“Welcome back, I hope you’re alright.” Nia was glad to see the adventures return. She was worried if the undead overwhelmed them. News about the invasion quickly spread across the city.
“Some skirmishes and commotion just happened.” Milas took off her gauntlets and headed to the baths for solace.
“I really don’t like that old dwarf. He’s too feisty and arrogant.” Rez complained while reclining in a chair. He lights up his medicinal herb to unwind.
“It was a bitter decision. You cared for everybody’s safety, despite the outcome. What we can only do right now is to move forward and live for their sake.” Nia hoped for a reconciliation between Rez and Brindles.
“Way impossible. The dwarf is hardheaded.” Corbin sat on the couch and breathed deeply. He never felt that tired, both in mind and body.
“So far, we have only seen a rough side of Father Brindles, Corbin. Maybe he would eventually open up.”
Nia felt the stress of her companions. No one imagines somebody bringing up old grudges against the infernals. Only those who survived the fourth civilization know the pain. They passed those grudges through generations, serving as warnings about other races. Times changed but never were the grudges.
“How was everybody?” Corbin changed the subject.
“I managed to hold up for the entire night. The maids are safe and sound. May I ask if you did well?”
“It was rough, too many undead. We lost good adventurers, priests, and city guards.”
“Maybe the old fart was right. I should have considered saving the infected instead of blowing them.” Rez grabbed a mug of fermented wheat after huffing his medicinal herb.
“My deepest sympathies for the brave heroes at this difficult time. I’ll make sure to remember them.”
“Thanks Nia.”
“Rez, if you are still troubled, you can talk with us. It was a bitter decision for you to swallow.”
“I appreciate your concern, Nia. I hope I don’t regret my actions.”
Milas got out of the bath, dressed and refreshed. She borrowed a casual dress while her monk’s garb was being cleaned by the maids. The maids lend her a chemise, bodice, kirtle and sandals.
“How do I look, Nia?” Milas playfully pranced on the floor, twirls and showed off her dress.
“Quite lovely. You should try more clothes like that.”
While Milas distracted the two , they remained exhausted from what happened.
“You look very famished. Come, we have already cooked lunch for all of you.”
The adventurer’s lodge was more quiet than ever. There were empty seats which fallen adventurers used to sit in. The dwarven bard played a song for the departed adventurers. Everybody stood silently to commemorate them. The atmosphere was more solemn than ever before. After the moment of silence, the adventures take their lunch. A gnome sadly drank his fermented wheat and leaves a mug for his departed companion. Some humans begin to strategize for the upcoming battle. Others decide to get drunk and drown their sorrows. Those who sided with Brindles badly looked at Rez. They whispered with contempt against the infernal.
The night passed again, but the city remained quiet. No festivities happened since the last invasion. Everybody was mourning and in grief. Priests held nightly prayer vigils for protection.
At the Church of Solne, the ministry leaders and other important figures discussed their next move. Their resources were running low and there were a lot of casualties.
“We have lost three hundred city guards and about a hundred of adventurers. The infernal’s sacrifice might have reduced our forces.” The Ministry of Defense and Justice leader reported.
“The citizen’s morale is very low right now. Nobody wants to do commerce or work today.” The Ministry of Market and Trade complained about their condition.
“Keeping the citizens is our priority today. You shouldn’t worry about the economy for now.” Fuji diverted the discussion.
“So, shall we arrest the vermin?” Brindles was getting more impatient than ever. It was the last time since he encountered an infernal during the fourth civilization.
“We can’t just arrest an ally. The undead had already claimed the others before the priests could purify them. Besides, I might make the same rash decision if I were in his shoes.” Fuji reasoned out. Part of him detests Rez’s decision. Things could have happened worse if they attempted to rescue the infected.
“What we can only do for now is pray for the fallen. In that way, we honor their heroism.” Calma suggested to Brindles. Commemorating the dead was his solution instead of mobbing at Rez.
“Moving on. How come the perpetrator never attacked again?”. The momentary peace bothered the Ministry of Military.
“We believe that the necromancer is recovering from the last invasion. It takes a lot of mana to summon undead hordes. They are smarter than us this time.” The head magi offered his suggestion.
“We need to track him as soon as possible. Our forces is running out. The neophyte guards are not yet ready to fight.” Fuji worried about their dwindling forces.
