Chapter 133
Orders from Above
As soon as Erin and Lexton had reached their group’s hotel room, the redhead didn’t waste any time in reading out Rayleen’s orders she had received from Wargas. She had quickly called their group to gather around, so that she could read them out loud for all of them to hear.
“Alright, you guys ready?” Erin asked as she took out the piece of paper she had gotten and saw everybody around her nod. “Good. Let’s see what they want us to do.”
The redhead read through the paper as carefully as possible, making sure she didn’t miss a single detail. Once she was done, she looked up at the others.
“What did it say?” Durge asked.
“It says that they want us to head to a city called Graven Hills,” Erin replied. “However, there isn’t anything else on it. It just states that we’ll receive further instructions there.”
“Wait… That’s it!?” Ryle asked in a bit of an angry tone. “You mean to tell me that after all this bullshit we went through with these guys, all they’ve got to say to us for our “super important mission” is to go to some place!? Is this a joke or something!?”
“That’s obviously not it, you idiot!” Lexton said angrily. “The reason why they want us to go to Graven Hills is because there is something important there, but they haven’t yet gotten the details down! In other words, they want us to be at the ready there, when they finally have their plans ready!”
“Oh… Well… They still should have a proper plan already!” the blonde said, trying to hide her own embarrassment. “Yeah, that’s what I’m upset about…”
“Yes, you’re a very clever individual and all. Your wisdom knows no bounds,” Erin said sarcastically, before getting back on topic. “Anyways, anybody here familiar with Graven Hills? Maybe we can figure out what they are expecting us to do over there.”
In truth, the redhead did know what Graven Hills was, except that was before everything got turned around by her old friends. Back then, Graven Hills was essentially a resting area for players. There weren’t too many dangerous creatures roaming in the area and the town itself was a place where you could easily gather supplies and accomplish simple tasks for some extra money. The truth was that Graven Hills was a farming town with a friendly population. In all honesty, it should be the last place to find anyone that was in any way linked to anyone of notice. Especially someone like one of the Five Overlords.
However, knowing just how much her old friends had changed things, Erin was certain that the Graven Hills she was familiar with was most likely long gone now. The message from Wargas even had a hint of that, as they referred to it as a city. The place she was familiar with was no way near large enough to be called that.
“It used to be a quiet farming town a few years ago. That changed once the Overlords stepped in and started to run thing their way,” Lexton began to explain. “Nothing of that old farming community remains anymore and the place is something completely different.”
“...What is it like now?” Erin asked, already dreading the answer.
“Once it was found out that the place was a rather peaceful area, some of the higher-ups with the approval of Golorath decided to make the place into a relaxing vacation area. Only thing is that the ones who get to vacation and relax over there are those with a lot of cash,” the kobold replied. “The place has now become a two-part city. On the higher end you have the gated community of celebrities, politicians and other society elites living in luxury. Surrounding it are the slums, where the previous residents were driven off to.”
“Judging by what you just told us, my guess is that Rayleen wants us to deal with someone that lives on the better part of the place,” Durge said. “Do you think that’s it?”
“Most likely. Considering how much money you make the closer you get to any of the Overlords, a place like Graven Hills becomes a very tempting place for a new summer home,” Lexton said. “That place must be filled to the brim with all sorts of scum that made their way upwards by simply kissing the asses of all the right people. I’m sure we can find Golorath’s personal servants there more than anywhere else in the world.”
“Any idea how long it will take us to get there?” Erin asked.
“We should get there in just a couple of days from here with our car,” the kobold replied. “All we need to do is pack up and get ready for the trip.”
“Alright, then that’s settled,” the redhead said before looking over the whole group. “We are going to leave as soon as possible. So unless anyone here has some unfinished business, I suggest we start packing our stuff. Any objections?”
No one said a single word, as they seemed to be in full agreement. However, Erin did notice that Lexton showed a small amount of hesitation, yet ultimately held back on whatever he wished to say.
Since no one objected out loud, it was decided that the group would get ready to leave. The redhead was still a bit bothered by the kobold’s reaction and decided to ask him about it.
“Is everything alright, Lex?” Erin asked, once the two of them were not close to anyone else, so their conversation wouldn’t be heard. “I noticed that you hesitated a bit, when I said that we should leave. Was there something you needed to do before that? I can ask the others to wait, if that’s the case.”
