The month passed by quickly. Winter had started, bringing in the cold and snow. Training the adventurers each day for hours showed much promise. By the end of their training, they were confident with each other to take on the tasks given to them. Asking Juila for requests for jobs for the guild to provide strictly to them for higher ranks, mainly Silver rank quests, I was given three jobs for them to do. Their goal was to pass the final test by giving them a couple of weeks to complete the jobs and return with everyone alive. The requests weren't easy, but they were doable. I had complete faith in their abilities.

"You did a lot, you know." Julia peaked around the corner inside the guild hall. Her hair was tied up and freshly brushed. I smiled and turned to her.

"It doesn't feel real. I am still just eleven."

"I'd say you did more than your average."

"Let's just hope it's enough to keep them alive. Who knows, maybe we will get some future legends from them."

"You want the credit for making them go big?" Julia giggles and pours herself a drink, the tavern area was nearly empty for a change since the patrons were on the quests as adventurers to prove them to rank up as Silvers.

"Guilty."

"You little rat."

"Hey, this rat is nobility you know."

"Oh, excuse me, your royal ratiness."

"Sure, I'll let that one slide. How long have they been on their expeditions?"

"Let's see, the snow dropped about a week, and they left just before that... So, almost ten days?"

"So, four more days until they return with the job done or not."

"And if they don't return?"

"I-... I will have to assume they are dead otherwise."

"Could you live with that?"

"Honestly, it's strange. I am no stranger to death, but I guess I feel responsible. I hope they make it back."

"Good to know you still have a good heart. I've known many who were in a position of power and sent people on hopeless quests just to die... It was normally labeled as a failure or disgrace if anyone made it back."

"I am feeling some projection here, Julia. Is this what happened with your party?"

"That wasn't anyone's fault than mine. We encountered that Dragon because of the route I chose. No one believed me or cared if they died. They only cared that they lost the funds and materials from the job we were sent on."

"You mean it was purely accidental you encountered him?"

"It doesn't matter now. What happened, happened. Right now, I want to keep living to take care of others in this line of work. Speaking of which, do you plan on going on quests again? I know the thing with Lukia was a one-time deal, but from what she told me, you were more than impressive. Why not make a party or join one and do it? I can see you have a good knack for it."

"I am the head of this village, believe it or not. Even though Eckhart and Mei have done a lot of taking on the duties of hearing the people. I am just a name for the placement, not the actual person in it."

"But that's going to change soon, right? You said Eckhart will leave with Lord Valum when he visits for your birthday. That's how long till the responsibility falls upon you."

"I won't be alone. Celia and Mei will still be around to help."

"That's something to feel better about, don't you think?"

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"I don't want to always rely on them. They do enough for me anyway. Besides, Celia isn't doing well."

"Is she sick?"

"Something like that. I can't say more about it. You should only know that she isn't in tip-top shape."

"I hope she isn't sick for long."

"Only time will tell."

The sound of footsteps approaches from the outside of the Guild Hall. They reach the door, and they slowly begin to open. Slowly revealing the Phantom Blades, still recovering from the wounds I had inflicted. They are okay physically, but their spirits have been damaged. The look in their eyes tells me the self-doubt of every one of them. Gale has Lukia to aid him when needed.

"I think you should go, Caleb."

"It will be fine. Nothing is going to happen."

True enough, Gale and his companions give me a look briefly before sitting at one of the tables. Gale raises his hand toward Julia and the cook behind the counter for meals. Julia nods and quickly turns to grab them all drinks. Shortly after, they receive full steamy meals to warm them up. Feeling the tension, I stand and walk toward their table. They quickly react and stay still, frozen at my presence. Gale is the one to respond; his single eye focused on me and me only.

"Is there something you want?" An intense stare protrudes toward me by Gale. I can feel the bottled hatred burning deep inside. I take a seat just a few feet from them and set myself in a serious manner.

"Look, you don't have to like me, Gale; none of you do. But I want to get past this bridge we got before us."

"You make it sound so easy; you took my fucking eye. How do you think we feel about you?"

"I didn't want that to happen, but it did. I won't say sorry for it."

"Wasn't expecting you to."

"And I don't expect a sorry when you nearly killed me in a dirty alleyway, but here, I am trying to make some peace with you. Hate me all you want, but when the next winter rolls in, Eckhart and his knights will aid my father in the war with the Empire. That means our army, stationed here, will be no more."

"Your point?"

"My point is that leaves me, you, and the parties in this village for any defense. You know it better than me, but we have a serious monster problem around the village. You get a living off it, but there are innocent lives here. Innocent lives that work hard to keep themselves happy and alive."

"If you defeated that Shadow Hunter with Lukia and your maid, then I think you can handle anything. Now leave me to drink, or else we are going to have more problems."

"Gale, it might be good to listen-" Before Lukia could finish speaking, Gale shot her a look with his eye. She went silent and looked down.

"I know you have to worry about her, Gale. She means something to you, and I respect that. We bought you time on your payments, but that won't last if you guys don't get back into shape and start doing your job."

"Job huh? This is our living, but it ain't no job; this is a lifestyle. A lifestyle that we celebrate. We can skip town and leave you guys to fend for yourselves. It won't bother us to find quests elsewhere."

"That would be logical. Except you guys can't leave."

"What did you say? Say that again, or am I having a hearing problem now."

"You have lived here—people who trust and rely on you. Yann, I know you care for the orphanage here. You play with the kids when you have free time. I've seen you lift them all with both your arms."

"H-How did you-"

"And you, Ivian, your mother is sick and requires daily treatment, which is costly. You give everything you can to make sure she is comfortable. Then there's Herk; for a cleric, you certainly don't require a church to pray at. So, you spend your time with some of the less fortunate villagers here who either are struggling or need help with their homes. Giving them hope and blessing them, you also aid in repairs and giving them extra food for winters like these."

They sit silently, listening to my words as I describe every single one of their lives. After recovering from their attack, I asked Mei to keep an eye on them and their activities. She gave me all the info I needed to see who they really are.

"Lukia, I know how much you owe them your life. You work hard and give up everything you can to support them. They are like your second family."

"Caleb..."

"And lastly, Gale."

"I'm an open book; go ahead."

"This is where you grew up."

"..."

"I know that you won't leave this place. I know you'll always support this town for as long as you live. This is where you were born and raised. This village is your family, home, and life. You won't abandon it."

"You said enough."

"I know deep down you care for your party as your family; the reason you look after Lukia is because she reminds you of your sister-"

"I SAID ENOUGH!" In a fit of rage, Gale punches me to the ground—a stream of blood trails down my lip and onto the floor. Licking the blood before wiping my mouth, I turn to Gale, who clenches his fists tightly. Staring at me intensely, Gale takes a deep breath and reels back the anger.

"You feel better?" I say, getting to my feet. "Cause that really hurt." Adjusting my numb jaw, I look at him questioningly.

"Tsk... Whatever!" Storming off, Gale pushes past me; his shoulder checks mine and I nearly hit the floor once again but catch the table and watch him exit the Guild Hall.

"Maybe I did say too much."

"Gale... Has a sister?" Lukia looks at me.

"He "had" a sister. She died years ago. He blames himself for her death, and it became his motivation to become an adventurer."

"How do you know this?"

"I have my ways. You guys should check on him. I'll talk to you when you're ready."

Lukia and the rest of the Phantom Blades leave in silence. Some truths and secrets are revealed to each other; they set off to find their leader...