Guard, he must always be near me.¡± - ¡°I can have a word with the Innkeeper and explain your situation, don¡¯t you worry about that. I am a regular here, I think there will not be a problem.¡± The boy was looking at Woof, that was now standing on top of the cereal bag where he was sleeping previously. - ¡°Mister Feebles! A wolf!¡± - ¡°Yes, I know, don¡¯t worry. That wolf is the companion of my friend, Mister Roland, here. Now, take care of the horse, ok? Here, a coin for you, my boy. Mister Ronald, shall we go have a talk with the Guild Master? It¡¯s still early, I bet he is in his office.¡± - ¡°Sure, the sooner the better! Come here, Woof! Good boy¡­ Now, don¡¯t growl or bark to anyone, understood? Behave properly, I don¡¯t want people getting scared because of you!¡± Woof made a low bark as if he was saying that he would do that. That reaction dumbfounded Feebles and the stable boy. Ronald just rubbed Woof¡¯s ear and looked at Feebles. - ¡°Can we go? I think he will be a good boy and don¡¯t make a mess in there. Unless someone is crazy enough to pick a fight with him!¡± - ¡°Ok, but grab the rope really tight, he might get scared by the noise and some sudden movements. Adventurers are always a little jumpy and overly excited after a few drinks!¡± While the stable boy drove the horse to the back of the Inn, Ronald followed Feebles. As soon as they entered the Guild, the noise that could be heard on the outside came to a halt, because a stranger with a big wolf tied to a rope, just entered. Feebles nervously looked around and he pointed with his hand to the front desk where a young woman was, talking with three men that looked angry. - ¡°We must go talk with that young lady and ask her to call the Guild Master. It seems that there¡¯s a situation in there, I hope there won¡¯t be a problem if we wait near them, for our turn.¡± Ronald was looking around with a small smile and he greeted some people that were looking at him with a slight nod of his head. While they were walking to the front desk, Ronald noticed a beautiful woman with dark hair tied into a ponytail, dressed in dark leather clothes, polishing a sword while seated at a table near three men. One that was a Human with a very serious face, another that was as beardy as a Dwarf that used to work with him at the market, and another one that had dark green clothes, a hood covering his head and was sharpening a short dagger while looking at him from the corner of his eye. An Elfian in disguise, for sure. The beardy one could be a Dwarf if it wasn¡¯t for his height. The woman was probably their leader, judging by the way they all seemed to be waiting for her to say anything. When Ronald and Feebles were almost near the front desk, one of the three men punched the balcony and shouted to the young woman: - ¡°What do you mean, by saying that you advise us to not apply for this Class A job? Are you saying that we can¡¯t do it?¡± The young woman waved both hands while looking a little nervous. - ¡°No¡­ I wasn¡¯t saying that¡­ it¡¯s just because two other groups already tried it, and they never returned. And one of them had five strong Adventurers, and even they¡­¡± Suddenly, the men that punched the balcony, drew a dagger and approached it towards the woman¡¯s throat. - ¡°You are annoying me, woman! Perhaps I should cut¡­¡± Slam! Before he could finish his threat, he was knocked down by a strong hit to the back of his head by Ronald, that used a bench that he took from the nearby table. Ronald calmly said to the woman. - ¡°I am sorry for this violence on my part and for my next actions, but a man threatening a woman must be swiftly punished.¡± One of the friends of the knocked-out man, after realizing what happened, tried to draw his sword only to be struck in the face by another hit from Ronald¡¯s bench. The third one had a dagger on one hand, but before he could approach Ronald, he had a sword close to his neck, firmly held by the beautiful woman with a ponytail. - ¡°Careful¡­ Unless you want to lose some blood¡­¡± The man looked at his side and he faced the woman. - ¡°Who said that you could intervene, you ¡°bican¡±¡­¡± Slam! Before he could finish his insult, Ronald struck him with the bench straight to the mouth. Blood and teeth flew all over, dirtying the floor. The beautiful woman looked at Ronald, a little angry. - ¡°Hey, I didn¡¯t need any kind of help!¡± Ronald nodded. - ¡°Neither did I, but you still helped. I am sorry, but a man insulting a woman right in front of me, it¡¯s something that I can¡¯t tolerate. If you excuse me, I still need to properly punish this guy that was threatening the receptionist.¡± Ronald bent over and he grabbed the man¡¯s right hand, the one that had the dagger with which he threatened the young receptionist. He then opened the hand, palms down on the ground. Ronald said with anger in his voice, while raising the bench: - ¡°For raising a hand towards a woman, the punishment is the loss of that hand.¡± Ronald struck the man¡¯s hand with one foot of the bench. Three strong hits turned the man¡¯s hand into a bloody pulp. He then cleaned the bench with the man¡¯s clothes and placed the bench near the table from where he took it, right in front of the dumbfounded eyes of Feebles. He was astonished. The friendly voyage partner that he found earlier, had so much hate on his eyes that he looked a different person. The silence in that room was overwhelming. The woman slowly placed her sword on her sheath. - ¡°You know, coming here and knocking out three Adventurers from another City and completely destroying the hand of one of them, could gather you a lot of grudges from the Adventurers in here.¡± Ronald looked around with a serious face. - ¡°What? From all these cowards that looked away while a woman had a dagger against her throat, pretending to not see anything? Why are you all looking at me? Did I say any lie? None of you moved a finger to help her! None! And you call yourself Adventurers? You should all be ashamed¡­¡± The same looks that were previously looking at him with anger were now looking away or at the glass in front of them. Ronald gave a serious look to the woman that helped him. - ¡°I came to this Guild looking for a job, but if all these guys around are an example of the calibre of this Guild, it¡¯s better if I go to another one.¡± He then turned to face the young receptionist. - ¡°I truly apologise for all the violence that I did in front of you. If you lend me a piece of cloth and some water, I will quickly clean the blood on the floor, it¡¯s not fair if my actions give you more work than you already have.¡± The receptionist quickly waved her hands with a shine in her eyes and a big smile. - ¡°No, by all means! It¡¯s the least I can do, clean up after you so boldly helped me! I didn¡¯t know what to do, maybe I caused all this because I didn¡¯t explain properly my concerns!¡± Ronald slowly shook his head. - ¡°No, it was their fault, for disrespecting you. I thank you for your understanding. I shall take my leave then, I will continue my journey and go to another Guild.¡± From a corner of the balcony, a strong male voice was heard: - ¡°Nonsense! After giving such an accordingly treatment to those rude men? No way I will let you leave without convincing you to join this Guild! I was a little too slow to arrive, I rushed from my back office at the sound of your first blow, but you were too fast, and all ended before I could intervene. Mister Feebles, where did you find this guy? Come, let¡¯s all talk in my office! And to the cowards that didn¡¯t budge to help my daughter Mira, I will remember this!¡± Everyone in the room became restless. They all knew far too well what a warning like that from the Guild Master meant. They would have a lot of trouble for him to forgive them. The woman with the ponytail raised his hand. - ¡°Guild Master, do you mind if I join you? I am a little curious about our visitor.¡± - ¡°I don¡¯t see any problem with that. And you, young man?¡± Ronald shrugged his shoulders. - ¡°I don¡¯t see any problem either. I would also be very honoured if such a beautiful and strong woman accompanied us.¡± The woman laughed. - ¡°Ahahahah! Yes, you should be very honoured because I will grant you with my presence!¡± The Guild Master looked at Woof, that had a rope tied to the scarfs around his neck, with the other end of the rope strongly held by Ronald. - ¡°This wolf is tamed? I would prefer if he stayed tied outside in the street. Having a wild animal in here is not a good idea.¡± - ¡°I am sorry, but that was the agreement that I made with the Gate Guard for him to be allowed entry into this City. He can¡¯t leave my side. Outside, someone can get in a problem if they annoy him. I can reassure you that he will behave properly while near me. All alone, I can¡¯t promise anything. He may try to kill everyone in here if I let him loose.¡± The Guild Master pointed with his hand to the back of the front desk and he then looked around to the Adventures at the tables. - ¡°Ok, let¡¯s go then, I want to hear more about him. And you as well. And you guys, take those three from my floor and throw them in the back of the building, with the rest of the trash!¡± Feebles, Ronald, Woof, and the woman followed the Guild Master to a room on the back of the balcony while a group of Adventurers rushed to obey his orders. After closing the door behind him, Ronald took a look around while sitting at a chair that the Guild Master pointed. Some shelves with books, a table full of papers and a Status Sphere in the middle, a lot of flasks in a corner on top of a small table with a light blue liquid inside. Ronald was looking at those, they had the same colour as the leaves that he picked up in the forest, the ones that Riattus told him that could be prepared to make Healing Potions. The Guild Master noticed where he was looking. - ¡°Right upon entering, evaluating the space, the exits and the most valuable possessions... You intrigue me, young man.¡± Ronald turned to face the Guild Master. - ¡°I am sorry, it was rude of me. I was curious, and those flasks had the same colours as some plants that I saw recently.¡± - ¡°Yes, those are Healing Potions made from the rare Blue Brittlebush leaves. Very rare and extremely valuable.¡± Ronald made a slight smile. - ¡°Really? How much does it cost, a handful of those leaves?¡± - ¡°Well, considering that all those flasks were made from only three leaves and they cost one silver coin each, a handful would be a huge amount.¡± Ronald slowly nodded his head. - ¡°I see¡­ Well, I have a bunch of those leaves with me that I am more than willing to sell¡­¡± The Guild Master made a suspicious smile while caressing his chin. The woman at Ronald¡¯s left side, changed the position on her chair, to more easily face Ronald. - ¡°Oh, that is interesting, very interesting indeed¡­¡± Slowly, Ronald let go Woof¡¯s rope. - ¡°Woof, attention! Now, before any of you does any attempt against my life, I must warn you that Woof is very fast and obedient, and if any of you tries anything against me to relieve me of my cargo, you will not leave this room alive.¡± The sudden change in the mood alarmed the Guild Master, and he frowned. - ¡°I don¡¯t know what you had to face while you were travelling to get here to make you so suspicious towards other people, but you are among friends, no harm will come to you, you have my word!¡± Ronald grabbed the rope again. - ¡°Woof, stay! Your word means nothing to me, I don¡¯t know you. I was warned by a very wise old man that things around here are not so peaceful like in my home village. You must forgive me for being so careful. I do not intend to die anytime soon, especially from a sudden attack by another Human. And your body language was too suspicious for my taste, while this woman was getting ready to jump on me.¡± The Guild Master strongly shook his head. - ¡°No, I was only thinking about your words and how much profit I would gain if I had enough money to buy your leaves!¡± And the woman continued while waving her hands. - ¡°I was just surprised by what you said! Since you entered this Guild, it was one surprise after another.¡± Ronald stopped to think for a moment and he then continued. - ¡°Ok¡­ Well, I came here in search of a job. I was told that a Party of Adventurers could need someone like me, to be a Carrier or a Cook. And if I got a fair offer for those Blue Brittlebush leaves, it would also help me on filling my purse.¡± The woman looked at him while frowning. - ¡°You seek a job as a Carrier? An Adventurer like you?¡± Ronald nodded and asked the Guild Master. - ¡°I suppose that it is expected that I have my stats measured, correct?¡± - ¡°Yes, of course. If you could be so kind and place your hand on this Status Sphere, it would help me in figuring out where you could be used.¡± Ronald put his hand over the Sphere and what they all saw in there, made their jaws drop. Race - Human Name - Ronald O''Sullivan Age - 25 Job - Farmer LV - 14 ATK - 2.130 HP - 1.420 Skills - none Hp Armor - 0 ATK Weapon - 0 Equip Intelligence - 0 Equip Wisdom - 0 Physical Attributes: Strength - 110 Quickness - 100 Body - 100 Mental Attributes: Intelligence - 200 Wisdom - 200 Special Attributes: Willpower - 200 Mana - 200 XP - 0 The woman was the first to speak. - ¡°No way¡­ a common Farmer¡­ Stronger than any Knight that I know¡­ How did you manage this?¡± Ronald answered with his cover story that he practiced with Riattus, about him being a Farmer from the far East of the Kingdom of Terbik, where hordes of Goblins were so common and were also the reason why his wife and daughter died and made in go in a rampage, killing every Goblin around, in a guerrilla tactic way of killing one and hiding, waiting for the next one. Like that, he managed to get a hold of many Mana Orbs that upon advice from a Priest of his village, made him place his Points on the Physical Attributes so that he could kill more Goblins. After some years and because the memories were haunting him, he left his village and travelled to get there, because he was told that it was a peaceful Kingdom. The Guild Master was still looking at Ronald¡¯s Stats. - ¡°A Farmer¡­ A very strong one, but still a Farmer¡­ Didn¡¯t you ever try to change jobs?¡± - ¡°No, I didn¡¯t even know that I could do that. But being a Farmer never bothered me, I won¡¯t mind keeping it. Who knows, maybe one day I decide to settle in a small piece of land again. But for the time being, I need another kind of job. One that can give me money to start over while allowing me to forget my past life.¡± The Guild Master looked at the woman, she was in silence and looking at the Sphere. - ¡°What do you say, Duza? You are always complaining that you could have someone to carry all your stuff, right? And your Party could use another member because after what happened with the last one, you never accepted anyone that I recommended you.¡± Ronald frowned. - ¡°He died?¡± Duza slowly shook his head. - ¡°Not immediately, I had him bleed for several hours before I let him die. He had the nerve to try to rape me when I was in bed recovering from a mission that went terribly wrong. The other members of my Party stopped him in time when they arrived to check on me. When I recovered, I sliced his male friend and watched him bleed to death. That¡¯s why I am so curious about you, what you did to that guy that threatened Mira impressed me in a good way.¡± Ronald made a frown. - ¡°Yeah, I always hated violence towards women. Even if the woman is strong and seems quite able to take care of herself, something pops inside of me when I see situations like that one. But you didn¡¯t say your name. It doesn¡¯t seem fair, considering that you already know mine, because of the Sphere.¡± - ¡°Fair enough. I am Duza Sonanji and that big Guild Master over there is Haje Sonanji. You already met my sister, Mira Sonanji.¡± Ronald covered his face with both hands. - ¡°Great¡­ A family business¡­ I guess I won¡¯t have any luck in here on finding a job, so, if we could just take care of the sale of my leaves, I shall go away.¡± The Guild Master strongly shook both hands. - ¡°Nonsense! After what you did to help my younger daughter and after I found out how strong you are? There is no way that I won¡¯t try to convince you to stay with us! I bet you are going to get even stronger. You will be a good asset to my Guild!¡± Ronald went silent and answered in a low voice. He was mostly speaking to Riattus that was also in the room, but everyone heard him: - ¡°Great¡­ I came here trying to find a peaceful place to live, and I already found people trying to take advantage of my goodwill. I am either too stupid or too kind for this¡­¡± Riattus spoke from a corner, and only Ronald was able to hear him: - ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I think you can trust these people. We just need to be careful with them not finding out about you.¡± Haje, the Guild Master, tried to reassure Ronald: - ¡°I would never try to take advantage of you! But I would like that you could join Duza¡¯s Party. Judging by what you did in there, I could bet that she would be a lot safer with you around. Not that I don¡¯t believe that she can¡¯t protect herself, far from that, because I made sure to train her since she could walk, but I would be happier if she had you nearby.¡± Ronald looked at Duza that was frowning. - ¡°And what makes you think that I am reliable? I can easily be a crazy guy, pretending to be a good one, only to attack her on my first try.¡± - ¡°Well, you had to pass through her companions, first. And then, defeat her. Not an easy task, I assure you. Why do you think the other one tried his luck when she couldn¡¯t stop him when she was almost dying from her injuries? But there¡¯s something about you. Maybe that look on your face that I saw when you were crushing that bastard¡¯s hand, or it¡¯s just a feeling that I have.¡± Duza spoke, she seemed annoyed: - ¡°I never said I wanted him in my Party, I was just curious. Besides, even if I said I wanted him, he still has to get approval from the others.¡± Ronald smiled. - ¡°Do you mean those guys that were with you at that table? That serious Human, the Half-Breed Dwarf and the Elfian?¡± - ¡°No way¡­ How could you tell? I found out about Ovaidel¡¯s heritage almost a year after we started travelling together! No one besides my father knows that, not even my sister! And Ini has always above his head that big hood of his, for hiding his ears and looks!¡± Ronald shrugged his shoulders. - ¡°I used to have two friends that were a Half-Breed Dwarf and an Elfian. I can recognize one of them when I see it.¡± Feebles spoke, for the first time since the commotion started in the other room: - ¡°I knew it, you are not our average Farmer. I was suspicious when I saw you coming out of the forest with that wolf, but your smile and polite manners fooled me. You looked like a different person, in there! It was a little frightening, seeing you changing like that.¡± Ronald strongly shook his hands. - ¡°I am really sorry, it was never my intention to scare you, Mister Feebles! I may have over-reacted in that situation. I need to be more careful, from now on. Besides, aren¡¯t we forgetting anything? I thought we had a transaction to take care of¡­¡± The Guild Master crossed his fingers on top of his desk. - ¡°Indeed¡­ I would like to see those leaves, first, of course.¡± Ronald nodded while opening his one-shoulder bag and saying the name of the leaves to the inside, in a very low voice: - ¡°Of course¡­ ¡°Blue Brittlebush leaves!¡± ¡­ Here it is, let me just open this cloth. I may have more, but for now, we can trade these.¡± When Ronald opened the carefully wrapped package, a bunch of the best quality leaves of Blue Brittlebush that they ever saw, was on top of the white cloth on that table. The Guild Master gasped for a moment, Feebles had his mouth wide open and Duza was trembling. Haje Sonanji was the first to speak, after starting to breathe again: - ¡°These are the best Blue Brittlebush leaves that I ever saw in my entire life¡­ Where did you find these?¡± - ¡°Come on, are you really asking that? What is important is a fair price for these, so that I can go meet Miss Duza¡¯s Party and see if they allow me to join them. You said that three leaves could make all those flasks and each of them is sold at one silver coin each. I suppose there are ten or twelve flasks in there, so I guess that each leaf cost almost four silver coins. And these ones, are top grade, so it could be a little more, like five or six silver coins. So, I have here¡­ 43 leaves, 20 silver coins total. Considering the work to boil the leaves, that must be at an accurate temperature of 115 degrees for thirty minutes, pouring the mixture into flasks, the price of some pretty flasks and the top-grade quality of the leaves, you are looking at a pretty good profit, if you have 18 silver coins. These would be able to make high-grade Healing Potions, that can go as high as two silver coins for one flask.¡± The Guild Master raised one eyebrow. - ¡°You¡­ are really willing to sell me all these for 18 silver coins?¡± - ¡°Yes. Even if I don¡¯t stay here, that¡¯s the price. I think it¡¯s very cheap, considering you can sell the flasks for more money than those over there.¡± - ¡°You are completely right¡­ But I don¡¯t have so much money right now. Maybe next week, if all the jobs of last week are complete. I can pay 15 silver coins right now.¡± Ronald wrapped the leaves and delivered the package to Haje Sonanji. - ¡°I will trust you on this. I know someone that would make a fuss because I trusted with something so expensive to someone that I just met, but I guess I will take that risk.¡± Haje opened the lower drawer of his desk and from there, he took a small money purse that he opened. He took 15 silver coins that he handed over to Ronald with a smile. - ¡°Thank you for this, I will have more silver coins by the middle of next week, for sure. I don¡¯t know how many, so I hope you wait for it.¡± - ¡°I think I can. Even if I don¡¯t find a job in here, I will use my free time to learn a little more about this Kingdom, so that I could decide if I will remain here or go to another one.¡± Haje smiled and asked Duza: - ¡°What do you say? Have you decided?¡± Duza got up and looked at Ronald. - ¡°Come, Mister Ronald O¡¯Sullivan. Let¡¯s see what the others say about you. I am still intrigued, I guess it would be interesting having you around. I am also a little tired of the quality of Ovaidel dishes, every time we go on a job.¡± Ronald frowned. - ¡°Ok¡­ I guess¡­ Mister Feebles, thanks for your help. Can we meet again tomorrow? I would like to have lunch with you, to speak a little more, if you could grant me that honour.