Inside the dining room, Jackson’s expression would have a tinge of fear within it every now and then as he’d stare at the exit. His eyes still steeled from their adventure at the abandoned manor. Not even the smell of Alana’s cooking was able to take the anxiety that he witnessed.
In their breakfast table was a wonderful assortment of bread with all sorts of toppings that ranges from your typical seasoning with garlic and squeezed lemon to ones with melted cheese on top. Some even have more elegant designs made by the Countess. Depicting the flower of the Kingdom she was born from and to the swords that the party wields.
Elizabeth and Bahamut both waited for their Lord to take the first bite. But his eyes were just locked in place at something. Even though it was such a warmful morning, with the morning rays peeking through the three glass windows over the dining room. The opened door to the main bed chamber on the right showed neatly fixed bedsheets and all their slippers aligned by the entrance. The sound of the carriages and the chatter of the thousands of people outside gave their room a calming yet homey feel to it. “My Lord, just what are you staring at?”
Bahamut with her chin resting on her palm points with her free right hand at the itsy bitsy spider that’s thinner than a strand of hair on the wooden door. “I think even house spiders might traumatize me now.” Elizabeth just sighs. “My Lord, a mere minutiae of a spider shouldn’t be a problem to you. It’s the food in front that you're not daring to partake in.” he then turns to the table and notices the neatly prepared food and Alana being the last to sit down. “O-Oh, sorry. Let’s eat everyone.” Starting, the rest of the party followed after him as they start breakfast.
“Master, it's literally just an insect.”
“Bahamut… You know how much I hate insects and anything that crawls and has more than two feet! That-that-that thing! Ohhh my, just thinking about it is making me wanna vomit.”
“Haaaaa… Master, you need sleep. Thinking about the faces of those eight eyed monsters won’t help you at all.”
“AHHHH! DON’T REMIND ME!”
Elizabeth on the other hand sets down the Chalice that she’s been drinking for the last hour. The blood of Jackson just refills seconds after she stops. “My Lord, you did pretty well back there. You fought like any other warrior in the face of your greatest fear. I was busy protecting Seiness but glances I saw of you. Your eyes were brimming with life. It was beautiful to witness such a sight.”
“Thank you Elizabeth…” the Knight then trembles. “But hearing the sound of the clicks of their eight sharp feet just makes me wanna look at whatever is outside of my peripheral vision. That was the worst of the worst of my nightmares coming true.” as he takes a bite at the circular bread with melted cheese, bayleaf, and mushrooms. His dimmed face immediately lights up. “Oh wow! What is this?” Alana’s expression then quickly lightens as she makes a long breath. A big smile of perfect satisfaction on her face as everyone nodded in agreement with him. “My Lord, I believe this is the traditional morning bread of Rose.” The man looks at it and once again takes two more bites. Leaving only a small part left.
“You Vampires really love this don’t you? Just leaves, vegetables, and cheese with wine.” though he didn’t stop eating. Merely taking two more to his plate from the serving platter and pours himself some water. “Also… where is the Blue Spider eye anyways?” Bahamut then points at the cabinet near the exit. She tried to talk but her mouth was full of loaf.
Turning to look around, at the door to the hallway of the hotel’s 3rd floor. The man notices a dark oozing aura coming from a wooden cabinet. “Uhhhh… was it always like that? I don’t remember it making that type of eerie air when we settled it at the dining table.” looking at everyone, they all just shrugged and went back to eating. As if the unsettling atmosphere the ghostly spider eye was making was of no nuisance to everyone else but him. “Haaaaah…” he then takes a bite. Looking up the ceiling and nodding once again to the taste.
“My Lord, that Seiness girl…” he then turns to look at her. His mouth and cheeks are full of food. “Mrhmp?” she wipes his mouth with some paper and sighs. This makes him swallow it all down, now ready to talk.
“She has a gift doesn’t she? The way she used a variety of Magic while also knowing her place as a backline unit. She’s trained well, isn’t she?”
“Yup. Ahem. Though she needs to work more on her movement as she stays in that room letting you do the guarding. An experienced Mage, Sorceress or whatever would’ve made a run to an area where they can do their thing without disturbing anyone on the front.”
“But even then, she didn’t falter, didn’t she, My Lord? Her Divine Magic was also on point. A bit too on point if you ask me.”
“Master, I gotta agree with the Bloodsucker. That woman has something in her that makes her a bit stronger than the rest.”
“Hm hm… well. She isn’t the focal point of all this without a reason. Bishop Rival did mention something about her particular set of skills… to think she was that effective. Hm. She might be a good synergy with Bahamut. Both of them using Divine Magic will make cleansing curses and Demons a chore.”
“Not only that, My Lord. She was weakening the Spiders with her aura. The ghosts didn’t dare exit out of the attic as they knew her presence would destroy them.”
“Which is stupid. Bahamut, why were you so fixated on the biggest ghost up there?”
“Well… Master… it taunted me… but! It all ended well!” She then stuffed her mouth with some of the last loafs of bread while nodding to herself. “Haaaaah… but you forgot the other ghosts though.”
“Don’t worry Master! Ghosts that weak won’t do anything with the Nobles of that place. Even when they were inside their big houses. I could sense their power.”
“R-Really?” He stopped eating. Interlacing his fingers and resting his chin on top of it. “Tell me more.”
“They're just well trained and birthed from good genes, Master.”
“I see…” he then sighs. Resting his back on the chair. “What’s todays objectives anyways?”
“M’Lord. We must first submit that Spider eye, then someone should collect Seiness.”
“And afterward? Are we gonna take another quest? We might as well be right since we’d already be at the Adventurer’s Guild?”
“We could. Though who will pick up Seiness, M’Lord? I have some errands I’d like to personally do this morning.”
“Eh? So I’ll be… hmmmm…” he looks at Elizabeth and Bahamut. Both of them are just finishing up their meals. “Elizabeth, can you pick up Seiness? Or do you also have something to do today?” the woman just nodded as she neatly wiped her mouth. “I do not have anything in my itinerary My Lord. I shall do as ordered.” he then turns to the last woman at the table. “Bahamut.” the Dragon then immediately turns to him. “Do you have anything to do today?”
“... I wanna sleep!” he just facepalms and sighs. “So… I’ll submit the ghostly blue spider eye. Alana will have to do some errands and Elizabeth will pick up Seiness… we’ll meet up back here then.” Looking at everyone and with no signs of protest he finishes up first and gets up.
