After a week of traveling… I’m glad… to say it was a calm and uneventful journey…
We followed a route far from human towns, so it’s been a very safe journey for the Dryad, not to mention that along the way, we’ve formed bonds with each other.
Kharla and Raiza have formed a deep connection, as the two of them have been guiding the carriage and setting the course to follow.
Chizze and Yoko have been training in their spare time. Yoko wants to improve her speed, and Chizze needs to land more forceful blows, as she mostly just scratches with her claws.
But I feel bad for the Dryad; I feel like we’ve left her out. Almost every time I speak to her, it’s just to ask for ingredients to cook or prepare some medicine.
I pour a glass of water and bring it to the Dryad, wanting to talk to her to ease some of my guilt…
Once I hand her the glass, I say:
“Miss Dryad, may I ask, why do you want to go to the capital? We only took this job to get into the country and prepare to head to the war zone, but what is your motivation?”
The Dryad takes the water and says:
A long time ago, there were many Dryads, but over time, we disappeared and went our separate ways…
Even so, among us Dryads… the closest ones have a spiritual connection; it’s what humans call soulmates. For the past ten years, I’ve been dreaming of a man… although when I first started dreaming of him… he was still just a child…
It was a beautiful dream… I was in a plain with nothing but grass. I was sitting, watching the star-filled sky, and when I turned around, I saw a young boy gazing at the moon. We didn’t speak; I just looked at him from a distance. I didn’t have the courage to talk to him…
Every night, I watched him in my dreams, but I didn’t want to speak to him because just watching him filled me with peace.
One night, I gathered my courage and went up to speak to him: “Hello, little one, who are you?” The boy didn’t respond, but for the first time, he looked at me, and from then on, he always looked at me instead of the moon. After a long time, we sat next to each other in silence, looking at the stars.
One night was different; his gaze wasn’t the same, I felt his sadness. I thought he didn’t want to talk, so I just held his hand. On the following nights, we would just hold hands whenever I felt his sadness. But he wasn’t always sad; sometimes he was happy or angry. I could feel his emotions, and I believed he understood mine, too. Even without words, just being by his side was our way of communicating. I think that might answer your question, Ester…
I want to go to the capital because that person is there, and he doesn’t have the power to leave. I don’t need to talk to you all the time to understand that you care for me or that you’ve grown fond of me, because I’ve already learned that there are many languages for love.
…
The Dryad had a smile full of happiness as she told her story. I felt a lot of sympathy for her, but I think she already knew my feelings, even without me speaking… that’s why she knew I came over so she wouldn’t feel alone. I’m an open book, easy to read.
Our journey continued as usual. We encountered many monsters, but Chizze and Yoko faced them with the goal of training their teamwork. While Yoko was on the front line, Chizze waited for the exact moment to deliver the finishing blow. Their fighting styles were highly compatible, and their movements had great synergy.
On the other hand, learning two team maneuvers with Chizze took me a lot longer… I suppose that, after their fight, they understand each other’s combat styles very well. Kharla and Raiza stuck to guiding our journey, taking us along the safest routes.
Raiza only fought monsters with valuable body parts; I guess she didn’t want to waste the opportunity to earn more money…
Not many remarkable things happened during this part of our journey… well, there was one…
We ran into two apparently ex-soldiers with very muscular builds who were hunting in a large forest. I think it would be more accurate to call that forest a jungle. Both of them had a strange accent and looked dangerous, but they warned us not to enter the jungle because there’s a very dangerous monster there that can hide its presence. It was risky to go in, so we thanked them and moved away.
Yoko told me about those two crazy guys; her brother-in-law mentioned that they were two foreign soldiers from another continent who came to Yamatory chasing a monster, or so they say, since no one but them has ever seen this monster. But they are very powerful soldiers. I guess I could heal their minds and recruit them, but I’d rather avoid dealing with odd people, at least for now.
…
After a long time, we were finally close to the capital.
It took us a long time and several challenges… but we could finally see the entrance to the capital. We held one last meeting to plan how to enter without drawing attention.
Raiza said: “Friends, I’ll enter the capital on my own. I read the documents from the general’s house, so I know how to get there, but I’ll have to go in alone. Ester, when you get inside, take the Dryad to the mercenary guild branch and complete the mission. The rest of the group should take the documents and keys to the house and wait for us at the general’s house. As soon as you arrive, store the wine and monster materials we collected in a safe place.”
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We all agreed with this plan. Before reaching the gate, Raiza left on her own, leaving the rest of us to enter the capital alone.
At the entrance to the capital of Dredprism, the guards greeted us and asked for our personal documents. I handed over my official certificates, the guild documents supporting the Dryad, and the papers I’d bought for Chizze and Kharla.
But the soldier guarding the city gate made an angry face.
“You think you’re a smart guy, don’t you? Did you think I wouldn’t notice what you’re trying to do?”
I thought they’d discovered the fake documents or noticed Raiza’s illegal entry, so I put on a frightened face.
The guard said, “You’re bringing in wine from the orc village without paying the proper tax.” I put on a confused expression, but Yoko stepped up and said, “Sir, I apologize, this man was only escorting me; the wine is mine.”
Yoko took out her personal documents. “I’m the sister of Lieutenant Brikrats’ wife, the leader of the orc village. My family has our own permit for our products, and we don’t plan to sell it; it’s more for personal and family use. Also, this young man driving is under the protection of General Darlick.”