¡± - ¡°By all means, Mister Ronald, of course.¡± Ronald followed Duza, with Woof next to him, still firmly tied to the rope. Upon his exit, Haje was opening the cloth with the Blue leaves. - ¡°Mister Feebles, from where do you know him?¡± - ¡°I just met him today¡¯s afternoon. I saw him coming out of the forest and walking alongside the road with that huge wolf, happily at his side. I thought it was weird, but after travelling with him and having dinner, I found out that I was comfortable near him. I wasn¡¯t suspicious, afraid or felt that I was in any kind of danger. He seemed¡­ real? Or maybe that¡¯s not the best word¡­ Like if he was truly kind and not pretending to be one to fool me, you understand?¡± - ¡°Yes, I got the same feeling¡­ Weird, right?¡± In the main room, Ronald approached the table where the other members of Duza¡¯s Party were seated. The Human was the first to notice their approach and he elbowed the other two at his sides. Duza seated at her place and invited Ronald to sit at her front. - ¡°Everyone, meet Mister Ronald O¡¯Sullivan. For what you all saw previously, what do you think of him? He is looking for a job as a Carrier or a Cook. Mister Ronald, meet Reylom Doggom, a former Priest from The Diocese of Thetria, Ini Tumrul, a Tracker and Hunter from Homysodia and Ovaidel Satsin from the Kingdom of Pigliapo.¡± Ronald smiled and made a small greet with his head. - ¡°Hello. A former Priest? Really? If I may be so bold as to ask this on our first encounter, would you mind one of these days telling me more about the doctrine among the Diocese of Thetria? I know that there is some disagreement between Thetria and the Kingdom of Breidan, but I am not familiar with the reasons for it.¡± Reylom smiled, the first one that Ronald saw from him since entering the front door of the Guild. - ¡°I would be more than glad on taking you into the right path of God Seya¡¯s teachings!¡± Ronald turned to Ini Tumrul and spoke in his best Elfian Old Language: - ¡°May God Legolas guide your Life, Tracker!¡± Ini looked at him from the corner of his hood and made an almost imperceptible nod with his head. Ronald then faced Ovaidel and greeted him in the Dwarf Old Language: - ¡°May God Legolas give strength to your axe and that it never loses its sharpness!¡± Ovaidel turned to Duza with anger on his eyes but before he could say anything, she explained: - ¡°Don¡¯t look to me like that, he figured out as soon as he saw you both.¡± Reylom was puzzled by that conversation, but before he could say anything else, Duza told them that Ronald was stronger than he looked, with higher Physical Attributes than a Knight. Because he could also cook, it would be a change from Ovaidel dishes. Ronald told them his cover story and they all remained in silence for a while, thinking. Ronald got up and excused himself: - ¡°I will let you talk among yourselves and decide, I need to go see the receptionist and apologize again for my violent actions.¡± Ronald left to the front desk and Duza was looking at him leaving, surprised by that big wolf that kept on walking next to him, like if Ronald was the Alpha Leader of the pack. Ini smiled when he noticed her looking. - ¡°Seems he made quite the impression on you¡­ I never saw you looking so puzzled towards anyone.¡± Duza nodded, looking a little surprised. - ¡°Yeah¡­ I don¡¯t know why, but I am really intrigued by him! He has such a true smile and he is so polite that I find hard to believe that he is the same man that crushed the hand of that guy like if he was nothing more than an annoying insect¡­¡± Ini looked at Woof, that was seated on the floor while Ronald was talking to Mira, at the front desk. - ¡°Yes, and speaking so perfectly two old languages, with the proper greeting way and knowing the name of the God of my ancient World, that is also remarkable on its own. Even that big wolf seems happy to be at his side. Yes, I am also very intrigued. And more suspicious than I would like to be¡­¡± Duza lowered her voice. - ¡°He told me that he had two friends, one Dwarf and one Elfian. Maybe those were the ones that taught him. Or he could be a Breidan spy, trying to analyse the defences of this Kingdom.¡± Ovaidel slowly shook his head. - ¡°No, I don¡¯t think he is a spy. I sense something in him that I didn¡¯t felt for years. I only sensed that when I was near my younger brother. That guy over there has a kind soul. I don¡¯t know why he remains on this World, he should have left years ago. Maybe he decided to stay because of his family. I felt a dark cloud around him when he talked about them. He is still recovering from that loss.¡± Reylom was looking at Ronald, still smiling. - ¡°That is someone who God Seya¡¯s teachings can truly help. I wouldn¡¯t mind helping him¡­¡± Duza crossed her fingers over the table, with a thoughtful look. After a few moments, she asked: - ¡°So, we are in agreement? We can use him?¡± They all nodded, with Ini correcting her: - ¡°Not using, accept him¡­ Duza, sometimes you say things in a way that concerns me¡­¡± While Duza¡¯s Party were deciding on Ronald¡¯s future, he was talking with Mira Sonanji: - ¡°Hello again, I am sorry for intruding during your work. I wish to apologise again, you saw a very ugly side of me, one that I thought I got rid years ago.¡± Mira turned red and she stuttered for a while: - ¡°No¡­ I¡­ want to thank you for what you did¡­ I was so surprised and a little scared with that dagger against my throat that I didn¡¯t react. If it weren¡¯t for your quick intervention, things could have turned out really bad¡­ My father would have killed them, and that would certainly make him arrested. But¡­ I think you need to be extra careful, from now on. Those guys might try to catch you by surprise, to get revenge. And judging by the angry looks that our Adventurers in here are making towards you, they didn¡¯t like to get on the bad side of my father¡­¡± Ronald stopped to think for a while. He then looked at Woof, but he was really, questioning Riattus: - ¡°What do you say? Shall I let things stay like this or do I make sure that none of these guys tries to slice my throat during sleep?¡± Woof looked at him with his head tilted sideways, but Riattus was the one to answer: - ¡°If it was me, I would kill half of them, just to make sure that the others understood it was unwise to do anything against me. You can let things stay like this and conquer them with your smile. Or, you can challenge the one that looks stronger and beat him up. It¡¯s your call.¡± Ronald smiled and he turned to Mira again, that was puzzled. - ¡°Before I do something stupid, I have with me some portions of deer meat that I caught yesterday¡¯s morning. Would the Guild be willing to buy it?¡± - ¡°Of course! Deer meat is difficult to come by because many of them are killed by the Monsters lurking in the forest. We have a Quest posted, asking for deer meat. Do you want to apply to that Quest, considering that you already have the meat with you?¡± - ¡°Yes, what do I need to do?¡± - ¡°Just place your name on it¡­ here. The Guild Master is taking care of your Guild Card, he seems to be sure that you will be joining us. As soon as he has it ready, I will give it to you. So, according to the Quest, it¡¯s ten copper coins for a portion for two people. How much do you have?¡± Ronald opened his bag and took out four portions, wrapped in cloths and big tree leaves. Mira opened them and gasped. - ¡°This¡­ it¡¯s still so fresh¡­ like if you just cut it¡­ and why did you wrap them on these leaves? Did you smoke it? The smell is divine¡­¡± - ¡°Just a method that a friend taught me, years ago, to preserve meat. Smoke and tree leaves, with a piece of cloth wrapping up everything.¡± Mira nodded and she went to the back office, to get the money. When she got back, she placed the coins on the counter, in four piles of ten copper coins each. She then took the meat to the kitchen, wrapped in the tree leaves and the cloth. While Mira was leaving to the kitchen with the meat, a big man on a nearby table growled to another man than was next to him: - ¡°The nerve of that guy¡­ first, he makes a mess in here and now he flirts with our beautiful Mira¡­ he may need a lesson, to know his place¡­¡± Ronald went to that table and he stood there, looking directly to the big man that had an enormous sword at his side. Ronald looked around to be certain that everyone could hear him, and he addressed the big man that was looking at him with anger: - ¡°So, it seems that everyone here is angry with me because the Guild Master scolded you all. Normally, I don¡¯t do this, but I want to make sure that everyone understands that its unwise to try to attack me by surprise. It seems that you are the strongest around here. I don¡¯t know if you are the best fighter, but you sure look strong. I wonder if you are also fast¡­¡± The big man smiled with a mouth full of teeth in a really bad shape. - ¡°I am faster than you, boy, no doubts about it, and if you¡­¡± Before he could finish his sentence, Ronald rushed to his side, took his sword, slammed his head against the table and pressed the sharpest edge of the sword against the man¡¯s left cheek. - ¡°You would be wise to not underestimate me¡­ as all of you¡­ I can be a strong ally, a friend, and a member of this Guild, but if any of you attempts anything against me, I won¡¯t hesitate on killing you all. Do I make myself clear?¡± Ronald looked around and he saw a lot of surprised faces slowly nodding. Mira returned from the kitchen and her jaw dropped when she saw what happened in her absence. The sight of Ronald with a big sword against the face of Ma Yangfa, the strongest man in the Guild, that had his face being squashed against a table and looking terrified, was too surprising. Ronald let go of the big man and laid the sword on its place again. He then let go of him and waited for his reaction. Ma Yangfa quickly wiped the cold sweat that was rolling down his forehead before anyone noticed. Ronald made a small smile and lowered his voice: - ¡°I am truly sorry for this. I needed to make a point and I used you for that. Let me buy you a drink as compensation.¡± Ma Yangfa spoke in a hoarse voice. He was so angry that he was almost growling again: - ¡°For this, only one drink won¡¯t be enough.¡± Ronald nodded. - ¡°Of course, you are completely right. What do you say if I pay one drink for every meal that you take here, for one week? In return, I would be glad if you accepted my sincere apologies and tried to not kill me when I am distracted.¡± The big man stopped to think for a while with a serious look. He then made a genuine smile. - ¡°Yes, I can do that. I am Ma Yangfa, and you, stranger?¡± - ¡°I am Ronald O¡¯Sullivan. I think I just became a member of this Guild. At least, the Guild Master said that he won¡¯t let me leave here without making sure that I joined.¡± Ma Yangfa laughed and even the table trembled by the high, strong laughter: - ¡°Ahahah! Yeah, he tends to do that. He did the same when I first came here, two years ago. Do you already have a Party?¡± Before Ronald could answer, Duza placed one hand on Ronald¡¯s right shoulder. - ¡°Yes, he has, Ma. Stop trying to take every strong member of this Guild to your Party! Don¡¯t you have enough members? Come, Mister Ronald, the others want to speak a little more with you.¡± - ¡°In a moment, ok, Miss Duza?¡± Since Ronald didn¡¯t move and was looking at her with a serious look, she slowly took her hand from his shoulder. - ¡°Yes¡­ of course¡­ when you can, then¡­¡± Duza left and she looked a little dumbfounded. Ma Yangfa lowered his voice: - ¡°You are a little crazy, aren¡¯t you? No one would say Duza to wait!¡± Ronald shrugged his shoulders. - ¡°Maybe that¡¯s why she thinks that she can do and say what she wants because no one ever contradicts her. That way of acting will not work with me, I am afraid. I need to tell Miss Mira about our arrangement with your drinks.¡± Ronald lowered his voice again and winked one eye: - ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t stand in your way. But you are too slow, two years and you didn¡¯t make a move? One day, when you gather the courage to court her, it can be too late¡­¡± Ronald slapped Ma Yangfa¡¯s back and went near Mira. - ¡°Miss Mira, I wish to open an account.¡± - ¡°A what? What¡­¡± - ¡°Oh, I mean, I talked with Ma Yangfa, and because of my misunderstanding and as an apology, we agreed that I would pay one drink for every meal that he takes here, for one week. Can you take care of that? I would pay on the same day or the day afterwards, if possible.¡± Mira blinked a few times and she looked at Ma Yangfa and back to Ronald again. - ¡°Did¡­ Did he force you to do that?¡± - ¡°No, of course not! It was me that made a mess, again. He may not look like it, but he is very friendly. And that powerful laughter of his it¡¯s amazing.¡± Mira nodded, turning completely red. - ¡°Yes¡­ I always liked to hear him laughing¡­ He is also very strong, and he never denies help to a member of our Guild¡­¡± Ronald lowered his voice: - ¡°It would be better if you made him realize how you feel about him or one of these days, he may find another woman and you will regret it¡­¡± Mira was even redder, and she stuttered: - ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t know what you mean¡­¡± Ronald smiled and looked at Woof. - ¡°What do you say, Woof, shall we go to our Party members? Or it would be better to make Miss Duza wait for a little while longer?¡± Riattus laughed from his side. - ¡°Ahahah! Yeah, let¡¯s make her sweat a little more! What does she think, that you are her pet or what?¡± - ¡°No, Woof, let''s go, she may think that I am being rude. Or the others¡­ Not a good way of starting, right? Miss Mira, I think I and Woof would like to eat here. It¡¯s possible?¡± - ¡°Sure, our kitchen is already preparing dinner for anyone that would want to eat. Normally, every Adventurer when he can, eats here. It¡¯s cheap, you know?¡± - ¡°Ok, I think Miss Duza will allow me to join them for dinner, but if not, I can ask Ma Yangfa if I can join him.¡± Mira smiled. - ¡°Yes, I am sure that either one of them, won¡¯t mind having you.¡± Ronald smiled and he went towards Duza¡¯s table. He smiled at them as he seated. Ini was the first to speak: - ¡°You really like to search for trouble, don¡¯t you? What was that about, with Ma Yangfa?¡± - ¡°Just a way to warn everyone. It was that or killing half the persons in here so that the others realized that it¡¯s not a very good idea to attack me when I am sleeping.¡± Reylom turned to him with a very concerned look on his eyes. - ¡°That¡­ wouldn¡¯t be a good way to keep you on God Seya¡¯s path¡­¡± Ronald smiled. - ¡°If I am not mistaken, God Seya was known for never leaving alive an enemy that would kill him by surprise. Before he became a Deity, I mean¡­¡± - ¡°Where did you hear such blasphemy? God Seya is kind and merciful, he would never do such a thing!¡± Ronald frowned. - ¡°Really? What about the two armies that he killed with Fire Magic, and the two Castles with the Royal Families still inside?¡± - ¡°That¡­ That was divine punishment!¡± - ¡°I see¡­ I need to learn more about your points of view concerning God Seya. Please don¡¯t think bad of me if what I was taught, differs from your beliefs.¡± Reylom agreed, but he was still upset: - ¡°I¡­ Will make sure to put you in the right path, young man. I swear!¡± - ¡°There is no need to swear, Mister Reylom. Just you be willing to speak to me about such a sensitive subject, would be enough.¡± Ovaidel leaned forward over the table. - ¡°You know, hearing you calling everyone as Mister or Miss is starting to annoy me. Do you have to address like that everyone you meet?¡± - ¡°No, but I prefer to be polite than to be mistaken by a rude Dwarf¡­¡± Ovaidel started to snort, but before he could say anything, Ronald smiled and explained: - ¡°What? Votkir, my childhood friend and the most annoying Half-Breed Dwarf that you would ever meet, always laughed when someone compared me with a Dwarf, considering that he was always polite and friendly, and I was a total menace while growing up! I miss that guy¡­ He named his first son as Ronald, just to laugh on my expenses, by saying that he now knows a Ronald Dwarf!¡± Ini was curious. - ¡°What happened to him? Did he¡­ died?¡± - ¡°No, he moved to a different City. But he never stays put, he really likes to travel. I never met a Dwarf that liked so much the outdoors!¡± While Ovaidel was calming down, Ini smiled to Ronald. - ¡°Maybe you meet him again, on one of our journeys.¡± Ronald made a small smile. - ¡°Yeah¡­ that would be amazing¡­ Or Vola¡­ My dangerous and crazy Elfian friend¡­ The most amazing Elfian that I ever met in my life. She used to punch me every time she saw me, just because fifteen years ago I said that she looked like a dried-up bush. She is an amazing hunter, able to track and hunt any animal or criminal that she sets her mind into.¡± Ini raised one eyebrow. - ¡°You have an unusual set of friends¡­¡± - ¡°Yeah¡­ That¡¯s what normally happens when a person grows up in an orphanage¡­ he tends to see people in a different way, willing to see the best in people, even if no one else sees it. Votkir was always in problems, trying to keep Vola out of troubles. Eventually, I joined the gang, when I had a minor disagreement with her that ended on Votkir knocking us out, to stop us from killing each other. We became inseparable. I learned a lot with them, including their ancient heritage. And it seems I also picked up the politeness of Votkir and the bad temper of Vola.¡± Duza bitted her lip. - ¡°It seems you have strong feelings about her¡­¡± - ¡°Yeah¡­ I was in love with her, and Votkir too. The problem was that Vola was also in love with him. In the end, they became a couple. But we remained friends, for all these years.¡± Duza was a little restless, she couldn¡¯t stay still on her chair. - ¡°And¡­ What about your wife?¡± Ronald went silent. A family was something that he never had, and that cover story that Riattus thought for him made him depressed every time that subject came up. Duza and the others thought that his silence and serious look towards his crossed fingers over the table, where a display of someone that was grieving the loss of loved ones. They didn¡¯t continue speaking about that matter. Fortunately for them, before the silence became awkward, Mira and a servant came with the dinner. - ¡°Hello, everyone. Place for one more?¡± Ronald got up and with a smile, pulled a chair for her, after looking at the others. - ¡°It would be great if you could join us, Miss Mira.¡± Mira smiled and seated. She then looked down, because Woof was sniffing her left leg. - ¡°He¡­ Is he smelling me to see if I am eatable?¡± Ronald looked at Woof and he was seated on the floor and waving his tail. - ¡°He seems to like you. But he can also be hungry¡­¡± The servant placed a small dish full of meat on the floor and a bowl of water, a little hesitant. Mira was watching while Woof sniffed the meat and started to eat. - ¡°Yeah, he was hungry. For a moment I thought the worse!¡± Ronald laughed while tapping Woof¡¯s back. - ¡°No, he only tries to eat someone when I tell him to. Most of the times, he is very well behaved. More than some Humans, for sure.¡± - ¡°But where did you find him? And what did you do for him to follow you around? I never saw or heard of a wolf doing that!¡± - ¡°We found each other, actually. At first, he was a little curious about me, but it seems that I conquered him. Lucky for me, because travelling all alone would be too dangerous.¡± Mira started to eat while waiting for a full story. Since he didn¡¯t say anything, Duza told her what she heard from him in the back office. Mira was munching some meat while thinking. After a cup of water, she asked him: - ¡°So, you came from Terbik¡­ it¡¯s a long walk from there to here. Did you cross Thetria to come here? And Breidan? And you came out from there, unscathed?¡± Ronald shook his head while eating. - ¡°No, Pigliapo, Breidan by night, and also by night, the forest that serves as a border. I was looking for a peaceful place to live, not trying to get myself killed. I had more trouble in the forest than on all my journey, but I still managed to get here.¡± Mira looked from the corner of her eye to Duza, and she saw her hiding a smile. So, she continued: - ¡°And your family? May I ask what happened?¡± Ronald became silent for a while. He then answered, after making sure that Woof had finished eating. - ¡°Goblins. While I was in the field. The screams¡­ Well, if you excuse me, I need to go to sleep. I haven¡¯t had a proper night of sleep, for quite some time. Tomorrow morning, I want to take a tour around town. But¡­ I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s safe to take this guy with me¡­ Maybe it would be better if I postpone my visit. Well, I will see about that tomorrow. He needs to sleep too.¡± Mira was caressing Woof¡¯s right ear. - ¡°If you want, he can stay with me behind my desk while you go for a walk. If he doesn¡¯t try to eat me, I mean.¡± Ronald looked at her, surprised by the offer, but he shook his head. - ¡°Better not. And he prefers cooked meat, by the way. But if someone tries to threaten you, he may well kill the one that would be stupid enough to do such a thing in front of him. Maybe that¡¯s not a good idea¡­¡± Mira smiled while still caressing Woof. - ¡°That sounds just perfect for me. Many of these guys always try to annoy me. It would be great, having a wolf next to me, one that I could order to snatch a piece of someone that thought it would be funny, seeing me get mad.¡± - ¡°You know what, it really sounds like a good idea. So, let me just teach you some orders that he knows and obeys. You need to say his name and then the order. Like this. Woof, stay! See, he sits and looks at me, waiting to see if he can be at ease next, or if he must stay like that for hours. Woof, lay down! Good boy¡­ See, if you say that he is a good boy and you rub his ear, he knows that he can relax. Let me see, what else¡­ You can order him to get ready, and like that, he will be alert to any sudden movement and attack anyone that makes a move towards you. Even if it''s just your father, that suddenly hugs you. And on an extreme case, if you order him to kill, he will aim for vital points, and will only stop when his target is dead, if you order him to stop or if he dies.¡± Mira had her eyes wide opened. - ¡°Did you teach him all that? How?¡± Ronald shrugged his shoulders. - ¡°I don¡¯t know if he will obey you if you order him, but it should work¡­ let me see¡­ Woof, look at her, see? She is Miss Mira, a friend. Tomorrow you will stay with her, to keep her safe, ok? Speak one time if you understand me.