After the good morning meal, the Knight takes his cotton tunic and canvas pants and gets out of the room first, sack in hand. Outside, the breeze of cold air hits him from all flanks and he shivers. Going back in to fetch a fur coat and then proceeding outside. Many of the robed men of the city were busy making sure all of the floating lamps would be at height as bigger cargo was moving through the main streets.
Walking through the more populated areas, Jackson notices how everyone was back in their normal clothing while he had to wear a fur coat still. Though the foreign sun was already high above and kept the temperatures high, it was still not high enough for him to disrobe his coat. After a long journey, he once again enters the market road, the mixture of human and elf opening their stalls and preparing for another day. In that particular area, he notices the large amount of Wizards and Witches lining up to buy all sorts of things for whatever concoction their planning on making.
The snow was clearing up. With the green trees returning in some areas and painters hard at work in giving colors to some of the buildings whose art had faded from the harsh winter. The place was brimming with activity from all walks of life. He himself gets the happy feeling he onced felt when he first entered the capital of James. With a smile, he walked on to the Adventurers Guild where outside, there was a bunch of people by the wall. Peddling things to people. “Please! Try out my quill! I need to do this to upgrade my title!”, “Sir! Good sir! Have a taste of this fine potion I made! I am a certified Journeyman of the Potion Makers Guild! Please do try it!”, “As a person of cotton, I must say that these are the finest ones you’ll find! Backed by not only the Cotton Weavers Guild but also the Blacksmith and Tailors Guild!”
Hearing all this commotion, the man instantly waves off the sidewalk and enters the main road. But he stops seeing there’s still people there. Turning around, he is met with a young uppity man with a sword in hand. “H-Hello sir!” He immediately dodged the man like a rocket and walked around him nonchalantly. “B-B-But sir! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to try out a special sword!” Suddenly, Jackson stops at his tracks and turns around. “A sword you say?” caught, the young man with his messy black hair walks up to him and presents a silvery sword. Newly polished and the leather on his handle as fine as could be.
“You made this?”
“Y-Yes. I am Adher from the Sword Making Guild.”
“I see… and this is for?” Jackson takes it from his hand and observes it. Fingers rubbing his chin, he puts the blade right up his eyes and nose. “Hmmmm…”
“It's for the upgrade of my rank. You see… I am a Journeyman Sword Maker. Though that is already good enough for almost everything, I’ve always dreamt of being titled Master.”
“And let me guess… This means making some crazy sword that takes mastery and skill of everything you’ve learned so far to make?” The young man's face lights up like a fiddle and frantically nods. “Yes! Exactly! Gee, Sir. Could you be a Blacksmith of sorts?” Jackson just shrugs whilst turning his eyes at the handle. The sack wrapped around his elbow like a purse.
“No. Just a Swordsman of sorts.”
“Then you must try it! Please! And give me feedback!”
“Look… the stuff I do. A sword like this won’t cut it.” Hearing this the young man’s lively expression changes. What was there now was a professional. “May I hear more?”
“I deal with higher level enemies. Stuff normal steel or iron swords would falter after a single battle. Not to mention the crazy magic used by my opponents that could just bend, dull, or melt it.”
“May I ask what your title is?”
“Oh, I have no title. Though back in Dragovh, the party I am with is ranked as B. Skilled Adventurers.”
“Skilled? Oh my… you are correct. I actually made this sword for Novices.”
“Why though? Shouldn’t you be making ones for Veteran or even Heroic ranked Adventurers?”
“I… I only have a very limited supply right now as the trade routes have only fully opened recently… but the certification test only lasts for a few weeks… I simply am out of time… and a bit out of mind…” Jackson just chuckles and pats his shoulders. “Pfft. Don’t overthink it. Do your thing and shoot your shot. Don’t waste time on trivial stuff like this. If you're gonna make a high level sword, I recommend enchanting it with a buff for the user.”
“A buff for the user?”
“Like… giving them more Mana or being able to cut through Mage Shields. Something like that.” Adler then rubs his chin. His fingers proceed up his forehead as he leans forward and looks up to the skies. “O-Okay! Ugh! I might just have barely enough to pull that off, but thank you for your feedback! I’ll be sure to take it into consideration!”
“Hm. Though quite interesting how the Guilds really get specific. I never even knew there’s a Sword Makers Guild. In Tur, that’s all under the Blacksmiths Guild.”
“Oh. That is because we Sword Makers typically only focus on making the most excellent of swords. Blacksmiths are more general in what they make and repair… sometimes they just buy from us than making swords themselves.”
“I see. Well, I better get going. Do your best, Mister Adler.” He gives him his hand but the young man doesn't know the expression as he wraps the sword in cloth and slings it on his back. “Uhm… what custom is this?” Jackson just shrugs and forcibly takes his hand and shakes it. “Also bro. When you're making a sword for more skilled people, be sure to make it longer. Like a few inches longer.”
“In-inches?” Jackson just smiles and leaves the man as he sneaks his way to the front door of the Guild.
Entering the Adventurer’s Building with the ghostly blue spider eye in a small sack, Jackson walks towards the quest board first and takes a look at the stone tabs mounted on it. There he notices the request for Scale collection was still up and untaken. Though unable to recognize the words, he abruptly stops at his feet, just staring knowing it's the exact same one Alana pointed at. But this time, it has another tablet next to it. Some of the scribblings have the same shape and size making him tilt his head. “Hmmm…? A sister quest to it?”
Next to him was a man with messy red hair, tall, lanky and a perfect fit for sports, he wasn’t too bulky nor too thin. With clean leather armor, shiny snow boots, and fingerless gloves. He takes the tablet next to his. The Knight taking a gander at it.
With a quick eye, the young man sees his stare and turns to him. “Hm? Do you want this quest?” Jackson just scratched the back of his head while bowing his head lightly. Making sure the sack doesn’t get in the way as he lets the redhead take what he needs. “Ah no, I was just curious, as some of the lettering seems to be the same with this one.” he then sees the man take the tablet next to the one they plan to take.
“Don’t you know how to read? Pfft. What’s happened with the conduct of Adventurers? Don’t you know it's your moral obligation to learn to read? Don’t tell me you don’t even know the rules. Don’t take the same quest as me, boy.”
