Taking a quick breath I moved on to the main matter at hand, “Now, to the next order of business…” I leaned forward conspiratorially. “An opportunity has come my way. I would have you know that I made the acquaintance of someone who will be able to reward us most generously,” I half-whispered for dramatic effect.

“The giver of the weapon?” remarked Kidu.

“Just so, Kidu! I am to meet with him tomorrow. He will be paying me another half a silver, just for meeting him.”

Elwin looked dubious. “So… what’s the strings we talking about here? You an’ me both know that nothings free in this world,” the Rogue inquired.

“Well, that is why we have been requested to meet with him tomorrow to find out. Rest assured that, for the moment, our goals align with his,” I stated confidently.

Indeed our goals did align. Any enemy of the gods of this world was a friend and potential ally of mine. If I could do anything to frustrate the designs of the so-called Divines, then I would do so. Still, I would be doing myself no favors by telling my companions of my true enemies. They might lose heart, after all.

So I told them what I knew of the Necromancer, skipping the part of him being, like me, an enemy of the gods of this world.

“So, I was thinking that just the original crew see what Vincenzio has to offer…” I suggested.

Kidu crossed his arms, his stature and expression making him look as solid and as tough as a forest oak. “Why not bring the woman warrior? She wields a heaven-touched blade too, yes?” asked the Hunter, his thick eyebrows furrowing.

“The big man’s got a point…” chimed in Elwin.

I took in their words, closing my eyes for a moment as I played out a scenario.

Indeed, Cordelia’s blade would be welcome. The problem was the wielder of the sword. At a guess, diplomacy when dealing with a master of the dark arts would not be her forte. This led to me wondering, just as a mental exercise if it would be possible for my party to take down the Necromancer, despite the vast difference in levels between us.

Elwin’s voice cut into my thoughts, “You there, Gil? Having another of your moments?”

“Just thinking for a moment,” I replied with a forced smile. The Rogue always had a habit of just pressing the wrong buttons. “No, I still think it best that just us three visit Vincenzio tomorrow. Cordelia, bless her heart, is a little inflexible in her thinking,” I concluded.

Seeing that Elwin still looked a little unsure I decided to add, “And with only the three of us, means a larger individual share.” It was almost comical seeing the sudden change in the Rogue’s expression. Just like Elwin, I too was learning the levers that moved a man.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

To me, however, the potential monetary rewards were a secondary thing. More important was the information that Vicenzio the ‘Alchemist’ could furnish me with. And any other artifacts that he might have on hand.

With the things looking like they were smoothly in motion, life, as it always seems to do, wanted to object.

There was a delicate knock on the door, followed by a pleasant voice that I knew well, but at this very moment dreaded more than most.

“My Lor… I mean Gilgamesh,” came Cordelia’s voice, almost causing me to jump out of my skin. “May I come in?”

We all shot each other guilty looks. Had we been overheard?

“But of course… Lady Cordelia,” I answered awkwardly a heartbeat later.

Radiance entered with a smile that could have stolen most hearts, leaving those unaccustomed to her charms struck dumb and mute. Cordelia, ever the vision, was the very epitome of classical beauty, her features as finely chiseled as statues from antiquity. Yet, it was precisely her resemblance to the goddess Avaria that laid bare the terrifying scale of the foes aligned against me. Fortunately, I had managed to sway one of their agents to my cause.

This day, she was garbed in a modest orange abaya, a robe-like dress of simple cut, complemented by a light blue chiffon sheila, a headscarf that veiled her head. The fabric framed her oval face, enhancing the vivid emerald hue of her eyes. Though her attire was common in make, she wore these garments with a regality that made it seem as if they had been spun and sewn solely for her form.

“Forgive me, Gilgamesh, I hope I am not intruding on anything,” she offered demurely.

“No… err, not at all!” was my hasty reply. Elwin shot me a vaguely dirty look.

“I have heard that you have encountered a few difficulties in going about your business in the city,” she started to explain, a pleasant smile blossoming on her face. “Though, of course, they were not so great that you would not be able to overcome them, praise be the Goddess.”

“Indeed, praise her name,” I said automatically, eager for her to make her point.

“It seems that the goddess has chosen for you the path of an adventurer. In my wish to assist you in all things, I too wished to walk this path with you,” she added, displaying a small copper badge. “However… unfortunately, I will not be able to join you for a while. While registering at the Guild, I was given an invitation to assist a few others of the faith in their own aspirations… and without me, their lives would surely be in peril,” she continued to explain, her usual veneer surety cracking for a moment.

“So… you’ll be joining a bunch of new adventurers for a while, is that right?” queried Elwin insightfully. His shoulders relaxed ever so slightly, his expression now a touch less guarded.

“Quite so… forgive me, but I simply could not refuse them,” she answered meekly.

I sighed inwardly in relief. The stars had finally aligned, and luck seemed to be on my side. I nearly jumped for joy, barely able to restrain myself.

The Temple Knight looked down and away, a surprisingly human gesture. "I will require ten days to assist them, so I must beg my leave of you."

"That is indeed a shame," I replied in a morose tone. "We would have been glad to have your sword at our side." I was careful with my words, unsure if she possessed some mystical ability to discern truth, like the Guildmaster in Ansan.

I offered my best smile, a mix of encouragement and regret. "But do not be overly saddened, for this is only a temporary separation. We will be glad to have you return to us in ten days. I wish you good fortune in this venture. My thoughts and prayers will be with you," I said warmly.

"As will mine," she responded, her smile radiant. “By your grace,” she added, before excusing herself and gracefully leaving.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Kidu's expression darkening, like a gathering storm.