"Ah, is that what you gentlemen want to talk about?” Owen asked, just to be sure he heard them correctly.
“Yes,” the Knight replied, “ We had heard a rumor that a Warrior was wasting their talent working for that woman. We couldn’t bear to hear such sad news. Once we informed our Lord, he insisted that we make haste and offer you a job worthy of your Class.”
“That’s correct,” the clergyman responded, “It would be a waste of the Great Mother’s blessing for you to throw your life away on the whims of the unclassed.” His voice leaking with venom and disdain, he continued. “ The Church backs Lord Wicker in his Holy Quest to provide for the blessed, so we may show the trash what God truly wants.” Hearing his words, Owen was beginning to get infuriated but calmed himself and instead inspected the two men.
Name: Knight Ashtian Class: Swordsman Species: Human Level: 12 EXP: 712/1455 Health : 144/144 Stamina : 133/133 Mana: 43/43 Stats Strength: 14 Endurance: 15 Dexterity: 11 Vigor: 11 Intelligence: 11 Focus: 10 Skills Swordsmanship, Shield Mastery, Minor Poison Resistance
Name: Brother Wallow Class: Cleric Species: Human Level: 18 EXP: 2100/5555 Health : 135/135 Stamina : 125/129 Mana: 134/134 Stats Strength: 12 Endurance: 12 Dexterity: 11 Vigor: 11 Intelligence: 12 Focus: 17 Skills Minor Heal, Spirit Ward, Minor Poison Resistance, Tithe
They make themselves sound so important but don’t even have many skills. Their stats aren’t even that impressive. Taking a breath before he responded, Owen stated.
“If that’s so, could you tell me what I would be doing in service for Lord Wicker?”
“Of course, Sir Owen, your only responsibility would be to monitor the Crafters and Laborers on the first floor of the Moonkeep Dungeon. Once you Tier up, you can move on to a lower level if you choose, if that doesn’t sound good.” While gesturing to the Cleric, he said, “We could always have the Church look for any openings available for temple guards or the like. Regardless, we would be sure you are compensated extremely well at the rate of six silver per cycle.”
“That’s quite a sum. If you don’t mind me asking, what about the surrounding villages? What about all the wandering Monsters? I’ve heard Merchants complaining about them recently.” Once the question left his mouth, Owen could feel the mood shift. These men’s true colors were shown as the Knight seemed to explode.
“Why would we care about that trash, who can’t even afford proper taxes. Those filth are lucky the Lord doesn’t sell them off as Laborers; instead, he gives them a chance. The Merchants always complain that our services are too expensive; if they needed more money, they should just take more from the filth.” Grabbing his shoulder, the Cleric seemed to whisper something to the Knight whose face fell.
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“I’m sorry about Knight Ashtian’s behavior. He harbors ill feelings towards the unclassed. He is rather adamant in his beliefs and does not think before he acts. While it may sound cruel, the Church does believe in forcing the unworthy to face the monsters. It is taught that if they do this, they, too, will be worthy of her love. We simply wish for a worthy soul like yourself to not lower themselves. The Mother showed you her love with your Class; you are above the common masses. We simply want to open your eyes to the truth.” For a moment, Owen stood there, looking at the two men. He couldn’t believe what they were saying. But he knew they believed in it. With how the Knight reacted and the Cleric’s speech, this was how they viewed the world. Swallowing the hatred he was about to say, Owen paused before answering them.
“Thank you for the information; I appreciate your concern for me. I don’t plan on staying here for long, so I will decline your generous offer. Please tell both the Lord and Clergy my thanks. I plan to travel the world, so tying myself to the local Lord will hinder that dream.” Turning away from the men, Owen continued into the city. As he walked away, he heard what sounded like the Knight attempting to yell something at him, but it was cut off. Owen couldn’t help but think about what he was told as he went down the busy streets. It felt so wrong that all these people he walked by, those groups, were thought of as lesser. If they were so inferior, then does the Lord grow his own food? Does he cook it? Who makes his weapons? Who outfits his Knights? The thoughts kept cascading. He had grown up poor; his family loved him, but both parents worked just to keep him fed and housed. He had joined the Marines right out of High School, so they wouldn't have to worry about him. Would these people have just thrown them out to a village? To be eaten by random monsters because they didn’t have the correct Class. These dark thoughts clouded his mind as he entered the Hall. Ignoring a comment made by Sergeant Fell, he approached the counter where Todd was.
“Todd, I need to speak with the Captain. Is she in right now?”
“Owen, um, yeah, she’s here. Are you okay?” Todd asked, seeing the gloomy expression on his new friend's face.
“Yeah. I just need to talk to her about a few things.”
“Sure, right this way, Owen,” Todd said as he led Owen up the stairs. Like before, they arrived at the third floor and stood before a set of double doors. Knocking on the door, Todd announced, “Sir, Private Owen is back from his mission and requests to speak with you urgently.” Everything was quiet for a few seconds before she responded to send him in. Todd opened the door for Owen before closing it behind him. Entering the room, Owen walked right before her desk, rendered a salute, and began speaking.
“Sir, Private Grest reporting that the Dungeon near Oakshade has been destroyed. Upon my return to Moonkeep, I was confronted by two men. One Knight and a Cleric from the Church. They attempted to recruit me, but I declined. This concluded my report, but I would like permission to speak freely.”
“Yes, Owen, you may speak freely to me. I have my own questions for you, so let’s ask and then answer. I’ll start. How in the God’s names, did you destroy a Dungeon in a single day, by yourself?”
“I entered the dungeon, killed all the monsters, then destroyed the Core. My turn, do most people share the Lord’s views with the Church? About the commoners being beneath them?”
“I guess that would explain how your Level 7 now, and it depends. Here in the Westlecian Empire, most nobles and Tier 3 people tend to have those views. It’s very situational. Why did you decline the invitation? Was it just because you hate how they view people?”
“I hate them,” Owen spoke, fueled by hate, “You know Grest was destroyed. If they had cared about those people, they wouldn’t have been monster food! They think they are better than them just because they are stronger. The strong exist to protect the weak, not to abuse them.”
“You are a strange man, Owen. Most people don’t call their neighbors ‘those people,’ but we all have secrets. You are not wrong, though; those with power should use it to shield those without. What bothers me the most right now is the timing. I had Fell visit Grest the other day; he returned later that evening, and we submitted a report to the Lord. Now he is sending his lackeys out, which means the rumors are true.” Looking at Owen, the Captain thought about something momentarily before she continued. “Owen, before I continue, this is your chance to walk away. The things I would say would be considered slander, and Lord Wicker’s punishment for slander is death by labor. Do you understand?” Looking into the Captain’s eyes, Owen considered the weight of her words. He could just leave, walk away from all this. Find somewhere else, but then the sound of Lily’s voice grounded him. The memory of holding her, trying to give her some comfort near the end. Burying her and the other villagers, then his thoughts shifted to Vesper and her family. If he walked away, what if they were next? Could he live with himself? Guilt had already eaten away at him once; would he just make the same mistake again. Then words rang in his head: To quit, to surrender, to give up is to fail. We do not fail. Making his mind up, Owen looked at the Captain.
“Continue, please, Captain.”