“B-Boy?! I’m just curious! And I look twice your age!”
“It’s a quest to go and scout further into the Curate Fortresses. Something someone… hmmmm…”
He then faces the man, though Jackson's height was a bit higher than his, the young man's vigorous expression and liveliness far outlives his. The eyes alone separate the two, one of a hardened Veteran and another of a fruitful lad who has his life ahead of him.
“You don’t seem like a normal adventurer.” He sniffs at the direction of the Knight. “You also smell too good for an adventurer.” Looking at his face then his common clothing, the redhead rubs his chin. “You are also far too much taken care of to be an adventurer.” Looking at his hands, he notices the sack which Jackson immediately hides behind his back. “Adventurers come in all shapes and sizes. I’m just one that’s well cared for and hygienic.” This made the young man scratch his already messy hair as he gave the Knight a sharp stare.
“That could be, but not even those Noble kids who come out from their Manors looking for a more fun life smell the same as you… it's as if… you have maturity and substance but I can’t pinpoint where its coming from…”
“You know… This is from a movie I watched once inside a trench. A character there said, in this world, there’s two types of people. Those who have a rope over their neck and those who cut it. I am a bit of both.”
“Movie? What’s that? Some sort of play for the Nobles?”
“You wouldn’t get it. It's about a Mexican guy and a guy with No Name, probably one of the best things I’ve watched in my life.” This made the red haired man tilt his head in confusion. After a few seconds, he just shrugs and places the tablet under his pits as he hides both his hands into his pockets. “Yeah… you are a peculiar one.”
With the tablet, the young man walks away. Heading off to the lady in the counter as he breathes a long sigh. He takes a gander at the quest request and heads to the receptionist where he submits the ghostly blue spider eye. The woman’s expression dims at seeing it and quickly runs in the back to fetch an item grabber and carefully seats it into a special crate inscribed with holy runes. “W-wow! Where did you get that, Sir?” He then presents his ID which the lady then checks for the active quests and nods. “E-Eh?! Such a creature was in that old Adventurer’s Manor? By the Gods. Sir, please wait here.”
He flicks his mouth as he rests his elbow on the counter. “Tsk, Alana might actually finish before me.” with nothing to do and the people behind him only being two. He instead turned to his left to see the Main Lobby and there, lots of parties had already gathered early in the morning. Most of them suit up and check stocks of their gear. There was also a large number of them on the map painting on the wall.
With a keen eye, he spots that most of the people in the parties were Frontliners and the ones in the back were Wizards and Witches that specialize in Water and Ice. With a careful few having dedicated Healers and Archers. But what strikes him more was the lack of full plate or chainmail. Most of them wear gambesons and thick hide armor to even ones just padded studs while having traces of wax on their leather shoes.
Before long, the Receptionist returns and she has with her a note. With brimming curiosity, the Knight takes it and puts it up his face. The entire setup of the rectangular paper being more like a Bank Cheque. It even has the Stamp of the Adventurer’s Guild and the Church alongside the Sign of the Receptionist lady.
“Uhhhh… where’s my reward?”
“Sorry sir. But we do not have the exact funds for the payment. The Church pays extra for stuff like what you’ve bought as its part of their Scientific Researching and instructs us to just give out Bills on their behalf.”
“Then… where can I deposit this then?”
“Uhm… well sir, the Merchants Guild should be just on the opposite block.”
He turns around and sees another person has entered the line. Thinking, he takes the Bill and walks to the front door just as the Countess enters the building with her bag rattling with metallic objects. “M’Lord!” Seeing the beautiful woman, Jackson quickly waves his hand to her. “Oh Alana!” The two gave each other a quick hug and immediately presented the Bill to her.
“Eh? M’Lord, where is the payment?”
“Lady in the counter said this is it.”
“I see. Very well. Would you want to return to where I was from then?”
“Where did you just go?” She then reaches for her purse and presents to him a sack. Dangling it, she shakes it and he could hear the coins inside. “O-Ohhhh… What was the exchange rate like?” she shrugs. “Later. But for now, let me have this then. Better not get it tainted.” She takes the Bill and carefully puts it in her purse of wool. “Eh. To think we got stuff added to our itinerary today. I wonder what’s happening with Elizabeth?”
Walking to the Church Offices. The Queen greets Seiness who was waiting by the two Guards posted outside. “Little one! We meet once again!” she nods in return. “Yes! Lady Carmilla! Where shall we head today, then?” She then takes the Priestess hand and takes a scroll with her on the bright sunny day. “Well… My Lord plans for us to take another quest. But first, we must talk about it in the room. As a group, the decision must be unanimous before we partake in any activities.” She nods while Elizabeth peeks at her back. The quick glance was fast enough to not be noticed by anyone as she timed it perfectly.
In that miniscule timing she had open, the woman did it to the tee and not a soul saw her do what she did. “Hm? Is something wrong?” Seiness felt the quick action though and Elizabeth just shrugs. “Ah, it’s nothing. Let us continue.”
Back in the Adventurers Building as they were checking the tablets. Alana nods to his suggestion. “Very well, M’Lord. Though we best be ready.” he nods to her in agreement. “Uhhh.. it's that one, right?” She chuckles and points at the one they are to take. “I forgot that you couldn’t read Common, M’Lord. Indeed, do take that one.” she points at it but with how far she was, Jackson picks the wrong one. “This one?” she shrugs. “The one above, M’Lord.” he puts his hand on the one on top. “This one?” she once again shakes her head. “The other one, M’Lord.” He finally looks at the quest board and remembers the same type of inscriptions and takes it. “Ah, this?”
Alana nods to him. With a smile, she walks to the counter. “Mhm! Now let us submit this one then.” agreeing with her, the man takes the tablet and has it submitted. “Alrighty, let’s get this show on the road then.”
“Shall we return to the hotel then, M’Lord? Tell everyone of the good news?”
“Hmmmm… We have to prepare. Food, clothes, extra potions even. We better stock up first and then head home. I’d rather do that than go out again.”
“Then, shall we?”
“Sure.”
The two exit out of the building. Looking around, the street was full of people. All buying things from the stalls and in one of them, Jackson notices a cute fluffy cat-like creature sitting on top of a petite girl in all white Witch robes. “W-Woah!” he instantly blushes and walks up to it. Unable to contain his curiosity.