“We should also take care of the citizens. They are the heart of the city. The church shall organize a relief operation, as well as console the grieving.” Father George announced to the group.
While the ministry leaders continue on with their deliberations, Brindles went to the back room. He scanned the map of Arche, pinpointing the possible places where the undead could have spawned. He read reports from the survivors, learning that the undead spawn randomly. There were no indication of forced entry or in Capital City. Calma entered the back room, bringing a brewed fava and cakes. He knew that the old templar is furious against Rez. So he planned to disengage Rez through small talks.
“If I could only follow the horde from where they came from.” Brindles did a sketch to the map’s outskirts. Those are the only likely spots in the city where the undead would spawn.
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“That would be too dangerous. Their enormous numbers can overwhelm you.” Calma butted in while handing out the brewed fava and cakes.
“So be it Calma, I’ve lived long enough to see this taurus paste for too long. The undead, infernals, warlords. You name them all.”
“Language, father!”
“Whatever Calma! That pesky vermin killed others for his own safety.”
“The end might not justify the means, but try to see things differently. Remember what one of our teachings? Grudges only bear bitter fruits. Let us instead let go of our hatred but remember who has died. ”
“We’re in the middle of a war and there is no time for formalities or whatsoever.”
After his decision making, Brindles packed up his gear to do a solo scouting. He suspected that the purple blood left by the undead left some malignant energies. According to his speculations, the blood traced back to the northwest.
“If you’re planning to die alone, then I will not let you. I shall accompany you until we see the end.”
“Since when did you have the guts and spine to do so?”
“The adventurers deeply inspired me. They selflessly face the undead, expecting no rewards. They defied the impossible odds through cooperation. I believe I have to do my part as a cleric.”
“Now it’s the right time to use those beefy arms! Now, come with me and I’ll teach you something important.”
After the discussion commenced, Brindles and Calma visited the church garden. The old dwarf encourages the young cleric to finally use his brute strength. Both of them remove their clerical uniform. Underneath their formal attire are the Church’s combat garb. It consisted of a light breastplate, iron faulds, tempered leggins with combat pants and leather boots. The church train not only with divine magecraft but also with divine smiting. The unholy feared the church’s holy might.
Brindles went merciless against his student, who could barely stand up from his punches. He used dirty tactics like sweeping the legs, headbutts, throwing dusts in the eye and even kicking the groin. The moon passed from the horizon and Calma was getting used to divine smiting. During the clergymen's intense sparring, Father George observed the two. He firmly believed that there is still hope despite their few numbers.
Back at the adventurer’s lodge, the adventurers prepared once again. There was no time for mourning or feeling down. Calma, who is still patched up by the church’s infirmary, knocked at the door, and the elven maid welcomed him.
“I would like to see Corbin, Milas and Rez.”
“On my way Brother.” She called the attention of the three who are gearing up. Milas received her monk’s garb, clean and newly washed. The smell of fragrant flowers was enough to change her mood.
“You look bad, Calma, what happened?” Milas noticed the bruised clergyman.
“Don’t mind me. I had a last-minute sparring with Father Brindles. It was tough, but I learned a lot.”
“I knew that old fart is no good.” Rez looked sympathetically at Calma, whose body was swollen and patched with healing plants.
“Rez, haven’t heard about the templar’s sparring session? Two trained clergymen engage in a practice duel, reenacting a life-to-death scenario. It’s similar to the monk’s training in Lotus Hills”
“Nah, I only saw you practicing by yourself. At least that’s less dangerous than sparring.”
“So what’s the plan?” Nia inquired about the young clergyman.
“Father Brindles has suspicions about the northwest mausoleum. It is one of the possible places for the undead to spawn.”
“You have a mausoleum for Arche? Why so far-flung?”.
“Rez, beyond the mines, is a forgotten mausoleum. Arche had the superstition regarding the undead. Citizens once feared the dead and didn't want to associate with them. The ostracized citizens manage the burials and grave digging. However, the rest of them pushed the outcasts away towards the northwest, never to see them again.”
Corbin hunched and crossed his arms. He found Arche’s archaic traditions very strange for him.
“We will head towards the mausoleum at midnight. We will be composed of small troops led by Prince Randor. You adventurers can come along with us.“
“Who would be left defending the city?”