¡± Woof! - ¡°Ok¡­ you really understand me?¡± Woof! Ronald frowned. - ¡°Yeah¡­ seems he knows what I mean¡­ Sometimes he surprises me and makes me forget that he has four paws and a mouth full of teeth¡­ Well, thanks everyone, but we must leave. See you all tomorrow.¡± Mira looked at Duza from the corner of her eye and she had an idea. - ¡°Maybe it would be better if Duza went with you tomorrow because you might get lost or lose the opportunity to visit some of the City¡¯s most beautiful places.¡± Duza coughed, choked with her water. Mira kicked her leg from under the table to quiet her down and made a signal with her head. Duza cleaned her chin from the spilled water. - ¡°Yeah¡­ I can do that, if you want. It would be better, for you to not do anything stupid that might get you killed or arrested.¡± Ronald made a small bow. - ¡°It would be my honour, Miss Duza. See you tomorrow, then.¡± Ronald left with Woof at his side, held by the rope. Duza tapped Mira¡¯s back. - ¡°Way to go, Mira! We were wondering how we could ask him about his voyage, to see if we could trust what he said in the back office, and you just made him open up. But that idea of yours, for me to accompany him¡­ from where did that come?¡± Mira made a weird smile and winked one eye. - ¡°What? Are you sure you want that such a good-looking man walks on this City all alone? With so many single women looking for a husband? Duza, Duza, sometimes you worry me¡­ It¡¯s not possible that I was the only one to notice the way you were looking at him since he entered the Guild¡¯s front door!¡± Duza turned bright red, but before she could say anything, Ini agreed with Mira: - ¡°We both noticed¡­ But either way, be careful, we don¡¯t know if he can be trusted. But it¡¯s rather amusing, seeing the stubborn Duza getting so flustered for a man, like a normal young lady.¡± Duza punched his chest with a powerful forward hit that made Ini gasp for air. - ¡°Are you saying that I am not a normal young lady, you piece of ¡°shilum¡±?¡± Ini winked one eye to Reylom that was laughing. - ¡°See¡­ Really funny, right? Ouch, my chest hurts¡­¡± --- Chapter 4 At the Inn, Ronald was guided to his room by a young servant boy. In there, he seated on the edge of the bed with Woof laying on the floor next to him. Riattus was near the window, looking out. - ¡°Well, we are on the first floor with a view to the back street. It seems to be a good room with a quiet and safe location. There¡¯s a rooftop under this window, so, if necessary, this window can become an emergency exit. You managed very well, that interrogation from Mira. Fortunately for us, we practice a lot your cover story. But why every time that you talk about your fake family you get so sad?¡± Ronald shrugged his shoulders. - ¡°Yeah¡­ A family is something that I never had. My two childhood friends were the closest that I had for a family. And every time I remember the way that woman tied to the pole was screaming, I get sad, thinking about her own family.¡± - ¡°You know, her family was already dead when we arrived at that Goblin Village. I saw the bodies of four children on that pile. Maybe one of the men that were also on that pile, was her husband. There was nothing that we could do differently, we arrived there too late.¡± - ¡°I know¡­ Well, I need to sleep. What about you?¡± Riattus pointed to the left wall where the Guild¡¯s building was located. - ¡°I will have a look in there and in the City to see if you can be safe tonight. After that crazy stunt of you against those three Adventurers and then to that Ma Yangfa, someone could try to surprise you, late this evening. Or maybe not. Better safe than sorry, right? ¡° Ronald frowned. - ¡°What did you want for me to do? They were threatening Mira.¡± - ¡°You could just stay put. That Ma Yangfa guy was getting near, he would stop them. You blew his chance of impressing his love interest. But you managed to shake them both afterwards with that friendly talk. Maybe they evolve those awkward looks that they were giving each other after you talked with Mira. But you need to learn to keep a low profile, you can¡¯t attract too much attention upon you, you are still very weak.¡± Ronald was taking off his clothes, and he was already in bed while Riattus was speaking. - ¡°Go away, you talkative old man! I need to sleep!¡± Riattus smiled and vanished, leaving them alone. Ronald blew on the candle and covered himself. --- In the morning, Ronald came down and the same servant boy guided him to the dining room, for breakfast. In there, Feebles, the Merchant, was eating some breed and tea with a young boy and a young girl. When he saw Ronald, he called for him, inviting him to join them: - ¡°Mister Ronald, how did things turn out in the Guild? Did you find a job?¡± Ronald smiled while giving bread to Woof. - ¡°Yes, I did, in Miss Duza¡¯s Party. They have four members, five with me. I am the Carrier and the Cook. When they have a job, I will go with them. In the meantime, I have money from the selling of the leaves and I also sold some portions of deer meat. There was a Quest for those, so, I got paid.¡± Noticing the questioning look that Ronald was making to the young couple, Feebles introduced them: - ¡°Where are my manners¡­ Mister Ronald, let me introduce you Mister Taly and his fianc¨¦e, Miss Ari. They are travelling around this area, to know more about the World before getting married in a few months. They were escorted here by those three Adventurers that made that mess in the Guild, yesterday.¡± Ronald opened wide his mouth but before he could say anything, the boy talked: - ¡°It seems we have to thank you, for the loss of our escorts. They are in no condition to accompany us any longer. One broken nose and two red eyes, one broken jaw and front teeth, and the last one, broken head and a hand completely destroyed. I guess it was good what happened, it turned out that they were weaker than their Guild said because they were easily defeated by a simple Farmer armed with a wooden bench. And Mister Feebles told us what happened, with them threatening the receptionist of the Adventurer''s Guild. So, considering that tomorrow we wish to continue our travel to get to Argoheria and you have a Party, we wish to hire you and your partners as our escorts.¡± Ronald stopped to think for a while. - ¡°You two want to cross Zakrosia? You know that place is filled with Monsters and that could make you two get killed? Along with anyone that could be with you?¡± Taly nodded. - ¡°We could also go by boat, we have no problems with either way. By land would be more expensive, but I have a huge sum of money, already prepared for this journey of us.¡± - ¡°But why make such a dangerous voyage? What do you wish to accomplish by doing that?¡± The girl, Ari, spoke with a smile while pulling Taly¡¯s arm to let her explain: - ¡°Let¡¯s just say that we have our reasons for wanting to know the World a little better. We can also say that we are from the Nobility, and the state of the World concerns our future. And considering the huge amount that we are willing to offer for a safe journey, I think this kind of answer will suffice. We may be young, but we are not stupid. One-third of the money now and the rest in Argoheria.¡± Ronald frowned. - ¡°Why not half now and half by the end?¡± Ari smiled. - ¡°Because that would be a fortune. And more tempting to kill two stupid youngsters. Five gold coins now and twenty when we arrive there. It will be five gold coins for each member of your Party when we get to our destination, as long as none of you dies, of course. And if you guys do a good job, we may want to hire you again, for the way back.¡± Ronald made a frown and looked at Feebles. - ¡°Is that fair? I don¡¯t have any idea how much would cost an escort job like that.¡± - ¡°Mister Ronald, the normal is ten gold coins, for that length of a journey. But considering the dangers along the way, I guess it¡¯s reasonable.¡± Ronald stopped to think for a while. - ¡°I must speak about that proposal to my leader, Miss Duza. It depends on her, I am just the Carrier. But she could be more tempted to accept if it were thirty gold coins in the end.¡± The boy smiled after looking at Ari. - ¡°I think twenty-five gold coins is a lot more than anyone would be willing to pay. Considering that we need to come back and we will need an escort again, there is the possibility to gain the same amount on the way back. But if that wolf accompanies us and if you make some very good meals, we can put in an extra.¡± - ¡°Ok¡­ Well, I am going to meet my Party leader in a few moments, to have a walk in the City. I can ask her about that. Can I give an answer by the middle of this afternoon? I guess it will be time enough to get things ready for our departure tomorrow after lunch, considering that we have to find a carriage for you, supplies and extra weaponry. But even that, it will be Miss Duza to decide, of course. But I think I can warn you, if too many of our companions die or if it becomes too dangerous to complete our journey, we will come back or find a safe place to go instead.¡± Ari nodded with a serious look. - ¡°We have our own carriage, so that part is ready. If we get in a dangerous situation and you need extra fighters, we can help. We may look like any average sixteen-year-old couple, but in a fight, we are extremely dangerous. We started this journey early this year, from the North, and until last month we were all alone. But because I got tired of all the fighting and the killing, we tried to find some escorts that knew this region to avoid more confrontations. Taly is different, this crazy guy loves to fight. For him, we could continue all year, all alone, in a never-ending fight¡­ Why that face? You know I am right!¡± Taly was frowning. - ¡°It¡¯s not that I love to fight, it''s just that I don¡¯t mind doing it¡­ So, Mister Ronald, we wait for your answer. If favourable, we would like to meet the rest of the members of your Party.¡± Ronald nodded while getting up. - ¡°Of course. If you excuse me, I must leave. I don¡¯t want to make Miss Duza wait for me. Mister Taly, Miss Ari, it was a pleasure. Mister Feebles, we can talk more at night?¡± - ¡°Of course, Mister Ronald. I will take care of some trading and at night I can go meet you at the Guild.¡± - ¡°That would be perfect.¡± Ronald left after a slight bow with his head. When he was leaving the Inn followed by Woof, Ari asked Taly: - ¡°What do you think? He looks promising, right?¡± - ¡°Yeah¡­ As for the members of his Party, I am not so sure. Let¡¯s see about them later on, ok? Mister Feebles, do you know that woman that is called Duza?¡± - ¡°Yes, Duza Sonanji, the Guild Master¡¯s older daughter. The best fighter of this entire region. Not even the Breidan¡¯s High Knights mess with her. It¡¯s normal for her Party to cross Breidan from one border to the other, without getting in any kind of problem. Normally, when the Breidan Knights are warned that she is travelling, they change their path, to not get in her way. And her Party members are almost as dangerous as her. If she accepts your proposal, you two will be in good hands.¡± Taly mumbled in a low voice while thinking: - ¡°Interesting¡­ very interesting¡­¡± --- While Ronald was at the Inn talking with Feebles and the young couple, Duza was in her room at the top floor of the Adventurer''s Guild, in her underwear, and nervously looking to a bunch of clothes on top of her bed. Mira was looking at an outfit of a sleeveless short blouse and cotton combat trousers. - ¡°You could go with this set, but I am not sure¡­ Maybe something prettier¡­¡± - ¡°It seems too revealing to me. I don¡¯t know why you are insisting on this so much, I am just going to show the City to Ronald.¡± - ¡°I think he wouldn¡¯t mind if you appeared before him completely naked, but that wouldn¡¯t be good, for a walk around the City. Hihihi!¡± - ¡°Mira, you mean girl! What do you mean by that?¡± - ¡°Come on, sister, you haven¡¯t noticed the way that he looks at you? Or how you smile when you are speaking with him? I can tell that you are interested¡­¡± Duza strongly shook her head. - ¡°No, I am not! You are crazy!¡± Mira made a weird smile. - ¡°Right¡­ I confess, I am the one that is interested in him. Maybe I should be the one to show him the City¡­¡± - ¡°No! You can¡¯t! I¡­ I mean¡­ I already volunteered¡­ and¡­ you see¡­ he¡­¡± - ¡°Ahahahah! Don¡¯t worry, big sister, I was just messing with you. You know that I only have eyes for Ma Yangfa. But this outfit is no good. You need to look pretty, not offering yourself¡­ I know! I will be right back! Put those clothes in their place, it¡¯s a mess in here!¡± Mira rushed out of the room, leaving behind a questioning Duza. She quickly put all the clothes in the drawers and the closet. When she was almost finishing tidying up, Mira entered the room again, holding a long light green dress. - ¡°I bought this for you, for your birthday next month. But this occasion is too good to let it go to waste. Because I know how you are, it comes with two undercover leg sheath for two daggers and two decorative strings at each side of the dress, so, if needed, you can pull the dress a little up and tie the excess fabric on both sides, so that you can move better if you get into a fight. Quickly, try it! Or you are going to be late!¡± Duza nodded and with her sister''s help, she put the two undercover leg sheaths for two daggers and the dress. Mira was smiling while Duza was looking at the mirror. She tried to pull it up a little, it was revealing too much of her cleavage, but Mira slapped her hand to stop her. - ¡°What are you doing? A beautiful woman like you and the attributes that you own, it would be a shame not to show it a little more! Pull your breasts a little up, they are sideways! Here, let me do it!¡± Mira grabbed Duza¡¯s both breasts and pulled them up a little and squashed them from the sides so that they would fit perfectly on the dress. - ¡°There, now they look just perfect! I need to get down to see if he arrived, release your hair, and brush it. You are going for a walk, you don¡¯t need to have it tied up and ready for a fight!¡± Duza did as her sister said, and she started to brush when Mira was leaving the room. - ¡°Mira¡­ thanks for this dress, it¡¯s really pretty.¡± - ¡°Yeah, I know, I hope Ronald thinks the same. Don¡¯t take too long!¡± --- When Ronald crossed the front doors of the Guild, he went straight to the front desk where Mira was waving at him. - ¡°Good morning, Miss Mira. Did I arrive too soon?¡± - ¡°Good morning! No, it¡¯s a good time. Duza is still getting ready in her room, she was having trouble choosing her clothes. Normally, she doesn¡¯t go on a walk around the City, she was a little worried about what to wear. But you can sit while you wait and drink something. And this guy over here can stay right here, next to me.¡± Ronald gave the rope to Mira and looking at Woof, he pointed towards her. - ¡°Woof, protect Miss Mira, ok? Be a good boy and stay here next to her. I will come to get you, later this day.¡± Woof! He seated on the floor at Mira¡¯s right side, with his tail waving. Mira caressed his left ear. - ¡°Good boy, Woof! This is funny, a wild wolf acting as my bodyguard! I want to see any of these crazy bastards annoying me today!¡± Ronald smiled and a shout from a corner called his attention: - ¡°Mister Ronald, come here for a moment!¡± Reylom was waving at him, seated next to Ini and Ovaidel. Ronald approached them with a smile. - ¡°Good morning, everyone.¡± Ini made a small nod. - ¡°Someone is in a good mood¡­ It has something to do about going for a walk with a beautiful woman?¡± Ronald stuttered: - ¡°Well¡­ that too¡­ Miss Duza is an extremely beautiful woman¡­ I guess any man would be happy about walking next to her¡­ But finding a job on my first day in here and on the second, a well-paid escort journey, can also be the reason.¡± Ini smiled, looking to the place behind Ronald, to a blushing Duza. - ¡°Hello, boss. Nice dress you have there. I wonder why you never use something like that when you travel with us. Maybe we aren¡¯t as good looking as we thought, right Ovaidel? Hey, close your mouth, man, you look weird! You never saw a woman or what?¡± When Ronald turned around, he saw Duza with her hair loose in a long light green dress, short sleeves and a sexy cleavage. Ronald blinked his eyes a few times, to get used to the astonishing sight in front of him. Duza took a slow breath and asked while sitting in front of him: - ¡°What is that about, a well-paid escort journey?¡± - ¡°Well, at breakfast in the Inn, Mister Feebles introduced me to a young couple. They said they are sixteen-years-old Nobility and they are travelling across this region to get a little more understanding about the state of the World. They were escorted here from the North, by those three that I¡­ assaulted¡­ yesterday. Since they are in no condition to continue, that couple asked if they could hire us to escort them to Argoheria, for twenty-five gold coins. Five coins now and the rest in Argoheria. With an extra, if Woof could go and my meals would be good. And when they decide to come back, they want us to escort them again. The young boy said we could go across the land or by boat. I got the impression the girl prefers going by boat, but the boy seems to be a battle maniac and likes to fight, so, he prefers going across Zakrosia. I said it would be Miss Duza to decide and I could give them an answer by this afternoon. But they want to meet you all, of course.¡± Duza was gasping. - ¡°Such a huge sum of money¡­ But why they asked you instead of coming to the Guild and post a Quest? That would be the normal procedure!¡± - ¡°Well, maybe because the Guild from where those three guys came, said to them that they were strong, and a mere Farmer knocked them out with a wooden bench¡­ I guess Mister Feebles told them what happened¡­¡± They all started to laugh. After a while, Duza spoke, after clearing her tears: - ¡°Yeah, that could be the reason! Getting such kind of news would make anyone decide to hire that Farmer¡­ Ahahah! Sorry, I just remembered what happened. Only now I realized how funny it was!¡± Ronald made an awkward smile while they were still laughing. When they calmed down, Ronald continued: - ¡°I just don¡¯t know when they will want to return or if instead of returning to Loriath, they want to go to another place. That you can ask them in the afternoon, I guess. They also said that if we face danger and if needed, they can fight. Seems that at the beginning of their journey, they were travelling alone. And when they decided to get an escort, they were fooled by that Guild. I guess they don¡¯t trust in Adventurer¡¯s Guilds and they prefer to be the ones to choose their escort. If you decide to accept the job, I think we could start tomorrow after lunch, with today¡¯s afternoon and tomorrow morning, to find the supplies and extra weaponry. They have their own carriage. I took the liberty of warning them that if too many of us died or it became too dangerous, we would either turn back or find a safe place to go.¡± Duza nodded while leaning on the table to support her crossed fingers. Ronald tried to look away, that cleavage was too tempting, and those two big and round breasts seemed to call for his attention. Duza smiled after a short moment. - ¡°I am not counting on taking any risk with our lives, you did well on warn them. I think we can accept that task, but it would be better if we went by boat at the border of Thetria. We could go by horse along Kwoghia, Rediorumia, Thetria, get a boat there and by sea until Argoheria. If all goes well, in less than four months we will arrive at our destination.¡± Ronald raised his arm. - ¡°I don¡¯t know how to ride a horse, I never learned.¡± Duza was surprised. - ¡°How did you manage to get to this country, all the way from Trebiak?¡± - ¡°By foot. Sometimes, a ride on the top of a carriage or an open wagon. Considering that they have a carriage and we will always travel on roads, we can put the supplies on top of the carriage, correct? I can go in there as well, or, I can take this opportunity to learn how to ride.¡± Ovaidel tapped his back. - ¡°I can take care of that, I am a good teacher! The wolf can go on top of the carriage, he will have a good spot to look around so that we can rest assured that he warns us if something weird happens.¡± Ini looked around and asked: - ¡°So, we are in agreement? The only thing left for us to do is to have a talk with our employers. And you two, while walking around the City, search for supplies. Rice, potatoes, meat, vegetables, and bags of grain for the horses.¡± Ronald raised his arm again. - ¡°I think I can find some eatable plants along the way. The meat won¡¯t be a problem either, I can hunt with Woof. I was told that if prey is not available, Monsters such as Lamias, Harpies or Orcs, are very tasty. I never tried, but I know how to cook snake, birds and pig.¡± Ini frowned. - ¡°I would prefer not eating those. Unless you are an amazing Cook¡­ Either way, its better if we have enough food and water instead of depending on finding those, during our travel. But we don¡¯t need a lot, we can buy in some Villages and Cities while we travel. Well, go away, you are losing daylight! Have a nice walk, and Mister Ronald, don¡¯t let anyone get too familiar with our Duza there, because in those clothes, she can get into a lot of problems!¡± Duza quickly got up, with her face all red. - ¡°What do you mean by that? Mira helped me to choose these clothes! I wanted to go in my combat clothes, but she was the one to say that for a mere walk, these clothes would be better!¡± Ini hid a smile. - ¡°I agree with her. Those are indeed the perfect clothes to show this City to Mister Ronald. And you, be a good boy and pay her a snack during your search for supplies. In the market, there are always stalls with drinks and all kinds of food.¡± Ronald nodded. - ¡°Of course, that was my intention. No way that I would be walking with a woman and don¡¯t provide food and drink when we take a rest. Miss Duza, shall we go?¡± Duza smiled but before she could answer, a woman scream was heard from the front desk. When they looked, Ma Yangfa was screaming while Woof had his arm on the mouth. Ma tried to get loose, only to make Woof bit harder and make his arm bleed. Mira was shouting for Woof to stop. After her second shout, Woof let go but he stood between Mira and Ma, growling. Ronald rushed to get there. - ¡°Woof, quiet boy! Miss Mira, what happened?