32. Black Tea

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I felt a sense of annoyance as I followed my usual routine of exploring new cities - dining in restaurants, visiting guilds, and resting at inns. While the encounter at the restaurant was entertaining, it was still cliché and failed to satisfy my craving for excitement.

Determined to break the monotony, I decided to spend some time in the capital and sought out a way to relieve my boredom - perhaps through a challenging quest or ..brothels.

Brothels were out of the question, so a quest it is.

Just like before, I asked a random person about the best guild in the capital and they replied with, “The Crusader Guild”

After taking navigational tips, I arrived before the so called ‘The Crusader Guild’. I was impressed. As expected from the capital. The guilds here were way better and bigger than the ones I’ve visited till now.

I entered inside, and the place was filled with people.

It wasn’t just humans, I also saw elves and little humans, I think they were called Dwarves. I’ve seen an elf before, but not a dwarf.

I also saw a person who had a tail. Overall, he had human features, he had animal ears though and a tail. I didn’t exactly know what their species were called, but I could think of a couple of names at the top of my head.

I headed over to the counter. And of course, the receptionist was a girl.

“I’ve not seen you around, how can I help you.”She said.

I looked at her, “You can help me by giving me a quest.”

“Give me an ID, I’ll see what I can do for you.”

I took out the gold card and gave it to her.

She looked at the gold card and then she said to me apologetically, “I’m sorry, but for security reasons, we’ll have to confirm your level, there have been a lot of people faking their levels lately, I apologize for the inconvenience.”

I was annoyed, but I had no choice but to comply, “alright, how long will this take.”

She smiled, “just a second.”

She took out something from the drawer in her desk. It looked similar to that vultus thing that measured your level. However I could tell it was more advanced, It was like comparing an iPhone 6 with iPhone X.

“Level or Rank?”

“Level” I replied. I didn’t know whether this version of Vultus could tell my level correctly, but I knew there was only low chance it could, I didn’t think a machine could detect something that a divine item has hid.

I put my hand in there and it started the procedure.

“All good.” She nodded.

“Alright then, can I get the hardest Gold Rank quest.” I said.

She chuckled. “You’re quite brave aren’t you.”

She took out a device, and it looked like she was scrolling.

“Found it, the hardest gold rank quest would be the Capital Defense quest. But It’s a party quest and can’t be taken alone.”

“I see, but if it’s a quest about defending the capital, why hasn’t anyone taken it?” I curiously asked.

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She looked at me with a wry smile, “Well, the monsters that attack the capital are usually very strong monsters, gold rankers have no chance of dealing with them, so usually platinum and diamond rankers deal with them.”

I nodded, however there was one thing that was off, “If it’s such a dangerous job for gold rankers, why is it a gold ranked quest?” I asked.

“It’s because it’s not a main quest, It’s only a part of the quest, the name of the quest may say defense, but that doesn’t mean that everyone has to fight to the death, gold rankers can choose to just support when needed and let the higher rankers deal with the monsters, but it’s still a huge risk of death.”

So the gold rankers are just a bunch of wusses who are afraid to take action. Of course, I didn’t say this out loud.

“What kind of monsters are the attacker?” I asked.

She put her hand on her chin as she entered a pondering state, “They are mostly Lesser Wyverns, but there are also Wyverns and and Greater Wyverns. Because the capital is surrounded by mountains, it’s a perfect habitat for them.”

Wyverns huh? Dealing with flying creatures is always a pain, no wonder even the capital can’t annihilate them at once. Well, I guess the one who had the idea to put the capital in the middle of the mountains didn’t think of all possibilities. Against other kingdoms, it may be a good advantage, but against monsters.. it’s a pain in the ass, especially wyverns.

I mentally prayed for this capital for a tenth of a second…

Suddenly an Idea came to my head. “Is it possible that a gold ranker can take part of a platinum ranked quest?” I asked her.

She looked at me confused at first, but then she looked like she understood.

“Um, not really. There are cases that it can happen, but you’ll need permission. There are a lot of people who think they would do good, but mostly they just get in the way of the quest.”

Understanding what she meant, I nodded my head.

“How do I get permission then?” I asked.

“You would have to spar with a platinum ranker or higher, if they deem that you’re qualified enough, they will pass you, if not..then I’m afraid it won’t be possible.”

“Okay then, can you make it happen?” I asked her.

“Umm, sure, but there is no platinum or diamond currently here, so you might have to wait one or more days, until one comes around. How about you come tomorrow, maybe someone will come.”

“Sure” I nodded and I started to leave the guild. As I went towards the door, someone familiar entered.”

“Leonidas right? It’s been awhile.”

I looked at the blonde elf in surprise, “Ynnihlas? Didn’t think you’re from around here.”

“Haha, the capital is indeed my home, but the last time I saw you, you were a long way from here, what got you here?” He asked me as he patted my shoulder.

“Nothing, I was just passing by. I thought I would stay here in the capital for a bit.” I smiled.

He nodded, “Good, how about you stay with me, I have plenty of room in my mansion.”

I looked at him in surprise, “I didn’t take you for the rich type.”

He chuckled at my comment.

“Hehe, I was born rich, what can I say.”

I didn’t have any reason to refuse him, I didn’t know him much, I’ve only met him once and had a fast conversation, thats it. But my instinct didn’t tell me much, so I said, “Alright then, I’ll take your offer, It’s better than sleeping at inns.”

“Alright, but just wait a bit for me, I have to get my rewards for a job well done.”

He went to the counter and talked with the receptionist.

After two minutes he came back, “all done, let’s go.”

We both left the guild.

“So where to?” I asked.

“To my home of course.” He simply replied.

“Aaand where would that be.” I continued asking.

“Where else? The Inner Capital.”

My eyes twitched as I looked at him, “I heard only nobles are allowed to live in the inner capital? How come an elf is a noble in a human kingdom?”

He only chuckled, “Nothing is impossible Leo.”

Hearing his response, I shrugged. I just chose to follow him.

“The carriage will be here at any moment.” He said to me as he stopped in place. I looked at him for a second and chose not to say anything.

Just as he said, a carriage arrived. The carriage was moving with the help of four beautiful white horses. The door of the carriage was opened by someone from the inside, the person got out and it could be seen he had a butler outfit.

“You may enter, young lord.” The butler said with respect as he slightly bowed.

“Let’s go, Leo..”

I nodded and got inside the carriage with Ynnihlas.

The butler also got inside with us. I also saw something that surprised me.

..there was tea inside the carriage….

“Would your excellency like some tea?” The butler asked.

“You should have some, it’s made with Cisessenian leaves, something that’s only available here, so it’s quite precious.”

I was curious about this tea so I nodded, and the butler poured some in the designed teacup and gave it to me.

The tea had a red color, there was also a black leaf hovering inside. I slowly put my lip at the tip of the teacup and I sipped.

It was quite a fragrant taste, almost metallic. It gave me the feeling of a farming village. Home sweet home. But I had the recipe of the old man’s tea. Which was better than the tea I am currently drinking.

“It’s very good.” I commented

“Is this you first time you’re drinking this tea?” Asked Ynnihlas.

“Yes” I replied.

He started laughing.

I raised an eyebrow as I asked, “What?”

He stopped his chuckles and waved his hand, “Hah- It’s nothing, it’s just that people gave a lot more extreme reactions when they try this kind of tea, but not you I guess.”

My brow twitched, “I see…”