Chapter 70 Another Spectacle
The Flame Ravens, Fable, and the V’Nova Wexler duo were gathered in the Guild Hall bright and early for their payout. Everyone was hopeful for a massive payout but they all knew that their hopes would probably end up dashed. Partly because there were seven of them so the payout would need to be divided by a rather large number but also because extermination quests were generally great at giving combat experience and bad at giving large amounts of coin. “Don’t keep us waiting, Sasston.” Fable told Edward directly. “Building suspense is childish.”
Edward cleared his throat and looked at the paper in his hands. “For defeating an apocalyptic level threat in its infancy the kingdom is willing to grant you all Medals of Mercenary Merit or a payout of twenty thousand gold each. You each may pick separately.” Edward began.
“Classic,” Esk grumbled. “Offering medals instead of good pay for something that could have ended the world or something.”
“Knowing all of you,” Edward continued. “I already put in the request for six payouts and one medal.” He nodded towards Fable. “Another to add to your wall.”
“Number seventy eight.” Fable replied. “I’m still seven behind.”
Edward’s eye twitched. “Who has the same number of medals as the years they’ve been alive?” He questioned.
“No one, yet.” Fable replied. “Continue.”
Edward sighed before looking at his paper again. “The Royal Executor was level twenty seven. It is being assigned as a double platinum level threat.” Edward explained. “For that you will get the standard fifty thousand gold to be split among yourselves.”
“That thing almost team wiped us!” Esk exclaimed. “A direct hit from that might’ve killed me THROUGH MY ARMOR!” He had been thoroughly traumatized after seeing the monster manhandle all three of the most powerful members of their group back to back.
“I’ve never seen anything actually move that fast.” Isaac added. “It was stronger and more resilient than Lenna, faster than Fable, it learned while fighting and the only reason we beat it was because of the dual nature of lifeforms. If it had been a dark creature, I would probably be the only one still alive.” Isaac’s voice held no arrogance, instead it held worry and a grim acknowledgement of his own words as fact. “It was way stronger than anything I’ve fought thus far. Only a demigod could go toe to toe with it.”
Fable sighed. “Unfortunately he is right.” He said taking Edward’s and not Isaac’s side. “A full team of properly equipped and fresh double platinum adventurers could have handled it. We were blindsided after a long battle with our resources drained and prevalent exhaustion.” He explained. “However, we should get the ‘Unknown Extreme Danger’ bonus.”
Edward nodded in resignation. “Fine. Those come out of my pockets so be grateful at least.” He grumbled his reply. “As for the rest, according to your report you killed one thousand one hundred and three Ori-Masa, not including the mushroomancer, nineteen giant snakes, fourteen shadow-wolves, twelve phase-widows, and twenty seven giant spiders.” Edward took a breath after reading off the rest of the list.
“Aren’t you missing something?” Isaac questioned.
“You’ve burned through the budget set aside for killing Tunnel Horrors.” Edward replied.
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“But we still killed two of them.” Isaac countered. “Just be glad I didn’t bring them back to the city so the guards could take care of them. If we don’t get paid to kill monsters then I guess I’ll just have to deliver them to the city walls next time.” Isaac said with faux reluctance.
Edward’s eye twitched again. “Fine.” He all but whispered. “That is also coming out of my pocket.” He grumbled to himself. The Safeharbor Adventurers’ Guild was not large enough to handle the kinds of payouts they had been giving Isaac and Lenna. That was one of the many reasons why platinum and double platinum adventurers were given a rotation. If the city didn’t have the budget to fulfill its open bounty rewards then the guild branch would have to foot the bill until the balance could be paid. Edward would get his money back eventually but with how negative Safeharbor’s budget was at all times he doubted it would be soon.
“That’s like thirty thousand a piece.” Isaac complained. “For all the work we did, that's highway robbery.”
“That is really good for a seven man split actually.” Fina said with a somewhat apologetic look.
“Ugh,” Isaac groaned. “This is why doing jobs with one bank account is best.” He grumbled.
“You and Lenna are still getting more than a double platinum payout.” Edward replied flatly. “The Tunnel Horror parts are still looking for a buyer but it should be a few thousand, maybe two or three for each of them.”
“Round Lenna and my share to ten thousand each plus the two payouts of twenty thousand from the kingdom. Give the difference to Shy, she burned through a lot of one time use items back there.” Isaac told those present. “Just deposit it in our account, unless there is something else?” He questioned looking at Edward.
“There is and there isn’t.” Edward replied. Lenna’s aura flared and shattered another scrying attempt. “Contantis has been moving troops around for some reason.”
Lenna let out a sigh of relief. If she had been one second slower then Contantis would have known that they were talking about them. ‘In Lua’s name, that was close.’ She prayed internally.
“The scout that witnessed it wasn’t sure why they were moving troops around as they lack siege equipment but are armed to the teeth. Hopefully it is just a monster slaying expedition, we have seen those in the past, but I would like all of you to stay in town for a while. At least until we know what is going on.” Edward finished.
“He’s preparing to make his move.” Isaac said. “Jallen’s not using his head. Edward, get Izen and the rest of the cabinet together after breakfast tomorrow morning. I know what Jallen is up to.”
“Would you mind sharing now?” Edward questioned.
“I would like until the morning to organize my thoughts, so yes, I would mind.” Isaac replied.
Edward nodded, his curiosity could wait twenty four hours. “Alright. I will let the duke know.” He replied. Esk’s mouth was hanging open at Isaac’s casual ordering around of the Guild Master and mentioning the duke by his first name alone. He knew that Isaac would be a prominent figure considering his power and supposed status as a demigod but casually referring to high nobility by first name alone was just preposterous.
“Then I will see you tomorrow morning.” Isaac replied and nodded towards Edward before turning to leave.
“Lord Wexler.” Fable cut in before Isaac could properly leave.
“Yes?” Isaac replied and looked over his shoulder at the older adventurer.
“I believe you and my apprentice had an agreement.” Fable reminded them both. “After you are done instructing him, I would like to spar with you as well.”
Isaac raised an eyebrow. “We can head to the arena now. Nothing I had planned was urgent.” He replied. “You will have to forgive me for not wanting to go all out against either of you. When Jallen makes his move I would like both of you alive.”
Fable nodded in agreement and grabbed the stark white Esk by the shoulder and started pushing him towards the door. “Well I guess we are done.” Edward grumbled. “Dismissed or whatever.” He added with an offhanded wave and turned to see Alice giving him a sympathetic look. “This is why I prefer rookies.” He told her. “I am supposed to be their boss.”
Alice giggled. “Try telling that to Isaac and Fable.” She replied in a whisper. “I’m sure the rest would treat you like their boss if they ever got a chance but you let those two walk all over you.”
Edward narrowed his eyes on her. “It’s not ‘let’ and you know it.”
Alice giggled again. “Right you are, Guild Master.” She replied and then gestured to the empty room. “It looks like there is going to be another spectacle in the arena today. Can Alexis and I go?” Alecia asked with large pleading eyes.
Edward sighed for what felt like the millionth time that day. “Fine.” He told her. “But leave the Sending Slate behind so you can contact me if anything gets out of hand.” Alecia’s eyes went wide at the mention of the slate. “Yes, I know you and your sister spend half of the day talking to each other instead of working. As long as you get your work done I don’t care.”
Alecia gave him a wide and warm smile that almost seemed to radiate sunlight. “Thanks boss!” She told him and quickly sent her sister a message before setting her Sending Slate on the desk and hurrying out.
Edward drug over a chair with a back and set it next to the receptionists’ counter before plopping into it. “Maybe I need to find an apprentice so I can finally actually retire.”