Chapter 4: Merchant City of Brahil

Getting out of the forest we traveled a few more days to arrive to the Merchant City of Brahil but this time since we took the path most used by people and travelers we did not encounter any more danger, there were no monster attacks as well because the roads were guarded by roving soldiers hired by the Merchant Council which leads Brahil.

Seeing me riding a majestic beast like Leon garnered some surprised looks from the people we met on the road but they calmed down quickly when they saw that I was accompanied by uncle Agor. Some would even greet us as we pass each other. It seems like most of them know who Uncle Agor was.

After arriving at Brahil we had to pass through a security check before entering the city proper. We arrived in front of a massive gate. The city was enclosed in towering walls, it protects the city from attacks of beasts and monsters and possible attack from the Empire of Archidias since the City of Brahil is the nearest city to the border of the two nations. I remember once that Mommy taught me that the place we were living in is called the Free Nation of Valeria. A former part of the Empire of Archidias, the cities that consists of the Free Nation of Valeria revolted against the empire when heavy taxes were placed on them that made it hard for people to live a simple life. Death tolls were high, dying of starvation were common place and there was a high rate of crime ranging from petty theft to murder.

It also did not help that the nobles appointed by the Royal Family of Archidias were greedy and corrupt. Nobles who did not care about helping people and instead lined their pockets with ill-gotten wealth and played with people’s lives. Being so far away from the Imperial Capital, this throwaway nobles lived like kings and queens. Peoples heart were sparked when a young mage of no known origin went to the different cities of the east and rallied the people to fight the tyranny of the nobles.

A war that will soon be called, The War of Great Divide happened. This was also written in the Annals of History of the Great Empire of Archidias. After three years of war, the united cities emerged victorious and were able to push the borders of the Empire beyond the river neighboring my village and the Flowergate Forest. After that a Council was made from the representatives of each city. They were the authority that handles the major affairs of the newborn nation. Still, the cities were given complete control on their territories.

After two hundred years it grew to be just slightly weaker to the Empire of Archidias and was known to be the Free Nation of Valeria.

Arriving at the guards in front of the gate we were stopped to be inspected.

Guard A: “Halt. Everyone needs to be inspected before entering the city.”

Guard B: “Please dismount from your mount and we will conduct a simple search.”

Even though we looked like simple people the guards were still very accommodating. This just goes to show how disciplined they were. Each guard were equipped with a small sword and a spear as well. They were in full metal armor with an emblem of the Merchant City of Brahil in their breast plate.

Hearing their request I tried dismounting from Leon but before I could even move uncle Agor flashed a pitch black badge to the two guards and when they saw it, awe and fear can be seen in their faces. Smiling at them, uncle Agor even patted the shoulder of one of them like they knew each other.

Agor: “Good work maintaining the peace here gentlemen. I see you must be new the guards. Keep up the good work.”

Snapping out of their shock the two stood up in attention and even saluted uncle Agor.

Guard A: “Sir! We are indeed new guards sir!”

Guard B: “We are sorry to have interrupted you sir!”

Seeing how the two responded the people still waiting to be inspected can’t help but be curious with their treatment.

Agor: “Ha ha ha. Not at all gentlemen. It is good that you are taking your job quite seriously. But we are in a bit of a rush and it will be great if you allow us entry to the city quickly.”

Hearing him praise them made the two stood up even straighter if that is even possible anymore. With stiff movements they ushered us to the gate and asked the guards at the other side of the gate to let us pass.

When the gates were opened Uncle Agor was the first to enter followed by me still riding Leon. I was awed by what I saw, the roads were paved, there were a lot of people quickly walking to their destinations, and while we were following uncle Agor I can hear merchants shouting to promote their wares and inviting people to see what they were selling. There were stalls filled with crops. There were small stands selling cooked food, which smelled appetizing by the way. Bards played their instruments attracting people to listen to their tales and stories. It is a different world then when I was still in my village.

The thought of my village and my parents brought my spirits down a bit but I shook my head and tried to get rid of the thoughts.

Erina: “You must be strong Erina. You need to be happy. You are not alone. Even if Daddy and Mommy are gone at least there is Uncle Agor and Leon.”

Looking up ahead I can see that we moved away from the busy main streets and now we took a right to another street, this time there are far less people walking around but there were a lot more people with armors and weapons and people in robe and staffs. If we got attention from people when we were in the main street, here people just gave as a glance and they went on their own way. Patiently riding on Leon I finally see us reaching a huge wooden building. I saw an emblem hanging at the front of the door and there were symbols written below it. I was not able to read yet, well to be honest most people in our village were not able to read or write, only the chieftain can read or write simple sentences, after all we were a farming village so I did not know what the place was supposed to be.

Agor stopped when we were in front of the building and he turned to me.

Agor: “Young Erina, we have to enter this building okay? There are certain things I need to do here first.”