¡± Mira was all red, and she stuttered to explain: - ¡°I¡­ was giving orders to Woof, to see if he obeyed me¡­ I told Woof to be alert¡­ and then Ma approached and shouted my name when I had my back to the front desk. He was playing me a prank, but I got spooked and shouted. I think Woof thought that I was in danger and he jumped on Ma to stop him!¡± Ronald kneeled to look at Woof while caressing his head. He was still growling at Ma Yangfa. - ¡°Calm down, boy. You did good, don¡¯t worry. Miss Mira was not in danger, but you couldn¡¯t know. You did a good job on protecting her, thanks. Mister Ma, sorry for this, but it was your fault. Woof is very obedient, and Miss Mira ordered him to be alert. He saw your prank towards Miss Mira as an attack.¡±You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Ma was holding his bleeding arm and breathing heavily. - ¡°Yeah¡­ That was indeed a very bad idea¡­ I thought it would be funny, I didn¡¯t know he was behind the front desk!¡± Mira rushed to Ma, with a bowl of clean water and a rag, to help him. - ¡°Let me take care of you, Ma, and sorry for this. I was just playing with Woof!¡± - ¡°No, I was the one at fault. You have a very good escort. No one in here would dare to attack me as he did, and this little guy didn¡¯t even hesitate!¡± Ronald got up again, and he winked one eye to Ma Yangfa. - ¡°I am counting on you to help Woof on protecting Miss Mira against this horde of crazy men, ok?¡± - ¡°Of course, that goes without asking!¡± Ronald left, after taking one last look to a red-smiling-face Mira. When he got near Duza, she was smiling too. She pointed with her head into their direction. - ¡°It¡¯s good to see those two like that. They make a nice couple, don¡¯t they?¡± Ronald agreed. - ¡°I thought the same thing, yesterday. I hope that evolves, it would be funny seeing them going all lovey-dovey. The kind and beautiful Miss Mira with the big and mean Ma Yangfa! Heheheh!¡± While they were leaving the Guild, Duza pointed back with her right thumb. - ¡°Ma is not mean, he is truly amazing and a gentle person. But because of his looks, people always tend to fear him.¡± - ¡°I know, I like him, too. After what I did to him yesterday, a mean man would not rest until he got revenge. But I think we became friends. And late this day, he will either be friends with Woof, or he will lose one arm if he scares Miss Mira again while Woof is next to her! So, where can we go first?¡± Duza smiled while grabbing the side of her dress to lift it a little, to be easier for her to walk without dragging the dress on the soil. - ¡°We can go along this street, look at the Church, see the main house of the City Chief and go to the Market in the central square. There are a lot of small shops near it, where we can ask the prices for the supplies that we need. We must make a list of everything and the total of what it will cost, to present it to our employers, because supplies and stays in some Inns for them along the way, it¡¯s their responsibility. We can sleep outside, in a stable or an Inn, but that it¡¯s on our own.¡± They walked down the street, stopping from time to time for Ronald to look at the entrance of a house that caught his attention with Duza telling him what she knew about the people living in there. When they approached the Church, Ronald asked if they could enter, and even with Duza frowning, she agreed with him. In there, Ronald saw some paintings along the walls, depicting some past battles and Kings. On the back wall, facing the entrance, was a picture of the World with Gaya over it and God Seya underneath it, with his arms stretched like if he was lifting the entire World. Right in front of it, there was a circle on the floor, with drawings similar to those that he saw on the cave where Ronald appeared. Ronald stopped right in front of it, looking. A Priest came from a room at the right, he had a rag on his left hand, and it seemed like he was cleaning something at the back. He greeted Ronald with a smile: - ¡°Good morning for you, stranger! And to you too, Miss!¡± - ¡°Good morning Priest. I was just looking at this circle. And this painting.¡± - ¡°Yes, this World supervised by Gaya, the Magical Mountain and God Seya, carrying and supporting it. And this circle, you know what it is, right?¡± Ronald shook his head while looking at it. - ¡°No, I can¡¯t say I know what it is. I think it has something to do with Magic, but I don¡¯t know what.¡± The Priest opened his mouth, and he looked at Duza, that seemed as surprised as him. Ronald realized that he said something that he shouldn¡¯t, so he tried to explain himself: - ¡°This is my first time entering into a Church. I never had the time to do that, previously.¡± - ¡°But¡­ for sure you went to one with another Priest, for your judgment when you turned sixteen!¡± - ¡°No, never, Priest. I never thought of leaving this World, so, I never went to a Church to be judged. I hope you don¡¯t think badly of me for never doing it¡­¡± - ¡°No¡­ not really¡­ just surprised¡­ I know that some people never did that, but I never met one. May I ask why you were never judged by Gaya?¡± Ronald shrugged his shoulders. - ¡°I had a happy life, with a family and friends. I never thought about leaving them. And after my friends got married and moved to another City and my family got killed, I was so depressed that I never thought of doing it. But I still have time, right? Gaya is returning in a few months, maybe I try my luck when that time comes. Or maybe I won¡¯t and decide to remain here. Let¡¯s see what the future holds for me.¡± The Priest smiled, and he then turned to Duza. - ¡°And you, young lady, are you coming to be judged in a few months?¡± Duza had a very serious look on her face. - ¡°No, Priest. I am very happy as I am. I already know that because of my past, even if I tried, Gaya would never approve of me.¡± - ¡°Nonsense, such a kind and beautiful young woman such as yourself, for sure¡­¡± Before he could say anything else, Duza interrupted. - ¡°I am Duza Sonanji, Priest. I am perfectly aware of what Gaya will say if I come here to be judged.¡± The Priest trembled a little. - ¡°Forgive me, Miss Duza Sonanji, I didn¡¯t recognize you in those clothes and loose hair. I will say no more. But you could be surprised or even tempted to change your ways if you decided to come, you never know¡­¡± Duza made a small smile. - ¡°Maybe, or maybe not. But I would never leave my father and sister behind, you know that. Forgive us, but we must go, we need to look for supplies for our next job.¡± The Priest made a slight bow. - ¡°May God Seya guide your life, young ones.¡± Ronald returned the bow, and he followed Duza. While they were walking, Duza was silent. After five minutes, with Ronald waiting for her to say something, he asked: - ¡°Why¡­¡± But she interrupted him. - ¡°With my line of work, one is always in some kind of danger or difficult situation. I am still alive while many other Adventurers from our Guild are dead. I keep on living because I react with violence and death towards anything or anyone that threatens me. Because I am a woman, some people tend to underestimate me and try to get any kind of advantage, thinking that they will have their way. Those don¡¯t live long. I hope you don¡¯t turn out to be one of those. I would be upset, and Mira won¡¯t forgive me if I took your head.¡± - ¡°I see¡­ I will do my best to conquer your confidence. If I can¡¯t, no harm is done, I will just continue travelling and leave you alone.¡± Duza turned bright red, and replied: - ¡°I would prefer if you conquered me¡­ I mean¡­ If you¡­¡± Ronald smiled and looked at her while touching a small curl in her hair. - ¡°I will try to gain your confidence. And your heart, if possible¡­¡± Duza looked away. - ¡°I am¡­ a very difficult woman¡­ or so I was told¡­¡± - ¡°Maybe, or that is just an act on your part, as protection. Well, I don¡¯t have any rush, I have a lot of time to make you trust me a little more. Maybe this job helps if you decide to accept it.¡± Duza made a small smile. - ¡°Maybe our travel makes you get stronger because my father will never approve of you. A simple Farmer with his older daughter? He would never¡­¡± Ronald placed a finger over her lips. - ¡°I don¡¯t need anyone else¡¯s approval. Besides, I think I have already conquered your father. And your sister. I even managed to conquer your companions and Ma Yangfa! But¡­ I haven¡¯t met your mother¡­¡± - ¡°She died when I was little. She was a Guard, and she was often in battles on the border of that forest. A company of soldiers from Breidan came from there, and she died while fighting them. I was told that she had the most killings when she was hit by an arrow straight to her heart.¡± - ¡°I am sorry, I didn¡¯t know. Do you remember her?¡± - ¡°Yes. Mira has some recollections, but she was so little when our mother died that she only remembers her singing. I still remember her looks, smell, and how she smiled. I hope that God Seya found a nice place for her to rest, she deserved it.¡± They continued their walk, passing in front of the City Chief¡¯s house, with a Guard on the other side of the gate looking at them. Duza made a slight bow, and he remained still, just looking. They went in the direction of the Market, where Ronald took the chance to choose some freshly baked cookies and some fruit juice, for them to eat while seated on a nearby bench. Duza was smiling while eating, watching a couple of kids playing catch-up. She pointed to a shop on her left. - ¡°We can go there, for you to choose some armour. You just have those combat clothes and that sword, right? You could have some armour and a shield, as protection.¡± Ronald shrugged his shoulders. - ¡°Never needed it. I saw some people in the Guild with it, but I think it winders the movements. Ma Yangfa can be strong, but all that armour that he wears makes him slow and easy to defeat.¡± - ¡°Easy to defeat? Only you to say something like that! Even with all that armour that he always wears, no one is faster than him! Well, except the Guild Master, Ini, and me¡­ Oh, and you!¡± - ¡°Like I said, easy to defeat. You saw it, right? Even Woof had him as a snack, early. No, I pass on the armour. But we could buy a battle axe for Ovaidel. He uses two short swords, right? It would be funny, seeing a Dwarf with his size, with a big battle axe!¡± - ¡°Yeah, I already tried to convince him to get one, but he says that it doesn¡¯t work for him, he thinks it¡¯s a slow weapon.¡± - ¡°That¡¯s a pity, it would be so funny¡­ And that shop over there, with that strange drawing of a wolf on that sign over the door?¡± - ¡°That¡¯s a Card Shop. It sells Magical Cards. We can check it up if you want.¡± - ¡°I do, I am a little curious¡­¡± After finishing eating, they walked in the direction of the Card Shop. Duza knocked and an old woman opened the door with a weird smile. - ¡°Oh, visitors! Please come in! I have a very nice selection of Magical Cards for such a lovely couple!¡± Duza turned bright red, and she looked at Ronald from the corner of her eye to check his reaction. He was a little awkward, looking surprised. Duza hid her smile, and she followed the old woman into the shop. Ronald stopped at a closet, looking at some Cards that were displayed in there, protected underneath a window, with some supports holding them upright for easy reading. A ¡°Big Rat¡± and ¡°Giant Spider¡± Card, next to a ¡°Bottomless Hole¡±. The old woman noticed where he was looking. - ¡°Interesting, right? Three of my best Cards. Very expensive and difficult to find. I have some more in a drawer in my desk, that are even rarer, if you want to have a look.¡± - ¡°I do. I would also want to see some that are more common and cheap.¡± The old woman nodded, and she went to behind the front desk. She took a key from a necklace and she opened the bottom drawer. From there, she took a small wooden Card Box. - ¡°Here. Two spells, ¡°Lightning Strike¡±, ¡°Fire Slash¡± and a trap, ¡°Catapult¡±. Together with those three that you saw in there, are the most expensive that I have. You would have to search in a lot of Card Shops to find these.¡± - ¡°I see¡­ You don¡¯t have ¡°Willpower Cards¡± or ¡°Mana Cards¡±?¡± - ¡°No¡­ I only saw one of those, once, in all my life. A High Mage had it. They are almost impossible to find. And the ones that exist, have owners that aren¡¯t willing to sell them to anyone!¡± - ¡°Really? Interesting¡­ So, can you show me some more common Cards? And also, tell me the price of the ¡°Lightning Strike¡±, ¡°Fire Slash¡± and the ¡°Catapult¡± Cards.¡± The old woman slowly shook her head. - ¡°Young man, you don¡¯t know that for using these Cards, you must be in sync with them?¡± - ¡°Well, I already know that I was in sync with some of these some time ago, but I don¡¯t know if I am with these. I guess I need to try, right?¡± The old woman pointed at the Cards and Ronald touched them with his right index finger. He felt a tickling and smiled. - ¡°It tickles¡­ Well, I guess I am in sync with these. So, the price for them?¡± The old woman blinked a few times, surprised because the Cards that she had for so long, that no one was in sync for all the past few years, had found an owner. - ¡°These spells are three silver coins each and the trap, four silver coins.¡± - ¡°Miss Duza, is this reasonable? I really don¡¯t know what the prices of these Cards are, in this Kingdom.¡± Duza was biting her lip. - ¡°Yes, it¡¯s fair¡­ But¡­ you want to spend money on this? But your Mana¡­¡± She stopped speaking because Ronald made an angry look at her. He then made a small smile to the old woman. - ¡°Well, considering the amount of dust on some Cards that you have displayed and the lack of customers, I could guess that you don¡¯t have many opportunities to sell Cards like these ones, right? So, what are the common Cards that you have and that most people buy?¡± The old woman opened the top drawer, and she took a small chest from there. She then grabbed some Cards and placed them over her desk. - ¡°This one is often bought by young couples, the Spell Card ¡°Light Ray¡± for 100 Mana, that blinds a person for a few minutes, giving time for a young lady to escape, and these that are bought by parents to offer their children, the Magical Beings ¡°Jumping Rabbit¡± and the ¡°Fast Bird¡±, each for 50 Mana.¡± Ronald was smiling at the drawings. - ¡°These are pretty¡­ How much?¡± - ¡°Two copper coins each. Very cheap, right?¡± Ronald pointed to the Spell Card ¡°Light Ray¡± while asking Duza. - ¡°Do you have one of these?¡± - ¡°No¡­ I have Mana for it, but I prefer taking the head of someone that tries to attack me¡­¡± - ¡°Well, since couples always buy this¡­ and because I think this Rabbit and the Bird look funny¡­ let me test it¡­ it tickles too¡­ cool¡­ Now you.¡± Duza touched the ¡°Light Ray¡± and she nodded. - ¡°It works for me¡­ but¡­ these are bought by the man to offer to a woman¡­¡± Ronald smiled. - ¡°Last time I checked, we were a man and a woman¡­ So, I want the ¡°Lightning Strike¡±, ¡°Fire Slash¡±, ¡°Catapult¡±, ¡°Light Ray¡±, ¡°Jumping Rabbit¡± and the ¡°Fast Bird¡± Cards, please. For a total of ten silver coins and six copper coins, correct?¡± The old woman trembled for a moment. So much money was surprising. - ¡°Yes¡­ that¡¯s correct¡­ and¡­ if you want all that, I can even offer a wooden Card Box for them.¡± - ¡°That¡¯s not needed. Just the Cards, please. Here are the coins. It was a pleasure doing business with you. Let me just place these Cards in my Card Box¡­ and here is your ¡°Light Ray¡±. Try to use it next time someone messes with you instead of killing the poor bastard, ok?¡± Duza grabbed the Card with a trembling hand and held it near her chest. Because that dress didn¡¯t have any pockets, she placed the Card under her underwear and over her right breast on the same side of her heart. - ¡°Ok¡­ thanks¡­¡± - ¡°Thanks for the business, see you next time.¡± The old woman was smiling, looking at the coins on her hand. - ¡°I am the one to be grateful, young man. I was thinking that I would never find someone that could use those Cards!¡± They both left the Card Shop, leaving behind a waving old woman. While they were walking, Duza was intrigued. - ¡°Ronald¡­ why did you buy those Cards? For what I saw in the Status Sphere, you only have 200 Mana for spending each day¡­ Those Cards, you can only use that amount¡­¡± - ¡°I intend on getting stronger, remember? With these, I have an extra incentive. And they are lighter than an armour, right?¡± - ¡°Yeah¡­ but you would be safer with armour than with those Cards¡­¡± - ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I managed to stay alive until now, with my strength, a few Cards, Woof, and this sword.¡± - ¡°But the journey ahead of us, it¡¯s very dangerous. A lot of things can happen.¡± - ¡°Yeah, I am a little excited about it. Travelling with you and the others looks like it¡¯s going to be a lot of fun. So, Duza, where to next?¡± - ¡°Hey, what happened to Miss Duza? - ¡°You were the one to address me as Ronald, only moments ago¡­ But if you prefer¡­¡± - ¡°No, I¡­ don¡¯t mind¡­ even the others call me Duza. You were the only one to call me Miss Duza. I kind of¡­ got used to it¡­¡± - ¡°Very well, Miss Duza, I shall continue addressing you like that.¡± Duza strongly shook her head. - ¡°No¡­ I¡­ when we are alone, I would prefer if you only used my name¡­ Ronald¡­ it seems more¡­ appropriate¡­¡± - ¡°Of course, dear Duza, I will do just that¡­¡± Duza became bright red. Being called ¡°dear¡± was too sudden. But she smiled with a sparkle on her eyes. She then pointed to a nearby stall where some bags of potatoes and rice were exposed. On the next stall, there were vegetables and dried meat. While Ronald was asking the price for those, Duza noticed four Border Guards walking in the market, talking loudly and with one of them trying to kiss a young seller woman. Since she refused to be kissed, one guard slapped her while shouting that she should be honoured to be kissed by someone that is always protecting the border with that dangerous forest. Duza turned to look at the rice bags while watching from the corner of her eyes to those four rude Border Guards. Then, one of the Guards noticed her and he elbowed the one next to him, pointing at her. She saw them walking towards the stall and she swiftly went near Ronald, grabbed his arm, smiled at the seller and guided him along the market. She disguised and increased the speed of the walk while pointing to a store. Ronald thought something was happening but before he could say anything, she pointed to an alley and spoke in a loud voice, for the pursuers that were only at three meters away, could hear: - ¡°Let¡¯s go through there, it¡¯s a short-cut to a beautiful shop in the back street!¡± Ronald didn¡¯t say a thing. Riattus also saw the Guards approaching, and he was the first to warn him that trouble was coming. When they entered the alley and almost in the middle of it, one of the Border Guards shouted: - ¡°You two, stop! You are looking suspicious!¡± Duza stopped, and she looked at them with a weird smile. - ¡°We are the suspicious ones? What about you four, annoying every woman in the market? And when you saw me you decided to try your luck with the fragile young woman in the green dress? I don¡¯t want to ruin my beautiful dress with your blood, but you are pushing your luck a little too far, by interrupting our walk. You may not recognize me, but I know who you all are. Your deeds and bad reputation precedes you, but no one does a thing because you are Border Guards. And you abuse the goodwill of our people. Unlucky for you, I hate people that disgraces the amazingly good reputation of the Border Guards¡­¡± While talking, Duza was pulling her dress up, raising the bottom until it reached her knees. She quickly tied the excess fabric with the two strings at both sides that Ronald thought it was only for decoration. Only at that time, he realized that Duza had that dress prepared for a fight if needed. She quickly grabbed the two daggers that she was hiding on her thighs and she lowered her body a little and bent her knees. - ¡°So, who wants to be the first to die?¡± As soon as the Guards approached their hands to the swords, Ronald moved at light speed. He put his hand under Duza¡¯s dress and took from her underwear the Spell Card that she had over her breast. He then shouted while throwing the Card to the front between them and the Guards: - ¡°Duza, close your eyes! ¡°Light Ray!¡±¡± A blinding light spread from the Card, as bright as the sun. Ronald closed his eyes and covered them with his hands. The Guards were shouting, in panic: - ¡°Aargh!... I can¡¯t see¡­ What¡¯s happening¡­¡± When Riattus told him it was safe, Ronald opened his eyes and ran towards the Guards. When Duza opened her eyes, she saw him holding a Guard on each hand and bumping them against each other, knocking them out. He then punched the third one and kicked the last one in the groins. A karate chop on the back of his neck knocked him too. When he finished, he bent over to get Duza¡¯s Spell Card from the ground. He gave it to her, with his face all red. - ¡°I am sorry for what I did¡­ I had no second intentions about touching your breast as I did, I just wanted to get the Card to protect you. I know that you don¡¯t need to be protected, but you were going to kill them and ruin your beautiful dress. You look very pretty with it, I would prefer if you could use it on another day.¡± Duza turned bright red, and she put the daggers on the leg sheaths again and loose the strings of her dress. She put the Card under her underwear, with a slight smile. - ¡°That¡¯s ok¡­ but try not to touch my breast so sudden¡­ next time, at least kiss me while doing it¡­ but I am not an easy woman, you will have to work a lot, for me to be willing to be kissed or touched by you¡­¡± - ¡°Well, I don¡¯t mind the extra work. So, what do we do with these guys?¡± Duza looked to both ends of the alley. - ¡°No one saw what happened, but when they wake up, they will try to find out who did this. Sooner or later, they will know who I am. A lot of people saw us getting out of the Guild. We could have a lot of trouble because of them¡­¡± - ¡°They were the ones to cause all this. We just defended ourselves.¡± - ¡°Yes, but no one saw it. It''s our word against four Border Guards. Because of their line of work, everyone will believe in them.