To his surprise, it had no neck and would turn to look at him via rotating its entire body. “Hrng?” Its cute sound makes him go beet red as the woman sitting on top notices him and turns around. He was instantly captivated by her appealing looks. With long braided hair and thinly large round glasses. She was so innocent he cannot fathom that she’s holding a Magic Staff.
She didn’t need to say anything to notice that the huge man, built like a Warrior, befit for the toughest of fights, was looking at her companion. She just smiles and lifts the ball of fur and hands it to him. “C-Can I?!” With a big wide smile on his face, Jackson took the little thing and it quickly wrapped its long fluffy tail around his left arm. It was squishy and malleable but also rigid enough to take form. “Awwww… that feels so nice.” Its eyes were that of a snake on the other hand, vertical and brown gold, it was looking at him with a tilted expression.
“M-M’Lord, can we not touch random animals? Hello Witch. Please forgive M’Lord.” She just shrugs as she looks up to him and smiles. “It's of no worries, Miss. Foof gets a lot of friends in our travels.” Jackson then jumps. “This thing's name is Foof?! Awwww! So cute!” He then proceeds to hug it. As if its entire being was sucking in the stress of his life.
“He is actually a Fulf, Mister.”
“A Fulf you say?” He then looks at it. The creature seemingly has no sense of self protection at all while giving him all the attention he wants and needs. “Where can I get one?” a light slap comes from his back. “M’Lord, you already told me Bahamut tends to eat creatures like that. Another mouth is also more to feed. Let us not burden ourselves. You don’t even know where to put that sword you got yesterday.”
Hearing this, the man immediately became dejected and returns to Fulf to the White Witch. “Thank you. Haaaaa…” with his head lowered. He follows Alana as she takes him to the merchants guild.
Elizabeth on the other hand has almost reached the Cathedral square and could see the hotel they're staying in within view. But she once again catches something in her senses and quickly turns around to look at something. “Hm? What is it, Lady Carmilla?” She shrugs and leads the Priestess inside.
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Up in their room, Bahamut was lazily strewn on the couch. Her left leg over the top and the right touching the hide carpet on the floor. “Goddess?” the Dragon only waved a hand as she went back to sleep. “Stay here, Seiness. I need to be somewhere first.” she nods leaving the Priestess alone in their room. With nothing to do, she looked around and could see there was stuff to do and immediately rested her staff on the dining table and rolled her sleeves.
Going back down stairs, the Queen stops outside the door just about to enter the square as she scans the bustling place with thousands of people going about their days. With a sharp eye, she moves quietly into the sides of the hotel and into the dark alleyway behind it. Disappearing into the shadows/
Walking about the street, Jackson then sees a single story building with a sign hanging outside showing a vial. On his hand was a bigger purse of coins as he juggled it with a smile on his face. “Is that it?” Alana on the other hand checks the sign and nods. “Yes M’Lord.”
He then stops before the door and hands her the coin purse he has. Combining it, the Countess starts counting as people pass them by. Jackson was on his toes, protecting her and shielding her hands. Preventing anyone from getting a view of the money they have on them. “In the end, how much do we have in us?”
“This could easily top a thousand Maximallus, M’Lord. I also went to the local money changer beforehand and as usual, our currency is greater in value. Tenfold that is. So we have a thousand and five hundred in total.” Alana opens her palm and a Blood Rose blooms into a pouch full of coins. Racking it, the noise was wonderful to the ears of the Knight.
“Hohohohooo… I can’t wait to spend some of that! Oh! But dang though, just how powerful is your economy?”
“We just caught it in the bad time, M’Lord. Economies slow down in harsh winters and we were just there at the right time. It should just be times five but since orders were really going in slow, it was doubled.”
Reaching into it, she takes out a silver coin. The newly minted one had the face of the King and the Baron ruling the city on the other side. A young man with well combed hair while the King wore a great crown and held a staff. “Did you specifically request for new ones?”
“Of course, M’Lord. Having badly maintained coins for a Noble Vampire is a scratch to our name. It's also a show of one's wealth if you could make it gleam in public. Though you are hiding it right now.”
Jackson takes it and tries to bend it. He nods as he puts it up his eyes and then down to the level of his hip. “They really put a lot of attention to this. Dang, even the lettering is straight and leveled. Are these made with hands?” The Countess takes it back and flips it into the air, catching it with the coin purse she has.
“They are, M’Lord. In Gareth, it's usually done by the Dwarven people living under the city. Unlike the Elves, they don’t complain about it as most of their lives are inside mountains. They're perfect for the job and the quality remains the same through the generations.”
“I see… Well, should we buy some stuff then?” The Countess nods as she puts the coin purse into her bag. “Alrighty then! Let’s go!”
The two were shoulder to shoulder as they went into the stone brick building. It had glass windows and inside, the wooden walls were plastered and on its shelves were a collection of potions in varying sizes and vials. A lone man stood on the counter, a lanky Elf with rounded glasses and black gloves. With a tainted apron that has a smear of green and violet, he sets down the rusty book he’s reading and looks at the door.
“Ah, customers… That’s odd. Is that a Vampire and a Human? Do my eyes deceive me right now? I do not think I’ve ever seen a Human Female that beautiful before…”
Caught red handed, Jackson tries to look around. “A-Ahhh… nice collection you have!” the Elf on the other hand didn’t waver. His eyes steeled at Alana who elegantly bows. Lifting her skirt a bit as she lowers her head. “Good Morning Mister. I am Countess Alana Minuit of the Kingdom of Rose. This is my partner Knight Paul Jackson of Eldwood. You have a keen eye for an Elf.” he nodded as he crossed his arms and chuckled.
“Odd… just odd. But I do welcome you. A Countess huh? Someone such as yourself has a good eye for products. Please, do browse to your heart's content. The potions on the barrels next to you are for free, please do try to test them out. I am Gelpter, from the Princeps Dydares originally. A Curate… ah yes human. Elf. True Elf.”
Hearing this, Jackson looks at the wooden barrel near the entrance and takes one of the numerous small potions ready for grabs. Not understanding the sign attached to it, he just observed the pink color inside the small vial which took his attention greatly. He sniffed it and it gave off a spicy scent.
“What’s this for?”
“Ah, you cannot read even though you're with a Countess and are hailed as a Knight? Could you be the Peasants the Holy See so brazenly give the title of a Lord to?”