“No, there’s no need for anything like that,” Lexton quickly said. “It’s just that I can’t help but be curious as to what Rayleen’s people are doing in that pit. I know it’s risky and all, but a part of me wants to go down there to see what it is, you know?”
“I understand your curiosity. Part of me wants to know that, too, since it could prove to be useful,” the redhead said. “However, we shouldn’t risk it with those guys. While they might be working with us in a way, they are part of the military. I’m certain that the moment we become too much of a pain to deal with, they’ll be more than happy to get rid of us.”
“That’s true,” the kobold said in agreement. “Besides, I might have gotten lucky last time, but I can’t just expect it to happen like that every time.”
“...Actually, l wouldn’t be surprised if it did work.”
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Meanwhile, Izra and Wargas were in the middle of their operation inside the pit. As soon as they had gotten there, they had headed straight to the location where the rotting corpse of the Reaper Maggot was. While most would question this action, as most of the monster’s body had already been devoured by the other inhabitants of the pit, the servants of Rayleen weren’t looking for things that most other fortune seekers would. Instead, they were looking for something else that would make anybody question their actions.
What they were looking for were materials within the creature’s stomach, specifically different rock pieces. They also had a team sent to where the Reaper Maggot’s nest was in order to look for similar samples there.
Izra was watching over the team that was searching the monstrous worm’s corpse, while Wargas was with the team that had gone to the nest. The dragon woman’s radio suddenly crackled, signaling that her comrade was trying to contact her. She quickly picked up the device and pressed a button in order to hear what was said on the other side.
“Have you found something already?” Izra said and waited for a response.
“Yeah, we found plenty of what we were looking for over here,” Wargas responded on the other end. “Our team was able to find perfect samples all over. How about on your end?”
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“It’s the same over here,” the dragon woman replied. “While I can’t say that they were perfect samples, as this thing’s stomach acids had digested parts of them, they were still good enough to serve as evidence.”
“...So then the theories those scientists we talked with are correct then?” the wolfman asked in a serious tone. “This thing didn’t originate from here, but from a much farther place?”
“Correct. The samples we discovered here match those found at the mining site Dungard is operating at. Not only that, but these specific minerals are only found at that specific place as well,” Izra said. “This means that the Reaper Maggot originally lived in that area, before something forced it to move here. An apex predator like this would never leave its habitat like that, unless it either ran out of food or something forced it to move, like a much more dangerous beast that scared even it.”
“Sheesh. I don’t even want to imagine what kind of a creature would scare that thing. I don’t mean to talk bad about them, but I cannot believe those guys Lady Rayleen sent here were willing to come anywhere near that monster, not to mention kill it,” Wargas said. “But this raises some new questions. What is it that actually drove the Reaper Maggot away? And why does Golorath want that thing to be dug up?”
“I cannot say, but I do fear what we might find out,” the dragon woman said. “Hopefully that group of buffoons won’t screw up their job, so we can hopefully prevent whatever disaster is brewing.”
“You say that, but we both know that you are head over heels in love with that one kobold on their group,” the wolfman said. “What was his name again? Bexton? Rexton?”
“I’M NOT IN LOVE WITH HIM! I JUST FIND HIM INTERESTING!” Izra shouted angrily with her face completely red. “...Although, maybe I should ask him to hang out the next time we meet? Or is that too forward? Or maybe I could ask him to make something for me with his name engraved into it? Or do you think that would be better on a prosthetic? Oh, dammit! I still have all my limbs! Is there perhaps a very dangerous mission that needs to be done!?”
“...You’re a sad existence,” Wargas said after listening to his colleagues rambles. “A very sad existence.”
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Back with Erin and her group, they were done with their preparations to leave the city and head towards Graven Hills. Having been forced to rest for a long time due to being poisoned and unable to move properly, Durge volunteered to take up the part of the driver. Erin sat next to him with a map in order to give him directions. The others were seated at the back, doing their best to spend the time that they would be on the road the best possible way each of them knew.
“It was nice of you to take up the wheel, Durge,” Erin said with a smile. “Just say the word and I’ll be more than happy to switch. No need for just you alone to do this.”
