After thanking Wystan for the payment, Artanis left his store carrying Hilliard’s sword, which was still too heavy for her to carry without resorting to both of her hands. The sword however felt a bit lighter, now that she had acquired some strength during her work. The change however was minimal and barely affected her movement speed, which as before decreased considerably, as did her stamina after each step taken.
Artanis had however already agreed to help Edward, who aside from the accidental stabbing, seemed to be a nice person. But the main reason that had left her to agree, was the quest to deliver Hilliard's sword.
Having learned at he game's tutorial that each character was limited to three active quests, save for a few exceptions. Sure that Wystan's quest would occupy one of the quest slots for a long time, Artanis was more than eager to complete Hilliard's quest.
Since the coins offered as a reward didn't seem as important to her as before, at least not compared to her apprenticeship to Wystan. Not to mention she had already acquired a far larger sum of coins, although part of them hadn't been earned fairly.
‘Did they really think I did not notice how they kept looking at me?’ Artanis thought, trying to justify having scammed the couple. Since she had noticed how not only the young man, but the woman as well had spent most of their time looking at her body, instead of the shop’s wares.
When she reached the plaza and her real objective, the map inside it. Artanis searched it for the library’s location, smiling when she noticed it was not far from the gate where she had met Hilliard.
Located behind the warrior’s guild, which also served as the city’s basic training hall. Was the place where she had promised to meet Edward, encircled by a large public garden was Roald Halstein’s Public Library, which had been build in homage to the city’s late lord.
Having discovered the path leading to her final target, Artanis left the city plaza towards the gate where she had met Hilliard and the other guards. It was a slow and difficult trip, in which she had to stop and rest a few times along the way.
However, the closer she came to the watch-house, the wider the gap between each break became. The reason for it was promptly informed to her along the way as every now and then a system message appeared informing her of increases at her attributes.
To a total of one point in strength, one in agility and two points in both endurance and vitality by the time she reached her destination. When Artanis reached the gate, however, she was welcomed with hostility by a guard she hadn't seen before.
“Halt! Lower your weapon, elf!” The guard said, pointing his halberd’s tip at her direction. Artanis tried to explain the blood on her clothes belonged to her. But the guard, a dwarf judging by his short and bulky build, did not care for any explanation she gave.
“Fine.” Said Artanis after sighing, as she did what anyone in her situation would have done, slowly lowering Hillard’s sword until it touched the floor.
The guard then proceeded to scream, calling for support in her apprehension, which soon as a guard left the watch-house and walked towards him.
“Yedlar, why are you threatening a civilian with your halberd?” Said the guard after a long sigh, “I am sorry for this confusion, let me carry the sword for you.” Said the guard which voice she soon recognized as Kennard, one of the guards she had met earlier.
“Civilian? But the blood...” Yedlar mumbled as he lowered his weapon.
“You and your elf phobia... Just look at the hole the shirt. That’s clearly her blood.” Kennard said after taking Hilliard’s sword from the floor and like Wystan and Hilliard, he needed only one hand to do so.
While thinking how feeble she was compared to everyone else she knew inside the game, Artanis was escorted to the watch house where she was left alone with Hilliard and his sword; But not before he scolded the dwarven guard for failing to notice what to any other soldier would had been obvious.
Unknown to Artanis she had made an enemy, the dwarf Yedlar was a player, who eagerly wanted to increase his standing among Rockheim’s guards and had hope the bloodied elven maiden would had acted harshly, so he could had arrested a so-called dangerous criminal.
Not only she easily ruined his main plan, she also knew the guard who came to apprehend her running his backup plan of saying she looked suspicious, which she actually did thanks to her clothes and weapon. Logging off, the dwarf known in the real world as Thomas da Silva Gomes, a young fourteen years old boy, swore he would get revenge on that stupid elf.
Meanwhile, that happened; Artanis was busy talking with Hilliard, who apologized for the incompetence of his newest soldier, before handing her reward for the errand completed.
Quest completed!
Having completed the task given by Hilliard, you've gained his friendship.
Increasing your chances of receiving further tasks from him.
“Thank you milady Artanis, has Wystan told you the story behind this sword?” Hilliard said holding his repaired sword with a smile on his face.
“No, he didn't.” Answered Artanis, who although said that. Already suspected what the story behind the sword was and the next words said by Hilliard only confirmed her suspicions.