“M’Lord, that’s for skincare.”
“Ah. Interesting, so this stuff is for free huh?”
“Of course Sir Jackson. These products usually show the quality of a Potion Maker's hands. You can keep it if you wish, it helps with rashes, blackspots and all of the sorts your imperfect human bodies usually make. I am one of the longest standing members of the Potion Makers Guild and I take great pride in my free test products.”
“If Elves won’t get acne or any of that sort, how are you sure this stuff is actually potent?”
“Hah, I am married to a Human. I tested it on her, though she’s out adventuring now. I believe her brash comments about my products are the best critiques a male like me could have.”
“Is that so…?”
He shrugs and takes three. Putting them in his jacket pocket as Alana started browsing. Her hands lifted up as if to prepare to take one that she needs. Each of them were on 4 layered shelves and were all categorically arranged.
“M’Lord, should we take one for extra strength?”
“Sure, and take one for speed, and if Mana ones are available, take those too.”
“Ahem. Potions that give you Mana are the top of my products, I cannot simply hand it out without proper payment first.”
“Eh? Don’t you guys have those in heaps? In Threa, that’s one of the most basic potions. Adds Five Percent Mana and its ingredients are like… grain and stuff like that.”
“Threa? I do not know of such lands that could have luxuries of that sort, nor do I believe you Humans are capable of producing that much. Grain is also not something common in winter times. I suggest just buying ones that boost dexterity.”
“Alright, alright. Alana, buy some of those too.”
Jackson then puts his hands on his pockets. Wandering around the shop as he looks at the varying empty vials, ranging from one you could fit into your belt to ones that could hold an entire gallon. The glass is thick and hard, but also transparent enough for you to clearly see the contents inside. The shape was also well defined, perfectly enough that he cannot believe this were made with pure hands and old technology. On the wall near the ceiling were certifications that the Elf had gathered throughout his years of endless service.
In one aisle, the glass had an iridescent glow to them. Taking the Knight’s attention. The Countess on the other hand had already gotten a few potions and was placing them on her arms, dangling the heap with pinpoint balancing.
“M’Lord, how much of each should we take?”
“There’s five of us right? Three for each of us.”
“Oh, that could be far more than I expected, M’Lord.”
“If it's too much, we’ll dumb it down to you and Carmilla since you're the frontline fighters.”
“And you M’Lord?”
“I’ll take some from my own inventory. I’m more used to those anyway.”
Alana finishes up. Presenting the Elven man a potion colored yellow, blue, and purple.
“Mhm. Six for strength, six for speed, and six for dexterity. Also, I am willing to give discounts if you could return to vials after usage. I’m willing to buy them back at market price of course.”
“I’ll see to it then.”
“Don’t you maybe not want a vial of blood? I have human blood in the back if you wish. I know that Mana potions don’t really have its full effect on Vampires anyways but there’s always people willing to sell me blood for my more extreme potions. I know you also take Mana from the Blood of your prey.”
“Ahhhh… no need. This is fine, thank you. As a Countess, Human blood I must intake must have a certain level of quality for it to be efficient. Though, I am pleased by the offer.”
“If only the Humans of this city are as cordial and eloquent as you Vampires. I do hope the Diplomats of the Empire return with news of our alliance with you.”
“Wait… you know that?”
“Of course. We Elves are still connected. I am not one to miss news from my homeland. It's a very big deal, you know.”
“Pfft. Well.. let’s just say that alliance won’t happen anytime soon. Hehehehe…”
“Hm? What’s the funny thing Human? Is there some Mon’krel joke I do not understand?”
“Nothing. Please carry on.”
Alana just smiles and shrugs her head at him, who was on the leftmost aisle of the shop. Leaning on the heavy shelf as the Elf pouches up the products they bought. Walking back out, the two take a look at the potions they got. Jackson taking one and observing it. He then opens the cork and smells it and then swirls it around.
“Huh. For a foul mouthed man, he got skills.”
“That’s usually how it is with Elves, M’Lord. That’s why they always rival the Dwarves.”
“Heh. That reminds me of a five hour joke video on YouTube.”
“What’s it about?”
“Some player Dwarf recorded himself making points on why Elves deserve less. The Dark World Player Community is like the dark spot in the Full Dive Gaming Sphere, you see. Our jokes usually always become trendy but the player count doesn't go up. Let’s just say his five hour video became an internet topic for half the year.”
“From meeting you people, I could see why. Is Dark World the only game you play? M’Lord?”
“No. I usually play it the most, but in my free time, I play Armaverse, and if a client wants a virtual meeting, it's usually on Second Life. That game, phew. If Dark World could pull a hundred thousand usual players, Second Life pulls millions daily. Like, daily.”
“Second Life… could this game be what I think it is, M’Lord?”
“Oh yeah, a literal second life. Where you're not a fat ugly lazy slob, but a hunky beach bod chad in a thong. That game also holds the record for the most played game in the world, so unlike Dark World, it's not banned anywhere.”
“Ah, Dark World is banned, I believe it's due to the players and the culture you’ve cultivated, correct?”
“Mhm. You know the incident with Elizabeth and the Midrur Bard?”
“Yes, she had… a lot of colorful comments about his tiny genitalia.”
“Yeah, that’s one of the hundreds of reasons why the game keeps getting banned and restricted. It's gotten so bad there’s two servers, Global and Western. The Western one being extremely PC friendly to circumvent the restrictions.”
“And yet there’s still so many of you. I believe even with its restrictions and limitations, many still prefer the Global version of sorts?”
“Mhm. Setting up a VPN for your Full Dive Gear can take you an entire day, but since Dark World is so good at what it does when it's not limited by anything, many chose to go down that route… even though it could get you in jail in Africa and the Middle East.”
“Ah, we’ve been chatting for a long time now, M’Lord. Where to next?”
“Clothes, we can get from my carriage. I have a lot of extras, guess it's food.”
“To the Butcher’s then. The street next door should have one… or do you want to go to the place you usually visit?”
“Hmmmm… I actually haven’t been to that one before. I believe the man running it is quite a character.”
“Then, let’s go.”
Walking around, Jackson enjoys the beautiful sight of the city. Most of all the buildings were brightly painted, with decorations hanging about them. Not a single brick was not painted, and even through the darb white snow, Janishaire’s inner beauty sparks outward. With even the wooden doors having carvings onto them. Mostly Human Knights fighting against the Elves.