¡± Ronald looked at the Guards. She could be right, but he had so little knowledge about the World that he wasn¡¯t sure about what to do. Riattus hovered to be next to the four Guards, and he spoke with a concerned look on his face. - ¡°You know, she is completely right. Even if you all go tomorrow on that journey, these guys will make a mess in the Guild, looking for you both. They will for sure try to catch you before you leave the country and if they don¡¯t achieve that, they will wait for you to come back. Or they will go after the Guild Master since he is her father and all. There are only two things that you can do. Do nothing or make them disappear for good. Because even if you hurt or threaten them to not tell a thing, sooner or later they will recover or break the agreement. And these guys look like the vindictive type. If it was me, I would prefer to make them disappear, but it¡¯s your call.¡± Ronald looked at Duza and then at the Guards. He whispered: - ¡°Maybe make them disappear inside a deep hole¡­¡± Duza heard him. - ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Riattus pointed at her with his right thumb. - ¡°If you do that, she will get suspicious. But for what I saw so far, she is well level-headed. A strong woman in this dump of a World. I think you can trust her. On her companions, I don¡¯t know. For my experience, Church fanatics like that Reylom always caused me more problems than I thought at first. Like I said, your call. I will help you with everything I can, you know that.¡± Ronald turned to Duza and placed one hand over her right shoulder. - ¡°Duza, I am going to make sure that these guys don¡¯t cause any more problems for you. But I need you to promise me that you don¡¯t ask me anything and you can never tell what I am about to do, to anyone, including your father and sister.¡± - ¡°But, what are you ¡­?¡± Ronald placed one finger on her lips. - ¡°No questions. Can I trust you?¡± Duza slowly nodded. Ronald went near the four knocked out Guards and from the Card Box on the inner pocket of his combat vest, he took one Card that he threw to their side and activated it. A dark, deep hole appeared on the ground. Ronald quickly threw the Guards inside of it before the baffled look that Duza had. When the hole disappeared, he picked up the Card and placed it on his Card Box again. Duza pointed at the ground where the hole used to be, and she stuttered: - ¡°A ¡°Bottomless Hole¡± Card¡­ you had one of those¡­ but¡­ you shouldn¡¯t have enough Mana for it after using my Spell Card, how¡­¡± - ¡°Duza, I warned you, didn¡¯t I? No questions and no talking about this to anyone. Or I will disappear immediately. Can I trust you to keep this for yourself?¡± - ¡°Yes¡­ But, will you explain this to me, one day?¡± - ¡°Of course, when I am sure that it¡¯s safe. It may take a while, I hope you can wait for my explanation.¡± - ¡°I guess¡­ Thanks for this, I could have a lot of problems because of those bastards. And my family¡­ I knew it was a bad idea, putting on this dress. If I had my normal clothes and my tied-up hair, they would know who I was, and they wouldn¡¯t dare to mess with me.¡± - ¡°But I would never have the chance to walk around town with you today, looking so astonishing. Not that you don¡¯t look good in your normal clothes, but your dress is very beautiful, and it suits you, together with your loose hair. Besides, if they didn¡¯t come after you, they could have gone after another woman, one that would have a lot of problems with them. So, before I forget, let me just pop those Mana Orbs. I need to get stronger fast, right?¡± Ronald touched each ball, one after the other, feeling the familiar tickling. He then smiled at Duza and went towards her. - ¡°Well, shall we continue our walk? Don¡¯t you forget, this never happened.¡± -Yeah¡­ But you can use the Status Sphere that the Guild Master has, for assigning¡­¡± - ¡°No, he could ask about how I managed to get more Status Points and I don¡¯t want to answer that. Don¡¯t worry, I will take care of it, at another time. So, shall we go?¡± Duza followed him, more intrigued than when he first entered the Guild. He was indeed very interesting and with so many questions appearing when so many others were previously answered by their talk at the Guild. She hides a smile, maybe he could turn out to be her mate. She already figured out that he was interested in her, but she wasn¡¯t sure if she felt the same way or if she was just impressed by his mysteriousness. They went to the Market again, checking the prices of every supply that they would need. When it was almost lunchtime, they returned to the Guild. As soon as they entered, they noticed the silence all around, with everyone that was at the tables looking to the front desk where Woof was growling to a pair of Knights that were escorting a young boy in shiny clothes full of frills. Next to Woof, was Mira, holding his neck scarfs and the Guild Master, that looked angry. Ronald heard him and by that, he could almost figure out what was happening. - ¡°No, you can¡¯t have this wolf. He is not ours, to begin with, he belongs to one of our members. But we all consider that he as well, is a member, despite being a wolf.¡± The boy bumped his right feet on the floor a few times. - ¡°Not fair! Why this Guild can have a wild wolf as a pet, and I can¡¯t? If I tell this to my father, he will order you to obey! He is the City Chief, and he has more authority than you and¡­¡± Before the boy could say anything more, Ronald interrupted as soon as he got near them: - ¡°Thanks, Miss Mira. I hope he didn¡¯t give too much trouble. Woof, come here, boy! Miss Mira, can we have something for lunch? We walked for a while, and we are starving.¡± The boy spoke and while looking at Ronald, made a proud pose. - ¡°You! Why didn¡¯t you greet me in the proper manner that a Nobel like me deserves?¡± Ronald looked at the boy, from top to bottom. He then looked at the Knights that seemed to be a little worried about so many Adventurers nearby. Ronald approached the boy and whispered at his right ear: - ¡°Careful, boy¡­ I am in a really bad mood. I am a skilled assassin in disguise and if you make me angry, I will appear inside your room in the middle of the night and slice your throat. Next, I will go after your mother and I will rape her while your father watches. I will then chop her head and drink her blood before killing your father. Maybe I rape him too, I will decide at that time. Now, don¡¯t you say one more word and leave. If I see you again, I will make you regret it for the rest of your very short life! Do you understand what I just said? Nod your head if you do. If I need to repeat myself, I will kill you this instant. The boy turned pale and slowly nods his head. He then turned to face Mira. - ¡°I¡­ will just take the deer meat that you have from my father¡¯s Quest¡­ let¡¯s go¡­¡± The boy left, wobbling a little, followed by the Knights. Ronald frowned while watching him. - ¡°Such a rude brat¡­ What was that about?¡± The Guild Master took a deep breath. - ¡°The usual, a spoiled Nobel¡¯s son. But this one has more power than it should, for someone of only ten years old. He is used to having all his wishes granted because if not, his father can cause a lot of problems for someone that doesn¡¯t bend to his whims. What did you say to him?¡± - ¡°I might have threatened him a little¡­ or made a fair warning. I need to think about this for a while. Maybe I need to have another talk with him so that he realizes that I wasn¡¯t joking. Or else, he could cause some problems for you.¡± - ¡°No, he won¡¯t. We may not look like it, but we are a very powerful Guild. This City relies on us, for helping on protecting them from the Breidan Army or Monsters that comes too often from the forest. That boy may not know about this, but I grew up with his father. I warned him a lot of times that his kid was getting this kind of bad habit and one day, he would either die because of that or cause the death of someone. Maybe you should be more careful, you tend to put yourself in this kind of situation, more often than you should.¡± Ronald agreed with him, Riattus said something similar, previously. - ¡°You are right, but it¡¯s also your fault for having such kind and beautiful daughters that make everyone willing to protect them¡­ Didn¡¯t you notice that Ma Yangfa over there had one hand over his sword? And Ini had an arrow ready? If I didn¡¯t scare him, there would be a lot of blood on this floor again. And Miss Mira would have a lot of trouble, cleaning it. You should thank me for my intervention, instead of looking at me so worried about my well-being.¡± The Guild Master looked around and he noticed a bunch of hidden smiles and muffled laughter. - ¡°The nerve of this guy¡­ Ok, thank you, Mister Ronald, for your kind and thoughtful intervention! Now, Mira told me that Duza went to show the town to you, what do you¡­?¡± Only then, the Guild Master noticed Duza approaching. His jaw dropped, she looked just like her mother, in a beautiful dress and loose hair that was floating as she walked towards him, with a smile on her lips. When she got near him, he slowly placed his right hand on her face. - ¡°Duza¡­ you¡­ remind me of your mother, like that¡­ why¡­¡± He then noticed that she was turning red and was nervously looking in Ronald¡¯s direction. He looked back and saw Mira smiling, with a shine in her eyes. Since Ronald was so serious, he understood immediately. With a small nod of his head, he went to his office again. That reaction surprised Ronald, and he asked Mira. - ¡°He is angry with me, or what?¡± - ¡°No, I think he just realized that Duza grew up and became a very beautiful woman. Did you both enjoy your walk? I have lunch ready for you, but I didn¡¯t know if you would come back in time or not. Go seat, I will take care of your meal.¡± From Ronald¡¯s back, a familiar voice was heard. - ¡°Do you have room for three more? We would like to eat here, if possible. Unless Mister Ronald wants to make another mess, of course. That Noble boy and those two Knights almost threw me into the ground, on their hurry to get out from here!¡± Chapter 5 Ronald turned back to face a smiling Feebles and the young couple that wanted to hire Duza¡¯s Party. - ¡°Mister Feebles¡­ and Mister Taly¡­ Miss Ari¡­ since when are you¡­¡± Taly was smiling. - ¡°We entered right after you, but you were so distracted talking with that woman in the green dress that you did not even saw us. Love is such a beautiful thing, isn¡¯t it? So, while we eat, can we talk with your Party Leader?¡± Ronald pointed with his hand towards Duza. - ¡°I think so, but you can ask her, she is Miss Duza Sonanji.¡± Taly had some trouble stopping his laughter and Ari elbowed him on his side. - ¡°Stop that, you stupid brat! Forgive this guy, Miss Duza, he has the bad habit of speaking before thinking. But you must also agree that seeing you like that after being told about your reputation as a dangerous Adventurer in this City is too surprising in its own manner.¡± Duza nodded while frowning towards Mira. - ¡°Yeah, I knew it was a bad idea putting on this dress, but my sister thought it would look good on me and it would also be appropriate for a walk around the City¡­¡± Ari smiled. - ¡°She was right, you know? It does look good on you. And judging by the looks these guys around us are making, I am not the only one thinking that way.¡± Duza took a quick look around and she noticed some appreciative looks towards her. She felt a little awkward, and she didn¡¯t know what to say. Ari held her arm and pointed to an empty table. - ¡°Shall we seat over there? You may have some questions for us, and we have some for you as well.¡± Duza pointed to the table where Ini, Ovaidel, and Reylom were. - ¡°Over there, near my companions. We need to join one more table to make room for all of us.¡± - ¡°As you wish. Taly, dear, can you get some chairs for us? Or you are really waiting to see if someone works for you? Don¡¯t you frown at me, move already! Sometimes I just don¡¯t know what to do with him! Men¡­¡± Duza smiled, and she went to meet the others. Ronald followed her, with Woof at one side and Feebles on the other. Mira and a servant brought food for everyone. When they seated, Feebles asked: - ¡°I don¡¯t know if I can be here, you wish to talk among yourselves, I am not needed for¡­¡± Duza interrupted him. - ¡°By all means, Mister Feebles, you were the one to arrange all this. If you didn¡¯t talk about Ronald to them, we wouldn¡¯t be here. So, first thing first, who are you two?¡± Ari slowly shook her head. - ¡°No need to know, for the completion of the job for which we are hiring you.¡± - ¡°Neither the less, I need to know that, or at least, be assured that you aren¡¯t being targeted by some envious Noble family that wants your lands. And also, to believe that you won¡¯t run from us without paying for the escort service.¡± - ¡°That will not be a problem. No one knows us in this region, and we left our country disguised as Merchants in a caravan that was leaving. And trust goes both ways, Miss Duza. We trust in a man that was able to gain the trust of a wild wolf. We trust you because he does. As for the others¡­ Well, let¡¯s just say that I don¡¯t like what I see. A beardy tall man that looks angry with everything, another one that is looking at me with mischievous eyes like if he wants to undress me by force, and another one that¡¯s hiding his features by that hood over his head. But if you trust them, so shall we. As for the payment, we already told Mister Ronald the amount and our terms for the payment.¡± While Ini was holding his laughter, Ovaidel was frowning and Reylom choked with a piece of bread. Duza leaned forward and crossed her fingers on top of the table. Ronald had to do a lot of effort for not staring at her cleavage. She didn¡¯t seem to notice that she had so much power over healthy men, with her natural attributes. - ¡°You can trust them, we came along way, over these past few years. They may not look like it, as do I, in these clothes, but we are all very good at this job. The only one that I can¡¯t vouch, it¡¯s Ronald, we just met him yesterday. But it¡¯s as you said, if that wolf trusts him, so do we. But since he entered those doors yesterday, he has shown a strong character, convictions, and an acute sense of honour. I believe you are in good hands if you choose us as your escort.¡± Ari made a small smile. - ¡°Ok, I will trust you on that. But if that man touches me in a weird way or if I catch him looking at me while I am naked and taking a bath, I will kill him without any hesitation. ¡° While Reylom looked insulted, Duza tried to calm Ari: - ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about Reylom. He used to be a Priest from the Diocese of Thetria.¡± - ¡°That¡¯s not even slightly reassuring. Priests from there are used to have their own way, and many are rumoured to be misguided from God Seya¡¯s teachings.¡± Reylom spoke, with a very serious look on his face: - ¡°That¡¯s the reason why I left Thetria. I couldn¡¯t concur with some things that I saw, and I couldn¡¯t do a thing to stop it¡­ Some Priests are already lost, but many others are honoured. You can¡¯t put us all in the same bag. And I wasn¡¯t looking at you in a weird way, I am surprised because you are very beautiful while being so young.¡± Ari made a frown. - ¡°Either way, consider yourself warned, ¡°former Priest¡±. It¡¯s better for your health that I don¡¯t catch you again, looking at me like that. You may say that I am wrong, or you may say that you are trustworthy, but I can perfectly recognize a man that likes young women a little too much. You can¡¯t fool me, ¡°former Priest¡±, and I am also way more dangerous than I look. You would be wise about keeping yourself on my good side, or we are going to have some problems.¡± Taly placed one hand over Ari¡¯s left hand and squeezed it a little. - ¡°Ari, come on¡­ I warned you already about that. If a man tries to undress you with his eyes, that doesn¡¯t mean that he will try to do it by force¡­ You must excuse my fianc¨¦e, Mister Reylom, she encountered some situations with Priests throughout our journey, and it didn¡¯t go well. For them, I mean. But because it happened too many times and always with Priests, she tends to be a little¡­ how can I say this¡­ biased to think badly of Priests? But don¡¯t worry, I will keep a watch over her behaviour. But it¡¯s better for the sake of a peaceful journey, that you avoid upsetting her. When she gets mad, I have a lot of trouble stopping her. She may not look like it, but she is an amazing fighter, capable of defeating everyone in this room, even if they attack at the same time. Not to mention her ability with Magic. That part is scary¡­¡± Taly trembled a little and strongly shook his head, like if he was trying to get rid of some bad memories. Ari made a forced smile and faced Duza. - ¡°Please don¡¯t think badly of me, but everyone has some trauma in the past. While some continue their lives as if nothing had happened, others have deeper wounds, very difficult to forget. I hope this doesn¡¯t difficult your job or make you deny our Quest.¡± Duza looked at the others and after receiving some nods, she agreed: - ¡°I understand why you may feel that way. But I would appreciate that you took a deep thought on that part along the journey. Reylom might also save your life if trouble appears. Or die to protect you. You are right, he likes younger women a little too much. But he is also completely crazy about little kids. That¡¯s why we always go on jobs where there are missing kids, or someone kills one. Sometimes we lost the payment of a Quest because we made the bad decision of leaving him next to the assassins. There wasn¡¯t much left to collect the prize after he finished¡­¡± Taly looked around. - ¡°So, we have a deal? Good. And as accorded previously¡­ here, five gold coins. At the end of our journey, we will pay the rest, along with an extra for the wolf and Mister Ronald¡¯s cooking. I hope you can take care of the supplies for our journey, and it would be good for my headaches if every two days we could sleep in an Inn because Ari becomes very grumpy if she doesn¡¯t sleep properly and that always gives me headaches. What? You know you become very obnoxious without proper sleep, always nagging and complaining! Miss Duza, have you thought on the path that we will take, to get to Argoheria?¡± Duza opened a map of that region that Ini gave to her. - ¡°We talked about that, early this morning. We can go by horse along Kwoghia, Rediorumia, Thetria, get a boat in Thetria and go by sea until Argoheria. We think that in less than four months we will arrive at Argoheria. Since you have a carriage, I want to ask if the wolf could be allowed to go on top of it, to warn us of any danger around or ahead of us. How many horses does your carriage have? We must buy enough grain for our horses and yours as well.¡± Ari smiled and shook her head. - ¡°Our carriage doesn¡¯t have horses. I use Magical Cards to summon two ¡°Big Dark Bulls¡± and those guys don¡¯t eat.¡± Duza and the others were surprised. Duza stuttered for a while: - ¡°Those¡­ high-level Magical Beings¡­ so, so rare¡­¡± - ¡°Not to mention my other Cards. Now you understand why we started our voyage all alone? We didn¡¯t need protection. I was the one that got tired of so much fighting. Taly on the other hand, never gets enough.¡± Taly was looking at the map and following the roads with his right index finger. He frowned for a while and then he smiled while looking at Ronald. - ¡°Here is a thought¡­ Considering that you could level up from your lower position as a Farmer, what do you say if when we get to¡­ here, near this curve, we both went for a one-day trip to Zakrosia and we meet the others¡­ here, in Thetria.¡± Ari pointed at him with her thumb while smiling to Duza. - ¡°See? Better if we keep him under a close watch, or he will sneak up to go to Zakrosia all alone.¡± Duza was frowning while looking at the map. - ¡°Well¡­ Ronald could take this opportunity to¡­¡± Before she could say anything more, Ronald interrupted. - ¡°No, I don¡¯t need to seek for trouble. Normally, trouble seeks me. We all want a safe trip without too much danger, correct? I think that little excursion to Zakrosia¡­¡± Before he could complete, Riattus spoke next to his ear. - ¡°Go for it. Such a great opportunity for level up doesn¡¯t appear so often. And this little guy seems like he can take care of himself if needed. I think he is way stronger than he looks. Or, you could go all alone, with the excuse to look for some hunt. If you agree with his idea, you will have some problems explaining your stats, but we can take care of it with your Sphere. It would also be a good opportunity to test this group. If they can keep a secret the fact that you have more Mana than you should, you will level up easier, without the need to be so secretive near them. If we came up to the conclusion that they can¡¯t be trusted, we just go to another country as fast as we can. Considering that you can rid that Big Rat of yours and since he is faster than a horse, if it comes up to that, you can get away from them really fast. It would be good if you said that you have a Magical Being that can carry you, as long as someone gets a saddle for it and teach you how to ride.¡± Ronald continued his sentence¡­ - ¡°Well, maybe it¡¯s a good idea, after all. I could improve a lot¡­ And catch some hunt, in the meantime.¡± Duza bit her lip. - ¡°Maybe it would be better if we all go so that you¡­¡± Ronald shook his head. - ¡°No, only me, Woof and Mister Taly will be enough. If we find more danger than we could chew, we just get away the fastest we can. I intended to level up while hunting but killing some Monsters would be faster.¡± Taly was all smiles. - ¡°Great. You can even take all the Mana Orbs, I don¡¯t need to level up anytime soon, I just want to kill some Monsters. I was told that their numbers increased to a dangerous level, and sooner or later, they will start to invade the nearby countries. We could take this chance to thin them down a bit.¡± Duza was still biting her lip but because everyone was smiling and giving ideas to help Ronald decide on his actions if he encountered a great number of Monsters, she concealed her concerns. But Ari noticed her and whispered: - ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Taly is more powerful than he looks. If needed, he could eradicate all the Monsters in Zakrosia, all by himself.¡± Duza whispered back: - ¡°Maybe, but Ronald wanted to lay low. If he levels up too quickly, he may attract more attention than he needs, and that can be dangerous.¡± - ¡°We don¡¯t tell if your guys don¡¯t tell. Who knows, maybe Mister Ronald gets so strong that he will be worthy of being with you. I noticed the way you two look at each other. Don¡¯t worry, your secret is safe with me. Just don¡¯t let Taly realize that, or he will tease you a lot.