“You see milady, this sword is almost as old as me. I had just entered Rockheim’s army when my friend Wystan gave it to me, fulfilling a promise I had frankly already forgotten about.” Said Hilliard as he smiled.
‘Let me guess, if you ever manage to join the army...’ Thought Artanis, while on the outside she seemed to listen with the utmost attention to his words.
“That if a weakling like me, even managed to enter the army. He would give the best sword he had forged so far and repair it for free as long as I lived.” Hilliard said unsheathing, and admiring his sword.
As he did so, Artanis seemed to have been transported to the past, where she observed the whole scene, as if looking from Hilliard’s eyes.
She saw the wars he participated and how the sword had saved his life countless times, shattering much larger weapons, when parrying their attacks. But that was not what had impressed her most, what did was that the sword used to be much thinner at the start of the flashback, compared to what it looked a few battles after.
She could have easily missed that, if not so much emphasis was given to the sword; but now that Artanis had noticed the change. She paid even more attention to it and so before her eyes, the sword grew larger and thicker after cutting the neck of a the ugliest orc she had saw, to become exactly what she had been carrying over the town the whole time.
When the flashback ended, Artanis found herself once again at the watch house where Hilliard was just finishing his story.
“...And that’s why, I had a disguised soldier follow you through the city, I am sorry if I offended you by doing so.” He said, not noticing the blank expression on Artanis face.
“Ah... no, I am not offended. But I need to go.” Artanis said making a mental note to research about growing swords when she reached the library.
“Please wait milady Artanis; I have yet to give you your reward.” He said, trying to give her a pouch filled with the money reward he had promised her before, but instead of grabbing the coins as he expected her to do, she refused them.
“I couldn't possibly take your money, doing a favor for captain of the guards is an honor.” Said Artanis, already satisfied with what his quest had earned her.
But in the end, Artanis left the watch house with 2 silver, 50 copper coins added to her pouch and a promise; if she were to become stronger, she would be personally called for any expedition led by him. Artanis had now completed her first quest and rid of the heavy burden of the sword.
Now she didn't have a heavy sword to carry, finding her first landmark, the warrior’s guild. Was not difficult, after all, who could not notice crude looking fortress erected in the middle of the city, plus the group of players complaining about how difficult the training was as they left it.
Her real objective however was another one, to be exact the large living wall, which showed the limits of the garden outside the library. Artanis walked towards the also green gate, no more than an opening at the living wall with an arch on top of it. Seeing the bland living wall had disappointed her, who had high expectations concerning one of the two gardens show at the map.
Entering the actual gate, however, all she could do was mumble about how beautiful it was, nothing else came to her mind as she saw the actual garden.
Her main target for the trip, the library could be seen in the distance, leading to its direction was an artificially made path of hexagon shaped rocks; with a floral motif was carved in each. And around the path, many flowerbeds and trees of different species were planted, creating colorful geometric drawings of varied shapes.
She could not stop herself of walking slowly to enjoy the view; as the pleasant fragrances surrounded her washing away her fatigue.
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
You have witnessed Lady Evelyn’s Public Garden.
Lady Evelyn’s Public Garden
Heavenly fragrances, finely crafted rock paths, colorful trees, and flowers combine themselves as if to create a large living sculpture. Created along with Roald Halstein's Public Library, which stands in its middle, this garden is considered one of Rockheim’s best-dating spots, especially during the evening.
This garden is considered one of the six wonders of Rockheim.
Stamina regeneration increased by 25% inside it, lasts for 6 hours.
Mana regeneration increased by 25% inside it, last for 6 hours.
Food and beverage consumed inside the garden have a 10% increase in their effects.
Art has permanently been increased by 5
It had taken her some time, but when she finally entered the library. It was not difficult to find the reading area, especially because she asked the librarian at the help desk found at the library’s entrance.
The area was located at the furthest part of the library, the first thing Artanis saw as she arrived was small groups of players seated near wooden tables reading quietly, Edward whoever was not anywhere to be found.
Figuring he would return eventually, Artanis sat on the chair of a nearby, unoccupied table, save for a rather large pile of books on top of it and took the smallest book she could. Reading it while she waited for his arrival.
You have finished reading the book: King Arkamek's Legend
Wisdom has permanently been increased by 1
"Was the book interesting?" A voice behind her suddenly asked, making her jump in surprise. This action led to the short, yet painful encounter of her shoulder with a man’s face. Of course, the painful part only applied to the man, who was now laying on the ground holding his nose.