Unbeknownst to them, the Queen was right within their vicinity. Mostly hiding within the shadows, herself not knowing the fact that there is near as she continuously climbs and hides around the corners and darkened alleys.
Entering the next block, the two noticed the stalls there were mostly filled with Humans selling Wheat and Fish. With the big game shops having theirs on the end. “Ah, this is where I bought the ingredients I used for the bread this morning, M’Lord.” he looks around and nods at the space. Though the stalls were on the road, the path itself was not being used by carriages and were mostly filled with people and the occasional patrol from the local Lord.
“M’Lord, should we go to a stall or a shop?”
“Hmmm… a shop is more expensive but it's not like we don’t have enough. How much did the potions cost?”
“It was eighteen, twelve costing us twenty four silver coins, the six Mana potions cost five silver coins each, making it thirty. In total, there were fifty four silver coins, M’Lord. Since our funds mostly consisted of Bronze and Silvers. That’s twenty five percent of our funds gone. Or about three hundred seventy five.” Jackson just blinked multiple times upon her rapid fire centerline math right before him. “Dang, that was fast. Is this how you usually do your calculations? All right in your mind and that quick?”
“Ehehehehe… Yes, M’Lord. I usually keep it to myself but since you needed to hear it, I had to blurt it out loud. Numbers. Such is my life as a Minuit, M’Lord.”
“Keep that up. Numbers help, if used correctly, they can be your best weapon as they never lie.”
“Of course, M’Lord.”
“How much do we have left then?”
“Ninety six Silver coins, M’Lord. One thousand one hundred twenty five total.”
“Seeing the amount of carriages with hides on our way to the city, meat should be cheap here… I hope... ”
“It should be, M’Lord. The old winter ox are usually put down and sold including those overbred. This region of Gareth is known for the large amount of winter ox they have and since the trade routes have just opened. We might be in for some quality meat, M’Lord.”
Looking at the road where the Ox pulling carriages were the majority, and the horses the minority, the man nods as he is led to one of the Butchers shop. Walking inside, it had no wooden flooring, but instead stone with paste in the crevices, preventing blood from spilling down. They are then met with a person wearing hide armor, and a bow on his back.
“Kalpel, c’mon already.”
“Waita’ minute Peersons, where is that knife of mine?”
“Should you really need a knife just for cutting new game?”
“It's hygienic or so they say.”
“Did the people from the other world say that? Just wash it.”
“Ah! Found it!”
Walking out, the burly bearded man wearing a dirty white shirt and a green apron looks at his visitors.
“Oh wow! Mernin’!!
“Morning. How much for a pound of meat?”
“Depends. Fresher ones cost you four silver coins, or fourty bronze. I only accept Garethian currency. None of those fancy foreign ones like Aeralous or Maximallus.”
“We got some here. I need… phew… Alana, what do you think?”
“For Bahamut alone… We might need ten pounds, M’Lord.”
The youngster in the hide armor looks at Alana. The Butcher who was neatly tidying his beard slaps his head. “Oy, no ogling at the customers. That might be a Noble ya’know?”
“Woah, so they are as pretty as the stories say. I’ve never met a Noble in my life before.”
“Aye. But you don’t wanna get into the pants of those. I tell ya’. They too high end for your young ass! Bahahahah!”
“I don’t mind the class difference if she’s that beautiful.”
“And can you accept living forever as one of them? The responsibilities of a Lord and yer’ all that?”
“Ahhh… but she’s so beautiful though.”
“Tsk tsk tsk, yet you want to become an Adventurer one day? Boyo look at me.”
With slick black hair, the young man looks up to the Butcher.
“If you want to become an Adventurer like your old man, you must think not with your heart but with your brain. Pretty ladies are thinking with your heart and your pants. Think with what’s in that noggin’ of yours.”
“I know, I know… but just look at her...” He rests his chin on his palm. “She seems to be made of dreams.”
“Ahahahaha! I want to look too but me wife would shoot a curse from our home if I did. She senses me like a Witch to its Minions!”
The two finish talking and the suited man walks up to the counter. Looking at the display of meat behind the bulky man with a huge knife in his hand.
“Your freshest meat. Ten pounds of it.”
“Oh dearie! Should I get you a cart for that? Ahahahah!”
“Yes, a wheelbarrow if you could.”
“Oy, I was joking there. Is you and the purrty lady having a feast with half the town? I need to reserve some from my other customers, you know?”
“Then five pounds, and the rest I’ll buy from outside.”
“Geez boy. Just who do you plan on feeding with that? A Dragon?”
“Actually… yes. And four people.”
“Ohhhh…”
“Mister, you have a Dragon?!”
“I do. Black one, armored scale all throughout its body and can fly up to ten thousand feet.”
“Woah! You must be like the legendary adventurers! No wonder you have a Noble Lady with you!”
“Ahahahaha, ahhh… I’m just a lucky man. She might look like your teenage dream, but she almost killed me. I only won out of pure luck… She’s a Noble alright… just not the Noble you know and heard of.”
“That’s a thing? Like with the Dragons serving the person that defeated them? Kalpel. Does our Nobles have that defeat contract thing going with them?” The Butcher shrugs. “Naw. Those stuff are for the ones addicted to loyalty. Our Kingdom’s Lords are always loyal. Lest it's the rats at the Church! Ahahaha!”
Alana then butts into the conversation, the teenager completely awestruck by the beauty of the Countess up close. But she on the other hand had her arms crossed with a more serious expression. “Oy youngster. Don’t get any bright ideas. Fighting a Noble like me is a dangerous feat for men… I mean Adventurers.”
“But if Sir here could do it, I’m sure I can one day!”
“The Blood Contract we made are to torture us. Do not think of it as some great thing. It is meant to teach a Vampire a lesson in humility, to not let our power get over our head.”
“Vampires?” Jackson immediately cuts in their conversation. “I-Its just a thing with her family! Yes! It's a stuff Vampires and… Dragons! Dragons do it too!” completely believing the well combed and put together man, the young man nods. “Oof, then you must’ve gotten it way over yours then, Lady. I can’t believe a girl as young as you would let herself become enservant by someone like him.”