I nodded as a sign of approval. Uncle Agor asked me to dismount and when I did, I saw another awesome thing that made me want to be just like Uncle Agor.

Agor: “You have done a great job Leon buddy. I know you want to stay with young Erina longer but we have to do a few more things here in the City so you will have to go back to our home first, k’ buddy?”

At first Leon expressed its dissatisfaction by playfully swiping its paw at Uncle Agor (of course with its claws retracted) but after getting convinced by Uncle Agor in the end Leon came to me and rubbed at me like an overgrown house cat and went to the front of Uncle Agor.

Pointing his palm to in front of Leon, Uncle Agor bid his partner goodbye.

Agor: “See you at home buddy. Return from where you came from, Call of Home.”

AN: If anyone has a better idea on what to call the recall spell to send a beast back to their base please do comment it below.

I was surprised with the sudden disappearance of Leon which I immediately asked Uncle Agor the reason for.

Agor: “Don’t be alarmed Young Erina, I just used a magic to instantly send Leon back home. Do not worry it is not hurt in any way.”

He just smiled at me while trying to explain to me what it was that just happened.

After calming down, Uncle Agor took my hands and gently ushered me inside the building. What greeted us was a wide room, there was a reception area in front of, there was a few tables and chairs at the right side of the room and there were a huge board filled with paper notices on our left. There were people who were sitting at the tables talking about various things, while there are others who were standing while surrounding a table filled with maps and were in deep conversation.

Seeing so many strangers around I got really nervous and it seemed like Unle Agor noticed because my hand that was holding his tightened. He looked at me and smiled at me, seeing him try and assure me I smiled back at him and nodded my head.

I followed him and we went to the receptionist at our front. He greeted by bowing a bit then smiling at us.

Receptionist: “Good day. How can the Adventurer Guild be of assistance to you today?”

Agor then laughed for a bit and replied to the receptionist.

Agor: “Cut the crap Felix. Hearing you be polite gives me the creep. Ha ha ha.”

Smiling back at Uncle Agor the guy turned to look at me.

Felix: “Well I was trying to make a good impression to the little princess you are with, ya know.”

Seeing smile directly at me made me embarrassed so I went and hid myself behind Uncle Agor.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Agor: “Hey now. Don’t go scaring little Erina okay?! Ha ha ha.”

Felix: “Aww. Shucks what a cute little lady. So I never knew you had a little kid Agor?”

He turned to look at Uncle Agor once more this time with a curious look in his face. Hearing that, Uncle Agor’s face turned grim. His hand tightened around mine a bit and he answered with a serious tone.

Uncle Agor: “Yeah. That is the reason we are here today. Can we talk to the Branch Guild Master right now?”

Hearing the serious tone Uncle Agor used Felix’s whole demeanor changed. The smile was gone and he was all business like.

Felix: “Certainly. Wait in here for a while and I will let the Guild Master know that you wish to talk to him.”

Agor: “Thank you Felix and sorry for the trouble.”

Felix: “Not at all Agor.”

Felix then headed to the door that was behind him and disappeared inside it. Not understanding anything happening I asked Uncle Agor the reason we were in the Adventurer Guild.

Erina: “Uncle Agor, why are we here?”

Agor: “Well the reason we are here is related to you young Erina.”

Erina: “Related to me?! How?”

Agor: “Well, I know that talking about what happened to you and to your village is not something you want to do but we need to report it to the Guild Master. Is it fine with you?”

Thinking about it for a bit I then shook my head to show that I do not mind. Somehow I knew that me sharing what happened to us is important to Uncle Agor so I resolved myself. After all i promised that I will be useful to Uncle Agor.

Erina: “It’s okay Uncle Agor.”

Agor: “Thanks Erina. Your a good kid.”

He smiled at me and then patted my head.

We then saw Felix coming back and he guided us to the Guild Master’s Room. He went to the Guild Master’s Room and knocked at the door, when Felix heard the voice of the guild master letting us in, he opened the door and ushered us in. Felix did not come with us, after we went it he closed the door and we can hear his footsteps as he left to go back to the reception desk.

Facing the room we can see a simple and minimally decorated room. There were two couches facing each other and a wooden coffee table in between them. Behind them you can see an office table stacked to the top with papers to the point that when a person sits at the chair behind the table you won’t be able to see him because of all the papers. that is where we heard a voice of a person. We then heard someone pushing the chair back and approach us around the pile of paper.

What I saw was a beautiful lady with long flowing dark green hair, brown eyes, a cute nose, kissable red lips and the shocker was pointed ears. The guild master was a beautiful young elf. I was shocked to see an elf in real life, you see they are not so common at this part of the world. But looking at Uncle Agor he seemed nonplus, maybe seeing an elf is quite common for an Adventurer like Uncle Agor after all they live to go to different places. But I am pleasantly surprised, after all elves were a race that was quite elusive and was mostly heard only through stories.