Yoko took one of the documents the general had given me and presented it to the guard. The poor man had a terrified look that was visible even through his helmet.
“I’m sorry, miss, I just wanted to ensure no wine would be smuggled in, but you’ll still need to pay a gold coin for the tax,” the guard said. So I took out a gold coin, handed it to the guard, and he gave me a receipt.
When we entered the capital of Dredprism, I noticed a new atmosphere around me. It felt modern, like Zhanty, but different, as if this country had developed its own technology without relying on the technological advancements of the dwarves…
In this city, there are various species: beastmen, dwarves, different demi-humans, and the occasional elf. The majority of the people are human; even so, it’s a very different city in the way its streets and buildings are designed, the manners of the people… even the air feels strangely different…
Upon entering, Yoko took the reins of the carriage and guided us through the capital. I think she already knows her way around this place.
We arrived at the commercial district, which was very narrow, so the carriage couldn’t pass through. I got off the carriage with the Dryad since that was the path leading to the mercenary guild branch.
This was the moment to finish my mercenary work. I took a deep breath and spoke loudly:
“Girls, go ahead to the general’s house and store our things. I’ll be back with you as soon as I finish here.” After I spoke, the Dryad used her powers and created bouquets of roses. “Thank you, friends. It was a short time we spent together, but I truly love you all.”
The Dryad handed the roses to my companions, who showed happiness mixed with a bit of sadness for ending this mission, and finally, they hugged each other goodbye.
We made our way through the merchants’ stalls to reach the guild. I saw some beautiful necklaces; I thought they’d look great on Amelia, but then Chizze and Yoko’s faces also came to mind. I guess I’ve changed a lot on this journey.
When we entered the guild, I felt many eyes on me. I approached the customer service desk with the documents Rammus had given me. Without saying a word, the secretary signed and stamped the documents.
The Dryad also had to sign the papers, and with that, my mission was complete. The secretary also handed me a dismissal letter and asked for my guild badge…
Wow, Rammus did keep his word and dismissed me.
After a long time, it was my moment to say goodbye to the Dryad. “Well, thanks for always helping me with the ingredients for my medicines. If you ever need help, look for me.”
The Dryad thanked me and handed me a four-leaf clover. “Thank you, Ester. This is a symbol of good fortune. I want luck to accompany you and your group.” I took the clover, put it in my pocket, and walked out of the guild.
I wanted to go buy the necklaces I had seen before entering the guild…
As I approached the jewelry shop, I felt intense pain in my spine and a dizzy sensation, similar to what the siren’s song had caused…
I fell to the ground as my whole body felt numb, and before losing consciousness, I found myself surrounded by knights…
But their armor didn’t have the characteristic crest of the Dredprism Empire.
…
Kharla, accompanied by Chizze and Yoko, arrived at General Darlick’s house…
It wasn’t a small house; it was a medium-sized mansion, yet it was still quite large. Yoko and Chizze were impressed by the house and the vast yard; it even had its own stable for the horses.
As soon as they entered the mansion’s grounds, a maid around twenty years old came out. She had long pink hair and green eyes, wearing a uniform that highlighted the curves of her body.
Kharla stepped forward and said, “Good afternoon, we’re part of Ester’s group, a man who is under General Darlick’s protection. Ester provided medical treatment to the general, and in gratitude, the general gave him the documents for this house.”
Kharla handed the documents to the maid, and among them were instructions indicating that Ester would become the new owner of the mansion upon the general’s death, but he could use the mansion whenever he wished.
The maid relaxed her expression and said, “I see. Well, the general was always someone who helped others. I always wondered what would happen after that man passed… now I have a new master. Sorry for rambling, I’m Seres, in charge of maintaining this mansion. Please, let’s get along.”
image [https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/081/626/515/large/duval-saul-wqeeweew.jpg?1730798552]
The girls introduced themselves and asked Seres to show them where to store the wine and monster materials they had brought. Seres led them to the wine cellar, where the general also had a small personal reserve.
Once the wine was stored, they went to the less extravagant cellar to store the materials, and finally, to the stables to let the horses rest.
“I hope you feel comfortable. Today, I have to go out to take care of some personal errands, but starting tomorrow, you’ll see me more often around the mansion. Use the guest rooms; I’ll only open the general’s room for Mr. Ester. I hope you understand.” After saying these words, Seres left the mansion.
After that, Yoko and Chizze used the mansion’s yard to train, and Kharla helped them by boosting their stats during the training.
Kharla also took the opportunity to test her sacred connection with Yoko. It didn’t increase her speed, but it did boost her raw strength.
They waited all afternoon for Raiza or Ester to arrive, but neither of them showed up that night.
The next day, Raiza arrived at the mansion.
The first to notice was Chizze, as she couldn’t sleep without having Ester nearby. She stayed alone, waiting in the mansion’s yard for her master…
No matter how long Chizze waited, she only saw Raiza arriving. Seeing the beast-woman waiting for her, Raiza hugged her and told her to follow her; it was time for an emergency meeting.
…
Once in the mansion’s dining room, they ate some bread that Seres had prepared before leaving. When Raiza, Kharla, Chizze, and Yoko were gathered, Raiza said:
“I have bad news, but trust me, everything will be fine; now we need to keep a cool head. Ester was arrested by Rusthian soldiers because of the chaos we caused in the royal palace. He’s still alive, but we have to make some preparations before we can rescue him…”