“Ahahahaha… yes… wait what?!” Jackson looks at the young man and squints his eyes. “The hell does that mean?”
“Grrt… y-yes… Being a… Noble, I stood uncontested for years. Only then when this man came did I get that lesson.” Alana then eyes Jackson and the two locked there stares, with the Knight smiling devilishly. “Oy oy oy.” She then pinches his cheek as he tries to pull away.
“You two look like your closer than most couples here. Get out ‘er before I vomit. Reminds me of when I was a youngster!”
“Yeah… well what can I say? Here, I seem to be lucky with the ladies.”
“You're only lucky because you know how to fight like a proper man. You impressed his girlie enough that she is willing to give you the look of a woman!”
Alana once again tries to pinch his cheek to remove the smile from his face. The Butcher who was already done just having a big wide happy expression.
“It’s good to see a Noble and an Adventuring Knight get along. Maybe the Elven Human couples aren’t as far fetched as I sought it out to be.”
“Why? Aren’t Knights a Noble title already?” The Butcher shrugs to Jackson. “Adventuring Knights are lads who wear plate armor and help the poor but hold no title, lad.” knowing this, he just nods as he wraps up the meat and is dropped at the table. “Th-thank you for the meat. I’ll get a wheelbarrow.”
“Mhm! Oh! I have one in the back. Just return it later today. I need it for when the Hunters return and you go home.”
The two then left the shop with sacks of stuff they’ve bought. With Jackson doing most of the carrying. The afternoon was brimming with gleam and liveliness. He couldn’t help but be at peace with the current situation. “M’Lord, we better use the rest of the day in teaching Seiness what she’d ought to be.”
Nodding, Jackson catches up to her and walks alongside the Countess. “No worries. She’s already shown herself to be very capable. This should be nothing.”
Walking from one part of the city to another. They soon encounter an area where there were more children than usual. Alongside it were their parents chatting amongst one another on the sidewalks as their kids would frolic endlessly on the streets and alleys. “Heh. Reminds me of back home.”
“Kids play in the streets back in your place, M’Lord?” Jackson looks up to the skies with a contented face. “Yeah… sometimes they’d even bring a basketball court and the entire street would be closed off as the entire town watches.” He sighs and looks down to the ground. “Yeah… I miss that.” he then puts his chin up and looks at the Countess. “It’s a bit messy but times like that keeps the community together.”
All of the sudden, the Countess stops. “M’Lord… I think you’ve infected me with your Knightliness.” tilting his head, he wasn’t even able to question her as she started fast walking into an empty alleyway. In the end of it, with a blinding light they reach a closed off park where a bunch of children were at.
He stops dead in his tracks. Grasping at the sight before him.
A young orange haired cat girl with fluffy ears, wearing only an oversized white tunic was being picked on by a bunch of boys. Pulling her ears and tail as she wailed in pain. Behind her just over an unkempt park bench was a fat kid. His glasses smashed and were being relentlessly kicked over and over again by three children.
Jackson on the other hand notices his wearing shiny leather shoes and was awfully well cared for compared to the Commoners. “You stupid fatty! You and that half breed girlfriend of yours!” Just as his adrenaline was about to kick off, Alana was already there and lifted two of the kids, picking on the girl and the boy. Stretching their tunics as she looks down on the rest of the group.
“Now. Are you bandits going to disperse or do you want me to discipline you?” they were all enamored by her looks but the sudden appearance of a very angry muscular man behind her made them snap back into reality and disperse. Dropping there sticks and stones as they made a run to the alleys.
Looking at the two wounded children, Jackson’s eyes sank in sadness. As if he was on the verge of tears as Alana proceeded to heal the cat girl. She had bruises all over her body and her left ear absolutely destroyed while the Knight came up to the fat kid and his face was mangled alongside his chest. All he could do was sigh. “This is gonna hurt a bit, okay? But I’m gonna need you to be tough.” unable to talk since his lips was blown out.
Jackson moves him to the bench. After a few minutes of healing the cat girl, the Countess then started healing him. The man then kneeled with one leg and checked the two. The little girl hugged the fat kid's arm as he observed him.
“You aren’t a Commoner aren’t you?” the fat kid slowly nods. “I knew it. You are probably the only obese kid that I’ve encountered so far. So… what happened?” with Alana healing his lips he opens his mouth slowly.
“T-Th-they were picking on her…” he then looks at the cat girl. Her tail all fluffed up from the scuffle she got into. “I-I had to do something. Father always says we have to defend the weak.” he sighs and pats the fat kid's ebony hair. “To my eyes, it looked like two weaklings getting destroyed.” With a surprised look, Alana turns to him.
“But, you got guts kid. Ahahahah, you remind me of myself when I was young. I was also a bit on the fat side myself.” he then stands up and puts his hands on his hips as the Countess finishes up in repairing the kid. “But I never let the bullies get the better of me. Even if I was a fatty and an outcast. Guess that’s why I turned out the way I did.” He scratches the back of his head giggling to himself. “So… what’re you gonna do now?” the kid then checks his glasses. “Hah… father is going to end me. This is his favorite reading glasses.”
Sighing more, he then looks up to the two adults before him. “I wanna get stronger… I-I wanna be a Knight that can protect her!” Jackson looks him right in the eyes and nods. “Good. And you young lady?” she growls at him like a cat but the Noble kid held her hand. “I… Thank you Mister and Missus.” Hearing the little girl talk, she was polite and soft spoken. Instantly clicking with Jackson. He opens his palm and slowly lets it approach her. Which she accepts. Landing her fist on top of it. “Hm. No worries. Why did they pick on you anyways? And why did he get into the mix?”
“I… I wanted to play with kids my age, Mister. My parents always told me to stay away from Humans but there are so few of us in Chamilos…” she grips the end of her oversized tunic, looking down on herself as Alana starts gently patting her head. “I just wanted to play.”
Jackson then turns to the young man. “I heard screams so I came here. I was already out of breath but I told those peons to stay away from her! B-But… hm.” the man just shrugs and smiles. “I feel like the two of you will have a very beautiful future. C’mon Alana. Let’s head home.” Before leaving, the Countess also pats the head of the young Noble kid.