Although painful, such attack came from a complete novice who lacked enough strength to cause enough damage to break his nose. By now, Artanis had already recognized the source of the voice as Edward the man who she was waiting for. She tried to apologize, but was interrupted by his words.
“Don’t worry; I should have known better than to sneak behind someone. But you still haven't answered my question; did you find the book to be interesting?” Edward asked as he got up on his feet, before seating on one of the nearby chairs. He was slightly embarrassed with the fact that he had been knocked down by a girl, even if the said girl was taller and looked to be much stronger than he was.
“Yes it was, although it should be called the tyrant's legend instead.” Having read that book before, he knew what she meant.
Arkamek, were an ancient king who once ruled this land, he was a rather fanatical cultist. Who after the construction of his tomb, sacrificed over a thousand of soldiers, which were to be buried along with him, a action which spurred the hate of not only his subjects, but by his own family as well.
One day, his younger brother Arasiel secretly followed the king to his tomb, which location had been kept in secret by the murder of all related to its construction. Managing to follow his brother unnoticed, he waited for his brother to enter his secret tomb.
Sometime after the king had entered the tomb, his young brother Arasiel gathered all his mana and casted a spell. Arkamek sensing the surge of mana, as well the earth tremors desperately ran toward the exit, but it was too late for him to leave it. Sealed inside by countless rocks, all Arkamek could do was sit and wait for his slow painful death.
The reign of Arkamek ended, and his brother became the new king, whomever he never revealed what took place that day. And the entire book she had read said was that one day he suddenly disappeared, probably devoured by the darkness he worshiped.
You have been invited to join Edward's party. Do you accept the invitation?
“Sure, but why?” Asked Artanis confused as for why one would create a party inside a library, having no monsters in sight.
“Please change your settings to the party chat channel; others are not supposed to hear about what we are about to discuss.” Said Edward and when Artanis heard so she nodded, they were in a public place, so someone could overhear their conversation and steal the fruits of his research.
Opening the chat options, she changed it to the party only mode, her words now silenced for all but Edward. An observer would only see her lips move, still, someone who knew how to could still read her lips, but nothing could be done about it.
“Great, we can now talk in peace.” He said, then proceeding to explain the subject of his research. She heard every word said with the utmost attention.
“And so I came here to research about it.” He had explained how having returned a old book to this city’s magic guild, an elder member of the guild commented about how he had once read about how supposedly, the ancient king of Karnagmiel mumbled about the murder of his brother as he died.
The sole ear witness was the king's medic and oldest friend. And to find the records left by such man Edward started searching the books at this library.
King Arkamek's Tomb Research: 24%
A young researcher has shared his findings with you about the tomb of an ancient king. The moribund king's brother rambling about his deeds told his medic and friend about his deeds on that day, including the tomb's location. After hours of research the medic's name was found, the ancient Karnagmiel's royal medic, Azerhen Sethmielr.
“Well then, let's start.” Said Artanis, grabbing one of the books recently brought by Edward, which he had left on top of the table she had grabbed Arkamek's Legend from. He soon did the same.
King Arkamek's Tomb Research: 26%
You have finished reading the book: Arkamek's Bloodline
Wisdom has permanently been increased by 1
“Found anything?” Asked Edward, seeing she had closed her book and were reaching for another.
“Nothing really important, but rather that wasting time talking after each book, it would be better to share our findings after having read at least a few.” She answered before she started reading the book at her hands, her words made sense and so he nodded in response. Soon, he grabbed another book.
King Arkamek's Tomb Research: 27%
You have finished reading the book: Karnagmiel's Ancient Medical Practices
Intelligence has permanently been increased by 1
Wisdom has permanently been increased by 1
You have learned the skill: Herbology.
Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:HerbologyBasic10%Learning about the proprieties of herbs, flowers and roots a world of possibilities has opened before you, as even the most mundane looking herb hold its secrets. You are now capable of seeing the hidden properties of herbs, flowers and roots. A higher level improves your ability to draw their effects, increasing their effectiveness.
Twelve books later, her intelligence had increased by five points and her wisdom by seven. Her research, on the other hand, had only improved by mere 8%. As they both had read all the books on top of their table, they left it in a search for further reading material.
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