¡± Duza was surprised. How could she tell? Duza thought that she was hiding her feelings from everyone, even from herself, but maybe that wasn¡¯t the case. Or maybe Ronald impressed her more than she thought, with his actions in the City. It was as she thought on the very first moment that she saw him entering the Guild, he was interesting. Very interesting indeed. The rest of the meeting went smoothly, with the making of the list of supplies and quantities that they would need for the entire journey. Ari was happily rubbing Woof¡¯s left ear while he had his head on her lap. Taly was looking at the map and measuring the distance between the Villages and Cities that Reylom and Ovaidel were pointing out, to find where he and Ari could sleep every two days. Since their carriage had enough space and the benches could be transformed into beds, he and Ari could sleep in there for one night and on the other, in an Inn at the next village or City. The others could camp, and that would mean that they need some mules to carry some camping material and extra supplies. They had three mules and four horses, but with Ronald joining them, they would need another horse. Or so they thought until Ronald said that he only needed a horse''s saddle and riding lessons. That intrigued Ovaidel, and he pointed at Woof.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. - ¡°What do you mean by you only need a saddle? You intend on riding him?¡± - ¡°Ahahah! No, but I have one Magical Card that I want to try out. I was told that I could rid that guy, but I never tried until now.¡± Ovaidel was finally smiling. - ¡°Ok¡­ Well, if it¡¯s a Magical Being, we don¡¯t need food for him, right? And when he disappears and while you recover your Mana, you can ride on top of the carriage next to Woof. Well, one less thing to take care of. Seems that we will not spend too much money on supplies, after all. I thought that one more horse, a mule and grain for all the horses, would be a lot of money. But with Magical Bulls pulling the carriage and Ronald with a Magical ride, things look very promising.¡± Taly smiled. - ¡°Considering that supplies are on us, you are getting a huge sum of money for this escort job. Which means that you can sleep in an Inn from time to time, instead of only camping out. This journey looks like it will be a lot of fun unless we encounter trouble, I mean.¡± That remark granted him a punch on his shoulder by Ari. - ¡°Do you mind not saying that? Every time you say something just as stupid, ¡°shilum¡± things always happen!¡± - ¡°Yeah, sorry about that, my dear. So, since we have almost everything settled, I think we can leave the rest with you guys. We could take the rest of this day to take a walk around. We went to a few places during the morning, we even saw you two in the Market but then four Guards appeared making a mess in there before we could greet you, so we left to go hide in an old woman¡¯s Card Shop.¡± Ari gave one last rub on Woof¡¯s ear and she also got up. - ¡°Well, we will see each other again tomorrow morning for the final preparations. It would be good if you thought about what else we could need so that you could get it tomorrow so that after lunch, we could leave this City and start our voyage. One last thing, because we want to know a little more about this region and the people living on it, it would be great if when we arrived at a City or a village, we could have some time to visit and talk with the people.¡± Duza smiled, and she got up to make a slight bow. - ¡°As you wish, Miss Ari. Mister Taly, it was a pleasure.¡± Taly shook his head. - ¡°Stop with the courteous treatment, ok? We don¡¯t want to attract too much attention on our journey. From now on, we are Taly and Ari. Only that, ok? The only Mister here, it¡¯s Mister Ronald, and that¡¯s only because he treats everyone as Mister and Miss. I don¡¯t know why, but I tend to treat him like that too. Weird, right?¡± They all looked at Ronald while smiling, and he just frowned. - ¡°What? Politeness is a virtue! You prefer that I resembled more with Mister Ovaidel, that always looks angry with everyone?¡± Ovaidel snorted. - ¡°What do you mean by that? I am not angry!¡± Ronald shrugged his shoulders. - ¡°You could fool me¡­ You need to smile more. Or you will never find any friends¡­¡± They all laughed with that remark, even Ovaidel. Taly and Ari left after giving Duza three silver coins and twenty copper coins for the supplies, and Ronald excused himself, he had something to discuss with the Guild Master. Mira guided him to the back office, where her father was. Upon entering, Ronald saw him looking at the map of that region, a little worried. - ¡°Hello, Mister Ronald, have a seat. I am glad that you came, I was about to go meet you. I was told that you are going with Duza on an escort service towards Argoheria and that will take some months. I still owe you three silver coins for the Blue Brittlebush leaves. So, I was wondering, do you want that money now? Because as I said, I don¡¯t have that amount right now.¡± - ¡°That¡¯s not a problem, you can pay me upon our return. I intend on returning, I don¡¯t want to die in the next months.¡± Haje frowned, and he went silent for a while. After a few moments, he took a deep breath and continued: - ¡°How did things go with your walk with Duza?¡± - ¡°Very well, actually. She is fun to be with. And a wonderful guide.¡± - ¡°That was not what I was asking¡­¡± - ¡°I know, but you didn¡¯t ask it very well. I just went with the flow.¡± - ¡°Fair enough¡­ So, what are your intentions towards my older daughter?¡± - ¡°Well, I... I like her¡­ a lot¡­ but I just met her yesterday. I know it¡¯s too soon and I still don¡¯t know what she thinks of me. But you can rest assured, I don¡¯t make a habit of seducing women everywhere I go. She is special, in a way that I can¡¯t truly put my finger on. She is very friendly and kind, but today we had a situation with some Guards and her violent behaviour surprised me. She looked like a different person.¡± - ¡°I heard that you are like that as well. That¡¯s why I am worried. Are you going to give her problems or put her in any kind of danger?¡± - ¡°Are you really asking me that, considering the dangerous voyage that we have ahead?¡± Haje nodded. - ¡°That¡¯s exactly why I am asking. Can I count on you to protect her?¡± - ¡°Yes¡­ I can even say that if everyone is in danger, she is the one that I will rush to help without even thinking. Wait¡­ Maybe I shouldn¡¯t say this out loud¡­ It is supposed that I try to help all the members of my Party, right?¡± - ¡°Well, as a Guild Master, that worries me. But as a father, it makes me happy. Maybe I shouldn¡¯t say this, but I know my daughter, and I never saw her smiling so much, as she does when you are near. I hope you take good care of her, from now on. And I will say no more, this is turning out too awkward, it sounded better in my head!¡± Ronald was making a small smile. - ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t feel as comfortable as I thought, talking about this subject with you. Well, I need to go, because Miss Duza may need help to get the supplies. I am the Carrier, I am supposed to take care of that, right?¡± Ronald left, leaving behind a smiling Guild Master. When he got near his table again, Feebles was saying his farewells. - ¡°Oh, Mister Ronald, I was just waiting for you. I need to leave to take care of some business. Last time I checked, I was a Merchant, but because of every distraction that you provide, I keep on forgetting my work! Are you going to have dinner here or at the Inn? If you won¡¯t mind, I would like to have a last meal with you before your departure. I guess that tomorrow you won¡¯t have time available for that, with some last-minute preparations.¡± - ¡°Of course, Mister Feebles, it will be an honour. I can join you at the Inn for dinner if you want.¡± Feebles smiled while nervously looking around. - ¡°I would prefer that because all these violent people in here get on my nerves! I think I saw one guy on that corner taking my measures, like if he wanted to slice a piece of my meat!¡± - ¡°Ahahahah! Don¡¯t worry, Mister Feebles. If someone tried that, Woof would be the first to stop them. Miss Duza, if you want, I can go to the market and buy the supplies. I remember the way and where were the stalls.¡± Before she could say anything, Mira spoke from behind him: - ¡°I can go with him! I need to buy some things for today¡¯s dinner!¡± Ronald looked towards Ma Yangfa¡¯s direction and saw him looking away. - ¡°Ok, as long as we take Mister Ma with us. It would be funny, such a big man working as our escort. We can make him carry all our stuff, it would be even better.¡± Mira pretended to be shocked. - ¡°Mister Ronald, you are so mean! Yeah, let''s invite him too.¡± Mira went in Ma¡¯s direction and Ini asked: - ¡°One in the morning, another in the afternoon? Mister Ronald, I never thought you were such a ladies killer!! Ronald waved both hands. - ¡°No, that was never my intention! I even suggested that we invited Ma, so that¡­ never mind¡­ Excuse me, I must make sure that he doesn¡¯t get the wrong idea as well!¡± Ronald rushed to join Mira and Ma while Duza was smiling. Ini noticed, even when she tried to disguise it and teased her, pretending to be serious. - ¡°That guy is weird¡­¡± Duza whispered. - ¡°I think he is sweet¡­¡± But Ini heard her. His hearing was way better than a Human. - ¡°Sweet for what?¡± - ¡°For¡­ wanting to help everyone around him¡­¡± Ini frowned. - ¡°Or he is just stupid¡­ Helping everyone is a good way of getting killed, around here. But I don¡¯t know why I like him. He seems¡­ na?ve would be the proper word, but it is also a little mean¡­ I guess calling him a ¡°good soul¡± would be better. Yes, that¡¯s it, that guy has a good soul. I do hope he doesn¡¯t lose that goodness of him.¡± Duza looked into Ronald¡¯s direction, he was talking with Ma and he had a genuine smile on his face. He looked so beautiful with that smile. She then realized what she just thought and turned bright red. She covered her face with her hands to disguise it. Ovaidel and Reylom were looking at the map and talking with each other, and they didn¡¯t see that. But when Duza looked at Ini from between her fingers, she saw him making a slight smile. He made a slow nod with his head, like reassuring her that secret was safe. They both watched while Ronald, Ma, and Mira were leaving the Guild, carrying some empty bags on two pushcarts. --- At the market, Ronald went straight to the stalls with the potatoes and rice. After that, the dried meat and dried vegetables with some fresh vegetables for the kitchen of the Guild. While Mira was choosing the vegetables, Ronald was near Ma Yangfa and whispered at him while pointing to the Card Shop where he went in the morning with Duza: - ¡°I was told that young couples often go to that Shop, and the man buys a ¡°Light Ray¡± Spell Card for the woman, as a protection against bandits and mean men, that tries to harass her. What do you say? Want to give her one?¡± Ma was surprised, and he looked a little awkward. - ¡°Such a thing¡­ She might not want it if it¡¯s me giving her¡­¡± - ¡°You will only know if you try. Well, she could be so happy that she kisses you. But if she gets angry at you for thinking that she would like that, at least you will find out what she feels about you. I could be the one giving it to her, but I bet that she would prefer that it was you.¡± Ma kicked a small rock on the floor while thinking. - ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡± - ¡°Coward¡­¡± Ma frowned. - ¡°What did you call me?¡± - ¡°You heard me, you coward. Afraid of a small woman. How can you be an Adventurer, if you are so afraid of a young woman like her?¡± Ma looked at Mira, and he continued whispering: - ¡°You would also be afraid of her if you knew what she is capable of. She may not be an amazing fighter like Duza, but her level as a Mage is scary. She doesn¡¯t like violence or fighting as much as Duza, but sometimes she helps out on a Quest if a Party needs an extra Mage.¡± - ¡°I didn¡¯t know that¡­ But you are mistaken. Miss Duza doesn¡¯t like fighting as much as she pretends to do. I guess she only fights because she has no choice. But you are changing topics. You want to give her that Card or not, you coward?¡± Ma gave him a light punch on the shoulder. - ¡°Stop calling me that, you crazy bastard! No one at the Guild would dare to call me that in my face!¡± - ¡°Lousy, ugly, disgusting coward¡­ I don¡¯t know how you can sleep at night, you coward little man¡­¡± Ma shouted while shaking Ronald by his collar. - ¡°Stop that, you crazy! Aargh! You are so annoying!¡± Mira looked behind because of the sudden shout and she noticed Ma¡¯s angry face. - ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Why are you so mad?¡± Ronald shrugged his shoulders. - ¡°Nothing much, Ma was saying that he wanted to go to that Card Shop to buy you a present, and I was saying that you would take his head off if he dared to do that.¡± Ma was opening his mouth to contradict him, but Mira turned bright red and stuttered: - ¡°I¡­ wouldn¡¯t¡­ never do that¡­ I¡­ would be happy¡­¡± Ma coughed, choked with his saliva. - ¡°You¡­ would? Great¡­ can we go there?¡± Ronald grabbed one of the pushcarts and pointed with his head to the other one. - ¡°Quick, Mister Ma, grab that and let¡¯s go, before she changes her mind!¡± They all went to the Card Shop, and they placed the pushcarts at one side of the front door with Woof guarding them. When they entered, the old woman recognized Ronald. - ¡°Hello again, young man! Did you come to buy anything else? Where is that beautiful girlfriend of yours?¡± Ronald made a small smile while noticing the grin on Ma and Mira¡¯s faces. - ¡°She had some things to take care of. But I brought a friend.¡± While Ma was nodding and Mira was looking around the shop, Ronald whispered to the old seller: - ¡°Do you have another one of those Light Ray Cards? My friend wants to surprise her, to check her reaction and to test her feelings.¡± The old woman nodded and whispered back: - ¡°I have it right here. Let me get it.¡± The old woman grabbed the small wooden chest from the top drawer and from there, she took the Card. Ma called Mira while pointing at it: - ¡°Miss Mira, do you have one of these?¡± Mira turned bright red. - ¡°No¡­ this one¡­ normally a man gives it to the woman as protection¡­ and proof of love¡­ no one ever offered one of these¡­ to me¡­¡± Ma looked at the old woman, very seriously. - ¡°I would want to buy this one, please.¡± Ma paid it and with a trembling hand, gave it to Mira. - ¡°I¡­ would like to¡­ offer this to you. If you accept it, I would be the happiest man in the World¡­ if not¡­ no harm is done¡­¡± Mira grabbed the Card and held it next to her chest. - ¡°Thanks¡­ Ma¡­¡± The old woman wiped a small tear that was rolling down her wrinkled face. - ¡°Young love is such a beautiful thing¡­ my late husband gave one to me many years ago, as a proof of his love, in a Shop like this one¡­ I never get tired of seeing this kind of situations.¡± Ronald made a slight bow to the old seller while Mira and Ma were smiling at each other. - ¡°Thank you for this. We must leave, we need to take our pushcarts back to the Guild.¡± They left the shop with the old woman waving at them and wiping her tears. At the outside and while Ma and Mira were still looking at each other with a smile, Ronald emptied the contents of both carts on the floor, placed one cart inside the other and the supplies on top of everything. He then grabbed the handles of the bottom one and pulled everything up. He started to walk in the direction of the Guild, and he spoke to Ma while leaving: - ¡°Mister Ma, buy some food and tea for Miss Mira, I can take care of this. Don¡¯t you dare to come with me and waste this opportunity to be alone with that beautiful woman!¡± Ma pointed to the full pushcart that Ronald was pushing without any kind of effort. - ¡°How are you able to take all that? That¡¯s¡­¡± But Ronald interrupted him. - ¡°Are you really wasting time with me while Miss Mira is right there next to you, looking so happy? You are not only a coward, but you are also stupid! Take care of her, you crazy! Do I need to smack your head to put some sense on that thick head of yours?¡± Ronald ducked and started to run with Woof following him, to avoid one of Ma¡¯s punches. Mira tilted her head, looking at him leaving. - ¡°How can he run while pushing all that weight?¡± - ¡°I really don¡¯t know. I didn¡¯t even have time to react yesterday when he grabbed me on the Guild and pushed my head against the table. He is way faster and stronger than he looks.¡± - ¡°Yeah¡­ What was that about, yesterday? That surprised me!¡± - ¡°He said he just did that as a warning to the others. He chose the strongest fighter in there, to make a point. I was a little angry with him at first, but after he explained his motives while looking so worried about what I could think of that, I understood why he did it. He even offered to pay for my drinks for an entire week, as an excuse.¡± - ¡°So that was what happened¡­ Yeah, I can understand why my sister is so amazed by him. He does things like what he just did with us, like if it was the most natural thing in the World!¡± Ma nodded and turned a little red. - ¡°Yeah¡­ if it wasn¡¯t for all that he said yesterday to me and calling me a coward today, I wouldn¡¯t have the courage to give you that present.¡± - ¡°Really? Well, you took a lot of time, to gather some courage. I was waiting all this time and thinking that you didn¡¯t like me!¡± - ¡°Sorry¡­ but, I also thought that you didn¡¯t like me¡­ It was him that warn me yesterday that I was taking too much time to do something about what I felt¡­¡± Mira opened wide her eyes. - ¡°He said the same thing to me! How did he know?¡± Ma slowly shook his head and pointed to a nearby stall. - ¡°I don¡¯t know, I thought I was hiding it very well¡­ Do you want to eat some cookies from there?¡± Mira held his arm with a smile. - ¡°Yes, please.¡± While Ma and Mira were happily eating and talking, Ronald arrived at the Guild with Woof and the supplies. A servant opened the back gate and he dropped the contents of the carts at a corner, pointing to the supplies that Mira bought for the Guild so that the servant could take them inside. When he was leaving again to buy grain for the horses, Duza came from the back door and saw him. - ¡°You are back so soon? Where are Mira and Ma? I didn¡¯t saw them inside. You lost them?¡± - ¡°No. I kind of convinced Ma to go to that old woman¡¯s Card Shop and to offer a ¡°Light Ray¡± Card to Mira. I left them in the Market, all alone. Don¡¯t worry, Mira was very happy.¡± - ¡°You¡­ you did what? But I thought you also liked her¡­¡± - ¡°What are you talking about? You didn¡¯t know that they liked each other?¡± - ¡°I did! Well, I knew that Mira liked him, and I noticed Ma looking at her a few times. But she is very beautiful, a lot of guys are always looking at her, I didn¡¯t think¡­¡± - ¡°And what¡¯s that about, saying that I also liked her? Woman, you are crazier than I thought! I don¡¯t offer special Spell Cards to every woman that I meet! Stop saying crazy things and come with me, I need to buy more stuff.¡± - ¡°But¡­ I can¡¯t leave the front desk all alone. I must wait for Mira, so that¡­¡± - ¡°Find a servant for that. Or the Guild Master. Damn, woman! I¡¯m trying to find an excuse to be all alone with you again, the least you could do is help me out! I was going to look for a private place to grab you and kiss you and you are trying to escape? I really should have tried my luck with Miss Mira¡­ Ok, stay here then, I will go with Woof. We will have more opportunities during our travel.¡± When Ronald turned his back to go away, Duza grabbed his right arm. - ¡°No, wait! I¡­ can go with you¡­ to help! Not the grabbing and the kissing! I will be right back, let me find someone for the front desk.¡± Duza ran to the Guild through the back door with her face a little red. Ronald smiled and spoke to Woof: - ¡°She is rather funny, isn¡¯t she? What do you think? I am pushing a little too much and I should be slower? Yeah, maybe you are right. I don¡¯t want to spook her. She may be a strong Adventurer, but with me messing with her so much, might cause her to start avoiding me. Ok, I will do as you say, thanks for the advice.¡± Woof was tilting his head sideways for the entire conversation, trying to understand what that strange Human was saying. He could more or less understand him, but everything that Human just said, didn¡¯t make much sense. Riattus was laughing near them thinking that Ronald was indeed a funny distraction. Duza returned a few moments later, with a list on her hand. - ¡°These are some things that the guys asked if you could get. I can guide you to some of these places, considering that you don¡¯t know this City very well.¡± Ronald looked at the list, frowning. - ¡°Arrows, daggers, some big water canteens, thick blankets, pots, pans and tableware¡­ Yeah, we need this alright¡­ Ok, lead the way, then. Don¡¯t worry, I am not going to grab you or push my luck anymore. I don¡¯t want you to hate me. I want to conquer you, not annoy you. Shall we go?¡± Before she could say anything, Ronald pushed the cart with Woof walking at his side. She mumbled to herself when he couldn¡¯t hear her: - ¡°I wouldn¡¯t mind much, with a little grabbing and a small kiss¡­ What I am saying¡­ Calm down Duza, you will scare him or make him think badly of you¡­¡± Chapter 6 They went to a Weapons Shop, to buy the weaponry that was on the list. When Ronald was putting two big bags full of arrows and throwing daggers, he noticed a commotion at the end of that street, with people running out of the shops and along the street, to get there. Duza came from the shop, bringing four big water canteens, that she placed next to the other four that were already inside the pushcart that Ronald brought. She saw him looking to the crowd down the street and she too wondered what that was about. Ronald picked the pushcart, and they went down the street to the shop where they could buy the blankets, the pots, pans and tableware for the next four months. Since the shop was right at the edge where the crowd started, they left the pushcart leaned to a wall with Woof tied and guarding it. They slowly dug through the crowd, trying to see what was happening at the front. From the back, the shouts that the crowd was doing were difficult to comprehend, but as they approached the front, it became clear. They were opposing what was happening, but no one dared to intervene. Some people were tied to a pillory and the sound of the whipping was resonating in the back wall, echoing back to Ronald that dreadful sound, together with the screams of a woman and two children, a little girl and a little boy, of no more than six-year-old. They were being whipped to death by two Guards, judging by the wounds on their body and the blood on the floor. Ronald shivered and something snapped inside of him. Before Duza or Riattus could stop him, he ran straight to the Guards and grabbed the hands that were holding the two whips that were slashing in turns, the mother and the two children. Ronald squeezed both hands, and the Guards let go of the whip and they fell to their knees, with the strong grip. Ronald looked at them and asked, with so much anger in his voice that Duza trembled: - ¡°Why¡­ are you whipping them?