“Don’t worry about me! I don’t mind doing this at all!” the orc replied with a big smile. “Besides, after being forced to rest for so long, I’ve got a load of extra energy that needs to be burned. Heck, don’t be surprised if I actually drive us all the way to Graven Hills in one go!”
The redhead couldn’t help but feel relief over her friend’s reassuring attitude. Just a couple of days ago, he had been unable to even speak properly and now he was completely fine and full of vigor. It was good to see for herself that the Reaper Maggot’s venom didn’t leave any lasting effects on him, even if Zeldana had claimed that nothing of the sort would happen.
Speaking of said elf, she had something to add to the conversation, despite neither Erin or Durge wanting, let alone needing it.
“I do have to wonder, though, where is this sudden enthusiasm of yours coming from?” Zeldana asked and the two at the front could just imagine the grin on the elf’s face. “Is it perhaps because you were forced to rely on me, like a baby has to with a mommy? Oh, don’t let that get to you! I won’t tell anyone what I saw! Besides, it’s not like it was-”
“Finish that thought of yours and nothing in this universe will stop me from throwing you under our car and turning you into a roadkill!” Erin shouted angrily at the elf.
“...I was just saying,” Zeldana muttered with a shrug.
“For the love of… It’s always something with you, isn’t it?” the redhead said with a frustrated sigh before focusing her sights back on the road ahead.
While Erin and Durge were focused on their trip, Lexton was managing some of his own work. Even if he couldn’t do much inside the van, he could still draw up plans for future experiments and mix up some of his simpler potions. Arkay was once again reading one of his books in order to learn more about magic and Zeldana had also taken upon herself to go through some of the books they had as well. Although, in the case of the elf, she was reading for the sake of simple amusement or at least the others assumed that was the case. From time to time, they could hear her chuckle and mumble stuff such as “That’s not how it went!” or “This is such bull!” The others decided not to question her, seeing as it would only drag them into whatever insanity Zeldana’s mind was in.
However, there was one person who wasn’t able to find a way to spend the time. That person was none other than Ryle, who was starting to get rather bored. The blonde had tried to take a nap in order to get through at least some of the trip, but she was nowhere near tired enough to do so. Fact of the matter was that she needed some form of action in order to be entertained, but that was proving to be rather difficult inside what was essentially a metal box.
During their previous travels, Ryle there had been other things that had helped her take her mind off her boredom. Back in Lexton’s old car, she had been too busy worrying about the stench that she couldn’t focus on her boredom at all. When they lost the kobold’s vehicle and were forced to travel on foot, she had been on alert from bandits, wild beasts and other threats that could get to them, so entertainment hadn’t been a priority.
However, with their new car now in use, there were no longer distractions that would take her concentration, making these trips feel like they rook an eternity to complete. While she could find some form of entertainment from spending time with one of the others, which she especially liked to do with Arkay for obvious reasons, there were times like now when the others would be preoccupied with their own activities and wouldn’t have the time to spend with her.
At the moment, all she could hope for was that they would either arrive at their destination soon or that when they stopped for a break, she would be able to burn enough energy to keep her satisfied for the rest of the way. Whichever would come first was not a concern for her, just that something would at least happen sooner rather than later.
Trying her best to just lay down and relax, Ryle stared at the ceiling above her and listened to the noises around her. The sound of the engine running, the ground grinding underneath the wheels, Lexton’s tinkering, Arkay turning the pages on his book and the somewhat disturbing chuckles coming from Zeldana. These sounds around her seemed to repeat themselves over and over again in a rhythmic manner, to the point the blonde could predict when the next one would come. And the more she focused on them, the stronger they became. And the stronger they became, the more they started to gnaw at the back of her mind, where it felt like they were tearing apart her brain.
After hearing the sound of Lexton dropping some form of a liquid into one of his numerous vials for what felt like the millionth time, Ryle had enough. She needed to get out of this box she was trapped in or else she would lose her sanity.
Sitting up from her spot on the floor, the blonde made her way to the front of the car in order to voice her concerns.
“Erin, do you mind if we pulled over for a moment?” Ryle asked. “I don’t feel too good.”