Seeing Uncle Agor the elf greeted him by running at him full speed and giving Uncle Agor a big hug.

Elf: “Ha?! Am I seeing an illusion?! Is this real?! The juvenile kid Agor proactively reaching out to me?! Is the nether realm freezing over or something?!”

Agor: “Ha ha ha you were always so funny old hag. Quit hugging me already! I’m an old man now, ya know!”

Uncle Agor with all his strength tried to pry away the Elf who was hugging him so tightly but to no avail. Giving up already he let the Elf hug him some more and when the elf was satisfied she detached herself to the exasperated Uncle Agor. She turned her attention to me as if Uncle Agor did not even exist and barraged me with so many questions. She scared me to be honest.

Elf: “Wow. What a cute child you! What’s your name?! Where did you come from?! How old are you?! Do you like flowers?! I like flowers. Do you like sweet treats. I love them! Do you want to go and get some with me? Do you like cute things?! I love cute things specially little teddy bears. blah blah blah blah”

I just looked at her, I did not know what to say. Seeing my reaction Uncle Agor gave the Elf a solid chop to the head. That stopped her from talking.

Agor: “Your’e scaring her Old Hag Matilda! Stop with the useless questioning!”

Matilda: “Ouch! How rude! Hitting someone older than you like that!? Honestly, kids have no respect to their elders. Tsk.”

I continued to watch them shout at each other and after a while they stopped and looked at me just watching them. Seeing me might have embarrassed them so they stopped their “conversation” and got to the point.

Matilda: “So what do i owe the pleasure of your visit Agor?”

Agor: “Young Erina is the reason.”

Hearing the graveness in Uncle Agor’s voice Matilda’s face made a total change. The playfulness disappeared and just like Felix she gave a somehow cold and collected feeling to her. We got right down to business. Uncle Agor asked me to tell my story to Matilda. It took quite a while we were even brought tea by Felix in the middle of me sharing my experiences.

After I told her what happened Matilda was silent for a bit and then directed a question to Uncle Agor.

Matilda: “And how were you involved in all of this?”

Agor: “It is by complete chance. I came to the Flowergate Forest hoping to find a Poison Beast of rare Classification to tame when I saw smoke rising from far away. I rushed to the location but I was too late. The village was already burnt to the ground. Some people were beyond help already, so I decided to go back and rush here to ask for aid or to notify the guild and the council. But on my way home I found young Erina being chased by Bandits so I dealt with them and the rest was just like what Erina told you.”

Matilda: “This is indeed worrying. I don’t think this is as simple as a Bandit attack. There must be more to this than meets the eye. I will have to bring this to the council at our next meeting. An investigation needs to be done. Good job Agor. You being a Class A Adventurer isn’t just for show indeed.”

Agor: “Stop it, a compliment coming from a monstrous person like you is not something I want.”

All this time I was just listening to them. Then I saw Matilda look at me and then back at Uncle Agor.

Matilda: “I do not want to be insensitive but what are your plans for Erina now?”

Agor was silent for a bit, thinking real deeply about something I think. He then looked at me and then to Matilda.

Agor: “I would not be taking any requests for a while Matilda. I think i need the long rest anyway. And since I have lots of time now I am thinking of adopting Erina as my own child.”

Matilda looked at Uncle Agor’s eyes and when i stared at her I can see her eyes glowing a bit. I would later learn that she was using a spell that only elves can use. A spell that detects lies and deceits. Aptly named Eye of Truth. After a few seconds she sighed loudly and then shook her head.

Matilda: “It seems like I will be losing a great adventurer today. But I understand where you are coming from. Do not worry, I will handle the necessary procedure so that you can adopt our little princess here as your own child. But she has to agree to it.”

She then looked at me as if her eyes were asking if I agree to being adopted by Uncle Agor. I quickly agreed. Sure I do not know that much about Uncle Agor but I knew that if he did not come when he did I would have lost my life or worse.

Seeing my agreement both of them relaxed a little bit.

Matilda: “I will be sending you the papers for adoption soon. Don’t worry about it, I will make a request to expedite it.”

Agor: “Thank you Matilda. I know I’m adding to your burden now. I owe you.”

Matilda: “Think nothing of it. After all I am also part of the council of the Merchant City of Brahil, this is in the scope of my responsibilities.”

We talked some more and after an hour or so we decided to leave the Adventurer Guild Building. Seeing that it was already afternoon. Uncle Agor decided to show me the city and stay at the City for the night before setting out again tomorrow to where his small home is located.

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AN: Wow 3k words. I always set my goal to at least have 1,500 to 2,000 but I passed it today and I am dizzy af. Ha ha ha. Hope you like it. As normal comments, constructive criticism and corrections are high appreciated. By the way this counts as my Chapter for today. Hope you enjoy! :D As per usual, Chapter 5 is up already in my wordpress account: legend143.wordpress.com