¡± The crowd went silent. The only sound that could be heard was the crying of the captives and the screaming of the Guards, that were feeling their wrists being crushed. From Ronald¡¯s left side, another Guard approached, and he pulled his sword. Ronald warned him: - ¡°Think very well on what you are about to do because after I break in half these two, I am going to slice your head in the middle. I asked, why are you whipping them?¡± The Guard stopped with his sword half pulled from the sheath. - ¡°That woman attacked a Guard! My colleague fell because those two children were running, and they bumped into him! When my colleague slapped the children, the mother appeared and slapped him!¡± Ronald increased the grip on the Guards¡¯ wrists, and he shouted: - ¡°That was the reason? Just because you are Guards, you think you can do anything that you want?¡± Ronald closed both hands and the sound of the wrists exploding, mixed with the screams of the Guards. The other Guard pulled his sword, but before he could get near Ronald, he had Duza¡¯s sword at his neck. - ¡°Well, well¡­ what do we have here? Three City Guards abusing their power and punishing three citizens without proper judgment or superior orders¡­ So, by the authority that the Adventurer¡¯s Guild grants me, I, Duza Sonanji, hereby apprehend these Guards, so that they can be punished for their behaviour.¡± She hit the Guard¡¯s head with the hilt of her sword, knocking him out. Ronald pulled the wrists that he was still crushing, and the Guards lost that hand, completely. He then threw those two bloody hands to the floor and cleaned his own hands on the clothes of one of the Guards, while they were still screaming from the excruciating pain. He then did what Riattus shouted to him, he opened his one-shoulder bag and took from there a flask with a very powerful Healing Potion. He dripped some drops on the body of the woman and the children and forced them to drink a little. After a few seconds, they stopped screaming because the pain stopped. Before the surprised eyes of everyone that was near, their wounds started to heal at an incredible speed. Ten seconds later, there was no proof of what happened to their skin, except for the blood on the floor and on their clothes. Ronald put the flask in his bag again and took out a big rope that he used to tie the feet and arms of the three Guards and dragged them along the floor, to the pillory. He lifted them and tied them from the arms to the top of the pillory, leaving them at two meters high, with one knocked out and two screaming their lungs out. He then went near Duza. - ¡°What happens now? There is no one to whom we can report what they were doing?¡± Duza looked around and she chooses two men from the crowd. - ¡°You two, go call a Captain of the Guard! When he gets here, tell him what these guys did. We need to go buy some supplies, but we will return briefly. To everyone else, don¡¯t let anyone take those guys from there! Or you all will be in their place when I return! Mister Ronald, shall we go, before it gets too late and the shops close?¡± Ronald followed her and when they entered the shop where Woof was waiting for them, she slapped Ronald¡¯s head. - ¡°What was that about, you stupid? Why do you always act before taking a sense of the situation? Fortunately, those Guards were the ones at fault because if they really had orders for doing that, you would be in trouble!¡± - ¡°Orders? What kind of person would ever order the whipping to the death of a mother and two children? What kind of country is this, to allow such a thing? And why no one in there stopped them?¡± - ¡°Because they would be in trouble if they did anything! Those guys are City Guards, they abuse their power every time they see fit and if no one opposes them, they get away with it! But on this City and in this country, Adventurers are considered a higher rank than a mere City Guard! I may be a young Adventurer, but my rank is higher than a Capitan of the Guard, just for you to know! But you are just a Farmer, you can¡¯t go against a City Guard every time you feel like it!¡± Riattus snorted. - ¡°You¡­ What can I do or say to put some sense into that thick head of yours? Think before you act! When in doubt, ask me! Lucky for you, Duza was here, or else you had to flee as fast as you could, killing anyone that tried to arrest you!¡± Ronald was frowning while making a fist with both hands. He was still angry with that situation. - ¡°I can¡¯t¡­ I can¡¯t stand these situations¡­ seeing a woman and her two children being killed is too much for me¡­ I think that if this keeps on happening, I won¡¯t have a chance on Gaya approving me. I am starting to think that I should just get stronger the fastest I can and kill everyone that I see doing things like that¡­ This World is rotten¡­ the people here are even worse¡­ Monsters can be horrible, but the people¡­¡± Duza was looking at him. She couldn¡¯t believe what she was hearing. Ronald was so much different from his kind and gentle self. Something was terribly wrong. She didn¡¯t know what to do, so she turned away and went to talk with the seller at the back of the shop to buy the supplies. After some moments, she arrived with him and a boy, they were all carrying the last things on the list. Duza pushed Ronald with her free hand and they all went outside to fill the pushcart with the last buys. When Ronald picked the cart again, he went in the direction of the Guild. Duza looked at his back and she went to the pillory where a Captain of the Guard was looking at the three Guards tied to it. When the Captain saw her, he stood straight and saluted her with his fist closed against his chest, and his elbow making a perfect 45 degrees. - ¡°Miss Duza, I am¡­¡± Duza interrupted him with her raised palm. - ¡°I don¡¯t give a damn to your name. Anyone told you what those Guards did?¡± - ¡°Yes, Miss Duza, they did, and I need to apologize¡­¡± - ¡°Save it. Take half their salary for the next eight months and give to that women, as compensation and apology. In eight months, I will look for you and see if you did that. If I found out that you didn¡¯t obey, the next one to lose a hand will be you. Make sure that this kind of thing doesn¡¯t happen again. Guards are supposed to protect the people, not to attack them. Take that woman and the children to their house, to make sure nothing more happens to them.¡± - ¡°Yes, of course¡­¡± Duza took one last look to the Guards, and she then faced the crowd. - ¡°You should all be ashamed¡­ Today, it was that women and those two children. Tomorrow, it can be you or your family. Why didn¡¯t you stop them or called for an Adventurer or a Captain of the Guard?¡± No one answered, but many of them looked away while others had tears in their eyes. Duza went back to the Guild, feeling disgusted from all that. No wonder that Ronald was so mad. Coming from another country, thinking that things were peaceful in there and on the same day, seeing four Guards trying to attack her and then, three other whipping a mother and her two children, was more than enough to make any normal person lose their cool. When she entered the Guild, she couldn¡¯t find him. Not inside, not in the kitchen or at the back. One servant told her that Ronald left the pushcart and went away without saying one word. Duza went to the Inn to look for him, but he wasn¡¯t there. She had a terrible thought. Maybe he went away¡­ And just by thinking that, she felt tears rolling down her face. Surprised, she wiped one tear and when she was looking at her wet finger, she heard Woof barking. She followed that sound. There was a narrow passage between the Inn and the Guild and at the back of the Inn, Ronald was seated on the floor and leaned against a tree while Woof was barking at a ¡°Jumping Rabbit¡± that was running around that tree. Ronald saw her approaching, and she noticed that he had been crying. She approached him and seated at his front, looking at him. - ¡°Are you ok? You worried me, back there.¡± Ronald didn¡¯t answer her, he just looked at the ¡°Jumping Rabbit¡± that was hopping around him and the tree and spoke to Riattus. - ¡°Magic in this World is funny. From a Card and with Magic that everyone has, a little guy that looks alive appears. There are normal people in here, but the truly rotten ones are in a higher number.¡± Riattus answered while looking at Duza: - ¡°Yes, I already told you that. But don¡¯t forget that even normal people are able of disgusting and violent acts, to survive or to just live on this World. I bet your beautiful Duza here has done some things in her past that it would be better that you never found out. Or at least, not so soon, you may start to see her or treat her differently, and she doesn¡¯t deserve that. I like her, she is a strong woman with her head and convictions in the right place. Since Ronald seemed to be talking to himself without seeing her, Duza approached him and held his both hands. - ¡°Ronald¡­ are you ok?¡± Ronald looked at her and seeing those brown eyes so near with so much sadness in them, made him slowly approach his lips. She didn¡¯t avoid it, instead, she placed one hand on the back of his neck and pulled him near. She put the tip of her tongue inside his mouth and she slowly caressed his. Ronald strongly hugged her, stopping the squeezing when she complained by pulling the hair on the back of his neck. They kissed for a while, with Duza taking the initiative and showing him with her tongue, what she liked. She then slowly moved back a little and smiled. - ¡°Feeling better now? You didn¡¯t look so good when I got here.¡± - ¡°Yeah¡­ sorry about that¡­ That situation over there was too much for me. I almost left this City the fastest I could, but then I thought that you could be sad if I did that, so I came here and while I was thinking of you, I summoned that ¡°Jumping Rabbit¡±. I think I understand why kids like that guy, he is funny. Not very good in a fight, I suppose, but he stopped my depression. And then you came, to save me from this dark hole where I was. Thanks¡­¡± Duza leaned her head on his right shoulder and she fixed a piece of hair that was hanging in front of his eyes. - ¡°You¡¯re welcome. But please try to not become so depressed around the others. I can¡¯t kiss you like that every time you fell into another dark hole of depression.¡± - ¡°That means that I can wait for it when we are alone, right?¡± Duza blew some air to move away that annoying piece of hair. - ¡°I think I can do that. But don¡¯t you think that I won¡¯t slap your head if you do something crazy again! My man must be well behaved! No one likes a violent and scary person!¡± - ¡°Wait¡­ are you saying that I am your man? Since when? And who said to you that I want to be yours?¡± Duza slapped his ear. - ¡°Don¡¯t you dare to deny what you did to make me look like a seductress!¡± - ¡°Never, dear Duza. I will also be more careful with my actions from now on so that you don¡¯t worry so much.¡± - ¡°At least talk to me before doing something rash, ok?¡± Ronald smiled, and they stayed in there for a while, talking and looking at the Rabbit that was jumping all around and avoiding Woof¡¯s teeth. When it was getting dark, Duza gave him another kiss, but this time, she even put her hand under his clothes and clenched her fingernails on his chest. When he tried to do the same to her breasts, she stopped the kiss and moved away. - ¡°No, no, Mister Ronald, I am a lady. Don¡¯t you try to get too frisky with me!¡± - ¡°Hey, but you¡­¡± Duza quickly got up and jumped away, evading him. - ¡°Me, it¡¯s me, you, it¡¯s you. You need to be more reliable and more caring towards my feelings before I let you put one little finger over me!¡± Ronald frown. - ¡°Not fair¡­¡± Duza put her hands on her back and she leaned forward in a cute pose. - ¡°Who knows, maybe one day I let you do some very fun things with me. But you need to stick around and not trying to be killed on every chance that you get, ok? Because I would be sad if you left or if you died¡­¡± - ¡°Ok, I won¡¯t leave, but I can¡¯t promise that I won¡¯t die. There¡¯s a dangerous voyage ahead of us, a lot of things can happen.¡± Duza approached his right ear and whispered: - ¡°Yes, a lot of things can happen¡­ I am counting on it¡­¡± She then licked his earlobe and moved away before he could catch her for another kiss. - ¡°Time for dinner. You are going to eat with Mister Feebles, right? Do you want to go to the Guild afterwards for a late drink or tea? I can have a table ready for you, if you want.¡± - ¡°I don¡¯t know if he wants to go there. He mentioned that he gets nervous around so many Adventurers.¡± - ¡°Well, you can tell him that my father can join you guys, to keep him safe, that should work. I must go, I need to ask Mira about her walk with Ma. Oh, I almost forgot, that Healing Potion that you used on that woman and her children, it was really impressive. It works even better than the ones that we sell at the Guild.¡± - ¡°Your father has the Blue Brittlebush leaves that I sold to him. If he prepares them right, he will make the same powerful potion.¡± - ¡°Yeah, he was reading something about that, last time I went to his office. Cool¡­ Ok, see you later!¡± Duza went back through the narrow passage to take the shortest route to the Guild. Ronald called the ¡°Jumping Rabbit¡± and told him to disappear again. He then grabbed the Card and placed it in his Card Box again. He suddenly remembered, Riattus was there when he was kissing Duza! But when he looked around, Riattus wasn¡¯t anywhere to be found. - ¡°Weird¡­ maybe he left to take a look around and he left us all alone. At least he realizes when he is the third wheel¡­¡± From his left, Riattus spoke: - ¡°I went to my Card Box to leave you alone, the moment she kissed you. Or you kissed her. I don¡¯t know who started it, I just left.¡± - ¡°Yeah¡­ But¡­ I thought we would take more time to get to this point. Wasn¡¯t this too fast?¡± - ¡°No, I don¡¯t think so. Things around here progress a little faster than on our Worlds. They have to because death is on every corner and it¡¯s so easy for a couple to get separated by it. When a man and a woman are interested in one another, they go for it, with all their body and soul.¡± - ¡°If that¡¯s what normally happens, what about Ma Yangfa and Mira? He took a long time to actually try something.¡±You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Riattus shrugged his shoulders. - ¡°I guess Mira was waiting for him, and he took so long because he is stupid. Or because he is so strong, he doesn¡¯t worry about suddenly dying. On my time, I never wasted my time like that. When I saw a woman that I liked, I conquered her. On my glorious days, I never spent a night alone, I always had a different woman in my bed, sometimes two or three. There was only one woman that acted like Duza is doing with you, showing that she is interested but not letting you take any kind of advantage or taking her for granted. That woman became my greatest love. It was because she was killed by a traitor that I thought was my friend, that I decided to conquer this World. I almost achieved it. If I did it, for sure this World would be better by now. At least, the majority of evil people or violent ones would be sentenced to death and they would become Monsters on their next life.¡± - ¡°And by doing that, the number of Monsters would be too much for the people to handle. I bet that by now, there would only be a few Humans around.¡± Riattus nodded. - ¡°Maybe, but the few that remained Human would be great, instead of the rotten and mischievous ones that lurk on every corner.¡± - ¡°You don¡¯t know that¡­ Well, time for dinner.¡± - ¡°Wait, before that, pick up the Sphere and let¡¯s place your points on the right place before our voyage starts.¡± Ronald slowly took the Sphere from his bag and placed it on the ground. He looked at the inside while Riattus was approaching. Race - Human Name - Ronald O''Sullivan Age - 25 Job - World Traveller LV - 100 ATK - 15.060 HP - 10.040 Skills - none Physical Attributes: Strength - 110 Quickness - 100 Body - 100 Mental Attributes: Intelligence - 1.000 Wisdom - 1.000 Special Attributes: Willpower - 1.000 Mana - 1.400 Xp (x2) - 40 And then the letters, saying, "Each XP gives 5 points to spend on Attributes. You have 200 points. Choose the Attributes and the number of points to allocate". And the Attributes appeared. Physical Attributes: Strength - 110 Quickness - 100 Body - 100 Mental Attributes: Intelligence - 1.000 Wisdom - 1.000 Riattus pointed to the Sphere. - ¡°Well, you know what to do, right?¡± Ronald nodded. After placing the Points, his status appeared again. Race - Human Name - Ronald O''Sullivan Age - 25 Job - World Traveller LV - 100 ATK - 15.060 HP - 10.040 Skills - none Physical Attributes: Strength - 110 Quickness - 100 Body - 100 Mental Attributes: Intelligence - 1.100 Wisdom - 1.100 Special Attributes: Willpower - 1.100 Mana - 1.100 Xp (x2) - ¡°0 Riattus smiled. - ¡°Looking better¡­¡± Ronald placed the Sphere inside the bag, called Woof and tied the rope to his scarfs. They went through the narrow passage, to enter the Inn from the front door. He could try knocking on the back door, but it would be too suspicious for the servants if he did that. As soon as he entered the dining room, Mister Feebles signalled him from a table at the corner. As usual, a lot of looks followed him and Woof, but he pretended not to notice. When he seated, Feebles called a servant. - ¡°You came right in time, Mister Ronald, I have a very good bottle of wine for you to try out. It¡¯s one of my newest products and it is also a huge success.¡± - ¡°I normally don¡¯t drink wine before a meal, but if it¡¯s one of yours, I would be honoured to try it.¡± - ¡°Oh, this one is not to drink before a meal. I just want you to try it first, to see if you like it to have at our dinner.¡± The servant poured the red wine on their glasses. Feebles waited for Ronald¡¯s reaction, and he was surprised by seeing him sniffing the wine after taking a moment to look at his colour. He was even more surprised at seeing him taking a small sip for slowly tasting it before swallowing. - ¡°You seem very knowledgeable about wines¡­¡± - ¡°Yes, I had a friend that liked wine a little too much and he taught me how to really appreciate it. He even tried to convince me one time, to start a winery. But I knew that it was only because he wanted to have wine for free.¡± - ¡°Ahahahah! Funny friend! But¡­ you said had¡­ What happened?¡± - ¡°Nothing drastic, he just married and moved some time ago. I came here, so, I kind of lost track of him. I hope he is well. He must be, or his wife would kill him!¡± Feebles smiled and drunk a little more. - ¡°This wine is something else. I took the liberty of ordering some beef steaks for us, I hope you like it. It¡¯s perfect for this type of wine.¡± - ¡°Indeed¡­ Here is a thought. Do you have ten bottles for sale? I would like to buy some for my travel. I think my companions would love to drink it when I cooked some meat to accompany this.¡± - ¡°Yes, I do. I can sell it to you at a very good price.¡± - ¡°That would be just perfect. I bet Mister Ovaidel will appreciate this wine, he seems to like to drink, for what I saw at the Guild.¡± Feebles nodded and leaned back a little, to give space for the servant to place the food over the table. When the servant left, he leaned to the front again and lowered his voice: - ¡°Are you really going on that dangerous voyage tomorrow? It is very long, across many countries, and if you follow Mister Taly to Zakrosia, you can get into a lot of trouble!¡± - ¡°I know, but I will also have a lot of opportunities to increase my Level. I need to impress the Guild Master if I want him to approve me.¡± Feebles stopped his fork at midway. - ¡°Approve you? Because of what? Of you becoming an Adventurer?¡± - ¡°No¡­ me and Duza¡­ I kind of like her and it seems she is starting to like me. I know that she is a good fighter and quite famous around here, I can¡¯t shame her with my low rank, can I?¡± - ¡°Well, it would be really strange if the well-known Duza Sonanji had as a partner, a mere Farmer¡­ Yeah, I understand your reasons. Nevertheless, be careful in your journey, don¡¯t you try to get stronger too fast, people often die because of that. I used to know some that went that path and it didn¡¯t turn out very well for them and their families.¡± Ronald placed more water on Woof¡¯s bowl and made sure that he still had enough meat before continuing: - ¡°I have already promised to Duza, but I will be very careful. I don¡¯t want her to worry about me. By the way, she asked if after dinner we would like to have a late drink or some tea at the Guild. She said that her father, the Guild Master, could join us and protect you from those ugly and nasty Adventurers in there!¡± - ¡°Ahahahah! Yeah, some of them are indeed like that. Some are very friendly, but many of them spook me to death! I won¡¯t mind having tea with Haje Sonanji. It will be funny seeing you and Miss Duza disguising your feelings while he is there.¡± Ronald shrugged his shoulders. - ¡°Well, he already talked with me about that, he noticed some looks between us and asked what my intentions were. I guess I was able to reassure him about my good intentions, but I am not sure. He is hard to read.¡± - ¡°Yeah, he is like that, one can never tell what he is thinking or what he is about to say and do. I guess that¡¯s why he is a Guild Master. Maybe he became like that after so many years as an Adventurer. Did you know that he was once the most famous Adventurer in this region? Haje Sonanji, ¡°The Dreadful¡±! He had a terrible reputation as a skilled assassin and killer of Monsters. He only settled down when he fell in love with his wife. She was a City Guard here, and she tried to arrest him when they first met. He fought her and escaped her claws for two hours, before getting trapped because she cheated by luring him into falling in a few Traps that she placed on an alley, to where she made him flee. Over the days that he was arrested, they were often seen talking, and she was always laughing because of his stories. Or getting angry because of some of his deeds. Eventually, he was released because his last employer came to his rescue. Haje knew some things that he couldn¡¯t let anyone found out. But Haje didn¡¯t leave this City by then, because of her. He was a wreck when she died, he only managed to have the strength to continue on living because of his daughters.