“Ryle, seriously, do you mind? We’re on a schedule here,” the redhead said with a sigh, before starting to turn around to look at the blonde behind her. “Could you spare us from your antics for-”
The rest of Erin’s words died in her throat, as she saw the look in Ryle’s eyes. The blonde looked like she was about to have a panic attack or something. Even Durge was greatly disturbed by this sight, as he managed to glance at her.
image [https://i.ibb.co/YWsB25L/Ch-133-Pic-1.jpg]
“I don’t think I can hold out much longer,” Ryle said in a voice filled with desperation. “Please let me out. Now.”
“...W-Well, I think we can afford to have a quick break, right?” Durge suggested. “I doubt whatever it is that awaits us at Graven Hills is that urgent. Besides, we’ve been driving for quite some time now anyways. I’m sure we can all use a chance to get some fresh air and stretch our legs.”
“Yeah… Let’s do that,” Erin said in agreement, hoping that whatever was wrong with Ryle would be cured with a little stop.
Almost as soon as the vehicle had come to a stop, Ryle burst through the back door, like the van was on fire. She then proceeded to get further away from the vehicle, before taking a bunch of deep breaths, like she had been running a marathon.
Worried over their friend, both Erin and Durge followed after Ryle, hoping to find out what was wrong with her. While they both knew that the blonde had a rather eccentric personality, the look in her eyes was something that they couldn’t simply pass off as just her typical antics. There was something wrong with her and she needed help.
“Ryle, is everything alright?” Erin asked gently, once she reached her blonde friend. “You gave us a bit of a fright over there. Are you feeling sick or something?”
“Oh, I’m sick alright… Sick of this boredom!” Ryle declared after steadying her breathing. “How any of you can stand being cooped up in that metal can for hours without going crazy is something I’ll never understand! All I can do is try to sleep, because staying awake just kills my brains with how dull it is! Can’t we find something to do!?”
“…Hang on. You’re acting up, because you’re bored? Is that it?” the redhead asked while looking at the blonde in disbelief. “Are you a little child or something? This isn’t some joyride we’re on!”
“I GET THAT!” Ryle shouted as loudly as she could, shocking her two friends. “I am fully aware that this isn’t some fun family trip or anything like that! But is it too much to ask to have at least something to take my mind away from the dullness of it all!? You guys might be fine, but I’m not! I’m going crazy over there! I can’t help how I am, okay!?”
In a way, Erin did understand her friend’s point. The fact of the matter was that they had been mostly focused on their mission, thus not allowing themselves any real time off. Not to mention, it was only because her own thoughts were occupied by everything they had to deal with that she never fully realized just how dull their travels could sometimes be. Still, it wasn’t something that they could just fix all that easily. They had to remember their priorities.
“She does have a point,” Durge suddenly said, surprising Erin. “Even in the military, troops need to be provided with some level of entertainment in order to keep up the morale. While it’s good to focus on the essentials, you can’t forget some of the other aspects either.”
“...I guess you’re right,” the redhead said with a sigh, before turning towards Ryle. “I get what, you’re saying, Ryle, but we can’t just outright stop what we’re doing in order to find something to entertain you and hopefully the rest of us. However, during our next stop, I promise you that I’ll help look for something that you can do for the rest of our trip. Okay?”
The blonde gave a simple nod in response, knowing that it was the best they could do. Erin and Durge smiled, seeing that they had managed to reach Ryle. They allowed her a couple more minutes to calm herself and take in some fresh air, before going back to the van and continuing their trip.
Once they resumed driving, everyone quickly noticed the somewhat tense atmosphere that had begun to hang over Ryle. While Lexton and Zeldana didn’t feel like it was worth their time to interact with the blonde, Arkay decided to move over to her in order to cheer her up. This did have an immediate positive effect on her mood, which everybody other than the cat boy himself could have predicted.
However, despite Ryle’s better mood, Erin knew that this was only a temporary solution at best. It would require a bit more to actually fix the issue itself.
After some time, the sun was starting to set, meaning night would be upon them soon. Seeing as how it would be more dangerous to travel at nighttime, Erin and Durge decided that it would be best to stop and let the group rest.
At first, it looked like they would have to set up camp in the wilderness, but Erin noticed something up ahead. There were a bunch of lights, which looked like they belonged to a settlement of some kind. Figuring that it was most likely some form of a motel or other smaller business, since they were on a fairly used route, this meant that they could go there to rest and stock up on supplies.
What they ended up at was something far different.