“Stand strong, alright? Just remember the face of my Lord. No matter how weak one is, victory can always be achieved through practice and perfection.” Already Jackson was near the alleyway they entered from. Hugging as he picks up the sacks. “I knew it! We should’ve kept the wheelbarrow! Ugh!” his back was about to lean into the floor but Alana was there just in time to catch him from falling. “Alright, M’Lord. It should be too far now.” As they left, the two waved at the kids as they disappeared into the busy crowd on the street.
Walking back to the hotel. Bahamut was in her Dragon form. Sleeping on the table all balled up. Her spiky tail immediately lifted as her nose became active. “Master? MASTER!” she then springs to life. Flying to the door and opening it. Walking in, the tired man pushes the wheelbarrow to the living room and collapses.
“HAH HAH HAH… DAMN THEY NEED TO INVENT ELEVATORS! DANGIT!”
“Master! Is this for me?!”
“NO! KEEP AWAY!”
“Awwwww!”
“T-To-tonight! We have meat for tonight?!” Seiness looks absolutely overjoyed by the large sack of meat. “Hah! No! This is for our next adventure!” Looking around the room, the Knight notices that someone was missing. “Eh? Where’s Eliza- Carmilla at?” Before he could continue to look around, his legs gave out and they could hear the rattle of vials in some of the sacks while vegetables and fruits in the others.
Alana then walks in. Hopping over the collapsed man as she held up two sacks. “I got food! Oh Bahamut, Our Lord said you should be the one to escort Seiness home later.”
“Eh? It's already Afternoon. Can’t she just stay here? The other Bloodsucker is gone anyways.”
“Don’t be lazy now. We would also have to get a cot for her.”
“HAH-HAH… Do as she says Bahamut… Alana… water please!”
“Boooooo…”
“Just be back before Dinner alright? Now Seiness, care to get a pitcher of water for M’Lord? And also, do you have your notes with you?” She nods. Reaching for her satchel where there’s a quill and a notebook. “Good. Later we’ll discuss with you the quest we plan to undertake.”
“Alright, alright. Master! I better get an extra slice of meat for this as tribute!”
The man just waves as Seiness pours some water into a wooden mug and then sits it next to his face, the man gladly opening his mouth to get refreshed. Bahamut then turns into her Human form. Stretching her limbs as she starts opening one sack after the other. Alana had to snap her hands off them, making her only become more ingrained in finding out what’s inside of them.
Jackson on the other hand finally managed to regain his stamina and stood up. “So… where the Hell is Carmilla?”
With her bat wings out. Elizabeth is chasing down a motocross motorcycle. The tall and slender woman driving it in a bodysuit was quick with her reflexes. Perfectly navigating the frozen soil of the forest. Unbeknownst to her was the crimson wings just a few hundred meters above the woman. The noise of the creatures and the birds were enough to drown out the noise of her motor as predators were out already hunting and chasing prey while others were busy finding food and grazing around the area.
She soon enters a small opening in the forest where there were two burly men in specialized padded leather armor and wielding assault rifles and crossbows. Both were pissing in the direction of the forest. Behind them, an olden stone memorial and an eight wheeled Infantry Fighting Vehicle that’s seen better stays. With his coat of paint all gone and replaced with a darb black.
Finishing their deed. The two turn around just as the dirt bike jumps out of the forest. Parking perfectly behind the IFV. The woman removed her bike helmet, revealing her short cut blonde hair. “Ah, Sierra. How did it go?” turning off the motorcycle. She got off and stretched her arms a bit. “Boring. I think the Vampires are doing the usual motif. Their hiding in Human forms. I just followed the Priestess and that blondie that was with her detected me even though I was on top of a roof on an opposite block." The calming noise of the woodland gave their small space a vacation-like feel to it. With almost all of the sounds that can give you a pleasant feeling occurring almost always.
Popping out of one of the opened hatches of the Stryker Infantry Fighting Vehicle was a man wearing a ragged lab coat. “Ohhhh… that might be a strong one. We’re all Level Ninety and Hundred. It takes a special Vampire to detect us.” she nods. “Welp. Imma sleep. Tomorrow, I feel like all of us need to stake it out more though.” the two men outside nod. “Hm. The pay is just too good to let go anyways.” He then turns to his friend, tugging him with his elbow as the woman enters the IFV. “And here you were sulking about how we couldn’t find a job. C’mon man! This is a fantasy world! Of course they’d need specialists like us!” with a red padded leather armor, the man just chuckles. “Yeah, yeah, yeah.”
They both then turned around to look at the stone memorial that’s been neglected through the years. “Do you understand this shit? Looks like math lines to me still.” His friend in the red padded armor shrugs. “As if. There’s so many languages here too. It's not like we’re planning on staying here forever, anyways.” All of the sudden, the forest went absolutely silent to the point that they could hear the woman napping inside the Stryker. Snoring loudly as the man in the lab coat went about making his potions near the driver area. With his black padded leather armor, he slowly reaches for his crossbow but before the tips of his finger could touch it.
Suddenly. Long slender womanly arms wrap around their necks. “Tis’ an olden memorial commemorating the war between thy Elf and thy Dwarven.” the two men immediately gulp as they turn to the space between them. With her thick mascara and golden eyes sparkling like the a pond hit by the gleaming sun. She was magnificent to the eye, a walking piece of artwork, yet she gave a terrifying aura that overshadows her beauty. “Thy were the Curate Kingdom beforeth it was an Empire, tis was expanding far and wide and the Dwarven who wilt were one of the species that was truly a handful. Even thouwerth borders were now far, thine Dwarven Mountain caves remained as enemy territory. Small black spots in their clear map. Thou wilt agree, yes?”
One of them immediately pulls their gun while the other pulls out his crossbow. Pointing it right at her cheeks. “Hah! For a pretty faced bitch like you, you seem to not have a lot of reaction time.” Elizabeth just smiles. Giggling even. “Oh… Thouweth know thine meager weapons dost do nothing against thine. Give up and grovel before thee, Vampire Hunters.” she suddenly disappears and reappears a few meters behind them. Smiling devilishly as the two men held up their firearms at her.
She then lifts her left arm, her hand catching a golden bolt that burns her palms. “Ah, such specialist weapons.” she then snaps it in half without care. She turns her head to look at the opened passenger gate of the eight wheeled vehicle and the curvy blonde woman with a short manly hair leaned up from her cot, a compact crossbolt in her hands. Underneath it, fifty more holy bolts ready to shoot at her. “Surrender or meet thine end brutally.”