“Captain Fuji and the city guards volunteers to deal with the invading undead. Rumors said that Fuji once faced a battalion of orcs and managed to defeat them.”
“That’s quite a feat for one person.” Coming back from the dressers, Milas was amazed at what the cleric mentioned.
“Nothing is impossible with the captain. At a young age, he became an adventurer but decided to stay in the Capital City.”
“An impressive prodigy. It is rare to have one in a hundred years.” Nia was impressed with the captain’s feats.
“Well, it’s time for us to go now. The troops are waiting.” Calma waited for the adventurers to pack up. They got the only necessary equipment like provisions, maps, torches and the like.
“We’ll be back, Nia.” Corbin carried his bag and sword on his back.
“See you later!” Milas grabbed her bag and wore her gauntlets.
“We will deal with the pesky necromancer.” Rez took a sling bag and hid explosives in his satchel.
“Take care, adventurers.”
The troop gathered all clergymen, city guards and remaining adventurers at the northern gate. Randor was eager to meet them while Solus observes him diligently.
“Welcome adventures. Today marks the great war against the necromancer. Some of us might not come back, but our efforts will not go to waste. Citizens shall call your name in glory. They will remember you as heroes. We are the beacon of hope.” Randor offered a dramatic speech to the troops. City guards rallied and rose in their arms. Other adventurers roared as well. Corbin, Milas and Rez watched everybody raise their spirits. They marched to the mausoleum at high noon.
On their way to the unholy place, they saw scattered corpses from ages ago. There are already bones and no flesh left. The road is also arid and abandoned. It has been centuries since the last pilgrimage to the mausoleum. Streaks of fresh purple blood smeared across the road.
Upon reaching the mausoleum, the troops set up a camp, preparing to strike at any time.
“Let’s camp out in the meantime and wait for the night to arrive. Solus, prepare the campsite.”
“Right away, young master.” The old assistant set up a small camp by himself. He unpacked a special baggage, started a bonfire, prepared foldable seats, and boiled a large kettle. Beside the main bonfire, Solus cooked some aries chops. He seasoned it with salt, pepper, and herbs. The fat sizzled, and the meat smells good. Rez can’t wait for the meal to finish cooking.
“Can I get to know you, adventures?” Randor started up with a conversation. He was excited to know them better.
“Corbin, former Jagganatha soldier.”
“I’m Milas, a fighter from Lotus Hills.”
“And that is a vermin. I don’t understand why we are still keeping him.” Before Brindles could further slander Rez, Calma placed a boiling cup of brewed fava above his head. He already brewed one on a separate bonfire. The clergymen on the other side enjoy their brewed fava and unleavened pan for the afternoon.
“What was that for? That was uncalled!” Brindles shouted at the cleric.
“We represent the Church of Solne so please behave accordingly.”
“This is interesting. Imagine this: brave adventurers from various corners of the continent. Foiling the insidious plans of the necromancer. A substantial reward awaits you.”
“Here are your afternoon brewed leaves and aries chops, young master.” Solus passed the kettle and freshly cooked meat to the prince. Then he offers the rest to the adventurers.
“How about you adventurers? Would you like some?”
“Thank you, Solus!” Milas gladly took her brewed leaves and aries chops.
“What’s your plan after our victory, sir orc?” Randor inquired of the adventurers again as he playfully drinks his cup. He eloquently bites his aries chops like a proper prince should do.
“I’m not interested in decorations or honors.”
“Hey, that would be shameful. Don’t you want to live in luxury? Citizens will praise your name.” Rez questions about Corbin’s way of thinking.
“Aside from that, there is more than gold and glory.” Milas recalled the preachings from the Lotus Valley convent. She lived there with the monks, teaching her to stay away from worldly desires.
“Fondness for adventure instead, I see. I have to learn more about this world.” Randor got more interested in the adventurer’s different outlooks. Most adventurers like Rez would pursue wealth and recognition. Corbin and Milas were looking for something else simpler and ideal.
“Take some rest first and we shall proceed later, young master.” After the delicious lunch, Solus packed everything up. The city guards kept vigilant, searching for any roaming suspicious individuals. The clergymen constructed a temporary altar for meditation and a divine sanctuary against the undead. Novice clergymen and neophyte city guards will defend the altar once the main troops leave in the evening.