"Wait-" Dante said, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and determination.
They were already ecstatic to leave for the East Jagged Port, but before they departed, Dante turned and stared at Rigathon's rotting corpse lying on the ground, a stark reminder of the dangers they faced. The remnants of shame were evident in the eyes of the once famed Jagged Alpha of the Brayscorn Clan.
He then looked up at Sir Lysander, the Chaplain Knight, who noticed the child's annoying look that was a classic example of a failed attempt at begging. There was a moment of tense silence as Dante gathered the courage to speak.
"What?" the Chaplain Knight said gruffly, not fully comprehending Dante's intentions.
Then realization dawned on Sir Lysander's face, and he shook his head firmly.
"No! A firm and resounding no! It cannot be done," he declared, "No way is that going to happen!"
Undeterred, Dante refused to give up. He clung to Sir Lysander's chainmail, a desperate attempt to convince him. Even the 9-year-old Ravka Grimshaw joined the fray, pulling at Sir Lysander to emphasize their shared plea.
"Holy System grant me patience-" Sir Lysander murmured, feeling the weight of responsibility upon his shoulders. Finally, he took a deep breath, surrendering to the persistence of his young companions.
After weeks of traveling light and at top-speed, the Classless Dante, the Chaplain Lysander, and the Archivist Ravka finally arrived at the lower coast of the Teigh Continent.
Exhausted and wearing make-shift rags after their arduous journey, they stood at the Southeast Jagged Port, drawing curious eyes and mocking giggles from the townsfolk. Unfazed, they continued on their way, determined to fulfill their mission.
The whole town's eyes were on them matched giggles of mockery and shaken heads of condescension. None of them cared. They just walked straight forward, minding their own business.
"Those are Holyfolks, right?" a Teih Ranger sneered, making a derogatory remark about their affiliation with the Church of the Holy System.
Another Teih Ranger, arriving from sea travel, caught a whiff of the trio's unwashed bodies and made a disdainful comment, "Did someone shit themselves!"
Dante kept his eyes straight, and he looked up to Sir Lysander who was very focused carrying his belongings, as they entered the Ranger Inn.
The inn was typical of those found in anime and RPG games, bustling with various Rangers allied with the nations of Eastern Ravenna, including Freelandia, Sylvanalia, and Tempestora, which had once been part of the oppressive Devout Republics.
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The Devout Republics had fallen on the year 1171 N.F.
The Church of the Holy System played a huge role in the Devout Republics' maintenance of their oppressive and tyrannical regime. But this Holy Alliance had caused a rift between the people and the Church.
Civil-wars broke out in Eastern Ravenna and the three victorius nations remained, giving the Ravennians governments that at least weren't as tyrannical and oppressive.
If it was Bonse the Desolate's Iron Fist rule during era of Echoes of Silence. Or Elentu the Tyrant's ruthless methods of war, who was the last straw for the people, and finalized the revolution ending with his head on a spike. The Eastern Ravennians held their grudges against the Church of the Holy System for generations.
And calling the dwindling members of the Church of the Holy System with the derogatory term of Holyfolk.
In other words, people like Sir Lysander and Mag. Ravka were generally not welcome anywhere outside of their designated areas of duty.
Lysander, Ravka, and Dante with their heights descending respectively, walked in the bar. And immedietly the Teih Ranger's eyes were staring at them. Dante, made sure to remind himself that the Church of the Holy System isn't the only religion capable of providing magical power and abilities to their members.
And Dante sensed that many of the Teih Rangers in front of them were capable of harming them with magic unfamiliar to him.
This is because many religions, such as the Tempestus religion from Tempestora or the Melodist Religion from Freelandia, sanctioned spiritual pilgrimages for their believers. But this was most often as a way to resupply the manpower of Rangers in the Teih Continent.
Sir Lysander tightened his grip on his bag and whispered to them, "Let me do the talking." He looked them right in the eyes and repeated even more slowly. "Let. Me. Do. The. Talking."
Dante and Ravka nodded, understanding the caution, and avoiding eye contact with the Teih Rangers.
The barman answered Sir Lysander's inquiry about the rooms with a touch of rudeness. "10 Alchemic Copper Coins per room," he said, "But for the little lady, I'll give a discount of 1 Alchemic Silver Coin."
"No. It's okay. We'll all share a large room," Sir Lysander respectfully responded.
Dante, momentarily misunderstanding the situation, exclaimed, "Wow! Thanks-"
Ravka quickly intervened, punching Dante in the gut, and said, "It's exactly the same price, idiot," her eyes revealing hidden outrage, but she eventually let it go.
Dante realized his mistake and grinned sheepishly, scratching his head. "Oh. Can you pay for me?"
Ravka retorted sarcastically, "If you give me that sword, I'll give you all the money you want."
"No deal," Dante replied, playfully smug.
"It's all paid for. Let's go. Before we get into more trouble," Sir Lysander told them, eager to avoid any unnecessary conflict.
As they walked up to their cramped room with two bunk beds, the excitement was palpable in the air. Dante couldn't resist slightly punching the Holy Chaplain Knight and asked, "Where did you- get your money from?"
"From Rigathon's pants. He had a bag of coins and gems on him," Sir Lysander admitted, with a hint of guilt and amusement.
Dante giggled as he leaned on the walls of the stairs and said, "You? A Holy Chaplain Knight? Looted Rigathon?"
Even Ravka laughed a bit at the thought.
"SHHH! Be quiet!" Sir Lysander exclaimed, trying to hush their banter.
"Aye! Sir Lootander!" both Dante and Ravka teased, playfully mocking their unlikely benefactor.
They all entered their room, which was small but functional, with two bunk beds taking up most of the space.
"This'll do," Lysander says. He then looks at the two children and sees their excited eyes, waiting for something.
Sir Lysander rolls his eyes, and releases the bag on the floor.
A small baby Rigathon crawls out.
"Awwwww! He is so adorable!" Ravka and Dante shriek.