¡± - ¡°Yeah, I can understand that¡­ Lucky for me he was able to because that granted me the opportunity to meet him and his lovely daughters. I must also thank you again, for introducing me to him and for giving me a ride to get to this City. I like this City, what annoys me are some people that live here. I don¡¯t know how a good person can live here, surrounded by so many mischievous persons.¡± - ¡°I guess they had to because it is like this everywhere. In some countries, it is even worse. For example, in Breidan, the people suffer from the huge amount of taxes that it is used for the army. In Thetria, the religion is so oppressive that everything you do must first be approved by the Church. If one of your neighbours accuses you of actions unworthy or not following God Seya¡¯s teachings, you can be arrested and tortured to change your ways. In Zakrosia, there are only Monsters and in Argoheria, most people don¡¯t even care about their neighbours. These are some that I know very well, and I was told that it¡¯s similar in other countries. It¡¯s the World that we have, unfortunately.¡± Ronald went silent for a moment, thinking. - ¡°Not even once, someone tried to change things? Or the people are so used to the ¡°status quo¡± that they don¡¯t even care?¡± - ¡°Well, I have read a book about a Mage that lived four hundred years ago, which tried to change things. Riattus, ¡°The Powerful¡±. The problem was that he was a tyrant and a violent man, well known for killing anyone who opposed him or doubted him. A huge army of soldiers and Mages from every country fought him and his allies, killing them all. But in the end, he used a very powerful Magic and wiped out everyone on that huge army. He died also, considering that no one ever heard of him again. Who knows how this World could be now if he achieved his goals? But I am fortunate. In my line of work and because I am always travelling, I have many opportunities to find some amazing people, despite some that don¡¯t deserve the air they breathe. That¡¯s why I am so worried about your travel, I would like to have more dinners with you, in the future.¡± - ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mister Feebles. If everything goes according to my plan, I won¡¯t die so soon. I intend to have a lot of children, and for that, I need to survive the voyage to Argoheria.¡± Feebles raised his glass. - ¡°Here to a future full of children, then!¡± Cling! They drank the last bit of wine and Feebles followed Ronald to the Guild, for some tea with Haje and Duza. As soon as they entered, the same thing happened like all the other times that Ronald entered with Woof firmly tied to his rope, everyone went silent for a while. The talks and the noise resumed and Ronald saw Duza at a table, signalling him to join her, Mira, the Guild Master, Ovaidel, Reylom, and Ini. Ronald and Feebles approached with a smile and some red colour on their cheeks, because of the wine that they drank. Ronald sat next to Duza and Woof rested the head on Mira¡¯s lap. Mister Feebles went to the empty seat next to the Guild Master and as soon as he seated, a servant came, carrying some fresh backed biscuits and tea. As soon as the servant left, the Guild Master spoke to Ronald while delivering him his Guild Card: - ¡°So, Duza told me that you had some trouble in the City. Or better yet, you caused it.¡± Ronald took a small sip of the tea while reading his brand-new Guild Card. - ¡°They caused it, I just reacted accordingly, as any normal person would. It¡¯s not my fault if the people that live in this City don¡¯t deserve the air they breathe.¡± The Guild Master was puzzled. - ¡°You know that we also live in this City, right?¡± - ¡°Just my point. It¡¯s also your fault if things are like this. A City that has City Guards that can whip to the death a mother and two children, without being afraid of the consequences and thinking that they have all the right to do it, it¡¯s not a City where good people live, for sure. And considering that Adventurers are a higher rank than a Capitan of the Guard, it¡¯s your fault for not making sure that such kind of City Guards doesn¡¯t exist.¡± The Guild Master frowned. - ¡°If you weren¡¯t a newcomer, I could feel insulted.¡± - ¡°You can feel insulted because I am in fact insulting you and every Adventurer that works or lives in this City. And I am doing it with all the reason on my side. You can all just take it in and try to improve yourselves, or when I came back from this journey, I will make sure to open those thick skulls and put some senses into it.¡± Everyone was dumbfounded by Ronald¡¯s harsh words. When Duza opened her mouth to try to excuse him, the Guild Master answered with anger in his voice: - ¡°You are too bold for a mere Farmer, aren¡¯t you?¡± Ronald took another sip of the tea. - ¡°I was going to remain like that, but after today, I changed my mind. I will be the strongest Adventurer that this World as ever seen so that Duza can be proud of me and I will make sure to clean up this City. I don¡¯t want to settle in a City with so many rotten and evil people, for sure. It would not be safe for my future children.¡± Duza turned bright red, Mira was grinning, but the Guild Master was still angry. - ¡°You have some great plans, but why do you think that you will be able to accomplish that? Others tried it before you, to get strong very fast, and they all failed miserably.¡± Ronald made a slight smile. - ¡°Those people weren¡¯t me. I am stronger than I look and up until today, I was thinking of having an easy life. But after hearing that woman and her children screaming their life out, I can¡¯t do that anymore. Some days ago, I saw inside the forest in a Goblin Village, one man and a horse being roasted alive, a woman being raped while being eaten alive and another woman tied to a pole, watching what was going to happen to her next when they finished. That was bad, but they were Monsters, they were doing what they were meant to do. The City Guards today, despite looking Human, were acting like Goblins. And you are surprised that I am upset because Adventurers could prevent those things from happening? I always thought that Adventurers would always rush to help the innocent and correct bad deeds and doing Quests was only a means to gain some money. But it appears that it¡¯s not like that. Adventurers in here seem to be more interested in the money they can gain from Quests than making sure that people that live around them, are safe.¡± - ¡°Or it¡¯s because Adventurers know that it¡¯s a futile effort. There are too many people that are rotten as you say and many others that just like to watch and not do a thing.¡± Ronald took from his belt purse five gold coins and five silver coins that he placed on top of the table. - ¡°In that case, I want to open a Quest. This is the payment.¡± The Guild Master looked at the huge amount of money right in front of him with a puzzled look. - ¡°What¡­ is your Quest?¡± - ¡°Any people that acts with violence against another or cause the death of someone is to be arrested or killed after a fair trial. The deadline for the end of this Quest is eight months when I will return. If things are looking better by then, I will give the same amount to the Adventurer¡¯s Party that fulfils this Quest. There is no limit to the number of Parties that attempt to complete the Quest, but the prize will go to the one that actually turns this City around. In eight months, I will pay to that Party this same amount, if, and only if, things are looking better on my return.¡± - ¡°But¡­ Will you be able to pay for all that?¡± - ¡°Yes. But there¡¯s a catch. If when I come back things are looking the same or even worse, I keep the money and I will do it myself, with the mandatory help of every Adventurer that applied to this Quest.¡± The Guild Master frowned. - ¡°Wait a minute¡­ You are saying that if the Quest is not fulfilled or if they fail, they will work for you, for free? I don¡¯t think that they will like that. Sometimes a Quest is too difficult, and yours seems impossible. ¡° - ¡°I don¡¯t care if they like it or not. I am willing to pay to make this City safer. If honour or money is not a good reason, maybe having me on their back, willing to beat them up if they don¡¯t do what I say, can be one.¡± Everyone went silent. Only the noise of Ronald drinking his tea could be heard, at that table. Duza was the first to speak: - ¡°You know, if you force them to help you, some of them might be resentful and try something against you.¡± Ronald took a dagger from a pocket, held it by his fingers on the hilt and at the sharp point and pressed with both hands. The dagger was squashed into a mess of metal and wood from the hilt. He then started to shape it into a ball form and rolled it over the table in Duza¡¯s direction. - ¡°Let them try. Until now, you only saw a glimpse of what I am able to do, dear Duza, but you didn¡¯t see everything. I have a gentle nature but if needed, I can be everyone¡¯s worse enemy.¡± Duza turned white while looking at the ball in front of her. The Guild Master spoke with a trembling voice: - ¡°You¡­ Why are you just a Farmer and so willing to work as a Carrier and Cook on Duza¡¯s Party? With your strength, you could lead your Party!¡± - ¡°That would be a nuisance. I also don¡¯t know this region or how to act in some situations. No, I prefer to learn and be a secret weapon if needed, if we encounter an extremely dangerous situation. But I am still waiting for your response, about my Quest.¡± The Guild Master nodded. - ¡°Very well, the Guild will accept your Quest. Mira, take care of the paperwork, ok? And put this money in the safe.¡± Mira was almost getting up when she remembered one thing: - ¡°You know, Mister Ronald, strength can¡¯t always help you. There are many Mages in this Guild that can get angry at you if you make them obey you, and those guys don¡¯t need strength to defeat you.¡± Ronald took another sip of his tea. - ¡°I am perfectly aware of that, Miss Mira. But I think I can manage myself, even if all the Mages in here attack me at the same time. You probably didn¡¯t realize it until now, but even Woof is way stronger and more powerful than he looks. Or didn¡¯t you notice how easily he chewed on Ma Yangfa¡¯s arm, even with his gauntlet in the way?¡± Mira looked at Woof, that had his head tilted sideways. - ¡°Yeah, I thought it was weird¡­ come with me Woof, let¡¯s put this money in the safe, ok?¡± Mira took the money with her to the back office, with Woof on her tail, following her. During all the previous talk, Ini was silent. He then asked Ronald, in the ancient Elf Language: - ¡°It seems I was right, you are indeed full of surprises. Can I trust you for having our backs during our journey?¡± - ¡°Of course, Tracker Ini. But I must warn you, if I have to choose between saving you or Duza, I will go to her, without even thinking.¡± Ini nodded. - ¡°I understand. I will do the same thing. She is my dearest friend. I hope you can take good care of her, from now on, and be happy together.¡± - ¡°Yes, I really hope to.¡± Duza was looking at them both, puzzled by that conversation on a strange language, with them looking at her while grinning. - ¡°You two are scheming something¡­¡± Ini shrugged his shoulders. - ¡°Not really. I don¡¯t think I was the only one that noticed him calling you ¡°dear Duza¡± and saying that he wants to make you proud and live in this City with his children. But judging by your surprised face, you seem to either have doubts about his intentions towards you, you are not sure about your feelings, or you are more stupid than I thought. Such a fine young man saying that he wants to have children with you, and you don¡¯t say a thing¡­ Shame on you, stupid Duza, shame on you¡­¡± Duza was speechless. Hearing that from Ini, right when her father was next to her and looking at Ronald with a frown, was too much. Ovaidel was the only one to interrupt the silence that followed Ini¡¯s words: - ¡°Good, it was about time for our leader to find a partner! I was getting worried about her! I was starting to think that I had to do the extreme nuisance of being with her! Before Ronald appeared, she was always in a bad mood and complaining about everything. Nowadays, she smiles a lot, is very polite, friendly, and she almost glows. If I knew that she could turn like that, I would have looked for a partner for her, ages ago! Duza, ¡°The Frightening¡±, as turned into Duza, the Happy Maiden!¡± They all burst into laughter. All except Duza, she just turned bright red and tried to hide her face behind her hands. --- Late that evening at the Inn, Ronald was seated on a chair and looking at all the Cards that he had, displayed on top of the bed. - ¡°You know, Riattus, I may need help on this. I want to get stronger as fast as I can, so, I suppose when I have more Mana, I will be able to use any of these, or all at once, right?¡± - ¡°Yes, but the ones that I have in my Card Box are the most powerful in this World. On my time, I was the only one that had enough Mana to use all of them at once, and only a handful of people was able to use three, without exhausting all their Mana. Nowadays, I don¡¯t know. There could be somewhere in the World, a person that is even more powerful than I was. I don¡¯t think so, but it¡¯s a possibility.¡± Ronald picked up Riattus¡¯ Card Box and looked at the Cards inside. - ¡°That means I need to become even more powerful than you. I guess I am already physically stronger than you ever were, so I just need to level up to have more Mana. I hope that incursion into Zakrosia helps.¡± - ¡°It will help a bit, but for you to become more powerful than I was, you would need to wipe out completely every monster in that country.¡± - ¡°Really? You were that powerful? Ok¡­¡± - ¡°I never thought you would choose to become stronger just to fix this City. I was betting that you would find a quiet place to settle and live the rest of your life keeping a low profile. I still advise you to lay low, you can¡¯t attract too much attention upon yourself. If the Breidan Royal Family or the Universal Church of Truth in Thetria get word of a powerful Mage in Loriath, they will stop at nothing until they find you. A lot of people could die if that happens, do you understand?¡± - ¡°Yes... One more good thing about this voyage. Since I will keep on moving, even if word gets out that a powerful Mage is travelling, until an army is sent to take me in, I will be long gone to another place, when they arrive.¡± Riattus nodded while looking at the window. - ¡°I suppose you are right. So, if you indeed get more powerful and you take care of this City, what will you do next? Another City? Or the entire country? Because I already tried that, and look at me now¡­¡± - ¡°Last time I heard, you were a tyrant. Maybe you failed because of that, don¡¯t you think? It¡¯s difficult to listen to or obey someone whom we hate, right?¡± - ¡°Yeah, but I also had a lot of fun doing it¡­ And a lot of sadness, too. I lost too many friends¡­¡± Riattus went silent, lost on his memories while looking throughout the window. Ronald took the Cards and placed them in his several Card Boxes and threw them into the one-shoulder bag. He looked one last time to Riattus and blew on the candle. Woof made a low snort on the carpet and closed his eyes. He was so tired! All-day walking around, making sure that no stranger got near that smiling Human that gave him those soft cloths around his neck, or near that kind woman that rubbed nonstop his ears. Woof still remembered his past life, but at that time, he used to sleep inside a closed dog hound on a wooden, cold floor. In that strange new house, he can sleep on a soft, warm carpet near that Human. The smells all around were still weird, but he was getting used to it. He couldn¡¯t completely understand why, but the words that the Humans say are easier to understand. He can even feel that his strength improved, his speed and the amount of pressure that he can now apply with his mouth. That big Human that scared the ¡°rubbing-ear¡± woman can vouch for that, for sure. Seems that tomorrow, Woof will go with that Human that is already snoring, in a big voyage. At least that was what he could understand from that talk on that big room with so many different smells. They talked about danger along the way, but Woof will protect them. And that snoring Human on the bed will help, for sure. Woof made another low snort and fell asleep. --- Early in the morning, Ronald woke up with Woof licking his face. He opened his eyes and the light from the open window was giving him headaches. For a moment, he thought that he used a Willpower Spell Card again, but then he realized it was probably because of all the wine that he drank at dinner. Slowly, the memories of last night events came to his mind, along with the realization that he made up his mind about his future. Ronald slowly seated on the edge of the bed, with Woof resting the head on his lap. Ronald made a quick rub on Woof¡¯s head and he then saw Riattus near the window, looking at him. - ¡°Good morning, sleepyhead! I was wondering when you would finally wake up. It seems that Feebles¡¯ wine is very good for insomnias.¡± - ¡°Lower your voice, please¡­ annoying old ghost¡­¡± - ¡°So, get dress, wash up your face, get down for breakfast and start working! You have a lot to do, Carrier! There¡¯s a carriage to fill with the supplies that you bought yesterday, remember? Keep in mind, it¡¯s better if you summon your Big Rat outside the City. You already took a huge risk yesterday, with that trick with the dagger. I told you to keep a low profile!¡± Ronald made a frown, the voice was still too loud. - ¡°Yeah¡­ I talked too much indeed. That wine was very good, but it made me babble nonstop. So, let¡¯s do this, then.¡± --- In the Dining Room, Feebles was at a table with Taly and Ari. They called for Ronald, as soon as he entered. Feebles pointed to a chair in front of him. - ¡°Good morning, Mister Ronald! Had a good night¡¯s rest?¡± Ronald frowned, the light and the loud voice of Feebles was making his head hurt again. - ¡°Yes, but waking up was not so good. My head feels heavy, the light and the voices give me headaches.¡± Feebles offered him a cup of tea. - ¡°Here, drink this. It¡¯s my secret recipe. You will feel better in no time!¡± Ronald took the cup and blew a little, it was very hot. After a few more blows, he took a careful sip. Some more blows and after the second sip, his head cleared. He was so surprised that he drank a few more, before asking Feebles. - ¡°This¡­ Mister Feebles, my headaches stopped miraculously! This tea is amazing! What is it made off?¡± - ¡°I knew you would like it. That¡¯s why I have a small bag of this mixture already prepared for you, together with the wine that you asked on that bag on the floor next to you. I thought you would need this if you or your friends drink too much. And if you have some light pain, it will also work.¡± Ronald was looking at the tea and wondering. - ¡°Is this¡­ some sort of Healing Potion?¡± - ¡°Oh, no! Nothing that good, but it does the trick. It¡¯s just a mix of some herbs and plants, a recipe from my family, passed from generations ago to the members of my family.¡± - ¡°You could sell this, it would be a success!¡± - ¡°I am already doing it. In fact, one of the reasons why I came to this City was to sell a huge pack of this mixture to the Guild Master. The Adventurers in there, appreciate this tea quite a lot because they can drink more than they should, giving a lot of money to the Guild, and on the next morning instead of suffering from huge headaches, they drink this tea at the Guild. Giving more money to the Guild in the process. I know, it¡¯s a vicious circle, but no one forces them to drink so much wine!¡± Ronald nodded, still looking at that strange tea. Taly smelled the teapot and smiled. - ¡°You may call it just a mix of herbs, but I know the smell of a Healing Potion. This one is a light Healing Potion, made with leaves of the Red Dork and White Gift plant. It may have some more things in there, for this colour and perhaps, a different taste, but it is.¡± Feebles opened his eyes in a surprise. - ¡°Yes, it has leaves of those plants, together with some more. But how do you know it?¡± Taly smiled while mixing the teapot with the long spoon. - ¡°Perhaps because I know this recipe. I¡­ I mean, one of my ancestors, made it for the first time, more than 500 years ago. We are either distant cousins, Mister Feebles, or one of your ancestors learned it from one of mine. It is normally used for minor pains or headaches, but I guess it can also be used for hangovers.¡± Feebles frowned. - ¡°I¡­ never found someone that could identify so easily the main ingredients of this mixture¡­ but my family is selling this for quite some time, and¡­¡± Taly interrupted him by raising his right hand. - ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mister Feebles, your business is safe. And also, the secret of this tea. I can even tell you that if you put in the mix one gram of powder of one leaf of the Blue Brittlebush, this tea will get to the level of a medium Healing Potion, and you can sell it to heal injuries, and not only headaches.¡± - ¡°Really? Amazing¡­ I need to find some of those, then.¡± Ronald opened his bag and from a piece of wrapped white cloth, took three leaves that weren¡¯t as good as the ones that he sold previously. - ¡°Can I use these, to pay for the wine and that mixture of yours?¡± Feebles shook his head strongly. - ¡°Mister Ronald, I can¡¯t accept this, it¡¯s too much!¡± - ¡°Of course, you can. Consider it also as payment for getting this job for me. And an extra for one bottle of your wine, in eight months from now, a bottle that we will drink completely over our dinner in here, when I return.¡± Feebles stopped to think for a while. He smiled and nodded. - ¡°We have a deal, Mister Ronald. And that means that you can¡¯t die before our dinner, ok?¡± - ¡°I don¡¯t intend to, Mister Feebles, don¡¯t worry.¡± Ari frowned. - ¡°Another one raising flags¡­ This voyage will be a lot of fun, for sure, always trying to get to the end of it without dying because of so many that are attracting bad luck¡­ Yay, so much fun indeed¡­¡± ---